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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SHARK" data-source="post: 4660833" data-attributes="member: 1131">Greetings!How have you used romance in your campaigns? Has Romantic relationships been significant or important to various player characters? Have you thought about how various romantic relationships between important NPC's in the campaign can affect them, and thus, their relationships with the player characters? It seems to me, that with some thought and creativity, Romantic relationships can enhance many character's lives and interactions with a new sense of dynamism, and verissimillitude, as well as inspiring new motivations, adventures and goals in the campaign, for player characters and NPC's alike.Semper Fidelis,SHARKROMANCERomance is virtually an ever-present feature in stories both historical and mythological throughout human history, from Helen of Troy, and Aeneas and Queen Dido, to Sampson and Delilah of the Bible, and King Arthur, Guienevere and Lancelot of the Arthurian Myth. Romance is certainly an important element for most heroic stories, as romance adds a great deal of dramatic and interesting elements to the story, as well as creating various layers of tension and motivation for the principle characters involved in the romance.Certainly, player characters may greatly enjoy developing romances with various NPC's throughout the campaign--but also, other NPC's that have developed romances with other NPC's can have significant effects and influences on motivations, story-arcs, and adventures that involve the player characters as well.I have developed some material for use with determining some various details of romantic relationships and motivations between different NPC's, as well as some motivations and event tables that can be used with player characters and their NPC lovers/romances. Obviously, romances pursued and conducted between two player characters would develop their own motivations, dynamics, and events. The DM may opt to roll some kind of Romantic Challenge/Problem Event and a Romantic Blessing of Fate and Fortune event as deemed appropriate--certainly interesting circumstances can arise throughout a given year. Generally speaking, once a player character has established a romantic relationship with an NPC; or the DM has determined that a particular NPC has established a romantic relationship with another NPC, the DM should consider rolling 2-4 rolls on each table per game year that the romantic relationship endures--possibly enhanced by additional rolls on either table based on various events and changing circumstances within the relationship. Is The Character Married, Involved, or Single?01-50% The Character/NPC is Single51-80% The Character/NPC is involved in a romance with another character/NPC.81-00% The Character/NPC is married.The Nature and Dynamics of the Romantic Relationship01-25% A New Romance26-50% A Mature Romance51-75% A Deep Romance76-00% A Profound RomanceA New Romance01-25% The Joyous Romance26-50% The Uncertain Romance51-75% The Stable Romance76-00% The Estranged Romance01-25% New, Joyous: The Joyous Romance is in the beginning stages, and is fresh, vibrant, and joyous.26-50% New, Uncertain: The Uncertain Romance is in the beginning stages, and while generally satisfying, has some unresolved problems and challenges.51-75% New, Stable: The Stable Romance is in the beginning stages, and while the relationship encountered some problems and challenges, has overcome them and seems to be stable and satisfying.76-00% New, Estranged: The Estranged Romance is in the beginning stages, and while the relationship was fresh, vibrant and joyful at one time, it has now become endangered by arguments and discord, and has become tension-filled with passions, resentments, and anger; or, it has become cold, evasive and indifferent, and the relationship is now estranged.A Mature Romance01-25% The Joyous Romance26-50% The Uncertain Romance51-75% The Stable Romance76-00% The Estranged Romance01-25% Mature, Joyous: The Joyous Romance is advanced and mature in time, and is fresh, vibrant, and joyous.26-50% Mature, Uncertain: The Uncertain Romance is advanced and mature in time, and while generally satisfying, has some unresolved problems and challenges.51-75% Mature, Stable: The Stable Romance is advanced and mature in time, and while the relationship encountered some problems and challenges, has overcome them and seems to be stable and satisfying.76-00% Mature, Estranged: The Estranged Romance is advanced and mature in time, and while the relationship was fresh, vibrant and joyful at one time, it has now become endangered by arguments and discord, and has become tension-filled with passions, resentments, and anger; or, it has become cold, evasive and indifferent, and the relationship is now estranged.A Deep Romance01-25% The Joyous Romance26-50% The Uncertain Romance51-75% The Stable Romance76-00% The Estranged Romance01-25% Deep, Joyous: The Joyous Romance is deeply enmeshed and endured greatly in time, and is fresh, vibrant, and joyous.26-50% Deep, Uncertain: The Uncertain Romance is deeply enmeshed and endured greatly in time, and while generally satisfying, has some unresolved problems and challenges.51-75% Deep, Stable: The Stable Romance is deeply enmeshed and endured greatly in time, and while the relationship encountered some problems and challenges, has overcome them and seems to be stable and satisfying.76-00% Deep, Estranged: The Estranged Romance is deeply enmeshed and endured greatly in time, and while the relationship was fresh, vibrant and joyful at one time, it has now become endangered by arguments and discord, and has become tension-filled with passions, resentments, and anger; or, it has become cold, evasive and indifferent, and the relationship is now estranged.A Profound Romance01-25% The Joyous Romance26-50% The Uncertain Romance51-75% The Stable Romance76-00% The Estranged Romance01-25% Profound, Joyous: The Joyous Romance is profoundly enmeshed into a deep spiritual, physical and emotional bond that has endured many seasons, and is fresh, vibrant, and joyous.26-50% Profound, Uncertain: The Uncertain Romance is profoundly enmeshed into a deep spiritual, physical and emotional bond that has endured many seasons, and while generally satisfying, has some unresolved problems and challenges.51-75% Profound, Stable: The Stable Romance is profoundly enmeshed into a deep spiritual, physical and emotional bond that has endured many seasons, and while the relationship encountered some problems and challenges, has overcome them and seems to be stable and satisfying.76-00% Profound, Estranged: The Estranged Romance is profoundly enmeshed into a deep spiritual, physical and emotional bond that has endured many seasons, and while the relationship was fresh, vibrant and joyful at one time, it has now become endangered by arguments and discord, and has become tension-filled with passions, resentments, and anger; or, it has become cold, evasive and indifferent, and the relationship is now estranged.Romantic Relationship Events: Challenges and Problems01-05% Secret Romantic Affair06-10% Unemployment11-15% Huge Weight Gain16-20% Huge Weight Loss21-25% Chronic Business/Financial Failure26-30% Crippling Accident31-35% Struck By Severe Disease36-40% Develop Insanity/Psychological/Emotional Disorder41-45% Criminal Endeavor/Criminal Activity46-50% Powerful Addiction51-55% Chronic Unemployment56-60% Family Disapproval/Criticism61-65% Friends Disapproval/Criticism66-70% Death of Child/Miscarriage/Children Attitudes71-75% Unresolved Personal/Relationship Problem76-80% New Religion/Spiritual Philosophy81-85% New Political/Cultural/Social Philosophy86-90% New Lifestyle/Personal/Relationship Attitudes91-95% New Sexual Interest/Practice/Attitudes96-00% New Family Obligations/Living ArrangementsRelationship Challenges and Problems01-05% Secret Romantic Affair: The character's spouse/lover becomes involved in a secret romantic affair.06-10% Unemployment: The character's spouse/lover becomes unemployed. 11-15% Huge Weight Gain: The character's spouse/lover gains a huge amount of weight; this development in turn typically engages a potentially radical personality change, as well as a radically new sense of personal and social identity.16-20% Huge Weight Loss: The character's spouse/lover loses a huge amount of weight; this development in turn typically engages a potentially radical personality change, as well as a radically new sense of personal and social identity.21-25% Chronic Business/Financial Failure: The character's spouse/lover chronically fails in their business or management of personal and joint financial affairs.26-30% Crippling Accident: The character's spouse/lover suffers from some kind of crippling accident. 31-35% Struck By Severe Disease: The character's spouse/lover suffers from some kind of disease. 36-40% Develop Insanity/Psychological/Emotional Disorder: The character's spouse/lover develops some kind of Insanity or psychological or emotional disorder. 41-45% Criminal Endeavor/Criminal Activity: The character's spouse/lover becomes involved in some form of criminal endeavor or criminal activity. 46-50% Powerful Addiction: The character's spouse/lover becomes involved in some kind of powerful addiction. 51-55% Chronic Unemployment: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by a spouse/lover's chronic unemployment.56-60% Family Disapproval/Criticism: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by the spouse's/lover's family disapproval of the other spouse/lover based on religious, racial, social or cultural attitudes.61-65% Friends Disapproval/Criticism: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by the spouse's/lover's circle of friends' disapproval of the other spouse/lover based on religious, racial, social or cultural attitudes.66-70% Death of Child/Miscarriage/Children Attitudes: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by the death of a child, miscarriage, or unwillingness or inability to have children.71-75% Unresolved Personal/Relationship Problem: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by some kind of personality trait, attitude, or mannerisms of a spouse/lover that has been an ongoing, unresolved problem or challenge, which proceeds to intensify or otherise endure, and resist any meaningful change.76-80% New Religion/Spiritual Philosophy: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by a spouse/lover's new involvement and embracing of a radically or distinctly different religion or spiritual philosophy.81-85% New Political/Cultural/Social Philosophy: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by a spouse/lover's new involvement and embracing of a radically or distinctly different political or cultural/social philosophy.86-90% New Lifestyle/Personal/Relationship Attitudes: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by a spouse/lover's new involvement and embracing of a radically or distinctly different lifestyle, ranging from changes imposed or developed through a change in athletic activities, professional requirements, social involvement, or domestic or interpersonal and relationship attitudes.91-95% New Sexual Interest/Practice/Attitude: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by a spouse/lover's new involvement and embracing of a radically or distinctly different sexual interest, practice, or attitude.96-00% New Family Obligations/Living Arrangements: The Romantic Relationship is challenged by the spouse/lover's perceived obligations in allowing a family member or several family members, as well as any family member's dependent children to move in with them and share the romantic couple's home, for an unspecified duration of time, or otherwise on a permanent basis.Romantic Relationship Events: Blessings of Fate and Fortune01-05% Modest Professional/Commercial Gain06-10% Substantial Professional/Commercial Gain11-15% Great Professional/Commercial Gain16-20% Fantastic Professional/Commercial Gain21-25% Modest Financial Windfall26-30% Substantial Financial Windfall31-35% Great Financial Windfall36-40% Fantastic Financial Windfall41-45% Modest Fame is Gained46-50% Substantial Fame is Gained51-55% Great Fame is Gained56-60% Fantastic Fame is Gained61-65% Gain a Wealthy and Powerful Family Patron66-70% Blessing of Loyal and Devoted Friends71-75% Blessing of Suzerain Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item76-80% Blessing of Holy Creature Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item81-85% Blessing of Fortune-Blessed Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item86-90% Blessing of Psychic Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item91-95% Blessing of a Wondrous Home96-00% Blessing of Wondrous Land/Animals/Herd BeastsBlessings of Fate and Fortune01-05% Modest Professional/Commercial Gain: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with some kind of modest professional promotion--or a period of modest business or commercial success.06-10% Substantial Professional/Commercial Gain: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with some kind of substantial professional promotion--or a period of substantial business or commercial success.11-15% Great Professional/Commercial Gain: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with some kind of great professional promotion--or a period of great business or commercial success.16-20% Fantastic Professional/Commercial Gain: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with some kind of fantastic professional promotion--or a period of fantastic business or commercial success.21-25% Modest Financial Windfall: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with a modest financial windfall--either a gambling boon, a personal gift from a close friend or mentor, professional or business bonus, or some kind of family gift or inheritance.26-30% Substantial Financial Windfall: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with a substantial financial windfall--either a gambling boon, a personal gift from a close friend or mentor, professional or business bonus, or some kind of family gift or inheritance.31-35% Great Financial Windfall: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with a great financial windfall--either a gambling boon, a personal gift from a close friend or mentor, professional or business bonus, or some kind of family gift or inheritance.36-40% Fantastic Financial Windfall: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with a fantastic financial windfall--either a gambling boon, a personal gift from a close friend or mentor, professional or business bonus, or some kind of family gift or inheritance.41-45% Modest Fame is Gained: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with modest fame in the local neighborhood community from some unusual personal event, deed, personal accomplishment or hobby acheivement, or some kind of professional development.46-50% Substantial Fame is Gained: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with substantial fame in the local town or city settlement from some unusual personal event, deed, personal accomplishment or hobby acheivement, or some kind of professional development.51-55% Great Fame is Gained: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with great fame in the local regional area or province from some unusual personal event, deed, personal accomplishment or hobby acheivement, or some kind of professional development.56-60% Fantastic Fame is Gained: The character's spouse/lover is blessed with fantastic fame in the large regional area, province, kingdom, or empire where the couple makes their home from some unusual personal event, deed, personal accomplishment or hobby acheivement, or some kind of professional development.61-65% Gain a Wealthy and Powerful Family Patron: The character's spouse/lover is blessed by gaining the friendship of a wealthy and powerful person. The wealthy and powerful person develops into a personal and family patron, taking a sincere interest in the spouse/lover and their immediate family, including the character's, prosperity, happiness, and security.66-70% Blessing of Loyal and Devoted Friends: The character's spouse/lover is blessed by enjoying a group of deeply loyal friends. While these friends are generally of the same social and economic status as the spouse/lover, their continued loyalty and friendship benefits not only the spouse/lover, but also the character, and any immediate family in many significant and meaningful ways. Such a blessing is wide-ranging and multi-faceted, and typically may include, but not necessarily so, various social, political, and economic benefits, quite apart and separate from the social gain and deep personal enrichement of simply having a group of loyal, devoted friends.71-75% Blessing of Suzerain Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item:  The character's spouse/lover is blessed through some great spiritual blessing or boon of Fate, and gains the Suzerain Template. The character's spouse/lover also passes this special template as a great blessing onto any and all children born to the couple. Alternatively, if the character's spouse/lover already has the template, the DM should reroll on the table until something appropriate is gained, or provide the character's spouse/lover with a Major Magic Item, gained from some way, either through adventuring, as a gift, some unusual discovery while traveling, gained as an inheritance, and so on.76-80% Blessing of Holy Creature Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item: The character's spouse/lover is blessed through some great spiritual blessing or boon of Fate, and gains the Holy Creature Template. The character's spouse/lover also passes this special template as a great blessing onto any and all children born to the couple. Alternatively, if the character's spouse/lover already has the template, the DM should reroll on the table until something appropriate is gained, or provide the character's spouse/lover with a Major Magic Item, gained from some way, either through adventuring, as a gift, some unusual discovery while traveling, gained as an inheritance, and so on.81-85% Blessing of Fortune-Blessed Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item: The character's spouse/lover is blessed through some great spiritual blessing or boon of Fate, and gains the Fortune-Blessed Template. The character's spouse/lover also passes this special template as a great blessing onto any and all children born to the couple. Alternatively, if the character's spouse/lover already has the template, the DM should reroll on the table until something appropriate is gained, or provide the character's spouse/lover with a Major Magic Item, gained from some way, either through adventuring, as a gift, some unusual discovery while traveling, gained as an inheritance, and so on.86-90% Blessing of Psychic Template/Children Blessed/Gain a Major Magic Item: The character's spouse/lover is blessed through some great spiritual blessing or boon of Fate, and gains the Psychic Template. The character's spouse/lover also passes this special template as a great blessing onto any and all children born to the couple. Alternatively, if the character's spouse/lover already has the template, the DM should reroll on the table until something appropriate is gained, or provide the character's spouse/lover with a Major Magic Item, gained from some way, either through adventuring, as a gift, some unusual discovery while traveling, gained as an inheritance, and so on.91-95% Blessing of a Wondrous Home: The character's spouse/lover channels a great blessing of some kind that significantly benefits the couple's home in some wondrous way. This wondrous blessing is gained for the couple's home only so long as the couple remains together. The blessing fades if the couple breaks up, dissolves, or otherwise abandons or destroys their romantic relationship.96-00% Blessing of Wondrous Land/Animals/Herd Beasts: The character's spouse/lover channels a great blessing of some kind that significantly benefits the couple's personal, private lands or animals or beast herds in some wondrous way. This wondrous blessing is gained for the couple's personal, private lands or animals or beast herds only so long as the couple remains together. The blessing fades if the couple breaks up, dissolves, or otherwise abandons or destroys their romantic relationship.</blockquote>

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