Social "hit points" and mental attributes used for "social combat?"

[harpy]

I definitely think it's an interesting idea. However one trouble spot I would point out is that, in a social exchange, even the person who "loses" (an argument, a popularity contest, an attempt at persuasion, etc.) does not "drop" in any way. What happens when you hit 0 social hit points?

I think it would be trigger by a specific type of challenge, such as the players needing to convince the King that his conniving Minister is in fact evil and trying to usurp the throne. If the player beat the Minister in the social encounter then he's exposed and the King agrees with you. But if the Minister defeats the party then the King follows the advice of the Minister.

or

The players have to speak to a Sphinx to learn the secret of a long lost tomb. If the players with the exchange then they get the secret. If they lose then the Sphinx tires of the conversation and attacks the party.