[Basic] Disadvantage of the Week: Obsession

johndallman · 10-04-2019, 12:58 AM

Obsession [-5* or -10*] is a mundane mental disadvantage with a self-control roll. You have a goal or objective, and everything in your life revolves round it. This disadvantage appeared in Compendium I for GURPS 3e.

Everything you do has to be rationalised as working towards or supporting your goal. If you need to do something that doesn’t accord with your obsession, you need to succeed in a self-control roll. If you fail, you neglect it and carry on with your purpose. This differs from Compulsive Behaviour in that it isn’t a habit, which you might be aware is a bad idea, but a purpose. Unlike Fanaticism, this doesn’t need to have principles or philosophy behind it: “Become the world’s greatest bubble-gum blower” is a perfectly valid obsession.

The base price is [-5] for a short term goal, and [-10] for a long-term one. Those base costs are modified for your self-control number. If the obsession is likely to cause bad reactions (you’ll have a hard time concealing it from anyone who knows you), take another disadvantage, such as Odious Personal Habit or Delusion to cover that. If you achieve your obsession, take a new one, or buy off the disadvantage.

The Nightmares disadvantage can cause temporary Obsessions, and reasonably sensible goals can be taken as quirk-level Obsessions. Obsession is a fairly common option on published templates, although they tend towards being semi-rational; barking mad obsessions are generally the work of loose-hinged players. For example, Discworld wizards are often obsessed with their current project, and Action heroes with something related to their story role. Obsessions are useful as motivators for constructs, ghosts, villains, and anyone who dedicates their life to something specific. Bio-Tech can prevent Obsessions via genetic engineering, and remove them by less subtle means, while Fantasy has a weaponised affliction of Obsession. Horror has ghosts with uncontrollable Obsessions, and many kinds of opponent whose sanity has been eroded by an Obsession, while Madness Dossier can cause Obsessions with memes or brain implants. Monster Hunters are often obsessed, and Applied Xenology has an especially limiting version; Steampunk’s Shocking Revelations can cause Obsessions. Zombies don’t usually have enough of a mind to be obsessed, but would-be zombie-masters often are.

How have Obsessions warped your games?

10-04-2019, 12:58 AM	#1
johndallman Night Watchman Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cambridge, UK	[Basic] Disadvantage of the Week: Obsession Obsession [-5* or -10] is a mundane mental disadvantage with a self-control roll. You have a goal or objective, and everything in your life revolves round it. This disadvantage appeared in Compendium I* for *GURPS* 3e. Everything you do has to be rationalised as working towards or supporting your goal. If you need to do something that doesn’t accord with your obsession, you need to succeed in a self-control roll. If you fail, you neglect it and carry on with your purpose. This differs from Compulsive Behaviour in that it isn’t a habit, which you might be aware is a bad idea, but a purpose. Unlike Fanaticism, this doesn’t need to have principles or philosophy behind it: “Become the world’s greatest bubble-gum blower” is a perfectly valid obsession. The base price is [-5] for a short term goal, and [-10] for a long-term one. Those base costs are modified for your self-control number. If the obsession is likely to cause bad reactions (you’ll have a hard time concealing it from anyone who knows you), take another disadvantage, such as Odious Personal Habit or Delusion to cover that. If you achieve your obsession, take a new one, or buy off the disadvantage. The Nightmares disadvantage can cause temporary Obsessions, and reasonably sensible goals can be taken as quirk-level Obsessions. Obsession is a fairly common option on published templates, although they tend towards being semi-rational; barking mad obsessions are generally the work of loose-hinged players. For example, *Discworld* wizards are often obsessed with their current project, and *Action* heroes with something related to their story role. Obsessions are useful as motivators for constructs, ghosts, villains, and anyone who dedicates their life to something specific. *Bio-Tech* can prevent Obsessions via genetic engineering, and remove them by less subtle means, while *Fantasy* has a weaponised affliction of Obsession. *Horror* has ghosts with uncontrollable Obsessions, and many kinds of opponent whose sanity has been eroded by an Obsession, while Madness Dossier can cause Obsessions with memes or brain implants. *Monster Hunters* are often obsessed, and *Applied Xenology* has an especially limiting version; *Steampunk’s Shocking Revelations can cause Obsessions. Zombies* don’t usually have enough of a mind to be obsessed, but would-be zombie-masters often are. How have Obsessions warped your games? __________________ The Path of Cunning. Indexes: DFRPG Characters, Advantage of the Week, Disadvantage of the Week, Skill of the Week, Techniques.