It comes up once in a while in my group, what the characters can actually command/expect of their surroundings.

How do you rule it?

Most notably one plays a Bright Wizard Acolyte, and last time he expected that some military personal would respect him to a degree where he could expect them to do him favours.

Well, with his 2 FEL vs. 3 WP, he didn't get far of course (I'm teaching him the hard way, what stat-dumping means in Warhammer...), but I was in doubt of which bonuses/penalties to give him.

On one hand wizards are used in Imperial armies, but not to a big extend I think, and on the other hand wizards are mistrusted and feared.

I would have ruled differently if he had come up, used cantrip to glow, and then commanded the sergeant he talked to, to help him. As then it would have been a matter of fearing what the wizard might do, instead of the wizard being nice (in which his FEL became a factor).

But what about authority in general...?

Roadwardens, priests, etc...?

I allowed our former roadwarden to command much respect in rural areas, a village gave free bed/food to the group, as I thought people would enjoy the protection a roadwarden gives.

As a side-question, I ruled that who ever opens his mouth to talk to NPC's, is the one to roll FEL checks... anyone who assists can add 1 fortune dice per charm/guile (depending on conversation) trained.

It annoys me greatly that the people with lowest FEL also seem to be the most chatty in my group

I think you're broadly doing things right. One clarification I would make is whether or not a character is acting in his/her capacity as a certain career at the time.

If a roadwarden arrives in town a hundred miles away from the road he patrols, asks for directions to nearest treasure horde, and then leaves, I wouldn't have people treat him the same way they would 'their' roadwarden who arrives in town while on duty protecting their roads.

I too think you''ve got it right.

I love it when a low Fel PC''s player steps forward to be the chatty one - guess it''s your Fellowship we''re rolling then, you''re grumpy are you, well you chose that Fel rating didn''t you. In my group one PC (wizard too as it happens) is low Fel and the Player has made a point of choosing actions/talents that let him bring his Intelligence to bear at times in social stuff, accepting completely that his Fellowship means he doesn''t "present well".

A fortune die or two for social connections that are played up. But for Bright Wizard not just being one, player has your PC actually accompanied soldiers, can you narrate that (which soldiers, give me some grist for future).

The Roadwarden or any other "professional character" (Witch Hunter being another) does require some thinking about their authority and mandate, when they are within it and outside it. All such authority does come with strings, duties and things a GM can use to "leverage back" easily enough.

Rob

Thanks to both of you

In regards to wizard, he has been on one mission (pre-campaign story) with a small group of military personal, to clear out a bandit camp (which showed him the grim sides of the Empire…). But I kinda forgot it, but it comes back when you asked of it…

Regarding FEL, then the sadistic GM comes over me when players think they can stat-dump, and still chit chat with everyone… I punish them, punish them hard…

Anyway, we're half way through DotR, and I told him that he won't be doing much in PbtT if he doesn't get his FEL to 3…

He has bloody 3 challenge dice when trying to affect anyone with 3 WP!!!

Oh well… I hope some sessions of pain will make him improve it.