Influence System (alt)
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. You must purchase each area separately.
- Academic
- Underworld
- Business & Industry
- Law Enforcement
- Legal
- Media
- Medical
- Transportation
- High Society
- Arts & Community
- Government
- Religion
- Occult
- Technology
Weekly Action Points
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.
| Influence Rating | Weekly Action Points | Scope of Power |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Minor favors; light access to information or small circles of influence. |
| 2 | 2 | Influence local offices, request simple favors, push minor agendas. |
| 3 | 3 | Exert control over departments, agendas, or recurring processes. |
| 4 | 4 | Affect policy, leadership, and institutional direction at a city level. |
| 5 | 5 | Deep systemic control; shape public narratives, laws, or industry trends. |
Sector-Limited Backgrounds
The following Backgrounds must be tied to a specific area of Influence:
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
- Contacts: Reduce information-related action cost by 1 AP.
- Allies: Aid in active tasks (intervention, blocking, etc).
- Spies: Grant covert info or hidden access. May offer passive results.
Character Sheet Example
Influence: - Law Enforcement (3) [Allies 1, Contacts 2] - Media (2) [Spies 2] - Religion (1) Contacts (General): 1 (bartender at Elysium) Allies (General): 1 (low-level hacker)