Etiquette, "The Gift" and LiR

[Berandor]

Hey all,

I'm still prepping The Gift for play (only 3 more weeks now), and in re-reading the BW rulebook I noticed that I'm not sure when LiR applies and when it doesn't. For instance, in "The Gift", the dwarves may decide upon the difficulty of Etiquette tests for the elves. Now, how often do the elves actually roll for Etiquette?

Is it just one roll which then lasts throughout the whole scenario thanks to Let it Ride? Do the successes last until a scene change? Or are they just applied to the current intent with the obstacle in question?

[Maedhros]

LiR applies until the situation changes significantly. Does changing the scene necessarily change the situation from an Etiquette point of view? It would have to be a new scene with a significantly different social dynamic that required significantly different behavior.

I would probably have the Elves make Etiquette tests early, and have the results Ride through the whole scenario. If the Dwarves set the OB really high, then they probably will make the situation deteriorate faster (which they may not really want...).

[Berandor]

I'd say the same, but I'm sort of worried about the dwarves then knowing the number of successes the elves got and being able to fashion their obstacle accordingly.

[Maedhros]

With something like Etiquette, the number of successes would be evident in an in-game sense because the Dwarves would observe how well (or badly) the Elves were performing.

With that in mind, having the Dwarf players know the number of successes isn't all that game-breaking. If the Dwarves are out to make the Elves pay, then they most certainly would take note of their struggles/facility with the social dynamic and lay traps based thereupon. At that point it would be up to the Elves to be creative and devise an effective counter.

[Berandor]

You're right. In fact, having the dwarves make it extra hard would probably fit well into the scenario. Thanks.

[Maedhros]

If the Elves blow their Etiquette Test, I predict mayhem...