Last of My Kind as a Major Bad Trait.

[Doctor X]

Last of My Kind as it's written in the rulebook works well, however, we've seen it take hold of the Doctor in much darker ways than a simple -2 to anything but combat. (It might also work for those occasional last members of alien species who end up preferring to die rather than accept the Doctor's assistance.) Here's my thought on how those moments would work in game:

Left too long on their own, the character may develop the Major Bad version of this trait. As a Major Bad Trait, the character makes reckless, foolhardy decisions simply because there is no one left to tell them otherwise. He may abandon any Code of Conduct and Empathic traits he may have, and become Selfish or Impulsive or develop a Major Obsession with the task at hand, to the point of sacrificing his own life or others' to accomplish it.

If a fellow PC or a friendly NPC is able to communicate with the character, they may attempt to stop them by engaging the character in a Social Conflict. This is a special conflict where the affected character is at a -2 and may not use Argumentative or Indomitable to resist. (Deep down, he doesn't really WANT to do whatever horrible thing he's about to do and really DOES need someone to talk him out of it.) Whoever wins the conflict, both sides immediately fully heal to whatever levels their attributes were before the conflict began. Either the afflicted character is back to themselves or the friend is free to try again or apply a more direct method (a club to the back of the head usually works well) to stop them.

Any lingering effects to either character afterwards should be role-played out but things will quickly go back to normal. However, depending on the circumstances, the afflicted character may end up with an Owes Favor Bad Trait towards their friend (Minor or Major should be agreed upon by the GM and all parties involved.). Or if the friend ultimately fails and the character goes through with their plan, the guilt of being unable to save them may result in acquiring the Major Unadventurous Trait.

[Doctor X]

No thoughts on this?

[Marnal]

I liked it. Nothing I need for my game. But would be useful for a 10th Doctor campaign.

[doctorjest]

Sept 25, 2014 15:21:48 GMT Doctor X said:

No thoughts on this?

I don't think this is the kind of thing you make part of the mechanics. Rather that's the sort of thing the player does to earn Story Points with the trait. Empower players to roleplay traits instead of using them as punishments and it yields better results, in my opinion. 

[Escher]

Sept 10, 2014 9:11:23 GMT Doctor X said:

Last of My Kind as it's written in the rulebook works well, however, we've seen it take hold of the Doctor in much darker ways than a simple -2 to anything but combat.

I think this Trait was not the only single thing that created so much anger and angst in the 9th and 10th Doctors.

Last of My Kind is not the same as "I committed genocide, blew up Gallifrey and killed my own race" which is what the crux of it is. It's regret, guilt, shame, anger and disgust at one's self.

In game terms, Obsession (Minor/Major) paired with Last of My Kind could simulate this with a concise and specific description. It's potential for self-destruction would make this into a Major Bad Trait.


Obsession (Minor/Major Bad Trait)
Someone, something, or some goal constantly weighs on the character’s mind. It may be just keeping track of time, doing things in threes, or it could be something as strong as the need for revenge or the love of a special someone. Having the Obsession Trait is rarely something helpful, and this Bad Trait is uncommon in player characters.
This sort of fanaticism is best suited to people like Professor Lazarus or the Master.

Effect: As a Minor Bad Trait, it means the character has a mild obsession, a bit like Clive and his investigation into the Doctor. It doesn’t creep into every part of their lives, but it’s always there, itching at the back of their minds. Their obsession isn’t strong enough to be too troublesome, but there are times when they simply have to do something because of their compulsion. Often, this isn’t anything too drastic, like switching the gas on and off again before leaving a house, checking their emails every hour or needing to wear a certain pair of underwear on Wednesdays. They can try to resist acting upon their obsessive nature with an Ingenuity and Resolve roll, suffering a -2 penalty.

As a Major Bad Trait, the character is crazed with determination to do something. Almost every action or plan is designed to get them closer to achieving their aim, whether this is galactic domination or acquiring vast amounts of wealth. At this level, it is not usually suitable for player characters.


So:

Obsession (Major)
The Doctor darkly obsesses over the fact he thinks he committed genocide and killed his own people and the Dalek race.
His anger and self-loathing will occasionally surface during tense situations or against difficult opponents, making him act ruthlessly and even endangering his own life with a seeming death-wish, as he tries to make amends for his terrible crime or as his anger drives him beyond reason.
The enduring human qualities of empathy and common sense can calm him down and persuade him out of taking extreme actions or recklessly endangering himself or others.

[Doctor X]

Sept 26, 2014 0:25:11 GMT doctorjest said:

Sept 25, 2014 15:21:48 GMT Doctor X said:

No thoughts on this?

I don't think this is the kind of thing you make part of the mechanics. Rather that's the sort of thing the player does to earn Story Points with the trait. Empower players to roleplay traits instead of using them as punishments and it yields better results, in my opinion. 

I'm all for encouraging roleplaying. However, by not at least having an option for a mechanics system, we discriminate against those who AREN'T skilled at roleplaying. In a perfect world, we're ALL as good at playing our characters as the actors on the show. And yes, for those players who DON'T have Mark Gatiss and Neil Gaiman writing for them in their heads, there IS the copout of just saying "I spend story points." I try to find a middle ground for those people.