MPNP Flourish

A Flourish is the system whereby players can attempt something extraordinary.

A flourish is based on the player--rather than the character--'s ability, specifically their storytelling-prowess. In order to execute a flourish, the player must attempt to describe, in detail, the exact actions of their character. Depending on the level of detail, the GM then assigns a Flourish Level to the description, and the player gains a number of d20's to roll in the check they are about to attempt.

Examples

The GM assigns a flourish level 0-4, 0 being essentially a completely failure. In extreme cases, the GM can also declare that the character has failed whatever check they were attempting automatically(without rolling). In the following examples, a character is going to attempt to steel an apple from a vendor on the street. The use of " " in this section denotes the player describing what his character is doing.

• Level 0: "I walk by and grab the apple of his cart while he's not looking."

• Level 1: "I walk by, watching the shopkeeper's gaze, and make sure he's looking away from me while I take the apple."

• Level 2: "I walk by, watching the shopkeeper's gaze, and make sure he's distracted with another customer while my hand lashes out, grabs the apple, and tucks it quickly inside my long, puffy sleeve."

• Level 3: "I wave to the shopkeeper as I approach, making sure I have his attention and then direct it excitedly to some commotion behind him, brazenly snatching the apple while his back is turned and sneaking a quick bite out of it before hiding it up my sleeve. I interlace my fingers behind my head, absently quipping about the weather and giving him a hearty airwell as I continue along my path."

• Level 4: "I approach the shopkeeper, immediately engaging him in conversation. I pick up several apples, asking him questions about their quality, type, etc, all while excidedly making eye-contact and putting on a friendly air. I start to expertly juggle the apples, first one, then, two, then three, grabbing various pieces of fruit off of his cart and returning others. While mis-directing the shopkeeper, I drop one apple down my sleeve. When onlookers are entranced by my show, I start tossing pieces of fruit to them, while they clap and accept the free snack. As the enraged shopkeeper attempts to reclaim his wares, I saunter casually away, all the while having escaped detection."

Rules

Much like the GM can declare failure on a poorly-executed flourish, the GM can also declare success, based souly on the strength of the description. The above example has the player executing a MPNP Deception-check, in the event of a Level 4 Flourish, the GM could simply declare the character succeeded in stealing the apple without the need to roll any dice.

This same rule applies in combat: a player attempting an instant-kill move can, at the GM's discretion, succeed merely by describing the attack in graphic-enough detail.

(meaning the GM can declare that