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06-26-08, 04:56 PM
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#1 | | Mind Flayer Join Date: Dec 2006
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|  More nuanced factions
The party was quickly formed... which they would later regret. They knew that riches lay beyond the orc encampment, and so they weren't picky when the large helmeted axe-wielding warrior joined them as a fighter for the group. As they approached the outer perimeter, the warrior held up a hand, stopping the others. He approached the guards by himself, raised his visor to reveal a greenish, tusked face, and flashed a Grandite handsign. The guards grinned at let him pass. He chuckled as he went down to the mines, hearing the screams of his ambushed and fighterless former companions.
***
As she left the grove, she exhaled deeply with relief, and thanked Katia that she had learned how to speak Treant.
***
The hunter crept through the under-growth. He smirked, thinking about the druid he met earlier. "Stupid tree-hugging elf," he thought to himself. The smirk slowly turned into a look of terror as he looked upward. It was then that the squirrels started to attack.
***
As the Port Hempstead guards pummeled her into unconsciousness, she wondered whether buying the disguise kit from a Shadonite had been the wisest idea.
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NWN has a mass calming system for druids, and is the most obvious example of where a more sophisticated faction system could be used. Even the most novice druid or Katian should not be attacked by a deer.
Especially if it could be particularized for language usage, displays of divine favor, any relevant skills, a system where the factions are more than just attack/don't attack/defend-if-attacked-first, applied equally for all PCs could add a lot to RP. I hope my examples above show how a more nuanced faction system could make character choices have meaning.
Maybe some things could even be a shade of gray... skittish Satyrs will forcefully defend their territory against trespassers 25% of the time, but 75% if character has weapons in their hands. Maybe some things wearing bright clothes will increase aggression, or any other number of variables.
Some factions may even be able to be changed by IC action... the druids could declare a particular character an enemy of nature, a character could bribe guards to arrest someone on trumped up charges, or a powerful Sulterite priest could have someone declared a friend of Deep Dwarven kind, who would then be able to walk through their ranks unhindered.
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~Time remains tomorrow, when we've used today, it will take the sorrow, and wash it all away. Love can play a new tune, on this carousel, it may be tomorrow, but only time will tell. |  |   | | The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to ycleption For This Useful Post: | | |
06-26-08, 05:04 PM
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#2 | | World Leader Join Date: Jul 2005
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| Re: More nuanced factions
Quote: |
Even the most novice druid or Katian should not be attacked by a deer.
| Should anyone be attacked by a deer, save dwarves that are mistaken for automobiles? :P |  | | | The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Acacea For This Useful Post: | | |
06-26-08, 07:10 PM
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#3 | | Project Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Georgia, USA
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| Re: More nuanced factions
I like the idea and appreciate the thought you put into it. I think it's important to limit absolutes, though, because absolutes cause wonky things to happen. I'm not disagreeing, just expanding the idea a little. I'll explain that a bit using two examples from your last paragraph (because they are handy): Quote:
Originally Posted by ycleption  Some factions may even be able to be changed by IC action... the druids could declare a particular character an enemy of nature, a character could bribe guards to arrest someone on trumped up charges, or a powerful Sulterite priest could have someone declared a friend of Deep Dwarven kind, who would then be able to walk through their ranks unhindered. | Having the Druids label someone as an enemy of nature is cool, but nature is not the Druids' plaything and animals are just animals. Without a sentient nearby to point out one person from another, everyone just looks pretty much the same to wildlife (much like one alligator looks pretty much like every other alligator to us), so an enemy of nature wouldn't likely draw any unusual wrath of nature just by walking through the forest. If a Druid were nearby to command the animals to attack (which seems to me to be a little undruidy, particularly if it's done often) or if there were some sort of special "brand" placed on the enemy of nature, that would be different. Just declaring a person an enemy of nature shouldn't make all of nature automatically know the person and strike, though.
A character that has earned the favor of a powerful priest of Sulterio might get some sort of pass to enter more or less unmolested into their cities below, but it shouldn't be a guarantee of anything. That sort of thing might be similar to the pass granted to Alantha to enter Port Hempstead. Sure she's in, but now what? Not everyone is going to care that the Silverguard let her in; she's still a dark elf. Even in the islands of what was the Rohden Alliance, where they built a statue at least ten times taller than she actually is, Jennara can't be assured of recognition and a favorable outcome, which is as it should be. Reputation and fame are not "I win" buttons.
So, excellent factiony stuff, yes. Automatic instant communication and perfect agreement between all members of a faction, no.
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