// Social Modifiers :: How to Schmooze like a Pro //

Dave here. Last game session, we saw a few social interaction rolls that happened between player characters and NPCs.  Dorimo tried to negotiate new terms with the Ms. Johnson and met some noticeable resistance, while John Doe had an easy time fast-talking the absent-minded guard at the front gate of Fukushima Gardens.  Social interaction checks sometimes call for opposed rolls, with the conversation leaning towards the winner of the opposed check (net hits can gain further favorable ground in the conversation). Notoriety and Street Cred can also play a factor in social situations. On the bottom of this entry is a table that gives a list of modifiers that can benefit either side of a social interaction test. Become somewhat familiar with these modifiers, and try to use the knowledge to your advantage. Getting dirt on someone or offering a bribe can give a sizeable bonus if used in the right context.

// Picture by Joe Roberts, originally featured in The Mammoth book of Nebula Awards //

Charisma-Linked Opposed Tests

Skill Used	Acting Character Rolls	Target Character Rolls
Con	Con + Charisma	(Con or Negotiation) + Charisma
Etiquette	Etiquette + Charisma	Perception + Charisma
Intimidation	Intimidation + Charisma	Intimidation + Willpower
Leadership	Leadership + Charisma	Leadership + Willpower
Negotiation	Negotiation + Charisma	Negotiation + Charisma

Social Modifiers Table

Social Situations Dice Modifier
With respect to the character, the NPC is:

• Friendly +2
• Neutral +0
• Suspicious –1
• Prejudiced –2
• Hostile –3
• Enemy –4

Character’s desired result is:

• Advantageous to NPC +1
• Of no value to NPC +0
• Annoying to NPC –1
• Harmful to NPC –3
• Disastrous to NPC –4
• Control Thoughts/Emotions spell cast on subject –1 per hit†
• Character has (known) street reputation +Street Cred (p. 265)
• Subject has (known) street reputation –Street Cred (p. 265)
• Subject has “ace in the hole” +2†
• Subject has romantic attraction to character +2
• Character is intoxicated –1‡

Con Modifiers

• Character has plausible-seeming supporting evidence +1 or 2
• Subject is distracted +1
• Subject has plenty of time to evaluate situation –1