Conditions

As I mentioned last week, I really love the Condition mechanic for the updated rules for World of Darkness. I thought this week I'd share some of the ones I've created as well as my thoughts for using them in game lines that have yet to be given the God-Machine Chronicle treatment.

In most cases coming up with a new Condition is fairly easy. They should have some minor game effect, like adding or subtracting up to two dice, restricting rolls, removing 10-agains or adding 9-agains, or interacting with the sub-systems of the game. There is also some precedent for giving automatic successes under specific circumstances.

Here are some examples from my current Chronicle:

Like a Ninja/Rigged for Silent Running

Gained through an exceptional success on a Stealth roll, these two Conditions both give a one time +2 bonus to Stealth rolls. under specific circumstances.

Examples Skills: Stealth

Resolution: the character makes use of their superior ambush location (Like a Ninja) or the well oiled nature of their wheelchair (or other vehicle) (Rigged for Silent Running).

Backdoor Access

Through a mixture of skill and luck, you gain access to an important database, such as the local police or the DMV. You can use this access at a later date to help with future Computer rolls gaining a +2 bonus.

Examples Skills: Computer

Resolution: the character makes use of their access. This use is likely flagged and the backdoor closed.

Caught in a Lie

Somewhat similar to Leveraged but turned around, you've managed to determine that someone has been lying to you. You can use this knowledge to stop their arguments in their tracks, using it to turn a failure into a success. If the roll would have been a chance die, then you can reroll it as if you had a single die.

Examples Skills: Empathy, Investigation, Subterfuge

Resolution: the character brings up the lie in an argument, suing it to win an exchange.

Conditions for Philosophies

I've enjoyed reading the unfinished text for Demon: the Descent which Onyx Path has released for their kickstarter. One of the interesting things I've found are their use of Conditions as the mechanical component for Agendas, or that game's philosophical access. I think this concept could be useful for emphasizing similar groups in Geist: the Sineaters and Promethean: the Created.

With that in mind, here is a stab at Conditions for Promethean. Each of these include a Resolution mechanic that can be used once per session. As always you can earn a Beat for a condition once per session.

Aurum: Observer of Humanity

The Refinement of Gold is about understanding what it is to be human. Through hours of watching and interacting with people, the Promethean is able to imitate them thoroughly.

Beat: Gain a Beat by meeting new people, getting to know a person, or spending an hour or more in a crowded location.

Resolution: the Promethean is able to mimic human behavior and put people at ease. They gain a +3 bonus to a Social roll to blend in. This could include Socialize or Streetwise rolls to gather information, Persuasion or Subterfuge rolls to make a mortal believe you are someone or something you are not, or Empathy rolls to create an emotional connection.

Cuprum: Refined Senses

The Refinement of Copper focuses on the Self and Sensation. Through meditation and quiet reflection they gain a better understanding who and what they are.

Beat: Gain a Beat by spending time in the wilderness or Wasteland, or traveling just to avoid people.

Resolution: the Promethean's senses are refined through long periods of isolation. Gain a +3 bonus to a Wits based perception roll.

Ferrum: A Perfect Body

The Refinement of Iron deals with perfecting the body. With training and physical struggle they work to make their physical forms ideal receptacles for the souls they seek.

Beat: Gain a Beat for overcoming or failing a physical challenge, getting into a fight to prove oneself, or risking discovery to learn more about the inner workings of the human body.

Resolution: the Promethean's physique is without equal. Gain a +3 bonus to a roll involving physical skill or strength.

Mercurius: Divine Insight

Students of the Refinement of Quicksilver deal in Pyros, the raw stuff that powers Prometheans. By exploring this mystic substance that brings life and change to the dead and inert, they hope to learn how to forge souls.

Beat: Gain a Beat by pursing Qashillim, investigating Pandorans, or involved in a Firestorm or other Pyros fueled phenomena.

Resolution: the Promethean's researches give them a form of insight. Gain a +3 bonus on a Mental skill roll involving the Pilgrimage or the Promethean condition.

Stannum: Tormented Rage

The Refinement of Tin is one of Torment, Disquiet and revenge. Dealing with the dark side of the Promethean condition, these Prometheans learns to accept what they are and thus live with it. It is an easy path to take, one fueled by revenge and a desire to strike back at the world.

Beat: Gain a Beat by getting revenge on someone or giving in to Torment.

Resolution: the Promethean's understanding of its darker nature gives it an edge. Gain a +3 bonus to rolls to enact revenge on someone who wronged you (or that you imagine wronged you).

That is it for now. I'm still thinking on some more options for Conditions for Integrity rolls as well as ways to represent the downsides of some of the supernatural types (like Promthean's Torment). Let me know what Conditions you've used.