Your own LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN!

[Roquefort Raider]

The idea is simple: come up with your own league!

Pick characters from any book you like, from any era you like, and to accomplish the type of mission you like.

To start with, I present you the Gentilhommes remarquables. This team was assembled to deal with a nefarious conspiracy of alien visitors out to steal all the wine in the caves of Champagne!!!

Cardinal Richelieu is the brain of the group and its originator. A man of reflection more than action, he stays behind and coordinates the movements of his agents.

Cyrano de Bergerac is his deputy in the field. Bergerac is possibly as brilliant as Richelieu, but tends to let his concentration stray on whatever subject meets his fancy. He's built a machine that allowed him to visit the Moon as well as the states and empires of the Sun, which will be practical to travel to the alien's base if need be. Like a XVIIth century Doc Savage, he's not only a pretty smart fellow but also a remarkable fighter, being able to outfence most people while simultaneously composing poetry.

Etienne Brûlé is an old wood runner from North America. He was saved in extremis from being tortured to death by natives and now serves Richelieu. He is very skilled in all hunting techniques and in Iroquois torture.

Micromegas is a space alien from Sirius. Unbeknownst to Voltaire, the gigantic being can change his size at will and walk among us incognito. (It explains why this character has the prefix "Micro-" in his name)! We aren't quite sure of what his abilities are, although he never ceases to amaze us.

Gargantua III is the descendent of the famous character created by Rabelais. He can't eat a cow in one meal, but is nevertheless a mighty fellow who acts as the muscle of the team (and involuntary comic relief, as he usually breaks a lot of furniture).

Masquerouge is not actually a literary character since she appeared in a french comic-book series; still, she's too good to pass. Baroness Ariane de Troïl acts as a kind of French Zorro, dressed up in red and her face covered with a hood. As fearless as skilled with a sword, she was blackmailed into joining the league when Richelieu found out her secret.

The beast is a fiendishly intelligent creature the origin of which is uncertain. As resourceful as Rin-Tin-Tin, this powerful killer is barely kept in check by the authority of Richelieu.



Unknown to the league's members, it is the forefather of the fearsome Beast of the Gévaudan, which a century later will kill over 100 persons in central France.


There we are! Now all we need is somebody to write an actual story about these guys!!!

What about you own team, folks?

[Bakema NL]

Wow, damn cool thread idea.

Davy Crockett - Huntsman and expert on all kinds of guns and rifles.....leader of this group.

Harry Keogh - The necroscope, friend of the dead, with the power to travel through time and space.

Captain Ahab - Master of the sea, unpredictable ally.

Ivanhoe - One of the greatest knights ever.

Frankenstein monster - The muscle of the group, kept in check by Harry Keogh as the monster is made of dead material.

Morgana le Fey - Sorceress in the dark arts, you don't want to mess with her.

Boudica - The greatest warrior queen in all history.


This group, the Shady bunch, travel the time/space continuum in Ahab's ship, thanks to Harry Keogh's powers, in search of mischief.......it's a lot of work considering there's the whole space/time continuum.

[Kirayoshi]

Okay, here's my team.

The Old Gang, hailing from the '30s, devoted to thwarting a secret conspiracy of Axis agents using gangsters as dupes in their plot to undermine the US Government's efforts to restore the economy from the Great Depression.

The Shadow. The man behind the scenes, who recruits the Gang members.
Doc Savage. Both brains and brawn. Hires the Shadow to recruit the other team members.
Nick and Nora Charles. Intrigued by the Shadow's promise of adventure, they decide to join him. They tend to be thrillseekers, but recognize the gravity of the threat.
Sam Spade. Framed by an unknown assailant(secretly working for the Axis conspiracy) for the murder of his loyal secretary, he is forced to accept the Shadow's offer to find the killer and clear his good name. His motivation; he wants to take down the guy who made a sap out of him.
The Phantom. Uncovering Nazi gun-runners and slavers in his jungles, he agrees to work with the Old Gang to liberate his home. He doesn't trust the Shadow's vigilante tactics, but respects his motives.
The Golem. With the help of Josef Kavilier, Doc Savage retrieved the Golem from Prague, and now controls the mystic powerhouse.

[Nate C.]

Brilliant, Ben.

My League.

Gully Foyle. The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester. He spacejumps, he has billions, and he's brilliant. And don't forget his savagery or he'll have to remind you.

Sherlock Holmes. Sir Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. You hate him. You love him. But you sure as heck trust his judgement. He's the Commander of the mission.

Enkidu. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Muscle, pure and simple.

Merlin. Le Morte de' Artur. (usually ascribed to Mallory). Wizardry!

Ogami, Itto. with Ogami, Daigoro. Lone Wolf and Cub. Kazuo and Koike. Expert Swordsman and soul of the group.

Alexander Hartdegan. The Time Machine. H.G. Wells. Time machine, brains, muscle, the full meal deal, and the impetus for bringing together my ecclectic league, for the purpose of saving Earth one last time!

EDIT-added:

Lolita. Lolita. Nabokov. Yeah, I went there. I just went "there".

[howyadoin]

I'll drop back with a real response soon, but in the meantime, I have to ask Ben if he's read Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld books.

[Roquefort Raider]

I'll drop back with a real response soon, but in the meantime, I have to ask Ben if he's read Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld books.

I read the first one while in college (instead of studying, of course!) and really enjoyed the concept. That's where I learned Mark Twain's real name, in fact.

Did we ever find out why all of humanity past and present ended up on Riverworld? Was it some great metaphysical concept or some technological application?



I really like the leagues we've seen to date... I was thinking of making one up for ancient Greece, but that's pretty much the Argonauts!

[Shem the Penman]

I'm in a League RPG over on rpol.net, which sadly seems to have stalled. In any case, the group consisted of Irene Adler, Lord John Roxton, Rebecca Fogg (a relative of Phileas), Mina Harker, Spring-Heeled Jack, Alice Hargreaves, and Erik, the Phantom of the Opera (that last played by myself).

[Arrjay]

Brilliant idea for a thread. I'll have to think on this for a while but I'll post my choice as soon as possible. Seriously though, this is a cool idea. Pure genius.

[Solaris]

Lewis Wetzel... from Zane Grey's book Betty Zane, a slightly fictional account of his grandmother, who saved Ft. Henry from British and Native American attackers. Wetzel was known to the Native Americans as Wind of Death, or Deathwind, because of his phenomenal speed, stamina, silence when hunting (usually Native Americans), and his unbelievably accurate shots. (BTW, he didn't kill *every* N.A. he met---he went after the ones that were preying on the settlers, or had kidnapped some, or were working with the British... that's a bit of an oversimplification, but it'll do.) And he was a real person, folks.

The Count of Monte Cristo, aka Edmond Dantes---This fellow had all kind of knowledge: cultural, medical/herbal, multiple languages, finance, etc. etc., and had trained himself physically through a strong regimen. Plus, he's faced death many times, and he's incredibly wealthy... and he's a very good strategist.

Adam Sinclair---Psychologist and occultist, also a Scottish Laird. Secretly he's the Master of the Hunt: the leader of a Hunting Lodge, which is an esoteric group that polices and apprehends occult wrong-doers. He's got strong psychic and magical abilities. (Kurtz & Harris, The Adept Series)

Master Li and Number Ten Ox---lead characters in a series by Barry Hughart. Master Li is an ancient reprobate, probably the smartest man in all China; knows everything from herbalism to occult and law; he's an investigator for hire. Number Ten Ox is probably the strongest man in China, and serves Master Li. He also provides a simplistic, peasant approach to problems.

Joan of Arc---After all, who can deny such a strong female fighter a spot on the team? ;)

Hercule Poirot---If you don't know him from Agatha Christie's books, shame on you! ;) Brilliant investigator. (I decided to go with him and not Holmes just because, in thinking of an investigator, someone else was sure to pick Holmes.)

Mike Callahan and Lady Sally McGee---see Spider Robinson books. They're just the best.

Nikola Tesla---Yes, I know he was real, but he's also a character in some of the Robinson books, and that's where I'm getting him from. Brilliant inventor, vastly intelligent.


I know that's a really weird mix, but what the hey! :D

[Roquefort Raider]

You beat me to Monte-Cristo, Solaris! I was trying to get him to lead a group based in the mid-1800s. He's a great character.

I guess I'll have to replace him with the count of St-Germain, who being immortal can pretty much be set in any era!

(I once started to write a story in which St-Germain was actually Germanicus, the father of Caligula, made immortal after being poisoned by his enemies. It never went far, which is no great loss since the novel "the centurion's empire" basically told the same story much better than I could have, although with different characters).

Keep it up, folks! This looks great already!

[i_mmmchocolate]

Great thread, I'll be back later with my picks!

[Karl J. Barnes]

The Final Gate needs to be closed. As Morgaine and her henchman/liegeman Nhi Vanye(from C J Cherryh's Morgaine novels) attempt to do this deed, they find that the Gate is heavily guarded by powers beyond their understanding. Even with Morgaine's powers and her willingness to do anything to close the Gate, she realizes that she needs help. Thus with her magics/weird science, Morgaine creates an unstable gate that splinters off through other dimensions/worlds.

She finds/chooses:

Jame from P C Hodgell's God Stalk novel. Jame's thieving abilities and her enate magic will go a long way on helping Morgaine to reach her goal.

From Simon R. Green's series Nightside, she finds Shotgun Suzie. Suzie is fearless enough and CRAZY enough to take on anyone or thing.

Also from Simon R. Green is Fisher of Fisher&Hawk. Fisher is a thinker and someone that you want protecting your back.

And for some major magic work is Jaenelle from Anne Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy. Jaenelle is considered the MOST powerful witch on her world, but as powerful as she is; she is an innocent.

[Karl J. Barnes]

How and why they come together? John Ross from Terry Brooks' The Word and The Void trilogy is facing an impossible task. The Void Warriors have found a way of attacking the source of Knights of the Word's power and with the ailing help of The Lady of The Lake, John finds stout and fearless men to hold back the tide of The Void.

They being:

A young Conan from his days of travelling, thieving and being a mercenary. He's the wild one, yet loyal. Though his tendecies of being free with other's property and his wildness might cause some trouble.

Gondwane from Lin Carter's World's End series. This near perfect super-human warrior would be the heavy muscle Gondwane is a bit naive, but enate goodness and pure heart will see him through the adventure.

Vlad Taltos from Steven Brust's Taltos series. Vlad's a planner, an assassin and the comic relief. With his seemingly non-stop chatter and his witchery and his familiar, Loish, he'll be a suprise for their foes. Plus, he makes a good contrast with Gondwane.

And the last of the group is: Druss from David Gemmell's Legend. The "Allan Quartermain" of the group, a man even Conan would respect. He's seen it all and done it all. Druss might just want to while away his days at his mountain retreat, but a good cause will always convince to pick up his battle axe and join in the fray.

With John Ross' magic and his undying compassion, this would make a formible team of heroes.

[Roquefort Raider]

The Final Gate needs to be closed. As Morgaine and her henchman/liegeman Nhi Vanye(from C J Cherryh's Morgaine novels) attempt to do this deed, they find that the Gate is heavily guarded by powers beyond their understanding. Even with Morgaine's powers and her willingness to do anything to close the Gate, she realizes that she needs help. Thus with her magics/weird science, Morgaine creates an unstable gate that splinters off through other dimensions/worlds.

Hey, kudoes for coming up with an all-women team! These groups usually tend to over-represent guys.

May I back the candidacy of Adrienne de Montchevreuil, the young alchemist from Greg Keyes' Newton's cannon, to join your women of the ages?


Cheers,

- Ben

[Solaris]

Hmmm. Female team. I'm gonna raid scifi/fantasy for this.

Paksenarrion, from Moon's The Deed of Paksenarrion. An experienced paladin would be a great asset to any team.

Damia, from MacCaffrey's book by the same name. Very powerful teleporter and telepath.

Shona Taylor, from Nye's books (first one is Taylor's Ark. Wonderful doctor and medical researcher.

Rhapsody, from Hayden's book by the same name. Bard and Namer, has great power with both, plus very good swordswoman, and an ability with fire.

Tarma and Kethry from Lackey's Velgarth (world of Valdemar) series. Tarma is an awesome fighter and horsewoman, Kethry is an awesome mage, and they're very cool characters.

Daine, from Pierce's quartet about the gods. She's got Wild Magic, can talk to any animal (and heal them), and can shape change into any animal or a combination of animal parts.

Ally, from Pierce's duet about the "Trickster." She's a master spy/strategist/tactician/thief/decoder etc. Good talents.

Lady Sally McGee, from Robinson's Callahan's Lady. Time traveler, somewhat telepathic, gorgeous, Madam of the best whorehouse ever, and very good at seeing into the heart of things. Although her other talents would be very useful, her greatest contribution to the rest of the team would be to help and remind them not to take themselves too seriously, and to laugh and have fun.



I think that's enough, and they could do a helluva lot for any cause. I'm not good at making up a cause for these teams to fight for, though.