Descriptive Traits for Sherpa

This article is intended for use with Sherpa, a role-playing game by Steffan O'Sullivan published by Two Tigers Games. Access to Sherpa is necessary to utilize these rules.

Descriptive Traits, in this variant, replaces Attributes, p. 3 in the Sherpa rules. Instead of using six standard attributes to describe the capabilities of characters, descriptive traits are used.

All characters possess descriptive traits. A descriptive trait is simply anything that differentiates a character from others in a meaningful way. If a trait does not differentiate a character or is not meaningful in terms of the game, then it is not described as a trait at all. A descriptive trait may be considered anything that would be known in other games as attributes, skills, occupations, professions, vocations, avocations, areas of knowledge, areas of expertise, characteristics, statistics, classes, aspects, aptitudes, qualities, clichés, etc.

There are no predefined lists of descriptive traits. The player, upon being allotted a certain number of points by the GM, simply allocates those points to any traits he chooses to describe. Any trait he does not describe has a default level of 4 and is not listed on the character sheet. The maximum number of traits a player may describe is equal to the number of GM-allotted points. Fewer traits may be described, of course, and some traits may be lowered to raise others in accordance with Character Creation, p. 5. GM-approved Gifts and Faults (otherwise known as advantages and disadvantages) are specified as per the standard rules.

All other rules in Sherpa remain unchanged.

Example: The GM is running a hard-boiled crime scenario, so she allots 10 points to each character. Player A decides to create a police detective with the following descriptive traits: Damned Good Police Detective, Impressive Middleweight Boxer, Excellent Poker Player (and Therefore Bluffer), and Skilled and Fearless Driver. He allocates 4 points to Damned Good Police Detective, raising it to 8, and 3 points each to Impressive Middleweight Boxer and Excellent Poker Player, raising them to 7. He wishes to allocate 2 points to Skilled and Fearless Driver, raising it to 6, but he has already allocated his 10 points, so he must describe a new trait at 2 or two new traits at 3 each in order to afford it. He chooses to describe two new traits at 3 each: Sucker for Dames in Distress, which constitutes his chance to resist their hard luck stories and/or schemes, and Coffee Addiction, which means he must have sufficient quantities at regular intervals or he will be irritable, reckless, and just not as effective at his job. For his Gift he has a Photographic Memory, and for his Faults he Lives in a Bad Neighborhood (which presents all sorts of possibilities for the GM) and Suffers from Migraines (which afflict him in a debilitating manner, perhaps under circumstances negotiated between the player and the GM). Any traits that he has not described exist at a default level of 4, although some traits may be inferred from those he has described. For instance, he did not specify that his character is Strong or Physically Fit, but it may be assumed that an Impressive Middleweight Boxer: 7 has the strength, stamina, and coordination appropriate to someone of that description. Similarly, he did not describe his character as Keenly Observant or as a Shrewd Interrogator, but it may be assumed that any Damned Good Police Detective: 8 would possess those qualifications. On the other hand, if he were ever in a situation where he would need to land a plane, walk a tightrope, or operate an unfamiliar machine, he would have the same chance as anyone else: a default level of 4.

Oliver Rath

Damned Good Police Detective: 8

Impressive Middleweight Boxer: 7

Excellent Poker Player (and Therefore Bluffer): 7

Skilled and Fearless Driver: 6

Sucker for Dames in Distress: 3

Coffee Addiction: 3

 

Gifts: Photographic Memory

Faults: Lives in a Bad Neighborhood, Suffers from Migraines

[Originally posted in Fudgery.net.]