I actually made a reputation system up modeling it after ability scores. I follows below. It has yet to be play tested, but I think at least for my group it would work quite well. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on it, let me know.
All player characters, over the course of their lives, will gain a reputation, be it for good or ill. These rules, while not completely necessary, may be used to adjudicate the effects of such a reputation on how the character reacts with NPCs.
All characters have seven attributes, the first six being Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma, as outlined in Chapter 1 of the PHB. The seventh ability is Fame or Infamy, depending on what type of reputation a character is building for themselves. A character’s Fame/Infamy score begins at 3 and is increased like other stats at character creation. When a player rolls the other six stats for his character, he also gets to roll 2d6 dice to determine his starting Fame/Infamy. Only the highest die’s score is added to his ability, so that a player that rolls a 2 and 5 adds the 5 to the base 3 to get a starting score of 8. The Fame/Infamy ability is a way to determine how well known a particular character is, and how they can use their reputations to influence interaction with others.
Characters may not spend ability increases, such as those gained at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th levels. They may not magically increase their Fame/Infamy either. The only way to increase a reputation is to gain levels and make oneself familiar to others. Characters often times may do other things as well to gain reputation, and the warrior who slew the goblin king is surely more well known than the one that missed the battle, unless he had a higher reputation than before the battle.
Because Fame/Infamy is treated like any other ability, it also possesses an ability modifier like any other stat. The modifier works like those for other abilities, but may only be used under certain conditions and is applied as a circumstance bonus on top of any other modifiers. The Fame/Infamy ability score modifier can be applied to Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, and Perform checks. It can also be applied to checks made to alter a NPCs reaction. The application of this bonus to these rolls is determined by the DM, but should be reserved only for situations when a character’s reputation will influence the outcome. In some situations, particularly when the target of the check is so foreign as to know nothing of the character, the bonuses do not matter. In the case of Bluff checks being made to hide one’s identity, the score might instead be applied the target’s Sense Motive check, representing how well known you are to people. It is hard for a country’s hero to hide his identity when interacting with the people.
The Fame/Infamy ability modifier also affects a character’s leadership rating, as outlined on page 106 of the DMG. A character’s Fame/Infamy ability modifier is used in place of the +2 Leadership score bonus for having great renown, so well known characters might receive more, while unknown characters receive less.
This attribute is intended only for player character and important NPCs, and should not be used when dealing with common and low level individuals. If needed for such an NPC that possesses only NPC classes, a score of 6 or 8 works fine. For characters that possess PC classes, a score of 8 or 10 does well.
Miscellaneous Modifiers To Fame Checks
Situation Mod
Characters of the same class +1
Characters know someone in common +1
Characters in the same organization +2
Characters have no common language -4
Characters from different planes* -15
Characters represent opposing forces +1
NPC a Bard +2
*Fame/Infamy may not be appropriate for the circumstance.
The formula for determining Fame/Infamy is: 3 (base) + 1d6 (upon character creation) + level modifier + class modifier + DM awards
Class Modifiers For Fame Scores
Class Mod Class Mod
Bard +2 Paladin +2
Druid -2 Ranger -2
Noble +2 Witch -2
Classes not listed receive no modifiers for class.
These modifiers only apply if the listed class is a character’s highest class.
These modifiers should be adjusted accordingly to a classes’ prevalence in a given area.
Fame modifiers from class do not stack. The maximum bonus or penalty is 2. If a character has equal levels in a class that gives a –2 and a class that gives a +2, they have a 0 modifier. Prestige classes do not affect Fame/Infamy scores.
Character Level Modifiers
Level Modifier Level Modifier
1-2 +0 12-15 +3
3-4 +1 16-19 +4
5-6 +2 20+ +5
In some special circumstances Dungeon Masters should award Fame/Infamy points for their actions, but only when their actions are monumental and well known. The rule for determining whether or not an event is suited for PCs to receive Fame/Infamy points is simple; if an event would be front page news and the hero would receive recognition and great honor in the real world, then it likely deserves a +1 Fame/Infamy point award. If an event would be national or world news and the hero would be honored across vastly different cultures, then a +2 or +3 might be appropriate. For a general rule, such bonuses should be awarded about every 3 levels, but should not be given out lightly.
It can be hard to determine at times whether a character has a Fame score or an Infamy score. As a general rule evil aligned characters possess Infamy and good aligned characters posses Fame. Neutral characters are at the player and DM’s discretion. However, some characters posses scores that do not go with their alignments, such as the malevolent wizard who has saved the local population in the past, but whose true character is not known. It is possible for such a character to be cruel, heartless, and quite evil, but to all outside appearances be a great and loving man. Under such circumstances, the evil wizard would possess a Fame score.
