[DF] How to fit illiteracy into the -50 disadvantages limit?

[Carlos]

Greetings.

Both Barbarian (DF 1, p. 4) and Brute (DF 15, p. 9) has "Language: Spoken (Native)/Written (None) [-3]" as a disadvantage option in the templates. But I'm having trouble to make that -3 disadvantage points to fit into the -50 disadvantage points, because it never end up exactly at -50 (because much of the disadvantages costs are multiple of 5).

How could I solve this problem? Should these -3 points be a substitute for 3 quirks?

Could it be a package of spoken languages with Written (None) for 0 points?

I really need some advices about it. It was easier at the 3rd Edition, but it's a pain in the neck now.

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by Carlos

Greetings.

Hey.

Originally Posted by Carlos

Both Barbarian (DF 1, p. 4) and Brute (DF 15, p. 9) has "Language: Spoken (Native)/Written (None) [-3]" as a disadvantage option in the templates. But I'm having trouble to make that -3 disadvantage points to fit into the -50 disadvantage points, because it never end up exactly at -50 (because much of the disadvantages costs are multiple of 5).

Many, but not all. Looking at the Barbarian template, I'm seeing five options to get a [-7]: Compulsive Carousing (9-) [-7], Gluttony (9-) [-7], Overconfidence (9-) [-7], Phobia (Crowds) (15-) [-7], and Phobia (Machinery) (9-) [-7]. You could also take Phobia (Crowds) (9-) [-22], or any of the rest of the above at (15-) for a [-2].

Originally Posted by Carlos

How could I solve this problem? Should these -3 points be a substitute for 3 quirks?

I'd be fine with that, too, if I was GMing.

[Carlos]

Oh my goodness!!! I'm feeling so dumbie now. I totally forgot about that! I guess I rolled my Games (Gurps) skill and had a critical failure right now. Shame on me.

[Rasputin]

Limit? What limit?

Originally Posted by GURPS Basic Set p. 25

The GM should not count these points against the disadvantage limit if illiteracy is the norm in the game world.

I wonder why illiteracy is so rare on these templates. Most of the folks they'll meet can't read.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

Limit? What limit?

I wonder why illiteracy is so rare on these templates. Most of the folks they'll meet can't read.

This is for DF. You must pick 50 points of disadvantages out of a list, with very few "classes" having Illiterate as an option. The two "rawr, smash face!" types only need to be able to figure out which building in town has beer, which has murder sticks, and which one they sleep in.

[simply Nathan]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

I wonder why illiteracy is so rare on these templates. Most of the folks they'll meet can't read.

In D&D as well as most computer RPGs I'm familiar with literacy is the norm. Probably because the people that invented the genre were literate and it was easier to assume characters they played were literate except as noted rather than being illiterate except as noted.

[whswhs]

In a setting where a disadvantage is universal, nearly universal, or commonplace, you are free not to count it against the disadvantage limit. That's what I would do in this case.

Bill Stoddard

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by whswhs

In a setting where a disadvantage is universal, nearly universal, or commonplace, you are free not to count it against the disadvantage limit. That's what I would do in this case.

That doesn't seem to be at all how the templates are written. I'm fairly certain that choosing to be illiterate is meant to count against the Barbarian's disadvantage options.

• Another -10 points chosen from among Easy to Read [-10], Gullibility [-10*], Language: Spoken (Native)/Written (None) [-3], Low TL 1 or 2 [-5 or -10], Odious Personal Habit (Unrefined manners) [-5], Phobia (Machinery) [-5*], or Wealth (Struggling) [-10].

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

That doesn't seem to be at all how the templates are written. I'm fairly certain that choosing to be illiterate is meant to count against the Barbarian's disadvantage options.

Since literacy is the default for almost all of the other templates, it certainly should count against the disad limit.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

That doesn't seem to be at all how the templates are written. I'm fairly certain that choosing to be illiterate is meant to count against the Barbarian's disadvantage options.

Oh, okay. Well, it's not essential that every character take the full number of negatively valued traits.

Bill Stoddard