MUNCHKINS

By Erik Dahl (allegro@iac.net) (28 November 1995)

Okay, I'll admit I'm a little peeved, but this is coming from a tongue-in-cheek place. It's intended as humourous, and has to be done.

Description

No one knows where the Munchkins started. Rumours abound of them slipping into reality when the noble Sidhe returned, or perhaps they just spontaneously formed from the subconscious desires and needs of Gamers everywhere. But regardless, they spring from the hopes of those Dreamers who wants to be the best at everything, and can take any challenge in stride.

Affinity

Actor

Birthrights

Lucky rolls: Munchkins may count any number rolled on the ten-sided die as an automatic success. They may never botch anything. Ever. This is to represent their incredible knowledge of everything in the rules, but utter lack of acceptance or awareness of limitations.

Logical Arguments: Munchkins can talk their way out of any dispute, always with a perfectly rational and believable reason for why they should be allowed to do whatever it is they're doing. If a Munchkin has time to prepare, she can even find a reference in an accepted text that proves the argument to whoever is in charge.

Frailty

Specialization: Munchkins must pick one area of specialty and put all their starting dots into Attributes and Abilities that support it. They cannot ever have a broad or balanced character, even though they are good at everything in their Faerie Seeming.

Seemings

Childling Munchkins throw board games when they lose and gloat when they win. They fake die rolls and sneak looks at the storyteller screen while everyone else is getting chips or cokes.

Wilder Munchkins memorize everything. They assemble a near-limitless store of knowledge about every subject imaginable, so that they have a ready solution to any problem and could plausibly implement it in any situation.

Grump Munchkins are tired. They complain a lot about wherever they are and how much better things were wherever they were. They get their way through whining and wheedling. Most also tend to be hard of hearing.

Stereotypes

Boggans: Too ordinary. So they can make stuff, big deal, yeah they can gossip, so what? Halflings are no fun unless you get the thief/dexterity bonuses, anyway.

Eshu: These guys were thrown in for culture, that's it. Showing up at the right place is neat though, if you tell them where to go.

Nockers: They can make anything, right? And their only flaw is that it has something wrong with it, somewhere? Wow! Put these guys to work!

Pookas: After our own, these Kith are great. The ones who turn into big dogs are the best, though.

Satyrs: I don't get it. Why would anyone want to be a Satyr unless you're playing live-action games?

Sidhe: The nobility would be fine if they just gave up their allegiances and politics and stuff. But if you affiliate with their Houses, don't you get their powers too?

Sluagh: They're okay I guess, but they don't seem cool enough, though.

Trolls: Now these guys are where the party is. If it weren't for all that honor stuff, you might even think they were one of us!