Adventuring with Class- High Class Adventures

High incomes, high society, and higher standards, the High class in Victoriana run the empire (or at least know those the ones that do), and live a life of privilege. While their lives are dominated by the
rules of polite society, the upper crust retain all the advantages of good breeding.
Some are not wholly satisfied with the system that gives their current status, and will mix with the lower orders for a good cause.

Plot Hooks
The gentry and the idle rich are not completely immune to the lure of money as an adventure seed, but there are more interesting ways to draw their attention. Social pressure and favor is the currency here. No matter how high up the social register they are, there is always a better class of people or a previously closed circle whose notice would be desirable.

If social betterment is not the key, look at why the character is adventuring in the first place. Is it the honor of the queen, a past injustice, or simple boredom? In any case, every blueblood must have a reason to slum it, even if it’s just the shocked reaction of their betters.
Finding the reason they’ve opened up their social circle to include the less prestigious characters can open many new possibilities.

One nearly guaranteed way to pull a high-class character into a story is family obligation. The family name has not only prestige, wealth and honor but also responsibility. Looking out for the farmers of the ancestral estate, investigating an imposing aunt’s troubles, and acting as a troubleshooter for the families’ squabbles are all mandatory pursuits if they want to keep their allowance and avoid the displeasure of the most powerful people in their lives.

The resources of wealth and connections allows the high class to enjoy their hobbies. Charity work, scientific discovery, patronage of the arts, any devoted interest can pull a player character into a niche that will lead to story. It doesn’t have to be their own hobby; any crackpot that a character’s wealthy uncle gives money is their problem too, when the bill collectors calls.

If a member of upper society wishes to make friends in high places, membership to a gentlemen club is a must. If the player character is female the options are a bit more limited but charity foundations can work out the same. She will still have to pay money (through donation) to stay involved and it’s a place of greater freedom for many society housewives.
There is not much a socialite would not do for the sake of the club.

While a servant would hesitate to burden their employer with a personal problem, they may be the only person of influence that can help in extreme circumstances. A servant with years of dedicated and diligent service is a valued member of the household, and would be a shame to lose due to a gambling debt, or a misunderstanding.

Locations
Access to the best places in London opens brand new ground for scenario seed planting. With judicial use of contacts and family, no door is closed very long to a well connected society man. The best parties of the season, the best clubs, and perhaps even the halls of government are all opened with a little name dropping, until the first hint of scandal.

There are all kinds of stuffy events that a high class character would be obligated to attend. Boat races, coming out parties, graduation ceremonies, premiers, sporting and civic events, anything that can be celebrated and used as a venue to see and be seen, will have an invitation forth-coming. With that much money and influence in one room, the adventure can land right into their lap.

The resources of high class characters make an international journey more viable. Why stow-away on a tramp steamer when an Airship might be available? Their connections and breeding (not to mention finance) can smooth the path of the story.

The countryside is also opened up if a family estate or a summer home is available. Seaside villages and other vacation spots are a fine quiet place for a rest to be interrupted with an adventure.

Money brings the ability to hire others expertise. A high class character’s connections can lead them to the office of an expert. The characters’ may wish to increase the experts income if they can translate the runes on an ancient bas relief, build the missing part for the machine they found, or if they can find a map of the supposedly never built section of the London sewer.

Enemies and Obstacles
If the adventure’s trail leads to the poorer sections of London, a high class character may have extra difficulty interacting with its residents. Vendors may be flustered at their presence or simply unable to make change for a pound. A renowned snitch may be on their best behavior and won’t gossip in front of the better set. Every pickpocket and sneak thief will be waiting for an opportunity. The way news travels the suspect may have already cleaned up their front room in anticipation of the characters’ visit!
In addition, bitter individuals of the lower classes may hold a grudge towards those of privileged standing or worse be rabid anarchists ready to start a brawl for the sake of the cause. A slumming high class character may be the only target a bitter wretch will see for a long time without having to leave their home team advantage behind.

As stated already, a scandal can be the worst fear of the higher classes. The affection of peers may dry up after hearing of a night in jail, or continued visits to the worst cesspool in the rookery. The very fact the character is an  adventurer could be an obstacle to more adventuring.
Worse, if the wrong social impression is made, a rival could step into the void and steal their influence in polite society.

In high society almost everyone knows everyone, or at the very least can look them up in guides and periodicals about the better set. If another member of a characters’ social circle is working at cross purposes to them, their confrontations will have to be discreet, particularly if they may be sitting across from each other at the next dinner party.

I hope this post was helpful. I’ll post the next section on Middle Class adventures soon.