Artifact as a background

[Persell]

Just curious, but i started a new game with some new players and some old vets.  Since i started the game with everyone being mortal and role playing through their exaltation I deemed Artifact was not an available background.  I'm running the game in the east, and none of my players are from lookshy or any dynast families.  One player said this was a bit unfair, but i figured if your newly exalted and in your "mortal" life you where farm hands, a thief, lowly gentry, etc.  you'd have no access to artifacts to start.


Anyone else do this, or do you believe since it's in the BWB it should always be an option. I understand as ST it's totally up to me, but i hate the "rule with an iron fist" type ST's.  Again just wondering.


Thanks,

 

[Flagg]

I think if the player has a plausible and interesting story for why he has an Artifact, then let him have it. If he's just cranky because he wants a toy, tell him to shut up.


-S

 

[Forn Clakes]

I rarely allow a character, whether exalted or mortal, to start a story with any Artifacts, unless they can give a good story reason for it.  Even for mortals though, i would say no to an artifact.


~FC.

 

[Persell]

It depends on the situation of course.


For example in the half caste game I've discussed on the site I forbade artifacts.


one good way of Evening things out is to ask for a reasonable explanation of HOW they got the artifact.


it would be really cool, for example...


if he'd had it as a heir loom for ages, b ut they hadnt known  what it was (not implausbile)

 

[memesis]

If someone starts mortal but really wants the Artifact background, let them have it.  The artifact is now "reserved" but they DON'T actually have it in their possession.  What they do have is a strong Destiny that will inevitably lead them to possession of the item.


Then run the story where they obtain it, at your convenience.

 

[Gustav]

I think if the player has a plausible and interesting story for why he has an Artifact, then let him have it. If he's just cranky because he wants a toy, tell him to shut up.
-S

That should be the case EVERY time.


As for denying the Artifact background, well, I love the "ST says so" explanation.  (No, seriously, I do.)  However, another approach is to allow them to purchase the background, then slowly work it into the story.


An example:


I was in an Alchemical's game.  I got 5 dots in familiar, but it was several sessions before I was allowed to return to the vats to pick it up.  I had to take care of paperwork and it had to be constructed.  My character in game had no idea she was going to get a familiar, but the ST and I knew it would happen eventually.  That required RP to get the 5 dot familiar rather than just "well, it's convenient, so I want it."

 

[psychoph]

I personally wouldn't ban it out of site.


I would need an explination as I do with every background a player asks about.


It seems plausible to be for a mortal to have an artifact, however difficult due to the fact that it would be both valuable and useful to others.  It becomes more plausible if the character is part of a family that goes into ruins or robs graves or such.  I would probably limit to a max rating of 2 or 3 though.  


I have no prob with exalted having then at start, just got to give me the story of how they obtained it no I had it passed down from my father bs.

 

[Kajata]

It depends with me.  If my player wants a 1 or 2 dot artifact, all I ask is where she/he got it.  If it's a level 3, I want a little story behind it; what she/he had to do to get it, where from and why.  If it's level 4, then I want a big story with flashy lights and jedi masters .  If it's level 5 it's generally just "no".


Though for me, this changes from game to game.  In a solar game I tend to use the above standard, but with DBs I'm more lenient, since they have more access to artifacts, lower level ones at least.  So, if a DB wanted a daiklave, some armour and a bow, all level 2 or under, then I'd probably just ask him why his family gave him them and be satisfied with "well, my family wanted me to be well equipped when I joined the legions".  I'm much the same with alchems.


But that's just me.  In my 250xp solar game all our players are pretty damned kitted out by now with stuff they found, so *shrugs*.

 

[Persell]

I got nothing to add to the topic really, everything has already been said... but one thing really annoys me and this is a good time to rant about it. "this is unfair, he gets that and that and i don't" I so do hate that sentence from players. There is no winner in this game and as long as everyone enjoys the game/story why the hell do they complain. Even worse in your example, nobody has an artifact, why the hell is it unfair that they do not get them?


*sigh* sorry for the rant

 

[Zaramis]

Word. I hate players who complain about unfairness when I have worked hard as a ST to try to balance things up, as well as make it work with the story.

 

[Kajata]

I guess, and don't get me wrong, I know how annoying it can be, I'm an ST with some SERIOUSLY materialistic players, but I think that they think "I worked hard on creating this character and I've played him for ages!  Why isn't my character as good as his!  I want to be that good!"


Also, if one guy has "teh sword of power +4 with a 28% chance to cause ungodly smiting on impact" then he's going to rule the roost in combat, so other players want to gather such artifacts so they can do the same.