Common Tests
REACTION TEST
The Reaction Test can be used by Monitors to establish or measure an NPC’s disposition. A Reaction Test might be making a good impression in their first meeting with a stranger or trying to persuade an NPC that they are allies sent to join them.
Upon first contact, Legends should describe what they are doing or saying to an NPC. Most Monitors will likely have a good idea of what an NPC’s disposition towards the Legends is, but when an NPC’s reaction to the Legend’s presence or actions is in doubt, the Monitor may ask for a Reaction Test, which is typically a CHA×5 test.
Steps in a Reaction Test
- Determine WHO MAKES THE TEST
- Calculate REACTION TEST MODIFIERS
- Determine an NPC’s INITIAL KNOWLEDGE
- Roll the Reaction Test
After these steps are performed, the Monitor will know the NPC’s disposition and have a better idea of what the NPC thinks of the Legends. For more on Disposition, see the NON-PLAYER CHARACTERS section.
WHO MAKES THE TEST?
Which Legend makes the test depends on the circumstances.
- ONE LEGEND: If the Legends attempt to influence an NPC or group of NPCs with a single person making contact, the reaction is based on that person’s Reaction Test.
- MULTIPLE LEGENDS: If the Legends attempt to influence an NPC or group of NPCs with multiple efforts at contact, the reaction is based on the lowest Reaction Test rating among them
REACTION TEST MODIFIERS
The Reaction Test may be modified like any other test, such as a circumstance bonus or penalty determined by a Boost or Bane. Some Boosts or Banes may modify the rating or skill used for the test.
A Reaction Test can be modified by certain Activities, such as Bribe or Coerce. Any modifiers to the Reaction Test are also applied when it is used in other Activities. For more, see FIELDWORK MODE in Section 3.
| EXAMPLES: REACTION TEST MODIFIERS | ||
| Situation | Modifier Type | Bonus or Penalty |
| Legend has done a small favor equal to a Standard Expense | Circumstance | +20% |
| Legend has done a helpful task equal to an Unusual Expense | Circumstance | +30% |
| Legend has done an incredibly helpful task equal to a Major Expense | Circumstance | +40% |
| Legend has created a minor problem equal to a Standard Expense | Circumstance | -20% |
| Legend has created a problem equal to an Unusual Expense | Circumstance | -30% |
| Legend has created a major problem equal to a Major Expense | Circumstance | -40% |
NPC’S INITIAL KNOWLEDGE
The Monitor decides in secret what the NPC thinks or knows of the Legends, either based on prior knowledge, the Legends’ reputation or a gut feeling.
There are three types of initial reaction tests, with each one having to do with what the NPC feels about the Legends: No Prior Knowledge, Favorable, or Unfavorable; the results for each test are different, but determine a Disposition that the NPC has towards the Legends as a result of the test.
The Monitor has the final say on what type of initial reaction test is made by the Legends.
| Initial Reaction Test:For NPCS with No Prior Knowledge of the Legends | |
| Reaction Test | Dispo |
| CRIT SUCCESS | Friendly |
| SUCCESS | Agreeable |
| FAILURE | Suspicious |
| CRIT FAILURE | Hostile |
| Initial Reaction Test: For NPCS with an Unfavorable View of the Legends | |
| Reaction Test | Dispo |
| CRIT SUCCESS | Agreeable |
| SUCCESS | Suspicious |
| FAILURE | Hostile |
| CRIT FAILURE | Unreasonably Hostile |
| Initial Reaction Test: For NPCs with a Favorable View of the Legends | |
| Reaction Test | Dispo |
| CRIT SUCCESS | Devoted |
| SUCCESS | Friendly |
| FAILURE | Agreeable |
| CRIT FAILURE | Suspicious |
STABILITY TEST
While Ability Scores and Skills represent how a Legend attempts to change the world, Stability is a measure of how resistant they are to attempts by the world to change and affect them.
A Legend will no doubt bear witness to terrible sights during their struggles throughout the stars - the death of a close friend, large-scale destruction, and horrible sights of inhumanity and carnage.
When this occurs, the Monitor may call for Stability Tests. A Stability Test consists of rolling a d100 versus a Legend’s current WPx5.
For example, a Legend with 12 WP succeeds at a Stability Test for a dice roll under 60.
Stability Tests can be affected by certain Boosts and Banes.
Failed Stability Tests
Generally, a failed Stability Test results in a further loss of 1d4 WP.
However, on a fumble, the Monitor and player should figure out a Legend’s sympathetic response to perceived danger. Make note of this, as when the Encounter is over, the Legend must make a POWx5 test during the AAR phase, gaining a new Bane related to their experience.
Fumbled Stability Tests
A fumbled Stability test can elicit one of the following reactions:
Fight
A Legend whose response to a failed Stability test is to Fight lashes out randomly at the nearest threat, no matter what. Your Legend chooses to fight until killed, knocked unconscious, or restrained, or until your Legend passes another Stability test after encounter conditions have changed, whichever comes first. Fight is a common reaction to sights of cruelty, violence, and helplessness.
Flee
A Legend whose response to a failed Stability test is to Flee must move as far away from what caused the Stability test at top speed in any direction. The Monitor may have your Legend stop at a place where the Legend feels safe if this happens before reaching Exhaustion. Flee is a common reaction to feelings of helplessness.
This condition persists until your Legend passes another Stability test after encounter conditions have changed or until the Legend has fled for their CON number of turns, at which point they become Exhausted, whichever comes first.
Freeze
A Legend whose response to a failed Stability test is to Freeze may either pass out from shock, be stuck in a state of catatonia, or simply break down into tears or screams of terror. All tests made during this condition incur a 40% status penalty. This condition persists until your Legend passes another Stability test after encounter conditions have changed, or for about 30 minutes.
Such a response might also not be recognizable to your Legend as having happened as their brain suppresses the trauma. Remembering the details prompts an INTx5 test and may trigger another Stability test.
Posture
A Legend whose response to a failed Stability test is to Posture becomes unreasonably confrontational with everyone around them, even friends.
It may cause signs of megalomania or irritation with the way allies do things or in the presence of antagonists, threats and shouting.
Your Legend automatically fails CHAx5 tests and is unable to utilize Bonds.
This condition persists until your Legend passes another Stability test after encounter conditions have changed.
Submit
A Legend whose response to a failed Stability test is to Submit attempts to surrender or gain favor with someone or something that they perceive as being more powerful.
Your Legend may throw down their arms, wave a white flag, or attempt to desert in an attempt to switch sides.
This condition persists until your Legend passes another Stability test after encounter conditions have changed.