Difference between revisions of "Harper Cell"

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The Harper cell is the base unit of operation for Harpers. They consist of a gathering of talented individuals, under the direction of a Brightcandle.
 
The Harper cell is the base unit of operation for Harpers. They consist of a gathering of talented individuals, under the direction of a Brightcandle.
 +
* '''Monthly Checks:''' Connections (Cache, Entanglements), Watchers (Concerns), Allies (Problems), Security (Locating the Cell [Hearing About It All], Concerns)
 +
{|
 +
|valign="top" width="40%"|
 
==Aspects==
 
==Aspects==
 
'''Ranks:''' Aspects are ranked, from 0 to 5.
 
'''Ranks:''' Aspects are ranked, from 0 to 5.
Line 9: Line 12:
 
* ''Rank 4:'' 25 Investment.
 
* ''Rank 4:'' 25 Investment.
 
* ''Rank 5:'' 50 Investment.
 
* ''Rank 5:'' 50 Investment.
'''Complications:''' The higher an Aspect is ranked, the likelier it is to cause difficulties for the cell. There is a percentage chance each month of generating a Complication from any given Aspect.
+
'''[[Harper Cell Complications|Complications]]:''' The higher an Aspect is ranked, the likelier it is to cause difficulties for the cell. There is a percentage chance each month of generating a Complication from any given Aspect.
===Building Aspects===
+
|valign="top" width="20%"|
Each Aspect has a Downtime Action associated with it, the "Building [Aspect]" action. This is a Skill check for each of them. Success generates additional Investment for that Aspect, while failure can often erode Investment. The DC for this test is equal to 10 + (Rank x2). The results determine the change in that Aspect's Investment:
+
|valign="top" width="40%"|
 +
==Building Aspects==
 +
Each Aspect has a Downtime Action associated with it, the "Building [Aspect]" action. This is a Skill check for each of them, with an expenditure of gold equal to [Current Rating x10] gold pieces. Success generates additional Investment for that Aspect, while failure can often erode Investment. The DC for this test is equal to 10 + (Rank x2). The results determine the change in that Aspect's Investment:
 
* ''Failure by 5+:'' lose 2 Investment
 
* ''Failure by 5+:'' lose 2 Investment
 
* ''Failure:'' lose 1 investment
 
* ''Failure:'' lose 1 investment
 
* ''Success:'' gain 1 Investment
 
* ''Success:'' gain 1 Investment
 
* ''Success by 5+:'' gain 2 Investment
 
* ''Success by 5+:'' gain 2 Investment
 +
|}
  
 
==Connections==
 
==Connections==
 
This Aspect represents the cell's involvement with the rest of the Harper faction. This is political, but it is also ideological and even magical to some extent: a high Connections rating provides access to certain Harper secrets that those who do not adhere well to its traditions and goals cannot access.
 
This Aspect represents the cell's involvement with the rest of the Harper faction. This is political, but it is also ideological and even magical to some extent: a high Connections rating provides access to certain Harper secrets that those who do not adhere well to its traditions and goals cannot access.
* '''Building Connections:''' Wisdom check. May add proficiency bonus if the cell has completed a successful Harpers mission in the last month.
+
* '''Building Connections:''' ''Wisdom check''. May add proficiency bonus if the cell has completed a successful Harpers mission in the last month.
===Unconnected (Rank 0)===
+
* '''Favors & Contacts (Harpers):''' If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts specifically tied to the Harpers, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Connections, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Connections investment.
* Little to no connections to the rest of the Harpers.
 
* The cell does not have a Brightcandle who oversees them.
 
* Cannot make Assistance or Harper Cache checks.
 
* No access to Cell Actions or Harper Boons.
 
* Each month, there is a 10% chance that other Harpers will begin an investigation into the cell, curious as to who these people who claim to be Harpers are, when no Harper they know will claim them.
 
===Minor Connections (Rank 1)===
 
* Very light connections; a Brightcandle oversees them, but has doubts about their adherence to Harper ideals and protocols.
 
* May make Assistance checks at disadvantage.
 
* Cannot make Harper Cache checks.
 
* No access to Cell Actions or Harper Boons.
 
* 5% chance of Harper Entanglements.
 
===Moderate Connections (Rank 2)===
 
* Acceptable connections, with a Brightcandle solidly invested in them.
 
* They also know a few of the non-cell Harpers in the area, or those who wander through it occasionally.
 
* May make Assistance checks.
 
* May make Harper Cache checks at disadvantage.
 
* No access to Cell Actions or Harper Boons.
 
* 10% chance of Harper Entanglements.
 
===Notable Connections (Rank 3)===
 
* Solid connections, with an enthusiastic Brightcandle overseeing them.
 
* The cell is also acquainted with many of the non-cell and wandering Harpers of the region.
 
* They have also made the acquaintance of at least one other Brightcandle in their region.
 
* May make Assistance and Harper Cache checks.
 
* The cell has one Cell Action usable by all its members.
 
* No access to Harper Boons.
 
* 12% chance of Harper Entanglements.
 
===Major Connections (Rank 4)===
 
* Strong connections, with a very favorable Brightcandle.
 
* They know most of the other non-cell Harpers and multiple Brightcandles in the area.
 
* The cell has been introduced and given the means to contact their Brightcandle's Wise Owl superior in the faction.
 
* May make Assistance checks at advantage.
 
* May make Harper Cache checks.
 
* The cell has one Cell Action usable by all its members.
 
* Each member of the cell may choose a single Harper Charm. At the beginning of every month, if they have already expended that Blessing, they gain another of their choice.
 
* 15% chance of Harper Entanglements.
 
===Integral Connections (Rank 5)===
 
* Central ties to the Harpers, with a Brightcandle overseeing them.
 
* The cell know other Brightcandles, and of their cells (able to recognize them on sight, though the reverse is likely not true).
 
* They know multiple Wise Owls, and are in contact with at least one of the High Harpers.
 
* May make Assistance and Harper Cache checks at advantage.
 
* The cell has two Cell Actions usable by all its members.
 
* Each member of the cell gains a Harper Blessing. This is in addition to the Harper Charm each has.
 
* 20% chance of Harper Entanglements.
 
===Traits===
 
The following Traits are part of a cell's Connections.
 
====Assistance Checks====
 
x
 
====Harper Cache====
 
Each cell has a cache assigned to them. The Harper superiors over them take steps to place items within that cache for the group's use, although the contents of the cache can change from time to time. The consumable items and coin in a cache are expected to be used up, but permanent magic items are to be taken on a "in the immediate term" basis, and expected to be returned to the cache when the Harper is done with them. Exactly how long is reasonable is left to the Harper's discretion, but should a cell gain the reputation of hoarding the faction's resources, they may find the contents of their caches drop off sharply until the cell comes to appreciate the system again. Cache contents are changed monthly.
 
 
 
'''Cache Checks:''' The cache check is a simple d20 check, with a bonus equal to the cell's Connections rank.
 
 
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
! width="100" | Check || width="200" | Cache Contents
+
! Rank || Description || [[Harper Assistance Checks|Assistance]] || [[Harper Cache Checks|Cache]] || [[Harper Cell Actions|Cell Actions]] || [[Harper Boons|Boons]] || [[Harper Cell Complications|Entanglements]]
|-
 
| 0 - 9 || 2d20 gold pieces, one ''potion of healing''
 
 
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
 
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
| 10 - 12 || Common cache
+
| 0 || '''Unconnected.''' Little to no connections to the rest of the Harpers. The cell does not have a Brightcandle who oversees them. ''10% chance per month that Harpers launch an investigation into the group.'' || None || None || None || None || None
|-  
+
|-
| 13 - 15 || Uncommon cache
+
| 1 || '''Minor.''' Very light connections; a Brightcandle oversees them, but has doubts about their adherence to Harper ideals and protocols. || Disadvantage || Disadvantage || None || None || 10% per month
 
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
 
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
| 16 - 18 || Rare cache
+
| 2 || '''Moderate.''' Acceptable connections, with a Brightcandle solidly invested in them. They also know a few of the non-cell Harpers in the area, or those who wander through it occasionally. || Normal || Disadvantage || None || None || 15% per month
|-  
+
|-
| 19 - 21 || Very Rare cache
+
| 3 || '''Notable.''' Solid connections, with an enthusiastic Brightcandle overseeing them. The cell is also acquainted with many of the non-cell and wandering Harpers of the region. They have also made the acquaintance of at least one other Brightcandle in their region. || Normal || Normal || 1/mission || None || 15% per month
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
+
|-style="background:gainsboro;"  
| 22 - 24 || Epic Cache
+
| 4 || '''Major.''' Strong connections, with a very favorable Brightcandle. They know most of the other non-cell Harpers and multiple Brightcandles in the area. The cell has been introduced and given the means to contact their Brightcandle's Wise Owl superior in the faction. || Advantage || Normal || 1/mission || 1 Charm || 20% per month
|-  
+
|-
| 25+ || Legendary Cache
+
| 5 || '''Integral.''' Central ties to the Harpers, with a Brightcandle overseeing them. The cell know other Brightcandles, and of their cells (able to recognize them on sight, though the reverse is likely not true). They know multiple Wise Owls, and are in contact with at least one of the High Harpers. || Advantage || Advantage || 2/mission || 1 Charm + 1 Blessing || 25% per month
 
|}
 
|}
====Cell Actions====
 
''Cell actions'' are specialized actions that are treated as Lair Actions for Harpers, but only while they are on a mission (the mission acts as their Lair, in other words). Teams train to use these in preparation. At the onset of a mission, the cell as a whole chooses a number of Cell Actions that they have available during that mission.
 
 
====Harper Boons====
 
The gods who blessed the Harpers at their founding continue to watch after their efforts, aiding them in small supernatural ways as they uphold the Harper Code and its ideals.
 
* '''Charms:''' [[Harper Charm]]s are minor magics, which can frequently be invoked once, twice, or thrice before the magic is spent.
 
* '''Blessings:''' [[Harper Blessing]]s are more potent empowerments, investing the Harper with benefits that are permanent as long as the Harper has that Blessing. Falling from favor in some way can cause the revocation of those Blessings.
 
====Harper Entanglements====
 
''Harper Entanglements'' are the problems that sometimes crop up when one is a Harper in association with others. Anything from suspicion of treachery or being a double-agent to enemies seeking one group of Harpers finding the cell instead to old vendettas against the Harpers as whole coming home to roost. For each rank of Connections, there is an increased chance of something of that sort occurring. The exact details are in the DM's keeping.
 
 
 
* Assistance Checks
 
* Harper Cache Checks
 
* Cell Actions
 
* Harper Blessings
 
* Harper Charms
 
  
 
==Watchers==
 
==Watchers==
 
This Aspect measures the expansiveness of the cell's Watcher Network. Made up of folk who simply keep an eye out for things of interest to the Harpers, and are paid coin and favors for their attention, the Watchers are a key role in how Harpers operate. Harpers are also taught the signs, codes, and songs that they need to use to signal to any Watchers nearby that they need help. Generally, they need only perform one of these, and the Watcher will approach the Harper when they can do so covertly. They can also be the source of unwelcome entanglements, as Watchers are promised assistance in times of need.
 
This Aspect measures the expansiveness of the cell's Watcher Network. Made up of folk who simply keep an eye out for things of interest to the Harpers, and are paid coin and favors for their attention, the Watchers are a key role in how Harpers operate. Harpers are also taught the signs, codes, and songs that they need to use to signal to any Watchers nearby that they need help. Generally, they need only perform one of these, and the Watcher will approach the Harper when they can do so covertly. They can also be the source of unwelcome entanglements, as Watchers are promised assistance in times of need.
* '''Building Watchers:''' Charisma (Persuasion or Performance) check.
+
* '''Building Watchers:''' ''Charisma (Persuasion or Performance)'' check.
===No Network (Rank 0)===
+
* '''Favors & Contacts:''' If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Watchers, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Watchers investment.
* No Watcher Network whatsoever. This costs nothing per month.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
* The cell generates no Rumors and may not make Report tests.
+
! Rank || Network + Cost || Rumors || [[Harper Watcher Reports|Reports]] || [[Harper Watcher Summons|Summons]] || [[Harper Cell Complications#Watcher Concerns|Concerns]]
* No chance of Watcher Summons or Watcher Concerns.
+
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
===Minor Network (Rank 1)===
+
| 0 || '''No Network.''' The cell has no informants. ''No cost per month''. || None || None || 0% || 0%
* A few rag-tag individuals comprise the cell's Watcher Network. This costs 1 gold piece per month.
+
|-
* The cell generates one Rumor per month.
+
| 1 || '''Minor Network.''' A few rag-tag individuals. ''1 gp/month''. || 1 || Disadvantage || 20% || 10%
* The cell may make Report tests at disadvantage.
+
|-style="background:gainsboro;"
* Using Watcher Summons has a 20% change of finding someone in a public area.
+
| 2 || '''Moderate Network.''' A handful of keen-eyed and dedicated folk. ''3 gp/month'' || 1 || Normal || 25% || 15%
* 5% chance of Watcher Concerns.
+
|-
===Moderate Network (Rank 2)===
+
| 3 || '''Notable Network.''' A robust and aware collection of informants. ''5 gp/month'' || 2 || Normal || 30% || 15%
* The cell's Watcher Network is a handful of keen-eyed folk. This costs 3 gold pieces per month.
+
|-style="background:gainsboro;"
* The cell generates one Rumor per month.
+
| 4 || '''Major Network.''' A strong collection, made up of dozens of informants. ''10 gp/month''. || 3 || Advantage || 35% || 20%
* The cell may make Report tests.
+
|-
* Using Watcher Summons has a 25% change of finding someone in a public area.
+
| 5 || '''Vast Network.''' A large, busy network; very little of note escapes them. ''20 gp/month''. || 5 || Advantage || 40% || 25%
* 10% chance of Watcher Concerns.
+
|-
===Notable Network (Rank 3)===
+
|}
* The cell's Watcher Network is robust and aware. This costs 5 gold pieces per month.
+
 
* The cell generates two Rumors per month.
 
* The cell may make Report tests.
 
* Using Watcher Summons has a 30% change of finding someone in a public area.
 
* 12% chance of Watcher Concerns.
 
===Major Network (Rank 4)===
 
* This Watcher Network is strong, made up of dozens of informants. This costs 10 gold pieces per month.
 
* The cell generates three Rumors per month.
 
* The cell may make Report tests at advantage.
 
* Using Watcher Summons has a 35% change of finding someone in a public area.
 
* 15% chance of Watcher Concerns.
 
===Vast Network (Rank 5)===
 
* The cell's Watcher Network is large, busy, and very little of note escapes them. This costs 20 gold per month.
 
* The cell generates four Rumors per month.
 
* The cell may make Report tests at advantage.
 
* Using Watcher Summons has a 40% change of finding someone in a public area.
 
* 20% chance of Watcher Concerns.
 
===Traits===
 
* Rumors
 
* Reports
 
* Watcher Concerns
 
 
==Allies==
 
==Allies==
This Aspect measures the number and nature of a cell's local allies. Unlike Watchers, allies do more than simply focus on information: they lend manpower, influence, and even funding to the cell. Allies believe in what the Harpers do, and wish to help, although they can be a source of problems.
+
This Aspect measures the number and nature of a cell's local allies. Unlike Watchers, allies do more than simply focus on information: they lend influence and funding to the cell. Allies believe in what the Harpers do, and wish to help, although they can be a source of problems.
* '''Building Allies:''' Charisma (Persuasion or Performance) check.
+
* '''Building Allies:''' ''Charisma (Persuasion or Performance)'' check.
===No Allies (Rank 0)===
+
* '''Favors & Contacts:''' If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts tied to important or influential folk, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Allies, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Allies investment.
* The cell has no allies.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
* It cannot make Assistance, Influence, or Funding checks.
+
! Rank || Established Allies ||[[Harper Cell Ally Influence|Influence]] || [[Harper Cell Ally Funding|Funding]] || [[Harper Cell Complications|Ally Problems]]
* No chance of Ally Problems.
+
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
===Minor Allies (Rank 1)===
+
| 0 || '''No Allies.''' The cell has no allies.|| None || None || 0%
* The cell has an ally of some degree of power. This is an individual.
+
|-
* Choose one type of check from Assistance, Influence, or Funding. The cell may now make checks of that kind at disadvantage.
+
| 1 || '''Minor Allies.''' The cell has an ally of some degree of power. This is an individual.<br>* Choose one type of check: Influence or Funding. The cell may make that type of check at Disadvantage. || None* || None* || 10%
* 5% chance of Ally Problems.
+
|-style="background:gainsboro;"
===Moderate Allies (Rank 2)===
+
| 2 || '''Moderate Allies.''' The cell has a few scattered allies who believe in their work. Choose up to three individuals.<br>* Choose one type of check: Influence or Funding. The cell may make that type of check as normal. || Disadvantage* || Disadvantage* || 15%
* The cell has a few scattered allies who believe in their work. Choose up to three individuals.
+
|-
* The check from Rank 1 may now be performed normally. The other two checks can now be made at disadvantage.
+
| 3 || '''Notable Allies.''' The cell has a respectable group of allies. Choose one organization, and up to five individuals. || Normal || Normal || 15%
* 10% chance of Ally Problems.
+
|-style="background:gainsboro;"
===Notable Allies (Rank 3)===
+
| 4 || '''Major Allies.''' The cell has a robust group of allies. Choose three organizations, and up to eight individuals.<br>* Choose one type of check: Influence or Funding. The cell may make that type of check at Advantage. || Normal* || Normal* || 20%
* The cell has a respectable group of allies. Choose one organization, and up to five individuals.
+
|-
* The cell may now make Assistance, Influence, and Funding checks normally.
+
| 5 || '''Numerous Allies.''' The cell has an impressive array of allies. Choose up to ten organizations, and as many as a dozen individuals of note. || Advantage || Advantage || 25%
* 12% chance of Ally Problems.
+
|-
===Major Allies (Rank 4)===
+
|}
* The cell has a robust group of allies. Choose three organizations, and up to eight individuals.
+
===Allies Check===
* Choose one type of check from Assistance, Influence, or Funding. The cell may now make checks of that kind at advantage.
+
The assistance check is a simple d20 check, with a bonus equal to the cell's Alllies rank. A cell may choose the results from lower on the assistance check list if they wish. This prevents the accumulation of the Increasing Penalty point, as noted below.
* 15% chance of Ally Problems.
+
* '''Increasing Penalty:''' If the test results in successful Influence or Funding of some kind, inflict a -1 penalty to subsequent Allies checks ''with that Ally''. This is both cumulative with future rolls and remains until it goes away in one of three ways.
===Numerous Allies (Rank 5)===
+
** ''Investment Increase:'' When another point of Investment is added to the Allies trait, reduce the current penalty by one.
* The cell has an impressive array of allies. Choose up to ten organizations, and as many as a dozen individuals of note.
+
** ''Giving It Time:'' For each month that passes that the cell does not attempt to call on Allies (i.e. does not make an Allies Check), reduce the current penalty by one.
* The cell may now make Assistance, Influence, and Funding checks at advantage.
+
** ''Rank Increase:'' When the Allies rank increases or decreases, reset the penalty to 0.
* 20% chance of Ally Problems.
+
 
===Traits===
 
* Assistance Checks
 
* Influence Checks
 
* Funding Checks
 
* Ally Problems
 
 
==Security==
 
==Security==
 
This Aspect stands in opposition to all the other Aspects. It indicates the degree of secrecy, security, and operational paranoia the cell maintains. Security can ensure that it is more difficult for a cell's enemies to find them, but it can also make it harder to keep the other Aspects strong: secretive cells sometimes must sacrifice outside Harper connections, robust Watcher Networks, and extensive Allies in order to keep themselves safe.
 
This Aspect stands in opposition to all the other Aspects. It indicates the degree of secrecy, security, and operational paranoia the cell maintains. Security can ensure that it is more difficult for a cell's enemies to find them, but it can also make it harder to keep the other Aspects strong: secretive cells sometimes must sacrifice outside Harper connections, robust Watcher Networks, and extensive Allies in order to keep themselves safe.
* '''Building Security:''' Intelligence check. May add proficiency bonus if proficient in Deceit or Stealth.
+
* '''Building Security:''' Intelligence check. May add proficiency bonus if proficient in Deception, Investigation, or Stealth.
===No Security (Rank 0)===
+
* '''Favors & Contacts:''' If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Security, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Security investment.
* The cell has neither security nor secrecy: for all intents and purposes, they operate out in public, and nearly anyone who knows of them can find them.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
* Checks made by enemies to locate the cell automatically succeed.
+
! Rank || Security ||[[Harper Cell Safehouses|Safehouses]] || [[Harper Cell Locating the Cell|Locating the Cell]] || [[Harper Cell Complications|Security Concerns]]
* No chance of Security Concerns.
+
|- style="background:gainsboro;"
===Minor Security (Rank 1)===
+
| 0 || '''No Security.''' The cell has neither security nor secrecy: for all intents and purposes, they operate out in public, and nearly anyone who knows of them can find them.|| 0 || Automatic || 0%
* The cell's security is scarce and only somewhat effective.
+
|-
* May have up to two safehouses, of Rank 1.
+
| 1 || '''Minor Security.''' The cell's security is scarce and only somewhat effective. || up to 2 (Rank 1 max) || Advantage || 10%
* Checks made by enemies to locate the cell are made at advantage.
+
|-style="background:gainsboro;"
* 5% chance of Security Concerns.
+
| 2 || '''Moderate Security.''' The cell takes some precautions, which tend to be of some benefit. || up to 4 (Rank 2 max) || Normal || 15%
===Moderate Security (Rank 2)===
+
|-
* The cell takes some precautions, which tend to be of some benefit.
+
| 3 || '''Notable Security.''' The cell's security and secrecy are solid, allowing them to operate freely and effectively. || up to 6 (Rank 3 max) || Normal || 15%
* May have up to four safehouses, of up to Rank 2.
+
|-style="background:gainsboro;"
* Checks made by enemies to locate the cell are made normally.
+
| 4 || '''Major Security.''' The cell's precautions are such that even their allies sometimes lose track of them. Other Traits cannot go above 4. || up to 8 (Rank 4 max) || Disadvantage || 20%
* 10% chance of Security Concerns.
+
|-
===Notable Security (Rank 3)===
+
| 5 || '''Abundant Security.''' The cell is ghost-like in their ability to remain out of reach. Other Traits cannot go above 3. || up to 10 (Rank 5 max) || Disadvantage || 25%
* The cell's security and secrecy are solid, allowing them to operate freely and effectively.
+
|-
* May have up to six safehouses, of up to Rank 3.
+
|}
* Checks made by enemies to locate the cell are made normally.
 
* 12% chance of Security Concerns.
 
===Major Security (Rank 4)===
 
* The cell's precautions are such that even their allies sometimes lose track of them.
 
* May have up to eight safehouses, of up to Rank 4.
 
* Checks made by enemies to locate the cell are made at disadvantage.
 
* 15% chance of Security Concerns.
 
===Intense Security (Rank 5)===
 
* The cell is ghost-like in their ability to remain out of reach.
 
* May have up to ten safehouses, of up to Rank 5.
 
* Checks made by enemies to locate the cell are made at disadvantage.
 
* 20% chance of Security Concerns.
 
===Traits===
 
* Safehouses
 
* Locating the Cell
 
* Security Concerns
 

Latest revision as of 14:49, 12 December 2019

The Harper cell is the base unit of operation for Harpers. They consist of a gathering of talented individuals, under the direction of a Brightcandle.

  • Monthly Checks: Connections (Cache, Entanglements), Watchers (Concerns), Allies (Problems), Security (Locating the Cell [Hearing About It All], Concerns)

Aspects

Ranks: Aspects are ranked, from 0 to 5.

  • Rank 0: 0 Investment.
  • Rank 1: 1 Investment.
  • Rank 2: 3 Investment.
  • Rank 3: 10 Investment.
  • Rank 4: 25 Investment.
  • Rank 5: 50 Investment.

Complications: The higher an Aspect is ranked, the likelier it is to cause difficulties for the cell. There is a percentage chance each month of generating a Complication from any given Aspect.

Building Aspects

Each Aspect has a Downtime Action associated with it, the "Building [Aspect]" action. This is a Skill check for each of them, with an expenditure of gold equal to [Current Rating x10] gold pieces. Success generates additional Investment for that Aspect, while failure can often erode Investment. The DC for this test is equal to 10 + (Rank x2). The results determine the change in that Aspect's Investment:

  • Failure by 5+: lose 2 Investment
  • Failure: lose 1 investment
  • Success: gain 1 Investment
  • Success by 5+: gain 2 Investment

Connections

This Aspect represents the cell's involvement with the rest of the Harper faction. This is political, but it is also ideological and even magical to some extent: a high Connections rating provides access to certain Harper secrets that those who do not adhere well to its traditions and goals cannot access.

  • Building Connections: Wisdom check. May add proficiency bonus if the cell has completed a successful Harpers mission in the last month.
  • Favors & Contacts (Harpers): If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts specifically tied to the Harpers, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Connections, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Connections investment.
Rank Description Assistance Cache Cell Actions Boons Entanglements
0 Unconnected. Little to no connections to the rest of the Harpers. The cell does not have a Brightcandle who oversees them. 10% chance per month that Harpers launch an investigation into the group. None None None None None
1 Minor. Very light connections; a Brightcandle oversees them, but has doubts about their adherence to Harper ideals and protocols. Disadvantage Disadvantage None None 10% per month
2 Moderate. Acceptable connections, with a Brightcandle solidly invested in them. They also know a few of the non-cell Harpers in the area, or those who wander through it occasionally. Normal Disadvantage None None 15% per month
3 Notable. Solid connections, with an enthusiastic Brightcandle overseeing them. The cell is also acquainted with many of the non-cell and wandering Harpers of the region. They have also made the acquaintance of at least one other Brightcandle in their region. Normal Normal 1/mission None 15% per month
4 Major. Strong connections, with a very favorable Brightcandle. They know most of the other non-cell Harpers and multiple Brightcandles in the area. The cell has been introduced and given the means to contact their Brightcandle's Wise Owl superior in the faction. Advantage Normal 1/mission 1 Charm 20% per month
5 Integral. Central ties to the Harpers, with a Brightcandle overseeing them. The cell know other Brightcandles, and of their cells (able to recognize them on sight, though the reverse is likely not true). They know multiple Wise Owls, and are in contact with at least one of the High Harpers. Advantage Advantage 2/mission 1 Charm + 1 Blessing 25% per month

Watchers

This Aspect measures the expansiveness of the cell's Watcher Network. Made up of folk who simply keep an eye out for things of interest to the Harpers, and are paid coin and favors for their attention, the Watchers are a key role in how Harpers operate. Harpers are also taught the signs, codes, and songs that they need to use to signal to any Watchers nearby that they need help. Generally, they need only perform one of these, and the Watcher will approach the Harper when they can do so covertly. They can also be the source of unwelcome entanglements, as Watchers are promised assistance in times of need.

  • Building Watchers: Charisma (Persuasion or Performance) check.
  • Favors & Contacts: If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Watchers, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Watchers investment.
Rank Network + Cost Rumors Reports Summons Concerns
0 No Network. The cell has no informants. No cost per month. None None 0% 0%
1 Minor Network. A few rag-tag individuals. 1 gp/month. 1 Disadvantage 20% 10%
2 Moderate Network. A handful of keen-eyed and dedicated folk. 3 gp/month 1 Normal 25% 15%
3 Notable Network. A robust and aware collection of informants. 5 gp/month 2 Normal 30% 15%
4 Major Network. A strong collection, made up of dozens of informants. 10 gp/month. 3 Advantage 35% 20%
5 Vast Network. A large, busy network; very little of note escapes them. 20 gp/month. 5 Advantage 40% 25%

Allies

This Aspect measures the number and nature of a cell's local allies. Unlike Watchers, allies do more than simply focus on information: they lend influence and funding to the cell. Allies believe in what the Harpers do, and wish to help, although they can be a source of problems.

  • Building Allies: Charisma (Persuasion or Performance) check.
  • Favors & Contacts: If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts tied to important or influential folk, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Allies, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Allies investment.
Rank Established Allies Influence Funding Ally Problems
0 No Allies. The cell has no allies. None None 0%
1 Minor Allies. The cell has an ally of some degree of power. This is an individual.
* Choose one type of check: Influence or Funding. The cell may make that type of check at Disadvantage.
None* None* 10%
2 Moderate Allies. The cell has a few scattered allies who believe in their work. Choose up to three individuals.
* Choose one type of check: Influence or Funding. The cell may make that type of check as normal.
Disadvantage* Disadvantage* 15%
3 Notable Allies. The cell has a respectable group of allies. Choose one organization, and up to five individuals. Normal Normal 15%
4 Major Allies. The cell has a robust group of allies. Choose three organizations, and up to eight individuals.
* Choose one type of check: Influence or Funding. The cell may make that type of check at Advantage.
Normal* Normal* 20%
5 Numerous Allies. The cell has an impressive array of allies. Choose up to ten organizations, and as many as a dozen individuals of note. Advantage Advantage 25%

Allies Check

The assistance check is a simple d20 check, with a bonus equal to the cell's Alllies rank. A cell may choose the results from lower on the assistance check list if they wish. This prevents the accumulation of the Increasing Penalty point, as noted below.

  • Increasing Penalty: If the test results in successful Influence or Funding of some kind, inflict a -1 penalty to subsequent Allies checks with that Ally. This is both cumulative with future rolls and remains until it goes away in one of three ways.
    • Investment Increase: When another point of Investment is added to the Allies trait, reduce the current penalty by one.
    • Giving It Time: For each month that passes that the cell does not attempt to call on Allies (i.e. does not make an Allies Check), reduce the current penalty by one.
    • Rank Increase: When the Allies rank increases or decreases, reset the penalty to 0.

Security

This Aspect stands in opposition to all the other Aspects. It indicates the degree of secrecy, security, and operational paranoia the cell maintains. Security can ensure that it is more difficult for a cell's enemies to find them, but it can also make it harder to keep the other Aspects strong: secretive cells sometimes must sacrifice outside Harper connections, robust Watcher Networks, and extensive Allies in order to keep themselves safe.

  • Building Security: Intelligence check. May add proficiency bonus if proficient in Deception, Investigation, or Stealth.
  • Favors & Contacts: If the PCs accumulate any Favors or Contacts, they may "spend" these to gain an additional point of investment in Security, trading one Favor or Contact for a +1 Security investment.
Rank Security Safehouses Locating the Cell Security Concerns
0 No Security. The cell has neither security nor secrecy: for all intents and purposes, they operate out in public, and nearly anyone who knows of them can find them. 0 Automatic 0%
1 Minor Security. The cell's security is scarce and only somewhat effective. up to 2 (Rank 1 max) Advantage 10%
2 Moderate Security. The cell takes some precautions, which tend to be of some benefit. up to 4 (Rank 2 max) Normal 15%
3 Notable Security. The cell's security and secrecy are solid, allowing them to operate freely and effectively. up to 6 (Rank 3 max) Normal 15%
4 Major Security. The cell's precautions are such that even their allies sometimes lose track of them. Other Traits cannot go above 4. up to 8 (Rank 4 max) Disadvantage 20%
5 Abundant Security. The cell is ghost-like in their ability to remain out of reach. Other Traits cannot go above 3. up to 10 (Rank 5 max) Disadvantage 25%