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[5E] Urban Intrigue Campaign - Gating the Sandbox
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<blockquote data-quote="TwoSix" data-source="post: 7622002" data-attributes="member: 205"><p>Wealth, celebrity, and power.</p><p></p><p>I'd use the lifestyle expenses tiers as basic ranks, although you might need finer levels of gradations between different levels of the aristocracy.</p><p></p><p>Wealth- Spending money on lifestyle expenses establishes a baseline reputation. Takes time to establish, at least 6 months for modest to comfortable ranks and years for wealthy and aristocratic rank. Having some sort of permanent rank (like a noble title, a military officer, or high ranking clergy) would establish a floor of reputation, even if they're temporarily living below their means. The duke's son living in the slums is still the duke's son, and his reputation won't take much of a hit once he returns to his normal life. Use this for a baseline for NPCs, or for PCs who have backgrounds as being established in the city. Probably too slow for PCs, which leads us to </p><p></p><p>Celebrity- Make a name for yourself by doing something noticeable and important, and see a quick rise through the ranks. You'll be invited to the biggest parties just to be shown off by those in power. This decays quickly without spending the upkeep costs for your new rank. Win the arena tournament as the greatest fighter in the city, and then use the winnings to buy a fancy house in the wealthy district, and you're one of the nouveau riche. (If your setting allows you to buy noble title, this may be relevant here. Although new titles won't have the same cachet as old money.) Win the same tournament and stay in the old tenement building wearing your battered armor around the city, and that new prestige will barely last a month.</p><p></p><p>Dropping money quickly (parties, lavish gifts) is another way to quickly earn status, although it's subject to the same quick decay if it isn't followed up with a lifestyle change. Scandals are simply negative celebrity, causing people to drop in rank, although they also quickly return to their baseline. The lord's daughter returns to good graces quickly, but the social climbing merchant can be destroyed by a well-placed lie. Earning the recognition and admiration of important people (the king gives you a medal of heroism for saving the city) is also a good way to earn your way into the higher ranks. It will generally last longer, but still decays without upkeep. </p><p></p><p>You can't really stay in the upper ranks without spending money unless you have</p><p></p><p>Power- Being powerful enough tends to put you in the upper ranks even if you don't bother to maintain your rank. The archmage can hide for years in a hovel in the slums, but will still be able to walk into any place in the city. Heroic presence (i.e. high levels) can usually get you access beyond even the rich and famous.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TwoSix, post: 7622002, member: 205"] Wealth, celebrity, and power. I'd use the lifestyle expenses tiers as basic ranks, although you might need finer levels of gradations between different levels of the aristocracy. Wealth- Spending money on lifestyle expenses establishes a baseline reputation. Takes time to establish, at least 6 months for modest to comfortable ranks and years for wealthy and aristocratic rank. Having some sort of permanent rank (like a noble title, a military officer, or high ranking clergy) would establish a floor of reputation, even if they're temporarily living below their means. The duke's son living in the slums is still the duke's son, and his reputation won't take much of a hit once he returns to his normal life. Use this for a baseline for NPCs, or for PCs who have backgrounds as being established in the city. Probably too slow for PCs, which leads us to Celebrity- Make a name for yourself by doing something noticeable and important, and see a quick rise through the ranks. You'll be invited to the biggest parties just to be shown off by those in power. This decays quickly without spending the upkeep costs for your new rank. Win the arena tournament as the greatest fighter in the city, and then use the winnings to buy a fancy house in the wealthy district, and you're one of the nouveau riche. (If your setting allows you to buy noble title, this may be relevant here. Although new titles won't have the same cachet as old money.) Win the same tournament and stay in the old tenement building wearing your battered armor around the city, and that new prestige will barely last a month. Dropping money quickly (parties, lavish gifts) is another way to quickly earn status, although it's subject to the same quick decay if it isn't followed up with a lifestyle change. Scandals are simply negative celebrity, causing people to drop in rank, although they also quickly return to their baseline. The lord's daughter returns to good graces quickly, but the social climbing merchant can be destroyed by a well-placed lie. Earning the recognition and admiration of important people (the king gives you a medal of heroism for saving the city) is also a good way to earn your way into the higher ranks. It will generally last longer, but still decays without upkeep. You can't really stay in the upper ranks without spending money unless you have Power- Being powerful enough tends to put you in the upper ranks even if you don't bother to maintain your rank. The archmage can hide for years in a hovel in the slums, but will still be able to walk into any place in the city. Heroic presence (i.e. high levels) can usually get you access beyond even the rich and famous. [/QUOTE]
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