Kleptomania - how have you handled / roleplayed it?

CeeDub · 05-01-2016, 06:22 AM

Salutations!

The description says you feel compelled to steal "anything you can get away with" and to make a self-control roll whenever you have "a chance to steal". Which could be interpreted as "any time no one's looking and there's stuff around what ain't nailed down". That's a lot of SCRs; but I think that's a too-literal interpretation of the wording.

As far as I know, real-life kleptomaniacs experience a sense of relief after stealing something that often lasts several days. Some might say that this is quirk-level Kleptomania, but the social and legal consequences of getting caught are quite serious. Then again, it has a base cost of a hefty -15.

So, players, what do you consider "an opportunity"? How have you played Kleptomania? GMs, would you allow players to not feel compelled to steal from their favourite restaurant? How much petty theft do you "require" of players?Let's assume Kromm's "house rule" about other PC's being largely exempt from disadvantages (to facilitate group cohesion and fun at the game table) is in effect.

simply Nathan · 05-01-2016, 06:32 AM

This is one I simply don't allow on heroic characters. I would never take it as a thief archetype (Honesty fits my usual interpretation thereof much better anyway).

DataPacRat · 05-01-2016, 09:54 AM

How large would a (Digital) Limitation on Kleptomania be, for a character who has trouble resisting torrenting or otherwise pirating data that's technically not legal for them to access?

chandley · 05-01-2016, 10:01 AM

I have a Kelptomaniac character, and basically, I try to steal something from SOMEONE once per session. I dont steal something from everyone I meet, or every store I enter.

I try to pick times that add a little spice to a scene. So if we're in a long conversation with a boss or something, pass a note to the GM and a quick slight of hand roll. Nothing to disrupt the spotlight, almost "off screen" even. But its great to pull out something later that you stole and solve a problem with it. Maps, keys, books, weird artifacts... nothing so crude as money.

David Johnston2 · 05-01-2016, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeeDub

Salutations!

The description says you feel compelled to steal "anything you can get away with" and to make a self-control roll whenever you have "a chance to steal". Which could be interpreted as "any time no one's looking and there's stuff around what ain't nailed down". That's a lot of SCRs; but I think that's a too-literal interpretation of the wording.

As far as I know, real-life kleptomaniacs experience a sense of relief after stealing something that often lasts several days. Some might say that this is quirk-level Kleptomania, but the social and legal consequences of getting caught are quite serious. Then again, it has a base cost of a hefty -15.

So, players, what do you consider "an opportunity"? How have you played Kleptomania? GMs, would you allow players to not feel compelled to steal from their favourite restaurant? How much petty theft do you "require" of players?Let's assume Kromm's "house rule" about other PC's being largely exempt from disadvantages (to facilitate group cohesion and fun at the game table) is in effect.

I don't assume that Kleptomania triggers more than once a day even with plenty of opportunities. The only reason it isn't a Compulsion is it came before Compulsions. And an opportunity is "I'm not being watched so far as I know and there's something small and concealable within arms reach.

Anders · 05-01-2016, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DataPacRat

How large would a (Digital) Limitation on Kleptomania be, for a character who has trouble resisting torrenting or otherwise pirating data that's technically not legal for them to access?

-80% or a quirk. Limiting Disadvantages typically gives very little points.

Flyndaran · 05-01-2016, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

I don't assume that Kleptomania triggers more than once a day even with plenty of opportunities. The only reason it isn't a Compulsion is it came before Compulsions. And an opportunity is "I'm not being watched so far as I know and there's something small and concealable within arms reach.

My sister in law is a klepto along with numerous other issues. If only she waited until unwatched she wouldn't get caught half as often.

khorboth · 05-01-2016, 07:18 PM

I have played a klepto in one game. Through sheer luck, it never became a major issue. Several times, I was rolling filch when it would have been quite bad to get spotted, but I always made it.

This character didn't pick pockets, but stole from stores mostly. I stole a wide variety of things, including some which had no use to the character. I kept waiting for the PC to get caught, but it never panned out that way. Sheer luck kept it from being a major problem.

I don't think I rolled a single SCR the entire game. When there was an opportunity, I just went for it.

Warlockco · 05-01-2016, 08:39 PM

Classic example from literature is the Dragonlance setting, every single Kender is a Klepto.

simply Nathan · 05-01-2016, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warlockco

Classic example from literature is the Dragonlance setting, every single Kender is a Klepto.

Among many other problems that make them into horrible, horrible little monsters that need to be drowned in a lake of fire.

05-01-2016, 06:22 AM	#1
CeeDub Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: UK	Kleptomania - how have you handled / roleplayed it? Salutations! The description says you feel compelled to steal "anything you can get away with" and to make a self-control roll whenever you have "a chance to steal". Which could be interpreted as "any time no one's looking and there's stuff around what ain't nailed down". That's a lot of SCRs; but I think that's a too-literal interpretation of the wording. As far as I know, real-life kleptomaniacs experience a sense of relief after stealing something that often lasts several days. Some might say that this is quirk-level Kleptomania, but the social and legal consequences of getting caught are quite serious. Then again, it has a base cost of a hefty -15. So, players, what do you consider "an opportunity"? How have you played Kleptomania? GMs, would you allow players to not feel compelled to steal from their favourite restaurant? How much petty theft do you "require" of players?Let's assume Kromm's "house rule" about other PC's being largely exempt from disadvantages (to facilitate group cohesion and fun at the game table) is in effect.

05-01-2016, 06:32 AM	#2
simply Nathan formerly known as 'Kenneth Latrans' Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wyoming, Michigan	Re: Kleptomania - how have you handled / roleplayed it? This is one I simply don't allow on heroic characters. I would never take it as a thief archetype (Honesty fits my usual interpretation thereof much better anyway). __________________ Ba-weep granah wheep minibon. Wubba lubba dub dub.

05-01-2016, 09:54 AM	#3
DataPacRat Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Niagara, Canada	Re: Kleptomania - how have you handled / roleplayed it? How large would a (Digital) Limitation on Kleptomania be, for a character who has trouble resisting torrenting or otherwise pirating data that's technically not legal for them to access? __________________ Thank you for your time, -- DataPacRat "Then again, maybe I'm wrong."

05-01-2016, 10:01 AM	#4
chandley Join Date: Aug 2004	Re: Kleptomania - how have you handled / roleplayed it? I have a Kelptomaniac character, and basically, I try to steal something from SOMEONE once per session. I dont steal something from everyone I meet, or every store I enter. I try to pick times that add a little spice to a scene. So if we're in a long conversation with a boss or something, pass a note to the GM and a quick slight of hand roll. Nothing to disrupt the spotlight, almost "off screen" even. But its great to pull out something later that you stole and solve a problem with it. Maps, keys, books, weird artifacts... nothing so crude as money. __________________ My GURPS stuff

05-01-2016, 07:18 PM	#8
khorboth Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Denver, CO	Re: Kleptomania - how have you handled / roleplayed it? I have played a klepto in one game. Through sheer luck, it never became a major issue. Several times, I was rolling filch when it would have been quite bad to get spotted, but I always made it. This character didn't pick pockets, but stole from stores mostly. I stole a wide variety of things, including some which had no use to the character. I kept waiting for the PC to get caught, but it never panned out that way. Sheer luck kept it from being a major problem. I don't think I rolled a single SCR the entire game. When there was an opportunity, I just went for it.

05-01-2016, 08:39 PM	#9
Warlockco Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado	Re: Kleptomania - how have you handled / roleplayed it? Classic example from literature is the Dragonlance setting, every single Kender is a Klepto.