This is a core mechanic of ND1 Character Generation as well as Character Advancement. While building a character, the player may choose to buy Disadvantages in order to receive more Build Points to afford to buy more more Stat Points or Abilities. Disadvantages might be Physical Disabilities, Mental Disabilities, or they could be campaign conditions like acquiring an Enemy.

Similarly, as part of their adventuring career, an Actor will acquire injuries that result in Disabilities. In the same way that Disadvantages during Character Generation provide additional Build Points, compulsory Disadvantages and Disabilities acquired during the course of adventuring aren't all bad: they provide bonus EXP points equivalent to whatever is their Negative Outcome modifier. However, just because your character is blinded during combat, they don't suddenly become smarter or learn a new ability. Instead, EXP must be allocated to Stats and Abilities as part of Down Time.

However, should a player choose to have a Disability cured by a healer, and thereby removed from their character sheet, they must remove the corresponding bonus Build Points from their character that came from the bonus EXP gained by having the Disability. For this reason, players must meticulously record on their character sheets each Disadvantage they have, how many EXP were awarded, although they needn't necessarily reduce the same Stats or Abilities that the EXP were used to improve. Characters evolve over time through life experiences…

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