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Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 24, 2011 7:05 am
by phillybudd
Chris et al.,

I've got a story form that assigned my MC a Unique Ability of Fate ("a future situation that will befall someone") and Critical Flaw of Falsehood, the IC a Unique Ability of Truth and Critical Flaw of Destiny ("the future path an individual must take"). It is a STOP story, so "the Critical Flaw undoes work done by the Unique Ability after the fact."

Since "Unique Ability" and "Critical Flaw" are supposed to be traits of the character in question (according to the Dramatica dictionary), I'm a little stumped. Can you offer an example of Unique Ability as "Fate" and/or Critical Flaw as "Destiny"?

Re: Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 24, 2011 4:00 pm
by JRH147
Chris will probably deliver a knockout example of both, but in the meantime, don't forget that the Unique Ability and Critical Flaw can be attributed to the character as well - they don't always have to be traits intrinsic to the character. They just serve as a means to tie the Main Character and Influence Character to the Overall Story.

Re: Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 25, 2011 5:18 am
by Clint541963
Listen to the "The Thirteenth Floor" podcast.

Code: Select all

http://dramatica.com/podcasts/DUG1008.m4a

Here is a link to the storyform:

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http://dramatica.com/story/storyforms/storyforms/thirteenthfloor_storyform.pdf


This story has a main character with a unique ability of fate and an influence character with a critical flaw of destiny.

In the podcast Chris gives examples of how the 13th Floor illustrates this I believe.

Re: Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 25, 2011 6:54 am
by Chris Huntley
"Destiny is the direction one's life must take; Fate is any given moment along that direction [or path]."

The Main Character Unique Ability (MCUA) is the quality that makes the MC uniquely suited to helping the Story Goal (in the OS) end in Success. For a MCUA of Fate, that could literally mean being in the right place at the right time.

The Impact Character Unique Ability (ICUA) is the quality that makes the IC uniquely suited to undermine the effectiveness of the MC's UA. For an ICUA of Destiny, that could something like being destined to do great things or be someone famous.

An example of the two might have your Main Character wanting to help with the story goal, but backing off when the IC is in the area because the IC is the one to do great things, not the lowly MC. The MC may even be reluctant to help because he doesn't want to step into the "great man's" territory.

Imagine the MC as a nobody in the midst of big happenings. He is Zelig-like in that he always seems to be in the right place at the right time (Fate). Unfortunately for him, he is also known as a consummate liar (Critical Flaw of Falsehood), so he never has the opportunity to take advantage of his fortunate positions. Now imagine the Impact Character/protagonist as a "rising star" destined for greatness, which occludes any advantage the MC may seem to have by always being in the midst of things (ICUA of Destiny). Unfortunately for the IC, he always tells the truth (and/or seeks the truth) [IC Critical Flaw of Truth], which often undermines his effectiveness given that his comments or actions piss others off and they then work against him. Lastly, imagine the climax of the story where the IC hero is supposed to defeat the bad guys, but his truth-telling gets him locked up so he's not there to "save the day." "Fate" happens to put the MC in a position to free the IC, OR to take action normally done by the captured IC/protagonist. The MC's actions or decisions become the key to achieving the story goal, even if the MC is not the one to do the actual achieving. The Story Goal is achieved (Success!).

I know I've seen a story like this before, but cannot point to a particular work as an example. But now you have an example that weaves the MCUA of Fate, the MCCF of Falsehood, the ICUA of Destiny, and the ICCF of Truth together in their appropriate contexts. I hope this helps.

Re: Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 25, 2011 11:30 am
by phillybudd
Thanks for all the great answers.... much to mull over!

Re: Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 25, 2011 1:16 pm
by phillybudd
Chris, I've read your examples several times now, and I think I'm on to something. But it has brought another question to the forefront...

As far as my MC's critical flaw being "falsehood" -- I do not see him as intentionally lying or deceiving anyone. Could "bad information" that he thinks is correct count as "falsehood" in this case? That fits the situation, in any case.

Jeff

Re: Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 26, 2011 8:12 am
by Chris Huntley
Hi Jeff --

Absolutely. He can be the source of the falsehood, the object of the falsehoods (someone telling lies about him), unable to identify falsehoods, etc.

Re: Unique Ability of "Fate" example?

Posted: Jun 26, 2011 12:07 pm
by phillybudd
Ah! Terrific, thanks.