All characters have a reputation based on their past actions and activities. When another character recognises a character, their reputation influences how that character responds to them. Those who recognise a character with a positive reputation are more likely to help or cooperate. A high Reputation bonus also makes it difficult for a character to remain unnoticed, which can be a problem when trying to be covert.
Most characters with a high Reputation bonus (+4 or higher) are considered well known within their profession or social circle. Whether this has a positive or negative connotation depends on the point of view of the person who recognises the character.
If a character successfully uses the Disguise skill or illusion magic to conceal their identity, then their actions don't affect their reputation. A disguised or masked character may use an alias. If so, the character tracks reputation separately for their true identity and their alter ego.
Most of the time, characters don't decide to use their reputation. The GM decides when a character's reputation can be relevant to a scene or encounter. At the moment it becomes relevant, the GM makes a Reputation check for each character who might be influenced in some fashion due to the character's fame or notoriety.
A character's Reputation check is 1d20 + the other character's Reputation bonus + the character's Int modifer (or Knowledge skill modifier if the other character's activities apply to a particular field).
| Situation |
Modifier
|
| The other character is famous or infamous on an international scale |
+10
|
| The other character is famous or infamous on a national scale |
+5
|
| The other character is part of the character's professional or social circle |
+5
|
| The other character is famous or infamous on a local scale |
+2
|
The DC for a Reputation check is always 25. If a character has no possible way of recognizing another character, then the Reputation check automatically fails.
If the character has a positive opinion of the other character's reputation, the other character gains a bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information and Perform checks equal to their reputation bonus when interacting with the character.
If the character has a negative opinion of the other character's reputation, the other character gains a bonus on Bluff and Intimidate checks equal to their reputation bonus when interacting with the character.
All 1st characters begin with a +0 Reputation bonus (unless they have the Renown feat), and gain +1 Reputation every additional 4 character levels. Characters also gain Reputation when they accomplish great deeds that affect many people.
| People Affected |
Reputation Bonus
|
| Everyone in a large region (kingdom, province) |
+1
|
| Everyone in a large community (town, city) or a small region |
+1/2
|
| Everyone in a small community (village) or a small number of people |
+0
|