Leverage (sage ability)
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Leverage is an authority-status sage ability in the study of Politics, allowing the character to call upon a follower for a favour. The follower must have been associated with the character for at least a month and must be officially recognised as such by the DM.
Contents
The skilled character can invoke leverage once every six months, requesting up to one week of service from the follower. During this period, the follower is considered a temporary "retainer," while the character assumes the role of a "liege." The follower's acceptance is automatic — no die roll is required. For the duration of the week, the retainer follows the liege's orders out of duty and obligation. However, if the follower's morale is 6 or higher, treat it as 5 for the duration of the service.
There is no limit to how many followers a character can leverage at once, apart from the total number they have. Followers must be earned through game play. One of its strongest aspects is its flexibility — it doesn't force retainers into suicidal loyalty but instead acknowledges that followers have agency, particularly when sent on independent missions. The morale reduction adds another layer of nuance, subtly reducing blind obedience and reinforcing the idea that followers are still individuals with their own fears and concerns.
Missions
When serving in the liege's company, the retainer accepts whatever risks or dangers the liege faces. If sent on a separate mission, however, the retainer prioritises survival over success. The mission must also be reasonable in scope, requiring no more than one week of the retainer's time.
During this time, the retainer will faithfully carry out any requested tasks, such as undertaking creative work, retrieving objects, conversing with associates, spreading goodwill, delivering messages, guarding a location or other similar duties.
Donations
Leverage may also be used to request a financial contribution from a follower, known as a "donation," which does not need to be repaid. This request, like service, can be made only once every six months. However, the amount given is limited to a maximum of 50 g.p. per request. These donations are expected to be for a meaningful or noble purpose rather than personal enrichment.
