Social Combat
[OOC: The following are stopgap rules pending a major revision of the Social Combat system.]
Social Combat operates, for the moment, roughly according to the rules listed in the 2e Exalted core, save for a general abandonment of tick tracking in favour of the traditional oWoD/1e approach of being arbitrary and undefined for the sake of expedience. Efforts to produce something that can satisfy the three great requirements of fun, ease-of-use, and verisimilitude are ongoing.
The following rules have been expanded/altered/clarified/supplemented:
Relative Appearance
Physical beauty and poise are a distinct advantage, but far from the only advantage. At the step of comparing App ratings, both the attacker and the target have opportunity to use this advantage to benefit their cause, or to seek alternative approaches.
Regardless of which trait is used, subtract the attacker's trait from that of the target. The target adds the difference to their MDV... if the difference is negative, this will REDUCE their MDV. The maximum bonus or penalty granted by this step cannot exceed +3/-3.
- Appearance: This is the default comparison for any social attack, matching the Appearance of the attacker with that of the target, beauty, poise, and comportment deciding the outcome. When Appearance is used, the target may choose to substitute their Temperance rating in place of their Appearance... the attacker may not substitute Temperance.
Note that Appearance is far more than simply visual or sexual allure, and applies regardless of line-of-sight or sexual preference.
- Horrific Intimidation: When comparing Appearance ratings during a social attack based on fear or intimidation, a character with Appearance 1 counts as having Appearance 3, and a character with Appearance 0 counts as having Appearance 5. Temperance may still apply as above, suppressing terror rather than desire, and additionally a target may choose to substitute Valor.
- Resources: Money is an influence all its own, ostentatious displays of wealth having a way of convincing people no matter how hideous the face behind them. A character, attacker or target, may Stunt to substitute Resources rating for Appearance rating... this applies to both attacker and ALL targets, the whole nature of the comparison shifting to a different area. If this is done, the target may choose to substitute their Temperance rating in place of their Resources... the attacker may not substitute Temperance. In games where Resources has been displaced by other systems which serve the same role (Salary, Wealth, Class), these can be used in the same way as Resources.
- Essence: Power has an appeal, and an understanding of self and Creation grants insights and influence which cannot be denied. A character, attacker or target, may Stunt to substitute Essence rating for Appearance rating... this applies to both attacker and ALL targets, the whole nature of the comparison shifting to a different area. If this is done, the target may NOT choose to substitute their Temperance rating in place of their Essence.
- Backing: Rank and authority are influential in a very direct way. In cases where attacker and target both have Backing in the same organisation (recall even the most lowly underling has Backing 0 to represent membership!), the attacker or target may Stunt to substitute Backing rating for Appearance rating... this applies to both attacker and ALL targets, the whole nature of the comparison shifting to a different area. If this is done, the target may NOT choose to substitute their Temperance rating in place of their Backing.
- House Nellens: House Nellens suffers from a social stigma in the Scarlet Dynasty, which remains strong despite wealth or physical allure. When an attack from a Nellens character targets a non-Nellens Dynast who is aware of their House, the Nellens character counts the trait used for comparison (Appearance, Essence, Resources, or Backing) as one dot lower than it actually is. This penalty replaces the House Nellens penalty listed in MoEP:DB pp.40.
- Legendary Breeding: Breeding is of great import to members of the Dragonblooded Host, and while for the most part it is a lesser concern next to decorum and full coffers, those blessed with blood whose elemental aspect suffuses every fibre of their being cannot be denied. When a Dragonblooded character with the Legendary Breeding attacks or is target of an attack by another Dragonblooded (or non-Dragonblooded taught to respect and/or fear the Dragonblooded, such as adherents of the Immaculate Order or Dynasts), the character counts the trait used for comparison (Appearance, Essence, Resources, or Backing) as one dot higher than it actually is. This penalty replaces the Legendary Breeding social advantage listed in Scroll of Heroes pp.60. The hearthstone Gem of Inner Purity provides its bearer with an identical effect.
It should be noted that it is possible for two characters to attempt to Stunt in order to use differing traits. In such cases, issues are resolved by a 'stunt-off', the best Stunt winning out. In case of a tie, the trait defaults back to Appearance.
Social Combat Actions
And a number of other Actions.
