Grogmeet Gangbusters: The Nefarious Nine

I am both honoured and privileged to have been asked to run a game at the inaugural Grogmeet . As the excellent Grognod Files  organising the convention is all about games from ‘back in the day’ which for this old fart is the 1980s I have decided to run Gangbusters TSR’s game of the roaring 1920s.

As a convention game requires a tight focus this is a heist scenario. As I love the Dirty Dozen and Suicide Squad (which I was reading back in the day)  with G-Men using Cons to do their dirty work.

1933… G-Men celebrate the nabbing of notorious Public Enemy Number One  Al Capone for tax evasion. Meanwhile in Lakefront City frustrated Federal Agents strike upon using cons to rob Al Tolino’s crooked books from under the City Kingpin’s nose while he hosts his daughters wedding at the swanky mob-owned Lexington Hotel.

I have borrowed desire and dramatic poles from Robin D Laws’ ‘Hillfolk’ – each character will also have randomly drawn secret in the game. While I have at most six players the surplus characters are to allow for casualties. Longarms are in the cars.

These then are their Notorious Nine….

Name: Antonio Pomodor ‘ Tony Tomatoes’

Role in the Heist: Undercover G-Man and external look out

Desire: To Punish

Dramatic Poles: Selfishness or altruism

Outfit: .38 Revolver, Pump Shotgun

Ethnic Identity: Italian

Name: Joey Two Shoes

Role in the Heist: Hand-off and second story man

Criminal record: grand larceny, breaking and entering 

Desire: Respect

Dramatic Poles: warrior ot peacemaker

Outfit: 9mm automatic, BAR

Ethnic Identity: half Cherokee 

Name: Anton Gurion

Role in the Heist: Wheelman and external lookout

Criminal record: dangerous driving, robbery, assault and battery

Desire: Power

Dramatic Poles: Leader or Tyrant

Outfit: Twin .45s

Ethnic Identity: Russian/Jewish

Name: David Elliot

Role in the Heist: Muscle and ‘Beard’ for the Dames at the Reception

Criminal record: attempted murder

Desire: To be punished

Dramatic Poles: Freedom or responsibility

Outfit: .45 Automatic, Tommy Gun in the automobiles

Ethnic Identity: Assimilated

Name: Colonel Everard Mustard

Role in the Heist:Muscle and ‘Beard’ for the Dames at the Reception

Criminal record: attempted murder & wanted for the Tudor Close massacre in the UK

Desire: To hurt others

Dramatic Poles: dissolution or dignity

Outfit: Webley Revolver and 600 Nitro Express Elephant Gun in the Car

Ethnic Identity: English

Name: Clive Lincoln

Role in the Heist: Inside Man (Waiter/Bellhop)

Criminal record: fraud, deception

Desire: Acceptance

Dramatic Poles: Earner of respect or demander of respect

Outfit: .38 Revolver, Hunting Rifle

Ethnic Identity: African-American

Name: Lilly Gardener

Role in the Heist: Safe Cracker

Criminal record: Grand larceny 

Desire: Reassurance

Dramatic Poles: safety or adventure

Outfit: .45 Revolver

Ethnic Identity: Assimilated

Name: Orla Byrne

Role in the Heist: Explosives Expert

Criminal Record: breaking and entering – wanted for terrorism murders in UK and heists in Middle East 

Desire: Forgiveness

Dramatic Poles: loyalty or ambition

Outfit: 9mm short automatic

Ethnic Identity: Irish

Name: Eddie ‘Little’ Stauss

Role in the Heist: Wheelman and external lookout

Criminal record:  Grand theft Auto 

Desire: love

Dramatic Poles: Faithful love or carnal adventure

Outfit: 9mm Automatic, Sawn off shotgun

Ethnic Identity: German