Chessmen: Brownie Point System

Brownie Points, like experience points, are awarded by the GM at the end of every mission. However, unlike experience points, you can lose brownie points for an unsuccessful mission.We have modified the brownie point system in two important ways. First, brownie points are used to purchase equipment for the heroic super agent and they are not used for to increase reputation. A typical successful mission usually awards 3 brownie points.

Knights all possess a starting level of brownie points from which they draw equipment. Additional brownie points are awarded to Pawns and Knights for successful completion of missions, commendations, injury in the line of duty, and for other meritorious conduct – whenever the GM awards experience points, brownie points should also be awarded. Increases in rank within the organization also result in increases in brownie points. Brownie points may be deducted from agents for misconduct, unsuccessful missions, death of civilians, or unjustified killing of criminals.

It is also important to realize that brownie points are a gaming mechanic, not an actual organizational function of Chessmen. Brownie points represent gained or lost prestige within the agency, reputation, and can reflect of rank.

Circumstances                          Points
Character/Team Accomplished Major Objective +2
Character/Team Accomplished Minor Objective +1
Character/Team Performed Mission Secretly   +1
Character Performed Unauthorized Actions that Worked        +1
Character/Team Overcame Unexpected Resistance                +1
Character/Team Captured Enemy Agents                                 +1
Enemy Agent/Villain Unnecessarily Killed by Chessmen Agent  -1
Enemy Agent/Villain Messily Killed by Chessman Agent           -2
Agents Blew Their Cover                                                         -1
Lost Expensive or Secret Equipment                                       -1
Messy/Severe Property Damage                                              -2
Damage to Important or Famous Property                                -3
Team Member(s) Died During Mission                                   -2
Secret Mission was Publicized                                                -2
Main Objective was Not Attained                                           -2
Character/Team Performed Unauthorized Actions That Failed  -3
Civilian(s) Died                                                                        -3
Many Civilians Died                                                                 -4
Prominent Civilian(s) Died                                                        -5
Mission Was Very Important                                                  +1*2

Brownie points are the currency by which agents purchase their equipment. The real cost of equipment is deducted from the number of equipment points a PC’s brownie points enable him to have, and PCs cannot draw over their allotment without conning the weapons agent into it with the appropriate skill roll! For dangerous missions, GMs can increase the number of equipment points PCs have available, though these gains are only for the duration of the mission.

Knight Brownie Pts Equipment Allotment
0 50
1 55
2 60
4 65
8 70
16 75
24 80
32 85
64 90

For every eight brownie points subsequently earned, five equipment points are added. Agents are eligible for commendations and awards after every sixteen brownie points earned. If GMs feel PCs are progressing too rapidly through the chart, increase brownie point to equipment point increments to every 16 BPs per 5 Equipment points, instead of every eight BPs per 5 Equipment points.

This page contains a modification of the brownie point system in Aaron Allston's Super Agents, copyright 1986 by Iron Crown Enterprises, and perfected by Shelley Chrystal Mactyre for her PRIMUS Sourcebook.

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