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<blockquote data-quote="Thorvald Kviksverd" data-source="post: 130132" data-attributes="member: 1495"><p>Traits occur in opposing pairs, for example...</p><p></p><p><span style="color: yellow">Merciful/Cruel</span></p><p></p><p>During character creation you generate a value for one, and the opposing is equal to 20 minus this value. Thereafter, each time one rises, the other falls a like amount.</p><p></p><p>Trait checks are made at the DM's discretion, and are not always appropriate. However, if the DM feels that a character is in a situation that would truly put his convictions to the test, he can call for a trait roll.</p><p></p><p>The player then rolls against the trait that governs the act he wishes to engage/refrain from, for example...</p><p></p><p>A knight with <span style="color: yellow">14 Merciful/Cruel 6</span> sees his squire struck down by a Saxon raider and, overcome by rage, he charges and quickly beats his foe to the ground; however, as he prepares to deliver the <em>coup de grace</em>, the Saxon (in a very "un-saxon-like" manner) begs for mercy--the knight quivers with suppressed rage as his ideals battle with his emotions (and the DM calls for a trait roll)...</p><p></p><p>The player decides he REALLY wants his character to slay the Saxon, so he rolls versus his <span style="color: yellow">Cruel</span> trait of <span style="color: yellow">6</span>--if he rolls equal to or less than this value, the knight slays the Saxon (and receives a check to his <span style="color: yellow">Cruel</span> trait). </p><p></p><p>If the knight fails this check, all is not lost, he may then roll versus his <span style="color: yellow">Merciful </span>; if he makes this check, he must spare the Saxon. However, if he FAILS this latter check as well, he is free to act as he sees fit (alternatively, he may roll versus <span style="color: yellow">Merciful</span> first, and be free to act if he fails the roll).</p><p></p><p>Care should be taken that these checks are not overused--thereby making the players feel as though they have no control over their characters.</p><p></p><p>As to how to implement this in d20...</p><p></p><p>The basic mechanics would remain unchanged; what would have to change, however, would be the initial generation of values.</p><p></p><p>Perhaps you could tie this to the character's alignment choice--generating values within a certain range, or giving bonuses to certain traits (I think the bonuses would be preferable--you'll see why in a moment).</p><p></p><p>Thereafter, should the character fall outside this range, his alignment would change. Alternatively (using the bonus method), the character would have to instead maintain a minimum total value of certain traits that are relevant to his alignment choice (similar to the chivalry and religion bonuses in Pendragon), else his alignment would shift to a more appropriate one.</p><p></p><p>The reason I think I would prefer the bonus method is that it would allow for flawed characters that want to do the right thing, but must fight against their natures. For example, a Paladin that is a paragon of rightiousness, humility, generosity, and chasteness, yet he must constantly be on guard against his underlying vengeful nature--lest it should drive him from the ranks of Paladinhood.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, as I mentioned before, if you can find <span style="color: yellow"><em>The Book of Knights</em> (for only $7.95)</span>, it really is a must buy for someone who wants to see what the system is like. Converting the traits to d20 should be a minor undertaking, and can easily be tweaked to fit the flavor of your campaign.</p><p></p><p>With the more concrete alignment system that this makes possible, it might even be a good idea to reward some of the more restrictive alignments with certain bonuses (and perhaps assign penalties to some of the less laudable alignments)--something akin to the aforementioned chivalry and religious bonuses (unless, of course, you consider goodness to be its own reward <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> ), perhaps a +1 bonus here or there for flavor.</p><p></p><p>As another option, if you're not a fan of alignment to begin with, this could replace the alignment system altogether--but totals in certain trait values should still be enforced for certain class eligibility, bonuses, spells, etc. The character could still choose an "alignment" at creation, in order to have some control over the starting values, but would thereafter be free to develop his traits as his character begins his adventuring career. Detect alignment spells and certain abilities would require a bit of tweaking as well--perhaps granting a glimpse of a few traits, or only working against foes whose totals in ceratain traits fall within a certain range.</p><p></p><p>(Edit: 14+SIX=20; Can't add in the morning <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek! :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" /> )</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Thorvald Kviksverd, post: 130132, member: 1495"] Traits occur in opposing pairs, for example... [color=yellow]Merciful/Cruel[/color] During character creation you generate a value for one, and the opposing is equal to 20 minus this value. Thereafter, each time one rises, the other falls a like amount. Trait checks are made at the DM's discretion, and are not always appropriate. However, if the DM feels that a character is in a situation that would truly put his convictions to the test, he can call for a trait roll. The player then rolls against the trait that governs the act he wishes to engage/refrain from, for example... A knight with [color=yellow]14 Merciful/Cruel 6[/color] sees his squire struck down by a Saxon raider and, overcome by rage, he charges and quickly beats his foe to the ground; however, as he prepares to deliver the [i]coup de grace[/i], the Saxon (in a very "un-saxon-like" manner) begs for mercy--the knight quivers with suppressed rage as his ideals battle with his emotions (and the DM calls for a trait roll)... The player decides he REALLY wants his character to slay the Saxon, so he rolls versus his [color=yellow]Cruel[/color] trait of [color=yellow]6[/color]--if he rolls equal to or less than this value, the knight slays the Saxon (and receives a check to his [color=yellow]Cruel[/color] trait). If the knight fails this check, all is not lost, he may then roll versus his [color=yellow]Merciful [/color]; if he makes this check, he must spare the Saxon. However, if he FAILS this latter check as well, he is free to act as he sees fit (alternatively, he may roll versus [color=yellow]Merciful[/color] first, and be free to act if he fails the roll). Care should be taken that these checks are not overused--thereby making the players feel as though they have no control over their characters. As to how to implement this in d20... The basic mechanics would remain unchanged; what would have to change, however, would be the initial generation of values. Perhaps you could tie this to the character's alignment choice--generating values within a certain range, or giving bonuses to certain traits (I think the bonuses would be preferable--you'll see why in a moment). Thereafter, should the character fall outside this range, his alignment would change. Alternatively (using the bonus method), the character would have to instead maintain a minimum total value of certain traits that are relevant to his alignment choice (similar to the chivalry and religion bonuses in Pendragon), else his alignment would shift to a more appropriate one. The reason I think I would prefer the bonus method is that it would allow for flawed characters that want to do the right thing, but must fight against their natures. For example, a Paladin that is a paragon of rightiousness, humility, generosity, and chasteness, yet he must constantly be on guard against his underlying vengeful nature--lest it should drive him from the ranks of Paladinhood. Anyway, as I mentioned before, if you can find [color=yellow][i]The Book of Knights[/i] (for only $7.95)[/color], it really is a must buy for someone who wants to see what the system is like. Converting the traits to d20 should be a minor undertaking, and can easily be tweaked to fit the flavor of your campaign. With the more concrete alignment system that this makes possible, it might even be a good idea to reward some of the more restrictive alignments with certain bonuses (and perhaps assign penalties to some of the less laudable alignments)--something akin to the aforementioned chivalry and religious bonuses (unless, of course, you consider goodness to be its own reward ;) ), perhaps a +1 bonus here or there for flavor. As another option, if you're not a fan of alignment to begin with, this could replace the alignment system altogether--but totals in certain trait values should still be enforced for certain class eligibility, bonuses, spells, etc. The character could still choose an "alignment" at creation, in order to have some control over the starting values, but would thereafter be free to develop his traits as his character begins his adventuring career. Detect alignment spells and certain abilities would require a bit of tweaking as well--perhaps granting a glimpse of a few traits, or only working against foes whose totals in ceratain traits fall within a certain range. (Edit: 14+SIX=20; Can't add in the morning :o ) [/QUOTE]
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