Brands DC - Duelists

Duelist Life

What Are Brands?

The Clothing Brands of Diamond City - the big ones anyway, provide more than just the service of selling clothing. The Brand or Brands that you wear say something about you, and in some cases they say it loudly. As a Duelist brands are even more important. Getting a Brand to sponsor you is almost mandatory if you want to become an official Duelist and join the fight to save the city. Becoming a Duelist requires special training with Dueling devices, special equipment, insurance, licensing, and other expenses that most casual players of the Crux card game cannot afford. Being sponsored by a brand means being able to play Crux in a professional capacity, not to mention a paycheck, but it comes with the responsibility of representing the Brand and it's values both in and out of combat.

Brand Staples

Each Brand has worked with N5 to create a brand-specific Staple card. This promo card is given only to Duelists who have entered into a sponsorship with a brand, and is expected to be returned when that sponsorship ends. It acts as both a functional card in the staple deck, and a kind of key card that proves you are sponsored by a specific brand and are allowed access to that Brand's facilities and events.

Brand Moves

Each Brand has a particular influence and reputation among the people, and their aesthetic choices emphasize this. When you walk the walk and talk the talk, you begin to have an effect on people that you may not have if you weren't sponsored by this brand. By becoming sponsored by a brand, you gain access to a special Brand Move that defines the capacity with which you engage with the people or representatives of other brands.

Rivalries and Partnerships

It's probably somewhat obvious, but Brands at the end of the day are served by their interests as a business. While most Duelists at the end of the day want to fight the good fight, the Brands themselves are always vying for supremacy in the commercial market and by extension, the hearts of the public. The natural consequence of this rat race is rivalries, partnerships, and tenuous truces. The landscape of this corporate struggle has trickle-down effects among the Brand Representatives and Duelists who are expected to espouse the brand's values. When those values clash, as they often do, so do the Duelists who are bound to them.

General Move: Pursue a Brand Deal

When you Pursue a Brand Deal, explain to the judge how you've met the brand's requirements (listed in each Brand's page) and roll + that brand's favoured stat.
On a 10+, you meet their standards; the judge will explain what they expect from you next, if anything.
On a 7-9, you've caught their interest, but choose one.

They have reservations about you that need addressing; the judge will explain what.
They have pressing issues of their own before they can offer any sponsorships; the judge will elaborate.
You do something you regret while trying to earn their interest; explain what you did, and why it matters to you.

On a 6-, the deal falls through. Gain baggage, and you'll need to meet their requirements again before reaching out to them.

Other Options

Due to the enormous impact that Brand affiliations can have on the daily lives of people in Diamond City, certain General Moves have added options dealing with Brands and Brand Identity.