Re: Out of Character Posts I
In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 900):
Styles are keyed to your Personality Traits. You can just pick 3 traits. (Do not worry about assigning exact ratings.) Or you can assign values for Trait ratings, or randomly roll. Then pick 1 Style per Trait according to if the value is high (+), low (-), or medium (0).
You can randomly roll the traits,
PERSONALITY TRAITS & STYLES [OPTIONAL]
Characters are more than a collection of numbers.
There are two layers of complexity for determining the
disposition of a character that the Players and PDs can
choose to embrace or ignore. The simplest is to select
up to 3 personality styles from the list below. The
additional layer is to generate the five personality traits,
and then use that as a guide to pick personality styles.
Using either method will help to flesh out the character
and aid role-playing.
Personality styles can allow a character to gain a bonus
or penalty once per game session to any activity that
conforms to this style. The bonus is usually +10% to
the task check or the PD may offer some other bonus.
For tasks that conflict with this personality style there
would be a -10% penalty instead. For example, a character
with a violent disposition will be more prone to
start or join in a fight. They will be more effective
during that conflict, and will find it hard to stand down.
TRAITS
The Morrow Project established personality testing early on,
as a means of identifying those with potential for recruitment.
They formed a series of tests based upon Tupes and Christal’s
Five Factor Model, measuring five principal qualities.
Volatility is a rating of a person’s emotional instability.
Highly Volatile persons would be unpredictable, with visible
changes in desires and mood, aggression, anxiety. People
with low Volatility control their emotions, even in the most
stressful situations.
Extroversion is an indication of a person’s willingness to
work within and between social groups(s). They tend to be
friendly and sociable, desiring the stimulation and company
of others. People with a low level of this trait tend to
keep to themselves and may find it difficult to communicate
with others.
Compassion is a person’s level of sympathy for the suffering
of others, High Compassion people display empathy for the
feelings of others, and are willing to help others in need.
Low Compassion traits are associated with a disregard for the
feelings of others. This personality type looks out for “number
one;” they tend to be selfish and are often suspicious, greedy,
and arrogant in their dealings with others.
Discipline reflects a person’s self control and ability to work
to plan, or their willingness to conform to the social mores of
their peer group. People with high Discipline traits aim to
achieve and display loyalty to their cause. Low Discipline
people are spontaneous, lacking the drive to remain at a task,
or the willingness to follow the rules or orders given to them.
Curiosity: Some people are anxious to learn, eager for
knowledge and new experiences. They love new challenges, and
are quick to adapt to change. They can be very imaginative and
creative. People with low levels of this trait tend to keep
their head in the sand and avoid new ideas and changes to
their daily lives. They are often fearful of change, and
blinkered to its presence.
These Five traits can provide some depth to the character.
If you wish to score these, you can roll 4D6-4, giving
a range of 0 to 20, or allocate 50 points. Multiply this by
5% for a rating of 0% to 100%. Anything around 50% is
a balanced measure.
VOLATILITY:
Aggressive (+): Violent and impulsive, prone to sudden rages.
Cowardly (+): The character lacks resolve in the face of adversity.
Envious (+): Driven by jealousy.
Fighter (-0): Loves a good fight, but won’t start one without good cause.
Temperate (0): Moderation in all things is the highest good.
Vengeful (+): Revenge for slights is uppermost on the character’s mind.
Warrior (-): Ruled by a code of conduct, this character is dedicated to the martial arts and the appropriate use of
force to solve problems.
EXTROVERSION:
Builder (+): The character is a canny politician who likes to form networks and organizations.
Conciliator (+): Seeks to resolve disputes, aims to produce acceptable compromises.
Enterprising (+): The character is a canny businessman who likes to wheel and deal.
Leader (+): A charismatic leader who inspires extreme loyalty.
Prophet (+): A messenger dedicated to spreading their faith or vision amongst the people.
Temperate (0): Moderation in all things is the highest good.
COMPASSION:
Conciliator (+): Seeks to resolve disputes, aims to produce acceptable compromises.
Conqueror (-): Convinced that might makes right, the character will use force to achieve their ends.
Corruptible (-): The character’s loyalty is available to the highest bidder.
Counselor (+): Renowned for their thoughtful nature and wise insights.
Cruel (-): The suffering of others is irrelevant as long as the character gets what they want!
Reformer (-+): The character is driven to remake their world the way they want it.
Envious (-): Driven by jealousy.
Faithful (+): Regards family life as the ideal—Loyal to their spouse, children, and blood relatives.
Forgiving (+): The character is prepared to turn the other cheek.
Generous (+): There’s always money and time to spare for worthy causes.
Greedy (-): The character’s primary goal is to acquire wealth.
Humanitarian (+): The character wants to treat the sick, prevent disease, etc.
Hedonism (-0): Pleasure is the primary purpose of life.
Just (+): The character regards justice as the highest ideal and the only consideration in deciding a course of action. They react angrily to injustice and brutality.
Liar (-): The character engages in deceit for personal gain, or to keep dark secrets hidden.
Loyal (+): Loves someone (or something) so completely that they would sacrifice themselves for that person
(entity, cause, or ideal).
Lustful (-): Casanova or Don Juan had this as their great drive.
Manipulator (-): Ruthlessly uses others for their own gain, is prepared to discard friendships and relationships if the situation demands it.
Mercenary (-): The character’s skills are available to the highest bidder.
Merciful (+): Former enemies will be treated fairly, even generously.
Miser (-): Making money and holding on to it drives the character, to the point where they will almost always
haggle and pinch pennies.
Pacifist (+): Violence is not the answer in resolving any dispute!
Philanthropist (+): The character wants to leave a legacy, and will create charitable foundations, spend
their wealth on the community, etc.
Principled (+): Honest and honorable, the character’s word is their bond.
Redemption (+): The character seeks to atone for some past wrong.
Selfish (-): The character looks out for themselves at all times.
Suspicious (-): Worries about the motivation of others.
Temperate (0): Moderation in all things is the highest good.
Troublemaker (-): Causing dissent and mayhem is its own reward.
Trusting (+): Generous to their friends, will tend to regard people in the best possible light.
Unscrupulous (-): Morally flexible, the ends justify any means for this character.
Valorous (+): The character is prepared to risk life, limb, and reputation to attain their goal.
DISCIPLINE:
Arbitrary (-): Associates may find the character difficult to deal with as they are driven by their
whims and passing fancies.
Amiable (0+): Easy going, co-operative, instills and feels strong loyalty to their group.
Builder (+): The character is a canny politician who likes to form networks and organizations.
Counselor (+): Renowned for their thoughtful nature and wise insights.
Cowardly (-): The character lacks resolve in the face of adversity.
Reformer (+): The character is driven to remake their world the way they want it.
Energetic (+): The character is driven to meet their goal, and is very hard-working.
Faithful (+): Regards family life as the ideal—Loyal to their spouse, children and blood relatives.
Fighter (0+): Loves a good fight, but won’t start one without good cause.
Generous (+): There’s always money and time to spare for worthy causes.
Hedonism (-0): Pleasure is the primary purpose of life.
Idealist (+): The character seeks the realization of their ideal.
Indulgent (-0): There’s always money and time to spare for things the character considers important.
Lazy (-): The character seeks the easiest route to attaining their desire.
Mercenary (+): The character’s skills are available to the highest bidder.
Methodical (+): The character is orderly or systematic in thought or behavior.
Philanthropist (+): The character wants to leave a legacy, and will create charitable foundations, spend
their wealth on the community, etc.
Principled (0+): Honest and honorable, the character’s word is their bond.
Redemption (+): The character seeks to atone for some past wrong.
Spendthrift (-): Wealth is spent as quickly as it is earned, or even faster.
Teacher (+): Sharing knowledge is the greatest good.
Temperate (0): Moderation in all things is the highest good.
Thrill-seeker (-): The character thrives in chaotic environments or risky situations.
Trusting (+): Generous to their friends, will tend to regard people in the best possible light.
Unreliable (-): The character can’t consistently apply effort towards their goal.
Warrior (+): Ruled by a code of conduct, this character is dedicated to the martial arts and the appropriate
use of force to solve problems.
CURIOSITY:
Aesthete (+): The character appreciates beauty, and tries to collect items that gratify this sense. They may be artists, scholars, or crusaders trying to impose their vision of the beautiful on the world.
Apathetic (-): Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern for others or the world around them.
Casual (0): A little disinterested in novelty.
Conservative(-): Resists change for change’s sake; is convinced of the superiority of traditional values.
Disinterested (-): Having or feeling little interest in novelty.
Mild (0): Quiet and gentle, shows moderate if real enthusiasm.
Mystic (+): Spiritual journeys of discovery and mystical insights are the greatest goal.
Nonchalant (0): Character feels or appears casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm.
Nosy (0): Wants to find out the venal and trivial secrets of others.
Scholar (+): The pursuit of knowledge is the greatest goal.
Seeker (+):
Teacher (+): Sharing knowledge is the greatest good.
Temperate (0): Moderation in all things is the highest good.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:51, Sun 21 Mar 2021.
