Authority

A defined grant of power

What Authority permits

Authority normally comes from a title, office, charter, law, oath, institutional position, or another recognized grant of power. It may permit a character to use House or Faction Assets within the scope of their position without making those Assets their personal property.

Depending on the position, its scope may permit someone to direct Personnel, access restricted Holdings, use institutional Possessions or funds, issue orders, officially represent a House or Faction, appoint, command, judge, authorize, requisition, or administer. Record only powers the grant actually allows.

Authority is specific and jurisdictional, not a general rating. A position does not grant power over matters outside its remit, and access to an Asset does not transfer its ownership.

On the Character Sheet

Record the position and its limits

An Authority entry records:

• Title or position held by the character.
• Source institution or grant that recognizes it.
• Scope and permissions in concise terms, including relevant jurisdiction or limits.

Do not assume a title grants every power associated with a similar title elsewhere. Use the established charter, law, oath, institutional practice, and current lore to determine its scope.

Authority in play

Clear Authority needs no roll

When a character clearly has Authority over a matter and the relevant institution recognizes it, exercising that power normally does not require a roll. Authority establishes what they are legitimately empowered to do; it does not guarantee a favorable outcome.

Interesting uncertainty arises when jurisdictions overlap, Authority is disputed, someone refuses an order, written law conflicts with custom, a character exceeds their powers, or they lack the Assets or Personnel needed to enforce an order. Resolve the actual uncertainty and consequences in the situation.

Different jurisdictions

Examples of Authority

These are descriptive examples, not scored categories or additional mechanics:

• Dynastic: an heir or House officer may act within succession customs or powers delegated by the family.
• Factional: a Guildmaster may administer the Guild within its charter; a Yardmaster may direct operations within an assigned Stockyard.
• Civic: a magistrate may hear cases within a town or district’s jurisdiction.
• Royal: a royal chancellor may issue or administer decisions granted by the Crown.
• Religious: a recognized cleric may perform duties and make decisions within the authority their faith grants.
• Military: a captain may command assigned personnel and vessels within the limits of their commission and orders.

Related, but distinct

Authority and Prestige

“Prestige is how much weight your name carries. Authority is what you are empowered to do.”

An office or title can create both Authority and a Prestige Source. The Authority comes from the recognized powers of the position; the Prestige comes from the weight the name carries. Losing an office normally removes its Authority immediately, while some residual Prestige from having held it may remain.

Prestige can bring attention or access, but does not create obedience or legitimate power. See also Prestige, Assets, and the Character Sheet Guide.