Rumours

[GM Yuusha]

Rumours

There will be a daily update of rumours circulating around the Dropsite. Some are planned or will be spontaneously created in relation to player actions and event results by the GMs. Others are up to you. Perhaps you want to suggest that X isn't a good lance lead or that Y is really awesome because you saw him save someone in combat from an assault mech. Either way, you are welcome to create rumours and spread gossip as below.

Spreading Gossip

Characters may use the Negotiation skill to spread gossip. A Negotiation (Gossip)/Awareness roll is needed against a TN equal to 15 plus the target's Fame x5, minus your Fame x5 and the target's Infamy x5. Circumstantial bonuses may apply for rumours relating to very obvious events, such as creating a positive rumour about Z after he smacked down a Militia Commander one on one.

If the rumours involves multiple characters, calculate the TNs for every character involved and then use the highest TN. If the rumours involve no characters at all (whether by name or clear implication), calculate the TN of the rumour as if it involved a Fame 3.0 character (i.e. TN 30). This is useful for talking smack about a group, like all mechwarriors, those from the Draconis Combine, Comstar, etc. Very long rumours (more than 30 words) increase their TN by 5.

Investigating rumours

Gossip can be traced back to its source with a TN 20 Investigation/perception roll and the use of one timeslot to do so. Characters spreading gossip are encouraged to call raises on their gossip rolls; every raise will increase the difficulty of tracking the source of the gossip by 5. Be aware that just because a rumour may be tracked back to your character does not mean there will be any evidence to prove they started it.

Additionally, players should note that failing a gossip roll means the rumour doesn't get off the ground or catch on. It fails. However, failing an investigation roll may mean that you simply fail to find the initiator or you trace the rumour to the wrong source! The difficulty of tracing any of the rumours will not be revealed.

Where to post them

Rumours should be posted in a thread in your PF, along with the actual words to be used. The roll for the rumour should also be included in the post and whether it is successful or not. This saves me time and allows me to copy and paste rumours.

Finally, a separate check must be made for each item of gossip. Characters may spread items of gossip each day up to their Negotiation skill. Gossip does not have to be true or false.