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Descriptor Activation
Like Personality Traits, Descriptors may need to be
'Activated' with the use of Plot Points to gain certain
benefits. There's a distinction between the Active use of
a Descriptor, which requires Activation with a Plot Point,
and the Passive use of a Descriptor, which is for free. The
Passive use of a Descriptor covers all of its non-dramatic
usages. For example, the Passive use of the background
Descriptor 'Owns a large historic library', would allow a
persona to be well read and educated, quote poetry, and
cite historical references for characterization purposes.
However, anytime a Descriptor is used for dramatic
purposes, it must be Activated with a Plot Point. We
define 'drama' here as a conflict which occurs in the
context of an Episode's plotline. For example, the Active
use of the background Descriptor 'Owns a large historic
library', would allow a persona to own a copy of a rare
occult tome containing an arcane cypher the character
needs, in order to decode a letter he's intercepted contain­
ing clues vital to the completion of an Episode. Such a
dramatic usage would require the expenditure of a Plot
Point. Activating a Descriptor in this way allows it to be
used dramatically for the entirety of a single Scene.
A character may also Activate one of their Descrip­
tors to gain a Success in a single action, when that action
is directly related to the Descriptor being used. For
example, using the background Descriptor 'Owns a large
historic library' in this way, would allow a persona to gain
Successes in Skills such as History, Occult Lore, Library
Research, etc.
Obviously, some Descriptors will be more prone to
needing Activation than others (ie. some Descriptors
have precious few Passive uses). The Descriptor 'Ber­
serker Rage' given above, is probably one such example.
However, such highly Active Descriptors often gain many
benefits for being Activated in battle, as well as allowing
for Successes in combat (when using Berserker tactics
for example). Such advantages help to offset the
Descriptor's more limited Passive functions.
Descriptors Vs. Skills/Abilities
There may be some question as to when a role's
potential should be portrayed as a Skill or Ability, and
when it's appropriate to use a Descriptor. We suggest that
you use a Skill or Ability whenever the capability in
question may come into conflict with, and be overcome
by, external influences. Descriptors are better used for
functions which are inherent within a character's back­
ground, functions which effect only the role possessing
them, or functions which are not conflictual in nature.
The effects of either Skills or Abilities within the
game are also very different from those of Descriptors. A
Descriptor may not always be available. A character
44 Theat.-lx - The Core Rules
doesn't have 'control' of her Descriptors. That is, a
Descriptor represents a function which is dramatic in
nature, and central to the character who possesses it.
Descriptors are very powerful when they're appropriate to
the plot, and a Plot Point is available for their Activation.
When no Plot Point is available, or the Descriptor's use is
not appropriate to the plot, then an Actor must come up
with a reason why she can't, or won't use this power. For
example, a library may not always contain the information
you need, and berserker rage isn't always at a character's
beck and call.
A Skill or Ability on the other hand, is always
available. Their usage may not always be Successful, but
their are no limits upon making those attempts. Skills and
Abilities are not hinged upon dramatic necessity. For
example, Fire Boy's flame projection power may not be
strong enough to burn through the Duranium bonds which
hold him, but he will still produce his fire, and he may even
gain partial Successes (it will take five minutes to burn
through the bonds, but will that leave him enough time to
save Polly Anne from the evil Or. Nefarious?). Even more
importantly, Fire Boy may blast villains left and right with
bolts of searing fire, without coughing up a Plot Point for
every dramatic Scene. However, there is a drawback. A
Skill or Ability is no guarantee of Success, even at the
most dramatic moments. In fact, Skills and Abilities may
not be directly Activated with Plot Points. To gain an
automatic Success in a Skill, through the expenditure of
a Plot Point, you must Activate either a Personality Trait
or Descriptor that has a direct bearing on the action in
question.
When in doubt, remember that Skills and Abilities
are conflictual in nature, while Descriptors are dramatic in
nature. All of this will probably become clear after you
read the next chapter, titled 'Lights ... Camera ... Ac­
tion!'.
THE PRIMARY DESCRIPTOR
Every character may take one Descriptor as her
Primary Descriptor. A character's Primary Descriptor
labels the character's basic role, or function within the
Chronicle. Primary Descriptors reserve a niche for each
persona within the Main Cast. For this reason, no two
characters may have the same Primary Descriptor, al­
though they may sometimes be close. Some examples of
Primary Descriptors include 'Gun Fighter', 'Sorcerer',
'Physicist', 'Samurai', 'Android', 'Private Eye', etc. What­
ever the Actor feels best captures her persona's niche
within the Chronicle. A Primary Descriptor may be used
Passively, or Activated with a Plot Point just as any other
Descriptor may be.
Each Primary Descriptor should have only one
focus. This means that a Primary Descriptor may not
cover all of a role's functions within the Chronicle, but