Other Stuff in Kingyak's Workshop | World Anvil

Other Stuff

Special Effects

Special effects are traits that don't make sense as hooks, tropes, trademarks, or skills. They're often traits that work according to rules that have more to do with the story than the game mechanics, require their own rules systems, or simply can't be satisfactorily represented using the basic ability rules. Most Special effects are gained by taking specific hooks, but some games may allow characters to obtain special effects a la carte by rolling on random tables or life path charts, spending character points, or other methods. Game- or character-specific rules like spell points or slots, rules for super powers, and Dark Side points may also be included here.

Conditions

Conditions are temporary traits that often have specific mechanics or game effects attached to them. The GM can also treat them as hooks when setting target numbers. In addition to character traits like "Broken Arm" or "Suffering from heroin withdrawal," conditions can also be used to describe external relationships or story states. For example, "wanted for questioning in the murder of Mordecai the Foul" or "exiled from temple until penitence quest is completed." Conditions disappear when a set amount of time elapses, necessary actions are taken by the character, or when they're simply no longer relevant to the story.

Stuff

This section is for keeping track of adventuring gear, treasure, magical items, real estate holdings, collectible trading cards, cryptocurrency, bowling trophies, cool T-shirts, and other useful or notable equipment.

Tag Line

A tag line is a line of dialog that reveals something about your character. It can provide insight into the character's attitude, speaking style, backstory, or anything else. While Tag Lines can be catchphrases that characters repeat regularly, they don't have to be and you should not feel obligated to try to work your character's Tag Line into the character's dialog frequently (or at all). Telling one-time quotes ("That's what I do. I drink and I know things.") often reveal more about the character than lines that are repeated so frequently they become grating.

WWPTITM?

WWPTITM? stands for "Who Would Play Them In The Movie?" and can provide a shorthand for giving the other players a better idea of what your character is like. While this is often simply an actor's name ("Chris Evans"), you can also add qualifiers ("Elizabeth Banks from The Hunger Games" or "Ken Jeong in gladiator armor") to provide a clearer picture. If you're using an obscure actor (or simply don't know the actor's name), it's also perfectly acceptable for your WWPTITM? to be something like "Veronica Mars' Dad" or "Sophia from Orange is the New Black."

Dumb Facts

The Dumb Facts section is for anything else that you feel is noteworthy about your character: biographical information, hobbies, information about friends and family, notes on past adventures, etc. Just keep in mind that Dumb Facts have no effect on the game mechanics, so giving your character a hobby of "fencing" isn't going to have any effect on attack rolls unless you back it up with appropriate game traits.    

Record-Keeping

Your character sheet includes spots for keeping track of Luck, Hit Points, Trauma Points, Downtime, and Character Points, as well as trackers for keeping up with your Health and Nerve Levels. If the character sheet is designed for a specific game, it might also include spots for keeping track of traits used in the game: a reputation tracker or a spot to keep track of your spell points, for example. There's a also some blank space for keeping up with any other traits or trackers that come up during play.


Cover image: by Steve Johnson

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