THE HIERARCHY OF COUPS

There are a number of situations in which an immortal is justified in counting coup on another. In all cases, the coup reveals some form of weakness, whether it be physical or philosophical. The following is a list of typical circumstances giving rise to a successful coup and a suggested Visage award for completing it.

The award is only granted if the Visage of the target (the "mark") is equal to or higher than that of the character counting the coup.

Editor's Note -- Notice that now visage comes not just from within the Stratagem, but also for solid clever defeats of the Droves. This is a distinct addition to the game.  Originally, defeating Droves just gained favors within the Society.

Four: Reveal or cause someone to break the convictions of their Pride

A Pride's convictions are it's philosophical foundation. To be caught in an action that goes against his Pride's conviction is a sure way for an immortal to have coup counted against him. Because it is so difficult to prove such an accusation, Visage awards are higher.

Visage Award: 2

Five: Discover an embarrassing secret or unsolved crime

If the character discovers something that another immortal did, especially involving murder or a situation in the past in which he could have had coup counted on him, he gains Visage for it.

Visage Award: 1

Six: Reveal a coup about to fall

There are few situations more irritating than when an immortal who learns about a weakness of another hesitates too long in order to increase his possible gains (usually through private coup) only to be upstaged by another immortal who has learned the same secret. Characters who learn about a weakness in another immortal are encouraged to act quickly, lest another rival steal their glory.

Visage Award: 1

Seven: Foiling a coup

If a character learns about a coup about to fall on himself and who the perpetrator will be, he may have the chance to turn the tables and make a fool out of the immortal pursuing him. This generally gains no coup for the character unless the opponent targeting him has equal Visage to his own. Otherwise, he merely has the pleasure of embarrassing his opponent and watching him lose Visage for calling upon the Jury in vain.

Visage Award: 1, if Visage of opponent and mark are identical. Otherwise opponent loses 1.

Eight: Announcing a coup and succeeding

This is considered one of the most sublime of coups, and therefore grants greater Visage if successful. In it's practice, a character announces a plan against another immortal to the entire society, or to the mark himself, then goes about making his plan succeed against his mark's preparation. If he succeeds, he gains. If he fails, he loses.

Visage Award: 2 to 4, according to the audacious nature of the announced coup and the generosity of the narrator.

Nine: Kidnap a rival

This is simply the capture of a more powerful (higher Visaged) rival and his incarceration. If his Pride agrees to ransom him back, the coup increases. The period of incarceration if the Pride refuses to ransom it's member cannot exceed 1 century. This coup is negated if the character escapes before the ransom is paid, or before the time limit of incarceration expires.

Visage Award: 1 for capture, +1 for ransom paid

Editor's Note -- And this is just another good reason to have Highbinders around, to get you back again.

Ten: Steal a possession from a member of another Pride

Eleven: Accumulate temporal power in human culture or topple another

The character gains an important office in human political structures and thus more power in mortal society. Visibility is key. The character eventually controls a mortal state-head of a country, or causes another one to be dragged through political mud and fall from favor, losing visage for his sponsor.

Visage Award: 1 to 3, according to prominence of the office gained or toppled.

Twelve: Finding something someone else wants

The character discovers an artifact or person who is sought after by another Pride. He typically offers the item in exchange for coup being counted on a member of the interested Pride. This type of situation almost always takes the form of a trade, Visage lost from the interested Pride in exchange for the item or person. Otherwise, the interested Pride could attempt to steal it. If they try and fail, however, the character has yet another chance to count coup.

Visage Award: 1 to 3 (depending on item's importance), +1 if interested Pride tries to steal item and is caught.

Thirteen: Reveal, promote, or prevent dissension in another Pride.

All Prides must maintain composure, in every circumstance. If a character creates dissension in a Pride by one of his actions (including the encouragement of disobedience or rebellion) he can count coup on the unfortunate mark who was manipulated into going against the grain of his Pride. If the dissension escalates and encompasses more of the rival Pride, the Visage reward increases. Preventing such dissension also earns the Visage award. Visage Award: 1 to 3 (depending on how far the dissension reaches) 1 for preventing dissension in the character's own Pride, or 2 if preventing it in a rival Pride, who are suddenly obligated.

Fourteen: Favors for Superiors

The character, by his action, performs a favor for an immortal of greater power than himself. The favor costs the recipient 1 Visage, the character gains 1. This type of coup is generally a barter, but if done openly can cause great embarrassment to the mark if he does not decline it. It is tricky business to get an immortal to accept a favor, publicly, because the consequences of declining it are far worse than losing Visage in the coup. This coup never applies to superiors within one's own Pride.

Visage Award: 1, 2 if public and not declined.

Fifteen: Defeating superiors in combat

The character calls out another immortal of substantially greater strength, and defeats him in melee, himsati or serenade combat. Ranged combat is not an option since immortals heal too quickly from firearm and bow shots. The character makes an open challenge for all to hear. The superior must accept. The superior has the right, if he wins, to have the challenger serve him for a period of 1 year and to be immune to any coups from the challenger during that same time. If the challenger wins, he gains Visage. This is rarely done within one's pride, but does happen.

Visage Award: 1 to 3, depending on the power level of the superior opponent.

Editor's Note -- While killing is against the Stratagem, non-deadly sanctioned duels are not.

Sixteen: Revealing A Spy

The character discovers that a supposed loyal member of the Pride is actually an agent for a rival Pride and exposes this fact, supporting it with irrefutable facts. The expose is made publicly.