Affiliations: DMG II vs. Published Adentures

[Big Jake]

I never bought the DMG II, so the first time I saw anything with Affilitations in it was in Savage Tide. I thought they were really neat.

When I found out they were in the DMG II, I borrowed a copy and read the rules.

I was shocked and confused at the rules about affiliations, because the affiliations I've seen in published adventures (including Shattered Gates of Slaughterguard) don't seem to follow the rules from the DMG II.

I'm bringing this up now, because I want to make some affiliations for use in an upcoming campaign. I find that the affiliations in Savage Tide are much better than the ones in DMG II and Complete Champion.

So, does one make an affiliation similar to the ones in Savage Tide? Are there any guidelines to follow for benifits, requirements, and general mechanics?

[Hunterofthedusk]

I would generally follow my own set of rules in a situation where two books conflicted or were otherwise different. As a DM, it's okay to pick and choose between sources, or to just completely ignore one in favor of another. Just use your best judgment.

[Matthew Morris]

I think Savage Tide uses the rules in PHB II not DMG II

[Cpt_kirstov]

Matthew Morris wrote:

I think Savage Tide uses the rules in PHB II not DMG II

thats what I was going to say as well... I havn't read either in a long time, and even then it was scanning in between customers, but I thoguht the DMGII was mostly for NPC based groups while the PHBII expanded that for the PCs use. I could be wrong though.

[DudeMonkey]

The affiliation rules shocked you?

[Snorter]

I like the concept of affiliations, but feel that this thing (like it's reverse, Leadership) is better resolved at the DM's discretion, than by having rules set out.

As soon as players crack the code, for how their affiliation level is scored, they'll be whoring the system, doing pointless or easy tasks simply to up their score, and get the juicy benefits.

I think it's best if the DM keeps track of things, and also treats the text as simply examples of what might bring favour and renown, rather than being held hostage to it. The benefits should be a pleasant surprise, from a mentor to a pupil, not heavy-handed demands from the PCs, who 'know' they've broken the '21 Brownie-points' mark.

[Big Jake]

DudeMonkey wrote:

The affiliation rules shocked you?

Shocked and confused, actually. :)

I was talking about Casablanca the other day, and as I was writing this post, I had a line from the movie stuck in my head:

"I'm shocked... shocked, to discover there is gambling going on here!"

So "shocked" ended up in my post.

Thanks for noticing.

[Big Jake]

Matthew Morris wrote:

I think Savage Tide uses the rules in PHB II not DMG II

Okay, now I'll have to get my hands on a PHB II.

Thanks for the tip.