Benefit

Character Creation in Age of Intrigue
Character Creation Application Rank Period Names Wealth Level Housing Benefit Challenge Skill Religion Politics Country of Origin Reputation Fashion Inventory

Basic RP in Age of Intrigue
Basic RP Rules Rules of Realism Timekeeping Posting Rate

Definition

A benefit is something that brings your character a slight advantage when starting in the game. You may select as many benefits as you want, as long as it is offset with challenges so that the balance is zero (ensuring everybody has an equal start). During the game your success will depend on how you use these role playing tools in character. This may be listed in your reputation.

Playing a Benefit

Benefits are things that give your character an advantage in the game. No one is perfect and no one can have everything, but a few benefits carefully chosen to fit with your character concept can make your character stand out above their peers.

Courtly manners and etiquette make a good courtier, but being exceptionally wealthy and able to bribe, grease palms and afford the most expensive clothes could really make your character stand out. An interest in and appreciation of horses gives your character things in common with the horse-fancying fraternity, but being an exceptional rider could really catch their attention.

Benefits hold a lot of potential if chosen with care, but like any part of your character they must be actively played to bring their advantages into effect. The wealthy who do not spend are not wealthy, the Patron who is never called upon will likely do little. Gifted Skills aren't advantages if they're not used. Played well at the right moment, a benefit is an opportunity for your character to have their moment in the sun.

Minor and Major

To help you judge if your own sheet is not "too easy" or "too difficult" for play we have given some challenges and benefits the distinction minor or major. In general challenges or benefits that depend entirely on the role playing of a character will be minor because it is easy to skip them. Some benefits like wealth or rank can be taken more than one time to increase its effectiveness, but not endlessly.

Please note that we'll be calculating if your sheet balances up. The formula is as follows

• 0,5 for a minor benefit or challenge
• 1 for a standard benefit or challenge
• 2 for a major benefit or challenge

Please aim for no more than 4 points. The sum of benefit - challenge should be 0.

We prefer if you do not take more than one major benefit, unless you have a real good story as to why. Only one physical one, and not the combination of beauty, wealthy and high rank. This is not a game for princess who has it all. Likewise we prefer that you do not attempt to create a superman by loading up on physical abilities. This game is all about balance.

List of Benefits

Benefit Overview

Name	Feminine Benefit	Masculine Benefit
Physical
Acute Hearing	0,5	0,5
Acute Eyesight	0,5	0,5
Ambidextrous	1,0	1,0
Hold Liquor	0,5	1
Beauty	2	1
Gifted Skill	1	1
Financial
Wealth	2-4	2-4
Lump Sum	2	2
Own Company	1	1
Town Dwelling	1	1
Widow	1	-
Status
Connected/Patron	1-2	1-2
Politically connected family	2	2
Famous Family	2	2
High Rank	1-2	1-2
Reputation	1	1
Other
Conversation Piece	0,5	0,5
Fashionable Clothing	0,5	0,5
Player as Family Member	1	1
Personal NPC created for you	2	2

See Also

• Challenge
• Skill