Non-item enhancements (Boons) in the context of characters and avatars refer to improvements or augmentations that are not directly tied to physical items or equipment. These enhancements can come in various forms and can have a significant impact on the capabilities and attributes of the character or avatar.
Boons are (rarely but occasionally) handed out by the Guide Manager (GM). A character boon will stay with the character for the remainder of the campaign. An avatar boon will remain with the avatar until the avatar’s death.
Here are some examples of boons:
- Skills and Abilities: Characters or avatars can gain new skills or abilities through training, practice, or story-driven progression. These enhancements can include combat techniques, magical spells, social manipulation skills, or specialized knowledge in certain fields. Skill points or experience gained through gameplay can be allocated to unlock and improve these abilities.
- Attributes and Statistics: Boons can involve the improvement of core attributes or statistics that define the character or avatar’s inherent abilities. These attributes might include strength, agility, intelligence, charisma, or other specific traits depending on the GMs whim. By earning experience or completing specific challenges, players can increase these attributes, enhancing their character’s overall capabilities.
- Talents and Specializations: Boons can allow characters or avatars to develop unique talents or specialize in specific areas. These talents might provide passive bonuses or unlock special abilities that are not tied to equipment. For example, a character may specialize in archery, granting increased accuracy and damage with bows, or a mage may focus on elemental magic, gaining resistance to specific elemental attacks.
- Perks: Perks are boons that provide characters or avatars with specific advantages or bonuses. These can be earned through achievements, completing quests, or reaching certain milestones in the game. Perks or feats often grant unique abilities or passive benefits, making the character more versatile or powerful in specific situations.
- Reputation and Relationships: Boons can be tied to the character’s reputation and relationships within the world. By interacting with NPCs, completing quests, or making impactful choices, characters can gain favor or notoriety among different factions or individuals. Reputation-based enhancements can unlock special quests, open new dialogue options, or grant access to exclusive resources or areas.
- Story-driven Enhancements: In narrative-driven games, boons can be tied to the progression of the story itself. As characters overcome challenges, complete quests, or reach significant plot milestones, they may gain access to new abilities, transformations, or unique powers that are part of the story’s progression.
It’s important to note that the specific implementation of boons can vary greatly depending on the story. These enhancements are designed to provide players with a sense of progression, customization, and increased capabilities that go beyond the acquisition of physical items or equipment, allowing characters or avatars to evolve and grow within the game world.
This can also be used by the GM to make the party more equal in capabilities. Allowing a party member to feel like they are contributing to the overall progression of the story. Careful consideration should be given to this world altering capability. This can damage the party and story as much as it can help.