merchant Hughie McMillan
Name: Hughie McMillan
Theme: Work dignifies a person, and I am from the finest steel.
Age: 55
Archetype: ruler
Class: merchant
Religion: catholic
Money: 5 000
Taxes: 500
Lives: 4
Resistance: 1
Equipment: –
Special:
Merchants earn £50 everye hour from 9 AM to 6 PM (they must cash-in with the mayor). For each person officially working for them, they earn an additional £50 (a contract must be written and presented to mayor upon cash-in). Anyone can work. In practice, they must work for at least 20 minutes of each hour for it to count as work. This means doing push-ups/squats at a designated spot. For this, they receive hourly wages—the amount depends on what they negotiate with the employer.
Christian fanatic: At least 5 times per game, go to confession.
- Ill: take a pill every hour (apart from sleeping) or loose a 1 point of resistence.
- Unknown disease: At least 1 time per day (or much more) visit a doctor for a check-up.
- Last will: you can write your last will. It becomes valid by delivering to mayor. New will replaces the old one. Mayor accepts any document with a signature. You can prevent forgery by writing it down in front of mayor (costs £50).
- Sex addict: at least 3 times per game, visit whore. At least 2 out of those visits should be directly to Merrill Collins.
Hughie McMillian (55) is a true self-made man. Of Scottish origin, he built one of the biggest factories in the city. Toughest son-of-a-bitch in the business, one could say, but employing hundreds of people. But he is old… and possibly dying.
Background
Having Scottish origins in English society is no easy ordeal. But you worked hard. You climbed your way up—from a shoe shiner to a bootmaker, and finally to the owner of one of the largest shoe factories in Aetherwick.
First Love
You worked hard for most of your life and didn’t really have time for women. But as you approached your forties, having already established your position somewhat, you felt ready to start a family. You began courting a young, beautiful girl named Merrill Collins. You asked her parents for her hand, and they agreed. It could have been the most beautiful day of your life. Could have.
When you lay with her, you realized no blood came from her womb. She couldn’t be a virgin. She cried that it was a mistake, swore she had never known a man, but the evidence was in front of your eyes. Betrayed, cheated, and furious, you annulled the engagement and took back the money you had paid her family. You heard they banished her afterward, but you couldn’t care less.
Second Marriage
Soon after, you found another young woman and married her quickly. Your bed was bloodied after the wedding night, so all seemed well. But your heart was already wounded, and you watched her closely to ensure she remained chaste and proper, as Christian tradition dictates.
She bore you a daughter. But when the girl was two years old, both she and your wife disappeared. You were struck with madness. You searched for them desperately. You demanded that Police Chief Neil Johnson do something about it, but he was useless and discovered nothing.
Desperate, you threw yourself into your work as never before. Within a few years, you turned your factory into one of the most profitable establishments in Aetherwick.
Whores
You never married again—your heart still belongs to your missing wife. Yet, a man has needs, so you grew accustomed to visiting the local brothels. To your surprise, you once found Merrill Collins among the working women. In a cruel whim, you bought a night with her. It was a night to remember, one of the best experiences of your life. You saw so much hatred, but also passion in her eyes. So later on, you bought her again. And again. And again.
As time went by, Merrill became more then just a whore. She had became a bordel-mama, and you have became one of her regulars. You had many other whores. But to her… you are still coming back to her from some reason, and to your own surprise, you realized there is no one else in the world anymore who would be as close to you as she is. No one else you would care so much for.
But she is living in a sin. Thus, she can’t never become your wife again. Or could she? You wish to talk about it with someone trusty, a priest, possibly, but you can’t imagine than man would be a bishop Ede. But there are two other priests in town who might help you.
Church
Your mother raised you in the faith. You pray every morning, every evening, and before every meal. You believe it was God’s grace that brought you fortune—and God’s punishment for your sins that took your wife and daughter away.
Since you have no heir, you’ve considered leaving your fortune to the Church upon your death. Bishop Columbus Ede would be a logical middle-man for this. But perhaps it would be wiser to entrust it to a reasonable individual who would use it for good, as you know the bureaucratic machinery of the Church could swallow much of it for completely pointless causes.
Competitors
Your competitors don’t understand real work.
Bradley Harrington (42) wants to create a fully automated factory—a travesty! So many good people would lose their jobs, and it could drive you out of business. You must prevent it.
Arthur Dart (30) is a complete joke—a spoiled rich brat who doesn’t care about people or business… and who’s never worked a real day in his life!
Upcoming elections
You are not sure who should be elected to government. It should definitely be someone who upholds Christian ideals, and who won’t allow this mechanical travesty. But you are not sure who to support. Might be the best if you would candidate yourself… but with your decaying health, you wouldn’t be the best fit.
Illness
Recently, an unknown illness took over you. Your health, always so strong, crumbled like an old bread. A man who could lift mountains, who has never been sick, can barely move now! You visited a doctor Bruno Turner – a real professional, the best of the best, a man of your liking. Even he doesn’t know what is happening to you, but shows a true passion for figuring it out.
But unless he succeeds… you know you are dying. But you’re not ready to go.
Bradley Harrington (merchant, 42)
Even though you were never fond of him, you could respect him, since you see he was working hard. But this automatization travesty… no, you can’t stand for this.
Arthur Dart (merchant, 30)
You despise that spoiled brat with all you have… Not only is spoiled, he also looks soft and weak.
Columbus Ede (bishop, 45)
Bishop of Aetherwick. Great orator and speaker. You go to a confession to him regularly.
Elliot Gregory (priest, 25)
Young priest who is obviously trying to help those in needs. You admire that, and you would be happy to exchange a few words with him.
Silas David (priest, 35)
New priest in town. Religious fervor is emanating from him. You wish to get to know him better.
doctor Bruno Turner (doctor, 40)
A respectful professional who is keeping you alive.
Neil Johnson (chief of police, 45)
You not sure what to think about that man. He looks clever, but there is so many cases that were never solved. Your wife’s case among them. You hold a grudge against him, and you wonder if he is corrupted, or maybe know something you don’t. Might be worthy to check with his subordinates.
Merrill Collins (bordel-mama, 42)
Your first wife, but you annulled the marriage since she wasn’t a virgin. Surprisingly, after disappearance of your wife, you learned Merrill became a whore, and started to visit her frequently. Now, she is a bordel-mama, but every time you come, she is ready to pay you an attention personally. And you realize you get sad anytime you don’t see her for too long.
1. He was once engaged to Merrill Collins, but broke it off after suspecting she wasn’t a virgin.
Knows: Merrill Collins.
Shouldn’t find out: Society, as it might expose a cruel and judgmental side that tarnishes his moral image.
2. He visits brothels regularly.
Knows: Merrill Collins, and possibly sir Waverly Scott, who is there a frequent visito as well.
Shouldn’t find out: The Church, and any political figures or business rivals like Bradley Harrington or Arthur Dart — this would completely destroy his moral credibility.
3. You sleep with Merrill Collins regularly
Not only you sleep with her. You actually care for her, and are unhappy when you don’t see her for a longer time.
Knows: Merrill Collins
Shouldn’t find out: The Church, the society, and any political figures or business rivals who could use that knowledge against him.
4. He suffers unknown terminal illness
Knows: doctor Bruno Turner, but it is easily visible you are unhealthy
Shouldn’t find out: your competitors might use your weakness against you.
5. Sir Waverly Scotts visits brothels regularly
Knows: sir Waverly Scott, Merrill Collins, prostitutes
Shouldn’t find out: Scotts wife, daughter, public in general.
1. Prevent automation
You don’t support the idea that machines should replace honest, hardworking men. It’s not just bad for business — it’s an insult to the dignity of labor. You will do whatever is necessary to halt the rise of fully automated factories.
2. Uncover what happened to your wife and daughter
You are not satisfied with Chief of Police Neil Johnson’s conclusion — that they simply packed up and left. You suspect he knows more than he’s admitting, perhaps even that he was involved. If only you could find a way to dig deeper… perhaps some of his subordinates could be persuaded to speak.
3. Find a cure for your illness
Your health is deteriorating, and your current condition is both physically and spiritually taxing. You are not ready to die. There must be someone in Aetherwick — a healer, an alchemist, or even a doctor — who can help. You trust Bruno Turner, but if he won’t succeed, you might turn yourself to this female doctor, Ruby Conray, you heard about… or to any salve-make, if necessary.
4. Destroy Arthur Dart
That joke of a man is an offense in the eyes of God and business alike. Spoiled, immoral, and wasteful. If you find any opportunity to bring him down, you will take it without hesitation.
5. Find a worthy successor
You’ve considered leaving your wealth to the Church — but which priest could truly be trusted with it? Perhaps there’s someone else, a younger man of strong character, who could carry on your work and your values.
6. Protect the working poor
You built yourself from nothing, and you understand the dignity of labor. It pains you to see the poor suffer, especially when jobs are at stake due to modernization. You cannot hire more workers, but you are willing to fight for their future. You respect hard work, but have no patience for laziness.
7. Stop the spread of feminism
God made it clear: women are to be guided by men. This modern talk of women seeking political rights and “equality” is nonsense that must be stopped. You see it as a dangerous erosion of tradition and divine order.
8. Expose corruption in the police force
If Johnson is compromised, there may be more rot in the system. Cleaning it up could serve both justice and your legacy.
9. Leave a lasting legacy
Whether it’s a school, a chapel, or a foundation for workers — you want to be remembered as more than just a businessman.
10. Prepare your soul
You pray daily, but you also know death is near. Perhaps it’s time to confess old sins, right old wrongs, or fulfill final obligations before meeting your Maker.
11. Find happiness
Either Merrill Collins betrayed you or not, it is clear you caused her a lot of pain by banishing her. And you realize what you feel to her, liking it or not (and you don’t like it). Should you… maybe… consider remarrying her? How would god look upon it? You should speak with priest about it, and decide what you are going to do.
D1
18:00 Mass of bishop Columbus Ede
19:00 Dinner + visit of doctor Bruno Turner
20:00 Taxes
21:00 Meeting of poor/Poker night/Brothel
D2
9:00 Church
12:00 Taxes
13:00 Lunch
16:00 Weddings
17:00 Meeting of poor (voluntary)
18:00 Launch of factory
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Taxes
D3
9:00 Masses
10:00 Election