| Butterhat |
Hello, I'm in a group which is about to start the Extinction Curse AP and I'm very much looking forward to the circus aspect.
My question is: are the trick traits required for a signature trick? The wording makes it seem optional "...each PC can add one trick trait..."
I'm going to be playing a Goblin Bard with a focus on illusion magic, before reading the rules I had planned on performing an elaborate act utilizing illusions and my impressive Performance (acting) skills. However, upon reading the section on Signature Tricks I noticed that I would only have access to Animal, Agile, Fire, and Water trick traits. None of which really speak to my original trick idea.
So, am I still able to perform my original idea? I realize that without the "Magical" trait I won't get the bonus for expending a spell slot and I'm ok with that.
Likewise, if I wanted to use my Performance skill to sing, but do not yet have access to the "Musical (Performance)" trait, am I still able to do it but without the +1 circumstance bonus?
Thanks!
| Zapp |
Look at the traits and the circus NPCs as a "gotta collect them all" kind of deal. They're not necessary by any way - but the hope is the players can't restrict from trying to "complete the set" as it were. They're like video game achievements that way. You can still pull off successful shows using only the heroes, supplanted by the original NPCs.
That said, trick traits are required, as in, you're not supposed to create a circus trick with no trait. Yet, a trait is there to provide bonuses and guide you, not to constrict your imagination. I would go ahead with your original idea - whatever you think is cool!
The design intent is that the only way to broaden your circus' repertoire of available traits is to recruit new circus performer NPCs.
That is, until you hire new NPCs (with new traits your circus don't already have) every PC is restricted to the initial set of traits available: agile, animal, fire, and water - as well as the "meta traits" injury & team (these are determined by the initial set of NPCs).