I should note, just in case I freaked anyone out, that the Reaction Index will only be accessible by DMs, there won't be any leaking of character actions or anything. It'll just be a tool for the DMs to refer to when gaging a particular NPC or settlement's reaction to a PC or IC events.

Feats that give bonuses to Bluff / Persuade / Intimidate / etc. should do exactly the same thing as skill points invested in those skills: nothing at all, except by the in-the-moment consent of the players involved.

Colour me highly interested in snooping on my own PC's reputation, by the way.

This talking about an NPC opinion thing, I gather? I'm not up to date on the event mentioned. But shouldn't every player have SOME sort of reputation to the general populous of Amia? "Adventurers" are like celebrities.

Settlement Reaction Index
NPCs and settlements at large have been observed to react vastly differently at times to the same PCs, depending on which DM is controlling them, especially in the case of a new settlement DM taking over for that settlement. To curb this issue, the DM team will be starting to use a new initiative which I've dubbed the Settlement Reaction Index (since I like to name things) which will help us to draw a more consistent picture for our setting's NPC population.

It's an issue that has been commented on quite a bit for awhile now, and really is a big issue for setting consistency and making our players' efforts feel valued. To that end, we will be starting a thread in which we will document (in point form so it doesn't become bloated) significant actions that PCs take, either towards settlements at large or specific, long-standing NPCs in those settlements, that would affect the reaction they receive. Obviously we won't be able to document every stray kitten you help out of a tree, or every random commoner you pickpocket, but the main stuff that would have a lasting affect on your reputation will be documented.

Example of Implimentation
((under the Cordor section))


No system will perfectly cover every conversation any NPC has as any DM, but we can at least make sure the main stuff is tracked. We will also try to track things as chronologically as possible so that when enough time has passed, whichever DM is most familiar with a settlement/NPC can drop more minor stuff off the back of the list as peoples' memories fade and more recent events come to the fore in their minds. Because realistically even great deeds are forgotten over time (or at least less people remember).

I should note, just in case I freaked anyone out, that the Reaction Index will only be accessible by DMs, there won't be any leaking of character actions or anything. It'll just be a tool for the DMs to refer to when gaging a particular NPC or settlement's reaction to a PC or IC events.

To further aid us in bridging any gaps with the Reaction Index noted above, we will be taking submissions from the playerbase for major events that your characters participated in that you feel would have had an impact on a particular settlement or long-standing NPC, that were run by a DM no longer on the team. Now before you rush off to PM people, there are a few ground rules so that we can keep this organized and as fair as possible for everyone.

• Any PM to do with this should be sent to me, and should include the word "Reaction" somewhere in the Subject line. I'll then organize it and submit it for review by the rest of the team.
• While thorough detail will help us to determine the extent of involvement, please don't send pages and pages of info; keep it succinct and to the point. I anticipate we'll be getting quite a few of these to wade through.
• Any information you provide as submissions for inclusion into the Reaction Index will go through a vetting process. If we cannot find enough support for the information you've provided, or if we feel that enough time has passed / it was not a large enough event, it may not be included on the Index.
• There is no set time limit on this at present really, though that may change. If it does, another announcement will be made with plenty of notice ahead of time.

As always, if there are any questions about this or anything else you see here, please do send me a PM and I'll be happy to answer.