Specialties
When a character has at least four dots in an Attribute or Ability, she's eligible to choose a specialty in the given Trait. Specialties represent a particular focus and proficiency. For example, a specialty under Dexterity might be 'swift-footed', while a Medicine specialty could be ' combat medic'. Several specialty suggestions are given with each Trait. Why are specialties so important? Well, when ever you roll for an action that falls under your character's specialty, be sure to count how many 10's you rolled, in addition to tallying up the total successes. For each and every 10, you get to roll another die and keep a running total of successes. Note that any 1's rolled on bonus dice granted by a specialty to NOT subtract successes from the final total. Let's look at an example. Dr. Karel Weilbacher, Get of Fenris Theurge, has the Knowledge Medicine at four dots; his specialty is "emergency Medicine." In the tale, on of the young Ahroun of his sept is wounded badly by a Black Spiral's tainted Klaive. At the Storyteller's instruction, Karel's player Monica rolls Intelligence (3 dots) + Medicine (4 dots), making her dice pool 7. Monical rolls three 10's, one o ne 6 and three 2's. So Karel has four successes. Now, Monica rolls three more dice, one for each 10, since this activity is Karel's specialty. She gets three successes! That roll yields a total of seven successes for Karel, who heals the kid quickly enough enou gh for him to get back into the fray. Note again that you have no innate right to select specialties that are too broad (such as 'small arms' for Firearms or 'healing' for Medicine) or just plain unbalancing (such as 'doing damage' for Strength or 'soak rolls' for Stamina). The Storyteller always has veto power over ridiculous specialty requests. Characters with high Traits may be very good at some tasks — even more than the number of dots would imply. If your character has any Attribute or Ability at four or five dots, you may choose a specialty that applies to that Trait (appropriate specialties are listed with Traits, in Chapter Four). Keep your concept in mind when choosing specialties. (An ex-marine might choose "assault rifles" as a Firearms specialty, where a gangsta might choose "pistols.") You can leave specialties blank and choose them during play, but it's just as appropriate to select them right away. Specialties serve as a roleplaying tool, and they provide a bonus to dice rolls that apply to them. You can also assign specialties to Traits rated at three or fewer dots. You won't get a bonus in this case, but you can use it as a roleplaying tool or guide. The specialty would indicate character preference rather than any objective improvement. In no case can you take a specialty that the Storyteller deems too broad (such as "small arms" for Firearms or "keen senses" for Alertness). NOTE: The Founders encourage you to create your own Specialty for any Trait, either for an Attribute, or Ability. However, you must have final approval, from a Founder before your character will be able to implement it.
Attributes Physical • • •
Strength : Steely Grip, Lower Body, Strength Reserves Dexterity : Lightning Reflexes, Preternatural Grace, Nimble Fingers Stamina: Unbreakable, Tireless, Resilient
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Charisma : Air of Confidence, Captivating, Commanding Voice, Infectious Humor Manipulation : Forked Tongue, Unswerving Logic, Doubletalk, Seduction Appearance : Genial, Exotic, Alluring, Noble Bearing
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Perception : Eyes in the Back of Your Head, Farsighted, Uncanny Instincts, Detail-Oriented
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Intelligence : Lateral Problem Solver, Creative Logic, Probability Calculation, Trivia Wits: Snappy Retorts, Ambushes, Cool-Headed, Cunning
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Alertness : Ambushes, Paranoia, Traps, Scents Artistic Expression : Oils, Watercolors, Mixed Media, Charcoal, Sketching, Caricature, Lighting Artist, Impressionist, Photo-Realism, Abstract, Miniatures, Stone, Resin, Wood, Metals, Classical, Kinetic, Models, Decoration Assbeating : Beating up bullies, Kicking the crap out of people who picked on you when you were younger, You'll make them pay, Whupping up on the pigs Athletics : Specific sports, Team Play, Swimming, Rock Climbing, Tumbling, Distance Trials, Pentathlon Awareness : Spirit Presence, Night-folk, Danger, Resonance, Elemental Forces, Magick, Human Nature Barter: Food, Livestock, Horses, Metals, Labour and Services, Building Materials Brawl: Boxing, Dirty Infighting, Weaponless Martial Arts (Judo, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, etc.) Carousing : Sexual Innuendo, Bon Mots, Lewd Jokes, Drinking, Exaggeration, Anecdotes Diplomacy : Mediation, Negotiation, International Relations, Industry, Personal Relationships, Tact Dodge: Finding Cover, Sidestepping, Drop and Run Empathy: Detect Lies, Hidden Motives, Emotional States, Personality Quirks, Affairs of the Heart Expression : Rhetoric, Inspiring Speeches, Poetry, Drama, Political Doubletalk Flying : Aerial Combat, Aerial Hunting, Aerobatics, Power Diving, Wind Lore Fortune Telling : Tarot Cards, Prophecy, Romance, Death, Palmistry, I Ching, Goat Entrails Instruction : Rites of Passage, Customs and Laws, University, Skills, Knowledges Interrogation : Good Cop/Bad Cop, Threats, Trickery, Moral Blackmail Intimidation : Veiled Threats, Good Cop/ Bad Cop, Blackmail, Physical Threats, Revenge Intrigue : Gossiping, Feigning Ignorance, Threats, Plotting, Rumormongering, Alliances, Betrayals Intuition : Logic Problems, Thinking Outside the Box, Gut Instinct, Women’s Intuition, Recognizing lies, Recognizing clues Mimicry: Accents, Celebrities, Birds, Animals, Mechanical Sounds, Vocal Impersonation Primal-Urge : Shifting Forms, Hunting, Protection Scan: Keeping Watch, Quick Scan, Listening, Smelling, Assassins Scrounging : Illegal Goods, Vehicles, Services, Art, Technical Equipment, Magickal Tomes Search : Objects, People, Deliberately Hidden Targets, Sounds, Furniture Seduction : Witty Conversation, Opening Lines, Innuendo, Alluring Looks Sense Deception: Interviews, Investigative, Courtroom, Technical (Polygraphs) Streetwise : Picking Pockets, Fencing Goods, Drug Deals, Gan gs Style: High Fashion, Street Fashion, Retro, Ethnic Subterfuge : White Lies, Innocent and Needy Swimming : Lifesaving, Distance Swimming, Ocean Swimming, Speed Swimming, Rough Water, Racing, Survival Ventriloquism : Distance, Clarity, Dummy, Inanimate Object (e.g., radio) Wood Lore: Orienteering, Scavenging, hunting Wrestling : Greco-Roman, Collar-and-Elbow, Carachd Uibhist, throws, pins
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Acrobatics : Sport, Martial Arts, Dance, Enhanced Jumping/Falling Animal Ken : Families of Animals (canines, felines, avians, etc.), Farm Animals, Feral Animals Animal Training : Dog, Horse, Elephant, Seal, Dragon, Hellhound, Familiar Archery: Arched Flight, Forests, Competition, Hunting, Moving Targets, Garou Bows Blind Fighting : Punching, Indoors, Dueling, Multiple Foes Boating : Sailboats, Fishing Boats, Ferry Boats, Tug Boats, Yachts, Canoes, Sporting/Entertainment Craft Camouflage : Woods, Mountains, Urban, Open Country, Arctic Climbing : Cliffs, Hiking, Ice, Buildings, Free-Climbing, Rappelling Crafts : Woodworking, Leatherwork, Ceramics, Drawing/ Painting, Weaving, Carving, Sculpture, Metalworking, Car Repair, Carving with Claws Dancing: Waltz, Jazz, Two-step, Foxtrot, Disco, Latin, Show, Ballet, Ethnic, Tribal, Ecstatic Demolitions : Dynamite, Plastic Explosive, Car Bombs, Bomb Diffusion, Explosives Detection, Elementals Disguise : Specific Person, Type of Person, Concealing Own Identity Drinking : Drinking Games, Top Shelf Alcohol, Bottom Shelf Alcohol, Homemade Alcohol, Moonshine, Awakened Alcohol Drive: Stick Shifts, Motorbikes, Four- Wheel Drive, Big Rigs, Sports Cars Elusion : Deep Forest, Strange Terrain, Natural Traps, Hunting Parties Escape Artistry : Magic Tricks, Ropes, Boxes, Locks, Underwater, Handcuffs, Showmanship, Silver Restraints, Arm Locks and Holds Escapology : Magic Tricks, Ropes, Boxes, Locks, Underwater, Handcuffs, Showmanship, Silver Restraints, Arm Locks and Hold Etiquette : High Society, Big Business, Wining and Dining, Moots Fast-Draw : Klaive, Pistol, Sword, Arrow, Rifle/Shotgun Gambling Fast-Talk : Sell, Confuse, Get Off the Hook, Convince Firearms: Rifles, Pistols, Submachine Guns First Aid: CPR, Broken Bones, Artificial Respiration, Diagnosis, Terminology Foraging : Urban, Forest, Ruins, Swamp, Desert, Winter, Grasslands Fortune Telling : Tarot Cards, Crystal Balls, Ouija Boards, Palm Reading. Reading the Bones, Runes Gambling : Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Dice Games, Electronic Slot Machines Gunsmithing : Black Powder Weapons, Field Repair, Invention, Magnum and Supercharged Ammunition, Specialty Ammunition Heavy Weapons: Desert, Jungle, Night Fighting, Friend from Foe, Loading Hiding : Forest, Desert, Urban, Playing Dead Hunting: Temperate Forest, Jungle, Bush/Scrub, Mountain, Coast, Arctic, Desert Hypnotism : Interrogation, Past Life Regression, Hypnotherapy, Behavior Modification Indoctrination : Sage, Guru, Mentor, Teacher Kailindo : Throw, Punch, Kick, Evade, Shapeshift Klaive Dueling : Disarm, Parry, Disable, Riposte, Feint Leadership : Noblesse Oblige, Combat Readiness, Motivation Lockpicking : Key-Operated Locks, Combination Locks, Mag-Card Locks, Alarm Systems Mediation : Moots, Avoiding Challenges, Garou/Kinfolk Relations, Garou/Spirit Relations, Counseling Meditation : Tantric, Transcendental, Yogic, New Age, Rage, Willpower Melee: Swords, Spears, Saps, Eastern Weapons, Klaives Misdirection : Theft, Concealment, Leading, Confusion Performance : Ballet, Ballroom Dance, Classical Music, A Cappella Singing, Improvisation, Howls
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Pilot: Helicopters, Biplanes, Corporate Jets, Emergency Landings, Dogfights, Stormy Weather, Military Jets Psychoanalysis : Freudian, Jungian, Humanist, Ericksonian, Holistic, Wiccan, Childhood, Psychosis, Neurosis, Self, Sympathy, Terminology, Research Repair : Wood, Electronics, Engines, Automobiles, Electricity Ride: Bareback, Horse, Mule, Camel, Elephant, Galloping, Tricks, No Hands Security : Surveillance, Bawn Security, Security Cameras, Surveillance Equipment Singing : Opera, Easy Listening, Ritual, Rock, Musicals Speed Reading: Technical, Fiction, Newspaper, Research, Cramming Stealth : Shadowing, Urban, Sylvan, Taking Point Survival : Specific Environments (Arctic, Desert, etc.), Trapping Torture : Exotic Methods, Life Magick Effects, Prolonging Life, Pain, Flagellation Tracking : Wolf, Deer, Rock, Urban, Identification Traps: Deer, Small Game, Urban, Rock, Humans Wild Hunting: Aerial Hunting, Game Birds, Herd Animals, Large Game, Scavenging, Specific Environments (Forests, Mountains, Savannas and Steppes, etc.), Specific Targets (Bears, Elephants, Humans, Quail, etc.)
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Alchemy: Transmutation, Cosmology, Lapis Philosophorum Animal Lore : Woods, Jungles, Oceans, Freshwater Lakes/Rivers, Deserts, Islands, Specific Species (Feline, Aquatic, Canine, Birds, Insects, etc.) Animal Speech: Archaisms, Profanity, Prophecy, Songs and Poetry Area Knowledge : History, Geography, Wildlife, Caerns, Protectorates, Enemies, Politics, Transportation, Law Astrology : Solar Horoscope, Ming Shu, Zu Wei Beast Lore: Dragons, Birds, Lesser Beasts, Greater Beasts, Sea Creatures, Bestiaries (notoriously inaccurate, but very common), Divine Hierarchies (Oriental, Christian, African, Indian, New World, Hebrew and Muslim are all separate Lores) Bureaucracy : Political Campaign Manager, FBI, NCIS, CIA, Interpol, United Nations, Garou Politics Computer : Databases, Viruses, Computer Languages, Internet, Web Design Computer Hacking : Viruses, Data Retrieval, Networking, Telecommunications Cosmology : Celestines, Incarna, Totems, Broods, Near Umbra, Dark Umbra, High Umbra, Realms Cryptography : Letter Shifts, Mathematical Encryption, Obscure Character Sets Enigmas: Logic Problems, Ancient Mysteries, Things Werewolves Weren't Meant to Know Faerie Lore: Enchanting Music, Faerie Food, Spirit Allies, Arcadia, Arcadia Gateway, Chan gelings Feng Shui: Colors, Landscape, Chi Energy, Warding Garou Astrology : Planetary Incarnae, Comets, Aetherial Realms, Interpretations, Casting Horoscopes, Planetary Aspects Healing : Children, Women, Midwife, Garou, Setting Bones, Internal Injuries, Head Wounds Herbalism : Culinary, Medicinal, Poisonous, Narcotic/Hallucinogenic, Spirit History : Political, Intellectual, Social, Economic, Technological, Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern, Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia Investigation : Evidence, Ballistics, Forensics, Fingerprints Law: Procedure, Garou Law, Specific Types (Criminal, Contacts, Liability, etc.), Courts Linguistics : Slang, Business Terms, Idioms, Artificial Languages, Alphabets Lore: Faerie, Forbidden Secrets, Garou, Ghosts, Kindred, Sabbat, Technocracy, Tradition, Wyrm, Camarilla
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Lore (Specialized) : Tradition Lore, Mummy Lore, Shapeshifter Lore, Faerie Lore Medicine: Emergency Medicine, Forensic Pathology, Specific Fields (Pediatrics, Neurology, etc.) Nunnehi Lore: Individual Nunnehi Races, Nunnehi Stories, Breaking Nunnehi curses Occult: Tarot, Witchcraft, Curses, Ghosts, Gh osts, Psychometry Parapsychology : ESP, Psychokinesis, Trances, Conjunctions Poisons: Venoms, Chemical Poisons, Plant-based Poisons, Analysis, Antidotes, Instant Poisons, Slow building Poisons, Undetectable Poisons, Wyrm Toxins Politics : Fundraising, Political Philosophy, Grass Roots, Elections, Caern Hierarchy Psychology : Behaviorism, Freudian, Jungian, Humanist, Developmental, Experimental, Animals Rituals : Accord, Caern, Death, Mystic, Punishment, Renown, Seasonal, Minor Science : Experiments, Theory, Specific Equipment, Practical Applications Science Specialties : Astronomy, Biology, Genetics, Mathematics, Cybernetics, Metallurgy, Any Other Type of Specific Science Stargazing : Planets, stars, satellites (moons), the sun, phenomena (eclipses, sun spots), omens, divination Stone Lore: Planetary Influences, Jade Carving, Metals Taxidermy : Tanning, Embalming, Preserving, Trophies, Techniques of Frankenstein, Victims Theology : Women's Theology (often called Theaology), Comparative, Liberation, Agnosticism, Christian, Buddhist, Branch Davidian Tribal Lore: Pueblo cultures, Cherokee legends, Seminole history, Vietnamese folk-tales, Gallah stories Bane s, Black Spiral Mysteries, Malfeas Wyrm Lore: Triatic Wyrm, Urge Wyrms, Monsters, Banes, Wood Craft: Traps, weapons, tools, shelters
