A Discussion on Trust

Today we talk about in-game Trust between characters as a “hidden” mechanic in the political/social aspect of roleplaying games.

At its very core, Roleplaying Games have been about the social maneuvering of the Player Characters, as well as their ability to kill things and take their stuff.  Social maneuvering has proven to be a solid aspect of the game, whether it’s haggling with the Mysterious Stranger who walks into the tavern with a map, or the more Byzantine social maneuverings of a local Consilium in Mage: the Awakening.

As such, it’s important to also consider the role that in-game trust plays in a game.  In-game trust is not trust between players, nor is it about the GM and the players.  In-game trust is about trust between Player Characters, as well as between PCs and NPCs.

Player Advice: Information Management

Having recently played through the conclusion of Sheimaruen’s Hunter: the Vigil game set in the the fictional city of Roanapur, Thailand (from the anime “Black Lagoon”) I’ve come to consider how I play in this campaign, and I figure it would make a good discussion.

To be perfectly blunt, the one thing that helped in our success in play: Think things through.

I understand and appreciate the fact that rpgs are meant to be fun and enjoyable… but that doesn’t mean that careful planning doesn’t have a place in it.   Being able to project and figure out a likely scenario based on your course of action, is a skill that everyone should learn to apply on any situation.

Playing on impulse seems fun, but once consequences (the GM’s Best Friend) catch up with you, then you find yourself in trouble.  Some players cry foul when this happens, citing that the GM is being abusive or antagonistic, but that’s not being fair to the GM and his sense of play.

When I run a game, I always consider consequences.  The NPCs, the opposition, and even allies all work on the premise that any actions, whether initiated by NPCs or by the players, will result in a reaction or consequence.  The situation is always in a state of flux, and in order to make sure that you’re always on top, you need to be aware of the situation to the best of your ability.

Here are some tips to keep you in a state of being able to make informed decisions:

• Cui Bono – Who benefits?  This is the core of figuring out your next steps, as well as the actions of those around you.  When something happens… who is it that gains the most out of it?  When your character decides to make a phone call to the cops to rat out an NPC who is in the midst of a heist…. just so you can turn around and bail him out later so you win his trust?  Who benefits?
• Be Informed - Get as much information as you can, without implicating yourself.  The more you know, the more options you have to choose from in terms of feasible actions to take.  Furthermore, this also allows you to cross-reference multiple sources.
• Manage your Info – Not everyone needs to know everything for them to perform tasks that you want them do.  Parcel your information, make sure that you tell people enough for them to do their jobs, and trust you, but not enough that you give them something to blackmail you with.
• Take Notes – My best tool in the entire campaign are my notes.  Names, dates, places, events, take it all down, then sort through them when you’ve got time.  Notes are superior to memory.
• Learn to Doubt – Doubt everyone, and everything.  No such things as a free lunch.  Everyone has a motive.
• Learn who to Trust – That said, Trust is a valuable resource, and once you ascertain you have someone you can trust (and to what degree,) then take care of them.  Don’t burn worthwhile and trustworthy contacts.
• Consequences – Everything has consequences.  Your best bet is to take those under consideration.  Apply your Cost / Benefit Analysis, and heck even your SWOT analysis, before your even make a decision.  When the consequences are in your favor?  Act.
• Exit Strategy – Always have an exit strategy, two if you can manage it.  Never be the one caught holding the smoking gun.

In games where Information, Secrets, Politics and Espionage are the name of the game, these can be life-saving tips.