![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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! | ||||||||||
August 2018
JUSTICE
RANK 1
• Peanut Gallery: A high-profile case is being tried near one of your preferred places of patronage, and anyone who's anyone wants to bend your ear about the trial - even though you're not remotely involved.
• CSPAN Snooze: One of the channels on the Lae Shunjai covers the legislative proceedings of the Alliance Assembly, and your yimo seems stuck on it. Not only that, but stationary terminals glitch to the droning of legislators as well whenever you approach.
RANK 2
• Mis-knighted: A long-retired Sentry member who doesn't always recall what decade it is decides to knight you. In the middle of the street. With a slightly rusty-looking sword. Better hope his hand is steady, because it's a long ceremony.
RANK 3
• Survey Says: You've been roped into canvassing for a member of the Alliance Assembly, going door-to-door asking residents near the docks how they feel about the catch limits on a particularly colorful kind of squid. If you toss the clipboard, you might be at odds with a legislator - and if you keep it, you might have some cool conversations.
RANK 4
• Recovered Property: A pickpocketing was collared with one of your possessions, and a member of the Sentry appears on your doorstep to return it personally.
RANK 5
• Mission Insider: The Sentry leads on shunt recovery missions, and one of the department experts has taken a shine to you. They promise to get you in on the next shunt early, if you want, and to help you secure a good team position. If you'd rather not go, they'll bring you back a souvenir!
CRIME
RANK 1
• This is a Stick Up: You're held at sword-point in an alley and ordered to hand over all of your money. If you do it, you'll be unharmed. If you don't, or if you fight, be prepared to get scraped up - although your assailant doesn't seem to be an expert swordsman, luckily.
RANK 2
• Garish Graffiti: Some bored street urchins paint vulgar words and pictures on the front of one of your preferred places of patronage, and if you happen to catch them in the act they'll paint you. They race off before the Sentry can catch them, but you fall under suspicion of committing the act since you're literally red-handed.
RANK 3
• Kidnapping Accusation: Caretakers of de-aged Dreamfolk are targeted by a gang that's decided to pull some cruel pranks. If you're looking after a pint-sized Dreamfolk, you'll find yourself accused of kidnapping. It gets cleared up pretty quickly, and the Sentry wise up to the trick after about four calls.
• 4th Wall Temptation: Some low-level con artists offer you a way to ensure that your loved ones will arrive the next time there's an influx of temporary Dreamfolk. Just wear this charm and help them "retrieve" some of the possessions temporary Dreamfolk left behind last month, and your friends and family will be sure to show up soon.
RANK 4
• Uneven Trade: That particular and definitely-illegal item you've been looking for? A member of the Neneka approaches you and offers a trade. They'll definitely be getting the worse end of the bargain, but they don't seem bothered by this fact. Just remember them the next time you need something that's hard to find.
RANK 5
• Local Sheriff: The Sentry plans to arrest you - whether it's deserved or not - but as the officers near, you're surrounded by three or four gang members who stand between you and the Sentry. They quickly give up on the chase, and your protectors inform you that the local turf leader is keeping an eye on you.
FAITH
RANK 1
• Warding Off Evil: Some members of the Ban Om have decided that the shadow-tagged visitors are an omen that the Great Turtles are displeased with Dreamfolk. Despite it only happening to temporary Dreamfolk, they approach you and insist on performing what sounds like their version of an exorcism. It probably won't hurt, but you might want to scoot.
• Not in the Cards: A fortune-teller stops you in the street and tells you, in no uncertain terms, that your doom hangs over you like a storm cloud. They may or may not be a hack, but it might be worth watching your back this month.
RANK 2
• Storm-bringer: The ocean can be a ferocious place, and the storms that roll off the sea have the Tia-cheal murmuring about a fabled Storm-bringer who sinks boats and destroys coastal settlements. A small minority seem to think that Storm-bringer is you, and accordingly avoid you at all costs, including refusing to sell you wares.
RANK 3
• Sabonile Mediation: Whether you got into a spat with someone blaming Dreamfolk for the weird events of recent days or were just the subject of someone else's argument, a Sabonile priest steps in to mediate. You're stuck until things get worked through.
RANK 4
• Turtle Friend: A small turtle finds you, down by the piers or having gotten Very Lost in the streets, and starts following you around when it's in the water. If you come back for a few days, it'll meet you there, and a Ban Om follower will tell you that you've been blessed.
RANK 5
• Meaningful Meditation: You're invited to a guided meditation session with either the Tifaut or the Ban Om. After you're done, you feel refreshed, as though your body and spirit have been energized. Maybe it's your positive aura or maybe it's a deity intervening, but improving your Talent just got easier and anything you put concerted effort towards goes off without a hitch.
COMMERCE
RANK 1
• Coupon Clippings: A wonderful bunch of coupons shows up in your mail! … wait. These are terrible. All the savings are so minuscule as to barely be worth the coupons' material. There's one or two that aren't; but when you go to redeem them, you'll be stared at like you came from another planet.
RANK 2
• Child Paraphernalia: Some enterprising salespeople have decided to take advantage of the aged-down Dreamfolk by selling 'specialized' child-rearing gear to the inevitably hapless caretakers (Dreamfolk aren't known for their parenting skills). Some of this gear is possibly useful; most of it looks useful but is actually junk. Plus, you may not want to permanently own a child leash.
RANK 3
• BOGO!: This deal is wild! Buy one, get one free, all through the rest of the month. The trouble is, what are you going to do with such a niche kitchen gadget? Give one to a friend? Save it as a backup? Or maybe a doorstop? Of course, buying none at all is still cheaper; but it's still a very good deal, given the price.
RANK 4
• Finders Keepers: After the return from the shunt, the markets are always awash with new and interesting things that the merchants shouldn't strictly have. This, now: this piece of machinery you recognize, and it is priced obscenely low. This merchant doesn't know what she has; either that, or it's broken. You could get it for a steal, probably. Or you could take the high road, curry favor, and let her know she's underpricing.
RANK 5
• Cleaning House: With the hot weather signalling the closest thing to a change in seasons Aifaran knows, a number of clothing shops are trying to offload all of their old merchandise and is doing it at a steep discount - it's designer duds at thrift store prices. The shops get some great attention and you get a nice addition to your wardrobe!
ARTS
RANK 1
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: That bit of statuary really seems to come alive. No really, it's been cursed and now you're being chased through the streets by someone's post-modern nightmare.
• Client from Hell: The problem with art is almost always the client - the good news is that you have a pretty well-paying commission. The bad news is that your client is effectively a back-seat artist, practically breathing over your shoulder or calling at weird hours with specifications that either are terrible ideas, or physically impossible to manage without some kind of magic you don't have.
RANK 2
• Deteriorart: The strange fog that has blanketed Aifaran has caused many pigments from metals to deteriorate at an unusually fast rate. It also seems to have a strange effect on more traditional photography processes, that may leave you in a pickle if you practice any of these.
RANK 3
• Bridge Under Construction: The Dreaming Bridge has a lot of construction going on as they update the conveniences around the place. On one hand, it's noisy, especially if you're a night person and like to sleep in. On the other, the building is much more comfortable now.
• Igheeri Eye: You've been nabbed by a group of Igheeri who run a popular picture blog on the Xaxa where they take you around the city and help you dress trendy-like. Unfortunately, Igheeri fashion does not translate well to literally anyone else.
RANK 4
• Lights, Camera, Action: A friend offers you admittance to their music and light show - it's a small gathering as they're quite nervous about the whole thing, but they dearly value your input and criticism.
RANK 5
• This is My Design: A chance encounter has led you to orchestrate the interior decorating of one of the biggest music gigs in town.
SCI-TECH
RANK 1
• Snake Oil Cure: A frazzled-looking scientist claims to have produced a compound that can ward off the hallucinatory effects of mold and fungus found on the recent shunt - or any shunt, for that matter. She foists it on you, insisting you become one of her test subjects. The cure looks and smells curiously like bleach; it is not recommended for ingestion.
RANK 2
• Stuck on Selfies: Your yimo camera seems stuck on forward-mode: it will only take pictures like you would take a selfie, even when you change the settings.
RANK 3
• Child Safety Locks: With Dreamfolk suddenly reverting to childhood left, right, and center, landlords and shopkeepers alike are installing some safety measures to protect them from harm. Cabinets are now a pain to open, there are extra steps required to get into the laundry room, and certain Lae Shunjai shows are nearly inaccessible to anyone who is (temporarily) made young again.
• Tracking App: Some enterprising coders have come up with a way for Dreamfolk caretakers to keep track of their temporarily young charges by putting an app on their yimos. It's… a bit glitchy, to put it mildly, but the thought is nice. They'll work on it.
RANK 4
• Functional Facelift: One of your preferred places of patronage is getting a facelift! Engineering students from the Ioduan Academy are rebuilding and upgrading the wiring, plumbing, and more for a Academy project. It's going to be positively spiffy once it's done, and a little messy while construction is going on.
RANK 5
• Air Conditioning: While most of Aifaran has only fans or other means of moving air during the hottest months of the year, one of your preferred places of patronage or your residence is getting a brand new air conditioner installed! It's only designed to cool one room at a time, but it makes all the difference.
METAPHYSICS
RANK 1
• A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Aisling Tower is looking to conduct experiments on Dreamfolk for… Reasons. Unfortunately they roped you in. Unfortunately you're now giving off electric sparks intermittently. They can cure this, they assure you! Unfortunately, you have to submit to more tests just to find out what even went wrong.
• John Carpenter Would Be Proud: Well, that happened. And now the Sentry has arrested you for being cruel and unusual to animals, and you can't really undo what you did to that poor, innocent Munga that you magicked after it innocently gnawed a hole in your ankle.
RANK 2
• Where Are the Scooby Snacks: The Dreaming just manifested 20 kilos of Champagne Kush in your mattress which subsequently caught fire. Congratulations, it's gotten everyone within a block of you high and the Sentry has maybe a few questions. Like if you got a bag of crispy seaprunes, man.
RANK 3
• Debiru Maaaaan: A small shop of magical beauticians has opened up, and you're the lucky recipient of a coupon to try out their easier-to-manage services. Self-conscious about a few blots and blemishes? They will be gone. Unfortunately you also inexplicably manifest a pair of horns. Fortunately, they look pretty damn sick.
RANK 4
• Bittersweet Memories: The Dreaming seems in tune with your inner child becoming your outer child. Or just childhood in general. Treasured childhood items may appear around the city, or perhaps even manifest in your possession.
RANK 5
• A Glitch in the Matrix: The solution to the thing you've been puzzling out in the waking hours appears in your dreams. Every time you wake, you find you only have the vaguest of memories of it, dimm recollections and faint echoes of what seemed so clear. And then you find yourself throughout the month retracing footsteps you are certain you only took in the dream, but you soon find yourself closer to answer.