Monday, October 15, 2012

Savage Odyssey Prime: New Hindrances, Part One...

Good Afternoon, All:

The core rulebook for Odyssey Prime details an alternate Experience system in Chapter 6. In addition to Teamwork, you choose two different character traits, and you get experience when you've exhibited Teamwork and these two traits over the course of a session. In Savage Worlds, this isn't a viable option. I like the concept of capturing character traits like that, though, and have decided to create a list of Hindrances from which each character must choose at least one. Of course, since I can't give them experience for role-playing, I can give them the next best thing in Savage Worlds, Bennies. While the list below begins a conversion of all of the character traits listed in the core rulebook, there are a few that may not make obvious choices for heroic characters. Still, I kept the questionable traits on the list simply for the opportunities for role-playing that could come from exploring such characters.

Altruistic (Minor)
Altruistic characters puts the welfare of others before his own. By sharing gifts and taking on the role of the Samaritan, they hope to cultivate goodwill in others, and the gifts they give will eventually return to them in their hour of need. Altruistic individuals often help another at the risk of loss or harm to themselves. It isn't enough to share what your character has in abundance. They will make a real sacrifice in terms of time, possessions or energy, and he will risk life and limb to help another. Altruistic characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their altruism places them at a significant disadvantage.

Ambitious (Minor)
They say that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Your character may or may not believe that, but he definitely seeks personal power. He is ambitious to an extreme. Anything that can give him more control over others he tries to get, by hook or by crook. Ambitious characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their ambition places them at a significant disadvantage.

Code of Honor (Major)
As per Savage Worlds Deluxe Edition. Such chivalrous characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their Code of Honor places them at a significant disadvantage.

Comic Relief (Minor)
Not every character is a hero. Comic relief characters exist for wisecracks, pratfalls, or visual gags. He can be either a prankster or a victim. A character driven to perform comic relief will usually comment on the absurdity of the heroes' situation and make comments that would be inappropriate for a character who is to be taken seriously. Sometimes, characters may use comic relief as a means to irritate others or keep themselves confident. Comic relief characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their comedic actions place them at a significant disadvantage.

Crusader Mentality (Minor)
Your character is devoted to a cause, which you must specify when selecting this Hindrance. His is a campaign of passion, and he fanatically attempts to convert others, while fighting wholeheartedly for the cause— to the point of martyrdom if necessary. This does not always work out well, as most people are resistant to such conversion efforts. Characters with a crusader mentality earn a Bennie after any scene in which their conversion efforts places them at a significant disadvantage.

Curious (Major)
As per Savage Worlds Deluxe Edition. Curious characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their curiosity places them at a significant disadvantage.

Emotionally Distraught (Minor)
Your character is prone to emotional distress. Something is always keeping him emotional distraught, whether it is family problems to job-related stress, or even something worse. Sadly, even when one issue becomes resolved, the character will fixate on another. Emotionally distraught characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their reactions to their current distress places them at a significant disadvantage.

Dark Secret (Minor)
Some terrible secret haunts your character, one that could affect many lives around him, in addition to his own, should it be discovered. He wants to reveal it, but he struggles internally for the best, most gentle way to do so. Characters with a dark secret earn a Bennie after any scene in which their struggle to deal with their revelation places them at a significant disadvantage.

Depressed (Minor)
Your character has suffered a personal misfortune that haunts him. He is visibly troubled, and may not be willing to discuss the event openly. His solemn somberness makes him all "gloom and doom". He experiences little pleasure from almost all activities and life itself. Your character often suffers from feelings of worthlessness, guilt or helplessness regarding the misfortune he has suffered, as well as a general lack of energy. Indeed, he may experience difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions. Depressed characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their depression places them at a significant disadvantage.

Diplomatic (Minor)
The character is silky smooth. He seldom handles obstacles and problems (especially hostile confrontations) with brute force but depends on his wits and je ne sais quoi. As such, he is unlikely to take an aggressive action in the first round of any combat, unless he has been personally attacked. Instead, he is more likely to attempt persuasion, intimidation or outright taunting in an effort to resolve a conflict without combat. Diplomatic characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their diplomacy places them at a significant disadvantage.

Greed (Minor/Major)
As per Savage Worlds Deluxe Edition. Greedy characters earn a Bennie after any scene in which their greed places them at a significant disadvantage.

This was originally a rather lengthy post, but I decided to break it down into two parts. Please enjoy this, and make sure you catch Part Two as my next post.

Enjoy,
Flynn

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