20 Milestone Talents for Index Card RPG

#1

This is my take on combining milestone rewards and tags to create talents that can be used to enhance a PC. There are 20 of them in total on my blog.

Some examples:

THRIFTY: haggling is always EASY for you.
DIRTY: instead of doing damage, you can elect to stun an opponent for one round with a low blow.
SPOOKY: you can talk to ghosts.
SLIPPERY: you always escape from your bonds.

Let me know what you think!

#2

I love Scholarly:

SCHOLARLY: If you pass an INT roll, you know what you’re talking about.

Well, Carl is pretty smart and I don’t know enough to refute him, so he’s probably correct in starting Dragons are so angry because they don’t have a toothbrush. So, boys, grab the push brooms and let’s go brush Durathrax’s teeth.

#3

It’s one of my favourites. With the right player it could be a blast. And I think that’s key — these talents should be handed out to the player who’ll make the most of them, not just as mechanical rewards.

#4

Oh hell yeah. In my coming game with The Ashen Rangers they get to build their Ranger with 2 Tags of their own choice working just like the ones you have here. :herocoin: for you

#5

Thank you! Love to hear more about the tags your group is using.

#6

REALLY like these, will definitely incorporate them.
Except for the Always Attack First one, i need to keep the rotation

#7

That one does undermine the rotation - any thoughts on a variation that would preserve the “quick draw” approach without messing with ICRPG initiative?

#8

Since the initiative can be decided by the players anyway the READY does seem redundant. What about:

READY: You can never be surprised by an attack

#9

Or maybe twist it in an entirely different direction, inspired by Black Hack 2e.

READY: you always have a concealed weapon on your person.

#10

“But Brendan, you’re naked!” :thinking:

But I think it’s cool. Fellow players will go WTF

#11

Maybe just something simple like “on your first turn each combat you get an extra action”

#12

That preserves the intent nicely! Thank you.

#13

I was very excited when I read this but the blog is gone. Has anyone kept these somewhere?

#14

I’m wondering the same. The list seemed like something really fun to read!

#15

I ended up using this sheet which I think contains them or at least some like them. Character Sheet with an inbuilt step-by-step guide, TAGS & MAGIC

#16

Oh, neat. Thank you :slight_smile:

#17

Hi all -
I’m the author of that blog. In an attempt to simplify my life, and shrink my online world I shut it down. Long story.

Anyway, if I can find the original doc I’m happy to share it with you.

#18

Definitely understand the sentiment. Here’s hoping you find it, but if not it’s not the end of the world!

#19

Original blog post copied below for future archivists.

20 Milestone Talents for Index Card Roleplaying Game

ICRPG uses loot as a substitute for levelling. In other words, you are what you own – much like Ben Milton’s Knave (which may be more familiar to the OSR crowd). The better your loot, the more powerful you are.

GMs may also grant milestones – specialized loot custom-made for the PC, granted upon completion of some significant quest or challenge.

This list provides an alternate way to mark milestones using specialized talents. A PC may have no more than one of these at a time, and they do not count as loot for encumbrance purposes – they are tags with mechanical muscle. The GM should offer the talent that best reflects the player’s style of play.

  1. HANDY: if you have the components, you can build it.
  2. THRIFTY: haggling is always EASY for you.
  3. DIRTY: instead of doing damage, you can elect to stun an opponent for one round with a low blow.
  4. SPOOKY: you can talk to ghosts.
  5. SLIPPERY: you always escape from your bonds.
  6. SNEAKY: all stealth roles are EASY.
  7. SCHOLARLY: If you pass an INT roll, you know what you’re talking about.
  8. ICY: You are immune to fear.
  9. EDGY: CHR rolls are EASY when you try to intimidate someone.
  10. GORY: Your attacks are so violent they do an additional 1D4 damage. You must describe that damage in loving detail.
  11. LUCKY: You may re-roll any roll once per session.
  12. READY: You attack twice on your first turn.
  13. BRAWNY: All STR rolls are easy.
  14. DEADLY: a natural 20 does 1d20 ultimate damage once per session.
  15. HEARTY: You shrug off 1d10 points of damage once per combat.
  16. STEADY: Your first shot with a ranged weapon is always EASY.
  17. TRICKY: Sleight of hand, pick pocketing and cheating at cards is EASY.
  18. FOOLHARDY: When you attempt a really reckless stunt (“Hold my beer”) it’s an EASY roll.
  19. PREDATORY: Tracking and hunting rolls vs WIS are EASY.
  20. BLOODTHIRSTY: If your strike kills an opponent, you automatically get a second attack.