Some idle gossip for a shallow nobleman to drop

[NewJeffCT]

I'm running an adventure that calls for a somewhat shallow nobleman to be a font of information about the latest big city gossip. He's from the city and is passing through the small town where the PCs are currently located (it's only 3 sessions into a new campaign... so, everybody is still first level)

Rather than just saying, "he is a font of information about the latest big city gossip", I would want to fill out my flavor text a bit more: "Sir John has not one mistress on the side, but three... it's quite a feat for him to juggle those three ladies, plus his wife. Plus, one of his mistresses is none other than the wife of Baron Karza, Baroness Bonnie. Can you believe that?"

I don't want it to be just who is sleeping with whom - but, some of it can be related to other sorts of gossip as well (so-and-so's party was a flop - she used decorations that were in style last year - can you believe such a faux pas?)

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

A few broad topics might be:

business dealings, shady and legit
recent travels or rumored future trips
mistresses & trysts
illegitimate children, known and suspected
explorations and other ventures funded
awards, ranks, titles received/speculated
addictions
philanthropic involvements
hobbies, both mundane and perverse
criminal activity, known or suspected
writings, publications, songs, speeches, etc
fashion
property, including lands, gadgets, slaves, treasures, etc
illness & mental disorder
social engagements, including balls, festivals, dinners, etc
religion/cult/mysticism involvement

 

[haakon1]

That about covers it!

The only ideas I had that weren't covered:
- New kids in town. Visiting noblemen or other important personages.
- Attractive people, of whatever sort the nobleman is attracted to, who are doing whatever interesting thing (and if the hot chicas are doing it, it must by it's very nature be interesting).

 

[DrunkonDuty]

All of the following should be prefixed by something along the lines of "Have you heard.." or "A little bird has whispered to me..."

-The new play at the Royal is awful! A leading man who looks like a goat and a leading lady who looks like a man. I'd rather bed one of the catamites dressed up as cherubs.

-Lady Gottinden's new garden is divine. In the same style as the King's new palace garden. Such a shame she's nearly beggared herself putting in a hedge maze of fully grown, flowering rose bushes! I for one am keen to attend her next garden ball, although wonders what courses will be served.

-Brummel has invented a new way to tie the cravat! It's simply stunning, I've never seen anything like it. I simply must find a way to attend his next Dressing and discover his secret.

-The young Miss Fotheringgay, the Belle of the season two years ago, has suddenly returned to Society. She won the heart of Lord Westerland and put many a dainty nose out of joint. Then, poof! Absolutely invisible for nine months. I do wonder what this could possibly portend.

-Admiral Swainson is to be awarded the Order of the Rose for winning the Battle of the Roads. I wonder if young Captain White will attend the ceremony? He did distinguish himself so gallantly at the battle himself and nothing to show for it but a missing leg and half-pay, poor fellow.

-That composer lass, the one who irritated so many good burghers with her Canto Mortis, seems to have lampooned one too many. Her patron has had her thrown her out of her rooms. Now she's forced to live and work in a common boarding house. I dare say the poor mite will do anything for better digs. I may have to pay her a visit, see if I can't help her out.

- His Highness has tired of Mistress Skye. He tried to pension her off to old Lord Bellingham. Needless to say that randy old goat loved the idea but she won't have a thing to do with him. Bellingham approached her at the Spring Ball and quick as a fig and in front of half the lords of the land she said, 'Who could lie down with a mongrel after one has laid down with a greyhound?'

- His Highness? Well I've heard a whisper that he's planning on attending Count Ruffello's hunt ball. It must be to assuage his grief at saying fair well to Mistress Skye; why else would a man who's never hunted attend a hunt ball? Appropos of nothing the Count's youngest daughter has just come into Society. But I dare say His Highness shall be too intent on riding to even notice her.


I like this. I think bitchy is my natural state of being. More to come if I get a moment.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Thanks - some great ideas so far!

 

[MichaelSomething]

I personally have no ideas about shallow gossip, but you can always pick up a gossip mag for plenty of ideas.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Say, you look a little like the fellow who tried to assassinate Count Lomar at the Grand Spring Ball, well, other than the fact that your head is still attached to your neck, that is. That assassin was so inept, and the timing of it! Some people suspect the Count set it all up himself.

Can you believe that the Primus of Galarga has begun accepting boys with mixed race blood into the temple as acolytes? I've heard that He has selected a few half-elven boys to be his "personal assistants," if you know what I mean.

Whereever did you purchase that sword? It's very similar to the ones I've seen from that brute Hargar's smithy. His workmanship appears good, but only those who can't afford blades forged by Aliadon would chance actually taking them into battle, what with the way they've been known to shatter. Seems he's been forced to purchase inferior metals ever since that little dust-up he had with Danar Borimis. You know of him, right; heir to the Boromis Mining fortune?

 

[DrunkonDuty]

- Count Roberto von Twilight has broken up with Lady Christina. Again. That's the third time this century. I suppose one should expect a beautiful immortal to get itchy feet from time to time.

- The old mercenary troop Morrigan's Maids have reformed. Again. They've taken a commission from the Emir of Ulmatar. Four old drag queens romping about in the desert, I can't imagine what the sheiks will make of it.

- Ambassador Leonidas is the toast of the continent. He's had a string of beauties in every country he's visited. All lining up to see his famous sword. Such a shame his glories are all in the past, I mean he doesn't look much like the man who led the defense at the Fire Gate anymore.

That's pretty much exhausted the gossip rag I had to hand. Well there was something about Tom Cruise in it. But I think he's too freaky even for fantasy gaming.

Edit: someone want to XP Thornir for me? Must spred rep...

 

[NewJeffCT]

good ideas again, Drunk... now, I just need to summarize some of the posts here and make them into bullet points that I can expand on if a PC wants me to expand. (He'll offer some things unsolicited, of course, he's a noble and expects commoners to hang on his every word. But, he'll save some points to expand upon, "why, I'm so glad you asked...")

 

[TarionzCousin]

"You never see Lord Fizzlebottom in the public baths, of course... (three testicles)."