I don't understand what the introduction stage of encounters are for...

[Timmity Took]

I have no problem getting the interaction stage and how it interacts with tolerance, number of successes and what can be gained narratively and mechanically from it. But I don't see what the introduction stage offers game-mechanically. I get what it represents narratively speaking, but how does it connect, crunch-wise, to the end result of the encounter and how do the rules differ from the interaction stage so it can't just be included in that?

[Timmity Took]

Is it simply that the frist checks must either be awe or courtesy and that either one or more characters do the introduction? Do these opening checks count as successes against the end result or as failures against tolerance, or what do they do?

I don't know if I like the part where player participation will be restricted if the fail the opening courtesy introduction roll. What purpose does that serve?

[amajo]

Is it simply that the frist checks must either be awe or courtesy and that either noe or more characters do the introduction? Do these opening checks count as successes against the end result or as failures against tolerance, or what do they do?

During the Introduction step, the player-heroes decide how they'll introduce themselves before the actual talking begins. They can either select a spokesman (usually with a roll of Awe) who will then do all the talking for the company, or each player-hero may want to do an individual introduction (usually with Courtesy).

When a player-hero fails his or her individual roll, the Loremaster Characters won't want to speak directly to them (it can be due to poor manners, ignoring the customs or etiquette or a general bad impression).

A character who is not actively participating in the conversation may still contribute to the party in other ways (e.g. rolling Insight to discover the Loremaster Character's true intentions or Riddle to deduce any message hidden in their words).

If the player-hero tries to speak again, it will be up to the Loremaster to determine the requirements and consequences of that action. In a less formal situation (such as casual talk in a tavern), the Loremaster might determine that no Introduction step is needed and every player-hero may participate without an individual introduction roll.

Any roll made during the Introduction step counts towards the Tolerance and the total number of successes at the end of the Encounter.

[Stormcrow]

The point of the introduction stage is to determine whether the Loremaster character will listen to you at all. You have to succeed at this, or the encounter is off.

[Timmity Took]

During the Introduction step, the player-heroes decide how they'll introduce themselves before the actual talking begins. They can either select a spokesman (usually with a roll of Awe) who will then do all the talking for the company, or each player-hero may want to do an individual introduction (usually with Courtesy).

When a player-hero fails his or her individual roll, the Loremaster Characters won't want to speak directly to them (it can be due to poor manners, ignoring the customs or etiquette or a general bad impression).

A character who is not actively participating in the conversation may still contribute to the party in other ways (e.g. rolling Insight to discover the Loremaster Character's true intentions or Riddle to deduce any message hidden in their words).

If the player-hero tries to speak again, it will be up to the Loremaster to determine the requirements and consequences of that action. In a less formal situation (such as casual talk in a tavern), the Loremaster might determine that no Introduction step is needed and every player-hero may participate without an individual introduction roll.

Any roll made during the Introduction step counts towards the Tolerance and the total number of successes at the end of the Encounter.

Ok, I see. Thank you.

I guess individual courtesy i the introduction stage could set two different TNs in the interaction, depending on if it was a success or fail.

Are you sure the results in the introduction counts toward tolerance and number of successes? So you can fail the encounter before it really begins then?

[amajo]

During the Introduction step, the player-heroes decide how they'll introduce themselves before the actual talking begins. They can either select a spokesman (usually with a roll of Awe) who will then do all the talking for the company, or each player-hero may want to do an individual introduction (usually with Courtesy).

When a player-hero fails his or her individual roll, the Loremaster Characters won't want to speak directly to them (it can be due to poor manners, ignoring the customs or etiquette or a general bad impression).

A character who is not actively participating in the conversation may still contribute to the party in other ways (e.g. rolling Insight to discover the Loremaster Character's true intentions or Riddle to deduce any message hidden in their words).

If the player-hero tries to speak again, it will be up to the Loremaster to determine the requirements and consequences of that action. In a less formal situation (such as casual talk in a tavern), the Loremaster might determine that no Introduction step is needed and every player-hero may participate without an individual introduction roll.

Any roll made during the Introduction step counts towards the Tolerance and the total number of successes at the end of the Encounter.

Ok, I see. Thank you.

I guess individual courtesy i the introduction stage could set two different TNs in the interaction, depending on if it was a success or fail.

Are you sure the results in the introduction counts toward tolerance and number of successes? So you can fail the encounter before it really begins then?

The One Ring, page 189:
"In addition to the rules for Tolerance, the Loremaster is advised to keep track of the number of successful rolls achieved by the player-heroes during an encounter's Introduction and Interaction stages."
Since both the Introduction and Interaction stages are part of the encounter, Tolerance also applies to both.

Imagine what would have happened if Thorin's dwarves had arrived all at the same time and each one had made (unsuccessful) individual Introduction rolls without Gandalf's clever plan. I see there a failed encounter right from the onset.

Amado

[Timmity Took]

Ok, guys. Thanks alot! This is all making sense to me now and I really like these rules, Just like the combat and journey rules.