Sanguine Sands
Backgrounds
General
Allies
Your Allies are mortals who help and support you - they could be family or friends, or even an organization to which you are friendly. Allies have their own lives, so they are not at your beck and call, but they often have Influence in the community and access to Contacts or Resources. An Ally is ultimately a mortal whom you have befriended, and who protects and aids you out of love or common interest.
For each point of Allies that you have, you have one Ally. This individual is a person or influence in the city where she lives. An Ally could be a police sergenat, an advisor to the mayor, or even (if your rating is a 4 or 5) the mayor herself.
Allies are generally very trustworthy and loyal. However, it requires time and energy to maintain the alliance, for the friends expect the aid of the character to return in time of need. Though they likely do not know you are a vampire, they may know of some of your powers and thus may come to you for favors. This is often a means by which a story can begin.
• One allie of moderate influence and power
•• Two allies, both of them of moderate power
••• Three allies, one of them quite influential
•••• Four allies, one of them very influential
••••• Five allies, one of them extremely influential
Alternate Identity
Players can take this Background multiple times at multiple levels for multiple identities. Other relevant Backgrounds (Allies, Contacts, Influence, Resource, Status) can also be appended to an Alternate Identity but they may be lost were the false identity be exposed – some backlash may even be expected if the false identity was used to deceive the appended Allies. Storytellers are expected to demand comprehensive explanation before allowing this background. False identities also often require the help of allies to establish.
• Your identity is new and won’t stand much scrutiny. It’s fine for casual interaction, but if anyone decides to investigate your background, he’s likely to discover the truth.
•• Your identity can stand up to investigation under most conditions. If someone is determined to find the truth about your background, he will likely succeed with effort.
••• Your identity is known to a few fiefs and you actually have name recognition in those cities.
•••• You are not only known, you have a strong reputation across several fiefs.
••••• Your identity is impeccable and you are a respected member of your chosen clan. Should the truth about your true persona come to light even an elder or two will vouch for you.
Contacts
You know people from many different walks of life, and they comprise a system of information and help that could come in very handy some day.
Your Contacts are not only the people you can manipulate or bribe to get information, but friends whom you can really count on (Major Contacts) to provide you with accurate information (in their areas of expertise). You should describe your Major Contacts as complete characters, either as the chronicle progresses or beforehand. You also have a number of Minor Contacts spread throughout the city. When you wish to get in touch with a Minor Contact, make a roll using your Contacts rating against a difficulty of seven. Each success means you have gotten in touch with one of your Minor Contacts; of course, you will need to bribe or charm her into giving you needed information.
• One major contact
•• Two major contacts
••• Three major contacts
•••• Four major contacts
••••• Five major contacts
Fame
You are widely known among the mortals, perhaps as a movie star or writer. This gives you great privileges when you travel among the mortals, but it can also attract just a bit too much attention. Fame can grant a lot of pull in the mass media, allowing you to attempt to manipulate the thoughts of the populace.
Sometimes Fame can seem like more trouble than it is worth, causing you to be recognized when you don't wish to be seen. However, there are many circumstances where it can come in handy, like getting you into clubs, parties and appointments that you otherwise would not have been able to attend. You are also harder for your enemies to physically dispose of, as you cannot just "disappear." Sometimes Fame will be used with Manipulation in order to make a roll ("See if you can convince the doorman to let you in - difficulty of 8"), but more often it is simply used as a measure of how well-known you are. Each level of Fame subtracts one from the difficulty of hunting rolls in heavily populated areas (people tend to flock around you).
• You are known by a select subculture of society in the city: among the elite.
•• Your face is recognized by a majority of the populace: local celebrity.
••• You are fairly famous: your name and face are known by many.
•••• You are quite renowned: everybody know something about you.
••••• You are a nationally famous individual - a movie star, politician, or performer.
Henchmen
Sometimes all a person needs is a few good men. Other times, all a person needs is several less-than-good men to hold between them and oncoming bullets. Or to wash their dog, get the mail, wait tables at the PC's restaurant; whichever comes first.
The henchmen background represents a larger number of less skilled, less unique NPC's than what the Retainer background gives.
Their attribute spread goes 5/4/3, with three main abilities at 2 and another 5 at 1 with a WP of 4.
• 5 henchmen.
•• 10 henchmen.
••• 15 henchmen.
•••• 25 henchmen.
••••• 40 henchmen.
Henchmen is a LbN custom creation.
Influence
Influence reflects your ability to produce results when attempting to sway or control the political and social processes of the mortal community. It is the ability to compel a mortal to take action on your behalf, perhaps because of some hold you have over him. This could mean that you have a prestigious family, control the police chief, or simply that you have gained political office. In short, Influence is how much political power you exert upon society, particularly among the police and bureaucrats.
Some rolls might use Influence in place of an Ability, especially when you start to interact with any sort of minor bureaucrat.
• Moderately influential: a factor in local politics.
•• Well-connected: a factor in city politics.
••• Position of influence: a factor in state politics.
•••• Broad personal power: a factor in regional politics.
••••• Vastly influential: a factor in national politics.
Mentor
This Trait describes one or more elders (your sire?) who look after you. Each rating point of Mentor you possess describes how powerful your Mentor is in the community of the Kindred. Your Mentor could simply be a vampire who has learned her way around the city, or an Ancient who has garnered huge amounts of power in both the mortal and immortal worlds. Your Mentor can advise you, protect you from other elders, speak for you to the prince, caution you when you intrude on the affairs of other elders, and inform you of opportunities for power and advancement.
Often a Mentor is your sire, though it can be any vampire who has taken an interest in you. If our Mentor is powerful, it might not be a single person, but a group. Thus, a brood could be a Mentor, as could the ruling council of a clan. Tremere often have the Mentor Background Trait because of the aid they receive from their elders.
A Mentor may expect to receive something in return for the aid she provides. Though she may simply enjoy your company, in time of need she may call upon her "apprentice." This may begin a number of excellent stories. In general, however, you do receive more than you need to give out.
• Mentor is an ancilla, and of little influence.
•• Mentor is an elder and is well respected.
••• Mentor is a member of the primogen.
•••• Mentor is a prince and has much power over the city.
••••• Mentor is a Justicar and is extraordinarily powerful.
Network
Network represents the extent of a person's web of contacts, allies and retainers. Each dot expands the reach not the number of persons within the network of contacts.
• The network covers two distinct cities.
•• The network covers three distinct cities.
••• The network covers a small geographical area or four cities.
•••• The network covers a significant geographical area or five cities.
••••• The network covers a large geographical area or six cities.
Occult Library
Some Kindred have accumulated vast stores of mystical knowledge over their many years. Such resources may have been inherited from a character's sire, treasures gleaned from previous journeys, gifts from a mentor or even stolen from rivals. In fact, a library need not even be printed - a contact who knows occult lore may be considered a library for the purposes of this Background.
Whatever form it takes, an Occult Library aids the character in certain cases involving knowledge of the mystical or magical. Whenever the player needs to make a roll involving the Occult Knowledge and the character has the opportunity to consult the books, she may call upon this Background to help her. While this won't be of much aid if the character is held prisoner by another Kindred or visiting a foreign city, if the character is in her own library or laboratory, the information may prove invaluable.
• A few books: +1 die to Occult dice pools.
•• A modest collection: + 1 die to Occult dice pools, -1 to Occult difficulties.
••• Many noteworthy titles: +2 dice to Occult dice pools, -1 to Occult difficulties.
•••• A wide variety of lore: +2 dice to Occult dice pools, -2 to Occult difficulties.
••••• A veritable magical encyclopedia: +3 dice to Occult dice pools, -2 to Occult difficulties.
Resources
This Trait describes your financial resources, or your access to such resources. Your Resources are not completely liquid, but you can often sell them to gain money. It could take weeks or even months to do so, depending on how much needs to be sold.
This Trait assumes that you gain a basic allowance each month, appropriate to the level of esources. However, you must detail the source of this income, as it might well "dry up" depending on the circumstances of the chronicle.
• Small savings: You have an apartment and perhaps a motorcycle. If liquidated , you would have $1000 in cash. Allowance of $500 a month.
•• Middle class: you have an apartment or condominium. If liquidated you have $8000 in cash. Allowance of $1200 a month.
••• Large savings: You own a house (or at least have some equity). If liquidated you could have $50,000 in cash. Allowance of $3,000 a month.
•••• Well off: You own a very large house, or perhaps a dilapidated mansion. If liquidated you would have $500,000 in cash. Allowance of $9,000 a month.
••••• Fantastically rich: you are easily a millionaire many times over. If liquidated, you could have at least $5,000,000 in cash. Allowance of $30,000 a month.
Kinfolk Specific Backgrounds
Equipment
This is specialized equipment that your character has come to that is not normally available from the local outfitter. Equipment can be as simple as silver bullets or as rare and complex as a mage's ray gun. You begin the game with this equipment but once it’s gone its gone. If you blow your dragon's-breath bullets in one firefight, you will have to find a way to replace them.
• One minor item: encompasses such objects as silver bullets, quality Kevlar vests, street level drugs, ect...
•• Two minor items: More minor items include laser sight, healing herbs, gas masks or police-issue pepper spray.
••• One major item: Major items include explosive ammunition, wiretaps, pharmaceuticals, surgical field kits, white noise generators, and small private aircraft and so on. You could also have a lesser talen (gnosis 4 or less) at this level.
•••• Two major item: major items include specialized vehicles, military-issue firearms. Electron microscopes, ect. You may alternate have a greater talen at this level (Gnosis 5-7).
••••• One unique item: High-tech experimental firearms, magical crystal balls and untraceable poisons fatal to Garou are examples of unique items. This level alternatively allows ownership of one powerful talon (Gnosis 8-10). Equipment at this level should be carefully regulated by the storyteller.
Favors
For whatever reason, a Garou owes you a big indulgence. Perhaps you saved her life or rescued one of her Kinfolk. Whatever the reason you can claim one favor from the person. It may take the form of a "get out of trouble free" card, a cash gift, a shift as a private bodyguard or even a wet job*assassination). Once you suspend the favor, it is gone forever, unless you somehow win another.
• one favor from a garou of low rank (0-1)
•• one favor form a garou of medium rank (2)
••• One favor from a garou of high rank (3-4)
•••• one favor from a garou of highest rank (5)
••••• One favor from a tribal leader
Pure Breed
Pure Breed determines the nobility of your blood and pedigree. Garou automatically recognize your pure breeding and probably pay you slightly more attention because of it. A few rare kinfolk also possess a eye for pedigree. Kinfolk with pure breed are great prizes for marriage, so be ready for some offers of holy bedlock (or tumbles 'Neath the pines) if you Purchase this background. The drawback to this background is that the werewolves expect you to behave according to your lineage, Kin who fail to do so risk scorn and reprimands.
• Your ancestors were loyal tribe members and Kin, even if they weren't famous heroes
•• You descend from a family line that stood beside a minor garou hero long ago
••• One of your direct ancestors (garou or Kin) was a minor hero in recent memory
•••• Your family line has had a long list of great warriors, sages, bards and so on, over many centuries.
••••• You bear a birthmark or some physical feature identical to one of a mighty garou hero from your family.
Renown
Renown is rare and precious background among kinfolk, while they cannot ever possess the rank of a garou. Kin occasionally receive acclaim for their deeds. This background allows your character to start the game with some temporary renown: you choose whether these points are honor, wisdom, glory or a combination of the three. Kin with Renown are respected by werewolves, but they also demand a lot more work from them.
• One temporary point of renown
•• Two temporary points of renown
••• Three temporary points of renown
•••• Four temporary points of renown
••••• Five temporary points of renown
Ghoul Specific backgrounds
Dominator
You are bound to a vampire who provides you with blood and may offer you protection. Of course, you cannot think to abuse your dominator's generosity. The purchase of this background does imply, though, that your master has at least a passing interest in your continued well-being. The level of the background implies two things: the general generation and power of your dominator (which influences the level of discipline you may learn) and how well he favors you.
• Your dominator is 11th Generation or lower. Can get 1 point in any IN CLAN discipline.
•• Your master is 9th or 10th generation. Can get 1 point in any IN CLAN discipline.
••• Your dominator is eighth generation. Can get 1 point in any IN CLAN discipline.
*note since no one can be higher than 8th gen the rest of this background is restricted and off limits but included for reference.
•••• Your dominator is 7th generation. Can get 2 points in any IN CLAN discipline.
••••• Your master is 6th generation, and remarkably has not yet grown sick of the sight of your face. Can get 3 points in any IN CLAN discipline.
Kindred Specific backgrounds
Generation
Neonate Generation
Starting generation for Neonates is 13th.
• 12th generation: 11 Blood Pool, can spend 1 Blood Point a turn.
•• 11th Generation: 12 BLood Pool, can spend 1 Blood Point a turn.
••• 10th Generation: 13 Blood Pool, can spend 1 Blood Points a turn.
•••• 9th Generation: 14 Blood Pool, can spend 2 Blood Points a turn.
••••• 8th Generation: 15 Blood Pool, can spend 3 Blood Points a turn.
Ancillae Generation
Starting generation for Ancillae is 11th.
• 10th generation: 13 Blood Pool, can spend 1 Blood Point a turn.
•• 9th Generation: 14 BLood Pool, can spend 2 Blood Point a turn.
••• 8th Generation: 15 Blood Pool, can spend 3 Blood Points a turn.
•••• 7th Generation: 20 Blood Pool, can spend 4 Blood Points a turn, max trait level 6.
••••• 6th Generation: 30 Blood Pool, can spend 6 Blood Points a turn, max trait level 7.
Elder Generation
Starting generation for an Elder is 10th.
• 9th Generation: 14 Blood Pool, can spend 2 Blood Point a turn.
•• 8th Generation: 15 Blood Pool, can spend 3 Blood Points a turn.
••• 7th Generation: 20 Blood Pool, can spend 4 Blood Points a turn, max trait level 6.
•••• 6th Generation: 30 Blood Pool, can spend 6 Blood Points a turn, max trait level 7.
••••• 5th Generation: 40 Blood Pool, can spend 8 Blood Points a turn, max trait level is 8.
Herd
You have built a group of mortals from whom you can feed without fear. A herd may take many forms, from circles of kinky clubgoers to actual cults built around you as a god-figure. In addition to providing nourishment, your herd might come in handy for minor tasks, although they are typically not very controllable, closely connected to you or even highly skilled (for more effective pawns, purchase Allies, Henchmen or Retainers). Your Herd rating adds dice to your rolls for hunting.
• Three vessels.
•• Seven vessels.
••• 15 vessels.
•••• 30 vessels.
••••• 60 vessels.
Retainers
You have one or more servants and assistants who are your loyal and steadfast companions. Retainers may be ghouls who are Blood Bound to you, individuals whom you have so Dominated over the years that they are incapable of independent action, or individuals whom you have so overwhelmed with your Presence that they would do anything for you.
Retainters must always be controlled in some way, either through a salary, through the donation of your blood, or through the direct control of their minds. They may not always be loyal, though they typically are. If given the chance, they may betray you, depending on how well they have been treated.
Retainers should not be supermen, even if they are ghouls. Each should have a weakness. For instance, one Retainer might be very loyal, but not very skilled. Another Retainer might be very powerful, but have a very independent mind. No retainer should ever be the perfect bodyguard; nothing is that easy in Vampire. Retainers are meant to be characters in and of themselves - something to add flavor to the chronicle. Do not let them be abused.
• One retainer.
•• Two retainers.
••• Three retainers.
•••• Four retainers.
••••• Five retainers.
When dealing with swarms, Retainers 1 is 50 of whatever swarm creature, 2 is 150, 3 is 500, 4 is 1000 and 5 is 5000.
Spirit Slaves - Necromancers only.
This Trait represents a hold you have over a ghost, or several ghosts. Usually this hold is in the form of cateneÑeither something that the ghost valued highly in life, or possibly a random object or place to which the spirito became attached during the maelstrom. Regardless, you have a hold over the spirit and can bully it by threatening its fetter. Alternatively, you might have information about the spirit's goals and can control it by aiding or impeding it.
A Vampire with the Spirit Slaves Background starts play with one or more spirits already doing her bidding. The number of spirits and their power depend on how many dots the character has in the Background. Obviously this is a Background only open to Kindred with the Necromancy Discipline.
Each individual spirit costs one dot. Wraiths' skills and attributes are built using the rules for neonate vampires, but with no additional Disciplines (except as described below), Backgrounds or freebie points. Each starts with a Passion Pool of 5.: Every spirit automatically has Auspex 1 and one dot in another common power. Spending another Background dot on a spirit can give it an uncommon power (or one common power at uncommon levels). Spending two dots on a spirit can give it rare levels of power.
Example: Brent chooses to have three dots in the Spirit Slaves Background. That means he could have three spirits doing his bidding, each with Auspex 1 and one other common power. Alternatively, he could choose to have two servantsÑa weak one and one who also possesses an uncommon power.Finally, he could choose to have a single servant with a rare power, or with two uncommon powers.
• You have a hold on one weak spirito.
•• You have influence over two minor ghosts, or one of greater power.
••• You're the boss of three lesser ghosts, or fewer who can do more.
•••• Four ghosts are under your sway, or fewer who are stronger.
••••• You have mastered five weak ghosts, or fewer who are more talented
Things you can do with spirit slaves:
Monitor locations
Defend haven
Spy on others
Provide "otherworldly" information
Status
Status is the term that defines the level of trustworthiness or respect within Camarilla Society. It determines the weight with which a Kindred's word should be regarded, as well as the "pecking order" within Kindred society. It is a resume of adjectives that define character, rank, and standing in the Camarilla. Simply put, those with more status can demand respect from, or even ignore, those with less. In cases where there is a dispute between Kindred and the evidence is lacking, Status, and who has more of it, is always the deciding factor in who is right.
Status only pertains to one specific society (Sect). A Camarilla Vampire who learns a Sabbat member's Status, for example, may alter her choice on how to interact with that Vampire, but Status is never accepted or respected across Sect divisions.
Positions: (Status is permanent as long as character remains in position.)
Prince - Exalted, Famous, and Well-known
Seneschal - Cherished and Esteemed
Primogen - Revered
Harpy (Lead) - Influential
Sheriff - Feared
Scourge - Feared
Keeper of Elysium - Honorable
Common Status
Admired, Adored, Cherished, Esteemed, Exalted, Famous, Faultless, Feared, Honorable, Influential, Just, Praised, Respected, Revered, Trustworthy, Well-connected, Well-known
Common Negative Status
Dangerous, Ignorant, Reckless, Slow, Untrustworthy, Vain
For more information follow the link: STATUS
Hunter Specific Backgrounds
Arsenal
• You might own or have inherited a modest collection of rifles, shotguns and a few handguns. Equipment could include army-surplus rucksacks, rations or first-aid kits.
•• You own a substantial collection of firearms: pistols and long guns, possibly including vintage semiautomatic military rifles (Civil War, WWI, WWII). Equipment could include high-power binoculars, urban camo fatigues or a police scanner.
••• You're a serious collector, owning various pistols, shotguns and even semiautomatic assault rifles. The gear in your basement could easily outfit a group of "rough it" campers, and your supplies could include night-vision goggles, body armor or military surplus radios.
•••• You're a fixture at local gun shows and you make your neighbors nervous. Your sizable collection includes fully-automatic weapons (including submachine guns) and might contain exotic types such as sniper rifles or rare antiques. Equipment could include police-issue sap gloves, electronic eavesdropping devices or lightweight tactical radios used by special forces.
••••• People like you give the ATF nightmares. Your large collection includes heavy weapons — vintage machine guns, mortars and grenades. They're old but serviceable. Modern equipment might include SWAT-team body armor, military-grade GPS navigation hardware or even surplus military vehicles.
Bystanders
Allies are your character's associates. Contacts are her eyes and ears. Yet both groups must be kept in the dark about your character's real life and agenda; they wouldn't understand if she told them the truth, and they might even unwittingly reveal her to the enemy. However, bystanders are your character's companions in her lonely vigil. Like her, they were exposed to the Message when it was delivered, but unlike her they failed to act at the scene. They haven't forgotten what they witnessed, though. They've seen the evil, too. Some are prepared to make amends for past indecision or fear, and they want to help your character indirectly. Others can be goaded into offering aid, but they never want to face that kind of horror again.
Although many bystanders are sympathetic to your character's cause, they have various reasons for helping her. Some stand with her out of love, for a debt unpaid or for the resources she can provide. Their camaraderie is not unflagging, though, and poor treatment drives them away. Additionally, bystanders may seek aid that they know your character can provide. Generally, bystanders are not as powerful as hunters in head-on battles with the supernatural. They have no second sight or edges and should not be expected to participate, except in dire circumstances. Help from bystanders typically takes the form of aid your character would expect from his own family.
• One bystander.
•• Two bystanders.
••• Three bystanders.
•••• Four bystanders.
••••• Five bystanders.
Destiny
Everyone has her role in shaping the future, but people with Destiny seem to have an enormous part to play. Perhaps your character has been selected from among all other imbued for some purpose. Maybe only she has insight into the way the monsters really are. Your character may be aware of her importance in time's procession, or she may be ignorant of the fact until someone points it out. Nonetheless, she carries her destiny like a standard and may be respected, feared or envied by those who recognize her significance. A "blessed one" may be watched closely and criticized when she doesn't seem to follow what is believed to be her true path. Others may even try to utilize your character's higher calling to their own ends. Destinies are enigmas, though, and no one has a clear idea of what awaits your character.
Yet Fate is not unwavering. Destined people have been known to die before fulfilling their roles. Such deaths are seldom inglorious and are never unimportant.
For eah dot your character possesses in this background, you an make one re-roll per game session. If a single roll fails or does not achieve the successes that you hoped for, you can roll again. Only one re-roll is allowed for any given action. Re-rolls are even allowed for Conviction invested Edge rolls, perhaps avoiding the loss of any risked Conviction points.
• You have a certain funny feeling about your future.
•• You are bound to make an indelible impact on the lives of many others.
••• Your destiny is powerful, perhaps as a respected innovator or leader.
•••• Your destiny is one of Arthurian legend.
••••• The course of the world may be revolutionized by your fate.
Exposure
It was the point in the act that Marty despised: the love scene. The time when the boundries between hunter and prey blurred. It was foul, but necessary. Like anyone else, bloodsuckers were at their most vulnerable during intimate moments. As the creature moved to her neck, Marty's heart jackhammered, spurred by a mixture of fear, anger and anticipation.
She'd been bitten before she was Called, back in her stupid goth phase when she used to hit clubs armed with a fake ID, black lace and a sick dose of nihilism. The fact that she was still breathing proved that these monsters don't always drink their victims dry, and not every bite creates another vampire. Surprisingly, it didn't even hurt. She prayed Sarin and Michelle were sneaking over to the van at that moment. —H;tR, - p.122
Your character had a run-in with the supernatural before she was imbued. Maybe she saw a pack of wild dogs tear through the shopping mall or was a part of a cult based on something more tangible than deluded faith. She never understood the encounter fully and shut it out, rationalized it desperately or simply dismissed it. Now that she has been chosen, your character understands her past experience for what it was. This information gives her insights into the supernatural from time to time. But be forewarned that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Sometimes perceptions are deceptive. Your character may know just enough about the supernatural to get into trouble, but not enough to survive it.
Detail the past event or circumstances. When your character identifies a supernatural creature, roll your Wits + Exposure to see if your character can draw upon her previous experience in regard to this new encounter. As far as your character can tell, not all monsters are the same, so some abominations may still be baffling to her. The Storyteller should always feed potentially lethal information after botches.
• You frequently went dancing at some notorious spots.
•• You can now explain that unexplainable encounter you had as a kid in the spooky old mansion.
••• You've seen miraculous coincidences occur that are starting to seem less and less coincidental.
•••• One of your patients always used to arrange for after dark meetings. You realize that your initial diagnosis for the cause of his neurosis was all wrong.
••••• You lived in a community — perhaps Gypsy or Native American — that took the supernatural for granted. You now understand something of what you've seen and heard.
Patron
• You are contacted now and again, perhaps three or four times since you were imbued.
•• You are contacted a few times a season or so, apparently with dire messages only.
••• You receive messages a few times every month.
•••• You are contacted at least once every week, with information of seemingly various import.
••••• You are contacted so frequently that you take precautions against mishaps by refusing to swim or drive alone, for example
Numanist Specific Backgrounds
Guide
A mystical animal or minor spirit has chosen to help the character along their path. Generally such entities are very interested in the welfare (or at least foibles) of humans but have some motive to attempt to encourage certain types of behavior in their companions. Crafty, knowledgeable in magical concerns and possessed of inhuman senses, these beings have a lot to offer their patrons. Nothing is free, though, and this relationship is a two-way street. Guides expect special treatment, including food, shelter, friendship and even strange supernatural necessities. In return, guides can help a character learn mythic lore, gain new Paths of Numina or discover unseen things. Take the opportunity to create an interesting, unique creature who has reason to share your character's fate and influence her behavior.
• Weak guide – a talking, relatively non-combative animal with a few occult skills.
•• Minor guide – exceptionally bright small animal or spirit with detailed occult knowledge.
••• Apt guide – a large, intelligent animal or a smaller supernatural creature.
•••• Strong guide – an animal or spirit with a few magical abilities of its own.
••••• Powerful guide – a creature with magical talents, vast knowledge and probably a reputation.
Mana - Numinists Only
Whether they call it chi, essence, ki, pneuma, psychic energy, ionized electrolytes or any number of other traditional names, sorcerers can tap into sources of energy that empower them in their performance of magic. Meditating or resting on ley lines, in holy places or even in supercharged chemical baths grants the magician who understands their nature a source of power. Other sorcerers ingest a diet of rare substances believed to invoke potency or engage themselves in strenuous rituals, exhausting daily regimens of practice or hypnotic empowerment. Whatever the individual’s methods, she exhibits an energy that helps her work her Art, a force described by some as being akin to breath or spirit, or, in Latin, “Mana.”
When performing Path (read: Numina) or ritual magic, a sorcerer may expend Mana to lower the difficulty target number. As usual, her difficulty cannot be lowered by more than three; however, Mana may reduce threshold instead, though never below one. Recovering Mana requires the sorcerer to perform her chosen method of recharging and succeed in a Perception + Meditation roll, difficulty 7, with each success restoring one point.
x You have to get by on your skill alone.
• May store a pool of/expend one Mana.
•• May store a pool of/expend two Mana.
••• May store a pool of/expend three Mana.
•••• May store a pool of/expend four Mana.
••••• May store a pool of/expend five Mana.
Familiar
• The familiar is a small animal, such as a cat or a stray dog, which only provides companionship and perhaps some warning of danger.
•• The character either has an impressive pet, or a smaller pet that is preternaturally intelligent. The animal communicates with your character (and him alone) through posture and facial expression. It can understand him and perform simple tasks such as fetching or knocking something over.
••• The familiar is a powerful or dangerous pet or an impressive small animal that is as intelligent as a child of eight or nine years. It can etch items and do chores, but it has no book learning and is easily distracted. The familiar can communicate with you as well as if it were speaking by it's noises, postures and expressions. When it is touching your character, it makes an additional Willpower available. This Willpower is "stored" in the familiar but is otherwise treated as personal Willpower. It regenerates only after your character has regained all his own Willpower. The character can share one of the familiar's senses (at a time) when the familiar is within 100 yards.
•••• The familiar is a larger pet that also has the increased intelligence, near-perfect communication, sharing senses and Willpower store of a Familiar 3 animal.
••••• The familiar is a powerful or dangerous pet that has the properties of a Familiar 3 animal.