Circles: I go and find my boss

[Dwight]

Oh, and I'm definitely down with this:

I guess the only Circles result I don't like, or ever use, is "mmmnope, nobody." Like, no context, no nothing, just a cockblock.

I can't recall ever not using a complication rather than an outright "doesn't exist". If I had it would have been the result of a complete creative block that I would consider a failure on my part. It happens but in a perfect world it wouldn't.

[Berandor]

Judd, I guess I'd call those both Enmity Clause outcomes in my game. My own internal use of EC goes beyond the Lando Calrissian Gambit. But that's just quibbling over semantics.

I think that kind of complication has been described before and sort of shuffled under the Emnity Clause heading because that's the special name for complications with Circles. Where +Ob and + Opponent Disposition come in, isn't clear, which I think muddies the waters and makes it a dubious use of the term. I like to think of saying it is Emnity Clause as a sort of slang.

But Enmity Clause has a specific rules effect to it. A complication doesn't necessarily mean the NPC in question is an enemy (with all that entails).

I mean, okay, it's semantics, but still.

[Thor]

Hi Patrick,

Just to be clear, when a GM invokes the Enmity Clause, that enmity doesn't have to be with the person (or sort of person) that the player was attempting to reach with Circles. The GM has broad latitude.

If you're circling up your gang boss to gain support for some initiative, you might find him and he may like the idea. But then his boss comes down like a ton of bricks. He shuts the plan down and now he's got his eye on you (and your boss) in an unfriendly way.

Or you go to Circle up your gang boss and surprise an assassin just as he's making a move on the boss. Maybe it leads to a fight right then and there, and maybe the assassin melts away, only now he's going to gun for you too because you've seen his face. If he's still alive, your boss will be grateful, but you've now got bigger problems.

Or maybe you go to see the boss and someone who's staking out the joint (whether from the constabulary or a rival organization) now know that you're a lieutenant and will start keeping tabs on you as well. It may be several sessions of play before there's a confrontation.

[Fuseboy]

Just to be clear, when a GM invokes the Enmity Clause, that enmity doesn't have to be with the person (or sort of person) that the player was attempting to reach with Circles. The GM has broad latitude.

Wow, this never occurred to me, thanks for mentioning this.

[Berandor]

Yes, thank you!

[Judd]

The Slow Burn emninity clause can be really solid, where you invoke the enmity clause and then have the NPC act really friendly can be unnerving and a really neat way to create tension for the betrayal to come.

[Dwight]

Wow, this never occurred to me, thanks for mentioning this.

Not surprising. IMO the text of the Enmity Clause doesn't really hint at that sort of use at all.

[luke]

Neither does the text say it must be the same person you were searching for.

[Dwight]

Neither does the text say it must be the same person you were searching for.

It implies an exclusivity of finding a friendly character who you are looking for or finding the enemy by the phrase "rather than". That's the mental barrier. I was surprised this wasn't updated in BE.

[Paul B]

The Slow Burn emninity clause can be really solid, where you invoke the enmity clause and then have the NPC act really friendly can be unnerving and a really neat way to create tension for the betrayal to come.

This is one of our very favoritest ways to use the EC in our games. It's maddening as hell! In a good way!