Yesterday we finally had our first full-blooded session, and it was a blast. We learned the combat system through play (a nobleman's son and a house knight training in the courtyard).

The rules say characters should earn 3-5 points pr. session. Isn't this a little much? Is this for a "fast" character growth? How do I decide where they get points? (on which SA). In the session, they witnessed a funeral and participated in a feast afterwards, and the day after they trained, so there wasn't much "growth" or what I shall call it.

Also, how do characters improve their proficiencies (weapons/maneuvers), and how do they get new proficiencies (by starting to train in a different weapon in-game I assume, and ruled).

Cheers

I suspect that what you'll find is that there are few SA points awarded during the build-up and bridge sessions, and then MASSIVE SA points awarded during the climactic intense sessions. The only points I'm aware of that get automatically awarded every session are the points for Luck.

If I had my book with me I could tell you exactly where those rules are, but IIRC proficiencies are purchased by spending down SA points.

Also the book recommends awarding a point of destiny after a long/hard session.

Actually...I give them out whenever earned. When playing with Ron and Ralph, that means constantly. When playing with most folks back here, that means 2-3 points per session. Don't worry about "overpowering" a TROS character. They're all always mortal.

Jake

Yeah, SA points make a great "candy" reward. That is, chuck a point to anyone who does something you think is cool as GM. This kind of reward keeps players right in a game at all times. Like dogs begging for treats.

The neat thing is that, given that they choose the SAs, they're rewarding themselves as well. Double reinforcement.

Mike

Mike Holmes wrote: Yeah, SA points make a great "candy" reward. That is, chuck a point to anyone who does something you think is cool as GM. This kind of reward keeps players right in a game at all times. Like dogs begging for treats.

Thanks for the helpful replies. I guess they'll stay mortal :D

Brian, I've actually used candy for some games.

And, yes, if you eat them they're gone.

This way you can give out heaps of the rewards, and only some come back into play. The rest serve the behavior enhancement purpose just fine. Gotta watch out for that player on a diet, however.

Problematic for TROS, because they have to go into a category. I suppose you could have several bowls...

But, yeah, definitely physically hand them out somehow. Handling rewards just attaches players to them all the more strongly. Jake throws your SA dice to you, for example, as you invoke them, occasionally.

Mike

Mike Holmes wrote: But, yeah, definitely physically hand them out somehow. Handling rewards just attaches players to them all the more strongly. Jake throws your SA dice to you, for example, as you invoke them, occasionally.

Shots, Mark? That could get messy fast, depending on the system. :-)

Mike

Mike Holmes wrote: Shots, Mark? That could get messy fast, depending on the system. :-)

Actually, Dav Harnish (of Obsidian) worked out a TROS drinking game. I don't remember the rules (I don't drink...), but I think every point of shock is a shot of vodka and every point of pain is a teaspoon of wasabi. Heh heh...

Jake

A TRoS drinking game? Ayaiyai that's a perilous idea...

If you don't mind, I'd like to steer the thread back on topic for my first Forge post. I just ran the first session of a TRoS game, and I found that while the book has specific guidelines on how (and when) to award SA points, I didn't use those guidelines at all. Instead, I just gave out a point whenever it "felt right".

As an example, the dramatic high point of the session was a sparring match between two PC's, neither of whom had much skill with a sword... under a more experienced PC's watchful eye, they were training themselves in preparation for seeking revenge against the antagonists of the campaign. In one exchange, one PC made a gutsy, luck-dice-fuelled all-out attack, scoring eight successes... while the receiver botched her defense, and ended up with a concussion.

For that exciting moment, I ended up giving out several SA points - One Luck to the defender for having such a spectacularly unlucky roll, one Luck to the attacker for having such a spectacularly lucky roll, and one Drive (Become an Expert Swordsman) to the attacker.

Then, the attacking player roleplayed his character's shock and dismay at what he had just done... so I gave him a point for his Destiny (To Shed Innocent Blood on the Path to Revenge) because his practice strike had foreshadowed his destiny so well.

The rewards were all very ad-hoc and spur-of-the-moment, rather than according to any premeditated guidelines. Is that how most of you do it?

That's how I do it. The guidlines are there because folks flip-out if they're not, but "when it feels right" is exactly right.

Jake