Flashing Blades - Introductory Material

FB is a game of Role-Playing in 17th Century France.  It is inspired by
the works of Dumas, Sabatini, et al.  One of the things which distinguishes
it from many rpgs is that it, like Pendragon and Ars Magica, has rules
which cover "down time"; that is, large chunks of time may pass while
players pursue careers and activities other than "adventuring."  

Basic Mechanics:
	The basic game is very simple.  There are six attributes, rolled
	on 3d6.  The player then selects either his height (Tall, Average or
	short) OR his build (Thin, Average, or Stocky).  The other is rolled
	for and the combination of the two affects his attributes a bit.
	From those scores a carrying capacity and hit points are calculated.
	(Although high is always better, there are breakpoints at 6,9,12,15
	and 18 - ie. 12 is a lot better than 11.)
	   Most of the time when one attempts to do something, a d20 is
	rolled and if it is less than or equal to the appropriate attribute
	he suceeds.  Skills usually do one of two things: allow the roll in the
	first place (ie. no attempt may be made unless one has the skill) or
	provides a bonus to the attribute before the roll is made (ie. one
	has a better chance if one has the skill.)  The exception to this
	mechanic is combat skills.

	Attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, Wit, Charm, Luck

Combat Skills:
	Combat skills, unlike normal skills which either you have or you
	don't, have a level associated with them.  The higher the better, of
	course.  A chart converts that into a basic chance to both hit
	and parry.  The hit/parry chance is modified by equipment and stuff
	to give the final hit/parry chance out of 20.  
	   In actual hth combat, you also guess whether your foe will 
	slash/thrust/lunge (or with some weapons "strike") and must choose
	what you will do as well.  Guessing correctly gives a parry bonus.
	Of course, some weapons are better suited to some kinds of attacks
	so it's not a blind guess, but one _can_ thrust with a cutlass, it
	just does less damage than a slash.

Character Generation Note:
	Characters choose a background - Rogue, Soldier, Gentleman or
	Nobleman.  That choice affects starting skills, as well as career
	options, equipment and so on and so forth.
	   You can also select an advantage (like rich) and a disadvantage 
	(like Religious Fanatic) or one or the other (which costs or gains
	extra skill points).

Down Time:
A wide variety of career options are open to characters, although some
are closed to certain types of characters.  

The Military
	Anyone can join the Military.  Soldiers get a better choice
	of unit and advancement and such.  Wars do happen and people
	do die on campaign.

The Clergy
	Anyone can join the Clergy.  In this day and age, it's not
	as restrictive as one might think.

The Royal Beauracracy
	Be a Minister! A Lawyer!  A Magistrate!

Clubs and Orders
	Either for fun or for Military duties.  

Banking
	Make some cash.  You can speculate as well, even if not a banker.

Nobility
	Well, you don't so much do this as have it happen to you. 
	(Unless you start as a Nobleman.  High ranking members of some
	orders also get Knighted pretty regularly.)

Fencing Schools/Fraternities
	Teach others to kick butt.


Note that all these jobs take time, and although you can do many of them
(especially at high ranks), care must be taken to juggle them properly.



Skill list (by Background: a character may purchase any skill for 3 points,
	a listed skill costs 2 points, a capitalized "Bonus" skill costs 1)

Rogue			Gentleman		Soldier		Nobleman
=========================================================================
Acrobatics		Acrobatics		Acrobatics	Bribery
Bargaining		Banking			Bargaining	Captaincy
Bribery			BARGAINING		CAPTAINCY	ETIQUETTE
Carousing		Bureaucratics		Carousing	Gambling
CUT PURSE		Carousing		Espionage	HERALDRY
Disguise		Chemist			Gambling	History
FINE MANIPULATION	Disguise		HORSEMANSHIP	HORSEMANSHIP
Forgery			Espionage		Stealth		Languages
Gambling		ETIQUETTE		STRATEGY	Magistracy
Literacy		Fine Manipulation	Tracking	Oratory
STEALTH			History					Seduction
Tracking		Horsemanship
			LANGUAGES
			Magistracy
			Oratory
			Seduction
			Theology
			Tracking

Martial Skills:
Archery (bow and crossbow)
Artillery (artillery)
Brawling (clubs, unarmed, improvised)
Dueling	- Spanish (rapier and longsword, bonus to "slash"
	- Italian (foil, rapier and longsword. bonus to "thrust" and "lunge"
		   baton, main-gauche and buckler for small parry bonus)
	- French (foil, rapier and longsword. All parry devices for full bonus)
	- Cavalry (longsword and sabre, bonus to "slash")
	- Old (dagger, longsword, cutlass, 2-handed sword)
Firearms (guns)
Grenadier (bombs and grenades)
Polearms (pikes, halberd, polearms, 2-handed sword)