Why is Broad-Minded a Quirk?

[Ragitsu]

So, some people say Broad-Minded is merely an open mind, while others call it a minor active interest in people of a different culture/ethnicity/race. I know both are "right", but the latter seems to live up to the disadvantageous aspect of a Quirk.

[Phil Masters]

Originally Posted by Ragitsu

So, some people say Broad-Minded is merely an open mind, while others call it a minor active interest in people of a different culture/ethnicity/race.

In the former case, it has to be a roleplayable open mind - it has to be something that the GM can plausibly penalise you for failing to act on. That's why there's at least a slight sense that it should be disadvantageous; if this is trivially normal behaviour in the setting and there's no incentive for you to ignore the quirk or difficulty in remembering it, taking that quirk is hardly a "contract to roleplay". "Oh yeah, that guy who hangs out with haints and spriggans - bit of a freak, though he seems quite cool when you talk to him."

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

The concept of Quirks seems to have mutated without purging and is a bit of a muddle now.

Broad-minded and a few other beneficial 'quirks' were corruptions

Broad-minded is not beneficial. It causes negative reactions from anyone who possesses the normal prejudices of the society around them.

[malloyd]

Originally Posted by Kaldrin

That wouldn't be enough in any of my games. Quirks do have to be enough of a trait to be playable often enough to justify the point you get from them. This one wouldn't play enough to even be worth a point. :)

These days I lean more to its the player's responsiblity to bring up their quirks. If you make a point of asking the girl in green for a dance, or inquiring if the shopkeeper has it in green every once in a while, then Likes Green is a perfectly good quirk. If after a few sessions I can't recall a time you've made color an issue, you need to be challenged on it.

[Mailanka]

Originally Posted by Phil Masters

In the former case, it has to be a roleplayable open mind - it has to be something that the GM can plausibly penalise you for failing to act on. That's why there's at least a slight sense that it should be disadvantageous; if this is trivially normal behaviour in the setting and there's no incentive for you to ignore the quirk or difficulty in remembering it, taking that quirk is hardly a "contract to roleplay". "Oh yeah, that guy who hangs out with haints and spriggans - bit of a freak, though he seems quite cool when you talk to him."

Right, it becomes the equivelant of "Wears clothes" or "gets upset when people are mean to him."

You have to up those a little too "Really fascinated by clothes and fashion" or "Splutters and stutters when angry" or "curses constantly when angry."

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Broad-minded is not beneficial. It causes negative reactions from anyone who possesses the normal prejudices of the society around them.

The description on B163 says nothing about negative reactions from anyone. It says you get along well with others and strange appearances of others don't bother you. Both would appear to be beneficial attributes.

Attentive is another Perquirk -- a slightly less useful Single-minded that you get a point by taking!

[malloyd]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

The description on B163 says nothing about negative reactions from anyone. It says you get along well with others and strange appearances of others don't bother you. Both would appear to be beneficial attributes.

In what way? A completely neutral 0 point feature (based on having no mechanics whatsoever) is easily arguable, but I don't see how you can get beneficial out of that without reading as much additional positive stuff into the description as you are protesting the negative reading in of.

And pulling back a little from the actual wording, making a case for taking a bad roleplaying penalty for acting on a prejudice being a drawback in a typical roleplaying setting isn't all that hard. There are usually negative prejudices which are *justified* by the stereotyped behaviors of some races. If my GM is going to dock me an xp for refusing to let an orc into the party without specific evidence against him, *even though* if I do he will claim to be entirely justified when said orc betrays us, I'm clearly suffering for having this feature.

[RedMattis]

Definitly something that can get you in trouble. Befriending strange people or strange beings can have it's advantages though.
Broad-Minded doesn't make you gullible or stupid, but it makes you rather open-minded about odd Strangers.

Imagine the following. A vampire lad wants to join up with with our gang to stop the flesh eating swap creatures that have appeared in the realm. He claims to have good intent, and says that he doesn't kill (or turn) his victims.

The middle aged magician says "Hmm? And how exactly do we know that you won't tear our throats out in the dead night? We need some sort of proof that we really can trust you."

The easy-going frequently drunk, but friendly and broadminded middle-aged warrior says "I'm guessing your story has had a few hardships. Why don't you sit down by the fire and we can each share our tales?"

The Xenophilic time-traveller lass says "Omigosh! You're a vampire? With real fangs? Can you show me them?"

- - - - -

Now assuming vampires are typically fairly dangerous, not letting them sit down by your campfire where they might get a good chance at stabbing you in the back might be a good idea. Before good proof that this particular member is at least a bit trustworthy you might want to keep them at a few arms reach.
Getting them to share their tales would make understanding who they are, and whether they really are trustworthy easier though.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

The description on B163 says nothing about negative reactions from anyone.

They'll exist regardless of whether they'll be mentioned. People who are suspicious of the aliens are not going to be thrilled by the "Let's be friends" crowd. But mostly it's a matter of being constrained in your roleplaying.

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

They'll exist regardless of whether they'll be mentioned. People who are suspicious of the aliens are not going to be thrilled by the "Let's be friends" crowd.

Be that as it may, it's not part of the Quirk as per RAW.