Re: Three Way Internal Contests?

From: Tim Ellis <tim_at_...>
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:16:36 -0000

• In HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com, Lev Lafayette <lev_lafayette_at_...> wrote:
  >
  > Not having my rules with me at work and all :)
  >
  > What's the easiest way to manage three-way internal contests?
  >
  > I'm looking at Greg's write up for Dragonewts (Wyrms Footnotes
  Issue 14) which has an article about Dragonewt characters

[Snip]

> Bascially, the Dragonewt will encounter a situation and will be
torn between what their desires tell them to do, what would make them a good Dragonewt and what they want to do.
>
> How would I represent this in HQ? - without making too many rolls!
>

What comes to my mind is a single roll between "Instinct" and "Right Action", and derive the outcome based on the level of success.

Right Action scores a Complete/Major/Minor victory - Perform Right Action
Right Action scores a Marginal victory or Loss or there is a tie - Dragonnewt Free to choose
Right Action scores a Complete/major/minor defeat - Follow base instinct

You can fine tune a distinction between the individual levels of success - maybe how long the Dragonnewt gets before needing to check again.

You can also, if dramatically appropriate, turn it in to an extended contest, eg, if the PC's are trying to persuade (a) Dragonnewt(s) to follow a certain course of action (persuading the Inhuman King to ally with the Rebellion and kick the lunars out of Dragon Pass?)