Post by Louis XIV on Mar 30, 2022 18:39:03 GMT
There has been some discussion in the past about instituting rules for higher SL characters. Changes to the amounts needed to rise SL are one mechanism currently in the rule. For characters at level 25 and above, I propose the following:
To rise above SL 25, characters need to compete in court duels in order to advance to the next SL. Court duels are metaphorical combats (sometimes actual combats) between courtiers wishing to advance and the holder on the next higher SL. This represents the various court machinations to gain the King's favor and displace the other courtier.
Characters accumulate SP as normal, needing five times their current SL to have the opportunity to advance. Characters still pay for the SL rise and monthly maintenance but instead of automatically advancing, the GM will inform the player that the character that they will participate in a court duel in the next month.
There are five High SL positions at court ranging from SL 26 to SL 30. The exact position of courtiers will never be published but may be inferred from reports in La Voix de Paris. Players will be informed who they are dueling against when told of the upcoming court duel.
Court duels comprise of earning the most duel points (DP) from court events and direct actions against the other character in the duel. All SP gain from court events (including toadying and audiences with the King) are converted to DP and count towards the character’s total. Additional DP can be earned by:
The GM can add additional means of earning DP at the GMs discretion under the guideline that the duel’s opponent must be the direct target of the proposed means.
If the challenger wins, that character switches SL with their opponent. For example, a character of SL 26 challenges a character of SL 27 and wins the court duel. The challenge rises to SL 27 and the opponent drops to SL 26.
If the challenge loses, both challenge and opponent retain their SLs
A character having been informed that they have the opportunity to challenge the next high SL courtier can decline to engage in the court duel. The opportunity is lost and both characters retain their SLs.
The opponent challenged in a court duel has no choice but to participate although they can concede by default if they choose not to attend court that month. NPCs will always defend themselves in a court duel.
If the next lower High SL position is held by an NPC, the PC can expect to need to defend themselves against a court duel every 2d4 months.
To rise above SL 25, characters need to compete in court duels in order to advance to the next SL. Court duels are metaphorical combats (sometimes actual combats) between courtiers wishing to advance and the holder on the next higher SL. This represents the various court machinations to gain the King's favor and displace the other courtier.
Characters accumulate SP as normal, needing five times their current SL to have the opportunity to advance. Characters still pay for the SL rise and monthly maintenance but instead of automatically advancing, the GM will inform the player that the character that they will participate in a court duel in the next month.
There are five High SL positions at court ranging from SL 26 to SL 30. The exact position of courtiers will never be published but may be inferred from reports in La Voix de Paris. Players will be informed who they are dueling against when told of the upcoming court duel.
Court duels comprise of earning the most duel points (DP) from court events and direct actions against the other character in the duel. All SP gain from court events (including toadying and audiences with the King) are converted to DP and count towards the character’s total. Additional DP can be earned by:
- Using influence or asking other characters to use influence in your favor
- Having an informer in the opponent’s household (per section 30.0 Cloaks and Daggers)
- Slandering your opponent (per section 43.6 Slander)
- Fighting a duel against your opponent
- Creating an attack piece
- Sermons praising the character or attacking the courtier
- Owning a guard company
- Having a wife/mistress in the official employ of the opponent or being an FPC in the official employ of the opponent (per section 54.9)
The GM can add additional means of earning DP at the GMs discretion under the guideline that the duel’s opponent must be the direct target of the proposed means.
If the challenger wins, that character switches SL with their opponent. For example, a character of SL 26 challenges a character of SL 27 and wins the court duel. The challenge rises to SL 27 and the opponent drops to SL 26.
If the challenge loses, both challenge and opponent retain their SLs
A character having been informed that they have the opportunity to challenge the next high SL courtier can decline to engage in the court duel. The opportunity is lost and both characters retain their SLs.
The opponent challenged in a court duel has no choice but to participate although they can concede by default if they choose not to attend court that month. NPCs will always defend themselves in a court duel.
If the next lower High SL position is held by an NPC, the PC can expect to need to defend themselves against a court duel every 2d4 months.
