Challenges 2.0

[bias]

I was thinking about the mutant challenge and I thought that this might make a better and more general challenge then Mutant.

Discrimination: 2-4 stones
You are part of a group that if it is known you are part of that group you will be discriminated against. Historical examples might be the blacks in America before the 1960's(4w) or being gay(2w). An example from comic books is being a mutant(3w).

[UrbanBlue]

Something abou thtat smacks as something I wouldn't want to put on my CAD.

I mean you might note that you're part of a group being discriminated but I wouldn't put down a group as a challenge.

THe problem is that is seems like taking advantage of something real, unlike being a mutant. I mean other CADs have things like physical probolems, which is fine, but... I don't think yours is a good idea.

Besides, different people are discriminated in different parts of the world or even in the same place but by different people.

[takewithfood]

I think it's a good suggestion, actually. The only change I'd make is what its worth - I'd lower the reward a little; maybe 1 or 2 stones?

Part of what makes being a mutant such a challenge is that there are some effects (viruses, mutant detectors, etc) that actually single them out. But I'd say being a part of a visible minority can be worth 1 or 2 stones.

~TWF

[UrbanBlue]

OKay, I think I can explain this slighty more now:

OK, here's some challenges:
-Overweight
-Needs Glasses/contacts
-Homosexual

OK, now with the overweight and glasses/contacts, that's something people will see/effects actions or abilities in a physical way.

Now, with the homosexuality, that's not really a physical thing. I mean, you can't look at a guy and go, oh he's homosexual, that will effect his ability to see a sign far away or cause him to get winded quickly.

In other non-physical challenges like Insanity, that's effecting your state of mind, your ability to be rational, etc.

Now, a character who is homosexual may have a different state of mind, but its not the same.

In short, discrimination seems kind of...strange. It still may not be completely clear why I think that, but this I think is a better explanation.

I also think it could be easily abused.

[arch2ngel]

So maybe make Homosexual a 1w Challenge, but FLAMING Homosexual a 2w?

(And even by your logic, I can DEFINITELY see "Arabic Ethnicity" as a Challenge in most civilizations today...course, if it's set in the Middle East, being American would be the Challenge! lol)

[Roc]

I think it seems strange, Hal, because we know things like race, religion, or sexual preference shouldn't be factors on how a person is judged or treated. Unfortunately, not everyone shares this notion; they hate and discriminate regardless.

In the Marvel universe, the writer's chose to make their society fearful and hateful toward mutants, and since we don't have (or know about) any real mutants in our society, it seems understandable. Yet, as a whole, many groups have suffered from discrimination, though it seems to be improving in recent years. Arch is right that in a post 9/11 scenario, Arabic ethnicities have been discriminated against. The 90's were hard times for homosexuals, especially with the fear of AIDS. Vietnam vets during the 70's, African-Americans before the 70's, Russians during the Cold War, Germans during WWII, etc...(in American society, at least)

While I wouldn't make 'Homosexual' a discrimination challenge normally, it would depend on the setting of the game. If we decide to play (prepare for stereotypes!) in the backwoods South in a town full of rednecks and drunks, an openly gay couple strolling into a bar is going to result in a challenge or two.

Comparing it to RAW and the 1inMil 2.0 challenges, it is similar and comparable to: Adolescent/Child, Deadly Enemies, Disliked/Shunned by Peers, Looking Non-Human, Secret Identity, Branded an Outlaw, Traitor/Disgrace, Rejected by Family. Each relates directly to how they are seen and treated by others.

To me, Discrimination seems to be a good, all-purpose challenge provided that GM's do their part to ensure it isn't abused.

[takewithfood]

Very, very well put, Roc.

~TWF