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affinity ranks;
✽ AFFINITY RANKS | ||||||||||
Areas of Repute Within Aifaran are some unofficial factions that represent some of the interests or aspects of the city life. These are not ICly recognized groups (that is, there are no guilds or formal organizations representing these areas that a character can approach ICly) in that they have no defined structure, but merely areas of general repute.
Upon application acceptance, each character will receive a randomized set of starter rankings totaling 20 points altogether, which are randomly distributed throughout all the factions using RNG when a character joins the game. This point cap will prevent anyone from being able to max out too many affinity factions at one time. OOCly, each faction has ranks from 1-5 (with 1 being the lowest, 5 the highest), with each rank producing multiple different types of interaction with that group throughout the month. Players can choose to have their characters experience one or more of these instances to happen, depending on what their rank standing is with that respective group. Characters will not be required to experience all instances for all factions in a given month. This Google Spreadsheet is kept current by the mods that can be viewed by the players at any time, so players will always have access to their various Affinity standings at a glance. EXAMPLE: CRIME Rank 1 • Slippery Fingers: You are targeted for pickpocketing on the street! • Get Trashed: Your property (home, work, etc) suffers vandalism. • Shakedown: Your preferred places of patronage are harassed for protection money. Rank 2 • Supply & Demand: You sense eyes on you frequently, and when looking to purchase your usual staples, you find them either out of stock or ridiculously marked up in price. If asked, the shopkeepers will avoid answering the questions, as if they've been intimidated into silence. Rank 3 • Swag Swap: You are targeted for a mugging, but you're offered a cheap set of crystal glasses in exchange for all you lose. • Insurance: You're offered an insurance policy against theft for the month, but if you don't pay up, you may be more heavily targeted. Rank 4 • Mistaken Identity: During what looks like it will be a mugging, the perpetrator seems to recognize you and breaks off the attempt. • Guardian Criminal: Alternatively, during what looks to be a mugging, ANOTHER mugger will intervene, successfully chasing the first offender away from you. Rank 5 • Sudden Windfall: An anonymous person mails you a package containing what is definitely stolen, but likely untraceable, money and luxury items, the contents of which are now yours to do with as you please! Affinity Rank Changes Each month as part of AC, players will be required to submit their rank changes, moving 4 points total per month in any combination of their choosing. An affinity cannot be ranked at 0 or over 5, and all the Affinity ranks must collectively total 20 points - so points being added to one rank must come from subtracting from another rank, etc. Part of the AC requirement is a (VERY) brief description of the character's behaviour that led to the fluctuations in affinity. EXAMPLE AC COMMENT: Character: Bugs Bunny AC Proof 1 (required): LINK AC Proof 2 (optional): LINK Allegiance Rank Changes: +2 Sci-Tech, -2 Faith Notes: Bugs offered to teach a class on network basics to some less-than-tech-savvy elders (+2 Sci-Tech) but flipped off some Ban Om devotees when they wouldn't take a hint (-2 Faith). Affinity FAQ What happens if my character gets randomized Affinity starting ranks that don't make sense? IE; my sweet cinnamon roll gets a high Crime ranking? That's half the fun! ICly, it's explained by characters arriving that don't have any background in the city yet. Since these aren't literal, recognized factions, it's a little bendable. Maybe they're going with a gut feeling. Maybe they just don't like your character's face. Who knows! These rankings aren't static either - they go up or down with each AC, depending on what you want for your character. What if I don't want to use any of the monthly instances for my faction rankings? You don’t really have to if there isn’t anything in there you’d want to play with. Or make up something (reasonably) within the parameters that would be better suited to your character. Why do I have to move Affinities rankings around every month? As your character interacts with the peoples of Khu Ioduan, they will naturally get along with some groups and people, but not others, just as in the real world. Adjusting Affinities rankings is based on how you think your character's choices have been viewed by the various factions in the city. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' standing with the factions, so don't worry about keeping a set number; every option has new opportunities! | ||||||||||
DECEMBER 2018
JUSTICE
RANK 1
• Random Inspection: A disgruntled-looking Sentry patrol that's part of the ongoing Chihuelan crackdown has randomly selected one of your preferred places of patronage for an 'inspection'. Open up your bags and empty out your pockets to be searched by the pair, or you might find yourself under suspicion of some crime.
RANK 2
• Legalese Party: You're invited to a party! Yay! It's a hobnob with a bunch of city officials who spend the entire time talking shop, basically ignoring your presence. The food looks expensive but is predictably mediocre. Less yay.
• Volunteerism Brush-off: If you sign up to be one of the Response Unit volunteers during the storm, you will get a long, hard look (or a lot of questions over a phone call), and be disqualified without explanation.
RANK 3
• No Soliciting: If you've picked up a Singing Telegram job, you might need tough skin. This is definitely the address of the person you've been sent to deliver a soliloquy to, but they have a 'no soliciting' sign on their door. You knock, and immediately they start yelling at you about the sign and also do you have a permit and who is your manager. If you can get around to explaining, they back down, but still seem miffed.
• Mandatory Evacuation: Your residence or place of preferred patronage is in one of the major flood areas, and officials come knocking to clear everyone out, today. You'll get to safety, but you won't have time to collect many belongings.
RANK 4
• Festive Friend: It seems you and an off-duty member of the Sentry want to buy the last of a holiday-themed item (such as an ugly sweater, a Yule cake, decorations, you choose!). They praise your taste and not only concede the purchase to you, but also give you their contact information if you need any help!
RANK 5
• Salary Give-away: Witnessing some small act of kindness you did, a member of the Alliance legislator is donating their whole salary this month to buy gifts for children in need. They make a point to cite you as their inspiration, and ask you to come help them challenge other legislators to do the same.
CRIME
RANK 1
• The Grinch Who Stole Solstice: You return home after a nice day in the nippy weather to find - oh no! - your gifts have been stolen! You can track them down across the city, because the thief left them wrapped, but it's a hassle at best. Probably some bored teenagers did it, causing some seasonal mayhem...
RANK 2
• Fashion Victim: When walking outside, you're accosted by some Sentry members who are looking for a stolen prize-winning ugly sweater, and they have to see if you're wearing it. Sheesh...talk about a dig at your fashion sense!
RANK 3
• Very Legal and Very Cool: What a stroke of luck! You've found some perfect presents for your friends, but the merchant seems a little bit shifty. Turns out that the goods are counterfeit - but very good ones. Maybe nobody will notice?
RANK 4
• It's a Solstice Miracle: Oh. You're minding your own business when you find what looks like a thieves' cache. And it's full of gifts. Probably other people's, judging by the fact that they're already wrapped. Do you keep them, or try and find their rightful owners?
RANK 5
• Merry Crime-mas: The New Year is when even hardened criminals find their hearts softening, to the point where crime statistics themselves take a dip. A heavily-tattooed Arybar - the tattoos are of known gang markings - approaches you one day, and, instead of pulling a knife and demanding money, gives you a little charm and walks away without a word. If you ask around, someone with some knowledge of criminal practices will say that some criminals "sponsor" people for the New Year; meaning, so long as you wear this charm through the holidays, other criminals will recognize that you are under their protection. It's heartwarming, in kind of a weird, unsavory way.
FAITH
RANK 1
• The First Rule of Fight Club: One of the proud traditions of some kedan is to engage in a massive brawl to get out the frustrations of the old year and start things off with a clean slate. And you just so happen to have ended up in the middle of it.
RANK 2
• What's this? What's this?: The pumpkin children are at it again! Winter gourds are their new homes of choice, and they've taken to disrupting the festivities with their mischief. And a bunch of them seem to have taken a shine to you. Be prepared for the superstitious types avoiding you...and being denied entry to anywhere with breakables. Don't worry, they'll get bored in a few days and move on. Hopefully.
RANK 3
• What if this Storm Ends: Some Castians seeking shelter from the storm have huddled up in your favorite restaurant or tea shop. When you walk in soaking wet from the rain, they immediately take a shine to you and invite you to eat with them. Free meal!
RANK 4
• Singin' in the Rain: You're soaked and miserable - at least, until a Tariken monk sees you shivering and gives you their umbrella. If you pass it on to the next unfortunate soul you see who's looking like a drowned munga, another monk sees it and comes over to praise you for your kindness. Expect a higher proportion than usual of monks doing you favors for your magnanimousness.
RANK 5
• Turtle Power!: While carrying around the little turtle token from the Ban Om ceremony, you feel the same general sense of serenity that occurs while meditating at the Turtle's Head. It only lasts for a few days after the ceremony before the charm's power fades, but maybe experiencing it at all is a sign of favor. Or it could just be a placebo effect. Either way.
COMMERCE
RANK 1
• Washed Up and Washed Out: One of your preferred places of patronage experiences severe flooding due to the storm, meaning they will be closed for the foreseeable future after this month. And their main supplier got washed out, too, which means double trouble for getting that favorite food or trinket.
• Absolutely No Cheer Here: You make the mistake of whistling or humming a song, wearing something you picked up at a holiday market, or wishing this particular business owner a happy solstice. You are immediately banned. Possibly for life.
RANK 2
• Odd Aphaufa Party: Based on the tradition of White Elephant parties, you've been invited to a year-end event that includes Aifaran's. It seems that they've gone a bit literal with the idea - the entire party is aphaufa-themed, from the food to the decorations. And every one of the randomized gifts is some variety of aphaufa, whether a figurine or a painting or that one bouquet of aphaufa whiskers that keeps getting passed around year after year. At least the food is good?
• Price Gouging: As with any emergency, certain items go flying off the shelves. One of those items happens to be something you need, and one of the only places that still has it in stock is selling it for an arm and a leg. Do you really need it after all?
RANK 3
• Secret Santa: The concept of an anonymous gift exchange is popular in Aifaran, apparently whether or not you signed up for it. Someone has gifted you… socks! The pattern is obscenely ugly, but they're quite warm.
• Water Sale…?: In an effort to move stock out of harm's way, everything must go! There is absolutely nothing useful for you in this store, but the discounts are steep and the owner seems desperate. Selys-shaped tea steeper, anyone?
RANK 4
• On the House: A friendly cafe or restaurant owner treats you - the bill is on them! And here, have one of their special year-end holiday cookies too. It's chock full of yum. Come back again soon.
RANK 5
• Give the Gift of Giving: A store or eatery you frequent invites you to a special luncheon party dedicated to the community you've helped build - bring a friend or loved one and have a great meal! While there, the owners also give everyone a gift certificate intended for you to pass on to someone new, and invite them into this community, too.
ARTS
RANK 1
• Season's Greetings: A mountain of "festive" greetings cards have been delivered to your residence. Clearly this is a bulk order meant for a shop of sorts, but they're your problem now.
RANK 2
• Cake Fort: A peculiar tradition for this time of year is one with no clear origin - Cake Castles. Walls of sheet cake are everywhere you turn in this building bake-off and you must eat your way through! ...or just be a spoilsport and knock it over, it's cake for god's sake, not cement.
RANK 3
• Flood Insurance: Desperate to rescue some important works from the flooding caused by the storm, curators have roped you and any other passersby into saving several important pieces. It feels good to save some works of cultural significance, even if you had other things to do.
RANK 4
• Structural Integrity: After the storm, some very important people in very serious suits are looking for people with an understanding of architecture to help redesign some buildings that didn't make it through the storm. It's your moment to shine.
RANK 5
• Paint With All the Colours of the Wind:Magic and art are not always the best combination, especially in a place where there isn’t a concrete line between dreams and reality. That said, when you stumble into a spot where the Dreaming is particularly potent, you find your ideas coming briefly, fleetingly to life, much to the delight of others, who may join in.
• [Special] Sword Arts: A shard of Caladbolg has lodged itself in a piece by the Muin sculptor
Sallawn Levistos Vel Halithorus, his fame for carving marble almost equal to his infamy for being a bit of a diva. He is very much infatuated with this surprising new addition, believing it to add an 'adequate irony' to the piece and he will not take it out at any price. You should probably let Trahearne know about this...
SCI-TECH
RANK 1
• Bad Directions: Every time you use your yimo or a console this month to direct you somewhere, it's wrong. Sometimes by very short distances that are convoluted to cross, sometimes it sends you all the way to the other side of the city, and sometimes it sends you to a location in the middle of the bay - best watch where your feet are so you don't fall off a pier.
• Holiday Traffic: You arrive at a Skyway station, find the platform is moderately more busy than usual, and wait. And wait. The platform starts to fill. When a train finally does arrive, it is positively packed full of shoppers and event-goers, and not all of them are in a cheerful mood. Good luck trying to squeeze inside. Didn't anyone warn you not to take the Skyway during peak holiday hours?
RANK 2
• Miswired: A youthful engineer has set up what promises to be a spectacular light display for the year-end celebrations at your workplace or preferred place of patronage. It sounds awesome. Unfortunately, they get the wiring so completely, utterly wrong that the display blows fuses and lightbulbs, shorts existing electrical lines, and leaves you without power for up to a week.
• Solstice Interference: The solstice storm is having an effect on your yimo - it seems to be picking up texts and calls that have no sender, including some video snippets of a black columns and archways. None of these strange missives get stored on the device memory for future examination.
RANK 3
• Free Pets! Sort of: As the storm of the century bears down on Aifaran, a researcher at the Academy has a brilliant idea! Since they can't move all of the creatures at once, they've started re-homing them, albeit rather aggressively. You just happened to be walking by, and before you know it you've inherited two Mungas named Grouch and Grump. There are detailed instructions attached to their carriers. Have fun, and please return them.
• Hot New Gadget: During a visit to one of the markets, an inventor corners you to deliver a sales pitch about this year's hot new tech item! Everyone will want one, not everyone will get one, your life will be bereft without it! And yours for just 10 rhinn! They won't stop hounding you until you buy one, and promptly discover that you have no clue what the device does. It appears to have a battery and perhaps a way to plug it into your yimo. Connect at your own risk!
RANK 4
• Solid Construction: Your residence, work, or preferred place of patronage is incredibly well-constructed, such that you are assured it will survive the coming storm with little or no damage. In fact, it's being designated as an emergency shelter, and the individuals who retreat come bearing what they can. Most of this is smiles and good cheer, and one family who knows how to cook a mean stew. As the storm beats down on the city, the wind howls and the rain pounds, but the building remains standing. Only the facade takes a hit.
RANK 5
• Handyman Couchsurfer: Your residence or preferred place of patronage is opening its doors to refugees of flooding, and you happen to meet a group of engineering students among them. They don't have much, but they do have skills. Toolboxes are located, tasks assigned, and in short order there are no more leaky faucets or squeaky doors or flickering lights. Some of the bigger tasks like redoing the entire building's plumbing will take longer and require more work or tools than they have, but they've promised to come back as soon as the storm passes - and they will!
METAPHYSICS
RANK 1
• Barking Up the Wrong Tree: You narrowly avoided getting struck by lightning, but now you're somehow at the top of a camphor tree that appeared out of nowhere. This is definitely shaping up to be a great day.
• Wrath of the Wool: Ugly sweaters are fine and good until one somehow develops sentience and a deep, insatiable appetite for your flesh. Fortunately, sweaters don't have teeth or digestive tracts. Unfortunately, the wool wrapped around your face is kind of itchy.
RANK 2
• Singing Telegram: 'Tis the season to sing many a merry song. But 'Magic' and 'Music' are only two letters apart and should never be combined. So when a group of wassailers come to your door, the strange harmonics of their song compel you to join them and you're off into the night singing until your throat is raw and waking up the next morning like you've just been on the bender of a lifetime.
RANK 3
• A piece of Winter: Several magic users who originally came from colder climates have created a miniature snowstorm on a hillside for "very important reasons" (sledding) and you happen to have the right resonance to keep the storm stable if you just stay in one spot for an afternoon. Your compensated for your trouble with bottomless hot cocoa and happy Igheerie children slipping and sliding down a hill.
RANK 4
• Busted Books: You’ve found a rare tome chronicling the workings of magic very similar to yours. It lays out instructions and pitfalls you can expect along the way. Unfortunately the latter half of the book has been severely damaged - but you’re still working at the basics anyway.
RANK 5
• Stars in the Sand: It's strange how these things work out but the sand in the bags has a peculiar reaction to your talent mark, and gives off a bright light. With the power out in many places, this reaction is very helpful for those working late into the evenings or when the storm blocks out the sun itself.