ParanetOnline
The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Stormtower on August 02, 2010, 08:14:46 PM
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So I was reading a thread on Aspects where one person names an aspect and then list a compel and invoke on it, then the next person continues with a new phrase the last person came up with. Some of these were really quite brilliant. It got me to think about what I would say on some of those, but I had a case of creation block and couldn't come up with any. I took a road trip over the weekend and was dwelling on it while driving and crawling into my own head, when I started listening to the song on the radio...it struck me...
Song lyrics make fantastic Aspect ideas. For example, I was listening to Bohemian Rhapsody when I discovered this...
"I'm just a poor boy from a poor family"
Compel - You're a cheap bastard and rarely dish out cash for you or anyone else. The guy that orders water at a wine festival, or nags to the clerk about the extra 25 cent slice of cheese on a burger.
Invoke - Strong family ties that can lead to information gathering or help with questions...kind of like phone a friend.
"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
Compel - Your work with the supernatural is starting to take a Neitsche'esk turn and you are losing grips on what is real and what isn't. A wind blows a door shut and you think it's a spirit from the nevernever for instance.
Invoke – Because you deal with it constantly, you have a lot of knowledge of the things that go bump.
"Beelzebub has the devil put aside for me, for me, for me!"
Compel – You are marked. Consider yourself honey and all the bad monsters in the night to be ants.
Invoke – Because you know and have come to terms with your fate, you find yourself able to handle situations that would make most normal people give up.
Immediately I started to think about the cool things these could mean as aspects, and then I thought about other songs that might work as well.
"Indestructable" by Disturbed
"My motivation an oath I've sworn to defend"
Compel – Your oath runs your decision process. If sworn to defend the weak for instance, you will do so until you or the attacker are unable to continue.
Invoke – Anything that leads you closer to your oath spurs you forward with strength. “From the other side a terror to behold”.
"Paranoid" by Black Sabath
"Finished with my woman 'cause she couldn't help me with my mind"
Compel – You find it difficult to take any advice from women for whatever reason. You just can’t trust them.
Invoke – Due to your beliefs, it is extremely difficult for a woman to pull a fast one on you.
You get the point. I just thought it was interesting how lyrics are a witty and easy way to create aspects that would really flesh out a character. If you are like me and sometimes run dry on ideas just crank up your favorite song and think...now that's a good idea for an aspect.
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I want to ride my bicycle
Invoke - bonuses to bike riding
Compel - you feel compelled to ride your bike at all times and feel naked without it.
Another one bites the dust.
Invoke - You're good at killing people...
Compel - ... but you're an awful cook!
I see a little sillowetto of a man.
Invoke - You're good at spotting sneaky dwarves.
Compel - You're not very good at spelling
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Ha! Nice!
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What about if we go with some country?
"Real Good Man" by Tim McGraw
Real Bad Boy, But a Real Good Man
Invoke: Endurance, Athletic Pursuits, Getting into Trouble, Picking Up Ladies
Compel: Getting Into Trouble, Social Situations
"Pray For You" by Jaron and The Long Road to Love
I Pray For You
Invoke: False Face Forward
Compel: Pissing people off, holding grudges
"Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Trace Adkins as a trouble
Invoke: Getting guys attention, social actions against men
Compel: Getting guys attention
"Save a Horse, Ride A Cowboy" by Big and Rich
Invoke: Social interactions with woman,
Compel: Social Actions with men, getting in fights, behind the times
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I don't listen to country and it still works! Awesome!
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Based on two songs from the Clockwork Quartet:
"All Worked Out Like Clockwork"
Invoke - To make a plan go off as planned; To get places precisely when intended; For bonuses when being careful/methodical
Compel - When plans do get messed up, they explode spectacularly; To be made to take thought-out, methodical actions, rather than a quick, rash choice
"For My Love I'd Shift The Planet's Axis"
Invoke - When forced to take desperate actions to aid/save said love
Compel - Your love is in danger; Break laws as part of desperation
And from something entirely different...
"Music Flew From His Pipes So Wild and Fiery"
Invoke - For emotionally stirring performances
Compel - Some people just outright hate your music and you occasionally end up in hot water because of it
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"I'm on a boat"
Invoke: Impress people with your mad boating abilities. Also, bonuses to *bleep*ing mermaids.
Compel: You feel an overwhelming urge to rub your seabound status in people's faces and compare yourself to Leo.
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"I'm on a boat"
Invoke: Impress people with your mad boating abilities. Also, bonuses to *bleep*ing mermaids.
Compel: You feel an overwhelming urge to rub your seabound status in people's faces and compare yourself to Leo.
In this same vein...
Like A Boss
Invoke: You're the boss, bitches. That means you know how to command people. Invoke for bonuses when trying to influence people into doing something for you.
Compel: Well, looks like you're gonna have to bomb Russia...
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In a similar vein...
Aspect - I'm on a horse
Invoke - You're on a horse.
Compel - The horse is now diamonds.
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In a similar vein...
Aspect - I'm on a horse
Invoke - You're on a horse.
Compel - The horse is now diamonds.
I love you. This made my day.
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In this same vein...
Like A Boss
Invoke: You're the boss, bitches. That means you know how to command people. Invoke for bonuses when trying to influence people into doing something for you.
Compel: Well, looks like you're gonna have to bomb Russia...
Compel: Suck your own **** hehehe
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OG
Invoke: You're the original gangsta. Invoke when doing gangsta shit.
Compel: Just 'cause you're the OG don't mean people ain't gonna step to your turf, fo'real. Best put up some mad D, dogg.
(I am so very, very sorry.)
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"I'd have to say it was a good day"
Compel: You generally find your way into gunfights even at knife shows
Invoke: Bonus to your AK use
Or more obscure...
"Too legit, too legit to quit."
Invoke: Determination is your forte. Bonus to see your primary goal through.
Compel: Random stops for hammer time.
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"Too legit, too legit to quit."
Invoke: Determination is your forte. Bonus to see your primary goal through.
Compel: Random stops for hammer time.
You and I seem to be operating on a similar brainwave.
Can't Touch This
Invoke: You can't touch this! For the rest of the scene, you have Armor: 1 vs. physical attacks.
Compel: These goddamn parachute pants are always tripping you up...
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"Damn it feels good to be a gangsta."
Invoke: A real gangsta a$$ ....... knows the play. (bonus to declarations? or aspect guess?)
Compel: Real gangsta a$$ ....... don't run from sh!t cuz real gangsta a$$ ........ can't run fast.
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Why am I so willin, to be the villain? (I'm only killin' my self)
Compel: They're either foreigners or they're against us
Invoke: Get bent like a bottle cap: bonuses when you're willing to take mental consequeces.
(Old 97's)
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"She Blinded me with Science!"
Invoke: Science is your food. You take it in like a buffet, and spew it out like an anorexic model. Bonus to scientific knowledge checks
Compel: Magic is bullsh*t. You find it extremely hard to believe anything paranormal. That "ghost" with the claws heading for your heart for instance...not real. Just stand still and prove it.
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Imma Let You Finish
Invoke: You've got a mountain of hype surounding you. Invoke for bonuses to rolls to manipulate or persuade, since a guy of your personage finds people willing to believe or aid him easily.
Compel: You feel compelled to interrupt people in their moments of accomplishment with horrible speeches and worse opinions.
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"It's a long road..."
Invoke: When opening a can of whoop ass on your enemies, you are unstoppable. Especially if the odds appear against you.
Compel: You must mumble or sprout incomprehensible pseudo-warrior-sage mumbo jumbo like "live for nothin, die for sumthin."
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"Smack it up. Flip it. Rub it down."
Invoke: Expert of Fist to Face style. Bonus to hand to hand combat where you are simply WAILING on your openent with no measure of discipline. Or pizza crust making.
Compel: OH NOOOOO! You tend to tire out quickly. You dump all of your energy into the rampages and are tired afterward.
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"My own personal jesus"
Invoke: your own personal jesus, whoever that is, helps you out (bonus to contacts, and resisting feeling alone"
Compel: You yearn to follow people who look like they might be your salvation. Go help them out.
"Cult of personality"
Invoke: resources, contacts, presence, probably more. You're so cool, people just wanna follow you.
Compel: Stupid fans always in the way, and you can't let them get killed.
"Not a girl, not yet a woman"
Invoke: possibly underage sex appeal
Compel: unwanted attention from creeps, plus, trouble getting into clubs
"I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel"
Invoke: any roll to resist physical or mental stress
compel: self-destructive actions
"Fergalicious"
Invoke: resist social stress
Compel: shake your booty randomly
"laid back, with my mind on my money and my money on my mind"
Invoke: keep your cool, except when financial gains or losses are possible
compel: make money, act to keep your money.
"Son of a son of a sailor"
Invoke: anything sailor-y
Compel: drinking & seeking the affections of paid professionals
"'Yo Easy, why's your fly like that?' Easy access!"
Invoke: to quickly produce your... weaponry
compel: inappropriately produce your...weaponry
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I Walk A Lonely Road
Invoke: The lonely road is the only one you've ever known. As a result, you're good at doing what needs doing by yourself. Invoke this when working alone would be beneficial, or when working alone in general.
Compel: Choosing to go it alone, even when it's utterly stupid and bound to make more trouble than it's worth.
I Am Whatever You Say I Am
Invoke: Social defense. Hard to rile a guy who loves to be hated.
Compel: Man, sometimes you really should worry about what other people think, 'cause they're right.
For a more serious one...
Like Toy Soldiers
Invoke: You're supposed to be the soldier who never blows his compsure, even when the fate of the whole world's on your shoulders. When you're leading others in high pressure situations, you can be counted on to be the one keeping your head and making the calls.
Compel: Guilt is a bitch and being the leader is a double-edged sword. You're compelled to take the lead, even when it would cause problems with others. You're also sure to get lots of expectations placed on you, maybe more than you can realistically handle.
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"For My Love I'd Shift The Planet's Axis"
Invoke - When forced to take desperate actions to aid/save said love
Compel - Your love is in danger; Break laws as part of desperation
A kind of flip on that one from The Man in Black.
"Because you're mine, I walk the line"
Invoke - Love makes it easy to do the right thing at all times
Compel - At ALL times . . .
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"On A Steel Horse I Ride"
Invoke: Your favorite transportation is your trusty motorcycle; invoke as appropriate for anything involving said bike.
Compel: You absolutely insist on using your bike even when another vehicle might prove better suited to getting you someplace; also the usual loss/damage of item stuff
"Wanted: Dead or Alive"
Invoke: You're a wanted man; invoke for bonuses to social skills, particularly intimidation, and knowledge of various criminal things
Compel: Someone, or something, wants you real bad; compelled for trouble with cops, being hunted by your pursuer, etc.
"Karma Chameleon"
Invoke: For luck and karmic bonuses.
Compel: It comes and goes; sometimes your luck just runs dry and leaves you in a tough spot.
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"Karma Chameleon"
Invoke: For luck and karmic bonuses.
Compel: It comes and goes; sometimes your luck just runs dry and leaves you in a tough spot.
Awesome
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"Yeah, here come the Rooster!"
Rooster, Alice in Chains
Invoke: To take the fight to your opponent; to move toward danger, rather than fleeing; to display strength and courage against long odds
Compel: To cause you to tackle opposition head on, rather than using stealth or intrigue
"One tin soldier rides away."
One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack), Coven
Invoke: For anything that helps you remain standing, or at least functional, after a conflict
Compel: To cause you to leave after a conflict, without explanation or reaping the reward for your efforts
And finally, for a song just chocked full o' Dresdenverse-style ideas, look up the lyrics to Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf.
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"White and nerdy"
Invoke: If it is obscure and trivial you know something about it.
Compel: social interactions are hurt by your random tangents.
"Love is our resistance"
Invoke: Dealings with White Court, or when your love is threatened
Compel: Your love is threatened
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Rocky Horror Picture Show
"I'm just a sweet transvestite"
Invoke: you're a man but dress like a woman people find this intimidating some times bonus to intimidation
compel: "wait up I need to reapply my make up"
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Is there any room for a little Meat Loaf?
"Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are"
Invoke: Your rough childhood taught gave you a broad base of experience and wisdom to draw upon in many situations.
Compel: The current situation touches on some childhood trauma - you are unable to be cool about it.
"I'd Do Anything for Love"
Invoke: Your commitment to love fills you with strength when the chips are down.
Compel: Your commitment to love obligates you to step up when the chips are down.
"I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)"
Invoke: Your lies are more effective when they are serving the best interests of someone you care about.
Compel: Someone you care about needs you to cover for them, at risk to your reputation.
"If It Ain't Broke, Break It"
Invoke: If you have to break a rule, you can break it good and hard.
Compel: You could let this go and play nice, but today just isn't that day.
"Inducted in the Armies of the Night"
Invoke: Your leather jacket, tough demeanor, and party attitude earn you some serious street cred in some circles.
Compel: There's a problem, and those chains and spikes on your leather jacket mean you better step up.