Easily-Supressed Disadvantage
#quirk #rules_analogue #character_option
Quirk, -1 point
A -5-point mental disadvantage with a self-control roll of 15 is worth -2 points. If the GM can “force” the problem on you only on a critically failed self-control roll (17 or 18), then it’s just a quirk. While unpleasant game-mechanical effects (bad
reactions, wasted resources, etc.) depend on the dice like this, you’re expected to roleplay the behavior whenever appropriate.
Failure to do so may result in “bad roleplaying” penalties. Some examples, with suggested names:
- Compulsive Carousing: “Enjoys carousing,” “Party animal,” “Social.”
- Compulsive Gambling: “Enjoys Gambling,” “Likes bets,” “Likes games of chance.”
- Compulsive Generosity: “Generous,” “Magnanimous,” “Munificent.”
- Compulsive Spending: “Big spender,” “Displays wealth ostentatiously,” “Shopaholic.”
- Compulsive Vowing: “Oath-taker,” or something colorful like “Swears by Allah’s beard” or “Swears on his father’s grave.”
- Curious: “Inquisitive,” “Nosy” (p. 20), “Prying.”
- Gluttony: “Fond of food and drink,” “Gourmand,” “Likes to eat.”
- Incurious: “Staid” (p. 20), “Unquestioning.”
- Loner: “Aloof,” “Keeps to self,” “Prefers being alone,” “Solitary,” “Uncongenial” (p. 20), “Unfriendly.”
- Nightmares: “Bad dreams.”
- Overconfidence: “Audacious,” “Bold,” “Confident.”
- Pyromania: “Firebug,” “Likes fire.”
- Selfish: “Conceited,” “Haughty,” “Pompous,” “Proud” (p. 20), “Snobby,” “Snooty,” “Status-conscious,” “Vainglorious” . . . this is a common quirk!
- Selfless: “Altruistic,” “Humble” (p. 19), “Unselfish.”
- Truthfulness: “Forthright,” “Ingenuous,” “Sincere.”
The GM might allow this option even for disadvantages that don’t offer self-control rolls. Since such traits’ point values assume a problem that’s always inconvenient – not one that’s resisted with a self-control roll of 12 or less – a self-control roll of 15 (not the 16 implied above) is fairest here. Alternatively, weaken the disadvantage in other ways; for examples, see Congenial (p. 17), Determined (p. 18), Dorky (p. 18), Dull (p. 18), Insensitive (p. 19), Math-Shy (p. 31), and Responsible (p. 20).