Filthy Rich

This perk suggests a lot about a character’s background and usually indicates a connection to a wealthy (and perhaps influential) family. This perk influences a character’s starting funds, as described in Chapter 9: Goods & Services. If the character ever needs to acquire funds, he can make a Filthy Rich check (with the permission of the Gamemaster). Failure indicates that the funds aren’t forthcoming; an Ordinary or better indicates that the funds he needs are available. The more the character asks for, however, the greater the situation die penalty.

Finally, Filthy Rich characters have other advantages due to their social and financial status. This translates into a bonus to Personality-based skills when the character decides to reveal his status. A perk check is made at the start of a scene. Results follow: On a Critical Failure, the character’s status backfires, resulting in a +1 penalty to all checks related to Personality skills; Failure, no effect; Ordinary, -1 bonus; Good, -2 bonus; Amazing, -3 bonus.

The Gamemaster can determine that in some situations the Filthy Rich perk can operate as a flaw—especially among those who have a strong dislike for the wealthy and the upper classes. If a character reveals his status in such a situation, perk check results become penalties instead of bonuses (or vice versa).