Advantages & Disadvantages

Aside from determining a character's physical and mental capabilities, a player may also define that character's personality—his history, his family, his beliefs, his quirks, etc. One option is to allow players to select Advantages and Disadvantages.

The gamemaster should determine whether they want to use Advantages and Disadvantages, and which particular entries they want to include or exclude.

Each entry includes the name of the Advantage or Disadvantage, its description, and a die code (positive or negative).

When you select one of these items, write it on your character template and record the die code on a separate piece of paper. When you've finished, add up the die codes (the result may be positive or negative). The resulting die code tells you how many skill dice you must either add to or take away from your character's starting skill dice:

• Positive total: add starting skill dice
• Negative total: subtract starting skill dice

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Advantages & Disadvantages List

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Descriptions

Addiction (+3D) The character cannot go more than one day without satisfying the addiction (drinking, gambling, etc.). Failure results in lowered metabolic rates, reducing the character's attribute scores by 1 for each day without the addictive activity. After one week the character has defeated the addiction, but there is a 50% chance of becoming addicted again if they ever partake in the future.

Argumentative (+1D) This character constantly plays the devil's advocate. She rejoices when an exploitable situation arises, arguing even when she sometimes agrees with her adversary. The argument becomes a game—a strategic contest of wills.

Blackouts (+2D) During high-pressure situations, this character has a tendency to black out for several minutes and has no recollection of the lost time. In game terms, the character blacks out whenever she rolls a 1 on the Wild Die for 10 minutes.

Center of Conversation (+1D) This character feels the need to always be in the middle of every conversation. And why not? He always knows exactly what to say—at least, that's what he thinks.

Compulsive Tendencies (+3D) At any time, the character may decide to do or say something she would not normally do or say under the circumstances.

Debt (+1D to +3D) This character either inherited debt or borrowed a substantial amount of money. She has a time limit for repaying the loan.

Delusions of Grandeur (−1D) The best thing to ever happen to the world—that's how this character views themselves. No one can surpass their prowess.

Extraordinary Hearing (−2D) The construction of this character's sound collectors increases the ability to distinguish between similar sounds, determine direction, and pick up whispers from a distance.

Extraordinary Memory (−1D) This character can recall long-ago events or esoteric facts with ease. In game terms, she gains +1D to most Knowledge-based skill rolls.

Extraordinary Sight (−2D) The shape and genetic makeup of this character's eyes enable her to see three times as far as a normal member of her species.

Extremely Competitive (+1D) To this character, everything is a competition. She cannot turn down a challenge.

Fallback Plan (+2D) This character cannot function unless she has devised a backup plan for every situation she puts herself into.

Fanatic (+3D) This character holds to a philosophical ideal and will always defend it, even trading her life for its preservation.

Hallucinations (+3D) At random times, this character begins having delusions. He cannot tell when something is truly occurring or just a figment of his imagination. The gamemaster has full control over this Disadvantage.

Low Self-esteem (+2D) This character has a low opinion of herself and constantly berates herself, harping on her bad qualities.

Manic Depressive (+3D) This character slips into deep, long-lasting depressions and doesn't care about anything during these times.

Medical Problem (+3D) This character suffers from an ailment requiring daily medicine. The player and gamemaster should work together to develop specifics.

Migraine Headaches (+2D) The character has a 33% chance per day (1–2 on 1D) to suffer a severe migraine, receiving a −1D penalty to all attributes for the remainder of that day.

Motion Sickness (+1D) Whenever this character rides a creature or vehicle, she must make an Endurance check against an Easy difficulty or begin to shake and vomit, taking a −1D penalty to all actions.

Nightmares (+1D) Almost every night, this character suffers horrible nightmares. As a result, the character needs 10 hours of sleep per day. Failure to get the required rest results in a −1D penalty to all skill and attribute rolls for that day.

Noble Birth (−1D) This character was born into luxury. She begins play with double the funds given to wealthy starting characters.

No Self-confidence (+2D) Whenever this character must perform an important task, he has a 50% chance of losing confidence, reducing his chance of success by 2D.

Obsessive Tendencies (+2D) Whenever this character decides on a course of action, he becomes totally focused on it, ignoring all other issues.

Paranoia (+3D) Everyone wants to destroy this character—at least, that's what she believes. She constantly looks over her shoulder and scrutinizes every acquaintance.

Pathological Liar (+1D) This character cannot stop himself from lying. No matter the situation, he is compelled to exaggerate, fib, and outright lie.

Phobia (+1D to +3D) The die code varies by intensity.

• +1D: avoids the object, but can deal with it when needed
• +3D: will never willingly face the fear; if forced, the character freezes

Common fears include heights, water, certain creatures, darkness, open spaces, cramped spaces, thunder, lightning, and so on.

Physically Impaired (+3D) The character suffers from a physical impairment (blind, deaf, mute, or another agreed impairment).

Poor Memory (+1D) The character has trouble remembering. When the character must recall an important piece of information, Knowledge-based rolls are reduced by 2D.

Procrastination (+1D) This character puts everything off. Even when something cannot wait, he delays until it's too late.

Quick Draw (−2D) The character may draw a type of weapon immediately—it does not count as an action during a dangerous situation. Note: This applies only to a single weapon type.

Released Convict (+1D) Sometime in this character's life he was convicted of a crime. After serving a jail sentence, he was released and must now battle the stigma against ex-convicts.

Skeleton in the Closet (+2D or more) This character has elements of his past that he does not want anyone to unearth. The character must not reveal the secret—it may bring harm to him or those he loves.

Sixth Sense (−2D) This character has an innate danger sense. Fifty percent of the time (1–3 on 1D), an alarm goes off in her head when she comes within a few seconds of danger.

Sworn Enemy (+1D or +3D) This character has targeted a specific person or creature (+1D) or an entire species (+3D) as her direct adversary. Whenever she comes in contact with such a being, she attacks.

Targeted for Assassination (+3D) Someone has put out a contract on this character's life. The assassin could be anyone and could strike at any time.

Wanted for a Crime (+2D) A system, galactic government, or culture has declared this character a criminal. The character may or may not have committed the crime charged, but authorities have begun the search.

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Source: REUP:28