Many organizations exist in Arith and a complete list of organizations would be impossible to provide, but as the saying goes, “all politics is local”. Even kingdom-spanning organizations such as the Arcanum are broken up into different branches, and each branch is an organization unto itself. Only at the upper tiers of an organization does a member see the big picture.
Once a character joins an organization, they can begin to earn Prestige in that organization. Prestige represents the political sway a person has within the group, and is used to gain favors, access goods and services, or request boons from the organization. You earn Prestige by completing quests and assignments for the group as well as supporting their goals and agendas, you lose Prestige by taking actions that run contrary to the well-being of the organization or its main goals or agendas. Certain amounts of Prestige are often prerequisites for earning rank in the guild or requesting certain boons from the organization.
Renown and Prestige
Renown represents the amount of work you have done for the organization, while Prestige your status. You earn Renown by working in the organization during downtime, performing missions and favors that align with the guild's outlook and goals. You can lose Renown by being caught working contrary to the guild's goals or calling unwanted attention towards the organization.
Prestige equals your Renown plus your level. Even if you don't spend a lot of time in the Arcanum's halls, the fact that you are able to cast spells of the 4th order (7th level) means that you can garner a lot of respect and favor. It looks good for the organization to keep you around. Players need to keep track of their Renown and Prestige totals separately.
The Following Downtime Actions are available to characters who are part of an organization, or want to be.
Join Organization
Downtime Action, 1 week
There are two ways a character can be a member of an organization. Player characters can start the game as a member of one organization with a Prestige of 1 (Renown 0 + Level 1). If a player wants to join an organization later, they petition the guild for membership.
The Player and DM will work out or roleplay the induction or the interaction. It may require a test or some sort, or an entry fee, or being sent on a mission.
Earn Renown
Downtime Action, 1 week (varies)
The character spends a week working at the organization. Keep track of the number of weeks worked, which do not have to be continuous. When you have worked a number of weeks equal to your Renown +1, you automatically gain a point of Renown.
If you gain renown while also earning it, you do not lose the weeks you've invested. It's just the total number of weeks would increase.
Example: Tinvalian is a 5th level wizard of the Prismatic Order. He has 4 Renown. He needs to work for 5 weeks to gain the next point of Renown. He has worked 3 weeks Earning Renown. He goes on a major mission for the guild and on returning, his Renown increases to 6. He now needs to work 7 weeks to Earn another point of Renown, but he has already completed 3.
Gain Prestige
Downtime Action, 1 week
You spend a week in the organization telling tales of your exploits and showing off your new abilities. At the end of the week, you and the DM determine how many points of Renown you earn for any adventuring aligned to the goals of the organization (or missions undertaken), to which you add your level for a new Prestige Total.
If that Prestige Total is enough to gain a new rank in the organization, you gain that rank and any benefits it entails.
Note: Characters do not automatically gain Renown and Prestige when adventuring, they need to spend downtime at the organization to increase those values.
Example: Tinvalian of the Prismatic Order is a 5th level wizard with 4 Renown, he has 9 Prestige. A Robed Master sends him on a mission to investigate rumors of a magical tome under the ruins of Dragonsgate Keep. He returns from the quest and spends a week regaling the Order with tales of his saving a village from an ogre's raid, plunging into the ogre's den, then traveling to Dragonsgate Keep and finding the magical tome. He gained a level during the adventure and is now level 6.
The DM says that saving the village with flashy spellcasting is good for the reputation of the Order (+1 Renown), plunging into the ogre's den might be fascinating to a fighter's guild, but doesn't do much for the Order, bringing back the tome is worth another point of Renown. Tinvalian changes his Renown to 6 and his prestige to 12. He gains the Rank of Robed Mage (10 Prestige), and learns the Signature Spell ability that all Robed Mages are capable of.
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