Circles

A roleplaying system by Steve Hatherley

Last updated: 08 May, 2001

Characters - Temporary Abilities

Temporary abilities all cost one point during character creation. Note that this isn't a complete list - as new temporaries are created I'll add them here.

I find it handy to copy the temporaries onto address labels and stick those onto cards. (If you use the labels that come 21 to a sheet (7x3) then three of them will fit on a 3x5 index card.) Aim for about three of each - that gives you enough for character generation and lets you hand them out as rewards.

  • Above and Beyond: You impress someone in authority (your boss, patron, liege) with your performance.
  • Bluff and Bluster: You can bluff or bluster your way past any one non-player character.
  • Derring-Do: You may successfully perform some remarkable action, as long as it is flashy and exciting. (You can’t however, do something that is impossible.)
  • Dodge: You automatically dodge a bullet, arrow, falling rock or whatever.
  • Easier Than I Thought: Reduce the level of a challenge by one.
  • First Aid: By spending a few minutes with a patient you can heal two wounds.
  • Friends in High Places: You have a friend in high places that you can call on for a favour.
  • Haggle: You successfully haggle for an item, getting it cheaper if you are buying or selling it for more if you are selling.
  • Hard as Nails: You radiate an aura of strength, toughness and ferocity that makes people think twice about taking you on.
  • Help Me: If you are in trouble you can get the attention of two caring passers-by who will come to your aid.
  • I Knew That: You have a flash of inspiration and know exactly what you need (a fact, course of action, or whatever) in this situation...
  • I remember reading about that somewhere: You remember an important fact about your current situation
  • Intimidate: You can radiate menace - puff out your chest and glare meaningfully. Your victim will be so scared they will obey you for 30 seconds.
  • It's Only a Flesh Wound: You can immediately heal one wound.
  • I’ve got one of those right here: You just happen to have exactly the item you currently need - as long as it isn’t too exotic...
  • Lose a Tail: You can avoid a person (or group of people) who is trying to follow you.
  • Lucky Break: You can re-try a failed challenge (but not a combat challenge).
  • Namedrop with Style: You gain all due respect for saying that you know someone relevantly famous (or notorious) - whether you do or not.
  • Oops: You can cancel any single use of an ability - Temporary or Permanent (but not a One-Shot). The ability (if a Temporary) is still discarded.
  • Pulling out all the stops: You complete something (an action or whatever) in less time than it would normally take. Pity about the quality, though.
  • Ride/Drive Somewhere Real Quick: You can ride (or drive) somewhere in double-fast time.
  • Sincerity: You can make someone believe something you tell them.
  • Sleight of Hand: By a slight of hand and artful deception you can momentarily distract someone.
  • Smelling of Roses: With a little dusting down you immediately look great after a scrape, fight or having being pulled through the bushes backwards.
  • Tough as Old Boots: You may ignore up to three wounds from one source, although you must take at least one wound.
  • Win Poker Hand: You can win a poker hand, or other game of skill and chance.
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Combat Temporaries

  • Disarm: If you win a round of combat you can choose to disarm your opponent instead of doing him damage.M
  • Instant KO: If you win in a combat challenge, you instantly knock your opponent out. M
  • Lucky Hit: Your hit does an extra wound. M
  • Quick Draw: You draw your weapon and attack in a single motion. M
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Romance Temporaries

  • Come-to-bed eyes: You can automatically seduce anyone into bed, for one night only. ©
  • Flattery: If you spend a few minutes flattering someone, they must then answer two yes/no questions without lying. ©
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  • Seduction: You flirt, flatter, smile and can then ask a member of the opposite sex for a special favour. They will help you for half an hour. ©

Not to be taken as part of character generation

These I don't normally allow in character generation. They are in my pile of random temporaries though - and occasionally they come in handy.

  • Draw Blood: You succeed in one combat challenge, beating your opponent(s).Heads! A coin flip of your choice comes up heads.
  • Instant Sobriety: You sober up real quick after excessive partying and imbibing.Oral dexterity: You tie a knot in a cherry stalk with your tongue.
  • Success!: You automatically win a (non-combat) challenge!
  • Sudden Insight: You gain a sudden insight into the situation - you may ask the GM (or another player) one yes/no question that he or she must answer truthfully. (You may never have more than one of these at any one time.)
  • Trick shot: You casually pull off a fancy (but harmless) trick shot - shooting a rope, or through a spinning object or similar.
  • Vending Machine Jackpot: You find 50 pence in a vending machine/payphone/etc refund slot.
  • Who?: You know who is calling you on the phone (or knocking at the door) before you answer it.
  • Wildcard: Instead of returning your Temporary Ability to the GM after use, you may give the GM this card instead. You keep the Temporary and may use it again.
  • Wrists of Steel: You can undo a stuck jam jar lid.
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Some of these have been designed by others, particularly Jon Freeman (Pulling Out All the Stops, Hard As Nails), Danny Bourne (Namedrop with Style).

Copyright (c) 2001 Steve Hatherley

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