Robert N. Charrette

Robert N. Charrette
Born	1953
Occupation	Author Game designer Artist (Sculptor)
Homepage	www.charrette.parroom.net (defunct)

Born in Rhode Island in 1953, Robert N. Charrette has been working in the gaming industry, initially as illustrator since 1976. He co-wrote and illustrated the Bushido RPG, which was published in 1979, and by that time was also already a prolific miniatures sculptor.

Medieval (feudal) Japan and samurai are a recurring theme in his works.

In 1984 Charrette joined Ral Partha as a sculptor, and in this role he was tasked with creating the first Battledroids/BattleTech "proof of concept" miniatures for FASA. Many early BattleMech miniature sculpts including many of those that became unseen were created by Robert Charrette. His work marked the beginning of a long-standing cooperation between FASA and Ral Partha that culminated with the latter being bought by the former.

Charrette was among the group that created Shadowrun for FASA in 1989, quickly becoming an integral member of FASA's creative team. He would also write the inaugural novel trilogy for Shadowrun.

Charrette first two BattleTech novels, Wolves on the Border and Heir to the Dragon, were published in 1989. Both had a massive impact on BattleTech and are held in high esteem by the fan base, with the former frequently cited as being probably the best BattleTech novel written to date. Focusing on the Japan-themed House Kurita, these two novels arguably transformed House Kurita from a somewhat faceless evil antagonist into a more well-rounded and even fan-favorite faction within the setting.

Robert Charrette was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in 2003.

See also

• BattleTech-related works by Robert N. Charrette
• Unseen: A History of FASA, Battledroids and BattleTech

External links

• Robert N. Charrette wikipedia article
• Community Outreach – The Robert N. Charrette Collection Sarna news item with interview
• Atelier de la Charrette, Robert N. Charrette’s Home Page (defunct)