Super-short Life-Span

[Coinage]

I have a quick question. I am designing a creature has a life-span of only a few days (or maybe even hours, I haven't decided yet).

EDIT: My goal is to create a sort of spirit that hunts down someone who violated a local taboo. It has a set time-span to accomplish its mission, before it eventually ceases to exist.

Is there a way to modify the disadvantage Short Lifespan to reflect that? Or is there some other way to do it. Thanks.

[Phantasm]

I suppose it's possible to extend Short Life-Span to even shorter time-frames.

However, other than, say, some arthropods and other short-lived invertebrates, I'm not quite sure what your goal is. Are you looking to model a real world creature, or something like a tribble that seems to be born pregnant?

[Anaraxes]

Terminally Ill?

[Coinage]

Originally Posted by Phantasm

I suppose it's possible to extend Short Life-Span to even shorter time-frames.

However, other than, say, some arthropods and other short-lived invertebrates, I'm not quite sure what your goal is. Are you looking to model a real world creature, or something like a tribble that seems to be born pregnant?

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

My goal is to create a sort of spirit that hunts down someone who violated a local taboo. It has a set time-span to accomplish its mission, before it eventually ceases to exist.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Coinage

I have a quick question. I am designing a creature has a life-span of only a few days (or maybe even hours, I haven't decided yet). Is there a way to modify the disadvantage Short Lifespan to reflect that? Or is there some other way to do it. Thanks.

You say "This creature has a lifespan of only a few days/hours." Such creatures aren't appropriate as PC's, Allies*, or Enemies* (unless in a campaign that takes place over a very short period of time... in which case that short lifespan isn't really an issue), and thus don't need to be fully statted out to see how many points they'd be worth.

That said, Short Lifespan pretty clearly (after accounting for some rounding) cuts everything in half for each additional level, so in theory you could continue the trend... although I'd strongly recommend against it.

*I'll note here I'm specifically referring to the relevant Advantage and Disadvantage - you could absolutely work alongside such a creature, or face one as an antagonist, you just couldn't really take one as an Ally/Enemy (unless it got replaced in that role by its offspring so long as it died naturally, but then you shouldn't be getting a roundabout discount on its cost, so it doesn't get any Disadvantage points for the trait).

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Coinage

I have a quick question. I am designing a creature has a life-span of only a few days (or maybe even hours, I haven't decided yet).

EDIT: My goal is to create a sort of spirit that hunts down someone who violated a local taboo. It has a set time-span to accomplish its mission, before it eventually ceases to exist.

Is there a way to modify the disadvantage Short Lifespan to reflect that? Or is there some other way to do it. Thanks.

Terminally Ill is the way to go. Even if you only have a few days left to live that's Terminally Ill.

[Not another shrubbery]

Originally Posted by Varyon

You say "This creature has a lifespan of only a few days/hours." Such creatures aren't appropriate as PC's, Allies*, or Enemies* (unless in a campaign that takes place over a very short period of time... in which case that short lifespan isn't really an issue), and thus don't need to be fully statted out to see how many points they'd be worth.

It's this. No reason to fool around trying to figure out a disadvantage value for something that is just flavor. I generally would not use (nor allow) such traits to build player characters.

That said, Short Lifespan pretty clearly (after accounting for some rounding) cuts everything in half for each additional level, so in theory you could continue the trend... although I'd strongly recommend against it.

I just would not allow that at all. PK (over on his MyGURPS page) ruled most such things at *half* their RAW values, reasoning that they do not inconvenience you "until it's too late". For Short Lifespan, even half value looks like it is overstating it as a Disadvantage to me. Note that btb, Short Lifespan cannot be extended past Level 4.

[Coinage]

Okay, here is what I gather: It is not necessary to stat it out as a Disadvantage, since it really does not not affect gameplay.

[Phantasm]

Originally Posted by Coinage

Okay, here is what I gather: It is not necessary to stat it out as a Disadvantage, since it really does not not affect gameplay.

Seconded! This seems like something that isn't affected by points, so don't worry about it.

[Anthony]

In the end, all time-based advantages and disadvantages are problematic, because their value depends on campaign duration.