Here is a brief summary of each player class along with links to more detailed descriptions. Compared to AD&D (1st edition) the number of available Classes has been reduced, but there are several Sub-Classes available.
To start, the Druid class has been removed and the Cleric has been redesigned into two types. Those able to perform ‘Miracles‘ are in a new class called ‘Mystic‘ while those religious leaders who are unable to perform Miracles are known as Clerics or Clergy. (NOTE: Not all Mystics are Clerics and not all Clerics are Mystics. Being a Cleric is a profession and a matter of training and education as well as belief. Being a Mystic is a matter of Faith and seemingly inexplicable qualities. A character can be one without being the other.)
Wizards and Illusionist are now known as ‘Adepts‘
Paladins and Rangers are no more.
Assassins and Bards do not exist.
Thieves are known as ‘Rogues‘ and are subdivided into three types. Burglar, Robber and Swindler.
Fighters are subdivided into three categories based on training and proficiencies. They are: Professionals, Outdoorsmen, Sportsman
A new class called Medium has been added.
Fighter Class
This is the general classification for the rough and tough combat specialists. In the Victorian Era, with the exception of Military personnel, individuals who have dedicated their lives to combat are very, very unusual. But certain general activities do enhance an individuals aptitude to violence, weapon handling and combat. These Sub Classes are:
Professional Fighter: These are the members of Victorian society tat were actually trained to fight and kill. This sub class includes Active Duty Reserves and retired Army Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery and Navy Marines. It also encompasses many, but not all, Policemen, Constables, Sheriffs, Marshals and similar. These men (almost exclusively) are skilled with weapons and tactics.
Outdoorsmen: This sub class includes Cowboys, Game Hunters, Poachers, Game Keepers, and Explorers and so on. It is mostly in this group that skills like trapping, tracking, survival and such are found. Although mostly male, there are women who have ventured off the normal path to explore and in doing so have become proficient with weapons and outdoor skills.
Sportsmen: Sportsman are the product of a University where, in addition to athletics, they studied a profession. Often times these individuals have remained active in athletics and related fields through club memberships.
Although most sportsmen and athletes do not engage in killing, some sports are violence or weapon oriented (boxing, wrestling, fencing, shooting, archery) and virtually all of them encourage strength building, conditioning and coordination along with the dedication and discipline of training and practice. ALL Sportsman have a professional skill set of some degree to reflect their academic origins.
This is the classification for thieves, assassins, brawlers, con men, gamblers and street thugs AND some Police Officers and Detectives. Though able to handle themselves in the streets, these individuals are less inclined to combat and direct violence, and more inclined to stealth, deflection, distraction, persuasion and subtlety.
There are three types of Rogue. All three use the same experience tables and share some skills and abilities, but they also have specialties. The types are:
Burglar or House Breaker is one who enters by stealth to steal. Second story men are the ‘elite’ of the burglars, specializing in climbing and entering a building high above the ground.
Robber, Mugger or Footpad physically assaults his targets. In the underworld these are the ‘lowest’ of Rogues.
Con Man, Swindler or Forger uses tricks and fast talk to rob his victims.
In an age where magic is all but forgotten except as a plot element in children’s stories, the actual practicing Wizard is rare indeed. So rare as to be virtually non existent! Most of what is called ‘magic’ is in fact trickery, sleight of hand and illusion. Stage craft and performances designed to entertain the paying public.
The handful of individuals who are aware of the Arcane, are mostly self taught and struggle to increase their knowledge and power of their Arcane studies.
Note: Although many of the spells available to an Adept are derived from AD&D sources, most have been subjected to changes and many have been ‘lost’ over time.
Although there are many religious teachers, leaders and practitioners in the world, only a few are Truly Touched and Blessed with the Power to do more then just talk their faith. Curiously, the Power to perform seeming Miracles is NOT limited to anyone faith but can in fact manifest itself in almost any religion. It is a very rare gift, perhaps not as rare as the Arcane Adept, but still most unusual.
Mediums and Spiritualists (real ones, not the fakes and frauds) have a special connection to the ‘Other World’ spirits, ghosts and Others.
Spiritualism and the communication with the Other World is an extremely popular subject in the Victorian Age. Unfortunately it is a field rife with fraud and fakery. For every ‘Real Medium’ there are scores of frauds out to bilk the gullible and grieving of their money.