04-20-2010, 11:46 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
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Callous with Sense of Duty
One of my players wants to make a character with both Callous and Sense of Duty (towards the rest of the party). I mulled it over a bit, and decided to allow it (my reasoning is delineated in my email to him, posted below). I was just wondering how more experienced GURPS players deal with this situation. As usual, I appreciate all of your feedback!
I've given it some thought and I think Callous will work if you want it, but like it says, you don't care about anyone's emotions or pain (including that of your fellow PCs). My only concern would be how this works with your Sense of Duty towards your fellow adventurers, and the only thing I can come up with is that your character has the general opinion that there is strength in numbers, and that trust is essential, but that emotions make people weak. Maybe subconsciously he feels a bond towards anyone who stands up for him. This would give you a Sense of Duty of -5 towards your fellow PCs. It puts you in an interesting and challenging role-playing position because you'll have to dance between showing that you'll do basically anything to protect them, while acting somewhat callous towards them at the same time. Note that to decipher peoples' emotions you still need to take Psychology (rolls at -3 to actually help people). At times I may require a self-control roll to keep you from being callous in sensitive situations. Also, if you end up feeling like this Disadvantage is too confining, you can have the option of buying it off with the points you gain through adventuring, in order to reflect a 'change of heart'.
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"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." ~Albert Einstein~ |
04-20-2010, 11:51 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: One Mile Up
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
The above sounds about right to me. I'd say that the Callous PC will focus its efforts on the needs of its beneficiaries that do not involve pain and emotional distress, which would be good for the usual -1 reaction if the beneficiaries were NPCs because failing to give someone a hug because you were buying them groceries really isn't all that awful.
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04-20-2010, 11:55 AM | #3 |
Petitioner: Word of IN Filk
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Longmont, CO
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
"You know I'm only doing this for your own good ..."
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“It's not railroading if you offer the PCs tickets and they stampede to the box office, waving their money. Metaphorically speaking” --Elizabeth McCoy, In Nomine Line Editor Author: "What Doesn't Kill Me Makes Me Stronger" |
04-20-2010, 12:12 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
My char Captain Mendiblis in this pbp has both Callous and Sense of Duty (and a Code of Honor). I play him as though his motivation for following his Sense of Duty isn't that he cares about the person so much as he has strict principles. IE, he doesn't care if they are hurting, but it wouldn't be good for his honor if they suffered while under his protection.
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04-20-2010, 12:18 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
An emotionless robot could recognize that by acting for the benefit of the other members of its group, it benefits the group, and therefore itself.
A sociopath might regard the other members of his group as useful tools - and, of course, it's wise to take care of your tools. |
04-20-2010, 12:32 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: L.I., NY
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
Quote:
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04-20-2010, 12:34 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
Quote:
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04-20-2010, 12:38 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
Quote:
Bill Stoddard |
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04-20-2010, 01:01 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Boston area
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
Another example -- Jayne from Firefly.
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Sex is nobody's business but the three people involved. And the shop where they bought the equipment. |
04-20-2010, 01:05 PM | #10 | |
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
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Re: Callous with Sense of Duty
Quote:
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"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." ~Albert Einstein~ |
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