Loyalty

Loyalty Quality and Loyalty Points

Each NPC has a Loyalty Quality and a Loyalty Points score. Loyalty Quality indicates the characters social stance towards the party, while Loyalty Points indicate the strength of that stance, and when gained or lost can increase or decrease the characters Loyalty Quality.
Each crew member that joins a vessel with a loyalty of no lower than Indifferent, and 5 Loyalty Points. NPC's will have a loyalty based on their initial reactions to the party, or the party's renown with local factions. Various events can increase the loyalty of a crew member, such as the Recruit: Improve Loyalty vessel facility action (see Crew Quarters), but generally these improvements are plot driven.

As an NPC gains or loses Loyalty Points, they may increase or decrease their Loyalty Quality. Any time Loyalty Points would be reduced below 0, reduce the NPC to the next lowest Loyalty Quality, and reset their Loyalty Points to 15. Conversely, any time Loyalty Points would be increased based 20, increase the NPC to the next highest Loyalty Quality, and reset their Loyalty Points to 5.

Effects of Loyalty Quality

Nemesis The character will actively try to seek out the player group and cause them harm. Nemesis NPC's tend to be minor or major villains, from the great lich Acererak to the local bully who the players knocked down a peg.
Hostile The character won't actively seek out the player group, but is generally opposed to them. This may lead to open conflict at worst, or mockery and derision at best.
Indifferent The character is either unaware of, or considers the party to be irrelevant to their concerns.
Friendly Most NPC's will be friendly to begin with, when encountered with a similar approach. Friendly NPC's tend to be shop keepers, townsfolk, merchants and economic rivals or allies, and so on. Any NPC with a Friendly Loyalty Quality and 15 or more Loyalty Points will willingly accompany the party into danger as a follower, however they will put their own needs and desires (and likely, survival) ahead of that of the players.
Dedicated The closest allies of the party are dedicated. Bodyguards, members of intimate relationships, and even strong political allies are Dedicated. Any NPC with a Dedicated Loyalty Quality will willingly accompany the party into danger as a follower, however they will put their own needs and desires (and likely, survival) ahead of that of the players. Any NPC with a Dedicated Loyalty Quality and 15 or more Loyalty Points will willingly sacrifice themselves for members of the party, within the bounds of their character. Only the closest allies of the party will reach Dedicated 15, such as Familiars, life partners, and those bound through fate and circumstance.