Masterwork Points (Proposal)
Basic Concept.
When a PC performs a significant action while on an adventure at the end of that adventure the GM awards points based on the level of the action.
When a PC has gained sufficient points they may spend those points to be eligible for a Masterwork rank in the given skill.
Masterwork points may also be used when appropriate for quests for powers, as a means of measuring progress towards making the Power happy with you again, and would also be spent if used in that matter.
Points Value Options.
3, 5, 7 Points. / Significant Acts Only.
Requirements for Rank.
Under this particular System, P.C's would require the following.
3 Masterwork points for Rank 8.
5 Masterwork points for Rank 9.
7 Masterwork points for Rank 10.
Example(3,5,7)
As an example, Bob, the Orcish Warrior is currently rank 7 in Warrior Skill. He has 2 Masterwork points currently, and the GM on current adventure awards him 1 Warrior point, giving him a total of 3 Points, he then spends these 3 points to gain access to rank 8 Warrior, leaving him with 0 points again. He must then earn 5 more points to gain access to rank 9 Warrior.
Guidelines for awarding points.
Points may be gained after a P.C. is Rk 5 or higher in the relevant skill.
1 Point: A significant single use of the skill in question. Not taking much planning but with significant risk to it. I.e. A major duel for a Warrior, or Assassinating someone in an unplanned break in with decent body guards.
2 Points: A major single use of the skill in question, requiring major planning and research to succeed. I.e. Orchestrating a major battle after carefully positioning elements during the lead up and planning as well as researching the enemy's force.
3 Points: A major use of the skill over a sustained time. Requiring outstanding planning and research, as well as some unusual thinking. I.e. Running an entire military campaign with skill, Training a Dragon.
Success or Failure should not be particularly relevant to the awarding of these points, providing the P.C. in question failed because of the element of luck, rather than failing to consider things, and they can demonstrate that they have also learnt from any failures. The penalty for failing at this level of task should be sufficient already, i.e. loosing a major duel likely has already killed you.
Summary.
This system requires significant acts to advance, so you can be sure any Master ranked person has a number of deeds in their history. It leaves a person who uses the skill lots but in non major ways at rank 7 in the skill, which would also indicate that Rk 8+ NPC's should be very rare, as they would have to have similar major deeds in their past.
10, 15, 25 Points. / Gradual Master-ranking.
Requirements for Rank.
Under this particular System, P.C's would require the following.
10 Masterwork points for Rank 8.
15 Masterwork points for Rank 9.
25 Masterwork points for Rank 10.
Example.(10,15,25)
As an example, Bob, the Orcish Warrior is currently rank 7 in Warrior Skill. He has 8 Masterwork points currently, and the GM on current adventure awards him 2 Warrior point, giving him a total of 10 Points, he then spends these 10 points to gain access to rank 8 Warrior, leaving him with 0 points again. He must then earn 15 more points to gain access to rank 9 Warrior.
Guidelines for awarding points.
Points may be gained after a P.C. is Rk 5 or higher in the relevant skill.
1 Point: Consistent use of the skill the entire adventure. Doesn't need to be flash or risky, but eventually people learn.
2 Points: Repeated significant but not risky uses of the skill.
3 Points: A significant single use of the skill in question. Not taking much planning but with significant risk to it. I.e. A major duel for a Warrior, or Assassinating someone in an unplanned break in with decent body guards.
5 Points: A major single use of the skill in question, requiring major planning and research to succeed. I.e. Orchestrating a major battle after carefully positioning elements during the lead up and planning as well as researching the enemy's force.
10 Points: A major use of the skill over a sustained time. Requiring outstanding planning and research, as well as some unusual thinking. I.e. Running an entire military campaign with skill, Training a Dragon.
Success or Failure should not be particularly relevant to the awarding of these points, providing the P.C. in question failed because of the element of luck, rather than failing to consider things, and they can demonstrate that they have also learnt from any failures. The penalty for failing at this level of task should be sufficient already, i.e. loosing a major duel likely has already killed you.
Summary.
Under this system, P.C's will slowly gain in rank even if they fail to perform any major acts. However this will be over the course of 5-10 adventures to move from even rank 7-8 if they use the skill constantly. So it will still be slow unless they do major acts. This also reflects how a normal craftsman would achieve masterwork ranks, and rewards players for consistently working with a skill even if they never encounter or create the super flashy event.
