The King is Dead: Gentry and Noblewoman [New Edges]

Michael Gambon in Sleepy Hollow (1999)

New Edges
Gentry
Requirements: Novice

The only titled noblemen in Malleus are vampires, and one must willingly renounce one’s humanity to become a vampire. No player character can be a nobleman in The King is Dead.

This does not mean that there are not mere humans with power, privilege, responsibilities, and wealth. These people form the gentry class, an amalgamation of baronets, landowners, knights, middle-class professionals, and yeomen. Most gentry can at least claim the title “Esquire,” and employ a plethora of servants (or slaves).

As with the standard Savage Worlds Noble Edge, a character with the Gentry Edge receives the benefits of the Rich Edge and a +2 bonus to Charisma. In Malleus, the Charisma bonus only extends to dealings with fellow humans (including vampire thralls); true vampires are utterly unimpressed with mortal’s achievements.

Noblewoman
Requirements: Novice, female

While only a vampire can be a nobleman, most noblewomen are human. Human females are more fecund than dhampirs, and far more disposable. Political and economic alliances between vampires are often sealed with the exchange of granddaughters and great-granddaughters in marriage to the parties involved – and then just as easily broken when a bride dies “in childbirth.”

The Noblewoman Edge grants the benefits of the Filthy Rich Edge and a +2 to Charisma that is effective even in vampire society. A revolutionary so placed in a vampiric stronghold has access to reams of vampiric lore and intelligence, as well as the ability to funnel resources to her allies.

Unfortunately, it also means she is married to a vampire. The hero is at the beck and call – is the legal property of – a sadistic monster. She suffers from the Anemic Hindrance and lives in constant jeopardy.

Rafe Fiennes as the beast and Keira Knightley as the beauty in The Duchess