Lifepaths

[LordGrunt]

Ya know a lot of the life paths especially for the sea faring setting. I have no idea what they are like...Bosun, Landsman, Purser. Then there are some that you think you can figure out what they do by the name, but it would jus be nice to have a description like landsman, and rat catcher. So if anyone knows or where i coukld find out jus let me know
~Grunt :twisted:

[Mad Hatter]

Courtesy of Webster's:

Bosun (Boatswain):
1 : a petty officer on a merchant ship having charge of hull maintenance and related work
2 : a naval warrant officer in charge of the hull and all related equipment

Purser:
1 : an official on a ship responsible for papers and accounts and on a passenger ship also for the comfort and welfare of passengers

Still, I know what you mean. There are a couple of them in there that I couldn't figure out either (and couldn't find in the dictionary). I don't have the book in front of me, or I would be more specific.

[Kublai]

I moved this topic here, where it is more appropriate. The Womb is really more of a place to post characters you have burned.

Yes, some of the LPs are obscure, but as Mad Hatter did, begin with the dictionary. And of course, we will always be here for you! :)

[LordGrunt]

oops my bad, but thanks and dictionary? come on im a college student...me...look something up haha. Thanks again peace
~Grunt :twisted:

[luke]

The lifepaths are designed to describe themselves. If the name doesn't ring a bell check out the skills to see how that describes a person in this position.

Since I used many archaic and medieval descriptions (in addition to a few bastardizations) sometimes you won't find what I am talking about in a dictionary. Bosun for example, according to the dictionary, he's in charge of the hull. From my research, Mr Bosun was also in charge of meteing out discipline at the Captain's or First Mate's orders.

A Landsman is a naval jargon term for a newbie. Kids that were just starting on a ship were given the rank "Landsman." It was derogatory from what I can tell.

As for Mr. Ratcatcher. He was a very important functionary in medieval society and something of a common sight—the crazy guy going madder all the time trying to stem the endless tide of vermin. He's where we get exterminators from, but with out the spritz-sprayer. Though he did use his own brand of poisons!

I think he is pretty well described in his traits and skills.

The lifepaths were meant to provide a broad sketch of medieval society. Hopefully they contain enough detail where you can build on them to create a character, but not so much that they start dictacting the entire background to the campaign. Imagination was intended (and is required) to fill in missing details.

One last note: (I don't have the books in front of me), but as far as I can remember nothing in there is plain gibberish. Every name is either legitimate or a bastardization of another word. Some of them are jokes, some of them are references to other work, some of them are just me being wierd. But they are all there for a reason and they all mean something.

Good luck.
I'm always happy to answer questions about the lifepaths, so ask away. (just don't expect a straight answer!)

:roll:

-abzu

[luke]

By the way, the Purser on any ship was the most hated man on board. He was in charge of accounting for stocks and pay. Ships were in notoriously short supply of just about everything, and the Purser was always blamed for this shortage. Everyone thought they were short because he was stealing!

Also, because life was so hard on board a ship, Pursers often skimmed money, supplies and luxuries off the top for themselves.

-abzu!