Tarot Draw
Here is a list of the character modifiers I use for GURPS games (though easily used for any game). The process is simple- before the evening's session begins, the GM asks who (if anyone) wants to pick from the deck. That player draws a card from any standard Tarot deck and his character has to live with the consequences for that evening's entire session. At the start of the next session everyone decides again whether or not to choose, and the process starts all over again. (See, told ya it was easy).
I like this for a couple of reasons: it adds a little more variety and surprise to the game, and it simulates how everyone can have a "bad day" where they can't seem to do anything right or a "good day" where they can walk on water.
For my fantasy games I use a standard Rider-White tarot; for more modern games I use the Mage: the Ascension tarot, from White Wolf. Where the names or suits of specific cards differ I've included the names from the Mage deck in parentheses.
The Magician (The Mage) Magic Resistance +4 The High Priestess Luck +1 The Empress +4 HP The Emperor +4 HP The Heirophant Luck +1 The Lovers Empathy The Chariot +2 Dodge/Speed Strength +3 ST The Hermit -4 to all reactions The Wheel of Fortune Luck +2 Justice Strong Will +4 The Hanged Man -2 HP Death -4 HP Temperance Stong Will +2 The Devil Compulsive Lying The Tower High Pain Threshold The Star Unluckiness The Moon (Luna) Combat Paralysis The Sun Combat Reflexes Judgement Intolerance The Fool Perfect Balance, +1 Dodge The World (Gaia) +4 to all reactions King of Swords (Dynamism) +4 to one combat skill Queen of Swords +3 to one combat skill Knight of Swords +2 to one combat skill Page of Swords +2 to one combat skill Ten of Swords +1 to one combat skill Nine of Swords +1 to one combat skill Eight of Swords +1 to one combat skill Seven of Swords +1 to one combat skill Six of Swords +1 to one combat skill Five of Swords +1 to one combat skill Four of Swords +1 to one combat skill Three of Swords +1 to one combat skill Two of Swords +1 to one combat skill Ace of Swords +1 to one combat skill (player's choice of skill) King of Cups (Primordialism) +4 to one non-combat skill Queen of Cups +3 to one non-combat skill Knight of Cups +2 to one non-combat skill Page of Cups +2 to one non-combat skill Ten of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Nine of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Eight of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Seven of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Six of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Five of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Four of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Three of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Two of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill Ace of Cups +1 to one non-combat skill (player's choice of skill) King of Wands (Questing) -4 to one combat skill Queen of Wands -3 to one combat skill Knight of Wands -2 to one combat skill Page of Wands -2 to one combat skill Ten of Wands -1 to one combat skill Nine of Wands -1 to one combat skill Eight of Wands -1 to one combat skill Seven of Wands -1 to one combat skill Six of Wands -1 to one combat skill Five of Wands -1 to one combat skill Four of Wands -1 to one combat skill Three of Wands -1 to one combat skill Two of Wands -1 to one combat skill Ace of Wands -1 to one combat skill (GM's choice of skill) King of Pentacles (Pattern) -4 to one non-combat skill Queen of Pentacles -3 to one non-combat skill Knight of Pentacles -2 to one non-combat skill Page of Pentacles -2 to one non-combat skill Ten of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Nine of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Eight of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Seven of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Six of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Five of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Four of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Three of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Two of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill Ace of Pentacles -1 to one non-combat skill (GM's choice of skill)