Fame & Reputation

"Fame is the perfume of heroic deeds." - Socrates

In Æther, reputation is a dynamic system reflecting how your character is perceived throughout the world. Your actions, both heroic and villainous, contribute to your fame (or infamy), influencing how NPCs interact with you and opening up unique opportunities. This system uses Fame, Sphere of Influence, and Prestige Points to represent your character's renown.

Fame:

Your Fame score represents your public recognition. You start with Fame equal to your character level + your Charisma modifier. Fame ranges from -100 (utterly infamous) to 100 (legendary hero). A score of 0 signifies obscurity. Significant actions, detailed below, alter your Fame.

Fame Events:

Event	Fame Modifier
Positive Events
Acquire noteworthy treasure	+1
Two consecutive critical hits	+1
Consecrate a temple	+1
Craft a powerful magic item	+1 (+1/40,000 gp of item's price)
Gain a PC level	+1
Disarm 3+ CR-appropriate traps	+1
Noteworthy discovery	+1
Own a legendary item/artifact	+1 (+1/40,000 gp of item's price; Artifacts count as 200,000 gp)
Receive a medal/honor	+1
Return significant item/relic	+1
Sack a powerful noble's stronghold	+1
Solo defeat higher-CR opponent	+1 (+1/CR above your level)
Win encounter with CR >= APL +3	+1
Defeat someone who defamed you	+2
Succeed at DC 30+ Craft (art)	+2 (once per month)
Succeed at DC 30+ Diplomacy/Intimidate (public)	+2 (once per month)
Succeed at DC 30+ Perform (public)	+2 (once per month)
Complete CR-appropriate adventure	+3
Earn a formal title	+3
Defeat a key rival	+5
Negative Events
Convicted of a petty crime	-1
Associate with disreputable person	-1 (per week)
Convicted of serious non-violent crime	-2
Publicly flee lower-CR encounter	-3
Attack innocent people	-5
Convicted of serious violent crime	-5
Publicly lose <= APL encounter	-5
Convicted of murder	-8
Convicted of treason	-10

Sphere of Influence:

Your Fame's reach is limited by your Sphere of Influence, a radius around your character representing the area where your reputation is known. It starts at 100 miles and expands at certain Fame thresholds:

• Fame 10: +100 miles
• Fame 20: +100 miles
• Fame 30: +100 miles
• Fame 40: +100 miles
• Fame 55: +100 miles

You have some control over the shape of your Sphere of Influence, directing it towards regions relevant to your character. Outside your Sphere, your Fame is 0. You can temporarily extend your influence into a new settlement with a DC 30 Charisma, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check. Success grants influence for 1d4 days at half your Fame. Several factors modify this check (see table in original document).

Prestige Points (PP):

Prestige Points represent the tangible benefits of your Fame. You gain 1 PP each time your Fame increases, and potentially more through significant achievements. Your PP cannot exceed your Fame. You spend PP on Awards within your Sphere of Influence.

Awards:

Awards provide temporary bonuses, favors, or permanent titles. Examples include:

• Hero's Luck (1 PP, Fame 1+): +4 luck bonus on one skill check.
• Lore of Ages (1 PP, Fame 10+): +5 bonus on one Knowledge check after research.
• Favored Territory (5 PP, Fame 20+): +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks in a chosen territory. Bonus increases with higher Fame.
• Escape Death (5 PP, Fame 30+): Auto-stabilize at 0 HP and heal 2d8+3. Usable once per level.

See the complete list of awards in the original document for details and requirements.

Infamy (Negative Fame):

Negative Fame represents a notorious reputation. Use your absolute Fame value for Sphere of Influence and PP. Positive Fame events can either increase your Fame (towards 0) or decrease it (further into infamy). Negative Fame triggers negative reactions from NPCs (see table in original document).

Shared Fame:

Characters consistently acting as a group (e.g., a knightly order) share a single Fame score. Individual actions contribute to this shared Fame.

Alter Egos/Secret Identities:

Characters with alternate identities maintain separate Fame and PP for each identity. Revealing a connection between identities can merge reputations, with NPCs reacting to the more relevant Fame score.