101 Interactional Character Quirks


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94. Pick one not uncommon thing, and the character is *insanely* cautious about that thing. He'll even have a story explaining how his mother was reading him a story, when a gobbet of burning wax fell from the lantern onto his bedclothes and 'woosh!' his nightshirt and his hair were all aflame! And that's why he always holds a torch or candle or lantern as far from his body as possible, like it's a venomous snake, and totally freaks out if anybody with a lit torch even stands adjacent to him.

Maybe it's moving around horses (having been kicked as a child while standing near a horse that turned around, and still having a palpable 'dent' in his skull the shape of a hoof). Maybe it's drinking when people are talking or moving around (a laughing person once bumped him while he was taking a drink and he nearly choked to death, having to be resuscitated by magic!). Maybe it's a fear of stepping in puddles (a puddle once was obscuring a missing flagstone and he fell halfway into the sewers and was stuck for an hour!).


95. Character eats in anime hero-esque proportions-frequently, and eats so much that you'd think that they'd either gain ten pounds or explode. Bonus points if you're a mage or Dex-based character and always stay petite and spritely.

96. When investigating something, the character uses all five senses-they not only take a look at something, they lick it, run their fingers all over the object in question, take a deep sniff, and tap it and listen to the sound it makes.


97. Character refuses to ever tell the truth, considering lies to be the subtlest form of artistry, and always works some falsehood into every conversation he has with an NPC. (I've got one in a game I briefly GMed and it's a rather... unique experience).

98. Character is a keen collector of exotic weapons, and will do whatever he can to hold and examine every magic weapon he sees, no matter who owns it.

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99: Buys toys from cities he visits, to bring/ship to his children (or nephews and nieces)

Stolen from a pregen char I saw, IIRC.


100: He keeps telling everyone that "This is all a game!" Says oaths to some Game Master, and may even be a priest of the game master. Has a theory that the beings playing this game are characters in another game, and this goes on infinitely. Calls himself a fourth waller.

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101. He read about or heard some legend about possession as a child, possibly while feverish or being exorcised, and is *convinced* that he's possessed still, but that the entity he actually is has been mentally affected by the exorcism and no longer remembers his true nature, other than in brief surreal dreams of otherworldly places. The entity he believes to be isn't a fiend, but a time-travelling Old Cults creature, studying this era from within mentally displaced human hosts, and he tends to take copious notes on otherwise commonplace human interactions and activities in Aklo, for 'when his memories return' and he remembers how to 'get home and finish his mission.'

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Petty Alchemy wrote:

99: Buys toys from cities he visits, to bring/ship to his children (or nephews and nieces)

Stolen from a pregen char I saw, IIRC.

I've actually started doing this one, so to go along with it;

102: Adopt street urchins instead of turning them over to an orphanage where they might get full time proper care.

Scarab Sages

103. Intermittently snacks on nearby bugs.


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I'm Hiding In Your Closet wrote:
103. Intermittently snacks on nearby bugs.

Next lizardman character I play is totally going to do that.

He'll carry a stick so he can dip it into swarms and eat them off the stick.

Scarab Sages

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104. Talks about everything in terms of pie (i.e. "I want a bigger piece of the pie" when bargaining for treasure, "what's for pie this month?" when wondering what their next adventure is, "please join us for pie" when greeting a new party member, "there's too much pie on the table" to describe an overwhelming situation, "eat sword pie!" when attacking an enemy with their sword, refers to magic as "upside-down baking," etc).


105. constantly flipping, rolling or otherwise fiddling with a "lucky" coin

106. Dresses and speaks anachronistically; compares everything to the "olden days"; may or may not be all that old

107. Long winded: always uses more words than needed. Ex: instead of bumping into someone and saying "excuse me" this person might say "a thousand and one pardons for my clumsy abuttment of your pesonage sir or madam as the case may be perchance"

108. Invents nicknames for everyone they meet by playing on their actual name; shorten it, add a phrase to it, rhyme with the name, etc.

109. Repeats everything twice in conversation. Ex: "I'm gonna go get the papers... get the papers."

110. Wears a particular piece of clothing which is used for dramatic effect; perhaps a long multicolored scarf which is twirled in conversation or a pair of dark lenses which are removed when saying something jarring or poignant

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Oh no. We've gone past 101. Oh no oh no nononono.


111. Always suggests the opposite, and does that if possible. "Stop at 101? No, on to a million, Nocan!"

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112. Whenever she encounters a monster, she relates whatever knowledge she has of the beast by explaining that her older brother told her about this creature, and giving the impression that he was some sort of widely-travelled adventurer (an impression she has no interest in dispelling). At other times, she will comment about how her brother would love this, or he once described people who dress like these folk. At night, she fishes out a small locket during her watch and quietly describes the day's events, with a special focus on creatures and their tactics, vulnerabilities, etc.

(Her older brother was a sickly child, and anyone seeing the two of them together could be forgiven for thinking her the elder of the two, as he never truly matured the way he should have. He would read voraciously, naturalist's tomes and bestiaries and the like, and then tell his younger sister, who had become his caregiver over time, fantastic tales of the two of them adventuring together, facing the beasts he had read about that day. She promised him that someday he would get better and they would adventure for real. But he died, and now she carries a lock of his hair in her locket, and relates to him the adventures he never got to have in life.)


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I'm Hiding In Your Closet wrote:
104. Talks about everything in terms of pie (i.e. "I want a bigger piece of the pie" when bargaining for treasure, "what's for pie this month?" when wondering what their next adventure is, "please join us for pie" when greeting a new party member, "there's too much pie on the table" to describe an overwhelming situation, "eat sword pie!" when attacking an enemy with their sword, refers to magic as "upside-down baking," etc).

When you say "I want...," I say "Pie!"


The old man has a staff. They say they are going to have a staff meeting, then they talk to it or hit a goblin with it. (It's a staff of life with full charges).

Silver Crusade

113: Repeats the last few words anyone speaking to them said before they start speaking.
114: Uses the word "Actually" a lot, and often corrects people.
115: No matter how much money or status this person gets, they always prefer unidentifiable meats and boots with thin soles.
116: Has a bracelet made out of cord, with a small souvenir from each place they've visited on it.
117: Frequently writes letters home, sometimes with money in it for mom and dad.
118: Has an impressive mustache, and spends lots of time grooming it.
119: Shines their armor until it gleams.
120: Move their mouth while reading or thinking.

Scarab Sages

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JadeVamp wrote:


115: No matter how much money or status this person gets, they always prefer unidentifiable meats and boots with thin soles.

121: Smokes cigars to celebrate moments of triumph.

122: Makes heavy and expert use of feinting techniques and surprise attacks.
123: Incorruptible even in the most toxic atmosphere.
124: Loves walking in the rain.

JadeVamp wrote:


117: Frequently writes letters home, sometimes with money in it for mom and dad.
119: Shines their armor until it gleams.

125: Identifies as a different race because they were adopted and raised by parents of that race.

126: Has a 'thing' for lycanthropes.
127: Has genuine royal lineage, and is either oblivious to the fact, or chooses not to make any issue it.

JadeVamp wrote:


120: Move their mouth while reading or thinking.

128: Has had a perfect memory their whole life, and has no concept of "forgetting."

129: Adheres to the most redeeming aspects and interpretations of an otherwise cruel religion.
130: Incredibly compassionate and forgiving.


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Goth Guru wrote:
131: The old man has a staff. They say they are going to have a staff meeting, then they talk to it or hit a goblin with it. (It's a staff of life with full charges).

Fixed it.

132: Claims to not have a soul. Alignment is undetectable. Claims he lost it in a one night stand with a Kitsune.

Silver Crusade

Well, someone got the references! I figured that would happen. Anyways, a couple non-Discworld related ones.

133: Is terrified of bugs, and makes other people squish them.
134: Never looks into anyone's eyes when they speak to them.
135: Gives money to any child beggars they see.
136: Spends their free time whittling/carving small objects, gives them to other characters.
137: When mad, launches into blistering tirades in a uncommon language.
138: Performs tiny, harmless pranks on their fellow travelers.
139: Finishes bandaging up wounds with a kiss.
140: Hugs people. A lot.


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141: Claims to have been a magical pony till they stepped through a mirror.


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142: Doodles in Spellbook and then seeks to act them out. Example: flying above a bunch of orcs throwing fireballs. Or drawing teachers in lewd positions and then making illusions to the same effect.

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143: Loves to play matchmaker.


144: Uses sleight of hand to plant their favorite trinkets and figurines on the persons of others as a sign of acceptance.
145: Eagerly argues that another person is right after an off-hand comment, before laying down a statement that grossly misinterprets what the other person said.
146: Apologizes to the dead and dying; may insist on performing last rides or providing one last comfort for the lost after the danger has passed, even if he's the one who killed them.
147: Has a mirror they use to check themselves over between dangers, to make sure the goods aren't damaged. Not foppish, perhaps, but certainly vain.
148: Scratches at bad wounds that were healed over with magic. Claims to feel a nasty itch, or a sharp tingling sensation, like a kink that won't stretch itself out.
149: Mumbles the names of combat maneuvers, approximate measurements, and other tactical information during combat, while staring at their opponents as if they were difficult homework.
150: Always lies about being more powerful than they are, to the point of taking credit for random coincidence or luck.
151: Plans slogans, uniforms, and banners for the adventuring party without consulting their team mates.
152: Is always the last person to catch on to a dramatic reveal, sometimes only reacting several seconds after things have escalated into a battle.

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For my newest character concept.

153: Is willing to try just about anything once.


Petty Alchemy wrote:

For my newest character concept.

153: Is willing to try just about anything once.

Anything?


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Goth Guru wrote:
141: Claims to have been a magical pony till they stepped through a mirror.

Damn you. Now I have to use this.


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154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

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Soilent wrote:
Petty Alchemy wrote:

For my newest character concept.

153: Is willing to try just about anything once.

Anything?

Sure, like take control of the BBEG's cult for a day just to see what that's like. Or have a traditional drinking contest with the dwarf, despite being a non-drinker in general.


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Randarak wrote:
154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

I like the idea of approaching the brawler with fist cozies.

Or the Barbarian waking up with her greataxe covered in crochet.


Randarak wrote:
154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

Used a variant of this for a warrior NPC. Her name was Granalvena and she took Craft: Basket Weaving. Gran' was a NG female tengu warrior 7 and her 7th level feat was Master Craftsman. Any time she approached the PCs with a job she was working on a container of some sort. She had wicker cozies for all of her weapons, wicker shoulder pads on her armor, a wicker heavy wooden shield, and of course a basket for a hat. Since she could make wondrous items with her skill the PCs commissioned a "basket of holding" from Gran' but the campaign ended.

All I had to do to act her out was pretend to be weaving something with my hands and the players knew exactly who they were talking to.

Scarab Sages

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Soilent wrote:
Randarak wrote:
154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

I like the idea of approaching the brawler with fist cozies.

Or the Barbarian waking up with her greataxe covered in crochet.

Does this mean the upcoming psychic classes all get hats?

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Randarak wrote:
154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

155. Is a master of croquet, and is always using downtime to smack balls through rings with a mallet.


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Set wrote:
Randarak wrote:
154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

155. Is a master of croquet, and is always using downtime to smack balls through rings with a mallet.

156. Is a master of the chicken croquette, and is always using downtime to find new and interesting ways to make ham-enshrouded, batter-dipped chicken.


I'm Hiding In Your Closet wrote:
Soilent wrote:
Randarak wrote:
154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

I like the idea of approaching the brawler with fist cozies.

Or the Barbarian waking up with her greataxe covered in crochet.

Does this mean the upcoming psychic classes all get hats?

They do once I get that book and a character sheet.

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Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber
Marco Polaris wrote:
151: Plans slogans, uniforms, and banners for the adventuring party without consulting their team mates.

I've done this. Also appointed herself the group leader without telling anyone, and made up business cards which she hands out to everyone she meets. On purple glitter paper -- because nothing says professionalism like purple glitter.

"Hello, I'm Viriel and these are my Vanquishers. Please remember Viriel's Vanquishers for all of your vanquishing needs."

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Randarak wrote:
Set wrote:
Randarak wrote:
154. Is a master of crochet, and is always using downtime to make socks and cozies for equipment.

155. Is a master of croquet, and is always using downtime to smack balls through rings with a mallet.

156. Is a master of the chicken croquette, and is always using downtime to find new and interesting ways to make ham-enshrouded, batter-dipped chicken.

Ha! "The winner of the Gemini Croquettes all expenses trip to Phloston Paradise!"

157. Always talks as if hosting a game show, very enthusiastic and projecting to reach the cheap seats.

As for 151, I've also done the 'theme' thing without consulting the others. I noticed in one game that nobody had a magic cloak, so I bought everyone a matching +1 cloak of resistance (and later upgraded them all to +2). It being a handy item, nobody complained (or even commented on) the color-coordination or decorations.

Scarab Sages

158. Refers to goodberries as "glitterberries."

159. Falls back to venting about their many decades-old resentments when upset.

160. Regardless of the present situation, looks like they're barely suppressing the urge to go on a homicidal rampage.

161. Nurses an irrational bigotry against a large group due to being deeply wounded by a single member of that group years ago.

162. Constantly makes vulgar remarks that belie their superior intelligence.

163. Consistently makes a weird noise when curious or excited; is not aware they do it.

164. Speaks...really...slowly.

165. Two words: Compulsive overachiever.

166. Two more words: Disturbingly nice.

167. Routinely compromises their values to get ahead.

168. Seems too good to be true; is, for the most part, in fact truly that good.

169. Is insecure about their intelligence, but smarter than they realize.

170. Has a sardonic one-liner for nearly any occasion.

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I'm Hiding In Your Closet wrote:
163. Consistently makes a weird noise when curious or excited; is not aware they do it.

Ooh, I know this one. She makes a sound like air escaping from a balloon when she's excited. 'Eeeeeeeeee!'

And then there's the guy who smacks his lips when he's thinking. It sounds like fish are flopping around in his mouth.

Quote:
166. Two more words: Disturbingly nice.

And I work with this one, too. He's the nicest old man you'll ever meet. Unfailingly polite. Never an unkind word to say about anyone or anything. And his creepy smile makes you want to call the police.

171. At least once in any conversation he has a spasm that causes him to shrug and shake his shoulders or tilt/turn his head to the side and twitch. He seems either unaware of this, or just too embarrassed to acknowledge any mention of it (and anyone who knows him goes along with it and never brings it up, leaving any new person who does mention it looking like the jerk, and being awkwardly ignored as everyone just pretends he didn't mention the twitch).

172. This person is covered with offensive/racist/sacrilegious tattoos, which they seem embarrassed and ashamed of, and, if pressed on the subject, admit they they are having them removed as they can afford the magical/alchemical procedures, and that they are legacy of a misspent youth. (Examples: A tattoo of the Sarenite holy symbol, only Sarenrae is naked and her wings are plucked chicken wings. A tattoo of a severed elf head with X's over the eyes, over the words, 'The only good elf is a dead elf.') Despite the tattoos (and past) does not otherwise display any offensive/racist/sacrilegious attitudes or behaviors.


173. Doesn't like children and struggles to interact with them.

174. Believes Science is better than magic

175. Holds prejudiced views against various monster races but loves Kobolds

176. Keeps insisting their 1/16th Silver Dragon

177. Is trying to write a epic poem about their adventures but keeps making it about them

Scarab Sages

178. Is fooled into thinking there's some conflict between egomania and recognizing the value of others.


Lanowar wrote:


177. Is trying to write a epic poem about their adventures but keeps making it about them

179. Is trying to write an epic poem about their adventures but the rest of the party keeps doing really stupid things.


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Simon Legrande wrote:
Lanowar wrote:


177. Is trying to write a epic poem about their adventures but keeps making it about them
179. Is trying to write an epic poem about their adventures but the rest of the party keeps doing really stupid things.

180. Is trying to write a stupid poem about their adventures, but the rest of the party keeps doing really epic things.


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Randarak wrote:
Simon Legrande wrote:
Lanowar wrote:


177. Is trying to write a epic poem about their adventures but keeps making it about them
179. Is trying to write an epic poem about their adventures but the rest of the party keeps doing really stupid things.
180. Is trying to write a stupid poem about their adventures, but the rest of the party keeps doing really epic things.

"Guys, it's really hard to write humorous limericks about killing a tyrant queen possessed by a dragon. Could you, I dunno, stop for a while?"


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mourge40k wrote:
Randarak wrote:
Simon Legrande wrote:
Lanowar wrote:


177. Is trying to write a epic poem about their adventures but keeps making it about them
179. Is trying to write an epic poem about their adventures but the rest of the party keeps doing really stupid things.
180. Is trying to write a stupid poem about their adventures, but the rest of the party keeps doing really epic things.
"Guys, it's really hard to write humorous limericks about killing a tyrant queen possessed by a dragon. Could you, I dunno, stop for a while?"

"Or at least sprinkle some stupid one-liners in there while you do it?"

The Exchange

Randarak wrote:
Simon Legrande wrote:
Lanowar wrote:


177. Is trying to write a epic poem about their adventures but keeps making it about them
179. Is trying to write an epic poem about their adventures but the rest of the party keeps doing really stupid things.
180. Is trying to write a stupid poem about their adventures, but the rest of the party keeps doing really epic things.

Oh my sweet Serenrae; I wrote the Battle of Thistletop to the tune of the Battle of New Orleans for our game group. They hate me for that. Had it stuck in their heads for weeks because I'd keep singing or humming it.

The Battle of Thistletop:
In Autumn of 07 the Guardians took a little trip
Along with Caleb Devron across the Lost Coast we would slip
Athos gathered up some bacon; Konnor gathered up some beans
And we went to fight the goblin hoards at Thistletop you seeee

We fired our bow and the goblins kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they begin to runnin'
Out across the old Lost Coast to Thistletop the’d go

We looked the old rope bridge
Didn’t we see the goblin dogs
And there must have been a dozen of'em
Howlin’ for our blood

They rode so high
And they made my eardrums ring
We stood by Tessa’s bombs
And didn't see a thing

We fired crossbows and the goblins kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they begin to runnin'
Out across the old Lost Coast to Thistletop the’d go

Lady Laranys said we could take 'em by surprise
If we slipped across the old rope bridge
With sunlight in their eyes
We held our weapons close
'Till we see could their faces
Then Tessa opened up a smoking vial
And burned them where they faced us.

We fired our bows but the goblins kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they begin to runnin'
Out across the old Lost Coast to Thistletop they’d go

Yeah, they ran through the briars
And they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes
Where Shalelu could not go
They ran so fast
Goblin hounds couldn't catch 'em
Out across the old Lost Coast to Thistletop they’d go

We came across the goblin gates and Athos knocked them down
So we smashed a dozen goblins then we fought another round
Pinned their king up in his castle, and hit him from behind
But when he rode a giant gecko we nearly lost our minds

We fired longbows and the goblins kept a-comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they begin to runnin'
Out across the old Lost Coast to Thistletop they’d go

Yeah, they ran through the briars
And they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes
Where Shalelu could not go
They ran so fast
Goblin hounds couldn't catch 'em
And in the depths of Thistletop into darkness they would go.


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181. Lizardfolk character always prepares to eat the bodies of fallen party members "out of respect for them" and "in order that they live on thru me", and is always crestfallen and sullen when party members object or prevent this consumption, continuously remarking on how the others disrespected their fallen comrade by burying them in the cold, cold ground.

182. Lizardfolk character hides in the river to surprise and test their comrades, because it's fun.

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183. The character is a scholar of some relatively common race, such as orcs, gnolls or goblins, but derives all of their knowledge from a series of books on the subject by an 'expert' whose works were all theory with no practical experience. As a result, the character can hold forth for hours on the practices of Race X, and, almost without fail, will be dead wrong in every particular... Any observed discrepancies will be explained away as some sort of aberrant behavior, or 'proof' that 'these aren't *true* orcs,' that they are another species that has been misidentified, or that they were raised in isolation and know nothing of *real* orc culture, etc.

184. The character has been reincarnated from another race, and still thinks like a member of that race, acting like an elf, or a dwarf, and even forgetting at times that they lack certain qualities (attempting to use a traditional racial weapon, and finding that they no longer have the reflexes / coordination to use it proficiently in this body, or blowing out a candle before they remember that they don't have darkvision any more).

185. As above, but the character only *thinks* that they have been reincarnated, and, like 183, sometimes gets things horribly wrong about their 'previous life.' "Yes, all elves paint their faces with the ashes of their cremated dead and wear them like that for a month." "Like my dwarven parents before me, I have a personal name, a family name, a clan name, a nickname and, in Terran, a secret name known only to me and the high priest / lorekeeper of my clan, that will only be spoken aloud again at my funeral." "Yes, the Chels made a devil's bargain and sold a portion of every halflings soul to Asmodeus, leaving us reduced in stature, as a visible sign of our half-souled status. We aren't called 'halflings' because we are half as *tall* as humans, after all. At least we got the devil's own luck out of the bargain..."


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186. Has a "first edition" mindset. Thinks grease is flammable, thinks lightning bolt reflects off walls, and when someone gets poisoned they basically assume they're as good as dead.

187. Is extremely afraid of statues, even in cities and castles, always giving them a wide berth. If they must go near one, they'll lay a little sheet of cloth over the head first to "blind" it, or keep a hammer ready to strike, "Just in case."

188. Always looks up before entering a room, "checking the ceiling".

189. Is never seen eating or drinking. In truth, they're so paranoid about poison that they put off ingestion as long as possible. They generally end up eating several hours after supper, after everyone else is asleep.

190. Is always buying new hats.

191a. Runs hands along the wall wherever they go.
191b. Uses a piece of chalk to mark their path. They were once lost in a labyrinth and don't want to make the same mistakes twice.

192. Always greets people by asking what they're doing.

193. Likes to pick flowers wherever they go. By the time they've arrived at where they were going, they've generally got a whole bouquet to carry around. They may or may not then hand this off to the first NPC they meet.

194. Had a bad experience with a vampire once. Now, people tend to remark on their terrible smell. They have taken to wearing strands of garlic all over their person.

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195. No matter where they go, they always buy a present to bring home to their spouse or children.

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