Rulership
Governance Observations
Once the net threat for each of the lord's communities has been calculated, the Season begins. Each month, the lord may make a Governance Observation Check. This is usually a TN 3 Government check (TN 2 Water, TN 4 Void) (4th Edition TN 20 Water Courtier) to learn the Net Threat and Net Prospect of one of the communities over which they rule.
This check can be modified by the GM based on circumstances. A well-distributed communications network and many spies or efficient paperwork might lower the TN, while war or disasters or sabotage might elevate the TN.
If a lord is handling a Peril or Hazard themselves, they will not be able to make their Governance Observation check that month.
A lord may use opportunities on this roll to learn additional information as described in the table below:
This check can be modified by the GM based on circumstances. A well-distributed communications network and many spies or efficient paperwork might lower the TN, while war or disasters or sabotage might elevate the TN.
If a lord is handling a Peril or Hazard themselves, they will not be able to make their Governance Observation check that month.
A lord may use opportunities on this roll to learn additional information as described in the table below:
* |
Current Status and Skill of one Province Administrator and the total number of administrators in the Community. |
* |
List of current Features in the Community |
* * |
Identification of a Hazard within the community |
* * |
Identification of a Peril that threatens a community |
* |
Current TOTAL threat a community is under |
During the monthly Governance check, lords determine the situation within the communities they rule. On a successful roll, they may then convert any Prospect they detected into either Taxes or Influence. Any Prospect that is not spent by the lord by the end of the Season, either on Taxes or on Influence, is lost. Any Threat, however, that is not mitigated by the lord during the season, is saved and added to the Total Threat next season. Gamemasters may choose to convert existing Total Threat into one or more Perils to their communities.
Taxes or Influence may then be used to build features, hire ronin, win the loyalty of retainers, or appeal for help from a greater court. A lord may choose to spend Taxes or Influence from one Community on another Community.
They may then determine how best to address the threats by using the prospect accumulated to benefit the community.
Taxes or Influence may then be used to build features, hire ronin, win the loyalty of retainers, or appeal for help from a greater court. A lord may choose to spend Taxes or Influence from one Community on another Community.
They may then determine how best to address the threats by using the prospect accumulated to benefit the community.
Governance Actions
A lord can make One Governance Action (in addition to their Governance Observation roll) per Month. Sample Actions that a lord can make are:
- Bring on a Retainer
- Replace an Administrator
- Send an Agent to Address a Peril or Hazard
- Build a Feature
- Lobby for Influence or Taxes in Court in The Influence Game
- Seize the Taxes of Other Communities in Mass Battle
- Identify a Hidden Peril
- Gain Information on surrounding communities
- Address a Peril or Hazard directly themselves
A lord may, potentially, have Retainers to help them with these Governance actions.
