French Foreign Legion powered by SC 2.0

[RichardAshenden]

I've been thinking about adapting SC2.0 for a FFL-esque campaign (a la P.C. Wren's novel "Beau Geste") set in the late 19th/early 20th century (thus, late Victorian/early Edwardian).

I'm very new to the 2.0 rules and would like to ask if there needs to be far too much alteration to the rules to make such a timeframe work, or if SC is suited to such a concept that is not anywhere near the default action/espionage settings.
Thanks in advance.

[Gatac]

I think this could work, but you might end up somewhat short on weapons. Check this thread for some fan-statted ones, that's also where you can request stats. Also, be sure to use the historical quality and adjust cash values.

Check back to tell us how it works out!

Gatac

[RichardAshenden]

Thanks for the linkage! 

[Krensky]

Be sure to look at the description of the Military style on p417 of Second printing.

Other suggested campaign qualities:

Spycraft 2.0 Second printing
Common Spectacle: Makes Triumphs more common, which fits with the adventure novel feel.
Shoestring Budget: The Légion étrangère always gets the short end of the stick, including equipment. Especially in the period in question.
Soap: More subplots. Every Legionnaire has a history.

World on Fire:
Hostile Wilds: The desert, she stalks us like a cat.

And don't forget the scene only qualities that apply. Personally, I copied them and their descriptions out of the PDFs and pasted them into a text document to print out and keep handy during play for those times the players go off script.

[TheAuldGrump]

I might also add Bloodbath and/or Gritty. Wounds are likely to kill. Mercenary also works - the PCs have sold their lives for anonymity.

Many others would be good on a scene by scene basis - Violent, Tense, and, depending on the commanding officer, Corrupt may all serve from time to time.

The Auld Grump

[Mister Andersen]

New Style feat

Legionnaire
You have abandoned your old life for service to France.
Prerequisites: Allegiance (France or the French Foreign Legion). Any subplot providing circumstances for joining an army not of your own national armed force.
Benefit: You gain the Western Europe focus for your Cultures skill, or the French forte if you already possess it. Additionally, you gain the Rifle proficiency, or an appropriate forte if you already possess it. Further you gain a bonus Calliber I cover identity as part of your possessions. Finally, the next new contact you create may with GC approval begin as an Associate if it has a foreign legion theme.

[afrodave]

Wasn't the French Foreign Legion a Hive of scum and villany? A collection of wanted men, mercenaries, cutthroats and bandits that were typically on the run from other counties and not allowed to actually serve on French soil.   Love the idea, and I think Spycraft 2 is exactly what you'll like for it.

Maybe a BAB pre-req for the Legionarre feat, just to show that the person has some experiance? but cool feat none the less.

[Mister Andersen]

The French Legion came about because (a) a change in law meant that foreignnationals couldn't serve in the French army, and (b) the King as a result didn't want to lose them, so he created a legion and based it in Algeria.

The idea behind the feat is to essentially provide for the basics upon which the legion's espirit de corps is built - a common language (french), a common firearm, and common requirement that everyone initially joins under a non de plume which maybe voluntarily rescinded at a later stage (and must be, as well as having your legal problems sorted, if you wish to avail yourself of the citizenship service in the legion can earn you). Combat proficiency isn't something the feat is concerned with. However, I've tweaked it slightly.

[Krensky]

Optionally you might change the Allegiance from France to the Legion itself, especially for a game set before the Algerian Mutiny.

[Mister Andersen]

That's a really good idea actually.

[Krensky]

It even lets both sides of the legion in WWII benefit from the feat.

[RichardAshenden]

As always, thanks a ton for the great ideas! 
Keep 'em comin'! 
I read Beau Geste some 10-12 years ago but I'll have to reread it.
I plan on reading some histories of the Legion this year by D. Porch. Ideally the timeframe will be between the founding in the 1830's to the Edwardian era.

Marche ou crève!