The Old World - Warriors & Heroes - Complete Online Rule Book
The Basics
Players are not required to take an initial weakness. However, to refund a few ability points they have the option. These can also often lead to interesting player dynamics. Some of these are permanent while others eventually can be removed. This allows players access to interesting ways of making their characters unique and different.
It should be noted that gaining these weaknesses later in a campaign does not award extra ability points. The point refund is only awarded during initial character creation.
Weaknesses
Arrogant
Ability Points Refunded: 2
Clearly, no one is on your level. You are simply the greatest, and you will prove it.
Effect: Must seek to fight the strongest foe in all engagements. (Passive)
Blind
Ability Points Refunded: 4
You can’t see… Not much else to say.
Effect: -6 any action modifier that requires vision. Auto fail all notice checks that require sight. (Passive)
Blundering
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You trip over your own feet nearly as much as hit your head or drop something. You hope only to avoid such clumsy behavior in battle.
Effect: -3 Agility score. (Passive)
Curious
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You simply have to know the answer to riddles and mysteries. You leave no stone unturned, even when you really should…
Effect: -2 Intelligence check when something unknown is in play. May be obligated to investigate by GM. (Active)
Deaf
Ability Points Refunded: 3
You can’t hear… Not much else to say.
Effect: -6 any action that requires hearing. Auto fails all notice checks that require hearing. (Passive)
Death Wish
Ability Points Refunded: 3
You seem to put yourself in harm’s way with reckless abandon.
Effect: You may not flee from any battle.
Deformed
Ability Points Refunded: 3
You were either blighted by the powers of chaos, or you were just born this way. Either way, people are uncomfortable around you.
Effect: -1 Agility score, -2 persuasion score. (Passive)
Delusional
Ability Points Refunded: 2
In a world of gods and monsters, it easy to become disconnected from reality…
Effect: You have some delusion about yourself or your abilities. (Passive)
Distrustful
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You doubt everything and everyone you encounter. Things need to be proved solidly to you before you believe them.
Effect: -4 Spirit score. (Passive)
Frail
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You are less than robust. Others often comment on your thin and weak nature.
Effect: -3 Stamina score (Minimum = 1), -2 intimidation score. (Passive)
Greedy
Ability Points Refunded: 1
You are obsessed with coin and comforts. You seek money above all else.
Effect: May be forced to take risks when financial gain is involved. (Active)
Mute
Ability Points Refunded: 3
Nothing to say here…
Effect: The character cannot speak. (Passive)
Obese
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You are full bodied. At least that’s what your mother would tell you. To everyone else you’re just really fat.
Effect: -1 Pace, Size +1 -10 health. (Passive)
Obsession
Ability Points Refunded: 1
Something demands your attention at all times. You can never put it out of your mind.
Effect: Add some obsessive traits to your character. Requires GM approval. (Passive)
One Arm
Ability Points Refunded: 3
We all know it’s a long story, but the short version is you lost your arm…
Effect: -2 parry. -4 on any task that requires two arms. (Passive)
One eye
Ability Points Refunded: 2
Maybe it was in a fight, or by way of some disease, but somehow you lost an eye. No worry, you still have the other one.
Effect: -3 notice checks that require vision. (Passive)
One Leg
Ability Points Refunded: 4
Peg legs are common, but the effects can be punishing to live with. It’s a real challenge at times.
Effect: -1 pace. -4 agility score. (Passive)
Outsider
Ability Points Refunded: 1
No one here is familiar with you or your kind. Cultural differences make it a challenge to communicate effectively, and some don’t trust you.
Effect: -10 Renown at level 1 (Passive)
Overconfident
Ability Points Refunded: 1
Surely it will be ok. It’s only a dragon and a powerful wizard… and an army of trolls… and a spider the size of a building… What’s there to worry about?
Effect: The character takes risks believing they can overcome anything. (Passive)
Phobia
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You have an above-average fear of some particular beast or creature. When facing them in combat, you can’t help but be afraid.
Effect: Add status frightened when facing a certain creature. Stacks with other fear statuses. (Passive)
Poor Eyesight
Ability Points Refunded: 1
Your eyes aren’t what they used to be.
Effect: -2 notice checks that require vision. (Passive)
Quirk
Ability Points Refunded: 1
This character has some annoying traits that often irritate their companions. (Some players might have this by default, whether they know it or not)
Effect: The character has a persistent annoying trait. (Passive)
Runt
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You are on the small size for your race or kind. Even fully grown, you might be mistaken for a young person. This can stack with other size modifiers.
Effect: -1 Size with all associated penalties. (Passive)
Secret
Ability Points Refunded: 1
If anyone ever found out it could be trouble. A dark spot in your history, you would like to keep hidden. (May be taken twice for serious secrets pending GM approval)
Effect: You have some dark secret from the past. (Passive)
Slayer Oath
Ability Points Refunded: 4 (Dwarf Only)
You’re bound by your oath to seek the enemies of the Dawi. You forsake armor, gold, and possessions to seek your death in combat. Only in glorious battle can you redeem yourself.
Effect: Must use melee weapons(Can use thrown weapons), seeks death in combat. (Passive)
Sluggish
Ability Points Refunded: 1
You are a little slower moving then most others. Either by nature or personality you tend to fade to the back of the group. In combat, you are almost always the last to act.
Effect: Draw two cards for initiative, keep the lowest (Jokers may always be kept) (Passive)
Stubborn
Ability Points Refunded: 1
You’re right about everything. Well, not really, but you sure think you are…
Effect: May be forced to take actions by the GM when you have argued your way on something. (Active)
Stupid
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You’re not the brightest. Guess I can say whatever I like, it’s unlikely you can read this anyway…
Effect: -6 intelligence score. (Passive)
Tongue Tied
Ability Points Refunded: 2
You fumble your words more than you get them right.
Effect: -2 Persuasion score, -2 Taunt score, -2 Intimidation score. (Passive)
Ugly
Ability Points Refunded: 2
People find your misshapen features unappealing. It’s a challenge to look at you.
Effect: -2 Persuasion score. (Passive)
Vengeful
Ability Points Refunded: 1
You look to cut down any foe that has crossed you. In battle you chase after enemies long after they have begun retreat.
Effect: You must always pursue retreating units. (Passive)
Weaknesses
Some weaknesses can be overcome by players while others can’t (short of a miracle). For example, a character that in an outsider can become well known in a region. However, a character who has one leg is not likely to grow a new one.
For a character to overcome these weaknesses the character should have to complete some particular set of challenges decided upon by the GM. This could even be a set of quests designed to overcome these challenges. However it will best fit within the world created by the GM.
There is no set way to remove these weakness however, so there is no guarantee that a character will ever be able to remove them. Choose these weaknesses with this in mind. They very well may be permanent.
The Old World is of course filled with all sorts of weird and wonderful things. So, how permanent these problems may be is fully dependent on the GM and the world they create. If you are the GM try to inform your group of your feelings on this during character creation.
