From: sos@oz.plymouth.edu (Steffan O'Sullivan)
Subject: FUDGE 12/12: Section E (5 of 6)
Reply-To: sos@oz.plymouth.edu (Steffan O'Sullivan)
Organization: Plymouth State College - Plymouth, N.H.
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 92 19:27:46 GMT

Version: December 12, 1992

*****************************************************************
LEGAL NOTICE: FUDGE is copyright 1992 by Steffan O'Sullivan.  It may
be freely copied and distributed by any means desired.  This legal
notice must be included with each copy of FUDGE.  No charge may be
made for FUDGE beyond a maximum US$5 fee (at 1992 rates) for materials
and shipping.

A publisher who wishes to include FUDGE in a book of copyrighted
source material or adventures may do so, so long as (1) the
publisher's copyrighted material is longer than FUDGE, (2) this legal
notice is included with FUDGE, (3) there is no extra charge for
including FUDGE in the book, and (4) no changes are made to the words
in Sections A through D of FUDGE.  (Sections E and F may be customized
freely; any references to Sections E and F may be inserted or deleted
as needed in Sections A through D.)

FUDGE was first published in 1992 on internet, and was written by
Steffan O'Sullivan (sos@oz.plymouth.edu) with suggestions from  Martin
Bergendahl, Thomas Brettinger, Robert Bridson, Paul Jason Clegg, Peter
F. Delaney, Jay Doane, Ed Heil, Bernard Hsiung, John H. Kim, Bill
Seurer, Andy Skinner, and others on rec.games.design on internet.

Groo the Wanderer (TM) is a trademark of Sergio Aragones, and use of
the name does not contest the trademark status in any way.
*****************************************************************

E  Tips and Samples
-------------------

E1  GM Tips
-----------

Always remember the main point of the game is to have fun . . .

The GM should translate at least one of her favorite characters into
FUDGE from whatever system she is used to.  This will give her a good
idea of what traits to choose, and how many.

Note that FUDGE is incredibly flexible, possibly more so than any
system you've played before.  Once you've translated a favorite
character, fiddle with her a bit.  Can you tweak her to be *exactly*
what you want, possibly in ways your previous system wouldn't allow?
What if that attribute was split into two or three effects - ah!  See,
she can be smart in some ways, but dumb in others; knowledgeable of
some things, ignorant of others.  Hmm - too many attributes?  Make
some of them gifts, then - that might be easier to deal with.  And so
on - have fun!

E2  Sample Character Sheet
--------------------------

A character sheet can be any scrap paper, of course.  However, it's
handy to include the action-resolution table, trait levels and their
creation costs, and a space for each type of trait.

Example [delete any note in square brackets, such as this]:

/----------------------------------\    Character Name:
|              Att | Sk | N-E | EP |    Player:
| Terrible ..  -3  | -1 |  1  | 1  |    Date Created:
| Poor ......  -2  |  0 |  2  | 1  |
| Mediocre ..  -1  |  1 |  3  | 1  |    Unspent EP:
| Fair ......   0  |  2 |  4  | 1  |
| Good ......   1  |  3 |  5  | 2  |    Starting Limits: [such as
| Great .....   2  |  4 |  6  | 3  |     1 Superb Skill, 3 Great,
| Superb ....   3  |  5 |  7  | 4  |     no magic, etc.]
|----------------------------------|
| Att = Attribute Costs            |    Character Story (include
| Sk = Average Skill Costs         |        personality):
| N-E = Non-Existent Skill Costs   |
| EP = Raising skills with EPs     |
|----------------------------------|
| Trading Traits: 1 gift = 1 fault |
| 1 gift = 1 to 2 attribute levels |
| 1 attribute level = 3 skill lvls |
| 1 supernormal power = 2 gifts    |
\----------------------------------/

Rolled:     2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9   10   11   12
---------------------------------------------------------------
Levels:    -4   -3   -2   -1   +0   +0   +0   +1   +2   +3   +4

Wound Progression: Scratch, Hurt, Very Hurt, Disabled, Near Death
[customize as per character's Hit Points]

Attributes:         |   Gifts:               |  Skills:         |
 [leave as many     |    [...]               |                  |
  lines as needed   |                        |                  |
  between each      |   Faults:              |                  |
  category.]        |    [...]               |                  |
                    |                        |                  |
Equipment:          |   Supernormal Powers:  |                  |
 [...]              |    [...]               |                  |
                    |                        |                  |

E3  Animals & Creatures
-----------------------

Non-PC animals need not be built using level limits.  Just define what
traits are essential to the animal, and let it go at that.  Damage
bonus replaces steps 3 and 4 of Section B8.4, Damage.  The Hit Point
modifier refers to Section B9.2, Hit Points.

Lion:
    Perception: Great
    Melee Combat: Great
    Stalking: Great
    Dodge: Fair
    Damage Bonus: +3
    Fault: Lazy
    Hit Points: Human Scale Superb

Grizzly Bear:
    Perception: Good
    Melee Combat: Good
    Dodge: Fair
    Damage Bonus: +3
    Fault: Berserker
    Hit Points: Fair, 2 X Human Scale

Cobra:
    Perception: Good
    Melee Combat: Great
    Dodge: Good
    Supernormal Power: Poison, +4 damage bonus
    Fault: Bad temper
    Hit Points: Human Scale Poor

Skunk:
    Melee Combat: Poor
    Ranged Combat: Good, short range
    Dodge: Poor
    Supernormal Power: Noxious Fluid, blinds, incapacitates
    Hit Points: Fair, 0.5 X Human Scale

Giant Spider:
    Melee Combat: Good
    Dodge: Poor
    Supernormal Power: Poison, paralyzes
    Supernormal Power: Web, (Good Strength degree task to break)
    Hit Points: Human Scale Good

Griffin:
    Perception: Great
    Melee Combat: Great
    Dodge: Good
    Supernormal Power: Flight
    Supernormal Power: Tough Hide (light armor)
    Damage Bonus: +2
    Hit Points: Good, 3 X Human Scale

Dragon (customize to taste):
    Melee Combat: Good to Great
    Ranged Combat: Good, short range
    Dodge: Mediocre
    Supernormal Power: Fire Breath (+2 damage)
    Supernormal Power: Flight
    Supernormal Power: Tough Hide (medium armor)
    Supernormal Power: Charm with Eyes
    Supernormal Power: Magic Potential (some of them)
    Damage Bonus: +1 to +5
    Fault: Greedy
    Hit Points: Fair to Great, 3 X to 6 X Human Scale

E4  Sample Characters
---------------------

The following characters are designed to different GM standards, to
give examples of the different possibilities.  Each character lists GM
guidelines with it.  Easy and Hard skills are listed as: Farming
(easy); Mimic Animal Sounds (hard).  Skills that start non-existent
are listed as: Elvish Language (n-e).

The numbers in parentheses are the Objective level costs, and are
optional on any given character sheet (but make it easy to tally).

E4.1  Brogo the Halfling, Fantasy character (Scout)
---------------------------------------------------

(GM limits: 8 attributes (4 free levels); 50 free skill levels,
w/maximum of 1 Superb, 3 Greats; 2 free gifts; magic available)

(Note that Brogo has lowered four *useful* skills to Terrible to
balance his skill levels to 50 - otherwise, he would have 54)

Attributes:  (4 free levels, 6 levels taken, balanced by fault)
     Charm: Good                                       (1)
     Coolness: Good                                    (1)
     Dexterity: Great                                  (2)
     Health: Good                                      (1)
     Hit Points: Good                                  (1)
     Intelligence: Good                                (1)
     Perception: Great                                 (2)
     Strength: Mediocre                                (-1)
Skills: (50 free levels, 50 taken, balanced by fault)
     Area Knowledge, large area (easy): Good           (2)
     Bow: Good                                         (3)
     Carouse: Fair                                     (2)
     Climbing: Good                                    (3)
     Elvish Language (n-e): Poor                       (2)
     Evaluate Goods: Fair                              (2)
     Farming (easy): Good                              (2)
     Find Secret Passages: Terrible                    (-1)
     First Aid: Good                                   (3)
     Haggle: Good                                      (3)
     Interrogation: Terrible                           (-1)
     Knowledge of Old Tales: Fair                      (2)
     Lockpicking: Terrible                             (-1)
     Mimic Animal Noises (hard): Great                 (5)
     Move Quietly: Superb                              (5)
     Orcish Language (n-e): Poor                       (2)
     Pickpocketing: Terrible                           (-1)
     Riding: Pony: Fair                                (2)
     Staff: Good                                       (3)
     Storytelling: Fair                                (2)
     Survival: Great                                   (4)
     Tracking: Good                                    (3)
     Wildcraft: Great                                  (4)
Gifts and Faults: (2 free gifts, 6 taken, balanced by faults)
     Gift: Absolute Direction
     Gift: Animal Empathy
     Gift: Lucky
     Gift: Night Vision
     Supernormal Power: Magic Potential 1 (Note: spell-casting is
         equal to Will in this game, max: Fair - no skill need be
         bought.)
     Fault: Can only cast trivial spells
     Fault: Curious
     Fault: Glutton
     Fault: Humanitarian (takes low pay)
     Fault: Self-defense Pacifist

E4.2  Moose the Mage, human fantasy character
---------------------------------------------

(GM limits: 6 attributes (3 free levels); 30 free skill levels,
w/maximum of 1 Superb, 3 Greats; 2 free gifts; magic available.  This
generous GM has set Hit Point level equal to Health, so Moose has
Great Hit Points at no extra cost!)

Attributes: (3 free levels, 4 levels taken, balanced by a fault)
     Charisma: Poor                                    (-2)
     Dexterity: Great                                  (2)
     Drive: Good                                       (1)
     Health: Great                                     (2)
     Intelligence: Mediocre                            (-1)
     Strength: Great                                   (2)
Skills: (30 free levels, 36 taken, balanced by a fault)
     Armoury: Good                                     (3)
     Brawling: Great                                   (4)
     Breaking and Entering: Terrible                   (-1)
     Climbing: Fair                                    (2)
     Crafts: Fair                                      (2)
     Flirtatious Skills: Terrible                      (-1)
     Knowledge of Old Tales: Terrible                  (-1)
     Merchant: Mediocre                                (1)
     Riding: Good                                      (3)
     Shield: Great                                     (4)
     Singing: Terrible                                 (-1)
     * Spell-Casting (n-e): Mediocre                   (6)
     Stealth: Good                                     (3)
     Storytelling: Terrible                            (-1)
     Sword: Superb                                     (5)
     Tactics: Good                                     (3)
     Throwing: Great                                   (4)
     Woodcraft: Mediocre                               (1)
Gifts and Faults: (2 free gifts, 6 taken, balanced by faults)
     Gift: Combat Reflexes
     Gift: Comfortable Wealth (good equipment)
     Supernormal Power: Magic Potential
     Supernormal Power: Magic Potential, 2nd level
     Fault: Can only cast combat spells
     Fault: Fear of the Dark
     Fault: Pompous with strangers (except when drunk)
     * Fault: Spell-casting skill costs double due to low IQ
     Fault: Tends to Bellow when Speaking
     Fault: Illiterate but tries to hide it

E4.3  Tarag Half-Ogre
---------------------

(GM limits: 3 attributes (3 free levels); 10 free skill levels,
w/maximum of 1 Superb, 2 Greats; 3 free gifts; magic available)

Attributes: (3 free levels, 1 taken - see Gifts)
     Body: Good (Relative to Half-Ogres)               (1)
     Mind: Mediocre                                    (-1)
     Psyche: Good                                      (1)
Skills: (10 free levels, 16 taken, balanced by fault)
     Animal Skills: Fair                               (2)
     Balance Skills: Good                              (3)
     Medical Skills: Terrible                          (-1)
     Melee Weapons: Superb                             (5)
     Merchant Skills: Terrible                         (-1)
     Ranged Weapons: Great                             (4)
     Social Skills: Terrible                           (-1)
     Survival: Good                                    (3)
     Thief Skills: Terrible                            (-1)
     Unarmed Combat: Good                              (3)
Gifts and Faults: (3 free gifts, 5 taken, balanced by fault and
         trading 2 Attribute levels = 1 gift)
     Gift: Lucky
     Gift: Quick Reflexes
     Gift: Tough Hide (light armor)
     Supernormal Power: Half-Ogre Strength & Hit Point Scale (Both are
         included in the Body attribute: Half-Ogre Fair = Human
         Superb, Hit Points X 1.5) (Counts as 2 gifts)
     Fault: Berserker
     Fault: Poor (not much equipment)

E4.4  Henri le Rouge, Musketeer of King Louis XIII, 1627
--------------------------------------------------------

(GM limits: since this is a cinematic campaign without magical or SF
healing, the GM has set higher limits: 9 attributes (8 free levels);
60 free skill levels, w/maximum of 2 Superb, 5 Greats; 3 free gifts;
no supernormal powers available)

Attributes: (8 free levels, 10 taken, balanced by fault)
     Charm: Good                                       (1)
     Coolness: Great                                   (2)
     Dexterity: Great                                  (2)
     Health: Good                                      (1)
     Hit Points: Great                                 (2)
     Perception: Fair                                  (0)
     Strength: Fair                                    (0)
     Will: Fair                                        (0)
     Wit: Great                                        (2)
Skills: (60 free levels, 72 taken, balanced by 2 faults)
     Acrobatics: Superb                                (5)
     Acting: Good                                      (3)
     Boating: Terrible                                 (-1)
     Brawling: Good                                    (3)
     Carousing: Good                                   (3)
     Climbing: Great                                   (4)
     Disguise: Good                                    (3)
     Dodge: Good                                       (3)
     Engineer: Terrible                                (-1)
     Fencing: Superb                                   (5)
     First Aid: Good                                   (3)
     Flirting: Good                                    (3)
     Knowledge of Europe: Mediocre                     (1)
     Knowledge of France: Good                         (3)
     Knowledge of Paris: Good                          (3)
     Knowledge of Planet: Mediocre                     (1)
     Lockpicking: Terrible                             (-1)
     Main Gauche: Great                                (4)
     Matchlock Musket: Good                            (3)
     Mechanic: Terrible                                (-1)
     Move Quietly: Good                                (3)
     Political Knowledge: Good                         (3)
     Quick-Draw Sword (easy): Good                     (2)
     Repartee: Great                                   (4)
     Riding: Great                                     (4)
     Savoir-Faire: Good                                (3)
     Shadowing: Fair                                   (2)
     Swimming: Terrible                                (-1)
     Tactics: Good                                     (3)
     Wheellock Pistol: Good                            (3)
Gifts and Faults (3 free gifts, 5 taken, balanced by faults)
     Gift: Combat Reflexes
     Gift: Handsome
     Gift: Patron: Captain of Musketeers
     Gift: Rapid Healing
     Gift: Status: Gentleman
     Fault: Code of Honor
     Fault: Compulsive Carouser
     Fault: Disgusted by Non-Gourmet Food
     Fault: Extremely Loyal to Companions
     Fault: Intolerant of Protestants

E4.5  Chicory, Bunny
--------------------

(NOTE: this is a character in a game where rabbits are the norm, and
humans are giant monsters.  The scale is therefore relative to
rabbits.  GM limits: 6 attributes (3 free levels); 40 free skill
levels, w/maximum 1 Superb, 3 Great; 2 gifts, 1 Supernormal Power)

Attributes: (3 free levels, 6 taken, balanced by faults)
     Dexterity: Good                                   (1)
     Health: Good                                      (1)
     Perception: Superb                                (3)
     Smarts: Good                                      (1)
     Speed: Good                                       (1)
     Strength: Mediocre                                (-1)
Skills: (40 free levels, 52 taken, balanced by taking no Supernormal
         Power)
     Acrobatics: Terrible                              (-1)
     Area Knowledge: Good                              (3)
     Detect Traps: Great                               (4)
     Fighting: Good                                    (3)
     Gambling: Good                                    (3)
     Herb Lore (hard): Superb                          (6)
     Knowledge of Burrow Structure: Good               (3)
     Knowledge of Humans (n-e): Fair                   (4)
     Knowledge of Non-Rabbit Behavior: Good            (3)
     Language: Bug (n-e): Mediocre                     (3)
     Language: Common Bird (n-e): Fair                 (4)
     Language: Mouse/Rat (n-e): Good                   (5)
     Mechanical Skills: Terrible                       (-1)
     Mimic Non-Rabbit Sounds (hard): Fair              (3)
     Move Quietly: Fair                                (2)
     Spring Traps: Fair                                (2)
     Storytelling: Fair                                (2)
     Tracking: Great                                   (4)
Gifts and Faults: (2 free + 1 Supernormal Power; 4 taken, balanced by
         faults.  See skills, above.)
     Gift: Unafraid of Loud Noises
     Gift: Never Forgets a Scent
     Gift: Strong Will
     Gift: Night Vision
     Fault: Curious
     Fault: Compulsive Gambler
     Fault: Phobia: Canines
     Fault: Jealous of Anyone Getting More Attention

E4.6  Sarah Roberts, Journalist, 1990s
--------------------------------------

(GM limits: 10 attributes (5 free levels); 50 free skill levels,
w/maximum of 1 Superb, 4 Greats; 2 free gifts; limited Psi available.
This GM has decided Hit Points are simply an attribute, not a gift.)

(Note: The player forgot a very important skill for Sarah: Research.
This was realized during a game, and since she would logically have
the skill, the player petitioned the GM to allow Research to be one of
the Uncommitted traits.  The GM agreed, and [Research: Good] was added
to Sarah's character sheet.  Sarah already has 1 Superb and 4 Great
skills, so this is the best she could start with it.  This does not
count against starting free levels - Uncommitted traits are extra.)

Attributes: (5 free levels, 7 taken, balanced by fault)
     Appearance: Good                                  (1)
     Constitution: Good                                (1)
     Coolness: Good                                    (1)
     Dexterity: Fair                                   (0)
     Hit Points: Good                                  (1)
     Intelligence: Great                               (2)
     Luck: Good                                        (1)
     Sanity: Great                                     (2)
     Strength: Poor                                    (-2)
     Will: Fair                                        (0)
Skills: (50 free levels, 56 taken, balanced by fault)
     Acrobatics: Fair                                  (2)
     Acting: Great                                     (4)
     Breaking & Entering: Good                         (3)
     Climbing: Fair                                    (2)
     Computer Use: Good                                (3)
     Criminology: Mediocre                             (1)
     Disguise: Great                                   (4)
     Driving: Good                                     (3)
     Interviewing: Great                               (4)
     Karate (n-e): Fair                                (4)
     Move Quietly: Good                                (3)
     Occultism: Good                                   (3)
     Photography: Good                                 (3)
     Pistol: Good                                      (3)
     Shadowing: Great                                  (4)
     Shady Contacts: Good                              (3)
     Swimming: Fair                                    (2)
     Writing: Superb                                   (5)
Gifts and Faults: (2 free Gifts, 4 taken, balanced by faults)
     Gift: Ambidextrous
     Gift: Beautiful Speaking Voice
     Gift: Danger Sense
     Gift: Never Forget a Face
     Fault: Overconfident
     Fault: Extremely Curious about Occult Matters
     Fault: Stubborn
     Fault: Vain

E4.7  Sherman Foley, homeless person and scanner, modern day
------------------------------------------------------------

(By: Bernard Hsiung)

(GM limits: no specified attributes--free levels = 1/2 of number of
attributes taken; 50 free skill levels, w/maximum of 1 Superb, 4
Greats; 2 free gifts; semi-limited Psi)

(Note that Sherman's player only chose 3 attributes when the GM gave
free reign.  This means that Sherman has any unlisted attribute the GM
considers essential at Fair.)

Attributes: (4 attributes selected: 2 free levels, 2 taken)
     Willpower: Great                                  (2)
     Perception: Great                                 (2)
     Health: Mediocre                                  (-1)
     Hit Points: Mediocre                              (-1)
Skills: (50 free levels, 44 taken, 6 used to balance 1 gift)
     Area Knowledge, inner city (easy): Great          (3)
     Area Knowledge, Earth: Mediocre                   (1)
     Begging: Fair                                     (2)
     Climbing: Terrible                                (-1)
     Drinking: Good                                    (3)
     Driving: Terrible                                 (-1)
     Forage: Good                                      (3)
     Knife: Mediocre                                   (1)
     Knowledge, Phobias (hard): Good                   (4)
     Meditation: Good                                  (3)
     Sewing: Mediocre                                  (1)
     Stealth/Urban: Fair                               (2)
     Street Gossip: Good                               (3)
     Survival/Urban: Great                             (4)
     Use Mind Control (n-e): Great                     (6)
     Use Telepathy (n-e): Good                         (5)
     Use Telekinesis (n-e): Good                       (5)
Gifts and Faults: (2 free gifts, 6 taken, balanced by 3 faults and
         loss of 6 skills)
     Supernormal Power: Mind Control
     Supernormal Power: Telepath
     Supernormal Power: Telekinetic
     Fault: Use of Psi Requires Immobile Concentration (note that this
         isn't a superfault)
     Fault: Materially Poor
     Fault: Unlucky

E4.8  Dragonfly (James Stoddard), Secret Superhero
--------------------------------------------------

(GM limits: 6 attributes (3 free levels); 50 free skill levels,
w/maximum of 2 Superb, 6 Greats; 2 free gifts; 4 free Superpowers)

Attributes: (3 free levels, 7 taken, balanced by faults)
     Dexterity: Great                                  (2)
     Health: Good                                      (1)
     Hit Points: Fair                                  (0)
     Intelligence: Great                               (2)
     Intuition: Great                                  (2)
     Strength: Fair                                    (0)
Skills (50 free levels, 56 taken, balanced by fault)
     Acrobatics: Great                                 (4)
     Acting: Good                                      (3)
     Computer Use: Great                               (4)
     Control Superpower (Electron Flow) (n-e): Superb  (7)
     Control Superpower (Flight) (n-e): Good           (5)
     Criminology: Good                                 (3)
     Disguise: Good                                    (3)
     Dodge: Great                                      (4)
     Driving: Good                                     (3)
     Electronics Engineering, Computers (hard): Great  (5)
     Japanese Language (n-e): Good                     (5)
     Judo (n-e): Great                                 (6)
     Singing: Terrible                                 (-1)
     Stealth: Superb                                   (5)
Gifts & Faults: (4 free Superpowers, 4 taken; 2 free gifts, 3 taken,
         balanced by a fault)
     Gift: Combat Reflexes
     Gift: Good Looking
     Gift: Tough Hide (-1 to damage)
     Fault: Against Ethics to Use Powers to Make Money
     Fault: In Massive Debt
     Fault: Phobia: Animals Bigger than a Collie
     Fault: Socially Awkward (Bit of a Nerd)
     Superpower: Control Inanimate Electronic Devices
     Superpower: Shrink to 1" for up to an hour, 2 times/day
     Superpower: Fly, only while 1" high
     Superpower: Surge (Short-out Machines)

-- 
  - Steffan O'Sullivan		         sos@oz.plymouth.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.design