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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 6970611" data-attributes="member: 20323">So, in AD&D, Al-Qadim used a number to represent station. For examle: "Ruler of a city = 2d4+10" or "Vizier/advisor to ruler or imam = ruler or imam's station -1d3." Furthermore, PCs had a starting station according to their kit and this increased by (a) gaining levels (when level exceeded station level became the new station #), or (b) spending money (ever 1,000 gp "wasted" on parties during downtime); while it decreased by (c) criminal activity (reduced to 1 or 2), (d) pennilessness (reduced to 3), or (e) enslavement (owner's station -1d6). Station's mechanical effect on play was to alter the encounter reaction roll (used in the AD&D DMG to determine Flight/Hostile/Threatening/Cautious/Indifferent/Friendly).This could lead to nonsensical and unusual situations where an 11th level Beggar-Thief PC has a higher station than an NPC imam (1d10+8)!For example, your PCs would have the following stations in AD&D:Akilah 13 --- started at 7 (1d6+4) for hakima, then at 8th level began tracking with level, and when appointed vizier would have become 13 because 15 (2d4+10) - 2 (1d3) = 13.Ankabut (undisguised) 11 --- started at 3 (1d2+2) for holy slayer, then at 4th level began tracking with level. Disguised as "Amina", an agent appointed by an imam, she would initially seem to have a station of 8 because 13 (1d10+8) -5 = 8.Kaniel 11 --- started at 6 (1d4+4) mamluk, then at 7th level began tracking with level.Najiyah 13 --- started at 8 (1d4+6) for elemental mage, then at 9th level began tracking with level, and when appointed vizier would have become 13 because 15 (2d4+10) - 2 (1d3) = 13.Salahuddin 11 --- started at 8 (1d6+5) for sha'ir, then at 9th level began tracking with level.You'll notice that this pecking order was construed through our role-playing quite organically without needing a codified station number. Everyone kow-towed a bit to the NPC Sheikh (station 15), then Akilah and Najiyah were afforded a bit of an elevated status over the other PCs (notice how neither of them was asked to swear upon the Sheikh's blade & their were no consequences for Najiyah's bit of prestidigitation showmanship), and [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] roleplayed Ankabut's deep deference to her "better" Akilah. Moreover, our roleplay added context that the numerical station system would lack, such as the Sheikh's suspicion of Salahuddin and all things genie-related.AD&D Arabian Adventures clarified that station was mainly meant as a contextual roleplaying tool:[SECTION]As noted, station is essentially a role-playing tool. It is of little use in combat, against monsters, or against bandits and others who attack first and talk later— they have no interest in etiquette. The same is true of genies. To most of them, a mortal is a mortal, although many noble genies do show a higher regard for mortals of significant station. Station also means little to intelligent creatures who do not interact with normal society. For example, a ghul doesn’t care about station, though an elf usually does. Furthermore, station is not the only factor that defines a person. To most Zakharans, station is ultimately less important than ability, and ability is ultimately less important than honor.[/SECTION]-----Since 5e lacks an encounter reaction roll, leaving initial attitude up to DM discretion (and giving PCs Backgrounds & Renown that incorporate some of that stuff), assigning a number to station seems kind of superfluous. Instead of a number (which wouldn't have any mechanical meaning in 5e), I'm thinking of using descriptive station.For example, with Jina the bold, I used key words to indicate that she is a princess (or at least nobility) masquerading as a merchant-rogue.Is that specific enough for you?</blockquote>

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