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Often known as the ladies’ man (or, in the case of female characters, femme fatale or vixen), the rake uses his charm, good looks, and sexuality to get what he wants, especially from members of the opposite sex. Some rakes trade sexual services for favors, gifts, or information outright. The most competent, however, can get what they want with the merest suggestion of a possible liaison.
Likely Stories
The idea of using someone’s love (or at least horniness) against them is as old as time itself, so the rake can appear in just about any type of story.
The Name Game
The rake’s name will depend on the setting and genre of the game as well as the character concept. Swashbuckling libertines will have suave-sounding French or Spanish names, exotic enchantresses will have equally exotic names, and filthy, disease-ridden whores will probably have stripper names.
The Numbers
Since sexual attraction is often based on appearance, the rake needs a good Body Number, but all the good looks in the world won’t overcome a douchey personality, so a high Nerve score is also desirable. Some people claim that intelligence is sexy, but those people are usually lying.
Suggested Jobs: Actor, Adulteress, Airplane Pilot, Bond Girl, Cocksman, Companion, Con Artist, Concubine, Courtesan, Dance Hall Girl, Debutante, Enchantress, Escort, Fire Fighter, Geisha, Gentleman, Gigalo, Greek God, Groupie, Handyman, High Society Dame, Hooker, Hustler, International Man of Mystery, Loose Woman, Lothario, Madame, Mermaid, Model, Personal Trainer, Pimp, Philanderer, Playboy, Porn Star, Private Dick, Rock Star, Rogue, Satyr, School Girl, Siren, Stripper, Strumpet, Spy, Teenage Immigrant Welfare Mother On Drugs, Trophy Wife, Whore
Suggested Gimmicks: Always Has Drugs, Babe, Bad Mother–Shut Yo’ Mouth, Big Man On Campus, Daddy’s Little Girl, Double Jointed, Friends In Low Places, Hung Like A War Criminal, Love Magic, Knows Where The Bodies Are Buried, Ladies’ Man, Pick-Up Artist, Reputation, Rugged Good Looks, Ruler of the Gods, Smooth Talker
Suggested Weaknesses: Abandonment Issues, Amnesiac, Crackhead, Danger Junkie, Dazed and Confused, Dirty Old Man, Disease, Enemy, Double Life, Escape Artist, Jealous Ex, Punching Bag, Reputation, Sex Addict, Shunned, Stalker Magnet, Victim of the Past, Wealthy, White Trash
Suggested Skills: Acrobatics, Acting, BDSM, Bodice Ripping, Cheerleading, Dancing, Drug Lore, Eavesdropping, Good In Bed, Hedonism, Kama Sutra, Narcissist, Negotiation, Pick-up Lines, Pillow Talk, Pop Culture Trivia, Rope Use, Seduction, Singing, Snappy Dresser, Street Cred, Throws Good Parties
WWPHITM? Christina Applegate, Mary Astor, Pierce Brosnan, George Clooney, Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, Rosario Dawson, Johnny Depp, Benetio Del Toro, Snoop Dogg, Robert Downey Jr, Eliza Dushku, Shannon Elizabeth, Fabio, Isla Fisher, Sarah Michelle Geller, Pam Grier, Jenna Jameson, Heath Ledger, Traci Lords, Tim Meadows, Andrew McCarthy, Roger Moore, Clive Owen, Brad Pitt, Jeremy Piven, Jamie Pressley, Christina Ricci, Richard Roundtree, William Shatner, Charlie Sheen, Vince Vaughn, Skeet Ulrich, Mae West
Tag Line: “There’s something I’d like you to get off your chest.”–James Bond, Diamonds are Forever
Tools of the Trade
Some rakes are very style-conscious and require hours of primping before they’re ready to go out in public, but otherwise special equipment isn’t required unless they’re into kinky stuff.
Where You’ll Find Him
Wherever there are sexy, sexy ladies (or sexy, sexy guys, in the case of female or homosexual rakes).
Social Circle
The rake’s social circle will depend on the character concept, but he will undoubtedly have dozens of lovers, ex-lovers, and potential lovers at any given time. These people can sometimes be useful, but are just as likely to make life difficult.
Sample Character
Lili Von Schtupp
Body: 12
Brain: 12
Nerve: 16
Job: Entertainer (13)
Gimmick: Sex Appeal (13)
Weakness: Clingy (13)
Skills: Patter +3; Broken English +2; Cooking +1
WWPHITM? Madeline Kahn
Dumb Fact: Had Nazi backup dancers long before Hitler.
Tag Line: “Hello, handsome, is that a ten-gallon hat or are you just enjoying the show?”
HP: 12
YY: 3
Inspirational Materials
Books & Comics
Batman (Poison Ivy, Catwoman, numerous others)
The Bible (Delilah)
Don Juan, Moliere
Le Morte de Arthur, Thomas Mallory (Morgan le Fay)
The Odyssey, Homer (Circe)
The Scarlet Letter. Nathaniel Hawthorn
Movies & TV
The Bond Films (James Bond)
Cruel Intentions
Family Guy (Quagmire)
Jennifer’s Body
Nobel Son (City Hall)
The Opposite of Sex (Didi Truitt)
Shaft
Species
Star Trek (Captain Kirk)
Two and a Half Men (Charlie)*
Wedding Crashers
*Please note that we are merely pointing out that Charlie is a good example of this archetype. We are not suggesting that you watch this show. It’s fucking awful.
Music
Marvin Gaye
“Oh Lord, It’s Hard To Be Humble,” Mac Davis
Prince
“Theme From Shaft,” Isaac Hayes
Barry White
