Rough Magic 4e EN:Gifts

Contents

Gifts are exceptional abilities that a normal person can have, but that most people do not have. The details of each gift are highly dependent on a character's background, so the player should work with the GM to flesh out these details.

The character's first gift costs 1 character point. Buying an additional gift costs a number of character points equal to the current number of gifts, plus one. For example, buying a fourth gift costs 4 points.

Table: Gift cost

Quantity	Cost
1	1
2	3
3	6
4	10
5	15
6	21
7	28
8	36
9	45
10	55

Typical Gifts

This is a list of typical gifts found in a Rough Magic game. This list is not exhaustive. A character may well have a gift not listed here, subject to GM approval. However, any new gifts should be approximately as useful as these gifts, in order to maintain a sense of fairness with other characters.

Table: Typical gifts

Gift	Type	Benefit
Animal Empathy	Skills	The character can use Diplomacy and Manipulation skills on animals.
Arcane Caster	Skills	The character can cast spells of an arcane nature.
Attentive	Combat	The character is unaffected by distractions.
Bag Of Tricks	Skills	Dependable access to small, ordinary items.
Blindfighting	Combat	The character does not incur a penalty when unable to see or hear their opponent.
Blood Rage	Combat	Once per scene, the character can enter a trance-like state of bestial fury.
Bowler	Combat	The character can use Brawn for Ranged Combat action rolls.
Connected	Skills	The character can make a Diplomacy roll to get a favour from an old friend -- or an old enemy.
Disarming Expert	Combat	The character can make a disarming attack without a penalty.
Elusive	Combat	The character can base their defense on Agility rather than Brawn in hand-to-hand combat.
Escape Artist	Combat	Once per scene, the character gains a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus against a grapple or a lasting power.
Famous	Skills	The character may get attention, and perhaps favors, from strangers.
Fascinating	Skills	The character may get attention, and perhaps favors, from admirers.
Hard Target	Combat	The character can base their defense on Brawn rather than Agility in ranged combat.
Headquarters	Skills	The character has one or more bases of operation.
Leadership	Combat	Once per scene, the character can grant a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus to an ally.
Lightning Strike	Combat	The character can use Agility for Hand-to-hand Combat action rolls.
Linguist	Skills	The character can learn new languages with minimal effort.
Master Plan	Combat	The character's allies can gain a tactical benefit if there is time to prepare for an encounter.
Mental Calculator	Skills	The character can solve complex mathematical operations by thinking about them.
Minions	Skills	Minor, mostly nameless lackeys of marginal usefulness.
Perfect Recall	Skills	Once per scene, the character may perfectly remember any event, document, recording, etc.
Pro From Dover	Skills	The character is the absolute best in their field, whatever that is.
Quick Change	Skills	The character can clothes (or change into an Alternate Form) with a quick action.
Ranged Disarm	Combat	The character can make a disarm attack at range.
Sacred Caster	Skills	The character can cast spells of a sacred nature.
Scrounger	Skills	The character can survive on what they find.
Second Identity	Skills	The character has a second, completely legitimate identity.
Sharpshooter	Combat	The character can ignore a defender's bonus from being prone or having cover.
Sidekick	Combat	The character fights more effectively alongside their mentor.
Team Player	Combat	Once per scene, the character can gain a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus when combining effort.
Underwater Combat	Combat	The character does not incur a penalty when fighting underwater.
Unsettling	Skills	The character may make people nervous for no real reason.
Vehicles	Skills	The character has sundry modes of fast and stylish transportation.
Wealthy	Skills	The character can solve problems with money.
Whirlwind Attack	Combat	The character can make a sweep attack without a penalty.
Zero-G Combat	Combat	The character does not incur a penalty when fighting in zero-G.

Animal Empathy

The character has a bond with animals, and can use Diplomacy and Manipulation skills on them. Normal animals are more likely to be calm around the character, although a dangerous, hostile animal might require a successful Diplomacy or Manipulation roll to keep the animal from attacking. A character's Animal Empathy might be limited to a specific type of animal, such as cats or sea creatures. If this is the case, the character gains a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus on Diplomacy and Manipulation rolls when interacting with that animal type.

Once per scene, A character with Animal Empathy can befriend a normal animal which is not hostile to the character. The animal will always remember the character and treat them as a friend.

Arcane Caster

The character can cast spells of an arcane nature. See the Magic chapter for more details.

Attentive

Normally, a distracted character suffers a -Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS penalty on their next skill roll or their next defense, whichever comes first. A character with Attentive is unaffected by such distractions, and does not incur a penalty.

Bag Of Tricks

The character carries a bag, belt, or backpack with a number of small, ordinary items. The character can use a quick action to pull any needed item from their bag, as long as the item is small enough to fit in the palm of their hand and can be purchased from an ordinary retail shop. The power level (PL) of such items is usually 1.

Blindfighting

Normally, a character who can't perceive their opponent has great difficulty in combat. If a character has the Blindfighting gift, they do not incur any of these penalties.

Blood Rage

Once per scene, the character can enter a trance-like state of bestial fury. While in a blood rage, the character gains a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus on all Hand-to-hand Combat rolls, but they incur a -Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS penalty on all other rolls, as well as on their hand-to-hand and ranged defense. Additionally, a character in a blood rage gains a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS bonus to their Mental Combat defense.

Bowler

A character with Bowler can heave projectiles with deadly accuracy. When making a Ranged Combat action roll, the character can substitute their Brawn for their Agility. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.

Connected

"I know a guy." The character has a wide ranging network of friends, rivals, and former associates. From time to time, the character can contact one of these people, and have a reasonable chance of getting a favour from them. When the character wants to get a favour from someone, the player names the NPC and briefly describes how their character knows this contact. When the character meets their contact, they must attempt a moderately difficult (DV 12) Diplomacy (Presence) roll to see how their contact receives them.

Disarming Expert

Normally, when making a disarming attack, the character incurs a -Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll penalty. A character with Disarming Expert can make a disarming attack without incurring a penalty.

Elusive

A character with the Elusive gift is fast on their feet and good at rolling with the punches. When in hand-to-hand combat, the character can base their defense on their Agility instead of on their Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.

Escape Artist

A character with the Escape Artist gift is a slippery target. Once per scene, the character gains a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus against a grapple or a lasting power. The player may decide to gain the bonus before or after the dice are rolled.

Famous

The character's name and likeness are widely known, perhaps due to their exploits, or possibly because they are from a notorious family. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because paparazzi are often nearby. People who are impressed by celebrity may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favours from strangers.

Fascinating

A character with the Fascinating gift is naturally, effortlessly compelling. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because they will be the focus of attention in nearly any circumstances. People who are swayed by their instinctive responses may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favours from admirers.

Hard Target

When in ranged combat, the character can base their defense on their Brawn instead of on their Agility. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.

Headquarters

The character has one or more bases of operation, equipped with supplies, workshops, and equipment reasonable for the character's background and skills. If the character is a member of a team, the base(s) might be shared with the other team members, at the player's discretion. A headquarters is primarily a convenience for the GM and a fun asset for the character. It is not generally useful in combat, and is mainly used for flavor and a setting for roleplaying.

Additionally, the character can make a moderately difficult (DV 12) Survival (Reason) roll to remember a "safe house" or a cache of supplies nearby, wherever they happen to be.

Leadership

A character with the Leadership gift excels at bringing out the best in others, and other people are more effective with the character than they are alone. Once per scene, the character can grant a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus to one of their teammates and allies. The player may decide to grant the bonus before or after the dice are rolled.

Lightning Strike

A character with Lightning Strike can deal devastating blows using speed and finesse rather than brute force. When making a Hand-to-hand Combat action roll, the character can substitute their Agility for their Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.

Linguist

A character with the Linguist gift is fluent in dozens of languages, and is capable of quickly deciphering new languages when they encounter them.

Master Plan

Once per scene, a character with Master Plan is able to gain a tactical benefit at a time and place they choose. The form this takes can vary, and should be negotiated between the player and the GM, but a relatively typical use of a Master Plan would be to grant the character and each of their allies a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus to be used at a time of their choice during the conflict.

Mental Calculator

The character can perform complex mathematical calculations in their head in the same amount of time that a skilled mathematician could perform the same calculations on a powerful computer. Also, the character has an intuitive understanding of higher mathematics, and is able to comprehend and remember intricate formulae and equations after examining them briefly.

Minions

The character has one or more minor, mostly nameless lackeys of marginal usefulness. Such minions might be mooks, agents, armed guards, administrative staff, or technicians to keep the character's equipment in proper working order. There is no set limit to the number of minions a character might have, subject to the GM's approval, but the more minions there are, the less competent they are. For example, if a character has just three minions -- an administrative assistant, a chauffeur/auto mechanic, and a skilled professional -- they might be reasonably competent at their respective assignments (Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS in their most relevant attributes, with relevant skills). If the character has dozens of minions, however, the best among them would have 2 in their relevant attributes, and none of them would have any skills requiring advanced education or technical aptitude.

Minions are primarily a fun asset for the character. They are not generally useful in combat, and are mainly used for flavor and as a foil for roleplaying. Minions should never steal the limelight from a player character.

Perfect Recall

Once per scene, the character may perfectly remember any event, document, recording, etc., which the character has clearly seen or heard, even if they were not paying particular attention to it at the time.

Pro From Dover

A character with the Pro From Dover gift can choose a specific, narrowly-defined professional, scholarly, or technical field in which they are an undisputed expert. When answering a question or performing research related to their specialty, they gain a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus.

A character may only be the Pro From Dover in a single narrowly defined noncombat specialty, and each player character with the Pro From Dover gift should choose a different specialty.

Quick Change

The Quick Change gift is usually possessed only by superheroes and stage magicians. Quick Change enables a character to change their entire outfit with a quick action. This could be made possible by super-speed, a costume stored in a ring, or just wearing a different outfit underneath street clothes. Additionally, a character with Quick Change and the Alternate Form power can change forms once per round with a quick action.

Ranged Disarm

A character with Ranged Disarm can make a disarm attack at range. A ranged disarm attack requires a successful Ranged Combat (Agility) roll against 8 + Ranged Combat (Agility) of the target. As with hand-to-hand disarming attacks, the attacker suffers a -Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll penalty on the roll, and powers and equipment do not apply to this roll.

Scrounger

You can survive off the grid, whether you are in the wilderness or in an urban environment. You can find shelter, food, and personal essentials enough to provide for yourself and a small number of friends. In a populated area, you can always find useful items by asking around and keeping your eyes open.

Second Identity

The character has a second, completely legitimate identity. The character's second identity is completely documented and will withstand even the most focused scrutiny. Alternately, at the player's choice, the character has no documented identity at all: any and all records of their existence have been erased.

Additionally, the character can make a moderately difficult (DV 12) Finesse (Reason) roll to produce proof of a new but ordinary identity, appropriate to wherever they happen to be.

Sharpshooter

A character with the Sharpshooter gift adept at bypassing cover in ranged combat. When a defender is prone or has cover, they gain a bonus to their defense. A character with the Sharpshooter gift ignores a defender's bonus from being prone or having cover.

Team Player

A character with the Team Player gift excels at working with others, and is more effective with others than they are alone. Once per scene, a character with the Team Player gift can gain a +Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll bonus when combining their effort with others. The player may decide to gain the bonus before or after the dice are rolled.

Underwater Combat

Normally, engaging in combat underwater imposes a -Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll penalty. A character with the Underwater Combat gift does not incur a penalty for fighting underwater.

Unsettling

The character is able to put off a disturbing vibe that makes people nervous for no discernible reason. Strangers will find themselves disliking the character without knowing why, and normal animals will avoid the character unless forced to approach by a trainer or some other circumstance.

Vehicles

The character has one or more vehicles which provide fast and stylish transportation. If the character is a member of a team, the vehicle(s) might be shared with the other team members, at the player's discretion. A vehicle is primarily a convenience for the GM and a fun asset for the character. It is not generally useful in combat, and is mainly used for flavour and to make it easier for the character to get around.

Additionally, the character can make a moderately difficult (DV 12) Survival (Reason) roll to remember a vehicle they have stored nearby, wherever they happen to be.

Wealthy

If a problem can be solved by throwing money at it, a character with the Wealth gift can probably solve that problem. Food, clothing, and shelter cease to be concerns for a character with Wealth, but they are still plagued by the same interpersonal issues that are behind the serious problems most people face. In addition, sometimes wealth itself can be a source of problems. The character may have responsibilities related to their source of income, or they might need to fend off attempts to deprive them of their fortune.

Whirlwind Attack

Normally, when making a sweep attack (attacking everyone within reach of the character simultaneously), the character incurs a -Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS skill roll penalty on each roll. A character with Whirlwind Attack can make a sweep attack without incurring a penalty.

Custom Gifts

You aren't limited to these gifts, of course. Feel free to make up your own. They should be approximately as useful and powerful as the ones listed here. A good rule of thumb is that a gift allows a character to ignore a penalty in a specific circumstance or with a particular kind of attack. If the gift grants a bonus, its use may be limited to once per scene. Here is an example of a custom gift.

Unstoppable

Normally, a character who is moving incurs a -Template:KM4 SKILL BONUS penalty on their defense against a slamming attack. A character with Unstoppable does not incur this penalty.