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Created page with "== Influence System (V20) == This system allows characters to exert their Influence in specific sectors of mortal society, according to the rules and themes of Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition (V20). It also integrates related Backgrounds such as Background:Allies, Background:Contacts, and Background:Spies to simulate real-world social and institutional power structures. === Influence Areas === Each Influence Background is tracked per sector..."
 
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== Influence System (V20) ==
== Influence System (V20) ==


This system allows characters to exert their Influence in specific sectors of mortal society, according to the rules and themes of Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition (V20). It also integrates related Backgrounds such as [[Background:Allies]], [[Background:Contacts]], and [[Background:Spies]] to simulate real-world social and institutional power structures.
This system allows characters to exert their Influence in specific sectors of mortal society, using a weekly Action Point (AP) system and integrating dice rolls per V20 rules. It also links [[Background:Allies]], [[Background:Contacts]], and [[Background:Spies]] directly to the effectiveness of your Influence use.


=== Influence Areas ===
=== What is an Action Point (AP)? ===
Each Influence Background is tracked per sector. You must purchase each area separately.
Each dot of Influence grants '''1 Action Point per week'''. These points represent your capacity to affect change, gather information, and manipulate institutions within a specific sector.
 
You spend AP to take Influence actions. Most actions require a dice roll to determine success or failure.
 
=== Weekly Action Points Table ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Influence Rating !! Weekly Action Points !! Dice Pool Modifier !! Typical Scope
|-
| 1 || 1 || +0 || Simple favors, minor information, limited contacts
|-
| 2 || 2 || +1 || Push local agendas, gain early access to rumors
|-
| 3 || 3 || +2 || Control small departments or community figures
|-
| 4 || 4 || +3 || Alter internal processes, delay investigations, kill stories
|-
| 5 || 5 || +4 || Shape policy, promote or ruin reputations, suppress or create major action
|}
 
''Dice Pool Modifier applies to your Influence rolls in that area.''
 
=== Influence Dice Rolls ===
When taking an Influence action, roll:
 
'''Manipulation + Subterfuge or Leadership''' (Storyteller discretion) 
''+ Influence Dice Pool Modifier'' 
'''Difficulty: 6–9''' depending on the scope and secrecy of the action.
 
* Info-gathering: '''Manipulation + Subterfuge'''
* Public pressure or favors: '''Manipulation + Leadership'''
* Bureaucratic redirection: '''Manipulation + Bureaucracy'''
* Technological meddling: '''Intelligence + Computer'''
 
STs may require more specialized skills per sector (e.g., Finance for Business, Medicine for Health, etc.).
 
=== Sector-Limited Backgrounds ===
You may only have as many dots in [[Background:Allies]], [[Background:Contacts]], and [[Background:Spies]] in a given sector as you have in that sector's Influence.
 
'''Example''':
* Influence (Media) 3 
→ Max of 3 dots combined in Contacts (Media), Allies (Media), and Spies (Media)
 
=== Sectors of Influence ===
You must buy each area of Influence separately.


* Academic
* Academic
Line 21: Line 64:
* Technology
* Technology


=== Weekly Action Points ===
=== Sample Action Costs & Rolls ===
Each dot of Influence grants 1 Action Point per week in that area. These points may be spent to exert control, gather information, or manipulate people and systems.
 
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Influence Rating !! Weekly Action Points !! Scope of Power
! Action !! Sector !! AP Cost !! Suggested Roll !! Difficulty !! Notes
|-
| Find out if someone has been arrested || Law Enforcement || 1 || Manipulation + Contacts || 6 || +1 die if you have Spies
|-
| Bury a news story || Media || 2 || Manipulation + Subterfuge || 7 || Allies can reduce cost by 1
|-
| Redirect police patrol || Law Enforcement || 2 || Manipulation + Leadership || 7 || Spies add stealth bonus
|-
|-
| 1 || 1 || Minor favors; light access to information or small circles of influence.
| Block a zoning permit || Bureaucracy or Government || 3 || Manipulation + Bureaucracy || 8 || Long-term effect
|-
|-
| 2 || 2 || Influence local offices, request simple favors, push minor agendas.
| Get a hospital to "lose" a blood sample || Medical || 2 || Manipulation + Subterfuge || 7 || Contacts or Allies can assist
|-
|-
| 3 || 3 || Exert control over departments, agendas, or recurring processes.
| Delay legal case || Legal || 2 || Manipulation + Law || 7 || Combined with Allies (Legal) = -1 AP
|-
|-
| 4 || 4 || Affect policy, leadership, and institutional direction at a city level.
| Find cult activity || Occult || 1–3 || Perception + Occult || 6–9 || Depends on secrecy
|-
|-
| 5 || 5 || Deep systemic control; shape public narratives, laws, or industry trends.
| Leak sensitive corporate data || Technology || 3 || Intelligence + Computer || 8 || Spies may allow stealth
|}
|}


=== Sector-Limited Backgrounds ===
=== Modifiers from Supporting Backgrounds ===
The following Backgrounds must be tied to a specific area of Influence:
* '''Contacts''': Reduce info-gathering AP costs by 1
 
* '''Allies''': Reduce public action costs by 1 or add dice
* [[Background:Allies]]
* '''Spies''': Add +1–2 dice to covert actions or allow passive weekly data
* [[Background:Contacts]]
* [[Background:Spies]]
 
These backgrounds are limited by your Influence rating in that sector.
 
==== Rule: Background Cap ====
You may not have more combined dots in Contacts, Allies, and Spies for a given Influence area than your total Influence rating in that area.
 
'''Example''':
* Influence (Law Enforcement) 3 
* → Max total of 3 dots across Contacts (Law Enforcement), Allies (Law Enforcement), and Spies (Law Enforcement)
 
=== Influence Actions ===
Each Action Point may be spent weekly on sector-specific actions:
 
* Gain privileged information
* Suppress or leak stories or data
* Exert pressure on people, departments, or agendas
* Delay or accelerate processes
* Protect individuals from consequences
* Cause inspections, denials, or investigations
 
''Supporting Backgrounds (Contacts, Allies, Spies) can reduce action point costs or improve effect based on ST discretion.''


=== Optional Modifiers ===
=== Passive Use (Spies Only) ===
* '''Contacts''': Reduce information-related action cost by 1 AP.
If you have Spies in a sector, you may get 1 free "data point" per week with no AP spent. ST may roll in secret.
* '''Allies''': Aid in active tasks (intervention, blocking, etc).
* '''Spies''': Grant covert info or hidden access. May offer passive results.


=== Character Sheet Example ===
=== Sample Character Sheet ===
<pre>
<pre>
Influence:
Influence:
- Law Enforcement (3) [Allies 1, Contacts 2]
- Media (3) [+2 dice] [Spies 2, Contacts 1]
- Media (2) [Spies 2]
- Legal (2) [+1 die] [Allies 2]
- Religion (1)
- Occult (1) [+0]


Contacts (General): 1 (bartender at Elysium)
Action Pool This Week: Media 3, Legal 2, Occult 1
Allies (General): 1 (low-level hacker)
</pre>
</pre>

Revision as of 00:43, 3 May 2025

Influence System (V20)

This system allows characters to exert their Influence in specific sectors of mortal society, using a weekly Action Point (AP) system and integrating dice rolls per V20 rules. It also links Background:Allies, Background:Contacts, and Background:Spies directly to the effectiveness of your Influence use.

What is an Action Point (AP)?

Each dot of Influence grants 1 Action Point per week. These points represent your capacity to affect change, gather information, and manipulate institutions within a specific sector.

You spend AP to take Influence actions. Most actions require a dice roll to determine success or failure.

Weekly Action Points Table

Influence Rating Weekly Action Points Dice Pool Modifier Typical Scope
1 1 +0 Simple favors, minor information, limited contacts
2 2 +1 Push local agendas, gain early access to rumors
3 3 +2 Control small departments or community figures
4 4 +3 Alter internal processes, delay investigations, kill stories
5 5 +4 Shape policy, promote or ruin reputations, suppress or create major action

Dice Pool Modifier applies to your Influence rolls in that area.

Influence Dice Rolls

When taking an Influence action, roll:

Manipulation + Subterfuge or Leadership (Storyteller discretion) + Influence Dice Pool Modifier Difficulty: 6–9 depending on the scope and secrecy of the action.

  • Info-gathering: Manipulation + Subterfuge
  • Public pressure or favors: Manipulation + Leadership
  • Bureaucratic redirection: Manipulation + Bureaucracy
  • Technological meddling: Intelligence + Computer

STs may require more specialized skills per sector (e.g., Finance for Business, Medicine for Health, etc.).

Sector-Limited Backgrounds

You may only have as many dots in Background:Allies, Background:Contacts, and Background:Spies in a given sector as you have in that sector's Influence.

Example:

  • Influence (Media) 3

→ Max of 3 dots combined in Contacts (Media), Allies (Media), and Spies (Media)

Sectors of Influence

You must buy each area of Influence separately.

  • Academic
  • Underworld
  • Business & Industry
  • Law Enforcement
  • Legal
  • Media
  • Medical
  • Transportation
  • High Society
  • Arts & Community
  • Government
  • Religion
  • Occult
  • Technology

Sample Action Costs & Rolls

Action Sector AP Cost Suggested Roll Difficulty Notes
Find out if someone has been arrested Law Enforcement 1 Manipulation + Contacts 6 +1 die if you have Spies
Bury a news story Media 2 Manipulation + Subterfuge 7 Allies can reduce cost by 1
Redirect police patrol Law Enforcement 2 Manipulation + Leadership 7 Spies add stealth bonus
Block a zoning permit Bureaucracy or Government 3 Manipulation + Bureaucracy 8 Long-term effect
Get a hospital to "lose" a blood sample Medical 2 Manipulation + Subterfuge 7 Contacts or Allies can assist
Delay legal case Legal 2 Manipulation + Law 7 Combined with Allies (Legal) = -1 AP
Find cult activity Occult 1–3 Perception + Occult 6–9 Depends on secrecy
Leak sensitive corporate data Technology 3 Intelligence + Computer 8 Spies may allow stealth

Modifiers from Supporting Backgrounds

  • Contacts: Reduce info-gathering AP costs by 1
  • Allies: Reduce public action costs by 1 or add dice
  • Spies: Add +1–2 dice to covert actions or allow passive weekly data

Passive Use (Spies Only)

If you have Spies in a sector, you may get 1 free "data point" per week with no AP spent. ST may roll in secret.

Sample Character Sheet

Influence:
- Media (3) [+2 dice] [Spies 2, Contacts 1]
- Legal (2) [+1 die] [Allies 2]
- Occult (1) [+0]

Action Pool This Week: Media 3, Legal 2, Occult 1
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