Thematic Abilities

Thematic Abilities
Central to D&D, and most roleplaying games, are the special abilities that the characters purport. While monsters are interesting, and ordinary people can be intriguing, it's the singer who can unlock hidden potential in those who listen to her, the monk who can pummel a foe faster than the eye can see, and the warrio who has a weapon made from their mind. While these can be supernatural in origin, they need not be, and they are not nearly as systematic as the actual supernatural systems included in ReD&D.

Categories
Thematic abilities are grouped into categories that follow a particular theme (hence the name). While these in many ways act as defining aspects of a character, they can be mixed and matched. To purchase a thematic ability, one must first purchase a defining ability. From there, further abilities can be purchased, branching off to grant greating possibilities. A thematic ability may not be as broad as "Fighter" or "Bard," but will often be a possibility within such. By setting the system up as such, a number of archetypes are possible.

In many cases, thematic abilities will require a prerequiste before they can be taken. This is usually because the thematic abilities build on other traits in order to better define the character.