Draft expanded renown

Any Race

Human

Aptitude Merit Cost Type Source Details Ambidextrous 1 or 2 Aptitude WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You have a high degree of secondary-hand dexterity and can perform tasks with the "wrong" hand at no penalty. System: The normal penalty for using both hands at once to perform different tasks (such as fighting with a weapon in each hand) is +1 difficulty for the "right" hand and +3 difficulty for the other hand; with this Merit, the penalty is at +1 for each hand. Notes: House rules, due to heavy inconsistency across different books: Without the merit, using a weapon in each hand within a single turn requires two actions (extra or split), and the one in your off hand is +1 difficulty. With the 1-dot merit: The +1 difficulty is negated. With the 2-dot merit: The +1 difficulty is negated. You can split actions to use both weapons without the split-action penalty, provided you take no other actions during the same turn. If you do take other actions during the same turn, then this part of the merit does not benefit you during that turn. Some weapons require both hands, though the +1 difficulty does not apply. All relevant +equip templates include 'Two-Handed: Y'. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Player's Guide the the Garou, page #159 Computer Aptitude 1 Aptitude WW3108 WW8202 Synopsis: You have a natural affinity for computers. System: The difficulties of all rolls to repair, construct, or operate computers are reduced by 2. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #13 Demon Player's Guide, page #81 Daredevil 3 Aptitude WW3108 WW3806 Ww8202 WW8120 Synopsis: You are good at taking risks and even better at surviving them. System: All difficulties are at -2 whenever you try something exceptionally dangerous, and you can ignore a single "one" on such rolls (as if you had an extra success). Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Player's Guide the the Garou, page #159 Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Early Adopter 1 Aptitude WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: "Wow! Look at that new palmtop computer. I just got to have one." 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. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Expert Driver 1 Aptitude WW3108 Synopsis: You have a knack for driving wheeled motor vehicles, such as cars, 18-wheelers and even tractors. System: The difficulties of all rolls requiring risky or especially difficult driving maneuvers are reduced by 2. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #13 Eye for a Bargain 1 Aptitude WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character's mortal host had a knack for getting things cheaply. Sometimes she gets the good she needs in sales. Sometimes she gets them through wholesalers. Other times, she just hunts around until she finds a bargain. System: However she does it, the difficulty of any Resources roll you make decreases by two. Notes: Called "Bargain Hound" in Hunter. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Lucky 4 Aptitude WW8202 Synopsis: 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. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #81 Mechanical Aptitude 1 Aptitude WW3108 Synopsis: You are naturally adept with all kinds of mechanical devices. System: The difficulties of all dice rolls to understand, repair, or operate any kind of mechanical device are reduced by 2. However, this Merit doesn't help you drive any sort of vehicle. Notes: This aptitude does not extend to electronic devices, such as computers; see Computer Aptitude above. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #13 Natural Aptitude 3 Aptitude WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Natural Linguist 2 Aptitude WW3108 WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: You have a flair for languages. System: This Merit does not allow you to learn more languages than are permitted by your Linguistics score, but you may add 3 dice to any roll involving languages (both written and spoken). Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Economic Merit Cost Type Source Details Alimony Recipient 1 to 3 Economic WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Flexible Job 3 Economic WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: However she does it, she can earn her Resources rating through a job that doesn't significantly restrict her activities. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Good Credit Rating 2 Economic WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Independent Income 1 to 5 Economic WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Paid Mortgage 3 Economic WW8202<be> WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Wealthy Partner 2 Economic WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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, and so on. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Legal Merit Cost Type Source Details Dual Nationality 2 Legal WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: They mean Dual Citizenship. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Firearms License 2 Legal WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Specialist Drivers License 1 Legal WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character's driving repertoire extends far beyond the SUV or sports car. System: She is qualified to drive trucks, farm vehicles or some other specialized form of vehicular transportation. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Location Merit Cost Type Source Details Hideaway 2 Location WW4010 Synopsis: You have a special hiding place that no one knows about - a house, a cottage, a nicely furbished cave, etc. You never registered this place in your name, so anyone trying to trace you there is going to have a very hard time. This hideaway is modestly furnished and stocked with enough goods for a two week stay. Such places are good for practicing secret magics - or for hiding from enemies. System: If someone goes on an active search to find your hideaway, your Storyteller may roll two dice against difficulty 6. At least one success means that no one has found the place. Failure indicates that you didn't cover your tracks very well; now they know where you live (more or less). Four cumulative failures leads them right to you; a botch immediately renders your secret worthless. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Vibrant Neighborhood 2 Location WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Mental Merit Cost Type Source Details Code of Honor 2 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: You gain two additional dice to all Willpower rolls when accomplishing a major feat in accordance with that code. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Common Sense 1 Mental WW3108 WW3806 WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: You have a significant amount of practical, every day wisdom. System: If you're about to do something counter to common sense, the Storyteller may alert you to what you are trying to do and how it might violate practicality. This Merit is an ideal one for a novice player, for it allows you to receive advice from the Storyteller concerning what you can and cant do, and (even more importantly) what you should and shouldn't do. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #12 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #163 Demon Player's Guide, page #81 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Concentration 1 Mental WW3108 WW3806 WW8120 Synopsis: You have learned to focus your mind, shutting out any distractions and annoyances. System: You are immune to circumstantial penalties that might otherwise affect your dice pools or difficulties; if trying to pick a lock in a rainstorm, for instance, the quality of the lock would still affect the difficulty of the task, but the distraction of the rainstorm would not. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #12 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #163 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Determined 2 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character is one tenacious bitch, determined to go her own way. It can be really difficult for people to persuade her otherwise. System: Gain two dice in any resisted roll in which someone tries to persuade her to do something. You might also have the Stubborn Flaw. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Direction Sense 4 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character has an innate sense of where she is and the distance she's traveled. System: She can make a good guess at which way is north, even without clues like the position of the sun. 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Eidetic Memory 2 Mental WW3108 WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: You have a "photographic" memory and can remember in perfect detail things seen and heard. System: By gaining at least one success on an Perception + 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. Notes: Mokole must buy the 4 point version listed in the Mokole section. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #12 Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Fast learner 3 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 of course, but your character starts getting the hang of things very quickly. System: The cost to gain a new Ability is one experience point instead of three. The costs for higher levels are normal, however. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Fast Reader 1 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character can read and understand a piece of writing far faster than most people can. While this Merit can make long train or plain 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Good Map Reader 1 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #81 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Good Recognition 1 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character is great at remembering people's names and places she's been. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Internet Savvy 2 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Characters with this Merit are adept at using the Internet in all its vast, rambling confusion - no small feat for the technologically challenged fallen. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Jack of All Trades 3 Mental WW3806 Synopsis: You have a little knowledge about a lot of things. System: If making a roll on a skill you do not possess, you do not suffer the usual +1 penalty to the roll's difficulty. You may attempt to roll on a Knowledge that you do not possess, although the difficulty for the roll is still raised by 2. Notes: Shifter characters: Only Homid or Metis characters may take this Merit. Book Ref: Player's Guide to the Garou, page #163 Lightning Calculator 1 Mental WW3108 Synopsis: Your natural affinity for numbers and your talent for mental arithmetic make you a natural for working with computers or betting at the race tracks. System: All relevant rolls are made at -2 difficulty. Another possible use for this Merit, 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 for the difficulty of some action you are about to perform. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #12 Time Sense 1 Mental WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Physical Merit Cost Type Source Details Acute Sense 1 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: One of your character's senses, be it sight, smell, taste, touch or hearing is exceptionally keen. System: The difficulty of any roll involving this sense decreases by two. Notes: Maximum limit for Acute Senses on City of Hope is 3. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Cat Napper 2 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: As long as her naps total six to eight hours in a 24 hour period - and they usually do unless she's forcibly denied naps - she can function as normal. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #109 Double Jointed 1 Physical WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You possess uncanny flexibility. System: The difficulty of any roll involving body flexibility (such as wriggling free from an opponent's grasp) is reduced by 2. You can contort yourself into odd positions or squeeze into small spaces with this Merit. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #20 Player's Guide the the Garou, page #158 Forgettable 1 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 wont be able to give a useful description of her if they only see her briefly. System: Your character must have an Appearance of 2 or 3 and a Charisma no higher than 3 to take this Merit. If either of those Attributes moves outside that range through play, you lose this Merit. This Merit applies solely to your character's physical appearance. She 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 just don't remember her on the street. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #109 Good Night Vision 2 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: The difficulty of Perception rolls decreases by two at night. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Good Right Hook 1 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Add two dice to your damage roll for any Brawl based attack. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Hollow Leg 1 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Halve the penalties your character suffers for consuming alcohol. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #76 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Huge Size 4 Physical WW3108 WW3806 WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: You are abnormally large in size, possibly over seven feet tall and 400 pounds in weight in Homid form. System: You therefore have one additional Health Level, and you can suffer more harm before you are incapacitated. Treat this Merit as an extra Bruised Health Level, with no penalties to rolls. Of course, with your immense size comes other problems, (blending into a crowd, finding clothes that fit, being seated on a plane)... Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#21 Player's Guide the the Garou, page #159 Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Light Sleeper 1 Physical WW4010 WW2224 WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: You function quite well on four hours of sleep a night. More rest is always welcome, but if some circumstances (like research or tight deadlines) keep you awake, you'll suffer less severely than other mortals might. System: If something happens during your slumber, you're more likely to awaken quickly than another person in your position. Notes: Use this Merit instead of "Bundle of Energy" Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #66 Mummy: The Resurrection (2nd Edition), page #68 Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Natural Runner 1 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Your character's Dexterity counts as one point higher than it actually is for the purposes of determining movement rates. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Perfect Balance 1 Physical WW3108 WW3806 WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your sense of balance is acute thanks to constant training or inherited traits. It's very unlikely that you'll ever fall during your life. You may trip, but you always catch yourself before you fully lose your footing or handhold. System: This Merit aids such actions as tightrope walking, crossing ice and climbing mountains; all such feats are at -2 difficulty. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Players Guide to Garou, page #159 Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #109 Robust Health 1 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character has the constitution of an ox. She rarely gets ill, if at all, and food poisoning is a stranger to her. System: Reduce the difficulty of any roll to resist illness or poisoning - including alcohol poisoning - by two. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #109 Sea Legs 1 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character is no landlubber, but a salty sea dog at heart. She's at home on a boat even when traveling rough seas. System: She suffers no penalty incurred due to rough seas or unpredictable ship motion on any actions performed while aboard. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #109 Sexy 2 Physical WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 drawls in members of the opposite sex, or homosexual members of her own sex, with raw animal magnetism. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Psychological Merit Cost Type Source Details Healthy Cynicism 1 Psychological WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: 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. Notes: Called "Healthy Skepticism" in Hunter. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #82 Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Loyalty 1 Psychological WW4010 Synopsis: You're sworn, loyal and devoted to some person, group or cause. System: This bond allows you to resist any form of temptation or coercion that could lead you to betray your trust or oath. Especially nasty forms of "persuasion" (torture, mind magic, vampiric Dominance, etc.) are harder to shake, but you do get a bonus to your Willpower (either two additional dice to roll, or two added to the inquisitor's difficulty, whichever is appropriate) if the offending party tries to make you break your promise. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #66 Optimistic 4 Psychological WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Regain two Willpower when you wake up each morning, rather than the usual one. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Self-Confident 1 Psychological WW3108 Synopsis: 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. System: When you declare that you are using a point of Willpower for an extra success, you do not lose the Willpower unless you fail the roll. You may use this Merit only when you need confidence in your abilities in order to succeed; thus only when the difficulty of a roll is 6 or higher can it come into play. You may spend Willpower at other times; however, if the difficulty is 5 or less, this Merit wont help you. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #12 Unflappable 3 Psychological WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 just doesn't let them affect her the way others do. System: You gain two extra dice on any Willpower roll that involves staying calm or not overreacting to mundane experiences. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #111 Social Merit Cost Type Source Details Approachable 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: There's something very approachable and non-threatening about your character's mortal persona. People find it very easy to start a conversation with her. System: Reduce the difficulty of any Empathy rolls involving other people or demons by one. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Best Friend 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: 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 than an ally wouldn't, but he counts on her to do the same for him. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #106 Corporate Savvy 3 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Add two dice to any roll involving manipulating a corporate structure of a corporate employee. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Enchanting Voice 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: The difficulty of all rolls involving the use of your character's voice to persuade, seduce, charm or give orders decreases by two. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Fashion Sense 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 budget. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Flirt 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Add two dice to all Social rolls in such circumstances. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Funny 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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, even when situations seems darkest. System: Reduce by two the difficulty of any Social roll that is intended to boost morale. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Good Judge of Character 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Decrease the difficulty by two on any Perception roll based on assessing a person. Notes: Called "Good Sense of Character" in Demon. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Good Listener 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: The difficulty of all apparently friendly Social rolls that involve people talking to your character decreases by two. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Good Taste 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 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. System: Reduce the difficulty by two for any Social roll intended to gain acceptance or to impress in a high society or business situation. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Gossip 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Reduce the difficulty by two for any Interrogation rolls made in a social situation, without bullying or intimidation. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Great Liar 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Gain two dice on any Social roll that involves lying to or deceiving another person. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 In Love 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character has fallen for someone (or her mortal host had), and the feeling is reciprocated. The world seems like a better place. Colors are brighter, music is more enchanting, and life just seems less desperate. Even the slightest success boosts your confidence. System: Regain two Willpower instead of one when your character wakes up each morning. Notes: Called "Lovestrick" in Hunter. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Laid Back Friends 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 up tight 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. System: If these guys are also your character's Allies (as per the Background), they'll help without asking too many difficult questions. Hey, that's her business, right? Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Media Junkie 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, film - your character cant get enough. She's a voracious consumer of pop culture and is always up onthe latest movies, music, and current affairs. System: Reduce the difficulty by two on any Social or Research roll that involves pop culture. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Media Savvy 3 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: There's a knack to dealing with the media, and your character has it. She's learned what journalists what, 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. System: Add two dice to any Social roll in which your character deals with journalists or reporters. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Natural Leader 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character has been gifted with a certain bearing and personality that naturally makes people defer to her opinion or orders. System: You receive an extra two dice on Leadership rolls. Your character must have a Charisma of 3 or greater to purchase this Merit. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105 Natural Politician 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: You receive two extra dice on Manipulation rolls in social situations that can 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 to bearing because this Merit represents raw talent, not knowledge gained through long experience. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #106 People Person 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: The difficulty decreases by two on any social roll to create a good impression on another. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Pillar of the Community 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: When she brings them a warning of potential danger or offers an explanation of strange, miraculous events, they are 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Punctual 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 inamorato, she'll be in the restaurant at 8:00 on the dot, so he 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #106 Seasoned Traveler 2 or 4 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character is adept at finding accommodation, supplies and local help wherever she goes in her home country. With the 4 point 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 offending the natives, through a combination of prior research and general street smarts. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Smooth 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: Your character might come from the wrong side of the tracks. She might not have known the proper etiquette in every situation. She probably don'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 can 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. System: Reduce the difficulty of any Manipulation rolls by two. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #106 Socially Aware 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 about the underlying connections between people. System: Gain two dice on any Perception roll involving interaction between other people. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Soothing Voice 1 Social WW4010 WW2224 Synopsis: Your voice is calm and soothing, almost entrancing. System: Add two dice to any roll that directly involves using your voice - to sing, to preach, to hypnotize, etc. - or reduce Social roll difficulties by two. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #66 Mummy: The Resurrection, page #68 Trivia Champ 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 away in her skull. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107 Upright Citizen 2 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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 hard pressed 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #80 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Way With Words 1 Social WW8202 WW8120 Synopsis: 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. System: Gain two dice on any Expression roll that involves words. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #106

Supernatural

Aptitude Merit Cost Type Source Details Lucky 4 Supernatural Aptitude WW3806 WW3108 WW4010 WW8120 Synopsis: You enjoy some special favor from Gaia or some other powerful spirit. System: Three times per story (not per session), you may re-attempt a failed roll. You may only make one repeat attempt per failed roll; the second roll always counts. Notes: Book Ref: Player's Guide to the Garou, page #165 Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #15 World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Awareness Merit Cost Type Source Details Clear Sighted 3 Supernatural Awareness WW4010 WW2224 Synopsis: Illusions do not fool you. This vision may be a supernatural gift, an inborn insight or a practiced skill. System: In any case, vampiric Obfuscation, Chimeristry and other Disciplines or Gifts that deceive most observers don't work as well as they should against you. Confronted with such deception, you get a Perception + Alertness roll (difficulty = opposing power's level +3) to see right through it. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Mummy: The Resurrection (2nd Edition), page #68 Danger Sense 3 Supernatural Awareness WW3108 Synopsis: You have a sixth sense that warns you of danger. System: When you are in danger, the Storyteller should make a secret roll against your Perception + Alertness; the difficulty corresponds to 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. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #15 Nightsight 3 Supernatural Awareness WW4010 Synopsis: You can see in near total darkness. This odd gift may come from an arcane power, an affinity to darkness or some faint relation to the catfolk. So long as some light source exists, your vision remains acute. System: Really bad conditions (smoke, fog, total darkness) might demand Perception + Alertness roll, but under most circumstances, you can see as well by night as you can by cloudy daylight. Bright lights, especially sudden ones, dazzle you for a turn or so, perhaps longer if the light is really blinding, otherwise your sight is fairly normal, not enhanced. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Mental Merit Cost Type Source Details Iron Will 4 Supernatural Mental WW4010 Synopsis: Once your mind's made up, nothing short of a sledgehammer can change it. System: This Merit allows you to resist the effects of vampiric Domination, Mind magic or other coercive mental attacks. The Trait does nothing to deflect mental trauma or deception, but makes it damned hard for someone to mind-control you. Potent attempts from really powerful foes might demand a sacrifice of a Willpower point per turn; if a vampire or mage of your approximate "level" tries to turn your head around, however, you can consider yourself immune. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #68 Physical Merit Cost Type Source Details Cast-Iron Stomach 1 Supernatural Physical WW4802 Synopsis: Beasts must often forage for sustenance; as a consequence, some have learned to be less picky than others. System: Like a goat or a shrew, you can eat anything remotely similar to food and gain nourishment from it. Carrion, straw, bones; it's all dinner. As for the smell, well, you get used to it... Notes: Book Ref: Bygone Bestiary, page #108 Psychological Merit Cost Type Source Details Fearlessness 1 or 3 Supernatural Psychological WW4802 Synopsis: Like the eagle, which stares into the blinding sun rather than back down, you fear nothing and nobody. Yours is the heart of the lion who fights the dragon to a standstill despite his hatred of fire. System: In game terms, you may easily resist all attempts to frighten and intimidate you and yours. Facing supernatural threats or fear-based magic, your effective Willpower is increased by two. For one point, you have one fear that negates this Merit (an elephant's fear of the mouse, for example); for three points, you fear nothing. Notes: Understand that Fearlessness does not equal stupidity or robotic absence of reaction. You may still be thrilled or startled and have adrenaline spikes, you still have a sense of self preservation, and you are still capable of acting scared. This Merit simply means that it's very difficult to intimidate or legitimately frighten your character. Do not use this Merit to justify idiot behavior in social situations, Masq/Veil breaking, or other such nonsense. Book Ref: Bygone Bestiary, page #108 True Love 4 Supernatural Psychological WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: The memory of a lasting love remains with you to inspire you in your darkest moments. Even if your true love is lost to you temporarily, you derive comfort and strength from bringing it to mind. System: You receive one automatic success on all Willpower rolls, which can be negated only by a botch die. At other times, your true love may become a hindrance, since you must act against anything that threatens your love. This Merit requires constant attention and intensive roleplaying. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #165 Social Merit Cost Type Source Details Faerie Companion 3 Supernatural Social WW4010 Synopsis: You have a faerie companion, a friend and associate who's one of the Kindly Ones - the Changelings. Perhaps your creativity feeds his craving for dreams, or perhaps he's taught you of things beyond mortal view. Maybe you're just in love. In any case, this fae companion tends to stay out of human sight, but commands various magical talents of his own (see Changeling: The Dreaming). Naturally, he'll probably want something in return for his generous, if quixotic aid. System: A Changeling makes a boon companion; moreover, his teachings allow you to learn Abilities like Kenning and Mythlore, knowledge outside the mortal spectrum. In a real emergency, your friend might even hide you away in his Freehold for a time! Beware of this offer, however. One never knows the truth behind such refuge, and the price for the trip could be steep indeed! Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Fascinating Gaze 2 Supernatural Social WW2380 Synopsis: The eyes are the windows to the soul, and your character's are particularly engaging. Something about the eyes draws and holds the attention of others. They might be an unusual color, have a particular shine to them, or simply seem to reflect the wisdom of the ages. Your character's come-hither look can melt the coldest heart, while his intimidating glare is like the paralyzing stare of a viper. System: Reduce by two the difficulty of any Social roll in which eye contact is involved throughout. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #64 Special Friend 3 Supernatural Social WW4010 Synopsis: You've got a friend - a supernatural friend. Perhaps she's a werecat, an enigmatic keeper of secrets and sensations; maybe she's a True Mage with powers you can only dream of having. It could be that she's a vampire, watching over you in the night. She might even be a ghost, a Restless soul you've done a favor. Whatever she may be, she isn't "normal" company and her tastes run to dark pursuits. System: Chances are, your friend isn't telling you much about her kind; you might acquire a dot or two in the appropriate Lore Knowledge from listening to her tales, but that's about it. Still, you're there for each other; she'll watch your back if you watch hers. Naturally, your Storyteller will want to fill in the details regarding your friend and the relationship you share. In the midnight world, these kinds of friends are good to have - even if they do tend to bring their problems with them... Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Supernatural Companion 3 Supernatural Social WW3108 Synopsis: You have a friend and ally who happens to be a vampire, shifter, mage, wraith or changeling. Although you may call upon her in times of need, she also has the right to call upon you (after all, you're friends). However, neither of your fellows nor hers are likely to appreciate such a relationship, and they'll punish both of you if you are found out. Meeting places and methods of communication are always risky. The Storyteller creates your companion, but doesn't reveal to you her full powers and potencies. System: Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #15 Supernatural Merit Cost Type Source Details Burning Aura 2 Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: Your aura, no matter what it's color, is unusually brilliant. Those who can see this "inner light", you stand out like a beacon burning with a mystical fire. Even people who cant see auras feel drawn to your side. System: Some supernatural entities find people like you intriguing; others consider you a threat. Likewise, sensitive mortals might consider you appealing or repulsive, depending on your personality and their inclinations. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Ghoul 5 Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: At some point in time, a vampire fed you some of her potent vitae, possibly Bonding you into service. Somehow, you broke free, but the Blood's force has granted you some of your mistress' power. System: In addition to a vague knowledge of vampiric society (one dot of Vampire Lore), you age slowly, have an extra automatic success on any Strength roll you make, and inflict an additional die of damage with all hand to hand attacks. (If your game integrates the Vampire: The Masquerade rules, you have a Blood Pool, a dot in Potence and the potential to buy and use some Disciplines.) xxxxxThis does not come without cost, however. You must continue to feed on vampire blood occasionally. Otherwise, you regain your mortality and crave forever the sweet rush of your former mistress' essence. Should you revert (after going a month or more without sacred vitae), you lose your supernatural might (and Disciplines) forever. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #69 Precognition 4 Supernatural WW4010 WW2224 Synopsis: You occasionally have glimpses of the future. Although such visions are beyond your control, you may try to "summon" one by entering a trance and attuning yourself to fate. System: When employed with the Divination Path, this Merit lets you add two dice to your pool; otherwise, the Storyteller will determine what (if anything) you see and how accurately it reflects coming events. This Merit should, of course, offer some insight, but as any seer knows, prophecy is an odd and chancy business. Visions often strike without warning and are not always pleasant to receive. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #68 Mummy: The Resurrection (2nd Edition), page #68 Prophetic Ability 4 Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: The Higher Powers speak to you in signs and portents, visions and images. Some may speak of the future, while others offer clues to existing mysteries, or reveal hidden facts. Prophecies come when they will - you cannot control them, and may not even want them when they do occur (the classic prophets were not exactly thrilled with their "gifts"). System: Some messages will be crystal clear while others seem just flat out obscure. Symbolism, foreshadowing, flashbacks - all the tools mentioned in the rulebooks' Storytelling chapters come into play when your Storyteller decides to let prophecy strike. The truth, content and effect of the prophecies remain the Storyteller's prerogative, but should have some significant role in coming events. This Merit is not a quick-fix or an "oracle machine"; it exists to provide dramatic moments and enigmatic clues, not to dole out obvious answers. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #68 True Faith 7 Supernatural WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You have a deep-seated faith in (and love for) Gaia, God, or whatever it is you consider the Almighty. You begin the game with one point of Faith (A Trait that ranges from 1-10). This Faith provides you with an inner strength and comfort that continues to support you when all else betrays you. System: You begin play with one dot in True Faith, although you may eventually increase your score to a maximum of 10. When appropriate, you may add your True Faith score to your Willpower rolls. The Storyteller decides what effects True Faith has, but it may include repelling vampires, banishing hostile spirits, holding back Wyrm creatures temporarily or causing minor miracles of healing and cleansing. Such Faith is rare and no one may start play with more than one point of True Faith. Notes: For more rules, see Vampire Player's Guide, page #30, or The Hunters Hunted, pages 64-66. Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#16 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #166 Unbondable 3 Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: Vampire blood cannot control your will. No matter how much of it you consume, the dreaded Blood Bond wont take you down. System: This Merit can be powerful - a little too powerful for some chronicles - if combined with the Ghoul Merit; hence a character who wants to be a free-willed Ghoul must pay double the usual amount. Notes: Ghoul characters must take the 6 point version in the Vampire/Ghoul section below. Characters with this Merit who become Ghouls after character generation must buy this Merit up from 3 to 6. Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Bygone Bygone Merit Cost Type Source Details Acute Senses 1 or 3 Bygone Physical WW4802 Synopsis: The eyes of the eagle, the nose of the hound, the hearing of the rabbit... common speech and poetry alike celebrate these gifts. Either your kind possesses such gifts, or you are exemplary within your species. System: For 1 point, reduce the difficulty of any feat involving one sense by three (-3 difficulty). For three points, do the same for rolls involving all physical senses. The downside of this Merit is sensitivity: Sudden, violent stimuli can run your senses amok. Depending on what happens, you might be temporarily deprived of the affected sense, or driven away in pain or disgust. Notes: Book Ref: Bygone Bestiary, page #108 Homing Instinct 2 or 4 Bygone Awareness WW4802 Synopsis: Like the fabled hound who follows his lost mistress across a kingdom, you have an innate sense of direction when the destination involves home or a loved one. Even when vast distances separate you from your home or friend you can, with time, find your way there. System: This Merit is not a supernatural power, nor is it a medium for transpiration - you must cover all distances and surmount all obstacles yourself. Assuming you can do that, the Homing Instinct will lead you to your destination, despite hundreds of miles, bitter weather, even imprisonment. In game terms, you might have to make a Perception + Awareness roll when some major setback or obstacle (a mountain range, a blizzard, a long delay, etc.) blocks your path. The roll's difficulty depends on the obstacle's severity: Difficulty Circumstances 6 Normal Circumstances 7 Harsh weather or terrain Major obstacles/Erased trail 9 Vast distances (500+ miles) Supernatural obstacles +1 Per month of separation When you choose the Instinct, select one "target", either a location or a character that you've forged a bond with. Such bonds take time and affection to make - they cannot be "set" and "reset" with a simple decision. For two points, this Merit allows you to track your subject anywhere in the mortal world; for four points, you can follow it anywhere, even into the Otherworlds, as long as you have some way to travel there. Notes: Book Ref: Bygone Bestiary, page #108 Loyalty 1 Bygone Psychological WW4802 Synopsis: Pliny the Elder tells of a dolphin in Puteoli who befriended a boy and came to his aid in storms, brought him fish when he hungered and died broken-hearted when the boy fell sick and passed on. The hound of King Lysimachus of Thrace threw himself onto his master's funeral pyre rather than desert him. System: Like that dolphin or Lysimachus' hound, you are loyal to some other person, group, or cause. Temptations to disloyalty mean nothing. If you face some supernatural persuasion (charms, Mind magic, etc.) to betray your object, your effective Willpower is increased by 2. Notes: Book Ref: Bygone Bestiary, page #108 Perfect Balance 3 Bygone Physical WW4802 Synopsis: No matter how narrow the precipice or how thin the tree limb, you move upon it like it was hard packed earth. Moving wagons, the blows of enemies, disorientating fogs - nothing can topple you from your perch. If you somehow fall, you land on your feet like a cat. System: In game terms, you add two dice to all Dexterity rolls involving keeping your balance. and add two dice to any soak roll involving a fall. Notes: This merit is not the same as the Perfect Balance Merit listed in the Any Race section; that merit does not provide the +2 soak bonus. Book Ref: Bygone Bestiary, page #109 Soothing Voice 3 Bygone Social WW4802 Synopsis: Did the serpent in the Garden possess such a voice? Your voice is calm and soothing, almost entrancing. Hot heads and rash tempers are cooled by your liquid oratory. People (and beasts) in earshot will be inclined to trust you. System: In game terms, add two dice to all rolls that directly include use of your voice to soothe or lull the hearer (Leadership, Manipulation, Singing, etc.). This Merit differs from the Musical Influence Special Advantage (Bygone Bestiary, page #117) in that Musical Influence requires musical expression, not speech, and can enrage as well as calm. Notes: A mute beast may not possess this Merit, although he might have Musical Influence. Book Ref: Bygone Bestiary, page #109 Changeling Changeling Merit Cost Type Source Details Demon Demon Merit Cost Type Source Details Angelic Aura 1 Demon Social WW8202 Synopsis: 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. System: The difficulty of all Charisma and Appearance rolls decreases by one when your character interacts with mortals. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #76 Angelic Gaze 1 Demon Social WW8202 Synopsis: 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. System: The difficulty of all Leadership, Intimidation or Empathy rolls decreases by one. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #76 Atavistic Form 2 Demon Social WW8202 Synopsis: 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 the human minds distort these legends, demons are nevertheless able to tap into these atavistic memories through the appearance of their apocalyptic form. System: Your character's revelatory form is an iconic image within human myth, be it as 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 the demon is in apocalyptic form. Additionally, the difficulty to resist the effects of Revelation increases by one. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #76 Debt of Gratitude 1 to 3 Demon Social WW8202 Synopsis: Another demon owes your character a debt of gratitude because of something either he or his liege did for her during the war. System: 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #76 Dreams of the Past 2 Demon Mental WW8202 Synopsis: When dreaming, your character is able to recall especially vivid memories of the Age of Wrath, dredging the recollections from deep in her host bodies subconscious. Your character has no conscious control over what memories she revisits while she is asleep, but may pertain specifically to the situations and challenges that your character is dealing with at the moment. System: 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 difficulties of all Legacy rolls by one. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #76 Famous Liege 2 Demon Social WW8202 Synopsis: 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. System: Upon learning of 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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #76 Supportive Family 3 Demon Social WW8202 Synopsis: Sure, your character's acting strange these days. There's something going on that she cant, or wont, 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. System: Unless you have also taken the Allies Background for your character, her family wont go out of the way to help her. They just don't ask questions that she cant answer. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #81 Hunter Hunter Merit Cost Type Source Details Supportive Family 3 Hunter Social WW8120 Synopsis: Sure, your character's acting strange these days. There's something going on that she cant, or wont, 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. System: Unless you have also taken the Allies Background for your character, her family wont go out of the way to help her. They just don't ask questions that she cant answer. Notes: Book Ref: Hunter Player's Guide, page #108 Religious Devotion 1to 3 Hunter Mental WW8120 Synopsis: Your character has strong belief in a particular religious doctrine. The intensity of which is reflected in the Merit rating you choose. This believe 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 of Willpower points that you may draw upon for the remainder of the scene. System: 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. xxxxxWhen points are squandered or used inappropriately, your character may have strayed from his faith. For major transgressions, he might lose his sense of self and connection to his Creator, temporarily or even permanently. Your character loses this Merit and possibly even additional points of his Willpower rating. Subtle transgressions, such as cursing your Creator for the injustices of the world and doubting your faith as a result, deny your character access to a point or more of his Religious Devotion until he pays emotional penance or reconciles his beliefs. xxxxxIn 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 Storyteller must consent. Notes: Book Ref: Hunter Player's Guide, page #110 Mage Mage Merit Cost Type Source Details Sorcerer Merit Cost Type Source Details Immortal 5 or 7 Sorcerer Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: You have witnessed the passing of ages and survived to tell of it. Through some form of magic, you've got the potential to live hundreds of years. Perhaps, if your Storyteller is kind (and a little crazy herself), you may have already lived for centuries, and boast a truckload of freebie points - not a part of this Merit - to reflect your age. System: As an immortal sorcerer, you get the following benefits: an increased life span, a slight immunity to most fatal diseases (but not necessarily to the pain associated with those diseases), and the potential to live indefinitely. xxxxxThis Merit's stronger version protects you from almost any form of death - save one - that does not destroy your body entirely. If your corpse can rise again, it will; the fatal damage or disease will slowly repair itself at the normal rate of healing. If some disaster annihilates your body, the magic is dissolved (along with your flesh). Otherwise, you can continue on for centuries. xxxxx One given thing can end this immortal dance. The final doom must be selected ahead of time, must be fairly common, and should play some role in the chronicle. Typical dooms include: getting your head chopped off, being stung to death by insects, being frozen to death, being killed by a woman, etc. Naturally you'll probably do anything you can to avoid this fate; just as naturally, your Storyteller will go out of her way to make sure you cant. This potential immortality should not unbalance the game; if your Storyteller considers the idea inappropriate, she may feel free to disallow it. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #68 Path Natural 5 Sorcerer Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: You're a prodigy, a natural at some mystical Path. For whatever reason (inborn talent, powerful heritage, past life, supernatural bargain, etc), you've got an affinity to one certain kind of magic. You picked it up quickly (with little or no study) and now progress through it at an unusual rate. System: During Character creation, select one magical Path. From this point on, you only pay three-quarters of the normal cost (rounded down) when buying advanced levels or Rituals for that Path only. A natural shapeshifter, for example, would pay only 10 points to raise her Shapeshifting Path from two to three. The "favored" Path must be declared during character creation, and this Merit can be purchased only once. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #69 Spirit Guide 5 Sorcerer Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: You are aided in your magical journey by a spirit guide, a friendly entity that offers you advice, messages and sometimes aid. The guide's nature depends on your magical society: A Uzoma sorcerer would recognize one of the orishas, while a Hermetic wizard would claim assistance from an angelic entity. System: Spirit guides can help in a variety of ways: xxxxx*Problem solving: Dialogue with your guide could lead you to insight on various problems. This gives the Storyteller a voice within the chronicle. xxxxx*Help: A friendly spirit may grant it's patron a point of Willpower, take some sudden action or restore a Health Level or two to a sorcerer in need. This aid is rare (once per story, if at all), and may require some thanksgiving offering when the crisis ends. xxxxx*Messages: Your guide can deliver a brief message to someone far away. This message must be short and simple, as it comes much more in a hunch than in a definite thought: "I think Timmy is in trouble. Let's go find him," not "Timmy's canine spirit-guide just arrived and told me that Timmy's trapped in a well three miles from here." xxxxxA sorcerer with a spirit guide may use it as part of her magical Rituals - as the "delivery boy" of a curse or blessing, for example - but does not receive any particular bonus for employing the entity in her workings. Some traditions (especially the shamanic ones) stress initiation by spirits, not people. By adding this Merit to the Mentor Background, you may consider the spirit guide your mentor as well. Notes: Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #69 Mummy Mummy Merit Cost Type Source Details Andean Native 1 Mummy Physical WW2381 Synopsis: Your character's mortal form is a native of the Andes and is able to perform all activities in the cold, thin air without handicap. System: Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #116 Blessing of Ra 3 or 7 Mummy Supernatural WW2381 Synopsis: Imbued with holy wrath, your character can turn away the foul minions of Apophis far more easily than other mummies. System: Reduce by two the difficulty of any Forbiddance attempt. Additionally, creatures successfully banished by your character suffer one level of aggravated damage as your righteousness sears their tainted soul. For seven points, your character also makes reflexive Forbiddance attempts whenever she touches a malign entity. Since this reaction is automatic, ti does not require an action. Characters with either form of this Merit have a golden nimbus surrounding their aura. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #117 Deja Vu 2 Mummy Mental WW2381 Synopsis: Whenever your character encounters someone or something connected with a memorable First Life experience, the Storyteller should secretly roll your character's Intelligence + Memory. The difficulty of his roll depends on how vivid or important the experience was, while the number of successes determines the clarity of the recall. One success is enough to get a vague sense of familiarity, while five successes triggers a complete five-sense flashback. Obviously, characters without the Memory Background cannot take this background. System: Notes: This Merit costs 1 point for Teomallki Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #116 Divine Emissary 7 Mummy Supernatural WW2381 Synopsis: Like Udja-sen, your character is not bound to the Web of Faith. If reduced to zero Lifeforce, he may continue to regain his spiritual power normally without succumbing to semeket. Mummies with this Merit are greatly prized as agents in foreign lands and ambassadors to other Reborn. System: Wu T'ian and Capacocha can also take this Merit, freeing them from the dragon nests of the Middle Kingdom and the boundaries of the Teomallki's Andean homelands, respectively. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #117 Dragon Nest 1 to 5 Mummy Supernatural WW2381 Synopsis: Your character has been entrusted with a wellspring of Chi, one of the few places of spiritual power left in the Middle Kingdom. System: At a dragon nest, all attempts to recover Lifeforce with the Blessing of Heaven automatically receive a number of extra successes equal to the value of this Merit. Remember that this wellspring is a priceless treasure. Unscrupulous shen may try to steal its power, and demons will certainly want to defile it for their own twisted ends. The Amenti version of this blessing is called "Oasis", while the Capacocha have their own "Wellspring", which functions much the same. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #116 Gift of Ma'at 3 Mummy Awareness WW2381 Synopsis: Attuned to the ways of Balance, your character can naturally sense the presence of those who serve or oppose the cosmic order. System: Whenever anyone with a Balance or Corruption rating enters the range of your character's natural senses, your Storyteller should secretly roll your Balance (difficulty 8). Success reveals the presence of a righteous or unrighteous being somewhere in the area. It is up to your character to determine who - or what - just triggered the sense. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #117 Gift of Thoth 5 Mummy Supernatural WW2380 Synopsis: Like the legendary magicians of ancient Egypt, your character is especially gifted in the huse of a particular Hekau path. System: Choose one path (most likely your character's Amenti specialty). Sekhem costs for all rituals of that path are halved (rounded up). Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #65 Higher Pain Tolerance 3 Mummy Physical WW2380 Synopsis: Your character can shrug off the effects of injury more easily. System: Reduce by one all of your character's wound penalties. The Amenti functions as if he is unhurt when Injured, Injured when he is Wounded, and so forth. Your character still suffers damage normally, and he still drops when he is Incapacitated. Notes: This Merit costs 1 point for Sefekhi. Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #65 Immune to Disease 3 Mummy Physical WW2380 Synopsis: The powerful Sekhem in your character's body renders him immune to normal disease and infections. System: As long as the Amenti has at least one Sekhem point, he cannot become infected with any non-magical disease. If his Sekhem drops to zero, your character becomes just as vulnerable to disease as anyone else. If your character is infected but he restores his Sekhem later, the disease's toxin tating decreases by the Amenti's current Sekhem rating. If the toxin rating drops to zero, your character is cured. Notes: Fore more information on diseases, see Chapter Five of Mummy: The Resurrection. Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #65 Immune to Poisons 3 Mummy Physical WW2380 Synopsis: Your character's strong Sekhem protects him entirely from normal poisons, although poisons and potions created using Alchemy still affect the Amenti normally. System: If his Sekhem drops to zero, your character becomes vulnerable to poisons. If your character is poisoned and he restores his Sekhem later, the poison's toxin rating decreases by the Amenti's current Sekhem rating. If the toxin rating drops to zero, your character purges the poison completely. Notes: For more information on poisons and their effects, see Chapter Five of Mummy: The Resurrection. Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #65 Mallki Prestige 3 Mummy Social WW2381 Synopsis: Maybe you were a great hero among the Capacocha in your First Life. maybe you befriended one of the ancients more recently. Whatever the reason, your name is known to the surviving mallki of your suyu - and perhaps beyond. System: You have powerful friends whom you can call upon for aid, but your reputation will likely attract equally powerful enemies and perhaps a jealous rival or two (assuming it hasn't already). Obviously, only Teomallki may take this Merit. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #117 Noble Bearing 1 Mummy Social WW2380 Synopsis: Perhaps your character's tem-akh was of noble blood, or perhaps that blood flows in the veins of his khat. For whatever reason, your character has a noble bearing and manner befitting a king or pharaoh. Others take notice and heed the Amenti's words. System: Reduce by two the difficulty of any social rolls in situations when your character can bring his force of personality to bear.. The Storyteller has final say on situations in which this benefit might apply. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #65 Osiris' Gift 1 Mummy Supernatural WW2380 Synopsis: Your character has a gift for cultivating flora, even in the desert. He can make grass grow, flowers bloom, plants sprout and so forth with a simple touch. System: Plants tended by your character always do well, although they must survive in the natural environment on their own once the Amenti has left them behind. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #65 Seductive 1 Mummy Social WW2380 Synopsis: Filled with vibrant life, each Amenti is a naturally sensual being. Your character finds that others are particularly drawn to him. It may be something about his appearance, manner, or simple joie de vevre. Still, your character is likely to earn more than his share of bitter rivals (as well as, possibly, angry jilted paramours and spouses). System: Reduce by two the difficulty of any Seduction rolls, and likewise reduce the difficulty for Subterfuge attempts that exploit your character's sensuality. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection, page #65 Two Hearts 3 Mummy Physical WW2381 Synopsis: Your character is a witch who has two hearts. Therefore, she can survive a shot or strike that would kill another person. System: The Storyteller will have to determine when your character's extra heart would be able to save her (e.g., it would not help them against strangulation, decapitation, or burning to death). Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #117 Uncarved Block 1 Mummy Social WW2381 Synopsis: Your character is naturally "natural", and can enter the state called "pu" - being "like a block of wood not carved". Anyone seeing him, speaking with him or knowing anything about him will assume that he is simply an ordinary person who is doing ordinary things, such as a common peasant, worker, or student. System: This Merit adds one point to Arcane or to any dice pool intended to convince anyone that he is merely what he seems. Note that this will not work if the character is doing something grotesquely unnatural or inhuman, such as performing Hekau spells or rituals wherein the onlooker can observe him exhibiting skills that no one could possibly have. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #116 Unity of Being 5 Mummy Supernatural WW2381 Synopsis: Your character does not distinguish between flesh or soul, existing as a single psychic entity. Although he looks and feels completely human, the character is actually an embodied spirit. If killed, he evaporates and re-materializes at the Gates of Heaven (or in the Underworld) at the Incapacitated health level. System: Any other time the character's spirit must return, his entire being transports to his relevant celestial realm. The advantage of this state is that one only ever needs a single success on a resurrection roll to materialize in the Lands of the Living. The disadvantage is that resurrection rolls heal no lost health levels, and fate alone dictates where the character re-materializes. Fortunately, whatever agency controls his return ensures he will never appear in front of witnesses. Notes: Book Ref: Mummy the Resurrection: Player's Guide, page #117 Possessed Fomori Merit Cost Type Source Details Banespeak 3 Fomori Supernatural WW3066 Synopsis: With your transformation, you have discovered a way into your dark spiritual side and are able to speak with the Bane part of yourself. When you speak with your Bane, you appear to be talking animatedly to yourself. Your bane whispers dark secrets to the tattered remains of your soul, and your soul whithers a little more with each vile revelation. System: Your Storteller will create the Bane, but will not reveal to you the extent of its knowledge or its secret powers. While your bane will not guide you all the time, at moments of deep urgency it may be able to provide you with clues or information about the Wyrm or Garou worlds which you would not otherwise know. Notes: Book Ref: Freak Legion: A Player's Guide to Fomori, page #22 Hidden Power 2 Fomori Physical WW3066 Synopsis: None of your Powers or Taints are physically obvious. You appear to be human (or whatever you were before becoming fomor). System: If you have extra limbs or body barbs, they are retractable and hidden under a sheath of skin. You seem to be one of the crowd. Notes: Book Ref: Freak Legion: A Player's Guide to Fomori, page #22 Pathetic Aura 3 Fomori Supernatural WW3066 Synopsis: You are a truly needy person, or at least appear to be so; anyone with an ounce of compassion will feel so sorry for you that they will become your protectors, friends, and patrons, and often remain so regardless of your behavior. These guardians will not die for you, but some may kill if the circumstances are just right. System: This Merit does not equal an endless supply of Allies; your helpers will be purely mundane and will back off if the shit gets too thick. As long as you keep your obvious problems to tantrums, lies and debts, however, you will probably be forgiven. Although some normal seeming fomori have this Merit, badly deformed ones can muster enough sympathy to outweigh a multitude of sins. Notes: Book Ref: Freak Legion: A Player's Guide to Fomori, page #22 Stigmata of the Wyrm 4 Fomori Supernatural WW3066 Synopsis: These are marks of the Urge Wyrms which sometimes commune with favored servants. To "win" one, a fomor must first understand the aspects of the Wyrm (which indicates some level of insanity to begin with), then contact her own inner corruption (to discover which aspect favors her), manifest that Urge in word, body and deed, and often undergo some hideous ordeal of consecration. System: Seeking the Wyrm within often requires a perverted vision-quest; this usually involves breaking away from all friends (including other fomori), and indulging in some excess related to the vision your character seeks until some truth appears. These excesses can include killing sprees, near fatal drug binges, wanton cruelty (brutalizing homeless folks, children, animals, etc), prolonged depressions, psychotic episodes, mad orgies, and other deadly activities. At some point, a vision of the Urge Wyrm's Maeljin Incarna appears to the fortunate one and sends her through some excruciating test of loyalty; such ordeals are related to the Urge Wyrm involved - tests of greed, cruelty, deceit, etc. A fomor who survives the tests (many do not) receives the mark of favor. xxxxxLike the tests, the stigmata marks relate to the Urge Wyrm the character serves: Pseulak, Lord of Lies, often gifts his chosen with forked tongues. Karnala, Desire's Urge, has more attractive marks, often hypnotically intriguing tattoos. Foebok gifts his followers with forever open eyes, while Angu's mark consists of massive brands which never heal. The exact nature of the mark is left to the troupe's imagination, but it should reflect some appropriately deviant behavior. xxxxxStigmata can be really useful in social situations with others who understand the mark; Black Spiral Dancers may revere the chosen (or may kill her anyway - they are demented, after all!), and Pentex superiors and Wyrm mystics will give her respect. Even mundanes who embrace the Urge Wyrm's principles will regard the chosen one with a measure of awe and reverence. Stigmata are usually good for one to three extra dice for Social skills when dealing with the Wyrm Tainted. Naturally the character will stand out like a beacon to Sense Wyrm and other such Gifts, and must continue to serve the Urge Wyrm whenever possible. Notes: Book Ref: Freak Legion: A Player's Guide to Fomori, page #22 True Faith 7 Fomori Supernatural WW3066 Synopsis: The Bane within you has not been able to sever your faith. You can purchase the Numina: True Faith at normal cost. However, you are a being at war with itself. The Bane within you will try to thwart the miracles which your faith may bring forth. Indeed, your faith may even endanger you: if you attempt to exorcise an evil spirit, a botch may wrench the Bane from you instead. You will be cured of taint: but you will also be dead from the trauma to your corrupted soul. The Storyteller has full control of the use of True Faith by fomori. System: Notes: Book Ref: Freak Legion: A Player's Guide to Fomori, page #23 Unpossessed 5 Fomori Supernatural WW3066 Synopsis: A part of your soul still remains. The Bane has not fully possessed you, giving you hope of one day shaking off its hold. However, if this was discovered by your masters, you would either be killed or sent back for full possession. Where can you get help? Who can you turn to? You must tread very carefully, one wrong move and you will be destroyed. System: Notes: Book Ref: Freak Legion: A Player's Guide to Fomori, page #23 Shifter Any Breed Merit Cost Type Source Details Adaptable Nature 2 Planetary Mental WW3110 Synopsis: (Shantar) You accept change easily and adapt quickly to unfamiliar situations or alien circumstances. The most bizarre Umbral landscapes do not phase you, nor does it bother you to make sudden changes in plans or battle tactics. System: You can avoid any penalties associated with exposure to alien environments or drastic changes. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #127 Ancestor Ally 1 Shifter Supernatural WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: One of your Ancestor spirits is particularly close to you. System: You have -2 to your difficulty to contact this ancestor via your Ancestors Background. Flesh out your special ancestor with a name, personality characteristics, significant abilities or powers, details about her life and her reputation among Garou. To purchase this Merit, you must have the Ancestors Background. Notes: WWPG used the Past Life Background, this was changed in Revised to the Ancestors Background. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #165 Animal Magnetism 1 Shifter Social WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You are especially attractive to others of your breed (humans if you're Homid, wolves/cats/etc if you're Lupus/Feline/etc. Does not apply to Garou/Bastet/etc). System: You receive a -2 difficulty on seduction or animal attraction rolls (which may inspire some jealousy in others who view you as competition. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #13 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #159 Auspicious Birth 2 Shifter Supernatural WW3063 Synopsis: Fate smiled upon your parents, and you were born under the proverbial lucky star. You are considered lucky to have around, and are a natural choice to lead a sentai. System: Once per session, you may nominate one roll as "lucky" - on that roll, you may then keep any 10's that come up on the dice as successes and then reroll those particular dice to get more successes, just like a specialization. If you are already specialized in the action in question, you may reroll both 9's and 10's, keeping the successes for both. Notes: Book Ref: Hengeyokai Shapeshifters of the East, page #107 Bad Taste 2 Shifter Physical WW3108 Synopsis: You're just plain nasty. Your flesh exudes oils tasting so bad that anyone whose mouth parts touch you (Garou, Fomori, Wyrm monsters) becomes nauseated. System: The would be biter must make a successful Willpower roll each turn for the remainder of the scene or be unable to act while he is retching. Lupus and wolves may react poorly to you; they obviously wont lick you. These oils aren't odorous in any way, but you must constantly wipe oily sweat from yourself. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), page #20 Battle Prowess 3 Planetary Aptitude WW3110 Synopsis: (Nerigal) Combat with weapons comes naturally to you. Swords, knives, klaives, quarterstaves and various other implements of hand-to-hand warfare seem almost second nature. System: You enjoy an extra die on all Melee dice pools. Your expertise in hitting, however, does not extend to causing more damage; you roll the standard amount of dice for damage. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #127 Berserker 2 Shifter Psychological WW3108 WW3086 Synopsis: You feel the rage burning inside you, and you know how to use and direct it against your enemies. System: You have the ability to berserk frenzy at will and, thus, are able to ignore your wound penalties. However, any acts you commit during frenzy have consequences, just as they would otherwise. Also, you have the same chance of going into frenzy even when you don't wish to do so. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #10 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #163 Born Leader 1 Planetary Social WW3110 Synopsis: (Zarok) Others respond to your inherent authority and tend to follow your orders or suggestions. Even if you do not hold a position of leadership, those around you tend to treat you as if you did. System: You make all rolls involving the Leadership Talent at -1 to your difficulty. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #128 Calm Heart 3 Shifter Psychological WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You are naturally calm and well composed, and you rarely fly off the handle. System: Raise the difficulty on all your Rage rolls by 2, regardless of the situation provoking you to frenzy. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #12 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #163 Code of Honor 1 Shifter Psychological WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You have a strict personal code of ethics that you cannot ignore. You can automatically resist most temptations that would bring you in conflict with your code. System: When battling supernatural persuasion (mind magic, vampiric Domination, etc.) that would make you violate your code, either you gain 2 extra dice for your Willpower roll to resist. 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 abode. An obvious choice might be adherence to the Litany, but personal codes and commitment can vary widely. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #10 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #163 Cool in Battle 2 Shifter Psychological WW3812 Synopsis: You don't lose your head when the fur starts flying. You remain cool in combat, regardless of how chaotic things get. System: Add one to the character's initiative rating. If the character enters frenzy, the benefit is lost. Notes: Book Ref: Book of Auspices, page #103 Combat Expertise 2 Shifter Aptitude WW3812 Synopsis: You've spent a great many hours in real, lethal combat and you're practiced enough that you rarely screw up truly badly. System: You may ignore one botch on an attack or dodge roll each session. Notes: Book Ref: Book of Auspices, page #124 Compensatory Senses 3 Metis Awareness WW3212 Synopsis: If your Metis deformity involves weakened senses, such as being hard of hearing or lacking a sense of smell, another sense group has gotten a bit stronger in order to compensate. System: Choose another sense group and lower the difficulty by 2 for any rolls that involve those senses. Notes: Be sure to set a note clarifying what sense you've chosen. Book Ref: Guardians of the Caerns, page #104 Diverse Fighting Style 4 Shifter Aptitude WW3812 Synopsis: You have trained in a truly vast range of different methods of combat, and can apply the full extent of your knowledge to the situation at hand. System: You never face penalties in combat for using unfamiliar or exotic weapons, and you can easily identify any weapon or fighting style you are exposed to. Notes: Book Ref: Book of Auspices, page #124 Elder's Favor 1-3 Shifter Social WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: An elder owes you a favor because of something either you or your pack once did for them. System: The extent of the favor depends on this Merit's value: 1 point would indicate a relatively minor favor, 2 points means you have done something significant for the elder, while 3 points would indicate the elder owes you his life. This favor can only be called in once. Notes: Once the favor has been used, submit a request to staff so that the Merit and it's note can be removed. This Merit may be bought again as the result of a PrP, or RP Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #18 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #162 Fair Glabro 2 Shifter Physical WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: Your Glabro form can pass for Homid, albeit a large and bulky one. System: You lose no Social Attributes when in Glabro. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #20 Player's Guide the the Garou, page #159 Family Support 1 Shifter Social WW3806 Synopsis: Your family knows what you are and accepts your new life wholeheartedly. Perhaps your parents are Kinfolk and have prepared themselves for the potential that you might be a full Garou. However, they are not necessarily Kin (of the sort purchased through the Kinfolk Background); they may not understand what you've become, but still believe you are "special" or "gifted". While you cant assume they will risk themselves for you or your pack, you can rely on their moral support and understanding - and maybe a place to crash on occasion. System: Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to Garou, page #162 Garou Companion 3 Fera Social WW3807 Synopsis: Despite the centuries of stigma and the hatred between the werewolves and various Fera, you and your unlikely friend have overcome them, on whatever common grounds. Obviously, such a relationship is best kept secret from both camps, to avoid provoking the wrath of either, but you nurture it, because it gives you unique insight from the perspective of the wolfskins. System: Notes: Book Ref: Player's Guide to the Changing Breeds, page # 164 Good Instincts 3 Planetary Awareness WW3110 Synopsis: (Rorg) You have an uncanny ability to intuit the best course of action in situations involving instinctive responses rather than logic or rational thought. This Merit makes you an ideal companion in the wilderness, where action takes precedence over thought. System: You make all rolls involving Primal Urge or Survival at -2 to your difficulty. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #129 Hidden Talent 3 Planetary Aptitude WW3110 Synopsis: (Ruatma) You have a knack for keeping secrets and for concealing objects so that others have a difficult time locating them. This makes you a natural recipient for sensitive information. System: Others have a +2 to their difficulty for attempting to overhear your private conversations. If you hide an object, others suffer a +2 to their difficulty to locate it. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #129 Immune To Wyrm Emanations 6 Shifter Supernatural WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You have a special boon from Gaia: You are immune to the toxins of the Wyrm. System: You receive no penalty from supernatural radiation, balefire, Wyrm elementals and the like (although you still suffer damage from such attacks). Likewise, you are immune to Bane possession. Your Sept recognizes this invulnerability and thrusts you into many dangerous perils with the expectation that you will use your immunity for the good of others. Notes: This Merit does NOT grant immunity to Wyrm Taint, it only grants the ability to withstand the worst dangers of the Wyrm's poisons. (e.g. you may still suffer damage from radiation/radioactive spirits, but your pools (such as Stamina) will not be penalized by the effects of radiation exposure.) Thus, Wyrm-Shifter PCs are allowed to purchase this Merit. This Merit may not be purchased by Possessed of any Faction due to the immunity to possession. Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), page #16 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #166 Infectious Courage 5 Shifter Mental WW3812 Synopsis: While it's the duty of all Ahroun to inspire valor on the field of battle, it comes to you far more naturally than to most; even among the stout Garou, your courage and resolve is legendary. System: Whenever a fear-causing Gift or power is used on you, adjust the difficulty of the roll by 2 in your favor. If a similar ability is used on one or more of your packmates and you are in their line of sight, adjust the difficulty by 1 in their favor. Notes: Book Ref: Book of Auspices, page #124 Inner Sight 2 Planetary Mental WW3110 Synopsis: (Sokhta) The solution to puzzles and mysteries come to you with relative ease. You enjoy a good mystery and look forward to the opportunity to test your intuition against some of life's confusing situations. System: You gain two extra dice on all rolls involving Enigmas. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #127 Iron Will 3 Shifter Mental WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You have a tremendous ability to resist outside attempts to take over your mind. You receive three extra dice to resist attempts to manipulate your mind, and may spend a Willpower point to shake off the direct mental control of a vampire. This Merit works only against direct mental control, not emotional manipulation; Gifts that induce frenzy still have the usual chance to succeed, for instance. System: Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #12 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #163 Jupiter Midsky 4 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: You absorb knowledge easily and enjoy a reputation as a scholar (though not as a teacher). You tend to possess a breadth of knowledge that makes others seek you out for counsel. System: You may add one die to your dice pool for any Knowledge Ability roll. Notes: You must already possess the Knowledge Ability required to make any Knowledge roll, this Merit does not grant a 'first dot'. Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #131 Jupiter Rising 7 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: Luck favors you with extraordinary good fortune. When you seem to need it the most, good luck falls in your path. This happens most often when you attempt to aid someone other than yourself, but you also enjoy the benefits of this aspect. System: If you wish to invoke the luck of your aspect, you must spend two Gnosis points and make a Gnosis roll, difficulty 9. The number of successes equals your total "luck points" for the scene. You may spend these points in several ways" xxxxx* You can use one point to heal one health level (even one lost to aggravated damage). xxxxx* You can use them as Willpower or Rage points. xxxxx* You can use them to re-roll any 1's on a one-for-one basis. You may only invoke this Merit once per scene. If you run out of Gnosis, you have temporarily run out of luck. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #131 Lack Of Scent 2 Shifter Physical WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You produce no scent, or your scent is extremely faint. System: You are hard to track by other Garou or hunters who use scent.Any attempts to track you are at +2 difficulty. You may find it difficult to deal with Lupus Garou or wolves, as they will mistrust your lack of a "natural" scent. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #20 Player's Guide the the Garou, page #159 Longevity 2 Shifter Physical WW3108 Synopsis: Gaia has blessed you with long life. System: You do not suffer aging effects until you are 90 years old or more (rather than 70 and up). You can expect to reach 120 to 130 years of age, barring death in combat. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), page #21 Luck of the Road 2 Planetary Aptitude WW3110 Synopsis: (Meros) You enjoy traveling for its own sake and may take any opportunity to do so. The road also seems to have an affinity for you and you find most journeys pleasurable experiences. System: You make any rolls involving travel related actions at a -2 difficulty - including finding places to stay along your route, locating convenient shortcuts and avoiding obstacles such as traffic tie ups (in urban areas) or rock slides and flooded rivers (in the wilderness). Your affinity extends to your companions as well, giving them a -1 to similar rolls when traveling with you. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #128 Mars Midsky 5 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: You have a reputation for your volatile temper and inspire awe in others for the destruction caused by your memorable frenzies. Most Garou consider this tendency a Merit rather than a Flaw, since a healthy Berserk Frenzy can act as a powerful aid in battles against overwhelming odds. Furthermore, Garou tend to respect and fear warriors famous for their spectacular frenzies. Fianna Ahrouns particularly value this planetary aspect, since it calls to mind the deeds of many legendary Celtic and Fianna heroes. System: You never enter a Fox frenzy; instead, you follow the path of the Berserk. When in a state of frenzy, you receive +2 dice to any soak rolls and add +1 to your dice pool for any Strength related rolls. Ahroun receive three additional points of temporary Glory Renown due to a reputation as an all-out, no-holds-barred fighter. However, there is a downside; you frenzy with only two successes on a Rage roll, meaning that the Thrall of the Wyrm looms much closer to you than to others. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #131 Mars Rising 6 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: The fire of battle runs through your veins and communicates itself through every aspect of your being. Your eyes gleam with the eagle's ferocity, while your posture demonstrates your constant readiness for combat. The Get of Fenris celebrate the birth of any tribe member born with Mars Rising - Particularly Ahroun, Galliard, or Philodox. System: You gain an extra die to your dice pool for any offensive combat action; you may add this bonus to either your attack or damage roll each turn. Thus bonus does not apply to defensive actions or to soak rolls. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #130 Mercury Midsky 2 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: Teaching comes naturally to you; you draw on the vast experience and insights which evolve from Mercury's skill in communicating information. Occasionally, however, you find that your position as teacher interferes with other duties - such as fighting the Wyrm. You constantly juggle the two impulses. Philodox Garou consider this a favorable aspect, while Stargazers admire individuals with this aspect in their natal chart. System: This Merit affects other Garou in addition to the individual who possesses it. Any Garou who studies with you gains two extra experience points per story in which they spend at least one scene under your tutelage. Each time you agree to teach a student, you gain one point of temporary Honor Renown. In order to qualify, however, you must possess the Instruction Skill or possess at least four dots in the Ability or Attribute you wish to teach. Beginning Stargazer characters gain two extra points of temporary Wisdom renown if they possess this aspect. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #130 Mercury Rising 3 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: You will travel far, both in the physical realm and in your far-ranging thoughts. Physical barriers, societal limitations and constraints of all kinds cannot restrain you when you desire to escape their bounds. Ragabash Garou find their natural tendencies blossom with this aspect, while Silent Striders view it as a particularly good portent. System: Garou who have Mercury Rising have a -1 to any difficulties that involves the Gauntlet, from stepping sideways to using Gifts that require overcoming the Gauntlet. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #130 Metamorph 7 Shifter Physical WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You find it extremely easy to change forms and can do it even in your sleep. System: You do not need to roll to shift forms (you are considered to have an automatic five successes); nor do you need to spend a Rage point to instantly assume a desired form. In addition, if you are ever knocked unconscious (due to wounds, etc.), you can make a roll of Wits + Primal Urge, difficulty 8, to assume whatever form you wish instead of reverting to your breed form. Notes: Metis characters interested in this Merit, see the 6 point version listed below. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #21 Player's Guide the the Garou, page #159 Metamorph 6 Metis Physical WW3212 Synopsis: Yes, this is the same Merit from the Player's Guide to the Garou. However, there's one aspect of this Merit that makes it particularly useful to Metis. Metis with this Merit are born able to shift their forms from one to the other. Metis such as this are the ones you hear about who turn from human infants to cubs while still in the crib. System: Even when a Metis with this Merit is knocked unconscious, the difficulty to assume whatever form she chooses is reduced to 7. Nobody knows their body and its limitations better than a Metamorph-blessed Metis. Notes: This version of Metamorph is available only to Metis characters. Book Ref: Guardians of the Caerns, page #105 Mitanu's Tongue 2 Planetary Social WW3110 Synopsis: (Mitanu) You have the ability to talk your way out of most things when dealing with reasoning creatures, including most spirits. System: You gain two extra dice on rolls involving Subterfuge (or related Secondary Abilities) when attempting to evade the issue, avoid blame or otherwise escape an awkward situation. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #127 Mixed-morph 1 or 5 Shifter Physical WW3806 Synopsis: You find the art of partial transformation relatively easy. System: Make the required Dexterity + Primal Urge roll at difficulty 6 rather than difficulty 9. The give point version of this Merit eliminates the need for spending a Willpower point; you can achieve partial transformation almost at will. Notes: Book Ref: Player's Guide the the Garou, page #159 Mother's Insight 4 Planetary Awareness WW3110 Synopsis: (Tambiyah) You have the uncanny ability to see into the heart of a situation. System: You make all Wits related rolls (with the exception of initiative rolls) at -1 to your difficulty. Additionally, in situations where three or more successes are required, you need one less success to accomplish your task. You cannot botch Wits related rolls (again, excluding initiative rolls), although you can fail them. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #128 Natural Channel 3 Shifter Supernatural WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You find the Gauntlet between worlds thinner than most Garou do. System: Your difficulty to step sideways is one less, and spirits react a bit more favorably to you. Even if you aren't a Theurge, you wont find it difficult to obtain training from the Garou shamans. Notes: Available to any breed that can cross the Gauntlet. This Merit does not supersede any Racial drawbacks regarding crossing the gauntlet, e.g. Bastet needing a Rank 4 Gift to cross (or Rank 2 for Swara). Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #166 Phantom Mask 2 Metis Social WW3212 Synopsis: Your Metis deformity is concealable with some work. For example, you may be able to hide your third eye under a scarf, or perhaps you have a charm from a fae or wizard that hides your deformity. This serves you just fine, unless the other werewolves find out. They'll hate you for being a coward in addition to whatever other prejudices they have against Metis, and you'll be the object of particular scorn by other Metis. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guardians of the Caerns, page #104 Prosthesis 3 Metis Social WW3212 Synopsis: If your character has a physical deformity or missing limbs, you've somehow obtained prosthetics to compensate. This does not mean your deformity is cured; when you cant wear the prosthetics, (and many Homid and Lupus dislike them), you've still got the deformity and its limitation. However, these prosthetics may help offset some of your penalties when worn (Storyteller discretion). This is a common Merit among Glass Walker Metis. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guardians of the Caerns, page #105 Resigned Spirit 2 Planetary Psychological WW3110 Synopsis: (Lu-Bat) You accept defeat and setbacks with a calmness uncommon in most Garou. Others find it difficult to provoke you to anger by taunts or insults and you do not get overly disappointed when you fail. System: You gain a +2 to your difficulty to frenzy from trivial matters such as personal frustration or the goading of others. When a true occasion for frenzy presents itself - such as the sight of a place ravaged by Wyrm taint - your chance for frenzy is normal Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #129 Silver Tolerance 7 Shifter Supernatural WW3108 Synopsis: You have an immunity of sorts to silver. System: You are able to soak silver, although it still causes you aggravated damage. Also, any Gnosis loss from carrying silver items is halved for Garou with this Merit. Instead of losing one Gnosis for every silver item you possess, you lose one Gnosis for every pair of silver items you carry (always round up to the nearest number). Notes: This Merit may NOT be taken alongside Gold Tolerance. This Merit is not available to Shifters who do not naturally fear silver (e.g. Corax). Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), page #16 Spirit Magnet 2 Shifter Supernatural WW3806 Synopsis: You naturally attract the attention of the spirits whenever you cross the Gauntlet into the Umbra. Most of the time, the Umbral inhabitants are simply curious, gathering around you to see who you are and what you're doing in their "neck of the woods". Occasionally, you attract more than you bargained for - Banes are as likely to come calling as are friendlier spirits. System: None of the spirits who collect in your vicinity are under your command unless you use a Gift that allows you to command them or influence them in some way. This Merit can be both a boon and a nuisance. Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to Garou, page #165 The Fire Within 2 Planetary Physical WW3110 Synopsis: (Katanka-Sonnak) The fires of Katanka-Sonnak warm you from within, making you extra resilient against cold weather or damage caused by the cold. System: You gain two dice to Survival or other rolls involving cold weather hazards, such as swimming to shore in an icy river or digging your way out of an avalanche. You also take one less die of damage from frostbite or other cold related hazards. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #127 Unnoticed 3 Metis Social WW3212 Synopsis: Maybe they're just being polite, or else your deformity doesn't really matter to them. Whatever the reason, humans, including Kinfolk, tend to ignore your Metis deformity. Some may even find it enticing or exotic. Werewolves, on the other hand, tend to look at you askance - this seems rather suspicious to them. Wolves are even less forgiving. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guardians of the Caerns, page #105 Venus Midsky 3 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: This aspect increases your ability to act as an intermediary or mediator between opposing factions. You possess a soothing voice and calming nature and can often stop hostilities from erupting. People enjoy listening to you and, therefore, tend to listen harder to what you say. System: When acting as a mediator, you gain 3 extra Willpower points for the duration of that scene. However, this aspect also places a limit on your Rage. You cannot spend Rage points while in the process of mediation; furthermore, it requires five successes on a Rage roll for you to frenzy when acting as a intermediary. Each time you successfully mediate a situation that could otherwise have become violent or hostile, you receive 3 temporary points of Wisdom renown. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #130 Venus Rising 4 Planetary Aspect WW3110 Synopsis: You possess an unmistakable charisma that makes you a natural leader, inspiring others to follow you out of love and admiration rather than from fear and intimidation. Lovers come into your life with regularity and friends seek you out. The Children of Gaia treasure this Aspect, seeing it as a means for bringing about their goal of universal harmony and peaceful coexistence. System: Social rolls that involve charisma gain an extra die. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #130 Hengeyokai Merit Cost Type Source Details Perfect Protocol 1 Hengeyokai Social WW3063 Synopsis: You have a natural talent for dealing with other shen; you were born to take tea with the lords of the hsien, and you can politely address even the most hideous Kuei-jin in a highly pleasing fashion. System: The difficulty of your Empathy, Expression, and Etiquette rolls when dealing with another shen in a courtly fashion is reduced by 2. Notes: Book Ref: Hengeyokai Shapeshifters of the East, page #107 Kinfolk Kinfolk may also draw from the Any Breed or their Shifter Breed's merit lists, if it makes sense. Subject to staff approval. Merit Cost Type Source Details Feral Appearance 1 Kinfolk Physical WW3074 Synopsis: Whether you're more hirsute than the average person or have a lean, hungry look to your features, the werewolves like what they see. It isn't a matter of physical beauty; there's just something about you that stirs their animal natures. System: You get an extra die on all rolls involving Appearance when dealing with homid Garou, and you're considered to have an extra dot of Charisma among Lupus Garou (although it cant exceed 5). Notes: None. Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, page #54 Fetish (merit) 5-7 Kinfolk Supernatural WW3074 Synopsis: You own a fetish, one you can actually use (or, at the very least, lend to Garou, ostensibly in return for other favors).You may have inherited this item, received it as a gift or found it on your own. In any case, the fetish is highly valuable. System: Fetishes aren't common among Garou, much less Kin. You and your Storyteller should work together on constructing the item and establishing how it came into your possession. Five points equals a Level One fetish, six points a Level Two fetish, and seven points a Level Three fetish. A few rare fetishes allow expenditure of Willpower rather than Gnosis for attunement and activation. Notes: Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, page #54 Gall 2 Kinfolk Social WW3074 Synopsis: Audacity, guts, pluck - Whatever it's called, you've got it. You aren't afraid to stand up to anyone, from naughty children to tribal leaders. This isn't brash, foolhardy behavior; you're still polite, after all. You simply don't get the shakes when the Silver Fang Ahroun comes over to speak to you. Many werewolves and Kin respect you for your honesty and forthrightness. System: Add an extra die to any Social roll involving a display of backbone. Notes: Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, page 52 Gnosis (merit) 5-7 Kinfolk Supernatural WW3074 Synopsis: More than any other blessing, the possession of Gnosis among Kin is a special mark of Gaia's favor. It's extremely rare for mortals to be so gifted. Having Gnosis grants many privileges, such as the ability to learn Gifts, use fetishes and, in the case of a vampire's Embrace, the chance to die with dignity and honor, rather than suffer unlife. Even the stuffiest Garou gives a nod of respect to a Kin who possesses Gnosis. System: Kinfolk lucky enough to possess Gnosis recover it in the same manner as Garou. Kinfolk cannot have Rage; they do not have the fury of Gaia within them. Five points spent on this Merit grants one point of Gnosis; six points grants two points of Gnosis; and seven points, three points of Gnosis. Notes: Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, page #52 Good Old Boy (or Girl) 2 Kinfolk Social WW3074 Synopsis: For either gender, this Merit means the same thing: You are intrinsically nice person, and you genuinely care about your fellows. Depending on the setting, werewolves and other Kin (both human and wolf) tend to like you and confide in you. Even Lupus Garou may approach you in a friendly manner; something about you just seems trustworthy and inviting. System: Take an extra die on Social rolls involving interaction with other Garou or Kinfolk. Notes: Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, page #53 Recognize Garou 3 Kinfolk Awareness WW3074 Synopsis: Over the years, you've become adept at picking out the werewolves in a crowd. Rather than having any kind of mystical awareness, you've simply learned what physical and personality traits tend to mark Gaia's warriors. They just stand out to you, once they've undergone the Change. System: This Merit doesn't allow you to find werewolf cubs on the verge of Firsting, but you may notice their propensity for violence. All Perception attempts to notice which people in the room seem to have that special touch of Rage or wilderness that could indicate they're werewolves are at -2 difficulty. Notes: Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, page #52 Wolf Sense 1 Kinfolk Mental WW3074 Synopsis: This Merit is a blend of folk wisdom, practical sense, and animal instincts. If you have Wolf Sense and make a successful Intelligence roll, the Storyteller can opt to give you advice on whether you're about to do something stupid. It doesn't mean she'll tell you what you should or shouldn't do, but at least you'll have some warning. System: Notes: Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, page #52 Fera Ananasi Merit Cost Type Source Details Crawlerling Alteration 4 Ananasi Physical WW3082 Synopsis: You can choose not only the size of the Crawlerlings you break into, but also the breed of spider you become. As long as you have consumed at least a few of the spiders in question, you can become any type of spider you so desire, or as many breeds as you so desire for that matter. System: Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, page #83 Good Reputation 5 Ananasi Social WW3082 Synopsis: For whatever reason, the other Ovid in your area accept you as a kindred spirit; perhaps their spirit allies speak well of you. They may not like the Ananasi as a whole - and most of them don't - but they accept you as an equal. System: Your Rank among your own kind carries over to all other Ovid who follow the same aspect of the Triat as you. Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, page #83 Hivemind 7 Ananasi Mental WW3082 Synopsis: You truly have a hive mind. Unlike most of the Ananasi, you do not need to choose leaders and drones when you break into the Crawlerling form. System: You retain your full consciousness while in this state, throughout all of your individual spiders. The only way to truly destroy you would be to obliterate every single spider that is a part of your form. If even one survives, you retain all of your memories. This isn't a perfect situation, however: Any spiders leaving your immediate area (a hundred foot radius) "revert" back into regular spiders, and no longer keep your memories. Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, page #83 Human Form 3 Ananasi Physical WW3082 Synopsis: Unlike most Ananasi, you appear completely human when in Homid. System: There are no telltale signs that a part of your genetic makeup involves members of the arachnid species. You still have pedipalps, but they can hide away completely, not even showing up on dental x-rays. Your blood, if examined, appears complete human, with no trace of foreign antigens in it. Any medical test, no matter how rigorous, would still prove you "human". Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, page #83 Lilian Alteration 6 Ananasi Physical WW3081 Synopsis: An Ananasi's Lilian form is determined unconsciously; after the Metamorphosis, it seldom changes. However, you have a special talent for altering your Lilian form. You're better suited to face new terrain, as you can adjust your body to suit the territory - not only in how you can camouflage yourself against the land, but also in how you can maneuver over the landscape. There are also serious psychological advantages, as you can alter yourself to look more or less menacing, as necessary. You can even fabricate a seemingly completely human form from the waist up, making others believe you are defenseless, even when you are ready to destroy them. System: Notes: Book Ref: Ananasi, page #83 Organized 1 Ananasi Mental WW3082 Synopsis: All Ananasi are ordered and structured, but you take it to a new level. If someone needs to have a big bag of rice sorted by size and shape, you're the one to do it. Many of the organizational tasks that others would consider mind-numbingly boring come as second nature to you, and you can achieve them in half the time that it would take anyone else. You would make a perfect accountant or comptroller for a company, and they would gladly pay extra to have you on their staff. System: Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, page #83 Venomous 3 Ananasi Physical WW3082 Synopsis: Unlike most of your brethren, you retain your venom sacs even when in the Homid form. System: In this form, you can still use any Gifts involving venom that could normally only be used in Pithus or Lilian. This Merit cannot be taken with the Human Form Merit. Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, page #83 Bastet Merit Cost Type Source Details Friend Of Sorcery 5 Planetary Swara WW3110 Synopsis: (Hakahe) Magic fascinates you in all its forms. System: You make all Gift related or Knowledge related Occult rolls at -1 to your difficulty. In addition, you grasp the principles of Theurge Gifts more easily. Even if your Auspice is something other than Theurge, you can learn the Gifts of the Crescent Moon at the same experience point cost as those of your own Auspice. If you are a Theurge, you spend one less experience point to acquire a new Theurge Gift (although you must still abide by the restrictions of your Rank). Notes: Restricted to the Swara Tribe, who count Garou Theurge Gifts as 'in-tribe'. Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #128 Gift Of Seline 5 Bastet Supernatural WW3037 Synopsis: The Moon Mother loves you, and has given you some special blessings when she's at full power. Therefore, you have special boosts or talents on nights when the Moon is full. These might include: xxxxx*You become exceptionally fierce (+2 Rage). xxxxx*The moon makes you stronger (+1 dot of Strength or Stamina). xxxxx*You shine with her beauty (an extra die to all Social dice pools). xxxxx*Her light reveals things to you (-1 to all Perception difficulties). xxxxx*She smiles upon your magics (+2 Gnosis). xxxxx*Her fullness lends you purpose (+2 Willpower). System: These effects occur only at night; when Seline is sleeping, her blessing slumber, too. From dusk till dawn, however, you bask in her favor. Each time the Moon is full, the Storyteller can either roll to see which talent you manifoest, or decide which favor Seline grants this time around. This Merit allows only one gift to come forth at a time, and the moon - a.k.a. the Storyteller - decides which one it is. This moon-favor lasts all night, and is gone by morning. Notes: Book Ref: Bastet, page #87 Graceful 2 Bastet Social WW3037 Synopsis: You've got a natural flair, even among werecats. Your movements hypnotize and your words charm, harsh though they may be. It's almost impossible for you to look awkward, even when you screw up royally. Most people respect this talent, and even jealous folks have to at least admit you've got style. System: Reduce the difficulty of all Social rolls by 2 whenever there's a chance to make a really good impression. This doesn't apply to threats of brute force, although grace may be intimidating in its own way, and may offer a small bonus to Cleverness or Honor Renown. Notes: Book Ref: Bastet, page #86 Corax Merit Cost Type Source Details Birdseye aka Bird's Eye 4 Corax Awareness WW3077 Synopsis: A Corax with this Merit has the knack for automatically picking the right target to follow out of a crowd. System: Even if there are 60 Garou at a moot, a Corax with this Merit has merely to make a successful Wits+Awareness roll (difficulty 7) to pick out the proper (read: most interesting; this can be translated as "most important to the ongoing plot") target to follow. A botch on this roll sends the Corax in the entirely wrong direction, which can also have interesting consequences. Book Ref: Corax, page #73 Double Draught 2 Corax Supernatural WW3077 Synopsis: Most Corax can only drink from one of any given dead man's eyes. You have the unique knack of drinking from both, allowing you to see details more mainstream Corax might miss. You get the best and the worst of the corpse's death, and can integrate the two to form a coherent picture, rather than being forced to rely on one viewpoint or the other. Book Ref: Corax, page #74 Strong Claws 4 Corax Physical WW3077 Synopsis: Birds' claws contract automatically when they sleep, allowing them to keep a grip all night long on whatever perch they've achieved. You can apply that sort of grip whenever you want, making it nigh-impossible to pull something from your grasp if you really want to hang on to it. System: If you decide that you absolutely need to keep something in your grasp, you get an extra 3 dice of Strength to use if anyone tries to take the item away from you. This Gift can also be used when hanging onto window ledges, cliffs, tree branches, and so on for dear life, or when trying to haul dangling victims back to safety from such perilous locales. Book Ref: Corax, page #74 Gurahl Merit Cost Type Source Details Early Maturation 3 Gurahl Supernatural WW3079 Synopsis: Circumstances occurring before your First Change have caused you to emerge as an Auspice other than Arcas. Perhaps your transformation came late in life, striking you after you had attained fill adulthood. Maybe your early years contained so much strife or upheavals that your change catapulted you directly into another Auspice, skipping the "playful" stage of your development as a Gurahl. System: Whatever the details, your character begins as either an Uzmati, a Kojubat, a Kieh, or a Rishi. This Merit differs from the Merit: Rip Van Winkle since the Gurahl character is not one of the newly awakened old ones but is, in fact, a recent addition to the ranks of werebears. In addition, the character must choose her beginning Auspice Gift from the auspice she begins play with. (For example, a beginning Kojubat Gurahl with the Merit: Early Maturation must start play with a Level 1 Kojubat Auspice gift rather than Level 1 Gifts available to Arcas or Uzmati.) Notes: Book Ref: Gurahl, page #88 Rip Van Winkle 3-6 Gurahl Supernatural WW3079 Synopsis: You woke up from a long slumber, and now the whole world is new to you. On the down side, you have lost many of your memories about who you were and what you knew. You know you are a Gurahl, and you remember some of the Gifts and rites you used to know, but the rest lies buried in the fog of time. On the up side, there's a strange and wonderful world outside just waiting for you to tackle it head on. It's like a second cubhood in many ways. Maybe this time, you can get it right (whatever "it" is). System: "Beginning the game with this Merit allows the player to create a beginning Gurahl with an auspice other than Arcas. It also gives the new character a wider choice of beginning Auspice Gifts (though she is still limited in the number of Gifts she can begin play with). This Merit requires particular permission from your Storyteller to purchase, for although the roleplaying possibilities of playing a werebear born in the 19th century - or even the Middle Ages! - are obviously fascinating, it can be extra trouble for your Storyteller. In any event, pay particular attention to choosing Abilities when creating a character of this type. Almost no late slumberers of this nature have any skill in Computer, for instance. The number of points spent in purchasing the Merit determines what auspice your beginning Gurahl has, and the Gift choices available to her. xxxxx3 pts Your Gurahl begins as an Uzmati, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from either the Arcas or Uzmati categories. xxxxx4 pts Your Gurahl begins as a Kojubat, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from among the Arcas, Uzmati, and Kojubat categories. xxxxx5 pts Your Gurahl begins as Kieh, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from the Arcas, Uzmati, Kojubat, or Kieh categories. xxxxx6 pts Your Gurahl begins as a Rishi, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from any category. Notes: Book Ref: Gurahl, page #89 Umbral Affinity 3 Gurahl Supernatural WW3079 Synopsis: Unlike most Gurahl, you do not have to physically rend the Gauntlet to enter the Umbra. Like the Garou, you are able to step sideways without having to rely on the use of a rite. System: You need only concentrate on a reflective surface in order to pass through the Gauntlet. Book Ref: Gurahl, page #89 Mokole Merit Cost Type Source Details Bird-spirit Companion 1 Mokole Social WW3081 Synopsis: A particular Bird-spirit has taken a liking to you, and will sometimes materialize after you have fed (in Suchid or Archid form) to pick your teeth. System: It may bring you news, rumors, hints or the like, but these tidbits of information aren't guaranteed to be reliable at all. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #70 Bite Of The Monitor 1-5 Mokole Physical WW3081 Synopsis: This merit is common among Mokole of the Ora varna. It makes the Mokole's bite more dangerous. System: Any bite inflicted by the Mokole can be healed as usual as the aggravated damage it usually is. However, after time the wound reopens. When this happens, the victim loses the same number of health levels they lost with the initial bite after soaking. The frequency in which the bite reopens depends on the strength of this merit: xxxxx*Once a year (1 point) xxxxx*Once a season (2 points) xxxxx*Once a month (3 points) xxxxx*Once a week (4 points) xxxxx*Once a day (5 points) The bite will open a number of times equal to the Mokole's Gnosis, and after that will not reopen. It is up to the Storyteller exactly when the bite reopens. A being can suffer from only one "infected" bite at a time. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #70 Eidetic Memory 4 Mokole Mental WW3081 Synopsis: You forget nothing and can "photograph" scenes and texts into your memory with the appropriate effort. This Merit costs a lot more for Mokole than for any other creature, for obvious reasons. Once any fact or scene has been recalled through Mnesis, the Mokole can call it to mind again, although every single detail of an ancestor's life isn't available to him unless the ancestor also had eidetic memory. System: The player may ask the Storyteller for any fact or event that his character witnessed. The merit makes learning anything memory-related cost half the usual experience points (although things that have to be practiced are costly as usual). The merit also brings respect, as other Mokole appeal to the character to settle disputes and the like. Notes: Mokole characters must choose this 4 point version, not the Any-Race 2 point version. Book Ref: Mokole, page #71 Manshape 1 Mokole Physical WW3081 Synopsis: Your Archid form resembles that of humanity. You are essentially a "lizard person" - a human shape with a reptile head, roughly the size of a Crinos Garou. System: You will need to buy Bipedal and Grasping Hands for your Archid form to take this merit, but this merit allows you to use a greater variety of tools and fit in places you might not otherwise fit. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #70 Mnesis Of The Lost Ones 1 Mokole Supernatural WW3081 Synopsis: You belong to a Mnesis lineage that, through crossbreeding, sharing of mates, or the Rite of Anamnesis being performed in the distant past, has some memories from an extinct Changing Breed, such as the Camazotz (werebats), the Khara (sabertoothed Bastet) or the Grondr (boar-skins). System: This Mnesis will be fragmented, imperfect and difficult for you to understand. The Storyteller will convey to you what this memory contains, although you will not be able to use it as easily as Mokole memories. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #70 Silver Tolerance 7 Mokole Physical WW3081 Synopsis: This is an extremely powerful Merit and is not to be taken lightly; there must be some explanation for your immunity, such as a pact or supernatural intervention. System: You can soak silver, although it still does aggravated damage to you, and you only lose half the usual amount of Gnosis for carrying silver items. This merit cannot under any circumstances be taken along with Gold Tolerance. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #71 Step Sideways (merit) 7 Mokole Supernatural WW3081 Synopsis: This merit is rare in the extreme and is dangerous to use, as it alerts Umbral beings who may be hostile to you. System: You can enter the Umbra without a Gift, just as the Garou do. You may step sideways as per the Werewolf rulebook. You should present the Storyteller with a convincing reason as to why you have this merit, and it remains wholly her discretion whether you are allowed to purchase it or not. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #72 Supernatural Companion 4 Mokole Social WW3081 Synopsis: You have a friend and ally who happens to be some kind of supernatural creature: another shapeshifter, a mage, or perhaps a changeling. Your clutch does not know about this person, and might be upset if they found out about your friendship. If the ally is Garou, they will be extremely angry. The Storyteller will create this ally, but will not reveal all the details to you. System: Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #71 Temperature Control 2 Mokole Physical WW3081 Synopsis: You can control your body temperature. System: You will never suffer from fever, heat exhaustion, heatstroke or hypothermia, save in the most extreme conditions. In addition, if you concentrate intensely enough, you can avoid being spotted by heat sensors. Your body temperature cannot usually go over 110 degrees or under 65 degrees Fahrenheit, however. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #71 Terrible Footsteps 1 Mokole Social WW3081 Synopsis: When shapeshifting, the Mokole can invoke this merit by spending one Gnosis. The ground trembles, the trees sway and the birds and animals fee. This is not connected to Delirium and the Veil, but is a function of Mnesis. The Mokole is remembering the mighty tread of the Kings. System: Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #71 Veiled To Garou 7 Mokole Supernatural WW3081 Synopsis: ): This is an extremely powerful merit, available only to Mokole. The Mokole and the Kings hunted and slew the Garou and their mammalian ancestors for ages. There are a few Mokole who retain that ancient aura of mind-shattering terror. System: The Mokole with this advantage causes the Delirium in Garou, although not in other Awakened creatures. Garou react as per the Delirium chart according to their Willpower or Rage, whichever is higher. Garou, too, can make a Wits + Occult roll to move up the chart at the Storytellers option. Notes: Book Ref: Mokole, page #72 Nuwisha Merit Cost Type Source Details Large 1 Nuwisha Physical WW3076 Synopsis: A Nuwisha with this Merit is substantially larger than most of her breed, and is easily mistaken for a Garou when in Manabozho form. System: This size increase gives no physical bonuses, but adds 1 die to all Social dice pools when dealing with Garou. Notes: Book Ref: Nuwisha, page #48 Umbral Affinity 2 - 3 Nuwisha Supernatural WW3076 Synopsis: Nuwisha with this Merit have a strong connection to the Umbra. System: All difficulties for passing through the Gauntlet are reduced by 2, to a minimum of 3. With the 3 point Merit, the Nuwisha does not need to stare into a reflection of any sort in order to enter the Umbra. Book Ref: Nuwisha, page #48 Ratkin Merit Cost Type Source Details Cagebound 3 Ratkin Psychological WW3080 Synopsis: You were born in a cage and raised by humans. Months of handling and affection have made you well-tempered, patient and sweet. Then the Birthing plague changed everything. The call of the Rat God was irresistible, and you had to leave behind the human with whom you bonded. Fortunately, your tragic story has a happy ending. System: Your peaceful upbringing helps you enter Rapture, use Blood Memory, and gain Gnosis through meditation: You get a -1 difficulty on all of these rolls. You are also highly knowledgeable about human society, though this knowledge is limited to what you saw in the room where you lived. Notes: Book Ref: Ratkin, page #75 Caged Folk 2 Ratkin Social WW3080 Synopsis: If the Storyteller is willing to admit to the existence of the Caged Folk, you may purchase this Merit with her permission. You may select highly intelligent rats as your Kinfolk or Contacts. They generate their status just like any other Kinfolk character, and can solve problems as efficiently as any human. Not surprisingly, they see all of human society through rodent eyes, misinterpreting the reasons humans do things. They are also fanatic about concealing their true intelligence, forever wary that men in white lab coats will find them and take them away. System: Notes: For more details on Caged Folk, see the sidebar on page 62 of the Ratkin Breedbook. Book Ref: Ratkin, page #75 Rokea Merit Cost Type Source Details Fin Blades 3 Rokea Physical WW3083 Synopsis: In Standing Jaws form, the fins on your arms, legs, and back are just as sharp as your talons. System: You may attack with these blades for Strength +1 aggravated damage. Notes: Book Ref: Rokea, page #83 Good Looking 2 Rokea Social WW3083 Synopsis: Unlike most Rokea, who are (politely put) rough-looking in Homid form, you look completely human. This is a real plus if you hunt betweeners (or if you are one). System: The character's Appearance score may start out at whatever level the player chooses. Notes: Book Ref: Rokea, page #82 Swim Sideways 6 Rokea Supernatural WW3083 Synopsis: Unlike most Rokea, who cannot enter the Umbra without a Gift or aid from Sea, you can do so at will. System: The character can reach the Umbra, in the sea or on land, in the same way as a Garou. Notes: This does not protect the character from the harsh rigors of Sea's Soul, so swimming sideways is safer closer to the surface. Book Ref: Rokea, page #83 Venerable 2 Rokea Social WW3083 Synopsis: You've been swimming the seas for a long time. You haven't garnered any Renown because you haven't really done much, but for whatever reason, you've decided to take a more active role in Rokea society. System: You may begin play with dots in Linguistics, Occult, Seafaring, Etiquette, or Politics (no more than 2 dots in any of these Abilities, and probably not all five). While you begin with the same amount of Renown as other Rokea, your age gives you some respect (-1 Social difficulties with younger Rokea) Notes: Book Ref: Rokea, page #83 Garou Any Tribe Merit Cost Type Source Details Friend Of Sorcery 5 Garou Supernatural WW3110 Synopsis: (Hakahe) Magic fascinates you in all its forms. System: You make all Gift related or Knowledge related Occult rolls at -1 to your difficulty. In addition, you grasp the principles of Theurge Gifts more easily. Even if your Auspice is something other than Theurge, you can learn the Gifts of the Crescent Moon at the same experience point cost as those of your own Auspice. If you are a Theurge, you spend one less experience point to acquire a new Theurge Gift (although you must still abide by the restrictions of your Rank). Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #128 Moon-Bound 2 Garou Supernatural WW3108 WW3806 Synopsis: You are especially tied to your auspice. System: When Luna is in the waxing phase of your auspice, you receive an extra die on all rolls. However, when your moon phase is waning, you lose one die on all rolls. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #15 Player's Guide to the Garou, page #165 Moon Paint 5 Garou Supernatural WW3811 Synopsis: The wolves of the city are used to electronic and mechanical senses augmenting their Gaia-given eyes and ears (in the case of the Cuber Dogs, fatally so). Sometimes this can be turned to a Garou's advantage. System: Once per story, a Moon-painted Garou can use any true representation of their moon phase (a television image, painting, tattoo, etc) as if they were seeing their own moon phase for regaining Rage. Notes: Book Ref: Book of the City, page #124 Reputation 2 Garou Social WW3108 Synopsis: You have a good reputation among the Garou of your sept. The reputation may be your own, or it may derive from your pack. System: Add a +3 to all dice pools for social dealings with your sept's Garou. This Merit is not the same thing as renown; a Garou can have little renown, yet be well known and liked. Notes: A character with this Merit may not take the Flaw: Notoriety. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #18 Wolf Sight 1 Garou Physical WW3806 Synopsis: In all your forms, you see colors and intensities of light as a wolf does. Your color vision is dimmer than that of humans, though you embrace the full spectrum of colors. Your night-vision, however, far surpasses human nocturnal vision. You also notice movement more readily. System: You gain an extra die to all Perception rolls that involve movement or take place at night. Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to Garou, page #159 Black Furies Merit Cost Type Source Details Caern Child 5 Black Fury Supernatural WW3851 Synopsis: A Garou with the Merit: Caern Child was born during a Rite of Bearing the Caern. This birth alone is considered to be a very strong positive omen; the character receives +1 die on all Social rolls when dealing with Garou of her home sept. Additionally, the totem spirits of the caern to which the character was born pay special attention to her; she receives 1 point in the Totem background for free, so long as her pack's totem is one of the sept's totem spirits. xxxxxThis Background does bring negative attention to the character as well. Should she fail in any task the Theurges and Galliards of her home sept are likely to wail and gnash their teeth, as the character's fate is said to be linked to that of the caern. The character may receive a mentor or two that she didn't seek out or ask for, due to the sept's need to keep her safe and strong. She is certain to receive unwelcome attention from the local Wyrm population, who believe - probably quite rightly - that the first step to corrupting the new caern is to force the character down the Black Spiral, corrupting her rather than killing her outright. System: Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Black Furies (Revised Edition), page #87 Camp Affinity 2 Black Fury Social WW3851 Synopsis:Camp Affinity indicates that a particular camp of Black Furies has a particular fondness toward you. Perhaps you did them a great favor, or perhaps they are trying to sway you to join their group. System: Regardless, you have a -1 difficulty on Social rolls when interacting with that camp. You should not be a member of this camp when you first take this merit, although you can shift into that camp during play as the chronicle permits. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Black Furies (Revised Edition), page #87 Unusually Fertile 1 Black Fury Physical WW3851 Synopsis: The character with this merit is far more likely to become a parent than another Garou is. While Garou are not substantially less fertile than humans are, a Garou with Unusually Fertile is twice as likely as an average human to either become pregnant or cause a pregnancy after a single unprotected sexual encounter. The children of a character with this Merit are no more likely to be Garou than are the children of another character not so blessed. The specific effects of the Merit are best left to the Storyteller and player involved, especially if the character is female. For obvious reasons, Metis may not take this Merit System: Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Black Furies (Revised Edition), page #87 Bone Gnawers Merit Cost Type Source Details Ratkin Buddies 3 Bone Gnawers Supernatural WW3852 Synopsis: You poor bastard. Ratkin like you. For some reason, an entire pack of them has taken a personal interest in you. On a good day, they'll swarm into your life and solve one of your pesky little problems - sometimes by twisting it around into a completely different problem. On a really good day, they'll decide that one of your enemies is their enemy, too, making the poor fool's life a living hell (that is, worse than yours). And then there are the bad days, the ones where they show up unexpectedly asking for a place to crash, eat all your food, borrow some of your stuff, or generally raise hell where you live. You've learned to be really tolerant of them, because if you're not, they'll make your life a living hell, too. System: No more than one Garou in a pack can take this Merit. Ratkin have a chance of manifesting at a random time once every four sessions of game play. The Storyteller decides the precise moment the player must roll a die on this nifty little table: Rolled a... Effect 1 Bad Day: Ratkin make your life difficult. 2-5 Sad Day: No Ratkin. Go outside and leave a present for the local rats. 6-8 Good Day: Ratkin perform a minor favor. 9 Really Good Day: Ratkin allies save your ass. 10 One Ratkin joins the Rat-pack, one leaves. The new Ratkin leaves you a gift as an introduction. He thinks it's neat, even if you don't. xxxxxThe results affect the story as defined in the first paragraph of this Merit. The Ratkin pack has a number of wererats equal to the size of the character's pack minus one. Note that Ratkin are not inclined to appear to Garou other than Bone Gnawers; if you're part of a multitribal pack, your packmates may never learn the nature of your hidden "benefactors". As an optional rule, if Ratkin show up as part of the chronicle, the player who's chosen this Merit plays his Garou character, but every other player in the troupe can temporarily play a character in the rat pack. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Bone Gnawers (Revised Edition), page #80 Shame 2 Bone Gnawer Social WW3852 Synopsis: Your distant Garou ancestors weren't Bone Gnawers. Somewhere along the way, one of your ancestors shamed himself in some way. As a result, his descendants were so infamous or reviled that only the Bone Gnawer tribe would take them in. His reputation precedes you, as well. xxxxxThe good news is that you can still draw upon the strength of a few of your more esteemed ancestors. Treat this like one dot in the Ancestors Background. None of these ancestors were Bone Gnawers (of course) and none of them were more recent than at least three centuries ago. This is the closest a Bone Gnawer can ever get to the Ancestors Background (without using the optional Bootstrapping Rule). System: The bad news is that elders may learn of or even recognize your shameful lineage. Here's the catch: Each time you meet an elder for the first time, the Storyteller may roll your permanent Glory against a difficulty of (your Rank +5). If the roll scores even one success, your family's dark past is revealed. In addition to any story complications, you then gain an additional +2 difficulty on all Social based dice pools with all elders in that sept. (If you're using the optional Tribal Disadvantage, this disadvantage stacks with that +1 difficulty.) xxxxxThis game mechanic doesn't preclude some rival (or an inquisitive Shadow Lord) from finding this dark secret on his own as part of an entire subplot with a Bone Gnawer who tries to gain a deeper understanding of his ancestry while hiding it from his sept's elders. The ancestor may do more than simply bestow an occasional benefit to a dice pool - he may also grant forbidden lore or a temptation that may affect the Bone Gnawer's destiny forever. Notes: Staff note: Research Bootstrapping rule/tribe disadvantage/restrictions, define on the Bone Gnawer page with HR, update this Merit Note and System Book Ref: Tribebook: Bone Gnawers (Revised Edition), page #80 Struggling 1 Bone Gnawers Social WW3852 Synopsis: By hard work and diligence, you've gotten yourself off the streets. You can raise just enough money for legitimate home, regular (but cheap) food, even a few basic amenities. However, all of your resources are tied up in maintaining this home, and you have to struggle to keep it. As a Bone Gnawer, you cant have points in the Resources Background. Thus, mustering more than a few dollars of disposable income is difficult for you - in seems like you're always paying off debts and bills. You do, however, have a way to score some extra cash once in a while. Struggling may be tough, but it's a damn sight better than living on the streets. xxxxxDowntime is critical to a Struggling character. Even though he's part of the chronicle, your character cant spend every day wandering around looking for adventure. Drawing a paycheck requires at least twenty to thirty hours of part-time work a week, presumably this happens in the time between game sessions. Since this Merit limits the sort of tale your Storyteller can tell, it obviously requires her approval. Your character will, however, have a home, an address, and a phone number. System: At the start of each chapter of the chronicle, the Storyteller rolls your character's Wits; every two successes bestows the equivalent of one dot of Resources for the rest of the chapter. (If you've got Wits 4 or 5, you can reroll 10's.) The words "job security" mean nothing to you, however. On a botched roll, you lose everything and have to start over (as described below). You can temporarily lose this Merit if you leave town, or can no lover work to keep up your home. xxxxxWhether through a botched roll or negligence, you can fall through the cracks again at any moment. Your landlord is ready to evict you in a heartbeat, and your bills are almost always overdue. Setting yourself up as "struggling" again requires at least a month of downtime and a number of experience points equal to the cost of this Merit. The Struggling Merit is fairly common among followers of the Rat Fink camp, who often hold down jobs to hide their methods of gathering information, but as you can see, they have trouble holding onto them for long. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Bone Gnawers (Revised Edition), page #79 Children of Gaia Merit Cost Type Source Details Distant Sire 1 Children of Gaia Social WW3853 Synopsis: The Children of Gaia adopt so many pups that some Children maintain family ties with Garou parents in other tribes. System: This Merit simply means that you know of a parent who is Garou (not Kin) in another tribe. (Male Children may claim sire-right among the Black Furies). The tribe needs to be specified and the Storyteller needs to give permission for you to choose he tribe that you specify. In some cases, he may refuse. The Storyteller will create your parent, but will not reveal everything about them to you. In general, this Merit functions as a dot in Allies within another tribe, although it will also tend to spawn its own subplots. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Children of Gaia (Revised Edition), page #75 Supporter 2 Children of Gaia Social WW3853 Synopsis: You inspire all around you to greater efforts. (You must roleplay this, of course.) Whether by speaking, writing or leading by example, you give anyone who works with you a reason to go on and hope of success. System: You have a -2 difficulty to Social rolls and you give any group effort a +1 to its total dice pool. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Children of Gaia (Revised Edition), page #76 Fianna Merit Cost Type Source Details Second Sight 2-6 Fianna Supernatural WW3854 Synopsis: Even a trace of faerie blood produces strange effects in mortals, and many Fianna have more than a trace. Those with the Sight have limited, uncontrollable clairvoyance and precognition, ranging from an intuitive nudge to a view of a scene from the future. System: For 2 points, you may know who's calling before you pick up the phone, or feel a visitor is coming. Disorientating flashes of insight and sudden visions of the future and other places are hallmarks of the Sight at higher levels. For 6 points, visions are relatively detailed and lengthy. Visions may be of real events or metaphorical, but are usually maddeningly hard to unravel until the foretold event occurs. The Sight is unpredictable and comes unbidden, in dream or waking, as a "gut feeling" or a blinding flash of insight. The Storyteller should use this for more good than ill, but players should by no means rely on the Sight as a sure-fire early warning system. Revealed futures may be dark, and, actions taken to prevent the occurrence usually end up precipitating the unwelcome event. People with very active Sight can be a grim, unhappy lot. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Fianna (Revised Edition), page #83 Seldom Sleeps 2 Fianna Supernatural WW3854 Synopsis: Like the Second Sight, this Merit is the product of a dab of magic in the blood. While rest is still required after exertion, sleep is seldom necessary. One hour a night is fine, and even an hour every three days wont make the Fianna more than a little red-eyed. Such people find themselves pulling more than their share of guard duty. System: Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Fianna (Revised Edition), page #83 Get of Fenris Merit Cost Type Source Details Alcohol Tolerance 1 Get of Fenris Physical WW3855 Synopsis: The Fianna pride themselves on their brewing, but the Get are still able to show the Fianna a thing or two about drinking. System: With a successful Stamina roll (difficulty 7), a Garou with this Merit can shake off the effects of intoxication, suffering no coordination penalties that might normally affect a drunken fighter. This Merit works against all natural intoxicants, though not against poisons. Naturally, a werewolf with this level of tolerance has a much more difficult time getting drunk, which may spoil her fun a bit. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Get of Fenris (Revised Edition), page #85 Gregarious 2 Get of Fenris Social WW3855 Synopsis: Although most Get of Fenris cannot purchase the Contacts Background, you are somewhat more outgoing than your tribemates, and have managed to make a few connections and acquaintances here and there. System: You have a small number of minor contacts, as described in the Werewolf rulebook; whenever you need to get in touch with one, you may roll three dice, difficulty 7, to locate the person you need. This Merit does not, however, provide any major contacts. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Get of Fenris (Revised Edition), page #86 Glass Walkers Merit Cost Type Source Details Red Talons Merit Cost Type Source Details Homid Ancestor 2 Red Talon Mental WW3857 Synopsis: Somewhere in the far-flung mists of the past, you have a human-born relative. Maybe a homid relative of yours bred with a wolf that was Kin to the Red Talons, perhaps a more recent relative was actually born to another tribe. Either way, you have a slightly better grip on human thought than most lupus. System: The character must have at least one dot in the Ancestors Background to purchase this Merit. Reduce the difficulty of rolls involving logic and abstract thinking by 1, and the difficulties of using Ancestors to access Abilities such as Crafts, Melee, Etiquette, and Politics likewise drop by one (Firearms and Computers are probably still off-limits). On the minus side, if word of your lineage gets out, you might lose some temporary Honor depending on what kind of sept you live in. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Red Talons (Revised Edition), page #78 Winter Garou 4 Red Talon Social WW3857 Synopsis: You have been chosen as one of the Winter Garou. Unless you are a member of an all-Red Talon pack, you are probably a spy and instigator for your tribe, and are acting under orders from a superior. System: In game terms, you effectively have Mentor 3, and can expect favors from your tribe (including having the Rite of False Justice performed for you if necessary). You may also learn Winter Pack Gifts, and receive extra Renown from your tribe for your efforts. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Red Talons (Revised Edition), page #78 Shadow Lords Merit Cost Type Source Details Feared Mentor 3 Shadow Lord Social WW3858 Synopsis: While Shadow Lords cannot take the Mentor background, most nonetheless need to receive instruction of some sort before they can learn to be effective manipulators. System: For three points, your mentor is particularly well known and feared within your sept (and perhaps within the tribe at large). His influence is such that you gain one additional die to all social rolls with members of your tribe, but you also inherit at least one enemy from your mentor's past. In this case, as is the case with a normal Mentor (merit), your mentor doesn't do much to come to your aid and cant be called a friend or ally. He is simply terrifying enough that others fear you, regardless of how your mentor himself feels about the subject. Notes: See the Mentor merit below. Book Ref: Tribebook: Shadow Lords (Revised Edition), page #82 Mentor (merit) 2 Shadow Lord Social WW3858 Synopsis: While Shadow Lords cannot take the Mentor background, most nonetheless need to receive instruction of some sort before they can learn to be effective manipulators. System: For two points, you gain a mentor as described in the main Werewolf riles, but no matter his Rank you will never receive more than occasional instruction from him. He will never come to your aid, nor will he ever take responsibility for your actions. You will find yourself serving him more often than the reverse, but if you are canny and clever you may learn more than you ever dreamed possible. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Shadow Lords (Revised Edition), page #82 Thunder's Child 5 Shadow Lord Social WW3858 Synopsis: You are especially close to Grandfather Thunder, to the point where even the Theurges of your sept look on you with envy. System: You gain one temporary Gnosis point when you are exposed to a thunder storm, which lasts until used or until you leave the storm, and you take one less die of damage from any storm or electricity related effects (even if these effects cannot normally be soaked). You also gain one additional die to any Social rolls with storm spirits or members of Grandfather Thunder's brood (including Stormcrows, raven and Crow spirits, totem spirits and avatars of Grandfather Thunder himself. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Shadow Lords (Revised Edition), page #82 Silent Striders Merit Cost Type Source Details Gift of Wepauwet 5 Silent Striders Supernatural WW3859 Synopsis: Some way, some how, the character does not suffer the curse of Sutekh. The spirits of her ancestors come to her in times of need, as if she has some sort of mystic channel or spiritual beacon that calls to them from their lost wanderings or imprisonment. The character embodies the great hope of the Silent Strider tribe - and calls up many of their worst fears, as well. System: After choosing this Merit, the player may purchase the Ancestors Background as usual for any other tribes of Garou. The character also receives three points of temporary Renown, one each in Honor, Glory, and Wisdom. Expectations will be high for this character's future deeds, which may be a benefit or a drawback depending on the situation. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Silent Striders (Revised Edition), page #87 Ghost Sight 4 Silent Striders Supernatural WW3859 Synopsis: This merit allows (or perhaps inflicts) glimpses of sight into the Dark Umbra. It is not always in effect, which is a blessing; any living creature who could see all that goes on a heartbeat away in the land of the dead would undoubtedly go mad - especially since many who possess the sight develop it in childhood. System: The sight comes over the Strider (or Strider Kinfolk) when something of importance is happening in the Dark Umbra (a strong ghost is present, someone or something is watching the werewolf) or in places that are significant to the dead (the place, or an object within, is of great importance to a ghost). Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Silent Striders (Revised Edition), page #87 Silver Fangs Merit Cost Type Source Details Notable Heritage 2 Silver Fangs Social WW3860 Synopsis: This merit can represent one of two things. It may mean that the character is from a family that is particularly renowned amongst the Garou for it's deeds down through the centuries. Notable examples include the Morningkills, the Delacourts and the Tvarivich Dynasty. This is not the same thing as the Background: Pure Breed, which represents the relative perfection of the Garou line as expressed in the individual. This Merit represents the general fame accorded to the family for its deeds of Garou and Kinfolk both. Alternatively, this Merit may represent membership of a family famous in human circles: a royal family, like the Widsors of the United Kingdom or a political dynasty, like the Bushes and Kennedy's in the USA. While this Merit does not convey any property or financial gain, it may well carry a title in a monarchy. System: For notable Garou heritage: The character is at -1 difficulty to Social rolls with other Garou and Kinfolk who are aware of werewolf society. This merit does carry with it the expectation that the werewolf live up to the family name. If he fails to do so, he may find the benefits of the Merit fading with time. As the stories of his own failings start to outweight the high regard the family receives. For notable human ancestry: The character can expect to be invited to all the best parties and is at -1 difficulty to all Social rolls when dealing with humans aware of his heritage. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Silver Fangs (Revised Edition), page #85 Stargazers Merit Cost Type Source Details Eyes of Eshtara 4 Planetary Stargazer WW3110 Synopsis: (Eshtarra) You can use your Kalindo Skill to heighten your senses to their maximum, allowing you to feel, smell, and hear where things and people are. If blinded or placed in a situation where you cannot see, you can use this ability to substitute for your lack of sight. Information comes to you in a manner similar to a bat's sonar. System: In order to take this merit, you must have at least one level of Kalindo. This Merit negates penalties caused by blindness or darkness. You cannot take this Merit if you have the Blind flaw. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, page #127 Mewa Birthmarks 1 Stargazer Supernatural WW3861 Synopsis: Your body is decorated with small brown or pink birthmarks, each one no larger than a penny. They typically show up on one's back. These birthmarks, known in Idia as mewas, are considered "holy" and those bearing such marks are afforded honor. The marks are also used in some forms of divination and they're often similar to star patterns or constellations. System: Those with these marks have an extra die on all Social rolls involving Stargazer Theurges. This Merit may not be taken by a Metis Stargazer with the "Birthmarks" deformity. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Stargazers (Revised Edition), page #80 Tranquil Soul 2 Stargazer Aptitude WW3861 Synopsis: Your ancestors were a particularly calm and spiritual lot. As such, it's extraordinarily simple for you to fall into a trance-like meditative state. More importantly, meditation allows an advantage that others may not necessarily receive. System: A successful meditation attempt (3 or more successes) combined with at least an hour's worth of meditation gives the user back a temporary Willpower point. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Stargazers (Revised Edition), page #80 Uktena Merit Cost Type Source Details Wendigo Merit Cost Type Source Details Camouflage 2 Wendigo Social WW3863 Synopsis: You're Garou, all right, but something about you makes it hard for anyone to tell what tribe you belong to, or even what auspice you were born under. You are still bound to the traditions and rules of your moon phase and your kin, but you're damned good at blending in with any gathering in Garou society. System: If you're presented with a situation where it would be in your best interest, or the best interest of someone close to you, to pretend to be of another tribe or auspice, you can add one die to your Charisma attribute or to your Etiquette skill. Notes: Book Ref: Tribebook: Wendigo (Revised Edition), page #82 Vampire Kindred Merit Cost Type Source Details Sabbat Merit Cost Type Source Details Ghoul Merit Cost Type Source Details Unbondable 6 Ghoul Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: Vampire blood cannot control your will. No matter how much of it you consume, the dreaded Blood Bond wont take you down. System: This Merit can be powerful - a little too powerful for some chronicles - if combined with the Ghoul Merit; hence a character who wants to be a free-willed Ghoul must pay double the usual amount. Notes: Ghoul characters must take this version of the Merit. Characters with this Merit who become Ghouls after character generation must buy this Merit up from 3 to 6. Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Dhampyr Merit Cost Type Source Details Kuei-Jin Merit Cost Type Source Details Wraith Wraith Merit Cost Type Source Details Risen Merit Cost Type Source Details Restricted Not Allowed Merit Cost Type Source Details Charmed Existence 5 Supernatural WW3108 Synopsis: Your life is somehow protected and you do not face the perils that others must. It could be that you are simply lucky. System: Because of this Merit, you may ignore a single one on every roll you make, as though you had an extra success. This Merit makes it far more unlikely that you will ever botch and grants you more successes than others might obtain. Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #15 Corporate CEO 5 Human Society WW3108 Synopsis: Whether you literally are a corporation's chief executive officer or not, you have a particular influence and sway over a major corporation and its associated companies. System: This Merit lists the ability to head a Pentex owned company. Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. Your Resources and Influence Backgrounds as well as your related stats and Concept validates being a CEO or not. Pentex and certain other businesses require a Rank Background of its own. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #19 Faeblood 4 Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: Though not a Changeling, you've got their heritage running through your veins - literally. System: Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. We instead use the 4 point Kinain Merit, from Mage: The Ascension (Revised), page #295. Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Garou Kinfolk 4 Shifter Supernatural WW3064 Synopsis: You are both related to and accepted by a pack of werewolves. System: Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. Although essentially the same, we instead use the Kinfolk Merit from Mage: The Ascension, at a flat 4 point rating, and it can apply to any shifting breed aside from just Garou. Book Ref: Project Twilight, page #21 Guardian Angel 6 Supernatural WW3108 Synopsis: Some supernatural force watches over you and protects you from harm. You have no idea who or what it is, but you suspect that someone is there looking out for you. System: In times of great need, you may be supernaturally protected from harm by peculiar coincidences. However, you cant count on your protector's intervention. The Storyteller must decide why you are being watched over and by what (not necessarily an angel, despite the name). Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #15 Jack-Of-All-Trades 5 Aptitude WW3108 Synopsis: You can draw upon a large pool of skills and knowledge, obtained through your extensive travels, the jobs you've held or just all-around know-how. System: 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 hay the point cost for the first level a "second time" before raising the Skill or Knowledge to 2 dots. (As in 3 for the first point, and then 3+2 for a second point in a Skill or Knowledge.) Lupus/Feline/Suchid/Etc-animal-breed characters cannot take this Merit. Notes: This version of this Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. See the 3 point version in the Any Race section of the Merits list. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #14 Local Ties 1-3 Human Society WW3108 Synopsis: You have both influence over and contacts in local circles of some sort, whether a government system or a lose collection of like businesses. Your influence is far from total, and it may be threatened by changes in personnel or regulations. The more you use your ties, the weaker they grow unless you do something to bolster them. This Merit cannot purchase ties on a national or even statewide scale. System: Listed Local Ties are: Park Department, Judicial, Media, Church, Corporate, Police, Political, and Underworld. Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. Revised edition and other splats best use the Influence Background instead. Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #18 Shapechanger Kin 4 Supernatural WW4010 Synopsis: By some quirk of fate, you're closely related to one of Gaia's Chosen; a werewolf, cat, raven, bear, or perhaps even one of the more mysterious breeds. System: Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. We instead use the Kinfolk Merit from Mage: The Ascension, at a flat 4 point rating. Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #67 Supernatural Kinfolk 4-5 Kinfolk Supernatural WW3074 Synopsis: Not actually intended for mortals, this Merit is necessary for vampire, wraith, mage and changeling characters who are Kin as well. Despite your undead, magical or faerie status, your tribe accepts you as Kin (although they don't necessarily think of you in glowing terms). Individuals outside your immediate family may not like you, and other tribes probably wont treat you well - they may not even recognize you as Kin. After all, most werewolves view mages as caern raiders and vampires as Wyrm Spawn. Likewise, your "other" life may sometimes impinge on Kinfolk business. Still there's value in knowing about both worlds. System: Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. We instead use the Kinfolk Merit from Mage: The Ascension, at a flat 4 point rating. Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, pg.#53 Unknowing Garou Kinfolk 2 Shifter Supernatural WW3064 Synopsis: This is similar to the Garou Kinfolk Merit, except that you are unaware of your heritage. System: Notes: This Merit is not available for use on City of Hope. If your character is unaware of their heritage, then simply play as though they are unaware. Be sure to communicate clearly with other players regarding the possible discovery of your lineage and your expectations and plans concerning your Kinfolk character. Book Ref: Project Twilight, page #21