Code of Honor
Code of Honor
-5 points to -15 points
You take pride in a set of principles that you follow at all times. The specifics can vary, but they always involve "honorable" behavior. You will do nearly anything – perhaps even risk death – to avoid the label "dishonorable" (whatever that means).
You must do more than pay lip service to a set of principles to get points for a Code of Honor. You must be a true follower of the Code! This is a disadvantage because it often requires dangerous – if not reckless - behavior. Furthermore, you can often be forced into unfair situations, because your foes know you are honorable.
Code of Honor is not the same as Duty or Sense of Duty. A samurai or British grenadier marches into battle against fearful odds out of duty, not for his personal honor (though of course he would lose honor by fleeing). The risks you take for your honor are solely on your own account.
The point value of a particular Code of Honor depends on how much trouble it is liable to get you into and how arbitrary and irrational its requirements are. An informal Code that applies only among your peers is worth -5 points. A formal Code that applies only among peers, or an informal one that applies all the time, is worth -10 points. A formal Code that applies all the time, or that requires suicide if broken, is worth -15 points.
The GM has the final say! Some examples:
Code of Honor (Pirate's): Always avenge an insult, regardless of the danger; your buddy's foe is your own; never attack a fellow crewman or buddy except in a fair, open duel. Anything else goes. This is also suitable for brigands, bikers, etc. -5 points.
Code of Honor (Professional): Adhere to the ethics of your profession; always do your job to the best of your ability; support your guild, union, or professional association. This is most suitable for lawyers and physicians (Hippocratic Oath), but dedicated tradesmen, merchants, and so forth may have a similar Code. -5 points.
Code of Honor (Gentleman's): Never break your word. Never ignore an insult to yourself, a lady, or your flag; insults may only be wiped out by an apology or a duel (not necessarily to the death!). Never take advantage of an opponent in any way; weapons and circumstances must be equal (except in open war). This only applies between gentlemen. A discourtesy from anyone of Status 0 or less calls for a whipping, not a duel! -10 points.
Code of Honor (Soldier's): An officer should be tough but fair, lead from the front, and look out for his men; an enlisted man should look out for his buddies and take care of his kit. Every soldier should be willing to fight and die for the honor of his unit, service, and country; follow orders; obey the "rules of war"; treat an honorable enemy with respect (a dishonorable enemy deserves a bullet); and wear the uniform with pride. -10 points.
Code of Honor (Chivalry): As Code of Honor (Gentleman's), except that flags haven't been invented. Respond to any insult to your liege-lord or to your faith. Protect any lady, and anyone weaker than yourself. Accept any challenge to arms from anyone of greater or equal rank. Even in open war, sides and weapons must be equal if the foe is also noble and chivalrous. -15 points.
Additional Codes of Honor
-5 points
Boy Scout: In Modern games which is basically being a good Boy Scout.
Cabalistic: Don't "break the masquerade", expand our knowledge and power, avenge your passers.
Centrum: Defend and expand Centrum, take the long view, order and reason, success justifies ruthlessness.
Gentleman Private Investigator: Truth and justice, respect for law and honorable people, avoid public embarassment, help those in need without charge.
Hacker's: Don't steal money or hurt people, share info, clever is better than brutish. Do not edit the files of another person, other than to obscure your trail or provide a backdoor.
Halfling: Strong code of hospitality; if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
Highwayman's: Be courteous to victims; keep word; don't ignore insults to yourself, a lady, or your flag/faith/king.
Miner's: No claim-jumping; handshakes are contracts; help other prospectors in distress.
Northern Raider: Be honest with your fellows, never break your sworn word, be hospitable to guests, do not tax another's hospitality, and show ingenuity in combat. -5 points. Based of Norse ideals.
Patrol: Defend Patrol, Secret, and Home; don't complain, play politics, embarrass us; distrust non-Patrol; go down swinging.
Pirate's: Avenge insults, fight your buddy's foe, never fight a buddy except in a fair duel.
Plunger's: Keep word to equals/superiors, gambling debts are high honor, don't ignore insults to self/female relative/ladyfriend, only native's can insult the nation/crown/flag.
Police: Serve and protect with pride and honor, don't embarrass us.
Prisoner's: Always avenge an insult, regardless of the danger; defend what's yours; stand up for yourself and your gang. Tell the man what he wants to hear, but never snitch. Anything else goes.
Professional's: Professional ethics, good job, support the guild.
Stays Bought: Finish the job, or give the money back if it can't be done; never betray unless betrayed; tell 'em up front.
Swagman's: Never blow a fellow, but help if he asks; don't go straight; say nothing useful to outsiders; warn fellows of trouble.
Theatrical: The show must go on; don't cause trouble for the cast and crew; satire is okay, but don't lie on stage.
-10 Points
Arab: Keep vows; don't ignores insults to self, tribe, or religion; remember feuds and obligations; hospitality code; no ambushes (except war).
Arena: Fight to win, no hard feelings; follow the rules, stand by team; don't show fear or pain.
Elven: No needless harm to flora and fauna; always elegance; make the world beautiful and lively.
Gentleman's: Keep word; don't ignore insults to self, lady, or flag; don't take advantage of opponent (except war, with lessers, etc.).
Hero's: Protection of the innocent is the foremost, even at the cost of your own life. Never abandon anyone – friend or enemy – to certain death. Never use more than the minimum force necessary to subdue an opponent. Work with the law whenever possible, even if you must work outside it. Never take a life unless absolutely necessary. (Less restrictive version of Comics Code.)
Mercenary's: Look out for buddies; honor of the unit; obey the rules, no poaching contracts, stay bought.
Northman's: Hospitality; speak letter of truth, honor promises; kinslaying must be answered.
Police (Bad Cop): Serve and protect with pride and honor, don't embarrass us. Cover up other cops' mistakes, never snitch on others. Join with other cops in using violence. Act the "Bad Cop", "Good Cop" in interrogations. Turn a blind eye on corruption and bribes - if not accepting bribes yourself.
Private Investigator: Don't back down; find the truth; do what's right, not what's legal; keep word.
Psionic's: No TP without consent; help other psis, stand up for rights; show restraint in front of the mundanes.
Roman: Face hardship unflinching; respect for ancestors, elders, traditions; keep promises.
Sahudese: Keep face, defend honor of clan, be stoic; protect or avenge lord; obey orders to letter unless duty is to disobey; courtesy to elders and spirits.
Soldier's: Look out for buddies/your troops; obey orders and rules of war; honor and pride.
SS: Tough to the point of ruthlessness, lead from front, obey Führer without question; kill or die for the SS, the Führer, the Reich, and the Master Race.
Xia: Maintain skill at arms; keep word, be humble and brave, uphold justice; use force with restraint; respect teacher.
-15 Points
Bushido: The Japanese warrior code (see The Samurai). You must be absolutely loyal to your master and single-minded in the execution of his orders or those dictated by your station. You're expected to die rather than to fail in your task, and to commit ritual suicide without hesitation if so ordered. You must answer any challenge or insult to your lord. You must face pain, discomfort, and even death stoically. You must always be polite to your equals and superiors, and never overlook disrespect from social inferiors; such disrespect is usually punished by death.
(Most of that was invented in 1900's for the totalitarian Empire of Japan.)
Fair Play: Fight fair. If your enemy has inferior numbers, reduce your numbers to match. Never bring a gun to a knife fight, a knife to a fistfight, or poison to any fight at all. If you enemy falls, let him stand. If your enemy drops his weapon, let him pick it up. If your enemy loses his right hand, fight him with your left, etc.
Chivalric: Keep word; respond to insults to liege-lord or faith; protect ladies and the weak; accept any challenge to arms; fair fights only (if foes are chivalrous).
Comics Code: Fight fair (even if they don't); use powers or kung fu instead of guns, etc.; keep word; protect the innocent; keep secret identities secret; don't bully or humiliate.
Martial Arts
Three Codes from the Basic Set – Gentleman's, Soldier's, and Chivalry – suit martial artists well. Two additional Codes are important for historical campaigns:
Code of Honor (Bushido): The Japanese warrior code (see The Samurai). You must be absolutely loyal to your master and single-minded in the execution of his orders or those dictated by your station. You're expected to die rather than to fail in your task, and to commit ritual suicide without hesitation if so ordered. You must answer any challenge or insult to your lord. You must face pain, discomfort, and even death stoically. You must always be polite to your equals and superiors, and never overlook disrespect from social inferiors; such disrespect is usually punished by death. -15 points.
(Most of that was invented in 1900's for the totalitarian Empire of Japan.)
Code of Honor (Xia): The way of the Chinese knights-errant (see Xia). You must be skilled at arms. You must keep your word, honor your pledges, be humble, and uphold justice for those in need. You must be brave and not spare yourself harm to help others. You must be willing to use force but also to show restraint when force isn't needed. You must respect and honor your teacher. -10 points.