Curse Them!

1. Curse Them!

   #1

   I'm sure you know it. There comes a moment when you have finally enough of a certain player/character, or all of them ego-maniacs. Perhaps they did something really stupid, again, and you don't want to save their asses, yet again.
   
   Or did they insult someone a bit too powerful or important? Did they kill your favourite dragon or villain, too soon?! Did they decide to turn to Evil and erased the village you so lovingly created with all inhabitants, up to little girls' puppy dog?
   
   Curse them, I say!
   
   
   Some of the curses I remember from don't-know-where:
   (Vocabulary: the victim means the victim of the curse)
   
   The victim grows an argumentative, annoying second head on her shoulder.
   
   People you meet point at you with their finger and say: "You are CURSED!"
   
   Curse of Ambrosial Odour
   
   The cursed character smells like whatever food the creature smelling it most desires and likes to eat. Chance to encounter wandering monsters grows at least doubly. All unintellingent beings automatically attack the victim, and even some intelligent beings will try to kill and eat the unfortunate.
   
   
   Two of my own design:
   
   The Curse of Yoxer the Mighty
   (as seen in the Xena TV-show)
   The character becomes extremely clumsy, almost to the point of not being able to participate in any combat - most of the time he is simply overrun and/or pushed/hit aside by other combatants. He becomes in essence a comical sidekick to the heroes, useful only for carrying luggage. The victim usually gets stunned and otherwise excluded out of The Big Action, on the other hand he is likely to become a hostage, being very weak in defense. Hope his comrades like him.
   
   
   The Curse of Unlimited Familiarity
   
   The cursed character radiates a weak subliminal message. Anyone looking at him, but not knowing him, will get the feeling: I know this guy from somewhere...
   
   This insidious curse does not impart any knowledge about the victim, it merely gives the feeling that the viewer met him somewhere sometime, or remembered him for some reason? Who knows. The feeling is enough to change ones attitude and behaviour towards the cursed character, unlike to a complete stranger. Indeed, it is impossible to be a complete stranger to anyone, or blend into the crowd. While it can be exploited at times, the poor character will soon feel awkward, people behaving strangely around him.
   
   DM Tip:
   any role-playing with people not familiar with the group will most probably be done through the victim, or somewhat distorted by his presence. And there should be much role-playing based on this curse only.
   
   The curse does not force any negative or positive emotions towards the wearer. Of course, people can make whatever assumptions they want, and they will. Once recognized, they treat the victim according to their experience. Anyone forgetting the character will be again subject to the curse' effects.

2. yeah !!! curse them

   #2

   i love curses they are so cool
   
   i hace a few curses i made hehehe
   
   
   The curse of Nastarn
   
   This curse may afect all the party because the curse make the character affected by it a insect magnet all the insects just stick to him even demon insects or monsters insect and well the party or group will suffer too.
   
   The light tower curse
   
   this is one of my favorites and is in tha palladium rpg but it can be played in any system the curse consiste that the cursed player have a bright glow in his eyes just like a light tower and he can use the light to see like a lantern but the trick is in night he can´t hide hehehe and well in town they maybe think he is a demon or something because of the light hehe the light can be of any color have fun!!

3. Curse Them!

   #3

   I am stealing this one from Strolen, by the way... please forgive me, oh mighty Admin...
   
   From here.
   
   
   The Curse Of Exploding Weapon
   Makes the character's weapon a magical +X superweapon... that will explode on a critical hit.
   
   Alternately, the character's weapon grows progressively stronger, and more dangerous. With a +15 it would be unstable enough that a single hit makes it go BOOM, and a +20 should not be even touched. If you don't drop it soon enough, well... :twisted:
   
   In both cases it may be a fitting 'reward' : Oh, thank you mighty hero, I will bless your sword, so it may aid you more in your endeavours...

4. Curse Them!

   #4

   The victim becomes utterly unable to say anything intelligibly. They either stutter, trip over their own words, mix up words, or can't remember the world they want (are are therefore doomed to refer to "thingamabobs, doohickies, thingies, etc"). Or any combination of the above.
   
   The victim turns into the opposite gender when certain circumstances are met. Getting wet, getting embarrased, getting drunk, etc.
   
   The victim has an irresitible urge to cross-dress.
   
   Extremely inappropriate things appear at random in the victim's possession. Underwear for the opposite gender, love letters from the wrong person, etc. Use your immagination and have fun.

5. Curse Them!

   #5

   Reptiles find the victim fascinating. Snakes will be curl up in the victim's belongs, wrap around the victim, and slither out to meet them. Lizards leap out of trees and off bushes to get a look. Giant reptiles may consider the victim either their best pal or food. When one considers how much people hate snakes... Picture having a 30-foot boa constrictor follow you into town!
   
   The victim is constantly soaking wet. No amount of drying, sunning, etc can dry them off. They leave puddles if they stay still for too long, and when it gets cold they're horribly miserable at the very least.

6. Curse Them!

   #6

   The victim is constantly dive-bombed by birds.
   
   The victim is pained with recurring frostbite that leaves and returns.

7. Curse Them!

   #7

   Supermanosis
   
   It is not exactly sure if this is a curse, a supernatural ability, a minor or major mental disorder, or simply some kind of hobby, mood or what. Still, it brings its carrier lots of problems.
   
   
   The character starts to feel unsatisfied with his life. He would like to achieve more, and feels it is possible, just in some... different way. Slowly, but irreversibly, he begins to move to a strange new way of living.
   
   The character's personality partially splits into two alter egos. One becomes the so-called "Clark", the other "Superman".
   
   "Clark" is the average, ordinary, uninteresting half. It is likely that the greatest part of his original life will be drawn to him. Clark will become withdrawn and waiting for moments when the other personality can manifest. People start to ignore him in a way, and have a tendency to compare him to the his alter ego. Most tries to do something heroic fail.
   
   "Superman" is the hero. He can achieve more, does heroic stuff on a regular basis and has lots of witty sayings to educate the kids with. Superman is most often masked, so he does uncover his true identity. Even if having superpowers, he is not able to save everyone and feels often depressed because of that.
   
   Both parts of the character feel the need to keep this a secret.
   
   Ruleswise the character may get a bonus when doing heroic staff while being a hero, and malus when not. The character must be in both forms at least one hour each day, or he can expect an identity crisis.

8. Curse Them!

   #8

   I am the fan of the more subtle misfortunes that can arise and that, perhaps, just a disgruntled peasant with the touch of power could enact without the players even knowing at first. They should be careful when the ignore a beggar or ruin somebodies home in a fight. Fit it to the occupation of the person they disgruntled too. Hated the food at an inn? Give them indegestion or gas. etc etc.
   
   Some of these things should happen in a campaign periodically anyway to put a little more 'realism' and 'Murphy' in the game.
   
   
   [*]The victims armor continuously comes undone and sags/falls off.
   
   [*]Any equipment the victim uses has a chance of failure. Rope, torch, horse saddle, backpack straps, maps are smeared, bottles in pack leak, seams in clothes come undone etc.
   
   [*]Sword gets stuck in sheathe and takes a battle of strength to get it out.
   
   [*]Always break things when visiting places. Break chairs at taverns, knock over displays at stores, ruin goblets and forks at the kings dinner.
   
   [*]Animals are skitterish around victim to the point where the victim almost can't use a horse. I would let them eventually get on but make it a constant struggle.
   
   [*]Everytime they eat food they get bad indigestion or gas. Uncomfortable enough to force them to rest out of cycle occasionally.
   
   [*]When the victim passes by some poor people some coins fall out of their coin bag without them noticing. To save the poor the dilemna of returning it, they never see who drop it and it usually happens so the poor are the first to find it.
   
   [*]The insect one is always a good one as mentioned. When stationary cause flies or bees or something to start flying around the victim until it becomes unbearable and they have to leave. Works slowly though so when they are halfway through a meal the flies are just starting to get thick.
   
   [*]They always get dirty somehow. Mud splattering on them, food dropped on themselves, stepping in dung, wash water thrown out the window, trees dropping dust and bark, small cave-ins, etc. Anything that can happen to soil them.
   
   [*]Always misplacing things. They can swear they put something somewhere but when they go to find it it is somewhere else. Even if they announce to everyone, "I am putting my healing potion in my right pocket" when he goes to find it, it is not there. When he asks, "You saw/heard me" the response will always be, we heard you but I didn't see where you put it. The angle was wrong or they looked away or whatever. Only if they force the other person to watch somehow will the item be where they put it.
   
   

9. Curse Them!

   #9

   Hair changes color after every wash.
   
   Keep hearing rustling just behind them.
   
   Keep seeing shadows cross their peripheral vision.

10. Curse Them!

    #10

    A curse of constant itching.It could weaken the affected person in combat and make him/her take a willpower check each day to avoid scratching until bleeding takes place.

11. Curse Them!

    #11

    The first curse that comes to mind is the old Chinese curse of May you live an interesting life.
    
    Some others that come to mind also.
    
    The cursed becomes an interest to dogs of all stripes. They will follow him constantly, begging for food, or attention, sleeping next to him when possible, being a general nuisance. Stealing food, frightening the horses, giving the victim unlimited access to fleas, and ticks, and whatever burrs and debris is lodged in their fur. These are cowardly, whining, mincing mutts, not guard animals.
    
    Victim becomes repellant to fish. Not such a big deal until it is time to cast a few lines in the water, and try to catch dinner, then no one catches anything. This is a fine curse, I myself suffer from it.
    
    Victim leaves tarnished fingerprints on exposed metal. Silver comes away with black marks, copper comes away with green, etc. Leather straps and bands rot quickly, in a matter of weeks in constant contact with skin. TRy wearing a watch with this one!
    
    Victim is cursed with a picky stomach. Cannot eat a certain staple food as it makes them queasy, violently ill, gives 'em diahrea and so on. The victim can no longer eat beef, or potatoes, or some other basic or daily food. A severe curse might make an uncommon food poisonous. One bit of celery could be potentially fatal...
    
    Victim is cursed with a volatile temper, confronting them with it makes them angry, almost everything maks them angry. Fight, maim, punish!
    
    Lets get Biblical
    Feast of Ashes - regular food no longer sustains the character, eating it makes them violently ill to the point of vomiting. The only thing the character can eat is cold ash, taken from expired fires, torches, braziers. Messy to eat, meager at the very best, and it tastes like ash.
    
    Curse of Night - sunlight causes the victim discomfort. Bright light hurts their eyes, and they sun burn with astonishing speed. Only cool, dark places offer respite from this maladiction. Double any damage from exposure to the sun.
    
    Curse of Salt - No plant will grow for the victim, he has the proverbial brown thumb and must rely on the labor of others, or the flesh of beasts for his sustainence.
    
    okay, i think that is enough for now.

12. Curse Them!

    #12

    Curse of Fear-Anything that would cause slight fear in most people causes terror in the person affected by this curse.His/her health and social standing both suffer.

13. Curse Them!

    #13

    The Curse of the Raven
    
    Arrows are seemingly drawn towards the victim. Archers will shoot at him first, and a signifigant portion of wild, and massed vollies will fly towards the character. Someone deliberately shooting at the PC will have a very hard time missing.
    
    Curse of the Pea
    
    There will always be a spot of pea-gravel that hounds the victim. It may hide, a phantom in his boot or shoe, or it may be a lump under his bedroll, keeping him from much needed sleep.
    
    Curse of Orpheus
    
    Victim is afflicted by hideous nightmares that prevent most sleep, hindering healing and the regeneration of HP, or magic points, dependant on system.
    
    Curse of the Fool
    
    The fool is blinded to what he truely possesses. Lust is transposed for love, savagry for honor, and whimsey for wisdom. The fool becomes impulsive, and forgetful of all bonds, be they of law or friendship

14. Curse Them!

    #14

    Curse of the Death-Seeker
    
    The unfortunate keeps finding dead people. Be it natural or unnatural death, known people or strangers that died in his or her vicinity are too often found.
    
    The exact impact depends on the relation to the deceased, but over time, the high number of corpses one finds begins to take its toll. The curse does not make people die, but heightens the chance of finding a body. The victim is but likely to start attributing these deaths to itself, that for some reason are they linked to him, or happen because of her.
    
    Most victim of the curse inevitably start leading a lonely life, some completely withdraw from civilisation. If someone is of a particularly resistant nature, one could become a finder of bodies of lost friends or relatives. Some victims go mad.
    
    The victims may easily attract unwished attention from the authorities, or enraged mobs.

15. Curse of Tarnished Love

    #15

    While subtle at first, this vile curse can drive a victim into desperation and insanity.
    Its effects manifest in events hampering the character's relationships - either the father of his beloved mistakes him for some enemy of his, chasing the unfortunate love-struck PC out of town, or his sister takes an instant dislike of the character's beloved because ... say, she wears furs and the sister just happened to join PETA.
    Also, coincidences happen that compromise his beloved or him - a sailor might approach them and claim that she's but a harlot he had some fun with some time ago, or an ardent fan of the heroic PC leaps at him and starts hugging and kissing him just as his fiancee enters the door. An ex-lover of hers might get drunk and tell of the highly unusual (preferably repulsive) sexual practices she favored back then...
    When they sit on a bench during a romantic evening, it will start to rain. The candlelight dinner will be contaminated with salmonella or other germs. When, finally, they get to a nice warm and cozy place, and let their passion lead them... a fire breaks out, the city watch storms the appartment on the search for criminals or illegal goods, or all the neighbors start making noise.
    Should the character and his beloved endure all these hardships, and get to marry, the rings will get lost, the priest run over by a drunk dwarf, and resistance fighters assault the temple, while the replacement priest turns out to be the demon prince Asmodeus intent on devouring their souls...

16. Curse Them!

    #16

    Curse of the Blabbermouth
    
    The PC allways ends up saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.Insults to bouncers/innkeepers/patrons will come out of his/her mouth without him/her meaning to.Passwords will be wrong even when he or she knows them.Spells will have a wrong word in them which either makes them fail or become a totally random spell.The PC finds him/herself lying when the truth would be best and telling the truth when it would cause offence.Romance with this curse is almost impossible. :twisted:

17. Curse Them!

    #17

    The Mirror Curse
    
    The character is unable to see through mirrors, unless having closed eyes. So if he closes eyes, and there is a mirror nearby, he will see what he normally would see in it. Ironically, a mirror displays the eyes also reversed - closed when they are not, and open when actually closed.
    
    Note that it is very hard to fall asleep while in the presence of a mirror. While one could note movement, and be warned of it, it guarantees no wake-up, only disturbing of dreams.
    
    The curse also works on reflective surfaces of any kind. Lakes for instance, loose much of their beauty.

18. Curse Them!

    #18

    Liar's Curse
    The first time the afflicted tells a lie, a little imp pops into existence over his shoulder and corrects him, blurting out the truth for anyone in earshot. Thereafter, any attempts to be subtle, diplomatic, or even falsely polite are foiled, as the imp blurts out whatever the character is thinking but not saying.
    
    Curse of Curses (Got this one from Reaper Man)
    Everytime the afflicted swears, it materialises as a little creature above his head. The viler the curse, the more bizarre the creature it becomes. These creatures follow the afflicted around like ducklings follow their mother, settlign on his head and shoulders whenever he stops moving.

19. Curse Them!

    #19

    (Borrowed from Family Guy) Theme music, appropriate to the situation, follows the character around everywhere. At first this is neat, but since it can't be turned off, it gets annoying quickly.
    
    A variant on the above, is constant humming. This can be either a low mechanical drone, or what sounds like someone (source unascertainable) humming some unknown song--someone without any sense of tone or rhythm. Any of these variants makes stealth impossible, and the noise-cursed one unbearable in short order.
    
    A deceptively simple one at first, loose threads, slowly adds up to larger problems. While the occassional loose thread isn't anything to lose sleep over, this cursed character constantly has at least one loose thead somewhere. Clothes slowly unravel, and there is a danger of anattended threads getting caught on something (or someone) or causing the inflicted to trip and fall. This becomes an especially irritating curse in the presence of someone with the compusion to remove any loose threads found. First one, then another, then another... until the poor cursed victim is left naked.

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