Secondary Attributes: Luck & Appearance

[Keolander]

Okay,

been thinking about doing an Oriental Adventures themed campaign (watching Avatar: The Last Airbender for the first time). As such, I thought bringing back Comeliness (after a fashion) would be good as well as adding a Luck attribute. Thing is I don't think they should be tied to any Saving Throw, so they would be considered Secondary Attributes. This is basically back the envelope scribbling, so nothing is set in stone.

Appearance would cover how well a character looks, in terms of raw physical appeal. There are plenty of people today that know someone that is usually a drop-dead gorgeous/handsome person that doesn't have quite the charisma to back it up (usually they are humble...think the sweet girl/guy next door). Naturally, certain races are going to have negative modifiers (Half-Orcs for example) vs. baseline humans while others (High Elves for example) will have bonuses vs. baseline humans.

Luck is a catch-all for general bonuses/penalties to Saving Throws. Given that it might radically alter the saving throws in the game, the highest overall bonus (Luck: 18) should be no more than +2. A truly evil DM would make the penalty for low Luck as tough as -4.

[redwullf]

CKG!

Pg. 12: The Beauty attribute.

Pg. 277: Luck points.

The Trolls have already done the work for you.

[Keolander]

Heh, well butter my butt and call me Susan.

[Lurker]

CKG!

Pg. 12: The Beauty attribute.

Pg. 277: Luck points.

The Trolls have already done the work for you.

Man, I have to get the CKG! (need a job & money coming into the old bank first though)

As for beauty & luck, Keol I have always added beauty to my games based on the old AD&D Unearthed Arcana comeliness attribute. I would use it in place of charisma for initial interaction between players and NPCs, especially in social settings. I was also horrid about using it to tempt the few Paladins that were in the group (your order has decided to allow you to marry and have 4 worthy maids/widows they will allow you to pick from. One is young, cute etc, one is older approaching 20 has been a lady in waiting for lord so & so's wife, one is a younger daughter of a wealthy merchant/the brother to priest so & so, and one is a widowed lady of 25, what do you do?). Also kind of the same thing for the Knight/cavaliers etc. It was amazing how many times they would ask for the com score -role playing wise by asking for who looks best etc - instead of being pious and praying/sacrificing to the gods of love or marriage.

For luck, I've never found a good way to use it, so anyone with the CKG want to weigh in on how well it works, or have a good home brew rule?

[redwullf]

The CKG offers two optional "point" systems: Fate Points and Luck/Hero Points. Fate and Hero points are very similar - their expenditure essentially "guarantees" success at something critical (hitting in combat, maximum damage, making a saving throw, etc.). Hero Points are "more powerful" than Fate points, because they are also coupled with Luck points, which can be spent to improve die-rolls (spend 1 luck point to gain, say, +1 to hit). Additionally, you can spend luck points to negatively impact an opponent's roll (giving them bad luck). For example, you can spend 4 luck points to give your opponent a -4 to hit you, or a -4 to save against your spell, etc.

Either system is simple and easy to implement, and always gives the players some "outs" when things aren't going well. We all know those nights when the dice just seem out to get us killed. These point systems help offset unfortunate situations and can make for more exciting play and interesting twists and outcomes.

Green Ronin published a d20 compatible book called the Advanced Player's Manual, which featured Luck as an attribute. I've never used it in game, but several options were provided for use of Luck as an attribute (including a Luck point option) - the PDF I linked has the details.

My main group plays Pathfinder, which also has Hero points - though no Luck points. Expenditure of Hero points has really "saved the day" on a few occasions. Admittedly, it makes things less risky for the players, but because Hero points come in small quantities (no one ever has more than 3), they have to be used very sparingly...kept in reserve for those moments when the characters are in their darkest hour.