MP's Favorite Game Hacks & Rationales

The following are little ideas and modes of reasoning I have whenever I need to explain something ingame that might otherwise break immersion. Might also include tips and tricks on how to bypass annoying hang-ups with game mechanics.

General
• For certain actions, you need a Specialty just to make the attempt. I don't care how high your Medicine Skill is, unless you got a Specialty in brain surgery, you ain't fixin' lil Timmy's subdural hematoma. Doesn't matter if you've got a +5 equipment bonus--if you don't have the right Specialty in Architecture, you ain't building a house!

Changeling
• When shapeshifting ala Skinmask or similar effects, only the user's appearance changes, not their stats, meaning if a giant turns into a dwarf, they still weigh the same, and would be still be as challenging to pick up for someone without the prerequisite strength. Hilariously, this means that in the other instance, the 'giant' would be like a toy balloon, their body paradoxically light despite what their girth and height would imply! This might not really be a problem when dealing with mortals, since the Mask could easily enforce itself to hide such inconsistencies (hooman minds just ignore the sudden stress their bodies are suffering picking up the dwarf, or believe that the giant is teasing them as they watch them push off the ground in time with the said-human pulling them by the arm). This is not the case with those able to see past the Mask, like other changelings, fae-touched, etc.
• Concerning Contracts, consider allowing players to customize the loophole (within reason) to add to their uniqueness.
--Also consider allowing them to purchase a given Contract multiple times (at a discount price) for additional loopholes.
--Ingame, acquiring new Contracts can be played out as the Changeling 'remembering' the new Contract as a flash of recollection from within their suppressed psyche.
--All Goblin Contracts should be roleplayed as being taught from a Hobgoblin, even if done so ala flashback.
• With Stable Trods, the path needn't be just a long road. Trods can intersect, branch off, and even circle back, creating a grid for a town of changeling Hollows. Perfect for a freehold village or even just a Court-specific caucus.
--Within a Freehold, perhaps supplying an maintaining such a location determines 'titles', eg. a 'baron' of Autumn must build a Hollow connected to the 'Crown' Hollow, supporting it by housing fellow freeholders, securing the trod against hostiles, or offering some other service. Or perhaps the title would default to 'steward'.
--Bear in mind that any changeling that dwells inside a hollow becomes harder to locate, contact, or learn about as per the rules. That said, if freeholders know that the Summer King lives in the Freehold's HQ hollow, or if a fellow freeholder advertises their services at their workshop hollow, they'll know where to look.
• If a would-be monarch hands the crown over to another (such as the Court's favored candidate) they are given the title "Crown-Prince/ss" for the duration of the Season. Perhaps out of respect, or as a means of appeasing said-Season in the eyes of the Wyrd.
• Hexes and Curses (as written in Kith & Kin) can be stopped if the would-be hexer is unable to finish stating the terms of said-hex/curse. Thus, a throat punch, smoke inhalation, or, hell, even covering your ears so you can't hear what's being cast on you would put a stop to it.

Ghost
• In 2e, Possession can be a bitch to use outside a very minute pool of options. One way around this is to have one of the possessing ghost's anchors be an object that a would-be host can wear. Doing so makes them susceptible to possession, and from there Claim, after which the ghost can safely remove the anchor and give to another hapless fool for when they're ready to vacate their host for a better 'venue'.

Vampire
• On final death, vampire bodies shrivel and deteriorate rapidly to what their true age is, meaning it is easier for someone to collect the fangs of a fledgling vampire than it is an elder, whom will likely have turned into a pile of ash. On that note, all vampires turn to cinders if slain by sun-damage, or if their remains are directly exposed to sunlight. Collectors beware! >;3