Re: Pointless abilities

From: bethexton <bethexton_at_...>
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 14:24:59 -0000

> Maybe we need some informal guidelines :
>
> Ability rating + "pointlessness bonus" = effective ability rating
>
> Where the "pointlessness bonus" is assigned by the Narrator on the
> fly, according to how unlikely it seems that this ability will ever
> be of any use whatsoever. Give it a maximum of +20, say (for
utterly
> insane once-in-a-lifetime abilities): that's effectively a free
hero
> point, just for adding a little joy to everyone's lives by
cluttering
> your character sheet with nonsense.

Without making it too contrived, I think there is a real bonus appropriate any time something is "just the right ability." (and this is where mundane abilities are better than magic). This is along the line of "anyone with wine tasting skill will recognize that the contents of the flask are FAR too good for a humble lunar trooper." or "Befriend Yizlaskillian the homesick Lunar factor (5W): any social or entertainment skill -10, Rinliddi myths +5, play Rinliddi nose flute +20"

Of course the narrator has to throw these opportunities out there, but the players should also be remembering these abilities and seeking out opportunities. If you are trying to get an in with the local lunar government and one of the heroes was once enslaved by a Rinliddi nobleman, well of course he should be looking for any rinliddi. But if the hero has not just the possibly useful some day language and culture skills, but the "completely useless" Rinliddi nose-flute, it is nice of the narrator to once in a while reward that.

--Bryan