Hi! I’m preparing to run my first US campaign in a few weeks. I have a question about debts and the persuade an NPC move. The rules say that debts are the only way to make someone do something, but then there’s the persuade move. And using a debt gives you +3 on the move, which makes me think that is move is even stronger than just cashing in a debt.
So what’s the difference?
Sorry if I’m missing something obvious but I have a bunch of nitpicky players who will use my confusion if I don’t set clear boundaries on the rules.
Thanks!
You can’t get a favor from an NPC the way you can from a PC. So if you want a favor, you need to pursuade them.
But I can be owed debts by NPCs? And I can cash in on that debts, right?
I understand that if i don’t have a debt from an NPC, that the only way to get a favor from them is to persuade them. But if I do, why shouldn’t I always try to persuade them first and cash in that debt only if I fail?
Daniel Kušan yes. But what you can do with cashing in a debt is different for PCs and for NPCs. When you cash in a debt on a PC you can say “Hey Wizard, remember that time I saved your life? How about you go get this artifact from your buddy and give it to me, and we’ll call it even?” This is cashing in the debt for a “moderate favor”.
You can’t do that with an NPC. You can cash in a debt to have them “give you a gift”, but not to do anything you ask. You still have to pursuade them.
I understand now. Thank you!
I suspect the reason is that they still need to be able to refuse – PCs can refuse to honor a debt, but NPCs can’t, so you need to roll.
Aaron Griffin has it right! 😀