Someone gets bad news. It might affect play or it might Suddenly things are not happening the way they were a be news of distant and still important events. moment ago. Alliances switch, secrets are revealed, and new information surfaces. Using Whimsy Cards Whimsy Cards offer players temporary control of the GM’s story. Use a card at any time during play to add details to the story or even affect an element of the story, including characters. Each player begins with one card and if it’s played to the benefit of the story then the GM may grant the player a new card. Or the GM may award additional cards at any time. The GM has the final say on the Added Animosity effects of the card and may interpret the player’s description as desired, including vetoing the card The ill-will between characters grows past current completely, especially if the player acts selfishly with the card’s effects. levels. This animosity can be openly expressed or harbored secretly in the heart. Whimsy Cards are a standalone game accessory. Fifty cards are included, plus four blank cards for your own creations. If you’d like a more complete and structured version of these cards, then please consider our many decks of Storypath Cards available in game stores or direct from us at www. nocturnal-media.com. Change of Heart Draw a Blank A character’s feelings change and alter a decision. Pirates spare prisoners and hassled innkeepers decide to make — room for you after all. Bizarre Coincidence Double Jeopardy Failure carries a double penalty. It could mean the Two or more things come together against incredible normal penalty doubled, but it could also mean a penalty in odds. Old friends (and enemies) run into you in the addition to the normal one. supermarket, you just happen to have the rare item you need in your closet, etc. Error of Envy Judgment Someone covets something that another person has. The envy could be expressed as an outright attempt to get the Someone’s better judgment fails. The trouble that ensues object of desire or something more subtle. depends on the specific error that is made. Emotional Erratic Behavior Release Someone or something exhibits wild, unexpected behav- Strong emotions are let out. What are the emotions, and ior. Could be party members, enemies, mounts, spells, or what triggers their sudden eruption? Is it a healthy release equipment. or a wild tempest? Greed Inopportune Desire for wealth diverts a character from normal Arrival activity. The object of this desire can be specific (e.g. a Someone or something shows up to the chagrin or dis- certain necklace) or general (e.g. gold!). advantage of someone. Unwelcome relatives and hated enemies are possibilities. Extreme Caution Horrible Failure What was a simple failure becomes a disaster. Attempts to Someone exercises extreme caution. Is the caution neces- persuade people backfire, arrows strike the wrong targets, sary, or is it exaggerated? What is the disadvantage from and the wrong demons get conjured. using so much caution? Lasting Jealousy Impression An impression is made, or an old one is reborn. Emotional The green-eyed monster rears its ugly head. How does experiences return to a character affecting actions or the jealousy show itself? something happens that will leave an impression for years (e.g. a scar). Internal Conflict Joy Conflicts arise within a person or within a group. How Delight floods a character, making the world seem beauti- did these conflicts come about? How can they be re- ful. What brings about this wonderful feeling? solved? Are they hidden? Poorly hidden? Misguided Love Moral Dilemma Love affects a character in ways others fail to approve A character is faced with a moral question. What of. The character seems out of control. (To the lover of should the character do? What are the personali- course, the love is true and wonderful; to others, it is mis- ty traits or personal values that make the decision guided.) too difficult? Malice Misplaced Trust Wrath rises in a character toward someone or something. Undeserved trust is or has been placed in someone or Even if the anger can be held in check, it will affect the something. “Faithful” hirelings desert, “sturdy” ropes person’s behavior. break, and politicians are believed. Ominous Omen Personality Clash Something suggests future evil, an event that portends calamity, misfortune, or death. The players might not The personalities of two characters come into conflict. understand the significance of the omen. The cause of the clash and the gravity are up to you. How could the conflict be resolved? New Role Parting of Ways You take over another character, either of a player or of People or things go their separate ways. The parting can the gamemaster. The original owner can ask for it back be happy or sorrowful, anticipated or sudden. Depending and veto your actions while you have the new role. on the circumstances, those who part might meet again. Pivotal Decision Sloth Someone is faced with a decision that will affect some- Someone is very lazy. Guards become lax, squires neglect thing dramatically. A potential ally chooses sides, or a their duties, and bartenders give you slow service. leader chooses a plan of action. Second Chance Pity Someone gets a second chance. Maybe that bullet missed the heart after all, or maybe the character realizes some- Sympathetic sorrow for another person affects a charac- thing that allows a second skill attempt. You must give ter’s actions. This pity might provoke action or merely set the reason. a mood. Special Sudden Reversion Circumstances Suddenly someone or something reverts to the way it used Unusual conditions change the normal course of events to be. People revert to earlier patterns of behavior and for good or ill. The circumstances can be personal, such problems go back to the way they were at the beginning. as character’s mood; or impersonal, such as the weather. Something Spectacular Missing Success Something that should be here is not. The seriousness What was a normal success becomes spectacular. Those of the lack depends on what is missing. It could be your rare, unexplainable feats are now possible. The gamemas- sword or a friend you were supposed to meet. ter must watch this card because it is easy to abuse. Things Are Not Turn for the As They Seem Worse Characters have been deceived, perhaps without mali- Things were going well, but suddenly something comes cious intent. The truth need not be known now. A good up that changes things for the worse. What is the change? card for a secret note to the GM. How can those affected overcome the new problem? Tables Turn Trade Places Something in the situation reverses, an advantage turns in You take over the role of another character and the player to a disadvantage, a disadvantage turns into an advantage. who was running that character takes yours. Either of you It is a surprise to all. can end the trade at any time. Unexpected Aid Unexplained Much to your surprise, aid shows up. Aid could be any- thing from fog that helps you sneak into an enemy camp Event to the arrival of the cavalry. But does this aid have a price? Something happens. You don’t know why. Ulterior Motive Unexplained A character has motives besides those that are already Consequence known, and the ulterior motive can conflict with the surface motive. A good Whimsy for a secret note to the Someone’s actions have results that were not, perhaps gamemaster. could not have been, foreseen. The result can be good or bad, minor or extreme. Intrusive Memory Authority Figure A recollection of past events forces itself into your awareness. The mood of these memories is typically the Without warning, an important person — respected or opposite of the current mood, e.g. recalling disturbing worshipped by one or more of the characters — becomes things in the midst of happiness, or inspirational recol- directly involved in the characters’ actions. Will the char- lections while under pressure. May also have the aspect acter be helped or hindered? of déjà vu. (Contributed by Paul Nemeth) (Contributed by Demian Ryder) A Name is Spoken Vivid Detail Choose someone who is named. A whisper from beyond Break into the storyline to describe something in detail the shutters in the darkest night; or perhaps a ‘volunteer’ so the whole group can share the image. You cannot is volunteered; or the murder victim with his dying breath directly change the course of events, but you might inspire whispers… Any time a name might be mentioned, this the GM. card can be played to provide that name. (Contributed by Franko F.) Eye of the Storm A brief moment of stillness and respite offers a chance to recover resources, health, or composure. But is it just the calm before the storm? What’s revealed in the interim? Does worse lurk on the horizon? (Contributed by Alan Bahr) Misspoken Word Someone in the current conversation says something he or she didn’t intend. Maybe a secret is shared, a lie is revealed, or heartfelt feelings are bared. (Contributed by Stewart Wieck)