Re: A Question about Abilties

From: bethexton_at_...
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 19:38:54 -0000

> Please look at the example in the main rules (Kallai), in which
> a few of the underlined words were given multiple ablities at the
> decision of the narator.
>
> I feel that its no skin off my nose to give a few extra abilities
at
> 13 in the interests of good character concept. Flexiblity... is an
> asset.
>
Indeed, extra abilities at a starting score of 13 are hardly unbalancing. In general I think they would have the effect of letting the heroes deal with more situations in a non-comical way. At a 13 you aren't apt to overwhelm anyone with any real competency, but you get more ability to do things yourself, instead of leaning on non-player characters.

Indeed, for my own amusement I tried to abuse the 100 word write-up to its max, packing in as many underlined words as possible, and giving as many of them as possible multiple meaning. I concluded that while the character had breadth, he would be less powerful in general than someone using the list of ten thing who used it to take mostly special items and followers.

One final note: a skill at 13 represents 2 hero points. If you are generous in interpreting the write up, so that they get a few extra skills, it amounts to the equivalent of half a dozen hero points put into new abilities. Much less impact, character development wise, than putting your 1W and 5W skills into magic.

Of course, it doesn't really matter too much how you do in your game, as long as you are consistent and fair and the players get characters that interest them.

--Bryan