Optional Drawbacks for
The Fantasy Trip

For some players, a character’s flaws are more interesting than their powers. We designed a lightweight system to encourage players to create and role-play these traits without forcing negative aspects on everyone. The Drawback categories listed here try to cover the major types of flaws, and allow for players and GMs to fill in details themselves. Players should choose one from the list below and add specifics for their character, such as Code (pirate’s honor). A listing of common Drawbacks and their mechanics is provided below, but is by no means a complete catalog of potential character flaws.

Minor Drawbacks would be worth 1 character build point, and Major Drawbacks are worth 2 points, chosen at character creation. No character should have more than one Drawback, unless the GM bestows the drawback on the character for story reasons. A GM may also allow a player to ‘buy-off’ a Drawback with an Attribute advance. In some cases, this may have to be worked into the ongoing story, and might not be possible. It may also be possible that character gains a Drawback during play (losing an eye or seeing a truly frightening event, for example). The GM may want to give the PC experience points equal to an Attribute raise to offset the Drawback.

Most Drawbacks have mechanical implications. Players (and GMs) should be encouraged to detail their own to better define their characters’ flaws. In general, a minor Drawback will cause a -2 adjustment on occasional die rolls, and a major Drawback will cause -4 adjustments occasionally, or -2 to common die rolls.

 

Drawback Categories

Anxieties and Fears are strong psychological reactions to the environment. Typical minor anxieties are things like spiders, large groups, or fire, and a figure would have to make a standard IQ test to face their fears or be at -2 on all tests in its presence.

Fears are stronger concerns that could even paralyze a figure. Figures must pass a difficult IQ test to act in the presence of the fear’s source, and will freeze or flee the fear in case of critical failure.

Codes and Oaths are beliefs or obligations that require a figure to act in a particular way. Minor restrictions — known as codes — would impact a figure’s daily decisions in small ways. When facing these kinds of situations, a figure might have to make a standard IQ test to disobey their code

Major restrictions, called Oaths, have a larger impact on the figure’s life. A figure would have to pass a difficult IQ test to disregard an oath.

Enemies and Nemeses are individuals or groups that are actively working against a figure’s interests. An enemy is a minor drawback that reflects a person or group of limited reach or power that wants to see a figure fail.

A Nemesis represents a larger threat. This major drawback would appear more often or be a much greater danger to a figure.

Habits and Addictions are behaviors that put figures in risk of danger or negative reactions. A figure might have to make an IQ test not to indulge their habit, and face Reaction penalties when they do.

Addictions are more severe and harder to resist. A character to make a difficult (or more) IQ test to resist, and would find it harder to avoid as time goes on. Failure would provide negative Reaction modifiers as well as other dangers.

Handicaps and Debilities encompass physical limitations a figure might face. Minor handicaps would entail a -2 penalty on common Attribute tests, or up to -1d on less common tests. Some handicaps could have positive aspects as well (see below).

A Debilitated figure often suffers -4 penalties on tasks, and some tests may be impossible.
Unpleasant or Abhorrent drawbacks are physical or personality aspects that people dislike. These will commonly give -2 Reaction penalty when known.
Abhorrent traits can be dangerous as well as unpopular. These would cause -4 Reaction to most common folk, and might have other repercussions.

Other drawbacks are for specific failings that can not be covered in a broad category. Poverty (starting with half-normal wealth) is a typical minor drawback, whereas Bad Luck (double critical failure range on tests) would be a major drawback.

 

Specific Drawback Examples

DrawbackSeverityTypeDescription
All ThumbsMinorHandicap-2adjDX on all mechanical tasks
AnemicMinorHandicap-2 SA, -2 adjST to resist sickness, disease, poison, environmental hazards
Bad EyesMinorHandicap-2 to Notice, -2 adjDX to attack more than 3 spaces distant
Big MouthMinorHabitIQ test to keep a secret, blabs at the worst time
CautiousMinorCodeFigure is overly careful, IQ test to act without preparation
Religious MinorCodeAdherence to religious doctrine, faith in church
PartisanMinorCodeCommitment to a political order, loyal to its leadership
CommittedMinorCodeBelief in a cause, support for its followers
CuriousMinorHabitFigure wants to know about everything, IQ test to bypass mystery
Death WishMinorCodeFigure wants to die after completing some task
RivalMinorEnemyFigure has a jealous peer who resents their success
WantedMinorEnemyFigure has been accused of a crime
EnemyMinorEnemyFigure has a recurring foe who wishes them harm
GreedyMinorUnpleasantFigure is obsessed with wealth
LecherousMinorHabitFigure obsessed with sexual conquest, IQ test to overcome, Reaction -1 when indulging
OverindulgenceMinorHabitIQ test to overcome desire, Reaction -1 when indulging
Hard of HearingMinorHandicap-2 to notice
LameMinorHandicapMA -2, -2 on movement-based tests
LoyalMinorCodeThe figure works to never betray or disappoint their friends
Self-absorbedMinorUnpleasantFigure is only interested in themselves, -2 to Reaction
MeanMinorUnpleasantIll-tempered and surly.-2 to Reaction
Non-violentMinorCodeFigure fights only in self-defense
ObeseMinorHandicap-2MA, -2adjDX on athletic tests, +1 AD
OutsiderMinorSocial-2 Reaction, treated badly by those of dominant society
OverconfidentMinorCodeThe figure believes they can do anything, IQ test to back down
Minor PhobiaMinorAnxietyIQ test to face fear or -2 to tests when near its source
PovertyMinorOtherHalf starting coins
StubbornMinorHabitFigure always wants their way, IQ test to compromise
Foul-smellingMinorUnpleasant-2 Reaction due to scent
UglyMinorUnpleasant-2 Reaction due to appearance
VindictiveMinorCodeFigure holds a grudge against perceived wrongs
FugitiveMajorNemesisFigure is being actively pursued by powerful authority
Arch-EnemyMajorNemesisFigure has a powerful or numerous enemy seeking their demise
ClericMajorOathOrdained member of religious order, officiates over ceremonies
ZealotMajorOathDeep commitment to an ideal, strictly follows doctrine and proselytizes
BondedMajorOathFigure is a member of an organization with rules, strictures, and responsibilities
DomineeringMajorOathFigure likes to humiliate opponents, must challenge the enemy leader
Bad LuckMajorOtherDouble range of critical failures
BlindMajorDebilitation-4 to Notice, unable to perform site-required tasks
BloodthirstyMajorOathFigure likes to inflict harm, never takes prisoners
CluelessMajorHandicap-2adjIQ to knowledge checks, cannot make untrained tests
DeafMajorDebilitationAutomatic failure to notice sounds -2adjIQ to all Notice tests
OutcastMajorAbhorrentFigure is a member of group or race disliked by majority, -4 Reaction when known
Branded CriminalMajorAbhorrentFigure marked as dangerous criminal, -4 Reaction when seen
DelusionalMajorAbhorrentFigure suffers from grave delusions, -4 Reaction when known
ElderlyMajorDebilitationFar older than typical adventurers, -2MA2, -2SA, +4EX
One ArmMajorDebilitation-4adjDX to tasks requiring two arms, -4ST for Encumbrance
PacifistMajorOathFigure won’t harm living creatures, tries to resolve conflicts peacefully
PhobiaMajorFear-4 to Tests when near the phobia
SmallMajorDebilitation-1 ST, -1MA
CowardiceMajorFearMust make a difficult IQ check to face danger
Drug DependencyMajorAddictionDifficult IQ test to overcome desire, -2/day deprived, -2 Reaction
Thrill-seekerMajorAddictionFigure seeks the most dangerous actions at al times, hard IQ test to overcome
PrejudicedMajorOathFigure believes in the inferiority of a group, and seeks their restriction
YouthMajorDebilitationFar younger than typical adventurers, -4EX, +2SA