Untitled Shakespeare Game Playtest

[vcczar]

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

Here's the official playtest thread. I'll do the background after you create your character. Please fill out the following information:

 

Player Setup:

1. Select a name (ideally an English name for historical accuracy): 
   1. Note: You will all be 21 years old, born in 1555. You'll all be single and childless at first. You all will quit your original job to commit to the theatre full time. 
2. Select an place of birth from the list below. 
   1. London
   2. Southwark
   3. Shoreditch
   4. Whitechapel
   5. Deptford
   6. Westminster
   7. Surrey
   8. Middlesex
   9. Canterbury
   10. Oxford
   11. Cambridge
   12. Stratford-Upon-Avon
   13. Hastings
   14. Brighton
   15. Ipswich
   16. Bristol
   17. Taunton
   18. York
   19. Newcastle
   20. Coventry
   21. Exeter
   22. Dover
   23. Kent
   24. Norwich
   25. Netherlands
   26. Wales
   27. Scotland
3. Religion (pick from below)
   1. Protestant (Anglican)
   2. Protestant (Calvinistic)
   3. Protestant (Secular)
   4. Protestant (Catholic Convert)
   5. Protestant (Jewish Convert)
   6. Crypto-Catholic
   7. Crypto-Atheist
   8. Crypto-Jewish
4. Select father’s profession (pick from below and note requirements)
   1. Servant to Queen Elizabeth (req: Westminster hometown)
   2. Servant to a nobleman (req: Westminster hometown)
   3. London lawyer (req: Hometown London)
   4. Landed Gentry Yeoman (req: Hometown outside London)
   5. Merchant
   6. Artisan
   7. Scribe (req: Hometown London, Oxford, Cambridge, or Canterbury)
   8. Farmer (req: Outside London, Oxford, Cambridge)
   9. Fisherman 
   10. Tavernkeeper
   11. Innkeeper (req: London hometown)
   12. Landlord (req: London hometown)
   13. Laborer (req: London hometown)
   14. Soldier
   15. Sailor
   16. Touring Actor (req: London hometown)
5. Education (pick one of the below. Notice the requirements)
   1. None (req: parents sailor, soldier, laborer, fisherman, or touring actor)
   2. Common School 
   3. Oxford
   4. Cambridge
   5. Inns of Court 
6. Select occupational experience (pick one of the below. notice requirements)
   1. Farmer (req father as farmer)
   2. Scribe (req university)
   3. Lawyer (req Inns of Court)
   4. Innkeeper (req father was innkeeper)
   5. Tavernkeeper (req father was tavernkeeper)
   6. Draper (req father was artisan)
   7. Clothier (req father was artisan)
   8. Dyer (req father was artisan)
   9. Haberdasher (req father was artisan)
   10. Goldsmith (req father was artisan)
   11. Touring Actor (req father was touring actor)
   12. Acrobat (req father was touring actor)
   13. Baker (req father was artisan)
   14. Candlemaker (req father was artisan)
   15. Minstrel (req father was touring actor)
   16. Fishmonger (req father was fisherman)
   17. Grocer (req father was touring actor)
   18. Tailor (req father was touring actor)
   19. Soldier (req father was soldier or laborer)
   20. Sailor (req father was sailor or laborer)
   21. Carpenter (req father was artisan)
   22. Mercer (req father was artisan)
   23. Blacksmith (req father was artisan)
   24. Miller (req father was artisan)
   25. Vintner (req father was artisan)
   26. Salter (req father was artisan)
   27. Cook (req father was servant of Queen or Nobleman)
   28. Clerk (req university or inns of court education)
   29. Shoemaker (req father was artisan)
7. Part of a livery? (not requirement)
   1. Yes (req: You occupational experience requires that your father was an artisan)
   2. No because I’m not an artisan
8. Home neighborhood that you just moved to (pick one below):
   1. Southwark (Bankside)
   2. City of London (Blackfriars)
   3. City of London (Cheapside)
   4. City of London (Aldgate)
   5. City of London (Cripplegate)
   6. City of London (Cornhill)
   7. Covent Garden (Drury Lane)
   8. Shoreditch
   9. Whitechapel
   10. Middlesex (Islington)
   11. Surrey (Newington Butts)
9. Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
   1. No permanent residence as I sleep in various Inns (req: must be in Cornhill, Whitechapel, or Southwark)
   2. Rented room in a neighborhood (Any of the City of London locations)
   3. Rented floor above a shop (Any of the City of London Locations)
   4. Rented tenement room in a suburb of London (req: Anywhere not in the City of London)

The above will eventually play a role in events, interactions, and other things. 

 

[ShortKing]

11 minutes ago, vcczar said:

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47

Here's the official playtest thread. I'll do the background after you create your character. Please fill out the following information:

 

Player Setup:

1. Select a name (ideally an English name for historical accuracy): 
   John Avery
2. Select an place of birth from the list below. 
   1. Cambridge
3. Religion (pick from below)
   1. Protestant (Catholic Convert)
4. Select father’s profession (pick from below and note requirements)
   1. Scribe (req: Hometown London, Oxford, Cambridge, or Canterbury)
5. Education (pick one of the below. Notice the requirements)
   1. Cambridge
6. Select occupational experience (pick one of the below. notice requirements)
   1. Scribe (req university)
7. Part of a livery? (not requirement)
   1. No because I’m not an artisan
8. Home neighborhood that you just moved to (pick one below):
   1. City of London (Aldgate)
9. Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
   1. Rented room in a neighborhood (Any of the City of London locations)

Exciting

Edited July 1, 2022 by ShortKing

[Willthescout7]

14 minutes ago, vcczar said:

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47

Here's the official playtest thread. I'll do the background after you create your character. Please fill out the following information:

 

Player Setup:

1. Select a name (ideally an English name for historical accuracy): 
   1. Henry Lincoln
2. Select an place of birth from the list below. 
   1. Deptford
3. Religion (pick from below)
   1. Protestant (Calvinistic)
4. Select father’s profession (pick from below and note requirements)
   1. Soldier
5. Education (pick one of the below. Notice the requirements)
   1. None (req: parents sailor, soldier, laborer, fisherman, or touring actor
6. Select occupational experience (pick one of the below. notice requirements)
   1. Soldier (req father was soldier or laborer)
7. Part of a livery? (not requirement)
   1. No because I’m not an artisan
8. Home neighborhood that you just moved to (pick one below):
   1. Southwark (Bankside)
9. Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
   1. No permanent residence as I sleep in various Inns (req: must be in Cornhill, Whitechapel, or Southwark)

The above will eventually play a role in events, interactions, and other things. 

 

 

[WVProgressive]

41 minutes ago, vcczar said:

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47

Here's the official playtest thread. I'll do the background after you create your character. Please fill out the following information:

 

Player Setup:

1. Select a name (ideally an English name for historical accuracy): 
   1. Edward Byron
2. Select an place of birth from the list below. 
   1. London
3. Religion (pick from below)
   1. Protestant (Secular)
4. Select father’s profession (pick from below and note requirements)
   1. Touring Actor (req: London hometown)
5. Education (pick one of the below. Notice the requirements)
   1. None (req: parents sailor, soldier, laborer, fisherman, or touring actor)
6. Select occupational experience (pick one of the below. notice requirements)
   1. Touring Actor (req father was touring actor)
7. Part of a livery? (not requirement)
   1. No because I’m not an artisan
8. Home neighborhood that you just moved to (pick one below):
   1. City of London (Blackfriars)
9. Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
   1. Rented room in a neighborhood (Any of the City of London locations)

The above will eventually play a role in events, interactions, and other things. 

 

 

[vcczar]

@ConservativeElector2 Added you. See the initial post.

[ConservativeElector2]

1 hour ago, vcczar said:

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

Here's the official playtest thread. I'll do the background after you create your character. Please fill out the following information:

 

Player Setup:

1. Select a name (ideally an English name for historical accuracy): 
   1. Christian Weybridge
2. Select an place of birth from the list below. 
   1. Ipswich
3. Religion (pick from below)
   1. Crypto-Catholic
4. Select father’s profession (pick from below and note requirements)
   1. Landed Gentry Yeoman 
5. Education (pick one of the below. Notice the requirements)
   1. Oxford
6. Select occupational experience (pick one of the below. notice requirements)
   1. Scribe (req university)
7. Part of a livery? (not requirement)
   1. No because I’m not an artisan
8. Home neighborhood that you just moved to (pick one below):
   1. Covent Garden (Drury Lane)
9. Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
   1. Rented tenement room in a suburb of London (req: Anywhere not in the City of London)

The above will eventually play a role in events, interactions, and other things. 

 

 

Edited July 1, 2022 by ConservativeElector2

[vcczar]

4 minutes ago, ConservativeElector2 said:

• 1. Covent Garden (Drury Lane)
• Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
  1. Rented floor above a shop (Any of the City of London Locations)

You need to pick a different housing, because Covent Garden isn't one of the City of London locations.

[ConservativeElector2]

2 minutes ago, vcczar said:

You need to pick a different housing, because Covent Garden isn't one of the City of London locations.

1. Rented tenement room in a suburb of London (req: Anywhere not in the City of London)

[Willthescout7]

Question just out of curiosity: what do you mean by crypto-catholic and etc.?

 

[10centjimmy]

24 minutes ago, vcczar said:

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47

Here's the official playtest thread. I'll do the background after you create your character. Please fill out the following information:

 

Player Setup:

1. Edmund Guttersworth 
2. Place of Birth: York
3. Religion (pick from below)
   1. Crypto-Catholic
4. Select father’s profession (pick from below and note requirements)
   1. Fisherman
5. Education (pick one of the below. Notice the requirements)
   1. None
6. Select occupational experience (pick one of the below. notice requirements)
   1. Fishmonger (req father was fisherman)
7. Part of a livery? (not requirement)
   1. No because I’m not an artisan
8. Home neighborhood that you just moved to (pick one below):
   1. Whitechapel 
9. Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
   1. No permanent residence as I sleep in various Inns (req: must be in Cornhill, Whitechapel)

The above will eventually play a role in events, interactions, and other things. 

 

Added mine, found the name Guttersworth from a database of 16th century York surnames. Do you think there will eventually be a drop down of playable names?

[vcczar]

8 minutes ago, Willthescout7 said:

Question just out of curiosity: what do you mean by crypto-catholic and etc.?

 

Elizabethan England was basically a police state as she went through several assassination attempts. Catholics were believed to be the leading opponents to Elizabeth, and there's some truth to that. As such, it was mandatory that citizens were members of the Church of England. Catholics weren't always persecuted, but they had few rights when they weren't persecuted. No one would be openly Catholic. It would be like walking into a small town biker bar in Mississippi and declaring that you hate country music, that you're bi, and a member of the Hillary Clinton fan club or something like that. You'll probably get beat up or worse. It was also illegal to be Jewish. Strangely, being atheist was probably more tolerable than being Catholic or Jewish but there were occasional fines for not going to Church and such. It got worse as the Puritans got more control of Parliament. 

By today's standards, there's a lot about the English Renaissance that was a nightmare, at least socially speaking. 

[vcczar]

10 minutes ago, 10centjimmy said:

Do you think there will eventually be a drop down of playable names?

Yeah, a generator. 

[vcczar]

12 minutes ago, 10centjimmy said:

No because I’m not an artisan

Actually, Fishmongers were a livery. So I'll make you a member since it has some advantage.

[OrangeP47]

4 hours ago, vcczar said:

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

Here's the official playtest thread. I'll do the background after you create your character. Please fill out the following information:

 

Player Setup:

1. Select a name (ideally an English name for historical accuracy): John Jones
   1. Note: You will all be 21 years old, born in 1555. You'll all be single and childless at first. You all will quit your original job to commit to the theatre full time. 
2. Select an place of birth from the list below. 
   1. Wales
3. Religion (pick from below)
   1. Crypto-Atheist
4. Select father’s profession (pick from below and note requirements)
   1. Tavernkeeper
5. Education (pick one of the below. Notice the requirements)
   1. Common School 
6. Select occupational experience (pick one of the below. notice requirements)
   1. Tavernkeeper (req father was tavernkeeper)
7. Part of a livery? (not requirement)
   1. No because I’m not an artisan
8. Home neighborhood that you just moved to (pick one below):
   1. City of London (Blackfriars)
9. Current housing (pick one below and note requirements)
   1. Rented floor above a shop (Any of the City of London Locations)

The above will eventually play a role in events, interactions, and other things. 

 

 

[Bloot911]

1. George Rowe

2.Canterbury

3. Protestant (Calvinistic)

4. Scribe

5. Oxford

6. Scribe

7.No

8. Whitechapel

9. No Permeant Residence as I sleep in Various Inn

 

[vcczar]

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

It's December 1575. London, England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth

Over the course of the year, seven men have realized that there was a tremendous opportunity to change entertainment in London forever. By January 1576, these men hope to inaugurate London Theatre. 

• Edmund Guttersworth, fishmonger of York, hopes to get away from the stench of fish and find a better life. 
• George Rowe, Oxford-educated scribe of Canterbury, is attracted to the literary element of the theatre world. 
• Christian Weybridge, Gentleman, an Oxford-educated scribe of Ipswich, is likely the youngest son of a wealthy yeoman farmer needing to seek his own living in the world or possibly a black sheep in the family. Curiously, he's living in tenement housing in the suburbs of London. In the Elizabethan era, the suburbs were slums and the tenements were poorly-built housing units designed to cram as many families into them as possible. Londoners hated the tenements, but the constant flow of new Londoners made them a necessity. As a gentlemen, Weybridge can expect to be a more frequent target of theft than others so long as he stays housed in a poor neighborhood. 
• John Jones, Tavernkeeper from Wales, likely initially hoped to open a tavern in London but may have a had a change of heart to open another enterprise. His Welsh accent would be immediately noticeable. He currently resides in Blackfriar's Priory, which is one of the few suburbs of London composed primarily of middle class and wealthy residents, and he may be sensing some pressure to bring an income in quickly if he wants to stay there. 
• John Avery, Cambridge-born and Cambridge-educated Scribe, who like George Rowe, is likely attracted to the theatre for the literary element. 
• Henry Lincoln, soldier from Deptford, has likely left the military for a higher-paying, less-deadly existence. How he got his 50 pounds of startup cash is a complete mystery. Suspicious, in fact. 
• Edward Byron, is a London-born touring actor. He likely knew about the potential for a London theatre market for awhile, but has just now gathered the start up funds. His residency in Blackfriar's might evoke some sort of optimism about how quickly he expects to make a good profit. Byron will be able to personally fill any holes in casting. 

With a few exceptions, these men do no know one another. However, Byron and Jones might actually be roommates or neighbors. Rowe and Guttersworth are likely in the same Whitechapel Inn and have probably engaged in conversation. Rowe likely also knows Weybridge as they're both 21-years-old and Oxford-educated scribes. 

Generally, these men will be rivals, but occasionally friends in troubling times. 

Up next: Events

*I need to type these up, so expect Saturday or Sunday for these.*

 

[OrangeP47]

4 minutes ago, vcczar said:

It's December 1575. London, England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth

The more things change the more things stay the same.

[Willthescout7]

48 minutes ago, vcczar said:

• Henry Lincoln, soldier from Deptford, has likely left the military for a higher-paying, less-deadly existence. How he got his 50 pounds of startup cash is a complete mystery. Suspicious, in fact. 
•  

 

No one look at the dead man behind the curtain!

Edited July 1, 2022 by Willthescout7

[vcczar]

This is a map of London from 1600, but it's close enough to our time. 

We have two people living in the Blackfriar's neighborhood. By the wall, in lower left, North of the Thames. One person is in Southwark in the South. One person is in Drury Lane--off the map to the left. Two people are in Whitechapel, in the direction of Red Lion off the map to the right. We have one person in Aldgate, about where the Saracen's Head is within the walls of London. The City of London is technically only the part within the walls. Suburbs are outside the walls. Fleet Street leads to Westminster, which is the head of Government. 

[vcczar]

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

Here are the game start events to set the mood for the game. I just typed these up, so it's possible the language will change eventually.

The 1572 Decree and the 1574 Royal Patent	You make your way to the Inns of Court to seek a lawyer privy to the laws that might impact a theatre business. Ultimately, a Mr. Henry Black, off the top of his head, recalls the 1572 Decree and the 1574 Royal Patent. The former stipulates that all actors must serve under a patron with a noble or royal title, lest they be treated as vagabonds. The latter law blocks local authorities from suppressing plays as it gives that power to the Lord Chamberlain and his servant the Master of the Revels, who actually handles all theatre and entertainment matters. Both laws actually protect actors, who are favored by aristocrat, although disliked by city authorities. The city authorities, while unable to suppress plays, can prevent the building of theatres within the City Walls.
London Population of 1575	London is easily the largest city in England. It is believed the entirety of England is composed of 3 to 4 million people. London is home of 300,000 people, if you include the suburbs. No other city is close to 50,000 people. While a Londoner might not bat an eye. A newcomer would be overwhelmed by not only the noise and pungent smells, but by the seeming willingness of people to live on top of each other. The tenement housing in the suburbs, in Aldgate within the walls in the East, and the alleys and side streets of central London are particularly bad. Immigration to London, both foreign and domestic, is constant. Life in London is hard, hectic, but also profitable.
Plagues in London	One thing you keep in mind is the ever-returning plague. The density of London leads to a swifter, greater death toll than any other place in England. Those wealthy enough will escape to the country if they have another residence. The last plague to hit London was in 1563, well-within memory. We are due for another one. At some point, it will be nice to have a country home, and this might be crucially important once you have a family.
Elizabeth's Reign	Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne since 1558. At 42, it seems unlikely that she'll be married or produce an heir. The uncertainty of who rules after Elizabeth has helped in producing a hectic reign. She has survived several assassination attempts and squashed potential religious wars in the country. As such, England operates like a police state. Loyalty to the Queen and to the Church of England is legally mandatory. Plays that are deemed dangerous to church or state are suppressed.
Theatre Critics	While we can trust aristocrats and the Queen to favor the theatre, we face opposition from the City Authorities and the growing Puritan movement within the Church of England. London's Lord Mayor and the city Aldermen gain their support from wealthier residence by promising safer, quieter streets. Theatres are believed to bring noise, congested traffic, lower class crowds, crime, and help in the spread of disease. The Puritans, it seems, believe anything fun to be Satanic.
Master of the Revels	We learn that Thomas Blasgrave is the current Master of the Revels. His office is at St. John's Priory, the site of a former monastery, in Clerkenwell, one of the northwest suburbs of London. It is through the Master of the Revels that we must gain all permission of entertainment. He will have to be paid to find a patron for the company, paid to license a new theatre, and paid to review every play we intent to stage. The Master of the Revels has the power to suppress a play, demand revision, and he can punish offending company members with fines and imprisonment.

 

Up Next: Players Will Form Their Company by Finding Actors

*I'll try to have this ready by today or tomorrow (Sunday)

[vcczar]

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

Generally, when seeking hirable people you'll either go yourself or send your manager to one of these locations. None of the locations guarantee you'll get someone or the type of person you are intending to get. It just makes it much more likely you'll find the type of person you are looking for. 

1. Search Mermaid Tavern (Cheapside) for hirables with writing skill
2. Cardinal’s Hat Tavern (Bankside) for hirables exclusively for acting or primarily acting
3. Boar’s Head Tavern (Eastcheap) for low-skill hirables with multiple staff skill
4. Go to Guild Hall to seek apprentices reluctantly waiting in line for a “real job.”
5. Go to Saint Paul’s Cathedral to find a boy actor from their choir who would like to act.

[vcczar]

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

You've all now acquired 5 adult actors each to allow you to request a patron so you can officially form a company. You'll eventually get to replace some of these actors. 

Check out your list of actors. Don't worry about their roles in casting at the moment. You'll get to set who is your lead actors and etc. later on. 

Up next, you'll be applying for a patron. I'll do that next, either today or tomorrow. 

[vcczar]

@WVProgressive @Willthescout7 @ShortKing@10centjimmy @Bloot911 @OrangeP47 @ConservativeElector2

The impresarios pay a visit to the Master of the Revels, Thomas Blasgrave, over the course of December (not at the same time, of course). The Master of the Revels collects his 10 pounds from each man--a total of 1/4th of the total startup cash--to apply for a patron. Eventually, the Master of the Revels returns with a report of nobles interested in being the patron for a theatre company. 

All of their terms are about the same:

• The Company will be officially servants in the household of the nobleman. This protects the actors from vagabond laws. 
• The Company will be financially independent of the noble man. This protects the nobles from our company becoming a financial burden to them, but it also protects our profits. 
• The company will be loyal to Queen Elizabeth and the Church of England. 
• The company will follow the rules laid out by the Master of the Revels. 
• The bond between patron and company will end either on the patrons death or by royal or parliamentary demand. 
• The only differing contract is with the Earl of Oxford, who sees himself as a playwright. He demands to be the author of any plays written by the company. 

In a computerized form of this game, you would all take turns randomly selecting a patron from the list, but I'm just going to do first come first serve. So, pick your patron! Make sure you don't pick anyone already picked. Patrons are generally invisible, but I give a chance they might help out in a way. 

 

Patron

Company Name

Can Apply For

Annual Prestige

50 Pound Loan Chance

Chance Donation of Royal Hand-Me-Downs for Costumes

Chance Donation of Noble Hand-Me-Downs for Costumes

Chance Donation of Wealthy Hand-Me-Downs for Costumes

Chance Donation of Knights & Warfare Hand-Me-Downs for Costumes

Chance Perform at Patron's Estate

Other Bonuses

William Cecil, Lord Burghley	Lord Treasurer's Men	Yes	50	5	5	10	10	0	5
Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford	Hertford's Men	Yes	20	5	0	10	5	5	5
Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst	Buckhurst's Men	Yes	10	5	0	10	10	0	10
Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick	Warwick's Men	Yes	20	5	0	5	5	10	5
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford	Oxford's Men	Yes	20	5	0	10	5	0	10	Serves as Company Playwright
Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester	Leicester's Men	Yes	50	5	5	10	5	5	5
Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke	Pembroke's Men	Yes	20	5	0	10	5	5	5
George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury	Earl Marshal's Men	Yes	20	5	0	5	5	10	5
Giles Brydges, Lord Chandos	Chandos's Men	Yes	10	5	0	5	10	5	5
Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex	Essex's Men	Yes	20	10	0	10	5	10	5

[OrangeP47]

Robert Dudley please.

[ConservativeElector2]

Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex