Orc questions

[FM_Mario]

I am new to BW, but very excited about it. First, I can't find descriptions for the traits:

Batshit
Fearful respect of the servants
Naked Hatred

All on p 182. There were a smattering here and there of other ones in the Orc chapter that I couldn't locate too. I tried the index but to no help. Are these in Monster Burner?


Also, I was also wondering why Goblin wasn't a born lifepath--or rather, since it is not, what does "Goblin" intend to mean? Is a character expected to only be a goblin (that is one of the short guys like in the image on p. 223) if they take that lifepath, or am I confusing that with something else? It just struck me as odd, and I am new, and I don't understand =(

Thanks for your time.

-mario

sorry. i'm a bad publisher. Garrote is in the Monster Burner. I'm a bad man for not reprinting it, I know. (But I don't think it would fit.)

[Kublai]

I dunno about the former, but apply it with common sense. Batshit mean insane and delusional. Fearful Respect is obvious how to play. Naked Hatred means there is no Falsehood or deceit when expressing hatred for someone or something - everyone knows you hate it.

As for the latter, there is only one breed of Orc. Goblin and Great are social standings within the orcs. A Goblin is like a Moria orc, still an orc despite the name. Being a goblin is better than Chattel but less than Great.

[Paka]

Welcome to the boards, Mario.

[luke]

Hi Mario, welcome!

Those three are simply character traits. Character traits do not merit a description. They are in the list on Page 201 of the Character Burner.

like pete said. goblins are young or useless chattel orcs. in bw, there is no real separation between orc and goblin.

-L

[Paka]

like pete said. goblins are young or useless chattel orcs. in bw, there is no real separation between orc and goblin.

-L

That said, Mario, one of the things I like about BW is that it leaves those decisions to the players. We can make whatever decision about goblins and their relationship to orcs that we decide makes sense.

(Not trying to be a dick here, Luke. I know this is the kind of GM shot-calling that you preach.)

[luke]

We can make whatever decision about goblins and their relationship to orcs that we decide makes sense.

(Not trying to be a dick here, Luke. I know this is the kind of GM shot-calling that you preach.)

it's cool. i was merely presenting the book's mechanical viewpoint.

-L

[cawshis]

I didn't really understand what "Fearful Respect of the Servants" meant either. I read it and was like, "Huh? Why in the world would I respect servants in fearful manner?"

Then I reread it and "Hmm. Does he mean like the servants are respectfully fearful of the masters?" That made more sense, but then, why phrase it that way? All the other traits are pretty clear (or not).

I spent some time looking for Naked Hatred as well. Orcs got a couple of "Adjective-Hatred" traits and the majority of them have a description since they tap into the Hatred aspect. It's not crazy to think that Naked Hatred did as well.

But then again, I'm a n00b too.

[Kublai]

"Servants" means orc summoners, n00bert! And if you don't have a respectful fear of summoners, you're not going to live very long.

Butler-type servants are referred to as "slave" by orcs.

[cawshis]

"Servants" means orc summoners, n00bert! And if you don't have a respectful fear of summoners, you're not going to live very long.

Butler-type servants are referred to as "slave" by orcs.

:oops:

I must have slept through that part of the Orc Seminar! It all becomes clear once you explain it (again). Go figure.

[Kublai]

You'll never make it out the pits, boy! :evil:

[FM_Mario]

"Servants" means orc summoners, n00bert! And if you don't have a respectful fear of summoners, you're not going to live very long..

It's confusing--are you respected by them (probably not but maybe) or have respect for them (probably yes but who knows--it's all new to me).


What is "Batshit" as a trait? Obviously the character isn't a pile of guano. Does it mean dirty or nuts? I have no grasp of that term.

Thanks. And thanks for the other replies.

-m

[Kublai]

Batshit mean insane and delusional.

As for Fearful Respect of the Servants, it is your trait. So you're the one doing the fearful respecting! The trait is not "Fearfully Respected by the Servants," after all.

But character traits are odd little things. They have no mechanical effect to dice rolls, only a means to earn Artha. So play them however you feel is right. No one, not even Abzu, is gonna care as long as you use them.

[Thor Olavsrud]

It's confusing--are you respected by them (probably not but maybe) or have respect for them (probably yes but who knows--it's all new to me).

What is "Batshit" as a trait? Obviously the character isn't a pile of guano. Does it mean dirty or nuts? I have no grasp of that term.


The thing about Character Traits, the reason we don't define them, is that we want players to determine for themselves what they mean. Character traits are flavor and color with no mechanical effect.

In the case of the Slaves to the Dark, the Servants are terribly frightening and powerful sorcerers and summoners who are utterly insane and place absolutely no value on your life or your suffering. You offer them respect because you are terrified of them. At least that's how I see it.

As for 'Batshit.' We mean batshit crazy! Their minds have been cracked by the dark forces they seek to master!

[cawshis]

Batshit is an English expression for absolutely crazy. "Batty" is a similar slang term.

[FM_Mario]

Batshit is an English expression for absolutely crazy. "Batty" is a similar slang term.

You mean "British." :wink: It's not in text or online "English" dictionaries.

[Kublai]

We use those terms sparingly here in the States, eh wot!