I wanted to share an alternative to the Guild Membership feature for players who want to have an artisan background, but due to setting or campaign circumstances, guilds don't exist for the player to interact with. I call this feature Good Reputation and works this way: Your craftsmanship's reputation precedes you and often your name is known to merchants, patrons, and lesser nobles with a discerning eye for quality work. While the common folk are indifferent to you, those who know your reputation will gladly provide a place to rest and recuperate and, if you don't overstay your welcome, meals and the use of workshops and tools.
While this feature may not wield the political power of Guild Membership, it works in a pinch when guilds would be a non-entity in a campaign, and not having to pay dues seems a fair trade off. I imagine it occupies a space between Folk Hero and Nobility in terms of who your reputation impresses.
Does the wording of the feature make sense? Grateful for any feedback or suggestions.
I like it with the caveat that roleplay can alter the reputation. i.e. You might be known as an awesome craftsman who's also a jerk. "Yeah, his work is fantastic, but dealing with him??? All of the Gods no - I'd rather settle for just a little less quality than work with that guy."
Could sort of emulate the alternative Honor rules. Reputation starts out strong and then deeds can alter it. Since it's a background sort of thing the dial wouldn't move much unless the character really focused on it.
I like it with the caveat that roleplay can alter the reputation. i.e. You might be known as an awesome craftsman who's also a jerk. "Yeah, his work is fantastic, but dealing with him??? All of the Gods no - I'd rather settle for just a little less quality than work with that guy."
For sure. I don't think any background reputation should be above roleplay affecting it, but I imagine each new area the players travel to, the reputation by default is driven by the background, until they get to know the player.
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I wanted to share an alternative to the Guild Membership feature for players who want to have an artisan background, but due to setting or campaign circumstances, guilds don't exist for the player to interact with. I call this feature Good Reputation and works this way: Your craftsmanship's reputation precedes you and often your name is known to merchants, patrons, and lesser nobles with a discerning eye for quality work. While the common folk are indifferent to you, those who know your reputation will gladly provide a place to rest and recuperate and, if you don't overstay your welcome, meals and the use of workshops and tools.
While this feature may not wield the political power of Guild Membership, it works in a pinch when guilds would be a non-entity in a campaign, and not having to pay dues seems a fair trade off. I imagine it occupies a space between Folk Hero and Nobility in terms of who your reputation impresses.
Does the wording of the feature make sense? Grateful for any feedback or suggestions.
I like it.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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I like it with the caveat that roleplay can alter the reputation. i.e. You might be known as an awesome craftsman who's also a jerk. "Yeah, his work is fantastic, but dealing with him??? All of the Gods no - I'd rather settle for just a little less quality than work with that guy."
Could sort of emulate the alternative Honor rules. Reputation starts out strong and then deeds can alter it. Since it's a background sort of thing the dial wouldn't move much unless the character really focused on it.