02-19-2020, 09:26 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2018
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Social and mental traits on shapeshifting races templates
Hi guys. I'm creating racial templates for "were-creatures", like werewolfs and werecats. In my setting, their alternate forms are very powerful, unlike the were-creatures example on the book, so they cost a lot (50-60 CP each, the entire racial template going to 100+).
I'm using mental and social disadvantages on some races, such as Duty for werewolfs and Loner for werecats, as the entire races share these traits, with few exceptions (eg., a werewolf that refuses his Duty would have social stigma or even enemies). I haven't seen social or mental disadvantages being used on racial templates at all, but there's no mention that they shouldn't be used, that's a bit confusing. Since these are social and mental disadvantages, should I carry them over to all their respective Alternate Forms to calculate the cost? Or treat them as personal traits, even if it's racial? |
02-19-2020, 11:36 PM | #2 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Re: Social and mental traits on shapeshifting races templates
An Alternate Form is just a Trait on the Racial Template, just like any other. No need to "carry over."
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02-20-2020, 12:08 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Nov 2018
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Re: Social and mental traits on shapeshifting races templates
Sorry, I think I wasn't clear.
The book says to get the difference between all racial traits except from Alternate Form, then calculate Alternate Form from that value: (difference * 0.9) + 15. I understand that. What I'm asking is: should I copy the social/mental traits into the Alternate Form traits? A basic example: Human form: Extended Lifespan 6 [12] Speak With Animals (felines) [10] Callous [-5] Alternate Form (werecat): (53 - 19 = 30,6 + 15 ~= 46 CP) MT +1 ST +1 [10] DX +2 [40] Talons [8] Semi-Upright [-5] For a total of 19 + 46 = 65 CP Considered they should be able to speak with felines in their Alternate Form and retain their lifespan, it makes sense that I "carry over" that ability here so it's not lost when changing forms (as the traits replace the human ones), then it would look like this: Alternate Form (werecat): (75 - 19 = 56 *0,9 + 15 ~= 66 CP) MT +1 ST +1 [10] DX +2 [40] Talons [8] Extended Lifespan 6 [12] Speak With Animals (felines) [10] Semi-Upright [-5] Making a total of 19 + 66 = 85 CP What I'm asking is if that thought is correct and if social traits, like Callous in this case, should be treated the same way. |
02-20-2020, 12:36 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Yukon, OK
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Re: Social and mental traits on shapeshifting races templates
Quote:
If its part of the racial template it goes on the form, though if its on the base form it helps reduce the difference. Also those were cats have normal manipulators? If they dont that disadvantage lowers the cost, and lowers cost of DX and ST
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02-20-2020, 01:38 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Vermont
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Re: Social and mental traits on shapeshifting races templates
The way I do Alternate Forms is to ignore the talk of racial templates entirely and just compare the two Character Sheets (ignoring the Alternate From advantage itself.) E.g.:
Normal Form: Extended Lifespan 6 [12] Speak With Animals (felines) [10] Callous [-5] =17 points Wereform Extended Lifespan 6 [12] Speak With Animals (felines) [10] Callous [-5] MT +1 ST +1 [10] DX +2 [40] Talons [8] Semi-Upright [-5] =70. 70 - 17= 53. Therefore, Alternate Form costs (15+(53X0.9))= 63 points.
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My ongoing thread of GURPS versions of DC Comics characters. |
02-20-2020, 03:43 AM | #6 | |
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Social and mental traits on shapeshifting races templates
Quote:
Mental disadvantages often do depend on your form. The classic were* curse is loaded with them, the ones that make you act like a monster or wild animal while transformed.
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-- MA Lloyd |
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02-21-2020, 04:56 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston, TX
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Re: Social and mental traits on shapeshifting races templates
Quote:
So if you're strong for a human, you'll still be strong for a werewolf; if you're Greedy as a human, you'll still be greedy as a wererat; if you're blind as a human, you'll still be blind as a weretiger.
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— - — - — - — - — - — - — - — - — - — - — Looking for a GURPS game in Houston, Texas. |
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