Psi: Telepathy Perk

[Gef]

I'm introducing this perk, actually class of perks, into my psi campaign with a prerquiste of some mind control or mental illusion ability, but I could see some variations as cinematic perks as well.


Innocuous
Some aspect of your presentation that should raise objection simply fails to register with your audience. You can show up to a black tie party in cut-off jeans, and nobody will whisper a word…or if anyone does, other attendees will think him gauche. Or perhaps you can go armed without raising alarm, or light up in front of the “No Smoking” sign. People see it, but they react as if in a different social context. The protection is imperfect, as anyone who has a strong reason to object, more than mere observance of social niceties, will be unaffected if he wins a contest of Will against you (though you may add any relevant power Talent). A job is a reason, for the security guard responsible for enforcing that non-smoking area, and so is a disadvantage, like Intolerance of smokers. Situational modifiers may apply; to continue the smoking example, if you smoke up a room so that people are uncomfortable, they’re more likely to notice, because now their own comfort is at issue. Furthermore, people interrogated after the fact will remember you, and wonder why nobody said anything at the time. Photographic evidence is unaffected; it works only on people who see you (or otherwise sense you directly), and only in the moment. However, you may voluntarily exclude selected observers of whom you are aware, that’s the whole point. For instance, if you can make everyone at the charity fundraiser ignore your crass behavior, then that prospective client will just smile and nod as you talk about your job, failing to recognize the sales pitch.

Innocuous Behavior: Stagger about drunkenly in public, ride a speeding motorbike without a helmet, cuss like a sailor, and yet you’re Mr. Cellophane. Specify a type of objectionable behavior, such as risk, vice, or vulgarity. If the behavior involves others, such as public display of affection, then the others are also protected by the perk, but only when they engage in that behavior with you. The example of drunkenness is an interesting case, for that condition reduces your Will, reducing the likelihood you’ll win a contest of Will with someone who has a reason to notice. While physical violence may be socially acceptable in some historical context, it is beyond the power of a perk to make people ignore a possible threat. However, aught up to the threshold of violence can escape attention, the insult, the challenge, even a non-damaging slap or shove. Likewise the speeder draws no concern in light traffic, but he becomes a threat in heavy traffic. This perk can protect criminal or regulated activity, as long as it is widely regarded as victimless crime, like prostitution.

Innocuous Deformity: Suppose you’re undead, with the face long since rotted away from your skull. Still you can be a man about town, with none paying the slightest heed to your challenged countenance. This amounts to a Controllable Disadvantage for a negative reaction modifier, as you can allow others to perceive the real you, when you need the bonus to Intimidation. Specify the disadvantage, it might be a Hideous appearance but could also be a Disturbing Voice or Bad Smell.

Innocuous Gear: Greatsword strapped to your back? Clearly you must be an actor with a part in some fantasy epic or historical drama, fresh from the studio. That futuristic gizmo must be for a different movie. Specify some type of gear, such as Weapons, House-breaking Tools, or Strange Technology. Essentially, this supernatural Perk has the same benefit as a Permit.

Innocuous Station: Glass ceiling, look out: You’re a woman in a man’s world, but they all treat you as one of the guys (hazing and all), even when you enter the exclusive domain of the gentlemen’s club. Or perhaps you’re that kid who can buy beer without getting carded. This is a supernatural version of the perk Passing Appearance; you don’t look a different age, gender, or race, but folks react as if you did, so you’re ineligible for any Social Stigma or Status penalty which would otherwise apply.

Innocuous Wardrobe: The “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service” sign does not apply to you. You can walk freely through gang territory in colors of a rival gang, or tail a crook while in police uniform, with no penalty to your Shadowing roll. Specify a style, examples include anachronistic, counter-culture, formal, or risqué. You may use social skills appropriate to your attire; for instance, show up to a rave in a tux, and you can substitute Savoir-Faire for Carousing. If you dress in outrageous styles like a rock star on stage, in order to garner attention or make a statement, this perk may not be for you.



Make it an Ability!
Can't choose? Take a Cosmic Modular Ability, Limited to variations of the Innocuous Perk (-50%). With a Power Modifier (-10%), it costs 4 points per level.

[jeff_wilson]

The "Innocous" perk seems to nullify several times its cost in reaction penalties; no sale.

[Gef]

Originally Posted by jeff_wilson

The "Innocous" perk seems to nullify several times its cost in reaction penalties; no sale.

As with the perk Passing Appearance, if you have the perk, you are ineligible to claim points for the reaction penalty, as noted under the example Innocuous Deformity, suggesting that a Hideous appearance, for instance, becomes effectively a Controllable Disadvantage. But your point is taken; I should have stated explicitly that if you have Innocuous Behavior that covers an OPH, you don't get credit for the OPH.

[Kromm]

A perk is a fair way to handle "I look/act gross as hell, but nobody cares." Its real price is 1 + (cost to buy off Appearance, Odious Personal Habit, etc.). The game effect is mostly letting the player amuse herself with the knowledge that her character is weird-looking . . . though the GM can also treat it as a one-point premium on buying off an otherwise-required racial trait (like Hideous for rotting undead).