Character Tokens: Boon, Doom, Initiative, and Fate

There are times in a roleplaying session, or campaign, when a player wishes they could emphasize a character's skills, or ambitions, in a singular moment. Particular moments where the player sees an opportunity, or an unexpected risk comes full circle out of the unseen dangers that surround the characters. Many roleplaying systems have methods of giving the player added closure, and agency in these moments. Whether it's Numenera's use of experience, or Star Wars Saga Edition's use of Force and Destiny points, or Conan - Adventures in an Age Undreamed of's 2D20 token system.

And this is what I hope to provide.

Each Player Character will be able to receive Character Tokens. These tokens represent moments in which a player might compel events to lend their character agency they might not otherwise have had. Or, in one specific case, the lack of this agency. Each of which has a specific rarity, and specific uses, which I will detail below.

Boon tokens are a representation of a character's will, ambition, and determination shining through in a given moment; whether through inspiration of desperation. Boon tokens are used by players to sway specific circumstances of an event into their favor. They are limited by what the character themselves may do, and cannot sway the outcomes of events beyond their realistic outcomes These are most analogous to Star Wars Saga's use of Force Points or Destiny Points, but are also similar to Numenera's use of a Major Effect on critical successes. These are earned at a regular - but infrequent - rate, and most often for acting in character, and accepting DM/GM intrusions.

Doom tokens are the opposite of a Boon token. They are a representation of a character's lack of agency, helplessness, or inability to stop a situation from transpiring. Doom tokens are used by the DM/GM to force a character into a certain situation, dilemma, or scenario that they might not otherwise be placed into. These are most similar to the use of Numenera's forced GM intrusions under specific circumstances. These are given to reflect the danger of a situation that a character enters, or as a reflection on certain actions they've taken. Not as a punitive measure. Expect these to be given out approximately as much as Boon Tokens, give or take a player's disposition towards voluntarily taking them. Note: the DM/GM using a Doom Token to force you into a situation may not always be dangerous, or a crisis, but perhaps an entirely new scenario all together.

Initiative tokens are a representation of a character's eagerness, foresight, planning, and initiative. Initiative Tokens are used by a player to gain a head start on certain situations, a heads-up as to potential outcomes, or the ability to gain tempo in a time-sensitive situation. These are most often awarded at an uncommon rate for being prompt, timely, or decisive in a given session.

Fate tokens are representative of a character's worth, their personal impact on the galaxy at large, as well as their journey and their story. Fate tokens are used by a player to an immediate effect with which they are passionate about, dedicated to, obligated to, or otherwise wholly invested in. A player can use a Fate token once, and only once, as a player cannot gain Fate tokens. Fate tokens can have incredibly drastic affects on a scenario, extending beyond a character's individual capabilities to act upon a situation. A character may use their Fate Token personally, and if they should die without the Fate being completed, may assign another character for whom the effect of the prescribed Fate Token effect might live on through. A character may not pass on their Fate Token to another character.

The starting values for a normal character are as such:
A Player Character Starts with one Boon Token.
A Player Character Starts with zero Doom Tokens.
A Player Character Starts with one Initiative Token.
A Player Character Starts with one Fate Token.

And a few extra notes about tokens.

• Players cannot spend tokens collaboratively for a larger effect.
  
• Two characters can use tokens cooperatively, doing two different actions, or trying to do the same action, but the effectiveness of the tokens won't be greater than the sum of its parts.
  
• Players cannot use tokens in conflict with each other. Spent tokens will be refunded if players come into conflict.
  
• Event Characters, Secondary Characters, NPCs, etc. cannot gain tokens, unless they become a Player Character.
  
• There may, or may not, be a period of time required to pass before a player can use another Fate token after having previously used one. Such as if their character used a Fate token, died, and then their new character wanted to use a Fate token.
  
• Special classes, marked in red in the Classes post, will affect the number of tokens you start with. Normal classes don't.