Notoriety

Notoriety, shorthand NR, is the measure of a character’s trustworthiness as viewed by the greater public or common society within any major domain. Actions which cause NR shifts may be negative or positive, and a character’s target NR (described below) may be adjusted due to their race or background. Actions which cause negative NR shifts will be described on the page of each major domain: Barovia, Borca, and Cordova.

The Notoriety Spectrum

Notoriety is exposed to the player through five different thresholds on an overall spectrum. It may be presumed that their character is aware how a domain’s society perceives them. Though exact numerics are obscured from the player when looking at the character’s NR in the character sheet or with the !menu chat command, players will be notified when their NR is close to the nearest positive or negative threshold. The character’s Presence is a factor—characters who have a strong presence will resist negative shifts better than characters who have a weak presence, and those with weak presence will come into those shifts easier.

Hostile

The character has made grievous faux-pas or otherwise wronged society to such an extent that they are ostracized and disbarred from almost all services in a settlement and may even be excised from that settlement by arms-bearing authorities. Caliban who do not adequately cover themselves begin play with Hostile NR in the major domains.

Disfavored

The character is unusual or has done something to attract suspicion. They have access to most of a settlement’s services but may face worse rates, less product, or be refused altogether in some upscale establishments. A plurality of humanoid races begin play with Disfavored NR in the major domains.

Neutral

The character is unremarkable and has little to no record with the domain authorities. They have access to services inside a settlement as a baseline and potentially opportunities to enter more exclusive establishments. Most humans begin play with Neutral NR in the major domains.

Favored

The character is established and ingratiates well with society. They have access to better services and may have reduced rates or new choices previously unavailable. Most native humans of a major domain begin play with Favored NR within that domain. Favored is the maximum possible NR achievable through automatic sources in The Domains of Dread.

Trusted

The character is a known, welcome quantity who has demonstrated to be useful and benevolent with society. They have the best access to services and carry an amount of leeway with requests they make regarding domain authorities. Though no character begins play with Trusted NR it may be earned through conscious action in any given major domain as handed down by Game Masters.

Target Notoriety

A player may at any time observe their target NR for a given major domain, usually the NR they would have had if they began play in that domain. Their present NR will shift toward their target NR IRT, determinant to their Presence for how slow or quickly. A character’s target NR may be adjusted, including from race or background, due to actions made during play such as if they are corrupted or persecuted by the domain authorities.