My question is where is the definition of this allusive K/S Area? I have looked through Mythus, Unhallowed, MMM, The J-Mags, and the Changeling material but to no avail…
So…
I envision it thusly-Negotiation (MMCap + MRCap) x0.5 •Negotiation: This K/S is a measure of one’s skill at a discussion with the intent of all involved to produce an agreement of compromise. A good negotiator will have the skill to empathize with all parties concerned. Unlike the Influence K/S, an equitable compromise is the goal of all parties concerned and the terms are always understood. The following Sub-Areas are covered under this K/S:
1. Business, Guilds
2. Deals, Pacts, and Pleas
3. Haggling
4. Hostage
5. Political
A roll against this K/S will often be necessary to convince one or more OPs to agree with each other on a set of terms. Precisely which Sub-Area you will use, will vary greatly with the situation.
Sub-Areas 1 and 5 tend to apply to a group of people, whereas 2 through 4 are more one on one in nature. Business, Guilds is the skill at ensuring equitable economic practices between employers and employed as well as between business mergers and buy outs. It crossfeeds and is crossfed by the Economics/Finance/Investing by 10% of their respective STEEP. Deals, Pacts, and Pleas is the skill at negotiating a set of terms between just two individuals. Deals are by far the most common, while Pacts are only carried out between those of an evil nature and always involve servitude of some sort. Cf. Negotiation Charm, MMB Pg.260. (Although said Charm could also be used on Merchants, and others who would refuse to negotiate.) Pleas apply mostly to courts of law but can apply in any case wherein the person being pleaded for has no bargaining leverage as one might have in a deal or pact. Haggling or bartering is the skill of driving down an over priced item to its normal price or perhaps lower through verbal negotiations. Most times this will mean a K/S vs. K/S test between the Haggling Sub-Area and the Salesmanship Sub-Area. (And I ask you what merchant would not have the Salesmanship Sub-Area?
Hostage is the Sub-Area used for mediating the safe release of those held captive by negotiating the demands of the one or ones holding the hostages, with those in charge of enforcing the law. Hostage is crossfed by the Law K/S area by 10% of its STEEP. Political is the Sub-Area one would use when dealing with large governmental entities of any type. This Sub-Area works like mounted combat in that it allows one to use any of the other Negotiation K/S Sub-Areas in the context of large governmental bodies from city-states to empires. It also allows one to understand the basic governmental structure as it relates to his or her home government and thus at the very least keep one from any large mishap of the law and culture.
Keep in mind that one Negotiation K/S roll can cover a time span from a few moments to a few hours however, negotiations can last months or longer in which case you’re Journey Master will inform you as to how many rolls will be required. Also keep in mind that when you fail an attempt (or series there of) at this K/S, you are unlikely to get a second chance under the same set of circumstances any time soon regardless of the Sub-Area used and/or the one you would like to try next. A special failure indicates no attempt can ever be made again by the individual and further more said individual incurs a -50% penalty to all reaction rolls to one or more concerned parties of the negotiations thereafter. A special success indicates that there after, such a successful individual gains a +50% bonus to all reaction rolls with all concerned parities. Special successes and failures are the rise and fall of a negotiator’s reputation as word spreads.
I found a similar conversation in 97 - Sorry it took me so long to get back to this...=========================================================================
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 1997 12:16:44 +1300
Reply-To: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
Sender: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
From: Malcolm Bowers <malcolm@ADI.CO.NZ>
Subject: Negotiation K/S... Huh?
There are a couple of references to the Negotiation K/S in the Mythus
Magick book (magic items section, things of the conjurer and sorcerer).
This K/S doesn't appear to exist, so I've assumed it was a misnomer for the
Influence K/S.(There is a sorcery Negotiation casting, but it doesn't seem
to apply.)
Has anyone used the particular magic items in question, and if so what did
you decide? Is Influence really appropriate for dealing with demons, or
have I missed a correction somewhere?
Myth-tifiedly :-) --
Malcolm
malcolm@adi.co.nz (Malcolm Bowers)
=========================================================================
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 1997 23:17:41 -0500
Reply-To: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
Sender: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
From: Dave Newton <dirk@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Negotiation K/S... Huh?
As I recall, it was a K/S that was mistakenly omitted from the work.
I would recommend using best judgement coupled with a
comparative eye towards other Mental K/S areas to include it.
It shouldn't be too difficult, just follow the pattern of the other Skills.
Dave-
=========================================================================
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 11:36:05 +1300
Reply-To: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
Sender: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
From: Malcolm Bowers <malcolm@ADI.CO.NZ>
Subject: Negotiation K/S Area
Well, since Dave Newton said that the Negotiation K/S was mistakenly
omitted from Mythus, I'll offer to repair that omission. For those members
of the list interested, here's a suggestion for the K/S Area.
-------
Negotiation
Mental K/S Area, Attribute for initial generation = MRCap.
This K/S Area helps the persona negotiate a deal, financial or otherwise.
It can be used for many things: haggling or bartering, ransoms, dividing
spoils, politicking, or even establishing borders between kingdoms. It also
has uses in bargaining with Spirits and beings summoned from other planes.
Success gains an advantage of perhaps 1D3 % per 10 STEEP in this
Area, in terms of reduced cost or gain of some sort. Failure brings the
reverse, and a Special Success or Failure gives the maximum bonus or
penalty.
The JM should always judge each use of Negotiation on its own
merits, weighing up the proposed deal before assigning an appropriate DR
and any penalties or bonuses to the roll. Attempting to get a summoned
demon to perform a task might be at a DR of Difficult without a blood
sacrifice. Attempting to get a loan from a bank manager might be at a DR of
Extreme in any circumstances.
A couple of examples: Negotiation could be used in a K/S versus K/S
contest, for instance, Negotiation versus Influence (Salesmanship) when
attempting to buy at bargain prices. Negotiation might also be useful in
making Pacts. The prospective Sorcerer or Witch could gain +1 on his or her
STEEP multiplier or have a condition of forfeiture dropped, double that on
a Special Success (subject to the usual guidelines for Pacts: see Mythus
Magick). Failure would bring extra penalties, or no deal ever with that
'Master'.
Cross-feeds: Influence adds 10% of Its STEEP to this K/S Area.
Negotiation adds 10% of Its STEEP to Influence.
-------
Some JMs might prefer it as a Sub-Area under Influence, in which case, drop
the cross-feeding. Any suggestions for amendment or improvement are
welcome, of course (at least they'll be more interesting than Online
Coordinators who can't handle themselves on-line).
Mythus Rules!
Malcolm
malcolm@adi.co.nz (Malcolm Bowers)
=========================================================================
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 19:32:14 -0500
Reply-To: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
Sender: Mythus Fantasy Roleplaying Game List <MYTHUS-L@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU>
From: Dave Newton <dirk@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Negotiation K/S Area
At 11:36 AM 3/4/97 +1300, you wrote:
>Well, since Dave Newton said that the Negotiation K/S was mistakenly
>omitted from Mythus, I'll offer to repair that omission. For those members
>of the list interested, here's a suggestion for the K/S Area.
>
[snip]
Sounds good except for a couple of things:
1) omit the word 'perhaps' and change to 1d6% chance. (Never use
ambiguous words in a description that must be interpreted by a GM
or players - you leave the door wide open for problems. Besides,
that's what house rules are for; the numbers will be changed...)
2) omit any and all effect on demons or beings of the outer planes.
There are castings for that, and demons aren't 'bound' by any such
agreement anyway, if you catch my meaning... <grin>
Other than that, it looks close enough for me.
DISCLAIMER: I in no way represent the previously mentioned
rule as official, as I am in no way associated to TSR, Inc. or their
affiliates. [bite me, you filty lawyers!]
Dave-
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Hope this helps or verifies your thoughts. My files are difficult text as well, but once I got the 60 "files" for 97 into a single searchable .txt - it was quick work. I'll finish compiling 98 and 99 and let you know if I find anything else. ;D