Beliefs into Traits example

[modsr]

I'm having trouble understanding how Beliefs turn into Traits (through Artha). I'm at work now so I don't have my books here, but I recall Instincts could also turn into Traits (at least there are the FPD boxes next to them).

Can you give me an example of how a Belief could become a Trait? You can make up the Belief and the Trait it becomes, or you can use these ones, for example:

"I will become the Master Councellor by spoiling Councellor Throm's name"
"I will return to my village with great treasures"
"The strong should protect the weak"

And maybe an Instinct:

"When I'm insulted, I draw my knife"

How exactly would these, or any others, become Traits, and what Traits would they become? Thanks guys.

[zabieru]

"I will return to my village with great treasure" becomes Wealthy (if you make it happen) or Greedy (if you spend a lot of Artha trying.)

"I never go out without checking a mirror" becomes Fop. "When I'm insulted, I draw my knife" becomes Hothead, or something like that.

As for the process, I'd say "granted at the trait vote like any other trait." I'm not sure what I'd do about the artha boxes, really. Maybe somebody else can help with that.

[Merritt Baggett]

As for the process, I'd say "granted at the trait vote like any other trait." I'm not sure what I'd do about the artha boxes, really. Maybe somebody else can help with that.

I always stick my foot in my mouth when responding without my books, but...

When spending artha during scenes/actions that revolve around the belief or instinct in question, you note the spent artha down next to the relevant belief/instinct.

When it comes time for the trait vote:

Beliefs/instincts with zero/little(*) artha spent on them become character traits.

Beliefs/instincts with some/much(*) artha spent on them become call-on/die traits, where the more artha you spent, the more powerful the trait is that you're eligible for.

* The exact number of artha is in the book. Also, point values for the various traits which give you a scale for how powerful they are relative to one another, is in the character burner.

[SirEktar]

When it comes time for the trait vote:

Beliefs/instincts with zero/little(*) artha spent on them become character traits.

Beliefs/instincts with some/much(*) artha spent on them become call-on/die traits, where the more artha you spent, the more powerful the trait is that you're eligible for.

* The exact number of artha is in the book. Also, point values for the various traits which give you a scale for how powerful they are relative to one another, is in the character burner.

Really? I don't remember seeing that. Do you have a page reference?

[stormsweeper]

BWR p.71, under the "Evolving" header.

[Marune]

I have a question related to this thread, if the only way to get new traits is trough traits vote (with the artha used = kind of trait pointed out above) how a character could get those more "supernatural" traits if he didn't choose them during CB ?

[Bastoche]

I also had that question.

How can you acquire fey blood for example?

It seems to me that some of these traits (like the heirloom trait for example) are better suited for background traits (CB traits) but are so much cost prohibitive that only character with 5+ LP could access them. What gives?

The heirloom trait for example might work with a belief being "I swear I'll recover my great great great grand father's magic lantern" But once you've recovered the item, what's the point having the trait?

[stormsweeper]

With Family Heirloom, you begin play with the item. As to it's cost:

Village Born, Acolyte, Student

5 free trait points, 19 RPs

There's a few other 3-LP builds that meet the requirements. Most 4+ LP builds will have too many RPs.

The higher cost traits would likely be voted in depending on your character's actions. If you did some major quest, you might be eligible; this is a decision among your group, however.

[Bastoche]

Yes but what if the character concept just don't fit with LPs that grant the needed trait points?

I guess I could repeat a LP that grants 2 points but have only one required trait (strider for example).

[Trismegistus]

Yes but what if the character concept just don't fit with LPs that grant the needed trait points?

I guess I could repeat a LP that grants 2 points but have only one required trait (strider for example).

You could always invent a new LP for your concept and get it approved by your group.

[Kublai]

On the note of trying to get Supernatural Traits during play, I highly recommend you let all the players know that this is your intent before you start flinging the artha and such. Often, such traits will be bestowed as plot devices from the GM if they are tied to a Belief and Goal. But, if you players know you want it, and you tell them all the things you're doing to warrant it, then they'll be much more open to voting for it.

Finally, there are some traits which will never be able to be voted for once play begins. Fey Blood seems the best example of this. To have Fey Blood, you really need to be born with it.

[Bastoche]

Finally, there are some traits which will never be able to be voted for once play begins. Fey Blood seems the best example of this. To have Fey Blood, you really need to be born with it.

Unless you just didn't know it...

Belief: "Will do everything to discover that my mom I never knew happened to be an elf"

[Kublai]

But what happens when you do discover that you're a half-elf? Do you suddenly find yourself growing pointed ears?

[Bastoche]

But what happens when you do discover that you're a half-elf? Do you suddenly find yourself growing pointed ears?

No common (elven) traits grants pointed ears as far as I know...

[Marune]

It's easy to imagine tons of heroic/supernatural traits that could be granted to a character after the CB, forget about the elf/half-elf example.

We (I at least) just find that trait vote doesn't seem a natural way to award them.

[MetalBard]

We (I at least) just find that trait vote doesn't seem a natural way to award them.

I don't know... I find it's a great "check" for actual character development at the table. Why should you get the trait you wanted if circumstances leading to it (belief evolution and artha investment) aren't apparent to the other players? Plus, it definitely rubs my collaborative storytelling bone the right way... :D

[Bastoche]

We (I at least) just find that trait vote doesn't seem a natural way to award them.

I don't know... I find it's a great "check" for actual character development at the table. Why should you get the trait you wanted if circumstances leading to it (belief evolution and artha investment) aren't apparent to the other players? Plus, it definitely rubs my collaborative storytelling bone the right way... :D

I agree. That's the whole point.

[stormsweeper]

You don't have to spend Artha on Beliefs to get a trait in a trait vote. It's a good benchmark, though. I could completely see getting some of the crazier traits in a vote if your campaign was epic with a serious fantastical bent.

I think the "My mom was really an elf!" belief is too much, though. Such kinds of revelations may be best introduced by the GM.

[zabieru]

"My mom is an elf" certainly shouldn't be a secret that you put on your character sheet. Then again, neither should any other belief. It's not the GM's sole perogative to do this. If you say "Hey guys, it would be really wrenching and cool if Darth Vader was Luke's dad." and Luke's player, and the rest of the table, think that's cool, then maybe he is. Vetos belong to the GM (assuming he's playing Vader, otherwise Vader's character) and to the player.

I mean, this has to be the player's desire, right? Which means in order to manifest it need to be represented via belief at some point. It might not be that pointed, depending on how in-character you like to write your beliefs, but it could be.