![[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! | ||||||||||
APRIL 2019
JUSTICE
RANK 1
• Unhelpful Headaches: Some of the Sentry are not doing so well with the strange tone, and it's making them grumpy and more likely to snap at the slightest thing. You're cited for an exceptionally minor infraction that no one would otherwise bother with, something from years ago. It's a small fine, but you're on the books to pay it anyway.
• 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.
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.
• Parade Route Problems: The parade for the Festival of Growth reaches across much of the city, and it just happens that one segment goes through the street outside one of your preferred places of patronage, your residence, or workplace. This means lots of temporary barriers getting put on the sidewalks to keep the way clear, and also makes trying to get there you're going a pain in the butt, especially on parade day. It might be best to wait it out.
RANK 3
• Tracks on Trespassing: The Sentry comes to cite you for trespassing in the Wiosen Botanical Gardens. Their evidence? Soil tracked from the park straight to your residence. Or rather, the residence next to you. Turns out they're after your neighbor, but the error isn't corrected for several hours.
RANK 4
• Concerned Citizen: An off-duty Sentry officer who lives near you or one of your preferred places of patronage is going around and checking on people in the area to see if they're alright. The repeated, eerie tone has affected some people quite severely, and she'll ensure that anyone who needs care will get it.
RANK 5
• Tell Us More: The Sentry is always interested in improving their methods, whether through technology or process. They want to interview you about the situation in your world, and perhaps implement something that sounds useful, with your initial guidance of course.
CRIME
RANK 1
• Wanna Buy Some Death Sticks?: A slick-looking Castian calls to you from the shadow of an alley, asking if you want to go on the greatest adventure of your life - totally worth the price tag. He holds out a slim metal case of black cylinders that resemble cigarettes. There is probably no ambiguity in the name tag; if the death sticks don't kill you, the Castian might try to if you refuse the offer.
• Cat Nap, Cat Burglar: You accidentally doze off on one warm afternoon. It couldn't have been more than fifteen minutes, but you find your pockets are now empty and no one nearby saw anything.
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
• I'd Like to File to Be a Reluctant Accessory: An Erol'a runs up to you, hurriedly asking for your help. You go along with him, only to find that you're an unwitting assistant in a robbery. He gives you a share of the profits, which is a perk, even if you're grumpy about being tricked.
• Never Let an Opportunity Go to Waste: Naturally, the criminal element is taking advantage of the mysterious droning. While some people are suffering from it, others who are less affected are stealing from a place you happen to be patronizing. Whether you try and stop them or not, the Sentry's going to want to question you.
RANK 4
• The Grand Heist: 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
• Hello, Mr. Police: 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
• Prophecies of Doom: 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.
• Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc: On the third day of the droning noises, you happen to do something right when another round starts. However harmless - sneezing, stretching, tying your shoe - it sets off a very peevish Ban Om member who immediately blames you for the drone and tries to sprinkle you with holy water. They're persistent; it'll take until the droning ends for you to get rid of them, unless you can escape and hide...
RANK 2
• I'll Pray For You: Unbeknownst to you, a young Ban Om acolyte has decided that you are in need of a lot of prayer, or else are piloting a peculiar type of proselytizing. They follow you around. Everywhere. For days. Smiling. They are utterly unperturbed by yelling, threats, or anything intended to shake them off. Not a single word will pass through their lips, but after a week or two they will cease to pester you with prayer.
RANK 3
• Doubt.jpg: Something you said made a member of Ban Om question their own faith. For a time they were angry with you, giving you nasty looks whenever you crossed paths. Though after a week's time they leave you a note of which the gist is basically the doubt you instilled in them allowed them to think more deeply about what they believed, sought answers, and managed to strengthen their convictions. There's a pretty tortoiseshell hairpin in the envelope as a gift.
• Daisy-Chaining: The Sabonile are very fond of the Festival of Growth, and can be seen in the streets offering to bless people with hand-woven crowns and necklaces of flowers for a small donation. If you opt for one of them, you'll feel buoyed by a general feeling of goodwill until the flowers die, which usually takes a day or two. Even when the flowers have dried out, they still look pretty, and if you continue to wear them around, Sabonile will look at you with approval.
RANK 4
• Flutter By, Butterfly: A 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, alights on you after taking off from one of the kedan spirit houses. As long as you don't wave it off, it will stay with you for several hours, wandering over your shoulders and arms before taking a liking to one of your ears. Ban Om witnesses to this event, particularly the kedan, will offer you trinkets instead of leaving them in the spirit house. None of it is worth anything, but there's an air about you that garners goodwill all month.
RANK 5
• Are You a Believer in Miracles?: You bought a charm from the Ban Om temple a few weeks ago, and it actually...seems to work. Really well. Things are going your way! You found some rhinn on the street, a cute kedan flirted with you, your Talent studies are progressing well; whatever you picked up a charm for, it’s working.
COMMERCE
RANK 1
• The Dreaming Ate My Paycheck: The Dreaming giveth, and the Dreaming taketh away, and lately it's been doing a lot of back and forth. A good chunk of change disappears from your pocket almost as soon as you drop it in there, not even giving a thief the time to have been responsible. In its place you pull out what appear to be dog biscuits.
• Dead Flowers on the Doorstep: A vendor selling bouquets during the Festival of Growth has set up outside your residence or preferred place of patronage. It's smelled lovely up until all of the flowers from the gardens shrivel and die. Now you've got a cart of dead flowers you have to pass by, and the sickly scent seems to linger well after they're removed.
RANK 2
• Free Prunes: Congratulations, you've won! What did you win? A month-long supply of that thing you literally never use! Too bad, if you aren't seen making use of it you're going to insult more than a few people. Gooooood luck!
• Community Chest: Especially if you live outside the Dreaming Bridge, isn't it your privilege to contribute monetarily to the betterment of your neighborhood? Don't you want to buy overpriced cookies to support good paving practices? Don't be silly, of course you do, if you don't want dirty looks for a solid month.
RANK 3
• Free Earplugs: A few pharmacies are handing out free earplugs to anyone who passes by, to help protect people from the droning noise. They barely take the edge off, but it's something.
RANK 4
• Lucky Breaks: All your math this month must be wrong. You're coming in over budget! For whatever reason, little discounts keep slipping in your favor. Argue with a shopkeeper or keep your little bit of luck to yourself; you never know when you might need it later.
RANK 5
• Get the Knots Out: The mass headaches don't have an obvious cure, but since they're causing even more muscle tension perhaps a massage would help? You receive vouchers for 5 deeply discounted massages to work out knots that may have formed and ease discomfort as much as possible.
ARTS
RANK 1
• They All Float Here: You've been recruited into helping with the flower floats - unfortunately the flowers are not at all cooperating because they just mysteriously dropped dead.
• The Sound of Music: What with so many weddings, there's been a shortage of people to play music. You're up to the task, but unfortunately nothing seems to go as planned. Equipment malfunctions, strings break, you catch a cold, and the bride leaves the groom at the altar.
RANK 2
• Garland Gas: The floral decorations are really beautiful this time of year - unfortunately there are some that cause unique allergies. Including constant belching. Fortunately it's only embarrassing, not life-threatening.
RANK 3
• Silver Bells: Some people have affixed bells to their Yimos for good luck. One street vendor sold you one of these hot new accessories - unfortunately it isn't actually silver and the sea air is making it turn kind of green.
• Dancing Colours: It's one of those days you woke up, threw on anything that didn't smell of days old funk and went out into public. What are those? Well, somehow they're now the latest fashion trend in Aifaran - you're an icon. Alas, your fifteen minutes of fame doesn't last.
RANK 4
• Shiny Happy People: Many of Aifaran's street artists and performers are taking advantage of the good weather. You may find yourself dragged into an impromptu magic act or as an extra in a street play - maybe even offered to have your portrait done for a very discounted price.
RANK 5
• Mural Memories: After so much that has happened in Aifaran and large parts of the city being rebuilt, you get to be part of a project; painting a mural to commemorate Aifaran's strength in the face of disaster and remembering those who were lost to the storm.
SCI-TECH
RANK 1
• Snake Oil Cure: A frazzled-looking scientist claims to have produced a compound that can ward off the headaches from the odd tones and the flu-like symptoms that occur near lightning trees - or any number of other ailments. 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
• Terminal Fluctuation: Any time you use a stationary network terminal or your yimo this month, it's a bit… glitchy. Messages will still go through (though sometimes garbled), but the screen will freeze up or turn a strange array of colors at random intervals, like you're carrying around a static charge.
RANK 3
• Floral Resistance: As the Festival of Growth begins, you also begin to sneeze. A lot. Watery eyes and itching, too. Seems like you're very allergic to something that's being paraded throughout the entire city, so it's unavoidable. Fortunately, a medical professional or pharmacist points you in the direction of a strong antihistamine to give you some relief.
• Useless Things, Useful Advice: You're invited to a special talk by a self-taught roboticist who is an expert in making robots that don't work. It might not seem like it's worth going to (useless robots? really?), but the speaker is witty and inspiring.
RANK 4
• Sound Dampening: Although the strange tones reverberating around the city don't seem to be stopped by walls, better sound dampening materials at least cut through the worst of it. Your residence or preferred place of patronage receives a low-cost upgrade to provide some relief.
• Putting Roots in History: You happen to be nearby the Wiosen Botanical Gardens or assisting someone with a small task there, and it turns out that person is a botanist. In thanks, they've decided to name a new cultivar of flower after you! (Hopefully it didn't go extinct in the mass die-off).
RANK 5
• Peace and Quiet: Although they're not sure why, some engineers have found a few areas in the Opara Core that seem unaffected by the penetrating drone assaulting the city. They've decided to invite you to their secret hiding spot, since they like you and you could use the respite, they say. While you're there hanging out, they'll be happy to discuss any research or projects you're working on and offer support to help you succeed with whatever it is.
METAPHYSICS
RANK 1
• Mirror Mirror: The Dreaming can be an odd thing, sending portents of what is to come in esoteric visions. Unfortunately you're not quite sure what it means when you turn into a boot while looking in a mirror. And the scholars at the Aisling Tower are reassuring you that it's just a regular dream. But it felt so real...
• Blast From The Past: It's not uncommon for objects from other worlds to wind up in Aifaran. But somehow you wound up with some yearbook for some alternate you who went to highschool and boy do you look like a dweeb in your highschool picture.
RANK 2
• White Noise: The strange reverberations from the gate has caused your powers to fluctuate. This isn't anything out of the ordinary, lots of people are having problems - but you're having the experience of hearing complete static for hours after your powers malfunction.
RANK 3
• Bad Vibes: The strange noises coming from the ships have caused some amplification of phobias. That spider sure is looking at you awfully crooked now isn't it?
• Stream of Conscious: It's natural to think about a lot of things all at once, especially when you're stressed. It's less natural for all those thoughts to literally spill out your ears like water.
RANK 4
• Consultation: Experts from Aisling Tower are looking to nullify or, at the very least, diminish some of the more troublesome side effects from these sounds blasts. They've come to you specifically to see if you have any suggestions.
RANK 5
• That Rabbit is Dynamite: Someone's been breeding ferocious attack Bibirus. Fortunately they've all been taken by animal control and the breeder has been taken into custody. Some, however, have escaped. And one of them has taken a liking to you. Enjoy your new fuzzy ferocious friend.