The Bureaucratic Class
Bureaucratic Class Characters
- Alignment: Usually lawful and usually neutral
- Suggested Races: Human, Automaton
- Suggested Classes: Face, Marshal
- Suggested Archetypes: Authority, Diplomat, Suave
- Suggested Ladders: Born Leader, Performer, Savant
You might enjoy playing a character who belongs to the Bureaucratic Class if one or more of the following statements are true:
- You want to play a character who thrives on order, structure, and wielding influence through precise control of societal mechanisms.
- You want to explore a role where navigating the intricacies of power and policy is just as critical as physical or magical prowess.
- You want to be part of a governing body that values discipline, loyalty, and efficiency above all else.
- You’re drawn to the challenge of maintaining stability in a chaotic world, even at the expense of personal freedom or individual ambition.
Background: Bureaucratic Class
If your character was born and raised within Salvation, you can choose this background instead of those listed in the Ultra Modern Redux rule book.
From a young age, you were groomed for a life of service within the Bureaucratic Class. Selected for your potential, you underwent strict education and training to mold you into an efficient and loyal member of society. Every aspect of your development—from your intellectual pursuits to your social behavior—was meticulously shaped to serve the greater good. Whether you embrace the Bureau’s ideals or harbor resentment toward its rigid structure is up to you. Despite the personal cost, you have emerged as a skilled and respected figure within the ranks, entrusted with maintaining order in a world teetering on the edge of chaos.
- Skill Proficiencies. Insight and Investigation
- Languages. One language of your choice
- Renown 1 and Rank 1 with the Bureaucratic Class
Feature: Authority of Office
Due to your status within the Bureaucratic Class, you command respect and deference in most social and political settings. Bureau officials and common citizens alike recognize your position, ensuring that your words carry significant weight. You can request audiences with local leaders and high-ranking officials without resistance, and you are often afforded special privileges in matters of governance. Your presence is seen as essential, and few dare to obstruct your actions.
Suggested Characteristics
Those within the Bureaucratic Class are shaped by a life steeped in regulation, discipline, and service. Their personalities reflect a commitment to duty and an understanding of the complex systems that govern society. While they are often pragmatic and reserved, some exhibit a calculating ambition or an unwavering belief in the necessity of their work. Others, while outwardly loyal, may harbor doubts about the Bureau’s methods and long for greater freedom.
The intense mental conditioning required to rise within the ranks fosters a sense of detachment, making them appear distant or aloof to outsiders. However, they forge strong bonds with fellow Bureau members through shared service, loyalty, and an unspoken understanding of the burdens they bear. Whether as architects of policy, keepers of order, or enforcers of law, they stand as the guardians of a society built on structure and precision.
Contacts
Members of the Bureaucratic Class are woven into the intricate machinery of Salvation’s society, their authority and responsibilities placing them at the heart of its governance. As the architects of law and order, they engage regularly with a wide spectrum of individuals—merchants, officials, citizens, and military operatives—ensuring the smooth operation of the city-state. Their ability to navigate complex bureaucratic systems and enforce regulations makes them indispensable to Salvation’s prosperity. Whether through drafting policies, mediating disputes, or facilitating trade, the Bureaucratic Class plays a critical role in maintaining societal cohesion. Over time, this deep involvement cultivates a reputation of respect, dependence, and, occasionally, resentment among the populace. To many, they are both guardians of stability and symbols of an impersonal, unyielding system.
Due to their extensive social reach, members of the Bureaucratic Class often accumulate valuable connections across various sectors of Salvation, granting them influence and access when needed.
Gain 4 contacts from the contact table below. They are all allies.
Structure
Where Do I Fit In?
You occupy a crucial position within the Bureaucratic Class, a complex, hierarchical organization shaping the future of Salvation. Your role might vary from an entry-level functionary organizing and processing information, to a mid-tier manager overseeing key initiatives, or even a high-ranking bureaucrat responsible for making decisions that influence the city's direction. The Bureaucratic Class offers clear paths for career progression, where your work directly contributes to the settlement's day-to-day operations, advancement, and governance. Whether you're seeking to hone your bureaucratic expertise, unravel the intricacies of policy and procedure, or navigate the political landscapes of power, this faction provides you with opportunities for both influence and personal growth.
Rank and Renown: Bureaucratic Class
The Bureaucratic Class is a highly structured, meticulous faction where members are promoted based on their efficiency, knowledge, and ability to navigate the often labyrinthine corridors of power. Advancement is earned through demonstrated expertise, loyalty to the establishment, and consistent performance.
Rank 1: Assistant
- Prerequisite: Renown 1 with the Bureaucratic Class
As a new recruit, you begin as an Assistant, learning the basic functions of the bureaucracy. You are responsible for data entry, processing forms, and supporting higher-ranked officers. Your role is crucial to the smooth operation of the system, but your tasks are often menial, ensuring you prove your dedication to the greater goals of the Bureaucratic Class.
- You gain Eidetic Memory (see side bar)
- You gain access to administrative spaces within the Bureaucratic Class, including minor archives and official documents.
- You are issued a Bureaucratic Insignia, signifying your membership.
- You gain one additional contact from the Bureaucratic Class contact table.
Rank 2: Clerk
- Prerequisite: Rank 1, Renown 3 with the Bureaucratic Class, Investigation skill +2 or higher
Clerks handle more specific tasks within the bureaucracy. You may be involved in managing communication between departments, coordinating between different bureaus, or handling sensitive files. While you still answer to your superiors, you have more autonomy and are trusted with more complex duties.
- You gain the Linguist Feat (see side bar)
- You gain one additional contact from the Bureaucratic Class contact table.
Rank 3: Officer
- Prerequisite: Rank 2, Renown 5 with the Bureaucratic Class, Investigation skill +3 or higher
Officers are trusted administrators who manage the work of lower-ranking personnel. You coordinate projects, supervise the efficiency of the system, and act as a point of contact for those seeking bureaucratic support. You are expected to be an expert in your department and are responsible for the smooth operation of your section of the Bureaucratic Class.
- You gain Empathy (see side bar).
- You gain one additional contact from the Bureaucratic Class contact table.
Rank 4: Supervisor
- Prerequisite: Rank 3, Renown 10 with the Bureaucratic Class, Investigation skill +4 or higher
Supervisors are experts who specialize in one aspect of bureaucracy, whether it's resource allocation, policy development, or inter-departmental negotiations. They play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of the Bureaucratic Class and are often involved in high-level decision-making. Supervisors are also entrusted with enforcing protocols and ensuring compliance with the regulations that maintain order in Salvation.
- Choose a bureaucratic focus
- You gain Fashion Sense (see side bar)
- You gain one additional contact from the Bureaucratic Class contact table.
Rank 5: Director
- Prerequisite: Rank 4, Renown 15 with the Bureaucratic Class, Investigation skill +6 or higher
Directors oversee significant operations within the Bureaucratic Class. You are responsible for strategic planning and execution, handling large-scale projects, and coordinating across multiple departments. Directors are well-versed in the political realities of Salvation and are key players in shaping the direction of the settlement.
- You gain the observant Feat (see side bar)
- You gain one additional contact from the Bureaucratic Class contact table.
Rank 6: Executive
- Prerequisite: Rank 5, Renown 25 with the Bureaucratic Class, Investigation skill +8 or higher
Executives are influential leaders within the Bureaucratic Class, often making decisions that impact the entirety of Salvation. You have earned your position through years of careful maneuvering, political savvy, and a deep understanding of bureaucratic systems. Executives play a role in both the day-to-day running and the long-term vision of the Bureaucratic Class, often working with the highest levels of government and other factions.
- You gain the Alert Feat (see side bar)
- You gain one additional contact from the Bureaucratic Class contact table.
Rank 7: Administrator
- Prerequisite: Rank 6, Renown 50 with the Bureaucratic Class, Investigation skill +10 or higher
As an Administrator, you are a powerful, respected figure within the Bureaucratic Class, holding immense influence over the policies, resources, and direction of Salvation. You manage the highest-level projects and are instrumental in shaping the future of the settlement. Your decisions are final, and your reach extends into almost every corner of society.
- You gain the Inspiring Leader Feat (see side bar)
- You gain one additional contact from the Bureaucratic Class contact table.
Order Above All, Progress Through Precision.
The Bureaucratic Class is a formidable assembly of officials who exemplify precision, discipline, and mastery over the intricate systems that keep the settlement functional. Composed of administrators, policy makers, resource managers, and logistical overseers, they manage every facet of the city’s operations—from public services and infrastructure maintenance and civic relations. Each member of the class has risen through the ranks by navigating a rigorous hierarchy, emerging as paragons of order and efficiency. United by a shared commitment to the prosperity and stability of the city, the Bureaucratic Class exerts significant influence over its direction, shaping regulations and processes that sustain its growth and security.
Despite their polished public image as efficient stewards of stability, the class is often criticized for the opacity and rigidity of bureaucracy. Detractors argue that their relentless focus on control and procedure comes at the expense of innovation and personal freedoms, branding them as an inflexible machine that prioritizes order above all else.
The atmosphere is one of solemn expectation, charged with a tension that feels both meticulous and unyielding. When the officials turn to face you, their gazes are sharp, appraising, and unwavering—eyes that have seen countless petitions, reviewed endless reports, and dictated the course of lives through signatures on parchment. There is no room for error or indecision here. In their eyes, you are a request waiting to be approved or denied, contingent upon your ability to prove your worth. You now stand before the keepers of order and must navigate their scrutiny with care.
General Biases
Positive Biases
- Favor those who demonstrate strong administrative or logistical skills. This bias triggers for any character with an Intelligence score of 12 or higher.
- Favor those affiliated with the Bureaucratic Class. This bias triggers for any character with at least 1 rank within the Bureaucratic Class.
Negative Biases
- Dislike those who exhibit chaos or disregard for regulations. This bias triggers for any character with a reputation for defiance or disorderly conduct.
- Dislike those unaffiliated with the Bureaucratic Class. This bias triggers for any character without a rank in the Bureaucratic Class.
Linguist
You have studied languages and codes, gaining the following benefits:
- Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 30.
- You learn three languages of your choice.
- You can ably create written ciphers. Others can’t decipher a code you create unless you teach them, they succeed on an Intelligence check (DC equal to your Intelligence score + your proficiency bonus), or they use magic to decipher it.
Alert Feat
Always on the lookout for danger, you gain the following benefits:
- You gain a +5 bonus to initiative.
- You can’t be surprised while you are conscious.
- Other creatures don’t gain advantage on attack rolls against you as a result of being unseen by you.
Inspiring Leader Feat
You can spend 10 minutes inspiring your companions, shoring up their resolve to fight. When you do so, choose up to six friendly creatures (which can include yourself) within 30 feet of you who can see or hear you and who can understand you. Each creature can gain temporary hit points equal to your level + your Charisma modifier. A creature can’t gain temporary hit points from this feat again until it has finished a short or long rest.
Eidetic Memory
You remember nearly everything. You automatically pass any Intelligence checks to recall any information you have been exposed to.
Observant Feat
Quick to notice details of your environment, you gain the following benefits:
- Increase your Intelligence or Wisdom score by 1, to a maximum of 30.
- If you can see a creature’s mouth while it is speaking a language you understand, you can interpret what it’s saying by reading its lips.
- You have a +5 bonus to your passive Perception and passive Investigation scores.
Empathy
You’ve always been able to understand someone’s emotional state, allowing for sympathy or manipulation. You gain a +2 bonus to Insight.
Fashion Sense
You look good in anything, from haute couture to dollar store rejects. You have a +1 bonus to all Charisma ability checks.
Public Agenda
The public agenda of the Bureaucratic Class revolves around ensuring the orderly operation, prosperity, and resilience of the settlement. Positioned as the central pillar of civic life, they seek to maintain public services, oversee resource distribution, and enforce regulations that ensure stability. Through meticulous planning, careful management, and unyielding commitment, they aim to create an environment where the city’s inhabitants can thrive under a reliable and predictable system.
By maintaining and improving infrastructure, regulating commerce, and overseeing public welfare, the Bureaucratic Class solidifies its role as an indispensable institution in society. Public outreach campaigns, transparency reports, and civic engagement initiatives are employed to foster trust among the populace while reinforcing their image as guardians of order. However, critics argue that their reliance on procedure leaves little room for flexibility or individual autonomy, fueling debates about the balance between control and progress.
Culture
The culture of the Bureaucratic Class is one of rigorous discipline, methodical precision, and unwavering dedication to maintaining order. From the moment an individual enters the ranks, they are taught the value of procedural adherence, resource optimization, and impartial decision-making. Every action is measured, every process documented, and every decision weighed against the greater good of the settlement. Efficiency and order are not merely values—they are the lifeblood of the Bureaucratic Class, driving every aspect of its operations.
Collaboration, mentorship, and accountability are core principles of the Bureaucratic Class’s ethos. New initiates are paired with seasoned officials who guide them through the complex web of bureaucratic procedures and civic responsibilities. Ceremonies mark key milestones, such as the promotion to higher office or the successful completion of major infrastructure projects, reinforcing a shared sense of duty and accomplishment.
While the Bureaucratic Class fosters a structured and hierarchical environment, it also encourages intellectual rigor and problem-solving. Those who demonstrate innovative approaches to administration and governance are rewarded, though always within the bounds of established protocols. This culture of structured advancement and collective responsibility defines the Bureaucratic Class as both the backbone of society and the arbiter of its future.
Allies
These factions often work together to investigate and find those who are infected with the Sonohoka virus.
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