Index Cards in the Rain 

A TTRPG Blog by Evey Lockhart

This is a blog that eats itself. 

You'll only ever find a single post below this explanatory bit. If you would like access to the backlog of posts, you can purchase it via the buy button below (epub and basic pdf formats). This is a one time purchase. I can guarantee 3 posts, but expect to make many more than that.

What is Love? (baby don't hurt me)

Index Cards in the Rain: What is Love is an independent production by Evey Lockhart and is not affiliated with the Melsonian Arts Council.

Intro

What is love? (Good question.) How do we gamify it? (Terrible question, it makes me sad.)

Romantic and sexual attractions are an important part of human existence. Not to everypony personally (obvious), but even a lack of that sort of attraction remains a common and important point of individuation.

Aside: Not only does the ongoing survival of our species keep sexuality and romance central, but the way those drives facilitate inter/intracommunity connections and an exchange of culture and knowledge (alongside some DNA); it’s not surprising that strict sexual and gender policing are central to the authoritarian nature of ongoing colonial projects. Which means all deviations are marginalized, which you probably already knew because you’re reading my gay lil blog right now.

All of that is to say: absolutely do not leave asexual, aromantic, and ace+aro NPCs out of your games (and, ya know, stay in solidarity irl). Even in games involving lots of romantic and sexual situations. Ace/Aro folx get involved in those things as well, and it doesn’t take much to educate yourself a bit and listen.

(Simple way to make sure you’re not leaving Ace and Aro folx out [or another marginalized group you might not always think of on the fly]: If there’s more than 5 PCs, one is Ace, Aro, or both. If there’s a bunch of NPCs [like 20+], all 3 should be represented. Just make a note of it; it may or may not come up.)

So yeah. Sex is important and so’s respecting vast and myriad possibilities of sexual expression. The question remains: How?

As always, I want the lightest possible touch from the rules/procedures, but something with enough clarity to help a GM decide a “will-they/won’t-they” fairly.

Important Note: BEFORE ADDING ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO A GAME, MAKE SURE EVERYONE AT YOUR TABLE IS COMFORTABLE WITH DOING SO. (I’VE FOUND MOST TABLES PREFER ANYTHING RACIER THAN MAKING OUT TO HAPPEN OFF-SCREEN.) AGAIN, YOU’LL HAVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION TO DETERMINE THAT SORT OF BOUNDARY.

Initial Attraction

Sexual/romantic attraction is ephemeral, internal, automatic, and almost incomprehensible at times. It’s really a matter of luck, running into someone you find attractive who’s also attracted to you. Troika! already has a mechanic for this sort of thing.

If there is an NPC who a player thinks their character would find attractive, the PC may Test Luck to determine if the NPC reciprocates and is available.

Obviously, if an NPC’s sexuality (etc.) is defined, this could preclude some attractions. If an NPC’s sexuality isn’t defined, the Luck Test should be enough.

It’s then on the GM to figure out the NPC’s interests, deal-breakers, and turn-ons. They’ll also need to know what the NPC might be seeking out of a romantic or sexual relationship. If those qualities can’t be extrapolated, roll or pick from the following charts. (In the case of multiple options, choose whichever feels most appropriate.)

Interests: 1 History/Myths. 2 Sports/Games/Dance. 3 Cooking/Food. 4 Gardening/Farming/Flowers. 5 Politics. 6 Fashion/Décor/Art.

Deal-Breakers: 1 Aggressiveness. 2 Poor Hygiene. 3 Haughtiness. 4 Poverty. 5 Vanity. 6 Duplicity.

Turn-Ons: 1 Humor. 2 Kindness. 3 Honesty. 4 Wealth. 5 Integrity. 6 Trendiness.

Seeking: 1 NSA Hookups. 2 FWB. 3 Expand Dating/Courting Pool. 4-5 Begin Long Term Relationship. 6 Quick Marriage. 

Development/Checking the Boxes

Once the initial attraction occurs, an NPC develops 1d6+1* Connection Boxes.

Checked Connection Boxes represent points of commonality, deepening attraction, and the accretion of trust. Whenever the wooing/seducing/courting PC demonstrates thoughtfulness, care, a similar interest, a turn-on, or the like, check off a Connection Box.

Once all an NPCs Boxes have been checked by a courting/seducing PC, the NPC pursues whatever they’re seeking with the lucky PC. Remember though, even at this stage, deal-breakers are exactly what they sound like. (An NPC with “Agressiveness” as a deal breaker will not tolerate repeated aggression, even if their love interest is a complete match otherwise.)

What if the NPC wants something different than the PC? Well communication is important. Also, that sounds dramatic af and possibly fun to play through.

Everything else is just GMs and Players pretending to be imaginary people, like always. Have fun. Be safe. Be respectful. 

*(In the 2ndAGSWatNLQatR**, I landed on every NPC having 3 boxes (with some miens prechecking boxes), as that’s an event most everypony shows up to looking for romance/sex. If you have an idea of how difficult it would be to court an NPC, just go with your gut on how many Connection Boxes they have.)

**2nd Annual Goblin Singles Weekend at the Nice La Quinta across the River, a romance+hookup adventure for Troika is available here!

• -Evey.

©2024 Evey Lockhart. All Rights Reserved. All Cops Are Bastards.