As not all
of us have the rules I though it prudent to mention fate points. Each PC has
some, they are what truly separates the hero from the inconsequential. What are
they and what can you do with them?
A fate
point is a measure of interest that fate, destiny, our story has in you being
an active participant in the ongoing narrative. Spending a fate point keeps you
in the game, figuratively and literally. It ensures not only that you don’t die immediately
but that the chance remains to keep that a permanent arrangement.
Lets say
you are fighting a gang of mutants and one with a lucky swipe of his razor
edged claw gets a +10 critical on your head and decapitation is the result. But
wait you have a fate point, by sending it you can ensure you are kept alive. This
is more than just saying, OK the hit doesn’t connect, indeed this may just
leave you having to spend yet another fate point to stay in the game after the next combat round. What
actually happens is fate steps in and ensures you are kept alive, nothing more
or less. So in this case the decapitation doesn’t happen, perhaps a non lethal
but very bloody cut on the face leaves you sprawled on the floor looking very
dead. Some hours later you come round, stripped of all equipment but alive, how
you survive being wounded, alone and weapon less is up to you.
One important thing to remember: Once they're gone, they're gone forever. You can earn more, but it usually requires an exceptionally heroic feat -such as defeating a plot that would leave a city in chaos, saving someone very important from assassination, negotiating an alliance between two powerful factions or killing a major campaign villain.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that the 2nd edition did is it created a dice re-roll pool out of the fate points as well (ie 3 fate points gave 3 rerolls). Ever interval of time (can't remember if it was a session or a game day) you refreshed those rerolls.
ReplyDeleteYou could also burn/lose a fate point to avoid certain death (horrible critical result, etc). This way characters start circling the drain as they lose their fate points. Given the lethality of this game you may want to consider a reroll system. It may be problematic with PBEM though......Arguably it does attenuate the dark setting and add more heroic nature (whether that is desirable or not).
Something to ponder.
Yep I have 2nd, I quite like it, I must do I have the complete collection. I'm running this old school though so no re-rolls and death is always possible.
ReplyDelete