Advantage: Morality Compass

Tallor · 07-31-2016, 07:07 PM

Morality Compass [?? points] is not a be-all end-all to the questions of right and wrong. That would be far too complicated and philosophical for a game over pretzels and pizza. It is simply an advantage that allows a player to be told truthfully by the GM if what he's doing will get him in major trouble--be it from the locals or from supernatural forces.

This is the RPG equivalent of some kind of red font letting the player know that they will be held accountable for an action (i.e. killing a peasant's chicken) or defended (attacking a raider camp).

Is this a good idea? Probably not for the most part. This advantage is mostly to avoid things getting too philosophically heavy in less-serious adventures. What do you think?

Flyndaran · 07-31-2016, 07:09 PM

Sounds like Empathy to gauge deep feelings of those around them.
Also Common Sense as well as Philosophy skill to know what fits their motivations and ideals rather than just immediate desires.
It's amazing what you can convince yourself fits your morality when things hit the fan and under duress.

simply Nathan · 07-31-2016, 07:10 PM

Common Sense (Only for moral issues, not issues of basic prudence, -50%), Reliable+8 (+40%) or more and No Nuissance Rolls (Common Sense). Total [10].

Tallor · 07-31-2016, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simply Nathan

Common Sense (Only for moral issues, not issues of basic prudence, -50%), Reliable+8 (+40%) or more and No Nuissance Rolls (Common Sense). Total [10].

That's a solid advantage, but could it be cut down a bit? Maybe add "Vague" since it's accurate, but not terribly precise.

simply Nathan · 07-31-2016, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallor

That's a solid advantage, but could it be cut down a bit? Maybe add "Vague" since it's accurate, but not terribly precise.

Common Sense is already pretty vague by the description. It's suggested to manifest as the GM saying "Are you sure you want to go through with that?", this one would be more "You know that this is wrong." Or as this.

whswhs · 07-31-2016, 08:25 PM

The Transcendental Philosophy discipline in Chapter 1 of Powers: The Weird does some of this.

Tallor · 07-31-2016, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whswhs

The Transcendental Philosophy discipline in Chapter 1 of Powers: The Weird does some of this.

I keep learning that there are books for GURPS that I haven't even heard of. o-O

whswhs · 07-31-2016, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallor

I keep learning that there are books for GURPS that I haven't even heard of. o-O

Have you scanned down the list of GURPS books available as pdfs? That's recent GURPS books are showing up.

Polydamas · 08-01-2016, 01:14 AM

It does not sound like this is about "this is wrong" as much as "there will be consequences."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Sounds like Empathy to gauge deep feelings of those around them.
Also Common Sense as well as Philosophy skill to know what fits their motivations and ideals rather than just immediate desires.
It's amazing what you can convince yourself fits your morality when things hit the fan and under duress.

I would also allow rolls against a variety of mundane skills (like Law, Philosophy, Theology, or Political Science) to predict likely responses from one source ("thinking back to your time studying with the Jesuits, you realize that is a MORTAL SIN" or "in a town like this you are pretty sure you can shoot a hobo, no problem").

Like Common Sense, it seems fine in games where a player is impulsive or does not understand the setting as well as the GM expects them too. It sounds like a Limited form of Common Sense.

~~evileeyore~~ · 08-01-2016, 07:58 AM

I'd just have them take Common Sense.

07-31-2016, 07:07 PM	#1
Tallor Join Date: May 2016	Advantage: Morality Compass Morality Compass [?? points] is not a be-all end-all to the questions of right and wrong. That would be far too complicated and philosophical for a game over pretzels and pizza. It is simply an advantage that allows a player to be told truthfully by the GM if what he's doing will get him in major trouble--be it from the locals or from supernatural forces. This is the RPG equivalent of some kind of red font letting the player know that they will be held accountable for an action (i.e. killing a peasant's chicken) or defended (attacking a raider camp). Is this a good idea? Probably not for the most part. This advantage is mostly to avoid things getting too philosophically heavy in less-serious adventures. What do you think?

07-31-2016, 07:09 PM	#2
Flyndaran Untagged Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon	Re: Advantage: Morality Compass Sounds like Empathy to gauge deep feelings of those around them. Also Common Sense as well as Philosophy skill to know what fits their motivations and ideals rather than just immediate desires. It's amazing what you can convince yourself fits your morality when things hit the fan and under duress. __________________ Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check.

07-31-2016, 07:10 PM	#3
simply Nathan formerly known as 'Kenneth Latrans' Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wyoming, Michigan	Re: Advantage: Morality Compass Common Sense (Only for moral issues, not issues of basic prudence, -50%), Reliable+8 (+40%) or more and No Nuissance Rolls (Common Sense). Total [10]. __________________ Ba-weep granah wheep minibon. Wubba lubba dub dub.

07-31-2016, 08:25 PM	#6
whswhs Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS	Re: Advantage: Morality Compass The Transcendental Philosophy discipline in Chapter 1 of Powers: The Weird does some of this. __________________ Bill Stoddard I don't think we're in Oz any more.

08-01-2016, 07:58 AM	#10
~~evileeyore~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 100 hurricane swamp	Re: Advantage: Morality Compass I'd just have them take Common Sense.