Heroic Knack - Harebrained Scheme, contributed
by Mark Freeman
"Maybe…just maybe…it’s so crazy that it just might work!"
You’re either a Machiavellian genius or a complete lunatic- or perhaps a bit
of both. Nobody can understand just why your schemes work so well, because,
logically, they shouldn’t. And yet, your off-the-wall, life-endangering plans
nearly always get the job done.
System: This knack starts at the drawing board- any daredevil wishing
to use this knack must first lay out a plan with a specific goal (Infiltrating
the island sanctuary of the Dragon Ninja clan, Revealing the Masked Maimer’s
true identity, etc). While laying out this plan, the ST should note each ‘modifier’-
a farfetched condition that must be met in order for the plan to work- “Okay,
Johnny, you just need to pose as an aristocratic Austrian investor to hold the
Baronesses attention” would be a prime example of one such modifier. For each
one of these conditions, the daredevil (and any who he’s laid the plan out to)
get a +1 towards any action that helps the plan succeed. However, if anyone
breaks these conditions, the bonus is lost. Any given plan may only have as
many modifiers equal to the daredevil’s inspiration rating. Note that two daredevils
with this knack may pool their efforts…
Example: Dr. Kirkley formulates a plan to rescue his daughter from the
clutches of the villainous cultists that have kidnapped her in order to sacrifice
her to their dark god of evil. And so, a plan is formed! In mapping out the
plan, Dr. Kirkley decides that the best course of action is to sneak in, posing
as one of the dark –robed cultists of evil. Also complicating the matter is
the fact that, unless they’re chanting to their dark god, the cultists remain
absolutely silent. These two complications give Dr. Kirkley a +2 to all rolls
that would help him rescue his daughter- that is, until he accidentally breaks
his cover by speaking, losing the bonus.
Prerequisites: Any daredevil taking this knack must have a combined Wits
+ Intelligence of at least 4- it takes brains to cook up something this bizarre.
