Memetic Event Traits

commanderproton

Senior Member
Powers, Flaws, Abilities and Other Traits of Memetic Events


So, it's come to my attention that it isn't exactly easy to come up with powers for Memetic Event (ME) characters. I didn't want to give any hard-and-fast rules about what certain characters could and couldn't do, because I wanted players to feel like they could customize their character.


And you absolutely can do that. This list is more for people who would maybe like a little help in igniting their imaginations.


This list is by no means complete or exhaustive.


 


*Big Bad Wolf


Like Foxes, Wolves appear in several stories, usually as villains. In fact, they are often presented as the brawn as opposed to the Fox's brain. They are best known from stories like "The Three Little Pigs" (ATU 124), "the Wolf and the Seven Young Kids" (ATU 123), and "Little Red Riding Hood" (ATU 333). Wolves are very big, very strong, and very tough, with animal-keen senses. Because there are so many commonalities amongst stories, even Wolves who activated as Type 333 can Huff And Puff like a 123. Wolves have to deal with powerful hungers (not always for food), and short tempers.


The recent trend of conflating the Big Bad Wolf with werewolves have led to problems with silver and increased animal instincts during the full moon.


*Bridge Troll


Bridge Trolls are very strong, with skin almost as strong as stone. Their teeth and jaws can crunch through just about anything. Unfortunately, they also can't stand sunlight or the sound of church bells. They prefer living near water, especially near bridges, and, like Wolves, they are usually very hungry.


CHAMPIONS


These are the Princes and Heroes of Fairy Tales. Champions are considered an asset to LIBRIS, as they can be counted upon to bring a swift end to stories. However, they can trigger stories into happening by their mere existence. Many, particularly those of the Dragonslayer type, may get a bit twitchy without a foe to combat, and could turn their attentions on those who don't deserve persecution. Most aren't tied to one particular tale, given their generic nature, and can be drawn into any tale which requires a hero. They are typically handsome and have a knack for combat.


*Chicken Little


Chicken Littles (ATU 20c) are unique amongst the Talking Animal group, as they have almost no physical abilities. In fact, feeling frail and helpless is a huge part of what makes a Chicken Little. Instead, they are projective empaths, imprinting--sometimes called "infecting"--others with their emotional state. They can stir up feelings of sadness, euphoria, lust, and--obviously--fear in others. With enough training and magical backing, they can sway huge crowds, instilling emotions they aren't currently feeling.


*Cinder Girl


Cinderella, Aschenputtel, Cap-O-Rushes--almost everyone knows this story, even if it isn't always by the same name (ATU 510). Cinder Girls have tough lives, losing parents and facing abuse from their adoptive families. It typically takes outside intervention for them to find their happy ending, though some variants may actually turn to witchcraft to summon help instead of relying on a Fairy Godmother. Should a Cinder Girl turn to witchcraft, they will find a talent for it, and they have a strong affinity with birds and mice. They are very tough and have great endurance, though cleanliness is a big issue with them as is their fondness for shoes.


*Clever Fox


Clever Foxes (ATU 1-69) are, as one could guess, known for their cunning and intellectual creativity. They are natural con artists, strategists and manipulators, but they have a huge problem with arrogance and overconfidence. They don't really possess much in the way of magical power, but their minds are uncannily quick. They do have excellent reflexes and animal-sharp senses, though.


DAMSELS


These are the Princesses and Lost Girls of Fairy Tales. Damsels are typically magnets for trouble, and the Narrative tries to turn them into meek little maidens at the mercy of outside forces. They are usually conventionally pretty, make friends easily, and often have at least some level of affinity with animals. Any of the "princess" variety could get pulled into tales such as "The Dragon-Slayer" (ATU 300), "The Princess and the Sky Tree" (ATU 317), or any other story wherein a monstrous villain abducts a princess.


*Dark Fairy


Rarely do people start out as Dark Fairies, instead on the road to becoming Fairy Godmothers. Somehow, something happens which turns their helpful natures around, and their powers become geared towards causing grief.  Some, though, once placed on the path of the Dark Fairy, can still be a positive influence on the world, using their powers to set obstacles which strengthen heroes.  Their magic largely consists of curses, enchantments, and overtly inimical spells, rather than blessings, healing or protection.


*Dancing Princess


One of a large group of sisters (though the Narrative has made use of surrogate sisterhoods, like sororities), numbering 12, a Dancing Princess (ATU 306) comes from a relatively innocuous story. The worst aspects of it is that the king (or father-figure) presents the Princess as a prize, which is a disgusting attitude. Other than that, LIBRIS usually sees little reason to intervene in this story. Dancing Princesses are naturally graceful and skilled dancers, and could even quickly master martial arts, should they be so minded. Those who come into contact with magic can learn how to weave enchantments with the movements of their bodies. They absolutely cannot sit still when they hear music, to the point where hearing music while restrained is torturous.


*Dragon


Dragons, like those in the Talking Animal category, typically look completely human unless they've fully embraced the Narrative, with a ton of magic around them. Even while looking mostly human, though, they can have bulletproof skin and the ability to actually breath fire. They are highly intelligent, unbendingly proud, and are obsessive collectors, particularly of gold and jewels. Their blood can be used to create powerful potions, and folks named "George" can easily pierce their defenses.


*Dragonslayer


Dragonslayers, like Prince Charmings, are natural-born heroes. Like Prince Charmings, they can be counted on to save the day, but their existence can also cause problems. Dragonslayers are more combat-oriented than Princes, with great physical faculties and natural fighting skill. They have the power and ability to take on any eldritch horror. However, while many would simply be happy to suit up only when someone is in danger, others go looking for trouble, becoming extremist Templar Knights, ruthlessly exterminating anyone whom they deem to be a possible threat.


*Dwarf


Dwarves are very situational, typically only occurring in 709s (Snow White). Usually bearded, never taller than average, and always in groups of seven, Dwarves are good with their hands, diligent workers, and willing to offer refuge and protection to those in need, usually in exchange for household chores. They have a knack for crafting magical objects--especially rings--and are financial whizzes. They do, however, place great store in rules, laws, and agreements. They cannot break their word, and breaking your word with them usually ends in disaster.


*Elf


The Elves of fairy tales often have little in common with those of fantasy novels and role-playing games, though there are occasional intersections. Elves are skilled workers, and can quickly accomplish almost any task if unobserved. Their skill with their hands is where they intersect with Dwarves, though Elves tend to be more capricious, like the Fair Folk of legend. They are almost always helpful, though they can fall into more fiendish roles, like Rumplestiltskin.


*Fairy Godmother


Godmothers have immense magical power, capable of rewriting reality on the behalf of others. However, like all magic, it requires sacrificing personal identity and freedom. They have a unique sense of timing, and can really only be counted upon to show up at the last minute. Their power can really only be used on the behalf of others, not for their own personal gain. If that were to happen, they could end up flipping polarities and becoming Dark Fairies. They tend to be fashion-obsessed, and like any ME-type associated with the Fair Folk, can be thwarted by iron.  Also, some Fairy Godmothers have had very funny ideas about what their charges need, and became manipulative monsters.


*Frog Prince


A rare male Damsel, Frog Princes (ATU 440) suffer under a physical curse, while their hearts and minds are as pure as ever. They are strong swimmers with powerful legs, they are wonderfully articulate, and can develop an affinity with aquatic animals. They typically don't end up transformed into actual frogs unless there's a lot of magic thrown about, but should they reach that level of transformation, they can be knocked back into frog form quite easily.


*Goldilocks


Though originating in an Animal Tale (ATU 171), Goldilocks is a human protagonist, though one might argue that she's not exactly a heroine. Goldilocks have a knack for finding shelter in dangerous environments, even if they aren't actually allowed in. However, they have the uncanny ability to bypass any security system which might bar them from entering said shelter. Their skill for infiltration is handy, but all Goldilocks are watched carefully, given their Narrative-induced urge to take what isn't theirs and run away. Their talent for burglary comes with a caveat, in that Goldilocks are plagued by bears. These can be actual animals, totemic spirits, or even burly gay men.


MONSTERS


Monsters are generally cast as villains in their story, with a villain's fate. Monsters typically possess great physical prowess, and usually have some sort of inherent magical ability, but they are pushed by the Narrative to be cruel, violent, savage creatures. Many aren't tied to a specific story, and can be dragged into almost any passing tale. A Dragon can be waiting at the top of a beanstalk, a Giant can kidnap a Princess. There are rare heroic variants, such as the Beast or Iron John.


*Pied Piper


Not a hero, nor strictly a villain, Pipers are unusual cases. They can be terrible threats or lifesavers.  Through their music, vocal or instrumental, they can manipulate the behavior of living things.  Rodents, pests and children--a noteworthy equivalency--are the easiest to control, but other lifeforms are not immune.  There are even records of microorganisms being made to dance to a Piper's tune.  Also, because their powers affect behavior, they don't require a great deal of magic.  


*Prince Charming


One of the rare story protagonists which aren't anchored to a particular tale, Prince Charmings are both a boon and a burden. They can break any curse with a kiss and are gifted combatants, though they can trigger stories into being by their mere existence. Though some are decent enough and gladly settle down with their Princess, the fact that "Prince Charming" is such a generic character, used in so many stories, can turn many into fickle womanizers, breaking more hearts than curses. They are almost always incredibly handsome, with weapons-grade charisma and smiles which are literally dazzling.


*Puss In Boots


from ATU 545, Puss in Boots--sometimes just called Clever Cats or PIBs--share many similarities with Clever Foxes, though they are typically of a more heroic and less selfish persuasion. They are still cocky and overconfident, and have an obsession with footwear.


*Rapunzel


Sometimes called Ladderlocks (ATU 310), Rapunzels develop amazing powers, but only after a great deal of hardship. Their story requires them to be given up for adoption because of their birth mothers' addictions, and their adoptive mothers will keep them in isolation. This may be an aspect of abuse, or it could even be because the child in question has severe medical troubles. The girl then gets pregnant by a male visitor, is cast out, has her baby, and is reunited with the baby's father, who has been blinded. At this point, the girl's tears will possess miraculous healing powers. Rapunzels also often grow very strong, often prehensile hair. Even with the amazing powers these girls possess when they reach their happy ending, the pain and suffering required proves more than its worth. LIBRIS is sure to intervene as soon as possible in these stories. This is one of the few Damsel types not to have any particular animal affinity.


*Red Riding Hood


Red Riding Hoods (ATU 333) are another of the "Lost Girl" type of Damsel, one which intersects with Wolves. As one would expect, this tale is often triggered by a girl visiting her grandmother while wearing red clothing, usually a hat or something with a hood, and typically bearing a gift of food. Ridinghoods develop their magical talents reactively instead of as a part of the story's progress. Should the girl survive her encounter with the Wolf, she will possess a level of animal affinity, a highly developed sense of direction (never to be led astray again), and the ability to pierce illusions and deceptions ("What big ears you ha--OH, CRAP").


*Sleeping Beauty


Sharing a great deal in common with Cinder Girls and--especially--Snow Whites, Sleeping Beauties (ATU 410) are considered red-alert Literary Incursions. Though Sleepers are almost always kind, graceful, naturally talented, and beloved--though never raised by their birth parents--they are a danger to those around them. Even if someone doesn't actively have it out for Sleepers, they are bound to fall victim to one version or another of a sleeping curse. This curse can manifest as something scientifically explainable, like a virus or a chemical agent, or something which can only be supernatural in nature. When this curse is triggered, it almost always takes out the entire "kingdom", as well. This might be a college campus, a town, or possibly even a state, particularly if the curse is a virus. When LIBRIS discovers a possible 410, every effort is put into finding a Prince Charming, in the hopes of saving as many lives as possible.


*Snow White


Marked by a very specific appearance--raven-black hair, blood-red lips and, of course, snow-white skin--Snow Whites (ATU 709) grow up without a mother, and face jealousy from other women, usually a stepmother who grows to hate them so much as to wish them dead. Like Cinder Girls, Snow Whites have a strong affinity with animals, particularly woodland creatures, who respond very favorably to their singing. Though they could easily fall victim to poisoning--it's almost impossible for them to resist apples--they have an intuition when it comes to toxicology.


**Please note that the 709 Snow White is NOT the same as the one from "Snow White and Rose Red" (ATU 161), though circumstances can change this.


*Snow White and Rose Red


Surprisingly unrelated to ATU 709, Snow White and Rose Red are twin sisters with complimentary personalities. This Snow White is studious and calm, while Rose Red is vivacious and outdoorsy. The girls befriend a bear, who is apparently a prince, cursed by a Dwarf. The Dwarf is slain, the Prince restored, and the girls marry Prince and his brother. These girls both possess a level of animal affinity, with Snow White developing a talent for academic pursuits and witchcraft, while Rose Red gains enhanced physical faculties and a knack for combat.


TALKING ANIMALS


Better known from Aesop's Fables than fairy tales, Animal Tales make up a big portion of the Index.


All ME's falling in this range will look a bit bestial, but unless an ME goes full Level 5, with a lot of magic flying around, they won't really go into Petting Zoo People territory. They'll look human, but will have something about them which reminds people of an animal. Maybe it's something about their eyes, their hair, their smile, etc, but there will be something about them which give a visual cue to their Tale Type.


Talking Animal stories are typically behavior tales, so there's usually not a lot of magic involved.


 
 
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