Dust
13th of July, 2003, 10:58
I bought the Wheel of Time d20 game a few days ago. In reading it I stumbled across a concept that I think is a really neat one; easily compatible with D&D games and realistic as well. Not running a game here myself (even if it says differently under my user-name) I thought I'd post a few of the particulars here in case anyone wants to adopt them (hint hint, Rod and Druid ;) ).
I'm talking about Reputation Scores.
The concept is simple. As a character gains in level, his reputation increases as well. After all, if you play a level 20 character you're going to be famous, no matter how reclusive you are. Folks that powerful are the makers of legends, and if one of them waltzes into a town or city they're going to be recognized.
Different classes have different reputation tables. After all, a wizard is more likely to be well known than a Druid, and a bard is more likely to be well known than a ranger (although this is not always the case; but I'll get to that in a moment).
In the Wheel of Time game, here are a few reputation tables:
Armsman (more or less a fighter)
Level 1 = 0 Rep.
Level 2 = 1 Rep.
Level 5 = 2 Rep.
Level 7 = 3 Rep.
Level 10 = 4 Rep.
Level 12 = 5 Rep.
Level 15 = 6 Rep.
Level 17 = 7 Rep.
Level 20 = 8 Rep.
The Initiate (more or less a wizard)
Level 1 = 1 Rep.
Level 3 = 2 Rep.
Level 5 = 3 Rep.
Level 7 = 4 Rep.
Level 9 = 5 Rep.
Level 11 = 6 Rep.
Level 13 = 7 Rep.
Level 15 = 8 Rep.
Level 17 = 9 Rep.
Level 19 = 10 Rep.
This gives you the basic idea for progression.
Here’s what reputation translates to:
0: Unknown (laborer, intern, apprentice, enlisted soldier)
1-2: Known in home town (low-ranking officer, important craftsman or merchant)
3-5: Known in home region (local lord, high-ranking captain, successful bard)
6-9: Known in home domain or kingdom (successful wizard, high ranking lord)
10-14: Known in many domains or kingdoms (Heir to ruler, high ranking cleric)
15- 20: Known throughout the land (Ruler, famous military leader, prophet)
21+: Known worldwide (legend)
Beyond the reputation a character gains because of level (as in the above tables), he also gains reputation for specific deeds. ‘After performing (a heroic or infamous act), make a Charisma check (DC 20). On a success, the character gains 1 point of reputation.’ This should probably be modified by the DM depending on the circumstances. Beating a powerful monster deep underground with no witnesses probably isn’t going to increase a character’s reputation, but defeating a famous swordsman in a duel in of a stadium full of spectators is almost sure to do so.
In any case, here are come examples of how Reputation affects the game in technical terms. First off, it serves as the Leadership feat after level 10 (a player is not required to attract followers, but is free to do so), but only if a character succeeds a reputation check (DC 25), available only when a character’s reputation rises because of either level or deeds. A successful reputation check adds the following modifiers (and I should mention that players have no control over whether to use their reputations or not; it’s in the hands of the DM instead):
Bluff: Famous +5, Infamous +5
Diplomacy: Famous +5, Infamous +5
Perform: Famous +5, Infamous +0
Gather Information: Famous +5, Infamous +5
Intimidate: Famous +2, Infamous +5
It could probably apply to other skills as well. For instance, having a reputation could apply a -5 to disguise checks, or if you were playing an Oriental Adventures game could affect an Iajutsu duel.
In any case, it just seems really neat to be able to throw Reputation into those situations. How cool would it be to be playing an infamous character making an intimidate check whose subject remembers the story about you walking into the temple of a good god and slaughtering the priests there? Or how about playing a famous bard whose appearance in a city causes such a stir that people line up for blocks around to hear you play and all leave swearing it was the best performance they ever heard? Or how about playing a paladin whose reputation is so golden that every time you champion a cause hundreds or even thousands of people flock to your banner?
I'm talking about Reputation Scores.
The concept is simple. As a character gains in level, his reputation increases as well. After all, if you play a level 20 character you're going to be famous, no matter how reclusive you are. Folks that powerful are the makers of legends, and if one of them waltzes into a town or city they're going to be recognized.
Different classes have different reputation tables. After all, a wizard is more likely to be well known than a Druid, and a bard is more likely to be well known than a ranger (although this is not always the case; but I'll get to that in a moment).
In the Wheel of Time game, here are a few reputation tables:
Armsman (more or less a fighter)
Level 1 = 0 Rep.
Level 2 = 1 Rep.
Level 5 = 2 Rep.
Level 7 = 3 Rep.
Level 10 = 4 Rep.
Level 12 = 5 Rep.
Level 15 = 6 Rep.
Level 17 = 7 Rep.
Level 20 = 8 Rep.
The Initiate (more or less a wizard)
Level 1 = 1 Rep.
Level 3 = 2 Rep.
Level 5 = 3 Rep.
Level 7 = 4 Rep.
Level 9 = 5 Rep.
Level 11 = 6 Rep.
Level 13 = 7 Rep.
Level 15 = 8 Rep.
Level 17 = 9 Rep.
Level 19 = 10 Rep.
This gives you the basic idea for progression.
Here’s what reputation translates to:
0: Unknown (laborer, intern, apprentice, enlisted soldier)
1-2: Known in home town (low-ranking officer, important craftsman or merchant)
3-5: Known in home region (local lord, high-ranking captain, successful bard)
6-9: Known in home domain or kingdom (successful wizard, high ranking lord)
10-14: Known in many domains or kingdoms (Heir to ruler, high ranking cleric)
15- 20: Known throughout the land (Ruler, famous military leader, prophet)
21+: Known worldwide (legend)
Beyond the reputation a character gains because of level (as in the above tables), he also gains reputation for specific deeds. ‘After performing (a heroic or infamous act), make a Charisma check (DC 20). On a success, the character gains 1 point of reputation.’ This should probably be modified by the DM depending on the circumstances. Beating a powerful monster deep underground with no witnesses probably isn’t going to increase a character’s reputation, but defeating a famous swordsman in a duel in of a stadium full of spectators is almost sure to do so.
In any case, here are come examples of how Reputation affects the game in technical terms. First off, it serves as the Leadership feat after level 10 (a player is not required to attract followers, but is free to do so), but only if a character succeeds a reputation check (DC 25), available only when a character’s reputation rises because of either level or deeds. A successful reputation check adds the following modifiers (and I should mention that players have no control over whether to use their reputations or not; it’s in the hands of the DM instead):
Bluff: Famous +5, Infamous +5
Diplomacy: Famous +5, Infamous +5
Perform: Famous +5, Infamous +0
Gather Information: Famous +5, Infamous +5
Intimidate: Famous +2, Infamous +5
It could probably apply to other skills as well. For instance, having a reputation could apply a -5 to disguise checks, or if you were playing an Oriental Adventures game could affect an Iajutsu duel.
In any case, it just seems really neat to be able to throw Reputation into those situations. How cool would it be to be playing an infamous character making an intimidate check whose subject remembers the story about you walking into the temple of a good god and slaughtering the priests there? Or how about playing a famous bard whose appearance in a city causes such a stir that people line up for blocks around to hear you play and all leave swearing it was the best performance they ever heard? Or how about playing a paladin whose reputation is so golden that every time you champion a cause hundreds or even thousands of people flock to your banner?