Trait System

I have this idea for a system that could play well into even the roleplaying aspect of LotJ. You will be able to choose (at character creation) both negative and positive character traits. These traits will cost Trait Points, which you receive a very small amount of to start. However, you can add negative traits to your character (which would award you more Trait Points) in order to purchase more positive traits. This would create an excellent opportunity to customize your character while adding unique functionality to your gameplay.

Here are some examples.

[b:392linoc]Starting Trait Points:[/b:392linoc] 5

[b:392linoc][size=150:392linoc]Positive Traits[/size:392linoc][/b:392linoc]
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[b:392linoc]Sturdy[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](-10)[/size:392linoc]
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Your physical training has paid off. +150 Health.
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[b:392linoc]Iron Jaw[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](-1)[/size:392linoc]
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Many fist fights have conditioned you. Increased hand-to-hand damage resistance.
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[b:392linoc]Athletic[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](-13)[/size:392linoc]
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You’re quite the athlete. +2 Dexterity, +1 Strength
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[b:392linoc]Sharp Eye[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](-10)[/size:392linoc]
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You have excellent vision. Increased Scan range.
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[b:392linoc]Light Footed[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](-20)[/size:392linoc]
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Sneaky; Very sneaky. Permanent silent-sneak.
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[b:392linoc][size=150:392linoc]Negative Traits[/size:392linoc][/b:392linoc]
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[b:392linoc]Hemophiliac[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](+10)[/size:392linoc]
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Your blood lacks the proper cells to coagulate efficiently. You will sustain bleeding damage when you are stricken.
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[b:392linoc]Mute[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](+25)[/size:392linoc]
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For some reason or another, your vocalchords no longer function. You are unable to use the talk, say, yell, or whisper commands.
[/list:u:392linoc]

[b:392linoc]Clumsy[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](+12)[/size:392linoc]
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You are not quite as graceful as others. -2 Dexterity, impossible to use Sneak.
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[b:392linoc]Dull Witted[/b:392linoc] [size=85:392linoc](+5)[/size:392linoc]
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The Gods have not blessed you with the most functional brain. -2 Intelligence
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The costs and such are kind of arbitrary, but I that gives you a general idea. I think this sort of thing could add a lot of color to the characters we meet, as well as the ones we play.

Cute, but not practical.

Athletic will never be picked on creation because it would fuck up stat training/lucky gains. The negatives are too negative… especially Mute. Player could never use a clan turbolift, buy materials, or communicate.

They’re just examples. There’s a lot of stuff that could be done with it.

The stat-increasing traits wouldn’t alter anything having to do with training or gains. It’d just simply be like exceeding the maximum that Character Creation allows you to increase it with your stat points.

As for Mute, I’ve met a couple of characters that didn’t use speech to communicate. I’m sure it’s a hassle, but it was unique and I enjoyed the experience. But again, they’re just examples.

Its like the merit and flaw system used in World of Darkness

Sounds like feats?

I like the basic premise of getting unique characteristics on a character, but not as specific as this.

At chargen, let players just select a trait. If you want to get fancy, have the # of traits you get a combination from =LCK stat and real life luck somehow.

I don’t think it should be as plain as "+ stat gain" but more ‘unique’ traits like your first few (sturdy, iron jaw, sharp eye, light footed might be a bit too much). It has a very ‘Fallout 3’ feel to it.