Difference between pages "Scene Running Guide" and "Wealth"

From Kingdoms of Kahara Wiki
(Difference between pages)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "=Introduction= The phrase, "Running a scene," on a game like Kingdoms of Kahara refers to when one player or member of staff facilitates a scene. Usually by playing out NPCs,...")
 
 
Line 1: Line 1:
−
=Introduction=
+
Wealth is a special attribute that represents a combination of a character's assets, income, living arrangements as well as a rough approximation of a character's general influence at higher levels. Wealth is rated on a scale of 0-20. PCs start with a Wealth of 4 by default.
−
The phrase, "Running a scene," on a game like Kingdoms of Kahara refers to when one player or member of staff facilitates a scene. Usually by playing out NPCs, the atmosphere, and anything else the other players may need. In this sense they're temporarily taking on the role of a gamemaster.
 
  
−
This page is intended to help those who are interested in running scenes in how to get started, what pitfalls to avoid, and the rewards for running scenes for other players.
+
=Common uses for Wealth=
  
−
=The Rewards=
+
The first is to provide a general guideline concerning how one lives.
−
Let's start with the good part. Why run a scene? Some people just love running scenes for people and taking on a gamemaster role, some only like to do it occasionally. For these people, running a scene is its own reward.
 
  
−
For those who want to know what Kingdoms of Kahara offers as an obvious benefit to running scenes, for every log of a scene a player runs they will receive 2 BP for one of their characters. This is in addition to the BP from just being in a scene.
+
The second is it may be rolled just like an Extended Skill Roll for some tasks such as gaining access to powerful individuals and organizations.
  
−
=Getting Started=
+
Another third use is Wealth/2 (rounded down) determines the baseline level of NPCs a PC can readily hire in places where they are available. One notable use of this would be for NPC healers should a character be injured.
−
==Concept==
 
−
The first thing a would be scenerunner needs is a concept. What are the PCs trying to get done? What do you want the PCs to try and do?
 
  
−
This can be anything from navigating a caravan from Point A to Point B to a merchant negotiating a big deal to going on an adventure to trying to get someone at the local tavern who has had a bit too much to drink to go home.
+
=Acquiring Wealth=
  
−
==Complications==
+
Acquiring levels in Wealth is based on three traits a character can buy. To represent a character improving their situation, they may buy the appropriate trait depending on how their position improved. To represent a character's circumstances worsening, they may lower a trait or a trait may be lowered.
−
Next up for planning a scenerunner needs to come up with a couple possible complications which could make accomplishing the goal more difficult. These are the twists and turns. A one night scene might have one, where a longer plot which spans many scenes will have many more.
 
  
−
==NPCs==
+
Self Made: The most expensive trait which gives one level of Wealth per level of the trait. This represent's a character's Wealth improving by the character's own means and generally can't be removed or reduced without the player choosing to reduce it. In this way, it is the most secure.
−
Finally, a scenerunner may need to come up with some ideas for some NPCs the PCs might interact with. These come in three general flavors.
 
  
−
===Bystanders===
+
Patron: Your character's fate is closely tied to a powerful individual or group. This also grants one level of Wealth per level, but has more limitations such as being subordinate to a more powerful person. This trait can also be reduced or removed depending on actions taken in game. Requires staff approval.
−
Bystanders are NPCs which may have seen something the PCs care about or the PCs might talk to. Many of these have scant backstories and might not be given names. They require minimal prep time generally.
 
  
−
===Experts===
+
Elite: Your character is a societal elite of some kind. In most places this is nobility but it can differ. This also grants one level of wealth per level and is in terms of BP the cheapest method. However, characters with this trait require staff approval and are expected to be RP generators. In character actions can lead to a character's rank in this trait being changed.
−
Experts are characters the PCs may go to when their own characters don't know something and may need it spelled out for them. This could be an experienced magic user, a learned scholar, or a skilled healer.
 
  
−
They generally don't go out on adventures themselves, and are usually not directly involved with the concept of the scene.
+
In short, for those who wish to be beholden to none, Self Made is ideal. For those who want a connection to a powerful person Patron will serve best. For those who are RP generators and are willing to be part of a network of special privileges and obligations, Elite is ideal.
  
−
===Commanders===
+
=General guidelines on Wealth and a character's general financial situation=
−
Commanders refers to a range of NPCs which are giving the PCs orders to do something. They can be anything from nobles to a random person the PCs are performing a task for. In some cases the scenerunner's PC may be the "NPC Commander" for the PCs.
 
  
−
These characters don't usually get involved in the scene after giving the PCs their task, as they're asking the PCs to do something for them.
+
0: Utter squalor. Has almost nothing, and even the clothes on the character's back may be in wretched condition. Death from undernourishment or disease is imminent.
  
−
=Pitfalls=
+
2: The character knows where their next meal is coming from, but it's likely poor quality food at best. They have a place to sleep which protects them from the worst of the elements but little else.
−
While it's difficult to provide a comprehensive guide on how to run scenes, and this page tries, we also need to talk about some things not to do, as these will often trip a scenerunner up.
 
  
−
==Too Long==
+
4: The character may have a few special items (which are separate from Wealth), but beyond that their means are modest. They likely have a regular room at an inn or other place which provides a place to stay and can afford food of sufficient quality to provide sustenance. This is the situation of a large amount of the population of Kahara.
−
MUSHes are on the slow end for real time roleplaying. This means too many complications or something too difficult may make the scene go too long. Keep things simple if you aren't sure about how to time things until you get your footing. A good time target is about four hours for a single night scene.
 
  
−
==Massive Property Damage==
+
6: The character has reliable work for which they are well compensated for at this level, usually. Usually it is either specialized, such as one practicing trade law with modest merchants, or highly dangerous, such as adventurers who have had a couple successful outings. This level is also approximately the Wealth rank of the lowest of nobles who are still acknowledged as being of noble blood. Characters at this rank can usually afford a room at the nicest inn in the area. Those who are able to sustain this level of Wealth or higher but appear outwardly idle are often viewed with suspicion since it is a common view they are either acting in secret or maintaining their wealth via means such as blackmail on a particularly powerful person.
−
Running a scene gives players a lot of power, and it can be abused. Don't plan scenes which will cause large amounts of property damage in well visited areas. If a player should take actions which would cause such damage, talk to staff so we can sort it out afterwards.
 
  
−
==Self Glorification==
+
8: By this level reliable work is rarely enough to sustain this level of wealth. Most characters at this level have ventures and other projects they have put money into. Those who have reliable work at this level often have a patron who can afford to pay them at this level. Adventurers who have had many particularly successful outings may find themselves here, assuming they survive. Many lower rank nobles can be found at this level, but many of them have some form of productive activity which generates income. Occasionally there is an idle person with wealth at this level, but they virtually never rise above Wealth 8. It is at this rank that full houses become viable to have and maintain, including paying taxes. It is at this rank commoners often find lesser nobility start paying attention to them and may either see them as possible allies, adversaries, or pawns to use in their ambitions.
−
With the power of running a scene, a player could use it to glorify their own PCs. This is not the intent of why we give players the ability to run scenes. If you're new, we recommend keeping your PCs out of a scene you run. If they are in a scene, think of them more like an NPC than a PC for the duration of that scene.
 
  
−
==A Do Not List==
+
10: This is the pinnacle of wealth for most commoners, and a baseline average of wealth for nobles who have some form of tax collection or mining rights. By this level a character almost certainly has investments in various areas which have proven to be successful in addition to a great deal of work. Commoners who reach this level are often merchants or those who have particularly powerful patrons.
−
Here's a non-exhaustive list of things to avoid in your scenes to give you an idea of what you should at least consult staff about before using.
 
  
−
#Massive property damage plots.
+
11+: At Wealth 11 and above, a character is almost always nobility or royalty or has access to someone with such a title. Powerful mercenary company owners often sit here as well. Merchants can rise to these levels, but they almost always do so thanks to the support of noble or royal patrons and the special privileges only they can grant.
−
#Using nobility or characters with a Wealth higher than 10.
+
 
−
#Plots which exist to glorify your PCs.
+
16+: At Wealth 16 and above, a character is not only a powerful member of the nobility or royalty, they also have fabulously successful ventures, tax collection rights, and mining rights. Characters at this level are often the power brokers wherever they are found. Note: Characters at this level are almost always NPCs who may serve as major characters in a plot. Players should consult with staff before using characters at this level of Wealth.
−
#Plots which change the power structure in a region.
+
 
−
#Plots which are designed to kill PCs.
+
[[Category: Game Rules]]
−
#Plots where PCs get access to powerful magic items.
 
−
#Plots which violate Kingdoms of Kahara's general Code of Conduct.
 

Revision as of 01:47, 24 September 2020

Wealth is a special attribute that represents a combination of a character's assets, income, living arrangements as well as a rough approximation of a character's general influence at higher levels. Wealth is rated on a scale of 0-20. PCs start with a Wealth of 4 by default.

Common uses for Wealth

The first is to provide a general guideline concerning how one lives.

The second is it may be rolled just like an Extended Skill Roll for some tasks such as gaining access to powerful individuals and organizations.

Another third use is Wealth/2 (rounded down) determines the baseline level of NPCs a PC can readily hire in places where they are available. One notable use of this would be for NPC healers should a character be injured.

Acquiring Wealth

Acquiring levels in Wealth is based on three traits a character can buy. To represent a character improving their situation, they may buy the appropriate trait depending on how their position improved. To represent a character's circumstances worsening, they may lower a trait or a trait may be lowered.

Self Made: The most expensive trait which gives one level of Wealth per level of the trait. This represent's a character's Wealth improving by the character's own means and generally can't be removed or reduced without the player choosing to reduce it. In this way, it is the most secure.

Patron: Your character's fate is closely tied to a powerful individual or group. This also grants one level of Wealth per level, but has more limitations such as being subordinate to a more powerful person. This trait can also be reduced or removed depending on actions taken in game. Requires staff approval.

Elite: Your character is a societal elite of some kind. In most places this is nobility but it can differ. This also grants one level of wealth per level and is in terms of BP the cheapest method. However, characters with this trait require staff approval and are expected to be RP generators. In character actions can lead to a character's rank in this trait being changed.

In short, for those who wish to be beholden to none, Self Made is ideal. For those who want a connection to a powerful person Patron will serve best. For those who are RP generators and are willing to be part of a network of special privileges and obligations, Elite is ideal.

General guidelines on Wealth and a character's general financial situation

0: Utter squalor. Has almost nothing, and even the clothes on the character's back may be in wretched condition. Death from undernourishment or disease is imminent.

2: The character knows where their next meal is coming from, but it's likely poor quality food at best. They have a place to sleep which protects them from the worst of the elements but little else.

4: The character may have a few special items (which are separate from Wealth), but beyond that their means are modest. They likely have a regular room at an inn or other place which provides a place to stay and can afford food of sufficient quality to provide sustenance. This is the situation of a large amount of the population of Kahara.

6: The character has reliable work for which they are well compensated for at this level, usually. Usually it is either specialized, such as one practicing trade law with modest merchants, or highly dangerous, such as adventurers who have had a couple successful outings. This level is also approximately the Wealth rank of the lowest of nobles who are still acknowledged as being of noble blood. Characters at this rank can usually afford a room at the nicest inn in the area. Those who are able to sustain this level of Wealth or higher but appear outwardly idle are often viewed with suspicion since it is a common view they are either acting in secret or maintaining their wealth via means such as blackmail on a particularly powerful person.

8: By this level reliable work is rarely enough to sustain this level of wealth. Most characters at this level have ventures and other projects they have put money into. Those who have reliable work at this level often have a patron who can afford to pay them at this level. Adventurers who have had many particularly successful outings may find themselves here, assuming they survive. Many lower rank nobles can be found at this level, but many of them have some form of productive activity which generates income. Occasionally there is an idle person with wealth at this level, but they virtually never rise above Wealth 8. It is at this rank that full houses become viable to have and maintain, including paying taxes. It is at this rank commoners often find lesser nobility start paying attention to them and may either see them as possible allies, adversaries, or pawns to use in their ambitions.

10: This is the pinnacle of wealth for most commoners, and a baseline average of wealth for nobles who have some form of tax collection or mining rights. By this level a character almost certainly has investments in various areas which have proven to be successful in addition to a great deal of work. Commoners who reach this level are often merchants or those who have particularly powerful patrons.

11+: At Wealth 11 and above, a character is almost always nobility or royalty or has access to someone with such a title. Powerful mercenary company owners often sit here as well. Merchants can rise to these levels, but they almost always do so thanks to the support of noble or royal patrons and the special privileges only they can grant.

16+: At Wealth 16 and above, a character is not only a powerful member of the nobility or royalty, they also have fabulously successful ventures, tax collection rights, and mining rights. Characters at this level are often the power brokers wherever they are found. Note: Characters at this level are almost always NPCs who may serve as major characters in a plot. Players should consult with staff before using characters at this level of Wealth.

Retrieved from "https://kingdomsofkahara.com/w/index.php?title=Scene_Running_Guide&oldid=72"