Am I reading the “Refuse to honor a debt” move correctly, in that you can always refuse to honor a debt even on a 6-, if you accept the consequences?
Because those consequences seem kind of light. Getting another debt on a character that can always say “Mmm… No!” to your requests seems a bit unproductive.
If that’s correct, has anyone had any problems with a situation where debts are constantly refused? If so, have you tried any house rules to deal with it?
REFUSE TO HONOR A DEBT
When you refuse to honor a debt, roll with Heart.
– On a hit, you weasel out of the current deal, but still owe the Debt.
– On a 7-9, you choose 1:
» You owe them an additional Debt
» You lose face with their Faction
» You mark corruption
On a miss, you can’t avoid the noose. You either honor your Debt or face the consequences: they pick two from the list above or force you to lose all the Debts owed to you.
If you fail either honor or face consequences.
Consequences mean they pick 2 options from the 7-9 list or you lose all your debts…
Owe another debt means you kept your debt but now owe him another one.
Lose face means losing faction points.
And mark corruption its self explanatory.
In my group debts are usually paid the moment someone claims them. Specially when NPC are those claiming them.
Note that it is him who chooses the 2 options from the 7-9 list.
If you have a player constantly refusing debts, you might need to pause the game and talk about it honestly. Debts are a big part of the game, and it’s not them vs the gm.
The MC is also entitled to make a move at 6-, and that move can be as hard as seems appropriate. Some suggestions:
Since nobody likes a oathbreaker, take their stuff, separate them, inflict harm as established all jump to mind. Maybe start a countdown clock called Oathbreakers get what’s coming to them and fill a segment or two.
Further, in the fiction, if a character refuses to honour debts, then nobody is going to do them any favours, ever. Cash up front, and for you: double what I charge everyone else, chump. Take it or leave it, because I’m going to catch hell just for talking to you.
Presuming it’s not a question of the player and the game being a mismatch, work that rep, yes — I don’t care that I can make you lose your debts on others if you’re never going to pay me. I want payment up front as Adam D says — and I love the “I’m going to catch hell just for talking to you” bit. It’s beautiful.