Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - [Basic] Disadvantage of the Week: Uncontrollable Appetite

johndallman · 06-11-2020, 02:28 PM

Uncontrollable Appetite [-15*] is an exotic mental disadvantage with a self-control roll. You need to consume something that comes from other sapients (such as a vampire’s need for blood) and you have difficulty controlling your appetite. This disadvantage appeared at GURPS 4e, as a generalisation of several 3e disadvantages.

Your appetite is for something well-defined that isn’t easily obtained, and must be acquired through deception or violence (one of the 3e disadvantages that went into this was Murder Addiction). You need to make a self-control roll when you have a chance to indulge; if someone tempts you deliberately, or you can perceive large quantities, you roll at -2. If feeding restores your lost hit points, you roll at -1 per hit point you’re currently down. If you fail your roll, you have no choice about feeding, and must make a second roll to stop once you are satisfied. If you fail that, you don’t stop until you’ve had all that can be obtained from your victim. For many Uncontrollable Appetites, this will kill them.

Discworld elaborates considerably on this disadvantage for its vampires, and Characters has an iconic example. Fantasy has more vampires, and Horror provides a fine construction kit for blood-suckers of all types. Powers points out that this disadvantage may trigger abilities related to feeding, which are very popular in Zombies.

I can’t help feeling that this disadvantage needs some limitations to create versions that don’t involve killing people, but create appetites that are hard to satisfy in other ways. Addiction is a bit too tied to substances that have to be taken regularly, in the style of present-day narcotics. Have you done interesting things with it in your games?

06-11-2020, 02:28 PM	#1
johndallman Night Watchman Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cambridge, UK	[Basic] Disadvantage of the Week: Uncontrollable Appetite Uncontrollable Appetite [-15] is an exotic mental disadvantage with a self-control roll. You need to consume something that comes from other sapients (such as a vampire’s need for blood) and you have difficulty controlling your appetite. This disadvantage appeared at GURPS* 4e, as a generalisation of several 3e disadvantages. Your appetite is for something well-defined that isn’t easily obtained, and must be acquired through deception or violence (one of the 3e disadvantages that went into this was Murder Addiction). You need to make a self-control roll when you have a chance to indulge; if someone tempts you deliberately, or you can perceive large quantities, you roll at -2. If feeding restores your lost hit points, you roll at -1 per hit point you’re currently down. If you fail your roll, you have no choice about feeding, and must make a second roll to stop once you are satisfied. If you fail that, you don’t stop until you’ve had all that can be obtained from your victim. For many Uncontrollable Appetites, this will kill them. *Discworld* elaborates considerably on this disadvantage for its vampires, and *Characters* has an iconic example. *Fantasy* has more vampires, and *Horror* provides a fine construction kit for blood-suckers of all types. *Powers* points out that this disadvantage may trigger abilities related to feeding, which are very popular in *Zombies*. I can’t help feeling that this disadvantage needs some limitations to create versions that don’t involve killing people, but create appetites that are hard to satisfy in other ways. Addiction is a bit too tied to substances that have to be taken regularly, in the style of present-day narcotics. Have you done interesting things with it in your games? __________________ The Path of Cunning. Indexes: DFRPG Characters, Advantage of the Week, Disadvantage of the Week, Skill of the Week, Techniques.