Friday, April 11, 2025

Mythic RPG Project: Chapter 10b: ... and Decline

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What goes up, must come down, and Mythic RPG has rules for that as well. Starting on page 93 there is a discussion of what happens when old age catches up to a character as well as the attrition that comes from letting yourself get a bit rusty over time from not using an Attribute or Ability. While most games probably wouldn't be played over a long enough period to start recording physical and mental decline, this RPG is very complete. 

Effects of Aging
"The impact aging has on a character can be difficult to judge. The following guidelines are very general, and you should feel free to either ignore them completely or modify them as you see fit." pg. 93

Page 93 also has a Resolution Table that summarizes the procedure for aging, including the potential for additional complications besides the loss of  Attribute points, in the form of a Health Crisis, which is outlined on page 94. 

This is essentially a systemic health problem that could be potentially lethal. For a slice of life game this would be particularly appropriate (even for NPCs). Fortunately for normal humans these checks are only made every 10 years against the Toughness Attribute. Though over the years the checks get harder and harder to make.

This should of course be modified to suit your game. Different species or perhaps hyper-tech treatments may hold off the effects of aging nearly indefinitely. Let your context be the guideline for this aspect of the game, or if you don't wish to bother with it at all, give it a pass. With that said playing an aging hero in his declining years could very well make for a poignant RP experience. As the author does, I do so as well, leave that in your hands to decide. The same can be said for....

Effects of Disuse
"A character can also decline from lack of activity. If you don’t use it, you lose it, as the saying goes. The impact of lack of use of an ability or attribute is less damaging than from age, however." pg. 95

This check, made yearly for unused abilities is summarized on the Resolution Table on page 95. This level of realism in a game may have mixed reception, but it speaks to the thoroughness of the system whether it is used or not. 

The procedure is a simple Fate question against the Attribute or Ability in question with a -1RS for every year the Attribute or Ability hasn't been put to use. 

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