Relationships

"The best mirror is an old friend." - George Herbert

Relationships in Æther

Relationships are the cornerstone of compelling narratives in Æther. This system allows player characters (PCs) to forge meaningful bonds with non-player characters (NPCs), adding depth and complexity to their adventures. These connections can be friendly or adversarial, evolving dynamically based on your interactions and decisions.

Establishing Relationships:

When your PC encounters a significant NPC (not already part of their backstory), the Game Master (GM) might inform you of the opportunity to build a relationship. If interested, record the following on your character sheet:

NPC Name: The name of the NPC.

Relationship Score: A numerical value representing the strength of the bond. For new contacts, this typically equals your Charisma modifier, but the GM may adjust it for NPCs connected to your backstory.

Relationship Type: Choose either Friendly or Competitive. This defines the nature of the connection and the benefits you'll receive. Events in the game can shift a relationship from one type to the other.

Relationship Levels & Benefits:

Your Relationship Level with an NPC depends on your Relationship Score, which can change throughout the game. Each level unlocks new benefits:

Relationship Score	Relationship Level	Benefits
5 or lower	Association	You and the NPC are acquainted but lack a significant bond.
6-11	Friendship/Competition	You are good friends or known competitors. First time reaching this level grants 200 XP to the party. An additional 200 XP is awarded the first time any PC gains this benefit in a campaign. Backstory relationships start here (no XP).
12-30	Fellowship/Rivalry	Strong ties of mutual respect or intense competition. Grants a +1 morale bonus on Charisma-based skill checks while the NPC is active in the campaign. 600 XP to the party, +600 XP the first time this benefit is gained in a campaign.
31 or higher	Devotion/Enmity	Unwavering devotion or bitter enmity. Grants 1600 XP to the party, +1600 XP the first time this benefit is gained in a campaign. Also grants a bonus trait (determined by the GM, specific to the NPC and campaign) while the NPC is active.

Growing Relationships:

Campaign Traits (GM Discretion): If the campaign uses campaign traits linked to NPCs, having a related trait grants a one-time +4 to your Relationship Score with that NPC.

Charisma Changes: Permanent changes to your Charisma score (e.g., drain, enhancement) affect all your Relationship Scores. Temporary changes (e.g., spells) do not.

Companionship: Each time you gain a level, you can increase your Relationship Score with one active NPC by 1 point.

Gifts and Insults: Give special gifts (Diplomacy check) to enhance friendly relationships, or craft perfect insults (Intimidate check) to fuel competitive ones. The GM provides suggestions for appropriate gifts/insults for each NPC. The DC equals your current Relationship Score. Success grants +1 to the score, +2 on a roll exceeding the DC by 10 or more. You can do this once per NPC per level-up. Good roleplaying can grant a bonus to the check, while poor roleplaying or bad timing can impose a penalty.

Special Events: Significant in-game events can alter your Relationship Score (1-5 points, or up to 10 for dramatic events). The GM adjudicates these changes.

Reversing Relationships:

Friendly to Competitive: Insult or reject the NPC, halving your Relationship Score.

Competitive to Friendly: Offer a gift and pass a Diplomacy check (DC = normal gift DC +10). Success changes the relationship to friendly but halves the Relationship Score. Failure by less than 10 keeps the relationship competitive, allowing you to reduce the score by 1. Failure by 10 or more changes nothing.

Shared Fame & Alter Egos:

Shared Fame: PCs consistently acting as a group (e.g., a guild) can share a single Relationship Score with an NPC.

Alter Egos/Secret Identities: Maintain separate Relationship Scores for each identity. Revealing a connection can merge reputations, with NPCs reacting based on the more relevant score.

This detailed system encourages meaningful interactions with the world of Æther and its inhabitants. Nurturing relationships adds depth to your character's story and can provide valuable advantages throughout your adventures.