Steve Jackson Games Forums - [Social Engineering] Hostage Negotiator Style

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Re: [Social Engineering] Hostage Negotiator Style

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigermann (Post 1900549)

[*]As far as the SE Style goes, we have to separate Traits that a good negotiator would have, and Traits that a negotiation course would teach. Primary Skills would definitely be Diplomacy, and Psychology/Criminology, and that's probably all; I think most of the others would be Optional, but included.

That is a good point.

Quote:

[*]I like the "Stalling" Technique—I'd probably rip off Elicitation/Hinting for effects

Do with it as you will. It was off the cuff and needs polish.

Quote:

Pretty sure Cops also has a Negotiator template, but I only have a physical copy of that, and it's not currently within reach.

It does not. It covers a lot of other ground with Cops and police procedure though (funny that).

Re: [Social Engineering] Hostage Negotiator Style

Quote:

Originally Posted by evileeyore (Post 1900370)

It would include:

Skills: Acting, Detect Lies, Diplomacy, Fast-Talk, Leadership, Psychology (Applied), and Public Speaking.
Techniques: Elicitation, Play for Time.

Play for Time [H] (Default: Diplomacy, cannot exceed Diplomacy +4)
When you really need to stall the hostage takers, this allows you to convince them it will take longer to achieve some of their more immediate short term goals than it really will. Quick Contest of Play for Time vs Will (they may use Diplomacy, Expert Skill (Hostage Negotiation), or Professional Skill (Police Procedures) if better). Your roll is penalized by every doubling of the actual base time you are trying for.

Cinematic Skills: Persuade.
Perks: Trivial Reputation (Honest Dealings in Hostage Situations)

Useful advantages: Reputation (Honest/Truthful).

Play for time seems more like something that would fall under the Acting skill, and seems like it is incongruous with the honesty attributes you list as well.

Re: [Social Engineering] Hostage Negotiator Style

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donny Brook (Post 1900776)

Play for time seems more like something that would fall under the Acting skill, and seems like it is incongruous with the honesty attributes you list as well.

I see that as endemic to the genre.

In most Negotiator type films (I don't know about books) you have two types:

Honest and Above Board to a fault and Honest But Will Lie A Little to Save Hostages. I see 'playing for time' as being an occasional acceptable lie to the first type and SOP to the second.