Character Creation: Bedlam Hall

I'm so close to being caught up! I think I can actually get ahead of schedule over Thanksgiving break.

I have now jinxed myself, which is appropriate, given today's game.

The Game: Bedlam Hall
The Publisher: Monkeyfun Studios
Degree of Familiarity: Some. I played it at Origins this past summer. It wasn't a great time, but that wasn't the game's fault.
Books Required: Just the one.

 
Bedlam Hall is a PbtA game in which you're playing the staff at the titular estate, in service to the Blackwood family. The tone is black humor, but it's not meant to be as silly as it was when I played at Origins, I don't think. In any event, it's a mix of an Upstairs, Downstairs kind of situation and, like, Addams Family with the creepy cranked up a little.

As a PbtA game, it uses playbooks, so that's my first step. I played the Cook at Origins, so I want to do something different today. I shall play the Chauffeur, I think.

Next up, Attributes. I can pick between four arrays, depending on how focused I wish to be. Hmm. I think I shall go with 2, 1, 1, -1. I'll put my 2 in Composure, my -1 in Etiquette, and of course Persuasion and Fortitude get the 1s. This guy has a habit of putting his foot in his mouth when he talks, so he tries not to.

Now, moves. I get Access to the Bentley and Better Footwear automatically, and then I get to pick two more. What should my strong & silent driver have?

Well, I'm thinking Don't Make This Physical makes sense (I can cause Trauma if I Direct the Staff and they refuse). And then I think Outsider's Perspective plays to my strengths (it's a Composure roll), so that's fine.

I get a Secret and a Cruel Move. For my secret, I'll say it's a connection with unsavory criminals I've had to dodge for a fresh start. More specifically, my chauffeur was part of a criminal gang that would infiltrate stately homes, get the lay of the land, and then rob them blind. He, however, went to the wrong house, got the chauffeur job, and his gang hasn't seen him since. For his part, he's thinking maybe this is a good enough gig that he doesn't need to go back to a life of crime. Sure, the house is cursed and the lord of the manor summons demons in his parlor, but the pay's not terrible and it beats the Front, anyway.

For my Cruel Move, I think An Expensive Theft makes the most sense. Once a session I can steal shit, and everyone loses Prestige (but I get something valuable).

And then I get 1 Prestige. Interestingly, at no point am I told to do any background, look, or personality-type decision-making, or indeed even name the character (THIS IS WHY AN EXAMPLE OF CHARGEN). But I know to do that stuff, so I shall.

There's a listed of suggested names, and I like "Graves," so I'll pick that. For Appearance, I pick "burly" and for Behavior I pick "gruff." I picture Graves as being strong, dour, short greying hair and weathered hands. Took a bullet in the War, but his background was on the rough streets of London anyway, so the violence didn't affect him like it did some folks. Indeed, choosing not to return to his violent life was highly out of character for him. Maybe this house is having an effect...

And that's me done!