The Curse of the Worf The Curse of the Worf is a phenomenon that has plagued the Star Trek franchise for many years. It refers to the pattern of characters named Worf, or played by actor Michael Dorn, often encountering misfortune or tragedy. The origins of this curse can be traced back to the character of Worf, a Klingon warrior, introduced in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Despite his strong and honorable nature, Worf endured many hardships throughout the series. He lost loved ones, faced social rejection and discrimination, and was often involved in dangerous battles. Interestingly, the Curse of the Worf seemed to extend beyond the character himself.
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Interestingly, the Curse of the Worf seemed to extend beyond the character himself. Michael Dorn, the actor portraying Worf, went on to appear in subsequent Star Trek series and films, portraying different characters. In each of these roles, his characters also faced their fair share of misfortune.
PC Death is Power Creep … failing forwards in D&D
7th Level Fighter JUBELO (taken from AD&D’s Tomb of the Lizard King)
dies and is is buried will all his possessions:
- shield +2 (500 XP; 5,000 GP)
- long sword +1, Nine Lives Stealer (1,600 XP; 8,000 GP)
- potion of super heroism (450 XP; 750 GP)
- horn of Valhalla (bronze) (2,000 XP; 30,000 GP)
Totals = 4550 XP + 43750 GP = 48300 XP/GP
So from the above, a DM has three choices to give GP/XP to the player to spend on the new PC (depending on how ‘hard’ the DM feels about PC death):
i.e.: 4.5K, 44K or 48K XP/GP pot.
For reference, the 1e PHB XP table is reproduced below for fighters:
7th Level Cleric AZURE (also taken from AD&D’s Tomb of the Lizard King)
dies and is buried will all her possessions:
- staff of curing (6,000 XP, 25,000 GP)
- plate mail +2 (1,750 XP; 10,500 GP)
- scroll with:
- divination (800 XP, 2,400 GP)
- remove curse (800 XP, 2,400 GP)
- find traps (800 XP, 2,400 GP)
Totals = 10150 XP + 42700 GP = 52850 XP/GP
Again, from the above, a DM has three choices to give XP to the player to spend on the new PC (depending on how ‘hard’ the DM feels about PC death):
i.e.: 10K, 43K or 53K XP/GP pot.
For reference, the 1e PHB XP table is reproduced below for clerics:
First up there is no need to be quite so formal. A DM might simply take account of the ‘ritual burial’ and think “yes the rights have been well observed, I’ll give a new 5th level PC + some modest magic items etc.
But, let’s work through some of the ‘crunch’ mentioned above:
So, in the two above examples (taking the middle XP/GP pot option; i.e . the bolded option), the new PC would have about 50K to spend between (i) XP for levelling and (ii) gold for magic items (assuming the party buried the dead PC with all their possessions).
But , the party might decide to keep back some choice magic items (lowering the total spend to below 50K).
Or , if the DM is only using the XP value of the magic items (i.e. and not also it’s GP value of the item), the party might spend big on the funeral (e.g. 40K GP, assuming they have it), erecting a statue in the PC’s home town (adding to the total pot spend).
Overall –> the way I’d probably do it would be to tell the player they have about 2/3 of the XP/GP pot to use as XP on the new class. Once the class is settled, I as the DM would probably pick out some appropriate class-related magic items (i.e. using the remainder of the XP/GP pot). Of course, there’s no fun as a player in picking your own magic items.
Like less ‘crunch’ –> give the player a new PC which is about 3/4 the level of the rest of the party (or one or two levels lower). Give the PC no magic items, or 1 item per 2 (or 3) levels of new PC experience. My guess is that many DM’s instinctively use this method, but without requiring a ritual burial and/or the loss of any ‘party owned magic items’.
However, by contrast, if the DM had simply gifted the party a replacement PC at 7th level with equivalent magic items, the party would have gained probably about 5-10,000 XP and 20-40,000 GP worth of magic items alone. This, just for dying. In some cases, arguably, this would be a better haul of loot than the loot in many a dungeon …
Nonetheless, no matter what I say above, may be the ‘economy of PC death’ in your game works fine, and death is not a shortcut to net party improvement … or perhaps a natural check to a too hard scenario … in which case, of course, ignore all of the above.
Me on DriveThru; at the moment I’m mainly pimping my procedural:
:: High Seas ‘Hex Crawl’ – In the Heart of the Sea,
:: Wilderness Hex Crawl – In the Heart of the Unknown,
:: Dungeon/network generator – In the Heart of the Delve & Dangerous7th Level Fighter JUBELO (taken from AD&D’s Tomb of the Lizard King)
dies and is is buried will all his possessions:In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Dorn portrayed Worf as his character crossed over from The Next Generation. Once again, Worf faced personal and professional challenges, including the loss of a wife and a tumultuous relationship with a fellow crew member. In Star Trek: Enterprise, Dorn appeared as Worf's ancestor, a Klingon named Colonel Worf. This character also experienced tragedy when he sacrificed his life to save his crew. The Curse of the Worf has become a running joke among Star Trek fans, with many speculating about the cause and meaning behind the pattern. Some believe that the curse is simply a coincidence, while others suggest it is a deliberate storytelling choice or even a form of tribute to the actor's talents. Regardless of its origins, the Curse of the Worf has become a notable aspect of the Star Trek universe. It showcases the ability of the franchise to delve into complex and challenging narratives, exploring themes of sacrifice, honor, and resilience. Despite the curse, both the character of Worf and the actor Michael Dorn have become beloved figures in the Star Trek community. Their enduring popularity and impact on the franchise are a testament to the lasting power of these stories and characters. In conclusion, the Curse of the Worf is a phenomenon that has affected the Star Trek franchise for years. Through the character of Worf and the actor portraying him, Michael Dorn, this curse has brought misfortune and tragedy to various storylines. However, it has also provided compelling narratives and has become a unique aspect of the Star Trek universe, contributing to the franchise's enduring popularity..
Reviews for "Worf 2.0: Reimagining the Character for a New Generation"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed in "Curse of the Worf". The plot was completely predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I found myself uninterested in what was happening and couldn't connect with any of the characters. It felt like a wasted opportunity for a potentially intriguing story.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - I had high hopes for "Curse of the Worf", but it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was off, with slow moments followed by rushed action scenes that were hard to keep up with. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre film that didn't leave a lasting impression.
3. Emma - 2 stars - "Curse of the Worf" was a letdown in terms of special effects. The CGI was poorly executed and looked incredibly fake. It was distracting and took away from the overall viewing experience. Additionally, the acting seemed forced and lacking in nuance. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone looking for a visually impressive or well-acted film.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Curse of the Worf" to be a cliché-filled and uninspired film. The plot felt recycled and unoriginal, lacking any real innovation. The characters were forgettable, with no depth or complexity to make them interesting. It's a movie I would easily forget and not recommend to others.
5. Laura - 3 stars - While "Curse of the Worf" had some interesting moments, it ultimately fell flat for me. The story had potential, but the execution left much to be desired. The pacing was inconsistent and dragged in certain parts, making it hard to stay engaged. I was expecting a thrilling adventure, but instead got a lackluster film that failed to fully captivate me.
The Worf Dilemma: Balancing Character Development and Fan Expectations