Me again!

Since we started playing EotE, which was a first for everyone in my group, we have not really been using Obligation as much as we could, simply because I wanted to focus on the core rules.

And party because I couldnt work out to to use them.

If you have seen any of my other posts, you will know I am have a few difficulties with my group and their actions.

Now following a conversation with my group last time, the Medic doesnt really have any obligation to speak of, shes only got 5 under Oath. It cropped up that her Oath would essentially be the Hippocratic oath, to do no harm.

Now I kinda think I might be able to use this as a 'backdoor' to reign in my players more mercenary tactics. If they run around killing people, looting their bodies, and running off with their stuff.... well the MEDIC might not feel too comfortable about this. After a few of those, she might find her Obligation going up (as her guilt kicks in for tooling about with these guys). She may start putting pressure on people to ease up abit.

ESPECIALLY when 'Defeated' does not mean 'Dead', and their former enemies might need life saving medical care she is in a position to give...

Clearly I wont dish out Obligation every single time, but its just a little drip drip drip idea that might make people realise that actions have consequences... especially if it means their Medic is less effective because of the stress THEIR actions are putting on HER.

What are your thoughts?

I like it - it's interesting, and plays on the medic's personality and background.

Well if she said that her oath is "do no harm", then she should act accordingly.

So I think you can make her feel guilty for even taking part in battles and especially for not providing at least first aid to downed enemies.

Though I don't really know about your groups problems and I'm sure you've heard this, but if your doc doesn't like being restricted by that specific oath and your group enjoys their mercenary ways, maybe you should think about changing that obligation.

We never really fleshed out the Obligations when we created the characters, as I said, we kinda glossed over it to start with so as not to swamp ourselves.

But last week it came up in discussion, and she seemed happy that it fitted... I just dont think shes expecting that bomb to go off when I had her some Obligation when her compatriots shoot up the bar!

You might want to wait to drop this one until her obligation triggers and she's already suffering strain. That way it seems less like a "gotcha!" and more of an organic part of the story. It would also allow the rest of the table to have some heads-up before the next time it happens.

That could be a very long time, since she only has 5 Obligation.

I was going to keep track of their actions, and then drop it on them at a natural point in a game. Otherwise the whole thing would be pointless. This way I can drip it on them, rather than a big lump.

That could be a very long time, since she only has 5 Obligation.

I was going to keep track of their actions, and then drop it on them at a natural point in a game. Otherwise the whole thing would be pointless. This way I can drip it on them, rather than a big lump.

You should feel free to bump up her Obligation every time the group acts particularly brutal and she doesn't really act in character to temper it.

But one should remember that militaries have doctors who take the Hippocratic Oath and those people are expected to shoot to kill to protect their patients as well. A little different from what you're describing, but I wouldn't particularly penalize a character for fighting to defend herself or her comrades. But she probably shouldn't be as bloodthirsty.

What I had in mind was this:

During Trouble Brewing, they WILL encounter Daros Gang, and they will probably beat them (And potentially try and loot them).

Depending on where that happens, I will have some of the gang 'defeated' but not dead, but desperate for medical attention.... and depending on her actions, will depends on the Obligation gains.

Since they may be alive, but in the hideout, but no longer a threat, she can save them, and they can carry on as if they are not there.... no gains.

If she lets them die, or lets the group kill them... Oops.... Obligation Gains.

Thats the rough idea anyway.... I am hoping they beat the gang in the streett... who beat a hasty retreat, Troopers arrive to prevent the lootage. They find the hideout and some injured members, and see above (The guns will be gone, as they took them to the ambush).