Setting the Price

The point cost of a racial template
– called the “racial cost” – is the sum
of the point values of its constituent
traits. Anyone who wishes to play a
member of the race must pay its
racial cost. If racial cost is 0 points or
more, treat the template as an advan-
tage; if racial cost is negative, treat it
as a disadvantage. (It costs 0 points to
play a human, but there is no need to
note this, as characters are assumed
to be human unless they buy a racial
template.)
A template with a negative racial
cost does not count against the cam-
paign disadvantage limit, if any (see
Disadvantage Limit, p. 11). Individual
mental, physical, and social problems
are as likely for members of low-pow-
ered races as they are for humans and
members of high-powered races!
Players must normally purchase all
elements of a racial template as a unit,
and may only “opt out” of a given trait
with the GM’s permission. Opting out
of an advantageous trait saves points,
while opting out of a disadvantageous
one costs points. In both cases, pay
racial cost normally and note the
changes separately – for instance, “No
Infravision [-10]” or “No Bad Sight
[25].” See Omitting Racial Traits
(p. 262) for additional details.