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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! | ||||||||||
May 2018
JUSTICE
RANK 1
• In The Name Of The Law: In pursuit of a criminal, a Sentry patrol runs through one of your preferred places of patronage or where you work, causing property damage. Good luck getting them to pay damages, though; the bureaucracy is heavily at work here, and those are some mighty long forms to fill out.
RANK 2
• Repo Auction: From time to time, the Sentry auctions off possessions of criminals or those charged with fines that have no other way to pay them. You're invited to bid on some of these delightful wares, such as... bins of plastic waste or partially used household cleaning supplies.
RANK 3
• Tour Of The Assembly: You are invited on a special tour of the Ioduan Alliance Assembly building! It's a lovely piece of architecture, but the tour is extremely boring.
• Confidential Informant: You are approached by a local gang member that offers you a job as a messenger/go-fer, and gives you a little time to decide what to do. Afterwards, you're then approached by a plainclothes Sentry officer who wants you to act as an informant (you'll be paid, of course). What will you choose?
RANK 4
• Peaceful Protest: A group opposed to a piece of legislation that would further separate customs from their enforcement in law stages a peaceful protest near one of your preferred places of patronage. If you go to talk to them, you'll find both the protesters and the Sentry monitoring the situation are having a good dialogue, and will appreciate your presence if not your input.
RANK 5
• Good Citizen Award: As part of it's community outreach strategy, the Sentry gives monthly recognition to citizens of Aifaran that have given some kind of important contribution to the city. It comes with a nice certificate, an invitation to a nice party at Sentry headquarters, and some good will on record!
CRIME
RANK 1
• Identity Thief: You don’t know how and you don’t know why, but that’s clearly your face on a wanted poster. It seems a Kedan criminal has been shapeshifting into various Dreamfolk to hide from the law and you just got taken in on charges of fraud - fortunately once it’s determined you’re not a Kedan, you’re free to go, but that was just ten hours wasted.
• Street Squabbler: Some lesser gangs with a hell of a rivalry have been heckling you for protection money. The more often their members show up, the more often you keep getting dragged into their petty turf wars.
RANK 2
• Health and Wealth: Someone just stashed a huge box of contraband parasite quack cures in your living quarters. You could do the right thing and turn them into the Sentry, or perhaps you want to start a business of your own…?
RANK 3
• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: You managed to break up a lovers quarrel in the park, but now there’s a Kin’nal who is utterly smitten with their ‘saviour’. Unfortunately for you, your subtle hints and body language are not universal and they keep misinterpreting your signals. A flat ‘no’ should do the trick. Unless you’re into this kind of thing.
• Short Fuse: By a series of peculiar events, you’ve discovered that some Chihuelan smugglers have been selling illegal explosives to some low ranking members of the Neneka gang. What do you do with this information? Inform the Sentry? Or maybe try to get in good with the Neneka and tip off one of their seniors.
RANK 4
• Drop in the Bucket: You’ve been invited to apply your particular criminal talents to a rather elaborate heist. Get in, get the goods before anyone notices, and get out. It should go off without a hitch and there’s a fence eager to buy the stolen goods.
RANK 5
• Look The Other Way: You’re sure that Sentry officer saw you plain as day lifting some expensive trinket. And yet, they just turned away, pretending nothing happened. And this isn’t a one time occurance - someone is looking out for you and your criminal ways.
FAITH
RANK 1
• Perseverance is a Virtue: There’s a number of Ban Om priests heckling you for donations. The more you snub them, the more persistent they become - and to make matters worse, even if you do give them money, it never seems to be enough.
RANK 2
• Holy Hand Grenades: The end of the rainy season sees a number of cleansing rituals in preparation for the big Talent Tourney - unfortunately these rituals involve people splashing water on others and you’ve been getting hit a number of times a day by holy water balloons. Maybe people are perceiving you as particularly unclean…?
RANK 3
• Curamija Rodeo: You're tapped to help round up some curamijas for upcoming kaka'i rituals. This is considered an honour by the Kaka'i, and agreeing will carry both a material reward and also a level of prestige within their ranks, but they'll shun you a while if you refuse.
RANK 4
• Butterfly Blessings: A small colony of mottled-winged butterfly, long considered to represent good fortune since its wings are patterned in a very similar manner to that of a turtle shell, have chosen your house/yard/closet/etc to settle a nest in. When people find out, they're suitably impressed - and you may find some nice things dropped off for you in hopes of you "sharing" your good luck.
RANK 5
• A Bevy of Believers: What started out as your simple act of kindness (or maybe not so kind, and people just saw it that way) is caught on yimo video, and some of the Tifauiti believe that you were acting with their deity's blessing and guidance. This means that you'll have a gaggle of well-meaning devotees following you around this month, trying their utmost to anticipate your every need so you can continue spreading Tifaut's benevolence.
COMMERCE
RANK 1
• Mistaken Identity: Someone pounding on your door in the mid-afternoon. The kedan woman on the other side doesn't look especially happy. "Hey. Hey, this thing you sold me, it doesn't work." It turns out a scam artist has used your contact information and vanished into the night, and this poor lady's stuck in the middle. You're not going to be trusted as a respectable seller for a while. (This may be more of an inconvenience to some than others.)
• Instead of Chair Package Contained Munga: Remember that food you ordered delivered? It's very spiky and kind of cranky. Also, alive. There's obviously been some kind of mix up here, but where? The delivery person seems just as perplexed as you are.
RANK 2
• Remember to Tip: You're getting dirty looks from your server the next time you go out to eat. Why? Well, if you ask their coworkers, apparently you didn't tip nearly enough for what they felt was stellar service last time. It's up to you if you want to tip exorbitantly to make up for the slight you probably don't remember giving, but it might be a bit frosty here in future if you don't.
RANK 3
• But it's Bespoke!: A delivery for you! It's the finest coat you've ever seen, perfectly tailored to fit, in a color that makes your eyes happy just to rest on it. One problem: you didn't order it, and now the tailor would like to be paid, please.
They take payment plans.
RANK 4
• ONE THOUSANDTH VISITOR: No, really. The proprietor's been counting. Your arms are packed full of store-branded goodies and you're sent off like a walking billboard with way more than you came for. At least you didn't have to pay for it all! Now where are you going to put it.
RANK 5
• Silver-Tongue Days: Have a business? No? Maybe you should start. Lately you seem to be making great business pitches, and someone you met in a coffee shop has quite seriously told you she will pay you for the idea you just had if she can start that business. She'll even use your name.
ARTS
RANK 1
• Why is it Looking at Me: Someone has set up an art installation around the places you tend to frequent. This wouldn’t be too bad, since there tends to be something new every couple of months. Unfortunately, this thing is the stuff of nightmares. And it’s there. Every day. Looking at you.
RANK 2
• The Night Life: While it’s exciting that some old buildings around the city are getting some fancy renovations, many of the workers are, well, nocturnal. Have fun with that.
• Street Art: Timing is everything and boy were you in the wrong place at the wrong time - the Sentry is pinning some street graffiti on you and you just got a heck of a fine. On the other hand, a group of off-beat artists now find you an inspiration and buy you a few beers and try to talk shop with you. They’re friendly enough and any attempt you might make to tell them it wasn’t you is met with a ‘sure, sure, that’s what you have to say, wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more’.
RANK 3
• The Eye of the Beholder: The Dreaming just dumped a famous piece of art from your world right into your lap. This thing is worth millions if not outright priceless. Though if you go to get it appraised, you’re told it may be worth a maybe a cobalt or so.
RANK 4
• Everyone’s a Critic: You accidentally uploaded a photo with a caption that was meant for another. Fortunately, the mistake is believed intentional and many on the XaXa are praising your unusual sense of humour, or carefully dissecting the possible symbolism.
RANK 5
• Favourite Art Store in the Citadel: An art store you frequent has offered you a rather significant discount, owing to your ‘budding reputation’. They’ve even handed you a few coupons to give to your friends in hopes that you’ll put in a good word for their business among other ‘rising talents’.
• Get Creative!: Magic and art don’t often mix but you’ve been commissioned to make some eye-catching posters to drum up publicity for the upcoming tournament - and if they have that extra magical flare, all the better.
SCI-TECH
RANK 1
• Skyway Mishaps: For some reason, every time you try to take the Skyway this month there's a problem: trains are delayed, there's a mechanical problem, the heating or cooling system is on the fritz, a turnstile won't take your token, and more. You might want to consider alternate modes of transportation.
RANK 2
• Console Update Gone Wrong: Someone tried to drunkenly "upgrade" a stationary console in one of your preferred places of patronage. Whether or not you had something to do with it, the Opara Core technician sent to repair it has decided it's all your fault because you're nearby. Your console privileges may be… restricted for a week or so.
RANK 3
• Astronomy Hour: You're invited to an astrophysics open house at the Ioduan Academy, which includes allowing the public access to their old telescopic observatory for a night of stargazing. Unfortunately, it's quite cloudy and there's no way to see the stars themselves.
• Biscuit Science: An enthusiastic chemist has decided to branch out into baking, declaring that baking is just food science, after all. They've asked you to be a taste-tester; free pastries and cookies abound! Careful, though. Some of those biscuits look suspect.
RANK 4
• Science Fair Judge: You've been asked to be a judge at a science fair for primary school students! Some of the students have produced quite advanced work for their age, and as a Dreamfolk your input is considered both unique and a necessary perspective. Parents and students alike will be putting on their best effort for you.
RANK 5
• Shunt Beta: Engineers that specialize in adapting technology from Shunt missions are looking for beta testers to help them work out the kinks! You'll get access to cutting edge tech that may occasionally glitch out on you, but it's likely that you'll get to keep whatever new device is put in your hands, or get a free one of the publicly released versions.
METAPHYSICS
RANK 1
• Contrariwise: Using a magical ability will cause it to have the opposite effect it normally does. For example, a fire based power will manifest as ice, a healing ability may cause an injury to worsen, or trying to grow something will cause it to shrink (or visa versa).
• Skeletons in the Closet: The Dreaming has an odd habit of bringing things over from other planes, but for some reason, this month, it seems to have been fishing around in graveyards and now you’re finding bones in unlikely places. Fortunately it’s just bones as they all seem to be quite old, but having a skull show up in your sock drawer is still not the best start to the day.
RANK 2
• Gravity is Optional: There is some weird planar magic taking effect, and the world has turned upside down for some. You have people walking on walls or ceilings or sometimes ground level is just wherever they want it to be. And it seems to happen at random - fortunately no one gets more than ten feet off the ground but it’s a wonder no one’s broken their neck.
RANK 3
• Study Group: You joined a study group for the Talent Tourney not knowing that it was a few levels above your skills. However, your groupmates are at least the patient sort and help you get caught up.
• Drunken Fist: An apprentice in Aisling Tower has discovered the secret of turning water into wine, so like all twenty-something pranksters, they’ve changed the waterfountains around your workplace into ...vodka fountains. Work regulations being what they are, you get a few days off until they sort out this problem.
RANK 4
• Inan in the Attic: Finding that your abilities are oddly weakened, you soon discover that a mother Inan and her kits have either taken residence in your home or have been following you around and feeding off your energy. This is probably the cutest inconvenience ever.
RANK 5
• Oddities: There are some peculiar anomalies around the city that seem linked to the Death Plane. Reporting these anomalies to the authorities in Aisling Tower reveals that there are some weak points in the barrier that slipped their notice and need immediate repair. Your vigilance is well rewarded with a number of magic books that may prove quite helpful to you.