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Mary Frith “Moll Cutpurse”

“Daring and Defiant: Unveil the Audacious Life of Mary Frith, the Roaring Girl of London!”

Mary Frith "Moll Cutpurse"
Midjourney
  • Alias – Moll Cutpurse, Mal Cutpurse, Tom Faconer
  • Gender – Female
  • Race – Human
  • Occupation – Pickpocket and fence
  • Religion – Not explicitly mentioned
  • Allies – An eclectic mix of fellow rogues and those who admire her defiance
  • Enemies – Authorities, law enforcement, and those who disapprove of her lifestyle
  • Abode/ Base of operations – The vibrant streets of London
  • Nationality – English
  • Languages – English
  • AlignmentChaotic Neutral
  • Affiliation(s) – The underground network of thieves and misfits
  • Significant others – Lewknor Markham (possibly a strategic marriage to defy societal norms)

In the bustling streets of London, Mary Frith emerges as a captivating enigma, defying societal norms and expectations at every turn.

A Rebellious Spirit Born in the heart of London, Mary Frith’s life journey is a tapestry of audacity and defiance. Raised by a shoemaker and a housewife, she defies traditional roles from the start. Despite her uncle’s attempts to reform her, she is unyielding in her resolve to chart her own course.

Unconventional Choices With an unwavering spirit, Mary boldly steps into the world, often draped in men’s clothing and puffing on a pipe – a symbol of her fierce independence. She embraces her notoriety as “Moll Cutpurse,” a cunning pickpocket who skillfully relieves unsuspecting victims of their purses. Her notoriety grows, along with her reputation as a boundary-breaker.

Defiance on Display Even in an era of societal constraints, Mary makes her mark on the stage, defying convention by performing in public. The Fortune Theatre witnesses her banter and song, delivered in men’s attire, challenging norms with each note. Her audacious actions ruffle feathers, sparking admiration and resentment alike.

Championing Virtue Mary’s reputation as a “roaring girl” is a paradoxical blend of scandal and virtue. While her dressing in men’s clothes raises eyebrows, she also demonstrates her values. She challenges a male character’s assumptions about women, refusing to bow to stereotypical expectations. Her complex nature confounds and intrigues those around her.

Desire for Freedom Mary’s yearning for freedom propels her to even greater feats. She takes on outrageous challenges, riding dressed as a man and flaunting her triumphs. Yet, her escapades also incur reprisals; she faces arrests and accusations of indecency, though her spirit remains unbroken.

An Enigmatic Legacy Amid rumors and myths that surround her life, one thing remains clear: Mary Frith’s existence is defined by her refusal to conform. She marries Lewknor Markham as a calculated move to avoid societal judgment, using it as a shield against accusations. Her later involvement as a fence and pimp blurs the lines between sinner and savior, revealing a woman shrouded in enigma.

Unveiling the Roaring Girl Mary Frith’s life is a captivating blend of audacity, defiance, and contradiction. Her legacy endures as a testament to her desire for freedom and unapologetic authenticity, leaving an indelible mark on the pages of history.

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18269007, Mary Frith, Moll Cutpurse
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18269007

Medium humanoid (human), Chaotic Neutral

Armor Class 15 (leather armor) Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13) Speed 30 ft.

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
10 (+0)16 (+3)12 (+1)14 (+2)12 (+1)16 (+3)

Skills Acrobatics +5, Deception +6, Sleight of Hand +5 Senses Passive Perception 11 Languages Common

Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Actions

Cutpurse Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage plus the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 7 (2d6) poison damage and be poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Smoking Pipe. Mary lights her pipe and takes a deep puff, exhaling a cloud of smoke. Creatures within a 10-foot cone must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become blinded until the start of Mary’s next turn. A creature that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to this effect for 24 hours.

Agile Maneuvers. Mary can use her Acrobatics skill to replace her Strength modifier when making checks to grapple or escape a grapple.

Cunning Action. On each of her turns, Mary can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker Mary can see hits her with an attack, she can use her reaction to halve the attack’s damage against her.

Sneak Attack (1/turn). Mary deals an extra 10 (3d6) damage when she hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of Mary that isn’t incapacitated and Mary doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Roaring Swagger. Mary has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks when displaying her bold and unconventional demeanor.

Evasion. When Mary is subjected to an effect that allows her to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, she instead takes no damage on a success and half damage on a failure.

Streetwise. Mary is proficient in the Insight skill and has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks made to determine if someone is lying or hiding something.

Actions on Horseback. Mary is skilled at riding and fighting from horseback. While mounted, she can make a melee attack with her Cutpurse Dagger as a bonus action after using the Dash action.

Equipment Leather armor, Cutpurse Dagger, Smoking Pipe, Thieves’ Tools

Roleplaying Notes Mary Frith, known as The Roaring Girl, is a confident and audacious character, unafraid to challenge societal norms. Her swagger and bravado are matched by her street smarts and acrobatic prowess. She is fiercely independent and values her freedom, often engaging in unconventional behaviors that defy social expectations. Mary’s agility and quick thinking make her an adept pickpocket and combatant. She enjoys drawing attention to herself and revels in her eccentric lifestyle. While her actions may seem reckless, Mary is resourceful and resilient, always finding a way to survive in the bustling streets of the city.

Currently in the World

Mary Frith, commonly known as Moll Cutpurse, was a striking figure with an air of bold confidence. She stood at an average height for her time, around 5 feet 6 inches, with a strong and well-defined build that hinted at her active and adventurous lifestyle. Her raven-black hair was usually tied back in a careless manner, framing a face that carried a perpetual smirk and a glint of mischief in her dark eyes. Despite the roughness of her occupation, her features bore a certain elegance that set her apart.

In the midst of the bustling streets of London, Mary could often be found, leaning nonchalantly against a wall or a barrel, seemingly absorbed in her thoughts. Her attire was a mix of masculine and feminine elements, a testament to her defiance of societal norms. She donned a doublet and baggy breeches with a swagger that matched any man’s, exuding an air of bravado that dared anyone to challenge her. A pipe dangled from her lips, the smoke curling around her like a protective shroud.

Her surroundings were a labyrinth of narrow alleys and bustling markets, a landscape she navigated with ease and familiarity. The vibrant chaos of London’s streets seemed to mirror the colorful complexity of her character. Despite the perpetual hustle and bustle around her, she exuded an air of calm, as if the cacophony of the city was a soothing symphony to her ears.

Mary’s mood was a mixture of amusement and detachment. Her sharp wit and roguish charm often drew curious glances from passersby, and she reveled in the attention. Yet, beneath her playful exterior, there was a keen awareness of the risks that accompanied her chosen path. Her confidence occasionally masked a hint of vulnerability, a reminder of the dangers she faced in a world where survival often meant skirting the edges of the law.

Amid the swirl of activity, Mary’s eyes gleamed with a mix of defiance and determination. Her actions were not driven solely by the thrill of theft, but by a desire to carve out a space for herself in a world that refused to confine her. She sought freedom, both from societal expectations and from the limitations placed upon women of her time. Through her audacious exploits, she aimed to challenge the norms and expectations that bound her, leaving her mark as an unforgettable figure on the streets of London.

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