Goal
At the center of each game is a conflict between principles. There are always 6 principles in play, set in 3 pairs, with each pair an opposing axis. You choose 2 of these 6 principles to align yourself with. You may not select both from the same axis, so you will have a stake in 2 of the axes, and no stake in the third. Each principle has goals associated with it, and individual rewards associated with that goal. But when you achieve a goal you eliminate rewards or goals from the opposing principle. Sometimes two of your own principles may conflict, or your might find that others in your band are aligned with opposing principles.
Axes
Goals
Each principle lists two goals, and if anyone in the band is aligned with the principle then those goals are active for the entire band. Accomplishing these goals earns AP (and recovers wits) just like any other goal. The numbers next to goals don't indicate extra value, but are meant as a gauge of increasing difficulty. You can achieve the goals in any order. When you achieve a goal tied to a principle, you also earn a reward (see below). However, earning these goals impacts the goals of the opposing principle. If anyone has already earned a reward from the opposing goal, the highest one is lost. If nobody has earned rewards, then one of the remaining goals for that principle is eliminated from the band. If all three goals are eliminated so is the principle, anyone who was aligned with it must select a new principle in its place. If you earn a goal that has been eliminated you don't get the normal credit, but the goal is restored and affects opposing goals and rewards normally. After it has been restored you gain normal rewards for earning it again.
Shiyan Conflicts
- Empire vs Justice
- Honor vs Feeling
- Glory vs Loyalty
Empire: The Emperor's Word is the immutable law of the land. Without tyrannical force Shiyan would erupt into bloody anarchy and war. Brutal and pragmatic, the Empire saves many more lives than it crushes.
Goal: (Empire) Quell a rebellion.
Goal: (Empire) Save the Emperor's life.
Justice: The greater good is an illusion, there is only good. When an individual is hurt or oppressed, they should be helped regardless of the consequences. Corruption must be mercilessly uncovered and fought.
Goal: (Justice) Punish a criminal who is beyond the law.
Goal: (Justice) Bring down a corrupt organization.
Honor: You follow the strict dictates of what society expects from you. You know your place and you follow the rules, even when it feels wrong. Being rude is a crime.
Goal: (Honor) Enforce a rule you disagree with.
Goal: (Honor) Sacrifice yourself or a loved one to duty.
Feeling: You follow your heart and find some happiness some fun, despite the rules that forbid it. You take what you want to, and you love who you want to. Society wants to put you into a sad little box, but you won't let that happen.
Goal: (Feeling) Start a new romance.
Goal: (Feeling) Break a rule so thoroughly that society eliminates it.
Glory: You are uncompromising in your quest to be the best, and to push the boundaries of excellence. You do not back down, compromise, or suffer insults regardless of the cost or the risks.
Goal: (Glory) Learn a secret mastery.
Goal: (Glory) Become the undisputed world champion.
Loyalty: The lives and happiness of those around you are more important than your own ambitions. Even if the side you are on is wrong, you support those you were born to support. Loyalty is first to family (including sworn family), then to friends, then to organizations.
Goal: (Loyalty) Kill an opponent to avenge a fallen friend.
Goal: (Loyalty) Complete a union.
Rewards
The two principles you select for your character are tied to rewards. Each offers two assets, a tier 1 and a tier 2. When you earn your first goal for a principle (regardless of which one) you gain the tier 1 asset. When you earn the other you gain the tier 2 asset. You get access to the asset by your next respite. You may choose exactly what the asset rewards are, but you may not choose the same reward twice. You may upgrade an existing asset, or choose a lower tier asset for a higher tier slot. Each career concept lists default suggestions.
__________________ (tier 1 asset)
__________________ (tier 2 asset)
Reputation
Having any circles in a loyalty grants you a reputation. The reputation is specific to the principles you have circles in, and associated to your impression. Denizens with the same principles will tend to trust and accept you, especially after your identity has been confirmed. Denizens with opposing principles on the other hand will tend to doubt and hinder you.
Dilemmas
Significant choices can affect your rewards without changing your goals. These dilemmas usually have significant affects on the game, and when tied to a principle grant you a reward as though you earned one of the three goals. However dilemmas may also cut the other way, and cost you rewards without affecting your available goals. These choices escalate, so you have to make larger gestures affecting more people or with deeper consequences to get further rewards. However you can always lose rewards for acting against the principle, even in minor ways. These effects are always a choice. Before the effect, the referee must tell you that your choice will cost or gain you rewards, and make it clear that there will be significant and lasting effects to the game world depending on what you choose.
Changing Principles
You may change your ideals during play. If you have gained no rewards in an ideal (or any gained have been eliminated) and you would achieve a goal in another principle then you may eliminate the old principle and add the new one in its place. You don't gain a reward for that goal, it merely allows the switch. You select new rewards which must be different from the old principle's rewards.
Playing to Principles
Your principles can be a guideline for your character's behavior, but they also evolve as your character's attitudes change. It is valid to make decisions based on your character's principles. It is just as valid to make your decisions and let the principles change to match the character. The rewards are a tangible and mechanical way of making your decisions matter within the game. The referee will specifically make the quickest and easiest path to completing your principle goals questionable and fraught with tragic consequences, so be wary of always choosing based on one principle.
See Also
Version 2.5.1
©2014 Frameworks Games
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