Indifferent

An Indifferent creature has no particular feeling for or against the party. It will act in its own interest — neither helping nor hindering by default. Indifferent is the most common starting attitude for NPCs who don't know the party.

What Indifferent means in play:

• The creature will engage in transactions (commerce, polite conversation, exchange of information) on standard terms
• It will not volunteer help, but will not actively obstruct the party either
• It will not risk itself for the party, but also will not betray them without reason
• It treats the party as strangers — neither Allies nor Enemies for most rules purposes

How a creature becomes Indifferent:

• It is the default starting attitude for most NPCs encountering the party for the first time
• A successful Influence check shifting attitude from Hostile up to Indifferent (a major win — the fight didn't happen)
• A failed Influence check shifting attitude from Friendly down
• Disengagement: an emotional reaction (anger, gratitude) cooling over time without reinforcement

The strategic value of Indifferent: Shifting a Hostile creature to Indifferent is often a complete success in social combat — it means the encounter does not become a fight. The party may not gain a new ally, but they avoid the loss.

Contrast: Friendly and Hostile are the other two attitudes. See Attitude for the framework.