Just picked up a physical copy at the game store yesterday, so happy to get my hands on an actual book. Can’t wait to run and play this.
Question concerning debts between player characters. One of the characters my friend and I like to reprise are sisters, separated in early youth and reunited in the plot.
My concern is that they should not really be collecting debts against each other, at least not in the style that Debts appear to be represented in the US system (not because family doesn’t collect debts, but because their relationship has always been “best of friends”).
What would be a good way to have best friends who will collaborate easily and forgive debts in US without discarding the Debt system? Curious if others have run into this before and already written about it.
I haven’t run into that, because it’s a lot of pre-planning that is usually frowned upon in PbtA games. It’s the GM’s job to put you into situations where the sisters are at odds with each other and WANT debts to play against each other.
But you can always just forgive or ignore debts with each other and keep them with NPCs. Not all PCs play debts against each other often.
Yeah, collaborate easily isn’t really the name of the game in general. Especially if the MC is doing their job and putting what the characters want at cross purposes.
If you’re not holding capital-D Debts, don’t use the rules for them.
But.
As mentioned, the reason there’s a rule for it is because it’s meant to be part of the game, like barter or special moves or want. You can play without invoking it between the two of you and that is fine. We are not the game police. Just remember without that system, those pressures and balances, you’re not always going to get the game the way it was made.
Personally, I’d see it as starting with, “Sisters don’t keep track of who owes the other, darling,” and spiralling into, “You’d be nothing without me!” by halfway through the story as outside forces drag them one way or another. Sounds fun!
Toby Sennett totally. A US game that starts with “we’re the best of sisters” should probably end with them fighting 😉
A few thoughts:
1) Debts can be invoked even between close friends. “I know lugging furniture around sucks and you have plans on Saturday, but remember how I helped you move last year? I really need the help moving this weekend because I’m getting kicked out of my apartment and can’t do it another day.”
2) Just because a debt exists doesn’t mean you ever have to use it.
3) Some archetypes have moves that cost debts for supernatural effects, so they might get use out of them. For example some Tainted can be summoned by people that they owe.
Having read more of the Debts system, I’ve seen they don’t have to be as antagonistic as I first worried. Thanks for the replies though, peeps, it’s been way more helpful than you realize.