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Social Dominance

Social Interactions can be more powerful than some may anticipate. In addition to other effects, successful Social Interactions performed on an enemy add Social Dominance Points to the Target. Conversely, successful friendly Social Interactions can remove Dominance Points. With enough Dominance Points, an enemy can even be dissuaded from participating in the Conflict.

A successful Social Interaction adds or subtracts 1, 3, or 7 Dominance Points depending on whether the Interaction was a Success, a Superb Success, or an Epic Success respectively. Affirm interactions do not add or remove Dominance Points. Instead, they add that number of Cancel Up or Cancel Down that negate an equivalent number of Dominance Points that would occur in that direction. For example, a Superb Success on a friendly Affirm Interaction would add 3 Cancel Up, negating the next 3 Dominance Points that would be added to the Target. A Superb Success on an Affirm enemy Interaction would add 3 Cancel Down, negating the next 3 Dominance Points that would be removed from the Target. Up to 7 Cancel Up or Cancel Down can be applied each direction at one time. Cancel Up and Cancel Down cannot be accumulated before a Parley and/or a Conflict. They will carry over from a Parley into any subsequent Conflict but are removed at the Host's discretion once there is not a Parley or Conflict currently in effect. Dominance Points added by Social Interactions apply to the same total regardless of the Motive used to achieve them.

While a character has at least 4 Dominance Points applied to them, their opponents have one Level of Social Dominance over them. While this is the case, the character will suffer the following effects beginning immediately. 

Social Dominance Level 1 

  • Bane:1 to friendly Social Interactions targeting the elohim
  • Bane:1 to Social Interactions made by the elohim
  • Bane:2 to Self-Targeting Social Interactions made by the elohim

Once a character has at least 7 Dominance Points, their opponents have achieved Total Social Dominance over them. While this is the case, the character will cease fighting their opponents immediately. The character will flee the Conflict, surrender, make a tactical withdrawal, or whatever the Host deems most appropriate. If the Dominance Points are brought below 7, the character may stay around, but will not engage. If the Dominance Points are brought below 4, the character will engage again. Social Dominance Points cannot be raised above 12.

Total Social Dominance 

  • Cease fighting unless Social Dominance is brought below 7
  • Bane:2 to friendly Social Interactions targeting the elohim
  • Social Interactions by the elohim are not possible
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