Post originally by SteelCaress at 2004-07-29 12:26:32
Converted from Phorums BB System

My understanding of SA's is that they're a device to enhance cinematic play in cinematic circumstances.

That is, in D&D, if I'm fighting my archenemy to save my long lost love, the dice roll the same, no matter what. If the d20 roll sucks, I fail.

In Riddle of Steel (and Adventure! and Exalted, and...) my SA of dedication to finding my long lost love and my SA of overcoming my most heinous foe would help me to win in that situation. The stakes are higher, I'm more passionate about what I'm doing, and voila! More dice, more of a chance.

To me, it increases the dramatic tension, and helps the narrative flow like a story. If an action movie star is in the beginning of the film, he might get beaten up, knocked out, shot, etc. If he's down to the last 15-20 minutes of the film, he has revenge/rescue on his mind, then he doesn't fail. It's a nice plot device.

Just my 2 cents worth.