Erkenfresh Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? 10 person-days of air, 12 person-days til rescue? Sounds like the lifeboat is pretty well messed up. In the 20th century nuclear submarines mananged to carry over a hundred people for three MONTHS without resupplying the air. But given the conditions of the test, there are still five days before the decision MUST be made. Plenty of time to explore other options. And a cantidate that didn't explore them and either take the walk or execute the civilian IMMEDIATELY, would not be a good Starfleet cantidate either way. Of course once the player has made the choice of self-sacrifice, the rescue shows up early and saves them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcan Posted October 28, 2012 Report Share Posted October 28, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? Or they power down the holodeck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrosshairCollie Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? I suppose my issue with these kinds of tests is that they're pretty easy to see coming, both in- and out-of-character, which makes it hard not to give the answer that you suspect the test-giver wants. Heck, the first time I saw Empire Strikes Back, decades ago, I knew the thing with the cave was a set-up and couldn't believe Luke was dumb enough to fall for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? I suppose my issue with these kinds of tests is that they're pretty easy to see coming' date=' both in- and out-of-character, which makes it hard not to give the answer that you suspect the test-giver wants. Heck, the first time I saw Empire Strikes Back, decades ago, I knew the thing with the cave was a set-up and couldn't believe Luke was dumb enough to fall for it.[/quote'] It's different if you are the only Jedi and have to fight the empire, than being the guy who watches it at home... I do have one more examples of characters that have such test "planned" into her future: Basically her Power forms an alternate personality that is in conflict with her personality (especially towards how relevant living beings are). The other personality will try to wrestle controll from her and she will object. It will culminate in a mental battle (the idea is based on the Anime/Manga Bleach, especially Ichgo's battle with his inner hollow) in wich the original character will "win", thus taking control of that alternate personality and it's powers/form. Of course this is entirely thought through and requires no GM intervention at all. The other personality manifesting itself will propably be bought as: Multiform (full points), Required Roll, perhaps Charges, extra End or Side Effect. I the player will decide when and how the alternate personality tries to take control (wich might not equal what my character wants). The required Roll is simply the normal personality "getting in the way". And the final epic clash will simply be "buying off the required rolls and shifting the complications a little (to reflect the new status quo). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? It occurs to me that Arthurian legend is full of tests of character. Do you save your brother or a maiden? Violate your vow of chastity to prevent a woman from committing suicide? African or European? Etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinanju Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? If you can gimmick your way around the test*, it's no longer a test. You can assume that any technique listed outside of "One of you has to take a walk" will be disallowed (Handwaved) away. This is not a test of engineering skill, or medical skill, or self control, it is a test of character. *(which, given that it's Star Trek, is almost a given) "I don't believe in the no-win scenario." --Adm. James T. Kirk A "test" like that is pointless. In real life, jerry-rigging ways to get around a seemingly insoluble problem is exactly the sort of out-of-the-box thinking and creativity Star Fleet (any organization, really) should be rewarding. If it's just a hypothetical scenario, where nobody is really going to die, it's just words. 3 a.m. dorm-room philosophizing. "Sure, I'll sacrifice myself." It doesn't mean anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? "I don't believe in the no-win scenario." --Adm. James T. Kirk A "test" like that is pointless. In real life, jerry-rigging ways to get around a seemingly insoluble problem is exactly the sort of out-of-the-box thinking and creativity Star Fleet (any organization, really) should be rewarding. If it's just a hypothetical scenario, where nobody is really going to die, it's just words. 3 a.m. dorm-room philosophizing. "Sure, I'll sacrifice myself." It doesn't mean anything. Isn't that what happened? Of course, the other point of the film was that the original purpose of the exercise was to train Starfleet officers to be able to function in losing and/or apparently hopeless situations, and that Kirk, though commended for original thinking, wound up with a hole in his training as a result. Actually that film had depth to it that's almost unthinkable for Hollywood. Themes of aging, legacy, of facing death, sacrifice and new beginnings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? "I don't believe in the no-win scenario." --Adm. James T. Kirk A "test" like that is pointless. In real life, jerry-rigging ways to get around a seemingly insoluble problem is exactly the sort of out-of-the-box thinking and creativity Star Fleet (any organization, really) should be rewarding. If it's just a hypothetical scenario, where nobody is really going to die, it's just words. 3 a.m. dorm-room philosophizing. "Sure, I'll sacrifice myself." It doesn't mean anything. As a Vorta once put: "I hope you have one of those Starfleet engineers along, who can turn rocks into replicators." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chromed1 Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? The only literary comparison i can think of off hand is Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time". Female magic users must pass thru a magic device three times. each time they must face themselves in the past, present, and future. (sorta... got to read the books to understand). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Re: Mystical tests of character? The only literary comparison i can think of off hand is Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time". Female magic users must pass thru a magic device three times. each time they must face themselves in the past' date=' present, and future. (sorta... got to read the books to understand).[/quote'] That reminded me: There is such a test in Dragon Age 1, when you choose a magic user: There is magic realm full of demons and they send you directly into it. The mission is a test of character. If you come back, you are approved magician. If you fail and something else comes back - three templar are ready to execute you on the spot and your ghost wanders this dreamrealm for all eternity... Bascially that soceities equivalent of "do or die". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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