I’m fiddling with a convention scenario in the vein of Lamentations of the Flame Princess and Vornheim, so basically gritty fantasy, and is doing a quick write up on some premade characters for the scenario, seven all in all, one of each the LotFP classes.

But to make it more interesting and a bit more about the characters instead of pure hacking and dungeoneering, each of the characters will have a flaw. Something dodgy and/or problematic, that can potentially bite them in the ass and create some fun and banter. So far what I've got is:

The Fighter: Was bitten by an undead, and is now slowly rotting away. This he’s kept secret from the others.

The Rogue: In charge of all the groups basic equipment (rope, torches, sacks, oil, rations), that he sold in the last town they visited, to cover gambling debt. The others, obviously, don’t know this.

The Halfling: Not really a Halfling, but a doppleganger-type creature that killed the original Halfling, ate him and has been tagging along ever since, enjoy the adventuring life. Very hush hush.

The Cleric: Leader of the group but also suffering from a curse, that drains away his life force every time he turns left down a corridor in a dungeon. This he is far too proud to admit and it has greatly affected the groups routes and travel plans.

But what about the dwarf, the elf and the magic user? What foul and interesting jinxes should they have? Suggestions will be greatly appreciated, rpgsite - I know you got ‘em.

Umm...why'd that curse work just when he turns left in a dungeon? This sounds like a bit too metagamish concept imo. Maybe just make it a curse that weakens him each time he casts a healing spell instead?

Quote from: DKChannelBoredom;503412But what about the [Bdwarf[/B], the elf and the magic user? What foul and interesting jinxes should they have? Suggestions will be greatly appreciated, rpgsite - I know you got 'em.

Despite being tough as nails, the dwarf is an utter coward when faced with the great enemies of his race (goblins, orcs, kobolds).

The elf is an otherworldly creature who secretly feeds on the life essence of his fellow party members.

The magic-user is haunted by the ghost of a man he sacrificed to gain his occult power.  The ghost attempts to distract him at key moments.

My main D&D PC is a thief who was cursed in Ravenloft such that everything he steals rots incredibly quickly. Particulary bad when you rescue a slave girl about to be executed, trust me.
The priest in that party also sold his smile to a gypsy for information and so the PC (and by defintion the Player) suffered XP penalties everythign they laughed at a joke or whatever.

Flaws can easily become a bit of a joke if you aren't careful or they just end up as tacked on stuff you forget about most of the time. The key is to make them part of the PC's DNA.

So lycanthropy is always good if played seriously.
vulnerability to certain weapons, silver, iron etc or to creatures, canines, giants etc or Curses that have a trigger point, like the theft one above or like the classics of never eat dogmeat, never refuse hospitality and that type of stuff.

Those types of curses work the best IMO.

The dwarf could have been cursed with a slowly growing fear of being underground that starts with paranoia about dark areas he has'nt explored yet and becomes more and more serious the deeper they delve, being a proud dwarf he's trying to hide this unease but its becoming tougher to hide the more exprienced and brave the party becomes.

The elf was infected with a parasitic virus on a previous adventure and is slowly dying from the inside as the parasite begins to take over his nervous system.

I like misterguignol's idea for the wizard so i'll just leave my ideas at that.

Fucking 5.edition - drowning the forum :rolleyes:

Super cool suggestions! Keep 'em coming if you come up with more.

Quote from: misterguignol;503418The magic-user is haunted by the ghost of a man he sacrificed to gain his occult power.  The ghost attempts to distract him at key moments.

love it. The ghost is most certainly in.

Quote from: jibbajibba;503424My main D&D PC is a thief who was cursed in Ravenloft such that everything he steals rots incredibly quickly. Particulary bad when you rescue a slave girl about to be executed, trust me.
The priest in that party also sold his smile to a gypsy for information and so the PC (and by defintion the Player) suffered XP penalties everythign they laughed at a joke or whatever.

Sounds like an ace campaign and I might borrow parts from those characters.

Quote from: Brokken-Serenity;503431The dwarf could have been cursed with a slowly growing fear of being underground that starts with paranoia about dark areas he has'nt explored yet and becomes more and more serious the deeper they delve, being a proud dwarf he's trying to hide this unease but its becoming tougher to hide the more exprienced and brave the party becomes.

Neat, but maybe this could be just dungeon-psychosis from too much time spend underground, so everything didn't have to be actual curses?

And dunno about the turn left thing - since the scenario will take place in a dungeon, it won't mean a lot whether it is turning left everywhere og just in dungeons. I just thought the dungeon-version was a very spot on curse to put on an adventurer... and a little less Zoolander-ish

Quote from: DKChannelBoredom;503620Neat, but maybe this could be just dungeon-psychosis from too much time spend underground, so everything didn't have to be actual curses?

Maybe the dwarf is suffering the psychological effects for fighting Fantasy Vietnam against goblins for too long?  Perhaps he flies into a rage at inopportune times and wears a necklace of goblin ears?  1000 yard stare and all.

Yeah dungeon psychosis makes alot more sense actually and add the chain of ears but make it something more sinister instead so when its discovered by the rest of the group it'll freak the heck out of them...maybe the body parts of his last adventuring party who vanished in mysterious circumstances a few years previously with just him surviving?

I know you only asked about those three, but I think the cleric curse needs a bit revamping. Turning left triggering a curse seems... unrealistic. Yeah, it's a fantasy setting but still...

I think it would be cool if his healing powers came from depleting the health of others. Like a vampiric heal or something. Like plants and animals nearby drop dead or someshit whenever he heals. The bigger the heal, the more damage it does. If there's nothing alive nearby (like way down in the dungeon) it takes from other party members or enemies, depending on their proximity to the heal. That way, whatever is closest to the healer takes damage or dies or seomthing similar.

For use on any of the other three (but probably most effective on the elf since I'm assuming he/she will be a bit of an archer)... The character is slowly starting to go blind... Or perhaps deafness would work too.

The wizard could have a lisp that effects the accuracy of his spell casting. But that might be a bit too silly.

Quote from: donteatpoop;503641I know you only asked about those three, but I think the cleric curse needs a bit revamping. Turning left triggering a curse seems... unrealistic. Yeah, it's a fantasy setting but still...

Maybe you're right. I just thought it would be an interesting light curse that a cocky cleric could have caught from an old crone in the last village the party stomped through and one that could lead to some interesting play, when the other members wants to go one way, but the leaders insists they go the other... and for some quirky retreats.

About the leach healing, I've considered it, but it's a little... classic? I thought Dark Sun defilers when you guys mentioned it. Also, isn't it just (too) annoying for the other players, and will create conflicts and annoyance of the bad kind, and not roleplaying-wise?

And yes, the dwarf is most certainly carrying bits and pieces (!) from his last party around...

I don't see how "I can't heal you, because I will die" is bad sort of conflict .

Quote from: Rincewind1;503960I don't see how "I can't heal you, because I will die" is bad sort of conflict .

Ok, this version I kinda like. Maybe if the cleric is also very self-sacrificing. I like the idea of the rest of the group going "damnit, stop healing us, you idiot! You're dying!"