Fighter, Fop

Easily dismissed as a mere rake, dandy or a high society fool, the fop is skilled in fast sword play, courting pretty damsels and living a wealthy lifestyle whilst performing as little work as possible.

The Quintessential Fighter

Author Matthew Sprange

Publisher Mongoose Publishing

Publish date 2002

Though many are actually poor and few have any noble-born connections, the fop is adept at beguiling others into believing he is a man of distinction, class and breeding. Many simply cannot help but be drawn into the trappings and status of the higher classes and believe themselves the equal of those they constitution. Others are motivated by a lust for wealth and spend their days preying on rich widows with the sole intention of gaining gold and jewels. Few are actually thieves but their methods are certainly questionable. Often in the centre of any controversy that shakes high society, fops quickly learn the skill of dueling, both to protect their ‘good’ name and also to garner the respect of the nobility who consider excellence in weapons such as the rapier the mark of a true gentleman.

Adventuring: Most fops who turn to adventuring do so purely out of necessity – having conned the wrong noble family, they now find their life at risk and are forced to disappear for a great length of time. Others start to believe their own wild tales and, confusing their skill with the rapier to be the mark of a true warrior, depart on adventuring life to carve out tangible glory and wealth. Such men quickly fall to the first axe blow swung by an enraged orc, but a tiny fraction will discover they do indeed have what it takes to be successful as an adventurer.

Role-Playing: The fop can prove to be a source of both humour and annoyance. He is likeable character with a personality best described as charming. However, he is incorrigible towards members of the opposite sex and never seems to know when he has gone too far, thus often dropping his friends into a great deal of trouble with only a poorly worded comment or question. He is drawn to high society and wealth like a moth to the flame and the sight of nobility surrounded by the trappings of wealth can often dull his senses to the point where he misses obvious evil or corruption within the same people he admires.

Bonuses: Having spent many long hours honing his skills as a gentleman fighter, the fop can actually prove quite adept in combat. He automatically receives either Weapon Focus (rapier) or Weapon Finesse (rapier) as a bonus feat.

Penalties: The fop disdains heavy and unfashionable armour, believing it to be the tool of uncouth brutes. He receives Armor Proficiency only in light armour.