Idiosyncrasies

Idiosyncrasies are special characteristics or possessions assigned to your character at the start of the game which give her special advantages or disadvantages of your choice. Players must buy the good ones (Benefits) with experience points, and they can gain extra experience points for taking the annoying ones (Drawbacks).

If your character starts the game with:

• the authority to enforce the law in six and a half counties,
• ownership of a sailing ship, business, or substantial physical endowment,
• command over a band of warriors, or
• the ability to melt lead with a nasty look,

...then he has a Benefit.

If your character starts the game with:

• a specific code of honor which prohibits smiling,
• a certificate designating him property of the state,
• a godawfully hideous appearance, or
• a stalk of celery for a left arm,

...then he has a Drawback.

Make up your own Idiosyncrasies (and let your GM price them) or choose as many as you like from those described in whatever game you're playing. Note that spells, mutant powers, psionic abilities and the like are examples of Benefits, though once purchased they are generally written in the extraordinary abilities box (described below). Also, unlike other Benefits and Drawbacks, they can sometimes be purchased at any time during the game.

Many games feature appearance ratings. This is a nearly universal idiosyncrasy; everyone looks like something, and some combination of biology and culture determines whether you look "good" or not. Generally it's assumed that human attractiveness standards from the real-world cultures of the players are the ones that prevail in your personal version of the world, but feel free to argue about it. Most races have a base Appearance Rating, and characters pay or gain 6 experience points for each level they wish to move away from that base. Humans have a base Appearance Rating of Commonplace.

• Stunning: Stunning characters are unusually alluring; most everyone notices when you walk into the room. You get as much as +2 as a bonus to social rolls in situations the Cobbler deems appropriate. [Variable Point Benefit]
• Gorgeous: Gorgeous characters are remarkably attractive and get a +1 bonus to social rolls in situations the Cobbler deems appropriate. [Variable Point Benefit/Idiosyncrasy]
• Attractive: Attractive characters are, needless to say, reasonably good-looking. Any benefits for having this attractiveness level should be roleplayed. [Variable Point Benefit/Idiosyncrasy/Drawback]
• Commonplace: Commonplace characters simply don’t stand out from those around them. [Variable Point Benefit/Idiosyncrasy/Drawback]
• Quirky-Looking: Different people react to Quirky-Looking characters in different ways — sometimes as you’re seen as Attractive, sometimes as Unattractive, and sometimes Commonplace. When in doubt, determine the result randomly. [Variable Point Benefit/Idiosyncrasy/Drawback]
• Unattractive: Unattractive characters are slightly unpleasant looking. Most people ignore you unless they have some reason not to do so. Any drawbacks to having this appearance level should be roleplayed. [Variable Point Benefit/Idiosyncrasy/Drawback]
• Ugly: Unless they can look past appearance, people tend to avoid or pity Ugly characters. You get a -1 to social rolls as the Cobbler deems appropriate. [Variable Point Idiosyncrasy/Drawback]
• Hideous: The appearance of a hideous character tends to provoke disgust. In nonhuman races (trolls, orcs, and Flur'Gorah), it may be more readily ignored as it isn’t that unusual, but other races may become the object of staring, ridicule, contempt, and harassment to whatever extent appearance is valued in their culture. A mutilated character should probably take this appearance level. You may have to deal with penalties as low as -2 in appropriate social situations. In extreme situations, your grotesque appearance may induce the weak of stomach to vomit, and particularly mentally disturbed people might even attack you on sight. [Variable Point Drawback]

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