(TFT) New Talents - sort of

[ErolB1@aol.com]

Here are some new "talents", inspired by the "Disadvantages in TFT" article 
in an old Space Gamer (too lazy right now to look up the issue#). They're 
talents with no minimum IQ requirement, and so don't "cost" double for 
wizards. Most of them can be taken multiple times, limited only by what the 
GM considers "reasonable." 

Most of these must be taken when the character is created, but some can be 
taken (or bought off) whenever the character increases the appropriate 
attribute. The GM may also allow characters to buy off these talents using 
the mechanism for buying "ordinary" talents: Put them "under study" and 
eliminate them when the character has enough free IQ to pay for them. 

*****
NEGATIVE COST TALENTS
These are anti-talents that limit the character and have a *negative* skill 
point cost. If taken, they increase the effective number of skill points 
available so that the character can learn additional talents. 

Bad Hearing (-2 per level): This talent is the opposite of Acute Hearing. It 
represents being hard of hearing. Each level gives a -3 IQ penalty on rolls 
to hear things and -1 IQ on those rolls to notice things that involve hearing 
along with other senses. 

Bad Sight (-2 per level): This talent represents being nearsighted or 
otherwise having poor vision. Each level gives a -3 IQ penalty on rolls to 
see things and a -1 IQ penalty on those rolls to notice things that involve 
sight along with other senses. 

Gullible (-1 per level): This talent is the opposite of Tough Minded. It 
represents being relatively easy to fool or dominate. For each level of this 
talent, the character has a -2 penalty on rolls to disbelieve Illusions, 
resist mind-control magic, or avoid being taken in by lies and fast-talk.

A character may either buy off a level of Gullible or take an additional 
level each time he increases his IQ score. 

Lame (-2): This talent is the opposite of Running. It represents being slower 
than normal at walking or running. This can be the result of an actual lame 
leg, or simply a matter of being a poor runner. A character with the Lame 
talent subtracts two points from his Movement Allowance. Lame cannot be 
bought more than once. 

Limited Dx (-1 per level): This talent can represent either having the full 
quickness and agility of one's Dx score, but reduced manual dexterity; or 
having the manual dexterity but reduced quickness and agility. For each level 
of this talent, the character suffers a -1 Dx penalty on the appropriate 
sorts of Dx rolls. Note that weapon use and spell-casting both require both 
sorts of Dexterity, so that either version of this talent will give a penalty 
to weapon use and spellcasting. 

Limited IQ (-1 per level): This talent represents having the full memory and 
willpower of one's IQ score, but less mental quickness or perceptiveness. For 
each level of this talent, the character suffers a -1 penalty on IQ when 
rolling to notice things, when making IQ rolls based on mental quickness or 
wit, and when attempting to meet the minimum IQ needed to learn a talent or 
spell. The character does not suffer this penalty when making IQ rolls based 
on willpower, or when determining the number of points of talents, spells and 
languages the character can learn. For example, a hero character with IQ 12 
and 4 levels of Limited IQ could only buy talents requiring IQ 8 or less but 
could still buy 12 points worth (plus bonuses for Limited IQ and other 
negative cost talents). 

Note that this talent does apply when using IQ to determine the amount of 
noise a wizard needs to make when casting a spell. 

Limited St (-1 per level): This talent represents having the full endurance 
and toughness of one's St score, but less raw physical prowess. For each 
level of this talent, the character suffers a -1 penalty on St when 
determining damage as a function of Strength, when calculating lifting 
ability and encumbrance, or when attempting to meet the minimum St score 
needed to use a weapon or to buy the Large Size talent. Goblins have three 
levels of Limited St as part of their racial package. 

Note: One point of Limited St, Dx, or IQ may either be taken or bought off 
whenever the character increases the appropriate attribute by one point.

Obnoxious (-1 or -3): This talent represents having something about one that 
makes one harder to like. This can be simple physical unattractiveness or 
some sort of odious habit. The first level (at -1 pt) gives a -1 penalty to 
all reaction rolls, and the second level (at -3 pts.) gives a -2. Note that 
orcs automatically have Obnoxious as a racial feature, and so can only take 
one additional level for -2 pts.

Unalertness (-2 per level): This talent is the opposite of Alertness. It 
represents a lack of perceptiveness about ones surroundings. Each level of 
this talent gives characters a -2 IQ penalty on rolls to spot and notice 
things. 
*****

-- 
Erol K. Bayburt
ErolB1@aol.com
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