Demon the Fallen Merits & Flaws Mental Merits [ 1 ] Common Sense ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 81 ) Your character has been gifted with practical, everyday wisdom that allows her to avoid making stupid, obvious mistakes. Whenever she's about to act in a way that's contrary to common sense, the Storyteller can make a suggestion as to the likely outcome of the action, possibly warning you off. Unlike Demon's Intuition Ability, this Merit doesn't allow you to make good guesses, nor does it offer you any particular insight. It just helps you avoid doing especially dumb things.
Your character can read and understand a piece of writing far faster than most people can. While this Merit can make long train or plane journeys expensive propositions due to the number of books and magazines she goes through, it allows her to quickly extract useful information from anything written in her mortal host's native language. [ 1 ] Good Map Reader ( Demon Player's Guide-Page 81 ) Your character is the Holy Grail of drivers everywhere: Someone who can read a map well. Whether it's using an old map and a road atlas to locate an Earthbound's lair, or the New York subway plan and a street atlas, she can find her way to where she needs to be.
[ 1 ] Concentration ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 81 )
[ 1 ] Good Recognition ( Demon Player's Guide - Page 82 )
Your character is rather good at shutting distractions out and focusing on the task at hand. She's unaffected by disturbances -- such as screaming kids, loud noises, hanging upside down, or DJs playing really terrible music -when she's focuses on a particular action.
Your character is great at remembering people's name and places she's been. She can call to mind the name of somebody she met briefly at a party three months ago, while a bit drunk, as clearly as if she met them only yesterday. She can also remember the streets she staggered down on the way home. She's even good at remembering the names of people mentioned in newspaper stories and TV reports, as well as locations glimpsed in photographs or on TV.
[ 1 ] Eye For A Bargain ( Demon Player's Guide-Page 83 ) Your character's mortal host had a knack for getting things cheaply. Sometimes she gets the goods she needs in sales. Sometimes she gets them through wholesalers. Other times, she just hunts around until she finds a bargain. However she does it, the difficulty of any Resources roll you make decreases by two. [ 1 ] Fast Reader ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 82 )
[ 1 ] Healthy Cynicism ( Demon Player's Guide - Page 82 ) Your character is good at separating truth from fiction, and someone has to be up pretty damn early to catch her off guard. She rarely takes what people say at face value until she's able to check the details herself. This Merit allows you to reduce the difficulty by two on any roll to
perceive a lie. It should also be roleplayed as much as possible.
Concentration Merit, which allows her to commit information to memory flawlessly).
[ 1 ] Time Sense ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 82 )
[ 2 ] Internet Savvy ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 82 )
Your character has an almost uncanny sense of time. She can estimate the amount of time that has passed, as well as the approximate time of day, without using a clock or any other means of measuring time.
The Internet is becoming increasingly common, but it is far from universal. Many users never progress beyond the basic email/simple surfing to "sites whose address you know" stage. Characters with this Merit are adept at using the Internet in all its vast, rambling confusion -- no small feat for the technologically challenged fallen.
[ 2 ] Code Of Honor ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 82 ) Your character has a personal code of ethics to which she adheres strictly. This code might be related to her experiences in the war or something of a legacy from her mortal host. You should work out the details of your code with the Storyteller before play begins. You gain two additional dice to all Willpower rolls when accomplishing a major feat in accordance with that code. [ 2 ] Determined ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 82 ) Your character is one tenacious bitch, determined to go her own way. It can be really difficult for people to persuade her otherwise. Gain two dice in any resisted roll in which someone tries to persuade her to do something. You might also have the Stubborn Flaw. [ 2 ] Eidetic Memory ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 82 ) Your character has a photographic memory. As a result, she can remember things she's seen, heard, or read in perfect detail. Entire conversations, documents, or pictures can be committed to memory with only minor concentration. Should she attempt the same feat under stressful conditions, such as trying to memorize a long list of names while three Earthbound thralls pound at the door, you must make a Perception + Alertness roll (difficulty 6) for her to summon enough concentration to finish the job (unless your character also has the
[ 2 ] Natural Linguist ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 82 ) Your character's mortal host had a gift for other languages, reading and speaking them with the fluency of a native. When your character learns a language, reflected by increases in her Linguistics Ability, she learns it in more depth and with greater fluency than most do. You may add three dice to any roll involving writing, reading, or speaking a language your character knows, barring her native tongue. [ 3 ] Fast Learner ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 82 ) Your character learns the basics of a subject very quickly indeed. She can cram simple information about virtually any subject into her head quickly and easily. It takes the normal time to develop a deeper knowledge, or course, but your character starts getting the hang of things very quickly. The cost to gain a new Ability is one Experience Point instead of three. The costs for higher levels are normal, however. [ 3 ] Natural Aptitude ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 82 ) Your character has a particular Ability at which she excels. She's just a natural or has studied it so extensively that the Ability comes easily to her. You pay fewer than normal experience points to gain dots in the Ability, and each level is achieved as if it were one lower. The first
point of the Ability costs only one experience point to gain if your character learns it after play begins. You also gain one extra die on any roll involving that Ability. [ 3 ] Unflappable ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 83 ) Your character's mortal host was a naturally placid person who took most things in stride. She was almost hit by a car? That was close. Her husband ran off with the kids? Ah, well. While she feels emotions like everyone else, she doesn't let them affect her the way others do. You gain two extra dice on any Willpower roll that involves staying calm or not overacting to mundane experiences. [ 4 ] Direction Sense ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 83 ) Your character has an innate sense of where she is and the distance she's traveled. She can make a good guess at which way is north, even without clues like the position of the sub. She rarely gets lost and can estimate the distance between two points pretty well. She might even be able to navigate her way through London's one-way systems. Maybe. [ 4 ] Optimistic ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 83 ) Despite everything that has happened to your character, she refuses to accept the fact that life cannot and will not ultimately change for the better. Regain two Willpower when you wake up each morning, rather than the usual one.
The difficulty of any roll involving this sense decreases by two. [ 1 ] Good Right Hook ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 77 ) The power of your character's punch belies her actual strength. Maybe she took up boxing at the gym, or perhaps she's just been in a lot of fights. Regardless, people tend to fall over when your character hits them. Add two dice to your damage roll for any Brawl-based attack. [ 1 ] Hollow Leg ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 77 ) Your character can drink like a fish. The amount of alcohol she can put away during a binge is truly phenomenal. What's more aggravating to her buddies is how little she suffers for it. Anyone who gets in a drinking competition with your character quickly regrets it. Halve any penalties your character suffers for consuming alcohol. [ 1 ] Light Sleeper ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 77 ) Although your character sleeps well, she is awakened quickly by a commotion. Any disturbance, from an exorcist picking the lock of your character's apartment to a cat getting amorous on a neighboring roof, wakes your character immediately. [ 1 ] Natural Runner ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 77 )
[ 1 ] Acute Sense ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 77 )
Your character's mortal host enjoyed running ever since she was a kid. While most people wheeze and complain about exercising, running has always been an absolute pleasure for her. As a result, your character can run like the wind when the occasion demands it. Your character's Dexterity counts as one point higher than it actually is for purposes of determining movement rates.
One of your character's senses, be it sight, smell, taste, touch, or hearing is exceptionally keen.
[ 1 ] Perfect Balance ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 77 )
Physical Merits
Your character's sense of balance is superb. Not even the narrowest of ledges scares her because she has such a good command of her physical equilibrium. She's probably a good dancer, too. This Merit allows you to reduce the difficulty of all balance-related rolls by two. [ 1 ] Robust Health ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 77 ) Your character has the constitution of an ox. She rarely gets ill, if at all, and food poisoning is a stranger to her. Reduce the difficulty of any roll to resist illness or poisoning -- including alcohol poisoning -- by two. [ 1 ] Sea Legs ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 77 ) Your character is no landlubber, but a salty sea dog at heart. She's at home on a boat even when traveling rough seas. She suffers no penalty incurred due to rough seas or unpredictable ship motion on any actions performed while aboard. [ 1 ] Specialist Driver's License ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 83 ) Your character's driving repertoire extends far beyond the SUV or sports car. She is qualified to drive trucks, farm vehicles, or some other specialized form of vehicular transportation. [ 1 - 3 ] Alimony Recipient ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 83 ) Your character's host's marriage has failed, but at least that cheating bastard has to pay for it. The level of Merit you buy indicates the number of Resources points your character can have (that must be purchased separately) for which she doesn't have to work. Her rating also suggests how wealthy her ex was or how badly he was beaten in court. Chances are she has the Children Flaw, too. [ 1 - 5 ] Independent Income ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 83 ) Through hard work, heredity or phenomenal good fortune, your character's Resources rating
is an independent income for which she doesn't have to work. The level of Merit you buy indicates how many dots of Resources (which must be purchased separately) your character has that do not require her to work. [ 2 ] Bundle Of Energy ( Demon Player's Guide - Page 77 ) Your character is full of energy. She can subsist on five or six hours of sleep a night, being unable to stay in bed any longer. Her days are full of physical activity, and she can work long into the night without penalty. [ 2 ] Catnapper ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 77 ) While your character needs six to eight hours of sleep per night, she doesn't need it all at once. She can catch her Zs as and when she can. As long as her naps total six to eight hours in a 24hour period -- and they usually do unless she's forcibly denied naps -- she can function as normal. [ 2 ] Dual Nationality ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 83 ) Thanks to being born from parents of different countries, your character's mortal host has dual nationality. She might even have two passports. This makes it easy for her to operate in two different places and even hide out in another country if things get too hot for her in her normal place of residence.
[ 2 ] Firearms License ( Demon Player's Guide - Page 83 ) The effect of this Merit depends on the country in which your game is set. In some countries (such as the UK) it indicates that your character is allowed to carry weapons. Without this Merit, possession of a firearm is illegal. In countries where individuals have a right to bear arms, it
indicates that your character has a license to carry unusual or powerful firearms such as automatic weapons. [ 2 ] Forgettable ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 77 ) It's not that your character is ugly. It's just that, well, people's eyes tend to slide over her. She's of average height and build, unremarkable looks, and run-of-the-mill dress. People have problems remembering her appearance after they meet her, unless she has talked with them for a long time. Certainly, people won't be able to give a useful description of her if they only see her briefly. Your character must have an Appearance of 2 or 3 and a Charisma no higher than 3 to take this Merit. [ 2 ] Good Credit Rating ( Demon Player's Guide-Page 83) Your character's mortal host always paid off her debts on time and built up enough financial security to keep the most cynical banker happy. She can access a decent amount of credit as a result. Your character must have a Resources rating of 3 or more to purchase this Merit. [ 2 ] Good Night Vision ( Demon Player's Guide-Page 78) Maybe your character's mortal host spent a lot of time camping. Maybe she's just a fisherman who's used to getting up before dawn. For whatever reason, your character's night vision is excellent. The difficulty of Perception rolls decreases by two at night. [ 2 ] Sexy ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 78 ) Your character's one sexy mutha. She might not necessarily be that classically good looking, but there's something about the way she moves and acts that exudes sexuality. As a result, she draws in members of the opposite sex, or homosexual members of her own sex, with raw animal magnetism. You may reduce the difficulty of any Social roll by two when dealing with a character
who is attracted to your character. If you actively attempt to use your character's charms against someone, you may reduce the difficulty by three. [ 3 ] Daredevil ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 78 ) Your character loves taking risks, and the adrenaline rush she gets helps her succeed at stunts. Whether it's leaping from a moving train or taking on a Devourer in face-to-face combat, your character lives for danger. When attempting such a dangerous action, you can add three dice to your roll and ignore one botch die that results. In general, the action attempted must be at least difficulty 8 and have the potential to inflict three health levels of lethal damage or six levels of bashing damage if you fail. The Storyteller is the final arbiter of when this Merit applies, and he may impose a cap of one hair-raising feat per game session. [ 3 ] Flexible Job ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 83 ) Your character's job allows her to work flexible hours or allows her to travel a lot. Or perhaps she's effectively her own boss, with no one monitoring her activities. However she does it, she can earn her Resources rating through a job that doesn't significantly restrict her infernal activities. [ 3 ] Huge Size ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 78 ) Your character is one big individual. He's at least 6'10" in size and 300 pounds in weight, making his physical presence nearly impossible to ignore. Because of his sheer bulk, your character gains an extra bruised health level. Your Storyteller might also award bonuses for attempts to push objects, break down doors, or resist being knocked down. [ 3 ] Paid Mortgage ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 83 )
Your character's house is her own. She's paid off the bank, so mortgage repayments are no longer an issue, nor is repossession a threat. No matter what happens, she at least has a roof over her head.
Social Merits [ 1 ] Approachable ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 78 ) There's something very approachable and nonthreatening about your character's mortal persona. People find it very easy to start a conversation with her. Reduce the difficulty of any Empathy rolls involving other people or demons by one.
[ 1 ] Early Adopter ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 78 ) Your character's mortal host was the kind of person who wanted to have the latest gadgets and technology. It's a drain on your character's cash, and her apartment is cluttered with some neat-seeming technology that turned out to be crap, but you have a solid sense of how to use the latest gadgets. You quickly understand and use most new consumer-level technology. Add two dice to any Technology roll when trying to figure out how to use a new gadget.
even when the situation seems darkest. Reduce by two the difficulty of any Social roll that is intended to boost morale. [ 1 ] Good Listener ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 78 ) Your character has a keen interest in people. She enjoys hearing what they have to say and is prepared to take the time to hear them out without interrupting with her own opinion. Others can sense this, and they open up to your character without really meaning to. The difficulty of all apparently friendly Social rolls that involve people talking to your character decreases by two. [ 1 ] Good Taste ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 78 ) Your character has a knack for choosing the right food from the menu, telling the right anecdotes, and giving the right presents. She's seen the right films for discussion in cultured company, and she wouldn't know who starred in Dumb and Dumber, let alone have the first clue about the plot. Her taste makes forging social contacts among the upper classes much easier, whatever her origins. Reduce the difficulty by two for any Social roll intended to gain acceptance or to impress in a high-society or business situation.
[ 1 ] Funny ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 78 )
[ 1 ] Gossip ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 78 )
Your character can make people laugh. Her timing and sense of the absurd is second to none. She's always being invited to parties because she's so much fun. Most importantly, your character is also very good at judging the appropriateness of her humor. Sometimes the right joke can lift the spirits of people when everything seems to be going against them. Therefore, she does what she can to make life more bearable for her friends and compatriots,
Your character is an incurable gossip, and other gossips recognize a kindred spirit in her. She's more than happy to spend hours shooting the breeze with complete strangers, all the while discussing the minutiae of other people's lives. Reduce the difficulty by two for any Interrogation rolls made in a social situation, without bullying or intimidation.
[ 1 ] In Love ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 78 ) Your character has fallen for someone (or her mortal host had), and the feeling is reciprocated. The world seems a better place. Colors are brighter, music is more enchanting, and life just seems less desperate. Even the slightest success boost your confidence. Regain two Willpower instead of one when your character wakes up each morning. [ 1 ] Media Junkie ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 79 ) TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, film -- your character can't get enough. She's a voracious consumer of pop culture and is always up on the latest movies, music, and current affairs. Reduce the difficulty by two on any Social or Research roll that involves pop culture. [ 1 ] Natural Leader ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 79 ) Your character has been gifted with a certain bearing and personality that naturally makes people defer to her opinion or orders. You receive two extra dice on Leadership rolls. Your character must have a Charisma of 3 or greater to purchase this Merit. [ 1 ] Natural Politician ( Demon Player's Guide - Page 79 ) Your character is right at home among the devious minds of the political world Whether it's the cut and thrust of office jockeying or the showboating of regional politics, she knows how to get what she wants. You receive two extra dice on Manipulation rolls in social situations that involve an element of politics, such as an office or gun-club meeting. Your character must have a Manipulation of 3 or more to have this Merit. The Politics Ability has no bearing because this Merit represents raw talent, not the knowledge gained through long experience.
[ 1 ] Punctual ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 79 ) Your character is a master of the virtually lost art of turning up on time. If she has a meeting at 10:00 AM, she's sitting in the reception room at 9:59. If she has an 8:00 PM dinner date with her inamotato, she'll be in the restaurant at 8:00 on the dot, so h doesn't end up waiting. Barring deliberate interference in her plans, your character almost always manages things so that she turns up on time. It makes her a great organizer, assuming her allies come through for her. [ 1 ] Smooth ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 79 ) Your character might come from the wrong side of the tracks. She might not have known the proper etiquette in every situation. She probably doesn't have a clue which fork to use when eating out. Yet none of that matters. She presents herself with such an easy grace and carefree attitude that people forgive her most errors. They might not like her much, but they enjoy her company so much that her rougher edges are quickly forgiven and forgotten. Reduce the difficulty of any Manipulation rolls by two. [ 1 ] Way With Words ( Demon Player's Guide - Page 79 ) Language is a finely honed tool, not a blunt instrument. Your character is able to create exactly the effect she wants by choosing her words carefully, in both written and verbal communication. Gain two dice on any Expression roll that involves words. [ 1 ] Debt Of Gratitude ( Demon Player's Guide-Page 76 ) Another demon owes your character a debt of gratitude because of something either he or his liege did for her during the war. The depth of
gratitude the demon owes depends on how many points you wish to spend. One point might mean that the demon owes your character a favor; three points might mean that she owes your character her life.
budget. Subtract one from the difficulty of Social rolls in situations where dressing appropriately is important, such as in a business meeting, chatting at a club, or attending an upper-crust function.
[ 2 ] Best Friend ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 79 )
[ 2 ] Flirt ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 79 )
Your character has the good fortune to have a best mate. He stands with your character through thick and thin. They've shared jokes, tragedies, and all the highs and lows of life over the years, all of which has forged a bond between them that some married couples never achieve. Perhaps they were at school or worked together. While your character might not be able to share the truth of her real nature with her friend, she can rely on him to back her up to the best of his abilities without asking too many difficult questions. A best friend is closer to you and more committed to helping you than an ally, but he demands far more in return. He goes that extra mile to get her out of trouble that any ally wouldn't, but he counts on her to do the same for him.
Your character's mortal friends claim that she's a terrible flirt, but that quite manifestly isn't true. She's great at it. She's an absolute master at all the subtle signals that give off that particular combination of promise and denial that makes teasing so much fun. At her best, she can make members of the opposite sex, or members of the same sex, putty in her hands. Add two dice to all Social rolls in such circumstances.
[ 2 ] Enchanting Voice ( Demon Player's Guide - Page 79 ) Your character has the most incredible voice. It has a quality that makes people unable to ignore it. If she whispers seductive words in someone's ear, his heart melts. If she demands that someone do something, he springs into action at her behest. The difficulty of all rolls involving the use of your character's voice to persuade, seduce, charm, or give orders decreases by two. [ 2 ] Fashion Sense ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 79 ) Your character doesn't just dress well, she has an innate sense of what sort of clothes suit a particular occasion. This sense isn't a case of slavishly following the latest trends from the hottest designers either, it's a matter of knowing when to dress smart and when to be casual and having the know-how to carry it off on a limited
[ 2 ] Good Sense Of Character ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 ) Your character has an innate instinct for reading a person. She can make an appraisal of the kind of person someone is after meeting him for a few seconds, based on little more than gut instinct. She is rarely wrong. Decrease the difficulty by two on any Perception roll based on assessing a person or demon.
[ 2 ] Great Liar ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 80 ) Lying comes naturally to your character. Even the most involved deception sounds like God's own truth when it comes tripping off her honeyed tongue. Gain two dice on any Social roll that involves lying to or deceiving another person or demon. [ 2 ] Laid-Back Friends ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 ) Everyone needs good buddies, and your character has a particularly good bunch. They're pretty cool about when they see her; they don't get all uptight if she's not in contact for a while.
They're also great at not interfering with her life. Sure, she's gone through some changes of late, but that's her choice. They'll be there if she wants to talk or needs help, but they'll otherwise keep the hell out of her hair. If these guys are also your character's allies (as per the Background), they'll help her without asking too many difficult questions. Hey, that's her business, right? [ 2 ] People Person ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 80 ) Your character is a social animal. She just likes being around others. Hell, they like being around her. Her open and gregarious nature makes people warm to her quickly. The difficulty decreases by two on any Social roll to create a good impression on another. [ 2 ] Pillar Of The Community ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 ) Your character is a fine, upstanding person, respected by those around her. Through participation in local events, helping out with community groups or helping others, she's become well liked and trusted by those who live around her. When she brings them a warning of potential danger or offers an explanation of strange, miraculous events, they're likely to believe her. She might even be able to call upon their aid in a pinch, but she shouldn't count on help every time things go sour. [ 2 ] Socially Aware ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 ) Social interplay is an open book to your character. She's the first to spot the hidden relationships between people after only a few minutes of observation. Such subtle clues as body language and position, voice tone and choice of words speak volumes to her about the underlying connections between people. Gain two dice on any Perception roll involving interaction between other people. [ 2 ] Trivia Champ ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 80 )
Where does your character come up with this stuff? Whether it's through plenty of reading, too much TV, or just an eclectic bunch of friends, she has the oddest collection of facts stored way in her skull. Once in a while, at the Storyteller's discretion, one of them turns out to be just the piece of information she needs. Your character might not actually be very bright, but the sheer amount of anecdotal knowledge she's picked up makes her appear to be. [ 2 ] Upright Citizen ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 ) Up until the moment of possession, your character's mortal host was a model citizen. Not even a whiff of scandal has ever tainted her. Her working life has been good without being extraordinary. Her friends would be hardpressed to come up with any embarrassing secrets about her, and even her ex-lovers are complimentary about her most of the time. Your character just doesn't have any dirty secrets to come back to haunt her, and people who know her have a hard time believing anything bad about her. [ 2 ] Vibrant Neighborhood ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 ) Your character lives in a part of the city where everything goes, and does so most of the time. The streets are fairly busy late at night, and the inhabitants are up to all sorts of strange things. If anything odd happens, people tend to dismiss it as just another part of the local routine. [ 2 ] Wealthy Partner ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 83 ) Your character's "other half" is pulling in a fortune, at least by her earning standards, and he's happy to be the breadwinner. With him covering the bills and living expenses, she can get away with a part-time job that allows her time to fulfill her obligations to allies, superiors at court, and so on. [ 2 OR 4 ] Seasoned Traveler ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 )
Your character is adept at finding accommodation, supplies, and local help wherever she goes in her hone country. With the 4pt version, the same applies to foreign countries. She might not speak the language well, or at all, but she knows how to go about obtaining things, and learning about the local culture without things and learning about the local culture without offending the natives, through a combination of prior research and general street smarts. [ 3 ] Corporate Savvy ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 80 ) Your character's mortal host has been a warrior of the cube battlefields for a long time and now your character knows how the corporate mind works. She understands the dynamics of money, business, information, and power that make up companies, and she can manipulate them for her own ends to a limited degree. Add two dice to any roll involving manipulating a corporate structure or a corporate employee. [ 3 ] Media Savvy ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 80 ) There's a knack to dealing with the media, and your character has it. She's learned what journalists want, and she does her best to provide it in a way that best suits her. She can create, suppress, and redirect stories with a fair amount of effectiveness, just by the spin she puts on them. Most of the time, she tries to set up situations so the media reads them the way she wants. Add two dice to any Social rolls in which your character deals with journalists or reporters. [ 3 ] Supportive Family ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 81 ) Sure, your character's acting strange these days. There's something going on that she can't or won't tell them about, but it's important to her. That much is clear. They're her family, they love her, and they'll be there for her. They're sure she'll get around to telling them the whole truth
sooner or later. Until then, they have no choice but to trust her. Unless you have also taken the Allies Background for your character, her family won't go out of the way to help her. They just don't ask the questions that she can't answer. [ 4 ] Lucky ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 81 ) Prerequisite: Cannot have the Unlucky Flaw. Your character's mortal host was normally a very lucky sort of person. Since she was a kid, things always worked out her way. Maybe she took a job with a small firm just before the business went through the roof, leading to her rapid promotion. Once per chapter (game session), the Storyteller may decrease the difficulty of a critical roll you make by two. If you succeed, it's because some random factor makes things easier for your character.
Supernatral Merits [ 1 ] Angelic Aura ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 76 ) Your character exudes the nobility and grace of a Celestial even in her unaltered mortal state. Despite her physical appearance, she radiates an aura of wisdom, confidence, and transcendent authority that belies her mortal condition, even as her Torment begins to weigh heavily on her soul. The difficulty of all Charisma and Appearance rolls decreases by one when your character interacts with mortals. [ 1 ] Angelic Gaze ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 76 ) The eyes are the windows to the soul, and the act of possession has altered the eyes of your character's mortal host to reflect his celestial nature. A Devil's eyes might be the color of the golden sun or the sullen red of banked embers; a
Devourer's eyes might be the lantern yellow of a wolf or lion. The difficulty of all Leadership, Intimidation, or Empathy rolls decreases by one. [ 2 ] Atavistic Form ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 76 ) Upon their return to the mortal world, the fallen have discovered that many of their past exploits have lived on in human legend. Although time and the interpretations of human minds distort these legends, demons are nevertheless able to tap into these atavistic memories through the appearance of their apocalyptic form. Your character's revelatory form is an iconic image in human myth, be it a visage of a dragon, a fire giant, or a winsome siren. The difficulty of all Social rolls decreases by one when interacting with mortals when in your apocalyptic form. Additionally, the difficulty to resist the effects of Revelation increases by one. [ 2 ] Dreams Of The Past ( Demon Player's Guide-Page 76) When dreaming, your character is able to recall especially vivid memories of the Age of Wrath, dredging the recollections from deep in her host body's subconscious. Your character has no conscious control over what memories she recites while she is asleep, but many pertain specifically to the situations and challenges that your character is dealing with at the moment. The Storyteller can use this Merit to impart useful information to your character that she might not otherwise know. Additionally, if your character has the Legacy Background, this Merit reduces the difficulty of all Legacy rolls by one. [ 2 ] Famous Liege ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 76 ) Your character is the vassal of a legendary lord of the infernal host, which grants your character an aura of authority and influence beyond her own accomplishments. Most low-ranking demons will be eager to curry your character's favor, hoping to be remembered later when her dark lord has returned in triumph. Upon learning
your character's identity, most low-ranking demons will treat you with a certain degree of deference and respect, giving you the benefit of the doubt in most questionable situations. Note that this Merit is separate and in addition to the Eminence Background, which reflects your character's personal rank and influence. The character who possesses both is able to open doors and gain respect in any growing demonic court by virtue of their identity. The Storyteller is the final arbiter as to how much influence and respect your character can command based on the needs of her chronicle.
Mental Flaws [ 1 ] Gullible ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 92 ) Your character's mortal host had a lot of trouble separating truth from fiction. Your character is not stupid, she just tends to believe what people tell her rather than taking things with a grain of salt. Increase the difficulty by two on any roll to detect lies. [ 1 ] Nightmares ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 84 ) Your character's sleep is plagued by visions of the horrors she saw during the war. You must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) in order for the character to sleep through the night without being tormented. The day after, add two to the difficulty of the first Ability or Attribute roll you make to deal with other demons. [ 1 ] No Direction Sense ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 92 ) Your character's mortal host got lost all the time. Maps, compasses, and detailed directions never seemed to help. She now has a lot of trouble figuring out where she is in relation to landmarks that aren't immediately obvious, and maps are largely incomprehensible to her. Increase the difficulty by two on any toll that involves following convoluted directions,
backtracking a route or navigating a confusing set of city streets.
[ 2 ] Absent Minded ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 92 )
[ 1 ] Poor Sense Of Time ( Demon Player's Guide-Page 92)
Details and important facts slip your character's mind constantly. Once pre game session, when your character attempts to use an item that she normally carries with her, the Storyteller might require you to make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to see if she remembered to bring it or if she can remember where it is. The item turns up again after an hour or so of searching.
Your character has no intuitive sense for the flow of time. She can't even begin to guess the current time without looking at a clock, and she always over- or underestimates the amount of time that has passed since (or that remains before) a specified event. [ 1 ] Short Temper ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 92 ) Your character is easily driven to distraction by what would otherwise be minor failures and other frustrations. If you fail to gain any successes on a single roll during an extended action, increase the difficulty of all subsequent rolls by one, cumulatively. [ 1 ] Sunday Driver ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 94 ) Whenever your character goes out with friends, no one wants her to drive. She pays almost obsessive attention to traffic regulations and makes a conscious effort to drive below the speed limit. Alternatively, your character has no patience for traffic, right-of-way, or signs, or she simply fails to pay attention to the road. The difficulty of any Drive roles you make during a chase or other high-speed situation increases by two.
[ 2 ] Attention-Deficit Disorder ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 93 ) Your character has a hard time sitting still and paying attention to anything for more than a few minutes. If she must sit still and quiet for more than 10 minutes, such as when keeping watch over an enemy or standing guard, make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6). On a failure, your character loses interest in her task and is distracted from it. [ 2 ] Dyslexic ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 93 ) Printed information of any sort, from written text to maps, is nearly indecipherable to your character. While she is not necessarily illiterate, she struggles to read the simplest sentences. In order for your character to interpret a map or read anything, you must make a successful Intelligence roll (difficulty 8). On a botch, she interprets the message to have its nearly opposite meaning.
[ 1 ] Terrible With Names ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 92 )
[ 2 ] Eating Disorder ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 93 )
Try as you might, your character almost always forgets people's names, especially when meeting large groups for the first time. You may not write down the names of any people unless your character has a pad and paper handy. Your character also has problems with recognizing faces or remembering if she's been somewhere before. Make an Intelligence roll (difficulty 6) to recall such information.
Your character's mortal host had an unhealthy obsession with her appearance and had chosen to starve herself in order to lose weight. Increase the difficulty of any Stamina-related rolls by two. [ 2 ] Overconfident ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 93 )
Your character either overestimates her own skill or underestimates her opponents'. Once per game session, the Storyteller may secretly add two to the difficulty of a non-combat action that your character takes. This increase represents her tendency to plunge headlong into activities that are beyond her capabilities. [ 2 OR 3 ] Language Barrier ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 93 ) Your character cannot speak the language in the region where she lives. In order to communicate with the locals without any lore, your character must find a translator or rely on a language handbook to attempt rough translations. Taking the two-point version means your character can read the language but has trouble using it in conversation. The three-point Flaw means that your character can neither speak nor read it. [ 3 ] Faint Of Heart ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 93 ) The sight of gore and blood shocks your character to the core. If she witnesses a gruesome scene, you must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to keep your character from suffering debilitating nausea for five to 10 minutes. The difficulty of all actions increases by one when your character is ill. [ 3 ] Flashbacks ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 84 ) Like veterans of many mortal wars, the sights your character witnessed during the War of Wrath haunt her still, filling her dreams with visions of horror and destruction and occasionally overtaking her during moments of stress. When the character is under intense pressure or involved in combat, your character might experience powerful flashbacks or ancient battles. The Storyteller can call for a Willpower roll (difficulty 8) at appropriate moments. If the roll fails, the character thinks she's back in the war and she is caught up in a hallucinatory episode of incredible vividness and detail. As soon as the threat or source of stress is gone, you
may begin making Willpower rolls (difficulty 7) for the character each turn to see if she can emerge from the visions of the past. [ 3 ] Incompetent ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 93 ) Your character's mortal host was spectacularly bad at something. Unfortunately, your character is the only person around who doesn't know this fact. Pick a single Ability. Your character believes that she has the proficiency of three dots in that trait, when in reality she almost always messes up any attempt at it. When you try to use the ability, treat the outcome as if you rolled botch. [ 3 ] Low Self-Esteem ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 94 ) Your character's mortal host had trouble accepting her own value and worth. She tended to highlight her failures and overlook her triumphs. Whenever your character has the opportunity to gain Willpower from accomplishing a goal (not from resting), make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6). If you fail the roll, your character does not gain the bonus. If you botch, your character loses a temporary point of Willpower.
[ 3 ] Slow Learner ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 94 ) Your character's mortal host always lagged behind in school, and even teh most patient people found it frustrating to teach her the simplest concepts. Your character isn't dumb, she just takes longer than most to wrap her brain around things. For the purposes of figuring out how many experience points it costs to raise an Ability, add one to your character's current rating. Acquiring a new Ability costs four experience points, not the usual three. [ 3 ] Weak Willed ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 94 )
Try as your character might, it's challenging for her to summon inner reserves of courage or toughness. While others shoulder extra burdens in pursuit of their goals, your character simply finds the going harder and harder. Your character isn't a coward, [ 4 ] Amnesia ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 94 ) The life of your mortal host before possession is a blur. Your character remembers nothing of her host's existence before she was possessed, although that doesn't mean that her old life has forgotten her. Your Storyteller creates the details of your character's host's old life and the circumstances surrounding her amnesia. [ 4 ] Depression ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 94 ) Your character's mortal host was mired in a pit of bleak, mind-numbing sorrow. She refused to seek professional help, convinced that her eternally dark mood was completely natural -- or deserved. Your character does not regain a point of Willpower only through actions, and even those must ardently reaffirm her goals. [ 4 ] Illiterate ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 94 ) Your character's mortal host never learned to read or write. She can understand most traffic signs and warning labels that rely on pictographs, but written instructions and warnings are completely beyond her comprehension.
Physical Flaws [ 1 ] Allergies ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 85 ) Your character's mortal body is allergic to a rather common substance such as cat hair that causes coughing, watery eyes, and other distracting symptoms. The difficulty of all
actions increases by one when exposed to whatever triggers her allergy. [ 1 ] Arthritic ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 85 ) Your character's joints, especially her hands, are tender and often swollen. When she attempts anything that requires fine and careful touch, such as sewing or repairing a watch, increase the difficulty of your roll by one. [ 1 ] Audit ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 95 ) Your character's mortal host is currently undergoing an audit by the national tax authority. She cannot purchase it illegal goods totaling more than $500 without attracting the attention of the officers assigned her case. Any money she wishes to use for illegal purposes must be laundered first. Increase the difficulty by two for all Resources roles. [ 1 ] Color Blind ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 85 ) Your character has trouble distinguishing between hues. You must make a Perception roll (difficulty 6) for your character to accurately determine the color of a given object. [ 1 ] Heavy Sleep ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 86 ) Your character tends to sleep right through most disturbances, from the loud stereo playing next door to the exorcists laying a binding sigil around her bed. You must make a successful Willpower roll (difficulty 6) for the character to wake up quickly. Failure means she spends the equivalent of a combat turn waking up. A botch means she sleeps right through the disturbance, pending the Storyteller's judgment on the situation. [ 1 ] Lazy ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 86 ) Your character has trouble motivating herself to do anything. She'd rather sit around the house
watching TV and thinking of doing something with her life than actually getting up and doing it. She tends to complain loudly when there's work to do, and she likes to let things slide until the last possible moment. You must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to take care of any routine tasks not directly related to your character's demonic activities, such as paying the electricity bill or getting the car's tires rotated.
[ 1 ] Low Alcohol Tolerance ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 86 ) Alcohol goes straight to your character's head. While this can be an advantage when she tries to enjoy a night out on the cheap, it can be deadly when hunted by exorcists or worse. Double any penalties your character suffers for consuming alcohol. [ 1 ] Motion Sickness ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 86 ) Your character becomes queasy and nauseated on boats, when traveling long distances by car or on amusement park rides. Increase the difficulty by two on all actions your character takes when dealing with these conditions. [ 1 ] No Sense Of Smell ( Demon Player's Guide--Page 86) Your character has no sense of smell. Her mortal host might have simply been born without it, or she lost it due to some freak accident. She can't smell anything, no matter how strong the odor is. Food tastes somewhat bland to her. On the good side, she isn't bothered by the stench of sewers, rotting flesh, or other nastiness. [ 1 ] Non-Swimmer ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 86 ) Your character never learned how to swim, and she has no natural talent for it. If she ever finds herself in a position where she has to try to swim, she can manage a pitiable doggie paddle.
Increase the difficulty by two for any Athletics roll involving swimming. [ 1 ] Revoked Driver's License ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 94 ) Your character's mortal host has lost her driver's license due to a poor driving record. If your character is pulled over for reckless driving or is otherwise caught driving, the police will attempt to arrest her immediately and impound her car. [ 1 ] Sickly ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 86 ) Your character is constantly coughing and wheezing, and she has trouble shaking colds. Her mortal host suffered almost every childhood illness imaginable, and she's only become worse as an adult. When checking to avoid catching a disease or developing an infection, increase the difficulty of the roll by two.
[ 1 ] Youthful Appearance ( Demon Player's Guid -Page 86 ) Your character's mortal host looks like se did in high school. She always gets carded at bars and often has to produce identification to buy even cigarettes. In order to gain entry to clubs, concerts, and bars, or to purchase alcohol, your character needs to present a valid-looking ID. [ 1 - 3 ] Vice ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 86 ) Your character is addicted to some sort of substance. The one-point version of this Flaw represents an addiction to a substance that is legal and easy to satisfy, such as cigarettes. The two-point version represents a legal or mildly illegal substance that inhibits her abilities to a serious degree, such as alcohol or marijuana. The three-point version represents an addiction to a highly illegal or highly dangerous "hard" drug such as heroin. Your character is always under the effects of your chosen vice unless she assumes her apocalyptic form.
[ 1 OR 2 ] Distinguishing Characteristic ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 85 )
[ 2 ] Criminal Record ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 94 )
Your character's mortal body has a physical feature that makes her very easy to pick out in crowds, such as elaborate tattoos, a scar, or an obvious birthmark. This Flaw is worth one point if the characteristic is hidden easily under clothes, two points if it is not.
Your character's mortal host has a bit of a shady past, having been convicted for several misdemeanors or perhaps for a minor felony. Your character is unable to purchase firearms legally, and she receives exceptionally poor treatment from law enforcement officials who know her record.
[ 1 OR 3 ] Poor Eyesight (Demon Player's Guide- Page 86) Your character's mortal host is either severely near-sighted or far-sighted. Increase the difficulty by two for any roll that involves visual acuity. The one-point version is correctable with glasses or contact lenses. The three-point version is not. [ 1 OR 3 ] Poor Hearing (Demon Player's Guide -Page 86 ) Your character's hearing is exceptionally bad. Increase the difficulty by two on any roll involving hearing. This Flaw is worth one point if it is correctable with a hearing aid or similar device, three points if it is not. [ 1 OR 5 ] Medicated ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 86 ) Your character's mortal body requires daily medication to stay in good health. As a onepoint flaw, her medication is important for her long-term health but has little effect on her dayto-day well-being, as with prescription drugs that keep your cholesterol down. The five-point version represents insulin shots or something else that is necessary to keep your character alive. If she should miss a day's worth of medicine, she automatically suffers a bashing or lethal level of damage for every 12 hours that pass without her medicine, as determined by the storyteller. This damage heals at a rate of one level per 12 hours that pass once you resume your regular medication's schedule. Time spent in apocalyptic form is not counted toward the total time without medication.
[ 2 ] Demanding Career ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 95 ) Your character's host's current job requires long hours and frequent travel, making it challenging for her to both work and pursue her goals. She must always carry a pager and keep in touch with the office, and she can be called back to work at almost any time. If she should quit her job to free up time for her infernal agenda, reduce your characters Resources by at least one point. [ 2 ] Disfigured ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 87 ) Your character's host's face is misshapen or maimed. Increase the difficulty by two on any rolls involving social situations when your character is not in his apocalyptic form. [ 2 ] Insomniac ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 87 ) For whatever reason, your character has tremendous trouble getting more than a few hours of sleep. She is often groggy and slowwitted as a result. Increase the difficulty of any Alertness, Awareness, and Intuition rolls by two. [ 2 ] Low Pain Tolerance (Demon Player's Guide-Page 87 ) Your character's mortal host had a very low threshold for pain. Your character turns into a whimpering, blubbering ball of misery at the first sign of it. While your character soaks damage normally, she suffers an additional -1 die penalty when she is injured.
[ 2 ] Obese ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 87 ) Your character's host body is seriously overweight, large enough that she has trouble using the seats in most theaters. Add two to the difficulty of any Dodge or Athletics roll you make. Your character moves at half the normal pace. [ 2 ] Old Injury ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 87 ) Your character's host body has hurt pretty badly back in her younger days, and she now pays the price with chronic pain and swelling. Increase the difficulty of any Athletics roll by two. [ 2 ] Poor Night Vision (Demon Player's Guide -- Page 87 ) Your character's eyesight is poor in low-light conditions. Increase the difficulty of any action attempted in dim light, such as that from a flashlight or when under starlight, by two. [ 2 ] Primary Breadwinner (Demon Player's Guide-Page 95 )
Your character's host body is less than five feet tall, making it difficult to reach and use many objects designed for adult use. Your character's movement rate is also half that of normal-sized people. [ 2 ] Uninsured ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 95 ) Your character's mortal host either cannot afford insurance or have simply chosen to go without it. She must pay for all medical expenses and any damage incurred from accidents out of pocket.
[ 2 ] War Wound ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 84 ) Your character endured a terrible wound during the war that scarred the very essence of her being, manifesting itself even to this day when she reveals her Celestial nature. When your character adopts her apocalyptic form, she automatically suffers one health level of aggravated damage above and beyond any damage she currently suffers. This damage cannot be healed by any means.
Your character's mortal host is the primary income earner in her family. She pays the bills, from the heat and electricity to the weekly groceries. She must maintain a steady paying job, despite the demands of her infernal obligations. At least two points of your character Resources score must be dedicated to supporting her family. If her rating drops below that level, her family begins to suffer. The difficulty of Willpower roles you attempt increases by two thereafter, because of the deep shame and embarrassment feels your character for not providing for her loved ones.
[ 3 ] Alimony Payments (Demon Player's Guide - Page 95 )
[ 2 ] Short ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 87 )
Your character's mortal body is either missing a limb or as injured one so badly that it is unusable. If one of her arms is crippled, increase
Your character's mortal host is financially responsible for his ex-spouse and perhaps children. He must hold down a steady job and meet monthly payments or risk having his assets frozen and his possessions seized. Your character can never have more than three dots of Resources because of the economic hardship of keeping up with payments. [ 3 ] Crippled ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 87 )
the difficulty by two for actions that normally require two hands, such as firing a rifle. If one of her legs is crippled, she moves at only onequarter normal speed without some sort of cane, walker, or wheelchair. With the appropriate aid, your character can move up to half normal speed. [ 3 ] Elderly ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 87 ) While your character's mortal body is just as strong and quick as a younger host, it doesn't have the endurance or resilience of youth anymore. You make soak rolls against a difficulty of 7 instead of the normal 6. In addition, increase the dice pool penalty for each of your character's levels of injury by one. [ 3 ] Illegal Immigrant ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 95 ) Your character's mortal host lacks proper legal permission to be in the country in which she currently lives. She does not have a legitimate ID and will most likely be deported back to her home country as she is placed under arrest. Your character cannot hold the job unless it pays under the table. [ 3 ] Wanted By Law Enforcement Your character's mortal host is the prime suspect in a felony crime. The police are actively looking for her, and she cannot move openly about her usual hangouts. If seeing counters cops who knew that she's wanted, they'll call in backup and try to bring her in. [ 3 ] Missing Eye ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 87 ) Your character's mortal body is missing an eye. Increase the difficulty by two for any Perception rolls involving eyesight. The difficulties of all die rolls involving depth-perception (such as ranged weapon attacks) increases by two as well.
[ 3 ] Shaky Hands ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 87 ) Your character has trouble keeping herself composed under pressure. In any extremely stressful situation such as combat, her hands shake so badly that she has trouble completing any tasks that require a delicate touch or intense concentration. Examples include picking a lock, loading bullets into a revolver, or typing at a computer. Increase the difficulty of any rolls for such high-stress actions by two. [ 4 ] Child ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 87 ) Your character's mortal host is pre-pubescent. She's much smaller than the average adult, and she moves at half the rate of adults. Also, since the host body isn't fully developed physically, your character may not start with more than three dots in any Physical Attribute. Similarly, your character does not have the experience of an adult, so he cannot start play with more than three dots in any Knowledge Ability. [ 4 ] Chronic Illness ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 87 ) Your character's mortal body suffers from a debilitating illness such as chronic fatigue syndrome or even cancer. She frequently feels weak and is injured easily. Add two to the difficulty of any Athletics and soak rolls. [ 4 ] Deafness ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 87 ) Your character cannot hear. You automatically fail any rest that requires hearing, and the difficulty of appropriate Alertness rolls increases by three. [ 4 ] Homeless ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 95 ) Your character lived on the streets. She can never have any dots in Resources, and she doesn't have a secure place to rest and
recuperate. Your character cannot heal any aggravated damage naturally while living on the street, and she must carry all of her possessions with her at all times or hide them and hope no one finds them. [ 6 ] Blind ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 87 ) Your character can't see. Increase the difficulty of any rolls involving hand-eye coordination by .
Your character has children for whom she is the primary emotional, social, and economic provider. She takes a lot of joy in her kids and prides herself on being a good parent, but clawing for rank and title in the infernal court gets in the way of parenting. If your character goes more than three days without seeing her kids because of work or activities related to her infernal agenda, she feels tremendous guilt. Your character ceases to regain a Willpower point after a night of rest until she sees her kids.
Social Flaws [ 1 ] Bad Liar ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 88 ) Your character's mortal host had tremendous trouble lying. The spontaneous excuses that she came up with were usually unbelievably elaborate or easily refuted with the bare modicum of research. While telling a lie, your character stutters, stammers, blushes, and generally looks guilty. Increase the difficulty by two on any roll that involvers verbal deception. [ 1 ] Balding ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 88 ) Your character barely has any hair left on his head, whether it's due to old age or cruel genes. He is relatively easy to pick out of crowds and has problems making a good impression on the opposite sex. Increase the difficulty by one for any Ability rolls involved in attempting to seduce a member of the opposite sex. [ 1 ] Bully ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 88 ) Your character tends to push people around when she can get away with it. This aggression doesn't necessarily take on a physical display. It is often purely social. She chafes under the leadership of more forceful personalities and can be a malcontent when she isn't in charge. [ 1 ] Children ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 88 )
[ 1 ] Chronic Pessimist (Demon Player's Guide - Page 88 ) Your character thinks the glass is half-empty, that the water in the glass is contaminated, and that the glass will probably be dropped any second now. Others practice pessimism out of habit, but it's an art form for your character. Nothing can ever go right, especially plans that others propose. She is the implacable voice of gloom and doom, always ready to point out a potential problem no matter how remote a chance it has of coming to pass. Add two to the difficulty of your Leadership rolls. [ 1 ] Chronically Late ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 88 ) Your character is always running behind schedule If she agrees to meet someone at a particular time, you must make a successful Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to arrive on time. Failure means your character arrives between 15 and 30 minutes late. A botch means she shows up an hour late or not at all. [ 1 ] Chronically Shy ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 88 ) Your character becomes very nervous and ill at ease when dealing with strangers in social situations. She often goes out of her way to avoid meeting new people. Increase the difficulty by two for all Social rolls involving strangers. If she becomes the center of attention
in a large group of strangers, increase the difficulty of any Social rolls by two.
alleged enlightened views, increase the difficulty of any die rolls involving socialization by two.
[ 1 ] Clannish Family ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 88 )
[ 1 ] Defensive ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 88 )
Your character's family is as loving and supportive as anyone else's, but they don't take kindly to strangers. Your character's relatives either disapprove of her friends or they like to keep favors in the family. Your character's family members don't do anything that directly or indirectly helps anyone beyond their own.
Your character's mortal host had problems taking responsibility for her actions. Perhaps she viewed herself as a perfectionist, or maybe she was simply too immature to accept the blame for failure. When things go wrong, your character tends to look for ways to blame others. She rarely accepts blame or criticism for her actions without contention.
[ 1 ] Collaborator ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 88 ) Some time in the recent past, your character allied with demon hunters (or possibly an Earthbound) to injure or eliminate a fallen rival. Or the gossip at court reports her doing so, whether it's true or not. Either way, word has spread through the local or widespread fallen community, and many demons mistrust your character.
[ 1 ] Crude ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 88 ) Your character's mortal host never learned any manners while growing up. As a result, your character talks with her mouth full, burps loudly, and slurps her soup. When interacting with others in any refined or formal environment, increase the difficulty of all Social rolls by two. [ 1 ] Cultural Snob ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 88 ) Your character's mortal host had nothing but disdain for popular music, TV, movies. She couldn't name any of the current top 10 songs, and she thinks knowledge of TV is a sign of poor taste and incorrigible stupidity. Unfortunately, this means your character has a hard time related to people who aren't equally snobbish about such things. When dealing with strangers who don't share your character's
[ 1 ] Eccentric Appearance (Demon Player's Guide -- Page 89 ) Your character's mortal host dyed her hair pink, wore clothes that were fashionable only among fringe subcultures such as goths or punks, and otherwise appeared nothing like the average citizen. When dealing with people who are not familiar with your character's host's particular subculture, increase the difficulty by two on any Social rolls you attempt. Your character's appearance unnerves mainstream people and makes them wary of her. Furthermore, her appearance is eye-catching, though people tend to focus on her mode of dress rather than her actual physical characteristics. [ 1 ] Gambling Addict ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 89 ) Your character's mortal host was addicted to wagering money on games of chance. A sizeable chunk of her income goes toward this habit, and even when she wins she inevitably gambles the winnings away. Your character is too much of an addict to walk away with a profit over any extended period of time. Increase the difficulty of any Resources rolls you attempt by two. [ 1 ] Ghoulish Sense Of Humor ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 89 ) Your character finds humor in situations that make most people uncomfortable. Her bad taste doesn't make her particularly resistant to the
horrors of gruesome sights. Her defense mechanism is simply to belittle the situation or those involved in an off-color way. When confronted with a horrible gory scene or otherwise uncomfortable situation, she tends to crack jokes and sling insults. The difficulty of any Social roll you make under such circumstances increases by two. [ 1 ] Icy Demeanor ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 89 ) Your character is uncomfortable relating to people on an emotional level, which is reflected in her mannerisms and speech. She clams up, seeks escape, or avoids eye contact. Increase the difficulty by two for any Empathy rolls made toward your character, as people have trouble identifying with her. [ 1 ] Ignorant ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 89 ) Your character tends to miss common cultural references that others take for granted, such as knowing that the Statue of Liberty is in New York City. Your character is not necessarily dumb or uneducated, though. A cloistered college researcher could just as easily dive so deeply into his field of study that he dismisses anything outside it. She does tend to give people the impression that she's slo0w or uneducated, however. [ 1 ] Impractical Dresser (Demon Player's Guide-Page 89 ) Your character's mortal host tended to dress with more of an eye toward impressing others than personal comfort. Unless you explicitly state that your character dresses appropriately for physical activity, she wears high heels, tight jeans, or something else that hampers physical activity. Increase the difficulty of Athletics or Dodge rolls by two when your character wears such clothes. [ 1 ] Insensitive ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 89 )
Your character has problems understanding how to gauge others' emotional reactions. She can be rather blunt in handling delicate matters, and she often finds herself apologizing without really understanding what she's done to offend someone. Add two to the difficulty of any Empathy rolls you attempt. [ 1 ] Intolerant Neighbors(Demon Player's Guide-Page 89) Your character's neighborhood is exceptionally placid, and people like it that way. Any odd noises or disturbances coming from your character's home invariably cause someone to call the police. [ 1 ] Misinformed ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 89 ) Your character's mortal host upheld some odd belief, such as conspiracy theory or a UFO visitation, that flies in the face of accepted science or common wisdom. Your character now tends to incorporate this misinformation into her worldview. Whenever you test a Knowledge that in some way relates to your character's belief, increase the difficulty by two. This penalty kicks in when you roll a failure, and it represents your character's tendency to come up with off-thewall answers that are obviously incorrect to others. [ 1 ] Mistaken Identity (Demon Player's Guide -- Page 89 ) Your character's mortal appearance bears a striking resemblance to a notorious figure. This person could be a wanted criminal or an obnoxious local lout, or your character might simply look like an infamous media star. While most people can quickly figure out that your character isn't who they think she is, hotheads might not think twice before confronting her. [ 1 ] Needly Friends ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 89 ) Your character's mortal friends and other nonfallen social contacts have a pattern of falling
into bad situations and turning to her for help. She is the bedrock in their lives. Whether they need some advice dealing with a girlfriend or need bail money, they look to her. If your character has the Allies Background, this effect is magnified even more, at the Storyteller's discretion.
has an open dossier on her. While she does not necessarily have a criminal record or engage in illegal activity, the local police view her as a troublemaker and suspicious character. At any given time, she might be the target of undercover observation prompted by the activities of her organization.
[ 1 ] No Internet Access (Demon Player's Guide-- Page 89 )
[ 1 ] Poor Dental Health (Demon Player's Guide -Page 90 )
Your character does not have an email address, web access, or perhaps even a computer. She must do her research through non-digital outlets such as libraries or by old-fashioned legwork.
Your character's teeth are obviously in need of serious work. They jut out at weird angles, and some have fallen out. When interacting with her preferred sex in superficial social settings such as a nighclub or bar, increase the difficulty of any Social roll by two.
[ 1 ] No Phone ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 90 ) Your character does not have a regular phone number through which she can be contacted. Therefore, she can be very hard to get in touch with on short notice, and mortals find her difficult to track down. [ 1 ] Non-Confrontational (Demon Player's Guide--Page 90 ) Your character's mortal host had a hard time bringing up difficult subjects with others. Now, your character is willing to make a lot of sacrifices to avoid interpersonal confrontations. She lets people have their way simply to avoid fights, and she often steps into arguments and attempts to end them without giving any thought to the outcome of the discussion. She has a hard time coping with pushy people and finds herself making compromises that she later wishes she hadn't. Add two to the difficulty of any roll that involves debating or arguing with someone who is normally friendly with your character. [ 1 ] Political Radical ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 94 ) Your character's mortal host has connections to a radical political organization that many people viewed with suspicion, such as the Nation of Islam or the KKK. Your character is an active member of the group, and local law enforcement
[ 1 ] Poor Personal Hygiene ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 90 ) Your character often goes days without showering and she only brushes her teeth when they start to gain a dark yellowish cast. She often smells quite bad and her breath is atrociously offensive. Add two to the difficulty of any die roll that involves interacting socially with others. [ 1 ] Poor Taste ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 90 ) Your character's mortal host wallowed in bathroom humor, lowbrow jokes, and other practices that make more refined people uncomfortable. She has seen movies like Dumb and Dumber dozens of times and didn't plan on giving up on them any time soon. Your character's sense of humor makes her an instant pariah in any reasonably cultured company, and she can't help but let her true colors shine through in even short-term social contracts. Add two to the difficulty of any Social roll that involves people who might dislike your character's brand of humor. [ 1 ] Socially Oblivious ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 90)
Your character has trouble picking up subtle hints from others. She often overstays her welcome at parties, and she tends to blurt out topics that everyone else takes great pains to avoid in conversation. Your character isn't a socially repellent person, just occasionally tactless. Add two to the difficulty of any Etiquette rolls you attempt. [ 1 ] Speech Impediment (Demon Player's Guide--Page 90) Your character stutters, stammers, or otherwise has trouble speaking clearly. Increase the difficulty by two on any roll involving verbal communication. [ 1 ] Stubborn ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 90 ) Once your character's mind is made up, there's no changing it. She clings to her beliefs with the tenacity of a rabid bulldog, and she is equally pleasantly comported when others challenge them. She hates being proved wrong and will go to extremes to avoid enduring the shame of it. Increase the difficulties of all Social rolls by two when someone challenges your character's behavior. [ 1 ] Superstitious ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 90 ) Your character's mortal host adhered to a superstition doggedly, such as knocking on wood or tossing salt over the shoulder. While everyone has foibles, she took the behavior to an extreme, often tying misfortune to her inability to obey a superstition and crediting any success to paying proper respects. Your character's new obsession doesn't lead her to risk her life, nor does it have a pervasive sway over her. She tends to raise warnings and make superstitious suggestions frequently, though. Add two to the difficulty of any Social roll when dealing with people who know about your character's superstitious bent and who frown upon it. [ 1 ] Trusting ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 90 )
Your character tends to follow her instincts when dealing with strangers. Sadly, her instincts often tell her that she can trust people. Your character wants to believe the best about everyone she meets. As a result, she tends to put herself in situations that could be dangerous, such as accepting a ride home from a recent acquaintance, going home with a person she just met at a bar or taking a stroll in a poorly patrolled city park just after dark. [ 2 ] Abusive Partner ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 90 ) Your character's mortal host is married to or living with someone who routinely abuses her physically. Make a Stamina roll (difficulty 6) every time she spends a night at home. Failure indicates that your character has suffered one health level of bashing damage. A botch means that she suffers two health levels of bashing damage. Though it seems strange that a demon would submit herself to such a situation willingly, the psychological dependencies that kept her mortal host bound into the same cycle of violence hold sway over her as well. [ 2 ] Compulsive Liar ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 90 ) Your character can't help but put her personal spin on the truth. She doesn't necessarily do so out of spite or maliciousness; she might even come to genuinely believe the tall tales she tells (especially when she psins them often enough). This trait is especially troublesome when other demons rely on your character for information. You might have to spend a Willpower point to force your character to be honest, especially if it means publically revealing a previous lie. [ 2 ] Conspicuous Consumer ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 91 ) Your character's mortal host tended to blow a lot of money on useless items and overpay for brand-name clothes and other impractical items. Your character still tends to live above her
means and is always short of cash. Add two to the difficulties of Resources rolls.
[ 2 ] Dogged By Fringe Media ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 91 ) Your character has somehow attracted the attention of an amateur reporter, one who operates a fringe website or publishes a 'zine that covers the bizarre or paranormal. This crank occasionally follows her, trying to uncover any dirt on her. Unfortunately, and in true modern journalist style, he tends to catch your character in the most bizarre circumstances that he simply can't understand. Of course, he tries to interpret them anyway. [ 2 ] Foreigner ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 91 ) Your character's mortal host is not native to the area in which she's been living. While your character might understand the language and the general customs, she has trouble with many of the finer details. She has a distinguishing accent (which makes her easy to identify), and the difficulty of any Streetwise and Etiquette rolls you attempt increases by two. [ 2 ] Honest To A Fault (Demon Player's Guide-- Page 91 ) Your character always tries to tell the truth, regardless of the situation. She won't stretch it, bend it, or manipulate it to take advantage of others, unless lives are in jeopardy. If she does attempt to lie to someone, the difficulty of any roll involved increases by two. [ 2 ] Infamy ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 84 ) Your character's actions in the War of Wrath have earned her a degree of ill repute and hostility among her fellow demons. The difficulty of all Social rolls increases by one when your character is interacting with other fallen.
[ 2 ] Lustful ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 91 ) Your character can't resist the advances of the appropriate gender. She is easily seduced and often exhibits very poor judgment when dealing with sexually attractive people. The difficulty of any attempts to seduce her decreases by two. [ 2 ] Mired In Scandal ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 91 ) People in your character's community tend to recognize her for all the wrong reasons. Maybe her mortal host was involved in a scandal involving a local politician, or perhaps she was charged but not convicted in a sensational case. No matter what the cause, your character tends to attract a lot of unwanted attention wherever she goes. People look down on her, though they don't necessarily hinder or harass her. Add two to the difficulty of any Social rolls that involve people who know your character's mortal past. [ 2 ] Monstrous ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 91 ) Your character has to deal with a monstrous demon as part of your mortal job or even your family life. Perhaps it's your character's boss or an important family figure. The demon is not necessarily hostile toward your character, but it's in a position to cause her a lot of trouble should it choose to. [ 2 ] Nosy Neighbors ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 91 ) Your character's neighborhood is exceptionally rife with gossips and busybodies. Her neighbors are always dropping by for unannounced visits, and they take an active interest in her comings and goings. What's worse, they aren't shy about sharing what they know with anyone who asks. [ 2 ] Probation ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 94 ) Your character's mortal host is currently on probation for some minor offense. She has to
meet with the case officer on your regular basis, and she is subject to random drug tests and searches of her apartment and person. She must also commit -- or seem to commit -- herself to becoming a good citizen by maintaining a job, keeping an apartment, and engaging in other aspects of respectable life. [ 2 ] Poor Judge Of Character (Demon Player's Guide -- Page 91 ) Your character's mortal host was the type of person who always ended up hanging out with the wrong crowd. Maybe she just liked to date dangerous men or was a sucker for a woman in trouble. Whatever the reason, your character has a very hard time figuring out whom to trust. Increase the difficulty by two for all Awareness and Intuition rolls you attempt in social circumstances. Also, your character's friends and acquaintances tend to be leeches and other lowlifes. [ 2 ] Stalked ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 91 ) Someone has an unhealthy obsession with your character. Despite repeated calls to the police and several restraining orders, he continues to follow and occasionally harass her. Your Storyteller could create game stats for the stalker. Any time your character heads out on the town, the Storyteller can make a perception test on your character's behalf (difficulty 6). If it fails or botches, the stalker has managed to tail your character throughout the night and might put in an appearance when it's least helpful. [ 2 ] Technophobe ( Demon Player's Guide -Page 91 )
Your character's mortal host was severely intimidated by computers and other technology. Therefore, your character never uses an ATM if a teller is available, and she gets nervous at the sight of a keyboard. You must make an Intelligence roll (difficulty 6) for your character to perform even simple tasks on a computer, ATM, or similar device. Increase the difficulty of any Computer or Technology roll by two. [ 3 ] Greedy ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 92 ) Your character's mortal host lived to make money. Family, friends, and other concerns were trivial when compared to the all-mighty dollar. If someone offers your character a bribe, you must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) to resist. If the bribe involves something that won't directly result in any injuries or lasting damage as far as the character knows, increase the difficulty to 8. Your character also tends to victimize demons who have a lot of material wealth. [ 4 ] Criminal Entanglements (Demon Player's Guide -- Page 92 ) Your character's mortal host owes someone on the wrong side of the law a lot of money or a big favor that she now refuses to pay. While hit men aren't being sent after her quite yet, the threat hangs over her constantly. The exact nature of the debt and the figures behind it are left to the Storyteller, but she should suit your character concept. [ 4 ] Hunted ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 85 ) Your character is pursued by a fanatical demon hunter who believes (perhaps correctly) that she is a danger to humanity. Everyone with whom your character associates, be they mortal or fallen, might be hunted as well. [ 4 ] Unlucky ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 92 ) Prerequisite: Cannot have the Lucky Merit.
Your character's mortal host dealt with bad breaks all her life. From the struggling Internet company she quit two months before its billiondollar IPO to that true love who had to move across the country, your character seems to make the wrong moves at the wrong time. Once per game session, the Storyteller may increase the difficulty of a critical roll you make by two. If you fail the roll, it's due to some random, hardluck factor. Your character's back luck seems to crop up at the most inconvenient times. [ 5 ] Pacifist ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 92 ) Your character utterly refuses to use violence against anything, even if her life or the lives of others are in immediate danger. Furthermore, your character works hard to prevent others from using violence, though she does not recklessly endanger herself or expect others to do so. She never carries weapons, and she refuses to procure them. A Willpower roll (difficulty 6) might be required to resist the temptation to engage in violence when a gross offense is committed before or against your character, such as a loved one being harmed. If he defies her nature and succumbs to violence at some point, she cannot regain Willpower each morning until she comes to terms with her indiscretion or she changes life philosophies altogether.
Supernatural Flaws [ 1 - 3 ] Ancient Animosity ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 84 ) Your character still holds to an ancient feud with another demon that dates from the War of Wrath. Even if the object of her animosity remains in the Abyss, he will make every attempt to even the score against her through allies and proxies. The amount of points spent on this Flaw indicates how far your character's foe is willing
to go to strike back at her. One point indicates a minor or largely forgotten feud; the other demon will take steps to make your character's life difficult only when it is convenient for him to do so. Two points indicate that your character's enemy is actively working on plans to make your character's enemy is actively working on plans to make your character's existence as difficult as possible, enlisting the aid of friends and allies to strike at her whenever the opportunity arises. Three points indicate that your character has gained an implacable foe that thinks of nothing else but your character's demise. He bends all of his energies and resources to make her life a living Hell. [ 1 - 5 ] Cursed By God (Demon Player's Guide-- Page 84 ) Your character has been especially cursed by the Creator for actions taken during the War of Wrath. The strength and pervasiveness of the curse depends upon how many points to wish to gain. Your character might or might not have a way to atone for her actions and free herself of this curse, at the Storyteller's discretion. Examples include: If your character passes on a secret she is entrusted with, her betrayal will come back to harm her in some way. (1 point) Your character stutters uncontrollably when she tries to describe what she has seen or heard. (2 points) Tools break or malfunction when your character tries to use them. (3 points) Your character is doomed to make enemies of those whom she most loves or admire. (4 points) Every one of your character's accomplishments or triumphs will eventually become soiled or fail in some way. (5 points) It was once believed that mirrors reflected not one's physical appearance, but the true nature of one's soul. Your character's reflection reveals her actual celestial nature. When she
looks in the mirror, she sees her apocalyptic form rather than her mortal guise. This reflection changes as her Torment increases or decreases. Mortals who see this reflected image are not subject to Revelation, but they will react with shock, amazement, or alarm. [ 3 ] Cannot Enter Holy Ground ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 84 ) Your character's intense regret and guilt following her rebellion against God is so great that she cannot bear to enter holy ground or handle holy objects without suffering intense pain. No matter what her Torment level is, your character still suffers damage from holy ground and sanctified items such as crosses and holy water.
[ 4 ] Probational Faction Member ( Demon Player's Guide -- Page 85 ) Your character is a defector. She turned her back on her prior faction and still has much to prove before she is accepted by the demons to whom she has defected. Other demons who are members of her current faction treat her with distrust and even hostility, and her reputation might even sully those demons with whom she regularly associates.
Hunter The Reckoning Merits and Flaws Hunter Merits [ 1 ] Acute Sense [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] One of your senses, be it sight, smell, taste, touch, or hearing is exceptionally keen. The difficulty of any roll involving this sense is decreased by two. [ 1 ] Approachable [ Hunter The Reckoning Players Guide -- Page 105 ] There's something very inviting and nonthreatening about you. People find you very easy to start a conversation with. Even distrustful creatures tend to put aside their instinctive wariness of mortals in regard to you. Reduce the difficulty of any Empathy rolls involving other people or hunters by two, and by one when human-seeming monsters are concerned. [ 1 ] Bargain Hound [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] You have a knack for getting things cheaply. Sometimes you get the goods you need in sales. Sometimes you get them through wholesalers. Sometimes, you just hunt around until you get a bargain. However you do it, the difficulty of any Resources roll you make is decreased by two. [ 1 ] Common Sense [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You've been gifted with practical, everyday wisdom that allows you to avoid making stupid,
obvious mistakes. Whenever you're about to act in a way that's contrary to common sense, the Storyteller can make a suggestion as to the likely outcome of the action, possibly warning you away from it. Unlike the Hunter's Intuition Ability, this Merit doesn't allow you to make good gueses, nor does it offer you any particular insight. It just helps you avoid doing really, really dumb things.
[ 1 ] Concentration [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You're rather good at shutting out distractions and focusing on the task at hand. You're unaffected by disturbances -- such as screaming kids, loud noisses, hanging upside down, or DJs playing really terrible music -- when you focus on a particular action. [ 1 ] Early Adopter [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 105 ] "Wow! Look at that new palmtop computer. I just got a have one." You want to have the latest gadgets and technology. It's a drain on your cash, and your apartment is clutter with some neat technology that never made it, but you have a solid sense of how to use the latest gadgets. You quickly understand and use most consumerlevel technology. Not only that, you have a great collection of stuff that can be used on the hunt. Add to dice to any Technology roll when trying to figure out how to use an unfamiliar device. [ 1 ] Fast Reader
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You can read and understand a piece of writing far faster than most people. Although it can make long journeys by train or plane expensive propositions due to the number of books and magazines you go through, it allows you to quickly extract useful information from anything written in your native language. [ 1 ] Funny [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 105 ] You can make people laugh. Your timing and sense of the absurd are second to none. You're always being invited the parties because you're so much fun. However, you're also very good at judging the appropriateness of your humor. Sometimes, the right joke can lift the spirits of people when everything seems to be going against them. So, you do what you can to make life more bearable for your fellow imbued, even when the situation seems darkest. Lower the difficulty of any Social roll intended to boost morale by two. [ 1 ] Good Map Reader [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You're the Holy Grail of drivers everywhere: Someone who can read a map well. Whether you're using an old map and a road atlas to locate a bloodsucker's nest, or you're navigating the New York City subways with a street atlas, you can find your way to where you need to be. [ 1 ] Good Recognition [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You are great at remembering the names of people you've encountered, and places you've been. You can call to mind the name of somebody you met briefly at a party three years ago, while you were a bit drunk, as clearly as if you'd met them only yesterday. You can also
remember the streets you staggered along on your way home. You're even good at remembering the names of people mentioned in newspaper stories and broadcast reports, and locations glimpsed in still photographs or on TV. [ 1 ] Good Right Hook / Good Left Hook [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] The power of your punch belies your modest frame. Maybe you were a boxer for a while, or perhaps you've just been in a lot of fights. No matter the reason, people tend to fall over when you hit him. Add two dice to your damage roll for any Brawl-based attack. [ 1 ] Good Taste [ Hunter The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 105 ] You have a knack for choosing the right food from the menu, telling the right anecdotes, and giving the right presents. You've seen the right films for discussion and cultured company, and you wouldn't know who starred in Dumb and Dumber, let alone have the first clue about the plot. Your taste makes forging social contacts among similar folk much easier, whatever your origins. Lower the difficulty of any Social roll intended to gain acceptance or to impress in a like-minded gathering by two.
[ 1 ] Gossip [ Hunter The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 105 ] Your an incurable gossip, and other gossips recognize a kindred spirit in you. You're more than happy to spend our shooting the breeze with others, all the while discussing the minutiae of other people's lives. Surprising how much information you can pick up that way, isn't it? Lower the difficulty of any Interrogation rolls made in a social situation, without bullying or intimidating, by two. [ 1 ] Healthy Skepticism
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You're good at separating truth from fiction, and someone has to be up pretty damn early to catch you off guard. You rarely take what people say at face value until you're able to check the details yourself. This Merit allows you to reduce the difficulty of any roll to perceive a lie by two. It should be roleplayed as much as possible. [ 1 ] Hollow Leg [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] You can drink like a fish. The amount of alcohol you can put away during a binge is truly phenomenal. What's more aggravating to your buddies is how little you suffer for it. Anyone who gets into a drinking competition with you quickly regrets it. Halve any penalties you suffer for consuming alcohol. [ 1 ] Light Sleeper [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] Although you sleep well, you are awakened quickly by a commotion. Any disturbance, from a poltergeist tossing objects around your room to a cat getting amorous on a neighboring rooftop awakens you immediately. Unlike possessing the Vigilance edge or the Endurance Trait, you still need eight hours' sleep to function properly. You just wake up more easily than most. [ 1 ] Lovestruck [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 105 ] You've fallen for someone and the feeling is reciprocated. The world seems a better place. Colors are brighter, music is more enchanting, and the hunt seems less desperate. Even the slightest success boost your confidence. Unlike the Soulmate Background, this love may be a transistory thing. If you don't maintain the relationship, you may lose this Merit at the Storyteller's discretion. Even if it lasts, you don't
feel the same deep connection as with Soulmate. Regain two Willpower instead of one when you wake up each morning. [ 1 ] Media Junkie [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 105 ] TV, radio, newspapers, films -- you love them all and can't get enough. You're a voracious consumer of pop-culture and are always up on the latest movies, music, and current affairs. Lower the difficulty of any Social or Research roll that involves pop-culture by two. [ 1 ] Natural Leader [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 105 ] Prerequisite: Charisma 3+ You have been gifted with a certain Mary and personality that naturally make people defer to your opinion or orders. You received two extra dice on Leadership rolls. You must have a Charisma of 3 or greater to purchase this Merit. [ 1 ] Natural Politician [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 106 ] You're right at home among the devious minds of the political world. Whether it's the cut and thrust of office jockeying for the showboating of regional politics, such as an office meeting or gun club gathering. You must have a Manipulation of 3 or more to have this Merit. Politics and Bureaucracy Abilities have no bearing on application of this Merit because it represents raw talent, not the knowledge gained through long experience. [ 1 ] Natural Runner [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] You've enjoyed running ever since you were a kid. Whereas most people wheeze and complain about exercising, running has always been an absolutely pleasure for you. As a result, you can
run like the wind when the situation demands it. Your Dexterity counts as one point higher than it actually is for purposes of determining Movement rates. [ 1 ] Perfect Balance [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 109 ] Your sense of balance is superb. The narrowest of ledges holds little fear for you, because you have such a good command of your physical equilibrium. You're probably a good dancer, too. This Merit allows you to reduce the difficulty of all balance-related rolls by two.
to rough seas or unpredictable ship motion on any actions performed while on board. [ 1 ] Smooth [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 106 ] You might come from the wrong side of the tracks. You probably don't have a clue which fork to use when eating out. But none of that matters. You present yourself with such an easy grace and carefree attitude that people forgive you most errors. They might not like you much, but they enjoy your company so thoroughly that your rougher edges are quickly forgiven and forgotten. Lower the difficulty of any Manipulation roll by two.
[ 1 ] Punctual [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 106 ] You're master of the virtually lost art of arriving on time. If you have a meeting at 10 AM, you're sitting in the reception area at 9:59. If you have an 8 PM dinner date with your beloved, you'll be in the restaurant at eight on the dot. Barring deliberate interference in your plans, almost always manage things so you turn up on time. It makes you a great organizer, assuming your allies come through for you. [ 1 ] Robust Health [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 109 ] You have the constitution of an ox. You rarely get ill, if ever, and food poisoning is a stranger to you. You don't even get hangovers, you bastard. Reduce the difficulty of any roll to resist illness or poisoning -- including alcohol poisoning -- by two. [ 1 ] Sea Legs [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 109 ] No landlubber, you're a salty sea dog at heart. You're at home on a boat, even when traveling rough seas. You suffer no penalty incurred due
[ 1 ] Specialist Drivers License [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Ynur driving repertoire extends far beyond the SUV or sports car. You're qualified tO drive trucks, farm vehicles, or some other specialized form of vehicular transportation. [ 1 ] Supernatural Affinity [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 57 ] Prerequisite: Bystander Your exposure to monsters have left a deep and abiding impression on your subconscious, and it is perhaps a source of nightmares and anxieties that have plagued you ever since. Although the thought of monsters hiding amongst humanity fills you with dread, you are morbidly obsessed with the idea. It's like a raw wound that's terrible to look at, yet you can't stop picking at it. You're somehow drawn unconsciously to a specific kind monster -- probably the same variety chat you encountered at your failed imbuing (assuming you can even recognize different monsters as the "same kind").
This Merit causes you to sense intuitively the immediate presence of a particular kind of monster. This type of entity becomes the focus of your attention for reasons that may not be immediately obvious, although you may certainly learn over time to associate sudden, inexplicable feelings with the proximity of the creature. The exact nature of the attraction is for you and your Storyteller to determine, and it should be consistent each time you encounter the object of your affinity. You may feel anxiety, outright terror, or even desire, depending on what you saw and what happened in your first encounter. This quality does not apply when monsters use supernatural powers to conceal themselves. You still don't know they're present. Spirits, however, can be detected even when they're invisible to mortal sight. [ 1 ] Time Sense [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] You have an almost uncanny sense of time. You can estimate the amount of time that has passed, and the approximate time of day, without using a clock or any other means of measuring time. [ 1 ] Way With Words [ Hunter The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 106 ] Language is a finely honed tool for you, not a blunt instrument. You are able to create exactly the effect you want by choosing your words carefully, in both written and verbal communication. Gain two dice on any Expression roll that involves words. [ 1 ] The Word [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 57 ] Prerequisite: Bystander This Merit allows you to recognize, understand, and write the hunter code just as the imbued can.
[ 1 - 3 ] Alimony Recipient [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Your marriage has failed, but at least that cheating asshole has to pay you. The level of Merit you buy indicates the number of Resources points you can have (that must be purchased separately) for which you don't have to work. Your rating also suggests how wealthy your ex was, or how badly he was beaten in court. Chances are you have the Children Flaw, too. [ 1 - 3 ] Penetrate Illusion [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 57 ] Prerequisite: Bystander The Heralds' harsh revelation about the existence of monsters has left you with a paranoid distrust of appearances, no matter how ordinary or appealing. This fixation, combined with the energies of the imbuing, has given you a limited ability to see past the illusions that some monsters create for their victims. Penetrating a supernatural illusion requires a successful Willpower roll (difficulty 6). You may not defeat illusions of a higher order than the number of points spent on this Merit. Spending one point on this Merit allows you to penetrate common, low level illusions. Two points allow you to penetrate uncommon, medium-level illusions. Three points allow you to attempt to see past powerful illusory effects. Note that this capability does not reveal spirits that do not make themselves Visible in the material world. (Nor does it automatically reveal spirits that possess living bodies or items.) However, it does allow you to attempt to penetrate any illusions that ghosts create (bleeding walls, illusory flames). It can also allow you to see monsters that try to use supernatural powers to remain hidden. If you use this Merit to penetrate a monster's illusion, you may still be required to spend a
Willpower point to have the resolve to remain at the scene and under control, thanks to hardened spirit. You probably have to make a Virtue roll to avoid losing a Conviction point, as well. After all, you were exposed to an illusion of fire, for example -- a completely unnatural phenomenon. You may have seen through the ruse, but its occurrence still defies your understanding of the mundane world. Likewise, Penetrate Illusion allows you to detect a monster that's cloaked by invisibility or other illusion. A monster is still revealed. You may have to spend Willpower to resist the supernatural fear inspired, and you mighr have to make a Virtue roll to retain Conviction during the spectacle. [ 1 - 3 ] Religious Devotion [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] Your character has strong belief in a particular religious doctrine, the intensity of which is reflected in the Merit rating you choose. This belief gives your hunter strength, comfort, and calm in trying times. His devotion grants 1 to 3 additional Willpower points when he's tested, when he must perform a challenging task, or when he needs confidence to succeed at an action. Your character probably prays or asks for guidance or depends upon his own trust in a Supreme Being during these moments. You then have a separate pool ofWillpower points that you may draw upon for the remainder of the scene. These points must be spent in efforts that support or affirm your character's devotion, such as saving another person's life, lifting an obstructing object, or controlling his own fear. They cannot be squandered on selfish acts or petty efforts. In essence, if a point is used to perform an act that runs counter to the teachings or values of your character's faith, perhaps to save himself or to lash out in unjustified anger, he has probably misapplied his devotion. You and the Storyteller must agree what are
appropriate circumstances in which you may spend your bonus Willpower points. In general, Religious Devotion can be called upon once per chapter (game session). it may be summoned more frequently under particularly demanding or appropriate circumstances -- say to save someone's life or to put your character directly in harm's way -- but the Storytelelr must consent. [ 1 - 3 ] The Sight [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 57 ] Prerequisite: Bystander Your brief contact with the Heralds has opened your eyes to the supernatural, and now you see monsters wherever you turn, like it or not. As with hunters' second sight, this quality allows you to sense monsters for what they really are, although you get no information as to their specific nature. You get an undeniable feeling that someone or something is simply inhuman or wrong when you look at it, without any idea of why or how. A being may look perfectly normal, bur you just know it's not right. Unlike hunters' second sight, this Merit does not allow you to see through supernatural illusions, nor does it make you immune to supernatural emotion-, mind- or body-control powers. You're just as vulnerable to fear, magical hallucinations, and illusions as any other bystander is. If a monster uses supernatural powers to conceal its location, you cannot see or sense it. Nor can you see spirits that don't manifest intentionally or reveal themselves in the material world, but you can sense that a possession victim is off somehow. Any immunity to monstrous influence or control must still be acquired by spending a Willpower point. The variable cost of this Merit dictates how much control you have over your sight. At one point, your sight is always active. You are subjected to horrific sights day and night,
requiring frequent Virtue rolls to maintain your grip on sanity. Two points provide some degree of control. You can activate the sight intentionally, bur it also activates spontaneously in the presence of a specific kind of monster, most likely the same kind that you first encountered at your abortive Imbuing. Three points allow almost complete control over the sight. Regardless of whether you spend two or three points, activating and deactivating the sight requires a successful Willpower roll (difficulty 6).
wouldn't. But remember, your best friend counts on you to do the same for him -- if not more. [ 2 ] Bundle Of Energy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 109 ] Prerequisite: Cannot have Endurance Trait; cannot have Vigilance edge You are full of energy. You subsist on five or six hours' sleep a night, you find yourself unable to stay in bed any longer. Your days are full of physical acticity, and you can work long into the night without penalty. You cannot have both this Merit and the Endurance Trait. If you develop the Vigilance edge through play, you must cash in this Merit for two Freebie Points.
[ 1 - 5 ] Independent Income [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ]
[ 2 ] Cat Napper [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 109 ]
Through hard work, heredity, or phenomenal good fortune, your Resources rating is an independent income for which you don't have to work. The level of Merit you buy indicates how many dots of Resources (which must be purchased separately) you have that do not require you to work.
Although you need six to eight hours' sleep per night, you don't need it all at once. You catch your Z's as and when you can. As long as your naps total six to eight hours in a 24-hour period -- and they usually do unless you're forcibly denied naps -- you can function as normal.
[ 2 ] Best Friend [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 106 ] You have the good fortune to have a best buddy. He stands with you through thick and thin. You've shared jokes, tragedies, and all the highs and lows of life over the years, all of which has forged a bond between you that some married couples never achieve. Perhaps you were at school or work together. Although you are not able to share the details of your new life with your friend, you can rely on him to back you up to the best of his abilities and not to ask too many difficult questions. A best friend is closer to you and more committed to helping you then an Ally, but moves far more. He goes that extra mile to get you out of trouble, whereas an Ally
[ 2 ] Code Of Honor [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] You have a personal code of ethics to which you adhere strictly. This code may be related to your creed or not. There's no reason an Innocent can't have a code of honor that dictates she seek retribution for any direct harm done to her friends. You should work out the details of your code with the Storyteller before play begins. You gain two additional dice to all Willpower rolls when accompanying a major feat in accordance with your code. [ 2 ] Determined [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ]
You're one tenacious bastard, determined to go your own way. It can be really difficult for people to persuade you otherwise. Gain two dice in any resisted roll in which someone tries to persuade you to do something. This Merit also applies to attempts to resist supernatural tricks that have mind-control effects if you do not have Conviction active. You might also have the Stubborn Flaw. [ 2 ] Dual Nationality [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Thanks to being born to parents of different countries, you have dual nationality. You may even have two passports. This makes it easy for you to operate in two different places, and even hide out in another country if things get tOO hot in your normal place of residence. Note: Not all countries allow you to take a dual citizenship. Additionally, some countries (such as the United States) make you choose which country you are a citizen of by a certain age; in instances such as this, you automatically lose the citizenship in the country you did not choose. [ 2 ] Eidetic Memory [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] You have perfect recall. As a result, you can remember things you've heard or read in perfect detail. Entire conversations, documents, or pictures can be committed to memory with only minor concentration. Should you attempt such a feat under stressful conditions -- for example, trying to memorize a long list of names while three rots pound at the door -- you must make a Perception + Alertness roll, difficulty 6, to summon enough concentration to finish the job (unless you also have the Concentration Merit, which allows you to commit information to memory flawlessly). [ 2 ] Enchanting Voice [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ]
You have the most captivating voice. There's a quality to it that makes people unable to ignore it. If you whisper seductive words and someone's ear, his heart melts. If you demand that someone do something, he springs into action at your behest. The difficulty of all rolls involving the use of your voice to persuade, seduce, charm, or order is reduced by two. [ 2 ] Fashion Sense [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ] Your character doesn't just dress well, he has an innate sense of what sort of clothes suit a particular occasion. This isn't a case of slavishly following the latest fashion week trends from the hottest designers. It's a matter of knowing when to dress smart and when to be casual, and having the know-how to carry it off on a limited budget. Deduct one from the difficulty of Social rolls and situations in which dressing appropriately is important, such as in a business meeting, chatting at a club, or attending an invitation-only function. [ 2 ] Firearms License [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] The effecr of this Merit depends on the country in which your game is set. In places such as the UK, it indicates that you are allowed to carry weapons. Without this Merit, possession of a firearm is illegal. In countries where you have a right to bear arms, it indicates that you have a license to carry unusual or powerful firearms such as automatic weapons. [ 2 ] Flirt [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ] You claim that you are a terrible flirt, but that quite manifestly isn't true. You're great at it. You're an absolute master at all the subtle signs that give all the particular combination of promise and denial that makes teasing so much
fun. At your best, you can make members of the opposite sex, or members of the same sex, putty in your hands.
is after meeting her for a few seconds, based on little more than gut instinct. You're rarely wrong. Decrease the difficulty of any Perception roll based on assessing a person or human-seeming monster by two.
[ 2 ] Forgettable [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 109 ]
[ 2 ] Good Night Vision [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ]
Prerequisite: Appearance 2 or 3, Charisma 3 or less
Maybe you spent a lot of time camping. Maybe you're just a fisherman who's used to getting up before dawn. For whatever reason, your night vision is excellent. The difficulty of Perception rolls at night is decreased by two.
It's not that you're ugly. It's just that, well, people's eyes tend to slide over you. You're of average height and build, unremarkable looks, and run-of-the-mill dress. People have problems remembering your appearance after they meet you, unless you have talked with them for a long time. Certainly, people won't be able to give a useful description of you if they only see you briefly. You must have an Appearance of 2 or 3 and a Charisma no higher than 3 to take this Merit. Unlike the Everyman Background, this Merit applies solely to your physical appearance. You might have a dreadful credit rating, a police file as thick as the phone book, and a sexual history that would make a porn star blush, but people on the street just don't remember you. [ 2 ] Good Credit Rating [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Resources: Resources 3+ You've always had a reasonable income, paid your debts on time, and built up enough financial security to keep the most cynical banker happy. You have access to a decent amount of credit as a result. You must have 3 or more Resources to purchase this Merit. [ 2 ] Good Judge Of Character [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ] You have an instinct for reading people. You can make an appraisal of the kind of person someone
[ 2 ] Great Liar [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ] Lying comes naturally to you. Even the most involved deception sounds like God's own truth when it comes to tripping off your honeyed tongue. Gain two dice on any Social roll that involves lying to her deceiving another person or monster. [ 2 ] Internet Savvy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] The Internet is becoming increasingly commonplace, but it is far from universal. Many users never progress beyond the basic email/simple surfing to "sites whose address you know" stage. Characters with this Merit are adept at using the Internet in all its vast, rambling confusion. You can track down and use mailing lists, research obscure weapons, and maybe even pick up clues about monsters online. [ 2 ] Laid-Back Friends [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ]
Everyone needs pals. You've got a particularly good bunch. They're pretty cool about when they get to see you; they don't get uptight if you're not in contact for a while. They're also great at not interfering with your life. Sure, you've gone through some changes of late, but that's your choice. They'll be there if you want to talk or need help, but they'll otherwise stay out of your hair. If these guys are also your Allies, they'll help you without asking too many difficult questions. Hey, your life, your business, right? [ 2 ] Natural Linguist [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] You have a gift for other languages, reading and speaking them with the fluency of a native. When you learn a language, reflected by increases in your Linguistics Ability, you learn it in more depth and with greater fluency than do most others. You may add three dice to any roll involving writing, reading, or speaking a language you know, barring your native tongue (presumably, you use that language almost flawlessly).
local events, helping out with community groups or helping others, you become well-liked and trusted by those who live around you. When you bring the morning of potential danger or offer an explanation of strange events, they're likely to believe you. You may even be able to call upon their aid in a pinch. You may not get it, however. The Roots Background represents that sort of deep, committed relationship to a community. The upside is that this Merit does not carry the same level of obligation to the community that the Background does. [ 2 ] Sexy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You are one sexy mutha. You might not necessarily be that good looking, but there's something about the way you move and act that exudes sexuality. As a result, you draw attention from members of the opposite sex, or your own sex, with raw animal magnetism. You may lower the difficulty of any Social roll by two when dealing with someone who is attracted to you. If you actively attempt to direct your charms at a person, you may lower the difficulty by three. [ 2 ] Socially Aware [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ]
[ 2 ] People Person [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ] You're a social animal. You just like being around others. Hell, they like being around you. Your opening gregarious nature makes people warmed to you quickly. The difficulty of any Social roll to create a good impression on another is decreased by two. [ 2 ] Pillar Of The Community [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ] You're a fine, upstanding person, respected by people around you. Through participation in
Social interplay is an open book to you. You're the first to spot the hidden relationships between people, after only a few minutes of observation. Subtle clues like body language and position, voice tone, and choice of words speak volumes to you about the underlying connections between people. Gain two dice on any Perception roll involving interaction between other people and/or human-seeming monsters.
[ 2 ] Trivia Champ [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ]
Where do you get this stuff? Whether it's through plenty of reading, too much TV, or just an eclectic bunch of friends, you have the oddest collection of facts stored way in your skull. Once in a while, at the Storyteller's discretion, one of them turns out to be just the piece of information your fellow hunters need. You might not actually be very bright, but the sheer amount of knowledge you've picked up makes you appear that way. This Merit doesn't confer knowledge of the enemy or the occult, beyond what is likely to be known in common culture (and may well be dangerously wrong). [ 2 ] Upright Citizen [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] Up until the moment of your imbuing, you were a model citizen. There's never been even a whiff of scandal about you. Your working life has been good, without being extraordinary. Your friends would be hard-pressed to come up with any embarrassing secrets about you, and even your ex-lovers are complimentary about you most of the time. You just don't have any dirty secrets to come back to haunt you, and people who know you have a hard time believing anything bad about you. [ 2 ] Vibrant Neighborhood [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] You live in a part of the city where everything goes, and does so most of the time. The streets are fairly busy late at night and the inhabitants are up to all sorts of strange things, legal and no so legal. Whenever anything odd happens, people tend to dismiss it as just another part of the daily routine. [ 2 ] Wealthy Partner [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Your other half is pulling in a fortune, at least by your earning standards, and happy to be the
breadwinner. With someone else covering the bills and living expenses, you can get away with a part-time job that allows you time to pursue the hunt.
[ 2 OR 4 ] Seasoned Traveler [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 107 ] You've visited distant and different places on your own, and you know how to fit in. You don't hit town expecting everyone to think and behave the way you do. With the 2-point version, you're adept at finding accommodation, supplies, and local help wherever you go in your home country. With the 4-point version, the same applies to foreign countries. You might not speak the language of a place well, or at all, but you know how to go about obtaining things and learning about the local culture without offending the natives, through a combination of prior research and general street smarts. [ 3 ] Cannot Become A Monster [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Bystander Although you did not accept the powers offered by the Messengers, your spirit was still altered profoundly: You are now as immune to monsters' corrupting much as any of the imbued. You cannot be blood bound or turned into a ghoul. Nor may you ever become a mage or use hedge magic. Attempts to transform you into a vampire kill you immediately. Finally, once dead, you cannot rise again as a zombie or spirit. The Storyteller remains the final arbiter as to whether this quality is effective against the transforming powers of especially ancient or potent monsters. One might still make a vampire of you, for example.
Note that this Merit does nor immunize you to the emotion-, mind- or body-control powers of monsters. You still need to spend Willpower to resist those effects[ 3 ] Corporate Savvy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] You've been a warrior on the cubicle battlefields for a long time, and you know how the corporate mind works. You understand the dynamics of money, business, information, and power that make up companies, and you can manipulate them for your own ends to a limited degree. Add two dice to any roll involving manipulating a corporate structure or a corporate employee. [ 3 ] Daredevil [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You love taking risks, and the adrenaline rush you get helps you succeed at stunts. Whether you're leaping from a moving train or taking on a rot in face-to-face combat, you live for danger. When attempting any dangerous action, you can add three dice to your roll and ignore one botch die that results. In general, the action attempted must be at least at difficulty 8 and have the potential to do three health levels of lethal damage or six levels of bashing damage if you fail. The Storyteller is the final arbiter of when this Merit applies, and he may impose a cap of one hair-raising feat per game session. [ 3 ] Fast Learner [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] You learn the basics of a subject very quickly indeed. You can cram simple information about virtually any subject into your head with speed and ease. You take the normal time to develop a deeper knowledge, of course, but you start getting the hang of things very quickly. The cost to gain a new Ability is one experience point
instead of three. Costs for higher levels are normal, however. [ 3 ] Flexible Job [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Your job allows you to a flexible schedule or allows you to travel a lot. Or perhaps you're effectively your own boss, with no one monitoring your activities. However you do it, you can earn your Resources rating through a job that doesn't significantly restrict your hunting activities. [ 3 ] Huge Size [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 110 ] You're one big individual. You stand almost seven feet tall and weigh 300 pounds or more, making your physical presence nearly impossible to ignore. Because of your sheer bulk, you gain an extra bruised health level. Your Storyteller may also awared you bonuses for attempts to push objects, break down doors, or resist being knocked down.
[ 3 ] Media Savvy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] There's a knack to dealing with the media, and you have it. You've learned what journalists want, and you do your best to provide it in a way that best suits you. You can create, suppress, and redirect stories with a fair amount of effectiveness, just by the spin you put on them. Most of the time, you try to set up situations so the media reads them the way you want, say, by making a hit on a mosnter look like drug-related violence. Add two dice to any Social rolls in which you deal with journalists or news organizations.
[ 3 ] Natural Aptitude [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] You have a particular Ability at which you excel. You're just a natural, or you've studied it so extensively that the Ability comes easily to you. You pay fewer than normal experience points to gain dots in the Ability. The first point of the Ability costs only one experience point to gain if you learn it after play begins. You also gain one extra die on any roll involving that Ability. [ 3 ] Paid Mortgage [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Your house is your own. You've finished paying the bank, so mortgage installments are no longer an issue. Nor is repossession a threat. Even if your hunting costs you your job, you have a roof over your head. [ 3 ] Resistant To Supernatural Fear [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Bystander Your attempted imbuing confronted you with nightmarish sights that might have broken the sanity of a lesser person. Having endured the intense experience, you are now more resistant to supernaturally induced terror and confusion than even other bystanders. You may resist supernaturally induced fear with a successful Willpower roll (difficulty 6) instead of being forced to spend a Willpower point. This ability is reflexive. If the roll succeeds, you enjoy hardened spirit's protection for the remainder of the scene. If the roll fails, you are vulnerable to mortal fear, and you probably go into hysterics and flee. You can, however, still opt to spend a Willpower point after a failed roll. Botching a roll means that no Willpower can be spent, and the Storyteller may assign you a temporary or permanent derangement. Making a successful Willpower roll to resist supernaturally induced fear does not preclude
you from making Virtue rolls or losing Conviction points in the scene. Note: This Merit may not work against very old or powerful monsters. The Storyteller may adjust the difficulty of your Willpower roll or decide that the Trait has no effect at all against particularly potent creatures. [ 3 ] Supportive Family [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] Sure, you're acting strange. There's something going on that you can't or won't tell them about, but it's important to you. That much is clear. But, they're your family, they love you, and they'll be there for you. They're sure you'll get around to telling them the whole truth sooner or later. Until then, they choose to trust you. Unless you have also taken your kin under the Allies Background, your family won't go out of the way to help you. They just don't ask the questions that you can't answer. [ 3 ] Unflappable [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 111 ] You are a naturally placid person and take most things in stride. You were almost hit by a car? That was close. Your wife has left you? Ah, well. Although you have emotions as others do, you don't let them affect you to the same degree. You gain two extra dice on any Willpower roll that involves staying calm or not overreacting to mundane experiences -- those within your preimbusing bounds of comprehension. This Merit differs from the Steel Nerves Background in that it doesn't make you resistant to supernatural or horrific experiences. It simply helps you to cope with the plausible and unfortunate of everyday life. You might have witnessed dead bodies before, and can deal with seeing them now, but seeing a dead body that's partially devoured is probably beyond your previous experience.
[ 4 ] Direction Sense [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] You have an innate sense of where you are and the distance you've traveled. You can make a good guess of which way is north, even without clues like the position of the sun. You rarely get lost and can estimate the distance between two points pretty well. You may even be able to navigate your way through London's one-way systems. Maybe. [ 4 ] Lucky [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 108 ] You were born lucky. Since you were a kid, things have worked out your way. Maybe you took a job with a small firm just before the business went through the roof, leading to your rapid promotion. Or the one time you were dumped, the guy you had your eye on also split up and the two of you hooked up within weeks. Once per chapter (game session), the Storyteller may decrease the difficulty of a critical roll you make by two. If you succeed, it's because some random factor makes things easier for you. You cannot start the game with both this Merit and the Fools Luck Innocence edge. If you gain the edge in the course of the game, you may spend your four freebie points on other Merits that develop during the chronicle. [ 4 ] Optimistic [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 112 ] Despite the horrors you've experienced since the imbuing, you have retained a basically positive outlook on life. Even when things go wrong, you face each day with the hope that things will get better. Regain two Willpower when you wake up each morning, rather than the usual one.
[ 4 ] Resistant To Mind Control [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Bystander Your traumatic brush with the Messengers has left you violently opposed to the idea of another mind forcing itself upon you. You can wall off your mind and body from invading forces better than other bystanders can. This Merit allows you to make a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) to resist any direct possession or mind-control attempts. Supernaturally induced fear does not meet special resistance from this Trait. Nor does this Merit allow you the capacity to see through supernatural illusions or hallucinations. Your Willpower roll is reflexive. Yon can resist control attempts whether you are aware of them or not, as can other bystanders. A successful roll grants you protection as per the hardened spirit effect for the remainder of the scene. If your roll fails, you can still spend a Willpower point to resist. If you have no Willpower to spend, or you choose not to, you are subject to monstrous influence for the scene. Botching results in the same. Influence may persist even longer if the creature is subtle, maintaining control over you that you are not even aware of. However, with this Merit, you are liberated automatically from ongoing control with the next Willpower roll that you make with this Merit, or with the next Willpower point that you spend toward hardened spirit. Such 5ubtle, extended monster influence
is not simply suspended for a scene -- it's severed completely. Breaking a monster's hold in this way cannot be performed in the same scene that control is achieved, however, even if you make another Willpower roll or spend a point right away. Control can be severe in the next scene or later if you do not call upon Willpower again for some time.) Making a successful Willpower roll to resist mind- or body-control power does not spare you from making Virtue rolls or losing Conviction points in the scene. Note: This Merit may not work against every old or powerful monster. The Storyteller may adjust the difficulty of your Willpower roll or decide that the Trait has no effect at all against particularly potent creatures.
Hunter Flaws [ 1 ] Allergies [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] You're allergic to a rather common substance, such as cat fur, that causes sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and other distracting symptoms. The difficulty of all actions increases by one when you are exposed to whatever triggers your allergy. [ 1 ] Arthritic [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] Your joints, especially your hands, are stiff and often swollen. When you attempt anything that requires a fine and careful touch such as sewing or repairing a watch, increase the difficulty of your roll by one. [ 1 ] Audit
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You currentlyy undergo an audit by the national tax authority. You cannot purchase illegal goods totalling more than $50 0without attracting the attention of the officers assigned to your case. Any money you wish to use for illegal purposes must be laundered first. Increase the difficulty of all Resources rolls by two. [ 1 ] Bad Liar [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ] You have tremendous trouble lying. The spontaneous excuses that you come up with are usually unbelievably elaborate or easily refuted with the bare modicum of research. While telling a prefabricated lie, you stutter, stammer, blush, and generally look guilty. Increase the difficulty of any roll that involves verbal deception by Two. [ 1 ] Balding [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ] You barely have any hair left on your head, whether it's due to old age or cruel genes. You are relatively easy to pick out of crowds, and you have problems making a good impression on others, especially in romantic situations. Increase the difficulty of any Ability rolls involved in a seduction attempt by one. [ 1 ] Bully [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ] You tend to push people around when you can get away with it. This aggression doesn't necessarily require a physical display; it is often purely social. You chafe under the leadership of more forceful personalities and can be a malcontent when you aren't in charge. [ 1 ] Children [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ]
You have children. for whom you are a primary emotional, social, and economic provider. You take a lot of joy in your kids and pride yourself on being a good parent. Unfortunately, the hunt gets in the way of parenting. If you go more than three days without seeing your kids because of work or activities related to your calling, you feel tremendous guilt. Until you see your kids, you cease to regain a Willpower point after a night of rest.
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ]
[ 1 ] Chronic Pessimist [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ]
[ 1 ] Collaborator [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ]
You think the glass is half-empty, that the water in the glass is contaminated, and that the glass will probably tip over at any second. Others practice pessimism out of habit. For you, it's an art form. Nothing can ever go right, especially plans that others propose. You are the implacable voice of gloom and doom, always ready to point out a potential problem no matter how remote a chance it has of coming to pass. Add two to the difficulty of your Leadership rolls.
Sometime in the recent past, you have allied with one monster or more to take down a more powerful creature or to learn some insight into the ways of night creatures. Or the hunter wordof-mouth circuit reports you doing so, whether legitimately or not. Either way, word has spread through the local hunter community or farther, and many conservative imbued mistrust you.
[ 1 ] Chronically Late [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ]
You have trouble distinguishing between hues. You must make a Perception roll, difficulty 6, to accurately determine the color of an object.
You're always running behind schedule. If you agree to meet someone at a particular time, you must make a successful Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to arrive on time. Failure means you arrive between 15 and 30 minutes late. A botch means you show up an hour late or not at all.
[ 1 ] Crude [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ]
[ 1 ] Chronically Shy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ] You become very nervous and ill at ease when dealing with strangers in social situations. You often go our of your way to avoid meeting new people. Increase the difficulty of all Social rolls involving strangers by two. [ 1 ] Clannish Family
Your family is as loving and supportive as anyone else's. They don't take kindly to strangers, however. Your relatives either disapprove of your friends or they like to keep favors within the family. Your kin don't do anything that directly or indirectly helps anyone apart from their own.
[ 1 ] Color Blind [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ]
You never learned any manners while growing up. You talk with your mouth full, burp loudly, and slurp your soup. When interacting with others in any refined or formal environment, increase the difficulty of all Social rolls by two. [ 1 ] Cultural Snob [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ] You have nothing but disdain for popular music, TV, and movies. You couldn't name any of the current top-10 songs, and you think knowledge of TV is a sign of poor taste and incorrigible
stupidity. Unfortunately, this means you have a hard time relating to people who aren't equally snobbish about such things. When dealing with strangers who don't share your allegedly enlightened views, increase the difficulty of any Social rolls by two.
[ 1 ] Defensive [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 113 ] You have problems taking responsibility for your actions. Perhaps you view yourself as a perfectionist, or maybe you're simply too immature to accept the blame for failure. When things go wrong, you look for ways to blame others and rarely accept blame or criticism for your actions without contention.
away with a profit over any extended period of time. Increase the difficulty of any Resources rolls you attempt by two. [ 1 ] Ghoulish Sense Of Humor [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 114 ] You find humor in situations that make most people uncomfortable or even nauseated. Your questionable taste doesn't make you particularly resistant to the horror of gruesome sights. Your defense mechanism is simply to belittle the situation or those involved in an inappropriate way. When confronted with a horribly gory scene or otherwise uncomfortable situation such as people trying to console each other, you tend to crack jokes and sling insults. The difficulty of any Social roll you make under such circumstances is increased by two.
[ 1 ] Eccentric Appearance [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 114 ]
[ 1 ] Gullible [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ]
You dye your hair pink, wear clothes that are fashionable only among fringe sub-cultures such as goths or punks, and otherwise appear nothing like the average citizen. When dealing with people not familiar with your particular subculture increase the difficulty of any Social rolls you attempt by two. Your appearance unnerves mainstream people and makes them wary of you. Furthermore, your appearance is eye-catching, though people tend to focus on your attire rather than your actual physical characteristics, such as eye color.
You have a lot of trouble separating truth from fiction. You're not stupid, you just tend to believe what people tell you rather than to take things with a grain of salt. Increase by two the difficulty of any roll to detect lies.
[ 1 ] Gambling Addict [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 114 ] You are addicted to wagering money on games of chance. A sizable chunk of your income goes toward sustaining your habit, and even when you win you inevitably gamble your winnings away. You're too much of an addict to walk
[ 1 ] Haggard Appearance [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 59 ] Prerequisite: Bystander The constant stress and fear that hounds you in the wake of your failed imbuing has left its mark both physically and mentally. Los of sleep, loss of appetite, and relentless paranoia have caused you to lose a dramatic amount of weight, and you bear your burden poorly. You look 10 years older than you are. Your eyes are dead, or they gleam with an almost feverish light, and your hair might have started to fall out or go white prematurely. The effect is deeply unsettling,
especially to those who knew you before. Even total strangers react to you uneasily.
give people the impression that you're slow or uneducated, however.
Your physical features are permanently marked by your experiences, resulting in a countenance that is deeply disturbing to those around you. Your Appearance decreases permanently by one, and it cannot increase with experience points or through the application of a hunter's edge. Additionally, the difficulty of all your Socialrelated rolls increases by one.
[ 1 ] Impractical Dresser [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 114 ]
[ 1 ] Heavy Sleeper [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You tend to sleep right through most disturbances, from the loud stereo playing next door to the rot that just burst into your home. You must make a successful Willpower roll, difficulty 6, to wake up quickly. Failure means you spend the equivalent of a combat turn waking up. A botch means you sleep right through the disturbance, pending the Storyteller's judgment on the situation. [ 1 ] Icy Demeanor [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 114 ] You're uncomfortable relating to people on an emotional level, which is reflected in your mannerisms and speech. You clam up, seek escape, or avoid eye contact. Increase the difficulry of any Empathy rolls made toward you by two, as people have trouble identifying with you. [ 1 ] Ignorant [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 114 ] You tend to miss common cultural references that others take for granted, such as knowing that the Statue of Liberty is in New York City. You're not necessarily dumb or uneducated a cloistered college researcher could just as easily dive so deeply into his field of study that he dismisses anything outside it. You do tend to
You tend to dress with an eye toward impressing others rather than personal comfort. Unless you explicitly state that you dress appropriately for physical activity, you wear high heels, tight jeans, or something else that hampers physical activity. Increase the difficulty of Athletics or Dodge rolls by two when you wear such clothes. [ 1 ] Insensitive [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You have problems understanding how to gauge others' emotional reactions. You can be rather blunt in handling delicate matters, and you often find yourself apologizing without really understanding what you've done to offend someone. Add two to the difficulty of any Empathy rolls you attempt. [ 1 ] Intolerant Neighbors [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] Your neighborhood is exceptionally placid and people like it that way. Any odd noises or disturbances coming from your place invariably cause someone to call the police. [ 1 ] Lazy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You have trouble motivating yourself to do anything. You'd rather sit around the house watching TV and thinking of doing something with your life than actually getting up and doing it. You tend to complain loudly when there's work to do, and you prefer to let things slide until the last possible moment. You must make a Willpower roll, difficulty 6, to take care of any routine tasks not directly related to the hunt,
such as repairing your car after that skinchanger tore off the hood. [ 1 ] Low Alcohol Tolerance [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] Alcohol goes straight to your head. While this can be an advantage when you try to enjoy a night out on the cheap, it can be deadly on the hunt. Double any penalties you suffer for consuming alcohol. [ 1 ] Misinformed [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You uphold some odd belief, such as a conspiracy theory or UFO visitation, that flies in the face of accepted science or conventional wisdom. You tend to incorporate this misinformation into your world view. Whenever you test a Knowledge that in some way relates to your belief, increase the difficulty by two. This penalty kicks in when you roll a failure. It represents your tendency to come up with offthe-wall answers that others see as obviously incorrect. [ 1 ] Mistaken Identity [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You bear a striking resemblance to a notorious figure. This person could be someone known to the hunter underground, such as a particularly feared rot or a radical hunter, or you simply look like an infamous media star. While most people can quickly figure out that you aren't who they think you are, hotheads might not think twice before comforting you. [ 1 ] Motion Sickness [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ]
You become queasy and nauseous onboard boats, when traveling long distances by car, or on amusement park rides. Increase the difficulty of all actions you take by two when dealing with these conditions. [ 1 ] Needy Friends [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] Your friends and other non-imbued social contacts have a pattern of falling into bad situations and turning to you for help. You're the bedrock of their lives. Whether what they need is bail money or advice on dealing with a significant other, they look to you. If you have the Allies Background, this effect is magnified even more, at the Storyteller's discretion. [ 1 ] Nightmares [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] Your sleep is plagued by visions of the horrors that walk the earth. You must make a Willpower roll, difficulty 7, to sleep through the night without being tormented. The day after, add two to the difficulty of the first Ability or Attribute roll you make to deal with monsters. You can have the Vigilance edge or Endurance Ability and this Flaw; the little sleep you get with either is simply haunted by really bad dreams. The Storyteller may rule that any roll made to apply Conviction reactively while you sleep is at a +1 difficulty. [ 1 ] No Internet Access [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You lack an email address, web access, and perhaps too much as a computer. You're unable to keep up with developments on hunter-net, assuming you even know it exists. You must do your research through non-digital outlets such as libraries or by old-fashioned legwork. [ 1 ] No Phone [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ]
You do not have a regular phone number through which you can be contacted. You are very hard to get in touch with on short notice and are difficult to track down. It's hard for you to keep in touch with your fellow hunters, and you must rely on face-to-face meetings for planning and to arrange subsequent meetings. [ 1 ] No Sense Of Direction [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] You get lost all the time. Maps, compasses, and detailed directions do little to help. You have a lot of trouble figuring out where you are in relation to landmarks that aren't immediately obvious, and maps are largely incomprehensible to you. Increase by two the difficulty of any roll that involves following convoluted directions, backtracking a route, or navigating a confusing set of city streets.
[ 1 ] No Sense Of Smell [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You completely lack a sense of smell. You may have simply been born without it, or perhaps you lost it due to some freak accident. You can't smell anything, no matter how strong the odor might be. Food tastes somewhat bland to you. On the good side, you aren't bothered by the stench of sewers, rotting flesh, or other nastiness. [ 1 ] No Sense Of Taste [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] Your taste buds simply do not function. You cannot appreciate a fine meal, and you have trouble gauging the difference between good and bad food and drink. [ 1 ] Non-Confrontational
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You have a hard time bringing up difficult subjects with others. You're willing to make a lot of sacrifices to avoid interpersonal confrontations. You let people have their way simply to avoid fights, and often you step into arguments and attempt to end them without any thought about the outcome of the discussion, so long as it ends. You have a hard time coping with pushy people and find yourself making lots of compromises that you later wish you hadn't. Add two to the difficulty of any roll that involves debating or arguing with someone who is normally friendly with you. [ 1 ] Non-Swimmer [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You never learned to swim, and you have no natural talent for it. If you ever find yourself in a position where you must try to swim, you can manage a pitiable doggie paddle. Increase the difficulty of any Athletics rolls involving swimming by two. [ 1 ] Political Extremist [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You have connections to a political organization that most people view with suspicion or fear, such as the Nation of lslam or the Ku Klux Klan. You are an active member of the group and local law enforcement has an open dossier on you. Although you do not necessarily have a criminal record or engage in Illegal activity, the local police view you as a troublemaker and suspicious character. At any given time, you might be the target of undercover observation prompted by the activities of your organization. [ 1 ] Poor Dental Health [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] Your teeth are very obviously in need of serious work. They jut out at weird angles and some
may have fallen out. When interacting with others in superficial social settings such as a nightclub or bar, increase the difficulty of any Social roll by two. [ 1 ] Poor Online Demeanor [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You have discovered hunter-net or another online community of hunters but managed to antagonize many posters thanks to unnecessary flames or rude behavior. When dealing with a hunter familiar with that mailing list, increase the difficulty of all Social rolls by two. [ 1 ] Poor Personal Hygiene [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You often go days without showering, and you brush your teeth only when they start to gain a greenish tinge. You often smell quite bad, and your breath is atrociously offensive. Add two to the difficulty of any die roll that involves interacting face-to-face with others. [ 1 ] Poor Sense Of Time [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] You have no intuition for the flow of time. You can't even begin to guess the current time without looking at a clock, and you always overestimate or underestimate the amount of time that has passed since a specified event (or that remains before one).
even short-term social contacts. Add two to the difficulty of any Social roll that involves people who might dislike your brand of humor. [ 1 ] Revoked Driver's License [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You have lost your driver's license due to a poor driving record. If you are pulled over for any reason or are otherwise caught driving, you will be arrested immediately and your car will be impounded. [ 1 ] Sunday Driver [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] Whenever you go out with friends, no one wants you to drive. You pay almost obsessive attention to traffic regulations and make a conscious effort to drive below the speed limit. Alternatively, you have no patience for traffic, right of way, or signs, or you simply fail to pay attention to the road. The difficulty of any Drive rolls you make during a chase or other high-speed situation is increased by two. [ 1 ] Shadowy Past [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ] You aren't proud of your life before the imbuing, and if word of it ever got out, your fellow hunters might abandon you. Perhaps you ran a kiddie-porn ring, dealt drugs, or were involved with organized crime.
[ 1 ] Poor Taste [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 115 ]
[ 1 ] Short Temper [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ]
You wallow in bathroom humor, lowbrow jokes, and other practices that make more refined people uncomfortable. You've seen movies like Dumb and Dumber dozens of times, and don't plan on giving up on them any time soon. Your sense of humor makes you an instant pariah in any reasonably cultured company, and you can't help but let your true colors shine through in
You are easily driven to distraction by what would otherwise be minor failures and other frustrations. If you fail to gain any successes on any single roll during an extended action, increase the difficulty of all subsequent rolls by one, cumulatively. [ 1 ] Sickly
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You are constantly coughing and wheezing, and you have trouble shaking colds. You suffered almost every childhood illness imaginable, and you've only become worse as an adult. When making checks to avoid catching a disease or developing an infection, increase the difficulty of the roll by two.
[ 1 ] Socially Oblivious [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You have trouble picking up subtle hints from others. You often overstay your welcome at parties, and you tend to blurt out topics that everyone else takes great pains to avoid in conversation. You aren't a socially repellent person, just occasionally careless. Add two to the difficulty of any Etiquette rolls you attempt. [ 1 ] Speech Impediment [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You stutter, stammer, or otherwise have trouble speaking dearly. Increase the difficulty of any roll involving oral communication by two. [ 1 ] Stubborn [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] Once your mind is made up, there's no changing it. You cling to your beliefs the way a pit bull does a leg, and you're about as pleasantly comported when others challenge you. You hate to be proved wrong and go to extremes To avoid enduring the shame of it. Increase the difficulties of all Social rolls by two when someone challenges your ways. [ 1 ] Superstitious [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ]
You adhere doggedly to a superstition, such as knocking on wood or tossing hair over your shoulder. Although everyone has foibles, you take your behavior to extremes, often tying misfortune to your inability to abide by some superstition, and crediting any success to your adherence to "the rules." Your obsession doesn't lead you to risk your life, nor does it have a pervasive sway over you. You do tend to raise warnings and make superstitious suggestions frequently, though. Add two to the difficulty of any Social roll when dealing with people who know about your superstitious bent and who frown upon it. [ 1 ] Terrible With Names [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] Try as you might, you almost always forget people's names, especially when meeting large groups for the first time. You may not write down the names of any people you meet during the game unless your character (as opposed to you, the player) has paper and a writing utensil handy. You also have problem remembering whether you've been someplace before, and with recognizing faces. Make an Intelligence roll, difficulty 6, to recall such information. [ 1 ] Trusting [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You tend to follow your instincts when dealing with strangers. Sadly, your instincts often tell you that you can trust people. You want to believe the best about everyone you meet and tend to put yourself in situations that could be dangerous, such as accepting a ride home from a recent acquaintance, going home with a person you just met at a bar, or taking a stroll in a poorly patrolled city park after nightfall. [ 1 ] Youthful Appearance [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ]
You look like you're still in high school. You always get carded at bars and often have to produce identification even to buy cigarettes. In order to gain entry to clubs, concerts or bars, or to purchase alcohol, you need to present a validlooking ID. [ 1 - 3 ] Vice [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You're addicted to some sort of controlled substance. The one-point version of this Flaw represents an addiction that is legal and easy to satisfy, such as cigarettes. The two-point version represents a legal or mildly illegal substance that inhibits your ability to hunt effectively, such as alcohol or marijuana. The three-point version represents an addiction to a highly illegal or highly dangerous "hard" drug such as heroin. You're always under the effects of your chosen vice (you have the Addiction derangement). [ 1 OR 2 ] Distinguishing Characteristic [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You have a physical feature that makes you very easy to pick out in crowds, such as elaborate tattoos, a scar, or an obvious birthmark. This Flaw is worth one point if the characteristic is hidden easily underclothes, two points if it is not.
[ 1 OR 3 ] Poor Eyesight [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] You are either severely nearsighted or farsighted. Increase the difficulty of any rolls that involve visual acuity by two. The one-point version is correctable with glasses or contact lenses. The three-point version is not. [ 1 OR 3 ] Poor Hearing
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] Your hearing is exceptionally bad. Increase the difficulty of any roll involving auditory acuity by two. This Flaw is worth one point if it is correctable with a hearing aid or similar device, three points if it is not. [ 1, 3, OR 5 ] Haunted [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 59 ] Prerequisite: Bystander When you didn't earn a proper imbuing, you might have turned your back on a crucial role for the goal of mankind, or you might have come within a heartbeat of heeding the call, only to be thwarted by nothing more than an accident of fate. And yet the Messengers have not forgotten you. Whether they mean to lead you to your destiny or punish you for your indecision, you are haunted by the enigmatic beings. Unlike the vast majority of the imbued, who seem to be contacted by the Heralds at their imbuing alone, your are still assailed by frightening sights and disturbing messages, similar to your own harrowing experience at the imbuing. The frequency and intensity of the encounters depends on the number of Flaw points you take. One point means you're contacted infrequently, perhaps only when you are in the physical presence of a monster, at which point, you are shown the creature's true nature and urged to act. Three points indicate daily contact. You suffer frequent nightmares or hallucinations that force you to witness the depredations of monsters in your neighborhood. Five points means nearly constant contact. You hear the Heralds' whispers and endure horrific visions nearly every waking moment. Whenever you're subjected to assaults on your sanity, you may be required to make a Virtue roll at the Storyteller's discretion. Or your action could suffer a difficulty increase when you are afflicted: +1, +2, or +3 for the one-point, three-
point or five-point Flaws, respectively. (And the heralds rarely choose a good time to make their intentions known.) It might be possible to pacify the Messengers and at least lessen the severity of their visitations by obliging their apparent will, depending on the Storyteller's plans for your chronicle. [ 1 OR 4 ] Hunted [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 59 ] You might wish that you could forget about the sights you witnessed at the imbuing, but the monster you saw has other plans. The creature has determined to hunt you down and destroy you, either because of a perceived need for revenge or simply out of self-preservation. Whatever its reasons are, the monster is implacable. It cannot be negotiated with or pacified. It will not rest until you are dead. The number of points invested in this Flaw determine the power and diligence of the monster in question. The one-point version indicates a relatively weak monster, or a moderately powerful one that pursues you when it's convenient. The four-point version suggests a powerful and resourceful monster that considers you a loose end that needs to be tied, or it indicate a moderately powerful creature that spends every active moment stalking and planning your demise. Even if the monster is eventually destroyed, it might have allies or servants who continue the vendetta. [ 1 OR 5 ] Medicated [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] You require daily medication to stay in good health. As a one-point flaw, your medication is important for your long-term health but has little effect on your day-to-day well-being, as with prescription drugs that keep your cholesterol down. The five-point version represents insulin shots or something else that is necessary to keep you alive. If you should miss a day's worth of medicine, you automatically suffer a bashing or
lethal level of damage for every 12 hours that pass without your medicine, as determined by the Storyteller. This damage is healed at a rate of one level per 12 hours that pass once you resume your regular medication schedule. [ 2 ] Absent-Minded [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] Details and important facts slip your mind constantly. Once per game session, when you attempt to use an item that you normally carry with you, the Storyteller may require you to make a Willpower roll, difficulty 6, to determine whether you remembered to bring it or, if so, whether you can remember where it is. The item turns up again after an hour or so of searching. [ 2 ] Abusive Partner [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You're married to or living with someone who routinely abuses you physically. Make a Stamina roll (difficulty 6) every time you spend a night at home. Failure indicates that your character has suffered one health level of bashing damage. A botch means that you suffer two health levels of bashing damage. [ 2 ] Attention-Deficit Disorder [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] You have a hard time sitting still and paying attention to anything for more than a few minutes. If you must sit still and quiet for more than 10 minutes, such as when keeping watch over a monster or standing guard, make a Willpower roll, difficulty 6. On a failure, you lose interest in your task and are distracted from it. [ 2 ] Compulsive Liar [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You feel the need to put your personal spin on the truth. You don't necessarily do so out of spite
or malice, and you may come to genuinely believe the tall tales that you tell (especially when you spin them often enough). This Trait is especially troublesome when other hunters rely on you for information about monsters and their habits. You might have to spend a Willpower point to force yourself to he honest, especially if it means publicly revealing a previous lie.
Your face is misshapen or maimed. Increase the difficulty of any rolls involving social situations by two. You cannot have an Appearance rating above 1.
[ 2 ] Conspicuous Consumer [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You tend to blow a lot of money on useless items and overpay for brand-name clothes and other impractical items. You tend to live beyond your means, and you're always short of cash. Add two to the difficulties of Resources rolls.
You have somehow attracted the attention of an amateur reporter, one who operates a fringe web site or publishes a zine that covers the bizarre or paranormal. This crank occasionally follows you to try to diScover any dirt on you. Unfortunately, and in true modern journalism style, he tends to catch you in bizarre circumstances that he simply can't understand. Of course, he tries to interpret them anyway.
[ 2 ] Criminal Record [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ]
[ 2 ] Dyslexic [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ]
Having been convicted for several misdemeanors or perhaps for a minor felony, you have a bit of a shady past. You are unable to buy firearms legally, and you receive exceptionally poor treatment from lawenforcement officials who know your record.
Printed information of any sort, from written text to maps, is nearly indecipherable to you. Although you are not necessarily illiterate, you struggle to read the simplest sentences. In order to interpret a map or read anything, you must make a successful Intelligence roll, difficulty 8. On a botch, you interpret the message to have almost its opposite meaning.
[ 2 ] Demanding Career [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] Your current job requires long hours and frequent travel, making it challenging for you to both work and pursue the hunt. You must always carry a pager and keep in touch with the office, and you can be called back to work at almost any time. If you should quit your job to free up time for the calling, reduce your Resources by at least one point. [ 2 ] Disfigured [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] Prerequisite: Appearance cannot rise above 1
[ 2 ] Dogged By Fringe Media [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ]
[ 2 ] Eating Disorder [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] You have an unhealthy obsession with your appearance and have chosen to starve yourself in order to lose weight. Increase the difficulty of any Stamina, related rolls by two. [ 2 ] Foreigner [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You are not native to the area in which you currently live -- and hunt. Although you may understand the language and the general custom, you have trouble with many of the details. You have a distinguishing accent (which makes you
easy to identify), and the difficulty of any Streetwise or Etiquette checks you attempt are increased by two. [ 2 ] Honest To A Fault [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You always try to tell the truth, no matter what the situation. You won't stretch it, bend it, or manipulate it to take advantage of others, unless human lives are in jeopardy. If you do attempt to lie to someone, the difficulty of any roll involved is increased by two. [ 2 ] Infamy [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] People in your community tend to recognize you for all the wrong reasons. Maybe you were involved in a local scandal involving a politician , or perhaps you were charged but not convicted in a sensational case. No matter what the cause, you tend to attract a lot of unwanted attention wherever you go. People look down on you, though they don't necessarily hinder or harass you. Add two to the difficulty of any Social roll that involve people who know your past. [ 2 ] Insomniac [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 118 ] Prerequisite: Cannot have the Vigilance edge or the Endurance Ability For whatever reason, you have tremendous trouble getting more than a few hours of sleep. You are often groggy and slow as a result. Increase the difficulty of any Alertness, Awarenenss, or IntuitiOn rolls by two. You can't have this Flaw and either the Vigilance edge or the Endurance Ability. Acquiring either of these Traits frees up the points spent on Insomniac for other Flaws.
[ 2 ] Low Pain Tolerance [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 119 ] You have a very low capacity for pain. You turn into a whimpering, blubbering ball of misery at the first sign of it. Although you soak damage normally, you suffer an additional -1 die pool penalty whenever you are injured. [ 2 ] Lustful [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You can't resist the erotic advances of the appropriate gender(s). You are easily seduced and often exhibit very poor judgment when dealing with sexually attractive people. The difficulty of any attempts to seduce you is reduced by two. [ 2 ] Monstrous Connections [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 116 ] You have to deal with a monster as part of your job or even your family life. Perhaps it's your boss or a key family figure. The monster is not necessarily hostile toward you -- it might nor even know you're a hunter -- but it's in a position to cause you a lot of trouble should it choose to. [ 2 ] Nervous Condition [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 59 ] The trauma of your exposure to the supernatural has left deep mental scars. The damage manifests as chronic physical ailments that haunt your everyday life. You suffer muscle tremors and nervous tension that affects even the most mundane tasks. Your hands and feet tremble almost constantly, increasing in severity when you are under stress. The difficulty of all Dexterity-based actions rises by one. In times of significant stress, the penalty can be up to three, at the Storyteller's
discretion. Additionally, you react very poorly to sudden shocks, imposing a +1 difficulty to all actions when you are [ 2 ] Nosy Neighbors [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] Your neighborhood is rife with gossips and busybodies. Your neighbors are always dropping by for unannounced visits, and they take an active interest in your comings and goings. You might want to wash up before heading home if you've just killed a rot and are covered with guts.
[ 2 ] Obese [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 119 ] You are seriously overweight and large enough that you have trouble using the seats in most theaters. Add two two the difficulty of any Dodge or Athletics roll that you make. You move at half the normal rate. [ 2 ] Old Injury [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 119 ] You hurt yourself pretty badly acted your younger days and now pay the price with chronic pain and tenderness. Increase the difficulty of any Athletics roll by two. [ 2 ] Overconfident [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] You either overestimate your own skill or underestimate your opponents'. Once per game session, the Storyteller may secretly increase by two the difficulty of non-combat action that you take. This increase represents your tendency to plunge head-long into activities that are beyond your capabilities. [ 2 ] Phobia
[ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] You have a deep-seated aversion to something such as heights, spiders, or even the dark. You suffer from one aspect of the Phobias derangement. [ 2 ] Poor Judge Of Character [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] You're the type of person who always ends up hanging out with the Wrong crowd. Maybe you just like to dare dangerous men or you're a sucker for a woman in trouble (or vice versa). Whatever the reason, you have a very hard time figuring out whom to trust. Increase the difficulty of all Awareness and Intuition rolls you attempt in social circumstances by two. Also, your friends and acquaintances tend tO be sponges and other lowlifes. [ 2 ] Poor Night Vision [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 119 ] Your eyesight is poor in-light conditions. Increase the difficulty of any action attempted in dim light, such as what a flashlight might provide or under starlight alone, by two. The Discern age eliminates Poor Night Vision when the edge is active, although other perceptionbased powers such as Witness and Illuminate offer no relief from this Flaw. You must compensate for your bad night vision bright light or close proximity to a subject for Witness or Illuminate to function properly. [ 2 ] Primary Breadwinner [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You are the primary income earner in your family. You pay the bills, from the heat and electricity to the weekly groceries. You have to maintain a steady paying job, despite the demands of the hunt. At least two points of your Resources score must be dedicated to supporting your family. If your rating drops below that
level, your family begins to suffer. The difficulty of all Willpower rolls you attempt is increased by two thereafter, because of the deep shame and embarrassment you feel for nor providing for your loved ones. [ 2 ] Probation [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You are currently on probation for some minor offense. You have to meet with a case officer on a regular basis and are subject to random drug tests and searches of your home and person. You must also commit -- or seem to commit -yourself to becoming a good citizen: Maintaining a job, keeping current with debt, and other aspects of respectable life that the hunt makes challenging.
teller is available, and you get nervous at the sight of a keyboard. You must make an Intelligence roll, difficulty 6, to perform even simple tasks on a computer, ATM, or similar device. Increase the difficulty of any Computer or Technology roll by two. [ 2 ] Uninsured [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You either cannot afford insurance or have simply chosen to go without it. You must pay for all medical expenses and any damage incurred from accidents out of pocket. [ 2 OR 3 ] Language Barrier [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ]
You are less than five feet tall, making it difficult for you to reach and use many objects designed for average adult use. Your movement rate is also half that of average-sized people.
You cannot speak the language or dialect in your area of operations. In order to communicate with the locals, you must find a translator or rely on a language handbook to attempt rough translations. Taking the two-point version means you can read the language but have trouble using it in conversation. The three-point version means that you can neither speak nor read it.
[ 2 ] Stalked [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ]
[ 3 ] Alimony Payments [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ]
Someone has an unhealthy obsession with you. Despite repeated calls to the police and several restraining orders, this person continues to follow and occasionally harass you. Your Storyteller should create game stats for the stalker. Any time you head out on the hunt, the Storyteller can make a Perception test on your behalf, difficulty 6. If it fails or botches, your stalker has managed to tail you throughout the night and may put in an appearance.
Prerequisite: Cannot exceed Resources 3
[ 2 ] Short [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 119 ]
[ 2 ] Technophobe [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] You are severely intimidated by computers and other technology. You never use an ATM if a
You are financially responsible for your exspouse and perhaps children. You must hold down a steady job and meet monthly payments or risk having your assets frozen and your possessions seized. You can never have more than 3 Resources because of the econom1c hardship of keeping up with payments. [ 3 ] Broken Health [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 60 ] The revelations wrought by the Heralds are extremely traumatic, subjecting the human heart and mind to a burden that some individuals are
simply unable to endure. Your health has suffered enormously, causing you to lose weight, strength and vitality that may never be regained. Your Stamina decreases permanently to 2, and it cannot increase with experience points or improve by the application of a hunter's edges. Additionally, the difficulty of all Stamina-based rolls increases by one. [ 3 ] Crippled Limb [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 119 ] You are either missing a limb or have injured it so badly that it is unusable. If one of your arms is crippled, increase the difficulty of roles for actions that normally require two hands, such as firing a rifle or bow, by two. If one of your legs is crippled, without some sort of cane, Walker, or wheelchair you can move at only one-quarter normal speed. With the appropriate aid, you may move at up to half normal speed. [ 3 ] Elderly [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 119 ] You're too old for the shit, but you're too damn ornery to step aside and let others do the fighting. Although you're just as strong and quick as some of the younger hunters, you don't have the endurance or resiliency of youth anymore. You make soak rolls against a 7 difficulty instead of the normal 6. In addition, increase the dice pool penalty for each of your levels of injury by one. [ 3 ] Faint Of Heart [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] The sight of gore and blood shock you to the core. If you witness a gruesome scene, you must make a Willpower roll, difficulty 6, to avoid debilitating nausea for five to 10 minutes. The difficulty of all actions increases by one when you're in this stare. You cannot have this Flaw anJ the Steel Nerves Background. If you ever
acquire that Trait, this Flaw's three points must be assigned to other disabilities. [ 3 ] Illegal Immigrant [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You lack proper lawful permissiOn to be in the country in which you currently live. You do not have a legitimate ID and are likely to be be deported to your nation of origin if you are placed under arrest. You cannot hold a job unless it pays under the table.
[ 3 ] Incompetent [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] You are spectacutarly bad at something. Unfortunately, you're the only person around who doesn't understand this fact. Pick a single Ability. You believe you have the proficiency equal to three dots in that Trait, when in reality you almost always ruin any effort involving it. Whenever you try to use the Ability, treat the outcome as if you rolled a botch. [ 3 ] Low Self-Esteem [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] You have trouble accepting your own value and worth. You tend to highlight your failures and overlook your triumphs. Whenever you have the opportunity to gain Willpower from accomplishing goals (not from resting), make a Willpower roll, difficulty 6. If you fall the roll, you do not gain the bonus. If you botch, you lose a temporary point of Willpower. [ 3 ] Missing Eye [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ]
You're missing one of your eyes. Increase the difficulty of any Perception rolls involving eyesight by two. The difficulties of all die rolls involving depth perception (such as rangedweapons attacks) are also increased by two. Amazingly, the Discern edge allows you perfect sight as if through both eyes.
teach you the simplest concepts. You aren't dumb. It just takes you longer than most to wrap your brain around things. For the purposes of figuring out how many experience points it costs to raise an Ability, add one to your current rating. Acquiring a new Ability costs four experience points, not the usual three.
[ 3 ] Money-Grubbing [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ]
[ 3 ] Wanted By Law Enforcement [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ]
You exist to make money. Family, friends, and other concerns are trivial when compared to the almighty dollar. If someone offers you a bribe, you must make a Willpower roll, difficulty 7, to resist. If the bribe involves something that as far as you know won't directly result in any injuries or lasting damage, increase the difficulty to 8. You also tend to target monsters that have a lot of material wealth. Sometimes, the best part of the hunt is looting the bodies of fallen monsters ... or allies.
You are the prime suspect in a felony crime. The police actively look for you, and you cannot move openly about your usual hangouts. lf you encounter cops who know that you're wanted, they'll call in backup and try to bring you in.
[ 3 ] Shaky Hands [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ]
[ 3 ] Weak-Willed [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ]
You have a lot of trouble keeping yourself composed under pressure. In any extremely stressful situation such as combat, your hands shake so badly that you have trouble completing any tasks that require a delicate touch and intense concentration. Examples include picking a lock, loading bullets into a revolver, or typing at a computer. Increase the difficulty of any rolls for such demanding activities by two.
Try as you might, it's challenging for you to summon inner reserves of courage or toughness. Whereas others shoulder extra burdens in the name of the hunt, you simply find the going harder and harder. You're not a coward. You just don't have the fortitude necessary to make truly heroic efforts. Add two to the difficulty of all Willpower rolls. As long as you have this Flaw, your Willpower rating may never rise above 8.
[ 3 ] Slow Leaner [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ]
[ 3 - 5 ] Nemesis [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 60 ]
You always lagged behind in school, and even then most patintm people find it frustrating to
Prerequisite: Bystander
[ 3 ] Wavering Faith [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] You were once a strong adherent of a religion, but your faith has faded (or fades) in the face of the enemy. If a divine being exists, how could He let such creatures prey on humanity? Ghosts are concrete evidence that the afterlife is flawed. Your confidence is severely shaken. Add two the difficulty of all Willpower tests.
Many people are imbued alone, faced with making a crucial decision with no one else to tum to for support. Sometimes more than one person hears the call, however, or a bystander's eyes are opened when he is caught in the crossfire between a monster and a group of existing hunters. You were awoken in the presence of others, and because you hesitated, the monster was able to turn the tables on the hunters. One of the surviving imbued resents or hates you. He might blame you for the death of his comrades or for the monster's escape, or simply for reasons known only to his own fevered mind, bur he has vowed to take revenge for your "cowardice." You are being stalked by one of the imbued. The number of points invested in this Flaw determines the relative power and / or diligence of the imbued in question. The hunter's ultimate objectives are up to the Storyteller, but he is determined to make you pay for your inaction. He might desire a face-to-face showdown, or he might go after your family. He cannot be placated, but some form of redress might be possible in time, if you are willing to pay the hunter's price.
developed physically, you may not start play with more than three dots in any Physical Attribute. Similarly, you do not have the experience of an adult and cannot start play with more than three dots in any Knowledge Ability. [ 4 ] Chronic Illness [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] You suffer from a debilitating illness such as chronic fatigue syndrome or even cancer. You frequently feel weak, and you are easily injured. Add two to the difficulty of any Athletics or soak rolls. [ 4 ] Criminal Entanglements [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] You owe a lot of money or a big favor to someone on the wrong side of the law, and you have refused or been unable to pay. Although hitmen aren't being sent after you quite yet, the threat hangs over you constantly. The exact nature of the debt and the individual(s) behind it are left to the Storyteller, but they should suit your character concept.
[ 4 ] Amnesia [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ]
[ 4 ] Deafness [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ]
Life before your imbuing is a vague blur. You remember nothing of the existence you led before you were chosen -- that doesn't mean your old life has forgotten you, though. Your Storyteller creates the details of your old life and the circumstances surrounding your amnesia.
You cannot hear. You automatically fail any test that requires hearing, and the difficulty of appropriate Alertness rolls is increased by three.
[ 4 ] Child [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] Prerequisite: Cannot begin play with more than 3 dots in any Knowledge Ability You are prepubescent. You're much smaller than the average adult and move at half the rate of adults. Also, because you are not fully
[ 4 ] Depression [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 121 ] Prerequisite: Cannot have the ManicDepression Derangement You're mired in a pit of bleak, mind-numbing sorrow. Convinced that your eternally dark mood is completely natural -- or deserved -- you refuse to seek professional help. You do not regain a point of Willpower per day as most characters do. Instead, you may gain Willpower
only through actions, and even those must ardently reaffirm your goals, such as tracking down and destroying the first monster that you ever witnessed -- a creature that did you grievous harm. If you ever acquire the ManicDepression derangement, the points spent on this Flaw are freed up and must be spent on new Flaws.
[ 4 ] Homeless [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 123 ] Prerequisite: Cannot have Resources You live on the streets. You can never have any dots in Resources, and you have no secure place to rest when you're not hunting. You can not heal any lethal damage naturally while living on the street, and you must either carry all of your property with you at all times or risk hiding it and hope no one finds it. [ 4 ] Illiterate [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 122 ] You never learned to read or write your native language. You can understand most traffic signs and warning labels that rely on pictographs, but written instructions and warnings are completely beyond your comprehension. This Flaw does not interfere with your understanding of hunter code. [ 4 ] Unlucky [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] Prerequisite: Cannot have Fool's Luck edge; cannot have Lucky Merit You've dealt with bad breaks all your life. From that true love who had to move across the country to the struggling Internet company you
quit two months before its billion-dollar IPO, you seem always to make the wrong moves at the wrong time. Once per game session, the Storyteller may increase the difficulty of a critical roll you make by two. If you fail the roll, it's due to some random, hard-luck factor. Your bad luck seems to crop up at the most inconvenient times. You may not take this Flaw and the Fool's Luck edge. Acquiring that edge frees up points spent on Unlucky for other Flaws. Nor can you have the Lucky Merit. [ 5 ] Pacifist [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 117 ] You utterly refuse to use violence against anything, even if your life or the lives of others are in immediate danger. Furthermore, you work hard to prevent others from using violence, though you do not recklessly endanger yourself or expect others to do so. You never carry weapons and refuse to procure them. A Willpower roll, difficulty 6, may be required to resist the temptation to engage in violence when a gross offense is committed before or against you, such as a loved one being harmed. If you defy your nature and succumb to violence at some point, you cannot regain Willpower each morning until you come to terms with your lapse or you change life philosophies altogether. [ 6 ] Blind [ Hunter: The Reckoning Players Guide -Page 120 ] You can't see. Increase the difficulty of any rolls involving hand-eye coordination by three. The Discern edge allows you to see even though your eyes do not function. Other Perceptionbased edges such as Illuminate and Witness may operate for you as well by intensifying other senses such as smell. The Storyteller may even rule that second sight is still useful to you via means other than seeing, if you know how to interpret the sensory impressions you receive.
Changeling: The Dreaming Merits and Flaws Merits: Aptitudes These Merits establish special capacities and abilities for your character, or modify the effects and powers of your character's other Traits.
1. Computer Aptitude · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
You have a natural affinity with computers, so the difficulties of all rolls to repair, construct or operate them are reduced by two.
1. Ambidextrous · [ Changeling Storyteller's Guide -- Page 158 ]
You have a high degree of off-hand dexterity and can perform tasks with the "wrong" hand at no penalty. The normal penalty for using both hands at once to perform different tasks is at a +1 difficulty for the "right" hand and a +3 difficulty for the other hand.
1. Animal Magnetism · [ Changeling Storyteller's Guide -- Page 158 ]
You are especially attractive to others. You receive a -2 to your difficulty on Seduction or Subterfuge rolls. However, this will aggravate others of your gender.
1. Crack Driver · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
You have a natural affinity with driving motorized wheeled vehicles, such as cars, 18wheelers, and even tractors. The difficulties of all rolls requiring risky or especially difficult driving maneuvers are reduced by two.
1. Mechanical Aptitude · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
You are naturally adept with all kinds of mechanical devices (note that this aptitude does not extend to electronic devices, such as computers). The difficulties of all dice rolls to understand, repair, or operate any kind of
mechanical device are reduced by two. However, this Merit doesn't help you drive any sort of vehicle. This Merit affects a characters aptitude with chimerical mechanical objects just as well as the mundane.
1. Poison Resistance · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
You have, for some reason or another, become resistant to poisons. It could be that you are somehow naturally resistant, or that you have spent years building up your resistance against all known types of poisons. Any time you need to make a soak roll against the effects of a poison or toxin, reduce your difficulty by three.
Prerequisite: Eshu
One of Eshu's original duties was to serve as Olorun's linguist, and as such he knew every language that ever was. Your character retains some of this flair and can potentially master an astonishing number of languages. You may learn twice the number of languages that a character with the same level of the Linguistics ability would normally be able to learn, and all training times with this ability are cut in half. Obviously, you must purchase some level of the Linguistics ability for this Merit to be useful; however, this Merit can be a godsend to diplomats and other characters who depend on the command of a wide variety of languages. This Merit can also be combined with the Natural Linguist Merit to make for a true mastery of languages.
2. Natural Linguist · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition)-- Page 158 ] 2. Crack Shot · [ War in Concordia: The Shattered Dream -- Page 118 ]
No matter what you're pointing, gun, arrow, or dart, you hit your target with great accuracy. You receive no increased difficulty when targeting any specific location. You gain one extra dice on Firearms rolls that do not involve specific targeting.
You have a flair for languages. This Merit does not allow you to learn more languages than the number permitted by your Linguistics score, but you may add three dice to any dice pool involving languages (both written and spoken).
3. Daredevil · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
2. Gift Of Babel · [ Kithbook: Eshu -- Page 85 ]
You are good at taking risks, and are even better at surviving them. All difficulties are -1 whenever you try something particularly
dangerous, and you can ignore one botch result when you roll "ones" on such actions (you can cancel a single "one" that is rolled, as if you have an extra success.
3. Fast Learner · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
You have a large pool of miscellaneous skills and knowledge obtained through your extensive travels, the jobs you've held, or just all-around know-how. You automatically have one dot in all Skill and Knowledge dice pools. This is an illusory level, used only to simulate a wide range of abilities. If you train or spend experience in the Skill or Knowledge, you must pay the point cost for the first level a "second time" before raising the Skill or Knowledge to two dots.
You learn very quickly, and pick up on new things faster than most do. You gain one extra experience point at the conclusion of each story (not each game session).
3. Perfect Balance · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
Your sense of balance has achieved great heights by constant training or inherited traits. It is very unlikely that you will ever fall during your life. You may trip, but you will always catch yourself before you fully lose your footing or handhold. This Merit functions for such actions as rightrope walking, crossing ice, and climbing mountains. All difficulties involving such feats are reduced by three. It would take a lot to push or shove a character off his feet if he has this Merit.
5. Jack-Of-All-Trades · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
These Merits deal with the mind, its strengths, and special capacities. They also deal with the psychological makeup of your character, and may describe ideals, motivations, or pathologies. These Merits should be carefully considered before taken because of the degree of effect they may have both on the character and on the story.
1. Code Of Honor · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You have a personal code of ethics to which you strictly adhere. You can automatically resist most temptations that would bring you in conflict with your code. When battling supernatural persuasion (mind magic, vampiric Dominate, or Chicanery) that would make you violate your code, you either gain three extra dice to resist or your opponent's difficulties are increased by two (Storyteller's choice). You must construct your own personal code of honor in as much detail as you can, outlining the general rules of conduct by which you abide.
for all of the days he skipped. Furthermore, he'll feel the need to do so immediately. 1. Common Sense · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] You have a significant amount of practical, everyday wisdom. Whenever you are about to do something contrary to common sense, the Storyteller should alert you to how your potential action might violate practicality. This is an ideal Merit if you are a novice player because it allows you to receive advice from the Storyteller concerning what you can and cannot do, and (even more importantly) what you should and should not do.
1. Concentration · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] You have the ability to focus your mind and shut out any distractions or annoyances, above and beyond the norm. Any penalty to a difficulty or dice pool arising from a distraction or other inauspicious circumstance is limited to two dice, though no extra benefits are gained if only one penalty die is imposed.
1. Faster · [ Kithbook: Redcaps -- Page 90 ] Prerequisite: Redcap This doesn't refer to the speed at which a redcap moves, or eats, or does anything else. Instead, a redcap with Faster can actually go 24 hours without eating. By spending a Willpower point, the player can then have the character go another 24 hours, and so on, until he runs out of Willpower. The down side to being a Faster, unfortunately, is that once the fast ends, the redcap is compelled to eat enough to make up
1. Higher Purpose · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] All changelings have some vision of their path, but you have a special commitment to it. Your chosen goal drives and directs you in everything. You do not concern yourself with petty matters and casual concerns, because your higher purpose is everything. Though you may sometimes be driven by this purpose and find yourself forced to behave in ways contrary to the needs of personal survival, it can also grant you great personal strength. You gain two extra dice on any roll that has something to do with this higher purpose. Decide what your higher purpose is, and make sure you discuss it with the Storyteller. You may not take this Merit if you have the Driving Goal Flaw.
1. Lightning Calculator · [ Changeling Storyteller's Guide -- Page 157 ] You have a natural affinity with numbers and a talent for mental arithmetic, making you a natural when working with computers or betting at the racetracks. The difficulties of all relevant rolls are decreased by two. Another possible use for this ability, assuming you have numbers on which to base your conclusions, is the ability to calculate the difficulty of certain tasks. In appropriate situations, you may ask the Storyteller to estimate the difficulty rating of a task you are about to perform.
2. Eidetic Memory · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] You can remember things seen and heard with perfect detail. By gaining at least one success on an Intelligence + Alertness roll, you can recall any sight or sound accurately, even if you heard it or glanced at it only once (although the difficulty of such a feat would be high). Five successes enable you to recall an event, perfectly. The Storyteller relates to you exactly what was seen or heard.
2. Flexible Heart · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 63 ] Prerequisite: Satyr Satyrs are the most tender-hearted of the Kithain. They bruise easily and bounce from one extreme of emotion to another. In such a dark world, people work hard to hurt one another, and goats feel the blows most acutely. They do not benefit from the solid lack of emotion that bolsters the trolls, nor do they have the haughty self-confidence that allows sidhe to believe it couldn't have been their fault. Satyrs bleed. You, on the other hand, have learned to let things roll off your back. You indeed feel the blows, but they don't knock you down. Supersonic emotional healing lets you avoid the moodiness that cripples other satyrs. You love just as deeply as they do, but when your love leaves you, you can tell yourself that there are plenty of other opportunities for devotion, and you believe it. If you have a Flexible Heart, you gain the use of one extra Willpower to control yourself in a situation where another goat might over-react emotionally. Of course, even you realize that you may not be able to control your being forever if the situation continues, so you do all you can to extract yourself.
2. Loyal Heart · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 62 ] Prerequisite: Troll While all fae are conscious of the bonds of oaths, for you it is almost of a religious nature. Oaths are not something you take lightly, but are more than a matter of life and death. They are also a measuyre of your self worth, for they give your life a meaning beyond most. Whenever you are overwhelmed or dejected, the thought of your duties is enough to give you the strength to persevere. In game terms, you automatically succeed on all Willpower rolls, but only as they pertain to the fulfillment of your oaths. Similarly, the power of your sense of duty may be sufficient to allow temporary immunity to other supernatural effects (Storyteller's discretion). However, this is not a Merit to be chosen lightly, for those of Loyal Heart are unable to ignore the bonds of the given word. Specifically, no Willpower may be spent in any action having to do with the breaking of oaths. Consider whether or not your character would rather die than break her words, for it is that serious. Note that this is not cumulative with the effects of the True Love Merit, though it can be combined for purposes of RolePlaying.
2. Passion · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Satyr Over the centuries, satyrs have lost some of their original passion. The goat with the Passion Merit has retained it in full. You pursue your interests with the utmost intensity and usually succeed at them. Life holds many fascinating chances for you and you don't want to miss out on them. You grab them up greedily. Mundanities, such as money, mean nothing to
you except when they result from the pursuit of your Passion. And, because you focus your attention so completely on experience and selfimprovement, you do achieve greatness. The Living Time does not affect you because you have the innate ability to handle your Passion. Concentration in this one area permits you to advance more quickly. The difficulty for all rolls related to your Passion are reduced by 2.
3. Gifted Liar · [ Pour 'Amour Et Liberte: The Book of Houses 2 -- Page 32 ] Prerequisite: House Ailil You are so good at lying that you can sometimes convince yourself that you are telling the absolute truth. This makes it extremely difficult for anyone to catch you in a falsehood; in your own mind, you are not lying. In most cases, no rolls need to be made for you to stand up to questioning or interrogation. Success in a simple Willpower roll (difficulty 7) allows you to evade the truth-sensing ability of House Gwydion or negate the effects of magical attempts to detect deception.
3. Increased Pain Threshold · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 62 ] Prerequisite: Troll Characters who possess this Merit still feel pain as much as others, it just doesn't affect them to the same degree. Legends are rife with tales of heroes who fight on, even while mortally wounded, only collapsing into death once the battle is won. In game terms, the dice penalty for each Health Level is reduced by one level. For example, a troll who is Hurt reacts as if Bruised, and is only incapable of action when killed. This does not add extra Health Levels or reduce the
severity of the wounds, merely the reaction to the pain each level incurs.
3. Iron Will · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] When you are determined and your mind is set, nothing can divert you from your goals. You cannot be Dominated, and wraiths, mages, and other changelings using mental attacks against you gain an additional +3 to their difficulties if you are aware of them and resisting. However, the additional mental defense costs you one Willpower per turn. Even if you are unaware of the attempt, anyone attempting to magically influence you must add +1 to their difficulty.
4. Inspiration · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Satyr The Gift of Pan lets all satyrs inspire lust in those who hear their music, which lowers inhibitions and strengthens resolve. When you play your instrument, however, you can inspire whatever emotion the song relays. A tender lullaby, when you play it, causes those listening to fall asleep. More rousing tunes get people's bodies moving and they feel the uncontrollable urge to dange. When you play a soulful dirge, your audience weeps. As with the Gift of Pan, only those who fail a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) feel the effects of your music.
5. Gut Instincts · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 65 ]
Prerequisite: Satyr When you've got a direct line into the more primal of your instincts, you benefit from the ability to act without thinking first. In certain situations, this instinctiveness can be a very good thing. You may not always know why you are doing what you are, but once the dust has cleared, you realize it was the correct move. This Merit nullifies the effects of surprise and permits you to act normally, though you may not attack, only defend. In cases where you are not surprised, you may pre-empt your opponent's action. The difficulty for all Wits + Alertness rolls are reduced by 1.
5. Self-Confident · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] When you spend a point of Willpower to gain an automatic success, your self-confidence may allow you to gain the benefit of that expenditure without actually losing the Willpower point. When you declare that you are using a point of Willpower and roll for successes, you do not lose the point of Willpower unless you fail. This will also prevent you from botching, but only if you declare that you are spending the Willpower point before you roll. This Merit may only be used when you need confidence in your abilities in order to succeed. You can use it only when the difficulty of your roll is 6 or higher. You may spend Willpower at other times. However, if the difficulty is 5 or less, the Merit will not help you.
them correspond very closely to certain Background Traits (such as Influence and Resources), while others simply elaborate and expand upon them. The Backgrounds give you more creative freedom, while the Merits provide you with exact details of what you possess.
Black Market Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] You have special ties to the underground shopping network, ties that help you acquire hard-to-find equipment. This Merit adds one die per point to your Streetwise roll when trying, for instance, to obtain black market weaponry. Difficulties for such rolls are left up to the Storyteller (typically 7 or higher). The point cost reflects how "connected" you may be. The Storyteller may allow you to use your black market connections during the game to provide you with needed or useful equipment. Such connections will not simply hand you whatever you want -- these things don't come cheap! It is up to the Storyteller to determine the quantity, quality and availability of the equipment. He may feel free to disallow it entirely if such connections would unbalance the game. One point -- Small items: Ammo, low-clearance ID badges, good software. Two points -- Average items: Guns, hi-tech software, special ammo. Three points -- Fancy items: Antique cars, explosives, automatic weapons. Four points -- Hefty items: Heavy weapons, high-security IDs or access codes. Five points --"Yeah, right. Maybe next game..." Hi-tech military weapons, high explosives, military vehicles.
These Merits deal with the influence, power, and station of a character among mortals. Some of
restaurant, theater, comedy club, sports arena, or retail store 2. Judicial Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] You have both influence over and contacts in the justice system. You know most of the judges as well as the attorneys in the prosecutor's department, and can affect the progress of various cases and trials with limited difficulty. Though it is difficult to intervene in a case, you can influence it in one direction or another. These ties can also make it easy to acquire search warrants.
2. Media Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] You have both influence over and contacts in the local media. You can suppress and create news stories (though not always with 100 percent efficiency; journalists are an unruly bunch), and you have access to the files and gossip of the staffs of newspapers and TV stations.
2. Nightclub · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] You own a moderate-sized nightclub, perhaps one of the hottest nightspots in the city. This club brings in enough money to support you in moderate luxury ($1000 a month, but it can grow), but more important than the money is the prestige. You may use the nightclub as your freehold (though you must purchase the Background Trait to do so), or you may simply hang out there. The name of the nightclub, its style, design and its regular patrons are all up to you. Variations on this theme could include a
2 - 3. Evanescent · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 70 ] Prerequisite: Denizen Most Dark-kin were locked out of the Autumn World for thousands of years; they know next to nothing about human affairs or the secret dangers which await in its Banality choked streets. Even most aonides and moirae spend more time in the Dreaming than in the waking realms. Some Denizens have lurked among humanity for years and are well versed in its ways. Characters who take this Merit are familiar with the various forms of possession. They may buy any of the curtailed Abilities up to their maximum extent (though normal Changeling rules still apply to Abilities bought over three points at the beginning of the game) and are experienced in the most basic of human interactions (anything more requires the Autumn Lore Knowledge). Those adhene not included in the Silver Ban (aonides, keremet, and moirae) pay only two points for this Merit, while others pay three. Evanescents begin the game with two permanent points of Banality and are, hence, able to pass through the Meridianus without hindrance. Storytellers who wish to begin the game with characters already versed in human ways may choose to give this Merit to players for free.
3. Church Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] You have influence and contacts in some local churches, and have the means to create protest rallies, help the needy or raise money. The more
you use your ties, of course, the greater your risk of being discovered.
While the mansion can be in as poor or as good a shape as you wish, the more inhabited it appears to be, the more attention it will garner. A ghost house won't attract IRS audits, but it may attract police scrutiny if bands of strange kids hang out there.
3. Corporate · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] You have both influence over and contacts in the local corporate community. You understand the dynamics of money in the city and have links with all the major players. In times of need, you can cause all sorts of financial mayhem, and can raise considerable amounts of money (in the form of loans) in a very short period of time.
3. Entertainment Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 167 ] You have a degree of fame and influence in the local entertainment scene (music, theater, dance, S.C.A., etc.). Either you own or manage a good venue or site, or you have some notoriety among both peers and fans. You can exert this influence to ferret out information or buy favors. For five points, this fame can become nationwide.
3. Mansion · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] You own a large mansion -- a home with 25 or more rooms -- as well as the surrounding estate. The servants, if you have any, are provided for if you choose this Merit, although they cannot be used as Dreamers or Retainers unless you purchase the appropriate Background. The mansion is assumed to have the most current electronic security available and a fence around the perimeter, but does not have access to a trod (see the Freehold Background for such a place).
3. Natural Husk · [ The Fool's Luck: The Way of the Commoner -- Page 76 ] Prerequisite: Inanimae Your Husk is extremely lifelike. Even if you only have one dot in the Background, your Husk seems to pass for human. The benefit of this Merit is that people are so certain that you are human they may actively deny some evidence to the contrary.
3. Police Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 167 ] You have both influence over and contacts in the local police department. You can, with a single phone call, cause an APB to be issued. However, the more often you use your ties with the police department, the weaker they become, and the more attention you attract toward yourself. Your influence is not solid (that can be achieved only through game play), and it can let you down at times.
3. Political Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 167 ] You have both influence over and contacts among the politicians and bureaucrats of the city. In times of need, you can shut off the power
and water to a building or neighborhood, and can unleash many different means of harassment against your enemies. The more you use your political ties, the weaker they become. Total control can only be achieved through game play.
3. Underworld Ties · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 167 ] You have both influence over and contacts in the local Mafia and organized street gangs. This provides you with limited access to large numbers of "soldiers," as well as extensive links to the underworld of crime. The more often you use your ties with the criminal element, the weaker they grow.
5. Corporate CEO · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 167 ] You have a particular influence and sway over a major corporation and associated companies, just as if you were its chief executive officer. Indeed, you might have owned this company before your Chrysalis, and you have retained your control. Through this corporation, you know much that takes place in the corporate community and have the means to wage economic warfare. This Merit provides you with some informal allies and Resources, the exact extent of which is determined by the Storyteller.
4. Human Shell · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 70 ]
1. Good Listener · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 86 ]
You woke up on the other side of the Mists with a surprise. Your fae mien was clothed in a fully functional human form. This body is roughly the same size as your faerie mien and makes you look entirely human. It may have been a gift from the Norns, you may have stolen it, entered a pact with the former owner, or maybe your great-great grandfather had it "on ice" since the Tessarakonta for just such an occasion. Having more than five dots in any Attribute is still a violation of reality in the Autumn Realm. The body in question may not exceed your Physical Attributes in the Dreaming, though you may move the numbers around. You, of course, retain your own Mental Attributes, Charisma, and Manipulation. Also, you now share the Banality inherent in such a form. You have a beginning Banality rating of two.
Prerequisite: Pooka All pooka have the ability to get others to open up to them, however you are a master confidant. A word here, a gesture there, you crack people open like clams and harvest their secrets like pearls. You say all the right things at all the right times. Your ability to listen makes others tell you their feelings, concerns and hidden dreams. They don't know why they're telling you, but they usually feel better afterwards. You walk away with another gem of information to add to your collection. Is it any wonder that sluagh secretly envy pooka? (All rolls related to your Birthright are made at -1 difficulty.)
1. Prestigious Mentor · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ]
Your mentor had or has great Status among the Kithain, and this has accorded you a peculiar honor. Most treat you respectfully as a result, while some have only contempt for you, believing you to be merely riding your mentor's coattails. This prestige could greatly aid you when dealing with elders acquainted with your mentor. Indeed, your mentor's contacts may actually approach you at some point offering aid. Although your mentor might no longer have contact with you, the simple fact of your apprenticeship has marked you forever.
You have a good reputation among the changelings of your Court. This may be your own reputation, or it may be derived from your mentor. Add three dice to any dice pools involving social dealings with others of your Court. A character with this Merit may not take the Notoriety Flaw.
4. Dead Friends · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh
1 - 3 Boon · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] A noble owes you a favor because of something either you or your mentor once did for him. The extent of the boon owed to you depends on how many points you spend. One point would indicate a relatively minor boon, while three points would indicate that the noble probably owes you his life.
2. Imperial Ambassador · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -- Page 68 ]
Sluagh have always been able to see, and sometimes talk to, wraiths. However, you've gone beyond that sort of casual contact to the point where you've made friends with a few of those who've passed on. They bring you information, spy on your enemies, and generally keep you up to date on things that no living informant could ever possibly uncover. Having contacts who walk through walls can be extremely useful sometimes. On the other hand, these friends will expect you to do them favors as well, and some of those requests can get pretty bizarre. Plus, you never know when your nice wraith friend is suddenly going to get nasty for no apparent reason, and he knows where you live.
Prerequisite: Inanimae You may travel into any homeland and get +1 to any reaction roll with an inanimate official. You can also claim diplomatic immunity in any Kithain court. This may or may not work depending on any local treatises. Solimonds may not take this Merit.
2. Reputation · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ]
4. Friend To Spiders · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh This Merit might more properly be called "Friend to Anthropods," but it was with spiders that the sluagh first spoke, and hence the name remains. Nor is the relationship implied in the Merit's name as much a friendship as it is a business transaction, but even the sluagh have their sacrosanct traditions. If you are a Friend to
Spiders, you can speak to all manner of creeping, crawling creatures (when the player makes a Perception + Enigmas roll, difficulty 7). While the conversation isn't as much an exchange of pleasantries as it is a swap of images and impressions, a tremendous amount of information can be gained by speaking with spiders in this fashion. Recent passersby can be noted, changes in the wind (and what they bear) can be uncovered, and other bits of vital information that might otherwise have passed you by can be gleaned from taking the time to speak with eight-legged informants. The number of successes earned indicates the clarity of information learned.
battlefield, getting a room to quiet down, or calling for aid from reinforcements. Your intended audience automatically hears you regardless of the general noise level.
1. Dexterous Toes · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -Page 63 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh Hands tied? Too many things to hold? Not to worry -- with Dexterous Toes you can work equally well with hands or feet. A sluagh with this Merit can do anything she can do with her hands (fire a gun, draw, play a musical instrument, etc.) just as well with her feet. Of course, a sluagh carting items with her toes will be unable to walk.
These Merits and Flaws deal with your health and physical makeup.
1. Double-Jointed · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 168 ] 1. Acute Sense · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] You have exceptionally sharp hearing, smell, vision, or taste. The difficulties of all dice rolls that relate to the sense in question (e.g., Perception + Alertness/Awareness to hear a faint noise, taste poison in food, or see an oncoming attacker) are decreased by two.
You are unusually supple. Reduce the difficulty of any Dexterity roll involving body flexibility by two. Squeezing through a tiny space is one example of a use for this Merit.
1. Loud Voice · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 87 ] Prerequisite: Pooka 1. Commanding Voice · [ War in Concordia: The Shattered Dream -- Page 118 ] You have the ability to make yourself heard over long distances or above a crowd without appearing to shout. This natural projection serves you well in shouting orders on a
Some animals have voices that carry farther than a normal human's. You have the ability to project your voice as far as a wolf can howl or to shout as loudly as an elephant can trumpet. This comes in handy, but unfortunately, it also draws attention to you. Not only does your target hear you, so does everyone within a certain radius.
The physical landscape can hinder this ability; buildings muffle; hills echo. In open territory, however, your voice carries for up to five miles, if you've conditioned it to do so. (Roll Stamina + Performance, difficulty 6, minus any modifiers for landscape. The number of successes determines how many miles your voice carries. On a botch, you strain your voice and suffer laryngitis for a number of days equal to your dice pool.)
1. Surreal Beauty · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 168 ] You possess a beauty far beyond that of normal mortals. People stand in awe of your perfect form. If you are sidhe then perhaps your fae mien shines over into your mortal seeming. Characters who take this Merit must first purchase at least an Appearance 5 though their appearance is considered to surpass even that.
1. Voice Of A Songbird · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -Page 63 ] Prerequisite: Satyr All satyrs sing, but not all of them have a voice that charms the apples from the trees. You do. The Fit of Pan carries through your voice and inspires passion without the use of a musical instrument. You have perfect pitch and can sing acapella without missing a single note or going off-key. Even when only speaking, your voice has a seductive quality that attracts people to you. This trait can be especially useful when trying to persuade others or when attempting to win over a potential lover. Whenever you make a Social roll that involves speaking or singing, add 1 to the dice pool.
1. Wayfarer's Feet · [ Kithbook: Eshu -- Page 85 ] Prerequisite: Eshu Your feet are especially durable and well suited to the long distances eshu typically cover. You are comfortable going barefoot year-round, regardless of local temperature or weather conditions, and need not worry about such natural walking hazards as splinters, city debris (including most broken glass), burning sands, or jagged rock. For travel and traction purposes the character is considered to be wearing sturdy hiking boots at all times. This Merit does not protect from outright attacks or weapons of any kind, nor does it cover crossing extreme surfaces such as fire or lava. It also doesn't make the character's kicks do any more damage than normal.
2. Calming Presence · [ Kithbook: Pooka -Page 87 ] Prerequisite: Pooka One advantage of your animal half is the ability to calm any animal with a quiet word or even a look. You may soothe children as well. Something in your scent, or your aura, conveys safety and security to the animal or child. A guard dog will rarely attack you, and when in your arms, babies calm and gaze up at you in fascination and wonder. If you are a domestic pooka type (cat, dog, rabbit), you may use this in your animal form as well, by purring, licking or lying quietly in someone's lap. (The difficulty of all Charisma rolls, except Intimidation, is reduced by 2 when dealing with children or animals.)
2. Granite Skin · [ Kithbook: Redcaps -- Page 91 ] Prerequisite: Redcap Some redcaps are tougher than others. Some, in fact, are a great deal tougher than others, in part because in fae mien, their skin is quite literally, stone. The stone is not more than skin deep, thankfully -- it's quite literally an epidermal layer, and that's all. However, it does make a redcap a great deal tougher than she might be normally, as well as leaving small flakes and chips of stone behind every time she bends or flexes. A redcap with Granite Skin has the equivalent of two levels of armor at all times, with no area of her anatomy considered unarmored. On the down side, Granite Skin also provides a +1 difficulty to all rolls involving moving quietly. The constant flaking and chipping of stone makes it nearly impossible for the redcap to move without making some noise. And let's not even discuss the romantic implications.
2. Long-Winded · [ Kithbook: Eshu -- Page 85 ]
essentially walk at a normal pace almost indefinitely, provided he takes occasional breaks for food and water and a brief nap every 12 to 14 hours. He may do this for a number of days equal to his Stamina rating before he must begin checking for exhaustion. Note that this Merit does not apply to sprinting or other short-term bursts of speed, nor in other situations besides traveling. It does allow a character on foot to cover a surprising amount of territory in a relatively short period of time, particularly compared to those on foot who lack this Merit.
2. Tunnel Vision · [ Kithbook: Nockers -Page 53 ] Prerequisite: Nocker Most nockers are adept at working under low light and in poor visibility conditions, but you have inherited a gift from the original goblin miners. You can see in absolute darkness as though it was daylight; you suffer no vision penalties under such conditions. You can also see better than most in fog, mist, and in other situations where visibility is obscured. The difficulties of your Perception rolls are never increased by more than one when vision is obscured by fog or mist.
Prerequisite: Eshu This Merit reflects a capacity, both instinctive and trained, for being able to run long distances without becoming tired. Many of the cultures of the Elegbara homelands have employed longdistance runners as messengers and mail carriers for hundreds or thousands of years. A character with this Merit may run or job at a steady (not sprinting) page for up to 6 hours without feeling the least bit tired. After that, he must make only the normal Stamina checks to resist exhaustion once every half hour; he makes all such tests at a -2 difficulty. This allows the character to
3. Intimidating Stance · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Satyr You talk a mean talk and walk a mean walk. And there is bite to match your bark. Whenever you enter a room, everyone turns around to look at you. For satyrs, this presence isn't so unusual, but when others look at you, they appear concerned. Those who know you understand that you're just a sheep in wolves' clothing, but even
they don't want to irritate or anger you. Something about you screams, Dangerous! You can exaggerate this effect whenever you want and, thus, actively increase your chances of intimidating someone. With a look or a gesture, you intimate what you wish to do with their bodies once you get hold of them, and they actually believe that you would. The player must make a Charisma + Intimidation roll, though the difficulty is reduced by 2. Note that this ability only works on other changelings, since mortals cannot see all the subtle signals in the satyr's demeanor. Humans naturally avoid this goat, but they won't be intimidated by him any more than they normally would be.
3. Intimidation · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 87 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Something in the way you move or the way your eyes shift over your environment worries people. You have a natural aura of danger that tickles the short-hairs on people's necks. You walk into a room and the crowd goes still. When passing you on the sidewalk, other pedestrians give you a wide berth, sometimes even crossing the street to avoid you. One look is all it takes. Only the bravest, most brash opponent will openly challenge you. This works in your favor, but it's a lonely way to go through life. Of course, this also draws the attention of those hard-asses looking for someone to knock down a few pegs. (You receive a -2 to your difficulty on all rolls related to Intimidation.)
3. Nightsight · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 63 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh
Night blinds many eyes, but not yours. Regardless of the lighting conditions, your eyes adjust automatically, so that you can see equally well at high noon or midnight. The adjustment is instantaneous, so that if you are standing in a dark room and someone lights a candle, you are not blinded.
3. Prehensile Tongue · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh One of the things that has earned the sluagh a far worse reputation than perhaps they deserve, the Prehensile Tongue is something that comes in handy when one has no free hands. Essentially, your tongue is another limb, able to reach up to two feet from your mouth in order to grasp and wield objects. While a Prehensile Tongue doesn't make for the best of weapons, it can still be used for a poke in the eye or a revolting slap. Players must make a Stamina roll, difficulty 6, if their characters are touched with a Prehensile Tongue; failure leaves the character overcome with sheer disgust for a turn. Note that in order for a sluagh to use a Prehensile Tongue to pick something up or something else along those lines, the player must roll Dexterity + Athletics (difficulty 7). A success indicates that the sluagh is in full control of his extra limb and need not check again this scene to see if he can use it. A failure indicates that the specific attempt fails; a botch leaves the protruding tongue hanging disgustingly limp down the character's front.
3. Sex Appeal · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Satyr
The sway of your hips and the pout of your lips give you a natural sexiness and sensuality that attract lovers to you like flies to honey. Perhaps it's your pheromones. Whatever the cause, you are sex incarnate. You are irresistible. When you flirt, you find many willing minions. This characteristic makes you the center of attention at any gathering, since they all want to wholeheartedly please you. With a look, a word, or a wave of your hand, you can make or break hearts. Even the most cold-hearted are not immune to your power. Though this does draw unwanted attention sometimes, you almost always manage, to extricate yourself from unwanted situations. The player makes all rolls related to either Charisma or Appearance at a -2 difficulty.
3. Speedy Hammer · [ Kithbook: Nockers -Page 53 ]
Stamina rolls. Trolls who possess this Merit are stockier and heavier than other trolls, and may have difficulty in even their mortal seeming with a world made for smaller people.
3. Unstoppable Fury · [ Noblesse Oblige: The Book of Houses -- Page 96 ] Prerequisite: House Gwydion You are as susceptible to House Gwydion's rages as any other -- however the fury of the house has settled more strongly in you, making you capable of mighty deeds when enraged. Whenever you fly into a berserk fury, you gain one dot each of Strength and Stamina until the anger leaves you. Note that this can be a drawback as well -- it's painfully easy even to cripple your friends if they happen to cross your path while you're in this fury.
Prerequisite: Nocker You are a fast and talented worker, even for your kith. When building or repairing something, the difficulty of your craft roll is reduced by one. Additionally, you require one to three fewer successes on any extended rolls required when working on large or complex projects. This Merit also reduces the difficulties of all mining rolls by two.
3. Stone Skin · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 62 ] Prerequisite: Troll Trolls who possess this Merit are physically tougher than others. In particular, their skin is denser, hearkening back to the tales of rock giants and moving mountains. In game terms, this gives the character one extra soak die with which to resist damage, but does not add to any
4. Fly Fingers · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh In your fae seeming, your fingers end in suction cups akin to those of a fly. You are capable of climbing sheer walls, hanging upside down from ceilings, and otherwise defying gravity as long as you have something to hold onto. The player must make a Dexterity + Athletics roll. Note that the fingers in question cannot be gloved in order for Fly Fingers to work. The toes of a sluagh with this Merit are similarly affected, though the fingers alone are enough to support a changeling's weight.
4. Huge Size · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 168 ] Your mortal seeming is abnormally large in size, possibly over seven feet tall and 400 pounds in weight. You therefore have one additional Health Level, and are able to suffer more harm before you are incapacitated. Treat this as an extra Health Level, with no penalties to rolls. Trolls can take this Merit since the extra Health Level gained through Huge Size affects only the mortal seeming. The extra Health Level is added to those a troll gets from his Birthright for the purposes of chimerical damage, however, or real damage if the troll has called upon the Wyrd.
However, some of them do a bit better than others, especially when moving food is involved. A redcap with Unforgettable Taste has a remarkable knack for remembering the taste of everything she's ever eaten and being able to identify it instantly if she tastes it again. Furthermore, the Merit grants the ability to sense where the nearest supply of that taste might be. Under normal circumstances, that's fairly unremarkable. Being able to tell where the nearest batch of chocolate mousse or porterhouse steak is really doesn't do too much in the grand scheme of things. On the other hand, if the redcap has gotten a bite of someone, the Merit serves as an excellent way to track that meal. Creative redcaps have found other uses for this power, including tracking down poisons.
5. Blessing Of Atlas · [ Kithbook: Trolls -Page 63 ] Prerequisite: Troll All trolls are significantly stronger than their fellow fae, yet there are those who exceed even these comparisons. They are as to their fellow trolls what trolls are to other fae. In game terms, a character with the Blessing of Atlas will permanently raise her Strength by one, and will also raise the potential maximum Strength pool by one. Trolls with this Merit are only slightly larger than their kith, but even more defined. Should it become known that a character possess this Merit, she will be expected to act all the more responsibly for it.
5. Unforgettable Taste · [ Kithbook: Redcaps -- Page 91 ] Prerequisite: Redcap In a sense, redcaps are the fae world's most sincere epicures. They've got a taste for everything, and they never forget a taste.
These Merits are different kinds of supernatural benefits. Because of the potential of these particular Traits, the Storyteller may not allow you to choose from this category -- ask before you pick one. Furthermore, you should not select such Traits unless they firmly fit your character concept, and you can explain why your character possesses them. In general, we do not recommend that anyone have more than one or two supernatural Merits or Flaws -- they should be strictly controlled by the Storyteller.
1. Shen Companion · [ Land of Eight Million Dreams -- Page 93 ] Prerequisite: Hsien You have a friend and ally who just happens to be a werewolf or vampire. Though you may call
upon this being in time of need, she also has the right to call upon you (after all, you are friends). While many of the hsien blame the Kuei-jin for the Wall, they do not hate each other. For the most part, hsien know the general facts of Kueijin, mage, and hengeyokai societies. Your friend will not become a walking Glamour battery for greedy changelings; such relationships often end badly. The Storyteller will create the character in question, and will not reveal its full powers and potencies.
of commoner or noble. Perhaps you simply have a deep and abiding fearlessness of fire and the inherent knowledge that your death will not come from that element. Whatever your certainty, this knowledge gives you the freedom to risk your life in ways that others cannot. Storytellers should keep in mind, however, that such beliefs can turn upon those who abuse this freedom. The individual who knows she will not die from fire can still perish from the collapse of a burning roof upon her head. Storytellers should determine the cost of this Merit according to the type of "death" it precludes.
1. True Love · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 161 ] You have discovered, and possibly lost (at least temporarily) a true love. Nonetheless, this love provides joy in an arid existence usually devoid of such enlightened emotions. Whenever you are suffering, in danger, or dejected, the thought of your true love is enough to give you the strength to persevere. In game terms, this love allows you to succeed automatically on any Willpower roll, but only when you are actively striving to protect or come closer to your true love. Also, the power of your love may be powerful enough to protect you from other supernatural forces (Storyteller's discretion). However, your true love may also be a hindrance and require aid (or even rescue) from time to time. Be forewarned: This is a most exacting Merit to play over the course of a chronicle.
1 - 5. Boon Of Fate · [ War in Concordia: The Shattered Dream -- Page 118 ] Although you know you are not immortal, you have been given the knowledge that you will not die from one certain means or event. Perhaps an eshu grump read your fortune in the stars and prophesied that you would not die by the hand
1 - 5. Past Life · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 160 ] You can remember one or more of your previous incarnations. This can be as simple as constant deja vu in places known to your past lives, or as complex as conscious, waking memories of being another person. In practical terms, this means that your character (and therefore you the player) knows slightly more about whatever situations the dead memories contain. You might know your way around the past life's hometown, or back away from your murderer without knowing why. This is a good Background for beginning players; the Storyteller can tell them that something they are about to do is stupid, dangerous, or both, because even if the character wouldn't logically know that, one of her past lives might. However, this Background cannot be used to "remember" Abilities. The Storyteller can, and likely should, take the opportunity to flesh out one or more of these past selves with you. Unless the memory is very detailed, your character isn't likely to know everything about that past. One point: Deja vu memories of one life. Two points: Dreamy, vague memories of one life, with deja vu from several lives.
Three points: Vague memories of several lives and one or two well-remembered impressions from one life. Four points: Several well-remembered impressions from many lives. Five points: A clear but broken thread of memories back to the Mythic Age and beyond.
2. Aura Of Fear · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 69 ] Prerequisite: Denizen Many Denizens threaten by their very presence, but you take this to a preternatural extreme. By spending a point of Glamour you exude an air of menace that may stop the boldest creatures in their tracks. Anyone who wishes to attack or even insult you must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) before doing so.
2. Danger Sense · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 161 ] You have a sixth sense that warns you of danger. When you are in danger, the Storyteller should make a secret roll against your Perception + Alertness; the difficulty depends on the remoteness of the danger. If the roll succeeds, the Storyteller tells you that you have a sense of foreboding. Multiple successes may refine the feeling and give an indication of direction, distance, or nature.
You possess the natural affinity to sense and hear spirits, ghosts, and shades. Though you cannot see them, you feel their presence and are able to speak with them when they are in the vicinity. It is even possible for you to summon them (through pleading and cajoling) to your presence. Spirits will not simply aid you or give you advice for free -- they will always want something in return.
2. Melody Of Days To Come · [ Book Of Lost Houses: The Second Coming -- Page 21 ] Prerequisite: House Beaumayn While not absolutely exclusive to House Beaumayn sidhe, this Merit so defines the house that Storytellers should consider carefully before allowing any other fae to possess it. A character with this Merit has an affinity for a particular type of vision and finds it easier to receive auguries related to such subjects. This affinity is typically a particular theme, emotion, or event, although a certain person or persons close to the character are also possible with the Storyteller's permission. One sidhe might constantly see visions of future battles, another could dream of romances yet to come, and so on. All difficulties to consciously "bring on" such omens are at -2 difficulty (minimum 3), and in general they'll occur more often than other types of visions. This Merit may be purchased only once without express Storyteller permission -- it's very rare to have such control over precognition, let alone specialization.
3. Animal Speech · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 87 ] 2. Medium · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 161 ]
Prerequisite: Pooka
Like Dr. Doolittle, you can talk to the animals. Unfortunately, this only extends to animals of your own affinity and any directly related. For each step away from you in the Animal Kingdom, communication becomes more difficult. For example, a tiger pooka can speak fluently with other tigers in the tiger language, however he feels like an American in Paris with only a fourth grade understanding of the language when speaking to a bobcat. When attempting to converse with a housecat, the tiger pooka is reduced to a vague understanding of body language. Whenever a pooka attempts communication with a species other than his specific affinity, the player should roll Perception + Alertness versus a difficulty determined by her Storyteller, based on how far removed the species is from the pooka's affinity.
3. Banality Resistance · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 69 ] Prerequisite: Denizen Even though you have not undergone the Changeling Way Ritual, you are more resistant to gaining Banality in whatever form you take. You no longer automatically gain Banality while in Phantom Form or upon possessing a human. Your rate of Banality accrual is no faster than that of the average changeling.
3. Burning Gaze · [ Book Of Lost Houses: The Second Coming -- Page 22 ] Prerequisite: House Beaumayn While not absolutely exclusive to House Beaumayn sidhe, this Merit/Flaw so defines the house that Storytellers should consider carefully before allowing any other fae to possess it. Beaumayn with this Merit are especially attuned
to the presence of their ancient enemies, the Thallain, and can even detect members of the Unseelie Houses or minions of the Shadow Court with close enough scrutiny. The character must concentrate for a turn, then make a Perception + Gremayre roll (difficulty 6 for Thallain, 8 for Unseelie House or Shadow Court fae). Success means the Beaumayn sees such fae for who they truly are. This Merit may even detect those fae if they're hidden or disguised, although the character must score more successes than the hidden character and must succeed at a difficulty 1 point higher than normal. While this Merit is active, the character's eyes burn with the purple fire of the dark star, a sure giveaway for those who know the mark of this house.
3. Call To Friends · [ Kithbook: Pooka -Page 87 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Creatures of your affinity will come when you call and back you up in a fight. Every species of animal has a special call that they use to summon others of their own kind to aid them. You have an innate knowledge of what this call is and you can use it whenever you need. For some affinities, it's a howl. For others, it's a cluck. However it sounds, it calls any of these animals within a one-mile radius to your aid. Even if you cannot make your voice carry that distance, the animals spread the word for you. All you need to do is reach one of the creatures of your affinity and, unless restrained somehow, that animal calls others. Like that, the "word" spreads quickly and your friends come running. The limitations of communication still apply. If the animals can't hear you, they won't know to come. If they can't figure out that you're tied to a chair and need them to gnaw through the knot, then they're just going to stare at you dumbly. They don't teleport, so travel time is a factor. However, if they see that an ogre is attacking
you, they'll jump right in and help you. This Merit works especially well when used in conjunction with the Animal Speech Merit. The number of animals available to you varies depending on your affinity and where you're living. The Storyteller should assign a number of animals per success. For example, in New York, there may be only one alligator in the sewers within that mile, but there may be a hundred cats. Once this has been established, the player should roll Charisma + Performance to determine how successful her plea for help is.
3. Change Aria · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 69 ] Prerequisite: Denizen Unlike most Denizens you have voluntary control over when you change your Ariá. Changes of this nature sill affect both your physical appearance and your emotional state. Use of this Merit requires one point of Willpower.
3. Faerie Godparent · [ The Fool's Luck: The Way of the Commoner -- Page 74 ] Through ancient oaths, your faerie soul is bound to a particular family and has been for hundreds of years. Even when they left the Old Country, they carried along their beliefs in the Good People. Maybe you are the proverbial fairy godmother, or maybe you're the tinker that cleans and mends while everyone sleeps. In any case, their belief strengthens you and preserves you; you may make a Willpower roll (difficulty equal to the character's permanent Banality) to avid gaining a point of temporary Banality (this may be done once per story). If you have a Dreamer in the family, you may also reduce the difficulty by one to reach an epiphany with that
Dreamer. There are down sides. You are expected to help, protect, and guide the family (perhaps you are a literal godparent), and their expectations may exceed your abilities. Also, you have to renew the ties; if Grandma dies and the children grow up without her stories, you may find yourself forgotten. The family has at least one method of summoning you, whether it's saying your name three times or putting a saucer of milk on the back porch (You feel the summons and must make a Willpower roll, difficulty 6, to refuse). While it isn't unheard of for sidhe to have this merit, it is quite rare for two reason. Besides the fact that sidhe had less contact with or interest in mortals, even if they could wade through 600 years of genealogy to find their particular family, the family almost certainly wouldn't know their fae companion. It is interesting to note that a few sidhe have questioned whether this practice violates the Escheat's Right of Ignorance, whereas no commoner has ever spoken out against this honorable practice. Unless the circumstances are quite unusual (Storyteller's option), characters should possess the Kinain Background to have this Merit.
3. Luck · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] You were born lucky; either you have a guardian angel, or maybe the Devil looks after his own. Either way, you can repeat three failed nonmagical rolls per story. Only one repeat attempt may be made on any single roll.
3. Nature Linked · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 63 ] Prerequisite: Troll
Legends are full of incidents concerning the connection to nature and strength; this Merit represents the positive aspects of such tales. Possessors of this Merit have a near mystical link to nature and all living, growing things in their own environment. They are rarely lost, and can find food and shelter easily, almost as if nature itself is seeing to their needs. Characters who possess this Merit may subtract two from all difficulty numbers when in natural surroundings. Cities and asphalt are not considered natural, though a park within a city might qualify. As always, the Storyteller is the final arbiter.
3. Poetic Heart · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 164 ] You have a truly inspired soul within you. You are destined to be a great hero or artist, and therefore Glamour shields you from the ravages of Banality. At times you may even be able to stave off the tide of Banality. You may make a Willpower roll (difficulty equal to the character's permanent Banality to avoid gaining a point of temporary Banality once per story).
special insights into aspects of mortal life that changelings have missed or forgotten.
3. Vampire Companion / Werewolf Companion · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] You have a friend and ally who just happens to be a werewolf or vampire. Though you may call upon this being in time of need, she also has the right to call upon you (after all, you are friends). Neither your kind nor hers appreciate such a relationship; while changelings deal with the Prodigals often, all sides share a healthy distrust of each other. Your friend will not become a walking Glamour battery for greedy changelings. Such relationships often end badly. The Storyteller will create the character in question, and will not reveal its full powers and potencies.
3. Wholecloth · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 88 ] Prerequisite: Pooka
3. Spirit Mentor · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 161 ] You have a ghostly companion and guide. This spirit is able to employ a number of minor powers when it really struggles to exert itself, but for the most part, its benefit to you is through the advice it can give. This ghost is the incorporeal spirit of someone who was once living, perhaps even someone particularly famous or wise. The Storyteller will create the ghost character, but will not reveal to you its full powers and potencies. Mentors of this sort are not true Mentors of the Arts, but might give
When pooka shapeshift into their animal form, they leave all non-chimerical items behind. This means that the pooka's clothing, mundane items worn or carried and treasures cannot shift with the pooka, but must either be left wherever the pooka changed form or gathered up by a companion and brought along. It can be inconvenient and inefficient for the pooka to leave his "cast-offs" behind. Imagine, for example, the pooka who assumes animal form to escape those chasing him only to discover the same people waiting for him when he gets home because his picture ID and address were in the wallet he left behind! This Merit allows you to avoid this annoying and potentially embarrassing occurrence. With a moment's
concentration you can subsume non-chimerical objects and items into your new shape. Thus, you can always have your clothing and other personal items at hand. The Merit does not allow you to pick up and carry any other living thing along with you in this manner. Thus it cannot be used to help both the pooka and a companion escape.
With this Merit, your Anchor becomes a famous and cherished monument. Hundreds if not thousands will try to protect your Anchor from harm. The fame of your Anchor depends on the cost of the Merit you have bought.
4. Blood Of The Wolf · [ Noblesse Oblige: The Book of Houses -- Page 96 ] 3 - 4. Physical Abnormality · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 88 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Some aspect of your animal mien transfers into your faerie mien. This may mean that you have prehensile feet or tail, the ability to climb vertical surfaces, a sticky tongue, eyes that rotate 180 degrees, extra legs, a scorpion stinger, venomous bite, tough skin, skunk spray, or any of a huge variety of unique attributes that affinities can have. The Storyteller determines the cost of the particular physical abnormality you choose. Obviously, the more offensive the attribute, the more it costs. In a case where the pooka has a physical abnormality that allows him a special attack, he uses his own dice pool, rather than his animal dice pool. If the attack involves venom, then he injects no more venom than he would in his animal mien. Thus, a snakebite from the pooka in his faerie mien does no more cumulative damage than it would if he were in his animal mien. Such venomous attacks deliver (at best) one die of damage unless the character also takes the Venomous Attack Merit.
3 - 5. Famnous Anchor · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -- Page 68 ] Prerequisite: Inanimae
Prerequisite: House Gwydion It's said that House Gwydion's ties to the wolfchanger Prodigals are stronger than shared purpose. You are living proof of that connection -- although you are full-blooded changeling, you also have the blood of the werewolves in your veins, and the Garou call you kin. Although they may not think of you in glowing terms, the werewolf tribe whose blood you share may call on you to perform certain tasks for your Changing relatives. What's more, you may be expected to take a Garou spouse, the better to strengthen your bloodline. This can lead to some powerful connections, or some very intriguing plotlines; the Storyteller has perfect right to forbid this Merit if she doesn't want to deal with werewolf affairs as well as courtly fae intrigues.
4. Iron Resistance · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 160 ] Cold iron has no physical effect on you. You may touch cold iron and feel no excruciating pain, not even a tingle. However, constant exposure to the metal will still cause you to suffer Banality. This is a double-edged sword, as you may not realize when you are sitting on a cold iron bench or leaning against a fence made of the foul metal. A Perception + Intelligence roll (difficulty 7) is required to avoid exposing yourself to the dangerous element in any new setting where it is present.
Oracle · [ Book Of Lost Houses: The Second Coming -- Page 111 ] Prerequisite: House Scathach Except for the moirae and the sidhe of House Beaumayn, the seers of House Scathach are quite possibly the best in the Dreaming. This is a birthright handed down through generations from the Morrigan herself, giving the character -2 difficulty on all rolls involving the Soothsay Art. This merit isn't exclusive to House Scathach, but is possessed by the most able prophets of other kith and houses. Because most others don't share Scathach's prophetic heritage, however, the cost is +1 Freebie Point for all other fae except for the moirae and House Beaumayn.
circumstance. Finding the right time and place generally makes a huge difference, and the satyr may prepare for months, trying to set up the perfect situation. For a satyr to achieve epiphany through sex, the player must roll Manipulation + Empathy (difficulty 4). The number of successes rolled equates to the number of Glamour points gained by this changeling.
4. Unbondable · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] You are immune to being Blood Bound. No matter how much vampire blood you drink, you will never be Bound to one. This is exceedingly rare, and the Merit should be carefully considered by Storytellers before it is allowed into the game.
4. Sexual Reverie · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 65 ]
2. Winged · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 164 ]
Prerequisite: Satyr
You have beautiful wings, be they feathered bird's wings or batwings or colored butterfly wings. They are chimerical, but they need to be free, or they will subtract one die from Dexterity rolls. You may have to explain why you have cut slits in all of your coats. If you have taken this as a Flaw, you are not able to fly, but you do get an extra die if you are the recipient of the cantrip Wind Runner (Wayfare 3). If you have taken this as a Merit, you may indeed fly for short periods of time. This power works as any other use of Glamour when only Kithain are present, but will not work in the presence of mortals.
As a rule, Reverie requires the slow and careful cultivation of a Dreamer. The changeling inspires a mortal to achieve greatness by tapping into the Dreaming and creating a Glamour-filled work. Some satyrs, however, have the ability to bring mortals to such incredible heights of pleasure that the actual act of having sex produces Glamour that the goat can then harvest. This process takes more than one session usually, though in certain cases, the intensity of a one-night stand is enough. For these epiphanies to work, it must be more than just a literal bumping in the night: The satyr must establish a special connection between herself and the mortal, which could be a smoldering desire that has built up over time and finally come to fruition, or a fulfillment of the mortal's fantasies, or some similarly magical
5. Alchemy Affinity · [ Land of Eight Million Dreams -- Page 93 ]
Prerequisite: Hsien You are able to utilize Alchemy with a greater degree of ease than other changelings. In a previous incarnation, you were extremely proficient in one of the Arts -- so much so that you have managed to draw a small portion of that knowledge through into this lifetime. Select an Alchemy; when spending experience points to gain levels in that Alchemy, you pay threequarters the normal cost. This Alchemy must be declared during character conception. Of course, this Merit may only be purchased once.
5. Art Affinity / Sphere Natural · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -Page 162 ] or [ Player's Guide for Changeling: The Dreaming -- Page 27 ] You are able to utilize one of the Arts with a greater degree of ease than other changelings. In a previous incarnation, you were extremely proficient in one of the Arts -- so much so that you have managed to draw a small portion of that knowledge through into this lifetime. Select an Art; when spending experience points to gain levels in that Art, you pay three-quarters the normal cost. This Art must be declared during character conception. Of course, this Merit may only be purchased once.
slowly than other normal fae, without running the risk of Bedlam incurred from dwelling continuously in freeholds. In game terms, so long as a troll is aware of the Dreaming, he gages at a rate of one-tenth that of his brethren. Should he be overtaken by Banality, however, he grows old and dies just like other mortals. Should he be saved from the Mists, he begins again to age at this reduced rate. Note that this does include troll childlings, who pass through this stage as quickly as, if not faster, than other fae.
5. Faerie Eternity · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] After you went through your Chrysalis, you had a birthday, and then another, and then another. Something was strange however -- you didn't seem to be growing or getting older. You are touched with a vestige of the immortality that used to be the birthright of all fae. As long as your fae seeming is active you will age at onetenth that of a normal human or changeling. Should your fae seeming be permanently destroyed, or should you retreat into Banality, you will begin to age normally.
5. Living Legend · [ Kithbook: Eshu -- Page 86 ] 5. Blood Of The Rivers · [ Kithbook: Trolls -Page 63 ] Prerequisite: Troll The rivers, said to be the lifeblood of trolls, are living things, and as such have a distinct lifespan. The passage of decades may change the course, or even the flow, yet it takes centuries or a cataclysm to destroy one. So, too, with trolls who possess this Merit. They age much more
Prerequisite: Eshu You are the living, breathing incarnation of some great hero or heroine; this does not have to be an actual historical figure, but can be a character from mythology or even (with Storyteller permission) a figure from more contemporary fiction. Note that you are an incarnation, not a reincarnation; you are not actually the reborn spirit of that individual, but the embodiment of the legend of that individual. Your mortal form
must at least vaguely resemble your true "heritage," but your fae mien matches it perfectly. Any Kithain with even the slightest knowledge of the original tale will recognize you immediately, and you are likely to attract a great deal of attention in the cultures that gave birth to the legend. You must purchase at least 3 points of the Remembrance Background to take this Merit to reflect the tie you have to the original legend. All Remembrance rolls made while interacting with or remembering things from your legendary "past" are made at a -2 difficulty (minimum difficulty of 3). What's more, you gain an additional two dice to all Social rolls with those who recognize you, Kithain or otherwise; being in the presence of such a famous figure is impressive, to say the least. At the Storyteller's discretion, this Merit may also allow you to have knowledge of, if not access to, certain chimera or Treasures related to your legend. A character who is the incarnation of Roland cannot expect to be handed his famous horn, for example, but would be a storehouse of information about the item and have vague ideas about where to look for it. Note that this Merit does not provide any further access to the capabilities of your legendary "ancestor" than this. Whether you are nothing more than a very convincing lookalike, or whether you can actually walk the walk, as they say, is a question of what traits you choose during character creation and beyond. Your appearance and your "memories" may make it hard to get along unnoticed in ordinary society, and you may attract unhealthy attention from ogun and worse. It can also be very hard to live up to what is expected of you. Storytellers are encouraged to constantly remind players with this Merit just how exhausting and thankless it can be to live in the public eye.
5. Oath Of The Honor-Bound Allies · [ Book Of Lost Houses: The Second Coming -- Page 111 ]
Prerequisite: House Scathach Where sidhe with Sovereign command obedience, Scathach with this ritual forge alliances. This oath is exchanged only when a member of the house has done a great favor for a commoner or vice versa. Each Kithain involved in the transaction must exchange blood and spend 1 point of temporary Glamour. Only Scathach's descendants may master this potent ritual, and the caster must have at least Fae 2 (Lofty Noble) and Gremayre 3 to learn its intricacies. The cost for casting this rite is 1 point of Glamour; thus, if the caster is also party to the exchange, she must spend 2 points of Glamour (one to cast the spell and the other to seal her half of the oath).
5. Phantom Fate · [ Book Of Lost Houses: The Second Coming -- Page 111 ] Prerequisite: House Scathach Fate's tapestry records the life and destiny of every living being. Most lives are stitched in bright and vivid threads, easy for Fate's disciples to watch and record. Others, however, are recorded in threads invisible to all but the most discerning eye. Because House Scathach has taken up a contrarian relationship to Fate's design, some have become truly adept at camouflaging their patterns. Such "ciphers" are all but invisible to the Soothsay cantrip of Omen (the only way to track such a character is by deciphering the "ripples" she causes when she interacts with others). Furthermore, all other Soothsay cantrips are at +3 difficulty when cast against her, though this additional difficulty pertains to beneficial and detrimental effects alike. The character is just as likely to deflect blessings as curses and may not purchase any merits or flaws pertaining to luck. Scathach who attain the seventh level of mastery undergo a rite known as the Trial of Shadows and automatically exhibit this merit -- if they
survive. This merit isn't exclusive to House Scathach (indeed, even some humans may unwittingly be ciphers) but is quite rare elsewhere. The cost is +2 Freebie Points for all other fae. Moirae may not purchase this merit and are particularly antipathetic toward those so endowed.
5. Puddle · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh As the centuries slithered past, the sluagh slowly lost their ability to assume any form they desired. Gradually they became more and more restricted in the shapes they could assume, eventually being locked in a more-or-less human guise. But not you. With the Puddle Merit, you can reduce your form to a flattened pool of goo on the ground, ooze through the smallest cracks and crannies, and pour yourself into containers that shouldn't be able to hold you -- and then assume your proper form, none the worse for wear. This trick is particularly useful for spies, couriers, and assassins. In order for a sluagh to Puddle, the player must make a Stamina + Athletics roll (difficulty 6). Moving while in Puddle form requires Dexterity + Athletics (difficulty 7) while reconstituting takes Stamina + Athletics (difficulty 7). A botch on either of the last two rolls renders the sluagh an inert quivering mass, easily caught and poured into a container for safekeeping. Failure simply means that the sluagh must try again.
5. Seeming's Blessing · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 164 ] All of your Birthrights affect your mortal seeming as well as your fae mien. They even function normally in the presence of mortals. A sidhe would have her extra dots in Appearance, a
satyr would get his extra Stamina and speed, trolls would get their extra Strength, etc.
5. Sphere Natural · [ Player's Guide for Changeling: The Dreaming -- Page 27 ] You are able to utilize one of the Arts with a greater degree of ease than other changelings can. In a previous incarnation, you were extremely proficient in one of the Arts -- so much so that a small portion of that knowledge has carried over into this lifetime. Select an Art; when spending experience points to gain levels in that Art, you pay three-quarters the normal cost. This Art must be declared during character conception. Of course, this Merit may only be purchased one.
5. Venomous Attack · [ Kithbook: Pooka -Page 88 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Your bite, sting or claw delivers venom of some sort into a victim when you choose to use it. This may cause considerable damage and perhaps death to those so attacked. You may only use such attacks when in your animal mien unless you also have the Physical Abnormality Merit. Whenever you use your venom, you gain 4 venom dice that you roll four times at half hour intervals over the next two hours of game time, subtracting one die each subsequent time you roll. Each time damage is indicated, it is added to damage already accrued. The difficulty to inflict damage is a 6, as is the soak roll needed to offset it. Victims of your venom may reduce damage through Stamina soak rolls just as with normal damage unless they are allergic to your specific type of poison (an allergy to bee stings, for example). Generally, the only type of pooka who may take this Merit are those with
potentially fatal venom such as rattlesnakes, black widow or brown recluse spiders, scorpions and the like. Storyteller approval is required to take this Merit.
one can never count upon a guardian angel. The Storyteller must decide why you are being watched and what it is watching you (not necessarily an angel, despite the name).
5. Water Under The Bridge · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -- Page 69 ]
7. Regeneration · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 160 ]
Prerequisite: Ondine
Your faerie nature is very strong, and as a result, you heal much faster than other Kithain. For every turn spent resting, you recover one health level of chimerical damage. Physical wounds can be regenerated at a rate of one health level per hour. While in a freehold, your wounds heal at twice this speed. Wounds inflicted by cold iron are not affected by this Merit.
Rivers and streams flow endlessly to the sea, and so does your memory. Every day you awaken, remembering nothing that happened the day before. To recall what happened to you, you must make a Willpower roll.
5. Work With Iron · [ Kithbook: Nockers -Page 53 ] Prerequisite: Nocker Most nockers cannot abide the touch of iron in any way, but your skin is resistant to its bite for some reason. This ability allows you to work in many real-world situations, and other nockers envy you, though they also consider your condition somewhat suspect. This Merit is essentially the same as Iron Resistance; however, not only are you immune to iron, but your chimerical works are similarly resistant.
6. Guardian Angel · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] Someone or something watches over you and protects you from harm. You have no idea who or what it is, but you have an idea that someone is looking out for you. In times of great need, you may be supernaturally protected. However,
7. True Faith · [ Player's Guide for Changeling: The Dreaming -- Page 27 ] You have a deep-seated faith in and love for God, or whatever name you choose to call the Almighty. You begin the game with one point of Faith (a Trait with a range of 1 to 10). This Faith provides you with an inner strength and comfort that continues to support you when all else betrays you. This Merit is exceedingly rare among changelings, and is found most often among those who have undergone their Chrysalis late in life. Your Faith adds to Willpower rolls, giving +1 to the dice pool for each point in Faith. The exact supernatural effects of Faith, if any, are completely up to the Storyteller, although it will typically repel vampires. Basically, the changeling must make a Faith roll against a difficulty equal to the vampire's Willpower to repel him. The effects of Faith will certainly vary from person to person, and will almost never be obvious - some of the most saintly people have never performed miracles greater than managing to ease the
suffering of injured souls. The nature of any miracles you do perform will usually be tried to your own Nature, and you may never realize that you have been aided by a force beyond yourself. An additional benefit of True Faith is innate magic resistance. This effect will not work for changelings (theories about the reason for this vary), but can add a dangerous wrinkle to fanatical witch-hunters or enemy Dauntain. A character may roll his True Faith (difficulty 6) to reduce the successes of any cantrips cast upon him. Therefore, a changeling facing a hunter with 5 points of True Faith stands a slim chance of affecting him with magic. True Faith is a rare attribute in this day and age. No one may start with more than one Faith point. Additional points are only awarded at the Storyteller's discretion, based on appropriate behavior and deeds.
compulsion can be temporarily avoided at the cost of a Willpower point, but it is in effect at all other times.
1. Dark Secret · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You have some sort of secret that, if uncovered, would be of immense embarrassment to you and would make you a pariah among your peers. This can be anything from having murdered a noble to secretly being a member of the Shadow Court. While this secret weighs on your mind at all times, it will only surface in occasional stories. Otherwise, it will begin to lose its impact.
Flaws: 1. Intolerance · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ]
These Flaws deal with the mind, its strengths, weaknesses and special capacities. They also deal with the psychological makeup of your character, and may describe ideals, motivations, or pathologies. These Flaws should be carefully considered before taken because of the degree of effect they may have both on the character and on the story.
1. Compulsion · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You have a psychological compulsion of some sort, which can cause you a number of different problems. Your compulsion may be for cleanliness, perfection, bragging, stealing, gaming, exaggeration, or just talking. A
You have an unreasoning dislike of a certain thing. This may be an animal, a class of person, a color, a situation, or just about anything else. The difficulties of all dice rolls involving the subject are increased by two. Note that some dislikes may be too trivial to be reflected here -a dislike of left-handed Lithuanian plumbers or tissue paper, for instance, will have little effect on play in most chronicles. The storyteller is the final arbiter on what you can pick to dislike.
1. Nightmares · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You experience horrendous nightmares every time you sleep, and memories of them haunt you during your waking hours. Sometimes the nightmares are so bad they cause you to lose one
die on all your actions for the next night (Storyteller's discretion). Some of the nightmares may be so intense that you mistake them for reality. A crafty Storyteller will be quick to take advantage of this.
1. Overconfident · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You have an exaggerated and unshakable opinion of your own worth and capabilities. You never hesitate to trust your abilities, even in situations where you risk defeat. Because your abilities may not be enough, such overconfidence can be very dangerous. When you do fail, you quickly find someone or something else to blame. If you are convincing enough, you can infect others with your overconfidence.
1. Pack Mentality · [ Kithbook: Pooka -Page 89 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Your attachment to your pack far exceeds healthy limits. You not only want to be a part of a pack you need to be. You go to extreme lengths to protect your pack, even to the point of sacrificing yourself, and if you find yourself without a pack, you join up with the first that accepts you. You stress hard when left alone. You don't, however, have to be a follower in the pack, you could just as easily be the leader who needs more than anything to have a group to oversee. If you've lost your old pack, spend a Willpower point to put off joining the first pack you find -- even if they seem inimical to your own ethics. You must do this for a number of days equal to the number of failures (i.e. the number of 1s rolled) on an Intelligence roll.
1. Phobia (Mild) · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You have an overpowering fear of something. You instinctively and illogically retreat from and avoid the object of your fear. Common objects of phobias include certain animals, insects, crowds, open spaces, confined spaces, and heights. You must make a Willpower roll whenever you encounter the object of your fear. The difficulty of this roll is determined by the Storyteller. If you fail the roll, you must retreat from the object.
1. Shy · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You are distinctly ill at ease when dealing with people and try to avoid social situations whenever possible. The difficulties of all rolls concerned with social interactions are increased by one; the difficulties of any rolls made while you are the center of attention are increased by two. Don't expect your character to make a public speech.
1. Speech Impediment · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 155 ] You have a stammer or some other speech impediment that hampers verbal communication. The difficulties of all relevant rolls are increased by two. Do not feel obliged to RolePlay this impediment all the time, but in times of stress, or when dealing with outsiders, you should attempt to simulate it. Sluagh may not purchase this Flaw in respect to their Frailty.
1 - 3. Addiction · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 154 ] You are addicted to any one of a variety of things. A one-point Flaw would be a mild addiction to an easily obtained substance, such as caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. A two-point Flaw would be either a severe addiction to any easily obtained substance, or any "mild" drug, such as painkillers, sleeping pills, or marijuana. A three-point Addiction involves the heavy street drugs or hard-to-find drugs. The need for these drugs varies from once a day for some to two to three times a day for others, depending on the strength of the drug and the addiction. If, for whatever reason, you are denied access to the drug, you lose the number of dice equal to the level of your addiction (one, two, or three) until you receive your "fix." If you are deprived of the drugs for an extended length of time, you will be forced to make a Willpower check (difficulty of 4 for the first day, +1 for each additional day). If you fail, you will forgo everything and forcibly go seeking the drug. This would be an easy way for you to be either controlled or forced to do favors for your supplier, especially if the drug is hard to obtain due to its rarity or price.
1 - 5. Aversion · [ Kithbook: Redcaps -- Page 89 ]
vegetables, or inanimate objects. A redcap who accidentally eats something he has an aversion to is in a great deal of trouble. A Stamina roll is required (difficulty 6), otherwise he'll immediately upchuck everything in his stomach. Furthermore, any time he wants to do anything more strenuous than walk for the next half hour, a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) is necessary to see if another attack of nausea hits. Storytellers should take a great deal of care not to let this Flaw be abused. It's very easy to pick up points with an aversion to, say, rutabagas or left-handed can openers. Aversions should be real and important, or at least worth the points received for them.
2. Amnesia · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] You are unable to remember anything about your past, yourself, or your family. Your life is a blank slate. However, your past may some day come back to haunt you, and the Storyteller is under no obligation to be merciful. You can, if you wish, take up to five points of other Flaws without specifying what they are. The Storyteller can supply the details. Over the course of the chronicle, you and your character will slowly discover them.
Prerequisite: Redcap
2. Confused · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ]
They say that redcaps can and will eat anything. In most cases, they're right, but a redcap with this Flaw is the exception who proves the rule. A redcap who has an aversion won't eat something (or a whole category of things, depending on the number of points taken for the Flaw). One point might be an aversion to strawberries, while five would be something much broader, like meat,
You are often confused, and the world seems to be a very distorted and twisted place. Sometimes you are simply unable to make sense of things. You need to RolePlay this behavior all the time to a small degree, but your confusion becomes especially strong whenever stimuli surround you (such as when a number of different people talk all at once, or you enter a nightclub with loud,
pounding music). You may spend Willpower to override the effects of your confusion, but only temporarily.
2. Curiosity · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 155 ] You are naturally curious person, and find mysteries of any sort irresistible. In most circumstances, you find that your curiosity easily overrides your common sense. To resist the temptation, make a Wits roll (difficulty 5) for simple things like, "I wonder what is in that cabinet." Increase the difficulty up to 9 for things like, "I wonder what those strange sounds coming from the Unseelie duke's freehold are. I'll just slip in and check it out -- no one will ever know. What could possibly go wrong?"
2. Judgmental · [ Noblesse Oblige: The Book of Houses -- Page 96 ] Prerequisite: House Gwydion You aren't as open-minded as a true ruler should be, and you form opinions about people quickly. The difficulty to detect if a person lies is raised by two, as you are inclined to trust your prejudices rather than your senses. What's more, if you fail, you must make an Intelligence + Empathy roll (difficulty 6) or automatically assume that they're lying or telling the truth, whichever you're already inclined to believe.
2. Masochism / Sadism · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 155 ]
You are excited either by causing pain (sadism) or receiving it (masochism). In many situations, you will seek either to be hurt or hurt someone for your pleasure. For a masochist, your soak roll for actual physical damage is increased by one because you really want to feel the pain. A sadist must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 5) to stop combat (modified depending on how much you are into the attack and how much you are enjoying hurting the other person). If you fail, you are so caught up in the event that you are aware of anything else happening around you.
2. Natural Urge · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 89 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Animals do lots of things that would be very odd if humans or changelings did them as well. They have urges. You have these urges as well. This could be a disturbing taste for raw meat, a desire to chase cars, an unconscious habit of licking yourself, an impulse to search your friends' hair for parasites, or a predilection for attacking weaklings. Whatever natural urge you have, you do it without thinking. It's a part of you and only by spending a Willpower point can you avoid the urge for an hour when in a situation where you would normally feel the urge.
2. Obsesssion · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 155 ] There is something you like, love, or are fascinated by to the point where you often disregard common sense to cater to this drive. You react positively to anything related to your obsession, even if it's not in your best interests. For example, if you are obsessed with supernatural creatures, you will go out of your
way to talk to and befriend vampires, werewolves, and stranger things, and find out as much as you can about them, disregarding all warnings. If you are obsessed with Elvis, you have your house decorated with black velvet paintings and annoy your friends with your constant talk about the King. You don't necessarily believe that Elvis is still alive, but you buy every supermarket tabloid that carries an article about him anyway. There are many other obsessions, including British royalty, guns, and football. You know the type.
2. Paranoia · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -Page 72 ] Coming through the Mists wasn't easy for you. You are suspicious of everything and everybody. These humans are everywhere and possess strange and provocative powers. No wonder they're destroying the Dreaming so easily -- it's a plot! The changelings are in on it too, turning themselves into some sort of demi-humans to further the cause of Banality. You'd call your friends for help, but what if they're in on it too? Characters with this Flaw are at +1 difficulty to all Social rolls.
for someone else, you never quite seem to be able to get around to it, particularly when there are so many more exciting things to which you could devote yourself. (Alas, each of these eventually pales, and you're left with a string of unfinished pieces, which depresses you so much that you want to wipe the slate clean and start on something completely new). For a sluagh with a Short Attention Span to finish a piece of work that cannot be done at a single sitting, the player must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6); otherwise the necessary work will be left undone. This roll must be made every time the project in question is returned to. A sluagh with this Flaw will be treated like a child by others of her kith. A sluagh without the patience to watch is no real sluagh at all.
2. Vengeance · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 155 ] You have a score to settle -- a freehold was wiped out, a friend was corrupted, a parent was slain. You are obsessed with wreaking vengeance on the guilty party. Revenge is your first priority in all situations. The need for vengeance can only be overcome by spending Willpower points, and even then, it only temporarily subsides. Someday you may have your revenge, but the Storyteller won't make it easy.
2. Short Attention Span · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh Much of a sluagh's time can be spent poring over complex problems, separating informational wheat from chaff. This requires time, effort, and most of all, patience. Unfortunately, with a Short Attention Span, patience is something you have in short supply. You bounce from idea to idea dn project to project, never finishing one before starting the next. Even if you've promised to complete work
2. Wyld Mind · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 156 ] Your mind is extremely chaotic and unpredictable. As a result you have difficulty concentrating on any one task. You must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 4) for every extended action roll after the second.
2. Yearning Soul · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Troll You feel the pull toward romance much more strongly than other trolls, and desperately need some aspect of it in your life. You will fixate your attention on the most attractive fae or person in any given situation, though your reactions will vary, depending on your character. You may pine from afar, behave like an eager puppy desperate for approval, attempt to impress the object of your affections, etc. Note that, should you only be in the company of those you would not normally be interested in, you will begin to lower your standards; your desire and need for romance is that strong, even if it leads you to a crush on a sluagh. This Flaw should be strictly RolePlayed, and the Storyteller may see fit to impose dice penalties depending on the circimstances.
3. Absent-Minded · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] Though you do not forget such things as Knowledges or Skills, you do forget such things as names, addresses, and the last time you gained Glamour. In order to remember anything more than your own name and the location of your freehold, you need to make a Wits roll or, as a last resort, spend a Willpower point. This Flaw may not b taken with the Concentration Merit.
You have a personal goal, which sometimes compels and directs you in startling ways. The goal is always limitless in depth, and you can never truly achieve it. It could be to restore equality for commoners or return to Arcadia. Because you must work toward your goal throughout the chronicle (though you can avoid it for short periods by spending Willpower), it will get you into trouble and may jeopardize other actions. Choose your driving goal carefully, as it will direct and focus everything your character does.
3. Flashbacks · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 156 ] You are prone to flashbacks if you are in either high-pressure situations or circumstances that are similar to the event that caused the flashback itself. Flashbacks can be caused by almost any trauma -- torture, extended combat, or repeated drug experimentation. Either positive or negative stimulation could result in an episode. Emotional anxiety and stress are the usual catalysts for the flashbacks to begin. Returning to a good and happy vision can be just as dangerous or distracting as suddenly being surrounded by demonic hallucinations. During the flashback, you are not aware of what is really around you. Even people speaking to you will be viewed as people or objects from the vision. You can mistake men for women, people for animals, and even inanimate objects for people. To you, reality has shifted and you are back there again.
3. Hatred · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 156 ] 3. Driving Goal · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 156 ]
You have an unreasoning hatred of a certain thing. This hate is total and largely
uncontrollable. You may hate a species of animal, a class of person, a color, a situation, or just about anything else, and you constantly pursue opportunities to harm the hated object or to gain power over it.
3. Lifesaver · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 156 ] You believe that human life is a sacred gift, and will not take a person's life except in the most extreme of circumstances. You may not ever willingly endanger the lives of innocents or in any way participate in a killing. You have no problems with a killing animals (for the right reasons), and will kill evil and inhuman creatures to protect others if necessary. (Be very careful, however, with your definition of "evil"). Senseless death in all forms repulses you, and you feel that those who commit murder should be punished.
3. Loudmouth · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh Secrets? What secrets? If you've got a piece of information, you can't resist telling the world. As information is the kith's stock in trade, you're literally giving away the store every time you open your mouth. It's not that you mean to mouth off, it's just that you can't help yourself Players make a Willpower roll, difficulty 8, to keep your sluagh from blurting out any secrets she knows. Of course, once words gets around that there's a blabbermouth sluagh in town, you can expect plenty of visitors -- other changelings looking for the latest dirt and whatnot. Then again, folks may try to use you to spread false information, and you're certainly not going to be in the good graces of other sluagh.
3. Phobia (Severe) · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 157 ] You have an overpowering fear of something. Common objects of fear include certain animals, insects, crowds, open spaces, confined spaces, heights, and so on. You must make a Willpower roll not to freak out when faced with the object of fear. If you score less than three successes, you will not approach it. The Storyteller has final say over which phobias are allowed in a chronicle.
3. Procrastination · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Satyr Distraction comes in many forms and satyrs often want to do everything all at once. Unfortunately, there is only one of you. You've never heard of the concept of time management, so you skip from one project to the next as your fancy dictates. And when an important obligation comes along, you flit off to have fun rather than perform your duty. That party at your friend's place seems so much more interesting than polishing your mentor's sword -- you can do that tomorrow. There will be plenty of time for that tomorrow. But that elusive tomorrow never comes and the task goes shoddily unfinished. Yet, to your credit, you had a damn good time at the party. You must make a Willpower roll any time your character must choose between duty or fun to see which she chooses.
3. Recluse · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 65 ]
Prerequisite: Sluagh
Prerequisite: Pooka
Above and beyond the usual sluagh aversion to companionship, you have a phobia when it comes to others. It takes a real effort (Willpower roll, difficulty 6) for you even to come out of your lair, and another one every day to keep you from scuttling back in. You're the most comfortable at home, and generally don't even let others see you, preferring to remain behind curtains or one-way glass. Whenever the sluagh is in the company of more than one person, you are at -1 on all rolls unless you make a Willpower roll (difficulty 5).
Most pooka can shift back and forth between forms without the slightest problem. You, however, have a challenge. Whenever you shift back from your animal mien, you forget everything that happened while you were in that form. It's as if you blacked out. Not a single memory makes it back through the change. While in your animal mien, you have complete awareness. However, once you change back to your changeling or mortal form, you forget it all. This is extremely disconcerting, worse than waking up after a particularly nasty drunk and not remembering that you took all your clothes off in the middle of the street.
3. Wishy-Washy Ways · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Satyr The satyr lifestyle involves making snap decisions on a regular basis. When you're given an opportunity, you'd better act quickly or it just might pass you by. Yet, you can't seem to make up your mind fast enough; it takes you a while to sort through all your options, examine the pros and cons, and then decide which is the best decision. You are indecisive to a fault, and you want to discuss the problem with someone more intelligent before you commit. Intense situations, where the action is fast-paced, confused you and the result is you usually standing in the middle, with a lost look on your face. This attribute frustrates your fellows and sometimes lands you in dangerous situations. You must make a Willpower roll whenever your character must make a decision, otherwise your character remains undecided about what to do.
4. Animal Amnesia · [ Kithbook: Pooka -Page 89 ]
4. Fortune's Fool · [ Book Of Lost Houses: The Second Coming -- Page 21 ] Prerequisite: House Beaumayn While not absolutely exclusive to the Changeling House Beaumayn sidhe, this Merit/Flaw so defines the house that Storytellers should consider carefully before allowing any other fae to possess it. All House Beaumayn sidhe must bear the weight of future events; a character with this Flaw, however, believes for one reason or another that she can't affect the future she sees. She might think it's a judgment from her particular deity, believe in predestination, or simply be a very fatalistic soul, but whatever the reason, she believes that events she sees in her visions are inevitable and can't bring herself to act in ways that would alter their outcome. After all, what's the point? Even if a vision is later proven false, the character simply rationalizes it somehow (I must have seen it wrong) or even believes that some greater misfortune will befall her or the others responsible for "interfering" with the true course of events. Any actions whose success might directly lead to contradicting a vision the character has had are at +2 difficulty, and
actually initiating a plan to prevent a foreseen occurrence requires the Beaumayn to spend a point of Willpower.
4. Issues · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 66 ] Prerequisite: Satyr You have issues. Whether you're insecure, repressed, or slightly neurotic, or all three, your issues affect your life negatively. You haven't rejected the ideal of freedom, you can't just seem to live up to it. No matter how loudly you proclaim your dedication to the pursuit of happiness, you are too afraid to actually act on it. This fear can be crippling to a satyr. You are the poor love-lorn soul who can never find the courage to tell the person you love how you feel about her. You keep your emotions pent-up inside and let no one know what you need or want. Perhaps your parents taught you that you didn't deserve love or maybe you feel others are entitled to that last piece of cake more than you are. Whatever the reason, these detrimental feelings keep you from what you most desire. You always let others have the spotlight first and take only what scraps they give you. Players roll Willpower to see if this satyr can assert himself and express his needs and desires.
5. Hibernation · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 89 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Many animals hibernate. Some do so seasonally. Others hibernate when the temperature drops below a certain point. You have inherited this urge from your affinity. Whether you do it seasonally, sleeping all winter long, or whether you fall into hibernation only when the temperature drops, this can be quite debilitating.
If your hibernation is triggered by season, then you miss out on a full quarter of the year. Although you don't sleep 24 hours per day, you do sleep at least 20. Your body wakes you up just enough to eat and relieve yourself, but then you go right back to sleep. If it's triggered by temperature, then you risk sudden sleepiness and a slowing of your physiology whenever cold. Temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will trigger your hibernation. You can mitigate this to some extent. Whenever you are supposed to be in hibernation, you may spend a Willpower point to remain awake for 24 hours. While this keeps you from dropping into a doze every few minutes, it doesn't leave you very alert. All rolls while in a state of suspended-hibernation are made at a +2 difficulty (up to a maximum difficulty of 10). Further, you cannot initiate aggressive actions or combat, though you may respond to such. Once combat occurs, you react normally (but with the +2 difficulty penalty).
5. Knows Too Much · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh You have learned what many consider to be the great secret of the sluagh: That sluagh fae are in their last incarnation, and that beyond this life yawns nothingness. This revelation has twisted your perspective irreparably. No longer do you see any good in the world or in others. Nothing means anything to you anymore, and life is simply something to be endured before the darkness that waits for you inevitably swallows your spirit. This also means that others will have an extremely difficult time convincing you of the urgency of any quests or requests and you may well abruptly lose interest in whatever you're doing simply because it's too much effort.
5. Pyromania · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -Page 69 ]
Flaws:
Prerequisite: Solimond You must set fires. You cannot stop yourself. You almost get a sexual thrill from watching flames. To avoid setting fires you must make a Willpower roll each morning. If you fail, you will set at least one fire that day. This is a very dangerous Flaw, and will eventually get you in trouble with mortal law enforcement.
These Flaws deal with the influence, power, and station of a character among mortals. Some of them correspond very closely to certain Background Traits (such as Influence and Resources), while others simply elaborate and expand upon them.
5. Sexual Hang-Up · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -Page 66 ]
3. Ward · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 167 ]
Prerequisite: Satyr
You are devoted to the protection of a mortal. You may describe your ward, though the Storyteller will actually create her. This character may be a friend or relative from your pre-Chrysalis days, or just a good friend. Wards have a talent for getting caught up in the action of stories, and they're frequent targets of a character's enemies.
The other satyrs are out in the weeds romping on Beltaine, but you're sitting alone by the fire because you can't seem to get over your aversion to sex. This repugnance can manifest in several ways. It may not be every aspect of sex that bothers you, but because certain standard acts really turn you off, you're afraid to even ignite something. You may find a partner willing to accommodate your "special" needs, but even then, you never quite get over the fear that she is telling everyone about your hang-ups and that they are all secretly laughing at you. Sometimes it's just easier to remain celibate. To your horror, your tragos-mates will try to fix you if they discover your problem. Explaining that you don't want their help can be disconcerting, at best. If your inhibition is severe enough, you may eventually find yourself ostracized. The tragos won't kick you out, but they'll quit inviting you to their parties and gatherings. After all, why would they want a party-pooper like you around?
4. Hunted · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 168 ] Vampires and werewolves are not the only supernatural who need to fear fanatical witchhunters. You have somehow attracted the interest of some mortal agency or individual who now seeks your destruction. This hunter is beyond reason, and has some form of power, influence or authority that puts you at a disadvantage. Your friends, family and associates are likewise endangered. Sooner or later, this Flaw will result in a confrontation. The resolution should not be an easy one. Flaws:
some of your mentor's dangerous schemes may somehow involve you.
1. Gregarious · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh Among the worst breaches of etiquette a sluagh can commit is spending too much time in the company of others. A Gregarious sluagh may win friends and influence other Kithain, but is likely to acquire a bad odor among others of her kind. If you are Gregarious, you will be ostracized by other sluagh, not invited to High Teas, and left unapprised of information that might otherwise be of use. Player, your Gregarious sluagh is at -2 on all Social rolls involving other sluagh. And, no, you can't keep it a secret.
1. Infamous Mentor · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] Your mentor was, and perhaps still is, distrusted and disliked by many of your fellow changelings. As a result, you are distrusted and disliked as well. This is a heavy load, and one not easily shed.
1. Insane Mentor · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] Your mentor has completely lost his grip on reality, and bas become lost to Bedlam or dangerously insane. Any wrong committed by your mentor may affect your reputation, and
1. Mentor's Resentment · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] Your mentor dislikes you and wishes you ill. Given the smallest opportunity, your mentor will seek to do you harm, and may even attack you if provoked. Your mentor's friends will also work against you. Good luck!
1. Twisted Apprenticeship · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ] Your mentor was quite malevolent and taught you all the wrong things about Kithain society. Your concepts of changeling politics are all wrong, and your faulty beliefs are likely to get im you into a great deal of trouble. Over time, after many hard lessons, you can overcome this bad start (the Storyteller will tell you when). But until then, you will continue to believe what you were first told, no matter how others try to "trick" you into thinking otherwise.
1 - 2. Blackmailed · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 71 ] There is something in your past you don't want to come to light and someone knows it. This person (or organization) demands outrageous sums of money or services and sensitive information in return for silence. This is a 1 point Flaw if the secret is a relatively minor one that would merely cause great embarrassment or personal inconvenience if revealed. A 2 point Flaw indicates a much more dangerous piece of
information. Killing the blackmailer will probably only make matters worse, but if the player is sufficiently clever about turning the tables on the blackmailer (i.e., finding out one of his dark secrets) the Storyteller may decrease, or eliminate, this Flaw -- at least temporarily.
tower and do something terminally nasty for you.
2. Diabolical Mentor · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 166 ]
1 - 5. Enemy · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] You have an enemy, or perhaps a group of enemies. Someone wants to harm you. The value of the Flaw determines how powerful these enemies are. The most powerful enemies (kings or elder vampires) would be five-point Flaws, while someone nearer to your own power would be worth only one point. You must decide who your enemy is and how you earned such enmity in the first place.
1 - 5. Hostage · [ The Fool's Luck: The Way of the Commoner -- Page 75 ] Whether out of paranoia or just ruthlessness, a noble holds you as a hostage to ensure someone's good behavior. You may be held in a dungeon or tower, or be allowed the run of a freehold. It's possible that you have no travel restrictions; the noble may have laid a gaes or other curse on you, one that takes effect if he's attacked. Note that being a hostage doesn't necessarily imply mistreatment; a dead hostage is worthless. In fact, you may be treated quite well, and may even pick up some choice gossip or important secrets. But the threat is always with you, and using that information could be bad for your health. Point value varies; for one point, you'll get thrown down in the clink if a certain troll ever shows his face at court, while five points mean that if anyone attacks His Nibs, someone will march up to your cell in the west
Your mentor is engaged in acts that could cause a tremendous uproar. She could be ignoring unabashed Unseelie activity or worse. Plenty of folks are after your mentor's hide, and you may be tarred with the same brush.
2. Guileless · [ Pour 'Amour Et Liberte: The Book of Houses 2 -- Page 32 ] Prerequisite: House Ailil While you enjoy the same expertise with manipulating others as others of your own house, you lack one small tool: You cannot lie convincingly. Truth writes itself upon your face in large letters, for everyone to see. This makes it nigh impossible for you to evade the truthsense of Gwydion's house when asked a direct question. Other attempts at subterfuge and guile are not affected. This is not a compulsion to be truthful; you can attempt to lie, you just do it badly. In game terms, you make any Subterfuge rolls that involve telling a blatant lie at +2 to your difficulty level.
2. Outcast · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -Page 72 ] Prerequisite: Denizen Unlike the banished, you are still nominally a part of your adhene's culture, but occupy its very lowest rung. You may be a bottom-feeder at the
fringes of a fir-bholg army, a Pariah among the naraka, or the worst sort of kitsch artist among the muses. Those above you think little of insulting or demeaning you and your legal status among your own kind is debatable, though they rarely attack you outright. Other Dark-kin may take pity on you, but are likely to see you as inconsequential.
are), etc. In game terms, characters with this Flaw add +2 to all difficulties of Social rolls when not primarily among other trolls.
2 - 5. Disbarred · [ Kithbook: Nockers -- Page 54 ] Prerequisite: Nocker
2. Sell-Out · [ The Fool's Luck: The Way of the Commoner -- Page 75 ] Prerequisite: Kinain Other Kithain see you as a sell-out, a suck-up, a traitor to your kith, or just a sidhe-loving SOB. It may not be true -- you may be fulfilling an oath or geas, you may be a deep cover mole. Characters with this Flaw are at a +2 difficulty on social rolls when dealing with other commoners (the Storyteller may increase the difficulty when dealing with commoners who are especially anti-noble. Other sell-outs may treat you better, but more than likely they won't, since you're probably competing with them.
You have broken nocker prohibitions. Maybe you sold proscribed technology, failed to live up to a contract, or mistreated one of your golems. In any event, your actions reflected badly on other nockers, and the Bes Din took your inventory license away. You may no longer practice your craft legally. The player and Storyteller should decide together what the character did and how seriously the infraction was. If it was minor, you are only on probation; the Bes Din may eventually reinstate your license pending good behavior and special services on your part. You may be working off your debt currently. The Storyteller decides when it has been paid off. This is a two-point Flaw. Nockers who have committed particular heinous crimes may lose their inventor licenses forever. This is a five-point Flaw.
2. Shrinking Violet · [ Kithbook: Trolls -Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Troll Trolls are known to be close-mouthed and silent, particularly when not among their own kind. For most of this kith it is a matter of choice, but for those possessing this Flaw, it goes much deeper. Trolls who are Shrinking Violets are only comfortable with their own; with everyone else they are constantly aware of the differences between them, and are consequently ill at ease. This manifests as clumsiness (fear of breaking things and people), difficulty speaking in social situations (only able to speak of things as they
2, 4, OR 6. Banished · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 71 ] Prerequisite: Denizen Because of some crime, real or imagined, you have been banished from your particular adhene. This Flaw has three different degrees of seriousness. Those with a two point Flaw have been banished but there is some hope of return. Perhaps you have "merely" to fulfill some nearly impossible task in the Waking first. This level Flaw may or may not be enforced by any magic. With a four point Flaw, not only have you been
banished, but you wear some mark that allows your entire adhene to recognize you as an outcast. You may never return to any area inhabited by your people and even those of your race in the waking world may try to make your life miserable. Finally, the six-point version of this Flaw means that a powerful Geas has exiled you from the Dreaming. This does not necessarily mean that you can never go into the Dream Realms, but only powerful magic will allow you temporary entry. You may still enter freeholds in the Autumn World, however. Further, not only are you banished, but actively hunted. Your fellow adhene will likely kill you on sight (or try to capture you for a reward) and even changelings and other adhene look askance at you.
3. Divided Loyalties · [ War in Concordia: The Shattered Dream -- Page 119 ] The current hostilities have placed you in an awkward position with regard to your usual loyalties. A commoner who opposes violent revolt against the rulers of Concordia may find herself distanced from friends or oathmates who support the war. Similarly, a sidhe who sides with the commoners may alienate herself from other members of her house. A Red Branch knight who supports Faerilyth may have difficulties in the presence of colleagues who belong to different factions in the search for a successor to the throne. Those of your friends or allies who know of your differing loyalties no longer trust you with confidences. Some may even consider you an enemy or, at the very least, a liability. You might try to conceal your true feelings, but if you do, you run the risk of discovery by those who would label you a traitor. You suffer a +2 to your difficulty for all Social rolls in circumstances that place you and your erstwhile friends at odds with one another. At the Storyteller's discretion, possession of this
Flaw may cause other problems that require solutions through RolePlaying.
3. Forsworn · [ Pour 'Amour Et Liberte: The Book of Houses 2 -- Page 32 ] Prerequisite: House Ailil At some point in your past, you were guilty of breaking an oath. Because you have taken the Oath of the Forsworn, you have managed to avoid the penalties normally incurred by your action, but you now stand amid those of your house who bear the label of Forsworn. This not only damages your reputation and honor, but it also prevents others from believing your promises. You are at a +2 difficulty to all Social roles involving attempts to persuade others of your sincerity or the validity of your word.
Flaws:
These Flaws deal with your health and physical makeup.
1. Asthma · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 168 ] You have difficulty performing strenuous tasks because you cannot breathe properly. With
asthma, your lungs only pull in a fraction of the air that normal lungs require. Any time that you exert yourself, you must make a Stamina roll against a difficulty of 6 or be unable to perform any action on the next round while you catch your breath.
1. Babbling Brook / Long-Winded · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -- Page 69 ]
1. Short · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ] You are well below average height, and have trouble seeing over high objects and moving quickly. You suffer a two dice penalty to all pursuit rolls, and you and the Storyteller should make sure your height is taken into account in all situations. In some circumstances, this will give you a concealment bonus. Only childling trolls can take this Flaw.
Prerequisite: Ondine or Paroseme You have to comment on everything; you can't seem to stop talking. In highly stressful situations you may need to make a Willpower roll to fall silent.
1. Color Blindness · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ] You can only see in black and white, Color means nothing to you, although you are sensitive to color density, which you perceive as shadows of gray. Note: Color blindness actually indicates an inability to distinguish between two colors, but we fudged a bit for the sake of playability.
1. Hard Of Hearing · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
1. Swarthy · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Satyr All satyrs are hairy, right? Well, you take the cake. Not only do you have hair on your legs and hips, but it grows profusely over your whole body. Your chest is a thick carpet of curls. Dark waves of this hair cover your arms. A pelt covers your belly and even your back. Many find this revolting -- especially on women. Yet female satyrs don't have to worry about their faces. For male goats, however, your beard grows so quickly that you've given up shaving; because by the time you get to the left side of your face, the right side has a five o'clock shadow. But, at least you never have to worry about malepattern baldness. Only in the rarest of cases does this Flaw extend completely to a satyr's mortal seeming. You may have monkey arms or a full chest of hair, but only in the most extreme of instances does the hair growth seem abnormal. Satyrs with this Flaw make all rolls related to Appearance at an increased difficulty of +1.
Your hearing is defective. The difficulties of all dice rolls related to hearing are increased by two. You may not take the Acute Hearing Merit if you take this Flaw. 1 - 3. Animalistic Features · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 88 ] Prerequisite: Pooka
The animalistic features so apparent in your faerie mien leak over into your mortal form as well. Over the years, you have developed characteristics that cause your mortal body to look somewhat odd. They might even give you away as a changeling to someone who knows the signs. In some cases, this may manifest as excessive hairiness, fang-like teeth, clammy skin or even internal organs arranged in an odd manner. The higher the point value of the Flaw, the more noticeable and hindering the feature is to the fae
a true troglodyte. Your eyes are luminous saucers in your fae mien. Light hurts your eyes, and gives you a splitting headache. You are completely blind in any surroundings brighter than firelight, though you can see if you wear extremely dark glasses. Even with such protection, the difficulties of all activities involving sight under such circumstances are increased by three.
2. Bad Sight · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ] 1 - 4. Allergic · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 168 ] You are allergic to some substance -- pollen, animal fur, alcohol, chocolate, etc. For one point, you get hives, sneeze or become dizzy upon prolonged contact with your bane; for two points, you swell up uncomfortably in the affected area, reducing all dice pools by one; for three points, your reaction actually incapacitates you, reducing appropriate Dice Pools by three. If the substance is really common in your chronicle, add an additional point to this Flaw.
1 - 4. Troglodyte · [ Kithbook: Nockers -Page 53 ] Prerequisite: Nocker You are a throwback to the original goblins and are used to life underground. Bright lights bother you, and it's difficult for you to see in situations involving anything brighter than firelight. If you have the one-point Flaw, you are merely sensitive to bright lights; the difficulties of all Perception rolls based on sight are increased by two in situations involving sunlight. This difficulty is lowered by one if you wear dark glasses. If you have the four-point Flaw, you are
Your sight is defective. The difficulties of all dice rolls related to vision are increased by two. This Flaw is neither nearsightedness nor farsightedness -- it is a minor form of blindness. The impairment is not correctable.
2. Broken Voice · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -- Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Satyr Dogs howl when they hear you sing, and babies cry at the very sound of your speaking voice. You were blessed with a broken voice. Like the sound of breaking glass or grinding metal, your voice hurts people's sensibilities. Although you can still play an instrument with no problem, most people want you to not sing. It makes them cringe. A broken voice makes it difficult to woo your love. No one is going to fall for someone who sounds like fingernails scratching down a blackboard or a pencil trying to erase with no eraser. And the worse part is that you don't seem to notice what you sound like or view the reactions of people toward you. Anyone who tries to tell you that you have a disgusting voice draws your immediate ire. After all, it sounds perfectly fine to you. The difficulty of all
Charisma rolls is increased by +1 for these satyrs.
2. Disfigured · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ]
severe social penalties in most situations, except for perhaps intimidation. In game terms, a penalty of +2 to the difficulties of all Social rolls should be imposed on the character, except with those who know him extremely well. The most conservative and "proper," whether changeling or human, will be all the more inclined to reject those with this Flaw. Note that this Flaw is cumulative with other Merits and Flaws.
A hideous disfigurement makes you ugly and easy to notice or remember. You therefore have a zero Appearance. Sidhe characters cannot take this Flaw. 3. Chicken Claws · [ Kithbook: Redcaps -Page 89 ] Prerequisite: Redcap 2. Foul Mouth · [ Kithbook: Nockers -- Page 54 ] Prerequisite: Nocker All nockers cuss, but your use of profanity puts others to shame. Your mouth spews forth a never-ending torrent of obscenities. Even other nockers find you tiresome. They know when you shut up in court, and when enough is enough. You just keep going. You even have a hard time with short conversations on the telephone. Basilisk Stones shatter overnight in your hands. This Flaw precludes you from ever holding a respectable job of any kind in human society.
3. Blighted Face · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Troll Throughout history, there have been legends of monstrous giants, as frightening in appearance as in strength and size. Characters with this Flaw are the stuff of such tales. Though individual appearance may vary, they will present a coarse, threatening appearance in both their mortal and fae seemings. Because of this, they will suffer
Some legends of redcaps gift them with chickens' claws in place of their hands or feet. This condition is rare, but occasionally present among modern day redcaps, though any Kithain who suffers from this Flaw is bound to be the subject of much derision from his peers. A redcap with chicken claws for hands is at +1 difficulty for all Dexterity-based rolls involving manual dexterity, while one with chicken claws instead of feet is at the same disadvantage for all rolls related to dodging, running, and so forth. Note that the claws are rather more menacing than one would guess from their name -- claws are claws, no matter what animal they came from.
3. Child · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ] You were a small child at the time of your Chrysalis. You may be precocious, but you're still just a kid. You have the Flaw Short (see above), and find it difficult to be taken seriously by others (two dice penalty to all relevant rolls). Additionally, you may be subject to parental control, curfews and child labor and truancy laws. Few clubs will admit you, because you are
"underage." Childlings who do not take this Flaw are for some reason more accepted by those older than themselves.
3. Deformity · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ] You have some kind of deformity -- such as a misshapen limb, a hunchback -- that affects your interactions with others and may inconvenience you physically. The difficulties of all dice rolls related to physical appearance are raised by two. Your deformity will also raise the difficulty of some Dexterity rolls by two, depending on the type of deformity you possess. Sidhe characters cannot take this Flaw.
however, that in the case of sunshine, a week of rainy days won't hurt you. Merely being outside will give you what rays you need, even though it's not a bright day.
3. Lame · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ] Your legs are injured or otherwise prevented from working effectively. You suffer a two dice penalty to all dice rolls related to movement. A character may not take this Flaw along with the Double-Jointed Merit. Sidhe who are members of House Dougal cannot take this as their handicap, though it can be taken if they have a different handicap as their House Flaw.
3. Environmental Need · [ Kithbook: Pooka -- Page 89 ]
3. One Arm · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ]
Prerequisite: Pooka
You have only one arm - choose which, or determine randomly at character creation. This could be a battle scar, birth defect, or other form of injury. It is assumed that you are accustomed to using your remaining hand, so you suffer no off-hand penalty. However, you do suffer a two dice penalty to any Dice Pool where two hands would normally be needed to perform a task. A character may not take this Flaw along with the Ambidextrous Merit. Sidhe who are members of House Dougal cannot take this as their handicap, though it can be taken if they have a different handicap as their House Flaw.
Some animals need special environments and wither when they leave them. Your affinity has this problem and, worse, it leaks over into your changeling mien. Fish need water. If you are a fish pooka with this Flaw, then you need water also. However, this doesn't mean that you have to constantly immerse yourself in water. You'd drown. Rather, what it does mean is that you must spend a large portion of your time in or near water. You feel itsdraw like a magnet. Perhaps you need to constantly drink fluids. Perhaps you shower ten times a day. Other environmental needs might include sunning, remaining in darkness, or having a "shell" of some sort at all times. If deprived of your environmental need for more than 24 hours, you weaken and begin to take wound levels at a rate of one per day until you reach Incapacitated -- at which point you slip into a coma of sorts until you get a taste of your element again. Note,
3. Stolen Tooth · [ Kithbook: Redcaps -- Page 90 ] Prerequisite: Redcap
A long-standing redcap legend ascribes a rather unique weakness to the kith: A redcap can only be killed if one of his teeth is smashed on an altar stone. Many brave (and not terribly intelligent) souls attempted to prove or disprove this theory; most instead proved the parallel theory that anyone seeking something from a redcap's mouth is unlikely to be coming home. However, certain redcaps have managed to lose, one way or another, one of their teeth. Will the redcap be destroyed if that tooth is shattered in an appropriate place? Who knows, but what is certain is that any redcap possessing this flaw will do anything to get his tooth back. Retrieving the tooth takes precedent over any other activity to the point of mania. Why? Because those old legends might just be right after all.
4. Deaf · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ]
Prerequisite: Satyr The goat musk is a unique, horrific scent that makes the eyes water. You are a walking, breathing sachet of smelly goat. You're not sure if it's glandular, but you do know that it's not because you never bathe. You know plenty of satyrs who never wash themselves and they don't smell like you do. Actually, you've grown so accustomed to your own odor that you never even notice it. Unfortunately, everyone else does, and they let you know about it. Only the most socially anal-retentive of the sidhe can pretend that it doesn't bother them, although most don't care whether they hurt your feelings or not. Satyrs themselves are not bothered by your musk. However, all other kith, with the exception of redcaps, who are equally offensive themselves, refuse to stay in the same room with you. This banishment of a sort hinders greatly your chances for romance, for acquiring a title, or even just chatting with the other changelings. Your stinky goat is at a +2 difficulty on all Social rolls involving kith other than satyrs.
You cannot hear sound, and automatically fail any rolls that require hearing. 6. Blind · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 158 ] 4. Mute · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ] Your vocal apparatus does not function, and you cannot speak at all. You can communicate through other means -- typically through writing or signing. Sidhe who are members of House Dougal cannot take this as their handicap, though it can be taken if they have a different handicap as their House Flaw.
4. Parfum De Goat · [ Kithbook: Satyrs -Page 65 ]
You automatically fail all dice rolls involving vision. You cannot see -- the world of color and light is lost to you.
6. Paraplegic · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 169 ] You can hardly move without assistance, such as a pair of crutches or a wheelchair. Even then it can be painful and cumbersome to do so. The Storyteller and you should take care to roleplay this Flaw correctly, no matter how difficult it makes things. A character may not take this Flaw along with the Double-Jointed Merit.
Sidhe who are members of House Dougal cannot take this as their handicap, though it can be taken if they have a different handicap as their House Flaw
Flaws:
1. Changeling's Eyes · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 164 ] Your eyes are a startling color, maybe emerald green, violet, or yellow. This is a sign you are a changeling, recognizable to those who know the ancient lore.
1. Enchanted Blood · [ The Enchanted -Page 80 ] These Flaws are different kinds of supernatural detriments. Because of the potential of these particular Traits, the Storyteller may not allow you to choose from this category -- ask before you pick one. Furthermore, you should not select such Traits unless they firmly fit your character concept, and you can explain why your character possesses them. In general, we do not recommend that anyone have more than one or two supernatural Merits or Flaws -- they should be strictly controlled by the Storyteller.
Prerequisite: Kinain Your blood carries some of the essence of Glamour in it, meaning that vampires who drink from you suffer the same effects as drinking the vitae of a changeling: Temporary enchantment and possible madness. This makes you a curiosity for some Kindred and desirable to a Malkavian who is looking for some of the "quick inspiration" that can be taken from your blood.
1. The Bard's Tongue · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 163 ]
1. Eyes Of Eight Million Dreams · [ Land of Eight Million Dreams -- Page 93 ]
You speak the truth, uncannily so. Things you say tend to come true. This is not a facility for blessing or cursing, or an Effect that can be ruled by any conscious control. However, at least once per story, an uncomfortable truth regarding any current situation will appear in your head and through your lips. To avoid speaking prophecy, you must expend a Willpower point and take a health level from the strain of resisting (especially if you bite a hole in your tongue).
Prerequisite: Hsien The hsien has eyes that sometimes give away his spiritual nature. Hirayanu have the eyes of the animals whose bodies they share. The kamuii have eyes that resemble their Elemental natures -- they look like brass, or blase with fire. The player must decide which events cause this to happen. Beings who search for this shen can deduct one from their difficulty numbers to spot him.
1 - 3. Chimerical Disability · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 164 ] Part of your fae mien is damaged and no longer exists due to a past alteration. This disability is permanent. Examples of this Flaw would be a chimerical hand missing, therefore you cannot pick up chimera with that hand (two points). Your fae mien is missing one eye, therefore your view of chimera lacks depth and perception (three points). One of your chimerical legs is missing; you can still walk, but it becomes extremely difficult to ride a chimerical creature (one point).
1 - 3. Defaced / Polluted · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -- Page 69 ] Prerequisite: Inanimae Your Anchor has been damaged, either indirectly by pollution (acid rain, industrial dumping, smog, etc.) or directly by human action (graffiti, construction, etc.). This affects you by making you sickly and weak. For each point of Flaw you have bought, this removes a die of soak dice.
1 - 5. Cursed · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] You have been cursed by someone or something with supernatural or magical powers. This curse is specific and detailed. It cannot be dispelled without extreme effort, and it can be lifethreatening. Some examples follow:
You stutter uncontrollably when you try to describe what you have seen or heard (two points). Tools often break or malfunction when you attempt to use them (three points). You are doomed to make enemies of those to whom you become most attached (so whatever you do, don't get too close to the other character!) (four points). Every one of your accomplishments or achievements will eventually, inevitably, become soiled and fail in some way (five points).
1 - 5. Geas · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 159 ] OR [ The Enchanted -Page 80 ] You are under some kind of geas at the beginning of play, most likely a Ban, but possibly a long-term quest. This geas may be a family curse or duty that you have inherited, or it may have been imposed on you by a changeling using the Sovereign Art. The difficulty of the geas determines how great a Flaw it is. Something minor, such as a Ban against harming animals or a requirement to give occasionally to charity, would only be worth one point. More difficult geasa are worth more points. A five-point geas is something that rules your entire life, like a Ban against sleeping in the same place more than one night or a quest that requires you to render aid to anyone in need you encounter. The Storyteller decides the exact value of whatever geas you choose.
If you pass on a secret that was told to you, your betrayal will later harm you in some way (one point). 1 - 5. Mark Of The Blood · [ The Enchanted -- Page 81 ]
Prerequisite: Kinain Your fae heritage manifests itself in some obvious physical characteristic based on your heritage. This may be one of the existing physical or supernatural Flaws, or it may be some new physical change or deformity. A onepoint Flaw is fairly noticeable, like a slight blue cast to your skin, bright red hair, pointed ears, or eyes of a very unusual color. This is a clear sign to anyone who knows something of changelings that you are kinain or a changeling in a mortal seeming. A five-point Flaw is a serious physical deformity that requires almost constant explanation, like a pair of horns on your head, cloven hooves instead of feet, brilliant blue skin, or the like. Anyone who knows anything about the fae will know you are one, and mortals will look at you strangely, requiring some kind of creative explanation on your part concerning your "deformity."
1 - 5. Mystical / Magical Prohibition Or Imperative · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] There is something you must or must not do, and your life, your luck, your magic, and perhaps your very soul depends on it. It may be something that has always been upon you, a geas prophesied by druids at your birth, a sacred oath or vow you swore, or a promise or bargain you made. Someone (with a capital S) witnessed it and is going to hold you to it. If you disobey, the consequences will be dire, if not deadly. Characters may have several magical prohibitions or imperatives, and these may come into conflict. In Celtic myth, Cuchulainn had the geas to "Never refuse hospitality" and "Never eat dog meat." Three hags once offered him roast dog for dinner, and Cuchulainn died soon after. Consequently, most changelings keep their magical prohibitions and imperatives secret, lest they be used against them by enemies. Storytellers should examine each prohibition or
imperative and assign a point value to it, as well as to the punishment for violating it. Easily avoided circumstances, such as "Never break bread with a red-haired man," are worth one point, while more common, or difficult, things such as "Stop and pet every cat you see" are worth two points, and particularly drastic or dangerous circumstances, such as "Never back down from a fight" are worth three (or more) points. Consequences are worth points as well. Automatically botching the next major cantrip you do is worth one point, having bad luck for the rest of your life is worth two, losing all your friends and worldly possessions is worth three, dying is worth four, and being deserted by your faerie soul is five. Characters and Storytellers may come up with variants of these. Traditionally, there is very little that may be done about geas, which are simply facets of one's destiny, and curses are devilishly hard to lift (and the Flaw must be bought off if they are). Characters who accidentally violate them may attempt to atone for their crime, fixing whatever they did wrong. A witch who has vowed to never eat any red meat, and then suddenly finds beef in her soup, might be able to atone for the trespass by fasting and sending checks to PETA. However, if a changeling violates an oath willingly and with full knowledge -- and survives -- he becomes an oathbreaker, one of the foulest epithets among changelings. Oathbreakers are psychically marked. It is virtually impossible for them to find a tutor or any sort of aid. Characters who wish to begin as oathbreakers should take the Dark Fate Flaw or some curse, as well as Oathbreaker, worth four points.
1 - 5 Slipped Seeming · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] Your fae seeming bleeds into your mortal seeming and makes you obvious tot hose mundanes who know what to look for. A one-
point would be a slight bluish cast to the skin of a troll, and a five-point would be a pair of satyr's horns. This may make it difficult to explain yourself to mortals. This Flaw does not give you the benefits of certain portions of your fae mien (Goats legs will not allow you to run at advanced speeds, etc.).
you all the more. On the bright side, almost everyone else leaves you alone.
2. Iron's Curse · [ The Enchanted -- Page 81 ] Prerequisite: Kinain
1 - 5. Throwback · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 162 ] One or more of your past lives still affects you... badly. Their fears come back to haunt you in your dreams, and you have flashbacks of their worst memories (such as their death, or even worse, a personality that encroaches on your own). For bad dreams or flashbacks, take one to two points depending on the severity of the condition and how much it will affect your studies or performance in dangerous situations. For a "roommate in your head," take three points (whether you know he exists or not). For the package deal and a truly miserable existence, take five points, but expect the Storyteller to take every opportunity to use these against you. This Flaw can be "worked off" during the course of play, but only with difficulty.
2. Goblin Magnet · [ Kithbook: Nockers -Page 54 ] Prerequisite: Nocker Goblins really like you and want to be your pal. They show up late at night and get into your tools while you're trying to work. They think it's uproariously funny when they tell the duchess that you think she has a face like a horse (Well, she does!). Things tend to explode around you. No matter how much you tell the goblins to fuck off, they just laugh and want to hang out with
You are as sensitive to cold iron as a true changeling. Contact with cold iron causes you pain and discomfort, resulting in a +1 to all of your difficulties while you are touching it. You are unable to use Glamour while in contact with gold iron, and you cannot gain Glamour (through enchantment or a Rapture) while in contact with it.
2. Nature Bound · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 64 ] Prerequisite: Troll Legends are full of incidents concerning the connection to nature and strength; this Flaw represents the negative side of that link. Characters with this Flaw take their strength from contact with nature, and weaken when removed from it. In game terms, characters are at no penalty when in natural surroundings, yet subtract one die from all actions when in unnatural settings. For purposes of this Flaw, cities, wastelands, and the like are not considered natural. Characters with this Flaw should consider careers are park rangers, farmers, and the like, or live as close as possible to a large park.
2. Pig-Pen · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -Page 69 ]
2 - 5. Arcadian / Ancient Oath · [ Kithbook: Trolls -- Page 64 ]
Prerequisite: Glome
Prerequisite: Troll
You have a nasty habit of leaving dirt and dust in your wake. Wherever you go, you leave a faint but noticeable trail of detritus. The grit looks like the same material as your Anchor.
Trolls, on the whole, take oaths much more seriously than most, and diligently fulfill their duties and obligations. However, due to the effects of the mists, many oaths have been forgotten. The strength and severity of the forgotten oath depends on the points taken. Though the Storyteller may allow hints and vague memories of this oath to the character in question, the actual discovery of its nature should be a great work. Should, for any reason, the oath become invalid, the character is obliged to buy off the Flaw, or have it replaced with another by the Storyteller.
2. Surreal Quality · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 159 ] Though the Mists still protect you from mortal detection, there is something about you that mortals find fascinating. At inappropriate times, they will stare at you and strike up conversations in the hopes of getting to know you better. Worse still, those mortals who are of less savory nature will choose you over other potential targets for their illicit acts.
2. Winged · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 164 ] You have beautiful wings, be they feathered bird's wings or batwings or colored butterfly wings. They are chimerical, but they need to be free, or they will subtract one die from Dexterity rolls. You may have to explain why you have cut slits in all of your coats. If you have taken this as a Flaw, you are not able to fly, but you do get an extra die if you are the recipient of the cantrip Wind Runner (Wayfare 3). If you have taken this as a Merit, you may indeed fly for short periods of time. This power works as any other use of Glamour when only Kithain are present, but will not work in the presence of mortals.
2 - 5. Echoes · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 159 ] Your connection to the Dreaming is stronger than in most of the Kithain. As a result of this powerful connection, you are more susceptible to the ancient wives' tales of things which traditionally affect faeries. While Echoes is purchased as a Flaw, it often has some beneficial side effects. The points received with this Flaw reflect the level of your connection to the Dreaming and even to Arcadia. You must have Storyteller approval in order to take this Flaw. The effects of this Flaw are cumulative. A character with a five-point Flaw also suffers the setbacks of the two through four-point Flaws. * Minor: Salt thrown over the shoulder for good luck offers a mortal from faerie powers. The same is true of bread. Any mortal who does so cannot be affected by your cantrips in any way for the duration of the scene. You may physically hurt the person, but cantrips simply do not work, or worse, they may well backfire. Additionally any mortal knowing your full name can command three tasks from you, which you
must accomplish before you can be freed of that mortal's influence. However, you need only follow the exact wording of the mortal's request, not the desire behind the request (Two points). * Moderate: You may not enter a home without invitation, unless you perform some small favor for the owners of the dwelling. However, the invitation to enter a home may come from anyone at all, it need not be the owner. Cold iron in a residence will bar you from entering the place whether you are invited or not; religious symbols have the same effect. Religious symbols of any sort will prevent you from physically or magically affecting mortals. The sound of ringing church bells causes you pain, just as cold iron does (at this level there is only pain, but as a four-point Flaw, the changeling gains one point of Banality for every turn he is forced to endure the sound). (Three points). * Serious: Four-leaf clovers in the possession of a mortal prevent you from using your Arts against that mortal for good or for bad. However four-leaf clovers picked by you are sure to bring good luck (you cannot botch, or perhaps you temporarily gain the favor of a powerful individual) for as long as the petals of the clover remain intact. The clover must be worn or carried in order for this luck to remain. Any mortal wearing their coat inside out is invisible to you. You may not cross running water, save by means of a bridge. Religious symbols are now repellent to you, forcing you away from those who wear them, the Shadow of a cross falling upon your person causes one Health Level of chimerical damage for each turn the shadow touches you. You may no longer enter holy ground without suffering chimerical injuries (one health level per turn), though this damage may be soaked. (Four points) * Extreme: Wherever you dwell, mushrooms tend to bloom in a faerie ring -- even on your plush carpet. The Mists no longer hide your powers. Many people will remember you if you use your Glamour while around them. Chimerical creatures tend to become more real
for you than for others, and their attacks cause real and permanent injury. By the reverse, your chimerical weapons can cause damage to anyone, even mortals. People will likely follow you if you request it, often gaining a dazed look and following you even into dangerous situations. Your difficulties in casting cantrips might be reduced by a substantial amount (Storyteller's discretion), but those wearing cold iron or religious symbols are immune to any Arts you might use. You must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) in order to enter holy ground. Even if you succeed in your Willpower roll, actual physical damage (one health level per turn) occurs whenever you enter holy ground. (Five points).
3. Cleared Mists · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 164 ] The Mists are the effect of the Shattering on the human world. It cloaks the powers and enchantments of the Kithain, hiding their presence in its tendrils. Unfortunately, the Mists do not hide your magic or abilities. Should a mortal witness your actions, he will not forget the effects of your Arts or other fae abilities. As a result, you may reveal your nature to the mortal world, triggering dire consequences for the rest of the Kithain.
3. Eochaid's Curse · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 71 ] Even more than usual, when possessing a human body you are bound to your host's psyche and must work toward any goals that she pursued before you possessed her. This is not absolute -you can also pursue your own agenda -- but unless you do something to substantively further her welfare or desires (Storyteller's discretion),
you lose a point of Willpower per day no matter what method of possession you use. You cannot regain any Willpower until you have been out of the body for 24 hours.
3. Jack o Will · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -Page 71 ] Prerequisite: Denizen The heady rush of taking Glamour directly from a human vessel can be too much for some Denizens to resist. You instantly became addicted to ravaging, making you quite unpopular with the local Kithain. Even your fellow Denizens soon realized that you are sucking up more Glamour than your fair share. Further, no individual epiphany matches your memories of your earliest Ravaging experiences; you require more and more sensation to sate your desires, destroying more lives in your wake. Whenever confronted with a human Dreamer of any strength, you must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 9) or spend all your energies toward being able to Ravage him. You do not even care if this leads to a net increase in your Glamour; it's the experience you crave. Led to greater and greater perversions, you take absurd risks to feed your addition. Your Dioniae Aria gains +2 Willpower in all contests to assume dominance of your psyche and you may not buy the Change Aria Merit. This is a pitiful state for a Denizen. If you work at it you may eventually free yourself of this addiction. Alternatively, local changelings may hunt you down like the mad dog you are.
you and enjoys making your life miserable by insulting, berating, and distracting you, especially when you need to keep your cool. It also has a number of minor powers it can use against you (once per story for each power): Hiding small objects, bringing a "chill" over others, making them very ill at ease with you; causing a loud buzzing in your ear or the ears of others; moving a small object such as a knife or pen; breaking a fragile item such as a bottle or mirror; tripping you or making eerie noises, such as chains rattling. Yelling at the ghost can sometimes drive it away, but it will confuse those who are around you. The Storyteller will likely personify the ghost in order to make things all the more frustrating for you.
3. Melody Of Days To Come · [ Book Of Lost Houses: The Second Coming -- Page 21 ] Prerequisite: House Beaumayn While not absolutely exclusive to House Beaumayn sidhe, this Flaw so defines the house that Storytellers should consider carefully before allowing any other fae to possess it. When this affinity is taken as a Flaw, the character receives no bonuses for bringing on visions and must also choose a specific motif. However, she can receive visions regarding that particular object or theme only, thus narrowing the scope of her gift considerably.
3 - 5. Iron Allergy · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 160 ]
3. Haunted · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 163 ] You are haunted by a ghost that only you (and mediums) can see and hear. It actively dislikes
Most of the Kithain only suffer pain and Banality when in contact with cold iron. You suffer from actual wounds. Cold iron reacts like superheated steel when touching your skin. The very least you will endure is severe blistering. For each turn in contact with iron, you suffer
one health level of chimerical damage. As a four-point Flaw, you take one health level of real damage every three turns in contact with cold iron. As a five-point Flaw, you suffer this damage if you stand within a foot of the iron and you will take one health level of aggravated damage for every turn spent in contact with cold iron.
3 - 5. Lost Horizon · [ Kithbook: Eshu -Page 86 ] Prerequisite: Eshu It is the destiny of the Elegbara to wander, but your travels are severely limited. You are bound to remain within a particular set of borders, and crossing their threshold immediately triggers a wasting condition identical to the oba Frailty, Native Soil. These boundaries need not be ones that are "officially" recognized, btu they must be very clear and specifically detailed to character and player alike. The value of this Flaw stems from how limited your horizons are. A large or diverse territory such as a small country or a general region of a larger one (such as the Northeast in the United States) is worth 3 points. A smaller area, such as a single large state or several small ones, is worth 4 points. A ridiculously small area, such as a small state or a lone county within a large one, is worth 5 points. Note that like the oba Frailty, this has no effect on traveling in the Dreaming; indeed, your character is likely to do so as often as possible to escape the tedium of the same mundane surroundings. This Flaw stems from a curse or an ancient Geas and cannot be undone except by truly legendary means. All Elegbara pity those poor souls who suffer from this Flaw; it is true that the oba have a similar vulnerability, but that is due to their nature duty to the land, while your condition is generally a mystery or, worse still, a punishment for some terrible past crime. Storytellers should feel free to adjust the point value of this Flaw depending on how likely it is
to have an impact on play. If the setting is going to be fairly static, decrease the value of the Flaw, whereas if it will be likely to come up especially often, additional points might be warranted. Storytellers may also forbid this Flaw if having a player take it severely disrupts their plans for their Chronicles. Oba canot purchase this Flaw.
4. Anachronism · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 71 ] There is something of a time lag in the Dreaming, explaining why ancient dreams still hold such power and why modern sensibilities have not monopolized the Dreamscape. Not only are you unfamiliar with the modern human worlds, but you're unwilling or unable to learn. Perhaps you merely think the old ways are best or perhaps you are just too strongly attached to dreams of the past. In any case, you must spend double the experience points to buy any "modern" Abilities, no matter how long you have been in the Waking. This Flaw may not be taken by naraka.
4. Banality Magnet · [ Denizens of the Dreaming -- Page 71 ] Most Denizens have a high susceptibility to Banality, but you have it worse than most. Maybe your family was cursed by the Tuatha dé Danaan, or maybe you are just easily addicted to beer and television. You attract twice the Banalityy of other Denizens and even in forms that don't normally attract Banality you accrue one point each day you fail to gain one success on a Glamour roll (difficulty equal to the local Banality). This Flaw may create great difficulties for a beginning character and the player should consider things carefully before taking it.
4. Oathtaken · [ War in Concordia: The Shattered Dream -- Page 119 ] 4. Hag-Ridden · [ Kithbook: Sluagh -- Page 65 ] Prerequisite: Sluagh Somewhere along the line, someone whom you wronged died. This wouldn't be so bad, except now she's a wraith and she's out to make your life a (brief) living hell. No matter where you go or what you do, your ghost will follow you and do her best to interfere. As you grow in power, so will she, and she won't rest until you're destroyed. The worst part of it, however is that you can see her and everything she's up to, but most of the time, you're powerless to do anything about it.
You have submitted to the recent requirements that all commoners swear the Oath of Loyal Affirmation. This oath binds you to the service of your liege even if it places you in opposition to oathmates or other members of your motley. Your status as one of the Oathtaken also prevents you from joining any of the commoner war efforts, even if you sympathize with the rebels. In order to take any action against the person to whom you swore the oath, you must attain three successes in a Willpower roll (difficulty 9). Even if you succeed, all actions suffer a -2 penalty to your dice pool, and you may not use Glamour in conjunction with any such actions. Each time you successfully violate the spirit of the oath, you lose 1 point from each of your physical Attributes, subject to a minimum of one dot remaining in each Attribute. This loss remains until you receive a pardon from your liege.
4. Mortal Inhibition · [ Kithbook: Pooka -Page 89 ] Prerequisite: Pooka Something about your mortal mien makes it necessary for you to pass almost all your time in your animal mien. Maybe you're on the F. B. I. 's Top Ten Most-Wanted list, or maybe you are a child who should be in school. Perhaps you have a horrible birth defect that makes people stare at you in horror whenever you go out in public, or perhaps you have changeling features that put both you and the Escheat at risk. Whatever the case, you find it much easier to stay in your animal form the majority of the time. This produces many problems for you, the least of which is communication, but it's not nearly so bad as what happens when you take on your changeling or mortal form.
5. Chimerical Magnet · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 160 ] For some reason, chimera notice you more often than usual. In some cases this is of benefit but more often than not this Flaw causes problems. Chimerical beasts on a rampage will tend to turn on you before attacking others. Nervosa find you irresistible, and sprites of all types surround you constantly, often making you the butt of their harmless but annoying pranks.
5. Dark Fate · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] You are doomed to experience a most horrible demise or, worse, suffer eternal agony. No matter what you do, someday your struggles and
your dreams will come to naught. Your fate is certain, and there is nothing you can do about it. Even more ghastly, you have partial knowledge of this, for you occasionally have visions of your fate -- and they are most disturbing. The malaise these visions inspire in you can only be overcome through the use of Willpower, and the malaise will return after each vision. At some point in the chronicle, you will indeed face your fate, but when and how is completely up to the Storyteller. Though you can't do anything about your fate, you can still attempt to reach some goal before it occurs, or at least try to make sure that your friends are not destroyed as well. This is a difficult Flaw to RolePlay; though it may seem as if it takes away all free will, we have found that, ironically, it grants freedom. Combining this Flaw with the Destiny Background is very appropriate.
5. Greedy Glamour · [ Player's Guide for Changeling: The Dreaming -- Page 30 ] Your connection to the Dreaming is even less reliable than other changings', and you find yourself having to court Glamour more ardently than most. You must perform two Bunks to cast a single cantrip. You receive successes only from the first. You may spend a point of Glamour in order to gain extra success, though this requires you to draw a third Bunk.
5. Hibernation · [ Inanimae: The Secret Way -- Page 69 ] Prerequisite: Kubera Every autumn you become listless and wan; with the arrival of winter, you fall into Slumber. You can only be active during the spring, summer, and autumn months. To remain active
during the winter, you must spend one Glamour per week.
5. Inherited Frailty · [ The Enchanted -Page 81 ] Prerequisite: Kinain As part of your fae nature, you have inherited Frailties of your heritage. This makes a pooka kinain a compulsive liar, or causes a satyr kinain to suffer from Pan's Curse. In the case of a sidhe kinain, this Flaw is the same as the Sidhe's Curse Flaw. The storyteller is encouraged to enforce the effects of your Frailty, and some Frailties may cause serious problems for kinain in mortal society.
5. Nemesis · [ Kithbook: Eshu -- Page 86 ] Prerequisite: Eshu Maybe you're the reincarnation of some ancient hero or maybe you just have rotten luck, but whatever the reason, you've inherited a true nemesis, an opposite number determined to do you serious harm or even destroy you. This feud falls outside the scope of the regular Enemy or Hunted Flaws because it represents something more cosmic. Not only does this individual hate you and actively seek to do you harm, but the two of you seem to have been specifically designed to be enemies, and your confrontations bear testament to it. Your foe is nearly telepathic at anticipating your next move, and both of you always seem to have an answer for each other's best tricks or strongest powers, forcing a constant struggle to come up with some new way of surprising each other. Both of you know it will never end until one of you is put out of the picture permanently. The Storyteller is responsible for creating this character and is
under no obligation to reveal her full powers and potencies. Optionally, you may begin the game not knowing of your nemesis, but rest assured, the Storyteller will have you make her acquaintance before long.
5. Psychic Vampire · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ] The spark of life is dying within you and must be continually fed from outside forces. You are a psychic vampire. Plants and insect life wither or die in your presence as you feed on their energies, and any person you touch for more than an hour will suffer one non-aggravated health level as you siphon away his life. Those already injured (including those whose Bruised health level has been sucked away) will not heal while in your presence. You can still be in the same building without harming someone, but sharing a bed is not possible unless you want the other person to slowly die. If you do not feed the emptiness within yourself at least once a day, you will begin to die. The rate at which you take wounds follows the progression for natural healing in reverse; you take a health level after one day, a second in three days, a third in a week, and a fourth in a month, and, finally, one wound every three months.
5. Sidhe's Curse · [ Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition) -- Page 165 ]
The sidhe live in mortal terror of Banality, due to the fact it can take root in their souls much more easily than any other of the kith. Unfortunately although you are not sidhe, you are subject to this frailty as well. You gain two points of Banality for every one given by the Storyteller. Sidhe character may not take this Flaw.
Kindred Of The East - Dhampyrs Merits and Flaws Merits [ 1 Or 2 ] Dharmic Schooling [ HalfDamned: Dhampyr -- Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr Most dhampyrs' knowledge of the Dharmic paths only extends as far as "My father is a Resplendent Crane" or "Angry Devil-Tigers are very dangerous." At some point in your half-life, you have become much more familiar with the principles and precepts of the Kuei-jin Dharmas. While this doesn't actually help your own spiritual development, you understand how to interact with the Hungry Dead. If you can discern the correct Dharmic path of a particular Kuei-jin you can phrase requests, make statements, and suggest ideas to them in a much more appealing way. Figuring out a Kueijin's Dharma requires rolling Perception + Etiquette, with a difficulty equal to the observed Hungry Dead's current Willpower. If the roll is successful, lower by 1 the difficulty of any social roll involving Kuei-jin. You can also produce the opposite effect, irritating the Kueijin immensely and even causing them to test for fire soul (a dangerous tactic indeed). The one-point version of this Merit grants the dhampyr knowledge of the orthodox Dharmic paths. The two-point version includes all of the heretical Dharmas.
[ 2 ] Intellectual P'o [ Dharma Book: Resplendent Cranes -- Page 63 ] Whatever your P'o's Archetype, it shares the stereotypical Resplendent Crane fascination for learning and tradition. You receive a -1 difficulty bonus on efforts to resist wave soul when it would force you to flee the presence of great scholars or scholarly archives, but suffer a +1 difficulty penalty on efforts to resist fire soul when confronted by threats to these scholarly treasures. Whatever your P'o does while in shadow soul, it will not voluntarily endanger the Crane heritage of scholarship. It may, however, use that heritage against the Hun, drawing attention to points of dogma that highlight possible acts of blindness.
[ 2 ] Kami-Touched [ Heresies Of The Way -- Page 100 ] Prerequisite: The Spirit Of The Living Earth Dharma
A Kuei-jin with this Merit can communicate with spirits in the area without effort (the normal method requires a Hun roll against the rating of the immediate Wall). The vampire must still use the appropriate ghost or life-sight to detect the presence of spirits. Similarly, this Merit will not affect the disposition of the spirits in any way. Typically, an individual with this ability was somehow touched by the kami in life, perhaps as a temple oracle, a child with preternaturally clear sight, or someone who played the part of a kami in a particularly successful ritual play.
a Kuei-jin. If you are attuned to Yang, you appear vital, sensual, and short-tempered; to Yin, you seem morose, reserved, and analytical. Yang-attuned dhampyrs often have the Vivophage Flaw, while the Yin-attuned often have Sun Allergy.
[ 4 ] Eternal Cherry Blossoms [ Dharma Book: Bone Flowers -- Page 57 ] Prerequisite: Bone Flower Dharma
[ 2 ] Tomb [ Dharma Book: Thousand Whispers -- Page 51 ] You have a permanent resting place for your body, either provided when you died or acquired after you took the Second Breath. Those given proper tombs for a burial rarely rise again as vampires, so there must be a strong reason in your life why you became Kuei-jin if your family provided your tomb. Thousand Whispers use their tombs as places to perform the rites of the Dark Jade Lover, the ritual death they undergo between lives. A suitably hidden and well-guarded tomb helps make the transition between lives easier.
[ 3 ] Chi Attunement [ Half-Damned: Dhampyr -- Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr Your bond to one of the two basic types of Chi (Yin or Yang) is especially strong. You regain this type of Chi at twice the normal rate (two per hour or rest, four per hour of meditation), but regain the other type at half the normal rate. A Demon Chi Attunement is not possible. Beyond the game effects, Chi Attunement influences your general disposition and appearance, much like balance and aspect do for
Perhaps you have reserves of Yang that you just don't know about; perhaps you have a stronger connection to the world of the living than others of your type. Whatever the reason, your body is capable of being Yin imbalanced for long periods of time and never developing the corpselike features of the chi'ing shih. Even exposure to the sun will not cause you to become twisted and corpselike; instead, you will suffer a type of dry rot, ultimately becoming flaky and brittle (although still beautiful). This does not change the game effects of sunlight except in regards to Appearance. The down side of this Merit is that the Yama King Emma-o targets beautiful female Kuei-jin with this Merit to become his shikome (see The Thousand Hells for more details).
[ 7 ] Tenacious Spirit [ Dharma Book: Thousand Whispers -- Page 51 ] Your soul is strongly connected to its duty in the Middle Kingdom. The first time you suffer True Death after becoming Kuei-jin, your soul is cast into Yomi but returns anew rather than being consigned to oblivion. You become Yulan-jin, a wandering spirit forced to inhabit different bodies, as you attempt to fulfill your karma. You follow all the normal rules for Yulan-jin (see Kindred of the East Companion). If you meet True Death a second time, this Merit does not protect you; you are truly destroyed.
Flaws [ Variable Lvl ] Favors [ Blood And Silk -Page 86 ] Wan Kuei / Kuei-jin society, like the mortal societies around it, runs on mutual obligations. Backgrounds like Allies, Mentor, and Retainers reflect permanent connections of duty. The Favors Merit represents the character's current balance of social accounts as the chronicle begins. Storytellers who prefer not to make these things subject to point totals should feel free to disregard or disallow this Merit/Flaw. It's presented here for those who like to have an objective tally and want to give players the option to have their characters start up or down (or both) in the prestation game. Each positive point of Favors represents one major boon that someone close to the character owed him. The player should work with the Storyteller to define what these are -- no debts exist in the abstract. Keep in mind that differences of status will affect the value of favors. This means that a young disciple owed a boon by a mandarin might expect a good word at court or permission to act at a critical time; a disciple owing a mandarin a boon can expect much more significant risk. Multiple positive points can represent many favors owed or especially impressive favors. You should maintain a separate count for favors owed to and by the character; he can have both a two-point Favor Flaw and a one-point Favor Merit simultaneously. Obviously, a character's point total of positive rises and falls during play. In a society dependent on assistance and negotiation as Wan Kuei / Kuei-jin and their guanxi, Favors can make the difference between success and failure in critical moments.
[ 1 ] Different Body [ Kindred Of The East -- Page 95 ] You were forced to reincarnate in a body different from the one that housed your soul during mortal life. This body is not entirely comfortable to you, and this discomfort might manifest itself in the form of nervous tics, involuntary twitches or similar habits. Occasionally, you might spontaneously display a mannerism of the previous body's inhabitant --and if, by ill fortune, the body's original soul still exists as a wraith or spirit, this can get interesting indeed.
[ 1 ] Vivophage [ Half-Damned: Dhampyr -Page 59 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr Something in your half-dead makeup cannot process the Yin Chi that a cold corpse provides. Should you stoop to the dishonorable practice of consuming human flesh for Chi (you shame your family!), you can only absorb Chi by consuming the flesh of the living or the recently (less than four hours) dead. You can still absorb Yin Chi as normal from a recently dead corpse, however.
[ 1 ] Wandering Spirit [ Dharma Book: Thousand Whispers -- Page 51 ] Your spirit is strongly drawn to the spirit worlds. When you undergo the Little Death or any of the rites of the Dark Jade Lover, your spirit takes twice as long as normal to return to your physical body. Recovering from the Little Death takes a number of nights equal to twice your permanent Yin, for example.
[ 1 Or 3 ] Cannibal [ Dharma Book: Bone Flowers -- Page 57 ]
[ 2 ] Sheltered Upbringing [ Half-Damned: Dhampyr -- Page 59 ]
Prerequisite: Bone Flower Dharma
Prerequisite: Dhampyr
Though it is only the common method of feeding among the chi-mei, you still find taking Chi from flesh preferable to taking it from blood or breath. In the one-point variant of this Flaw, you simply find flesh easier to "digest" and gain only half as much Chi from blood or breath as other Kuei-jin. In the three-point version, flesh is the only way for you to gain Chi. Except perhaps in the Green Courts, other Kuei-jin will likely frown upon this form of feeding and take it as a sign of lack of enlightenment. Those of Buddhist or Shinto backgrounds will be especially disturbed.
You were brought up among the Kuei-jin since birth, schooled in the ways of intrigue and politics that rule the courts of the Hungry Dead. You know a whole lot about the Kuei-jin but not much about the rest of the world.
You will also find it very difficult to feed from a human without killing him, and disposing of a flesh-stripped body can be quite difficult indeed. The Shih and other demon hunters are likely to come after you sooner or later.
[ 2 ] Didactic P'o [ Dharma Book: Resplendent Cranes -- Page 63 ] Your P'o fancies itself a great teacher. Whenever you're in shadow soul, it takes the opportunity to deliver long lectures about its motives, analysis of the situation, and so on, generally drawing on extremely garbled versions of Resplendent Crane theology. Whenever you barely escape shadow, wave, or fire soul (with a roll that generates just one success), make a Willpower roll against a difficulty of 9 minus the local Wall rating. If this roll fails, your P'o achieves a limited degree of control, enough to force you to expound briefly on all the aspects of Crane doctrine that your associates should consider in the midst of a stressful situation.
You suffer a +1 difficulty penalty on any social rolls that involve interacting with mundane society and any rolls requiring knowledge of modern technology like cars or computers.
[ 3 ] Akuma [ Kindred Of The East -- Page 94 ] Either through vassalage to the Yama Kings or violation of Kuei-jin tradition, you have been branded akuma -- a devil-ridden outcast. You are ostracized from Kuei-jin society, exempt from any consideration under the Fivefold Way, and other Kueijin are within their rights to hunt you down and destroy you. Because of the sheer size of the Middle Kingdom, it might be possible to conceal your identity and "pass" in Cathayan society for a time. You might even be a member of a wu, in which you masquerade as a respectable vampire. Also, certain courts, such as the Green and Golden Courts, either care little for the old traditions or ask fewer questions. Nonetheless, your unlife is likely to be a perilous one. If you actually do serve a Yama King, you may choose to have the Merit of Demon Mentor, which is a separate five-point Merit that may be purchased only by akuma. Your demonic mentor often visits you in nightmares to give you advice and orders. The Yama King may also gift you with supernatural talismans from time to time. All Yama Kings are notorious for their intolerance of failure,
however, so it is wise to stay in their good graces.
[ 3 ] Barren Line [ Heresies Of The Way -Page 101 ] Prerequisite: The Spirit Of The Living Earth Dharma This Kuei-jin's family tree has withered and died, and there is no one left to perform bon rituals to honor her. The kami somehow sense this lack of veneration, and are not shy in showing their displeasure at associating with such dishonored individuals. Whether the character achieved this unlucky state through ancestral inattention, downright malice, or grave misfortune, the end result is the same: She suffers a difficulty penalty of two to all interactions with the kami involving her Social Attribute. On rare occasions, particularly hardheaded and tradition-bound kami may refuse to deal with her at all. Conversely, servants of the Yama Kings may eagerly overlook this Flaw entirely.
[ 3 ] Ch'ing Shih [ Dharma Book: Bone Flowers -- Page 57 ] Prerequisite: Bone Flower Dharma Ch'ing shish are Kuei-jin who are strongly imbalanced toward Yin for long periods of time and, therefore, begin to grow more corpselike. Ultimately, this results in an Appearance of zero and all the difficulties associated with that state. Bone Flowers work with dark energies so often that it's especially easy to become imbalanced toward Yin. Being ch'ing shih can be a great disability in some courts, most notably the Golden and Bijali Courts, where the ch'ing shih's corpselike visage is a reminder to those who like to pretend they are alive that they are deceiving themselves.
Many older Shadow Songs eventually wind up as ch'ing shih. The mitigating factor, however, is that this state often indicates a Kuei-jin of great age or enlightenment, and while this doesn't make him any more popular, his words still have an impact (particularly in the Green and Bone Courts, where so many of the Kuei-jin are ch'ing shih that it's hardly an issue). The process of becoming ch'ing shih is neither fast nor irreversible. Once Appearance reaches zero, however, only bodhisattvas knowing the art of Equilibrium can repair the damage. There is a ritual that grants a ch'ing shih an idealized semblance of her former self. For more details on the state of ch'ing shih, see Kindred of the East, page 140.
[ 3 ] Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [ Heresies Of The Way -- Page 101 ] Prerequisite: The Spirit Of The Living Earth Dharma While most of the Cerulean Veils find it difficult getting through an ordinary night without paying heed to the spirits and invoking simple rituals to appease them, something isn't quite right with someone bearing this flaw. This Kuei-jin can hardly work through ordinary tasks without feeling the compulsion to perform a minor rite -the sort of simple ritual few spirits even bother acknowledging. Perhaps the vampire enacts a spiritual cleansing before he can enter certain rooms, or can only gain the tranquility necessary for true meditation after repeating a mundane task dozens of times (until he gets it perfectly right). While all Spirit of the Living Earth members suffer from a minor version of this Flaw- to appease the spirits, they must accomplish many seemingly minor tasks-this Kuei-jin has no choice but to escalate that obsession with minor ritual. When the character is under sufficient stress, the Storyteller may require a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to avoid haring away from the
situation at hand to perform his own ritualistic compulsion. Some obsessive behavioral habits include performing a minor rite, hand washing, tracing wood grain lines, counting or repeating a trivial task like flipping a light on and off. Players should pick one or two tasks their characters perform frequently, and integrate them into roleplaying situations; the Storyteller will inflict the Flaw in a crisis when she deems it appropriate.
Your natural luck has a darker side to it than most dhampyrs' -- especially for those who spend any time with you. Although joss still save you from harm and allows you to perform amazing feats, the background of coincidences in your life is distinctly dangerous. You are always crossing paths without akuma and Yakuza killers, becoming involved in terrorist plots and other dangerous events. Kidnappers and assassins frequently target your friends. This has no concrete game effect, but the Storyteller should endeavor to have stories reflecting this constant bad luck.
[ 3 ] Sun Allergy [ Half-Damned: Dhampyr -- Page 59 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr The blood of your Kuei-jin parents runs stronger in you than normal, and you have a much more adversarial relationship with the Eye of Heaven. Where other dhampyrs can walk around in the sun with only a few evil urges as a consequence, your skin and eyes are much more sensitive. You are hardly ever seen outside without a pair of dark glasses (the rays of the sun give you a splitting headache), and your skin burns and peels like an albino's with too much exposure to the sun. You take one level of bashing damage for every 30 minutes spent in the direct rays of the sun. Heavy clothing and sunglasses can slow this process to one level per hour, but that's all. You must succeed on a Conscience roll when you take this damage (opposed by the P'o as the beast within rages against the sun). Failing the check means you lose a point of Humanity. On a botch you also gain a point of P'o and lapse immediately into fire soul.
[ 3 ] Tainted Joss [ Half-Damned: Dhampyr -- Page 59 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr
[ 4 ] Kànbujiàn [ San Francisco By Night -Page 131 ] You are kànbujiàn -- "unable to see" -- a Kueijin who took the Second Breath outside the Middle Kingdom. You survived your time as a chih-mei and overcame the Demon on your own. Other Kuei-jin did not find you and see to your education, either because you were too isolated or because you hid from them too well. Consequently, you know little or nothing about Kuei-jin society, history, philosophy, etc. All that you know about your existence is what you learn from hard experience and instinct. Your Traits and Abilities are exactly like those of other Kuei-jin, with the following exceptions: Dharma: You cannot follow an established Dharma. You gain none of the benefits of following a Dharma, except as outlined below (see Kànbujiàn Paths page under the Dharma menu). Abilities: Kànbujiàn cannot have dots in any Abilities requiring Kuei-jin knowledge or training, such as Portents or Rituals. Backgrounds: You cannot buy Backgrounds associated with Kuei-jin society or training, including Mentor, Rites and Status. Kànbujiàn also do not possess the Horoscope Background (since their Second Breath was clearly
inauspicious). Backgrounds like Jade Talisman, Magic Artifact and Nushi are exceedingly rare among kànbujiàn. Disciplines: You cannot have dots in Chi or Soul Disciplines, since they require a deep understanding of Chi (and instruction from a master teacher). Kànbujiàn can learn Shintai Disciplines and Demon Arts on their own.
store more than three points of temporary Yang Chi, it simply bleeds off into the nearest dragon track. In all probability, this will eventually cause you to develop a permanent Yin imbalance.
[ 4 ] Strong P'o [ Half-Damned: Dhampyr -Page 59 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr
[ 4 ] Ignorance Of Self [ Dharma Book: Bone Flowers -- Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr For some reason, you have grown up with absolutely no idea of what you are. Perhaps, against all odds, your Kuei-jin parent knows nothing of your existence (and is therefore probably male). Your parent may have simply decided to leave you as a "sleeper" -- a secret resource to be called upon in time of need. Whatever the reason, you know little, if anything, about the supernatural aspects of the Middle Kingdom and are completely unaware that you are anything but a normal mortal -albeit a lucky one. You may not start with any Kuei-jin Disciplines, any supernatural Backgrounds, Active Joss, or Joss Binding. You may still use Passive Joss and heal yourself with your Chi, however -- you do those things instinctively.
[ 4 ] Limited Yang [ Dharma Book: Bone Flowers -- Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Bone Flower Dharma Through disuse or inherent disability, you cannot store more than three points of Yang Chi. You may raise your permanent Yang trait, but the cost in experience points is Current Rating x 4 (instead of x2 or x3 as normal). If you try to
Sometimes a dhampyr inherits a bit more of his parent's spirit than he might have wanted. The beast that seethes in your head still can't take control of you, but it sure does yell a whole lot louder. You were nothing but trouble growing up, and have probably done at least some time in prison or a juvenile home. To say you have a bad attitude is an understatement. Your starting P'o is 2 instead of 1.
[ 4 ] Vengeful Ancestors [ Kindred Of The East -- Page 95 ] Your ancestors disapprove of what you have become... and they take every opportunity to let you know it. You are continually haunted by one or more ghosts: Possibly a mortified (pardon the pun) ancestor, possibly a wraithly ex-lover who wails remorsefully over your shameful existence as one of the Hungry Dead. This spirit plagues you constantly, possibly scaring away prey or inconveniencing you in various minor ways. Behaving piously and performing tasks for the spirit might cause it to cease troubling you for a time, but, until the Flaw is bought off, it always comes back. Of course, certain vampires are more than capable of dealing with the dead, but behaving forcefully toward an ancestor or family member can have serious karmic repercussions.
[ 5 ] Life-Blind [ Dharma Book: Bone Flowers -- Page 58 ] Prerequisite: Bone Flower Dharma Through some unhealthy surplus of Yin, because of a curse, or after an especially acute act of blindness, you do not have the Yang-based Lifesight ability common to all other Kuei-jin. You cannot see the auras and passions of others or the denizens of the Yang World. This limitation makes it impossible for you to progress beyond the first level of Yang Prana and may limit other Disciplines at the Storyteller's discretion. You may still heal wounds and resist wave nature with Yang, however. Note that a similar Ghost-Blind Flaw exists, but such blindness is virtually unknown among Bone Flowers.
[ 6 ] Defiled [ Kindred Of The East -- Page 95 ]
You have ingested corrupt Chi and bear its taint. This Flaw is most common among vampires who fed near the blasted zones of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, but any site of tainted Chi has the potential to defile a vampire. Defiled vampires constantly suffer nightmares and burning pain. Thus, defiled vampires' wound penalties are actually reduced by one (-2 becomes -1,etc.). However, anytime a defiled vampire botches any roll involving the expenditure of Chi or Willpower, he must make a Stamina roll (difficulty 6). Failure induces a horrid physiological reaction -- from one to five (one die, divided by two) points of Chi spontaneously reject themselves from die Kuei-jin's body. The vampire vomits the Chi as a disgusting (and unusable) sludge. Furthermore, the vampire loses a permanent Health Level from the accompanying internal bums. This Health Level cannot be restored through any widely known method, though rumors persist that certain reclusive bodhisattvas know a cure. Few Kueijin with this Haw live very long unlives, and most are immediately branded as akuma.
[ 6 ] Poison Joss [ Half-Damned: Dhampyr -- Page 59 ] Prerequisite: Dhampyr A much more brutal form of Tainted Joss, this Flaw indicates that you were born under inauspicious circumstances indeed. Your joss is harder to tap and very dangerous, for you and your friends. Passive Joss always costs you one extra point of Joss to use -- so 2 points to cancel a lethal attack and 4 to cancel an aggravated one. Also, it has a nasty tendency to do so at the expense of others -- especially those near and dear to you. Your good fortune always comes at their expense. For instance, you might be saved from an assassin's bullet by your best friend stumbling at just the wrong moment and taking it for you. When using Passive Joss, you must roll a 10 on your
Humanity roll for it to function normally (although at the added expense). If you succeed but don't get a 10, someone nearby whom you care about takes damage in your stead. Your ally doesn't take all the damage, however. If the attack was lethal, she suffers bashing; if it was aggravated, she suffers lethal. An ally cannot take more than 2 health levels of damage from a single attack in this manner. Think carefully before you take this Flaw. It significantly weakens the Joss of a dhampyr, and for beings that are already often dwarfed in power by those they walk among, that can be a fatal condition. It may also alienate other characters. Poison Joss also includes all of the effects of Tainted Joss. It has no effect on Active Joss or Joss Binding.
[ Variable Lvl ] Favors [ Blood And Silk -Page 86 ] Wan Kuei society, like the mortal societies around it, runs on mutual obligations. Backgrounds like Allies, Mentor, and Retainers reflect permanent connections of duty. The Favors Flaw represents the character's current balance of social accounts as the chronicle begins.
disregard or disallow this Merit/Flaw. It's presented here for those who like to have an objective tally and want to give players the option to have their characters start up or down (or both) in the prestation game. Each negative point of Favors represents a major boon the characters owes to someone else. The player should work with the Storyteller to define what these are -- no debts exist in the abstract. Keep in mind that differences of status will affect the value of favors. This means that a young disciple owed a boon by a mandarin might expect a good word at court or permission to act at a critical time; a disciple owing a mandarin a boon can expect much more significant risk. Multiple negative points can represent many favors owed or especially impressive favors. You should maintain a separate count for favors owed to and by the character; he can have both a two-point Favor Flaw and a one-point Favor Merit simultaneously. Obviously, a character's point total of negative rises and falls during play. In a society dependent on assistance and negotiation as Wan Kuei and their guanxi, Favors can make the difference between success and failure in critical moments.
Storytellers who prefer not to make these things subject to point totals should feel free to
Mage : The Ascension Merits and Flaws Mental Merits [ 1 ] Ability Aptitude ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 )
For every human ability, there are those who have a natural flair for it. Within your character's specific Aptitude, reduce all difficulties by two. A natural linguist picks up languages easily, speaking without any trace of accent, and a crack driver can perform phenomenal car tricks
with ease. This Aptitude functions for one Ability, but it can be taken multiple times for a character who's a natural with, say, computers and technology. Special or combat Abilities, such as Do, should never have an Ability Aptitude associated with them.
[ 1 ] Common Sense ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 32 ) Your mage has an exceptional body of everyday wisdom and a tendency to deduce clear courses of action in puzzling situations. Although this Merit doesn't give you a benefit to any die rolls, it means that the Storyteller will warn you when your character's actions violate common sense. He may even give you suggestions. This Merit is good for new players, as it gives the Storyteller an excuse to treat them lightly.
[ 1 ] Computer Aptitude ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 ) You have a natural affinity with computers, so the difficulties of all rolls to repair, construct, or operate them are reduced by two. This is especially handy for Virtual Adepts and servants of Iteration X.
[ 1 ] Concentration ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 32 )
By shutting out all distractions, your mage can focus intently on the task at hand. Your character is never affected by adverse situational and environmental circumstances that don't actually cause damage. Thus, you take no penalty if your mage is distracted, disturbed, pushed, jostled, hanging upside down, working in the rain, or otherwise inconvenienced.
[ 1 ] Higher Purpose ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 30 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Driving Goal Flaw All mages have some vision of their Path, but you have a special commitment to it. Your chosen goal drives and directs you in everything. You don't concern yourself with petty matters and casual concerns, because your higher purpose is everything. Though you may sometimes be driven by this purpose and find yourself forced to behave in ways contrary to the needs of personal survival, it can also grant you great personal strength. You gain two extra dice on any roll that has something to do with this higher purpose. You need to decide what your higher purpose is. Make sure you talk it over with the Storyteller first.
[ 1 ] Lightning Calculator ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 32 ) Your character can perform complex mathematical equations in her head instantly with little error at the speed of a computer. You as a player can use a calculator during play at any time, even when your character is fleeing for her life.
[ 1 ] Mechanical Aptitude ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 ) You are naturally adept with all kinds of mechanical devices (note that this aptitude does not extend to electronic devices, such as computer). The difficulties of all dice rolls to understand, repair, or operate any kind of mechanical device are reduced by two. However, this Merit doesn't help you drive any sort of vehicle.
[ 1 ] Time Sense ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) Your mage has an uncanny sense of time, down to within a few seconds of accuracy. This Merit duplicates the Perfect Time Effect of Time, but it's natural and ever-present.
[ 1 - 3 ] Light Sleeper ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) For one point, your mage needs less sleep than other mortals: He can function quite well on four hours a night. If the Storyteller imposes penalties on other plays for sleep deprivation (one-die to two-die penalties are suggested), then you're exempt. Needless to say, this Merit allows your character to accomplish a lot more with his daily activities. For two points, your mage sleeps only about two hours per night. This resilience is quite unusual, and it lets your mage get a lot more done. It also means that he has the luxury of sleeping while on the run.
For three points, your mage is truly sleepless. You may suffer penalties from exhaustion, but he doesn't need shut-eye. Perhaps your mage's brain's sleep center was destroyed in an accident, or he may be something like a golem that's designed to stand forever vigilant. Regardless, the only time your mage sleeps is if he's drugged or beaten unconscious.
[ 2 ] Berserker ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) The ancient Celts called this state the "Battle Fury," and when it takes over your mage, everything is tinted with a red haze as he kills. And kills. And kills some more. Your character feels no pain, and he ignores all wound penalties when berserk. Whenever your character is injured in combat, make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6 + the number of wound levels suffered so far that scene). Add two to the difficulty if you have the Short Fuse Flaw (up to a maximum difficulty 10). if you fail, your character enters the battle fury, and he may ignore all wound penalties. Unfortunately, he won't know friend from foe, and he will kill until there's nothing left standing. To end the battle fury, you must make a Willpower roll at the same difficulty. Subtract one from the difficulty if the person on the receiving end is your True Love or someone similarly important. Otherwise, everyone just has to run and hide until you come down.
[ 2 ] Code Of Honor ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 192 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 30 ) You have a personal code of ethics to which you strictly adhere. You can automatically resist
most temptations that would bring you in conflict with your code. When battling supernatural persuasion (Mind magic or vampiric Domination) that would make you violate your code, either you gain three extra dice to resist or your opponent's difficulties are increased by two (Storyteller's choice). You must construct your own personal code of honor in as much detail as you can, outlining the general rules of conduct by which you abide.
[ 2 ] Natural Linguist ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 ) You have a flair for languages. This Merit doesn't allow you to learn more languages than the number permitted by your Linguistics score, but you may add three dice to any dice pool involving languages (both written and spoken).
[ 2 ] Driven ( Blood Treachery -- Page 85 ) Prerequsite: Tradition Mage The world is falling to Hell, and the Order is crumbling. Few mages have the spiritual resilience to endure the punishment being heaped on the Traditions in these End Times and keep on going. Your mage is one of them. Once per game session, when the survival of your character's Tradition is at stake, you gain an additional free point of temporary Willpower to spend on any one roll in defense of your mage's Tradition.
[ 2 ] Eidetic Memory ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 292 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 132 ) A character with an eidetic memory remembers the general sense of everything that she experiences, and she has greater ease in total recall. Under normal conditions, your character easily remembers everything that happens to her. In stressful situations (like memorizing a book during a firefight), you may need to make a Perception + Alertness roll (difficulty 6) to memorize or recall the pertinent information.
[ 2 ] Poker Face ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 66 ) A specialty of the Technocracy's Men in Black; no matter what happens, you maintain a facade of perfect calm. Nothing short of an extradimensional deific manifestation can make you blink, and even that might not do it. The appearance may be deceptive - you could be screaming inside for all anyone knows - but quite complete... and very disconcerting.
[ 2 ] Pre-Marauder Memories ( Book OF Madness Revised -- Page 63 ) Prerequsite: Marauder While the average Marauder doesn't remember anything before going nuts or -- at the very most -- puts old memories into the new perceptual framework, this Marauder still retains normal, unchanged memories of time from before going awry. This doesn't mean that the Marauder knows what he's doing, but he does realize that there was a time when his world was different. Depending upon the Marauder, he might also be Lucid (see above) and realize that the world went wrong on him. Alternatively, he may
simply think that those old memories are fakes, hallucinations or just a time when the world wasn't like it's supposed to be. [ 3 ] Fast Learner ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 ) [ 2 ] Prodigy ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 32 ) You were Awakened very early in your life and have not been subject to the problems of unlearning the cultural reality. Perhaps one or both of your parents were Awakened and sheltered you from the reality created by the Technomancers. As a result of this protection, you have an easier time grasping the most abstract Spheres of magic. You receive one extra die on rolls that relate to abstract ideas or magical comprehension. Though you were Awakened at an early age, your actual training in magic probably began much later.
[ 2 ] Strength Of Psyche ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 54 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer Your character has trained her mind to tap into the deep reserves of mystical energy she possesses. Flooded with increased power of thought or perception, her mental faculties are temporarily increased greatly, and she finds whatever task she undertakes much easier to accomplish. Your sorcerer may channel her mystical energy into mental activities other than magic. You may spend Mana points to reduce the difficulty target number of any die pool for a mental action. The difficulty may not be reduced below 2, nor be reduced by more than three points. Depending upon the use in question, her psyche empowers her perceptive nature, grants her inside into the strange tongue, or plunged toward a solution to her puzzle.
You learn very quickly, and pick up on new things faster than most do. You gain one extra experience point at the conclusion of each story (not each game session).
[ 3 ] Lucid Marauder ( Book OF Madness Revised -- Page 63 ) Prerequsite: Marauder Although this Marauder has a skewed perceptual framework, the Marauder's completely aware that something "isn't quite right." He realizes that somehow the world's translated from what it should be. He doesn't necessarily know what it is supposed to be, or why it's skewed, but he at least recognizes that wherever he goes, things are somehow off-kilter. This means that he may be more willing to listen when other mages try to reason with him or explain the nature of his problem.
[ 3 ] Scientific Mystic ( Tradition Book: Sons Of Ether (Revised) -- Page 58 ) Prerequsite: Sons Of Ether Some Etherites have a special aptitude for interpreting other magical styles through the lends of their own theories. As a result, they can use the mystical methods, even if their own paradigms are devoted to scientific truth. Polymath Adventurers are known for their
"secret studies in the East" or esoteric technologies pulled from ancient legends. This Merit allows a character to use one other Tradition or Craft's foci for one Sphere that the character knows as long as the player can justify how this knowledge fits into the character's paradigm. For example, a rune-carving Son of Ether isn't using "Norse magic," but the geometric, psychological, and psionic insights of a culture whose discoveries were, no doubt, downplayed by the enemies of Science. The character may select a specialty focus, but this choice replaces the normal specialty focus for the Sphere.
existence and can maintain this distance even under adverse conditions. Wound penalties don't affect your use of psychic powers until your character creates Incapacitated. If he's Incapacitated, then you may spend a Willpower point to use a psychic power at half the normal dice pool (rounded down). This action may be performed only once per scene, after which the character falls unconscious, so choose last-ditch efforts carefully.
[ 4 ] Judge's Wisdom ( Tradition Book: Akashic Brotherhood (Revised) -- Page 60 ) Prerequsite: Akashic Brotherhood, Cannot have the Iron Will Merit
[ 3 OR 4 ] Iron Will ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 292 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 32 ) OR ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 66 )OR ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 61 ) When your mage makes up his mind, he's unshakable, and he can't be swayed from his goals. You receive three extra dice against all attempts to influence your mage's thoughts (though not against emotional manipulation). If your character ever runs afoul of a vampire, he can shake off its mind control powers with the expenditure of a single point of Willpower.
You aren't swayed by emotion. Ever. Perhaps you're a strict Legalist who follows Han Fei Tzu's advice to keep emotion out of the business of living, or your heart has been calmed by years of meditation. In any event, even magical attempts to alter your emotional state almost always fail.
This Merit costs 4 points for Arcanum members to be immune to Dominate or Thaumaturgy.
Your character is immune to all Mind effects that work on the emotions, the power of vampiric Presence, and similar effects. He can still be swayed by attempts at direct mind control, such as possession, mental illusions, vampiric Dominate, and the like, and extremely potent powers (with six or more dots) may overwhelm his defenses. Your character can be calm but weak-willed, after all.
[ 4 ] Detatched ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 54 )
[ 5 ] Inner Knight ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 67 )
Prerequsite: Psychic
Prerequsite: Technocracy Member
Your psychic has the rare ability to view his psychic abilities separate from his physical
Like an heir of Avalon, you possess a higher purpose. Other Technocrats may be working for
the future, but you carry a vision of a glorious past. In your dreams, you are a Knight of Reason, a valiant crusader for the common good. No matter what occurs, that vision cannot be silenced. When adversity knocks you on your ass, the paladin within you rallies, carrying you to victory. At night, you often visit bygone places in incredibly vivid dreams. Dreams that seem almost disturbing in their sensory detail... especially if you find things in the waking world that remind you of those dreams. Essentially, this Merit reflects a "past life" - the reincarnated Avatar of an ancient Daedalean. Since no modern Technocrat would admit such a thing, your character considers this reborn soul a heroic dream. When he's facing some deadly crisis, the modern agent can call on his "dream self" and remember things he never learned (like historical details and personalities); display skills he was never taught (like the Background: Dream at 5, but without entering a trance); or rally an additional five points of Willpower. These temporary Traits and memories last only a few minutes (in game time, a scene or two), but they carry with them a sense of having lived before. Naturally, these visions - of being a knight, an artist, an alchemist or a crusader - are just romantic fantasies. But are they really! After a while, you might start to wonder. For players of Mage: The Sorcerers Crusade, this Merit provides an excellent link between a Renaissance character and his 20th-century counterpart - a link that allows limited crossover tales, "guest appearances" by old characters and story hooks involving ancient evils, lost inventions or historical events. No Technocrat would admit the possibly of reincarnation, but in your game, anything is possible.)
You have a large pool of miscellaneous skills and knowledge obtained through your extensive travels, the jobs you've held, or just all-around know-how. You automatically have one dot in all Skill and Knowledge dice pools. This is an illusory level, used only to simulate a wide range of abilities. If the character trains or spends experience in the Skill or Knowledge, he must pay the point costs for the first level a "second time" before raising the Skill or Knowledge to two dots.
[ 5 ] Self-Confident ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 33 ) When you spend a point of Willpower to gain an automatic success, your self-confidence may allow you to gain the benefits of that expenditure without actually losing the Willpower point. When you declare that you are using a point of Willpower and roll for successes, you do not lose the point of Willpower unless you fail. This will also prevent you from botching, but only if you declare that you are spending the Willpower point before you roll. This Merit may only be used when you need confidence in your abilities in order to succeed. You can use it only when the difficulty of your roll is six or higher. You may spend Willpower at other times, however, if the difficulty is five or less, the Self-Confidence Merit will not help you.
[ 5 ] Years Of Wisdom ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) OR ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 83 ) [ 5 ] Jack-Of-All-Trades ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 )
Prerequsite: Archmage In your travels, you have seen and done almost everything a person can imagine. Once per game
session, you may add one automatic success to any one non magical action, whether it be an attack or dodge, research or persuasion. As you set your mind to the task, you suddenly remember doing something like it before and draw upon your experience to help you.
[ 7 ] Protean Psyche ( The Bitter Road -Page 117 ) Like the stonecutter in the old Chinese folktale, your character has been a deer, a tiger, the rain, the wind, a rock, and a stonecutter. Or at least, if she hasn't been all these things, she can easily imagine being all these things, and imagination is the most important thing. If your mage is ever placed in a different body, the experience is perfectly natural. A man? Fine. A woman? Of course. A stoat? No problem. A 50-headed, 20-horned, million-tentacled thingy, like something from Japanese anime as reinterpreted by St. John the Baptist? Sure, sounds good. If your mage is a shapechanger or a bodysnatcher, or even a Virtual Adept who changes his icons on the Digital Web frequently, this Merit is almost a necessity. The alternative is to be faced with an unfamiliar body each time, or live existence with a limited catalog of familiar forms. As an added benefit, you don't need to make a Willpower check when sighting Progenitor monstrosities, horrors from the Deep Umbra, Crinos-form werewolves, or Tzimisce Zulo forms because you've been there. Or at least your character's imagination has.
Your mage has equal facility with either hand. You never suffer a penalty for your character's use of either hand in performing a task, since the character has no "off-hand." the character can use both hands at once to perform two physical tasks without splitting dice pools, but he may suffer a concentration penalty (at the Storyteller's discretion), especially if the tasks are wildly different or in different arcs of vision. Very few people are truly ambidextrous. In stressful situations, a penalty should always be assessed for the difficulty of performing actions with both hands at once. The normal penalty for using both hands at once to perform different tasks is a +1 difficulty for the "right" hand and a +3 difficulty for the other hand.
[ 1 ] Animal Magnetism ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 34 ) You are especially attractive to others. You receive a -2 difficulty on Seduction or Subterfuge rolls. However, this will aggravate others of your gender.
[ 1 ] Catlike Balance ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) Your mage possesses an innately perfect sense of balance. You reduce the difficulties of all balance-related rolls (e.g., Dexterity + Athletics to walk along a narrow ledge) by 2.
Physical Merits [ 1 ] Ambidextrous ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 34 )
[ 1 ] Crack Driver ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 )
You have a natural affinity with driving motorized wheeled vehicles, such as cars, 18wheelers, and even tractors. The difficulties of all rolls requiring risky or especially difficult driving maneuvers are reduced by two.
[ 1 ] Double-Jointed ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 45 ) You're unusually supple. Reduce the difficulty of any Dexterity roll involving body flexibility by two. Squeezing through a tiny space is one example of a use for this Merit. [ 1 ] Light Sleeper ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 61 ) You need less sleep than others: You can function quite well on four hours a night. If the Storyteller imposes penalties on others for sleep deprivation (one or two dice penalties are suggested), then you're exempt. Needless to say, this allows you to accomplish a lot more with your daily activities, regardless of whether you're an Arcanist or a freelance writer.
[ 1 ] Poison Resistance ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 ) You have, for some reason or another, become resistant to poisons. It could be that you're somehow naturally resistant or that you've spent years building up your resistance agaisnt all known types of poisons. Any time you need to make a soak roll against the effects of a poison or toxin, reduce your difficulty by 3.
[ 1 ] Sterile ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 5433 ) This can be either a Merit or Flaw of the same point value. Put simply, you cannot have children. For those sorcerers who practice Tantric rituals or require sex as a focus, but do not desire pregnancy or unwanted children, this is a Merit. For those who belong to cultures, strong families, or marriages that expect them to have children, this is a Flaw.
[ 1 OR 3 ] Acute Senses ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 34 ) OR ( Guide to The Technocracy -- Page 65 ) Your mage has an exceptionally sharp natural sense, be it vision, taste, hearing, or whatever. You must choose one sense this Merit affects upon taking it. This sense does not change, and you must take this Merit again to affect a second sense permanently. The difficulties of all dice rolls that relate to the sense in question (e.g., Perception + Awareness to hear a faint noise, taste poison in food, or see an oncoming attacker) are decreased by two. Combined with the sensory Effects (first Rank Effects), this Merit allows the mage to add an additional success to her die roll. For three points, ALL of your mage's senses are incredibly acute.
[ 2 ] Hideaway ( Ascension's Right Hand -Page 77 ) Prerequsite: Custo You own a special hideaway - a house, cottage, or other building that no one knows about but you. It has never been registered in your name or linked to you in any way, making it quite
unlikely that anyone could trace you there. It is modestly furnished, and you keep it stocked with necessities for about a two week stay. Such places are good for hiding from all the various enemies a mage and his consorts might take. Once each game in which the hideaway plays an active part (i.e., one when people might discover it), the Storyteller will call for a roll on two dice with a difficulty of 6. Success (at least one) means no one has discovered the hideaway. Failure indicates that you didn't adequately cover your tracks, and your foe know the general vicinity of your property. Four such cumulative failures leads them right to you, while a botch immediately renders your secret worthless.
Fortune favors the bold -- and your mage is certainly bold. In dangerous and risky situations, he performs like a true action hero. Any time your mage takes a significantly risky action, like leaping across rooftops in a hail of gunfire or diving between two burning, colliding cars, you get to roll three extra dice and ignore one of the 1's on the roll. Generally, a task must have a difficulty of at least 8 and the potential to inflict three or more levels of lethal or aggravated damage in order to be considered risky in this fashion. Note that extended risky tasks, like vulgar rituals, get this bonus only at the end of the task, rather than on each roll.
[ 3 ] The Flow Of Ki ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 53 ) [ 2 ] Honored Lineage ( Tradition Book: Verbena (Revised) -- Page 70 ) Prerequsite: Verbena Your bloodline is descended from one of the oldest and most respected families among the Verbena, and you can trace your ancestry back to the Burning Times, if not farther. You are a true scion of the legendary Wyck, the First Ones. Among mages (particularly Verbena) who care about matters of lineage, reduce the difficulty of your Social rolls by two (but not to less than 2). You're also likely to receive a measure of deference and respect from these people, though others will also expect great things of you and could be disappointed if you don't live up to your heritage.
[ 3 ] Daredevil ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 )
Prerequsite: Sorcerer Most advanced practitioners of the martial arts spend a lot of time trying to explain that their prowess is not simply a result of skill. Desperately, they seek to explain that their might comes from an understanding of the energy we all possess, the breath of the inner spirit. You understand that lesson in a way that allows you to apply it to physical feats. You may spend Mana (chi, ki, whatever your style calls it) points to reduce the difficulty target number of any die pool for a physical action. The difficulty number may not be reduced lower than two, nor may you reduce it by more than three. Obviously, you must already have the Mana to spend or this Merit is useless.
[ 3 ] Perfect Balance ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 35 ) Your sense of balance has achieved great heights by constant training or inherited traits. It's very
unlikely that you'll ever fall during your life. You may trip, but you'll always catch yourself before you fully lose your footing or handhold.
[ 3+ ] Barbed Tail / Claws / Fangs / Hooves / Horns ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 228 )
This Merit functions for such actions as tightrope walking, crossing ice, and climbing mountain sides. All difficulties involving such feats are reduced by 3. it would take a lot to push or shove a character off his feet if he has this Merit. This is very appropriate for Akashic brothers or Masters of Life magic.
Witches have always been known for their beautiful fingernails and iron teeth, and your character lives up to the reputation, since coming from her, "I'll scratch your eyes out!" is not an idle threat. Or perhaps she has the horns of the devil or the hooves of a centaur, or something more mundane yet cooler like fangs.
[ 3 ] Touch Of Life ( Tradition Book: Verbena (Revised) -- Page 70 ) Prerequsite: Verbena Your Avatar and your Pattern are filled to overflowing with the energies of life. You are especially vital and vivacious, and others find your presence uplifting and energizing (and possibly annoying, for those who don't care for such things). You recover from injury as if your condition was one health level less serious. (A Wounded character recovers as if he is only Injured, taking a week rather than a month.) Reduce the difficulty of your Stamina rolls to fight off diseases and poisons by one. More importantly, your liveliness tends to rub off on others. Plants thrive under your care (much like the Green Thumb Merit). Injured people under your direct care recover as quickly as you do (treating their condition as one health level less serious for purposes of recovery). The downside of this Merit is that your blood is particularly rich in life force, meaning vampires gain twice the normal amount of blood points when drinking from you. This might make you a target of bloodsuckers and similar life-draining creatures.
For three points, you may buy one type of attack; for five points, two. Seven points allows you to buy three, and nine points allows you to buy four. For eleven points, you can go for the full devil package and have claws, fangs, horns, hooves, and a barb at the end of your tail (though it costs an additional three points for your tail to be prehensile). Claws, fangs, horns, hooves, and tail barbs come in varying sizes. The below list assumes you've got the smallest gauge. For an additional point, you can get a somewhat larger size, and another point beyond that gets you el grande, each size larger doing an additional +1 point of damage. However, this is not necessarily a great idea. Wolf claws can be painted and passed off as an expensive manicure, but vulture talons are a bit harder to hide, and a set of giant bear claws are not only incredibly conspicuous but will prevent you from doing things like typing or driving. Likewise a nice pair of goat horns can be hidden under a top hat, but a set of Oryx horns will need a sombrero, and there's no hiding a full rack of stag antlers, especially if you've got two points for every year of your age. At Storyteller option, claws and so forth can be made retractable for an additional +1 per unit of size, like vampire fangs can be pulled back in for one point; for two points, jumbo fangs (the type that stick down over your lip) can be pulled back into line with regular teeth, and for three points, even boar or walrus tusks can be made to disappear -- though there will have to be a good explanation given for why this works.
Maneuver
Difficulty
Bite
5
Claw
6
Gore
7
Kick
7
Tail Strike
6
[ 4 ] Huge Size ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 45 ) Your character is abnormally large in size, possibly over seven feet tall and 400 pounds in weight. He therefore has one additional health level, and he's able to suffer more harm before he's incapacitated. Treat this health level as an extra bruised level, with no penalties to rolls. Note that such characters definitely stand out in a crowd, they may suffer health problems later in life, and they make for easy targets. Storytellers, beware of players who take this Merit solely for the ability to soak up extra damage in combat. Remember as well that the bonus mass and health level go away if the mage uses Life magic to shift into a smaller form.
[ 5 ] Insensible To Pain ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) Your character might be made of steel, or just hopped up on drugs (although you should also take the Addiction Flaw if such is the case), but whatever the cause, he doesn't hurt no matter how wounded he is. You ignore all wound penalties until your character is finally killed.
Social Merits [ 1 ] Age ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 35 ) You began your training in magic either very early in your life or very late. Maybe you weren't discovered by anyone until you'd already passed the usual age of students, but the Master, for whatever reason, chose to teach you anyway. Or perhaps something about you intrigued your masters so much that they began your studies very early. This age difference will cause people to react to you differently. If you're older than the norm, they may either think that you're more skilled than you actually are (which could get you in over your head quickly) or think that you're a joke. If you're young, the older students may resent you or not take you seriously ("You've got to be kidding. He's just a kid.") Increase the difficulty of your Social rolls by 1 to 3 depending on the circumstances of your situation or the individual you're confronting.
[ 1 ] Loyalty ( Ascension's Right Hand -Page 77 ) Prerequsite: Custo You are a loyal and devoted individual. The object of this loyalty may be either a particular individual (your mage, lover, etc.) or a group cause (your Chantry, Greenpeace, etc.). You easily resist almost all temptations toward disloyalty. If you are facing supernatural persuasion (Mind magic, etc.) to betray your master or cause, your effective Willpower is increased by two due to your extreme loyalty.
[ 1 ] Natural Leader ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 61 ) You're a natural born leader. While not everyone will simply surrender authority to you, they'll consent to "follow your lead." Reduce the difficulty level of any situation directly related to leadership by 3.
[ 1 ] Prestigious Mentor ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 42 ) Your Mentor had or has great Status among your Tradition, and this has accorded you a peculiar honor. Most treat you respectfully as a result, while some have only contempt for you, believing you to be nothing compared to them. This prestige could greatly aid you when dealing with elders acquainted with your Mentor. Indeed, your Mentor's contacts may actually approach you at some point offering aid. Although your Mentor might no longer have contact with you, the simplest fact of your apprenticeship has marked you forever.
[ 1 ] Unobtrusive ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 164 ) You don't stand out in a crowd. In fact, you don't stand out at all. People just don't notice you unless you make some kind of fuss. Naturally, such unobtrusiveness comes in handy; while bystanders are paying attention to morememorable folk, you're off checking facts, investigating details or slipping objects into your trenchcoat. Being bland has its advantages. Although it's not as powerful as the Background: Cloaking, this Merit helps you keep a low profile. In story terms, people just don't remember your features or name unless you
make a point of impressing folks with them. You're... um... that guy.... If anyone else is making an impression in the vicinity, you don't. In game terms, anyone who tries to remember meeting or seeing you needs to make a Perception roll (difficulty 6) to recall your features or name. The downside is that you add two to the difficulty of any Social rolls you attempt. (Damn, you don't even get noticed when you need to be!) Unlike Cloaking, this Merit does not in any way render you invisible or cover evidence of your existence, and you can't "turn it off." It simply lets you drift through life making very little impression on people. They see you, but they don't really pay attention.
[ 1 - 2 ] Street Rep ( Destiny's Price -- Page 68 ) This can be a Merit or a Flaw. People know you. Maybe you creamed a roomful of enforcers, maybe you have a way of surviving tough situations, or perhaps you just have a really good PR person running scam talks about you. In any case, people know your name. Whether this is a Merit or Flaw depends on what you're known for. Characters known for good things -- helping needy people, contributing time to help teach city kids, etc. -- will buy this as a Merit. Those known for darker deeds -- killing hitmen or cops, getting all your charges dropped, trashing folks who get in your way, etc. -- must buy it as a Flaw. Either variation will make you a hero in someone's eyes and a target in others'.
[ 1 - 3 ] Boon ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 42 ) A Master owes you a favor because of something either you or your Master once did
for him. The extent of the boon owed to you depends on how many points you spend. One point would indicate a relatively minor boon, while three points would indicate that the Master probably owes you his life.
With the right permits, you can do anything... well, not anything, but a lot more than the average Joe. Through some devious or official means, you have obtained a permit that allows you special privileges. Depending on the cost of the Merit, you may be authorized to: * Own and operate odd vehicles (like limos or trucks): One point.
[ 1 - 5 ] Black Market Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 43 ) You have special ties to the underground shopping network, ties that help you acquire hard-to-find equipment. This Merit adds +1 die per point to your Streetwise roll when trying, for instance, to obtain black market weaponry. Difficulties for such rolls are left up to the Storyteller (typically 7 or higher). The point cost reflects how "connected" you may be. The Storyteller may allow you to use your Black market connections during the game to provide you with needed or useful equipment. Such connections won't simply hand you whatever you want -- such things don't come cheap. It's up to the Storyteller to determine the quantity, quality, and availability of the equipment. He may feel free to disallow it entirely if such connections would unbalance the game.
* Practice medicine or law (as a doctor or lawyer): Two points. * Uphold the law (as a cop, detective or government agent): Three points. * Own military hardware (heavy weapons, explosives, vehicles): Four points. * Break the law in the course of duty (as a diplomat or secret agent): Five points.
4 Points
Naturally, these rights involve certain responsibilities. As part of your license, you may be required to fulfill certain duties and observe certain limitations. Even a cop can't go around busting heads on anyone he sees, at least not without some serious repercussions. Licenses of all kinds involve review boards, tests, periodic checks and an overseeing authority. Like anything else in life, you have to be careful how you apply your privileges. Abuse 'em, and you'll probably lose 'em. Small items: Ammo, low-clearance ID badges, good software. Note: Storyteller characters shouldn't worry about "buying" Merit. It's provided to keep Average items: Guns, high-tech software, special this ammo. player characters from running rampant without authorization... to provide them with the Fancy items: Antique cars, explosives, automatic and weapons. ability to run rampant within certain parameters.) Hefty items: Heavy weapons, high-security IDs or access codes.
5 Points
"Yeah, right. Maybe next game."; high-tech military weapons, high explosives, military vehicles.
1 Point 2 Points 3 Points
[ 2 ] Arcane Heritage ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 61 ) [ 1 - 5 ] License ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 65 )
Your bloodline has been gifted in the eyes of the Arcanum. You might have had a distant ancestor who was said to be the village witch, or your
grandmother was one of the fae, or lycanthropy may be said to run in your blood. Whatever the case may be, the Arcanum believes that your bloodline is gifted, and that you may one day pose a danger as well. Even if your heritage has no other effect on you, in terms of Merits and Flaws, Attributes, or otherwise, you are wellreceived by other Arcanists.
[ 2 ] Confidence ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 66 ) You've got the style, savvy and self-confidence that all say, "I'm the Man." Even without the benefit of a dazzling appearance or superb charisma, you possess an untouchable air of superiority. Others quickly defer to your decisions, and you automatically assume authority through sheer force of will. Moreover, you're immune to the barbs of your rivals; wicked wit and subterfuge cannot shake your cool self-confidence. With this Merit, you can assume a mantle of authority. The Masses quickly bow to someone with confidence; if you look like you know what you're doing, people will let you do it. It's tough to bullshit you, too -- your natural confidence often rattles your rival before he can make his play. In game terms, the Merit lowers your Social difficulties by two and raises another character's difficulty by two if he tries to mislead or intimidate you. As many Syndicate ops know, self-confidence is like armor. If it fits, you can stand up to almost anything.
[ 2 ] Faction Favorite ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 53 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer
Awakened mages may be the visionaries who help the Traditions and Conventions who build the future, but it is the linear mages who provide the bedrock foundation upon which new recruits, cultural identity, stable Chantries, and hopes for the future are actually built. Whether due to a special distinction for conserving the past glories of a Tradition or a solid reputation as one of the backbones of organizational power, you command respect in your Tradition or Convention. This is important because the worldwide influences of the mighty keystone associations of magicians transcend most of the smaller societies that manage to survive the ages. Modify all social rolls connected to Tradition or Convention Status or decisionmaking by two points of difficulty in your favor.
[ 2 ] Force Of Spirit ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 54 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer The raw inner force of your soul grants you a certain character that others may find irresistible. Perhaps you glow with an inner light; maybe your beauty seems virtually divine. You may spend Mana points to reduce the difficulty target number of a social roll. No difficulty may be lower than two, and none may be lowered by more than three. Obviously, you must possess Mana points to be able to spend them.
[ 2 ] Judicial Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 43 ) You have both influence over and contacts in the justice system. You know most of the judges as well as the attorneys in the prosecutor's department,and can affect the progress of
various cases and trials with limited difficulty. Though it's difficult to intervene in a case, you can influence it in one direction or another. These ties can also make it easy to acquire search warrants.
[ 2 ] Media Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 43 ) You have both influence over and contacts in the local media. You can suppress and create news stories (though not always with 100% efficiency; journalists are an unruly bunch) and you have access to the files and gossip of the staffs of newspapers and TV stations.
[ 2 ] Nightclub ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 43 ) You own a moderate-sized nightclub, perhaps one of the hottest nightspots in the city. This club brings in enough money to support you in moderate luxury ($1,000 a month, but it can grow), but more important than the money is the prestige. You may use the nightclub as you Chantry, or you may simply hang out there. The name of the nightclub, its style, design, and its regular patrons are all up to you. Variations on this theme could include: A restaurant, theater, comedy club, sports arena, or retail store.
[ 2 ] Officially Dead ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 66 ) Your old life ended tragically... or so they believe. These days, you're essentially a new
person. As far as family, friends, the government and other folks are concerned, you're long gone. Unless you break your cover, no one knows who you are... who you were. Being dead isn't all fun, though. Chances are, you miss at least one person from your old life, but visiting him would be A Very Bad Idea. At the very least, it'll be painful - at worst, you could get him killed. Unless you change your face or fingerprints, you might leave the authorities with all kinds of awkward questions. ("According to records, this woman died three years ago. So why was she in a bank this morning?") There's probably someone looking for you, or making sure you keep a low profile. Attract attention from these parties, and you might not be "walking dead" much longer.
[ 2 ] Reputation ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 42 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Notoriety Flaw You have a good reputation among the mages of your Tradition. This may be your own reputation, or it may be derived from your Mentor. Add three dice to any dice pools involving social dealings with others of your Chantry or Tradition.
[ 2 ] Research Grant ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 61 ) You're the recipient of a prestigious Research Grant from some university or research center, which frees you from the burden of a regular job. The Grant provides a minimal stipend ($1,000 a month in most cases), as well as credentials which will allow you into a number
of exclusive libraries and research centers across the world.
[ 2 ] Street Ties ( Destiny's Price -- Page kkkkk ) You've spent a lot of time on the street, and usually have a pretty good idea who to talk to in order to locate someone or get information. This Merit doesn't guarantee success -- or survival -on the street, but it makes it easier. Characters with Street Ties may reduce their Streetwise difficulty rolls by -2 in appropriate situations. Storytellers and players are encouraged to elaborate on this Merit by creating networks of informants and contacts that the character interacts with regularly.
[ 2 ] Student's Reputation ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) OR ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 83 ) Prerequsite: Archmage This may be a Merit or Flaw with the same point value. One of your students has made something of a name for herself, and her deeds reflect back on you. Perhaps she is a vibrant young talent who brings a fresh perspective to her Tradition. Alternatively, she may be a bad seed who went barabbi or Marauder some time ago. Whatever the case, her activities bring you great respect or embarrassment, and her exploits are often the talk of your peers.
[ 2 ] Tradition Herald ( The Bitter Road -Page 117 )
Your character has been recognized by the Traditions as a formal herald. He is granted safe passage in all Tradition territory, such as Chantries and Nodes, and he can expect hospitality from Tradition mages. In the modern age, this hospitality may just include crash space on a couch and a meal from McDonald's, but it's enough to survive. Your mage may be asked to carry messages physically, since magical methods can be detected and intercepted while he can (theoretically) defend himself. Although you cannot expect to enter the inner Sanctums of most Traditions, he can ask for audience with their heads and expect to be heart (at some point). You can also expect passage into and through territory that's special to a Tradition, such as admittance to a historic Akashic monastery where other mages are normally not permitted, for instance. Furthermore, any Traditionalist who attacks your character except in self-defense is subject to censure and branding. If your character aggravates the attack (taunting someone until he attacks), he may also be stripped of his position and branded. In general, however, he's safe from direct fighting among the Traditions. A herald can still be challenged to certámen, though. He can speak the truth freely or even insult people in a diplomatic capacity, but he'd better make sure that he's right.
[ 2 OR 6 ] Techgnosi ( Tradition Book: Celestial Chorus (Revised) -- Page 62 ) Prerequsite: Celestial Chorus The one is not limited by the changes of history or the challenges of humanity's ever-expanding knowledge. Your character has learned to find the One in the contemporary world of technology, even gaining new and sometimes profound insights about the mystical side of
scientific knowledge and the rational dimensions of religious faith. After all, the one is no respecter of human boundaries. The most organized group of Techgnostics is the Alexandrian Society. The two-point version of this Merit allows your character to use technological foci that are more commonly associated with the Virtual Adepts or the Sons of Ether as long as there is some mystical or religiously oriented content associated with them. (Your character might use a religious website for a Mind Effect, for example). The six-point version also allows the user to have both Prime (or her faction's primary Sphere) and either Matter or Correspondence as her primary Spheres. Note: Some players will want to take both the six-point version of Techgnosi and the Ecumist Merit, to have three specialty Spheres. It's up to the Storyteller if this is even allowed, though it is recommended to Storytellers to not allow this.
[ 3 ] Church Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 44 ) You have influence and contacts in some local churches, and have the means to create protest rallies, help the needy, or raise money. The more you use your ties, of course, the greater the risk of you being discovered.
[ 3 ] Corporate Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 44 ) You have both influence over and contacts in the local corporate community. You understand the dynamics of money in the city and have links with all the major players. In times of need, you
can cause all sorts of financial mayhem, and can raise considerable amounts of money (in the form of loans) in a very short period of time.
[ 3 ] Folk Hero ( Tradition Book: Akashic Brotherhood (Revised) -- Page 59 ) Prerequsite: Akashic Brotherhood Your people love you. You stood up to a corrupt official, ended a drought, got a new hospital built, or did any number of things that endeared you to the people in your community. When you're there, they'll do almost anything to help you, as long as you maintain your previous upstanding behavior. A signature Merit for Li-Hai, Folk Hero gives you a blanket -2 difficulty on Social rolls with people from the community you helped. Furthermore, your character can always get basic food and shelter there, and if he's in trouble with the law or just needs a place to hide, they'll find him a garage or back room to lay his head. Just keep two things in mind: First, these are ordinary working class or agratian people, your character isn't going to be borrowing a jet or a laptop from them (though he might get a bicycle). Second, while they don't expect him to rescue every cat and till every rocky field for his sick neighbor, they do expect him to stand up for his community when times are tough. If he turns his back on them, they'll turn their backs on him.
[ 3 ] Mansion ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 43 ) You own a large mansion -- a home with 25 or more rooms -- as well as the surrounding estate. The servants, if you have any, are provided for if
you choose this Merit, although they can't be used as Acolytes (Allies) unless you purchase the appropriate Background. The mansion is assumed to have the most current electronic security available and a fence around the perimeter, but has no ties to Nodes or Horizon Realms (see the Chantry Background for such a place). While the mansion can be in as poor or as good a shape as you wish, the more inhabited it appears to be, the more attention it'll garner. A ghost house won't attract IRS audits, but it may attract police scrutiny if bands of strange kids hang out there.
[ 3 ] Mourner's Chant ( Tradition Book: Euthanatos (Revised) -- Page 69 ) Prerequsite: Euthanatos Your mage has a gift for relieving people of their despair when they are confronted by death. He might be a professional mourner in a traditional society, a grief counselor, or even just a compassionate soul willing to listen to and reassure anyone affected by death. His skill is such that the presence of ghosts and the walking dead bring no fear to his charges, so long as he can speak to them in a clear, unwavering voice. The character gains a -2 difficulty modifier to all Social rolls when trying to comfort someone struck by grief, rage, or any other emotion brought on by death. When ghosts and the walking dead approach, he may make a Manipulation + Expression roll (difficulty 7) to steel his charge against terror. Each success adds one point to the subject's effective Willpower when resisting the horror. This does not cover vampires or the use of fear-causing supernatural powers, only the shroud of fear that surrounds these beings. You may split your dice pool to comfort multiple people.
[ 3 ] Perfect Liar ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 66 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member When you speak, everything is the truth. Your words never quaver, your vital signs remain normal, your facts seem consistent and your eyes betray no deception whatsoever. No matter how outrageous your story might be, an objective observer will assume that at least you believe it's true. In game terms, most casual deceptions succeed automatically. Subtract two from the difficulty of any roll that involves fooling someone about something important. This Merit will not foil Mind magic, aura-reading or other forms of mystic truth-seeking, but it will deceive any mundane detection (like body language or liedetectors).
[ 3 ] Police Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 44 ) You have both influence over and contacts in the local police department. You can, with a single phone call, cause an APB to be issued. However, the more often you use your ties with the police department, the weaker they become, and the more attention you attract toward yourself. Your influence isn't solid (that can be achieved only through game play), and it can let you down at times.
[ 3 ] Political Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 44 )
[ 3 OR 5 ] Entertainment Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 44 )
You have both influence over and contacts among the politicians and bureaucrats of the city. In times of need, you can shut off the power and water to a building or neighborhood, and can unleash many different means of harassment against your enemies. The more you use your political ties, the weaker they become. Total control can only be achieved through game play.
You have a degree of fame and influence in the local entertainment scene (music, theater, dance, S.C.A, etc.). Either you own or manage a good venue or site or you have some notoriety among both peers and fans. You can exert this influence to ferret out information, or buy favors. This is especially useful when searching for Acolytes or attempting unsubtle magic under the right circumstances. For 5 points, this fame can become nationwide.
[ 3 ] Well-Connected ( Tradition Book: Virtual Adepts (Revised) -- Page 62 ) Prerequsite: Virtual Adept Your name is well known throughout virtual space, and you can expect some assistance from other people online. This can range from other Awakened mages to simple Sleepers who like the "cool guy" they've been talking to. Help can vary as well, but usually comes in the form of information.
[ 3 ] Underworld Ties ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 44 ) You have both influence over and contacts in the local Mafia and organized street gangs. This provides you with limited access to large numbers of "soldiers," as well as extensive links to the underworld o crime. The more often you use your ties with the criminal element, the weaker they grow.
[ 4 ] Faction Founder ( The Bitter Road -Page 117 ) Your character has broken with Tradition and founded her own faction. Several acolytes pay heed to her beliefs, she can get recognition as a political force in her Tradition, and she can train Apprentices with her special area of concern. In game terms, you get a one-point bonus on Social rolls within your mage's own Tradition. You get respect (and sometimes fear) for paving new ground. When you teach a newly Awakened Initiate, he learns your chosen faction special Sphere in addition to your normal Tradition specialty. In story terms, your character probably has several followers and maybe even some Apprentices (take Backgrounds as appropriate). She can start a Chantry and be recognized, and her faction will live on in the annals of Tradition history.
[ 4 ] Master Of Red Tape ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 67 )
You're a god of getting things done. Whether you need some supplies, security clearance, favors or additional backup, you can get it with a phone call or two to the right people. Your suave personal and bureaucratic skills make the passage easier than it would be otherwise. After all, it's not what you ask for, but who you ask and how. In game terms, this Merit subtracts two from the difficulty of all rolls that involve getting equipment, aid or favors through a bureaucracy. Such rolls are usually based on the Backgrounds: Allies, Backup, Influence, Library, Mentor, Patron, Requisitions or Resources, or one of the Ties Merits (Political Ties, Police Ties, etc.). To use this Merit, you must plan out what you need, contact a friend or ally in the necessary department, then file a request. Naturally, you can blow this Merit if you're not respectful and grateful to the right people; the Storyteller may feel free to disallow or revoke this Trait if the character isn't doing his part to keep the red tape clear.
[ 4 ] True Love ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 36 ) Despite the bleakness of the world and the alienation that most mages suffer, your character has discovered a true love. Such love gives hope and inspiration in the face of even the greatest difficulty, for it's a sign that the world isn't totally devoid of higher, purer powers. You gain one automatic success on all Willpower rolls, which can only be negated by a botch. On the other hand, you probably have to spend time rescuing your true love from danger or questing to find him or her again.
[ 4 - 6 ] Drahma's Voice ( Tradition Book: Akashic Brotherhood (Revised) -- Page 59 ) Prerequsite: Akashic Brotherhood [ 4 ] Ritual Congregation ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 54 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer Some magicians require large numbers of believers to aid them in creating the resonance and trappings necessary to invoke spells or rituals. Most individuals limited in such a way become adept at manipulating or swaying audiences into helping them, unwittingly or not. You have carefully cultivated a group of at least 100 members who are at least familiar enough with the concepts of your magical style to serve as useful aids in the process. Of course, most of them are expecting something in return, whether it be redemption, social interaction, or direct magical benefit.
Whether you're a child, a drunk, or a monk, you speak with more wisdom than you possess. Perhaps you are a reincarnated sage, or you simply have an intuitive connection with the Absolute that expresses itself in your voice and actions. In game terms, your character is a Mentor for Akashic mages (and, at the Storyteller's discretion, others who might understand her words), despite the fact that she isn't particularly wise herself. The four-point version of his Merit turns your character into a one-dot Mentor -you may add more dots at a cost of one point per dot. For six points, your character serves as a three-dot Mentor to other people, even if she lacks the usual knowledge to teach in such fashion. She can't benefit from this herself. She doesn't know why the other Sidai light up with
sudden understanding when she tells them a joke or a bar story.
[ 5 ] Grand Reputation ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) OR ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 83 ) Prerequsite: Archmage
[ 5 ] Corporation CEO ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 45 ) You have a particular influence and sway over a major corporation and associated companies, just as if you were its chief executive officer. Indeed, you might have owned this company before your Awakening, and you've retained your control. Through this corporation, you know much that takes place in the corporate community and have the means to wage economic warfare. This Merit provides you with some informal Allies and Resources, the exact extent of which are determined by the Storyteller.
[ 5 ] Ecumist ( Tradition Book: Celestial Chorus (Revised) -- Page 62 ) Prerequsite: Celestial Chorus Though possibly never having worked with mages outside the Tradition, your mage has developed some unique insights into the distinct factions and sects that make up the Chorus. Perhaps his mentor encouraged him to pursue studies with another teacher as well, or he simply developed a new interest or sense of calling and went off on his own. The character with this Merit may purchase both factions' specialty Spheres at the bonus multiplier, effectively having two primary Spheres. This benefit has its downside, however, as both factions may require certain obligations of him.
Word of your deeds has traveled far before you, and many younger students revere your name. You will be welcome at most allied Chantries and can find assistance throughout your Tradition. Of course, you will also be a highly visible presence in the Ascension War, and will attract plenty of unwanted attention.
[ 5 - 8 ] Powerful Allies ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) OR ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 83 ) Prerequsite: Archmage Over the course of the years, you have managed to befriend (or at least establish cordial relations with) a few beings of great power. This may be a sept of Garou, another ancient mage, a vampire prince, Umbrood Preceptor, sidhe duke, elder wraith, mummy, or something truly bizarre. Although neither of you would risk life, limb, and soul for one another, you're in the habit of lending assistance to one another when required. This merit can serve as the jumping-off point for many adventures. The Storyteller has final say on what allies you may take, and how much they are worth as a Merit. She also defines the statistics for your ally; although you know the basics, you shouldn't have an omniscient overview of what your friend is capable of.
[ 8 - 15 ] Pawns ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) Prerequsite: Archmage
You can control a group of people without their even realizing it. These pawns will readily do your bidding, although you must take care to keep your guidance a secret (few people enjoy being manipulated). This Merit cannot be used to take control f any player characters. At 8 points, you have a number of non-mages or recently Awakened pawns. 10 points allows you control of a small cabal, pack of young Garou, or coterie of neonate vampires. 15 points gives you mastery of a band of experienced (though still your lesser) supernatural beings, or one entity close to your own power.
Supernatural Merits [ 1 ] Cast No Shadow Or Reflection ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 230 ) There are many explanations for this phenomenon, and no two agree: Your mage may have attended the legendary Black School, where the Devil who runs the place took the hindmost as payment -- in this case, your character's shadow. Or maybe I got trapped in a mirror or left in a little girl's bedroom somewhere -- which is better than the alternative, for some believe if it escapes, it runs around as your evil twin. In any case, your character casts no shadow or reflection (your choice), and this may cause many problems, especially because this is a common Flaw among the Nephandi.
[ 1 ] Hollow Soul ( Initiates Of The Art -Page 82 ) No matter how you try, the ingraining of your Tradition just doesn't seem to "ake" with a special focus. You don't have any particular emphasis on the Spheres. Nothing's particularly hard (assuming that you're not Sphere Inept), but nothing's exactly especially easy, either. Despite a Tradition, Convention or Craft affiliation, you have no specialty Sphere. You place a dot in your group's specialty Sphere as normal during character creation, since your mentor focuses on it, but you pay experience costs for further improvement like a Hollow One or Orphan.
[ 1 ] Innocent ( Halls Of The Arcanum -Page 62 ) You're always thought of in the most positive light, unless evidence exists to prove otherwise. If you do something wrong and the act isn't easily attributed to you, it'll most likely be blamed on someone else. This doesn't mean that you are an innocent -- it just means everyone thinks you are.
[ 1 ] Long-Lived ( Tradition Book: Verbena (Revised) -- Page 70 ) [ 1 ] Green Thumb ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 ) Flowers spring up in your footsteps and trees burst into bloom at your touch. Your hands are as warm as sunlight or stones from a cheery hearth.
Prerequsite: Verbena Whether through heredity, the blessings of the gods or just good, clean living, you are especially long-lived. You age, but gracefully, retaining both your vitality and your faculties.
You can easily expect to live to see your first century, and possibly another beyond that. Note that adepts of the Life Sphere can achieve this Effect through magic. This Merit grants it naturally (and does not incur the possibility of Paradox).
[ 1 ] Parlor Trick ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 ) Your character has a natural ability to perform some small, pretty, or useful bit of magic at will. This trick is nothing that can cause much damage, or even serious annoyance; it's just enough to perform some small basic task or give your mage a little flair. Your mage might be adept at the old wizard's trick of conjuring an orb of witchlight to hand or a flame to her finger. She might be a cyborg who had the bright idea of installing a light bulb or pilot light in her head for the same purpose. If your mage uses a magical sense like night vision often, you might have the added perk that he can make his eyes glow like a vampire's, allowing him to see even in total darkness. If your character is of the scientific bent, he may be able to emit enough xrays to use with his x-ray vision, or he could have a laser pointer installed in his index finger just for fun. You don't have to roll or spend anything to make this parlor trick work. Storytellers should note that this Merit is provided to add color and reason to the game, not to give min-maxers a loophole to create engines of death. With this Merit, mages can light pipes without a lighter, conjure roses or martinis, have mood music play in the background, or pop a penknife or a single claw out of a fingertip. Yes, you could put an eye out with one of those things, but the combat difference between a penknife, a single tiger claw, and a press-on fingernail is inconsequential.
[ 1 ] Personal Talisman ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 229 ) This may be either a one-point Merit or Flaw. Though a master mage may have helped (and probably did), your character has done one of the great and mighty deeds of magecraft and created a Talisman. Well, he may not have created it, but he was there for the crucial and literal willworking -- he invested a part of his own Willpower into the Talisman and now it is tied to him. If this is a Merit, you still have the Talisman, and so long as your character holds I, you have an extra point of permanent Willpower, as well as a point of temporary Willpower that cannot be spent. You must also take at least one point in the Wonder Background if you intend to keep it. If this is a flaw, however, you do not possess the Talisman and the related Willpower point. Mark off one of your permanent Willpower points until you get the Talisman back or somehow gain it from its rightful owner (which should be you, but isn't). If this drops you below five Willpower, you'll never become a Master until you get it back or you purchase another point. Your invested points of Willpower still counts as part of your total for purposes of purchasing more, however.
[ 1 ] Touch Of Frost ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 230 ) Plants wither at your character's approach and die at his touch. His touch is as cold and clammy as a corpse -- a refrigerated one at that.
[ 1 - 3 ] Bonus From Props ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 103 ) Prerequsite: Shaman You receive a +1 bonus to all of your magic rolls when using props for every level you have in this Merit. Many shamans who possess this Merit also have the Dependence on Props Flaw.
[ 1 - 5 ] Past Life ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 36 ) The mage can remember one or more of her previous incarnations. This can be as simple as constant deja vu in waking memories of being another person. In practical terms, this means that the mage, and therefore the player, knows slightly more about whatever situations the dead memories contain. The mage might know her way around the past life's hometown, or back away from her murderer without knowing why. This is a good Merit for beginning players; the Storyteller can tell them that something they're about to do is stupid, dangerous, or both, because even if the character wouldn't logically know that, one of her past lives might. However, this Merit can't be used to 'remember' Abilities; the character still needs the Dream Merit to do that. The Storyteller can, and likely should, take the opportunity to flesh out one or more o these past selves with the player. Unless the memory is very detailed, the character, and probably the player, isn't likely to know everything about that past. In fact, this half-and-half recollection is a rich source of story ideas, particularly if any of the past lives were Awakened themselves. This is fairly common for those with "old souls" and powerful Avatars. 1pt.
Deja vu memories of one life.
2pts.
Dreamy, vague memories of one life, with dej
3pts.
Vague memories of several lives and one or tw
4pts.
Several well-remembered impressions from m
5pts.
A clear but broken thread of memories back to
[ 1 - 5 ] Supernatural Companion ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 61 ) Prerequsite: Arcanum member You have a friend who is a supernatural creature. This doesn't mean that you're privy to their secrets, -- only that you have somehow met and befriended them. The Arcanum should probably remain in the dark about this, and your companion's own associates may not necessarily know or approve. Arranging communication or meetings may be difficulty. You may occasionally call upon your companion for assistance, but the opposite will be true as well. Although you can determine the basic nature of the Companion, the Storyteller will create the character, and won't reveal its full capabilities to you. The more powerful the friend, the higher the cost of the Merit. See Spirit Mentor (level 3), Vampire/Werewolf Companion (level 3), and Avatar Companion (level 7) for these types of companions.
[ 1 - 6 ] Conditional Magic ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 ) This may be a merit or a flaw with the same point values regardless. There's one thing in the world that's a great boon, or bane, to your character's magic. Perhaps her spells work particularly well against men, or on Tuesdays, or
just after a storm, or on people dressed all in black. Maybe she's powerless to affect those who are or who bear that certain thing, such as her magic being unable to affect Christians or those who carry a piece of rowan and red thread. It may be that a certain individual gave her power over them, or perhaps it's utterly proof against her magic due to an oath she swore or spells that were placed on her.
Wicked Witch of the West would have survived if she were wearing a hazmat suit or just a raincoat and umbrella).
A normal, weakening Vulnerability causes one health level of aggravated damage per turn of contact. A mortal peril causes three health levels of damage per turn of contact. A mortal peril causes three health levels of damage per turn of constant. If the slightest drop of the substance is The conditions that affect your magic may be certain death, instantly bringing your common, uncommon, or rare, and the value of destruction, this Flaw is worth an extra point this Merit or Flaw depends on the rarity of the beyond that. If merely being in the presence of condition. The base costs listed here assume that the substance causes you damage -- being in the you have a difficulty modifier to three on all same room as the Emperor's perfume or standing Arete rolls under the given conditions. You may in indirect sunlight -- or the most infinitesimal adjust the difficulty by one for every point more drop causes you harm, this Flaw is also worth or less you devote to the Trait. one point more; while if you actually have to be damaged by the substance -- stabbed with the 1pts. Unique: The Sword of Roland, the Matriarch MECHAbeaten construct, Year. Lanceofofthe Longinus, withLeap an iron crowbar -- this Flaw is worth one point less. If taken at 2pts. Scarce as hen's teeth: Current or former members of the Council Nine, your former the full seven-point level,ofthis Flaw means a Mentors, once in a b single beam of moonlight or the mere sight of a 3pts. Rare, but not unheard of: Toadstones, Swedish werewolves, rowan drop ofroyalty, blood can instantly kill you.and red thread, the holy days o 4pts. 5pts. 6pts.
2 points:charms, You can bemember fatally injured by X, during a thunderstorm Special order: Virgins, middle eastern eye-bead any of Iteration something that's nearly impossible to acquire (thesilver, Holy Christians, Lance of Longinus, the perfume of the a windy day, Available without much trouble: Cold iron, any member of the Traditions, Emperor of Cathay), or weakened by something very rare (dragon's the bite of an Common as dirt: Men, anyone who's ever been baptized, theblood, color naphtha, purple, under cloud cover, Tuesdays. Egyptian asp, panther's breath). 3 points: You can be fatally injured by something very rare, or weakened by something moderately rare (mistletoe, garlic, the sight of your reflection, silver, magic).
[ 1 - 7 ] Vulnerability ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 231 ) Your character possesses a Vulnerability -- a substance, element, or power that can harm or even kill him, like Superman's problems with Kryptonite or the Wicked Witch of the West's aversion to cleaning buckets. The level of this Flaw depends on whether his weakness can fatally injure him, or simply weaken him, and on how common the substance is. Damage caused by a Vulnerability cannot be soaked, except by Armor, assuming it's the right sort of Armor (the
4 points: You can be fatally injured by something moderately rare, or weakened by something common (iron, sunlight, fire). 5 points: You can be fatally injured by something common.
[ 2 ] Burning Aura ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 62 )
Your aura, no matter what color it takes, is unusually brilliant to those who can see it; you're practically a beacon among other mortals, burning with a mystical fire. Even those who can't see auras are immediately drawn to your presence. Some supernaturals will find this a positive aspect; others, particularly vampires, may likely be hostile to you. Many will believe you to possess great power (regardless of whether you truly do), and will be appropriately respectful of you.
[ 2 ] Circumspect Avatar ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 ) What Avatar? Your mage has never seen her Avatar. In fact, no one's ever seen her Avatar, unless it was her reflection in the mirror, or her shadow, or something that everyone and their dog has. Your mage does have an Avatar, but it isn't inclined to put on a show. At most, her Avatar is simply her subconscious, and it's just nudged and pushed her into finding her own Awakening. Having a circumspect Avatar doesn't mean that your mage doesn't have Seekings and Epiphanies. Such events just tend to be rooted in reality. The mage may well find that a series of unusual events in the physical world leads her to greater enlightenment, without ever entering a dreamscape. Who needs to go rooting around in dreams and bizarre mindscapes to find out who they are?
[ 2 ] Communicate With Animals ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 103 ) Through your deep and profound understanding of the spirits within all life, you can communicate with any normal animal. This communication is not as detailed or exact as
ordinary speech, nor does it necessarily involve you actually speaking. Instead, the animal you are communicating with understands you through a combination of posture, facial expressions, smell, and speech, while you can understand it on an equally primal level. Even if the animal noticed such things, you cannot use this ability to ask an animal the license plate number of a car, or the cut of someone's suit. However, most mammals and birds can tell you basic information like how many people passed by, as well as possibly odd details like what these people had eaten recently or if they smelled afraid. To determine the actual degree of communication, roll Charisma + Intuition. Finding out extremely simple information has a difficulty of 4 or 5. However, anything more complex than vague information about recent events, or questions about the animal's own activities, will have a higher difficulty. Since so few people bother to really attempt to communicate with animals, even wild animals that are not normally interested in humans will usually wish to respond to a mage with this ability. This Merit is largely limited to Dreamspeakers and Verbena, although a few Akashics also know it. By the modern age, of course, speaking with animals is so unusual as to require this Merit or some sort of magic.
[ 2 ] Danger Sense ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 36 ) You have a sixth sense that warns you of danger. When you're in danger, the Storyteller should make a secret roll against your Perception + Alertness; the difficulty depends on the remoteness of the danger. If the roll succeeds, the Storyteller tells you that you have a sense of foreboding. Multiple successes may refine the feeling and give an indication of direction,
distance, or nature. This Merit is more reliable and specific than rank one sensing effects; the two can be combined to create an even more potent warning system.
[ 2 ] Mad Science ( Tradition Book: Sons Of Ether (Revised) -- Page 58 ) Prerequsite: Sons Of Ether
[ 2 ] Dual Perception ( The Spirit Ways -Page 103 ) Using your status as an intermediary between the spirit world and the mortal world, you can easily switch your awareness back and forth between these two realms. When using any spirit magic that involves perceiving the spirit world, you can cease using this ability and observe the mortal world at any time. Then, if the duration of the magic is not yet up, you can continue using it without additional rolls. Also, when you are in the Umbra, you can choose to observe the mortal world instead of the spirit world without needing to make additional rolls. Since this ability is innate, you suffer no disorientation or other penalty associated with switching your perceptions. Transvestites and contraries often posses Dual perception due to their own dual natures. If you take this Merit in addition to the Medium or Spirit Sight Merit, you can effectively turn the appropriate Merit on or off at will.
[ 2 ] Faerie Affinity ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 36 ) Your presence doesn't frighten faeries; indeed, it attracts them, and you're naturally attuned to their ways. You may even share some small amount of faerie blood. Friendly fey might allow you to meditate at their circle once in a while (though gods only know what effect this might have in the long run).
By experimenting with other dimensions, mindwracking mathematics, and Paradoxical technologies, the Sons of Ether risk their mental stability at the price of unique insights. Having touched the infinite, inhuman reaches of Truth, madness takes its toll, but it also brings inspiration. Characters with this Merit receive a one-point break on magical difficulties as well as uses of the Awareness, Cosmology, Enigmas, Occult, Science, and Technology Abilities while in the throes of Quiet or an active derangement.
[ 2 ] Mastery Of Fire ( The Spirit Ways -Page 103 ) Prerequsite: Shaman Having control over fire and flame is one of the powers traditionally associated with shamans. Many cultures consider fire to be a natural force with a strong connection to the spirit world. As a shaman, you have a closer connection to the powers of fire than most. You are considerably more resistant to damage from fire than most people, and you receive three extra dice to all Stamina rolls to resist damage caused by fire. You can soak fire damage normally. In addition, you also receive a one-point bonus on all magic rolls to create, destroy, or manipulate fire.
[ 2 ] Medium ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 ) OR( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 36 ) Your mage is a natural conduit to the Underworld. Although this Merit doesn't reduce the difficulty of working Spirit magic, it does mean that your mage can hear ghosts naturally. The mage might not see wraiths without the right magic, but they do tend to hang out, talk, bug the character, and ask him to do things. This talent can be helpful in some cases; wraiths are eager to talk to those who can hear them. However, they often make demands, and they can be difficult to banish if the mage doesn't have enough power with Spirit. Mages with both this Merit and the Spirit Sphere reduce the difficulties of Spirit magic by two. Combining the Medium Merit with the Spirit Magnet Merit will make your life exceedingly interesting and problematic.
case, you may roll simply your Stamina dice, even if you don't have Parapsychology Knowledge.
[ 2 ] Pushy Avatar ( Initiates Of The Art -Page 82 ) Your damn Avatar just won't leave you alone! No matter how much you try to block it out, it keeps forcing you onward, making you examine your progress and shoving you into difficult situations. This is a good thing, though. Your constant process of self-examination means that you are more likely to get through Seekings, as you are constantly faced with your own inner turmoil. You are pushed to become a mage and to embrace magic, even if you try to ignore it. Once during each Seeking that you undergo, you may reroll one failed roll completely.
[ 2 ] Psychic Ritual ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 54 ) Prerequsite: Psychic Your psychic is a true rarity amongst the pure practitioners of the Arts of mental magic. Some realization of the importance of the universe has crept into his consciousness sufficiently that he has even managed to create a ritual that allows him to perform some extended psychic effect. You need to create a ritual, approved of by your Storyteller, for one of the levels of one of your character's psychic Paths. When your character performs this ritual, you may use the normal rules for rituals and extended magic rules, with minor necessary changes. Obviously, as your psychic does not gain Paradox, the penalty for a botch falls to the Storyteller, greatly increasing the horrific effects of the catastrophic failure. Your roll is limited to no more dice than your psychic's Stamina + Parapsychology. In this
[ 2 ] Style Sleeper ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 55 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer Magic only works one way, and your character knows it. When other people try to pull stupid tricks, your sorcerer seems them for what they are, or at least tries. Anytime you witness magic that fits into your character's style, everything is fine; your sorcerer is treated as an Awakened being. Any time she witnesses any magic that falls outside of her style, she counts as a Sleeper. Because this specifically targets your character's enemies while allowing you to merrily continue with your magic as normal, this disbelief in other magic is considered a Merit. There may be times it harms your character, such as when another mage is trying to heal her and she just thinks he cannot do so. More often, however, her
incredulity serves as a partial defense against the Arts of others.
[ 2 ] Unaging ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 ) Your mage doesn't age, ever. Perhaps she drank an elixir in the Mythic Ages, or she tasted the Peach of Immortality, or she ate the Apples of the Hesperides, or she dined on the forbidden savor of mermaid's flesh. Perhaps she was injected with the perfect Iterator nanotech or Progenitor symbiote. Perhaps her body is composed of timeless stone or metal. Perhaps the cause is a complete mystery. Regardless, she remains unchanged as the years pass by, save for scars and accumulated knowledge.
food, plus a marginal income of trinkets and gifts. Your flock will also attempt to protect and aid you. However, in return for protection and sustenance, you are expected to act as the spiritual guide and intermediary of your community. You will be expected to heal the sick, contact spirits of the departed, bless the community's members and allies, and possibly to curse their enemies. Failure to meet these obligations will result in losing all benefits from this Merit (at best), and it may even cause the people to turn against you and attempt to find another shaman to cast a curse on you. Most Dreamspeakers with this Merit live fulltime in their community. Those who do not usually have assistants or allies, such as lesser shamans, who help manage the spiritual affairs of the community while the Dreamspeaker is absent. In the vast majority of cases, shamans with this Merit were born and raised in the community to which they minister.
[ 2 - 4 ] Shamanic Authority ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 104 ) Prerequsite: Shaman You are recognized as a true shaman by a select group of people. This Merit carries both significant mundane influence and substantial responsibility. These people (who can be anything from a small, isolated band or tribe, to a local ethnic community in a large American city) aid you in any reasonable fashion that they can. Among other advances, these people will support you with cash, goods, or services. The larger and less isolated the community, the greater the cost of the Merit. Being the shaman for an isolated tribe of 60 people would be worth only two points, whereas a recognized shaman for an ethnic community of several thousand people living in a major city is worth four points. Your people will aid and support you in a style appropriate to their own resources. If you are living among a small community, you may have a one-room home and regular (if bland)
[ 3 ] Astral Vigor ( The Infinite Tapestry -Page 187 ) Your mage's astral body is especially well connected to her physical form. She does not suffer any of the psychological side effects normally associated with the protracted astral travel (such as the loss of REM sleep), though her body continues to atrophy and starve at the normal rate. Her astral body, fortified by a powerful psychic presence, has two dice of inherent armor. Also, the character's strong tie between body and spirit allows her to ascertain her body's state of being (dehydrated, damaged, etc.) at any time, with a moment of quiet concentration.
[ 3 ] Celestial Affinity ( Blood Treachery -Page 85 ) Prerequsite: Tradition Mage Your mage has an exceptional instinct when it comes to dealing with High Umbrood. While certain shamans excel at interactions with their totemic spirits, and necromancers find truck with the dead a simple matter, your mage's talents make converse with the noblest and most refined of ephemeral entities easier. You receive a difficulty bonus of two to all rolls to summon, compel, coax, bargain with and otherwise influence such beings. This bonus applies as much to Social rolls as it does to Spheres, since trafficking with High Umbrood is often as much a matter of finesse and force of personality as it is one of sorcerous might.
such things as the stock market or the price of tea in China (very important for a Syndicate commodities broker). As such, your difficulties with magic fluctuate from the standard by a maximum of three, depending on what part of the cycle you set as your personal high point. You may be tied to the dark of the moon, the full moon, the Bull cycle or the Bear cycle. Regardless, while the cyclic nature of your magic is problematic, it's quite useful in some circumstances, allowing your character to schedule rituals for their times of great power.
[ 3 ] Natural Shapeshifter ( Tradition Book: Verbena (Revised) -- Page 70 ) Prerequsite: Verbena
[ 3 ] Cloak Of The Seasons ( Tradition Book: Verbena (Revised) -- Page 70 ) Prerequsite: Verbena You are magically protected from the effects of the weather and the natural environment. You are perfectly comfortable in winter's chill or summer's blazing heat regardless of your clothing (or lack thereof). You do not suffer from sunstroke or exposure. You're not even bitten by insects or other vermin. Your senses are still limited by the elements (including fog, rain and snow), and you're not protected from either hunger or thirst.
[ 3 ] Cyclic Magic ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 ) Your character's magic is tied to some regular and repeating cycle -- night and day, the moon, the sun, the tides, the wheel of the year, or even
You are a natural and talented shapeshifter when using Life magic (not necessarily related to the Fera, though you may also have the Shapechanger Kin Merit). You are never in danger of losing yourself to the identity of your beastform, and any new shape you adopt is as comfortable to you as your own. Moreover, the difficulty of Arete rolls to change your own shape is two less than normal.
[ 4 ] Deathwalker ( Tradition Book: Euthanatos (Revised) -- Page 69 ) Prerequsite: Euthanatos Your character has a special tie to the Underworld. While most mages die or undergo the Agama rite to cross into the Shadowlands, you can use the third rank of Spirit to Step Sideways, just as if you were entering the Middle Umbra. Your aura turns pale and you take on the spiritual imprint of one of the dead. You aren't affected by the Avatar Storms when you cross over, they ignore your "dead" soul as
it passes by. You are affected by the Avatar Storm when you venture into the Middle and Astral Umbrae; only the lands of the dead are excepted.
[ 3 ] Gift Of Tongues ( The Spirit Ways -Page 104 ) All spirits that can communicate with mortals naturally posses the ability to communicate in any language. Like these spirits, you also have the natural ability to transcend language. When speaking with any sentient being (from Earth), you can understand its language as if it were your own. Due to the limits of the human mind, you can only understand and speak one language at a time. If two people who speak different languages are talking to you at once you can only understand one of them. Using a coincidental Mind 1 Effect can allow you to understand multiple languages at once. Magically augmenting this gift to allow speech in multiple different tongues simultaneously is, of course, vulgar. The Gift of Tongues Merit works only for conversation help in person, where you and the person you are speaking to can actually hear each other's unaltered voices. You cannot use this ability to read another language or to communicate by telephone, microphone, or any other electronic or mechanical medium.
everyone but your character (and those who can read her mind), unless you take this Merit in combination with the Allies Background, creating the body of a person or familiar for your Avatar. In this case, your Avatar becomes your bamf!ing buddy, popping in and out of existence when it feels like it. If it's killed, only the mortal shell dies, not your Avatar -- unless you have the Phylactery Flaw, in which case your Avatar's form is immune to all physical harm, but it's manifested permanently. If such is the case, it's able to be kidnapped, transformed, and so on. Storytellers should note that an Avatar doesn't have to say it's an Avatar, and just because an Avatar is invested into a phylactery doesn't mean that everything that phylactery tells you is a pronouncement from your Avatar. A V-A may have his laptop as a phylactery, but unless he's also taken Manifest Avatar as a Merit, his laptop's warnings to update his virus software are nothing more significant than that. Likewise you may have invested your Avatar into your best friend, but that doesn't mean that everything (or anything) he says are pronouncements from your personal spirit guide. Such only happens to be the case if you take Manifest Avatar. Even then, why should your Avatar tell you he's anyone except your best friend? A manifest Avatar can chat with you and other people like the intelligences that show up on the Web to guide Virtual Adepts and converse with their contemporaries. With the right tricks, it can even materialize to harangue you, to fight, to push you around, or just make for a hot date.
[ 3 ] Manifest Avatar ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 )
[ 3 ] Natural Channel ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 )
Most people see their Avatars only during Seekings, if at all. Your mage's drops by every day for tea, if it doesn't hang out 'round the clock. This Avatar is completely invisible to
Your mage is a natural weak point in the Gauntlet between worlds. The difficulty to use magic to pierce it is one less, and spirits reach a bit more favorably to the mage. If your mage
finds an especially weak spot in the Gauntlet (with Awareness or Spirit 1), he can step between worlds without magic. [ 3 ] Sanity Sink ( Book OF Madness Revised -- Page 63 ) Prerequsite: Marauder [ 3 ] Oracular Ability ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 ) No, your mage isn't one of the mystic Master mages living in an ivory tower in the Deep Umbra. Neither is she a software company. What she is, is an ordinary mage with a flair for divination and glimpses into the past, present, and future. Whenever the Storyteller feels you are in the position to see a sign or portent, you may make a Perception + Awareness roll, with the difficulty relative to how well the omen is concealed. If successful, you may then roll Intelligence + Occult to interpret what you have seen, the difficulty is relative to the complexity of what you have seen. Your difficulty for all divination with magic (generally with Time) reduces by 2.
[ 3 ] Psychic Awareness ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 62 ) You have an intuitive awareness of psychic activity. Even if you yourself display no other talent, you can determine if any psychic phenomena have recently been operating within a 10-foot radius; this includes the vampiric Discipline of Auspex. How much you determine about what is or was in use depends upon the number of successes rolled on Perception + Occult (difficulty 8). A single success might inform you that some talent has been used nearby, while five or more would give you an impression of a long-departed psychic, including her strength, mood, and intent at the time.
This Marauder's Quiet tends to infect other mages, and his Resonance also subtly overwrites them until they become nothing more than pieces in his reality show! Mages who enter this Marauder's sphere of discord have the usual chance to become entrapped or to assert their own vision of reality. For every scene, however, that the mage remains in the sphere of discord, the mage must make a contested roll of his highest Resonance Trait against the Marauder's Dynamic Resonance (difficulty 6 for both parties). If the Marauder wins, then the mage's Resonance starts to convert to the Marauder's. Once all of the mages's Resonance dots have been converted, the mage is wholly ensconced in the Marauder's reality, even after leaving the sphere of discord. (In effect, the mage becomes a new Marauder, sharing the Marauder's vision of reality.) Physical contact exacerbates this decline and causes the mage to make a contested Resonance check every turn. A mage who isn't totally overtaken, and who manages to escape from the Marauder in question, regains his normal Resonance by the end of the story. A Mind or Prime effect can also defend Resonance and create a "reality bubble" to hedge out this effect, if the mages have enough time and insight to figure out what the heck is going on and how to combat it (time for some research rolls!).
[ 3 ] Soothing Voice ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 63 )
Your voice is calm and soothing, almost entrancing. You may add two dice to all rolls that directly include use of your voice -- singing, preaching, leadership, etc.
[ 3 ] Spirit Mentor ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 36 ) You have a ghostly companion and guide. This spirit is able to employ a number of minor powers when it really struggles to exert itself (see Haunted), but for the most part, its benefit to you is through the advice it can give. This ghost is in the incorporeal spirit of someone who was once living, perhaps even someone particularly famous or wise. The Storyteller will create the ghost character, but won't reveal to you its full powers and potencies. Mentors of this sort aren't true Mentors of magic, but might give special insights into aspects of Sleeper life that mages have missed or forgotten.
[ 3 ] Vampire / Werewolf Companion ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 36 ) You have a friend and ally who just happens to be a werewolf or vampire. Though you may call upon this being in time of need, she also has the right to call upon you (after all, you are friends). Neither your kind nor hers appreciate such a relationship; while mages deal with the other Awakened often, all sides share a healthy distrust of each other. Your friend won't become a walking Quintessence battery for greedy mages. Such relationships often end badly. The Storyteller will create the character in question, and won't reveal its full powers and potencies.
[ 3 - 7 ] Spirit Magnet ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 39 ) This is a 3 - 7 point Merit or a 2 - 6 point Flaw. Spirits congregate at a location in the Umbra that parallels your position in the Realm. You don't know of their presence unless you possess the first Rank of the Spirit Sphere or have been alerted by others that do. Spirits are there because they like being around the Quintessence that forms your physical body's Pattern or your Avatar. These spirits often fight amongst themselves for various reasons -- the spirits are enemies, they all want to be around the character's heart or brain, they want to protect the character, they want to kill the character, etc. Some of these spirits might remain within the Spirit Realms in areas that correlate with the physical space that makes up a mage's Pattern in the physical world. Some areas in the Spirit Realms correlate to physical locations. These spirits affect the behavior and appearance of the character. If there are evil spirits within the character's "spirit" form, they'll be likely to help the character out in appropriate situations. Also note that there's a distinction between spirits and wraiths. If the Spirit Magnet is a Merit, benign spirits will clock about the Umbra in the area (of the Penumbra) that correlates to the character's physical location. They will do what they can to alert the character to dangers within the Umbra. If the character is about to unknowingly perform an act that's "evil," the spirits will do their best to alert the character of that fact. If these spirits are destroyed, others will soon arrive to take their place. If the Spirit Magnet is a flaw, malignant spirits battle over the same location. They seek to taint the character with evil thoughts and pollute the Umbra about the location. Evil spirits will often
taunt characters and try to annoy the mage at the worst of times. Other mages will notice this, and no amount of magics will keep these spirits away for long. The number of Freebie Points spent or gained affects the level of spirit involvement with the character and other spirits within the Umbra.
by her own power (See Changeling: The Dreaming and The Enchanted for details). Note that a full mage can't have a Glamour pool. If your character is a hedge magician, these cantrips are a wondrous adjunct to your Paths; if she's an Awakened mage, they're inherent tricks that are Paradox-free. Her Banality is also quite low (typically two to five) and her presence is often welcome in the courts of the fae. Naturally, this sort of gift carries an obligation to play faerie politics. Nevertheless, it can be a wondrous game.
[ 3 OR 5 ] Stormwarden ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 ) For some reason, the Avatar Storm that rages across the Gauntlet has no effect upon your mage. When your mage reaches across the Gauntlet, he never suffers any injury from the storm. For five points, your mage also protects everyone that he touches (including through Correspondence touching) and deliberately desires to shield. Either version of this Merit is quite rare, and a whole cabal might be built around the power of one individual to travel across the Gauntlet unhindered. There's no apparent pattern to who manifests this boon -- some mages who've never studied Spirit magic before suddenly discover this talent when dragged across the Umbra, while other Masters of Spirit still can't stimulate it.
[ 4 ] Fae Blood ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 ) Although your character isn't a changeling, she's got their heritage running through her veins -literally. Faerie blood allows her to walk in the Dreaming as if she were fae herself. While doing so exposed her to chimerical attack, it also opens her to a new and wondrous world. In fae terms, your mae is kinain, a human with some innate Glamour who can learn limited cantrips fueled
[ 4 ] Lucky ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 296 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 37 ) Your mage is just plain lucky. Thrice per story (not per session), you can repeat a failed roll, even a botch. However, you can only do so once per roll, and you can't apply luck to rolls of magic (involving Arete, Spheres, that sort of thing).
[ 4 ] Precognition ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 63 ) You occasionally have glimpses of the future. Although these visions ordinarily come unbidden, you can, on occasion, attempt to see things on your own initiative. The Storyteller will usually let you know when you have such a vision -- essentially it's a good technique for Storytelling. You can try to seek out such knowledge by rolling Perception + Meditation (difficulty 8), at a cost of one Willpower Point; in this case, the clarity of the vision depends upon the number of successes. A botch indicates a misleading vision or interpretation of future events. Either way, visions are not necessarily
guarantees of future events or actions, but just reflect probable outcomes. Divinatory aids, e.g., Tarot cards, scrying pools, etc., lower the difficulty to 7, but take a full half hour at least.
[ 4 ] Shapechanger Kin ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 296 ) By some quirk of fate, your mage is related to a werewolf, werecat, wereraven, werebear, or perhaps even one of the more mysterious breeds. The changing blood hasn't stirred in him -- at least not in the traditional way -- but it has left its mark. He's immune to the Delirium (the madness that claims those who see a werebeasts half-human form), and he has friends among whichever Breed he's related to. Having this Merit doesn't mean that he knows their secrets or that he can wander around their sacred sites without retribution, but he has a certain edge that no normal mortal can match. If your character is a sorcerer, you might be able to learn a few spirit Gifts, and an Awakened mage can use these inherent magical powers as well without thread of Paradox. However, he can never have Gnosis, the innate connection to the spirit world that all shifters share. Aside from immunity to the Delirium, this Merit has no special system significance. You've got a good chance to know some shapechanger lore, and you may share some common contacts and allies. You'll probably claim some degree of affection from your relatives' tribe and some animosity from their enemies. Kinfolk from the other changing breeds have an especially hard time with this Merit. Highly prized as breeding stock, mortal relatives of the Corax, Bastet, and Gurahl are so rare that their benevolent cousins often go overboard when protecting them -- to the extent of forbidding them at claw's length from doing something dangerous.
[ 4 ] Spirit Sight ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 105 ) You can see and hear all varieties of spirits, changelings, wraiths, and similar entities. This Merit provides all of the advantages granted by the Medium Merit. Like the Medium merit, Spirit Sight reduces the difficulties of all Spirit magic by two. Nevertheless, this ability is a mixed blessing. Seeing these beings is not a choice; it is a normal part of your vision. You cannot help but see them. Being yelled at by an irate wraith who is shaking her fist in your face can be extremely distracting if you are attempting to hold a conversation with a Sleeper, and it's even worse if you are driving a car in bad weather. Many shamans have this Merit, and shamans often look for people with Spirit Sight as potential students. Unfortunately, most Sleepers with this Merit conceal it poorly and instead end up in asylums.
[ 4 ] Twin Souls ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 296 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 37 ) Your mage's Avatar has been fragmented, and he has a "soulmate" -- equal in power to his own Avatar, and similar in Essence, Nature, and Demeanor. A physical twin, a look-alike, another mage, or a complete stranger (possibly a Sleeper) might posses this fragment. When in physical contact with this soulmate (or spiritual mate, for actions in the Umbra), the two may share Quintessence and cast spells as one, taking the highest ratings in Arete and Spheres, also gaining an additional measure of Quintessence equal to the strength of either individual. The
parts are greater than the whole. However, this joint pool must be replenished through meditation in a Node, the same as a regular pool of Quintessence. Paradox Points gained from joint spells aren't split, however, and each twin gains the same amount of Paradox.
time required for Disembodiment have those timeframes doubled by this Merit.
With only one dot in Correspondence, your character will always know where her soulmate is. With one dot in Life, she'll know his state of health, and with one in Mind, she may share his thoughts. If one soulmate dies, the player of the other must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 8) to avoid psychic shock. She must wait also until her soulmate's reincarnation before the power may again be shared. Soulmates aren't just walking Merits; they must be presented and run as characters, preferably by different players in a group. Also note that a mage doesn't have to get along with her soulmate. Twin souls are distinct and separate individuals, not just tag-team powerhouses.
[ 4 ] Unbondable ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 295 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 37 )
[ 4 ] Umbral Affinity ( The Infinite Tapestry -- Page 187 ) Despite the coming of the Reckoning and the looming threat of Disembodiment plaguing most mages in the days since, your character is blessed with an exceptional tolerance for the unique circumstances of the Otherworlds. Whether this stems from spirit heritage, long exposure to the pre-Reckoning Umbra, or from no cause the mage can determine, she is fortunate enough to be able to sustain longerterm exposure to the Umbra than most. The character suffers no effects for first- and secondstage Acclimation, and all other stages affect him one step less. Hence, the third-stage acclimation only inflicts second-stage symptoms, and sixth stage acclimation only inflicts fifth-stage symptoms. What's more, this character does not suffer from Disembodiment until four full moon cycles have passed while within the Umbra. Those Realms that modify the
You are immune to being blood bound by a vampire. No matter how much of it she consumes, the dreaded blood bond won't take hold. For that matter, she's immune to the eternal infatuation of the incubus's kisses and enslavement to ancient Artifacts created with soul-binding powers. This Merit can be powerful -- a little too powerful for some chronicles -- if combined with the Ghoul Merit. Therefore, if a character wans to be a free-willed ghoul, bear a soul-binding ring safely, or be in any other situation where he gets the favors of the king without having to swear fealty, the player has to pay double the usual amount. On the flip side, your mage shouldn't go around drinking vampire blood at random. The stolen power of undead creatures cursed by God certainly has nasty Resonance.
[ 4 ] Wild Talent ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 55 ) Prerequsite: Psychic This may be a Merit or Flaw of the same point value. Though many psychics lack formal training of their gifts, some lack even the most basic control of their powers. These "wild" psychics tend to have powerful gifts, though the lack of control makes up for the extra power they might have. To determine the level of the Flaw, use the following table. The total Merit or Flaw cannot exceed 4 points.
+1 -1
Obviously, the Shamanic Traditionalist Merit is For every extra die the character has when using the power. pointless for Dreamspeakers, who get all of its advantages Similarly, The character must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 7)already. to use the power. it's too far afield mystically to be appropriate for Technocrats.
-2
The character can only consciously use the power defensively (i.e., A precognitive character can activate her D can use the power to deflect attacks).
-3
The character has no conscious control of the power, but it works more often to the character's benefit than no useful clairvoyant dreams.) [ 4 OR 6 ] Twin Link ( Sorcerer (Revised) --
-4
Page 55 ) The character's power activates randomly (at least once per game session) and often at inopportune or embarra Prerequsite: channeler contacts the spirit of an ancient warrior duringPsychic a fancy dinner party).
[ 4 OR 6 ] Shamanic Traditionalist ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 105 ) Though you are a member of one of the Traditions, you had a shamanic Awakening, a calling through the spirits that took you to death's door and thence to realization of the single world. Perhaps a silicon spirit infected you before you joined the Virtual Adepts, or maybe you fell ill under the eye of a spirit of knowledge and then came through the fire to join the Order of Hermes. Whatever the case, you have some shamanic understanding combined with your Tradition rites. With the four point version of this Merit, you can take the Totem Background. You likely have a totem spirit -- not necessarily an animal, if you're a modern shaman -- and you can speak with it just like a Dreamspeaker. You may choose to make Spirit your specialty Sphere in lieu of your Tradition's normal specialty. With the six point version of Shamanic Traditionalist, you may have a totem, and you get Spirit as a specialty in addition to your normal Tradition sphere. You don't start with an extra dot of Spirit (though you should certainly put one of your starting dots there), but it's easier for you to improve with Experience Points (treat it as a specialty sphere for experience purposes).
Akin to the Twin Souls mage Merit, the psychic shares a constant psychic bond with another person. This gives them the benefit of the level two Synergy effect. Additionally, the psychics joined by a Twin Link get +2 to their Empathy score but only with regards to what their twin is feeling. As a 6 point Merit, the members of the Twin Link can purchase the power of Synergy, in addition to other psychic powers they may have, at a cost of 7 Freebie Points per dot and 3 Experience Points per dot to raise. This Synergy power works only on the other member of the Twin Link.
[ 5 ] Beast Within ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 231 ) The beast is awake within your character. He is prone to frenzies, just like a vampire or werewolf. These are caused by situations of intense emotions: Fear, anger, hate. Your character is a figure of great rage and fear to the rest of humanity, much like Charles Manson or Mike Tyson. Your mage automatically has one extra dot of Dynamic Resonance, and whenever placed in a stress situation, you must roll your mage's Dynamic Resonance, difficulty 6 -- with any successes, your mage flies off the handle into a frenzied rage with all the same qualities as the Berserker Merit. This Flaw is especially appropriate to Ghoul and Kinfolk mages.
[ 5 ] Blood Magic ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 56 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer Perhaps you learned magic from a particularly dark cult. Maybe your spirit needs additional energy, beyond your strength of will, to enact magic. Perhaps you foolishly studied under a vampire or from tomes plundered from vampires. Whatever the reason, your sorcerer's use of magic always requires the sacrifice of his own blood. In some cases, it will simply burn away from inside. In others, the magician must cut himself and include it in the ritual. Each use of magic causes an unsoakable level of bashing damage. Furthermore, the Resonance of your magic is likely to be dark, or at the very least, martyred in nature.
[ 5 ] Clear-Sighted ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 63 ) Prerequsite: Arcanum member You can see through all levels of Kindred Obfuscate, Chimerstry, and other related Disciplines or Gifts, with a Perception + Alertness roll against the opponent's power's level + 3.
[ 5 ] Cross-Training ( Initiates Of The Art -Page 83 )
You've studied under multiple mentors, and you learned a little bit from each. Though you tend to follow one Tradition, Convention or Disparate way of magic, you picked up enough tricks to use one other group's tools to a certain degree. In game terms, one of your Spheres can be cross-trained, allowing you to use foci and Effects that would normally be the province of a different group. For instance, if you are a Hermetic mage who cross-trained with the Virtual Adepts, you might be able to use computers for Correspondence Effects, so that you can have your spells "reach out and touch someone." You must still have the proper skills to use the particular foci, though. Cross-training does not prevent you from using your normal Tradition/Convention/Craft foci and Effects with your chosen Sphere. However, you can only choose to cross-train within the same group; if you follow a Tradition, you can only cross-train with another Tradition, and so on. (Orphans can cross-train with any one group. )
[ 5 ] Ghoul ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 296 ) At some point in time, a vampire fed your character some of her potent blood, possibly bonding her into service. Somehow, she broke free, but the blood's force has granted her some of her mistress's power. In addition to a vague knowledge of vampiric society, your character ages slowly, has an extra automatic success on any Strength roll you make, and she inflicts an extra die of damage with all hand-to-hand attacks as a corollary to that additional strength. If your game integrates Vampire: The Masquerade rules, your character has a blood pool, a dot in Potence, and the potential to buy and use some Disciplines, specifically Potence, Fortitude, and his Domitor's choice powers.
This power doesn't come without cost, however. Your mage must continue to feed on vampire blood occasionally. Otherwise, she regains her mortality and craves forever the sweet rush of her former mistress's essence. Should she revert (after going a month or more without the sacred vitae), she loses her supernatural might (and Disciplines) forever. Unless she's Embraced as a vampire, in which case she gets them back at the cost of her life and Avatar.) Note also that imbibing the cursed blood of the brood of Caine has all sorts of detrimental effects. A mage gains a dot of each in Static and Entropic Resonance immediately the first time she becomes a ghoul. The unaging curse causes the mage to have difficulty with Seekings. This penalty comes on at the Storyteller's discretion, but in general, the mage has a tendency to fail in Seekings due to her own static nature and the foibles of the Curse.
[ 5 ] Interface Blur ( Book OF Madness Revised -- Page 63 ) Prerequsite: Marauder The Marauder's interface between Quiet and reality is blurred. In effect, the sphere of delusion doesn't always completely translate things, and sometimes people even realize that matters are horribly wrong. The Marauder still sees everything according to the internalized perceptual framework, but the externalization of that upon reality isn't complete. A Marauder who thinks he's in ninth-century Japan, for instance, might have a reality bubble where businessmen all wear the man (crests) of their ancient samurai families and carry daisho (paired samurai swords), but still have powersuits and cell phones. On the up-side for visiting mages, they gain a -2 difficulty bonus to their rolls to resist the Marauder's sensory intrusion.
[ 5 ] Legendary Attributes ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 296 ) Your mage has a superhuman Attribute, something in which he has the potential to be greater than human. Although this Attribute isn't necessarily automatically better, the mage could potentially exceed the bounds of human ability. Such a gift is rare and precious, and many people with this capacity never even manage to fulfill their true potential. In your character's legendary Attribute, your character has the potential for a rating of six dots. Thus, your mage might have the Strength of Hercules or the Intelligence of Occam. This Merit doesn't confer such a rating automatically; it must still be purchased with Attribute points, Freebie Points, or Experience. In addition to the potential for inhuman power, your character has some miraculous capability tied to that Attribute. A mage with legendary Stamina might have the ability to roll a soak against any form of damage, for instance, while a mage with legendary Wits might be able to shift his initiative category by one place in any given turn automatically. This power is generally automatic, and it's subject to the Storyteller's approval. Its potency varies with the character's actual Attribute rating, so a character with a legendary Stamina of 1 has a weak legendary power that might grow with time and experience. This Merit obviously has the potential for abuse, and it's not appropriate for all chronicles or characters.
[ 5 ] Natural Shallowing ( The Infinite Tapestry -- Page 187 ) A rare few souls draw the spirit worlds to them like moths to flame, calling out silently through
the Gauntlet. Your mage is one such. The Gauntlet is always one less in the immediate vicinity of the mage (which, in some of the last remaining places of power, can reduce the Gauntlet rating to zero). Further, by expending a point of Willpower, the mage may cause the Gauntlet to reduce by an additional one, though this is as far as she can go. Note that multiple mages with this power cannot "stack" its effects. Dreamspeakers often see those who possess this Merit as being especially blessed by the spirits and are inclined to be friendly to them (-1 to social difficulties).
[ 5 ] Path Natural ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 56 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer Your sorcerer is especially talented in the exploration of a single Path of power. He may have a natural inclination toward expressing its nature due to incredible related mundane skills, spiritual might deriving from past lives, or a supernatural heritage. He may even have struck holy or unholy bargains for power. During character creation, you should choose one magical Path. In this Path, you pay only threequarters Experience to advance to higher levels or to obtain rituals for the Path chosen.
[ 5 ] Shattered Avatars ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 297 ) Although not necessarily weak, your character's Avatar has been broken to pieces. our mage has one splinter -- your Avatar rating, if you have one, purchased at the normal cost for that Background -- and the other pieces are scattered elsewhere. However, what has been broken can be put back together, at least in this case. If you can find the other pieces of your mage's Avatar
through questing and RolePlaying, you may increase your Avatar rating after character creation. The other pieces of your character's Avatar may be scattered about the cosmos, secreted in extradimensional hidey-holes with spinxes and other creatures guarding them, or they may be part of a phylactery, of which you have one or more pieces. For instance, perhaps your mage's Avatar is invested in 10 mighty rings, three of which she has (and a corresponding Avatar rating of 3), but she must go and retrieve the others from those who have them. Or perhaps there are other mages who share your character's Avatar, and whenever your mage kills one, her Avatar rating grows by their Avatar rating. Unfortunately, the other mages who have this Avatar are out to kill her as well. Design the nature of your shattering with your Storyteller and decide beforehand what your character must do to regain a piece of his broken spirit.
[ 5 ] Spark Of Life ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 37 ) The vitality of Life flows within you with preternatural strength. This life force is so strong, in fact, that all non-aggravated wounds heal as if they were one wound level less; if you're Injured, you'll heal in three days what others heal in a week. If you're Hurt, you heal in only one day. Bruises disappear in an hour. If in perfect health yourself, you may share your vitality with others through the power of your touch. Anyone you assist recovers at your accelerated rate, but if the person is badly mauled or crippled, she'll require months of constant bedside nursing. If the possessor of this gift is proficient in the Sphere of Life, he may heal aggravated wounds as if they were nonaggravated. All difficulties with Life magic for the purpose of healing, creation, growth, or
positive change (repairing congenital defects, for example) are at -2 when the touch is used. The mage's supernatural vitality aids the effect. Verbena consider this merit to be the mark of a born healer, while the Sons of Ether think it's a recessive, albeit desirable, mutation. On the downside, your blood is particularly tasty to vampires, being twice as potent as most mortals, and you regenerate on top of it. Vampires have names for people like you -"Cornucopia," "Big Gulp," or simply "Mine!"
[ 5 ] Sphere Natural ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 297 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 37 ) Your character is able to use one of the Spheres of magic with a greater degree of ease than other mags. For whatever reason (inborn talent, powerful heritage, past life, supernatural bargain, etc.), she's got an affinity for a certain kind of magic. She picked it up quickly, and she now progresses through it at an unusual rate. During character creation, select one Sphere. From this point on, you only pay three-quarters of the normal cost (rounded down) when buying levels, rituals, and similar improvements for magic of that Sphere alone. The favored Sphere must be declared at character creation, and it may be purchased only once.
For some, however, the trip to understanding affinitive magic is a bout of glimmering sputters, and this traipsing back and forth across the veil may even happen to sorcerers. A subtle understanding of the broad theories that bind together cast forces of the universe can briefly seem crystal clear and quickly dissolve into a vague sense of loss. In the face of the empty feeling of a deeper understanding, the linear mage once again takes up the reins of power that have been so thoroughly ingrained in her nature, until the glimmer recurs. Whenever the player tries to call upon his Avatar's struggling magic instead of just practicing his normal Paths and rituals, he must first declare what he is trying to do. The Storyteller then rolls a single die. A result of one is a botch -- yes, the Awakening is dangerous -with the most likely result being some episode of Quiet as the sorcerer strives to come to terms with his consciousness. Otherwise, calculate the effects rating in Arete and Spheres. If the single die roll equals or extends this total, then the player rolls normally to cast the effect, using the minimum dice possible -- that is, trying to affect minor forces (Forces 2) would require at least a four on the initial single die (two for Forces, two for the Arete) and would allow the player to roll two dice for an effect. If the single die roll falls short, then the magician probably gets some minor effect in the desired direction but fails to do anything spectacular. All other rules apply as normal to a mage, including suffering the forces of Paradox. Fortunately, specialization also applies. All rolls of 10 garner a free additional roll, and a roll of 10 on the initial single die grants one automatic success to the magical effect itself.
[ 5 ] Struggling Awake ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 56 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer For most mages, the act of Awakening is a sudden explosion of realization, regardless of how long the study has taken to get her there.
[ 5 ] Totem ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 56 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer
A powerful spirit has taken a special interest in you. This is probably part of your shamanic path, but it is possible that the spirits have simply chosen you for some higher purpose. Maybe you are somehow related to one of the Changing breeds. The spirit acts as a mentor, and all of the normal rules for mentors apply, allowing the sorcerer to learn Abilities or Paths related to the nature of the spirit more easily. You should come to an agreement with your Storyteller as to a type of spirit that might adopt your sorcerer for what he can offer the natural world. Essentially, the spirit acts like any other mentor except that the wisdom it has to offer are mystical and cosmological beyond the ken of most masters. Unfortunately, its knowledge of the real world, outside of whatever its realm of dominion might be, is extremely limited, and it probably believes firmly in the concept of chiminage. (Chiminage is the idea that service between the material ad the spiritual is the expected way that things work.) This attitude might be present in a mortal mentor, but it is sure to exist in a Totem. A more comprehensive version of his Merit may be found in The Spirit Ways.
[ 6 ] Bedeviled ( Guide To The Traditions -Page 231 ) Job -- that guy in the Bible -- was a whiner. Someone or something is watching your character and ruining his life. Your mage has no idea who or what it is but knows it's responsible for all the things that go wrong, or at least the big ones. When things are just starting to look up, it socks him with another personal tragedy, but instead of letting him die, it always seems to save him and take someone close to him instead -- just so it can watch him suffer (or so he thinks). The Storyteller must decide why you are being watched and what is watching you (it is not necessarily the Devil, despite the name).
[ 6 ] Guardian Angel ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 37 ) Someone or something watches over you and protects you from harm. You have no idea who or what it is, but you have an idea that someone is looking out for you. In times of great need, you may be supernaturally protected. However, one can never count upon a guardian angel. The Storyteller must decide why you're being watched and what is watching you (not necessarily an angel, despite the name).
[ 6 ] Lesser Shaman ( The Spirit Ways -Page 105 ) Prerequsite: Sleeper Lesser shamans make up the majority of shamans found in the world today. While they have considerable power, they are considerably less able than even the weakest Dreamspeaker. Still, the power to speak with the spirits is formidable, even if the will behind it is not Awakened. Imbued with a sort of calling by the spirits, a shaman of this sort still has many spiritual powers, though he ultimately must gain such from the spirits, not from an internal wellspring of enlightenment. Lesser shamans all posses the Spirit Sight Merit at no additional cost. In addition, they can summon and banish spirits, raise or lower the Gauntlet (up to two points, but never below two or above 10) over a small area, and awaken the spirits inherent in objects or places. Performing any magical actions requires long and elaborate rituals for a lesser shaman. Without the force of Awakened will, the shaman must rely on careful rituals and the good will of
the spirits. Such rituals generally last between two and three hours. At the end of a ritual, the lesser shaman's player makes a roll using Charisma + Rituals (with a difficulty of no less than 6) and spends a point of Willpower. Once summoned or awakened, spirits may do as they will, but temporary actions like raising or lowering the Gauntlet will only last until the next sunrise or sunset. A number of Dreamspeakers who are connected to a tribe, band, or other community have one or more lesser shamans who watch over the community while they are away. Any Sleeper who possesses the Spirit Sight Merit can be trained to be a lesser shaman. However, this training process often takes years. Still, the benefits of having shamanic acolytes often outweigh the investment costs in time and effort, especially because a few rare students may actually Awaken. Dreamspeakers generally know how to train apprentices (though how well the shaman teaches is a function of the Instruction Ability), and Verbena have been known to train Sleepers in this fashion as well.
[ 6 ] Nine Lives ( Guide To The Traditions -Page 229 ) Dame Fortune has favored your mage with the ability to come as close as possible to mortal peril and still to survive. When a roll occurs that would result in your character's death, the roll is made again. If the next roll succeeds, then your mage lives -- and one of your nine lives is used up. If that subsequent roll fails, then another reroll is made, until either a successful roll occurs or your nine lives are used up. The Storyteller should keep careful count of how many lives the character has remaining.
[ 7 ] Avatar Companion ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 297 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 37 ) Your mage is in a cycle of reincarnation. However, the strange thing about your mage's passages through the life-death-rebirth cycle comes from the fact that his Avatar has another lesser Avatar connected to it. This fragment also enters the reincarnation, and often retains memories of its previous incarnation. In game terms, you have a living companion who has an Avatar linked to your own. You may have little memory of your past lives and your companion may not be Awakened, but she retains much of the knowledge and experience from your previous incarnations. Thus, your mage's companion can remind him of thins or teach him about lessons that he's already learned previously. Think Corum and Jhary-a-Conel. This companion will fight by the side of your Avatar until death. For many companions, there is no real reason to do this; the Avatar companion knows, however, that her place in the way of things is to follow alongside your Avatar and do just that The Storyteller creates this companion. Unless you also take the Allies Background, your companion has no special capabilities besides being tied to your character's cycle and remembering the past.
[ 7 ] Blended Technique ( Initiates Of The Art -- Page 83 ) Instead of taking a particular viewpoint as dogma, you've melded together a set of variable techniques and forms as your own special way of doing magic. Better still, you're flexible -you take on new bits and pieces all the time. When someone shows you a way to do
something, you just shrug and add it to your repertoire. Instead of being limited to a particular focus for each Effect that you want to do, you can learn to use other foci simply by watching a different mage. If you watch an Akashic Brother use Do as a focus for his magic -- and he explains what he's doing -- you can learn to do it, too). If a Verbena then shows you how blood magic leads to healing, you can pick that up. You're the quintessential Orphan: You use every hodgepodge piece of technique that you find.
[ 7 ] Dual Traditions ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 298 ) Your mage has been educated by two Traditions. Most likely, he was a Hollow One who studied a bit of this and that, and found a couple that made sense to him. Or, perhaps, he was Awakened by a teacher of one Tradition, but then studied under a different Master and experienced a second Epiphany through this new knowledge. For purposes of spending Experience, the specialty Spheres of both Traditions come with the bonus (cheap) multiplier. Your character is more open-minded about foci as well, and he may use those of either Tradition. The penalties for unique foci still apply. If your mage loses his Hermetic showstone, for example, he has to go either about getting another one or rely solely on the props of his other Tradition.
[ 7 ] Exemplar ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 84 ) Prerequsite: Archmage
You've submitted your specialty Sphere into your very existence. No longer even remotely human, you have become a flesh-and-Avatar representative of a basic cosmic force. As am Exemplar, you have several benefits. You can improve your specialty Sphere to its ultimate limits without gaining further Arete; you simply absorb more of the Sphere into your own nature, until you become a more powerful spirit entity of the appropriate Sphere at a rating of 10. The cost to improve your Exemplar Sphere is just the 4 x the new rating in Experience. By tapping into the shard Realm of your Sphere, you can refresh your own Quintessence pool just about any time; you must meditate as normal, but you use your Exemplar Sphere instead of the Prime Sphere for the feat, and you can do it anywhere you can tap into the Shard Realm (from the Umbra for Spirit, near a huge fire for Forces). You may automatically use offensive countermagic against manifestations of your Sphere without taking a separate action; this can even be done if you've already used magic in the turn. If you're in the appropriate Shard Realm, your Avatar's pool of Quintessence automatically refreshes every turn. On the downside, you're no longer entirely human. You can't improve your other Spheres. You can't improve your Arete, either. You work only within the paradigm of you Sphere. Quintssence that isn't drawn from your Shard Realm is useless to you -- universal energy is too raw for your now-shackled Avatar. You'll never Ascend -- you gave up that goal in exchange for the knowledge that , someday, you could become a pure spirit being. Exemplars are demanding characters to RolePlay, since their view of the universe is highly skewed. This particular Merit is recommended for the most talented RolePlayers. Storytellers shouldn't hesitate to ban Exemplar characters from chronicles in which they don't belong. Even if this Merit is allowed, the character must have an Arch Sphere rating in his
Exemplar Sphere -- it's not appropriate for normal mage characters. [ 7 ] Resistant Pattern ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 229 ) [ 7 ] Nephilim ( Blood Treachery -- Page 85 ) Prerequsite: Tradition Mage This Merit is exactly what it sounds like. Your mage is the direct progeny of a native of the High Umbra and a human being. Perhaps your character's conception secured a pact, or possibly the reasons were somewhat less pragmatic. In any case, the mage is the intersection of Heaven (or Hell, or the Vulgate, etc.) and Earth. Like the Biblical Nephilim, your character's body cannot fully contain the massive spiritual energies coursing through it, so she has one or a small handful of deformities (at least 3 points worth of Physical Flaws, for which you receive no additional points). Also, she tends to embody certain characteristics of your High Umbral parent (almost certainly her father). An angelic parent whose domain is Fury will result in a short temper and a desire to solve problems with one's fists, whereas an incubus' child will have... darker appetites. Reflect this tendency by starting with three dots of Resonance instead of just one. This heritage does, however, bestow certain advantages upon your character. Mind and Spirit Sphere difficulties pertaining directly to the High Umbra decrease by one, and she is capable of entering the High Umbra physically with a conjunctional Spirit 3, Mind 4 Effect. Also, the entities of the High Umbra fear their bastard half-breeds, and so you receive two bonus dice in all rolls to intimidate, command or make demands of such creatures. (Unless you are very powerful, however, or the creature you are dealing with is very weak, doing so is nigh suicidal.) This Merit cannot be taken with Celestial Affinity; the Nephilim are neither wellloved nor well-received by the Angelic Hierarchies and their like.
Aggravated damage means nothing to you, at least personally. Enchanted weapons, vampire fangs, deadly spells, and toxic waste can still harm you, of course, but this damage is no worse than that dealt out by ordinary weapons, cat claws, car crashes, and sports injuries, any of which can still kill you. You take only lethal damage from attacks that would normally score aggravated wounds, including the Avatar Storm.
[ 7 ] True Faith DualTr OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 38 ) Prerequsite: Cannot be a technomancer You have a deep-seated faith in and love for God, Allah, Gaia, Zeus, Osiris, or whatever name you choose to call the one you follow. You begin the game with one point of Faith (a Trait with a range of 1 - 10). This Faith provides you with an inner strength and comfort that continues to support you when all else betrays you. This Merit is most common among members of the Celestial Chorus. Your Faith adds to Willpower rolls, giving +1 to the dice pool for each point in Faith. It does not affect magic use in any way, but may allow for some other form of outside intervention (see Guardian Angel or Lucky). Certain types of mage may, at the Storyteller's discretion, reduce any Paradox gained around Sleepers if those Sleepers share the mage's faith (in effect, performing miracles before the faithful). The exact supernatural effects of Faith, if any, are completely up to the Storyteller, although it will typically repel vampires. (Basically, the mage must make a Faith roll against a difficulty of the
vampire's Willpower to repel him). It will certainly vary from person to person, and will almost never be obvious -- some of the most saintly people have never performed a miracle greater than managing to ease the suffering of an injured soul. The nature of any miracles you do perform will usually be tied to your own Nature, and you may never realize that you have been aided by a force beyond yourself. An additional benefit of True Faith is innate countermagic. This effect will not work for mages (theories about the reason for this vary), but can add a dangerous wrinkle to fanatical witch-hunters or enemy Acolytes. Each point of True Faith grants one die worth of countermagic. A mage, therefore, facing a hunter with 5 points of True Faith stands a slim chance of sending powerful effects against him. True Faith is a rare attribute in this day and age. No one may start the game with more than one Faith point. Additional points are only awarded at the Storyteller's discretion, based on appropriate behavior and deeds.
[ Variable ] Immunity ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 229 ) There is one peril to which your character is completely immune, even to the magical versions. Perhaps like Mithridates, your mage slowly built up an immunity to all poisons, even those concocted by the Euthanaos. Perhaps he had an accident in the lab and now all metal phases harmlessly through his body, even magic swords and comic-book allows -- or it bounces off his chest. Perhaps it still cuts, but the wounds don't bleed and they seal up immediately. However, this invulnerability is only to the particular thing, not to any secondary or tertiary effects -- Fenris may have blessed your character so that he is unscathed by the teeth and claws of wolves, even werewolves, but that does nothing
to stop the werewolf's silver sword or even the damage when the werewolf pounds your mage's head into a wall. Likewise, even if metal doesn't' exist for your mage, it does for his lab coat, and a bullet's going to pack quite a wallop before it shreds the cloth. And even if the faeries at your christening said no mortal man could ever harm you, that proviso doesn't apply to vampires, or the magic that mortal man might command, or even -- for that matter --his 1957 Chevy Bel Aire. Your mage might be immune to all physical harm, save one thing, like beheading incineration or being stabbed through the heart with a dagger thrice blessed by three separate Popes; or he might be immune to all things save in one spot, like Achilles' heel or Siegfried's shoulder. However, this will not prevent him from being turned into a rutabaga, having his soul stolen, being sealed in Lucite, or sent into orbit, though his body (if not his sanity) will withstand all these things. He'll merely be an invulnerable soulless rutabaga orbiting the earth in a Lucite block while his enemies look for a third Pope to bless a dagger. Immunities vary in price, depending on their lethality and their frequency, much as Vulnerabilities do. You must buy each Immunity separately, although the Storyteller may allow a number of similar Immunities (basilisks, snakes, toadstools, iocaine powder) to be packaged as one more common immunity. Total immunity continues to go up in price depending on the size of the chink in your armor. 2 points -- A minor nuisance (poison oak, common cold_ or a very rare threat (basilisks, the Ebola virus). 4 points -- A major threat (disease, hunger, supernatural evil gook), or a moderately rare threat (poisons, extreme heat or cold, raw magic Levin bolts, death spells). 6 points -- A terminal threat (asphyxiation, drowning), or a common threat (fire, metals).
6 points -- A terminal threat (asphyxiation, drowning), or a common threat (fire, metals).
West, Immune to every variety of harm except being doused with a cleaning bucket.
10 points -- Invulnerable to all physical threats, but with one tiny weak spot (Siegfried's shoulder, Achilles' heel, the spot where the third eye would go), or one rare bane (silver bullets, mistletoe, deadly nightshade); one common bane in one large spot (edged weapons vs. the neck, i.e. beheading), or one common bane in a specific circumstance (a gun fired by a woman). Or immune to all physical threats save those which inflict aggravated damage, or immune to all physical threats save oneself -- can be strangled with a rope made of own hair, mentally commanded to gnaw own arm off or destroyed with own Phylactery. Alternately, the mage is invulnerable until Phylactery is destroyed of Phylactery is invulnerable until mage is destroyed.
Objects, especially Phylacteries, may also have Immunity to physical perils, but Storytellers should impose some limit on size so min-maxers will not use this Merit to create invulnerable dreadnoughts and impenetrable fortresses. The larger the object, the less of it can be invulnerable. You can have an indestructible moped, but your '57 Chevy won't have punctureproof tires, and you Winnebago of Doom can have the tires blow out and the rest of it remains unscathed. Likewise, your cozy witch's cottage will just need to be recharged after the dragon attack, but your mansion will be gutted with nothing left but smoke-blackened walls. However, you can have the last laugh by making your Phylactery your castle, and making the one way to defeat your castle's Immunity being your own death. That way, if your enemies ever sneak into your inner sanctum and kill you, they get to deal with the castle collapsing on their heads -- a commo0n side staple of sorcerous fiction.
12 points -- Invulnerable to all physical threats but with one very rare bane (the bite of an Egyptian asp, nuclear radiation, a specific ritual cast by a master mage), one rare bane in a tiny spot (a stake of twisted rose briars through the heart), or one rare bane in a very specific set of circumstances (poisoned with belladonna by a beautiful woman). 14 points -- Invulnerable to all physical threats, but with the bane being an extreme rarity (a dagger thrice blessed by three Popes, the elixir of eighty evil essences), or one very rare bane in a highly specific set of circumstances (dragged through the streets of Baghdad by wild horses during the month of Ramadan). 16 points -- Invulnerable to all physical threats except one unique bane (the Holy Lance of Longinus, the Sword of Roland) or invulnerable until Phylactery destroyed, requiring an equally unique bane. This Merit may also be taken in conjunction with the Vulnerability Flaw, especially if the Vulnerability is something common and not usually deadly, such as water. Thus, it costs only three points total to be Wicked Witch of the
Mental Flaws [ 1 ] Black And White ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 54 ) The world is really a collection of shades of gray, but your character doesn't see it that way. To you, everything is clear as black and white. You think in terms of people being either for or against you, hot or cold, good or evil, easy or impossible, stupid or genius. This closed mindset can cost you dearly in missed opportunities, misunderstandings, and under- or over-estimation of others. In social situations
where your judgmental nature comes to bear, which are more often than you might think, you suffer a one-point penalty to difficulties of rolls. This Flaw is particularly suited to pair with things like Code of Honor and other overly focusing Merits.
Your mage just sucks at one particular Ability. Maybe he cant handle driving worth a damn, or he makes computers burst into flames and emit pink smoke. Pick one Ability in which your character has at least one dot -- preferably one that will be important to your character in some fashion. Your Storyteller will know if you do otherwise, and he has nasty ways to make you pay. You suffer a difficulty penalty of two on all rolls with that Ability.
[ 1 ] Dark Secret ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 30 ) You have some sort of secret that, if uncovered, would be of immense embarrassment to you and would make you a pariah among your peers. This can be anything from having murdered a Master to having once fallen to a Nephandi's temptations. While this secret weighs on your mind at all times, it will only surface in occasional stories. Otherwise, it will begin to lose its impact.
[ 1 ] Deep Sleeper ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 292 )
[ 1 ] Intolerance ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 31 ) You have an unreasonable dislike of a certain thing. This may be an animal, a class of person, a color, a situation, or just about anything else. The difficulties of all dice rolls involving the subject are increased by two. Note that some dislikes may be too trivial to be reflected here -a dislike of White Wolf Magazine or tissue paper, for instance, will have little effect on play in most chronicles. The Storyteller is the final arbiter on what you can pick to dislike.
Prerequsite: Cannot have the Light Sleeper Merit Snore, toss, and ignore the alarm -- your mage sleeps like a force of nature. Whenever your mage is trying to wake up, you suffer a difficulty penalty of two on the roll, and the mage continues to stagger along bleary-eyed and uncomprehending for the rest of the scene (with a further one-point penalty on all rolls).
[ 1 ] Ineptitude ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 292 )
[ 1 ] Nightmares ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 292 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 31 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the 3 point version of the Light Sleeper Merit Horrid nightmares afflict your mage, whether due to a natural condition like night terrors, a curse, or perhaps a vivid replaying of a terrifying event. Your mage has trouble getting enough sleep, and he often wakes up horrified, soaked with sweat, and exhausted. You must make a Willpower roll when your mage wakes up. Failure indicates that you lose a die from all
dice pools for the rest of the day. A botched roll might indicate that the mage still believes himself to be locked in the nightmare (and Storytellers will be quick to take advantage of this impression).
[ 1 ] Overconfident ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 131 ) You have an exaggerated and unshakable opinion of your own worth and capabilities -you never hesitate to trust your abilities, even in situations where you risk defeat. Because your abilities may not be enough, such overconfidence can be very dangerous. When you do fail, you quickly find someone or something else to blame. If you're convincing enough, you can infect others with your overconfidence.
[ 1 ] Phobia [Mild] ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 31 ) You have an overpowering fear of something. You instinctively and illogically retreat from and avoid the object of your fear. Common objects of phobias include certain animals, insects, crowds, open spaces, confined spaces, and heights. You must make a willpower roll whenever you encounter the object of your fear. The difficulty of this roll is determined by the Storyteller. If you fail the roll, you must retreat from the object.
[ 1 ] Shy ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 31 ) You're distinctly ill at ease when dealing with people and try to avoid social situations whenever possible. The difficulties of all rolls concerned with social dealings are increased by one; the difficulties of any rolls made while you're at the center of attention are increased by two. Don't expect your character to make a public speech.
[ 1 ] Soft-Hearted ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 293 ) Your character can't stand to watch others suffer. Your mage avoids any situation that involves causing someone physical or emotional pain, unless you make a Willpower roll (difficulty 8).
[ 1 ] Speech Impediment ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 293 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 31 ) A severe lisp, stutter, cleft palate, outburst of Tourette's Syndrome, or similar problem makes it difficult for your mage to speak clearly. Try to RolePlay this Flaw; you suffer a two-point penalty to all verbal communication rolls.
[ 1 ] Whimsy ( Ascension's Right Hand -Page 79 ) Prerequsite: Custo You become whimsical under stress. Rather than getting serious when things go wrong, you tend
to get tickled and adopt a fey attitude. While this can occasionally be so disarming that foes are caught off-guard (and perhaps giving you another chance to best them), it usually prevents you from doing anything particularly helpful for one turn and really annoys your companions.
[ 1 - 2 ] Compulsive Speech ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 78 ) Prerequsite: Custo You are compelled to speak in some manner which is against your own best interests. You find it impossible to stop yourself from being rude and blunt when finesse is called for, telling a self-aggrandizing lie when it is obviously not the truth, criticizing someone or her work when your opinion has not been asked or when you actually know very little about the subject, or telling the absolute truth when a small fib or white lie would smooth the way. Choose one of these (or some other equally obnoxious tendency). A one point Flaw means you only do it some of the time when you are speaking to those you consider equals or inferiors. A two point Flaw means you say such things to everyone, regardless of their relationship to you. Spending a point of Willpower allows you to ignore the urge for one scene.
[ 1 - 3 ] Anachronism ( The Bitter Road -Page 118 ) Your mage was raised in another time, and she hasn't quite caught up to the present. Maybe she traveled forward (or backward) in time, or sideways from a parallel universe. Maybe the Awakening made her recall one of her past lives so vividly that she thinks she's supposed to be in
10th century Egypt. Or maybe she's from one of the few quaint backwaters of the present day, and everything in the modern western world might as well be Mars for all the sense it makes to her. For one point, the character is just a little out of sync. Pick any decade from the 20th or 21st century, excepting those on both sides of the current one, and set your attitudes and beliefs accordingly. For two points, pick any decade in the 18th or 19th century (or 22nd or 23rd). for three points, pick any decade from the 17th century or before, or any particularly wellinsulated backwater of the present day (if any still exist), or just some totally weird social behavioral construct. The character has a twopoint difficulty penalty when dealing with anything outside this cultural identity. Thus, a character used to the 1800s has trouble with computers, but he understands light bulbs; a character from a hypothetical 23rd century parallel universe might have trouble with telephones, which never existed in her world experience. This Flaw can be bought off over time and with RolePlaying.
[ 1 - 4 ] Compulsion ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 292 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 30 ) There's something your mage is compelled to do or not do, and whether or not he likes this fact is immaterial. This Flaw may be psychological, psysiological, or supernatural in nature. If it's purely psychological, you may roll Willpower to resist the Compulsion (difficulty 6 + the point value of the Flaw). However, if it's physiological or supernatural, it doesn't matter how willing the mind is, since the spirit is bound or the body is crippled, and he's unable to do this thing no matter how hard he tries. The Flaw is worth two extra points if such is the case.
Compulsions can also vary. Not being able to touch something and not being able to harm it are two completely different thins. An evil sorceress might not be able to physically touch an innocent, but she could still stand back and blast away with a shotgun or a spell of flaming death. This Flaw is worth varied points, depending on the frequency and the severity of the Compulsion.
in magic no matter how much evidence he sees to the contrary. He rationalizes everything, and even if he can be awakened for a short time by incredibly vulgar magic, the next day he'll remember everything as a weird dream or too much acid, not an earth-shattering revelation of the true nature f reality. He may believe in laser guns and personal jet packs -- after all, that's science -- but he refuses to believe in all the nonscientific bell, book, and candle stuff. Flaw Compulsion Anything outside the Consensus of modern technological society is just bunk as far as your Don't cross a threshold without character's concerned. Or, alternately, your mage permission, never show fearbelieve to the in magic, faeries, ghosts, and 1 point enemy, never contradict a superior werewolves just fine, but he refuses to believe in officer. this strange thing called science. This world view doesn't make much sense for a resident of Never refuse a reasonable bet, the 21st century, but it's a perfectly reasonable never betray any emotion, don't perspective for a visitor from the 16th. Of 2 points touch anything holy or consecrated course, even if your mage's conscious mind is in to a particular faith, never harm a his Avatar is quite Awake and willing to denial, child. help with magic and/or technology. After all, just because you don't actually believe that God is Never refuse a duel, never strike going ato send angels and flaming chariots to woman, never refuse an offer of rescue doesn't mean you shouldn't pray for your 3 points sex, never tell a lie, never take Hima to send them. As a one-point Flaw, you may life. only engage in coincidental magic or superscience. Your mage doesn't believe in the vulgar Never tell the truth, dance stuff, and he disbelieves it when he sees it. That whenever you hear music, become is, your character counts as a Sleeper with 4 points entranced by mirrors or beauty or to vulgar magic or super-science. For a regards books, never refuse a dare, two-point don't do Flaw, your mage doesn't believe in harm. either magic or super-science, and he counts as a Sleeper against both kinds of vulgar Effects. At double the appropriate value, your mage is able to perform vulgar magic and/or super-science, but he counts as a Sleeper with regard to his own events. ("What do you mean demons dragged him down to Hell? I just said 'Damn you!' and then he dropped one of his ninja smoke grenades [ 1 - 4 ] Sleepwalker ( Mage: The Ascension and ran off!") Therefore, the mage gets Paradox (Revised) -- Page 292 ) from his own vulgar Effects even in a sanctum. Magic? What a load of bullshit. No one in his Storytellers should be cautious with this Flaw, right mind believes in magic. This is the 21st not allowing players to create min-maxing Century. You'd have to be nuts to believe in that Technocrats who bring extra Paradox down on stuff. Unfortunately, your character is nuts. their enemies and none on themselves without However, his madness is that he doesn't believe allowing it to cause them significant problems.
[ 2 ] Amnesia ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 293 ) OR( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 33 ) You are unable to remember anything about your past, yourself, or your family. Your life is a blank slate. However, your past may someday come back to haunt you. (You can, if you wish, take up to five points of other Flaws without specifying what they are. The character can still use his various Abilities, but he does not know how he got them. The Storyteller can supply the details. Over the course of the chronicle, you and your character will slowly discover them).
[ 2 ] Big Mouth ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 57 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer You talk too much, and it gets you into trouble. You tend to blurt out painful truths an inopportune times. At least once per hightension social scene, you must speak your mind. You can avoid the pain and embarrassment this costs by spending 1 Willpower point. This Flaw is particularly dangerous for information-based psychics, who tend to blurt out other people's secrets as readily as their own.
[ 2 ] Bigot ( Guide To The Technocracy -Page 68 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member You just can't stand "those people," whoever "they" might be. Maybe you're an Adamite who
disdains the constructs, LERMUs, cyborgs and HIT Marks that you're forced to deal with. Or perhaps you're one of those superior life forms, sick and tired of taking up slack for your obsolete human colleagues. Or you just can't deal with the Technocracy's ideal of equality, and you want to see those damn (blacks, gays, women, fill in the blank) put back in their proper place. Either way, you've got problems with your associates. You don't like them, and they probably don't like you. Whoever you hate, you have to leam to deal with them. Open prejudice is liable to get you in trouble -- bigotry is counterproductive, and the Union has no room for it. Still, it just bugs you. Whenever you can, stay among Your Own Kind, and show those other assholes who's boss... without getting caught.
[ 2 ] Confused ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 33 ) You are often confused, and the world seems to be a very distorted and twisted place. Sometimes you are simply unable to make sense of things. You need to RolePlay this behavior all the time to a small degree, but your confusion becomes especially strong whenever stimuli surround you (such as when a number of different people talk all at once, or you enter a nightclub with loud pounding music). You may spend Willpower to override the effects of your confusion, but only temporarily.
[ 2 ] Curiosity ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 30 ) You are a naturally curious person and find mysteries of any sort irresistible. In most
circumstances, you find that your curiosity easily overrides your common sense. To resist the temptation, make a Wits roll versus difficulty 5 for simple things like "I wonder what is in that cabinet?" Increase the difficulty up to 9 for things like "I'll just peek into the Progenitor lab no one will know. What could possibly go wrong?"
[ 2 ] Deranged ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 293 ) Due to circumstances beyond her control, your character is permanently insane. This state may result for a congenital brain disorder, or maybe she saw things she wasn't meant to see that drove her mad. Although you can overcome this insanity temporarily with Willpower, your character might never overcome its grip. However, while your mage is crazy, she isn't necessarily a Marauder. Her magic or science may, in fact, be one of the few sane things about her. Choose or create a Derangement.
[ 2 ] Isolated Upbringing ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 61 ) From your childhood, you were raised in the Arcanum; your parents were both Arcanum scholars, and you practically lived in a Chapter House, having little contact with the "real world." Unfortunately, you have only limited understanding of the mundane world, and whenever you're in a non-Arcanum setting, you have a 1 die penalty to all social rolls.
[ 2 ] Masochism / Sadism ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 31 ) You're excited either by causing pain or receiving it. In many situations, you'll seek either to be hurt or hurt someone for your pleasure. For a masochist (someone who enjoys pain), your soak roll for actual physical damage is increased by one because you really want to feel the pain. A sadist (someone who likes to hurt others) must make a Willpower roll verses a 5 to stop combat (modified depending on how much you're into the attack and how much you're enjoying hurting the other person). If you fail, you're so caught up in the event that you're unaware of anything else happening around you.
[ 2 ] Obsession ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 31 ) There's something you like, love, or are fascinated by to the point where you often disregard common sense to cater to this drive. You react positively to anything related to your obsession, even if it's not in your best interests. For example, if you're obsessed with supernatural creatures, you'll go out of your way to talk to and befriend vampires, werewolves, and stranger things, and find out as much as you can about them, disregarding all warnings. If you're obsessed with Elvis, you have your house decorated with velvet paintings and annoy your friends with your constant talk about the King. You don't necessarily believe that Elvis is still alive, but you buy every supermarket tabloid that carries an article about him anyway. There are many other obsessions, including British Royalty, guns, knives, football, RolePlaying games... You know the type.
[ 2 ] Rose-Colored Mirrorshades ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 69 )
[ 2 ] Territorial ( The Bitter Road -- Page 119 )
Prerequsite: Technocracy Member
Your mage is extremely protective of his Chantry, his sanctum, and everything he considers his. The character is distrustful of strangers and ridiculously overprotective of guests. He flips out if he finds out that anyone's been in his room, or worse yet, messing with his stuff, and he goes overboard on security measures, warding, and so forth. Your mage has probably locked his magic books so tightly shut that he's forgotten how to open them, and friends and Chantry-mattes have to deal with the fallout from this behavior. If he's shy, this behavior becomes even worse. The mage goes out of his way to avoid people, and he closets himself away like a hermit. Any time someone violates your mage's "stuff" (steals one of his possessions, enters his place uninvited while he's there, messes with his familiar), you must expend a Willpower Point or else your mage automatically flies into a rage and seeks retribution.
To you, technology is the greatest thing since sliced bread; without it, you wouldn't have bread or slices! Every problem has a technological solution, and anyone who can't see that is worse than stupid -- they're traitors to humanity. Thus, you're blind to the downside of technology: Pollution, overpopulation, environmental damage and mechanical disasters. Such dilemmas are either inventions of the Luddite Leftists, or temporary difficulties, overcome by more and better science. In a more-specific sense, you cannot and will not see the Technocracy as anything less than the savior of humanity. To your view, anything done by the Union is done for the greater good, no matter how heinous it might seem at the moment. (Omelets, eggs and all that stuff, y'know.) Questioning the Technocracy is tantamount to questioning God; if anyone -especially another Technocrat -- should deny the Union's greatness, you'll become like the zealot at the heretic's door. If something actually breaks your rose-colored mirrorshades, forcing you to see the ugly side of your ideal, the shock would devastate you for years to come.
[ 2 ] Short Fuse ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 ) Your mage is quick to anger. Whenever anybody ticks off your character, you must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) to not go on the offensive. This Flaw is especially dangerous with the Berserker Merit, as it increases the difficulty of the roll to resist going berserk by 2.
[ 2 ] Vengeful ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 31 ) Someone pissed your mage off, and he plans to get even. Your mage wants to even the score with one individual or group. This victim may or may not be an enemy -- the subject may not even be aware of the perceived slight -- but your mage takes it seriously and counts it as a major part of his life. You must spend a Willpower Point to turn your mage away from the object of his vengeance when a situation crops up to potentially wreak havoc on the opponent in question.
[ 2 ] Wistful ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) OR( Masters Of The Art -Page 84 ) Prerequsite: Archmage However uncomfortable and hectic your youthful days were, you still miss them. You have a tendency to drift off into daydreams of the "glory days," sometimes acting foolishly or becoming depressed. A Willpower roll will usually put aside your nostalgia -- for a while.
[ 2 OR 5 ] Mental Patient ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 106 ) Sometime before or during your during your Awakening, you ran afoul of the mental health authorities. Seeing and talking to beings that no one else can perceive, and hearing spirits' voices that may tell you frightening and disturbing things, is far outside the paradigm of most FirstWorld Sleepers. Anyone who does such things must be crazy! If you managed to convince the officials that you are no longer a danger to yourself or others and you were released, this Flaw is worth only two points. However, if you actually escaped from a mental institution and are on the run from the authorities, then the Flaw is worth five points. Even if you were legally released from care, the modern mental health system does not consider an illness like schizophrenia curable. Anyone who has ever been institutionalized against his will has this fact noted in his records. Prospective employers, landlords, and similar personnel usually look askance at anyone who was "crazy." Also, some minor Technocracy functionaries keep track of mental patients who look like they might develop magical power. The Technocracy often considers such mages to be potential Marauders.
The discrimination and problems for "mental cases" are much worse if you were not released. Escaped mental patients are regarded in much the same light as escaped convicts. Most people see them as little better than dangerous animals. Everyone, from the police to the general public, will consider you to be a potential killer, even if you have no history of violence. In this age of nation-wide databases, any background check using your name, social security number, or fingerprints will reveal your status.
[ 3 ] Absent-Minded ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 33 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Concentration Merit Though you do not forget such things as Knowledges or Skills, you do forget such things as names, addresses, and the last time you meditated. In order to remember anything more than your own name and the location of your Chantry, you need to make a Wits roll or, as a last resort, spend a Willpower point.
[ 3 ] Driving Goal ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 32 ) You have a personal goal, which sometimes compels and directs you in startling ways. The goal is always limitless in depth, and you can never truly achieve it. It could be to eradicate the Technocracy or achieve total enlightenment. Because you must work toward your goal throughout the chronicle (though you can avoiit for short periods by spending Willpower), it will get you into trouble and may jeopardize other actions. Choose your driving goal carefully, as it
will direct and focus everything your character does.
[ 3 ] Flashbacks ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 31 ) You're prone to flashbacks if you're in either high-pressure situations or circumstances that are similar to the event that caused the flashback itself. The flashback doesn't have to be combatoriented. Either positive or negative stimulation could result in a flashback episode. The repeated use of drugs has proven to cause a wide range of hallucinations, and in the right circumstances, the mind could flashback to any one of them. Emotional anxiety and stress are the usual catalysts for the flashbacks to begin. Flashing back to a good and happy vision can be just as dangerous or distracting as suddenly flashing to being surrounded by demons. The flashbacks can be caused by almost any trauma -- torture, extended combat, or repeated drug experimentation. During the flashback, you're not aware of what's really around you. Even people speaking to you will be viewed as people or objects from the vision. You can mistake men for women, people for animals, and even inanimate objects for people. To you, reality has shifted, and you're back there again.
[ 3 ] Hatred ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 31 )
You have an unreasonable hatred of a certain thing. This thing is total and largely uncontrollable. You may hate a species of animal, a class of person, a color, a situation, or just about anything else, and you constantly pursue opportunities to harm the hated object or to gain power over it.
[ 3 ] Lifesaver ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 32 ) You believe that human life is a sacred gift and won't take a person's life except in the most extreme of circumstances. You may not ever willingly endanger the lives of innocents or in any way participate in a killing. You have no problems with killing animals (for the right reason), and will kill evil and inhuman creatures to protect others if necessary. Be very careful, however, with your definition of "evil." Senseless death in all forms repulses you, and you feel that those who perform murder should be punished and stopped.
[ 3 ] Phobia [Severe] ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 32 ) You have an overpowering fear of something. Common objects of fear include certain animals, insects, crowds, open spaces, confined spaces, heights, and so on. You must make a Willpower roll not to freak out when faced with the object of your fear. The difficulty depends on the circumstances. If you fail the roll, you must retreat in terror from the object of fear. If you score less than three successes, you won't approach it. The Storyteller has final say over which phobias are allowed in a chronicle.
[ 3 ] Stress Atavism ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 170 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member Despite the ice-cold Technocrat stereotype, you go ballistic at any provocation. You revert to an animalistic state of mind, diving into fight-orflight instincts. The good points: You become extremely strong and nearly invulnerable to pain. The bad points: You attack everything in your vicinity, forgetting small details like friendships, tactics or innocent bystanders. While this heedless mania makes you good in a fight, your comrades tend to wind you up and run. A common Flaw among genetically engineered constructs and cybernetically enhanced soldiers, Stress Atavism surges up during combat or other high-stress situations. If the Storyteller asks you to make a Willpower roll (difficulty 8) and you fail, the madness overcomes you. In your atavistic state, add two dice to your Strength, one die to your Stamina and three "Bruised" health levels. You also go completely apeshit, firing all weapons at full-auto until the magazines empty, then lashing out with hands, feet and anything else that seems convenient. Once you go atavistic, you fight until one of two things happens: Either you are rendered helpless, or everyone else in the area is. Naturally, Control considers you an extraordinarily loose cannon. There's a termination order waiting for the day you outlive your usefulness.
[ 3 OR 5 ] Ontological Pacifist ( Tradition Book: Akashic Brotherhood (Revised) -- Page 60 ) Prerequsite: Akashic Brotherhood
You literally believe that peace is the way of the Drahma. Violence is an offense against the Dharmas themselves, and they would never manifest in someone who had stained himself with it. For tree points, your character immediately loses all benefits from use of foci if he ever commits an act of violence that isn't direct self-defense (i.e., striking preemptively or without cause). You will probably have to use the Surpassing Foci rules (Mage: The Ascension, page 203) to cast effects. The foci won't work for your character until he makes some sort of restitution to the victim or purifies himself in a suitably arduous fashion (the restitution should generally be the easier option). For five points, you suffer this penalty if your character directly or indirectly commits a violent act against any sentient creature for any reasons. In both cases, magical compulsion makes no difference. And yes, the problem becomes less severe as you discard foci.
[ 5 ] Ability Deficit ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 ) Your character isn't attuned to his natural aptitudes, so you have five fewer points to spend on his Talents, Skills, or Knowledges. Therefore, the most you could take on that category would be eight dots, and the least would be zero. Of course, you can still spend Freebie Points to take Abilities in the appropriate category. However, you can't have any Ability in that category at three dots or higher at the start of the game.
[ 5 ] Pacifist ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 54 ) Truthfully speaking, this sort of behavior should probably not be considered a Flaw, but as many
in society view peace as weakness, it can be a disadvantage. Due to strong religious or moral convictions, you will not harm another being. You may defend yourself with warding magic or deflective effects, and may even engage in peaceful demonstrations and resistance. However, you may not cause damage to anyone. It is important to note that this is a psychological restriction, not a supernatural one. Certainly, it is possible for you to hurt someone accidentally, but you would never do it on purpose. Players taking this flaw should be prepared to play its difficult restrictions. In most Storytelling games there is likely to be some level of physical conflict that makes playing it seem impossible. Nevertheless, great men from Martin Luther King to Gandhi have practiced pacifism.
yourself, you must make a Stamina roll against a difficulty of 6 or be unable to perform any action on the next round while you catch your breath.
[ 1 ] Color Blindness ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 34 ) You can only see in black and white. Color means nothing to you, although you're sensitive to color density, which you perceive as shades of gray. Life 3 can't fix this problem, as you can't truly conceive the true nature of color. Note: Color Blindness actually indicates an inability to distinguish between two colors, but we fudged a bit for the sake of playability.
[ 5 ] Senile ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 162 ) Prerequsite: Archmage You're not just absent-minded, your brain is downright deteriorated. You must make a Wits roll or spend a Willpower point to remember just about anything except your name or to attempt any Knowledge roll. You are also susceptible to daydreaming, and may spend days at a time reacting to the world as you remember it 50 years ago. Mages with this Flaw often prove to be a threat to themselves and others around them.
Physical Flaws [ 1 ] Asthma ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 45 ) You have difficulty performing strenuous tasks because you can't breathe properly. With asthma, your lungs only pull in a fraction of the air that normal lungs require. Any time you exert
[ 1 ] Defective Sense ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Acute Sense Merit for the sense that is defective One of your character's senses is dulled or abnormally damaged in some fashion. Perhaps the character is hard of hearing, has limited taste receptors, is color-blind, or is correctably nearsighted. In each case, you suffer a two-point penalty to the difficulty of all rolls involving the flawed sense. Obviously, you can't take this Flaw in conjunction with the Acute Sense Merit.
[ 1 ] Hard Of Hearing ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 34 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Acute Sense (Hearing) Merit
Your hearing is defective. The difficulties of all dice rolls related to hearing are increased by two.
you, reducing appropriate dice pools by three. If the substance is really common in your chronicle, add an additional point to the Flaw.
[ 1 ] Short ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 45 )
[ 1 - 5 ] Alien Appearance ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 78 )
A character with this Flaw is four and a half feet tall or less. The character may have trouble reaching objects on shelves, and he's certainly noticeable. Such a character runs at half the normal speed.
[ 1 ] Sterile ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 5433 )
You have an appearance that marks you as different from normal humans (or cats or whatever). You are more noticeable and easily remembered because of your bizarre appearance. At level one, you may only have a minor difference such as plaid eyes or fangs which are visible when you speak, while at level five you are such an oddity (a tiger tail, elephant ears, blue skin) that you must remain covered wherever you go to avoid upsetting the Sleepers. If you can convince someone you're in theatrical makeup, of course...
This can be either a Merit or Flaw of the same point value. Put simply, you cannot have children. For those sorcerers who practice Tantric rituals or require sex as a focus, but do not desire pregnancy or unwanted children, this is a Merit. For those who belong to cultures, strong families, or marriages that expect them to have children, this is a Flaw.
[ 1 OR 3 ] Addiction ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 30 )
[ 1 - 4 ] Allergic ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 45 ) You're allergic to some substance -- pollen, animal fur, alcohol, chocolate, etc. For one point, you get hives, sneeze, or become dizzy upon prolonged contact with your bane; for two points, you swell up uncomfortably in the affected area, reducing all dice pools by one; for three points, your reaction actually incapacitates
Prerequsite: Custo
You're addicted to any one of a variety of things. A one point Flaw would be a mild addiction to an easily-obtained substance, such as caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. A two point Flaw would be either a severe addiction to any easily-obtained substance or any "mild" drug, such as pain killers, sleeping pills, or marijuana. A three point Addiction involves the heavy street drugs or hard-to-find drugs. The need for these drugs varies from once a day for some drugs to two to three times a day for others, depending on the strength of the drug and the addiction. If, for whatever reason, you're denied access to a drug, you lose the number of dice equal to the level of your addiction (one, two, or three) until you
receive your "fix." If you're deprived of the drugs for an extended length of time, you'll be forced to make a Willpower check (difficulty 4 for the first day, +1 for each additional day). If you fail, you'll forgo everything and forcibly go seeking the drug. This would be an easy way for you to be either controlled or forced to do favors for your supplier, especially if the drug is hard to obtain due to its rarity or price. A mage who can't get his fix will go through withdrawal, with penalties assessed by the Storyteller.
[ 2 ] Chronic Pain ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) Prerequsite: Archmage Despite your great power, an old wound or perhaps even your age still ails you. You must make a Stamina roll (difficulty 6) every scene or be at a +1 difficulty to all rolls from the painful distraction.
[ 2 ] Disfigured ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 45 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have an Appearance rating greater than 2 dots A hideous disfigurement makes your character's appearance disturbing. The difficulties of all die rolls relating to social interactions increased by 2.
[ 2 ] One Ear / Eye ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 )
Your character is missing an ear or eye, or else he has suffered damage or a birth defect that makes such an organ useless. The difficulties of all Perception rolls within the appropriate sense increase by two (just like the Defective Sense Flaw). Furthermore, a character with one eye increases the difficulty of all rolls involving depth-perception by one (including ranged attacks), while a character with one functional ear suffers a one-point difficulty on all rolls to determine the location of a given sound (due to the loss of binaural hearing).
[ 2 ] Primal Marks ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 288 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 40 ) Your mage may have an Avatar of the Primordial Essence, some totem or god of legend, or perhaps she's just gained some powerful spirit's patronage and it's set its mark on her. If the totem is an animal, she resembles what such an animal would look like in human form so strongly that people who don't even know her call her "Bear" or "Moose" or "Raven." If the Avatar is some well known god or hero, your character looks just like people would expect her two, including any particular deformities (although you do get extra points for such handicaps). Your mage looks the part so much that anyone can guess her nature at a glance, and there's some danger in that, especially if your Avatar has a legendary enemy (as most do). Your characters totem or Avatar will also require her to protect its species or finish up its unfinished agenda. Your mage might alternately be the descendant of some famous or infamous house: Pendragon, Muraski, Bacon, Bathory, Borgia, or Le Vey. Besides the family name, you've also inherited the family "look." Students of history can easily picture you banishing the Devil and slaying dragons, or poisoning entire families and bathing in the blood of virgins --
especially since they have the illustrations that might give them this idea. Alternately, your mage may just look the part of her profession too well. Perhaps she has the red hair and green eyes of an Irish witch, the pale eyes and dark skin of an Arabic sorcerer, the grown-together brows and elongated ring-fingers of a born shape shifter, or the intense yellow, violet, or emerald green eyes of one the fae. Students of ancient lore recognize these signs, and your mage may easily become the victim of witchhunters. However, some witches, changelings, shape shifters, and others may accord you more status in their societies if you "look the part."
are also harder to get than others. In general, the more disgusting the substance required, the more difficult it is to obtain, the greater the Flaw. Examples of 2pt flaws are pig's blood, iodine, and cat food (unless you are a cat). Examples of 3pt flaws are heroin, rotten meat, and mare's milk. Examples of 4pt flaws are child's blood, gold, and feces.
[ 2 - 5 ] Faulty Enhancements ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 170 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member
[ 2 ] Hunchback ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 79 ) Prerequsite: Custo Almost expected of Sun of Ether servants, this deformity hinders your movement and focuses the scorn of those who walk upright. Some day, they'll pay. Add 1 to all Social difficulties (regardless of how your face looks) and Dexterity-based Attribute rolls.
The better body they promised you hasn't been everything it's supposed to be. Maybe your cybernetics kick out at odd moments or the counter-procedures fail just as you need them most or your augmented prowess demands a steady diet of high-carbo snacks or your psi enhancers go haywire and flood you with overstimulation... No matter what the difficulty, you suffer from some sort of handicap related to your bio-enhancement (see the Background: Enhancement). The Flaw bonus depend on how frequently (and how badly) things go screwy: * You suffer constant pain, disorientation or hunger: Two points.
[ 2 - 4 ] Bizarre Hunger ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 79 ) Prerequsite: Custo You have very odd dietary needs. Rather than normal food, you must consume some odd or disgusting substance in order to maintain your health. If you are unable to acquire and consume your required substance, you begin losing Health Levels at the rate of one per day after your first day of fasting. Although you may eat "normal" food as well, you derive no sustenance from it. Eating such odd fare is bound to attract attention if you do it in public. Some substances
* You suffer enough discomfort to affect your performance (subtract one from all dice pools) unless you take medication or other measures: Three points. * Your Enhancements fail you when you need them. (They go offline when you botch a roll, and they must be repaired by a biotechnician character): Four points. * Your Enhancements fail constantly. (Roll a die against difficulty 7 whenever you make some effort involving your Enhancement. If you succeed, nothing goes wrong; if you fail, the Enhancement locks up, fades, or shuts off. If you botch, it goes out totally): Five points.
Nothing you can do will fix the problem; a skilled biotechnician may be able to, given time and an opportunity to operate on you at length. If someone does manage to repair the Enhancements, you will lose the Raw and its bonus. As an option, you might just buy it down and save yourself some agony. Then again, they say suffering builds character. In your case, that's true.
[ 3 ] Bad Sight ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 289 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 34 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Acute Sense (Sight) Merit The character has some sort of non-correctable vision problem -- a severe astigmatism, myopia, or the like. This problem can't be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, and fixing it with Life magic requires extensive permanent work to bypass the problems of Pattern bleeding (and thus requires the expenditure of experience to remove the Flaw). You always suffer a 2 point penalty to all rolls in which vision is a factor. Since sight is such an important sense, this Flaw is worth more than a simple Defective Sense.
[ 3 ] Deformity ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 289 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 45 ) Your mage has some kind of deformity -- a misshapen limb, hunchback, clubfoot, etc. -- that affects his physical abilities and interactions with others. Having a hunchback, for instance, would lower a character's Dexterity by two dots and increase the difficulty of die rolls relating to social skills by one, when appropriate. After all, a hunchback can type as well as the next guy, and social interactions aren't based on appearance over the Digital Web. It's the responsibility of the Storyteller to determine the specific effects of the chosen deformity.
[ 3 ] Dissolve ( Guide To The Technocracy -Page 132 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy member
[ 3 ] Child ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 45 )
When killed, you disintegrate into a puddle of goo. The advantage (to the Technocracy, anyway) is that no reality deviant can perform necromantic rituals on you corpse, and no medical examiner can identify your remains. The downside (to you) is that once you pass Incapacitated, you're irrevocably, 100% perished after 10 seconds. No Procedure or Rite can restore you to your original form; no magic or science can contact your broken awareness.
You were a small child at the time of your Awakening. You may be precocious, but you're still just a kid. You have the Short Flaw, and find it difficult to be taken seriously by others (two dice penalty to all relevant rolls). Additionally, you may be subject to parental control, curfews, and child labor and truancy laws. Few clubs will admit you, because you're "underage."
[ 3 ] Lame ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 289 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 45 )
Due to an unhealed injury or a missing limb, your mage has trouble walking. The character has a pronounced limp and a slow stride, and he must use some means of support to walk like a cane, leg braces, or Forces magic. The character's movement speed is quartered, and running is impossible. This Flaw may also add to the difficulty of maneuvers that rely on the legs -- jumps, swimming, martial arts kicks -- at the Storyteller's discretion.
Due to Pattern damage, a permanent Paradox injury or some other nastiness, you have a wound that never heals. Even if you repair the injury with magic, it reoccurs at sunset or sunrise of each day (your choice as to which). This wound causes your character to suffer the Wounded health level with lethal damage that can't be soaked. Such damage is cumulative with other injuries (and it could kill a badly wounded mage if it reoccurs while he's already injured), but it isn't self-cumulative. That is, your character's bleeding head wound doesn't cause any more damage the next morning or evening if he hasn't bothered to heal it magically for a day.
[ 3 ] Monstrous ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 289 ) Your mage has an Appearance rating of zero. He may be the stereotypical pock-marked leper, or he may have the face and body of a demon or bug-eyed monster. Otherwise, someone just beat him with the ugly stick.
[ 3 ] One Arm ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 46 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Ambidextrous Merit You have only one arm -- choose which, or determine randomly at character creation. This could be a battle scar, birth defect, or other form of injury. It's assumed that you're accustomed to using your remaining hand, so you suffer no offhand penalty. However, you do suffer a 2-dice penalty to any dice pool where two hands would normally be needed to perform a task.
[ 3 ] Permanent Wound ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 289 )
[ 3 ] Short Life ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 132 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy member Like the replicants in the movie Blade Runner, you have a built-in life span. Under the best of conditions, you may live a year or two. At the end of that time, your body breaks down, your organs shut off, and your life-spark fades to black. Chances are, you also have the Dissolve Flaw to keep authorities from asking the wrong questions.
[ 3 ] Slow Healing ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) The mage's body's natural healing processes are slow, whether due to a bad immune system, old age, bad diet, or just genetics. You heal all of your character's wounds twice as slowly as everyone else. All Life magic Effects heal half the damage they should, rounded down.
[ 3, 6, OR 9 ] Degeneration ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 289 )
Prerequsite: You cannot have the Acute Sense (Hearing) Merit
Your character will die without the aid of magic or science to sustain her. She might be the victim of a disease or curse, or maybe she's something that wasn't meant to be alive in the first place. At the lowest version of this Flaw, your character simply doesn't have the natural healing factor with which most mortals are born. All wounds he suffers remain until treated with magic or Technocratic science. He won't heal any damage otherwise.
Your mage's natural Pattern is deaf, and the mage can't hear at all. You fail all rolls involving hearing automatically. This Flaw increases the difficulty of many Alertness rolls by three as well, since this defect with magic, as with all such Flaws, requires the use of difficult permanent rituals and the expenditure of Experience Points.
At the six-point version of this Flaw, your character is actually falling apart. A hideous disease might be eating him up from inside, or maybe he's a victim of beetles and/or natural decay if he's the result of someone's half-assed necromancy. Maybe Iteration X didn't tell him that his "perfect android body" was a prototype made by the lowest bidder and that all the warranties are expiring. Whichever version you take, your character takes one health level of damage at three months, one a month later, another a week after that, one more three days beyond that, one the next day, and a final one an hour after that. In short, your character's health deteriorates at an accelerated rate, following the progression for natural healing backward until he's dead. Obviously, the character doesn't heal normally, either. With the nine-point version of this Flaw, your character falls apart at the same rate as before, but the damage is aggravated. Obviously, this Flaw is meaningless (and shouldn't be allowed) in short-term chronicles and one-shot games.
[ 4 ] Mute ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 46 ) Your mage can't speak. This shortcoming may derive from physical damage, a magical curse, or a natural deformity. You may communicate with your game group to describe your character's actions, but you aren't allowed to actually talk in character (and if you do so "out of character" to get your point across, your Storyteller may penalize you by awarding you fewer Experience Points). You can use Linguistics to learn sign language, or write (assuming your character isn't illiterate as well). Mind magic can also overcome this problem to a limited degree.
[ 5 ] Aging ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) OR ( Halls Of The Arcanum -Page 61 ) [ 4 ] Deaf ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 34 )
Prerequsite: If you take this Flaw to represent youth, you must also take the Child Flaw Your mage is either not as spry as he used to be, or he isn't yet mature. Either way, one Physical Attribute score (your choice) must be lowered by one point. This Flaw must be taken once per
decade over the 40-year mark, or once for each age bracket under 15. Your character loses one dot between the ages of 11 and 14, two for being between seven and 10, and he loses three for being between four and six.
[ 5 ] Thaumivore ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 80 ) Prerequsite: Custo You are one of the Bygone, a mythic beast shut off from the Earth by the powers of disbelief, the death of magic. In the spirit world, you found a home, until some purpose, friend, or compulsion brought you back to the material world. To stay alive here, though, you must consume raw magic – Quintessence, in tass or Prime form. This Flaw resembles the physical Flaw, Bizarre Hunger, except that your food is Quintessence. In one form or another, you must consume at least one point of Quintessence per day or suffer pangs of deadly hunger (most Thaumivores require much more than that to stay in fighting trim). After no more than a week of starvation, your physical form will deteriorate to rotten nothing. During that time, you will lose Health Levels, endure dice pool penalties, and generally suffer. An eating binge will satisfy your hunger for a time, but the more you eat, the more you'll crave. This diet is almost guaranteed to get you and your companions in trouble. If you cultivate a taste in certain "flavor" of Quintessence (distilled by hate, love, anguish, sacrifice, etc.), you may not want any other kind. If your demands are not met, you may turn and eat your mage out of Node and home, munch on Talismans, or just depart in a huff, returning to the more hospitable Realms.
[ 5 OR 10 ] Mayfly Curse ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) Common among Progenitor victors and those with shifter or demonic blood, your character matures at an accelerated rate and declines at the same. At the lower level, your character ages one year every two months, which means that when you're physically 18 years old, you're chronologically three. At the higher rate, you age a year every week, making you 16 in less than four months and 52 by the end of the year. It's not much of a lifespan, certainly, but it's more than sufficient for shock troops. This flaw can be combined with any degree of Aging. Storytellers should certainly forbid this Flaw as meaningless twinkery for any short-term or oneshot games.
[ 6 ] Blind ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 34 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Acute Sense (Sight) Merit The character has no natural sight -- the world of color and vision is lost to him. You can't even make perception rolls that require vision, and you suffer a three-point difficulty penalty on any Alertness roll where you do have a shot, unless the matter relies exclusively on another sense. The difficulty of all Dexterity-related rolls increases by two. Your mage must target his magic by hearing, Correspondence, or some other magical or mundane sense.
[ 6 ] Paraplegic ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 46 )
Your magician is confined to a wheelchair, completely unable to stand and move without the aid of crutches, the chair itself, or some other difficult and painful system. Your mage generally moves a single yard per turn, and doing even that much is torturous. Perhaps the wizard's body is broken by accident, or he may not have been born with any functioning limbs. This flaw makes life very difficult, and you should consider carefully before taking it.
[ 7 ] Horrifying ( The Bitter Road -- Page 118 ) Something about your character's appearance inspires horror, like the man-beast form of the werewolf or the monstrous beasts of legend or the raw circuitry and wires of a HIT Mark with its synth-flesh torn off. You may not use Social Traits (except for Intimidation), except in regards to other characters who are horrifying in the same way or those who can't see what makes your character so disturbing. However, appearance isn't everything. The beetles crawling through the decaying hole in your character's chest can be covered up with a nice thick turtleneck and cloven hooves can be stuffed into ordinary cowboy boots. Therefore, your character can generally disguise whatever makes him horrifying (with a successful Wits + Subterfuge roll) and present an ordinary or even handsome human face to the rest of the world, depending on his exact problem. Obviously, if this trait is easily disguised and worked around, then this Flaw is pretty worthless. Storytellers should make sure that social interaction forces the mage to deal with the consequences of this Flaw.
[ Variable Level ] Diminished Attributes ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 289 ) Life isn't fair. When they were passing out brains, brawn, or beauty, someone else got your character's portion -- maybe several of them. What this means is that your character is remarkably lacking in the social, physical, or mental department. He might be a victim of disease or brain damage, or he may just have been born on the shallow end of the gene pool. It happens. However, you [the player] have points to spend on other stuff. Real life may not be fair, but at least game reality is. Storytellers should be careful with this Flaw, and make certain that the player RolePlays the actual realities of being shortchanged. For each dot that you lose from your character's Attributes, you get three points back from this Flaw. This kickback isn't subject to the normal limits of seven points of Flaws, but you can't take more than one additional Flaw without special Storyteller approval and a damn good story. Note that this arrangement isn't fair in terms of Freebie Points, but it lets you make a character who's totally crippled in one area and still get some payback.
Social Flaws [ 1 ] Age ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 35 ) You began your training in magic either very early in your life or very late. Maybe you were not discovered by anyone until you had already passed the usual age of students, but the Master, for whatever reason, chose to teach you anyway. Or perhaps something about you intrigued your masters so much that they began your studies very early (see the Prodigy Merit). This age difference will cause people to react to you differently. If you are older than the norm, they
may either think that you are more skilled than you actually are (which could get you in over your head quickly) or think that you're a joke. If you're young, the older students may resent you or not take you seriously. Increase the difficulty of your Social rolls by 1 to 3 depending on the circumstances of your situation or the individual you are confronting.
person on the street still doesn't know who you are, and you might have fringe sympathizers, but reputable academics consider you to be near anathema.
[ 1 ] Hero Worship ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 79 ) Prerequsite: Custo [ 1 ] Dark Secret ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 32 ) Some terrible past haunts your character. Perhaps he turned on his mentor, or maybe he's secretly in love with a Widderslainte. Either way, your character's secret -- which should come up from time to time as the Storyteller feels it appropriate -- can cause some embarrassment or trouble for your mage (although it's unlikely to get the character killed).
You regard another individual, most probably your mage, with respect that approaches reverence. The object of your hero worship can literally do no wrong in your eyes, which can lead to some serious disputes with your fellows. You must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 5) to disobey an instruction given by your hero. In your eyes, he is perfect. In fact, you add +1 difficulty to any roll in which success would require you to admit that your hero is wrong.
[ 1 ] Infamous Mentor ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 42 ) [ 1 ] Discredited ( Tradition Book: Sons Of Ether (Revised) -- Page 58 ) Prerequsite: Sons Of Ether When you turn to unorthodox methods, you stand an excellent chance of burning your bridges. This occurs quite frequently in the Sons of Ether. A Discredited character has had his name dragged through the mud in academic circles and is considered a crackpot or a dangerous fraud. Accordingly, characters with this Flaw suffer a straight +2 penalty on all Social and Background rolls involving the scientific community as well as informed laypersons, impertinent undergraduates, and inveterate skeptics. The
Your Mentor was, and perhaps still is, distrusted and disliked by many of your fellow mages. As a result, you're distrusted and disliked as well. This is a heavy load, and one not easily shed.
[ 1 ] Inglorious Pedigree ( Blood Treachery -- Page 86 ) Prerequsite: Order Of Hermes Mage The Order of Hermes has traditionally stood on the might of its great houses. Even Ex Miscellanea has always had, at any given time, what might be considered its more significant
houses. Although your mage hails from the Hodge-Podge, hers is a minor sub-house of little regard with only a handful of members. In fact, she (and quite possibly her mentor) might currently be the only living Awakened members of her praxis within the house. She could be one of the four or so mages of fallen Criamon currently conscious, sane and coherent. Or, she could belong to a sub-house that has never been of any great prominence, always getting by with the barest trickle of Apprentices. In the latter case, you should delineate a very specific set of duties or line of research important to the foundation of your sub-house and choose an appropriate name for it. You suffer a difficulty penalty of two to all Social rolls among mages of the larger houses of the Order when your mage tries to impress them or just get them to take her seriously. In addition, she may sometimes find herself cut off from some of the perks that other mages of the Order take for granted (such as access to surplus Tass or audiences with Masters), simply because she has no powerful fellowship to back her up.
Your Mentor dislikes you and wishes you ill. Given the smallest opportunity, your Mentor will seek to do you harm, and may even attack you if provoked. Your Mentor's friends will also work against you. Good luck!
[ 1 ] Mistaken Identity ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) Your mage isn't the reincarnation of some ancient hero or nefarious character from history, the favored child that some great animal totem set its mark upon, a powerful immortal wizard who hasn't been seen for a hundred years, or some god come down in human form. Unfortunately, he looks the part, and people who value iconography more than actions will believe he fits the role. This confusion can naturally get your mage into all sorts of trouble. People may expect him to have capabilities that he doesn't, or they may blame him for problems that aren't his own.
[ 1 ] Insane Mentor ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 42 )
[ 1 ] Renunciate ( Blood Treachery -- Page 86 )
Prerequsite: Cannot be a Marauder
Prerequsite: Order Of Hermes Mage
Your Mentor has completely lost his grip on consensual reality, and has become lost in Quiet or dangerously insane. Any wrong committed by your Mentor may affect your reputation, and some of your Mentor's dangerous schemes may somehow involve you.
Your mage was indoctrinated into the Order from without. Unlike most, he did not have to endure the grueling three-to-five year period of tutelage (at least, not from a mentor approved by the Order of Hermes). He was instead wooed over to the cause by House Fortunae's frantic recruitment drive. He may have been an Orphan practicing his own brand of Hermeticism, or perhaps he was a convert from another Tradition. Regardless, he is looked down upon by many within the Order for his lack of "appropriate instruction." Your character suffers a difficulty penalty of two on all Social rolls dealing with traditionalists within the Order (i.e.,
[ 1 ] Mentor's Resentment ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 42 )
the better part of the Order of Hermes). Most Fortunae, Solificati and Thig (as well as certain mavericks within the other Houses) cut your character slack, but he is never allowed to forget his "inferior heritage." This Flaw differs from the previous one in that a mage with an inglorious pedigree finds it difficult to be taken seriously, while one with this Flaw finds it hard simply to be accepted.
[ 1 ] Rogue Apprentice ( Initiates Of The Art -- Page 83 ) You started training with a particular Tradition, but you left before you finished your apprenticeship. Although you didn't betray and steal all of their secrets, they still have a particularly painful spot in their collective hearts for you. You probably aren't Branded, since you are still just an apprentice and therefore salvageable. However, you've already screwed up in the eyes of one Tradition. All of your social difficulties with your former Tradition suffer a +2 difficulty modifier. You can expect to never see training in that Tradition again; better find your own technique.
[ 1 ] Shy ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -Page 290 ) Large groups of people make your mage uncomfortable, and although he doesn't necessarily panic and flee from crowds, he has trouble dealing with such gatherings. Your mage has trouble speaking and presenting himself when the world's watching. Any time your mage interacts with strangers or becomes the center of attention for a group of three or more other people, you suffer a difficulty penalty of three on all Social rolls.
[ 1 ] Technobabbler ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 68 ) A minor but annoying personality quirk makes you incapable of carrying on a conversation without employing verbose and obtrusive discourse. No matter how simple the subject might be, you must fill it with compulsory metaphraseology, obfuscationatory terminology and counterintuitive newspeak. Jeez, learn to talk normal, for cry in' out loud! In game terms, you might suffer a penalty to Social Trait rolls (+1 or 2 difficulty), especially if you're trying to discuss "normal" subjects (love, entertainment and other personal issues).
[ 1 ] Twisted Apprenticeship ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 43 ) Your Mentor was quite malevolent and taught you all the wrong things about mage society. Your concepts of Chantry politics are all wrong, and your faulty beliefs are likely to get you into a great deal of trouble. Over time, after many hard lessons, you can overcome this bad start (the Storyteller will tell you when). But until then, you'll continue to believe what you were first told, no matter how others try to "trick" you into thinking otherwise.
[ 1+ ] Mistreated Minority ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 54 ) In many cultures, some group of people falls outside of what is considered normal and acceptable by the majority. Prejudice and racial hatred are powerful forces that continue to
divide and harm mankind throughout the world. You may be homosexual or of a different color of skin, or even just speak a different dialect. Whatever the difference, it must be something that causes you penalties in social interaction due to no real fault of your own. The degree of penalty, and thus the number of Flaw points gained, depends upon just how harmful and prevalent the prejudicial behavior of the majority is. Storyteller's Note: Even discussing this sort of Flaw may cause unexpected arguments within your group. If you do not feel that your group is mature enough to explore themes of hatred motivated by race or sexual orientation, then leave them alone. If you do decide to explore it, you will probably learn a lot about yourself and others that you never knew, but make sure everyone goes home happy and still friends. If things get tense, take a break, get some coffee, remind each other that you are all friends, and that the reason you are together is because these prejudices are NOT something you feel, just something you know exist. Unfortunately, these sorts of uncomfortable ideas are often exactly what motivate real-life villains.
[ 1 - 2 ] Street Rep ( Destiny's Price -- Page 68 ) This can be a Merit or a Flaw. People know you. Maybe you creamed a roomful of enforcers, maybe you have a way of surviving tough situations, or perhaps you just have a really good PR person running scam talks about you. In any case, people know your name. Whether this is a Merit or Flaw depends on what you're known for. Characters known for good things -- helping needy people, contributing time to help teach city kids, etc. -- will buy this as a Merit. Those known for darker deeds -- killing hitmen or cops, getting all your charges dropped, trashing folks who get in your way, etc. -- must buy it as
a Flaw. Either variation will make you a hero in someone's eyes and a target in others'.
[ 1 - 3 ] Anachronism ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 229 ) Your mage was raised in another time and hasn't quite caught up to the present. Maybe she traveled forward (or backward) in time, or sideways from a parallel universe. Maybe the Awakening made her recall one of her past lives so vividly that she thinks she's supposed to be in 10th century Egypt. Or maybe she's from one of the few quaint backwaters of the present day and everything in the modern Western world might as well be Mars for all the sense it makes to her. For one point, the character is just a little out of sync. Pick any decade from the 20th or 21st century, excepting those on both sides of the current one, and set your attitude and beliefs accordingly. For two points, pick any decade in the 18th or 19th century (or 22nd or 23rd). For three points, pick any decade from the 17th century or before, or any particularly well insulated backwater of the present day (if any still exist), or just some totally weird social behavioral construct. The character has a twopoint difficulty penalty when dealing with anything outside this cultural identity. Thus, a character used to the 1800s has trouble with computers but understands light bulbs; a character from a hypothetical 23rd century parallel universe might have trouble with telephones, which never existed in her world experience. This Flaw can be bought off over time and with RolePlaying. In the meantime, culture shock can be fun.
[ 1 - 3 ] Beholden ( Destiny's Price -- Page 68 )
You owe somebody something, and some day they'll call the marker in. Exactly who you owe, and why, depends on the value of the Flaw and the Storyteller's twisted imagination. The value of this Flaw is based on how great a favor is owed -- for example, if the person saved your life, that's usually a three point Flaw. Other reasons why you might be Beholden include: Someone has dirt on you; you borrowed money from them; they did you a favor; they saved the life of someone important to you; they kept you (or a loved one) from suffering some horrible fate.
[ 1 - 3 ] Child ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 290 ) Your mage was a young child at the time of her Awakening, and he has all the problems that come with his age. People don't take him seriously, he can't get into clubs, and in particularly severe cases, people tend to ask him where his mommy is.. The value of this Flaw depends upon exactly how young your mage is. This Flaw particularly bites if your character hangs out with older mages and does all sorts of weird stuff that a child shouldn't or can't do (such as sex, drugs, self-mutilation...). A young child character should also take the Short Flaw.
[ 1 - 3 ] Conflicting Loyalties ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 78 ) Prerequsite: Custo You are a very loyal individual (and undoubtedly possess the Loyal Merit). Unfortunately, one or more of the people or things you feel great loyalty towards are in conflict. Even if the conflict is currently
submerged beneath other concerns, you know that one day you will be forced to make one or more anguish-filled choices. The extent and immediacy of the conflict determines the point cost of this Flaw; the greater and/or more immediate the conflict, the larger the Flaw.
[ 1 - 5 ] Enemy ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 42 ) You have an enemy, or perhaps a group of enemies. Someone wants to harm you. The value of the Flaw determines how powerful these enemies are. The most powerful enemies (Masters or Elder vampires) would be five point Flaws, while someone nearer to your own power would be worth only one point. You must decide who your enemy is and how you earned such enmity in the first place.
[ 2 ] Construct ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 68 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member Some people were born of natural parents. You were born in a creche. Sexless fertilization, genetic alteration and carefully monitored Procedures brought you into this world, and no one will let you forget that. Despite this "Unity" everyone talks about, people treat you differently. Some outright despise you, while others treat you so nicely that it makes you want to puke. Chances are, you consider yourself different, too. Maybe you're arrogant about your Homo superior status... or perhaps you'd consider Homo freakus more appropriate. In social situations, you're at a constant disadvantage (and might suffer penalties to your
Social rolls), either through others' aversion or your own insecurity. Note: This Flaw is not required of all construct characters. It represents a construct who's painfully obvious about what he is, not one who blends in well. The Technocracy has many of both.
condescending manner, but he can get downright nasty when his precepts are challenged. You suffer a two-point difficulty penalty on all social interactions with people of different faiths (for instance, if your character is Episcopalian and he's dealing with a Methodist). Your character's condescension or mistrust always seems to come out argumentatively.
[ 2 ] Criminal Record ( Destiny's Price -Page 69 ) For whatever crime you may or may not have committed, you're remembered by City Hall. You can't vote, jobs will be hard to come by, and people who know about your record won't trust you, no matter what happens. Erasing the record means buying off the Flaw first.
[ 2 ] Diabolical Mentor ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 43 ) Your Mentor is engaged in acts that could cause a tremendous uproar. She could be wantonly ignoring Protocols, causing havoc with vulgar magic and Paradox, dealing with Nephandi, or torturing captured Technomancers. Plenty of folks are after your Mentor's hide, and your skin may be tarred with the same brush.
[ 2 ] Dogmatic ( Tradition Book: Celestial Chorus (Revised) -- Page 62 ) Prerequsite: Celestial Chorus Your mage believes in the principles of his religion so strongly that he just can't stomach other faiths. Not only is your character inclined to treat believers of other religions in a
[ 2 ] Double Agent ( Ascension's Right Hand -- Page 79 ) Prerequsite: Custo You are a double agent, secretly working for another faction in the Ascension War. If you associate with a Tradition mage, you secretly work for the Technocracy, the Nephandi, or the Marauders. Whoever you actually work for will eventually make demands which place you in an awkward position. Should your actual role in affairs be discovered, you would be reviled (at the very least).
[ 2 ] Icy ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 69 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member
Judging by the "soulless Technocrat" stereotype, one might think this Flaw is actually a Merit. Hardly. Much as the Union prizes efficiency and reliability, most Technocrats still treasure a bit of humanity. If you've got any, it doesn't show; you could order the slow torture of a baby as casually as you could order a soda, then listen to the screams without flinching. Even your fellow Technocrats find you creepy. Consequently, most comrades avoid you, and Control keeps a very close watch over your activities. People this cold tend to wind up among the Fallen, and your superiors already consider you a flight risk.
[ 2 ] Student's Reputation ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 116 ) OR ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 83 ) Prerequsite: Archmage This may be a Merit or Flaw with the same point value. One of your students has made something of a name for herself, and her deeds reflect back on you. Perhaps she is a vibrant young talent who brings a fresh perspective to her Tradition. Alternatively, she may be a bad seed who went barabbi or Marauder some time ago. Whatever the case, her activities bring you great respect or embarrassment, and her exploits are often the talk of your peers.
[ 2 ] Transvestite ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 106 ) Since roles and perceptions have power, shamans often break those stereotypes to gain special insight. Gender roles are only one of the more obvious stereotypes to break. You are a transvestite. Your chosen mode of dress and behavior is that of your opposite gender. Transvestite men dress and act as their
own culture's idea of women, and vice versa. In many traditional cultures, including a number of highly patriarchal Asian cultures, transvestites have a specific social role (often as performers or holy people). While most people in these cultures regard transvestites as odd, they are also respected. Unfortunately, in Western Europe and North America, transvestites are often regarded as deviants, oddities, and freaks. Transvestites, known among traditional cultures by many local names like Berdache, are seen by many as intermediaries between men and women, just as shamans act as intermediaries between humans and spirits. This intermediate position makes transvestites natural candidates for becoming shamans. Some Central Asian shamans will take only transvestites as students. While many transvestites are happy with their intermediate role, some actually wish to physically assume the other gender. Today shamans can achieve this desire through either powerful Life Effects or medical solutions like hormones and surgery. However, so drastic a step is not a necessary part of this role. A transvestite's functions as a shaman or magician are more important as a matter of changing perceptions than as a function of physical characteristics. Shamanic transvestites, who are heavily indoctrinated into their roles (sometimes with powerful spiritual taboos), have great difficulty pretending to be "normal" members of their physical gender. Transvestites who attempt to dress and act like ordinary members of their physical gender increase the difficulty of all Social rolls by two. Transvestites who wish to avoid both the difficulty of acting "normal" and the problems most sexual minorities experience in Western Culture usually attempt to dress and act so that they pass as members of their chosen gender. Doing so typically involves a Charisma + Expression (Cross-dressing) roll (difficulty 7) to pull off a Perception + Alertness or Empathy.
[ 3 ] Massasa Contact ( Blood Treachery -Page 86 ) Prerequsite: Order Of Hermes Mage Your mage has committed one of the direst sins of war: She has gotten in bed with the enemy. She numbers a massasa among her associates, and (for whatever reason) she cannot or will not terminate either her relationship or the vampire. Maybe the creature is a friend or loved one, cruelly Embraced, or maybe it is a source of intelligence against the enemy massasa. In any case, though, a scant few in the Order would look the other way were they to chance upon such ties. Many, however, would denounce and persecute the mage out-of-hand. Remember, most mages of the Order take for granted that all massasa fall under the ancient schism of House Tremere, so most would see your mage as a dangerous liability were they to find out. If this vampire is useful to your character, she should also be taken as an ally (as per the Background). At the other end of the spectrum, a very few vampires have been approved for dealings by certain higher-ups within the Hermetic chain of command (such as it is). Therefore, it is not absolutely necessary to take this Flaw if you wish to purchase a vampiric ally. This Flaw is necessary only if you want a vampire ally whose camaraderie could prove dangerous.
[ 3 ] Notoriety ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 43 ) Prerequsite: Cannot have the Reputation Merit You have a bad reputation among your peers; perhaps you violated the Protocols once too often, or belong to an unpopular Chantry. There's a 2-dice penalty to all dice rolls for social dealings with associated mages.
[ 3 ] Rotten Liar ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 171 ) The opposite of the Perfect Liar Merit; no matter how good your story is, no matter how wellprepared you may be, your deceptions are rather transparent. Add two to the difficulty of any roll in which you attempt a lie, disguise, misdirection or other form of deception. Maybe you should stick to wet work.
[ 3 ] Ward ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 45 ) You're devoted to the protection of a Sleeper. You may describe your ward, though the Storyteller will actually create her. This character may be a friend or relative from your pre-Awakened days, or just a good friend. Acolytes don't count as Wards, as they "pay their own way." Wards have a talent for getting caught up in the action of stories, and they're frequent targets of a character's enemies.
[ 3 - 5 ] Rivalry ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 117 )OR ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 84 ) Prerequsite: Archmage Some mighty being on your own side hates you and seeks to thwart your ambitions. This may be a simple professional rivalry (like those within the halls of Doissetep) or a deep, abiding loathing spawned centuries ago (over lost love, slain friends, or worse). Although your rival will not openly attack you, she will do everything in
her (considerable) power to make sure you never reach your personal goals -- unless they would suit her purposes better than yours.
[ 4 ] Fresh Meat ( Initiates Of The Art -Page 83 ) You just Awakened, and you have managed to pull off a little bit of magic. Darn it, though, the other supernaturals of your home town have decided that you would make the best ally... or puppet. Some sort of supernatural creature wants to control you and exert a hold over your magical skills. For some reason, your mentor (if any) is unable to prevent this being's influence. Your Storyteller will make up the creature and define its powers, goals, and means of screwing with you.
[ 4 ] Hunted ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 45 ) Vampires and werewolves aren't the only Awakened who need to fear fanatical witchhunters. You have somehow attracted the interest of some Sleeper agency (perhaps controlled by the Technocracy or Nephandi) or individual who now seeks your destruction. This hunter is beyond reason and has some form of power, influence, or authority that puts you at a disadvantage. Your friends, family, and associates are likewise endangered. Sooner or later, this Flaw will result in a confrontation. The resolution shouldn't be an easy one.
[ 4 ] Mr. Red Tape ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 171 ) Bureaucracy hates you. No matter how well you perform your duties, you can't cut through red tape worth a damn. Maybe you pissed off the supply manager or dissed that secretary or lost one too many pieces of valuable gear. In any case, you run into complications whenever you need equipment or resources. When you do get them, they always leave something to be desired. In game terms, this Flaw is the opposite of the Merit: Master of Red Tape. Add two to the difficulty of obtaining anything through a bureaucracy, either the Technocracy's maze or a mundane one. Calls are not returned, favors are revoked, forms get lost and messages never get through. If you're smart, you'll let others handle the red tape. When you're on your own, you're stuck.
[ 4 ] Probationary Member ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) Your character joined the Traditions (or Conventions, or appropriate Craft) recently, and he's on bad terms. He may be a former rogue who recanted, or perhaps he defected from the other side. The mage is treated with hostility and suspicion. Even a mage with a high Destiny rating is looked at askance. There's no telling if such a luminous individual will turn again to become a powerful enemy.
[ 4 ] Rogue ( Guide To The Technocracy -Page 171 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member
Unmutual to the core, you go your own way, and to hell with the consequences. Maybe you've already quit the Technocracy and are running solo (like Secret Agent John Courage), or maybe you're still in the ranks, but you violate protocols constantly. Either way, you are a flaw in the pattern. If you're alive, that means one of two things: Someone thinks you're still useful, or they just haven't gotten around to killing you yet. In the eyes of the Union, a rogue is already considered dead. She may still be sent on missions, receive the usual gear (but no Requisitions -- that Background becomes invalid) and get instructions from her Supervisors. When she needs aid, however, it won't come. Backup, Allies and other perks won't help her, either. As far as Control is concerned, a lone wolf can fend for herself
[ 4 ] Witch-Hunted ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 291 ) A dangerous and skilled mortal hunter stalks your character, fully aware of what your mage is and what he can do. Worse still, the subject is intelligent and crafty, he works to negate the advantages of your character's magic, and he may extend his hunt to your companions and associates. While just about every mage can claim some enemy, this Flaw makes your mage a pariah. Nobody wants to hang out with someone who's going to bring a psycho killer along. The hunter may even have friends or allies who continue to trouble your mage if your mage eludes, dissuades, or kills the individual. Whatever the case, this guy wants your mage dead, he's not going to stop, and he has access to special resources (or, at the very least, specialized knowledge) in his quest.
[ 5 ] Fifth Degree ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 171 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member You're in trouble with Control. Maybe you're a renegade superstitionist who's still under guard in her new "family," an agent who's too careless or independent for her own good, a loudmouth who's said way too much or a loose cannon with one more shot left in her. Either way, you've already been subjected to discipline. Now you stand one or two steps from total re-education or termination. You've been too valuable to kill so far, but one more slip, and. In game terms, this separation makes it very hard to get things done; add two or three to the difficulty of any roll that involves requisitioning equipment, making friends, pulling strings or employing other Union resources. Occasionally, other parties will deliberately screw with your missions, tools or reputation. (Storyteller's option.) Worse, the upper echelons are watching you; you can't afford to step out of line... ever. Not if you want to stay alive.
[ 5 - 8 ] Immortal Enemy ( Horizon: The Stronghold Of Hope -- Page 117 ) OR ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 84 ) Prerequsite: Archmage You have made a supernatural enemy that has been fighting you for years. This may be a vampire, rival mage, Umbrood Lord, or something else entirely. Over the decades of your rivalry, this enemy has learned several of your secrets and foibles, and is quite willing to use them against you. The enemy is wellentrenched in modern society; you have time to thwart his plans and make a few strikes of your own, but going over to visit and kicking his as sis currently very much out of the question.
Supernatural Flaws [ 1 ] The Bard's Tongue ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 298 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 40 ) Your character speaks the truth, uncannily so. Things he says tend to come true. This Flaw isn't a facility for blessing or cursing, or an Effect ruled by any conscious control (use Time 2 instead). However, at least once per story, an uncomfortable truth regarding any current situation will appear in your character's head and come out his mouth. To avoid speaking prophecy, the owner of this "gift" must expend a Willpower Point and take a wound of one bashing health level from the strain of resisting (especially if he bites a hole in his tongue).
[ 1 ] Devil's Mark ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 298 ) Somewhere along the line, your mage made a pact with a demon or devil and it funneled its foul power into him, leaving a mark in the process. This blemish (known as a witch's nipple) is dark and unwholesome looking, but it's insensitive to pain. In ages past, the "witch prickers" of the Inquisition would test these marks with special pins before they burned infernalists at the stake. In the modern day, the puritanical pricks are few and far between, and most people who see this mark will just think it's a birthmark. Despite the name "nipple," it can grow anywhere on your mage's body. On the plus side, if you have some demonic familiar, your imp can suck Quintessence directly from your character's third nipple, with the added bonus of it being insensible to pain -- a real perk when you have a cat chewing on you tit.
[ 1 ] Distorted Image ( The Bitter Road -Page 118 ) Your character's image doesn't do what it's supposed to; that is, look like her. Her shadow may make obscene gestures behind her back or show the form of her alter-shape, and her reflection pulls faces at her from the mirror or reveals to her companions that she is, in reality, a dragon or a vacationing extra-dimensional horror. Worse yet, this trouble extends to all audio-visual equipment and any likeness created by particularly talented artists. However, since said artists have probably already seen the mage for what she really is (or imagines herself to be), this Flaw isn't as much of a problem as the mall security cameras showing that Shiva the Destroyer is in Housewares, Aisle 6.
[ 1 ] Offensive To Animals ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 63 ) For some reason, animals cringe from your touch, and are uneasy in your presence. Perhaps you've been touched by something in the course of your arcane research, or perhaps they just dislike your smell. For whatever reason, animals are jittery around you. You have a two-die penalty in any actions involving animals.
[ 1 ] Personal Talisman ( Guide To The Traditions -- Page 229 ) This may be either a one-point Merit or Flaw. Though a master mage may have helped (and probably did), your character has done one of the great and mighty deeds of magecraft and created a Talisman. Well, he may not have
created it, but he was there for the crucial and literal willworking -- he invested a part of his own Willpower into the Talisman and now it is tied to him. If this is a Merit, you still have the Talisman, and so long as your character holds I, you have an extra point of permanent Willpower, as well as a point of temporary Willpower that cannot be spent. You must also take at least one point in the Wonder Background if you intend to keep it. If this is a flaw, however, you do not possess the Talisman and the related Willpower point. Mark off one of your permanent Willpower points until you get the Talisman back or somehow gain it from its rightful owner (which should be you, but isn't). If this drops you below five Willpower, you'll never become a Master until you get it back or you purchase another point. Your invested points of Willpower still counts as part of your total for purposes of purchasing more, however.
[ 1 ] Touch Of Chaos ( Tradition Book: Euthanatos (Revised) -- Page 69 ) Prerequsite: Euthanatos Disturbing things happen when you character's around. This is one persistent manifestation of decay or randomness that, while not immediately apparent, will give away your occult connections. Withering plants, signs of pestilence, or wild, inconvenient luck could easily be the one thing that always happens when you've been around. This occasionally irritates others and makes it harder to hide your nature.
[ 1 - 2 ] Spirit-Trained ( The Spirit Ways -Page 105 )
[ 1 ] Strangeness ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 39 ) Reality is slightly stranger for you. Once per game session, the Storyteller will choose one of your Spheres, pick an Effect at random, and roll for a bizarre coincidental effect. If the roll succeeds, something unusual involving the Sphere will happen for no apparent reason. For instance, Mind 3 could result in a mage getting a visit from a telepathic dot, picking up Mexican radio stations in his head, or hearing stray thoughts from a passing serial killer. If the roll fails, the strangeness passes. If the roll botches, Paradox descends on the mage, pushing him a little closer towards Quiet. This Flaw can alter the tone of a campaign; therefore, allowing a character to take it should require the approval of not only the Storyteller, but also the other players in the group.
Spirit-trained mages have had no mortal teachers. Instead, one or more spirits select them as an appropriate candidate for Awakening. Sometimes spirits select mages to act as their agents in the mundane world, however, spirits Awaken a few mages for no readily discernible reason. Awakening without mortal aid is much more difficult. The only aid and advice you received was from the voices in your head, voices which you may have at first believed were signs of growing insanity. Even more problematic is the fact that the primary information you posses about other mages (and the supernatural in general) comes from spirits. While some spirits are quite well-intentioned and helpful, all Umbrood are fundamentally inhuman and their perspective on people and events is not a human one. Anyone trained by a spirit is likely to have some rather unusual ideas about the supernatural. Because of your unusual training, you receive a free dot in either Cosmology or
Enigmas, but you cannot begin play with more than two dots in any Lore. Also, you must take the Totem or Familiar Background instead of the Mentor Background (if you have a Mentor, it's a spirit). Spirit-trained mages in the First World often also have the Mental Patient Flaw, and they are usually very poorly connected to other mages. A lack of traditional training makes it hard to relate, after all. Being a Spirit-Trained mage with significant misinformation is a two-point Flaw. Shamans who are trained by spirits with a strong ulterior motive often have very unusual and significantly incorrect views about other mages and the supernatural. Dreamspeakers believe that spirits Awaken such mages to serve as tools for a specific purpose. In one instance, a mage was awakened and told that a certain Node was becoming so unstable that it would unleash a vast magical catastrophe unless it was destroyed. The mage used her magic to attempt to destroy it, and he was badly injured by the Garou who protected the Node. It turned out that the Node was perfectly normal, but it happened to be the dwelling of a powerful spirit inimical to the mage's patron.
[ 1 - 3 ] Storm-Scarred ( The Infinite Tapestry -- Page 187 ) You have walked through the Gauntlet in the time since the birth of the Avatar Storm. Perhaps you were trapped on the far side of the Gauntlet when the terrible destruction in Bangladesh took place or maybe you simply weren't yet aware of the dangers when you called upon the Spirit Arts for the first time after that destruction. Or perhaps you were just desperate to get away from something and had to dice through, knowing fully of the potential consequences. In any case, both your body and your soul have been flayed by the Avatar Winds and you wear the scars of your encounter with that nightmare storm.
For one point, you bear a few physical marks of your harrowing journey (superficial scarring of a slightly unusual nature: Perhaps a mildly strange color or in inexplicable patterns). These old wounds throb slightly while in proximity to areas with low Gauntlet ratings or actual gateways (temporary or permanent) into or out of the Otherworlds, inflicting a difficulty penalty of one in your character for all strenuous physical activities. Note that the character does not suffer any pain while actually in the Umbra; only when he is near portals that lead into or out of it. Under certain circumstances, these marks might also increase the difficulty of certain Social Attribute rolls by one, depending upon what and where the scars are and what the character is trying to do. For two points, the scars are more substantial and much harder to conceal (+1 to all difficulties for seduction or in case where raw physical beauty is called for). Otherwise, they cause you pain and discomfort similar to that sustained in the one-point version of this Flaw. For three points, your wounds have never fully healed properly. In addition to the physical disfigurement suffered for the 2-point version of this Flaw, your scars will open and bleed anew whenever you are anywhere with a Gauntlet of 5 or less or yu actually cross into or out of the Otherworlds. The savaging of your body inflicts an unsoakable health level of lethal damage that may be healed normally. Strange phenomena, clearly identifying the harm a stemming form no earthly source, often accompanies the reopening of Storm-Scarred wounds: Faint moans issuing forth from the bloody gashes as they open, tears that bleed in arcane and terrible shapes, and the hissing and smoking of searing flesh are fairly common manifestations of this level of Storm-Scarring.
[ 1 - 4 ] Spiritual Duty ( The Spirit Ways -Page 106 )
You owe allegiance to a powerful spirit. This Flaw is often possessed by Dreamspeakers who also have the Spirit-Trained Flaw, though any mage who has dealt with spirits extensively may take it. While you are not always at this spirit's beck and call, it asks you for favors or assistance frequently. This relationship may be one of mutual aid, in which case you can take the spirit as one of your allies. However, your connection to the spirit could be one-way or even unwilling. Perhaps you swore allegiance to it in return for saving your life when you were lost in the Umbra. Alternatively, maybe you attempted to bargain with it for some service, and it tricked you into swearing eternal servitude. Spirits who are willing to trick mortals into serving them often do not have the most pleasant motives for doing so. Such spirits also rarely care if the servants survive the tasks asked of them. Add one point to this Flaw (to a maximum of four points) if your service to the spirit is a result of trickery or coercion. The rest of the value of this Flaw depends on the exact frequency and nature of the services it requires of you. Minor services of an infrequent and usually nondangerous nature are worth only one point. More frequent, dangerous, expensive, or elaborate services are worth additional points. Remember that unlike mortals, spirits have odd and sometimes inexplicable desires. Sometimes a spirit will request relatively ordinary forms of aid, such as protecting a family or a location. However, these services could easily include regular offerings, which could involve anything from flowers to cash to animal sacrifice. A mage who takes this Flaw will have a longterm relationship with this spirit, so the Storyteller should endeavor to give the spirit a deep personality, including complex wants and needs. Of course, most spirits are, by their nature, fairly straightforward -- but a spirit may have reasons to achieve its goals through intermediaries or in ways that a human wouldn't approach the same goal.
[ 1 - 5 ] Cursed ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 40 ) You've been cursed by someone or something with supernatural or magical powers. This curse is specific and detailed. It can't be dispelled without extreme effort, and it can be lifethreatening. A one-point Flaw might be if you pass on a secret that was told to you, your betrayal will later harm you in some way. A twopoint Flaw might be that you stutter uncontrollably when you try to describe what you've seen or heard. A three-point Flaw might be that tools often break or malfunction when you attempt to use them. A four-point Flaw might be that you're doomed to make enemies of those to whom you become most attached. A five-point Flaw might be that every one of your accomplishments or achievements will eventually, inevitably become soiled and fail in some way.
[ 1 - 5 ] Echoes ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page aaaaa ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 39 ) The beliefs of the unawakened affect you more strongly than they do most mages. Depending on where you are at any given time, the superstitious beliefs of the Sleepers around you can actually become your reality. The severity of the Echoes differs from mage to mage -- for some, there is only minor inconvenience, but for others, the situation can be deadly. In some cases, the beliefs of the Sleepers can be beneficial, but they are most often harmful in some way.
Very Minor: 1 point. While you're not truly affected by the Echoes, you have an affect on the nature of reality in the area. For example, milk may sour in your presence, or bread doesn't rise while you're in the kitchen.
[ 1 - 5 ] Geasa ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 298 )
Mild: 2 points. Echoes of this level can be an inconvenience, sometimes physically and sometimes mentally. For example, dogs have a tendency to growl when you're around; you could be physically incapable of entering a person's home without permission (anyone at all can invite you in, it need not be the owner of the property); horses break into a hard sweat when you're nearby.
There's something your character must or must not do, and his life, his luck, his magic (and perhaps his very soul) depends on it. It may be something that has always been upon him, a Geas prophesied by druids at his birth, or a curse laid on him by faeries at his christening. It may also be a sacred oath or vow he swore, or a promise or bargain he made, and Someone (with a capital S) witnessed it and is going to hold him to it. If he disobeys, the consequences are dire, if not deadly.
Noticeable: 3 points. The flaws are easily noticed by those with a trained eye. You're easily distracted by religious symbols of any nature; you develop a sudden allergy to salt; your hair moves opposite the breeze. Distracting: 4 points. You have trouble concentrating when people act a certain way around you, and people of a superstitious nature won't trust you without the aid of magic. You may be affected by the "evil eye"; anyone casting this gesture in your direction is unaffected by your powers; certain herbs and home remedies have the same affect on you; you cast no shadow, or your shadow moves of its own volition. Powerful: 5 points. You're still able to alter reality, but you're now susceptible to the whims of the collective unconscious. Also, you now affect reality without trying. The beliefs of the area where you're currently located can grant you extra powers and cause you physical changes. You might not sink in water, you float; physically touching the ground can cause you pain; those who are "psychically aware" are thrown into convulsions in your presence and often speak in tongues.
Prerequsite: Must be attached to another Flaw or Merit.
The value of a Geas depends on how easily it's broken and the penalty for violating it. If the penalty is the loss of some Merit or Background, deduct the Geas' rating from the value of the Merit or Background and make that number the value of the Flaw. When you take a Geas, choose the Flaw(s), Background(s), and/or Merit(s) to which the Geas is attached. Then either lessen the final value of the Flaw(s) or decrease the cost of the Merit(s) and/or Background(s). In the case of Merits that may be taken multiple times, you may take the Geas the same number of times to decrease the cost. However, you Geas should be at least one point less than the total value of the Merits, Backgrounds, and/or Flaws to which it's linked. In other words, you can't get a Merit or background for free just by piling on strictures and limitations. Storytellers should examine each Geas to make sure it makes sense in terms of story, rather than just being a pile of bizarre restrictions and commandments that could only be explained by faeries dropping acid at a christening. Storytellers should also blackball any Geas that doesn't cause actual problems. Losing your soul if you die is a problem, and so is losing a legendary Attribute if you lose you virginity. However, it's to be expected that you'll lose all of your Attributes, enhanced or otherwise, when you die, so this isn't a
legitimate problem unless your character also has some way to come back from the dead. The point value of the Geasa suggested here is only approximate, and it'll vary depending on character and circumstances. Classic penalties for violating a Geas include suffering a dark fate, losing one's Avatar, having luck turn from good to bad (losing the Lucky Merit), being deserted by one's familiar (especially if the Geas was a pact you made with the beast), losing a totem, losing all one's friends, and losing one's worldly possessions. Characters may have several Geasa that may come into conflict. Cuchulainn had the Geasa to "Never refuse hospitality" and to "Never harm a dog" (his namesake). Three hags then offered him a roast dog for dinner and Cuchulainn died soon after. Consequently, most mages try to keep their Geasa secret, lest they be used against them by enemy mages. Unfortunately, Geasa can be divined by a simple Entropy 1 Effect mixed with a little skill in fortune telling as can one's destiny. Elaborate traps have been devised to force mages to violate all their Geasa in succession, leading to their flamboyant destruction. Perversely, Geasa, curses, holy vows, and binding oaths are also marks of great status among certain Traditions, particularly the Akashic Brotherhood, Verbena, and Celestial Chorus, who accord status to mages with such Flaws. Simply put, unimportant people don't have Geasa or family curses, and someone who takes a binding oath or makes a sacred vow (and keeps it) is worthy of respect. Most Technomancers, on the other hand, aren't impressed by people who take vows of chastity or silence, and they're similarly blasé about those who break them. Traditionally, there's very little that may be done about Geasa, which are simply facets of one's destiny, and curses are devilishly hard to lift (and the Flaw must be bought off if they are). However, with binding oaths, sacred vows, and the bans imposed by totem spirits, characters who violate them accidentally may attempts to atone for their crime. A witch who has vowed to
never eat any red meat, then suddenly finds ham in her pea soup, might be able to atone for the trespass by fasting and sending checks to PETA. However, if a mage violates an oath willingly and with full knowledge -- and survives -- he becomes an oathbreaker, one of the most foul epithets among the Traditions. The destiny of an oathbreaker is scarred permanently, and the marks show clearly to the same Entropy 1 magic that reveals a mage's destiny. As such, it's virtually impossible for an oathbreaker to find a tutor or any sort of aid among those Traditions that value one's sworn word. Some Traditions, notably the Order of Hermes and the Verbena, kill oathbreakers on sight, numbering them among the Nephandi, whose dark paths of power are the only ones left open to them. Ironically, many oathbreakers are young infernalists who foreswore their allegiance to the Dark Masters -and the binding oath they had been given -- after realizing the price of that power. Destiny, however, doesn't play favorites, and those who break their word to Hell are just as stigmatized as those who lie to Heaven. Characters who wish to begin as oathbreakers should take Dark Fate or some other curse. Occasionally there are good and noble characters who have sworn foolish oaths in the past, then have broken them rather than allow some greater evil to occur. It's impossible to erase the stain from the soul once one is foresworn, but some have friends who'll stand by them, even though most mages will spit when they say their names. Geasa may be taken at the same time as the Compulsion Flaw, assuming that the Compulsion doesn't make the Geas impossible. For example, a witch could be both under a Geas and supernaturally (or just psychologically) compelled to stop and pet every cat she saw, lest she suffer a dark fate. 1pts.
Inevitable circumstance or incredible sacrifice: W touch the earth, if you ever speak another word.
2pts.
Almost unavoidable circumstance or significant sa
3pts.
4pts.
5pts.
(whether you know he exists or not). For the package deal and a truly miserable existence, take Never 5 points, butdown expect theaStoryteller to tell takea secret, never refus Everyday circumstance or common sacrifice: back from fight, never every opportunity to use these against you. This never have children. Flaw can be "worked off" during the course of play, only difficulty. Unlikely circumstance or a small sacrifice: Stopbut and petwith every cat you see, never eat any animal product, ne animal, or a certain type of person, never raise you sword in answer.
Easily avoided circumstance or trivial sacrifice: Never break bread with a red-haired man, say your prayers vitamins, never harm the king, don't eat ham, keep one small secret. [ 1 - 6 ] Conditional Magic ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 294 )
[ 1 - 5 ] Supernatural Enemy ( Halls Of The Arcanum -- Page 63 ) Due to an incident in your past, you have an enemy who is a vampire, werewolf, or other such devilish creature. It'll not be a constant threat, but it'll appear to bedevil you and your companions. The more powerful the enemy, or the more frequent his appearance, the more powerful the Flaw. You must determine who your enemy is (although the Storyteller will create him), and how you became enemies; this can easily be worked into your character's Prelude.
[ 1 - 5 ] Throwback ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 39 ) One or more of your past lives still affects you badly. Their fears come back to haunt you in your dreams, and you have flashbacks of their worst memories (such as their death, or, even worse, a personality that encroaches on your own). For bad dreams or flashbacks, take one to two points depending on the severity of the condition and how much it'll affect your studies or performance in dangerous situations. For a "roommate in your head," take three points
This may be a merit or a flaw with the same point values regardless. There's one thing in the world that's a great boon, or bane, to your character's magic. Perhaps her spells work particularly well against men, or on Tuesdays, or just after a storm, or on people dressed all in black. Maybe she's powerless to affect those who are or who bear that certain thing, such as her magic being unable to affect Christians or those who carry a piece of rowan and red thread. It may be that a certain individual gave her power over them, or perhaps it's utterly proof against her magic due to an oath she swore or spells that were placed on her. The conditions that affect your magic may be common, uncommon, or rare, and the value of this Merit or Flaw depends on the rarity of the condition. The base costs listed here assume that you have a difficulty modifier to three on all Arete rolls under the given conditions. You may adjust the difficulty by one for every point more or less you devote to the Trait. 1pt.
Unique: The Sword of Roland, the Matriarch of th
2pt.
Scarce as hen's teeth: Current or former members
3pt.
Rare, but not unheard of: Toadstones, Swedish roy
4pt.
Special order: Virgins, middle eastern eye-bead ch
5pt.
Available without much trouble: Cold iron, silver,
6pt.
Common as dirt: Men, anyone who's ever been ba
For the three-point version of this Flaw, you not only have the difficulty problem with acting in concert, but you must spend a temporary Willpower point to do so.
[ 1, 2, OR 6 ] Psychic Feedback ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 56 ) Prerequsite: Psychic While the psychic is gifted with potent powers, the use of the talent tires him. Some psychics even experience minor cerebral hemorrhages from he strain of using the power. As a 1 point Flaw, the character experiences headaches or dizziness from each use of the power. Roll Stamina + meditation (difficulty 7) or experience a round of pain or disorientation. All actions while in this state are at +2 to the difficulty number. As a 2 point Flaw, the psychic experiences minor long-term pain from use of this power. You should roll Intelligence (difficulty 6) to "soak" the power's activation successes, which are scored as bashing damage. As a 6 point Flaw, the psychic takes this as lethal damage, though a "mental soak" is still allowed.
[ 1 OR 3 ] Discordant ( Tradition Book: Celestial Chorus (Revised) -- Page 62 ) Prerequsite: Celestial Chorus For some reason, your mage doesn't fit into the harmony of the Chorus. This Flaw isn't an actual problem with singing -- although she probably isn't any good at that, either -- but rather, it's a problem in finding a way to become part of the whole. Any time your Singer wishes to perform magic by acting in concert with another mage, you suffer a penalty. For the one-point version of this Flaw, you just suffer a one-point difficulty increase on your rolls for acting in concert.
[ 1 OR 3 ] Unsettling Effect ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 57 ) Prerequsite: Psychic Though many psychic powers are completely intangible and unnoticeable, something about your character's psychic phenomena causes others to recognize that there's something weird going on. For one point, you have a single intangible power (like Telepathy or Psychometry) that generates an unsettling effect -- perhaps your subjects can feel your character paging through their minds or everyone around the psychic feels a welter of harmless but eerie emotions when she touches a psychicallycharged object. For three points, all of your intangible powers (including ones that you learn later) have some sort of unsettling effect like this. This is in addition to any Resonance that your character may have.
[ 2 ] Calling Card ( Tradition Book: Euthanatos (Revised) -- Page 69 ) Prerequsite: Euthanatos Maybe your character has a self-destructive streak or maybe it's just bad luck, but she can't seem to keep from leaving some trace of her presence anywhere she doesn't want to be connected to. This persistent clue of her involvement can be found at crime scenes, abandoned sage houses, or any number of compromising places. Dogged investigators can recognize the signs she leaves and soon learn when she's been around.
You should choose some sign or set of signs the character leaves behind, like butts and packing from her favorite brand of cigarettes, odd signs of her Resonance, or even an actual calling card that she has a compulsion to leave behind. Finding the calling card usually takes two successes on a perception + Investigation roll (difficulty 6), but once the investigator finds the sign twice it drops to a single success. The calling card also reveals some minor detail about the character, such as her habits or musical tastes. Finally, this is a "hole" in the Arcane Background, which doesn't stymie the use of Abilities to glean information or find the calling card. Magical attempts are countered as usual.
[ 2 ] Curse Of The Otherworlds ( The Infinite Tapestry -- Page 188 ) For whatever reasons, you do not do well in the worlds beyond the Gauntlet. Perhaps your Avatar is tied a little less strongly to you than most, or maybe your lineage includes an incarnated spirit in the ancient past and that heritage cries out for you to join the ranks of the Umbra's natives. In any case, you Disembody at an accelerated rate and, whereas Acclimation is a pain for some, it is, for you, an object of dread. Whenever you enter the Umbra, you automatically begin at second-stage Acclimation for the purposes of returning and you halve all times between stages, with the roll to resist Disembodiment occurring at the end of six weeks instead of twelve. Subsequent Willpower rolls to resist Disembodiment are made every three days thereafter. Some spirits may find you particularly repulsive on account of this Flaw, while others (not necessarily malevolent, given the strange moralities to which such beings adhere) may be quite friendly to you and try to convince you to enter and remain in the Umbra for a s long as possible. Among Dreamspeakers, despite the methods developed by that Tradition
to circumvent the possibility of Disembodiment and the need for Acclimation upon return from the Otherworlds, this is seen as a terrible stain on a mage's soul. Dreamspeaker characters with his Flaw, therefore, increase all difficulties for social rolls with others of their Tradition by two.
[ 2 ] Permanent Paradox Flaw ( Masters Of The Art -- Page 84 ) You suffered a nasty Paradox backlash at some point, and the effects linger on, resisting all attempts at a magical cure. Pick a relatively simple flaw with the Storyteller's approval. That flaw affects you constantly, and you can't get rid of it without some major work (like severing part of your Avatar or finding an Exemplar of Prime).
[ 2 - 5 ] Blood-Hungry Soul ( Blood Treachery -- Page 86 ) One of your prior incarnations (likely one alive during the original Massasa War) fell under the seductive spell of vampiric vitae. Your mage was "born" into his Awakened life an addict (as were all of his incarnations after the unfortunate imbibing of the accursed nectar). It is only now, however, with the rekindling of the war, that his Avatar remembers the desire for the blood that so fulfilled it. For two points, your mage's Avatar remembers its addiction as a long-recovered addict might; it was a bad choice, made long ago and foolishly. Nevertheless, the hunger whispers to his soul every so often, prompting a Willpower roll (difficulty 5) to resist temptation whenever an opportunity to potentially get vampire blood presents itself. Failing that, you must make
another roll (difficulty 6) to turn down the stuff if the initial opportunity proves fruitful. The three-point version of this Flaw is identical to the weaker version, save that the first roll's difficulty is 6 and the second increases to 8. The five-point variant awakens within the character all the wracking agonies of a ghoul's lust for his unclean sacrament. Players of these unfortunates must roll Willpower (difficulty 8) to stay the hell away from a chance to lay hands on the sweet venom of Caine's Curse. Should that roll not prove sufficient, make a second roll (difficulty 10) to thrust it away and flee from this self-annihilating lust. A few Thig have taken to referring to this Flaw as having a "crack-baby Avatar."
[ 2 - 5 ] Crucial Component ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 299 ) There's some raw ingredient your mage needs to work his magic, besides magic itself. This component may be something rare or esoteric, like diamonds or ghostly ectoplasm, or perhaps something common or easily obtainable, like anger, alcohol, or electricity. Without this crucial component, he can't work his magic, and if this crucial component can't be worked into a casting, oh well -- you need to find a different Effect. This Flaw doesn't merely represent a Technocrat's reliance on scientific devices and scientific principles. A Virtual Adept doesn't need a computer to work his computations; if he had to, he could use a slide-rule or a pencil and paper, or even do them in his head -- it just takes longer. But Dr. Va-Voom requires diesel fuel to power all his Devices, and they won't work if he tries to attach solar cells or an etheric proton pack -- or at least they won't work for him. This substance doesn't have to be direct from the source -- moonlight can be charged into
moonstones and holy water can be bottled -- but it does have to be properly stored, with whatever methods or rituals are appropriate. Charged moonstones must be kept in a black velvet pouch, away from the light of the sun, while holy water must be kept in a specially blessed flask, for example. 1pt.
Sunlight, eggs, motor oil, tea, aspirin, electricity, em
2pt.
Sunlight, eggs, motor oil, tea, aspirin, electricity, em
3pt.
Beeswax candles, blood, fresh lavender, grave dirt,
4pt.
Virgin's blood, hashish, dead humans, gold, platoni
5pt.
Diamonds, live humans, rare orchids, lightning stri
[ 2 - 6 ] Dependence On Props ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 107 ) Prerequsite: Shaman While all mages must use foci to work their magic, shamanism often focuses on highly ritualistic traditions. Therefore, some shamans have additional requirements on top of their foci. Unlike foci that vary from Sphere to Sphere, props must be used for all Spheres. Regardless of the specific type of prop, you can work magic only while using your chosen prop. Props like cross-dressing and being able to work magic only while standing above (or below) ground level, are only two point Flaws. More extensive props -- like being able to work magic only while under the influence of a mild drug (which would subtract one die form all Dexterity and Perception rolls) or only when wearing a special costume -- are three point Flaws. Being able to work magic only while sitting on a specially made stool, or while riding an intricately carved hobbyhorse, are six point Flaws. All costumes and other physical props
must be made according to special ritual requirements. These items are elaborately decorated, often with shell, copper, iron, feathers, and bells. None of these garments or items can pass as ordinary First-World garments, furniture, or toys.
[ 2 - 6 ] Spirit Magnet ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 39 ) This is a 3 to 7 point Merit or a 2 to 60 point Flaw. Spirits congregate at a location in the Umbra that parallels your position in the Realm. You don't know of their presence unless you possess the first Rank of the Spirit Sphere or have been alerted by others that do. Spirits are there because they like being around the Quintessence that forms your physical body's Pattern or your Avatar. These spirits often fight amongst themselves for various reasons -- the spirits are enemies, they all want to be around the character's heart or brain, they want to protect the character, they want to kill the character, etc. Some of these spirits might remain within the Spirit Realms in areas that correlate with the physical space that makes up a mage's Pattern in the physical world. Some areas in the Spirit Realms correlate to physical locations. These spirits affect the behavior and appearance of the character. If there are evil spirits within the character's "spirit" form, they'll be likely to help the character out in appropriate situations. Also note that there's a distinction between spirits and wraiths. If the Spirit Magnet is a Merit, benign spirits will clock about the Umbra in the area (of the Penumbra) that correlates to the character's physical location. They will do what they can to alert the character to dangers within the Umbra. If the character is about to unknowingly perform an act that's "evil," the spirits will do their best
to alert the character of that fact. If these spirits are destroyed, others will soon arrive to take their place. If the Spirit Magnet is a flaw, malignant spirits battle over the same location. They seek to taint the character with evil thoughts and pollute the Umbra about the location. Evil spirits will often taunt characters and try to annoy the mage at the worst of times. Other mages will notice this, and no amount of magics will keep these spirits away for long. The number of Freebie Points spent or gained affects the level of spirit involvement with the character and other spirits within the Umbra.
[ 2 - 7 ] Magical Prohibition Or Imperative ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 40 ) There is something you must or must not do, and your life, your luck, your magic, and perhaps your very soul depends on it. It may be something that has always been upon you, a geas prophesied by druids at your birth, a sacred oath or vow you swore, or a promise or bargain you made, and Someone (with a capital S) witnessed it and is going to hold you to it. If you disobey, the consequences are dire, if not deadly. Characters may have several magical prohibitions or imperatives, and these may come into conflict. In Celtic myth, Cuchulainn had the geas to "Never refuse hospitality" and "Never eat dot meat." Three hags once offered him roast dog for dinner, and Cuchulainn died soon after. Consequently, most mages keep their magical prohibitions and imperatives secret, lest they be used against them by enemy mages. Perversely, geasa curses and sacred oaths are also marks of great status among certain traditions, especially the Verbena and Dreamspeakers, who accord status to mages with such Flaws as if each were
extra points of Destiny. Simply put, unimportant people don't have geasa or family curses. Storytellers should examine each prohibition or imperative and assign a point value to it, as well as to the punishment for violating it. Easily avoided circumstances, such as "Never break bread with a red-haired man," are worth 1 point, while more common, or difficult, things, such as "Stop and pet every cat you see," are worth 2 points. Particularly drastic or dangerous circumstances, such as "Never back down from a fight,&uqot; are worth 3 (or more) points. Consequences are worth points as well. Automatically botching the next major spell you do is worth 1 point, having bad luck for the rest of your life is worth 2, losing all your friends and worldly possessions is worth 3, dying is worth 4, and being deserted by your Avatar is worth 5. Characters and Storytellers may come up with variants of these. Traditionally, there is very little that may be done about geasa, which are simply facets of one's Destiny, and curses are devilishly hard to lift (and the Flaw must be bought off if they are). Characters who accidentally violate them may attempt to atone for their crime, fixing whatever they did wrong. A witch who has vowed to never eat any red meat, and then suddenly finds ham in her pea soup, might be able to atone for the trespass by fasting and sending checks to PETA. However, if a mage violates a n oath willingly and with full knowledge -- and survives -- he becomes an oathbreaker, one of the foulest epithets among the Traditions. Oathbreakers are psychically marked. It is virtually impossible for them to find a tutor or any sort of aid. Some Traditions, notably the Order of Hermes and the Verbena, kill them on sight, numbering them among the Nephandi, whose dark paths of power are the only ones left open to them. Characters who wish to begin as an oathbreaker should take Dark Fate or some Curse, as well as the 4 point Oathbreaker flaw.
[ 3 ] Demented Eidolon ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 171 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy Member The voices in your head won't let you be! Superstitionist visions torment you night and day, weird Eidolons tantalize you with their commands, everything in you says you're going insane, but still the Genius drives you toward a complete breakdown... or treason. Essentially, this Flaw represents a mystic Avatar -- one that refuses to accept the Technocracy's paradigm, and runs around in your head in a fully supernatural form. This split between your conscious mind and mystic soul erodes your sanity and tears at your allegiance to the Union. It makes an appropriate addition to Merits like Avatar Companion, Inner Knight, Past Life, Spirit Mentor and Twin Souls, as well as Flaws like Dark Fate, Psychic Vampire and Throwback. What you see and what you believe are on a crash course. Sooner or later, one will win... or you'll go mad... or both.
[ 3 ] Distinctive Shamanic Appearance ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 107 ) Prerequsite: Shaman Either through magical prohibitions or personal choice, you appear very unusual. Some mages with this Flaw intentionally cross-dress in a manner that makes it impossible to pass as a member of the other gender (such as a bearded man wearing a dress). Others continually wear traditional shamanic costumes covered with fringe, shells, and metal ornaments. This Flaw also covers Techno-shamans with spiked Mohawks and multiple piercings, or people
covered with large obvious tattoos, especially on their face or hands. While the exact nature of your Distinctive Shamanic Appearance is highly variable, the results are all similar. Most middle-class citizens of the First World will regard you as a freak and an outcast. Except for a few professions, you will have difficulty finding any but the most menial work. People will state at you, and police and security guards are much more likely to harass you. However, all members of these subcultures experience the same social problems that you do. There are also artistic and bohemian subcultures where you can be accepted but even they are likely to regard you as somewhat odd. Essentially, if you take this Flaw, normal social interactions will become more difficult, and you will be extremely noticeable.
[ 3 ] Haunted ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -Page 41 ) You're haunted by a ghost that only you (and Mediums) can see and hear. It actively dislikes you and enjoys making your life miserable by insulting, berating, and distracting you, especially when you need to keep your cool. It also have a number of minor powers it can use against you (once per story for each power): Hiding small objects; bringing a "chill" over others, making them very ill at ease with you; causing a loud buzzing in your ear or the ears of others; moving an object such as a knife or pen; breaking a fragile item such as a bottle or mirror; tripping you; or making eerie noises, such as chains rattling. Yelling at the ghost can sometimes drive it away, but it'll confuse those who are around you. The Storyteller will likely personify the ghost in order to make things all the more frustrating for you.
[ 3 ] Nephandic Taint ( Initiates Of The Art -- Page 83 ) Somewhere early in your training, you studied a bit with a generous and helpful master. Turns out he had a reason for being such a nice guy. Although you didn't fall to the Lost Path and your Avatar is still (hopefully) untainted, you wound up learning a bit at the hands/feet/tentacles/whatever of a Nephandus. This colors all of your magic; your Resonance tends to flavor with destructive, primordial effects. You can't learn Qlippothic Entropy (you're not truly one of the Fallen), but the distinction is lost on most mages. You may have trouble finding a new mentor, and you will always be suspect.
[ 3 ] Spiritually Noticeable ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 107 ) Prerequsite: Must possess either the Medium Merit or the Spirit Sight Merit Spirits automatically notice that mages with this Flaw can always perceive them. Unlike the Spirit Magnet Merit or Flaw, Spiritually Noticeable mages are known to be able to interact easily with spirits. While most spirits will ignore you, wraiths who need aid in the mortal world, nature spirits who are upset with environmental destruction, and odd spirits who merely want to talk to a human will flock to you. These spirits may be annoyed, or they may be honestly friendly, but they all want something from you. While having spirits frequently hitting you up for favors can be annoying, having them do so when you are involved in some potentially hazardous activity can be extremely dangerous.
Many mages with this Flaw either ward their dwellings against spiritual intrusions or make deals with one or more spirits to act as guardians.
[ 3 ] Trance Requirement ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 107 )
some faerie heritage or the like (and is most common among Verbena with the Fae Blood Merit). As a 3-pt Flaw, the touch of cold iron either provides three dice of countermagic against your spells or inflicts a health level of bashing damage per turn it's in contact with you. As a 4.pt. Flaw it does both, or inflicts lethal damage. As a 5-pt. Flaw, it provides both three dice of countermagic and inflicts a health level of lethal damage each round it is in contact with you.
Prerequsite: Shaman In order to use one of your Spheres of magic, you must enter a deep and moderately long trance. The trance must last a minimum of 15 minutes. You cannot use the chosen Sphere in any way, including conjunctional magic, without entering a trance. You can enter the trance through dancing, drumming, taking euphoric drugs, or deep meditation. However, while in the trance, you are completely unaware of the outside world. If someone shakes you and attempts to get your attention, you must succeed in a Perception + Awareness roll with a difficulty of 8 to notice the interruption. Even if you overcome the need for foci with your trance Sphere, the need to enter a trance remains. Fortunately, to most Sleepers, someone in a trance induced by meditation or selfhypnosis merely appears to be napping. Similarly going into trance through dancing can be easily done at any party or nightclub. While dancing, you will usually avoid bumping into others, but you will still be completely oblivious to the outside world.
[ 3 - 5 ] Witch's Bane ( Tradition Book: Verbena (Revised) -- Page 71 ) Prerequsite: Verbena The touch of cold iron is anathema to both you and your magic, or both. This may be due to
[ 3 - 6 ] Faust's Burden ( Blood Treachery -Page 86 ) Either your mage or one of her prior incarnations cut a deal with a potent Umbrood, and now she must uphold her end of the bargain. This creature need not be a demon. Mammon, after all, is likely to be much friendlier (in the short term, at least) about the matter of a debt owed than, say, Uriel. If it was a previous incarnation that forged this ill-advised pact, the entity remembers your mage's soul (read: Avatar), and it will begin hounding her soon after the Awakening for its due. For three points, your mage owes a significant service to this creature. This service might include a dangerous quest in its name, the freedom to possess you at any time of its choosing thrice in your life, or frequent sacrifices of property or Tass. For four points, this Umbrood may demand more significant sacrifices. For example, it might compel your mage to undertake a potentially life-threatening quest, demand that her magic always be worked in ways that create a Resonance pleasing to it, or impose significant strictures on her life. The five-point version of this Flaw grants the spirit leave to send the mage into a virtually certain death scenario, to claim her firstborn, or to force her to use her magic at any time in any way it sees fit.
In the case of these first three variants of this Flaw, failure to comply will be punished accordingly (the Storyteller is encouraged to be a genuine bastard). For the full six points, your mage owes the being in question her immortal soul. It may command her, possess her, use her powers, senses, knowledge (et cetera) at will, and it is perfectly within its rights to do its damnedest to collect as quickly as possible, short of killing her itself. In theory, an awe-inspiring number of successes on a Prime 2, Entropy 5, Spirit 5 Effect might break this obligation. It is much more likely, however, that a combination of cunning, bravery, sheer willpower and luck will overcome the bargain.
[ 3, 4, OR 5 ] Psi Focus ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 57 )
This may be a Merit or Flaw of the same point value. Though many psychics lack formal training of their gifts, some lack even the most basic control of their powers. These "wild" psychics tend to have powerful gifts, though the lack of control makes up for the extra power they might have. To determine the level of the Flaw, use the following table. The total Merit or Flaw cannot exceed 4 points. +1
For every extra die the character has when using the
-1
The character must make a Willpower roll (difficulty
-2
The character can only consciously use the power de can use the power to deflect attacks).
-3
The character has no conscious control of the power useful clairvoyant dreams.)
-4
The character's power activates randomly (at least on channeler contacts the spirit of an ancient warrior du
Prerequsite: Psychic Perhaps your psychic needs his lucky crystals to properly heal the sick. Possibly, his cyberkinetic powers require him to mime the action he wishes the machine to perform. Maybe his telekinesis only works on a hubcap he found one afternoon. Either way, he requires some form of crutch for his psychic powers to work. For 3 points, the character must gesture or speak some catch phrase or incantation for the power to work. For 4 points, the power requires a physical focus to work (crystals, a hypnotist's pocket watch, a harmonica). For 5 points, the power only works with a specific focus, akin to a mage's unique focus.
[ 4 ] Wild Talent ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 55 ) Prerequsite: Psychic
[ 4 - 5 ] Prone To Quiet ( Tradition Book: Virtual Adepts (Revised) -- Page 62 ) Prerequsite: Virtual Adept An Adept inflicted with this Flaw falls into Quiet more easily than most mages. This is unfortunately common among Nexplorers and Reality Coders for different reasons. Nexplorers fall prey to it because they escape into digital fantasy to relieve frustrations. Reality coders gain it because their work in realspace leads to quicker accumulation of paradox. Storytellers may impose a "Quiet roll" on mages with this Flaw in times of stress. The player must roll Intelligence + Enigmas against a target number set by the Storyteller based on the severity of the stress.
[ 5 ] Bound By The Law Of Three ( Tradition Book: Verbena (Revised) -- Page 71 )
riddles. Many also dress as the other gender (though players gain no additional points for doing so).
Prerequsite: Verbena
Contraries are sacred clowns and fools whose existence helps to show that reality is not as solid and immutable as most Sleepers believe. Not all contraries are magicians -- they are social outlets, showing the reverses of "normal" behavior. However, their dedication to change and opposition to static behavior certainly bolsters the Awakened insights of contrary mages. As a result, they gain an unusual level of magical power. When a contrary acts appropriately, reduce the difficulty of all magic rolls by one. Also, given how oddly they normally act, using their foci to perform magic often seems entirely in character. A contrary may even take contrary behavior as a focus for a particular Sphere -- often Mind or Spirit.
For whatever reason, you are more than just a believer in the Verbena ideal of the Law of Threefold Return, you are a living embodiment of it, in that whatever harm you do to others using magic eventually returns to plague you. The exact definition of "harm" is up to you and the Storyteller to decide, but it definitely includes inflicting injury, pain, illness and bad luck, as well as influencing others against their will. Using magic to achieve any of these ends is always considered "vulgar with witnesses" for you (you and the gods are witness to it, if no one else). This means you accumulate more Paradox for it (possibly much more), and you're more likely to suffer Paradox Backlashes because of it. You can still use magic on others against their will, as long as doing so does not cause harm. Examples include binding someone to prevent them from doing harm to themselves or others, and using rotes like Banishing Blessing to gently guide unwanted people out of your life for a while.
Because contraries' magic is highly tied to their unusual behavior, they must be careful to always uphold their diametric actions. If a contrary ever ceases to act in an appropriate manner, increase the difficulty of all magic rolls by two. This penalty continues until the contrary resumes diametric behavior for a full scene.
Prerequsite: Shaman
In modern Western culture, many people assume that a contrary is either insane or exceedingly annoying an confusing. Some contraries work s entertainers of various sorts, but holding ordinary jobs is usually impossible. The Technocracy is especially wary of contrary mages, assuming they are all potential marauders. However, most contraries have no actual magical power, so contraries are usually just watched, not actively harassed.
You are one of the oddest and most enigmatic types of shaman, a contrary. Contraries attempt to live their lives in ways diametrically opposed to the ordinary fashion. Most say exactly the opposite of what they mean and attempt to live in reverse by sitting the wrong way in chairs, traveling only in the hottest part of the day, eating at unusual times, attempting to pass outrageous lies for the truth, or speaking only in
Playing a contrary is not something to be undertaken lightly. Always saying the opposite of what you mean, only answering direct questions with another question, or spouting long nonsense rhymes is difficult to play, and it may well annoy the Storyteller and the other players. It is best if you talk to your Storyteller about playing such a character, and that you are certain you can do it correctly.
[ 5 ] Contrary ( The Spirit Ways -- Page 107 )
[ 5 ] Psychic Vampire ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 41 ) [ 5 ] Dark Fate ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 300 )OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 42 ) Some terrible fate looms over your mage, and worse still, she knows it. She'll die in a horrible way, or she may be doomed to suffer for eternity. Maybe she had a vision of her own Gilgul, or of entering the Cauls of the Nephandi. Your character can't escape this fate, and it'll come to haunt her sooner than she thinks. Occasionally, situations may remind your mage of the futility of her existence. You must spend a Willpower Point to overcome such lassitude or else lose a die from all rolls for the rest of the day. Only the Storyteller knows the exact nature of this fate, and it's up to him to determine how it'll come to pass.
[ 5 ] Path Inept ( Sorcerer (Revised) -- Page 57 ) Prerequsite: Sorcerer For some reason, your sorcerer is considerably limited in his ability to advance in the study of a certain branch of your chosen magic. This may be the result of a curse, poor training, or even emotional scars from childhood. Whatever the reason, you must choose a single Path from that available to your character's Society. In this Path, you must spend one quarter more Experience Points for any gain of path level or rituals. Be sure to choose a Path that your character plans to study -- your Storyteller has ways to get back at you if you try to avoid your Flaw.
The spark of Life is dying within you and must be continually fed from outside forces. You're a psychic vampire. Plants and insect life wither or die in your presence as you feed on their energies, and any person you touch for more than an hour will suffer one non-aggravated health level as you siphon away his life. Those already injured (including those whose bruised health level has been sucked away) won't heal while in your presence. You can still be in the same building without harming someone, but sharing a bed isn't possible unless you want the other person to slowly die. If you don't feed the emptiness within yourself at least once a day, you'll begin to die. The rate at which you take wounds follows the progression for natural healing in reverse: You take a health level after one day, a second in three days, a third in a week, a fourth in a month, and, finally, one wound every three months. Mages with this Flaws who possess the Sphere of Life have a -2 on all difficulties with Effects designed to damage, stunt, destroy, or corrupt a living thing when the healing touch is used. For each health level done in this matter, however, a health level caused to the mage as the result of life-energy starvation may be healed, or, if the mage hasn't gone without, the dying flame may be sated for an additional hour per level done. While a psychic vampire is bloated with Life energies, he won't automatically cause death and injury to those around him. The Verbena and the Celestial Chorus both find this Flaw to be a mark of extreme evil, best dealt with by the extermination of the one possessing it, while the Nephandi actively recruit those with this dark blessing. On the plus side, vampires find your blood completely lacking in sustenance.
[ 5 ] Ritual Sleeper ( Sorcerer (Revised) -Page 57 )
[ 5 ] Subject To Paradox ( Guide To The Technocracy -- Page 132 )
Prerequsite: Sorcerer
Prerequsite: Technocracy member
There is no such thing as the quick fix. Real magic takes time and effort. You cannot just wave your hand and expect the forces of the universe the leap at your beck and call -- at least, that's what your character thinks. You do not have access to any instant magical effects whatsoever. All of your sorcerer's magic is therefore limited to rituals. Even normally "instant" effects require some ritual; your sorcerer must devise rituals to perform. If the rules for your character's magical society already consider this, your Storyteller may disallow this option for Flaws. Ironically, this means that any time your character witnesses any instantaneous magical effect, she is treated as a Sleeper.
You're an aberration of consensual reality. Although you probably don't employ Enlightened Science in the Technocracy, the backlashes that plague your comrades occasionally screw you up, as well. When the Paradox Effect manifests, you break down: Your skin erupts into boils, your mechanisms seize up, your circuits blow, your organs spasm... in short, bad things happen.
[ 5 ] Sphere Inept ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 300 ) OR ( The Book Of Shadows: The Player's Guide For Mage: The Ascension -- Page 41 ) For some reason, your mage sucks at a certain kind of magic. She could be paying off some karmic debt or struggling with some metaphysical concept. Maybe she invested her knowledge in some item in a past life and she hasn't run across it yet in this incarnation. This Flaw acts like Sphere Natural in reverse. Advancement in one particular Sphere (chosen at character creation) costs ¼ more Experience Points than normal, rounded up. To take this Flaw, choose one Sphere that your character plans to study. This Flaw can be selected only once, and it must be chosen at character creation.
In game terms, the character gets a permanent Paradox pool of five dice. This pool doesn't dissipate after a backlash, nor does it gain additional points. If and when you do something that seems blatantly impossible by the standards of the local reality (popping chain guns out of your back in front of a bunch of Sleepers, for instance) the Storyteller rolls those dice (difficulty 8). If she makes a successful roll, your construct suffers strange effects based on the number of successes and the nature of the act. Possible effects include: * Mental Shutdown: a.k.a., Quiet. Lasts one hour per success. * Paradox Flaws: Lasts one day per success. * Physical Damage: The most common effect. For every success, the character suffers one unsoakable, aggravated health level of damage as his skin, cybernetics, organs, or biomeds rebel. * Weapon Detonation: Another form of physical damage, but in an explosive radius. This damage may be soaked by others, but not by the character himself. If you have this Flaw, it's wise to confine your wilder activities to Horizon Constructs, Technocratic strongholds, technology trade shows, and science fiction conventions.
[ 7 ] Phylactery ( Mage: The Ascension (Revised) -- Page 300 ) Historically, a phylactery referred to a special arm wrapping with a prayer box that contained sutras, divine power, and a portion of the wearer's soul. Mages refer to a phylactery as a container for the power to perform magic. Your mage's Avatar exists in the physical plane, invested into an object or place, or possibly imbued into some creature or person (such as his familiar or ally) or even part of his body. On rare occasions, it may be invested into some nebulous concept, like a bloodline, secret society, or a religion. The good news is that this object or creature is now Correspondence Range 0 in regards to yourself, which means you can sense it wherever it is, unless it's shrouded by warding. Teleporting your phylactery ring off your finger or making you drop your phylactery sword is as difficult a feat as teleporting your finger off your hand or forcing you to chop off your own arm. The bad news is that you must be in actual physical contact with your phylactery in order to work magic -- even if that physical contact is long distance, like a Virtual Adept linked via modem to the mainframe in his bedroom. Moreover, you need to be very obvious about what it is you're using to perform your arts. If your mage's phylactery is his staff, your mage must wave it grandly during all invocations; if his phylactery is a crown, he must hold his head high and wear the crown everywhere he intends to do magic. If your mage's phylactery speaks to him as his Avatar, you should also take the Manifest Avatar Merit. If the phylactery is an object, you should probably take the item as a unique focus. As with any unique focus, a phylactery can be repaired or retrieved if it's damage, destroyed, or stolen. If your mage is separated from his phylactery, you may roll Perception + Awareness to sense
the surroundings of where it is, depending on how the phylactery might perceive such things. If your mage's phylactery is animate (as with a cat or horse or severed-but-still-living hand) it'll also do its best to find its way back to you, having the same homing sense. Similarly, if your mage's Avatar is invested into a place, such as the Royal Forest of Dean or San Francisco, transporting him away from it, at lest by magical means, is about as difficult as teleporting a city block to Istanbul. If he's removed from his phylactery by mundane means, his homing sense will lead him back. In cases where a phylactery is a place, the Avatar fuses with the City Father of that area. That is to say, your Avatar becomes one with the totem spirit of that particular region -- Emperor Norton in San Francisco, Belle in Atlanta, a certain highly trademarked mouse in Disneyland. You should take an Avatar rating on par with the importance of your character's bailiwick. Wild places such as forests, deserts, rivers,and even oceans can be linked with the same way, although your character must be in them or on them to work his magic. The Pacific Ocean is huge, but if that's your mage's phylactery, his connection to it ends once he sets foot on dry land. Generally speaking, it's not the size of an area that's important so much as the identity. The Queen of Angels may control most of Los Angeles, but there's a different identity to Hollywood and Malibu. If your character's phylactery is a place, your Storyteller may also allow your character's magic to work in other places somehow linked to it. A mage with Hashberry for her Avatar could probably work her magic in other parts of San Francisco with raised difficulties the further she got from the Haight, and more powerful Avatars could probably work their magic in foreign lands tied to their spirit. Finally, if your mage's phylactery is a concept with a physical or temporal manifestation, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Iteration X, the witch's Sabbath, or the season of Christmas, you
may work magic as long as your character is an accepted part of that institution. The symbols and tools representing it can be destroyed, of course, stripping your mage of his magic temporarily, but they can be replaced. In cases of identity phylacteries, your mage loses his connection to his Avatar if he's disowned, banished, defrocked, excommunicated, or otherwise kicked out. As such, members with this Flaw are intensely loyal. If the organization or other concept is destroyed, the Avatar is destroyed, but an organization can't be destroyed until all members either die or truly renounce their loyalties. When a concept is your mage's phylactery, his Avatar is the protector or mascot of that concept.. If a mage with a phylactery ever dies, the Avatar may or may not go free, at the Storyteller's option. If it doesn't go free, the phylactery remains as it is, awaiting the mage to reclaim it in his next incarnation.
[ 7 ] Soulless ( Guide To The Technocracy -Page 132 ) Prerequsite: Technocracy member The inner Genius doesn't burn within you, and it never will. Essentially, you have no soul, no "avatar" in the superstitionist sense. You resemble a human being, but you're actually quite a bit less than human. In game terms, you can't use magic -- ever. A character with this Flaw can't learn, use, or manipulate the Spheres of influence. He may, however, employ devices, and he doesn't count as a "witness" to any form of magic or Enlightened Science. This Flaw raises your Freebie Point total to 21, and it may be taken in addition to the usual seven point limit on Flaws. It can't be taken by any form of "mage" -- it exists to allow a player to build HIT Marks and other un-Enlightened constructs. Note: No, you can't instill an enlightened genius in this character with any form of magic, discipline, spirit gift, or anything else. Deal with it, and enjoy the extra points the flaw give syou.
Orpheus Merits and Flaws Crucible Merits [ 6 ] Debt Of Gratitude [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 92 ] At some point in the past, the crucible made a friend who owes the group a significant favor. At the minimum level, the person is just an average citizen -- a plumber, a student, a nurse, a beat cop, a secretary, or the like -- but is reliable and eager to return the favor he owes the group. It is up to the group to determine how best to make use of this gratitude. 4 points add-on: The person who owes the group a favor is someone of standing and influence -- a lawyer, a doctor, a professor, a precinct chief -- who can pull some strings for the group. He can arrange fake identification, supplying information on the FBI's hunt for them, and so on. 8 points add-on: At this level, the person who owes the characters a favor is extremely powerful -- a corporate CEO, a senator, a major mob boss, or the like. A favor from these individuals can help the crucible greatly, possibly even temporarily calling off or misdirecting the hunt for the characters. Favors, however, are sometimes best when they're owed, not when they're paid.
characters are so tightly bound together emotionally and through experience that they can practically communicate and sense each other's thoughts just with a touch or glance. They may even predict how their friends will react to a situation. This Merit enables one crucible member to know what another member is feeling or intending if he succeeds in a Perception + Empathy roll (difficulty 5). If the other character is resisting any attempt to read him, the difficulty is the target's Willpower. One success enables the character to sense the general emotional state of his comrade. For each subsequent success, the character can ask the target one question pertaining to his emotional state or intent, which the target must answer truthfully. This way, characters separated may know where the other characters are, their potential course of action, or how they plan to remedy a situation. This allows groups to coordinate their efforts or sense distress in one another without communicating verbally.
[ 6 ] Good Vibes [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 93 ]
[ 6 ] Empathic Link [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 93 ]
Maybe it was fate or just the will of the divine, but the crucible is lucky when the characters are around one another. They are somehow able to escape from impossible odds, or the tools they need are at hand at the right moment or somehow, beyond all reason, they push the right button.
Sometimes the ties that bind not only share what has been, but what is to come. For this Merit, the
For the duration of a story, each crucible member has a pool of luck dice that he can rely
on in times of need. Each pool is equal to half the number of freebies contributed to this Merit (as a group) at a minimum of six, rounded down. These dice last for an entire story and do not replenish until the beginning of the next story. A Storyteller may also award a luck point to the characters if they did something particularly daring to benefit them all.
[ 6 ] Employer [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 93 ] At some point in their career, the characters suitably impressed one of their employers. Maybe they saved a businessman's daughter of consoled a son with the knowledge his mother wasn't suffering. Regardless, the crucible now has an employer who not only pays well, but who won't betray them to the authorities. While the employer may not risk his neck for them, he will use their talents on occasion and pay them for such services. This provides each character with one dot in the Resources Background, to indicate regular employment with this individual. This does not increase a preexisting rating in Resources since that would create a discrepancy in how much the employer paid each member. Instead, it functions as a second Resources Background independent of the first. Fortunately, this dot indicates under-the-table work, and is independent of Orpheus' loss or the FBI's freezing of assets. In fact, Storytellers may use dots from lost Backgrounds (like Resources and Personal Trainer) resulting from the Orpheus raid and subsequent manhunt (if the Storyteller goes that route), and convert them directly into Crucible Merits like Employer. Each player must still contribute a minimum of two points, however. 3 points add-on: The crucible has the equivalent of two dots in Resources.
6 points add-on: The crucible has the equivalent of three dots in Resources. 9 points add-on: The crucible has the equivalent of four dots in Resources and the employer is absolutely unimpeachable or incorruptible.
[ 9 ] Safe Haven [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 93 ] The minimum investment of nine points in this Merit gives the characters a very basic, but safe, place to crash. The crucible members have one unfurnished room (like an attic or basement) where they can escape the pressures descending down upon them. Neither Spectres, ghosts, nor human adversaries know the whereabouts of this haven, nor are they likely to uncover it unless the crucible inadvertently leads them there. Further expenditures increase both the safety and the comfort of this sanctuary. 2 points add-on: Distant / Secluded. Adds two to the difficulty of all rolls to find this haven. 4 points add-on: Luxurious. The haven has many amenities: Plenty of comfortable furniture, a good stereo system, high-speed Internet connection, pool, ample space, etc. 8 points add-on: Safe Haven. At some point in its history, the location was "sanctified" somehow. Neither Spectres nor spooks can breach the perimeter, and they must use an open door or even an invitation, to enter. 10 points add-on: Sanctuary. No spook or Spectre can even breach this location through open doors and windows. In fact, the characters can only enter when in their own bodies, or if specifically invited in by someone living.
[ 10 ] Lives Shared [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 94 ] Vitality is life. In the world of Orpheus it represents memories, emotions, and feelings. Normally a crucible of spooks can share these things on a superficial level, just using them to fuel their normal abilities and enhance their Horrors. This crucible is closer than that, however. Through the anchors of Vitality, a crucible member can impart a portion of his life experiences with another crucible member, showing her how to accomplish something as though she's actually skilled in the matter. In effect, this Merit allows crucible members to share Abilities. For each Vitality spent, a crucible member can share one dot in an Ability with another member. Someone with no experience in guns, for example, can borrow a dot in Firearms from a fellow crucible character. This is temporary, lasting only for a scene before the spook forgets what he learned.
no longer have caps or a limit equivalent on health. The group shares in Vitality and the capacity for injury as well as in other benefits like the rewards for rescuing ghosts or inputting Willpower to recover Vitality. In this light, spooks are also fully aware when their comrades are hurting for Vitality because they too are in dire straits. When determining how the characters appear to other spooks, divine the current Vitality pool by the number of crucible members. That's the equivalent Vitality each character possesses.
[ 12 ] Will Of Purpose [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 95 ]
5 points add-on: The crucible is more connected than before. Spending a point of Vitality allows a spook to impart two dots in one Ability to another crucible member for a scene.
Soldiers often state that they fight neither for God nor country when the shit hits the fan, but for their comrades standing next to them. Members of a crucible with this Merit back each other up on issues they feel strongly about, whether it's proving they are right or just proving they can drink more. Each character is a ready hand to support and help fellow crucible members through the trying parts of existence.
10 points add-on: At this level, the spooks are so intertwined that they are reflections of one another. This allows them to share Attributes. For each point of Vitality spent, a character can impart an Attribute dot to another crucible member for a scene. The lender, however, loses those dots for the duration of the scene.
By expending two Vitality points, a crucible member lends another character a Willpower point to help on a roll. The recipient can stack this Willpower point with any Willpower point already added to the roll, thus improving the degrees of success. It represents the utter support each crucible member has for one another. 5 points add-on: It costs only one Vitality to share Willpower.
[ 12 ] Vitality Gestalt [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 94 ] The Vitality boundaries of each crucible member are so open that individuals no longer have their own Vitality supply, but an equal fraction of a shared pool. If the crucible contains four individuals, they all pool their Vitality rating into a single reservoir and draw from it. Therefore, individual members (including hues)
10 points add-on: The characters can share Willpower points without expending any Vitality. This is an equivalent to Vitality Gestalt, but with Willpower.
[ 15 ] Cult Worship [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 95 ]
The characters have a cult following of folks believing the characters are angels, devils, gods, or powerful spirits. The cultists worship the characters and seek to placate the crucible however they can. To maintain this Merit, the characters must play along and foster belief in the cult by arranging for the occasional "miracle" to maintain the illusion of divinity. So long as they make a basic effort, though, their cult believes just about anything. This Crucible Merit provides crash space in the form of the "church" where the characters are worshiped. At the basic level, cult members are just a collection of random kooks who stumble across the characters. While it doesn't possess much power (or credibility) to use on the crucible's behalf, the cult will go so far as to interfere in the police and FBI's investigation if its "angels" are being persecuted. The cult may also provide other minor benefits as well, like sex, shelter, food, or a little cash. 3 points add-on: Cash. For every three points the crucible invests, the cult provides a cash equivalent to one dot in the Resources Background. 5 points add-on: Influence. The cult consists not of kooks, but of sensible, respected people. These true believers can provide the crucible with savvy advocates in the physical world and work in very tangible ways for the crucible's best interests. 6 points add-on: Vitality Well. The reverence and respect paid to the characters by the cult translates into Vitality. When the group meets to "worship" the crucible, each member of the cult provides the crucible with one point of Vitality, which the crucible can split among the group as they choose.
[ 15 ] Hive-Mind [ Orpheus: Crusade Of Ashes -- Page 95 ]
This is what it must be like for Spectres. The combination of working closely together and sharing Vitality allows the characters to develop a constant sensory and telepathic link so long as they're within 30 feet of one another. They know what the other members see and what the other members think. 4 points add-on: Well-Oiled Machine. The crucible members are so in tune with each other that the difficulty of all team efforts decreases by two. To earn this benefit, the players must describe their character's role in bolstering the team effort. 6 points add-on: Unlimited Range. Distance no longer affects the group's telepathic connection.
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