This is the out-of-character thread for a Top Secret play-by-post campaign.

Characters
The campaign may involve a full range of espionage activities, so a diverse team of Agents is desirable. We're beginning with an investigation, so an Investigation Bureau character has a good chance to earn early experience.

The agents are representatives of various Western intelligence or law enforcement agencies, assembled in August 1980 as a task force to investigate the connection between a rebel leader’s death in Angola and an arms merchant in Tangier.

The agents are contract agents, what the Top Secret Companion refers to as 'stringers.' All agents begin at first level in their respective bureaus – this is the first real field assignment for these operatives, an opportunity to prove themselves ready for more challenging missions.

The action may take the agents from posh resorts to shadowy alleys to the bush and back again, so a broad range of espionage and martial knowledge, skills and abilities will be required. Ideally the three main bureaus – Investigation, Confiscation and Assassination – will be represented in the team; the Technical bureau is also an option for agents. Agents may not be members of the Operation or Administration bureaus to start.

The Top Secret rules provide for random character generation, and while players are encouraged to generate their characters randomly, players who want more control over the character creation process may do the following:

• Roll seven attribute scores, modified as per the core rules, and keep the six you want.
• Assign the scores as you wish and calculate your character's secondary and tertiary attributes in accordance with the core rules.
• Roll scores for the number of Areas of Knowledge to which your character is entitled, plus one, and assign the scores to the Areas of Knowledge as you wish.
• Roll scores for the number of languages to which your character is entitled and assign them as desired.
• All other details - height, weight, and so on - about the character may be selected as desired.

Each character may purchase equipment as desired. Keep in mind that laws pertaining the possession of firearms are in effect during the game, particularly while traveling. Agency equipment may be acquired as provided by the rules.

Each character is assumed to have a driver’s license and a passport – all other licenses and permits will need to be purchased normally.

Agents may be of either gender, and may come from pretty much any Western-aligned nation.

This is an espionage game which may take the Agents to various parts of the Third World. Player characters will be interacting with friendly and enemy Agents, officials, soldiers, mercenaries, civilians, irregulars, terrorists, and paramilitaries over the course of the campaign. While combat skills are useful, the ability to gather information from informants, conduct surveillance, or navigate and survive in the bush may be just as important to the success of your missions as your ability to bring firepower to bear on a target. Agents are general issue humans, with a variety of interests, abilities, backgrounds, and skills – please don’t feel pigeon-holed into playing any particular archetype.

Administration
The game will begin with a briefing from the case officer assigned to the task force; this is a great opportunity to ask questions and confer with your fellow Agents.

I do not write plan 'adventures.' I know what the non-player characters are doing, and I will present your characters with a situation, but where the game goes from there is driven by the choices you and your characters make during the game. Let your Agents' personal and professional objectives be your guide.

There may be lulls in the action, during which the Agents may have weeks or even months to pursue other activities, such as taking an Espionage College course.

Remember, Top Secret combat can be deadly and, aside from Fame and Fortune points, there is no 'plot protection' for your characters. The dice fall where they may.

While I will introduce a fair amount of historical detail for purposes of campaign flavor, this is not a strictly historical campaign – rather, the game is inspired by the events of the Cold War, particularly in the Third World. Players looking for a simulation or scenarios of actual events may want to consider looking elsewhere.

Players are asked to approach the game with maturity and sensitivity to the subject matter.

House Rules
It's not necessary to have either the Companion or Dragon articles; I'll introduce material as needed through the campaign, and if you want something, just ask and I'll let you know what you need to do.

Top Secret Companion rules supplement

• Vital Statistics: All except Sex and Physique (optional at player's discretion).
• Areas of Knowledge: Players may choose to use either the table in the core rules or the table in the Companion for generating their characters'; Areas of Knowledge.
• Organization: All.
• Missions: All.
• Traveling: All, particularly the rules on traveling with firearms.
• Hostilities: Accelerated specific injury determination may be used; other rules from this section may be applied on a case-by-case basis as needed.
• Physical Limits: All.
• Administrating Style: Logical use of Fame and Fortune points is in effect.
• Special Equipment: All.
• Weaponry: All; yes, you can get the Beretta machine pistol, and yes, the Opposition may have them, too.
• Espionage College Course Book: All.

Dragon magazine articles -

• "Pop the Clutch and Roll! Rules for Car Chases in Top Secret Play"
  
• "Agents and A-Bombs: Nuclear Devices in Top Secret Game Play"
  
• "Guilty as Charged: The Legal Process in the Top Secret Game"
• "Roughing It: Wilderness and Survival in the Top Secret Game
  
• "There Are Ways of Making You Talk: Modifying the Top Secret Game Contact System"
  
• "New Tools of the Trade"
• "Pull the Pin and Throw: Grenades Get More Detail for Top Secret Play"
  
• "Chopper Power: Helicopters in Top Secret"
  
• "Sighting In: Sniper Rifles in Top Secret"
  
• "When Only the Best Will Do: Heckler and Koch Weaponry in Top Secret Gaming"
  
• "Top (Secret) Guns: Military Aircraft in Top Secret"
  
• "Keeping a Good Watch"

Hi Vulmea,

Since I lack the rules as well, could I also beg a pre-gen?

My ideal character would be one from the Assassination Bureau - along the lines of the Red Grant character from "To Russia with Love".

Thanks in advance for your help!

Quote from: pbj44;748932My ideal character would be one from the Assassination Bureau - along the lines of the Red Grant character from "To Russia with Love".

I'm going to grab a set of stats from one of the adventures - it'll be up to you to decide what to do with them.

Butcher, are you still in? Anyone else want pregen stats?

Right here. I like technical, cerebral types, but if that's already taken I'll be the guy taking point with a big gun.

I randomly rolled up my character...

Character Name: Marcellin Aldric Pelletier
Player Name: Drohem
Bureau: Technical, Specialty Division
Organization: DST (Direction de la Securite du Territoire)
Level: 1, Trainee
Cover Occupation: Engineering, Industrial (Armaments Engineer)
Social Level: Lower Lower Class
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 139-lbs.
Age: 26-yrs.
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Sandy Blond
Handedness: Right
Glasses: No
Physique: Average
Blood Type: A-Positive
Alignment: Neutral-Radical-Neutral
Experience Points: 0
Fame Points: 1

===  Primary Personal Traits  ===

[58] - Physical Strength
[34] - Charm
[49] - Willpower
[67] - Courage
[38] - Knowledge
[59] - Coordination

===  Secondary Personal Traits  ===

[63] - Offense
[51] - Deception
[47] - Evasion
[49] - Deactivation
[11] - Life Level
[166] - Movement Value
[44] - Observation
[58] - Shock Resistance

===  Tertiary Personal Traits  ===

[105] - Hand-To-Hand Combat Value
[121] - Wrestling Value
[98] - Surprise Value
[56] - Perception

===  Languages  ===

[86] - French Language
[40] - English Language

===  Areas of Knowledge  ===

[60] - Computer Science
[124] - Chemistry, M.D.
[73] - Engineering, Industrial
[89] - Military Science/Weaponry
[19] - Other Areas of Knowledge

===  Money  ===

Starting fund = $403
Current funds = $72

===  Equipment  ===

-- Casual outfit (2-lbs.; $50)
-- Belt ($5)
-- Jacket (3-lbs.; $30)
--  Shoes (1-lb.; $30)
-- Socks ($2)
-- Suit, functional (2-lbs; $100)
-- Underwear ($1)
-- Work Clothes (1-lb.; $30)
-- Attache case (3-lbs.; $10)
-- Sword cane (3-lbs.; $50)
-- Miniature tape recorder (1-lb.; $25)

=== Description ===

Marcellin Aldric Pelletier is a thin, yet wiry, Frenchman.  He has sandy blond hair that is cut above the collar and trimmed neatly.  He has a neat and trimmed mustache with a thin goatee.  

=== Background ===

Marcellin Aldric Pelletier was born on October 24, 1954 in the small village of Bretagne-de-Marsan, France.  The village is a commune in the Landes department in southwestern France.  Although it was a small rural community his parent encouraged him from a young age to read and supplied with all sorts of books with what little extra money the could afford.  He excelled in elementary and middle school and earned a scholarship to a prestigious secondary school in Toulouse, France.  He continued to excellence in his studies and through scholarships and government assistance programs he attended collage in Paris.  

In college he fell in with a radical extremist group and became heavily active in their agenda.  The group was broken up by the government when their words turned into actual plans of terrorism.  Marcellin nearly lost everything that he had worked for up to that point in his life, but he was given a chance by the authorities to turn his life around and he wisely took it in earnest.  He broke all ties with the group and focused on his studies in Computer Science and Chemistry.  Shortly after earning his Master's Degree in Chemistry he was recruited by the Direction de la Securite du Territoire.

Looks good, Drohem. Judging from his first name, you know a bit about the history of DST.

I've been combing through the written adventures for appropriate pregens and most of them are pretty amped up for tournament play; I'll put together some random characters instead and let whoever wants one choose.

Drohem, did you remember to adjust your primary attribute rolls per the chart on page 5?

Quote from: Black Vulmea;749824Drohem, did you remember to adjust your primary attribute rolls per the chart on page 5?

Yes, those are the adjusted scores.  Unfortunately, I didn't roll too well for original scores.

Please do not select a pregen character until all five options are posted!

Character Name: Pregen One
Codename:
Player Name:

Bureau:
Organization:
Level: 1
Cover Occupation:
Social Level: Lower upper class
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 205
Age: 35
Eyes:
Hair:
Handedness: Right-handed
Glasses: No
Physique: Average
Blood Type: AB+
Alignment:
Experience Points: 0
Fame Points: 1

===  Primary Personal Traits  ===

[100] - Physical Strength
[94] - Charm
[96] - Willpower
[94] - Courage
[95] - Knowledge
[67] - Coordination

===  Secondary Personal Traits  ===

[81] - Offense
[94] - Deception
[81] - Evasion
[81] - Deactivation
[96] - Observation
[95] - Shock Resistance
[20] - Life Level
[263] - Movement Value

===  Tertiary Personal Traits  ===

[181] - Hand-To-Hand Combat Value
[176] - Surprise Value
[95] - Perception

===  Languages  ===

[89] - Native Language
[40] - Other Language
[40] - Other Language
[40] - Other Language

===  Areas of Knowledge  ===

[100] - Metallurgy
[94] - Social Sciences
[88] - Photography
[78] - Engineering, Electrical
[76] - Education/Indoctrination
[66] - Animal Science
[139] - Ecology/Earth Science
[124] - Physical Education
[72] - Arts and Crafts
[72] - World History/Current Affairs
[48] - Other Areas of Knowledge

===  Money  ===

Starting fund = $2,587
Current funds = $

===  Equipment  ===


=== Description ===


=== Background ===
No military service
Bachelor of Science, Earth Science

Character Name: Pregen Two
Codename:
Player Name:
Bureau:
Organization:
Level: 1
Cover Occupation:
Social Level: Lower lower class
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180 lb.
Age: 24
Eyes:
Hair:
Handedness: Right-handed
Glasses: No
Physique:
Blood Type: O-
Alignment: Neutral - Neutral - Neutral
Experience Points: 0
Fame Points: 1

===  Primary Personal Traits  ===

[54] - Physical Strength
[37] - Charm
[46] - Willpower
[58] - Courage
[48] - Knowledge
[86] - Coordination

===  Secondary Personal Traits  ===

[72] - Offense
[48] - Deception
[62] - Evasion
[67] - Deactivation
[47] - Observation
[52] - Shock Resistance
[10] - Life Level
[186] - Movement Value

===  Tertiary Personal Traits  ===

[116] - Hand-To-Hand Combat Value
[110] - Surprise Value
[53] - Perception

===  Languages  ===

[88] - Native Language
[70] - Other Language

===  Areas of Knowledge  ===

[107] - Animal Science
[130] - Military Science/Weaponry
[129] - Education/Indoctrination
[121] - Physical Education
[60] - Chemistry
[24] - Other Areas of Knowledge

===  Money  ===

Starting fund = $403.00
Current funds = $

===  Equipment  ===


=== Description ===


=== Background ===
Military service (6 years) - rank equivalent Pfc/Seaman/Airman 1st class/Lance Corporal

Character Name: Pregen Three
Codename:
Player Name:

Bureau:
Organization:
Level: 1
Cover Occupation:
Social Level: Middle upper class
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 210 lb.
Age: 31
Eyes:
Hair:
Handedness: Right-handed
Glasses: No
Physique: Average
Blood Type: O+
Alignment: Neutral - Reactionary - Neutral
Experience Points: 0
Fame Points: 1

===  Primary Personal Traits  ===

[88] - Physical Strength
[34] - Charm
[78] - Willpower
[52] - Courage
[96] - Knowledge
[80] - Coordination

===  Secondary Personal Traits  ===

[66] - Offense
[43] - Deception
[57] - Evasion
[88] - Deactivation
[92] - Observation
[65] - Shock Resistance
[17] - Life Level
[246] - Movement Value

===  Tertiary Personal Traits  ===

[140] - Hand-To-Hand Combat Value
[100] - Surprise Value
[72] - Perception

===  Languages  ===

[82] - Native Language
[59] - Other Language
[40] - Other Language
[40] - Other Language

===  Areas of Knowledge  ===

[66] - Ecology/Earth Science
[77] - Engineering, Aeronautical
[125] - Physical Education
[126] - Political Science/Ideology
[99] - Metallurgy
[145] - Engineering, Construction/Civil
[89] - Law
[55] - Astronomy/Space Science
[57] - Education/Indoctrination
[128] - Economics/Finance
[48] - Other Areas of Knowledge

===  Money  ===

Starting fund = $6,961.00
Current funds = $

===  Equipment  ===


=== Description ===


=== Background ===
PhD. Civil Engineering
No military service

Character Name: Pregen Four
Codename:
Player Name:

Bureau:
Organization:
Level:
Cover Occupation:
Social Level: Lower middle class
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 170 lb.
Age: 27
Eyes:
Hair:
Handedness: Right-handed
Glasses: Yes (COO 41/OFF 61/EVA 60/MOV 136/HTH 91/SUR 140 without glasses; cannot wear contact lenses)
Physique: Average
Blood Type: O+
Alignment: Neutral - Neutral - Socialist
Experience Points: 0
Fame Points: 1

===  Primary Personal Traits  ===

[31] - Physical Strength
[79] - Charm
[66] - Willpower
[80] - Courage
[91] - Knowledge
[62] - Coordination

===  Secondary Personal Traits  ===

[71] - Offense
[80] - Deception
[71] - Evasion
[77] - Deactivation
[79] - Observation
[72] - Shock Resistance
[10] - Life Level
[159] - Movement Value

===  Tertiary Personal Traits  ===

[102] - Hand-To-Hand Combat Value
[151] - Surprise Value
[80] - Perception

===  Languages  ===

[89] - Native Language
[83] - Other Language
[75] - Other Language
[40] - Other Language

===  Areas of Knowledge  ===

[67] - Fine Arts
[69] - Metallurgy
[76] - Education/Indoctrination
[86] - Engineering, Hydraulic
[80] - Arts & Crafts
[78] - Military Science/Weaponry
[111] - Photography
[138] - Social Sciences
[86] - Economics/Finance
[50] - Literature
[46] - Other Areas of Knowledge

===  Money  ===

Starting fund = $481.00
Current funds = $

===  Equipment  ===


=== Description ===


=== Background ===
Military service (2 years) - rank equivalent Private/Airman Basic/Seaman Recruit)
MA in Sociology

Character Name: Pregen Five
Codename:
Player Name:

Bureau:
Organization:
Level: 1
Cover Occupation:
Social Level: Middle middle class
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 190 lb.
Age: 38
Eyes:
Hair:
Handedness: Right-handed
Glasses: No
Physique:
Blood Type: A+
Alignment: Neutral - Conservative - Socialist
Experience Points: 0
Fame Points: 1

===  Primary Personal Traits  ===

[80] - Physical Strength
[42] - Charm
[99] - Willpower
[94] - Courage
[46] - Knowledge
[78] - Coordination

===  Secondary Personal Traits  ===

[86] - Offense
[68] - Deception
[60] - Evasion
[62] - Deactivation
[70] - Observation
[87] - Shock Resistance
[18] - Life Level
[257] - Movement Value

===  Tertiary Personal Traits  ===

[140] - Hand-To-Hand Combat Value
[128] - Surprise Value
[82] - Perception

===  Languages  ===

[86] - Native Language
[72] - Other Language

===  Areas of Knowledge  ===

[125] - Engineering, Aeronautical
[51] - Law
[107] - Engineering, Electrical
[129] - Military Science
[103] - Physical Education
[23] - Other Areas of Knowledge

===  Money  ===

Starting fund = $643.00
Current funds = $

===  Equipment  ===


=== Description ===


=== Background ===
BA in Aeronautical Engineering
Military service (13 years) - final rank Lt. Col/Commander, two commendations

Okay, those are the five pregens - if two of you want the same character, work it out or dice for it using the online dice roller.

I rolled these characters randomly - when asked for 'player choice' on Areas of Knowledge, I defaulted to Military Science and Physical Education, since these to AOKs bear directly on martial arts knowledge.

And yes, I rolled some insane rolls at times - I haven't rolled 00 in years, and I got two of them while rolling up these characters.

Each one tells a story - if you're looking to bounce ideas off me, please feel free.

And anyone who tells you random rolls don't make for interesting characters can fuck right off.

Since The Butcher wants the cerebral type as his first choice, I will take the muscleman #1 pregen (unless he wants that then I will pick something else).