ottarrus
Emperor Mongoose
I got asked about how to handle a character's reputation a couple days ago on another board and thought that it was worth discussion on this one.
This is how I handle it, but you might have other ideas.
[snip]
The way I run Reputation [and I use it in several game systems] is a three venue system. 'Venue' shouldn't be confused with levels or tiers. While one venue may influence another, different actions will positively effect one venue while simultaneously negatively effect another.
Also, the venues are defined by the campaign. A RuneQuest campaign where PCs are trying to Heroes-with-a-capital-H is gonna be different than a campaign focused on a military unit. The venues are generalized and the 'reach' of a venue reputation depends on how epic the campaign is. Captain James T. Kirk and Captain Horatio Hornblower are in the same profession [naval officer], but a whole bunch more people know of and have an opinion about James T. Kirk.
The venues are:
1. Local: Local rep is how well someone is regarded in their immediate surroundings. It could be as small as an infantry squad or as large as an urban neighborhood or tribal clan. The PC knows almost all these people by name and their interactions are are always personal in nature. Did the PC help out the old neighbor lady? Did they pay a debt to someone they knew on time? Do they gossip about people in the local sphere? This rep might extend to a group of no more than 300 people or so, perhaps as much as 500.
2. Professional: Whatever trade the PC is in, they have a reputation at how well they do their job. This is bigger than the local area, but the reputation is based on observed facts. Using a military example, is the PC a good troop? Do they do their job with a minimum of fuss? Are they good enough at their job that their second or third tier leadership knows about them? Another example, a musician. Have they mastered their chosen instrument? Do they show up to gigs on time and give their best in the performance? Do they have any of the famous performer vices? Do they exhibit diva behavior? This grouping will consist of a wider spread of people, no more than 1000, but they're all in the same trade bracket. In a musician sense it might include other bands, promoters, venue managers, agents etc. But everyone involved knows enough about the PC to make an informed decision about them.
3. The Outside World: This is everybody who may have heard of the PC, but the PC has no idea who they are. It might people who work in another company in the same industry, or artists in a completely different field, fans, the media or whatever else have you. This includes 'worldwide fame' or 'galactic fame' depending on the scope of your campaign. This will certainly include aspects of their professional reputation and may include local reputation.
How do these all work together?
Going back to the music example, Dolly Parton is world famous singer, with Platinum selling records and who gets a fair bit of airplay even though she's largely retired. For some her music is eagerly listened to, for others, it can be hokey and not very sophisticated. This is her 'Outer World' rep.
But she a reputation of having a no-nonsense style of performing and is known to be fairly easy to get along with as a performer. She shows up on time, is ready to perform or knows her lines if she has an acting gig, and knows the music business backwards and forwards. This is her professional rep.
What many may not know is that she's a beloved figure in her home town. While she may have gone on to bigger things, she's never forgotten her roots. She gives generously to local charities, sponsors local events out of her own pocket, and funds a scholarship program that gives college bound students from the county she grew up in a full ticket ride to a 4-year degree. This is her local rep.
[end snip]
This is how I handle it, but you might have other ideas.
[snip]
The way I run Reputation [and I use it in several game systems] is a three venue system. 'Venue' shouldn't be confused with levels or tiers. While one venue may influence another, different actions will positively effect one venue while simultaneously negatively effect another.
Also, the venues are defined by the campaign. A RuneQuest campaign where PCs are trying to Heroes-with-a-capital-H is gonna be different than a campaign focused on a military unit. The venues are generalized and the 'reach' of a venue reputation depends on how epic the campaign is. Captain James T. Kirk and Captain Horatio Hornblower are in the same profession [naval officer], but a whole bunch more people know of and have an opinion about James T. Kirk.
The venues are:
1. Local: Local rep is how well someone is regarded in their immediate surroundings. It could be as small as an infantry squad or as large as an urban neighborhood or tribal clan. The PC knows almost all these people by name and their interactions are are always personal in nature. Did the PC help out the old neighbor lady? Did they pay a debt to someone they knew on time? Do they gossip about people in the local sphere? This rep might extend to a group of no more than 300 people or so, perhaps as much as 500.
2. Professional: Whatever trade the PC is in, they have a reputation at how well they do their job. This is bigger than the local area, but the reputation is based on observed facts. Using a military example, is the PC a good troop? Do they do their job with a minimum of fuss? Are they good enough at their job that their second or third tier leadership knows about them? Another example, a musician. Have they mastered their chosen instrument? Do they show up to gigs on time and give their best in the performance? Do they have any of the famous performer vices? Do they exhibit diva behavior? This grouping will consist of a wider spread of people, no more than 1000, but they're all in the same trade bracket. In a musician sense it might include other bands, promoters, venue managers, agents etc. But everyone involved knows enough about the PC to make an informed decision about them.
3. The Outside World: This is everybody who may have heard of the PC, but the PC has no idea who they are. It might people who work in another company in the same industry, or artists in a completely different field, fans, the media or whatever else have you. This includes 'worldwide fame' or 'galactic fame' depending on the scope of your campaign. This will certainly include aspects of their professional reputation and may include local reputation.
How do these all work together?
Going back to the music example, Dolly Parton is world famous singer, with Platinum selling records and who gets a fair bit of airplay even though she's largely retired. For some her music is eagerly listened to, for others, it can be hokey and not very sophisticated. This is her 'Outer World' rep.
But she a reputation of having a no-nonsense style of performing and is known to be fairly easy to get along with as a performer. She shows up on time, is ready to perform or knows her lines if she has an acting gig, and knows the music business backwards and forwards. This is her professional rep.
What many may not know is that she's a beloved figure in her home town. While she may have gone on to bigger things, she's never forgotten her roots. She gives generously to local charities, sponsors local events out of her own pocket, and funds a scholarship program that gives college bound students from the county she grew up in a full ticket ride to a 4-year degree. This is her local rep.
[end snip]
