Social status points

Dezza · 11-28-08, 06:20 PM

Just a thought here.

Something I have always considered in my pnp campaigns is the social status of the NPC or PC in any given situation. It is often the case that PC's enter towns and cities where the Local lord or Mayor is an NPC with social status rather than 'level' status. So too a low level PC might have a higher 'social status' than a high level one due to RP, character development etc and be more readily received in places in relation to that.

I would love to see all PC's and NPC's receive a social status indicator of some sorts that can have points added to it or removed from it based on actions etc very similar to the alignment points system.

Social Status would be a totally RP driven thing which is perfect for a Layonara setting and provides another element for RP and would serve to reduce the attitude fostered in game that high level PC's are more important. If you consider it high level characters are not necessarily more important at all! Someone can have a 25th level mage who has little to no social status because they just level up and aren't concerned about quests, rp or any character development. But a 12th level mage who has taken time to truly embrace the RP aspect of this server really benefits from this system.

There could be a table made up so players could check their social status against the table to see what modifications can be applied in their RP reactions with other NPC's on quests etc. There is a lot of scope here. If you wanted to get really pedantic you could ahve multiple social status's, one for each continent..I dont think thats necessary but at least having one social status undicator would be a good start.

Just an idea!

Link092 · 11-28-08, 10:04 PM

rise of the lvl 7 PCs!

blonde · 11-29-08, 02:36 AM

I think much of what you are looking for is covered in the very advanced faction relations that has been announced for the MMO.

http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-...-factions.html

EdTheKet · 11-29-08, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blonde

I think much of what you are looking for is covered in the very advanced faction relations that has been announced for the MMO.

http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-...-factions.html

correct

ycleption · 11-29-08, 11:10 PM

Yes. I want social achievements and status to be recognized.
On the other hand, I don't want it to mechanical, so that having social recognition becomes just one more ladder to climb... it should be something gained through heavy RP.
I've been in games where social status is incorporated into the mechanics, and two things have to be true for it to be successful: first, there has to be an actual hierarchy... if everyone can attain certain levels of recognition, it's the same as if nobody has social status (except when interacting with NPCs). And two, people have to be willing to really put thought into their RP when interacting with others who have known status; a minor knight doesn't thumb their nose at a nobleman without expecting consequences.

I really like the idea of having limited spheres of influence, and tying any status mechanism into the faction concept... but I would like it to have real RP meaning, and not just another number on the character sheet.

**Gulnyr** · 11-30-08, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ycleption

first, there has to be an actual hierarchy... if everyone can attain certain levels of recognition, it's the same as if nobody has social status (except when interacting with NPCs).

This is important. If everyone can be a king or queen, what difference does it make to be king or queen? And where do we get all these kingdoms, heh? There can only be so many mayors or governors or whatever. In the strict rank structure of the Knights of the Wyrm, how can everyone be a Divisional Commander? There need to be limited slots.

On the other hand, how do new PCs advance in the established world? If earlier PCs have been developed and filled the social scale of rank and title, and there is no dying of old age or forced retirement, is there any way for new characters to advance in certain circles? Will an established world with limited social slots be properly enjoyable to new players?

It seems there needs to be some combination of limited and unlimited, maybe, but I don't know what that combination is.

**Acacea** · 11-30-08, 11:30 AM

That just means that it is important for social status to require responsibilities. When you limit slots, that creates competition for them, and thus activities one has to continue with in order to keep them. Perhaps there is a kingdom that is full of strife, and it is easier to attain leadership and harder to keep it, like ruling a pack of goblins. A more lawful kingdom accustomed to steady rulers may offer a longer grace period, but a more difficult ladder climb. It also seems kind of unlikely that we will actually have that many people trying to be queen and king, since the more locally risen you become, the more you are tied to that location. You may be the type to build up your guild around your royal status and base from there, but not get out all that much other than the home front...

It could suck to be king

The less anchored positions seem much more desirable... missionaries and ambassadors and knights errant.