Heroic/Paragon/Epic - How Famous?

[Snoweel]

I'm interested in your ideas on how famous characters are/should be in these three tiers.

Obviously there's no right answer which is why I'm interested in opinions.

What are the minimum levels of fame for characters in the three tiers? What are the maximums? Could a paragon tier character be completely unknown? How about an epic character? Could a heroic tier character be known throughout the world?

How do you see it?

 

[Angel Tarragon]

01. Hero with rep
02. Rep might precede you...and eventually does
03. Living Legend

 

[Fallen Seraph]

It depends on the game/setting. If you have a game set in say Sigil, a Epic character be as famous as say... The local celebrity. While in another a Paragon could be viewed as a hero to all, having saved a kingdom.

I know in my games generally fame or more likely infamy will be somewhat low. Even when PCs reach Paragon and Epic, this is through a combination of refluffing, ie: Epic really isn't that powerful and outside forces keeping the PCs on the run or hidden, etc.

Hell, you could have a level 30 game where all the PCs are Demi-Gods but they are completely unknown because they are in hiding till they say clear their name for the death of a god or some such.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I have some plans along those lines in my game.

I'm going to utilise the various NPC's mentioned in KotS, TL and PoS to expand their fame. A couple of people in Winterhaven will pass on their tale, there is also a bard of sorts in TL, I think, who will also pick up their story and then as they're inside the Pyramid of Shadows I think I'm going to pull a time problem on them so that they come out 10 years after they went in...

So to answer the original question:

Heroic - depending on their actions they'll become slowly more famous.

Paragon - most civic leaders, other heroes, and major villains will know them by sight and by reputation. They'll also know their basic strengths and weaknesses.

Epic - EVERYONE knows who they are and what they're most famous for, unless there is a pressing reason why not.

 

[Obergnom]

In my campaign:

Heroic: The characters start unknown and end well known in a small area. A village and a town they adventured in mostly.

Paragon: The characters are known in their home country and neighboring regions. They end up being nobles, high ranking members of guilds etc.

Epic: The characters are well known around the world for their position in society or their famous deeds.

 

[The Ghost]

It really depends on the campaign setting and style of game. But, the general guidelines I use are (regardless of edition) -

Low-Levels/Heroic - Start out as virtual unknowns that become local heroes.

Mid-Levels/Paragon - Their tales have begun to spread to neighboring areas. Bards may take interest in their adventures. People with problems may begin to seek them out.

High-Levels/Epic - The PCs have become "names". They are known throughout the country for their deeds.

Or, for our sports fans out there:

Low-Levels/Heroic - High School Athletic Star.

Mid-Levels/Paragon - College Athletic Star.

High-Levels/Epic - Pro Athlete.

Epic (3E) - Micheal Jordan, Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky etc.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

As others have said, it depends. If there's a Bard in the party (oh wait, 4E doesn't have Bards - yet), especially one who's part of a bard's network, they could become well known far and wide fairly quickly. If they're into clandestine operations they will probably kill people who want to spread their fame!

 

[malraux]

Heroic: You make the paper in the next city over.
Paragon: You make the paper in every city in the kingdom.
Epic: You make the paper in the City of Brass.

 

[SKyOdin]

A heroic level character is a famous hero in his home community and in the various towns and villages he has rescued. He may never be known beyond those places, but will talked about by the locals for a long time to come. He may become a local folk hero and cameo in some local legends.

A paragon level character is a famous hero in his entire country or region. Stories of his exploits may spread far and wide. In time, his exploits will become the basis for numerous plays, bardic songs, and novels. Future generations of heroes will look to him as a example. Some kinds of hero may be venerated as local saints.

An epic level character is a famous hero in at least a major chunk of the world, at least in time as word spreads. His struggles become the basis for myth and legend. Such a hero may be venerated as a god in generations to come.

 

[Ethalias]

As most have said, it depends on context.

For example, in the heroic tier, I imagine the characters starting off as unknowns, perhaps a little distinguished with their village/neighbourhood/tribe etc. Then as they progress and achieve, the information will ripple out, so that people from their homebase will have heard of them, may even recognise them. If their actions have had impact or attracted notice from nearby settlements some residents (those more aware of the outside world etc) will also know them. Towards the end of the Heroic tier they will achieve/save something/one that establishes them in the mindset of the lesser region.

As they move to the Paragon tier, most people will know them and have an opinion on them in their home country/area, and some of those from surrounding countries/regions etc (as before). By the end of Paragon tier they could be emerging legends.

In Epic levels, I can see greater diversity of options. You could have them heralded as Gods (which may not be for from the truth), feared as supernatural beings, or conversely have the tales of their deeds become so unfathomable, and their actions so distant from the day-to-day world that the populace loses touch and begins to think of them as old wives tales etc..

Of course, some areas may be more cutoff, lengthening the time it would take for them to become known there, and others more informed, depending on their nature and your preferences..

I hope my freeform rambling is of some use/interest.