Kilmore said:
Okay, I have a PC who's got it into his head to play a character with mirror-like skin. Okay... I can work with this. After all, this IS a fantasy game. If he wants to look like the Silver Surfer, that's fine. There is nothing changed about his abilities or anything, but I'm sure there will be some game effects.
One thing is that he will often be treated with superstitious awe or fear or both. This may amount to either a penalty or a bonus to interpersonal skills such as bluff, intimidate, diplomacy. There might also be some penalty to others' attempts to sense his motives.
The character will stand out in a crowd: if he should ever attempt to avoid notice by mingling with a crowd there should be a large penalty to the hide roll.
The character will be virtually incapable of disguise.
Sometimes when a character attempts to gather information it is important to be inconspicuous: for example when trying to find out things that informants won't want anyone to know they gave up. In some circumstances the character should get a far fiercer penalty to gather information than a policeman trying to interview his snouts wearing a uniform.
If the character is busking or performing in taverns (for example), his appearance will at first fascinate audiences and attract larger crowds. Perhaps a bonus to perform would be in order for a few hours in a village, a few days in a town, a few weeks in a city, before the novelty wears off.
Perhaps most important, NPCs in general will notice and remember the character. So anyone who is trying to track him down will have an easy description, and lots of witnesses will remember the character. Give a hefty bonus to anyone trying to gather information about him, etc.
Animals will find the character pretty freaky, especially horses and dogs. Give a penalty on sneak and hide when dogs are about. And give a penalty on ride unless the character is riding a horse that he has accustomed to his appearance (takes at least two days and an appropriate roll--ride, handle animal, animal empathy), or a month of continual exposure.
The character will have a difficult time with romantic interests such as kidnapped princesses, etc. Most will react to him as to a freak: with initial revulsion that is easily overcome only by a fetishistic curiosity. Any relationship that has any chance to work out happily, any relationship based on fundamentals rather than superficialities, will have to overcome immense initial difficulties.
Regards,
Agback
