WoD-style virtues and vices for action points

[Asmor]

So I'm going to be playing in a Mage game soon, and I finally got around to briefly browsing the WoD core rulebook that I've had forever and never really looked at...

Anywhoo, I got waylayed on the virtue and vices section. In a nutshell, you choose one of 7 virtues and one of 7 vices which give you conditions for regenerating willpower. If you fulfill one of your virtues, it's fully filled, and if you fulfill a vice it gives back one willpower.

All of the virtues require extreme circumstances, especially given the dark nature of WoD games. For example, charity requires you to give up something (that you'd miss) to help out someone else, or risk your life for the same.

The vices are somewhat "easier" given the dark nature of the games. One (Gluttony?) comes into play when you give into an addiction at great personal risk or at great risk to those close to you.

Anyways, I was thinking that it seems like an interesting way to reward roleplaying. In fact, I think it might even work well in D&D, providing action points. Would require a bit of tinkering, of course.

 

[Crothian]

Sounds like the system they have in Complete Divine that is action point like.

 

[Asmor]

Wait, you mean the complete books have something other than classes and feats? I am shocked!

 

[Bardsandsages]

I think, ruleswise, they did a great job with the new edition of the WoD. I miss the Setites, of course, but there is nothing to stop me from making my own Setite bloodline (as they were so kind as to provide complete rules for making your own bloodlines.)

And the virtues and vices was a nice touch. I think, however, intergrating that idea into D&D style play depends a lot of the type of players you have. If your players are really into the ROLEplaying aspect of the game, then it could add a lot of depth. If their idea of roleplaying is always "I kill the monster. What loot do I get?" it could get difficult to implement.

 

[Asmor]

It also puts some onus on the DM to put the party in situations where they can indulge their virtues and vices. It's not always the players' fault that all they do is kick in the door, kill the monster and steal the lewt.

I think the way I'd do it is give PCs 3 action points per session (I'm a fan of using action points per session or per adventure), and let them regain them through the virtues and vices. If a player isn't in to roleplaying he can pretty much ignore it. He still gets his 3 action points. And maybe, just maybe, it'll be the mechanical reward he needs to get into character.

 

[Crothian]

Wait, you mean the complete books have something other than classes and feats? I am shocked!

Well, if you would take the time to learn what is in a book, you wouldn't be.