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  1. #1
    Hibbs, Philip
    Guest

    BR Rules - Espionage (long)

    > I'd also like to get suggestions for any
    > specific rules changes you've found you've had
    > to make to get BR to run properly in your games.

    Probably the biggest weakness that I have come across in the Birthright
    rules is Espionage.

    A foreign power engages in espionage against you. You have the option of
    spending GB or RP against them, therefore you know that espionage is
    occurring. Can you afford to take the risk that it is not an
    assassination? How is the chance of assassination determined? Is it
    resolved like the "Assassination" Random Event? Is it reasonable that I
    can spend a million gold pieces on determining whether Marlae Roesone's
    intentions are true, and still guarantee anonymity?

    I suggest the following (untested) system:

    "Espionage Level" is a holding, which starts at half the character's
    level (rounded up) for non-thieves, or full level for thieves. When a
    thief rises a level, he gets +1, when a non-thief rises to an odd level,
    he gets +1. Espionage Level can be raised as an action, which may be a
    Lieutenant action if the Lieutenant is a thief. Base cost is the new
    Espionage Level in GB, roll d20, needs 10 + new espionage level -
    regent's highest Guild holding. example: Argrath's Espionage is 6, his
    best Guild is 5, he spends 7GB, and must roll 12+ (10 + 7 - 5).

    Espionage Level determines the maximum that the regent can spend
    secretly. If he spends more than this, the target regent may spend
    against him. If he spends more than double this, the target regent
    automatically knows who is plotting, if he spends more than three times
    this, the target finds out exactly what the Espionage action is about.

    A regent may spend up to his Espionage Level in GB on counter-espionage
    during Maintenance Costs. These GB act against any and all Espionage
    against the regent that turn. If this occurs, the DM rolls d20 over 20 -
    GB spent on counter-espionage, if successful, the regent knows
    immediately that espionage is occurring and may spend against it.
    Example: Harrek has Espionage Level 4, and wishes to spend 4 GB on
    counter-espionage. Argrath spies on him to determine if he wears ladies
    underwear. The DM then rolls d20, if he gets over 16 (20-4), Harrek
    knows that something is afoot, and can spend more. Argrath's attempt is
    already at -4.

    I believe this system will clarify the situation regarding espionage,
    and will go a long way to prevent excessive abuse of the system by
    overly-powerful thief regents. It's quite possible to design a regent
    with 70+ GB income, and assassinate Prince Darien Avan on the second
    turn.


    philip.hibbs@tnt.co.uk or phibbs@compuserve.com
    http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/phibbs

  2. #2
    Glenn Robb
    Guest

    BR Rules - Espionage (long)

    You know what? An Espionage Holding is perfect for Noble Psionicists or
    Auditors to control. Especially if your using Birthright rules in Dark S=
    un.
    Anyway, that is enough of my suggestions on this topic.

    =97 Elton Robb
    "Your Generously Liberal GM."

    Hibbs, Philip wrote:

    >
    > A foreign power engages in espionage against you. You have the option o=
    f
    > spending GB or RP against them, therefore you know that espionage is
    > occurring. Can you afford to take the risk that it is not an
    > assassination? How is the chance of assassination determined? Is it
    > resolved like the "Assassination" Random Event? Is it reasonable that I
    > can spend a million gold pieces on determining whether Marlae Roesone's
    > intentions are true, and still guarantee anonymity?
    >
    > I suggest the following (untested) system:
    >
    > "Espionage Level" is a holding, which starts at half the character's
    > level (rounded up) for non-thieves, or full level for thieves. When a
    > thief rises a level, he gets +1, when a non-thief rises to an odd level=
    ,
    > he gets +1. Espionage Level can be raised as an action, which may be a
    > Lieutenant action if the Lieutenant is a thief. Base cost is the new
    > Espionage Level in GB, roll d20, needs 10 + new espionage level -
    > regent's highest Guild holding. example: Argrath's Espionage is 6, his
    > best Guild is 5, he spends 7GB, and must roll 12+ (10 + 7 - 5).
    >
    > Espionage Level determines the maximum that the regent can spend
    > secretly. If he spends more than this, the target regent may spend
    > against him. If he spends more than double this, the target regent
    > automatically knows who is plotting, if he spends more than three times
    > this, the target finds out exactly what the Espionage action is about.
    >
    > A regent may spend up to his Espionage Level in GB on counter-espionage
    > during Maintenance Costs. These GB act against any and all Espionage
    > against the regent that turn. If this occurs, the DM rolls d20 over 20 =
    - -
    > GB spent on counter-espionage, if successful, the regent knows
    > immediately that espionage is occurring and may spend against it.
    > Example: Harrek has Espionage Level 4, and wishes to spend 4 GB on
    > counter-espionage. Argrath spies on him to determine if he wears ladies
    > underwear. The DM then rolls d20, if he gets over 16 (20-4), Harrek
    > knows that something is afoot, and can spend more. Argrath's attempt is
    > already at -4.
    >
    > I believe this system will clarify the situation regarding espionage,
    > and will go a long way to prevent excessive abuse of the system by
    > overly-powerful thief regents. It's quite possible to design a regent
    > with 70+ GB income, and assassinate Prince Darien Avan on the second
    > turn.
    >
    > philip.hibbs@tnt.co.uk or phibbs@compuserve.com
    > http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/phibbs
    > +--------------+
    > | Philip Hibbs +

  3. #3
    Adam Theo
    Guest

    BR Rules - Espionage (long)

    hello, Adam Theo here,

    Glenn Robb wrote:
    >
    > You know what? An Espionage Holding is perfect for Noble Psionicists or
    > Auditors to control. Especially if your using Birthright rules in Dark Sun.
    > Anyway, that is enough of my suggestions on this topic.
    >
    > — Elton Robb
    > "Your Generously Liberal GM."


    ouch! i know that i'm not going to use psioniscists IMC. maybe some
    others do, but i just think that psioniscists as they are do not fit in
    BR. that's just me, though.

  4. #4
    Glenn Robb
    Guest

    BR Rules - Espionage (long)

    Adam Theo wrote:

    > hello, Adam Theo here,
    >
    > Glenn Robb wrote:
    > >
    > > You know what? An Espionage Holding is perfect for Noble Psionicists=
    or
    > > Auditors to control. Especially if your using Birthright rules in Da=
    rk Sun.
    > > Anyway, that is enough of my suggestions on this topic.
    > >
    > > =97 Elton Robb
    > > "Your Generously Liberal GM."
    >
    > ouch! i know that i'm not going to use psioniscists IMC. maybe some
    > others do, but i just think that psioniscists as they are do not fit in
    > BR. that's just me, though.

    I didn't mean using Psionicists in BR. I meant using BR rules in Dark Su=
    n. That
    sort of discussion has been already made.

    =97 Elton Robb

  5. #5
    Adam Theo
    Guest

    BR Rules - Espionage (long)

    Glenn Robb wrote:

    >
    > I didn't mean using Psionicists in BR. I meant using BR rules in Dark Sun. That
    > sort of discussion has been already made.
    >
    > — Elton Robb
    >
    > ************************************************** *************************
    > > - --
    hello, Adam Theo here,
    oh, sorry. i must have really misread your post. sorry. i looked it
    back over and see your real point.
    and i must say that while i've never played DS, i have looked at it
    extensivly, since at one time i had thought of basing my own world on it
    somewhat. and i say that yes, BR rules would work very well with DS
    Noble Psion. and similar to control.

    adamtheo@usa.net Florida, USA
    adamtheo@hotmail.com *Webmaster* want a website?
    ICQ: 3617306 *page me at http://wwp.mirabilis.com/3617306
    ichat: adamtheo

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