Re: Calling on followers in extended contests?

From: Paul Andrew King <paul_at_...>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 18:42:10 +0000

>The situation: in the middle of an extended contest, a hero wants to
>switch to using the ability of one of his/her followers. The follower
>is present, but the use of the ability is not a clear "Its in the job
>description" type situation.
>
>Do you:
>
>a) Just decide yes or no the follower is or is not willing?
>b) Make a seperate roll based on the follower relationship, then if it
>succeeds take that action using the follower ability (and if it fails?)
>c) Take an unrelated action to persuade the follower, and then next
>action can use the follower ability?

I'd say that it depends on the situation. Sorry if that's not much use.

My guidelines would be

Does the follower realise that they should act ? If not then it probably takes an unrelated action to get them to do it

How willing would the follower be to act in that way ? If that gives a clear yes or no then use that, if not make a Relationship roll. If the player wants to actively use another ability in place of the Relationship or to augment the Relationship that would take an unrelated action.

If the relationship is good (say 17+ ?) then a follower would typically be willing to take actions that might be seen as outside their "job description" but aren't onerous or unpleasant or excessively risky (compared to normal duties). Follower abilities and flaws might change that.

-- 
--
"The T'ang emperors were strong believers in the pills of 
immortality.  More emperors died of poisoning from ingesting minerals 
in the T'ang than in any other dynasty" - Eva Wong _The Shambhala 
Guide to Taoism_

Paul K.