Tales of the Jewel

Outside of the Sultanate and Caliphate themselves ones place within Medinaat al-Salaam is often dictated by the strength of your name, the strength of your word, and how well connected you are in the various layers of power and interaction that occur each day within the city.

These are represented with the following:

Reputation: The strength of your name. How well you are known, and what that reputation is, among the people of Medinaat al-Salaam. The most trustworthy soul still doesn't get very far if no one has any idea they even exist.

Integrity: The strength of your word and character. While less codified than the Honor of the Samurai of Rokugan it is still vital to the people of Medinaat al-Salaam. If your Reputation is in the fact you always cheat partners and break your word then your fame, no matter how well spread, is not going to help you close that trade deal.

Influence: Your connection and power within the various communities and within Medinaat al-Salaam itself. This is divided into three categories representing the city, your people of origin, and your faction. Even a reviled outcast from their people might still rise to a position of power within the city itself.

Reputation

Reputation is the opinion, valid or not, that others hold of you at large within Medinaat al-Salaam. It is a measure of fame and recognition whether that be for great deeds or heinous.

Reputation is tracked on two scales Glorious Reputation (mostly positive) and Infamous Reputation (mostly negative). Each increases based on your deeds either in the public eye or widely spoken of. Each decreases with time spent unnoticed in public circles as the tales of the city move on to more current topics.

When meeting someone for the first time you may roll Lore:Heraldry/Intelligence against TN50 reduced by their highest Reputationx5. If successful you recognize the individual based on that Reputation. If your roll also exceeds 50 reduced by their lowest Reputationx5 you have heard both the good and the ill of this individual and may choose which to react on.

If you believe you have committed an act worthy of either Reputation, or have witnessed another in such an act, please make a note in your private form for the GM to adjudicate. The GM may also make such rulings base on their own observations.

Either type of Reputation decreases by one point per week in which you do not gain any of that type of Reputation.

Monks and Guru start with, and gain, reputation normally unless they have also taken the Ascetic disadvantage.

Integrity

While Reputation measures what the people of Medinaat al-Salaam believe of a character Integrity measures who they truly are at heart. it measures strength of character, purity of intent, and trustworthiness among other factors and tends to shine through in ways that others can see and be influenced by.

When meeting an individual for the first time you may make an Investigation/Awareness roll against TN30 to discern their approximate Integrity level:

Integrity 0-1: Honorless Dog
Individuals at this level of Integrity may be trying to change for the better - but they're more likely saying that to get you to turn around so they can sink a knife in your kidney and take your purse. Lying, cheating, thieving, even murder none of these are beyond an individual of this nature if it is to their greater benefit... or, for the worst, even just for fun.

Integrity 2-3: Untrustworthy
Although an individual at this level still only holds true loyalty to themself they at least pay lip service to greater ideals and will often try to act in that manner when under scrutiny. When push comes to shove, however, they will think of themself first.

Integrity 4-5: What is Expected
Individuals at this level are, generally, trustworthy but they are still only human. A handshake and their word is likely enough to seal a deal... but if it's worth hundreds of copper maybe get it in writing as well.

Integrity 6-7: Exceptional
Individuals at this level generally hold to, and largely keep, noble ideals of honor and action. They are not so bound to their ways as to not recognize practicality when it is for the greatest good but otherwise are likely to uphold their virtues even when it puts them at risk.

Integrity 8-9: Above Question
Individuals at this level are incredibly rare and hold their virtue and ideals above all else - even survival. To some this is an idealized state to strive to attain while others view it as rigid and inflexible zealotry. At this level one is unlikely to bend their morals even if it might prevent harm or death to another - holding to moral purity is more important than a fleeting mortal life.

Integrity 10: Avatar of Virtue
Almost never obtained in human life this level of integrity does not just embody the virtues held in life but shapes and guides them for others to follow.

If you believe you have committed an act worthy of gaining or losing Integrity, or have witnessed another in such an act, please make a note in your private form for the GM to adjudicate. The GM may also make such rulings base on their own observations.

Influence is a measure of power and standing and replaces Status as a mechanic. Influence within Medinaat al-Salaam is not a strict hierarchy and, while it is wise to respect and defer to those above you, there is no obligation or legal requirement to do so outside of the Caliph (and, in theory, the Sultan), her Khadi, and those that serve them directly. Influence within ones culture or faction may come with more structured expectations of behavior and obedience.

Characters have three types of Influence: City, Origin, and Faction which should be represented in that order in your signature. Those who are Unaligned should still display a Faction Influence of 1.

Example: Suresh is an Invindi shudra who is relatively well liked in Medinaat al-Salaam and has some connections. He is also secretly the head of a Ruhmal cell. He would display his as Influence 2/1/4.

When mechanics, or flavor, call upon using or comparing Status it should be used in the order of Faction (if known and shared), Origin (if shared but not known to be the same faction), then City.

Example: Suresh encounters Chandra, an Invindi brahmin newly arrived in the city, she is also a new inductee into the Cult (1/4/1). If both know that the other is a cultist Suresh outranks Chandra otherwise she would be seen as outranking Suresh. When dealing with non-Invindi strangers within the city, however, Suresh is likely to get more respect despite Chandra's cultural importance.

Social Position applies to only one type of Influence per purchase and may be purchased multiple times across various Influences. Player's may choose either Faction or Origin and, for that chosen Influence, Social Position only costs 3 per rank. Social Position for the City and for the other option remains at a cost of 6 per rank.

Social Disadvantage applies to one type of Influence per purchase and may be purchased multiple times.

Monks and Guru start with 1 of each Influence and gain Influence normally.