Jade Regent Campaign Traits and "Threatened" NPCs

[Mattrex]

Several of the campaign traits listed in the Jade Regent Player's Guide grant PCs a bonus to combat rolls made against enemies who "threaten" the NPC identified in the trait. My question is this: Do these traits' bonuses apply when

a) the NPC is threatened by an enemy in the sense of being in combat with an enemy, or otherwise in imminent danger posed by the enemy; or

b) literally occupying an enemy's threatened square in combat?

Because the traits do not use more precise language ("threatened square" or the like), I think that there could be good faith arguments for either interpretation. I'm interested in seeing if perhaps someone from Paizo has clarified this in an official capacity, or if it's just up to the GM to make the call.

[SnowHeart]

Given that, in my campaign, the NPCs aren't going to be in combat very often, I'm going to allow a rather liberal interpretation of what constitutes being "threatened" -- otherwise the bonus is next to useless. In contrast, if you have the NPCs fairly involved, then I'd take a more conservative approach. It'd be interesting, though, to see how others are interpretting/implementing this. Good question.

[Zaranorth]

SnowHeart wrote:

Given that, in my campaign, the NPCs aren't going to be in combat very often, I'm going to allow a rather liberal interpretation of what constitutes being "threatened" -- otherwise the bonus is next to useless. In contrast, if you have the NPCs fairly involved, then I'd take a more conservative approach. It'd be interesting, though, to see how others are interpretting/implementing this. Good question.

Doing the same as your way for my game. Within certain bounds.

Spoiler:

Brinewall: Ameiko falls into a coma. As there's no obvious reason as to why, I don't think I'll allow it.

Night: Amiko, or another NPC, gets kidnapped.* That's a toughie. If she goes missing and nobody knows she's been kidnapped, then probably not. The thought she might be in danger isn't the same as knowing she is. If they know she's been kidnapped ... that's the rub. I don't want to give the PC a bonus on every single encounter, that feels like overkill.

*I really hope this doesn't become a theme. Oh no! An NPC friend is in trouble! ... Guys? You going to go save...? Uh... she's this way ... hello?

Further, caravan encounters: Not if they're using the pure caravan rules. And probably still not if the PCs fight a normal fight against the "boss" while the caravan fights the caravan encounter. Maybe if the caravan is taking a beating, then it could kick in.

[Ok, no more edits, I promise.]
[Ok, now no more.]
[Sigh]