Backgrounds

• Allies: Allies are normally members of the character's family. However, it is not uncommon for Gypsies from other families to be counted as Allies of the character. These Allies are people whom the character trusts and can count on in times of need. However, it is rare that Allies will risk themselves to save the character, unless the Allies are very close kin.

• Arcane: Part of a Gypsy's mystique includes their ability to slip quietly past common notice. Your Arcane rating adds to your Trait total for any challenges involving detection or Awareness. It also adds to the difficulty rating of anyone trying to remember you or track you down; this includes pesky reporters, Inquisition hunters, and the Garou you pissed off last week. Unfortunately, it also includes the friend who needs your help, the bank you used to have an account at, and the person at the dry cleaners who seemed to have misplaced your clothes.

• Contacts: Gypsy Contacts are usually members of a city's underworld. Often these are the only gaje with whom a Gypsy maintains ties. Contacts may also be influential members of the Rom themselves, particularly elders and those with powerful magic.

• Destiny: This is the Influence you have with the Universe itself; or more accurately, the Influence it has over you. A Destiny means that the Gypsy is part of some historic future; this can be an advantage or a disadvantage in that future rarely will be a simple one. Remember the old Chinese curse: May you live in interesting Times. On the plus side, your Destiny helps you out, because you are the leading character in it. During any given night, you may recover Willpower Traits equal to half your Destiny rating (rounded up). On the down side, the Storyteller will make sure that your character is never bored. Caveat Romani.

• Dream: This is the Gypsy's ability to tap into knowledge beyond what she currently knows. A character may use Dream traits in place of any Ability trait.

• Fame: For a Gypsy character, Fame has a double edge. Fame earns a Gypsy respect among fellow Rom, but she may also be known to certain gaje police departments and other authorities that the Gypsy would rather avoid. Fame can also represent the Gypsy's role as an entertainer. Many Gypsies have become famous through skill at entertaining others.

• Resources: Although Gypsies do not tend to have much in the way of Resources, when they do, their funds often come from sources outside of the mainstream economy. Gypsies do not usually keep much money, preferring to spend freely. Similarly, Gypsies do not tend to value possessions as do the gaje. Possessions come and go when they are needed.

• Talismans: You possess one of more magical talismans, precious pieces of draba created by a skilled drabarne. There are a wide array of draba available to Gypsies, and lucky for you, you found someone who parted with one of the valued items, or you found a drabarne to create one for you. Draba are very valuable to the Rom because of their varied powers and because they are only usable by those who possess the Blood. The greater your score in this Background, the more valuable the draba you possess. You can possess a number of levels of draba equal to your score in this Background. You may possess more than one piece of draba, dividing your score among the draba you possess.

• Level 1: You possess talismans worth one level of draba.

• Level 2: You possess talismans worth two levels of draba.

• Level 3: You possess talismans worth three levels of draba.

• Level 4: You possess talismans worth four levels of draba.

• Level 5: You possess talismans worth five levels of draba.