Re: Cumulative wounds

From: Jamie <anti.spam_at_...>
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:31:03 -0000

• In HeroQuest-rules_at_yahoogroups.com, "Mike Holmes" <mike_c_holmes_at_...> wrote:
  > 1. The old penalty could be reduced as a result of the contest, and
  a new
  > penalty can come to be in place due to a defeat.
  > 2. The old penalty could stay, and a new penalty can emerge because
  of a
  > defeat.
  > 3. The character could win, making the old penalty go away, in
  addition to
  > getting some other goal.
  > 4. The character could win, but the old penalty stays.
  >
  > Your version seems to say that #2 should never occur, and that 4 can
  occur,
  > but it's an exception to the general rule, and only happens in combat
  

No, the details of each conflict are still specific to their context and goals. #2 & #4 would emerge when the goal runs contrary to improvement, or does not address improvement. My suggestion is not running contrary to such issues, it just seeks to explain the rules without needing to use stacking.

(I stress again, just in case, that I am not talking here about the healing rules varient.)

I fear that moving the discussion away from specifics has clouded my point, so let me try and refocus.

Focusing on examples, I posted:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/HeroQuest-rules/message/22693 These examples seek to explain how I read the text.

I try and highlight that selection of negatives should be based upon the current scene. I also attempt to stress that everything is situation and goal sensitive.

See part 3:
If, in this scene, Massanwa's goal was "Take this opportunity to impress the Clan's Chieftain, so that I can renew my romantic involvement with his son" it may have no effect on either modifier despite her having a negative leading into the conflict. (Your option 4.)

If the goal was "I throw caution to the wind, not caring about my reputation, and seek to stir up conflict between our clan and the Grazers" potential negatives would probably be separate and consistant with the narration "The Clan Ring see you as driven by revenge and this will inform their opinion of you should you speak of this matter again" possibly giving negatives overlapping those in place already. (Your option 2.)

When these specifics are detailed, I doubt you would disapprove of the implementation, the only real difference is the lack of stacking, and the possible extra effort in tracking the overlapping negatives and their context. I see this a positive, as it maintains a focus on the Why of the negatives.