[Basic] Disadvantage of the week: Charitable

johndallman · 01-12-2018, 05:34 AM

Charitable [-15] is a mundane mental disadvantage with a self-control roll (SCR). You are very aware of others' needs and feelings, and want to help people who need it. This applies to everyone you come into contact with, including legitimate enemies. If you should resist the urge to help, make a self-control roll, with failure meaning you do it anyway, even if that's against orders or puts you at risk. Charitable first appeared during the GURPS 3e period, where it was described as a "weak sense of duty to everyone," which seems like a legitimate way to play it. Responsive is a quirk-level version of this disadvantage.

Charitable is a reasonably common disadvantage option on templates, especially for healers. Taking it is a commitment that you aren't just looking out for yourself, and it may keep fantasy holy warriors and priests somewhat connected to ordinary people's reality. Space makes it a common disadvantage for gregarious species, and Zombies explores its interaction with victims of zombie plagues.

As far as I can see, Charitable is not confined to financial help. We associate "charity" with money simply because Western society does so many things via money. However, it's a lot easier to be nice if you aren't worried about where your next meal is coming from.

01-12-2018, 05:34 AM	#1
johndallman Night Watchman Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cambridge, UK	[Basic] Disadvantage of the week: Charitable Charitable [-15] is a mundane mental disadvantage with a self-control roll (SCR). You are very aware of others' needs and feelings, and want to help people who need it. This applies to everyone you come into contact with, including legitimate enemies. If you should resist the urge to help, make a self-control roll, with failure meaning you do it anyway, even if that's against orders or puts you at risk. Charitable first appeared during the GURPS 3e period, where it was described as a "weak sense of duty to everyone," which seems like a legitimate way to play it. Responsive is a quirk-level version of this disadvantage. Charitable is a reasonably common disadvantage option on templates, especially for healers. Taking it is a commitment that you aren't just looking out for yourself, and it may keep fantasy holy warriors and priests somewhat connected to ordinary people's reality. *Space* makes it a common disadvantage for gregarious species, and *Zombies* explores its interaction with victims of zombie plagues. As far as I can see, Charitable is not confined to financial help. We associate "charity" with money simply because Western society does so many things via money. However, it's a lot easier to be nice if you aren't worried about where your next meal is coming from. __________________ The Path of Cunning. Indexes: DFRPG Characters, Advantage of the Week, Disadvantage of the Week, Skill of the Week, Techniques.