In the Capstone thread Ryan Dancey wrote
My opinion is that Role merit badges should not be perquisites for anything. They're a recognition of accomplishment, not a way to help you keep accomplishing.
This got me thinking that displayable titles would be a fantastic extension of the Merit Badge system. I don't want to think of it as "achievement" system because that's more along the lines of "Killed one of every tribe of Orc" or some such. Titles would be an outward indicator to others of how you wish to be viewed.
This would also allow the concept of "Prestige Classes" to be simply enter the game. Do you want to be known as a Mystic Theurge? Then attain 10th merit badge in an Arcane casting class and 10th merit badge in a divine casting class, then you can announce to the world that you are starting to master both of those avenues. Perhaps there are specific abilities that you would have to train up to a certain level as well, abilities that would reflect specialties about the prestige class. It's hard to speculate because I don't get to sit in on the Dev meetings. :)
Another idea that popped into my head because Mr. Dancey almost always refers to them as Role Merit Badges is that there is the possibility of Merit Badges based on the other game systems (Harvesting, Processing, Crafting, and Building). Having titles granted for Merit Badge acquisition will also allow people to simply and effectively advertise what they are focusing on and willing to do at a given moment.
For example - I'm going to create a character and I wish for him to be a Ranger and Harvester, Crafter, and Builder with wood. When I'm adventuring, I set my title to "Ranger" once I've earned it. When I'm crafting I set my title to "Woodworker/Fletcher/what-have-you", and so on.
Thoughts?
Goblin Squad Member
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Getting 15 or so levels of Wizard and gaining the title Archmage would be awesome. The title alone would make people think twice about messing with you. Other fun titles include
* General (advanced skills in leading formations and warefare)
* Weaponsmaster
* High Priest
* Maestro (for bards)
* Catburgler
* Highwayman
* Outlaw
Titles would be very cool, especially if they're difficult to qualify for.
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Goblin Squad Member
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The more titles that they can include, and the more ways to include them, the better.
For whatever achievements. Obviously as we advance in level we could earn badges and titles, but for different skills or skill groups and even general game accomplishments as well.
If someone wants to earn the "Goblin Slayer" merit badge and title by killing a ridiculously high number of Goblins, then more power to them.
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Goblin Squad Member
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A good part of the fun in PvP is the fact that you just don't know what the opponent has to offer in terms of challenge. If he has a big neon sign broadcasting he is good at this and that, it pretty much defeats the purpose no?
Then again, if titles are optional, it would be a decision you make for yourself so I'm not necessarily against them. I just see lots of PvP veterans going for deceptive titles like "Master Smith" or "Grand Architect"...
Maybe titles linked to your position in your company/settlement/alliance? Apprentice, Journeyman, Headmaster?
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Goblin Squad Member
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I really like this. In AD&D your class level also gave you a title. Some examples are listed here. http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~kel/KDD/Class_XPTitles.shtml
Thieves would progress like such
Rogue->Footpad->Cutpurse->Robber->Burglur->Flitcher->Shar pener->Magsman->Pilferer->Thief->High thief->Master Thief->Guild master
Now i think the titles need to be reworked but, I like the idea of some merit badges giving you titles.
This is an ideal use for the badge system and I'm sure one that's already in place. I'd also like to see some customisation options included in the badge system, e.g. Someone who has killed a set number of goblins can display a goblin ear on their character.
@CaptnB: Remember that titles are likely to be on a toggle and I would imagine only one would be activated at a time. In WoW, titles are typically used to display particular levels of achievement, e.g. defeating the current high level NPC boss or achieving all of the relevant PvP achievements which give you Battlemaster, etc.
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Goblin Squad Member
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I really like this. In AD&D your class level also gave you a title. Some examples are listed here. http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~kel/KDD/Class_XPTitles.shtml
Thieves would progress like such
Rogue->Footpad->Cutpurse->Robber->Burglur->Flitcher->Shar pener->Magsman->Pilferer->Thief->High thief->Master Thief->Guild master
Now i think the titles need to be reworked but, I like the idea of some merit badges giving you titles.
That was my initial thought, too, but I wasn't going to go and get my old 1st edition PHB to list them.
I do wonder if there is some sort of protection for those, though (goes and gets his 1st edition PHB...).
Is anything legally stopping them from letting fighters earn the Veteran, Warrior, Swordsman, Hero, Swashbuckler, Myrmidon, Champion, Superhero, and Lord titles as they level up?
Would there be a problem if a ranger gave himself the "Strider" title?