Problems and Character Aspects

When you’re trying to get a problem from a character aspect , try fitting it into this sentence: • You have ____ aspect , which implies ____ (and this may be a list of things, by the way). Because of that, ____ would probably be a big problem for you. The second blank is what makes this a little harder than an event compel—you have to think about all the different potential implications of an aspect . Here are some questions to help with that. • Who might have a problem with the character because of this aspect ? • Does the aspect point to a potential threat to that character? • Does the aspect describe a connection or relationship that could cause trouble for the character? • Does the aspect speak to a backstory element that could come back to haunt the character? • Does the aspect describe something or someone important to the character that you can threaten?   As long as whatever you put in the third blank fits the criteria at the beginning of this section, you’re good to go.
Cynere has Infamous Girl With Sword, which implies that her reputation precedes her across the countryside. Because of that, a copycat committing crimes in her name and getting the inhabitants of the next city she visits angry and murderous would probably be a big problem for her.

Landon has an aspect of I Owe Old Finn Everything, which implies that he’d feel obligated to help Finn out with any personal problems. Because of that, having to bail Finn’s son out of a gambling debt he owes to some very nasty people would probably be a big problem for him. Zird has Rivals in the Collegia Arcana, which implies that some or many of them are scheming against him constantly. Because of that, a series of concentrated assassination attempts from someone or several people who know how to get past all his magical defenses would probably be a big problem for him.