the name does say it all, but i'll go in to a little more detail..
basicly, in some towns with a large force of armed men, such as either the crime families in new reno, or in NCR, could be bribed, or be given money in the form of paying a tax fee for full protection from the scum of the wastes.
example.
you can buy protection within the line of sight of a new reno crime families NPCs for a full day of game play for about 3000 caps.
or, in NCR, the gov't finally started taxing the traders and players, so if you get pick pocketed and you're on their "tax payer list" than they shoot the guy on sight, rather than just warning you. the things about this that i would suggest to still allow it to be a useful and less abuseable part of the game are..
A) if you piss off the NPC faction that you bribed than they no longer protect you and you must pay it again.
B) it only lasts a very short amount of time, a day or so, depending on how long the deal allows you to have it.
C) you can only buy it if you're on fairly good terms with the faction, meaning at least -100 or less rep with them.
reasons why i this makes sense from a in character stand point.
A) NCR has the right to tax people who come in to their little "country".
B) the new reno mobs would likely have a weakness for bribes if they were of a decent amount.
C) this would only be buyable in towns with a guard force, or large group of armed thugs, such as the new reno mobs.
reasons you may not like this idea.
A) it is still abuseable to a point.
B) it makes it harder for pick pockets still.
C) it would make new players easy targets for pick pockets, while making older players safer.
reply to likely reasons why it would not be a good idea.
A) most things are abuseable, but it is reasonable to allow players to protect themselves with bribes rather than just bullets.
B) pick pockets could camp the tax office and pick pocket people trying to pay the fee.
C) new players have nothing, and money to pay the fee would be something they have to get just like every one else, unless you have friends to help you, but if you have friends than you have a base to hide in full of high tech gear to use anyway, at least if you have a clan of friends.
thoughts?
-Ulrek-