Reputation System

Your name is worth more than coin. Earn it in play, spend it to swear your loyalties, and live with the choices you make.

What This Is

This page explains how reputation works on the Black Lotus server. It’s an **overview** of the system — the exact numeric effects, ranks, or stat bonuses (if any) are handled **in-server** and can change for balance.

Core Concepts

Tokens

Story-earned markers you can spend to gain reputation with a faction. They are **not a currency**.

Active Reputation

Your current, spendable reputation points across all Lotus factions. **Hard cap: 10 total**.

Lifetime Reputation

A running total of all reputation you have ever earned per faction. It never goes down and affects switching/alignment depth.

Tokens (the only thing they do)

Tokens are **earned through RP** and server events.
Tokens are **not tradable** between players.
Tokens are **not** used to buy items, perks, or favors directly.
Tokens are **only** used to convert into faction reputation.
You can **carry at most 20 tokens** at a time. Anything above the cap is wasted, so spend them.

Converting Tokens → Reputation

Converting tokens gives you **reputation with exactly one faction** per spend.
The **conversion rate** (e.g., “2 tokens = +1 rep”) is set **in-server** and can change for balance.
Only the **reputation points** you gain count toward your **Active Reputation** cap of 10.

Example (illustrative only)

If the current rate is **2 tokens → +1 Black Lotus rep**, spending 2 tokens increases your Black Lotus by **+1**. If you were at 10 active rep total and spend tokens to gain +1, you would now be at **11** active rep **only if** the admin has raised your cap — otherwise you must first lower/swap (see below). Active cap enforcement lives in-server; this page does not track your exact totals.

Active Reputation (the 10-point ceiling)

You may hold **up to 10 active reputation points total** across **all** factions.
How you split them is your problem: 6/3/1, 5/5/0/0/0, etc.
To gain more with one faction when you’re at the cap, you must **reduce** your active rep elsewhere or perform an approved **swap** (see Switching).

Lifetime Reputation (why your past matters)

Every time you gain reputation with a faction, your **Lifetime Reputation** for that faction increases and **never decreases**.
Lifetime reputation **does not** count against your 10 active cap.
Admins may use Lifetime Reputation to:
- Gate deeper faction privileges/plots.
- Increase friction when switching away from a faction you’ve sworn to.
- Track long-term allegiance without punishing experimentation.

Switching & Swapping

You can **shift allegiance** between factions, but there is **friction**.
The exact method (costs, cooldowns, or RP requirements) is handled **in-server**.
General rules of the road:
- You cannot exceed the **10 active** cap.
- Swapping usually requires **spending tokens** again or **roleplay justifications** approved by staff.
- Your **Lifetime totals remain**, which may make it easier to return — or harder to be trusted elsewhere.

Faction Perks & Ranks

Any perks, ranks, abilities, or unlocks tied to reputation are administered **in-server**.
This wiki will **not** list numeric values, thresholds, or stat bonuses. Expect change as balance evolves.

Earning Tokens (RP First)

Ways you might earn tokens (examples only; staff discretion applies):

Running or completing story hooks, contracts, deliveries, intel jobs.
Hosting events that drive server story.
Exceptional faction play (with consent and receipts).
Admin-issued grants for major milestones.

Exact criteria are posted in-server and may change. Tokens are not farmed; they are awarded for **play that moves the world**.

Conduct Notes

No token trading. No “banking” outside the 20 cap.
Reputation is about **story allegiance**, not min-maxing a scoreboard.
Staff reserves the right to reverse bad-faith spends or exploits.

Quick Reference

**Carry cap:** 20 tokens
**Use of tokens:** Convert into faction reputation only
**Active reputation cap:** 10 (sum across all factions)
**Lifetime reputation:** Tracks all-time earned per faction; never decreases
**Numbers, rates, bonuses:** **In-server only** (subject to change)