Now all we have to
> do is figure out how to write plots for a group consisting of a
> lady-in-waiting, a bodyguard, and... a dentist.
>
Sounds like a perfect groups to use another concept talked about in
the hero wars book, supporting an NPC leader character. Hero Wars
specifically focuses on great heroes leading bands of lesser heroes.
Your game world seems quite different (congrats on the great
background web page, btw!), but the concept should still work. It
could be as simple as being a spoiled noble woman's entourage, or as
multi-layered as being hired supposedly as family servants but really
being used for espionage (your mission, should you choose to accept
it....and if you don't you'll be polishing floors for the rest of the
week)
One more thing mentioned in the hero wars rules that might help: the
narrator can always nudge character backgrounds into line. Making
that dentist just a little less specialized might make it easier to
fit him or her into more situations.
Good luck, and have fun!
--Bryan