New Patron rules in the Adventurers Companion

[Finrar]

Apologies if this issue has already been addressed.

The news rules for Patrons seem a little vague. On page 125 the AC states "some of the benefits are automatically granted" and "Others must be arranged for through an encounter with the Patron", but this doesn't inform us which benefits are immediate and which require further effort.

Further to this, whilst many of the benefits are described well, the Magical Boons benefit is also a tad vague. It discusses the Eye of Mordor rules then goes on to say "The capability of each patron to bestow magical boons upon a company is discussed under each individual description below". The only detail I could find was Beorn's honey cakes and Elrond's cordial, so only 2 out of the 6 Patrons with Magical Boons have any additional information.

Based on this, would a reasonable presumption regarding a character who had Radagast the Brown as a Patron, who provides the benefits of Information, Sigil and Magical Boons, be that such a character should be entitled to the Information and Sigil benefits immediately but may require another Meet Patron undertaking to ask for a Magical Boon - and the Boon would be from the magic item section in the Rivendell book? If so would this be a temporary Boon or would it qualify as one of the characters Wondrous Artefacts or even Famous Arms & Armour if the appropriate amount of Experience was spent?

[Halbarad]

Radagast's Magical Boons are listed on Page 87 of Tales of Wilderland, in the Darkness in the Marshes adventure. It makes clear that each of these is simply an example of the boons available and suggests that the list is not exhaustive.

Saruman, on the other hand, per Horselords of Rohan might make a gift of a Ring of the White Hand to a particularly valuable agent.

I think that anything that comes across as thematically appropriate to a Patron might be available as a one off to aid in quests on their behalf. I think you would have to have performed a great service to merit the permanent award of a Wondrous Artefact or a Famous Weapon etc. Elrond has a whole bunch of stuff under the Last Homely House. If any of the Patrons might give temporary use of such a thing, I reckon it might be him.

IMO, I don't think that Patronage should come with any immediate benefit apart from being the agent/friend of and having access to a personage that others do not. Gaining Patronage simply gets you on the payroll, so to speak. It would take further tasks that the Patron deems beneficial to themselves or their allies to allow the granting of things like Magical Boons or King Bard to send a company of soldiers to aid you on a quest.

[Finrar]

Thanks for your response.

Perhaps Radagast wasn't a great example as he's detailed as you've stated. I agree for the most part, certainly a Meet Patron undertaking shouldn't automatically equal a Wondrous Artefact etc, though down the line after serving the Patron well it certainly may be possible to obtain one in that fashion.

I just wonder if the new rules in the AC from my initial post should have some clarity on which benefits are immediate for each Patron.

[Halbarad]

Ah okay. IMO the only benefits of Patronage that would become instantly available should be Sigil and Standing. The rest should be earned through actions on behalf of the patron or his allies.

[mica]

You have to keep in mind that the benefits of meet a patron should be on a par with other undertakings. As such any magical boon should only be for the next adventure after meeting the patron or possibly a limited use. A single use magical arrow from Thranduil for dealing with the werewolf seems reasonable rather than a spear of werewolf slaying.

[Halbarad]

Aye, I would mostly agree.

[Finrar]

Using the Beorn example in the AC, a Meet Patron undertaking could provide the individual or company Twice-baked honey cakes - one of the best virtues in the game - obviously these would be in limited supply. Do you see that as precedence for the use of other cultural or generic virtues being used as Magical Boons from an appropriate Patron?

Examples,

Elrond - Numenorean arrows, enchanted weapon
Thranduil - Stinging arrows, elf-lamp
Radagast - Fragrant weeds etc

[Terisonen]

Elrond above all else provide some invaluable and lost lore...

[Finrar]

Elrond above all else provide some invaluable and lost lore...

Agreed. But in terms of Magical Boons which is also one of Elrond's Resources as a Patron, what would he provide?

[Terisonen]

He is the most fabled healer in Eregion. Some baubles with a Blessing in Healing would be appropriate...