Searching for the appropriate flaw

[jrennie69]

Once again, I turn to those with more experience than I to solve my problems.

During our last episode, one of my players acused a Telarite merchant of committing the murder the story revolved around and put him in the brig for later interogation. Unfortunately for both the Telarite and the player, the Telarite wasn't involved with the crime in question and the player forgot to let him out of the brig! At the start of our next session, this poor guy will have been languishing in prison for a month. The "Enemy" flaw is to strong, I think, for this instance, but I need something to reflect the player character's action. I was considering giving the character the "Connections" edge, the connection being someone outside of Starfleet (say, someone in the Orion Syndicate) who interceeded on his behalf to get him out of hot water with the brass, but I'm not sure that would work, either, as the player could just ignore that particular connection.

Thoughts?

Jim
GM - The BeTau Campaign

[Diamond]

Lose 3 openness renown.

[Dan Gurden]

Loss of renown... And a reprimand...

There is however a proviso. When the character forgot to let this person out of the brig, is he the Only person with access? After all this is Starfleet, with no doors on the brig and a security guard on duty... Along with intelligent computers that would remind you that the prisoner should be let loose or charged...

Now if the player purposefully ingnored all this, then yes, they should be repimanded for conduct unbecoming of Starfleet.

If they simply followed a bas lead and forgot for the gaming session, that I would assume that one of tens of sources would have reminded him about the Tellarite in jail and it would be unfair to persecute a player over a lapse in memory...

Of course in the player in question agrees, then its all to play for...

[Don Mappin]

Wow, you're a softie compared to me.

I'd dock them Renown (there are no aspects in Coda), have the player pick up the Rival trait, and also give the character an in-game dressing down, probably with a formal reprimand. (Presuming they're Starfleet.) You don't hold people for a month without the proper charges and/or evidence. If the player/character didn't show remorse I'd think about demoting them.

A bit more information about your game would help, too.

[Diamond]

Make an Administration (starship) or securtity (procedures) check, target number 5. If you succeed, your character couldn't help but remember the guy when writing up the daily report. Remember, not every second is gamed out "on-screen".

On the other hand, if the player said specifically "I'm 'forgetting' about him and burying the paperwork so he rots for a month" I'd dock lots of openess renown and cause the NPC to bring the violation of his civil liberites to the attention of a higher ranking officer, causing loss of the PC's rank unless a law(starfleet regs) check TN: 10 was passed.

My first response was a little hasty.

[jrennie69]

Originally posted by Dan Gurden
If they simply followed a bas lead and forgot for the gaming session, that I would assume that one of tens of sources would have reminded him about the Tellarite in jail and it would be unfair to persecute a player over a lapse in memory...

I'm not looking for a way to punish the player, just a "fun" in-game way of reminding him, and everyone, that there are consequences for every action their character make, or fail to make. I've discussed this with the player and he's fine with it and thinks it'll be fun.

The character doesn't have any renown yet, and I'm not sure I'd want to take it away if he did. Like I said, I'm looking for something "fun" to do to him. "Rival" seems like the best suited if I can taylor it right.

Jim

[RaconteurX]

The Infamy flaw does replicate the effects of ICON renown aspects, so that may work. I'd give the character a Renown increase as if rescuing an important person, but assign him the Infamy flaw with an appropriate focus as well. People who recognize him may know of the incident.

EIther that, or give him Species Enmity (Tellarite) since they'll probably protest nigh endlessly.

[jrennie69]

Originally posted by Don Mappin
A bit more information about your game would help, too.

Our game is based on the setting described in the LUG Player's Guide (Pgs 145-158) of Starbase 315 and the BeTau Sector, with players being the station's command staff. The game has been tweeked from the LUG version by adding a local cell of the Orion Syndicate on the starbase and by making the base itself rather run-down and seedy compared to most starbases. The basic stuff can also be found under the Role Playing Game link on our website, www.usshera.org.

Jim

[Don Mappin]

I'd stick with Rival but even if you're trying to make if "fun" I think there needs to be a consequence against sticking an NPC in a cell for 30 days without any recourse. Player's (especially in Trek) need to understand there are repercussions for their actions.

I've give the character a verbal repirmand by their CO -- be even better if the CO was a PC.

[pesterfield]

Important question, did the character or player forget?

If it was the player then chances are it was taken care of off screen.

If the character then he's going to have problems. Who is the Tellarite, someone important? Even if he isn't important he can still cause problems.

As soon as he was released the story was likely out in the computer networks and media outlets. The security officer, and likely the station have become any or all of the following:

1. Disgrace to starfleet
2. Avoided by travellers not wanting to spend a month in the brig
3. A running joke on entertainment programs. Think of a 24th century Letterman Top Ten about your station.

[Silverthorne]

I would do several things..

1. Did the group have him brigged. If so then the whole group gets a rival flaw.

2. If the entire group forgot him, then again they all deserve the rival flaw.

3. After the Tellerite is released, all players loose renown. Think about the Ways a Tellerite merchant would react. VERBAL GUNS. gossip.. Jack up prices for Starfleet personel..

[jrennie69]

Originally posted by Silverthorne
I would do several things..

1. Did the group have him brigged. If so then the whole group gets a rival flaw.

2. If the entire group forgot him, then again they all deserve the rival flaw.

3. After the Tellerite is released, all players loose renown. Think about the Ways a Tellerite merchant would react. VERBAL GUNS. gossip.. Jack up prices for Starfleet personel..

Although the whole group of players knew he was in the brig, the only "characters" that knew were the PC who put him there and an NPC guarding him.

The player's charcter is not a "by-the book" type Starfleet officer, either. His player portrays him as a bit of a loose cannon sometimes, although he always means well. Giving him the Rival trait is something I discussed with him after coming to this board and he's cool with the idea and thinks it'll be fun. And it will be, at least for me.

Jim

[Owen E Oulton]

Sorry, that goes a bit far for someone who "means well." Losing the paperwork for a day or so is one thing, but actually imprisoning someone for an entire month is way beyond the pale. Courts-martial for both, with reductions in rank at minimum when they're found guilty. I don't think the "Enemy" flaw is too much, if it's anything like the same Disadvantage in ICON. A Tellarite merchant with a hot temper could easily hold a very major grudge and take serious action, up to and including such things as hiring leg-breakers or hitmen to deal with the PC. Being held incommunicado could cost a prosperous merchant millions of credits - that would certainly make him angry enough. Play it long term. After the court-martial, let the PC have a breather, then let "accidents" start happening. Have the NPC die horribly in a very suspicious manner. Make the incident into a major train of events, especially if the player himself is cool with the whole idea.

[Dan Gurden]

Originally posted by Owen E Oulton
Sorry, that goes a bit far for someone who "means well." Losing the paperwork for a day or so is one thing, but actually imprisoning someone for an entire month is way beyond the pale. Courts-martial for both, with reductions in rank at minimum when they're found guilty. I don't think the "Enemy" flaw is too much, if it's anything like the same Disadvantage in ICON. A Tellarite merchant with a hot temper could easily hold a very major grudge and take serious action, up to and including such things as hiring leg-breakers or hitmen to deal with the PC.

Or simply be far more devious... Look at how Owen Started.

Such a fine upstanding Tellarite merchant, may not even have access to the underworld. But would have Lawyers and political contacts.

Suddenly the character faces a Courts Martial, loss of rank, possibly a loss of job. Facing pressure from his CO, the Merchant continues raising the bar until Federation councelors start putting political pressure on the character.

And just when it cannot get any worse.

Sue his arse.

After you have removed all support, force him into serious debt, the kind you can only get into when you live in a moneyless economy. Now he has no job, nowhere to live and is oindebted to this Tellarite, almost in indentured servitude , until such a time as is seen fit...

When you start on revenge, why go easy on them with Leg Breakers. Simply ask yourself, if it was you, would you hurt them, kill them or truely destroy them (remember the Cardassian saying, 'true victory is when your opponant conceedes to your superiority').

Besides, I would lay odds that the character is well able to take care of himself against heavies, but less so against laywers!