Comments on: Resource: Spirit

By: Creating a Quick Character Background « allgeektout

Creating a Quick Character Background « allgeektout — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:19:10 +0000

[...] Spirit. This was a mechanic developed for 4th Edition by @gamefiend of At-Will, but you can also use it to get an idea of their personality. [...]

By: Ethalias

Ethalias — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:59:14 +0000

I like the thinking behind this, but I agree it needs some tweaking. I’ll post further in the forum.

By: gamefiend

gamefiend — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:13:54 +0000

Glad you guys like! It can definitely be an ersatz alignment mechanic. Wimwick, I invite you to bring th discussion to the forums and we can get some group batting around of ideas. I've already started up a thread.

By: Wimwick

Wimwick — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:37:47 +0000

This is an interesting concept and I’d like to see you develop it further. For example what defines when you loose a Spirit Point? It would also be nice to see what can be accomplished with Spirit Points be expanded further. I short on time right now, but I’ll try to return and expand on the idea’s.

By: The Last Rogue

The Last Rogue — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:57:27 +0000

Another good resource. One interesting twist to it, is that it also serves, in some sense, as an alignment mechanic.

By: gamefiend

gamefiend — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:24:17 +0000

The only problem with re-rolling all anything would be that it de-values other re-rolling mechanic. If everyone can re-roll whenever, what good is the elven precision mechanic? I like your additions, but definitely will not be using general re-rolls. You can tie them to specific skills or actions though, and that makes them fine I think.

By: Marc Graysun

Marc Graysun — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:15:17 +0000

It’s a good idea, but I don’t like the specific execution.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to tie spirit to specific attributes. Most players would feel beholden to tie it to their highest attribute, giving them the best chances to regain spirit (as well as the lowest chance of failing a roll and losing it). This would lead to more one-note characters, as people optimize for their spirit attribute and linked skills, and ignore the rest (which is already a problem with combat attributes).

Instead, I suggest decoupling spirit and attributes, and have a few more broad choices. Losing spirit is a big enough penalty that it should be able to be spent for any skill roll. My suggestions:

Compassion:
Spirit Gain: Helping another in extraordinary circumstances.
Spirit Loss: Comitting or failing to stop an act of cruelty.

Excellence:
Gain: Perform an extraordinary act, push yourself past your former limits.
Loss: Fail at a key moment. Perform below your own expectations.

Endurance:
Spirit Gain: Outlasting others; Endure great hardship or suffering.
Spirit Loss: Succumbing to a disease; being outlasted by someone else. (This one works just fine)

Acquisition:
Gain: Gain a significant possession (it need not be a material object) that you have sought after.
Loss: Lose a significant possession.

Power:
Gain: Change the world to match your desires and vision. Bend others to your will.
Loss: Fail to change another’s mind, have the world change contrary to your wishes.

I think things like this have more roleplaying potential, and let the players customize a bit more.