Background Story Ideas

[Alan]

Im still playing around writing my character background for the current (dice & table top) RPG we do each thursday. As per the other messages ive posted around here, the character is essentialy a junior officer on a 1820's war ship (think 'mutiny on the bounty' 'master & commander' one of those square rigged ships)

So, I've got to the point where its my characters first watch - hes in charge and I want something to happen which results in him making the decision that results in someones death - all be it the right decision tho.


Any ideas ?

What sort of situation would cause the officer of the watch to give someone the "ultimate" order, one that couldnt wait for the captain or senior officer to be awoke (assuming its nightfall)

 

[Thorwyn]

Give some more background info.... where is your ship atm? Are you at war? How many people are on the ship?
Do you want to make the "decision" fully aware (i.e. is it a plot) or is there room for interpretations?

 

[Alan]

Give some more background info.... where is your ship atm? Are you at war? How many people are on the ship?
Do you want to make the "decision" fully aware (i.e. is it a plot) or is there room for interpretations?

the ship can be anywhere (this is background, so before we started the rpg) the ship is part of the french navy and would patroll those waters, additionaly it could run as an escort to india (for the indian trading company) so around africa too. Pirates did exist then, as did other continents that we could be at war with - spanish, english etc.

Around 350 crew on board, its a third rate ship (war ship) with 3 decks and a hull, 74 cannons, fore/main/mizzen mast

Id prefer an idea where the character knows its the right thing to do - eg one life to save many.

 

[DocWolfe]

make him a serial rapist

 

[Bugz]

guy/lass has a fatal disease on the ship and has to be killed to stop the disease spreading?

 

[Thorwyn]

I assume you don´t have control about what the other NPCs are doing..

Hm.. discovering a spy comes to mind.
One guy in your crew is a spy, who keeps giving away your plans and your positions to the enemy (pirates or regular war enemies). You´ve picked up some vague rumours about his (=their) plans in the tavern, but so far, you´ve been unable to put a hand on it. During your watch, stuff happens (whatever it is.. a signal to attack or maybe something more subtle) and all of a sudden, the curtain is lifting and you´ve got the riddle.
Avoid the attack, isolate the spy and get rid of him.

 

[evzy]

Somehow due to a time slip Hitler gets ported back to teh boat, your dude although not knowing Hitler realises something is a bit dodgy considering he fell out of a glowing orb in the sky (the time portal today is a glowing orb) so decides to off him in a witty manner of your choosing.. hence savings a shitload of lives yet not really screwing with the storyline of any of the char's currently in it... Maybe throw in some amnesia at the end as well to save further questions...