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Favored in House

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
perrywrogers
Mar 31, 2008 22:56:53 While thinking about the feat "Favored in House" and the debate about its value (I like the feat personally), the following idea came to me.

What if a character's membership in or relationship to a dragonmarked house were treated as any other organizational character affiliation? I'm thinking of the way these affiliations are treated in recent WotC releases like City of Stormreach.

Things like having a dragonmark, the Favored in House feat, character levels, appropriate class, and services rendered to the house could all grant affiliation score points in the normal way. More points means more access to special abilities and prestige within the house.
#2
gospodin_i
Apr 01, 2008 9:49:14 That's exactly the path they took in the 'Dragonmarked' book (which is fantastic btw). For every house there's a table with a DC given (since the feat calls for 'favour checks') for different favours much like the different affiliations introduced in Player's Handbook II and used in different books.

I hope I'm not making any copyright infringements here but I'm gonna stop here just in case... ;)
#3
perrywrogers
Apr 01, 2008 11:36:13 I like what they did in Dragonmarked with the favors. It is nice and descriptive, and not too complicated to use.

I really like the way affiliations are handled in the Stormreach book, and I'm thinking of working up something like that for the dragonmarked houses and other Eberron power groups in my game. That affiliations system gives me a little more of a tangible system with which to work.

I'm thinking that the Favored in House feat will automatically give a character a boost in affiliation points. But this system would allow characters without the feat a way to "get in good" with the powers that be through rendering outstanding service and so forth.

Through the course of a campaign, players reputations and affiliations will fluctuate with many of the dragonmarked houses and Eberron power groups, and this system might serve as a simple way to track those shifts.
#4
Syltorian
Apr 01, 2008 12:44:56 I would really like to see Stormreach-like affiliations for the various houses, but it would entail a lot of work to do all 13 of them (15 if you count the Cannith factions individually). Thus I'd really appreciate it if someone did them, though I regret I don't have enough time to do more than contribute here and there.

Regarding the Favored in House feat, I suggest that it should offer a significant boost (+4?), but that it should also be a bonus feat for those who do not already have it at a higher level (ranks 24?), with the caveat that the feat gained through affiliation does not grant bonus affiliation points.
#5
Arcane_Guyver
Apr 01, 2008 12:49:01 I'd recommend getting rid of the "Favored in House" feat and replace it with the "Favored" feat used in stuff like Cityscape. Then you could use it for far more than just Dragonmarked houses, it'd be useful for boosting your status with other power groups, like the Church of the Silver Flame and the Dark Lanterns. That's something I've been meaning to do for awhile now, just to make everything work in a similar fashion.
#6
Edymnion
Apr 01, 2008 19:53:07
I'd recommend getting rid of the "Favored in House" feat and replace it with the "Favored" feat used in stuff like Cityscape. Then you could use it for far more than just Dragonmarked houses, it'd be useful for boosting your status with other power groups, like the Church of the Silver Flame and the Dark Lanterns. That's something I've been meaning to do for awhile now, just to make everything work in a similar fashion.

Yes, I also houseruled away the dragonmarked house member prereq for this feat, and just said "Member of a large organization". Silver Flamers calling on the resources of the church, Aundurian mages calling on the Arcane Congress, or Karnnathi soldiers calling in favors.

Its too good of a plot device to limit to just the dragonmarked houses.
#7
perrywrogers
Apr 03, 2008 20:55:43 I'm going to try putting together an affiliation table for House Sivis. It is the house that I have had a lot of experience running with my group.

I would like it if some folks threw a few ideas out to help steer me in the right direction.

I've never used the affiliations in my game, so I'm not sure how to go about creating a balanced one. I have the guidelines in the PHB2 as a starting point.

What sorts of activities would move a character's affiliation score up/down in House Sivis. For starters I'm thinking of things like:

Least dragonmark +4
Lesser dragonmark +?
Greater dragonmaark +?
Favored in House feat +4

These are obvious, but what other things would Sivis like/dislike?
#8
skrap-san
Apr 04, 2008 3:14:33 maybe a +1 for every two languages you speak
a +1 for 5 ranks in profession scribe, barrister etc...

that's the two most obvious ones I can think of, feel free to modify as needed. Love the work by the way, have been thinking of doing the same.
#9
Paulon
Apr 04, 2008 12:36:23 There probably should be a bonus for the Scribe Scroll feat, and for levels in the Unbound Scroll prestige class.
#10
Arcane_Guyver
Apr 04, 2008 13:06:21 Looking at some organizations right now...

They typically give bonuses as such:
* Character level bonus (equal to half your HD)
* +1 for having levels in any one associated class (for Sivis, I'm thinking Bard, Rogue & Wizard)
* A bonus for actions that help the guild (+1 to +4, depending on the action; side quest material, here)
* +1 per favorable feat attained (I'd limit this to Least, Lesser, and Greater mark feats for D-marked house guilds)
* -2 if affiliated with someone the group doesn't like.
* -4 to -6 for doing things counter to what the group wants.
* -6 to -8 for really screwing up one of your group's plans.

I'd probably throw in there a +6 bonus for having levels in Heir of Siberys. I'd recommend against giving bonuses for having levels in House-specific PrCs, as those pretty much open up only if you are affiliated with said groups anyways. Also, the 'Favored' feat grants a +2 bonus on one type of skill check, so you'll want to pick some associated skills for the House to choose from. Most groups will also have one specific benefit tied to the Favored feat, and then set up four 'tiers' of affiliation (the first being merely an associate with no bennies), each with their own small set of benefits. Here I'd say plunder the 'Dragonmarked' charts for ideas.
#11
Syltorian
Apr 04, 2008 13:10:48
What sorts of activities would move a character's affiliation score up/down in House Sivis. For starters I'm thinking of things like:

Least dragonmark +4
Lesser dragonmark +?
Greater dragonmaark +?
Favored in House feat +4

These are obvious, but what other things would Sivis like/dislike?

I'd say that the least dragonmark at +4 is too much. Having a dragonmark should give you an advantage, but not the same as Favored in House (or actually service to house)... considering that, I believe, about half the heirs develop this mark. I'd go at +1 for Least, Lesser and Greater (and let the bonuses stack).

Next to the bonuses proposed by skrap-san, you could also add some for making a new re- or discovery (spell, lost lore), successfully defending someone in front of a court of law, knowing spells based on language (including power word spells), and overcoming an enemy by trickery and deceit without drawing a weapon (bonus based on CR?). The Sivis-related dragonmarked feat and PrC (forgotten the name) could also add bonuses.

You could get penalties for breaking neutrality (with regards to nations, other houses or between private parties), for not having any ranks in Sense Motive, for losing a case, for being fooled by someone (worse if they are outside the house). Disobeying direct orders from a superior, and perhaps destroying a source of lore or knowledge (accidentally, by harming an ancient manuscript in the library, or deliberately, by destroying a Book of Vile Darkness) could also give you penalties. I'd also include a hefty penalty (-5 or more?) for associating with an excoriate, as house members are effectively forbidden from doing so.

I'd add a category "Excoriation" to this as well: Selling blank documents will get you excoriated immediately, as will selling confidential material to third parties and unauthorised use of a pen of living parchment (S:CoT). Any other kind of betrayal or causing disgrace for the House also results in excoriation.
#12
perrywrogers
Apr 04, 2008 17:28:32 Excellent suggestions. I agree that the +4s are too hefty. I like the +1s that stack idea better.

I'm working on this project over the weekend, so I'd appreciate more input.

Also, what does PrC mean?
#13
Syltorian
Apr 04, 2008 17:50:01
Also, what does PrC mean?

It's short for Prestige Class.

Hm, regarding Arcane Guyver's comments on that - sorry, missed that while posting - he's got a point. On the other hand, some of the PrCs give bonuses on things like Favored in House. But I'm too tired currently to properly think about this.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 perrywrogers Mar 31, 2008 22:56:53	While thinking about the feat "Favored in House" and the debate about its value (I like the feat personally), the following idea came to me. What if a character's membership in or relationship to a dragonmarked house were treated as any other organizational character affiliation? I'm thinking of the way these affiliations are treated in recent WotC releases like City of Stormreach. Things like having a dragonmark, the Favored in House feat, character levels, appropriate class, and services rendered to the house could all grant affiliation score points in the normal way. More points means more access to special abilities and prestige within the house.
#2 gospodin_i Apr 01, 2008 9:49:14	That's exactly the path they took in the 'Dragonmarked' book (which is fantastic btw). For every house there's a table with a DC given (since the feat calls for 'favour checks') for different favours much like the different affiliations introduced in Player's Handbook II and used in different books. I hope I'm not making any copyright infringements here but I'm gonna stop here just in case... ;)
#3 perrywrogers Apr 01, 2008 11:36:13	I like what they did in Dragonmarked with the favors. It is nice and descriptive, and not too complicated to use. I really like the way affiliations are handled in the Stormreach book, and I'm thinking of working up something like that for the dragonmarked houses and other Eberron power groups in my game. That affiliations system gives me a little more of a tangible system with which to work. I'm thinking that the Favored in House feat will automatically give a character a boost in affiliation points. But this system would allow characters without the feat a way to "get in good" with the powers that be through rendering outstanding service and so forth. Through the course of a campaign, players reputations and affiliations will fluctuate with many of the dragonmarked houses and Eberron power groups, and this system might serve as a simple way to track those shifts.
#4 Syltorian Apr 01, 2008 12:44:56	I would really like to see Stormreach-like affiliations for the various houses, but it would entail a lot of work to do all 13 of them (15 if you count the Cannith factions individually). Thus I'd really appreciate it if someone did them, though I regret I don't have enough time to do more than contribute here and there. Regarding the Favored in House feat, I suggest that it should offer a significant boost (+4?), but that it should also be a bonus feat for those who do not already have it at a higher level (ranks 24?), with the caveat that the feat gained through affiliation does not grant bonus affiliation points.
#5 Arcane_Guyver Apr 01, 2008 12:49:01	I'd recommend getting rid of the "Favored in House" feat and replace it with the "Favored" feat used in stuff like Cityscape. Then you could use it for far more than just Dragonmarked houses, it'd be useful for boosting your status with other power groups, like the Church of the Silver Flame and the Dark Lanterns. That's something I've been meaning to do for awhile now, just to make everything work in a similar fashion.
#6 Edymnion Apr 01, 2008 19:53:07	I'd recommend getting rid of the "Favored in House" feat and replace it with the "Favored" feat used in stuff like Cityscape. Then you could use it for far more than just Dragonmarked houses, it'd be useful for boosting your status with other power groups, like the Church of the Silver Flame and the Dark Lanterns. That's something I've been meaning to do for awhile now, just to make everything work in a similar fashion. Yes, I also houseruled away the dragonmarked house member prereq for this feat, and just said "Member of a large organization". Silver Flamers calling on the resources of the church, Aundurian mages calling on the Arcane Congress, or Karnnathi soldiers calling in favors. Its too good of a plot device to limit to just the dragonmarked houses.
#7 perrywrogers Apr 03, 2008 20:55:43	I'm going to try putting together an affiliation table for House Sivis. It is the house that I have had a lot of experience running with my group. I would like it if some folks threw a few ideas out to help steer me in the right direction. I've never used the affiliations in my game, so I'm not sure how to go about creating a balanced one. I have the guidelines in the PHB2 as a starting point. What sorts of activities would move a character's affiliation score up/down in House Sivis. For starters I'm thinking of things like: Least dragonmark +4 Lesser dragonmark +? Greater dragonmaark +? Favored in House feat +4 These are obvious, but what other things would Sivis like/dislike?
#8 skrap-san Apr 04, 2008 3:14:33	maybe a +1 for every two languages you speak a +1 for 5 ranks in profession scribe, barrister etc... that's the two most obvious ones I can think of, feel free to modify as needed. Love the work by the way, have been thinking of doing the same.
#9 Paulon Apr 04, 2008 12:36:23	There probably should be a bonus for the Scribe Scroll feat, and for levels in the Unbound Scroll prestige class.
#10 Arcane_Guyver Apr 04, 2008 13:06:21	Looking at some organizations right now... They typically give bonuses as such: * Character level bonus (equal to half your HD) * +1 for having levels in any one associated class (for Sivis, I'm thinking Bard, Rogue & Wizard) * A bonus for actions that help the guild (+1 to +4, depending on the action; side quest material, here) * +1 per favorable feat attained (I'd limit this to Least, Lesser, and Greater mark feats for D-marked house guilds) * -2 if affiliated with someone the group doesn't like. * -4 to -6 for doing things counter to what the group wants. * -6 to -8 for really screwing up one of your group's plans. I'd probably throw in there a +6 bonus for having levels in Heir of Siberys. I'd recommend against giving bonuses for having levels in House-specific PrCs, as those pretty much open up only if you are affiliated with said groups anyways. Also, the 'Favored' feat grants a +2 bonus on one type of skill check, so you'll want to pick some associated skills for the House to choose from. Most groups will also have one specific benefit tied to the Favored feat, and then set up four 'tiers' of affiliation (the first being merely an associate with no bennies), each with their own small set of benefits. Here I'd say plunder the 'Dragonmarked' charts for ideas.
#11 Syltorian Apr 04, 2008 13:10:48	What sorts of activities would move a character's affiliation score up/down in House Sivis. For starters I'm thinking of things like: Least dragonmark +4 Lesser dragonmark +? Greater dragonmaark +? Favored in House feat +4 These are obvious, but what other things would Sivis like/dislike? I'd say that the least dragonmark at +4 is too much. Having a dragonmark should give you an advantage, but not the same as Favored in House (or actually service to house)... considering that, I believe, about half the heirs develop this mark. I'd go at +1 for Least, Lesser and Greater (and let the bonuses stack). Next to the bonuses proposed by skrap-san, you could also add some for making a new re- or discovery (spell, lost lore), successfully defending someone in front of a court of law, knowing spells based on language (including power word spells), and overcoming an enemy by trickery and deceit without drawing a weapon (bonus based on CR?). The Sivis-related dragonmarked feat and PrC (forgotten the name) could also add bonuses. You could get penalties for breaking neutrality (with regards to nations, other houses or between private parties), for not having any ranks in Sense Motive, for losing a case, for being fooled by someone (worse if they are outside the house). Disobeying direct orders from a superior, and perhaps destroying a source of lore or knowledge (accidentally, by harming an ancient manuscript in the library, or deliberately, by destroying a Book of Vile Darkness) could also give you penalties. I'd also include a hefty penalty (-5 or more?) for associating with an excoriate, as house members are effectively forbidden from doing so. I'd add a category "Excoriation" to this as well: Selling blank documents will get you excoriated immediately, as will selling confidential material to third parties and unauthorised use of a pen of living parchment (S:CoT). Any other kind of betrayal or causing disgrace for the House also results in excoriation.
#12 perrywrogers Apr 04, 2008 17:28:32	Excellent suggestions. I agree that the +4s are too hefty. I like the +1s that stack idea better. I'm working on this project over the weekend, so I'd appreciate more input. Also, what does PrC mean?
#13 Syltorian Apr 04, 2008 17:50:01	Also, what does PrC mean? It's short for Prestige Class. Hm, regarding Arcane Guyver's comments on that - sorry, missed that while posting - he's got a point. On the other hand, some of the PrCs give bonuses on things like Favored in House. But I'm too tired currently to properly think about this.