Introducing (some of) the populace......
The layout will have a community who, by and large, will offer the opportunity for plot points. They’ll generally have a base location, be ascribed a back story, and have a range of possible actions: no doubt they will die many times over. All can play the role of bystander and some might also be drafted as hunter.
Some of the following I’ve referred to already, others are new:
Mr Jonathan ‘Jon’ Pertwee and his son Shaun. Proprietors of “Pertwee & Son, Grocers”. Jon is a second generation grocer; a widower, he is quiet, serious and steadfast. He spent some time in the Army and saw far-flung parts of the Empire (with many experiences that he will not talk about) before returning to manage the family business. Shaun is an only child, his mother dying during his birth; somewhat rebellious, he bridles against the quiet ways of his father and often slips out at night to prowl the dark streets of Whitechapel. Given the proprietor’s wide travels, the grocers is renowned for stocking more than the bland essentials: the odour of garlic wafts from the store and strings of bulbs hang above it’s entrance.
Alex McGyver is proprietor of the “McGyver’s Emporium. Ironware, Hardware & Timber” store. Originally from the Highlands of Scotland where he was a lumberjack in his earlier years, instead of felling trees he now sharpens axes, points stakes and sells 6” nails by the pint.
Mr Miggins, the quietly robust other half of Mrs Miggins, is something of an expert in dismemberment. “Miggins of Whitechapel. Butchers. Sausages Pies & Chops. Tastiest Cuts in the East End.” Mrs Miggins, the cantankerous and overbearing and in her opinion better half of Mr Miggins, is somewhat sly and mercenary. She is quite handy in a fight (she’s not one ‘to take prisoners’) but can be disturbingly off-hand with customers.
“The Unicorn” public house is the larger of the two local boozers. It is owned and managed by Denzil Watts. Not to be trusted, he’s a dreamer and a schemer, who will latch onto anything that will enhance his fortune.
“The Rainbow” public house is adjacent to the Police Station. It is owned and managed by Aloysius Swearage, who’ll as happily shake your hand as stab you in the eye. He hides in plain sight, right under the nose of the Constabulary, conducting deals that are invariably nefarious.
Douglas Pitt can usually be found at the cemetery, where he digs the graves and tends the grounds. It is said that he can hear the whispers of the dead.
The Reverend Mr P Farthing is Rector of the Parish. Seemingly timid, his great strength comes from his faith.
The Verger, Mr Morris Yates is seemingly and actually timid. When not attending to the church, he can usually be found alongside - or more accurately one pace behind - the Rector.
Mrs Helen Ripley is a young seamstress, working from her home next door to the Grocers. Her husband went out one night and did not return, so she makes ends meet by taking in clothes for alteration. She’s tough-minded, quick-thinking, no-nonsense and has fingers of steel.
Doctor Cochran tends to the East End poor. He is especially attentive towards the needs of prostitutes, whom he does not judge. Of late, he has seen far too many grisly ends.
Frank is a cabman, only ever seen atop his Hansom. A miserable old coot, he sees everything but sees nothing, unless there’s a generous tip to be had.
Maisie McGee is a streetwalker, a prostitute who hovers about her patch, slipping into the dark alleys when the job demands it.
Daisy Williams is another streetwalker. Like Maisie, as she watches the crowd to catch the eye of a prospective punter, she sees what else is going on.
While other Constables come and go with their duties, the Police Station is manned by Constable ‘Porkie’ Pye. Not the sharpest (nor indeed the fittest) officer in the Constabularies employ, being somewhat overweight he is generally left to manage the front desk and cells. Very reliable, unexcitable but robust of spirit, he follows orders to the letter but expends the minimum effort in doing so.
Mr and Mrs Peregrine Mason (Perry to his dear wife), he a successful City lawyer and she an advocate for the poor, often walk the back alleys of Whitechapel. Not to be confused with a slum tour, their intent is to support the unfortunates, not to stare. While on their walks each carries a revolver and a blade, Mr Mason with his swordstick and Mrs Mason with a kukri. Why? Well, what dangers, what horrors might be found in the back streets and alleyways of Whitechapel? Only the night will reveal.
These are just early drafts as I bring together the minis and their locations.
24 November 2009, 11:39:20 AM
