Reputation and Haggling

A small system for reputation, for use in haggling and other similar activities.

 

Keep a list of notable deeds by the party, both good and bad. Keep a list of a standard die size (I think 20 for a campaign would work). Write the good deeds at the lowest numbered entries, in chronological order; and write the bad deeds at the highest entries, in reverse chronological order. The middle of the list stays empty. 

Every entry should have a definite moral character to be at top or bottom of list, no in-between. You should decide this based on how the average citizen of your setting would view the party having done it, either impressed or disgusted.

If the players want to haggle for prices, call in a favor, or persuade in a rather abstracted social encounter, roll the appropriately sized die (e.g. d20). If the result is a good deed, they can call in a 5% discount on all their purchases, a favor will be granted, or persuasion goes through. If the result corresponds to a bad deed, they are rebuffed and potentially upcharged on purchases.

When the list gets full, erase a few off top and bottom (the oldest deeds) and clear some space back in the middle.

This is mean to simulate gossip and memory of adventuring deeds - you could easily take from similar ideas and have regional tables, or have the deed's morality change if the player's are negotiating with different factions. You could also add modifiers to the roll for bigger discounts or favors. The game world's your oyster.

Some might object that this betrays a core principle of OSR - no "roll to persuade." But you are free to forego this system if the players are genuinely persuasive, have leverage, etc. But basic haggling is not worth spending more than a roll's time on deciding.