Untitled - Index of - Free

com1ng up next). That way, it's easy to produce a new
value when you need one, Without slowing down the
game. For example, you might assign a different value to
the Strength Trait described above (our Sumo wrestler
type), depending upon whether the role In question was
lifting a barbell, or shoving an opponent back in a fight. Or,
you may wish to temporarily reduce the quantifier for this
Trait, if the character 1n question was wounded, etc.
UNQUANTIFJED TRAITS
Descnptors are Unquantified Traits which exist only
in descriptive form (thus, their name). They will not lend
themselves to quantification because their effect upon
the game is too complex, and need not be handled that
way in any case. With the knowledge in mind that this is
a storytelling game, the effects of these Traits can simply
be roleplayed as seems appropriate at the time.
Unquantified Traits may have any Influences and reper­
cussions that the Director des1res Actually. we're going to
present several interesting ways of handling the ambigu­
Ities of d1celess roleplay, such as those represented by
Descriptors. We 'II discuss some of these methods later in
this chapter, then pick up the speed of our discussion
under the next chapter, titled 'Lights .. Camera ...
Action!', and finally open up full throttle with the following
chapter, titled 'Improvisation' Hang on to your seat.
SCALING
Descriptors not withstanding, the bulk of decision
making In Theatrix IS, at the very least, guided by quan­
tifications. To make using these numbers easier, even
across widely varying genres, all Quantified Traits, as
previously discussed, will be assigned numbers on a
Range of '0.0' to '10.0'. Three points on this Scale are of
particular interest ..
The '0.0' Mark-A score of ·o.o· is always the
mtnimum score. It represents a Trait so low
as to lack effect w1thtn the context of the
story.
Q The '3.0' Mark- A score of '3.0' is always
considered the average for any Scale.
¢ The '10.0' Mark-A scoreof '10.0' represents
the practical limit of any Range; if there's a
stronger Trait, it makes no sense to place it
upon the same Scale.
This d1stribut1on leaves a little more room at the top
of each Scale (above the average of '3.0'), than at its
bottom (below '3 0'), which is appropriate. Most of your
Main Cast will tend to be hero1c in nature, and above the
norm in many ways Leaving more room at the top of each
Scale will allow for finer distinctions there, where they'll
make the most difference.
The limit of '0.0' to '10 0' will always represent the
entire useful Range of any Quantified Trait. This allows
Traits to be Scaled differently then, depending upon the
Setting of a Chronicle and its particular needs, while still
using the same Range of numbers, and maintaining each
number's basic meaning.
For example,lets again use the Physical Attribute of
Strength. Imagine a Chronicle set in a realistic modem
day world, dealing with a school of highly trained martial
artists. In such a Chronicle, a '10.0' might represent the
Strength of a world class grand master in the martial arts,
or an Olympic class weight lifter However, in a Chronicle
set in the far future, aboard a Galaxy spanning starship,
the Scale for Strength would also have to take mto
account the existence of non-human races. In that Set­
ting, a score of '10.0' could exemplify a Strength many
t1mes that poss1ble for the strongest human. You'll be
dealing with the same Range of numbers at all times, and
although their specific meantngs will change with the
Setting, they'll keep their basic connotations ('3.0' being
the average, '1 0.0' being the high mark, etc.). In this way,
our standard Range of numbers can be reused to serve an
infinite variety of Settings.
COMPLETING THE SCALE
We'll give specific examples of how to go through
the process of actually completing an entire Scale later,
under the 'Setting' chapter For now, you should know
that the basic method for Scaling any Trait involves
creating a description of the magnitude of that Trait, at
each major point upon its Scale, ie. the '1 0.0' mark of a
Scale is formed by a description of the highest magnitude
of that Trait, such as
Strength at '10.0'- Olympic Record Wetght
Lifter (capable of a snap, cling, and Jerk of
550 lbs.)
The '3.0' mark Is likew1se formed by a description of
that Trait's average, such as ...
¢ Strength at '3.0'- Joe Average ( capable of
bench pressing 200 lbs )
This is generally repeated for each whole numbered
point in the standard Range, from '0.0' to '1 0.0'. As long
as all the participants 1n a Chronicle understand the
meaning of each Scale, then it works. We'll d1scuss the
Scaling to be used for the Traits In our genres, along With
the other background material we provide in our Setting
Theat.-lx- The Core Rules 31