Rogue Squadron- Obligometer- Family

We all have obligations. To family, friends, work or even just ourselves. Big or small, we all owe someone something, even if that someone is ourselves or our own desires. Obligation is a part of life…

Our heroic party is waiting patiently on a small world while their ship undergoes some repairs. They ran into a tough scrape with some pirates recently and barely made it out with their lives. While enjoying some much needed downtime, all except the techie of course, Tony receives a message on his commlink.

Tony is a family man. Devoted to his family, Tony always feels obliged to help out. Family is the most important thing in the galaxy, after all. Without family, what do you have?

The family has requested that Tony go speak to a local business owner. It seems this annoying little Squib has refused many generous offers from the family business. Since Tony’s on the planet, maybe he can convince the Squib to sign the contract.

With nothing else to do, the rest of the party decides to tag along. They all show up at the Squib’s shop in the early afternoon. At first the Squib is polite and talks a mile a minute, trying to sell you his wares. As he talks, he keeps eyeing Tony. It isn’t until Tony knocks over a very expensive piece that the Squib finally shuts up.

Surprised by this the rest of the party just watches as Tony gives a very insincere apology. He then proceeds to tell the Squib about the virtues of the Family Insurance Plan and how, *crash,* if he had it, things like this wouldn’t happen to him. It begins to dawn on the rest of the party just what kind of family Tony is a part of.

Yes, our ethnically stereotyped friend chose the Family Obligation. Instead of your usual family–parents, siblings, cousins, etc.–Tony elected to be part of a more fringe-worthy Family. Tony has only a small Obligation of 5, he’s just a minor enforcer asked to occasionally provide a service. But he wants to move up in the world.

The Squib doesn’t seem to be getting the hint so Tony amps up the negotiation. He starts discussing how painful it is to have broken kneecaps. He then gives a wicked smile and makes a Coerce check.

Success! The Squib cowers away. He reaches into the register and hands Tony a wad of credits, saying he’ll pay the protection money from now on. Loaded down with cash, Tony now has to decide if he wants to take the money and run or pay the Family…

Advantage! Clearly frightened, the Squib isn’t going to want to mess with Tony or his friends. He’ll take Setback die on his next skill check.

Triumph! That little bit about the knee caps really did the trick. The Squib throws in something a little extra for Tony’s trouble. The GM also informs him that he’s done well, the Family wants to promote him, giving more prestige in exchange for more Obligation.

Failure! Poor Squib. He’s found his backbone. He straightens up to his meager height and tells Tony “No!” Looks like Tony’s going to have to back up those threats with action.

Threat! As luck would have it a police constable strolls by the shops window just as Tony makes his threat. With enough Threat, it seems likely the constable will come inside, just to see what is going on.

Despair! Oh, poor Tony. He really tries to look tough. But it’s really hard when a Squib starts laughing at him. A Squib who is suddenly pointing a very big gun at Tony’s own knee caps. On the plus side, in the future he’ll be able to speak about the pain of busted knee caps from experience.

For our player, he’s approaching his Obligation differently than you might expect. He wants to make a name for himself in the Underworld. He’ll jump at any opportunity to gain Obligation, and prestige, within the Family. The higher his Obligation, the greater his street cred. That’s good for him. For the rest of the party, well…