Allies gift question

[Sir Mathodius Black]

I may be missing something here, but wouldn't most poeple have at least the minor version of the Allies girft?  For those who have connections to their family, and at least even one friend, wouldnt this constitute the Allies gift?  Is there some other criteria or exeption to this gift Im not seeing?

Thanks,
SMB

[Tash]

I think it only counts as a gift if the people can offer some genuie and significant aid on a reasonably regular basis.

[Ian.Plumb]

Hi,

I may be missing something here, but wouldn't most poeple have at least the minor version of the Allies girft?  For those who have connections to their family, and at least even one friend, wouldnt this constitute the Allies gift?  Is there some other criteria or exeption to this gift Im not seeing?

Would you rule that a character that doesn't take the Allies Gift has neither friends nor family? I would rule that an ally resulting from this Gift is someone outside the character's family and friends. Someone outside those people who through a sense of familial duty or friendship will assist the character when asked. And will ask for assistance when necessary.

Cheers,

[Tash]

I'd limit the amount of assistance they could provide without the gift though.  If you're cousin is the Duke of Suchandsuch or your best childhood friend is a  Master sorceror of great influence I'd make you take the gift.

[Ian.Plumb]

Hi,

I'd limit the amount of assistance they could provide without the gift though.  If you're cousin is the Duke of Suchandsuch or your best childhood friend is a  Master sorceror of great influence I'd make you take the gift.

Does that make sense though? If your character's cousin is a Duke then your character must be noble even if lower ranked. There would have to be an extraordinary reason why he would not provide assistance when asked. He would, in effect, be protecting his own interests by assisting your character. In addition you've already paid a high price for having a Noble character. Surely part of being noble is the network of familial relationships that comes with it?

On the other hand, writing up a background wherein your character has a number of personal friends amongst the patricians of the city without taking the Allies Gift would no doubt make the referee laugh and reach for the big black permanent marker.

Cheers,

[Sir Mathodius Black]

Perhaps a criteria for the ally gift could be that they must be able to provide some sort of service not usually attainable without special means or connections (such as black market items, cheaper goods, or valuable information).  Thus, if you have a fairly normal cousin, you could count on him for favors that are nothing exaptional, but with this gift, your cousin might be a black amrket smuggler, a key source of political information, or a moneylender who conveniently forgets that you owe him interest.
Just a thought.

SMB

[bottleneck]

Hi,
Surely part of being noble is the network of familial relationships that comes with it?

Yes. Nobility means you have allies - but also enemies. Without choosing the gift.

As Sir Black states, the gift implies something out of the ordinary. Since the game focuses on 'what are you willing to risk your life for', an ally would be anyone willing to take risks for you - money, prestige or their life.

You could envision that all the allies have chosen a SA:loyalty(pc), and act accordingly (so if there is no conflict of loyalties, they will help by default). But if they are taken advantage of without getting anything in return, they may gradually grow colder.

Examples could be (for a middle/lower class character) a merchant or ship captain willing to give you free passage or lend you money without hope of getting it back; a band of rogues willing to assist you on a dangerous mission; a mercenary officer willing to protect you when you are pursued...

To some extent, all player characters already have this gift if there is more than one character in the party.