Regarding Resources
If a Resource is neither a Need or Surplus, I would assume the Family have a neutral amount somewhere between the two extremes. Does this mean you can spend these ‘neutral’ resources, which would give you an equivalent Need?
i.e.
“A Family of Tyrants are trading a much needed supply of Medicine with another settlement to bolster their own ranks with Recruits (need).”
If I understand it correctly, this could remove the Recruits (need), but also give them Medicine (need). Its this possible? Or can’t you trade the ‘neutral’ Medicine Medicine resource? Thoughts?
So I’d say that Families can’t ‘spend’ a neutral resource to achieve the same results as spending a Surplus via Right Tool for the Job or tapping a Surplus for Tool Up.
But when a Family wants to embark on a course of action, it’s perfectly legit for the GM to say ‘you can do that but it’ll be tough and give you Need: X’ – a combo of the GM reactions ‘tell them the consequences and ask’ and ‘inflict a Need’.
Thanks for helping me think outside the box, Iles! ^_^
Appreciate the input. It’s challenging “breaking old roleplaying-habits” after many years of ‘traditional’ games. big thumbs up