Example Ambitions

Axiom: Anything that can be done in a by-the-book workflow (like hack4 chargen build point spending) can be accomplished in-game. The converse is not true.

As a sandbox protagonist, it's a really good idea to have an Ambition and a thought as to what kind of narrative quest could achieve this. (Also, the player can choose an ambition the PC doesn't have, as long as there's a narrative reason for that PC to put their feet on that road.)

The workflow is:

  1. Think of an ambition for your PC
  2. Discuss with GM
  3. Play the game
  4. When your ambition is no longer applicable (such as: you've achieved it) go to step 1.

Examples of Ambitions

  1. Kzate wanted to become a dragon
  2. a 1-hp wonder might want to get more HP
  3. Wish a class from the not-in-play list was in play? (Or just some specific parts of it?)
  4. Want a skill?

Examples of Implementations

Ask a Sage

  • When in doubt, pay a sage to research your ambition. Fail Forward is in play: the worst that will happen is the sage will give you a lead that starts a quest that moves the PC closer to the goal.

Non-Legendary

Borogovian Training Montages

  • An endurance training montage with a master allows you to improve upon your hit-dice rolls.
    • if done during level-up montage, roll extra hit dice equal to the master's training stat and keep the single best one.
    • if done as a downtime project, roll dice equal to the master's training stat and keep "your hit dice count" -- if the resulting total is better than yours, it replaces your HP max.

Legendary

  • Fickle Gods
  • Mysterious Magic Pools
  • Weird magic items
  • sheer awesome stories elevating the mundane to the ta'veren
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