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Social Interactions in Tabletop RPGs

Motivation

This game adopts a different approach to handling social situations in terms of game mechanics. We believe that the emphasis should be on roleplaying above all, and that social skills (such as Diplomacy or Disguise Self) can be detrimental to roleplaying. This is because players might be tempted to do minimal roleplaying and then rely on skill checks. Consequently, social skills no longer exist in this RPG; they have been completely removed.

However, this doesn't mean that all characters are equal in terms of their advantages in social situations. To understand this, let's consider a few examples:

• If a player is roleplaying a barbarian with a high strength score, and this barbarian is conversing with creatures that would be impressed by strength, the GM should adjust their dialogues accordingly to make the barbarian feel that they can be intimidating.

• If a player is roleplaying a sorcerer with a high charisma score, the GM should also adjust their dialogues to reflect the social ease that the sorcerer possesses due to their magnetic charisma.

Adjusting Social Interactions

Basic Principles

1. Prioritize roleplaying over mechanics
2. Adapt NPC reactions to character attributes
3. Be consistent and fair in your adjustments
4. Encourage player creativity and interpretation

Adjustments Based on Attributes

Strength

• High: NPCs intimidated or impressed, respectful tone, requests for demonstrations of strength
• Low: NPCs potentially condescending, underestimation of character's capabilities

Dexterity

• High: Admiration for grace, invitations to demonstrate agility, trust for delicate tasks
• Low: Concern in situations requiring manual precision

Constitution

• High: Respect for endurance, invitations to physical challenges, trust for demanding tasks
• Low: Concern for character's health, offers of frequent breaks

Intelligence

• High: Use of more complex vocabulary, requests for opinions on complicated subjects, quick recognition of skills
• Low: Simplified explanations, increased patience, possibility of intellectual underestimation

Wisdom

• High: Requests for advice, trust for moral judgments, recognition of great insight
• Low: Distrust for important decisions, more frequent advice-giving, detailed explanation of situations

Charisma

• High: Immediate attention, friendly and open tone, propensity to trust quickly
• Low: Need for more effort to convince, initial reactions more neutral or wary

Adjustments Based on Background

Social Origin

• Noble: Respect for titles, expectations of refined behavior, easier access to circles of power
• Humble: Connection with common people, potential mistrust from elites

Profession

• Military: Respect from other warriors, direct language, appreciation of strategies
• Religious: Reverence from the faithful, skepticism from non-believers, expectations of wisdom
• Criminal: Connections in the underworld, mistrust from authorities, recognition of street codes

Culture

• Foreign: Curiosity or mistrust depending on context, cultural misunderstandings, opportunities for mutual learning
• Local: Knowledge of customs, easy connections, expectations of loyalty to the community

Adjustment Techniques

1. Tone Modification: Adjust NPCs' tone of voice (respectful, wary, friendly, etc.)
2. Vocabulary Choice: Adapt the complexity and style of language used
3. Body Language: Describe NPCs' physical reactions (posture, gestures, facial expressions)
4. Confidence Level: Adjust the quantity and sensitivity of shared information
5. Offers and Requests: Modify opportunities offered or services requested based on the character

Tips for Successful Implementation

To successfully implement this system, it's crucial to prepare flexible NPCs capable of reacting in varied ways to different character attributes. Maintain consistency in your adjustments throughout the campaign to reinforce immersion and credibility in the game world. Clearly communicate to players the effects of their attributes on social interactions, thus encouraging them to leverage their strengths in roleplaying.

Remain open to creative interpretations from players, as this can lead to memorable and unexpected gameplay moments. Finally, seek to balance advantages between characters to maintain engagement from all players, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to shine in different social situations.

Remember, the goal is to create a rich, immersive roleplaying experience where character attributes and backgrounds meaningfully impact social interactions, without relying on traditional social skill checks. This approach encourages players to fully embody their characters and make decisions based on their unique traits and experiences.

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