True 20 Character Features
From Flagon With The Dragon
Character Features are ways to inspire players to add flavor and personal elements to their hero's story during play. They shouldn't be thought of as flaws or ways to limit a character so much as ways to add fun details and challenging obstacles as part of their personal story. Character Features either cost or or provide Feature Points that can be used in a number of ways.
Contents |
Using Feature Points
Feature points are gained by taking character features during creation with a positive value, up to the limit set for the campaign. Heroes can use Feature points in any of the following ways:
- To buy other features with a negative value, usually providing some benefit to the character.
- 1 Feature Point can buy 1 skill rank which can only be spent in Languages, Knowledge, Crafting, or Profession skills. Skills are still limited to max values as normal.
- 1 Feature Point buys 1 point of Influence with any group.
- 1 Feature Point buys 1 point of Wealth.
- 4 Feature Points can buy a Feat.
- 4 Feature Points can improve an Ability by 1.
It's suggested GMs allow no more than 6 to 10 Feature Points at character creation.
Altering, Removing, or Changing Features
During the course of play Character Features could be altered dramatically. Most often features should be should change from one type to another of equal value. So for example if someone with the Secret Feature were to have it revealed what they did, they could instead take a Stigma Feature of equal value. The exact method for altering a Feature should be worked out between the player and GM. In cases where the story has been focused on overcoming a Feature the reward for success could be it's removal, but again these are ways to add flavor to play and shouldn't be thought of as flaws so to keep things lively are encourage to take new features to replace old ones.
At some point during play it could even be possible for a character to add a feature. They should work out the details with the GM and fit the reasons into play for the enjoyment of everyone hopefully.
Creating Features
Features should be complications for a character that drive it's own story or provide an interesting element of play in the game. They can be anything from a story complication like being controlled by a debt owed to criminals to a concrete difficulty like missing an arm. Players and GMs should be careful when crafting Features to ensure they enhance the gaming experience for everyone.
When creating Features you should determine their value based on how frequently it would effect the story or hero and how strongly it effects them. Features will generally range in value from very minor (1 point) to very serious (5 points). The table below (from the Mutants and Masterminds Drawbacks System) provides general guidelines for constructing Features, with disadvantages providing Feature Points and advantages costing Feature points
| Value | Frequency |
| +/-1 | Occassionally: Every few adventures ~ 25% of the time. |
| +/-2 | Regularly: Every other adventures ~ 50% of the time. |
| +/-3 | Often: Most adventures ~ 75% or more of the time. |
| Value | Strength |
| 0 | Minor: Difficulty 5, less capable than hero, or slightly limiting. |
| +/-1 | Moderate: Difficulty 10, as capable as hero, or modest limitation. |
| +/-2 | Major: Difficulty 15 to overcome, more capable than hero, or major limitation. |
Common Character Features
These are some common features characters may consider, but players or game-masters should feel free to invent their own. As a guideline the basic value of a feature should be determined by the frequency the feature comes into play and it's relative power. Since advantages are generally covered by feats in the system you will find these are mostly drawbacks.
Debt
You owe a debt of wealth or service for some reason that calls upon your time or resources periodically. As a story element the debt isn't something that can be settled easily if ever. The consequences for being unable to meet the debt (or avoiding it) should be commensurate with the level of Feature and build up over time if avoided regularly. If someone avoids the debt for too long this could change to an Infamous or Social Stigma Feature (Untrustworthy or Debtor) instead.
- 1 pt - Occasional minor service or loss of a wealth point.
- 2 pt - Regular minor service or loss of a wealth point; Occasional Moderate service or loss of 2 wealth points.
- 3 pt - Often calling for a minor service or 1 wealth point; Regular moderate service or loss of 2 wealth points; Occasional Major service or loss of 3 wealth points.
Dependents & Foils
Someone depends on you for care or dogs your steps requiring your attention. This could be as simple as a tag along sibling or a meddling servant who disapproves of your ways. They should get in trouble or cause trouble as often as the Feature suggests and hopefully be an enriching character for everyone to enjoy. Some examples might be.
- 1 pt - A servant who disapproves of your adventuring, occasionally hiding your weapons or "forgetting" to give you messages and the like. A colleague who tags along, occasionally complicating your life with their actions.
- 2 pt - A regular companion with a knack for dragging you into their trouble. A competent tag along requiring your guidance or tutelage.
- 3 pt - A tag along family member often in way over their head.
Hunted
Physical Impairment
Incompetence
Infamous
Moral Code
Obligation
Obtrusive
Psychological Impairment
Rival
Secrets
Social Stigma
Copyright & Disclaimers
Created by Scott Turnbull. This material covered under the OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a.
Playtesters: Nathan Baker, Suzanne Baker, and Courtney Turnbull.
