New FR affiliation [Archive] - Wizards Community

New FR affiliation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Faerinil
01-21-08, 06:39 PM Based on the Affiliation system in PHBII, I created this Waterdhavian organization for my campaign (I'm running Age of Worms) and thought I would share it with you. It's not an existing organization in the source material but it fit the backstory/goals of one of the PCs in the game, and does have ties to the Harpers.

Please let me know what you think!

The Mirthmakers

Symbol: A grinning mask of glittering green

Background, Goals, and Dreams: The Mirthmakers are a Waterdhavian guild of wizards and sorcerers who share a love for the Weave and for fun and games (sometimes at others’ expense). Their guildhouse, called The Green Mask, is a place where members can research spells, trade stories, gamble and just generally fool around. Food fights involving many mage hand and unseen servant spells are quite common.

Members: All members of the Mirthmakers are arcane spellcasters. Many also have levels in bard or rogue. Some are multiclassed clerics who worship deities of joy, love, and trickery, such as Lliira, Sune, or Garl Glittergold. There are no racial restrictions, and the organization welcomes intelligent races of all kinds.

Requirements for Membership: Applicants for membership must demonstrate the ability to cast 3rd level arcane spells and pay a one-time 500 gp admission fee. Additionally, a mage desiring admission to the Mirthmakers must have a current guild member sponsor her. Finally, active members must spend at least a few days in Waterdeep each year and make some sort of donation to the organization’s coffers, usually in the form of a magic item.

Secrets: Most intellectuals in Waterdeep consider the Mirthmakers to be a collection of wastrels who could put their arcane talents to better use. In fact, they are doing just that, only not in public. Their image as a social guild helps hide the fact that they have close ties to the Harpers. Indeed, high-ranking Mirthmakers are seen as friends of the organization and often become Harper agents as well.

Type: College (wizard guild)

Scale: 6 (city)

Criterion: Affiliation Score Modifier

Character level: +½ character levels
Can cast 5th- or higher level arcane spells: +2
10 or more ranks in Knowledge (arcana), Perform, Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device: +2 per skill
Multiclassed as bard or rogue: +1 per class
Arcane Trickster prestige class: +2
Uses magic to publicly (but legally) ridicule someone deserving, such as a pompous noble or wicked landlord: +1 per occasion
Active member of the Harpers: +4
Donates a magical item of 1,000 gp to guild: +2 per item (up to +4/year)
Lawful alignment or government employee: -3
Evil alignment: -5
Caught stealing from the guild: -10

Titles, Benefits, and Duties: As you advance in the guild, you win the esteem of your brothers and sisters and gain benefits that will further your knowledge and enjoyment of the arcane arts.

Affiliation Score / Title: Benefits and Duties
3 or lower - No affiliation or junior member with no benefits
4-10 - Fair Fool: Upon meeting the requirements, the Mirthmakers welcome you as an active member and grant you access to their library (reduces cost and time to research spells by 20%). In addition, lodging (if available) and meals at the Green Mask are free.
11-20 - Happy Harlequin: You may purchase magic items from the Mask’s modest store at 80% market price, and sell magic items to the store at 70% market price.
21-29 - Jade Jester: You gain the Jester Magic feat (jester mage tradition, CoS 145), even if you don’t meet the prerequisites. You are also introduced to a member of the Harpers who presented with a Harper token (CoV 66).
30 or higher Master of Mirth: You learn the secrets of the Mirthmakers’ portal system and can use them to take yourself and allies to the Green Mask once per month. If not already a member, the Harpers welcome you as such, and are granted a lesser Harper pin (MoF 159).

Executive Powers: Craft, Gift, Research
Ramar Aulinvox
01-25-08, 07:13 PM If they have such close ties to the harpers that they get harper items and eventual membership, you should probably have something about an alignment restriction in there. Also, the redicule person in public bonus looks like it could be exploited a lot [DM control can take care of that]. Other than that, looks interesting.
Faerinil
01-25-08, 07:30 PM Thanks for the feedback, Ramar. The ridicule criterion is meant to add roleplaying flavor, but you're right, it could get out of hand quickly. That's also why I kept it at +1; another way to restrict it's use would be to limit it to, say, once per tenday (which in RL terms could be weeks or months, depending on how often you play). My particular players would eventually beat down this one wizard if he tried too much of that. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Faerinil 01-21-08, 06:39 PM	Based on the Affiliation system in PHBII, I created this Waterdhavian organization for my campaign (I'm running Age of Worms) and thought I would share it with you. It's not an existing organization in the source material but it fit the backstory/goals of one of the PCs in the game, and does have ties to the Harpers. Please let me know what you think! The Mirthmakers Symbol: A grinning mask of glittering green Background, Goals, and Dreams: The Mirthmakers are a Waterdhavian guild of wizards and sorcerers who share a love for the Weave and for fun and games (sometimes at others’ expense). Their guildhouse, called The Green Mask, is a place where members can research spells, trade stories, gamble and just generally fool around. Food fights involving many mage hand and unseen servant spells are quite common. Members: All members of the Mirthmakers are arcane spellcasters. Many also have levels in bard or rogue. Some are multiclassed clerics who worship deities of joy, love, and trickery, such as Lliira, Sune, or Garl Glittergold. There are no racial restrictions, and the organization welcomes intelligent races of all kinds. Requirements for Membership: Applicants for membership must demonstrate the ability to cast 3rd level arcane spells and pay a one-time 500 gp admission fee. Additionally, a mage desiring admission to the Mirthmakers must have a current guild member sponsor her. Finally, active members must spend at least a few days in Waterdeep each year and make some sort of donation to the organization’s coffers, usually in the form of a magic item. Secrets: Most intellectuals in Waterdeep consider the Mirthmakers to be a collection of wastrels who could put their arcane talents to better use. In fact, they are doing just that, only not in public. Their image as a social guild helps hide the fact that they have close ties to the Harpers. Indeed, high-ranking Mirthmakers are seen as friends of the organization and often become Harper agents as well. Type: College (wizard guild) Scale: 6 (city) Criterion: Affiliation Score Modifier Character level: +½ character levels Can cast 5th- or higher level arcane spells: +2 10 or more ranks in Knowledge (arcana), Perform, Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, or Use Magic Device: +2 per skill Multiclassed as bard or rogue: +1 per class Arcane Trickster prestige class: +2 Uses magic to publicly (but legally) ridicule someone deserving, such as a pompous noble or wicked landlord: +1 per occasion Active member of the Harpers: +4 Donates a magical item of 1,000 gp to guild: +2 per item (up to +4/year) Lawful alignment or government employee: -3 Evil alignment: -5 Caught stealing from the guild: -10 Titles, Benefits, and Duties: As you advance in the guild, you win the esteem of your brothers and sisters and gain benefits that will further your knowledge and enjoyment of the arcane arts. Affiliation Score / Title: Benefits and Duties 3 or lower - No affiliation or junior member with no benefits 4-10 - Fair Fool: Upon meeting the requirements, the Mirthmakers welcome you as an active member and grant you access to their library (reduces cost and time to research spells by 20%). In addition, lodging (if available) and meals at the Green Mask are free. 11-20 - Happy Harlequin: You may purchase magic items from the Mask’s modest store at 80% market price, and sell magic items to the store at 70% market price. 21-29 - Jade Jester: You gain the Jester Magic feat (jester mage tradition, CoS 145), even if you don’t meet the prerequisites. You are also introduced to a member of the Harpers who presented with a Harper token (CoV 66). 30 or higher Master of Mirth: You learn the secrets of the Mirthmakers’ portal system and can use them to take yourself and allies to the Green Mask once per month. If not already a member, the Harpers welcome you as such, and are granted a lesser Harper pin (MoF 159). Executive Powers: Craft, Gift, Research
Ramar Aulinvox 01-25-08, 07:13 PM	If they have such close ties to the harpers that they get harper items and eventual membership, you should probably have something about an alignment restriction in there. Also, the redicule person in public bonus looks like it could be exploited a lot [DM control can take care of that]. Other than that, looks interesting.
Faerinil 01-25-08, 07:30 PM	Thanks for the feedback, Ramar. The ridicule criterion is meant to add roleplaying flavor, but you're right, it could get out of hand quickly. That's also why I kept it at +1; another way to restrict it's use would be to limit it to, say, once per tenday (which in RL terms could be weeks or months, depending on how often you play). My particular players would eventually beat down this one wizard if he tried too much of that. :)