Monday, August 30, 2010

Reputation and Grace

Reputation and Grace

Here is the framework for a mechanical social condition and conflict system for FRPGs.

Reputation is the opinion and social evaluation of an individual. It is an important factor in many areas, such as academia, business and social status. The reputation of a character is expressed by a Reputation Grade (R.G.) and Description based on the current score of Reputation Points. The actions of a character and others in society directed at them will
impact the current score of Reputation Points.

The Grace Save is instrumental is offsetting or diminishing the impact of possible loss of Rep. Pts. When a Grace Save is called for it is rolled as any other saving throw. It reflects ones ability to react in style to insult and slander as well as rebuffing the slights of others along with shaking off social faux-pas.

The Grace Save modifier is modified by the Charisma score and is based upon societies attitude towards ones character class. Reputation Table I indicated the Grace modifiers as per Charisma score. Each campaign or society will hold different classes in different degrees of regard. The DM should establish these degrees of favor and may vary them from region to region and even situation to situation if so desired. Grace saves as they relate to the favorability of a character class is determined by Reputation Table II.





Additional Modifiers to Grace saves:
Non Noble-Born Dwarf....-1
High Elf................+2
Half-Orc................-3
Noble Background........+1
Lowly Background........-2*
Barbarians..............-2

*This may be disregarded if one maintains R.G. of 1 or higher for two years time)


The initial Reputation Points of a character are determined by rolling 2d4 and subtracting 5 to yield -3 to 3 Reputation Points. Ones' Reputation Grade as determined by reputation points and associated modifiers are found on Reputation Table III.

Notes on Reputation Table III entries:
Reaction is a modifier to reaction rolls made in situations where ones reputation may have impact such as at city gates, visiting inns, when caught in indelicate situations and on well traveled roads.
Intimidation is a modifier applied to situations where the character attempts to sway the actions of other through intimidation.
Notice is the chance of having one identity noted by others when not announced or obvious.
Invitation is a modifier to roll required to determine attendance of feasts and balls being hosted.
(rules for Intimidation, Feasts, etc... to follow in future post)

The Reputation Points and Reputation Grade of a Character will rise and fall based on their actions and the reactions of others.

Suggested Reputation Point Gains and Losses:
Completing Quest for
Minor Lord.....+1d6
Duke...........+2d6
Prince.........+3d6
King/Emperor...+4d6

Being part of a successful expedition....+2d6
Being part of a failed expedition........-1d6
Leading a successful expedition..........+5d6
Leading a failed expedition..............-2d6

Fought at Battle
Skirmish............+1d6
Small Battle........+2d6
Large Battle........+3d6
Major Battle........+4d6
Epic Battle.........+5d6
Commanding a Squadron in battle.....+1
Commanding a Company in battle.....+1d4
Commanding a Battalion in battle...+1d6
Commanding an Army in battle.......+2d6


Fleeing Combat and Leaving Allies on the Field of Battle
Duel....................-4d6
Skirmish................-3d6
Melee...................-2d6
Small/Large Battle......-1d6
Major Battle............-2d6
Epic Battle.............-3d6
A Grace Save can halve the loss for fleeing combat.

Slaying a foe with 3-4 HD/levels greater +2d6
Slaying a foe with 5 + HD/levels greater +4d6

Insults
Insulting another so as to damage their reputation is a Social Attack.
It is made by roleplaying and a a successful Grace Check.

A failed attack against someone with a positive R.G. results in a loss to the attacker in Rep Pts equal to the targets R.G.

If one is the victim of a successful insult they must make a Grace save to shake it off or they suffer a loss of Rep Pts as follows.

Insult towards personal capacities......-1d4
Insult towards associates...............-1d3
Insult towards family/clan..............-1d6
Insult towards political affiliations...-1d3
Insult towards lover or mate............-1d8
Insult towards mother...................-2d6
Insult towards a womans honor...........-2d8

In any case Failing to challenge insult of equals inflicts a debit of 1 Rep. Pts.

Rules for Feasting, Balls, Trading and Dueling to follow in future posts.

1 comment:

  1. Excellent, great tables too. I've been wanting to have some kind of reputation mechanic in my D&D games and this is the most elegant implementation I've seen :)

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