Dr. Ramsey McQueen:
Ok, updated Dr. Ramsey's history. Next, what is up with this Windows-thing? is there a cowcensus about how many points/skills/traits/powers/doohickies we're supposed to have?
Yep... the revised/updated rules are:
20 points for Traits & 30 points for Skills
There are 9 Traits:
Maverick:
Strength
This is the raw physical power which the character possesses, and it is tested in those situations where the character must lift, move, push, pull, or throw something which is unusually large or heavy. It also includes the character's ability to crush or break sturdy objects, hold down an enemy in combat, or other such trials of might.
Agility
People who are highly agile are good at jumping over pits, swinging from ropes or vines, escaping from bonds, and picking pockets. It has to do with balance, manual dexterity, hand-to-eye coordination, and limberness, and it can be tested quite often in action oriented Anthologies.
Speed
Speed simply measures a persons base quickness of hand or foot, not their actual athleticism as Agility does
Health
Not only is this how good the character is at resisting disease, but also how good they are at running long distances, dealing with poison, holding their breath, etc.. Health rolls are very important should the character be wounded to determine how well they resist shock, pain, unconsciousness, and even death.
Knowledge
This is a general measure of how much the character has experienced and how much education they have received. Older, smarter, or more traveled characters usually are more knowledgeable, and this ability is tested when a character needs to see if they know important information on government organizations, how a steam engine works, or similar feats of experience and wisdom.
Perception
Often called "powers of perception," the Storyteller will call for tests of this ability when the troupe has a chance to notice something in a scene that isn't readily apparent. This includes seeing hidden or obscure clues, hearing distant noises, or smelling that telltale whiff of poison...We've called it Alertness as well in past games.
Luck
Luck represents that unexplainable tendency for good things to happen to certain people without their effort or awareness. Older characters will have a lower luck score because they have been using their luck up over the years and will rely more on experience while younger characters will rely on luck for what they have not yet learned.......I hope that made sense.
Experience
Pretty much exactly as described in The Window. Older characters will have a higher experience score than a luck score whereas younger will have a higher luck score. Please keep this in mind when creating your character.
Wealth
I don't want to keep track of everyone's pennies so We are simply going to use a wealth level to see if a character has the cash on hand to make purchases. Pretty much exactly as the window has described. Really not an issue unless you decide you can by a Gatlin Gun, or Heavy Explosives, or things of that nature. I trust you all to roleplay within the means of the character you created.
Technically there are "unlimited" Skills since players can choose their own skills but for a basic reference here is a list (note in PM discussion with Mav, Foraging has been rolled into Wilderness and the Sharp Shooting skill has been dropped):
Maverick:
Skills. Any skill you can think of is available. I really see no reason to list skills. If you can keep it time period appropriate and in character for the character you will be playing, we will work it in.
Sample Skill List
Academics
Administration
Animal Training
Artistic Ability
Blacksmith
Boating
Cartography
Carousing
Construction
Cooking
Crafts
Dance
Fast Talk
First Aid
Folk Lore
Gambling
Herbal Lore
Larceny
Leadership
Additional Language (Choose language)
Medicine
Music
Prospecting
Riding
Singing
Soldiering
Tanning
Teaching
Weapon (a specific weapon skill such as knife, rifle, or pistol)
Wilderness
Wrangling Lore: Law
Quick Draw
Lore: Religion
Lore: People(Group Name Here)
Lore: Politics
The ratings for Traits & Skills are as follows:
Maverick:
Now the competency ratings.....
Legendary (D4)
This is the highest rung of competency, and it is generally reserved for those characters who are absolutely unique or singularly masterful at what they are doing. It is extremely rare to find a person with any ability at this rung. Skills of this magnitude could be described as unbelievable, grandmaster, superhuman, supernatural, or even godlike.
Reputable (D6)
This level is generally the highest that a "normal" human can achieve. At this rung, one may assume that there are only a small population of people with a similar trait. Einstein might have been on this rung of intellect, or perhaps Bobby Fischer would fit in here with his chess talents. An ability adjective at this rung might be termed as a master, astonishing, remarkable, amazing, stupendous, a prodigy, or unequalled.
Expert (D8)
This rung is where a typical "expert" would fit in. It is not uncommon to find a skill or two at this level for those people who are exceptionally practiced at their chosen profession or area of study. A few descriptive terms which work well at this level are expert, highly skilled, very good, highly accomplished, a natural, and elegant.
Above Average (D10)
This is the level of competence where those "good, but not particularly good" skills fall into. The typical person would have perhaps one skill (generally their profession) which would be at this rung. Abilities of this level could be described as professional, impressive, talented, skilled, proficient, or practiced.
Average (D12)
This rung is the "average" level, and it could be considered the norm against which the other rungs are compared. Generally, a person will have several of these skills, mostly in those mediocre abilities which everyone has a chance to pick up as they go through life. A few adjectives which fit well could be average, competent, fair, not bad, pretty good, decent, mediocre, and commonplace.
Below Average (D20)
A person could expect to be at this rung on any skill they have begun to practice but not quite mastered. The normal character would have a few of these, be they hobbies, or things they did a long time ago, or skills they just can't ever get the hang of. Some good descriptions of this rung could include below average, amateur, beginner, hobbyist, struggling, and unreliable.
Low (D30)
This rung is the bottom of the barrel, and usually it is only used for those abilities which are markedly horrible. Please note that everyone has almost every "skill" imaginable at this level of competency. (Even if you've never driven a car before in your life, that doesn't mean you couldn't try!) Skills here could be described as low, unskilled, incompetent, poor, crappy, nonexistent, or bungling.
And the Spending of Points rules are as follows:
Maverick:
Now the point buy system......I have to admit I'm having a little trouble with this but this is what I have.....
Legendary: You cannot begin the game as legendary in skill or trait so NO points can be spent here. This can be earned through play only.
Reputable: Only one such skill or trait may be purchased at this level to begin with. Having a reputation will cost you five points.
Expert: Two skills or traits are available at this level. They will cost you three points.
Above Average: No limit on the amount of skills here but the cost is two points.
Average: Again no limit, and the cost is 1 point.
Below Average: 1/2 point each so please pick two if you are going this route with your character....
Low: No points, this is the d30 level, but if you want to post something you are horrible at for Roleplay reasons it would be appreciated. ;)
Most of this was posted in prior OOC posts (around Page 4 I believe).