A change to the Leadership Feat, opinions

[Rekuji]

I have just recently run the basic concept for my next charater by my DM, and asked him about a change to the Leadership Feat. He has asked me to run this by all of the DMs on this board, to see what the general response is.

This character is part of a secretive organization dedicated to keeping the balance of all things, as in Magic, the Elements, Law/Chaos, Good/Evil, making sure no one force becomes too predominant over any others. This group is high in rank in Elven society, but only in Elven society. While any elf knows well enough to listen when one of these people says something, no other race really knows about them at all.

The Leadership Feat was suggested to me by a friend, in order to better represent this, however, these people dont actually walk around with a bunch of followers tagging along behind them. Kind of interferes with the whole secrecy thing.

I suggested that instead of being followed around by a bunch of people, we could simply say that any elf I meet who knows at least a little of this organization will act as if their Attitude (unfriendly, helpful, etc...) were one higher when dealing with me. So an elven merchant who knows of our group that is normally Indifferent to all others, would instead be treated as Friendly while dealing with me.

Keep in mind, this Attitude bump applies only to elves, and cost me a Feat.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Jdvn1]

I don't think Leadership is necessarily a bad way to represent it -- there's nothing in Leadership that say you can't be secretive, I don't think. It means you're a good leader and people want to follow you. There are feats that improve your reputation and such, or you could use the Reputation score from Wheel of Time.

 

[Terath Ninir]

Hmm. It's pretty far removed from the Leadership feat, so I think you should use another name. Like "Elder of [Insert Organization Name Here]". Effects: improves attitudes of elves one step. Normally, I'd call that too weak for a feat, but from the sound of your campaign, it's probably okay. It sounds like you might get enough use out of it to justify it.

 

[Jdvn1]

Yeah, I think that's a good feat. Basically +5 to Diplomacy for special situations.

 

[Laurel]

I like the idea Cyberzombie put forth in creating a new feat.

It may be too powerful, but since you are giving up a feat I would want to add a double bonus when dealing with those actually in the organization. At the very least something specific for the group maybe not double, but some increase. This could also reflect the possible leadership side of the feat.

 

[LazerPointer]

I should start by saying that I really don't like the Leadership feat; In a perfect (game) world you gain an underling if you can convince him to follow you, not if you ask while manifesting an aura of PC-Leadership.

That said, I think your idea is valid balance-wise, but I don't see why you should spend a feat on it. If the society exists, and if you are a member, then surely most elves will treat you better. If there is an elf who secretly doesn't like the society's goals, he won't, or he'll try to betray you.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I should start by saying that I really don't like the Leadership feat; In a perfect (game) world you gain an underling if you can convince him to follow you, not if you ask while manifesting an aura of PC-Leadership.

That said, I think your idea is valid balance-wise, but I don't see why you should spend a feat on it. If the society exists, and if you are a member, then surely most elves will treat you better. If there is an elf who secretly doesn't like the society's goals, he won't, or he'll try to betray you.

I agree.

 

[yennico]

I should start by saying that I really don't like the Leadership feat; In a perfect (game) world you gain an underling if you can convince him to follow you, not if you ask while manifesting an aura of PC-Leadership.

I totally agree. That is why I changed the Leadership feat. Every high level character can attract followers without the leadership feat. Characters with the leadership feat get a bonus on this natural attraction of followers .

 

[harmyn]

I totally agree. That is why I changed the Leadership feat. Every high level character can attract followers without the leadership feat. Characters with the leadership feat get a bonus on this natural attraction of followers .

I rather like this attitude as well. It rings of the older editions, but then I have no problem with that myself. And if it is equally open to all PC's for purposes of gathering followers then I don't see what harm there is in it. You could even go as far as allowing the "Henchman" concept into the game along the same idea as the new "Cohort" thinking. But limit the maximum # of henchmen a PC can have to their charisma modifier and also go into the original must make a deal with them and hammer out an agreement, or develop the NPC into that position through RPing over a long period of game time. Just my copper's worth.

 

[S'mon]

If I were GM I'd just let you have this for free - OTOH there aren't many elves IMC, but there are powerful secret societies and I don't charge PCs Feats to be members. Giving your PC the "Elder of" thing for free also means I wouldn't feel bad when the Hostile elf NPC stays Hostile.