Conspiracy Points….

Found this on the Dark Reign Forums today. Great idea by Mordheim (Forum Admin).

“Conspiracy Points” are used to determine the influence of Throne Agents. Basically, every Throne Agent starts with 50 points at character creation and every Acolyte starts with 25 (pays to be an Agent). This is an abstract value representing the influence of the Holy Inquisition, the Throne Agent/Acolyte’s status within his Ordo and the like.

They can then spend these points to gain “favors” from the Inquisition or the local Administratum. It costs less points to get something out of your own Ordo and the more important a request, the more it costs. So if a Throne Agent wants to gain the assistance of a Kill Team squad for support in an investigation, it might cost 25 points. If he wanted highly classified documents concerning the Inquisition’s pyschic investigations, it might be 30 points. Big stuff, like orbital strikes, raids on Upperhive mansions, and even large-scale military interventions by the Imperial Guard or the Adeptus Astartes can be had but the cost runs into the hundreds, even thousands.
This is balanced out by what I call the “Paper Trail” rating. Not only does everything cost points but has a chance that it will be uncovered. Simple stuff, such as seeing some old documents or getting some equipment would be low (5% chance). The big stuff has very high ratings (70%+). Fail the roll and the Administratum or another Inquisitor takes notice of your misappropriation of important resources. This might be a simple reprimand for the small stuff or some unwanted attention by a local governor up to sanction by the Lords of Terra or the release of documents that smear the reputation of your Inquisitor.
If the player wants something that can either reasonably be gotten from his Ordo, the Administratum or through good role-playing, there is no need to charge the points. If a Throne Agent wants evidence analyzed for a case that has been covered up as a legitimate operation by the Inquisition, don’t charge the points. Same if the PCs are pinned down by autogun-carrying plague zombies and they call for regular Enforcer back-up. The points are there for the unusual requests needed and all expenditures are subject to a GM’s ruling for cost and if the request will be honored.

This is a very good idea. I think that it should definatley be used in the game system. I am going to modify this idea some to reflect the effect of money on the conspiracy points. Money should have some effect depending on the corruption of the source being influenced.
Also if the source is used frequently, the amount of points being used should be lessened over time, unless the source is crossed by the players (or the papertrail is discovered).