This is the third article in this feature series.

In article one I discussed the concept of Personality Styles as a partial replacement for Backgrounds mechanically.

In article two I gave you the first set of Personality Styles (Subversive, Sneaky, Noble, Charming, and Diplomatic).

It’s worth saying that some people noted what they thought there was a negative connotation to these Personality Styles in the previous article. I think you could say that that is true with Subversive, which is included to support a broad range of characters, some of which may have less attractive sides. You could also make that argument about Noble, which I needed to distinguish from Styles you’ll see in this article as well as stick to a take on nobility that is close to the dictionary definition rather than our connotation fueled concept of what we think is noble. I understand those concerns but hopefully this installment puts aside the fears that I am negative about people and their personalities and instead are trying to examine a wide variety of personality styles that support a broad range of characters while acknowledging that all personalities can have two sides.

And now I’m going to give you the next set in the series: Self-Sacrificing, Righteous, Solemn, Impulsive, Whimsical, Bold, and Restless.

Self-Sacrificing

When there is a sacrifice to be made you would always rather it be you than someone else paying that cost.

Benefit: Once per day when you gain temporary hit points you can instead grant them to an ally within 5 squares.

Role-Playing: Make power choices that allow you to protect other party members. This is a really good personality choice for defenders or leaders for that reason. You succeed as a character not when you smack down the bad guy, but when you stop someone else from getting smacked down, even if that means that you took the hit for them.

Righteous

Every choice must be good on it’s own merits and no one easily convinces you otherwise.

Benefit: Once per day an Insight check may be re-rolled, you must take the new roll.

Role-Playing: You are someone who does not believe in the idea of doing morally ambiguous things for the greater good. You make choices that you can be proud of in every aspect of your life.

Solemn

You’re belief in a deity is the dominating aspect of who you are and you take it very seriously.

Benefit: Once per day a Religion check may be re-rolled, you must take the new roll.

Role-Playing: When in doubt consult the beliefs and profile of your chosen god and make your choices reflect your god as closely as possible.

Impulsive

Don’t think. Act!

Benefit: Once per day you can re-roll an Initiative check, you must take the new roll.

Role-Playing: Do what comes to you at the time. Don’t strategize. Don’t sit around and worry about what might happen. Those things are a waste of time. Jump in there and do what comes naturally. And when your party requires you to slow down bounce off the walls, be impatient, and mutter to yourself.

Whimsical

You’re the light-hearted one who wants people to be happy.

Benefit: Once per day when you miss with an attack you grant one ally within 5 feet a +2 bonus to their next attack.

Role-Playing : If it makes you happy, do it. It’s a subtle difference between Whimsical and Impulsive, but whimsy has a different motivation. You’re well meaning and don’t wish anyone any harm, but you don’t always think through your actions. And when things do go poorly you make an honest effort to make it right.

Bold

Fortune favors you when you make a plan and stick to it, even when others call you foolish.

Benefit: Once per day when you would take damage as a result of failing a skill check you may re-roll that skill check (before knowing if you succeeded or failed), and must take the second result.

Role-Playing: You come up with a plan, no matter how hair-brained or dangerous, and you MAKE it work, sometimes through sheer effort or willpower and sometimes only by what must be divine intervention or a lucky streak.

Restless

You have energy that can not be stopped. You’re constantly moving as if driven by a clockwork machine.

Benefit: Once per day when you are immobilized or slowed you may move an additional 2 squares despite the condition.

Role-Playing: You’re always moving. Never stay in one place. Be it a combat position in a fight or a specific town. Do your job get it done, move along, do the next job, on and on and on and on. You not only don’t want to stop…you can’t.