The Admirer

an unofficial playbook by Kona Goodhart

version 1.2.0

"Do I want them, or do I want to be them?"

The Admirer sees how others shine, but doesn't yet have a strong sense of self.
Their central conflict is distinguishing between self-discovery and budding
feelings.

Example Archetypes
* Straight A's Late Bloomer
* Jack of All Trades, Mxstress of None
* The Artisan Swordmaker's Apprentice

Aesthetics
(circle or invent one for each)
* Starry-eyed demeanor, quixotic demeanor, forgettable demeanor
* Clashing clothes, unremarkable clothes, constant costume change
* A bouquet sword, an ever-changing sword, haven’t found your sword yet

Stats
Choose one row of stats, then add 1 each to two different stats.

+0 Daring, +1 Grace, -1 Heart, +1 Wit, +0 Spirit

+1 Daring, -1 Grace, +1 Heart, +0 Wit, +0 Spirit

Admiration

You are surrounded by amazing, wonderful people who inspire you by being
themselves. When you would become Smitten with someone, instead say what you admire
about them, give them a String, and choose an Homage move and an aesthetic that
make you think of them. An Homage move can come from any playbook. For Homage moves
only, you count as Smitten.

Homage Moves

Name:
Aesthetic:
Homage Move:
Self-Discovery: _ _ _ *

Name:
Aesthetic:
Homage Move:
Self-Discovery: _ _ _ *

Name:
Aesthetic:
Homage Move:
Self-Discovery: _ _ _ *

Name:
Aesthetic:
Homage Move:
Self-Discovery: _ _ _ *

You may drop a move or aesthetic at any time.

If you drop an Admiration without resolving it, the formerly Admired loses a String
on you if they have one.

Homage

When you use an Homage move and have unmarked Self-Discovery boxes, answer a
question from the list, or invent your own introspective question. After answering,
mark 0, 1, or 2 Self-Discovery boxes based on your answer.

* How does using this move fall short of what you admire about them?
* What about using this move makes you feel good? Like, really good?
* Whose approval or validation are you seeking, and how will you feel if you don't
get it?
* How do you make this move your own?
* How have your feelings about the Admired changed since you started using this
move?

Discovery (*)

When you use an Homage move and would mark a *, answer one final question about
your Homage move:

* Are you using this move just because you are Smitten, or because it is right for
you?

Based on your answer, choose whether to keep the move or let it go. If you keep it,
you must replace one of your current moves. Your Admiration is now resolved; clear
the line to make space for new inspirations.

At this point you may choose whether you are actually Smitten with the Admired. If
you are Smitten, say why, give them a String, and answer this question:

* What have you discovered about yourself that you're sure they would reject?

Playbook Moves
(start with Sincerest Form of Flattery and The Excruciating Process of Blooming,
and choose two more)

(starter move) Sincerest Form of Flattery: When you use an Homagemove in the
presence of the person it’s associated with, instead of answering an Homage
question you may roll +Heart:
10+ You choose 1 and they choose 1
7-9 They choose 1
*  You feel inspired by their presence and put your own personal flair into it
*  They don't make the connection to themself, and tell you something they found
cool or interesting about your move
*  You can feel the weight of their regard. They take a String on you
6- They notice your Homage, and get the wrong idea about it

(starter move) The Excruciating Process of Blooming: Each time you get a Down Beat,
mark it below. When you mark a *, you or someone present has a profound insight
and learns something about you. Afterward, clear all marked Down Beats.
Down Beats _ _ _ *
Down Beats (one-shot) * * *

Muse: When someone uses a move or rocks aesthetic in your Homage list in your
presence, you may spend multiple of your Strings on them to Influence any roll that
affects them until the end of the scene.

Candygram Keepsake: When you wear a costume or disguise, you may internalize the
experience of assuming this new identity. Say what part of the assumed identity you
will take with you afterward, and take a +1 forward the next time you use that
aspect, in or out of costume

Pedestal: When someone you Admire attempts to Entice you or you attempt to Entice
someone you Admire, the one being Enticed may choose from the following as if they
were options on the list for that move:
* Tell you about a small guilty secret or indiscretion
* Give you something as a token of their esteem
When you are the one doing the Enticing, the consequences of a 6- will be severe.

Starcrossed Paths: Fate draws you to those you admire. Once per scene, you may
miraculously run into an NPC from your Homage list (at the GM's discretion). When
you do, it is always at a moment that is unfortunate or awkward for you.

Fan Mail: When you Emotionally Support someone, share something that you admire
about them and they get a benefit regardless of whether they open up, even on a 6-.
If they don't open up, take a Condition (stacks with normal Emotional Support
outcome).

Compersion: When another PC gets a 12+ when you are present, they gain a String on
you.

Truth of Blade
Love Letter: When you Figure Out a Person in physical conflict, you may
additionally ask one of these questions, even on a 6-:
* Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
* What do you want others to admire about you?

Relationship Questions
* Who has confided in you about their secret crush or admiration of someone else?
* Who easily shows their admiration of others?
* Whom have you drawn inspiration from in the past?

Playing the Admirer

Despite the name, the Admirer is not about being in romantic love. In fact, the
Admirer is slow to recognize their feelings, unable to untangle aesthetic
fascination, desire for self-realization, and budding feelings of infatuation. It
is not until they have worked out the root of their admiration that they can
decide if they are indeed Smitten.

Ultimately the Admirer playbook is about experimentation and self#discovery. By

embracing what it is about others that fascinates or inspires them, new ways of
being open up to them.

An Admirer may be embarrassed about the influence others have on them, and wish to
hide their Admirations away; or they might be proud of their newfound inspiration,
and wear their influences on their sleeve. Either way, the Admirer is drawn to
people with a strong aesthetic and the self#confidence to pull it off.

Most times you use an Homage move, you will answer an introspective question and
mark 0, 1, or 2 Self-Discovery boxes. Use the Self-Discovery boxes to self-pace
your arc of discovery: in a one-shot an Admirer might make leaps and bounds in
their journey and mark 2 boxes each time, versus a slow-burn or even denialist
Admirer might continually mark 1 box or none. Some Admirations might resolve faster
than others; mix it up!

Because the Admiration core feature involves choosing from a wide library of
possible moves, it is best to have some familiarity with all the playbooks before
playing the Admirer. During play, if you don’t have an Homage Move
in mind when you declare your Admiration for someone, feel free to ask your GM and
fellow players for suggestions. You might start by considering what playbook
reflects your perception of the Admired, and look there. If
choosing an Homage Move is slowing down play, note down your Admiration and choose
a move at the end or after the session.

Likewise, if awarding Strings from Compersion feels like it would steal the
spotlight, save them to give at the end of the scene or session.

Once an Admirer has a sense of who they are, they may still struggle to express
their new, true self, and become a Beast. An Admirer who never develops a strong
sense of self may become a Devoted or Dream Mirror.

GM Moves
* Accuse them of shallowly copying
* Remind them they don’t have their own style or can’t commit to one
* Tempt them with overpowering or conflicting aesthetics

Extras Table
Roll a d6 to generate any of the following
Friends: (1) Chocolatier, (2) Already-out bestie, (3) Prolific fanfic writer, (4)
Perpetually love-struck poet, (5) Mockingbird and parrot, (6) Understanding art
teacher
Threats: (1) Dazzling lounge singer at a cyber-speakeasy, (2) Craftsperson who
jealously guards their trade secrets, (3) Artist's block, (4) Instaglam influencer,
(5) Cynical match-maker, (6) The one who gets all the candygrams
Plots: (1) Save the post office (and your love letters!), (2) Fae come to recover
their changeling child, (3) The big talent show, (4) Help Inner Truth Flowers
bloom, (5) Mimic convention, (6) Girls' knight out

---

Darling Bat Games

darlingbat.com

My greatest thanks to April, Christie, Michelle, and Morgan

This work was created in Portland, Oregon, USA, which is located on the traditional
village sites of Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook,
Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, and other tribes (Leading with Tradition, 2017).
Despite a history of being violently displaced and eliminated by settlers, many of
these communities still exist today and are growing.

Darling Bat Games wishes to recognize and honor the original peoples of this land.
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