Trying my hand at my first custom move. In my setting, bards are a common place means of entertainment and news. Through a seires of events one of my PCs is an illustrious fighter with a famous reputation, but not all of her songs/rumours are positive. In some taverns, the ballad of the “Incompetent Gladiator” has the patrons rolling on the floor!
Don’t You Know Who I Am?!
When you try to cite songs of past exploits or your reputation to gain favour with someone roll+Nothing.
On a 10+, they’ve heard the songs of your dauntless skill and bravery and are wowed by your derring do. Take +1 forward. Tell us what they’ve heard.
On a 7-9, choose one:
-They’ve heard of you, but it wasn’t in the most favourable light. Whatever you did, it was foolish/scandalous/embarrassing. Still, at least it was entertaining. Take +1 forward. Tell us what they’ve heard.
-Your deed may be mighty, but your publicity needs some work. This person has never heard of you.
On a 6 or less, they’ve heard of you, but it was nothing good. Perhaps they’re an old rival stoking a grudge, or they’ve only heard of your brutal, murderous ways. Tell us what they know.
Putting characters in a silly light is always a risky idea, sometimes it equates to make them less heroic, less central.
But if your players are ok with that…
Loose the “try”. You are not trying anything. You are doing something. You roll when you have already cited songs, you don’t roll to see if you can cite them.
I would use CHA, subtling implying that a story can change a lot depending on the way it is recounted.
I would not use the 6- and simply do an appropriate hard move, maybe dressed in questions. On the long run creating your own opposition isn’t funny.
I’m not a fan of the “take +1 forward” result as it’s too mechanical for my tastes. Simply having the target have a favorable reaction to you is enough. But if you decide to keep it, you could streamline the move so that the result of a 7+ gives you the bonus. Like this:
Don’t You Know Who I Am?!
When you cite songs of your past exploits to gain favour with someone roll+nothing. On a 7+, take +1 forward. On a 10+, they’ve heard songs of your dauntless skill and bravery and are wowed by your derring do. On a 7-9, they’ve heard of you, but it wasn’t in the most favourable light. In either case, tell the GM what they’ve heard.
I would also drop the “try” from the trigger as there is no try in Dungeon World. I would drop the 6- clause too, but that’s really just personal preference. Making the move CHA based is a good suggestion. You’re using showmanship skills after all.
I don’t actually like the +1 either, but I felt compelled because it seemed the right way to write a move.
I used roll nothing because it isn’t really supposed to be about the PC telling a story or a song, but the PC identifying themselves as the star of the song. And finding out what songs the NPC has heard.
I would say there’s no right way to write a move except for the structure. As long as you have the “When you…” trigger and then have the 10+ and 7-9 results, you’re good.
Go ahead and write out results that you feel are appropriate based on what you’re trying to do with the move. If the +1 forward makes sense, use it. If not, find something else.
I think you might need to change the trigger though. As written it is very much about the character’s story telling or singing ability.
You don’t even need results ^^
When you unleash the might of the SunSword no undead beign can face you or the sword, and you can kill the Lich Tetrarch is a perfectly valid move that gives you leverage to do something.
But that’s mostly philosophy.
The “Go ahead and write out results that you feel are appropriate based on what you’re trying to do with the move” is the best piece of advice that can be on moves.
Check with your ideas, with the game fiction, with intended result and the estetic values of the group and you can write it however it fits ^^
From the Bard:
Reputation
When you first meet someone who’s heard songs about you, roll+Cha. ✴On a 10+, tell the GM two things they’ve heard about you. ✴On a 7-9, tell the GM one thing they’ve heard, and the GM tells you one thing.
Crap. This is embarrassing.
Shouldn’t be. You can give tune it to your campaign, or transform it into a campaign move
When Tim Franzke finds a similar move to the one you just wrote, roll +int. On a 10+, you’re move is more awesome than the thing he found from who knows where. On a 7-9, he quoted an official move, but yours fits your campaign better. On a 6-, Sage makes a hard move.
Don’t troll me, Franzke?
Tim Franzke , this is actually a bit different in a curious way! Reputation is passive, where-as the trigger here is about actively jockeying your reputation and rumors in front of someone… so I think there’s room for both.
Also the reputation move from the book is kind of lack-luster.
I think this is a really powerful move but that’s just me.
Oh, the one here could use a polish, but I’m saying there’s room for both
Okay. Take two:
Don’t You know Who I Am?!
When you identify yourself as the star of epics and ballads to gain favour or recognition, roll+Nothing.
On a 10+, you’re famous! They’ve heard songs of your skill, prowess and derring do and are suitably impressed. Tell us what they’ve heard.
On a 7-9, you’re a famous! Maybe. Choose 1
-They’ve heard songs of your adventures, but perhaps you’re not the star on the song. Or its a lighthearted ballad of equal drama and comedy. Tell us what they’ve heard.
-You need to commission more songs! They haven’t heard of you.
On a 6 or less, you’re infamous. It wasn’t a good song, perhaps its libels, rumour or slander, commissioned by your rivals. Perhaps its the work of an overly gory songwriter highlighting your brutal, bloody deeds. Tells what they’ve heard.
I feel like the second 7-9 result makes nothing happen and therefore isn’t a great choice.
Kill it then?
Maybe the 7-9 is, tell us what they heard but the GM will add a twist, comedic element, misunderstanding or exaggeration to it.
Yes! Love it.