tactical unmasking
Texto
The Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook suggests that tactically, unmasking can be useful in attaining specific goals such as enraging an already-tormented opponent or relaying information that would otherwise remain unspoken due to decorum (see pages 30–31 of the core rulebook). Such outbursts are not without risk, but they do provide a rōnin with a narrative reason to speak their mind.
The downside to such behavior is that unlike the words of a samurai, a rōnin’s opinion may have little impact on the individual they hope to influence. A rōnin is without a lord, after all, so their opinion or testimony often holds little authority and is given little credence. Expressing such opinions, unless carefully considered, can result in their imprisonment or execution, even if the risk to their personal honor is low.
Regardless of who unmasks, their unmasking should be appropriate to the scene, acting as a narrative event in response to a mechanical circumstance. Consequently, rōnin characters are free to unmask in the ways explored in the core rulebook. However, players of rōnin should also consider other alternatives, like the following, to use in their scenes.
Gross Offense
The character takes great offense from a comment or a nearby item, such as a decoration, flower arrangement, or painting. It is immaterial whether the offense is intentional or not. The character immediately begins to overtly defend their position or voice their displeasure. In doing so, they cause the TN of their next Social skill check to increase by 1.
Muddled Words
The character becomes confused, and their confusion causes them to lose concentration within the current scene. They begin to have difficulty communicating effectively, mumbling, addressing multiple topics without indicating changes of subject, or speaking far too quickly to be understood, which puts others on guard. In an intrigue, the character reduces the number of momentum points gained by 1, while in a conflict, they reduce their initiative by 1 for the conflict.
Secret Revealed
The character begins a monologue or speech and accidentally reveals an important detail or secret they know is pertinent to the current scene. The character reveals a secret of their player’s choosing which becomes known to all characters in the scene.
Silent Tirade
The character becomes outwardly dismayed or frustrated, revealing their intentions through facial expressions or some other obvious nonverbal cue. Through smirks, snarls, or other tells, the character allows their visage to falter, exposing their true self in the process. The next action that uses a Social skill targeting the character reduces its TN by 1.
Unthinking Boasts
The character has an inflated ego and finds solace in regaling others about past accomplishments in order to divert attention from the character’s failings. Many frown upon this type of behavior due to its self-indulgent nature, seeing it as hubris. The character forfeits glory equal to their highest ring value.
Texto do livro
Path of Waves – The Essential Guide to Rōnin · Chapter 6: Untold Stories › Designing a Rōnin's Personal Code › Tactical Unmasking · p. 183
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The Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook suggests that tactically, unmasking can be useful in attaining specific goals such as enraging an already-tormented opponent or relaying information that would otherwise remain unspoken due to decorum (see pages 30–31 of the core rulebook). Such outbursts are not without risk, but they do provide a rōnin with a narrative reason to speak their mind.
The downside to such behavior is that unlike the words of a samurai, a rōnin’s opinion may have little impact on the individual they hope to influence. A rōnin is without a lord, after all, so their opinion or testimony often holds little authority and is given little credence. Expressing such opinions, unless carefully considered, can result in their imprisonment or execution, even if the risk to their personal honor is low.
Regardless of who unmasks, their unmasking should be appropriate to the scene, acting as a narrative event in response to a mechanical circumstance. Consequently, rōnin characters are free to unmask in the ways explored in the core rulebook. However, players of rōnin should also consider other alternatives, like the following, to use in their scenes.
Gross Offense
The character takes great offense from a comment or a nearby item, such as a decoration, flower arrangement, or painting. It is immaterial whether the offense is intentional or not. The character immediately begins to overtly defend their position or voice their displeasure. In doing so, they cause the TN of their next Social skill check to increase by 1.
Muddled Words
The character becomes confused, and their confusion causes them to lose concentration within the current scene. They begin to have difficulty communicating effectively, mumbling, addressing multiple topics without indicating changes of subject, or speaking far too quickly to be understood, which puts others on guard. In an intrigue, the character reduces the number of momentum points gained by 1, while in a conflict, they reduce their initiative by 1 for the conflict.
Secret Revealed
The character begins a monologue or speech and accidentally reveals an important detail or secret they know is pertinent to the current scene. The character reveals a secret of their player’s choosing which becomes known to all characters in the scene.
Silent Tirade
The character becomes outwardly dismayed or frustrated, revealing their intentions through facial expressions or some other obvious nonverbal cue. Through smirks, snarls, or other tells, the character allows their visage to falter, exposing their true self in the process. The next action that uses a Social skill targeting the character reduces its TN by 1.
Unthinking Boasts
The character has an inflated ego and finds solace in regaling others about past accomplishments in order to divert attention from the character’s failings. Many frown upon this type of behavior due to its self-indulgent nature, seeing it as hubris. The character forfeits glory equal to their highest ring value.