Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FuzzCube 01-13-05, 03:57 AM	Hi Something that came to me when I read Sharn politics. In Eberron when the PCs hit somewhere around 7th level they'll start being famous. PC classes are rare, and a 7th level PC class is very rare. Since they are PCs they problably did something very heroic most people have heard of, for example came back from Xendric with an aritifact, saved a village on the border of the Mournlands, etc. Handicap example: Now if they are hired by someone like a Sharn councillor to firther his/her goals then it is very likely that power groups will notice that the PCs met with the councillor and depending on their goals try to stop the PCs. This fame also makes it harder for the PCs to sneak around in a city like Sharn, people will notice where they are going. Bonus: On the other hand the PCs can use their fame to get information and access to places normal people can't. Comments are welcome. ;) FuzzCube :
DJDave 01-13-05, 04:35 AM	I think it just makes things a little different. and you as DM can write stories in the papers etc adds a little something to the campaign
CzarGarrett 01-13-05, 09:56 AM	I'd look at the Reputation variant in UA. Its got stuff about what happens if you're (in)famous and how your influence can alter reactions.
Altaris 01-13-05, 10:21 AM	That is what I use, with a .5 bonus for being Dragonmarked and a .5 bonus for being a Psion (being that Psions are considered somewhat alien, in my mindset.) The AU traits are also nice to use, plus the Contacts optional rule works really well in a Sharn game.
Leagle 01-13-05, 10:49 AM	But as a psion would you advertise yourself as one?
FuzzCube 01-13-05, 11:15 AM	I don't have UA. I see it more as something the DM has to keep in mind when designing and running adventures in Eberrron. It should also be something the players think about when they make plans. Imagine a group of 17th level characters that come to Sharn. They meet with a known leader of the church of the sliver flame. An hour later the characters are seen near a location that a couple of inspired use as a meeting place. What would be the reacton of the inspired when they notice heroes of such level at watching their place, after they met with the church of the silver flame? Another example - a group of high level characters has an innocent encounter at a bar with a member of a thiever/assassins guild. The pary kills him/her. The characters can use their fame to get a slap on the rist punishment for it by claiming self defence. But the guild the deceased belonged to can read volumes into such an encounter because the PCs are are so famous. My point is that the "normal" rules of what's going to happen in social situations no longer apply as the PCs get famous. Eberron is a low level world, people are not used to Elminsters running around the place. Add to that the use of magic for communication and you get a possible twist to everything a high level character does. A high level character is going to get noticed, unless he/she takes is disguised. If you add the pulp/noir/consiparcy thread that runs through everything in Eberron every action taken by such a character is interpreted as having a meaning. ;)
Altaris 01-13-05, 11:54 AM	But as a psion would you advertise yourself as one? Not necessarily, but that would covered by the optional rules already. But a soulknife in particular tends to stand out, as does a telekineticist and most forms of psionics, a' la comic bookish fun. :D
pjackson 01-14-05, 09:52 AM	Whilst the names of high level characters will likely be widely known their faces probably won't be, unless they want it so. I don't think there is a magic that substitutes for photography.
fizzbang 01-14-05, 10:36 AM	In most cases, once the characters in any campaign reach the comparatively high-powers levels, it inevitably turns into a political game to one degree or another. The nice thing is that Eberron is so well prepared for this sort of game, and a play group that enjoys this sort of game can really delve deep into the world of political intrigue. While large organizations may have more power than individual PCs, especially in areas more subtle than swinging a sword or slinging a spell, high-level PCs will draw the attention, praise, envy, or distrust of anyone who notices their power. Especially considering the speed at which PCs tend to gain this power, it's likely to grab the attention of the observant, who will want to know what to expect from the new kids on the block. And when there's a quick-growing, very powerful force that isn't immediately predictable, the established power will be quick to court their aid or stop their rise. Once you're past 5th level PCs, you're entering the realm of being movers and shakers, even in a big town. Their names (or at least their deeds) are known by everyone in town, and people in their field from other cities may have heard of them, and every local's got an opinion on them, good or bad. Expect to get bought free drinks, have minor problems and favors brought to you, and to have people with unexpected grudges against you for your actions or fame. Once you hit around 10th level, you're one of the major powers in the nation. Much like a celebrity or a political figure in the real world, people may get star-struck around you, you're considered an interesting personality (even if you're far from charming), and your support is much desired. People watch you closely, and read a lot into your actions: be careful what you say to reporters from the Chronicle, lest a stray comment start a major rivalry with some unexpected source that feels slighted! Going past 15th means you're one of the most powerful individuals in the continent, and possibly the world. Everyone has heard of you, although your legend probably outshines the truth. The most powerful forces in the world want to know where you stand, and how they can use you to their advantage. You can't really trust anyone's motivations anymore: anyone might be involved in an intrigue to get you to help some group's agenda, or to hurt someone else's. Having a normal life is virtually impossible: no matter where you go, trouble will find you. It makes for a very different sort of social roleplaying than the lower levels do, and it's as much or more of a shift as the difference between power levels in old-fashioned dungeon crawling. And, frankly, it's one of my favorite parts of roleplaying high-power characters, so I love Eberron for it.
FuzzCube 01-16-05, 01:35 AM	Thanks for the input Fizzbang. ;)