Spoilers included in this thread.
First off, this is a work in progress. I have been wanting to add a system into RotR for my players to feel like they are loved more in the campaign world. I figured I could award story points (fame points) when they accomplished something big.
So what can you use these points for?
For every 5 fame points you have you get a +1 fame bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Perform, Craft, Profession, Sense Motive, Knowledge (local), Knowledge (nobility) in that city/town.
For every 5 fame points you have you get a -1 fame penalty to Disguise in that city/town.
For every 10 fame points you have, you get a 10% discount on items you buy within the city/area, up to a maximum of 20% off in that city/town.
For every 20 fame points you have, you get a 10% discount on items you sell within the city/area, up to a maximum of 20% off in that city/town.
You can also "sell"/ turn in 5 fame points for a free item up to the max gold limit within the city.
The larger the city, the harder it is to get fame points for your actions.
Milestones
Stopped the goblin attack on the festival
+5 Sandpoint
+1 Magnimar
Cleared out the Glassworks
+2 Sandpoint
Cleared out Thistletop
+4 Sandpoint
+1 Magnimar
Stopped the Undead Attacks
+3 Sandpoint
+1 Magnimar
Stopped the Skinsaw Man
+4 Sandpoint
+1 Magnimar
Stopped the Brothers of Seven
+2 Magnimar
Stopped Xanesha
+1 Sandpoint
+3 Magnimar
Stopped the Grauls
+3 Turtleback Ferry
Cleared out Fort Rannick
+1 Magnimar
+5 Turtleback Ferry
Saved the Dam
+1 Sandpoint
+1 Magnimar
+8 Turtleback Ferry
Defeated Barl Breakbones
+1 Magnimar
+5 Turtleback Ferry
Stopped the Giant attack on Sandpoint
+7 Sandpoint
+1 Magnimar
Stopped Mokmurian
+1 Sandpoint
+2 Magnimar
+2 Turtleback Ferry
So by the end of the 4th book, the heroes if they have survived it all have the following standings (also assuming they haven't bought anything)
+28 Sandpoint
+15 Magnimar
+23 Turtleback Ferry
What are your suggestions to improve or add to this system?
Any suggestions, or does no one really like this concept?
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Actually, I love the concept, I just haven't had a lot of opportunity to be on the boards lately.
I'm not sure I'm keen on the idea of trading in the points for magic items - I think from a metagame it's neat, but it just doesn't seem to fit in; for me.
Have you given any thought about how to set the scale for each fame point reward? ie. why is the difference between helping Sandpoint from Goblins, only a 2 point difference than saving it from a combination Giant and Red Dragon attack?
Knowing your thoughts on how to measure the point scale would really help fill out any ideas I might have.
Back in the old Hex Map days, I had a system worked out where you could diagram fame based on distance, so I'm definitely with you in trying to find a cool way to represent the growing scale of fame the characters have earned.
My reasoning for how I came up with the points was based on how heroic the scene seemed. While defeating the goblin raid was impressive, I awarded more for saving Sandpoint from the giants and dragon because it was even more heroic. How I actually assign points is one of my biggest concerns. I guess in the end I should try to figure out how much possible fame I would want my PCs to be able to earn and then break it down.
I also gave less fame for events that were important to a town, but happened very far away. The killing of Mokmorian, while in fact their most impressive feat, gave them some of the smallest rewards since it was so far away from most of the settlements.
As far as the "buying" of items. I plan on it being done more through roleplay than just giving the PCs an item. Also, the reason they lose fame points for doing this is others see them as using their clout to get what they want and decreases their fame slightly. I tried to make the rewards worthwhile for those that want to be famous to keep them, but also to allow greedy characters to be just that. Using their "heroic" victories to garner items from would be impressed people of the town.
My main reason for coming up with this system is to actually encourage more roleplay from my PCs. I know it looks very mechanical and perhaps a lot like faction in video games these days, but I am still curious to see how it comes out.
Also, as far as the rewards for turning in their fame points is not all that overpowered.
Reward for Sandpoints is maxed at 1,000 gp.
Reward for Magnimar is maxed at 8,000 gp.
Reward for Turtleback Ferry is maxed at 200 gp.
If they cashed them all in, by the end of the 4th book, they would have an extra 30,000 gp each in items. I do not think this will schew things to far off base. I also do not think every PC will cash in all or even most of their fame points. I believe they will enjoy the perks of having them.
I have also considered adding in encounters based off their fame and making them easier or more difficult based on what there's are.
In the end, I want this to be something the PCs can enjoy, and understand how much the citizens of the area are honoring them.
Any suggestions?