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This came up recently, so I figured I'd bring it to the HiveMind.
4 of the Season 7 Faction Journal cards have checkboxes requiring that the PC recruit named NPCs to their cause.
Those are:
Dark Archive- Recruit a named NPC scholar, knowledgeable spellcaster, or similar figure to the Dark Archive. Recruitment requires a Diplomacy or Knowledge (arcana) check with a DC equal to 15 plus your character level.
Scarab Sages- Recruit a named NPC scholar, archaeologist, or similar figure to join the Scarab Sages. Recruitment requires a Diplomacy or Knowledge (local) check with a DC equal to 15 plus your character level.
Sovereign Court- Recruit a named NPC aristocrat, noble, ambassador, or similar figure to cooperate with the faction with a successful Diplomacy or Knowledge (nobility) check (DC = 14 + your character level + 3 for each of this goal’s checked boxes).
The Exchange- Recruit a named NPC merchant, trader, smuggler, or similar figure to cooperate with the Exchange. Doing so requires a successful Diplomacy or Profession (merchant) check with a DC equal to 15 plus your character level.
Now, the wording on DA and SS are slightly different than on SC and Ex. The NPC must join DA or SS, while the NPC must only agree to cooperate with SC or EX. So I can see how a DA/SS player and a SC/Ex player could conceivably both recruit the same NPC (assuming the NPC met the 'professional' requirements for both. (A lot of aristocrats are also scholars or spellcasters, and such.)
But what happens when players from DA and SS both try to recruit the same NPC during the same scenario? Do both players check the box? Do both PCs make the check and the NPC joins whichever PC rolls higher? Something else? If only 1 PC can successfully recruit the NPC, is competing counted as PvP?
For that matter, if 2 or more PCs are part of the same Faction, can they Aid Another on the recruitment roll, and both earn the check? Can a PC from a different faction aid the PC on their recruitment check? (Like, say, Grand Lodge aiding a DA PC?)
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The way I've run it: the players competing for the allegiance of an NPC both make their checks. Assuming both succeed, then the one who rolled the highest earns the loyalty of the NPC to their faction. If both roll high enough to pass the check, and they tie, then I have them roll a tie-breaker (this tie-breaker does not need to be high enough to succeed, it is just the highest modified roll).
I don't view competition for faction card checkboxes as PvP. But if one player has several options for checking a faction card, I might suggest he opt for one of the others instead of competing with a player who has only the option of recruiting a named NPC.
If two PCs are in the same faction, I allow them to cooperate to convince the NPC to join that faction, using Aid Another if possible.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
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(If both characters are the same faction) I would have both characters cooperate, with one character using aid another for the other character, and if the NPC is recruited then both players get to check off the box on their faction journal card.
Otherwise I agree with nosig and allow both characters to recruit the NPC.
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I have been allowing multiple factions to recruit an NPC that falls under their faction journal scope. I don't like the whole issue of competing with each other for a goal. Feels too PvP for my liking.
The faction journal cards were not intended to cause PvP. Much as a PC can work for both the Pathfinder Society and a faction, an NPC can be recruited to work for multiple factions.
Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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I have been allowing multiple factions to recruit an NPC that falls under their faction journal scope. I don't like the whole issue of competing with each other for a goal. Feels too PvP for my liking.The faction journal cards were not intended to cause PvP. Much as a PC can work for both the Pathfinder Society and a faction, an NPC can be recruited to work for multiple factions.
I now have this mental image of a goblin complaining to his 20 squealing hungry kids that he has to work shifts for three different BBEGs just to keep them fed.
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From the first (instructions) page of the Faction Journal cards for GMs section: "Err on the side of leniency when ruling whether or not a PC fulfilled a faction objective; ..."
Seems pretty clear to me that both DA and SS characters are to be allowed to Recruit the same NPC. Also the cards are supposed to Increase enjoyment of the PFS system. As opposed to some of the early season adventures where sometimes faction missions directly caused party conflict.
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From the first (instructions) page of the Faction Journal cards for GMs section: "Err on the side of leniency when ruling whether or not a PC fulfilled a faction objective; ..."
Seems pretty clear to me that both DA and SS characters are to be allowed to Recruit the same NPC. Also the cards are supposed to Increase enjoyment of the PFS system. As opposed to some of the early season adventures where sometimes faction missions directly caused party conflict.
Yep. This was settled.