Chapter One: On a Broad Canvas

1.1 General Introduction

Death before Dishonor is a game set in 17th century France, a time when honor was of paramount importance. The game master (GM) will create a basic character for you, which you will flesh out in detail. Once you have your character in order you will have him embark upon a career in the timeless city of Paris. Usually, the character will commence with a military or clerical career and try to distinguish himself from his peers, which hopefully leads to promotions, titles, appointments and riches. There are dangers being in the military such as death, dishonor, or being captured on the battlefield.

In Paris, the players can engage in a multitude of actions. Examples of such are, dueling, writing treatises, courting lovely ladies, buying property, joining clubs, theatrical productions, parties, military schools and more!

Should you have need for assistance, the following people have offered to help in mentoring and answering questions about playing the game. Feel free to contact Burt Miller

The game is still accepting players but they are being put on a waiting list. When the # of players drops below 100, the ones that have been waiting the longest will be allowed in.

Another way to keep well informed about administrative details and up-to-date on character press is by using the dbd listserver. The release of newsletters & errata, coordination among players, and general role-playing all happen on the DBD list. You can join it at the following link:

Click to subscribe to DBD

The dbd listserver is a service provided to give characters a chance to share information with all of the players and administrators of Death Before Dishonor. Here are a few rules and guidelines governing its use.

• All information listed on the server is public. Any communications or negotiations you wish to conduct privately should be conducted via the character in question's private email address, available on the register page of the newsletter.
• Only players with active characters in Death Before Dishonor should use the listserver. Anyone else should contact Joe Carl for permission to post a message. Keep in mind that Joe does not control this at this time, and that unauthorized persons may post messages to the server. If you think that this has happened, contact Joe, and he will determine whether the message should be declared persona non grata.
• All information posted to the listserver should be considered rumor, with a reliability equivalent to "I heard it from a Lackey, who heard it from a Lackey...". Information such as challenges to duel, and invitations to events should also be posted in the newsletter via your orders, or to the appropriate player page.
• Players posting to the list should be careful about whose actions and thoughts they are describing. A player may properly post a message from or about himself, or NPCs he controls such as his Lackey, or Mistress with few exceptions. In all cases, describing the thoughts of characters that you do not control is forbidden. You must instead describe the character as if they were being observed. Describing the  actions of powerful NPCs such as the King or the Cardinal is forbidden, unless the actions in question are implied by game events described in the newsletter. Describing the actions of other important NPCs should be done sparingly if at all, with great care taken to maintain the dignity, neutrality and character of the personage involved. Descriptions of other player characters thoughts and actions, or those of NPCs that they control is forbidden in most cases, unless the consent of the player involved is granted. In no circumstances is a post by one player to be attributed to another without express consent. Players who do so without consent may be banned from the game.
• Players are encouraged to create characters which are not otherwise described in the game as plot devices and props for stories involving their character. It is acceptable to create characters such as "the Barmaid at The Red Phillips", or "a clergyman met on the road" in order to add color and flavor to whatever yarns they wish to spin about themselves. They should take care not to have these made up characters engage in libel at another characters expense. If you wish to do so, your character should do it directly, and face the consequences.
• Messages to the listserver should be in character. If you need to use your own voice for a message, or part of a message, you should mark the section which contains comments in your voice with the delimiter --OOC--, which stands for Out Of Character. Communications which are out of character ( real person to real person ) should always be polite and considerate of the other person's feelings. Your character may hate "Joe Blow's" character, but please keep in mind that "Joe Blow" is a real person probably much like yourself. Much more leeway is given to exchanges between characters, but be sure to stay in character, and avoid language which would be offensive in and of itself.
• Have fun. The messages posted to the listserver allow you to flesh out your character, and really roleplay. You are encouraged to use your imagination and share it with everyone.

1.2 Rule Changes

The GM reserves the rights to delete, add, or modify the rules as he sees fit. Usually this will occur through player feedback. If you have any questions about, or issues with, rule changes, please do not hesitate to bring them to my attention and I will try to help you out. If you happen to be caught in the middle of a rules change, I will, on a case by case basis, grandfather you into the old rules, at least until things settle out. However, be aware that all rules changes are meant to make the game more playable or easier to adjudicate.

Adjudication mistakes must be brought to the GM's attention before the next turn's deadline or the mistake will stand. This is still mostly hand adjudicated and a free service because I enjoy doing it. Don't get rude or you will not be allowed to continue playing.

1.3 Common Abbreviations Used

• SP - Status Point
• SL - Social Level
• BR - Battle Result
• IL - Influence Level
• MA - Military Ability
• MiD - Mention in Dispatch
• MRL - Mention in the Royal Lists

1.4 Concepts of the Game

The object of the game is to have fun climbing the ladder of success. Success is attained by gaining the top of the Social ladder, which is represented by Social Levels (SL). Each player controls one character that performs activities designed to gain Status Points (SP). Accumulation of enough Status Points advances the character's Social Level. Activities are performed in successive months, each turn representing one month. You can advance in many ways, but interaction with others is important, either through rivalries or alliances. Make too many enemies and you'll fall back down the social ladder rather than climb it.

1.5 Time Sequence

Each turn represents a month of time and three months equal a season. Each month is divided into 4 weeks and players provide orders for each of the four weeks of the month. Actions that take no time are also noted on the order sheet. Players are expected to provide these orders by the due date published in the newsletter or their character risks being sent to the front. If two month of game time elapse without any orders or excuse for their absence then your character is removed from the game.

Orders are to be received by E-mail in standard ASCII format. HTMLized mailers are discouraged, as well as rich text mailer messages. Please turn off such features when mailing in your orders.

1.5.1 Seasons

• Winter: December, January, February
• Spring: March, April, May
• Summer: June, July, August
• Fall: September, October, November

1.6 Your Character

1.6.1 Character Creation

The statistics for each character will be determined by the GM. Players may join the game at any time. The only requirement from the player is to provide a unique name, specifically a unique last name, and if desired a history. No one is allowed to run more than one character at a time and sharing email accounts is not allowed.

1.6.2 Important attributes

• Strength: Your character's strength, which determines the amount of damage he inflicts in duels. Initially based on a 3d6 roll.
• Constitution: Your character's basic health; initially based on a 3d6 roll.
• Endurance: Endurance is the amount of damage your character can take before being killed in a duel. Maximum Endurance is equal to the product of Strength and Constitution. Current Endurance represents initial Endurance reduced by damage taken in duels, which may thereafter be increased back to Maximum Endurance by healing.
• Agility: Your character's speed in handling a blade based on a 1d6 roll. Lower is better.
• Military Ability: Your character's facility with military concepts; greatly affects your battle results. Initially based on 1d6, with higher numbers representing higher skill.
• Social Level: Your character's importance in the Parisian community, the higher the better.

1.6.3 Status Points and Social Levels

Who doesn't want status and prestige? A character's Social Level (SL) is a measure of his standing in society. The higher the level, the greater the influence and power of the individual. Accumulating Status Points (SP's) increases social Level. Earning 3 times the next higher Social Level in Status Points, or more, in a single month results in a Social Level increase. A character may not rise more than one SL in any month. For example, a character at SL 4 would need to obtain 15 SP's to achieve SL 5. In order to maintain his SL, a character must gain as many Status Points as his current Social Level by the end of the month or he will drop down a SL. Status Points are not carried over into subsequent months; although the source of the SP's may be utilized in subsequent months.

Note that characters on campaign are not required to maintain SL, but do need to maintain the SP sources which they wish to keep while on campaign. This means that allowance is still drawn while on campaign and mistresses will only remain with characters that supply them with support during the character's absence. In general, if the resource needs support or is difficult to re-acquire then you should support it during your absence.

The main ways to gain status points are:

• Being a member of a regiment, or holding a general staff rank.
• Holding an appointment.
• Belonging to Nobility.
• Having/ courting a mistress.
• Mentions in Dispatches (MiD's): gained at the front.
• Being a member of a club.
• Carousing.
• Toadying.
• Conspicuous consumption.
• Winning duels.
• Owning a residence.

1.7 Companionship

It is important to be seen with the opposite sex sometime during the month; otherwise, you lose status in the eyes of most Parisians. For each month without companionship you will lose a cumulative 1 SP until you satisfy the requirement.

Example: The first month without female companionship, would result in a -1 SP penalty. The second month would have a -2 SP penalty, the third, -3, and so on.

1.8 Money

Money makes the world go round and everyone needs to spend it, earn it, or borrow it. The monetary unit used for currency is the Crown (Cr). You will earn money through various means and spend it as you please. You will have an allowance and a salary if you join the military. You can also earn a salary if you receive an appointment. And, you will gain money as plunder if you go on campaign in the military. You may embezzle funds when holding certain appointments, but there is danger if you are caught. The clergy can tip the plates to earn money. And, if you are strapped you can always borrow from a shylock. Details are in the appropriate sections.

1.9 Conspicuous Consumption

Normal support entails clothes, food, and cost of living, which everyone must do. Conspicuous consumption includes tipping well, meeting friends for dinner and picking up the tab, dressing a little better, eating out at the best restaurants more often, etc. Status Points (SP) can be gained by increasing levels of Conspicuous Consumption. Conspicuous consumption is selected at the beginning of the month and can not be altered later in the month.

A Conspicuous Consumption of level 0 is always assumed unless otherwise specified.

1.9.1 Allowance

Your allowance, if you have one, is collected at the beginning of the month. The only way it can change is if your father or older brother dies. Details are in the appropriate section.

1.9.2 Loans

If you don't have enough to do everything you want to do, then you can borrow money from other players or from a shylock. If arrangements have not been made, or they are not conducted properly, then a visit to the shylock will be assumed and a loan will automatically be taken out in your name.

1.9.2.1 Character Loans

If you borrow money from another character then you must negotiate the terms, and coordinate the transfer of funds. Both players should have something in their order sheet specifying the transaction, or it will not be conducted.

1.9.2.2 Shylocks

Shylocks will loan up to the character's SL × 100 in crowns in lots of 100 crowns at a time. Unfortunately, they charge a one time 10% interest and the loan must be paid back within six months. Thus, if you borrow 100 crowns in January, 110 crowns are due by the end of July. Failure to repay a loan sees the character disgraced. Loan payment is due regardless of your character's current activities. If your character goes out on Campaign and his loan comes due, he must still repay the loan or suffer the consequences.

1.9.3 Salaries and Pensions

Salaries from military positions or appointments are collected at the end of the month.

1.9.4 Work

If you are really strapped for money you can actually work to earn funds. See Work.

1.9.5 Supporting NPC's (Non-Player Characters)

Support for Mistresses, Lackeys, and other NPC's are tallied at the end of the month. If you have a wealthy mistress as of the end of the month, she will pay you support at the end of the month. All such support is assumed to take place unless you explicitly dismiss the NPC.

1.10 Press

Press between characters is encouraged. Interactions can happen in the newsletter for all to see, or privately. Anonymous press is allowed so long as you remain in character. You may assume the role of NPC's that you control, such as your mistress, or ones that you create, such as the Grey Stalker (a NPC that has made an appearance in the newsletter from time to time). Do not abuse this privilege, and try to be consistent with previous press releases. Gossip and rumors may be submitted to the GM for publication but their publication is subject to approval by the GM.

Another way to send press that you want broadcast (but not to show up in the newsletter) is to join the DBD listserver. Anonymous press may be submitted to the GM for posting to the DBD listserver. Please be specific when submitting anonymous press to the listserver via the GM or it will appear in the newsletter.

1.11 Submitting Orders

Orders cover one month at a time, except for the summer campaign season, which is run in a single turn. Orders have multiple parts and are comprised of:

• Free Actions
• (4) Actions taking 1 week each
• Dueling orders
• Press to be submitted for the newsletter

Actions may sometimes be conditional, but only if the conditions are based on activities happening in the same week. They may not cross weeks. i. e. I will not keep track of how many SP's you have gained in previous weeks of the month to determine what you do in each week. Each week must be completely resolvable with the information contained in that week's orders.

Example:

Week1
Try to join KM as captain
If not accepted then try to join CG as captain
Week2
Court a mistress (step aside if other courtiers are present)
If unavailable then go to the bawdy house and acquire Female Companionship

Make your if statements clear; otherwise, they run the risk of being ignored and no action being taken. I will not calculate your SP total for purposes of determining your actions in a given week.