DM Role-play XP

DM Role-play XP

As with DM Quest XP, DM Role-play XP awards are made for fixed amounts, by selecting the correct option on the ALFA XP Wand. Assessing role-play quality is necessarily more subjective than assessing the challenge level of a quest or the success with which that challenge is met.

As with DM Quest XP, DM Role-play XP awards are made on the basis of four categories:

• Poor (15 XP / RL hour):
  the general quality of PC’s role-play is poor;
  the PC takes little or no account of circumstances;
  the role-play is of no long-term significance;
  some or all of the following negative modifiers are present:
  * OOC comments,
  * metagaming,
  * powergaming;
  OOC or inconsistent behavior.
   
• Normal (30 XP / RL hour):
  the general quality of PC’s role-play is acceptable;
  the PC takes some account of circumstances;
  the role-play is not of particular long-term significance;
  some of the following negative modifiers are present:
  * OOC comments,
  * metagaming,
  * powergaming;
  OOC or inconsistent behavior.
   
• Good (45 XP / RL hour):
  the general quality of PC’s role-play is good;
  the PC takes account of circumstances;
  the role-play may be of long-term significance;
  none of the following negative modifiers are present:
  * OOC comments,
  * metagaming,
  * powergaming;
  OOC or inconsistent behavior.
   
• Exceptional (60 XP / RL hour):
  the general quality of PC’s role-play is outstanding;
  the PC takes full account of all circumstances;
  the role-play is of long-term significance;
  none of the following negative modifiers are present:
  * OOC comments,
  * metagaming,
  * powergaming;
  OOC or inconsistent behavior.

Example: During their raid on the orc camp, our party operates as a disciplined, effective unit, following the orders given to them by their chosen leader. As a group of Triad-worshiping adventurers of LG and LN alignment, this is perfectly typical behavior. There are no negative incidents and their role-play can consequently be rated as Normal.

Example: Our party operates in a similarly disciplined and effective manner, despite including the two Wisdom 8 CN halfling twins who habitually get each other into comically careless situations. While the three other PCs are rated Normal, these two should be regarded as Poor.

Example: Our party consists of a broadly chaotic group of adventurers sworn to the service of some generic evil deity. Their church has granted one member, the Cleric, total authority over the group. During their approach to the orc camp, a dispute over tactics breaks out amongst the party. The method proposed by the anointed leader is questioned by one of the party members, a CN Rogue with a high INT and WIS and a reputation for good planning. The CE Wizard, who seeks to supplant the current leader, but the two Fighters, both heavily indoctrinated and loyal servants of their church, line up alongside the Cleric. The Wizard and Rogue back down in the face of overwhelming force. The Rogue’s plan was objectively superior and in following the Cleric’s plan, the party nearly fails to rescue the slave – a servant of one of their church’s temples. This is an example of high-quality role-play, where the objectively right thing to do is sacrificed to for subjective, in-character reasons. This should properly be rated as Good role-play.