The GM has released some information pertaining to character background, mainly, a free (randomly generated) level two resource and an NPC that has to somehow be linked with the character. For me, the resource was Status and the NPC was the Madam of Whispers from Engine Publishing NPC book MASKS.
I struggled with this for a while, firstly because I didn't want to do any work on the character without knowing this information. I was worried I would come up with something and then the resource wouldn't fit. Second, because I got Status. Working noble into many backgrounds I was considering would have been a bit tough. Alright, no it wouldn't have, it's easy to say, oh yeah and he's a Count, but he ignores his titles and lands and wants nothing to do with them. That however squanders a perfectly good free resource and smacks too much of Athos from the Disney version of the movie. Embracing Status of noble does, by default, define something of the character. While a lot of that is still my choice, it is still a minor limiting factor as far as I'm concerned. But as I didn't come up with much of the character before hand, I decided it's not a major issue.
Here then is the background for Jean Baptist de La Pointe
de La Pointe is an ancient Nobel French family that, like most aristocracy of the time, can trace their line to the Throne. A certain percentage of the nobility of Europe would have to die before a de La Pointe would sit on the French Throne (and oddly enough, in that case, they would be able to claim the Austrian Throne before the French one), they are, none the less, related to Louis XIII.
The de La Pointe family is not however known for its ties to French Royalty (most nobles can do that), rather the de La Pointes are famous for their military contributions to France. The families ancestors include many heroes of past wars, a long line of generals and even a few admirals. Holding a Dukedom in North Western France, the family has been in decline for several years.
The Current Duc Aubry de La Pointe has no surviving brothers and only two male cousins. He is an elderly man but is still in good health. A retired General himself, The Duc married late in life. He sired three boys and two girls. The eldest boy, Galien was a sickly child who has grown into a sickly man. Galien, unable to participate in physical pastimes has become something of a scholar. The youngest boy, Renier, has just finished his schooling and joined the Army in accordance with family tradition. The girls Ameline and Bonassias both still live at home, although they have many suitors and are of prime marrying age.
The middle boy, Jean Baptiste, born right after Galien and before Ameline, Bonassias and Renier (in that order) also followed in the family tradition and joined the army. Both his name and natural ability severed him well moving up through the ranks till he held the post of Major in the infantry. Although it was possible for his father to just purchase this, or even a higher rank, for his son, Jean Baptiste insisted upon earning his own way up. At least to the point that it was possible.
Jean Baptiste, although his personal career was strong and positive, quickly became disillusioned with the overall stupidity and laziness inherent in the French Army. Most intolerable to him was superior officers who obtained their rank through favor or money and where poor leaders and worse military men.
After ten years of service, Jean was considering leaving the military. His father had recently elevated him with additional lands and titles clearly expecting that he, not Galien would one day succeed him as Duc. Jean knew that although he was now a Vicomte, with his father still ruling, there was no need for him to visit or manage his new lands.
He was debating what to do about his future when the question was answered at a party in Paris. A young woman, beautiful, intelligent and charming became the target of ridicule when her low birth was reviled. Jean stepped in to defend the girls honor. His opponent did not know he was the son of a Duc and a skilled military officer and he did not know that the fop he was facing in a duel was a Musketeer. Jean won quickly scoring first blood much to the dismay of Guiber Hamund, his opponent. Guiber was, if nothing else, a gentlemen and offered his apologies to the woman.
Considering the matter closed, Jean Baptiste was surprised when a few days later, he was summoned to the office of M. de Trèville who heard of the duel. M. de Trèville was investigating allegations against Guiber which he had already proven to be false, but was being thorough. During the interview talk quickly became less about Guiber and more about Jean Baptiste's background. When it concluded, de La Pointe began preparing to return to the field as his leave was almost at an end. Before he could leave Paris, M. de Trèville offered him a position in the Kings Musketeers.
Jean Baptiste did not need to considered the offer before accepting. He would have to surrender his commission, but he was considering doing that anyway. He wasn't needed at home and enjoyed Paris immensely. Plus no member of the family had ever been a Musketeer.
Duc Aubry de La Pointe owned property in Paris near the Musketeer headquarters and the palace. A large Hotel and several attached townhouses. Writing to his father, Jean Baptiste obtained a letter of introduction to the manager of the properties, a woman named Sybille la Fère (the Madam of Whispers) who still runs one of the more prestigious brothels in Paris, the House of Whispers. Jean took one of the townhouses as his residency and began his new career as a Musketeer.
Keep rolling my friends.
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