Re: Holmes in HQ

From: Roderick and Ellen Robertson <rjremr_at_...>
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2007 17:25:56 -0700

He was born with the gift of laughter and the sense that the world was mad R. Sabatini, Scaramouche

• Keyword: master detective
• sidekick, Dr. Watson.
• contact: Scotland Yard/Inspector Lestrade
• contact: his mysterious brother, Mycrof
• brusque and dismissive
• confirmed bachelor
• violin
• pipe
• casual cocaine user
• trained in fisticuffs

> Would "Master Detective" include some specialised knowledges ?  e.g.
> Holmes ability to identify tobacco ash ?  (Which I would normally
> expect to be improvised with a significant penalty).

Dr. Watson listed these traits (In "A Study in Scarlet"):

"SHERLOCK HOLMES -- his limits.

1. Knowledge of Literature. -- Nil.
2. Philosophy. -- Nil.
3. Astronomy. -- Nil.
4. Politics. -- Feeble.
5. Botany. -- Variable. Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally. 

Knows nothing of practical gardening.
6. Geology. -- Practical, but limited. Tells at a glance different soils from each other. After walks has shown me splashes upon his trousers, and told me by their colour and consistence in what part of London he had received them.

7. Chemistry. -- Profound.
8. Anatomy. -- Accurate, but unsystematic.
9. Sensational Literature. -- Immense. He appears to know every detail of 

every horror perpetrated in the century.

10. Plays the violin well.
11. Is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and swordsman.
12. Has a good practical knowledge of British law.

"

Depending on how much is covered by "Detective", you can add:

Observant of Details
Keen Eyesight (Not the same as observant - he has good eyesight and can see details at a distance)
Disguise
Strong
"Extraordinary Delicacy of Touch"

More people:
Contact - Mrs Hudson (Landlady)
Contacts - Baker Street Irregulars
Contact - Tobias Gregson (Scotland Yard) Enemy - Dr. Moriarty (nemisis)
Enemy - Sebastian Moran (and his Air-rifle)