Marginal Defeat - Flaw equal to the characters lowest skill which is mainly used as a corresponding negative modifier to future conflicts within that contest's arena.
Example: Dorgar the thief attempts to pick a lock to the manor house, he fails with his Thief keyword 2W. He takes a flaw Bent Lock-picks at 15 which is mainly used as a -3 modifier on any contest involving locks until he is successful at this skill use.
Minor Defeat - Flaw equal to the skill used which is mainly used as a corresponding negative modifier to future conflicts within the contests arena.
Example: Dorgar instead takes a flaw Broken Lock-picks at 2W which is mainly used as a -4 modifier on any contest involving locks. A few days later he decides to use his Thief skill (2w -4 = 1w16) to replace the lock picks through his contacts, an being successful he removes the flaw.
Major Defeat - Flaw equal to the skill used in the contest which applies until actively contested successfully.
Example: While out pick pocketing Dorgar fails to nab a bag, and takes a flaw of Loosing His Nerve 2W. The next day he spots a juicy purse on an inexperienced market-trader's belt, but before attempting to cut the purse and liberate the readies he must win a contest between his Thief keyword and his nervous flaw. Any victory removes the flaw and he takes out his razor, any loss and he is unable to go ahead due to an attack of the shakes. (Note circumstances can still dictate -4 modifier instead but a victory will not remove the flaw.)
Complete Defeat - Standard Flaw equal to and replacing the skill used, which can only be reversed in a contest that acts as a major plot point.
Example: Drogar suffers a total defeat while breaking into a cellar and is caught by the night watch. Even though his friends break him out of jail he suffers a flaw of Forced to Lie Low 2W and has no access to his Thief keyword until he can find a way to call off the authorities. After long negotiations with the criminal underworld he manages to set up a meeting with the Town Constable and offers to help him with an embarrassing predicament. His Smooth Tongued skill is resisted by the 2W flaw and can be removed on a victory.
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