Hearts True Desire

A Socialization Capstone of Winston this capstone does the following:

Hearts True Desire

With the use of a very specific phrase (only because that's how it works for Winston), he is able to encourage a single person, currently engaged in conversation with him, to tell him what it is they truly want. The following limitations apply: There must be conversation happening between Winston and the target. The phrase Winston uses is "What is it that you truly desire?"; The target must hear the phrase. No one must interrupt. Unless used in combination with some other capostone, this does not currently work on Induks, Dragon, Immortals or other 'Greater Beings', but most mortals (including mortalborn) are subject to its effects. Other GM skills or capstones might be used to try and subvert this ability (at Mod discretion). Note: The target does not need to like him and once they have shared their desire, there's nothing stopping them continuing with what they were doing, or perhaps even responding to the sudden and unexpected sharing in some way personal to them.

This is not mind control or telepathy. He does not read what they want from them. What is happening is that he is perceived, by the recipient of these words, as someone they would, if there was such a person, share such a deep secret with. This differs depending on the individual, perhaps they are charmed by him, or they consider his demeanor so inconsequential it seems meaningless that he knows, etc.

What they want might not be something good/bad or even possible, but it does cut through peripheral motivations and schemes, i.e. it's not a 'what they want in this moment' but perhaps 'what they want that lead them TO this moment'. e.g. they may have come to him for a sward to kill the dragon to become famouse... when what they WANT is to own a bakery, but their life 'didn't go that way'. Perhaps the villain just wants "To be loved by my mother." or perhaps they really do just want "To kill EVERYTHING!" but it is usually far more likely that they are doing things because they want something as a means to an end.

NPCs: On your average NPC this would simply invoke the desired effect, i.e. they will typically share their core/deepest desire. They might then regret that choice, but for a brief moment, the social norms, fears, barriers and/or other constructs that might otherwise not only prevent them sharing such a thing with another person (or even themselves, possibly prevent them even realising what it is), fall away and their deepest desire is shared with Winston.

PCs: Broadly speaking, this has no 'required' affect in a PC. However, if used, the target PC should consider that if there was any likelihood that there was a person or reason they might share such a thing, that Winston might be included among them... Of course, whether the PC shares anything is always up to the PC.

Note: This is not a way to instantly become a confidant. It works once, for one specific thing (their desire) and does not really change how the target feels about Winston in any lasting way. They might still hate him, perhaps even kill him, they just now do so having shared something before he's gone.

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