The following Virtues and Flaws are appropriate for Redcap characters. Several Virtues are modifications of the Linguist Minor Virtue that first appeared in Houses of Hermes: Societates, page 25.
The Retired Redcap Virtue is a modification of the Lone Redcap Virtue detailed in the same Mercere chapter.
Diplomat
Minor General Virtue
The character is extremely proficient in learning Abilities related to diplomacy and court life. All Study Totals for Charm, Etiquette, Folk Ken, Guile and Intrigue are increased by a quarter, as any experience points put into these Abilities at character generation.
Negotiator
Minor General Virtue
The character is extremely proficient in learning Abilities related to persuasion. All Study Totals for Bargain, Charm, Folk Ken, Guile and Leadership are increased by a quarter, as any experience points put into these Abilities at character generation.
Retired Redcap
Minor Social Status Virtue
This character once trained and served as a Redcap, but no longer lives at a covenant nor serves House Mercere actively carrying messages or performing other official duties. He has handed back his symbol of office, his Redcap pin, and is no longer entitled to be active in the politics of the House or the Order as a whole, but is still considered a member of the Order of Hermes. The character thus does not receive magic items, having handed them back or passed them on to younger Redcaps on retirement, unless they also have the Magic Items Minor Virtue (see Houses of Hermes: Societates, page 106). This character still gains an additional 300 experience points for the fifteen years spent as an apprentice, and also receive the benefits of the Well-Traveled virtue.
Although this character received the benefits of a longevity potion when he turned 35, and received its benefits for one to two decades, making him appear 5 to 10 years younger itsmagic has failed and he has since resumed aging normally. The retired Redcap begins play at least 50 years old and has gained 15 Aging Points, starting with a minimum Decrepitude of 2. He has accumulated enough Aging points to force at least one Aging crisis and must subtract one from either Stamina or Quickness to reflect loss of his youthful vigor. To help reflect an injury or ailment that would force retirement from traveling, the character must also suffer the effects of a Minor General Flaw such as Arthritis, Disfigured, Lame, Lingering Injury, Missing Ear, Missing Eye, Obese, Palsied Hands, Poor Eyesight, or Poor Hearing without gaining an additional Minor Virtue as compensation.
Although retired, the ex-Redcap must still devote two seasons each year working to maintain himself but this work is not necessarily directly for the Order. He may help run a Mercer House or work in a role such as an innkeeper that allows him to discreetly assist traveling Redcaps. This work pays enough for the character to live on, unless he takes the Poor flaw and must work a third season as well. If the character has the Wealthy virtue, he can maintain his position with only a single season of effort each year.
Tourist
Minor General Virtue
The character is extremely proficient in learning new (Area) Lores. All Study Totals for any (Area) Lore are increased by a quarter, as any experience points put into any (Area) Lore at character generation.
My Life as a Grog 