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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 9109967" data-attributes="member: 42582">Right. There is no change.What's interesting about a game like Torchbearer is how it manages to combine GM-defined backstory for some bits of the shared fiction, with (say) Circles checks that govern other bits of the shared fiction. It's rather cleverly done, by relying on a type of demarcation of different elements of the fiction and different mechanical and broader processes for engaging with them (eg adventure phase vs town phase).There are versions of D&D that actually do integrate a Circles-type mechanic into a broadly GM-backstory style of play. Here is a rule for the Yakuza class from the original OA (p 27; published 1985):Another resource of the yakuza is his contacts. Contacts are NPCs who can provide the yakuza with specialized information and aid. They will not join him on adventures., but will buy stolen goods. provide a secure hide-out, carry messages, and provide information Contacts never do anything that might put them in peril, although they may risk their reputations. They remain cooperative with the yakuza and silent about his activities (and their involvement) so long as they are fairly treated, not threatened, and not implicated in anything. A yakuza character receives one contact for every two experience levels. The contacts are not named or defined by the DM or by a table. Instead, when the player wants his character to use a contact, he decides the name and position of the contact and tells the DM. The DM decides whet her the contact is appropriate for the character. The contact cannot be more than four experience levels above the yakuza, and the yakuza character must have had some plausible reason for meeting the contact in the past. If the DM rules the contact is acceptable, information about the contact is noted on the yakuza character's sheet. One available contact of the yakuza has been used. Thereafter the contact can be used again by the yakuza as needed. (The DM may want to note information about the contact and create a fitting personality.) The player is responsible for keeping track of the names of his character's contacts. Some examples of acceptable contacts include the gate keeper of a ward, a ship captain, a minor samurai in the Service of a daimyo, a district magistrate, or a wealthy merchant. Basically, the DM must rely on his judgement when determining whether a contact is acceptable.I think in typical D&D play this ability is probably going to be a bit underpowered, but I don't recall ever coming across complaints about it as involving player's "altering reality" via their yakuza PCs.100% this.</blockquote>

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