Historical Figures Question

[grinch]

Historical Figures

Simple question. In your PCs travels throughout time and space, what historical figures have they encountered? What ones were particularly memorable and did your PCs interactions with them change the course of history in any way?

For instance, in my campaign featuring Mortimus, also once known as the Meddling Monk who has since tried to change his ways, he and the other PCs encountered Tony Hancock, famed comedian and star of the titular radio series ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ In an effort to quell his obsession with meddling in the course of history and trying to at least use it to his benefit, he invited Tony aboard the TARDIS with the promise of not only the trip of a lifetime (A successful Convince Roll meant Tony believed he could find inspiration for new material from this journey) but that secretly he also wanted to prevent him from committing suicide from an overdose of pills in Australia on the 25th June 1968.

Tony and the others went on many adventures together including an adaptation of ‘The Anti-Hero’ (Thank you once again to the Expanded Universe team) where he drew particular delight in discussing philosophy with the likes of Hero and the alien Muses. After all this, he was returned back to his own time period with Mortimus fearing that if he was gone too long the entire course of British Comedy could be changed forever.

Sadly, history could not be changed and Tony still suffered the same fate. However, this time as he passed away in his addled state Mortimus and the PCs were there to be with him in his final moments. Unfortunately, Tony dismissed them with his final breaths as mere hallucinations and uttered his infamous “Stone me, what a life...” before slipping away and passing into the pages of comedy history. This event has since only deepened Mortimus’s resolve that history cannot and should not be changed with his fellow travellers worried that his obsession might be the ruination of him. Rather aptly only time will tell.

And unbeknownst to my PCs in the modern day stored safely away in The Black Archive, sits a long lost diary of another star of ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ Kenneth Williams. Taken by UNIT after his death in 1988. A diary in which he recorded his adventures with Iris Wildthyme and Panda. The latter who he got on tremendously well with. As you can see, whilst Mortimus and Tony was on their adventures so was another resident Time Lord! Who knows maybe their paths will cross one day?

[Catsmate]

I like it!! And, after all, Big Finish had Sixie meet Max Miller
.

Hmm, I tend to avoid allowing interactions with major historical figures, except on special occasions (the 'Linelight Effect').
I am very fond of dropping in lesser historical figures, ones that the players won't immediately recognise. Probably

So far, and this is a pretty long term campaign which has now spawned a spinoff in the 'Evil Doctor' universe, they're encountered.

Archibald Hall, the Monster Butler, murderer and thief.

Arthur Charles Clarke, writer and engineer.

Nevil Shute Norway, writer and aeronautical engineer

John Hargrave, artist, cartoonist, pacifist, illustrator, wood carver, medical orderly, novelist, inventor, rock music fan, psychic healer and founder of the other KKK.

He's due for an appearance in the EDCverse.

Air Marshal Sir Robert Victor Goddard, air force officer. Though he had a rather different career than that documented, being involved with strange events. I wrote him up here. 

Baron Roman Maximilian von Ungern-Sternberg, madman and warlord. Meddler with Things Man Was Not Meant To Know. He's appeared in a Who novel.

Violette Morris, OLympic winning athlethe. Appeared as a nurse/driver during the Great War, before her more notorious activities.

George Fabyan, New Englander, millionaire businessman, cryptoanalyst and patron to scientific research.

Sidney Reilly, spy and more. Again his activities in our Whoniverse don't quite match history.

Béla Kiss, Hungarian serial murderer. Appeared as the minion of a renegade Time Agent with a plan to change history.

Will Hay, actor, astronomer, engineer, pilot, linguist, diplomat. A fascinating man who'll destined to appear in the EDCverse.

Amelia Earhart, American aviator and feminist.

Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, Sinophile, CIA agent, Army intelligence officer, linguist and writer.

Fredericka “Old Mother” Mandelbaum, criminal.

Dr. Richard J. Hayes, librarian, linguist and cryptographer.

Marin Mersenne, French polymath and natural philosopher, known as "the post-box of Europe"

Pythagoras, Greek philosopher.

Thomas Alva Edison, American engineer and inventor. Also has some interesting aspects t his life.

Josephine Baker, chorus girl, comic performer and spy.

Edith Margaret Garrud, martial artist and political activist.

Marie Dolores Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld (aka Lola Montez), Irish dancer/actress, courtesan, and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria.

Colonel Thomas Blood, confidence trickster and thief of the British Crown Jewels

Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle, courtesan and royalist spy


Robert Todd Lincoln, son of US President Lincoln and refuser of Presidential invitations

Sir Walter Raleigh, sailor, explorer, pirate, courtier, spy.

• That adventure encompassed several of Raleigh's circle including Lady Elizabeth Carey, Bess Throckmorton, Edmund Spenser, Thomas Alleyn, Henry Percy (the alchemically inclined "Wizard Earl”), the cousins Walsingham (Thomas and the better known Sir Francis, Gloriana's spymaster), Christopher 'Kit' Marlowe. Elizabeth I cameo'd.
  

Victoria Litvanoff, White Russian diviner, (fake) clairvoyant, madam, criminal.

Mary Somerville, mathematician

Ida Laura Pfeiffer, Austrian traveller and writer.

Erasmus Darwin, natural philosopher, physician, abolitionist, inventor, poet and 'Lunatick'. Grandfather to Charles Darwin and Francis Galton.

• Other mkember sof teh Lunar Societ also appeared.

Athanasius Kircher, German Jesuit scholar, priest and polymath.

Edgar Allan Poe, writer, alcoholic and linguist

David Edward Hughes, musician, inventor and dabbler in radio.



In the EDCverse.
Adolph Hitler, the architect and writer, has been encountered on several occasions from his early days after the Summer War as a young, radical, architect, later fighting the Slavic Hordes during the Eurasion War as a combat engineer, and during the construction of the EuroFed complex he designed.
His statue, complete with fox terriers, has also featured.

Air Commodore Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, RBAF officer, regime loyalist, spaceflight expert and wanted criminal after the Revolution. Killed in the obliteration of a small island in the Indian Ocean.

Michael Bentine, British spy and RSF officer who disappeared after the Revolution. Wanted in several countries for Crimes against Humanity.

Upton Sinclair, US/Californian social activist, writer and politician. First president of the Republic of California, the precursor of the Pacific Common wealth

Percy Ludgate, Irish accountant and computer science pioneer.

[thereviewer]

Jul 2, 2019 23:19:32 GMT grinch said:

Historical Figures

Simple question. In your PCs travels throughout time and space, what historical figures have they encountered? What ones were particularly memorable and did your PCs interactions with them change the course of history in any way?

For instance, in my campaign featuring Mortimus, also once known as the Meddling Monk who has since tried to change his ways, he and the other PCs encountered Tony Hancock, famed comedian and star of the titular radio series ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ In an effort to quell his obsession with meddling in the course of history and trying to at least use it to his benefit, he invited Tony aboard the TARDIS with the promise of not only the trip of a lifetime (A successful Convince Roll meant Tony believed he could find inspiration for new material from this journey) but that secretly he also wanted to prevent him from committing suicide from an overdose of pills in Australia on the 25th June 1968.

Tony and the others went on many adventures together including an adaptation of ‘The Anti-Hero’ (Thank you once again to the Expanded Universe team) where he drew particular delight in discussing philosophy with the likes of Hero and the alien Muses. After all this, he was returned back to his own time period with Mortimus fearing that if he was gone too long the entire course of British Comedy could be changed forever.

Sadly, history could not be changed and Tony still suffered the same fate. However, this time as he passed away in his addled state Mortimus and the PCs were there to be with him in his final moments. Unfortunately, Tony dismissed them with his final breaths as mere hallucinations and uttered his infamous “Stone me, what a life...” before slipping away and passing into the pages of comedy history. This event has since only deepened Mortimus’s resolve that history cannot and should not be changed with his fellow travellers worried that his obsession might be the ruination of him. Rather aptly only time will tell.

And unbeknownst to my PCs in the modern day stored safely away in The Black Archive, sits a long lost diary of another star of ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ Kenneth Williams. Taken by UNIT after his death in 1988. A diary in which he recorded his adventures with Iris Wildthyme and Panda. The latter who he got on tremendously well with. As you can see, whilst Mortimus and Tony was on their adventures so was another resident Time Lord! Who knows maybe their paths will cross one day?

I think I told you at least the first one before and the second that followed, but I'll mention it again for the benefit of everyone here.

The first Historical Figure in my campaign was none other than J.M. Barrie during Kanya's Second Incarnation where she was traveling with the noble Savage Lee of the Sevateem (the same tribe that Leela came from years after she left). Their encounter with Barrie actually began in medias res with Barrie being chewed out by the head of the theater he was writing for who claimed that Barrie would never create anything worthy in his lifetime. However, the boss was then interrupted by the sudden appearance of Kanya and Lee (both dressed in appropriate clothing of the time), who suggested the guy not belittle Barrie any longer. We then did a quick flashback discovering that Kanya brought Lee here to help further educate him in proper etiquette. They discovered the playhouse after learning from a civilian that some "no-name" named Barrie was writing there. Kanya recognized this was indeed J.M. Barrie and decided to take Lee leading into the intro where Kanya defended Barrie as the head of the playhouse suggested Barrie come up with some new material and fast. In return for their service, Barrie invited Kanya and Lee to dinner with the Llewelyn Davies Family. Lee amused the Children with his more savage mannerisms at dinner ("This drink is tremendous!" [Throws the cup to the ground.] "Another!") When asked by Sylvia where Lee was from, Kanya simply said "He's...my bodyguard...from Ireland." After dinner, Kanya and Lee got the opportunity to spend the night there (albeit on the floor,) whilst the children were sent to their rooms. Unfortunately, the adults were woken up in the middle of the night by screaming from the kids' room and upon entering, discovered they were all gone. Kanya scanned the area discovering certain particle traces leading to one culprit; The Soul Pirates. Fortunately, their ship was not far away and the Time Lady and her companion sprung into action. Unfortunately, Barrie tagged along insisting he help due to his friendship. With a deep sigh, Kanya opened the TARDIS doors, exposing an awestruck Barrie to the TARDIS interior. More surprising was when Lee returned dressed in his usual Sevateem getup of animal furs and primitive weapons on his belt. The three transported onto The Soul Pirate's ship as Lee distracted the guards while Kanya and Barrie got the kids out, with Barrie deducing that Kanya was not of Earth. Lee engaged in honorable sword-combat against The Soul Pirate Captain, nearly loosing his hand in a similar fashion to when Luke fought Vader in The Empire Strikes Back. However, Lee managed to avoid getting his hand chopped-off, and instead turned the tables getting the pirate's arms sliced off. With their leader literally disarmed, the Soul Pirates left as Kanya returned Barrie and the kids back to their home safe-and-sound. Barrie thanked Kanya and explained that their adventure together had resulted in a great inspiration to turn his career around. Kanya warned him not to speak of time/space travel nor the Soul Pirates, but Barrie clarified that it was an allegory and that he would never breathe a word of what happened. He would instead pen a story about a boy from a land where nobody had to grow-up, where a family escaped to said-world to do-battle with pirates. A story that would become known as 'The Boy Who Never Grew Up.'

The second adventure I ever did with a historical figure was during the second story to feature Kanya's Third Incarnation, and the first to feature Cam Mokal as a companion. In this one, the two ended up aboard the Titanic the day it sank. After explaining the rules of Fixed Points in Time, and why they couldn't save everyone, Cam had a basic understanding of what one could and could not do when time traveling. So they instead decided to check out the ship while they could. While at lunch, the two encountered Molly Brown whom Cam only recognized due to her being played by Kathy Bates in the James Cameron film. However, the two freely interacted with her and chatted about the reputation of the ship. Later, when the two failed to leave (due to Kanya forgetting to replace the Mercury Fluid Links) the Time Lady realized that there were a few things going wrong in history due to a premonition (effects caused by the upcoming Time War and the Daleks beginning to create new means of time travel). One thing they had to do was get Molly Brown on the lifeboat to ensure her survival. Though Cam proved ineffective in convincing Molly to leave, Kanya was more successful convincing Molly that the people being rescued were going to need funds when this was all over, and that Molly was the right person with the right amount of compassion to help. Molly reluctantly agreed with Kanya calling down to the lifeboat to say "IF ANY MAN GIVES YOU TROUBLE, TELL THEM TO **** OFF!" The two also encountered Jack Phillips and Harold Bride and convinced them to change the emergency signal from C.Q.D. to the then-new S.O.S. signal. 

I do have a couple of historical adventures planned in the future involving:

Harry Houdini ( grinch knows this one, but I'll save it as a surprise for all of you. )

Amelia Earhart (A story involving a sort-of "Snakes On a Plane" Inspired-Story, but a lot more serious and less funny given the monsters involved.)

Billie Jean-King & Margret Court (One became famous for beating a male Pro-Tennis Champion live in one of the most watched Tennis Events in history. The other tried to make that happen before then, but failed. But what if the first time around, things had gone a little differently?) 

[grinch]

Jul 3, 2019 12:00:28 GMT Catsmate said:

I like it!! And, after all, Big Finish had Sixie meet Max Miller
.

Hmm, I tend to avoid allowing interactions with major historical figures, except on special occasions (the 'Linelight Effect').
I am very fond of dropping in lesser historical figures, ones that the players won't immediately recognise. Probably

So far, and this is a pretty long term campaign which has now spawned a spinoff in the 'Evil Doctor' universe, they're encountered.

Archibald Hall, the Monster Butler, murderer and thief.

Arthur Charles Clarke, writer and engineer.

Nevil Shute Norway, writer and aeronautical engineer

John Hargrave, artist, cartoonist, pacifist, illustrator, wood carver, medical orderly, novelist, inventor, rock music fan, psychic healer and founder of the other KKK.

He's due for an appearance in the EDCverse.

Air Marshal Sir Robert Victor Goddard, air force officer. Though he had a rather different career than that documented, being involved with strange events. I wrote him up here. 

Baron Roman Maximilian von Ungern-Sternberg, madman and warlord. Meddler with Things Man Was Not Meant To Know. He's appeared in a Who novel.

Violette Morris, OLympic winning athlethe. Appeared as a nurse/driver during the Great War, before her more notorious activities.

George Fabyan, New Englander, millionaire businessman, cryptoanalyst and patron to scientific research.

Sidney Reilly, spy and more. Again his activities in our Whoniverse don't quite match history.

Béla Kiss, Hungarian serial murderer. Appeared as the minion of a renegade Time Agent with a plan to change history.

Will Hay, actor, astronomer, engineer, pilot, linguist, diplomat. A fascinating man who'll destined to appear in the EDCverse.

Amelia Earhart, American aviator and feminist.

Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, Sinophile, CIA agent, Army intelligence officer, linguist and writer.

Fredericka “Old Mother” Mandelbaum, criminal.

Dr. Richard J. Hayes, librarian, linguist and cryptographer.

Marin Mersenne, French polymath and natural philosopher, known as "the post-box of Europe"

Pythagoras, Greek philosopher.

Thomas Alva Edison, American engineer and inventor. Also has some interesting aspects t his life.

Josephine Baker, chorus girl, comic performer and spy.

Edith Margaret Garrud, martial artist and political activist.

Marie Dolores Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld (aka Lola Montez), Irish dancer/actress, courtesan, and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria.

Colonel Thomas Blood, confidence trickster and thief of the British Crown Jewels

Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle, courtesan and royalist spy


Robert Todd Lincoln, son of US President Lincoln and refuser of Presidential invitations

Sir Walter Raleigh, sailor, explorer, pirate, courtier, spy.

• That adventure encompassed several of Raleigh's circle including Lady Elizabeth Carey, Bess Throckmorton, Edmund Spenser, Thomas Alleyn, Henry Percy (the alchemically inclined "Wizard Earl”), the cousins Walsingham (Thomas and the better known Sir Francis, Gloriana's spymaster), Christopher 'Kit' Marlowe. Elizabeth I cameo'd.
  

Victoria Litvanoff, White Russian diviner, (fake) clairvoyant, madam, criminal.

Mary Somerville, mathematician

Ida Laura Pfeiffer, Austrian traveller and writer.

Erasmus Darwin, natural philosopher, physician, abolitionist, inventor, poet and 'Lunatick'. Grandfather to Charles Darwin and Francis Galton.

• Other mkember sof teh Lunar Societ also appeared.

Athanasius Kircher, German Jesuit scholar, priest and polymath.

Edgar Allan Poe, writer, alcoholic and linguist

David Edward Hughes, musician, inventor and dabbler in radio.



In the EDCverse.
Adolph Hitler, the architect and writer, has been encountered on several occasions from his early days after the Summer War as a young, radical, architect, later fighting the Slavic Hordes during the Eurasion War as a combat engineer, and during the construction of the EuroFed complex he designed.
His statue, complete with fox terriers, has also featured.

Air Commodore Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, RBAF officer, regime loyalist, spaceflight expert and wanted criminal after the Revolution. Killed in the obliteration of a small island in the Indian Ocean.

Michael Bentine, British spy and RSF officer who disappeared after the Revolution. Wanted in several countries for Crimes against Humanity.

Upton Sinclair, US/Californian social activist, writer and politician. First president of the Republic of California, the precursor of the Pacific Common wealth

Percy Ludgate, Irish accountant and computer science pioneer.

Nice! I do also try not to have my PCs encounter too many major historical figures. Mainly because my campaign is set an alternate version of the TV series where the Monk took a different path after the Time War. He escaped and regenerated (from Burgess Meredith to Reece Shearsmith) before settling down on Earth in the early 1990s (A period where the Doctor is noticeably absent). He found work as a Librarian and has mostly been living quietly, having been severely traumatised and suffering from constant nightmares about Reapers. His now dormant TARDIS disguised as a garden shed has been masking his Time Lord signature. Of course, after several shenanigans he has found himself travelling and has even got his own crew as such. All the while trying to change his ways and prove that he can be better. Not that he is much good at it of course but it is the thought that counts. Anyway, the only historical figures the PCs have encountered so far has been helping the likes of Ken Dodd and Arthur Askey fend off the Scorchies who infiltrated the Royal Variety Performance.

I chose Tony Hancock not only because I thought he would be a rather interesting character to have my PCs encounter but also because aside from two of the PCs, the rest are aliens and as such would not be familiar with Earth culture. He worked surprisingly well and I was pleased to see Mortimus's player take a shine to him and construct his own personal arc about perhaps using his skills in the meddling of Time to change the fate of one man. Unfortunately, it did not work. Some things just clearly aren't meant to be.  

The Easter Egg of Kenneth Williams once being Iris Wildthyme's companion was not only meant as a nod to David Benson (who plays Panda and also notably portrayed him in a successful one man show) but also I couldn't resist the idea of the trio travelling the universe subjecting the likes of the Selachians or even the Slitheen to Mr William's acidic wit. Like I said before, maybe my PCs and their paths will cross one day.

Interesting choice of historical figures you have there. All very diverse with some of them I have never heard before. You have peaked my curiosity regarding the likes of who Bella Kiss was working for and the role Will Hay plays in the Evil Doctor Universe. Speaking of, the Evil Doctor Universe sounds like it would make for a great sourcebook. Have you done stats for all his incarnations and companions? Is The Master a force for good there? Honestly sounds like a great idea to me. 

[Catsmate]

Jul 5, 2019 19:20:20 GMT grinch said:

Jul 3, 2019 12:00:28 GMT Catsmate said:

I like it!! And, after all, Big Finish had Sixie meet Max Miller
.

Hmm, I tend to avoid allowing interactions with major historical figures, except on special occasions (the 'Linelight Effect').
I am very fond of dropping in lesser historical figures, ones that the players won't immediately recognise. Probably

So far, and this is a pretty long term campaign which has now spawned a spinoff in the 'Evil Doctor' universe, they're encountered.

Archibald Hall, the Monster Butler, murderer and thief.

Arthur Charles Clarke, writer and engineer.

Nevil Shute Norway, writer and aeronautical engineer

John Hargrave, artist, cartoonist, pacifist, illustrator, wood carver, medical orderly, novelist, inventor, rock music fan, psychic healer and founder of the other KKK.

He's due for an appearance in the EDCverse.

Air Marshal Sir Robert Victor Goddard, air force officer. Though he had a rather different career than that documented, being involved with strange events. I wrote him up here. 

Baron Roman Maximilian von Ungern-Sternberg, madman and warlord. Meddler with Things Man Was Not Meant To Know. He's appeared in a Who novel.

Violette Morris, OLympic winning athlethe. Appeared as a nurse/driver during the Great War, before her more notorious activities.

George Fabyan, New Englander, millionaire businessman, cryptoanalyst and patron to scientific research.

Sidney Reilly, spy and more. Again his activities in our Whoniverse don't quite match history.

Béla Kiss, Hungarian serial murderer. Appeared as the minion of a renegade Time Agent with a plan to change history.

Will Hay, actor, astronomer, engineer, pilot, linguist, diplomat. A fascinating man who'll destined to appear in the EDCverse.

Amelia Earhart, American aviator and feminist.

Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, Sinophile, CIA agent, Army intelligence officer, linguist and writer.

Fredericka “Old Mother” Mandelbaum, criminal.

Dr. Richard J. Hayes, librarian, linguist and cryptographer.

Marin Mersenne, French polymath and natural philosopher, known as "the post-box of Europe"

Pythagoras, Greek philosopher.

Thomas Alva Edison, American engineer and inventor. Also has some interesting aspects t his life.

Josephine Baker, chorus girl, comic performer and spy.

Edith Margaret Garrud, martial artist and political activist.

Marie Dolores Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld (aka Lola Montez), Irish dancer/actress, courtesan, and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria.

Colonel Thomas Blood, confidence trickster and thief of the British Crown Jewels

Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle, courtesan and royalist spy


Robert Todd Lincoln, son of US President Lincoln and refuser of Presidential invitations

Sir Walter Raleigh, sailor, explorer, pirate, courtier, spy.

• That adventure encompassed several of Raleigh's circle including Lady Elizabeth Carey, Bess Throckmorton, Edmund Spenser, Thomas Alleyn, Henry Percy (the alchemically inclined "Wizard Earl”), the cousins Walsingham (Thomas and the better known Sir Francis, Gloriana's spymaster), Christopher 'Kit' Marlowe. Elizabeth I cameo'd.
  

Victoria Litvanoff, White Russian diviner, (fake) clairvoyant, madam, criminal.

Mary Somerville, mathematician

Ida Laura Pfeiffer, Austrian traveller and writer.

Erasmus Darwin, natural philosopher, physician, abolitionist, inventor, poet and 'Lunatick'. Grandfather to Charles Darwin and Francis Galton.

• Other mkember sof teh Lunar Societ also appeared.

Athanasius Kircher, German Jesuit scholar, priest and polymath.

Edgar Allan Poe, writer, alcoholic and linguist

David Edward Hughes, musician, inventor and dabbler in radio.



In the EDCverse.
Adolph Hitler, the architect and writer, has been encountered on several occasions from his early days after the Summer War as a young, radical, architect, later fighting the Slavic Hordes during the Eurasion War as a combat engineer, and during the construction of the EuroFed complex he designed.
His statue, complete with fox terriers, has also featured.

Air Commodore Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, RBAF officer, regime loyalist, spaceflight expert and wanted criminal after the Revolution. Killed in the obliteration of a small island in the Indian Ocean.

Michael Bentine, British spy and RSF officer who disappeared after the Revolution. Wanted in several countries for Crimes against Humanity.

Upton Sinclair, US/Californian social activist, writer and politician. First president of the Republic of California, the precursor of the Pacific Common wealth

Percy Ludgate, Irish accountant and computer science pioneer.

Nice! I do also try not to have my PCs encounter too many major historical figures. Mainly because my campaign is set an alternate version of the TV series where the Monk took a different path after the Time War. He escaped and regenerated (from Burgess Meredith to Reece Shearsmith) before settling down on Earth in the early 1990s (A period where the Doctor is noticeably absent). He found work as a Librarian and has mostly been living quietly, having been severely traumatised and suffering from constant nightmares about Reapers. His now dormant TARDIS disguised as a garden shed has been masking his Time Lord signature. Of course, after several shenanigans he has found himself travelling and has even got his own crew as such. All the while trying to change his ways and prove that he can be better. Not that he is much good at it of course but it is the thought that counts. Anyway, the only historical figures the PCs have encountered so far has been helping the likes of Ken Dodd and Arthur Askey fend off the Scorchies who infiltrated the Royal Variety Performance.

I chose Tony Hancock not only because I thought he would be a rather interesting character to have my PCs encounter but also because aside from two of the PCs, the rest are aliens and as such would not be familiar with Earth culture. He worked surprisingly well and I was pleased to see Mortimus's player take a shine to him and construct his own personal arc about perhaps using his skills in the meddling of Time to change the fate of one man. Unfortunately, it did not work. Some things just clearly aren't meant to be.  

The Easter Egg of Kenneth Williams once being Iris Wildthyme's companion was not only meant as a nod to David Benson (who plays Panda and also notably portrayed him in a successful one man show) but also I couldn't resist the idea of the trio travelling the universe subjecting the likes of the Selachians or even the Slitheen to Mr William's acidic wit. Like I said before, maybe my PCs and their paths will cross one day.

Interesting choice of historical figures you have there. All very diverse with some of them I have never heard before. You have peaked my curiosity regarding the likes of who Bella Kiss was working for and the role Will Hay plays in the Evil Doctor Universe. Speaking of, the Evil Doctor Universe sounds like it would make for a great sourcebook. Have you done stats for all his incarnations and companions? Is The Master a force for good there? Honestly sounds like a great idea to me. 

I like the idea of Williams and Hancock cropping up, they're reasonable well known without being 'major players' and definately interesting.

I'm a collector of historical oddities, people, events, devices and places that are little known but interesting and sometimes surprisingly important. Lola Montez I was introduced to by Fraser's Flashman, Erasmus Darwin by Sheffield's excellent collection The Amazing Dr. Darwin, Sidney Reilly by the eighties series Reilly, Ace of Spies and the rest by general reading.

Will Hay is a particular interest of mine, sparked partly by childhood repeats of his films; he's usually remembered only as a comic actor with few people knowing of his work as a linguist and diplomat, pilot and aeronautical engineer (he taught Amy Johnson), Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and discoverer of the White Spot (on Saturn). During WW2 in addition to working with the UK Foreign Office (where his fluent Norwegian and personable facade were useful during the discussions with Norway) he taught astronomy and navigation to RN officers. An interesting man. Like Hancock he suffered from depression.

The EDC started in this thread. I'm working (slowly) on a v2/reboot which is currently about half-a-million words in a Word doc.
My gaming group started using it, for the first time as an actual game world, last xmas as a change of pace but it caught on. We've a loose campaign with the EDC versions of the Master (Koschei) and Monk (Mortimus) appearing.
In answer to your questions:
There is a sort-of, very drafts, sourcebook for the EDC here. There are stat blocks. It ends with the Seventh Doctor but I have plans...
Koschei and Mortimus (the Master and Meddler) analogues are good-ish; I prefer shades of gray. Koschei worked with the UNIT analogue, often directly against the Doctor.  Both are more ruthless than the Doctor, and Mortimus is still prone to meddle a bit.

Hope this helps.

[simonf]

In one of my games the PCs met King Alexander III of Scotland and tried to prevent him from riding his horse off a cliff but ended up causing it to happen.

[Catsmate]

Jul 9, 2019 1:55:42 GMT simonf said:

In one of my games the PCs met King Alexander III of Scotland and tried to prevent him from riding his horse off a cliff but ended up causing it to happen.

Nothing like a Predestination Paradox to remind the PCs of the complexities of time travel.

[Hedgewick]

The Dark Dimension campaign has featured plenty of historical adventures, and a number of historical figures have played a prominent role in the unfolding mythology. More often than not, the Doctor and his companions are working with these soldiers and emperors and scientists to correct the course of a timeline that has been corrupted, with some memorable exceptions. Here's an overview of the celebrities we've encountered, presented in chronological order...


Ptolemy Caesar ("Empire of the Rani"): The Nth Doctor and Ori became embroiled in the political intrigue resulting from the power struggle between the children of Cleopatra--Cleopatra Selene, Alexander Helios, and Ptolemy Caesar--in a twisted alternate history featuring the rise of a Romano-Egyptian Dominion. The triumvirate played an integral role in this adventure, based on the Virgin Missing Adventure novel "State of Change" (1994), as the Doctor allied himself with Ptolemy Caesar to overcome the threat posed by a villain posing as Cleopatra Selene.

Claudius ("The Origin of Evil"): The Nth Doctor and Selene encountered the emperor in August of 43 CE, during the Roman invasion of Britain. Posing as a powerful augur possessing prophetic knowledge, the Doctor gained Claudius's confidence, hoping to correct the course of history following interference from the Rani and the Divinity. The final scene of this adventure was memorable, as an infuriated Doctor gave such a terrifying warning of things to come that it left the Roman emperor cowering in fear at his feet.

Mark of Cornwall ("Kingdom of the Cybermen"): The Nth Doctor, Selene, and Mohana were the center of attention at Tintagel Castle--that is, until the Cybermen arrived. This particular adventure, a Cubicle 7 module, owed more to Arthurian legend than to recorded history, with Sir Kahedin and Sir Tristan also guest starring.

Margaret Brown and Edward Smith ("Time and Tide"): Aboard the RMS Titanic on that night to remember in 1912 CE, the Nth Doctor and Alison Cheney welcomed some help from the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown as they raced against time to reach Captain Edward Smith and ensure the ship's destruction. This was another case of correcting the timeline following interference from time-travelling foes, which led to some excellent character drama. Though the Doctor was coldly adamant that history must follow its calamitous course, Alison could not accept that she had to play a part in the tragedy.

Howard Carter ("The House That Ate Time"): Famed Egyptologist Howard Carter was on hand for the Lost Doctor's unforgettable battle with the Weeping Angels at the Valley of the Kings in 1914 CE, just one of several skirmishes that made up the epic, century-spanning crossover that brought our campaign's three Doctors together for the first time.

Manfred von Richthofen and George S. Patton ("Over the Top"): In the trenches of the Western Front in 1917 CE, The Lost Doctor, John Riddell, and Flo fought to counter the corrupting machinations of the Master, delivering secret battle plans to Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton. To ensure that British and American forces were victorious in the Battle of Cambrai, however, they also had to take to the air in a squadron of Sopwith Camels and face the Red Baron and his infamous Flying Circus! Richtofen survived to fight another day, of course, and the tactics that Patton observed during the battle served to inspire him in the next World War. Each of these historical figures played a major role in the story, and the Doctor's decisions may yet have future ramifications. At the story's end, a regenerated Master was left in the custody of the United States Army, with the Judoon soldier Flo committed to guarding him and protecting both the planet and the timeline...

Maurice Hilleman ("Magla"): The Lost Doctor knew that he'd need some help when the legendary space amoeba known as Magla awoke, threatening to feed on inhabited worlds. Using the TARDIS's fast return function to bypass the randomizer, he returned to the United States of America to seek out Maurice Hilleman, the most successful vaccinologist in history, a man credited with saving more lives than any other medical scientist of the twentieth century. The Doctor and Riddell took Hilleman on a wild trip, plunging into the vast and bizarre biological frontier within the space amoeba's cytoplasm. The microbiologist's unique expertise was integral to subduing Magla and averting interplanetary catastrophe. This was, to my mind, one of our campaign's most unique and memorable uses of a historical figure.

[Catsmate]

Jul 11, 2019 21:00:08 GMT Hedgewick said:

Ptolemy Caesar ("Empire of the Rani"): The Nth Doctor and Ori became embroiled in the political intrigue resulting from the power struggle between the children of Cleopatra--Cleopatra Selene, Alexander Helios, and Ptolemy Caesar--in a twisted alternate history featuring the rise of a Romano-Egyptian Dominion. The triumvirate played an integral role in this adventure, based on the Virgin Missing Adventure novel "State of Change" (1994), as the Doctor allied himself with Ptolemy Caesar to overcome the threat posed by a villain posing as Cleopatra Selene.

One of my favourite Who EU books ever. Excellent characterisation for Peri.

Jul 11, 2019 21:00:08 GMT Hedgewick said:

Claudius ("The Origin of Evil"): The Nth Doctor and Selene encountered the emperor in August of 43 CE, during the Roman invasion of Britain. Posing as a powerful augur possessing prophetic knowledge, the Doctor gained Claudius's confidence, hoping to correct the course of history following interference from the Rani and the Divinity. The final scene of this adventure was memorable, as an infuriated Doctor gave such a terrifying warning of things to come that it left the Roman emperor cowering in fear at his feet.

Based on the FASA module?

Jul 11, 2019 21:00:08 GMT Hedgewick said:

Manfred von Richthofen and George S. Patton ("Over the Top"): In the trenches of the Western Front in 1917 CE, The Lost Doctor, John Riddell, and Flo fought to counter the corrupting machinations of the Master, delivering secret battle plans to Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton. To ensure that British and American forces were victorious in the Battle of Cambrai, however, they also had to take to the air in a squadron of Sopwith Camels and face the Red Baron and his infamous Flying Circus! Richtofen survived to fight another day, of course, and the tactics that Patton observed during the battle served to inspire him in the next World War. Each of these historical figures played a major role in the story, and the Doctor's decisions may yet have future ramifications. At the story's end, a regenerated Master was left in the custody of the United States Army, with the Judoon soldier Flo committed to guarding him and protecting both the planet and the timeline...

Based on the TimeMaster scenario?


A nice collection.

[Hedgewick]

Jul 12, 2019 10:59:24 GMT Catsmate said:

Based on the FASA module?
Based on the TimeMaster scenario?

Yes! Well-spotted. "The Origin of Evil" was an adaptation of "The Legions of Death" module for FASA's Doctor Who RPG. "Over the Top" was an adaptation of Timemaster's "Red Ace High."

[Catsmate]

Jul 12, 2019 14:49:49 GMT Hedgewick said:

Jul 12, 2019 10:59:24 GMT Catsmate said:

Based on the FASA module?
Based on the TimeMaster scenario?

Yes! Well-spotted. "The Origin of Evil" was an adaptation of "The Legions of Death" module for FASA's Doctor Who RPG. "Over the Top" was an adaptation of Timemaster's "Red Ace High."

😁
My obsessive interest in time travel has given me an encyclopedic knowledge of time travel RPGs.
I'm not sure this is a good thing...