Looks That Kill

Optional Advantages and Disadvantages for GURPS

by Dmitri Scull

Numerous fantasy races and creatures have supernatural appearances; either they are so incredibly beautiful that no mortal could compare, or their appearance is enough to turn men into stone. Others can kill or maim with but a gaze. Representing these abilities is problematic at best with existing rules; what follows is a collection of advantages (and a single disadvantage) that can represent these appearance-based effects.

In addition, a further advantage, the Sonic Attack advantage, is included because its effects closely mirror the effects of some appearance attacks. This advantage is for races such as sirens or banshees, who can kill or charm with their voice; this often works well when combined with a matching appearance.

Note that while Immaculate Appearance and Soilproofing may seem to be best used for "silly" campaigns, such as a GURPS IOU game, do not underestimate their impact in making a fae or angelic race seem truly beyond mortal ken.

Appearance, Exceedingly Beautiful/Handsome

50 points

The character's appearance goes beyond the normal heights of mortal appearance; this is the beauty of the scions of the gods. In a non-hostile situation, members of the opposite sex (or rather, those attracted to the character's sex) will always be favorable; in less ideal situations, the character receives a +10 bonus to reaction rolls. Further, members of the opposite sex must make a Will roll to be able to directly harm the character (although less scrupulous individuals may harm the character while attempting to -- or as part of -- possessing the character). Members of the same sex (or those not attracted to the character's gender) react to the character at +10, unless they have reason to dislike the character, in which case they react at -10.

This is normally a racial advantage; however, with GM permission, this may be taken by individuals from races where the average racial appearance is Beautiful/Handsome or better.

Appearance, Unearthly Beautiful/Handsome

80 points

The character's appearance rivals that of the gods themselves. Members of the opposite sex (or rather, those attracted to the character's gender) always react favorably, even in hostile situations; they must also make a Will roll at -4 to harm the character (although less savory individuals may harm the character while attempting to possess the character -- or as part of that possession). Members of the same sex (or those who are not attracted to the character's gender) will always react favorably to the character in non-hostile situations; if they have reason to dislike the character, the reaction will always be negative. Even characters of the same gender (provided they have no reason to dislike the character) have to make a Will roll to do direct harm to the character.

This is normally a racial advantage; however, with GM permission, this may be taken by individuals from races where the average racial appearance is Very Beautiful/Handsome or better.

Gaze Attack

40 points

The character's gaze causes harm to all that meet it; the victim must make a HT roll or suffer 1d damage from the attack. Victims strike at -3 if attacking while trying to avoid meeting the gaze of their opponent. There is a downside -- if you meet your own gaze in a mirror, you suffer the effects of your own gaze.

Special enhancement: You are at +5 HT to resist your reflection. +25%. If you are immune to your reflection, this is worth +50%.

Special enhancement: There is no HT roll to avoid damage. +50%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your gaze puts victims to sleep if the HT roll is failed. +0%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your gaze charms victims if a Will roll (rather than the normal HT roll) is failed, making them subject to your commands as long as they are in your presence, and for five minutes afterward (although they will take no obviously suicidal actions). +10%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your gaze elicits a specific emotional response (such as hate, fear, or depression) if a Will roll (rather than the normal HT roll) is failed. The victim is subject to the emotion as long as they are in your presence, and for five minutes thereafter. +0%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your gaze turns victims to stone or slays them outright. +100%.

Special enhancement: For each extra die of damage done, or -2 to the HT roll. +25%.

Special limitation: Your reflection does not carry the attack; you are immune to your reflection, but so is everyone else. -10%. Attacking someone by looking at their reflection is done at -2 to attack.

Special limitation: Victims must be within 100 feet for your gaze to work. -25%.

Special limitation: You are at -5 HT to resist your reflection. -25%. You receive no HT roll to resist your reflection. -50%.

Special limitation: Charmed victims will only obey a single command. -10%.

Hazardous Visage

60 points

This is similar to a gaze attack, but it is the character's appearance which causes damage rather than merely meeting his or her gaze. Victims must make a HT roll or suffer 1d damage if they see you. As do you if you see yourself in a mirror.

Special enhancement: You are at +5 HT to resist your reflection. +25%. You are immune to your reflection. +50%.

Special enhancement: There is no HT roll to avoid damage. +50%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your visage puts victims to sleep. +0%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your appearance charms victims if a Will roll (rather than the normal HT roll) is failed, making them subject to your commands as long as they are in your presence, and for five minutes afterward (although they will take no obviously suicidal actions). +10%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your gaze elicits a specific emotional response (such as hate, fear, or depression) if a Will roll (rather than the normal HT roll) is failed. The victim is subject to the emotion as long as they are in your presence, and for five minutes thereafter. +0%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your visage turns victims to stone or slays them outright. +100%.

Special enhancement: For each extra die of damage done, or -2 to the HT roll. +25%.

Special limitation: Your reflection does not carry the attack; you are immune to your reflection, but so is everyone else. -10%. Attacking someone by looking at their reflection is done at -2 to attack.

Special limitation: Victims must be within 100 feet for your appearance to be dangerous. -25%.

Special limitation: You are at -5 HT to resist your reflection. -25%. You receive no HT roll to resist your reflection. -50%.

Special limitation: Charmed victims will only obey a single command. -10%.

Immaculate Appearance

5 points

No matter what the character does, his or her appearance is flawless; at least regarding his or her body; clothes and anything carried are another matter entirely. But this does mean that the character's hair, nails, and skin are in perfect condition. This does not prevent the growth of unwanted hair, but will moderate such growth so that it remains even.

Soilproofing

10 points

Anything the character carries (including clothing) is protected from the elements; no dirt, water, or other things of that sort will cause harm to the items or their appearance. This even applies if the character falls into mud or water; all that he or she carries will remain clean and dry. This will not prevent the character from becoming disheveled (although it will keep the character clean and dry); for that, take the Immaculate Appearance advantage.

Special limitation: The soilproofing only applies to dirt (keeping the character's stuff clean, but not dry) or water (keeping it dry, but not clean). -25%

Sonic Attack

60 points

The character can make a sonic attack; a scream, wail, or song that causes harm to all that hear it; the victim must make a HT roll or suffer 1d damage from the attack. The character is immune to his or her own sonic attack.

Special enhancement: There is no HT roll to avoid damage. +50%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your sonic attack puts victims to sleep. +0%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your sonic attack deafens victims for 1d minutes. +0%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your voice charms victims if a Will roll (rather than the normal HT roll) is failed, making them subject to your commands as long as they are in your presence, and for five minutes afterward (although they will take no obviously suicidal actions). +10%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your voice elicits a specific emotional response (such as hate, fear, or depression) if a Will roll (rather than the normal HT roll) is failed. The victim is subject to the emotion as long as they are in your presence, and for five minutes thereafter. +0%.

Special enhancement: Rather than do damage, your voice slays victims outright. +100%.

Special enhancement: For each extra die of damage done, or -2 to the HT roll. +25%.

Special limitation: Charmed victims will only obey a single command. -10%.

Glowing

Variable

The character glows; whether due to natural phosphorescence, innate nature, or supernatural taint. If the character glows so faintly that it is only noticeable in pitch darkness, this is a quirk, worth -1 point. If the character glows as brightly as a torch (visible at night or in twilight), this is worth -5 points. If the character is as bright as a bonfire (visible in any reduced light), this is worth -10 points. If the character is as bright as a beacon (glowing even in sunlight, and bright at night), this is worth -15 points. If the character otherwise could pass as "normal," this is worth an additional -5 points, unless bought as a quirk. Characters who glow find it nearly impossible to hide; those at the -5 level have a -3 to Stealth, those at -10 have a -6. Characters with Glowing at the -15 level cannot hide at all, unless covered. At night or twilight, archers have a +1 bonus to hit a Glowing character per -5 points of the base disadvantage. Note that characters with Body of Fire or a similar Advantage already glow and do not get points for this.




Article publication date: September 28, 2001


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