Copyright (c) Doug Atkinson Pregnant Variable The character with this Disadvantage is, of course, pregnant. Unlike most Disadvantages, this one becomes more disabling (and worth more points) over time. For simplicity's sake, it has been divided into three sections. (Note that these are somewhat extreme, and represent the later portions of each trimester.) First trimester: The game effects of very early pregnancy are minimal. The character may wish to change her behavior (trying to kick addictions, preparing to lead a more cautious lifestyle, getting a job, etc.), but there are no game effects. 0 points. Second trimester: The pregnancy is beginning to affect the character's life, but she is not disabled by it. She needs to be more careful about fighting (see _Miscarriage,_ below). Move is reduced by 1, and each point of Fatigue takes 15 minutes to recover instead of 10. The character is considered to have Light Encumbrance for carrying purposes. Skill use is not affected. Note that, depending on the character's circumstances and society, this may be an appropriate time to acquire a social stigma. -15 points. Third trimester: The character's lifestyle may be radically altered by her condition. Speed (but not initiative) and Move scores are halved, and the character receives a -2 penalty to any active Physical Skill. In addition, all Fatigue costs are doubled, and the character is considered to be at Medium Encumbrance for carrying purposes (although this doesn't further affect move). Any active adventurer should be taking it easy by this point; if the penalties above aren't enough to dissuade her, the increased risk of miscarriage should. -45 points. Miscarriage: A pregnant woman is especially vulnerable in hit location 10. A crushing or impaling blow there that does (HT/2) damage (round up) in the second trimester, or (HT/3) damage in the third, runs a risk of causing a miscarriage. The GM makes a HT roll for the character. There is a penalty for how advanced the pregnancy is; -2 in the second trimester, -3 in the third. Immediate medical attention gives a +1 to the health roll. A failed roll indicates a miscarriage; a critical failure indicates a miscarriage with severe medical complications. (The exact medical effects are left for the GM to determine, as they depend greatly on medical care and TL.) *Point costs for the disadvantage* How should the GM handle a Disadvantage that increases in value over time? One option is to rule that the Disadvantage is simply handled as an acquired Disadvantage (like a hand or eye that is lost in play). If the points can't be applied to other things, it effectively discourages the characters from intentionally getting their characters pregnant. Another option is to rule that the points from the Disadvantage replace other, related Disadvantages. The second trimester Pregnancy points could pay off, for example, a level of Poverty (the mother got a job to pay for the child); an Addiction (kicking smoking for the child's health); or a particularly negative Mental Disadvantage (learning to control her temper to stay out of fights). The points should not be added to Abilities or Skills (with the possible exception of domestic skills, at the GM's option), and should not be used to pay for a new Advantage or inappropriate Disadvantage. The GM is the final arbiter. After the child is born, it may be taken as a Dependant. This can replace any changes made in the character using the points from this Disadvantage. If the child is not taken as a Dependant, the player should (at the GM's option) pay for anything replaced by Pregnancy. If a character begins with a second or third trimester Pregnancy, it is handled as a normal Disadvantage. Players should be careful about taking this Disadvantage if they don't think they can pay it off!