Merits

Reference Lists
Archetypes	Attributes	Abilities	Backgrounds
Flaws	Merits	Misc	Powers

Merits approved in the Database on City of Hope.

Scroll down further to find the chart and find its full details, sources, costs, etc.

Notes and Tips

Looking for a Merit? You can find the merit y'cou want in the list below, that'll tell you fit is is available already and in the game database.

Which Merit do I choose when there's more than one? Sometimes the same Merit can be found in multiple places, or there are different Merits with the same name. You're expected to choose the Merit that's within your type rather than shopping for a cheaper version from a different splat.

Make sure to check the details for the Merit you're after to avoid name confusion, especially as those with (merit) next to the name require you to use that in cgen and xpreq's to avoid confusion with other stats.
xxxxx* For example, the Any-Race Graceful Merit affects Physical-grace rolls, while the Bastet's Graceful Merit is specific to Social graces.

Pro Tip! Make a SINGLE +note for all your Merits and copy the full details from here into it. This let you avoid searching for them every time you need the info. Do not ask Staff to approve this note as this is just for your convenience.

Not finding what you want? +request it! You have your book/pdf open and there is a merit that you want in there, but it is not on this list. That does not mean you cannot request it to be added! Just make a +request to staff, give the name of the merit and a book reference, and a decision will be made if it can be added! Many times it is would be approved, just no one has asked for it before.

Alphabetized List

A Ability Aptitude Acute Hearing Acute Senses Acute Sense Of Smell Acute Sense Of Taste Acute Sense Of Touch Acute Vision Addictive Blood Additional Discipline Alcohol Tolerance Alternate Identity Alternate Sense Ambidextrous Ancestor Ally Angelic Aura Angelic Gaze Animal Magnetism Animal Speech Apostate Approachable Art Affinity Atavistic Form Attuned Taste Auspicious Birth

B Bad Taste Banespeak Battle Prowess Bean Counter Beast Affinity Benevolent Blood Benevolent Domitor Berserker Best Friend Bird's Eye Bird-spirit Companion Birdseye Bite Of The Monitor Blended Technique Blessing Of Atlas Blessing Of Ra Blood Flaw Immunity Blush Of Health Bonus From Props Boon Bright Bright Hue Broken Bond Bruiser Burning Aura

C Cagebound Caged Folk Call To Friends Calming Presence Calm Heart Cast Iron Stomach Cathartic Fury Cat-like Balance Celestial Affinity Celestial Guidance Celestial Sensitivity Chimerical Craftsman Chi Attunement Circumspect Avatar Clan Friendship Claws Clean Countenance Clear Sighted Cloak Of The Seasons Code Of Honor Cold Coldly Logical Combat Expertise Commanding Voice Common Sense Communicate With Animals Compassion Compassionate Concentration Conditional Magic (merit) Confidence Consanguineous Resistance Constant Sending Controllable Night Sight Cool In Battle Crack Driver Crack Shot Crawlerling Alteration Cupid's Gift Cyclic Magic

D Danger Sense Daredevil Darksight (merit) Deadened Nerves Dead Friends Deathwalker Deceptive Aura Destiny (merit) Detached Dexterous Toes Dharmic Schooling Diplomatic Immunity Discipline Prodigy Disembodied Mentor Diverse Fighting Style Divine Emissary Double-jointed Double Draught Dracon's Temperament Dreams Of The Past Dual Nationality Dual Nature Dual Perception Dual Traditions Dynamic Personality Dynamo

E Early Adopter Early Maturation Early Riser Easier Pandemonium Eat Food Efficient Digestion Eidetic Memory Embraced Without The Cup Enchanting Voice Enslaved By The Blade Eternal Cherry Blossoms Eye For A Bargain

F Faerie Affinity Faerie Eternity Faint Reflection Fair Glabro False Reflection Family Allegiance Family Support Famous Anchor Famous Liege Fangs Fascinating Gaze Faster Fast Charger Fearlessness Feral Appearance Fetish (merit) Fin Blades Flexible Heart Flirt Fluid Corpus Fly Fingers Force Of Spirit Forgettable Former Ghoul Foul Blood Friendly Face Friend Of Sorcery Friend Of The Underground Friend To Spiders Full Of Life Funny

G Gall Gaping Maw Gender-Morph Ghost Sight Ghoul Gifted Liar Gift Of Babel Gift Of Ma'at Gift Of Seline Gift Of Thoth Gift Of Tongues Gnosis (merit) Good Instincts Good Judge Of Character Good Listener Good Looking Good Night Vision Good Old Boy Good Relationship Good Reputation Good Right-left Hook Good Taste Gossip Graceful Granite Skin Great Liar Green Thumb Guardian Angel Gut Instincts

H Harmless Haven Affinity Healing Touch Healthy Skepticism Hearing The Buzz Hidden Diablerie Hidden Power Higher Purpose Hivemind Hollow Leg Homid Ancestor Homing Instinct Honeyed Tongue Honored Birthright Honored Lineage Huge Size Human Form Human Form (ananasi) Hypersensitivity

I/J Immaculate Aura Immortal Immune To Disease Immune To Poisons Immune To Wyrm Emanations Immunity (merit) Imperial Ambassador Increased Pain Threshold Independent Income Infectious Courage Innate Vampiric Ability Inner Knight Innocent Inoffensive To Animals Insensible To Pain Inspiration (merit) Intimidating Stance Inviolate Iron Will Jack-of-all-trades Judge's Wisdom

K/L Kinain Kinfolk (merit) Lack Of Scent Laid-back Friends Large Leech Legendary Attribute Lesser Shaman Library Of Heresies License To... Lightning Calculator Light Sleeper Lilian Alteration Lizard Limbs Long-distance Runner Long-lived Longevity Long Fingers Long Sleeper Loud Voice Luminous

M Mad Science Magic Resistance Manifest Avatar Manshape Mark Of Pure Blood Mars Rising Mastery Of Fire Master Forger Master Of Red Tape Medium Metamorph Misplaced Heart Mixed-morph Mnesis Of The Lost Ones Mole Moon-bound Mortal Companion Mother's Insight

N Natural Channel Natural Husk Natural Leader Natural Linguist Natural Runner Natural Shallowing Natural Shapeshifter Nature Linked Nexus Nice Abs! Nightsight (merit) Noble Bearing Notable Heritage Noted Messenger

O Oasis Obsession (merit) Occult Library Officially Dead Old Age Old Pal Omnidexterous Open Road Oracle Oracular Ability Organized Osiris' Gift Other Half Out Of Phase Oversized Fangs

P Pain Tolerance Pale Aura Paragon (merit) Parlor Trick Passion (merit) Past Life (merit) Patagia (merit) Path Natural Patience Pawn Pelagic Harmony People Person Perfect Balance Perfect Liar Perfect Protocol Personal Aura Phantom Fate Photographic Memory Physical Abnormality Piscine Pithus Alteration Pitiable Poetic Heart Poison Resistance

P Poker Face Powerful Gaze Precocious Precognition (merit) Prehensile Tongue Prestigious Mentor Prestigious Sire Projectile Vomiting Promethean Clay Prophetic Ability Protege Proxy Kissed Psychic Ritual Puddle Pure Blood Purity (merit)

Q/R Quick Healer Ratkin Buddies Recognize Garou Regeneration (merit) Rep Reptile Buddy Reputation Resemble Kindred Resigned Spirit Resistant Pattern Resonant Passion Revenant Disciplines Rip Van Winkle Rising Star Ritual Congregation Robust Health Rugged Bad Looks

S Sabbat Survivor Sanctity Sanguine Incongruity Save Thy Servant Scholar Of Enemies Scholar Of Others Scientific Mystic Secret Death Seeming's Blessing Seldom Sleeps Sense Of The Metal Sexual Reverie Sexy Sex Appeal Shamanic Authority Shamanic Traditionalist Shame Shattered Avatar Silence (merit) Silver Tolerance Sleep Unseen Slimy Smooth (merit) Soothing Voice

S Spark Of Life Speaker With The Dead Special Gift Speedy Hammer Sphere Natural Spirit's Mark (merit) Spirit Magnet Spirit Mentor Spirit Of Healing Spirit Sight (merit) Step Sideways (merit) Stigmata of the Wyrm Stone Skin Stormwarden Strength Of Psyche Strength Of Shadows Strong Claws Strong Lungs Struggling Struggling Awake Style Sleeper Supernatural Companion Supporter Supportive Family Surreal Beauty Swarm Attractor Sweet Blood Swim Sideways Sympathetic Bond

T Techgnosi Temperature Control Terrible Footsteps The Fire Within The Flow Of Ki Thunder's Child Time Sense Touch Of Life Tough Hide Tradition Herald Tranquil Soul True Berserk True Faith True Love True Symbiote Tunnel Vision (merit) Twin Link Twin Souls

U/V/W/Y Umbral Affinity Unaging Unbondable Unforgettable Taste Unimpressed Unity Of Being Unknown Fetter Unobtrusive Unpossessed Untamable Unusually Fertile Useful Knowledge Veiled To Garou Venerable Venomous Venomous Attack Virulent Strike Voice Of A Songbird Wayfarer's Feet Way With Words Weak Shadow Weather Sense Well-marked Werewolf Companion Wholecloth Wild Talent (merit) Winged (merit) Wolf Sight Work With Iron Wyld Allies Years Of Wisdom

Sortable Chart with Details

Merit	Cost	Type	Source	Details
Ability Aptitude	1	Physical	WW4600	Synopsis: You're really good at one specific ability! System: -2 difficulty on rolls involving the specified ability. Notes: This merit signifies only one ability. The ability must be clarified via +note on your character. May take it twice. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
Acute Hearing	1	Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: Your hearing is exceptionally sharp. System: The difficulties for all tasks involving the use of this particular sense are reduced by two. Notes: This Merit can be combined with the Discipline Auspex to produce superhuman sensory acuity. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296
Acute Senses	1	Physical	WW4600	Synopsis: One of your five senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell) is incredibly sharp. System: -2 difficulty on rolls involving the specified sense. Notes: This merit signifies only one sense. The sense must be clarified via +note on your character. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
Acute Sense Of Smell	1	Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: Your sense of smell is exceptionally sharp. System: The difficulties for all tasks involving the use of this particular sense are reduced by two. Notes: This Merit can be combined with the Discipline Auspex to produce superhuman sensory acuity. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296
Acute Sense Of Taste	1	Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: Your sense of taste is exceptionally sharp. System: The difficulties for all tasks involving the use of this particular sense are reduced by two. Notes: This Merit can be combined with the Discipline Auspex to produce superhuman sensory acuity. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296
Acute Sense Of Touch	1	Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: Your sense of touch is exceptionally sharp. System: The difficulties for all tasks involving the use of this particular sense are reduced by two. Notes: This Merit can be combined with the Discipline Auspex to produce superhuman sensory acuity. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296
Acute Vision	1	Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: Your vision is exceptionally sharp. System: The difficulties for all tasks involving the use of this particular sense are reduced by two. Notes: This Merit can be combined with the Discipline Auspex to produce superhuman sensory acuity. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296
Addictive Blood	3	Vampire Setite Physical	WW2060	Synopsis: Your blood is especially delicious to others, Kindred or Kine, containing a substance they find physically addictive. System: Once they have drunk it, they must drink again, or spend a Willpower point at inconvenient moments to avoid the pangs of craving. Setites with this Merit find it much easier to Blood Bond an opponent, as once they have tasted the tainted vitae, they will do almost anything to drink it again. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Setites (1st Edition), pg.#39
Additional Discipline	5	Vampire Supernatural	WW2302	Synopsis: You can take one additional Discipline (Storyteller discretion) as if it were a Clan Discipline. All costs to learn that Discipline are paid out as if it were native to your Clan. A character cannot take this Merit more than once. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#79
Alcohol Tolerance	1	Garou Get of Fenris	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), pg.#85
Alternate Identity	3	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: In addition to your normal identity, you've taken up an alternate role that allows you to run with another group or sect of vampires. This other self has a believable history and backstory that can stand up to at least cursory checks, and he is accepted at face value (more or less) by his associates. However, your sire, Allies, Contacts, etc, don't know that you maintain this second identity, and treat this "stranger" accordingly. System: Notes: This is the Vampire-specific form of this Merit. Other splat types should use the Background: Alternate Identity instead. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Alternate Sense	7	Vampire Supernatural	WW2412	Synopsis: The character does not require vision because she possesses anouther sense with equal discrimination. Typical examples include a bat's sonar or a bloodhound's sense of smell. The character does not suffer the usual penalties from operating in total darkness, though specifically visual tasks (such as reading) remain impossible. The character can also identify other characters by non-visual means. System: Alternate Senses tend to "see through" Chimerstry illusions and Obfuscate concealment because few Cainites understand nonhuman or superhuman senses. When a character with Alternate Senses encounters a character who uses Chimerstry, Obfuscate or similar powers, use the system for "Seeing the Unseen" in Vampite: The Masquerade, pg.#152 - but treat the first character as having an Auspex rating two higher than it really is. For these purposes, a character who lacks Auspex entirely has an effective rating of two. Notes: Alternate Senses often show some connection to Auspex or to the body-altering Disciplines of Protean, Sepentis and Vicissitude. They also usually occur only in Cainites who suffer blindness or other extremere impairment of their normal senses. Book Ref: Mexico City by Night, pg.#115
Ambidextrous	2	Physical	WW2300 WW3806 WW4600 WW6007 WW7300	Synopsis: You have a high degree of off-hand dexterity and can perform tasks with the "wrong" hand at no penalty. System: You must still use the rules for taking multiple actions, but will not suffer a difficulty penalty if, say, you use two weapons or are forced to use your off hand. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296 Players Guide to Garou, pg.#159 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#288 Wraith Players Guide, pg.#21 Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#158
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, pg.#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, pg.#76
Animal Magnetism	1	Shifter Social	WW3108 WW7300	Synopsis: You have that special kind of way with other people that makes them want you. System: -2 difficulty on seduction and similar rolls. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#13 Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#158
Animal Speech	3	Changeling Pooka	WW7054	Synopsis: Like Dr. Doolittle, you can talk to the animals. Unfortunately, this only extends to animals of your own affinity and any directly related. For each step away from you in the Animal Kingdom, communication becomes more difficult. For example, a tiger Pooka can speak fluently with other tigers in the tiger language, however he feels like an American in Paris with only a fourth grade understanding of the language when speaking to a bobcat. When attempting to converse with a housecat, the tiger pooka is reduced to a vague understanding of body language. System: Whenever a Pooka attempts communication with a species other than his specific affinity, the player should roll Perception + Alertness versus a difficulty determined by the Storyteller, based on how far removed the species is from the Pooka's affinity. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Pooka, pg.#87
Apostate	2	Vampire Baali Supernatural	WW2817	Synopsis: It is ssaid that dread Shaitan himself forged the ranks of the first followers of Baal from those Cainites of other lineages he could sway to his side. The practice continues to this day; a substantial minority of the bloodline are not Baali by blood at all, but, rather stem from an adopted parentage - converts to the Baali banner. This unpredictably and versatility of talents has proven to be one of the infernalists' greatest strengths - but it does not always benefit those diverse talents within the bloodline. System: Characters with this Merit either started their unlives as descendents of other blood, later converting to the Baali creed, or are of sufficiently close descent from one such convert so as to maintain some link to her ancestral clan affinities. Apostates may replace either Obfuscate or Presence with any one Discipline, as appropriate to her ancestral clan. (Daimoinon is innate and cannot be replaced). Furthermore, Apostate Baali can still pass the relative ease for members of other clans. A determined effort will still root out an Apostate, but how many Cainites are willing to make that sort of effort? xxxxxThe one negative to this Merit is strictly a political drawback. Apostate Baali are forever barred from leadership roles in the bloodline because of their "inferior" blood. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook: Baali, pg.#44
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, pg.#78 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#105
Art Affinity	5	Changeling Aptitude	WW7300 WW7100	Synopsis: You are able to utilize one of the Arts with a greater degree of ease than other changelings. In a previous incarnation, you were extremely proficient in one of the Arts - so much so that you have managed to draw a portion of that knowledge through into this lifetime. System: Select an Art; when spending experience points to gain levels in that Art, you pay three-quarters the normal cost. This art must be declared during character generation. Of course, this Merit may only be purchased once. Notes: This Merit is called Sphere Natural in the Player's Guide. Book Ref: Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#162 Changeling: the Dreaming Player's Guide, pg.#27
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, pg.#76
Attuned Taste	2	Vampire Tremere Supernatural	WW2357	Synopsis: For whatever reason, you character finds blood magic instinctive - more so than for most Tremere. When your Tremere tastes blood, she naturally tastes the subtle currents and occult correspondences in the vitae. To her, it's not even magic; it's just a heightened state of taste stemming from the Embrace and the Tremere clan's long experience with blood. System: When your character tastes blood, she may automatically glean one fact about the source, as per the Level One Path of Blood power (Vampire: The Masquerade, pg.#178-179). No blood cost or roll is required; the vampire simply garners information as if with one success. You may still choose to use the Discipline itself in order to gain more specific information, in which case the normal systems apply and the results of the Discipline use supersede this affinity. xxxxxThis affinity is not always beneficial - your character may accidentally taste undercurrents of fear, extraordinary power or poison in vitae, and such tastes can cause nausea or incapacitation at the Storyteller's discretion. This sensitivity cannot be turned off. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Tremere (Revised Edition), pg.#66
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, pg.#107
Bad Taste	2	Shifter Physical	WW3108	Synopsis: Your flesh produces a natural toxin. System: Anything that tries to bite you must spend 1 Willpower or spend the rest of the scene retching. Notes: Book Ref: Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#20
Banespeak	3	Fomori Supernatural	WW3066	Synopsis: Your bane speaks to the tattered remains of your soul. System: Your character speaks to itself, and the bane responds with potential clues to assist in your current situation. Notes: Fomori Only, used in emergency situations or otherwise sparingly. Book Ref: Freak Legion A Players Guide to Fomori, pg.#22
Battle Prowess	3	Shifter	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, pg.#127
Bean Counter	3	Changeling Boggan	WW7057	Synopsis: Most boggans consider a gift given freely to have no strings attached. Not you. From simple to extravagant, you're a bean counter. You must still answer the call of the needy, but there will always be a reckoning. A prepared meal may deserve a small thanks, or a home cleaned a modest tip. System: When not given, you must make a willpower roll (difficulty 6 and up, depending on the favor done) or spend the next day rearranging your schedule to make the ungrateful one regret it. A failure makes a simple pranking in order, where as a botch restuls in nastiness most world not predict in a normally pleasant-mannered kith. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Boggans (fan-written), pg.#58
Beast Affinity	1 to 4	Supernatural Aptitude	WW4801	Synopsis: Animals love you. While other people must use force, training or magic to forge bonds with beasts, you do so naturally. Perhaps God has blessed you with the gift of St. Francis. Maybe you're a shaman with a powerful totem or a witch touched by the Goddess. Regardless, animals are well disposed to you. You cannot speak their language or read their minds, but some limited communication (based on gestures and vocalizations) is possible. You are probably safe from harm from animals unless you or your companions act hostile toward a beast or its pack. System: The payback for this Merit is respect; a magus with a beast-bond must love the wild in return. Farmers, foresters and "barbarians" are more likely to win his trust than are priests or princes. This Merit is not an instant protection; if you anger a beast, it attacks. Intelligent or magical animals are still free to make their own decisions; they're inclined to like you but may be wary of or even turn on you in the long run. This Merit fades if abused; a sorcerer who uses her affinity to recruit sword-fodder finds her favor revoked. Animals are not stupid, and their goodwill is taxed easily. xxxxx*For one point, you get along well with a specific type of animal (wolves, cats, hawks). xxxxx*For two points, you bond with general types of animals (canines, birds). xxxxx*For three, that bond extends to any natural beast. xxxxx*For four, even the greater (magical) creatures regard you with favor, if not trust or friendliness. Notes: Book Ref: Crusade Lore (Screen Only), pg.#36
Benevolent Blood	1	Vampire Malkavian Supernatural	WW2353	Synopsis: Your blood still carries the Curse of Malkav, but its effects have been lessened just a little bit. System: Any ghouls you create suffer none of the usual deranging side effects of drinking Malkavian blood — they can be loaded to the gills with your blood and not come one step nearer to gaining a derangement (They might still be driven insane by life with you, though, depending on how demanding your reality is.) Of course, any childer you Embrace will still gain a derangement after the Embrace as usual — although your vitae is easily diluted by mortal blood, the pure stuff carries the Curse as one would expect. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Malkavian (Revised Edition), pg.#64
Benevolent Domitor	3	Ghoul	WW2021	Synopsis: For whatever reason, your domitor is actually rather fond of you. Perhaps your service has been exemplary, or perhaps you simply remind him of someone in his past - given the alien nature of the vampire mind, you may never know for sure. Your domitor treats you with some measure of compassion and does not casually endanger your life. Of course, he still expects you to give your life for his if need be, but until that night, the two of you are something akin to friends. Notes: You must purchase the Domitor Background to buy this Merit. Book Ref: Ghouls Fatal Addiction, pg.#83
Berserker	2 or 5	Mage Psychological	WW4600 WW4809	Synopsis: The ancient Celts called this state the "Battle Fury", and when it takes over your mage, everything is tinted with a red haze as he kills. And kills. And kills some more. System: To end the battle fury, you must make a Willpower roll at the same difficulty. Subtract one from the difficulty if the person on the receiving end is your True Love or someone similarly important. Otherwise, everyone just has to run and hide until you come down. xxxxx*For 2 points: Your character feels no pain, and he ignores all wound penalties when berserk. xxxxx*For 5 points: When berserk, your character adds 2 dots to his Strength, 1 dot to Stamina, gains 3 Bruised Health Levels, and takes no wound penalties to Dice Pools until he reaches Wounded; thus his wound penalties would be: Wounded -1, Mauled -1, Crippled -2, Incapacitated -2, and Dead. xxxxxWhenever your character is injured in combat, make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6 + the number of Wound Levels suffered so far that scene). Add two to that difficulty if you have the Short Fuse Flaw (up to a maximum difficulty of 10). If you fail, your character enters the battle fury, and he may ignore all wound penalties. Unfortunately, he wont know friend from foe, and he will kill until there's nothing left standing. Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
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), pg.#10 Player's Guide to the Garou, pg.#163
Berserker	2	Vampire Psychological	WW2206	Synopsis: The Beast is in you, but you know how to direct and make use of it. System: You have the capacity to frenzy at will, and are thus able to ignore your wound penalties. However, you must pay the consequences of your actions while in frenzy, just as you normally would. Your chance of entering an unwilling frenzy is also unaffected. Notes: Book Ref: Vampire Player's Guide (2nd Edition), page #4
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 Players Guide, pg.#79 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#106
Bird-spirit Companion	1	Mokole	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, pg.#70
Birdseye aka Bird's Eye	4	Corax	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, pg.#73
Bite Of The Monitor	1-5	Mokole	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 aggrivated 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 innitial 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, pg.#70
Blended Technique	7	Mage Supernatural	WW4253	Synopsis: Instead of taking a particular viewpoint as dogma, you've melded together a set of variable techniques and forms as your own special way of doing magic. Better still, you're flexible - you take on new bits and pieces all the time. When someone shows you a way to do something, you just shrug and add it to your repertoire. System: Instead of being limited to a particular focus for each Effect that you want to do, you can learn to use other foci simply by watching a different mage. If you watch an Akashic Brother use Do as a focus for his magic - and he explains what he's doing - you can learn to do it, too. If a Verbena then shows you how blood magic leads to healing, you can pick that up. You're the quintessential Orphan: You use every hodge-podge piece of technique that you find. Notes: Book Ref: Initiates of the Art, pg.#83
Blessing Of Atlas	5	Changeling Troll Physical	WW7050	Synopsis: All trolls are significantly stronger than their fellow fae, yet there are those who exceed even these comparisons. They are as to their fellow Trolls what Trolls are to other fae. System: In game terms, a character with the Blessing of Atlas will permanently raise her Strength by 1, and will also raise the potential maximum Strength pool by 1. Trolls with this Merit are only slightly larger than their kith, but even more defined. Should it become known that a character possesses this Merit, she will be expected to act all the more responsibly for it. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Trolls, pg.#63
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 Players Guide, pg.#115
Blood Flaw Immunity	3	Ghoul	WW2021	Synopsis: For some reason, you are resistant to the bloodline flaws of any vampire from whom you drink. You can guzzle Nosferatu vitae until your stomach bursts, and your complexion won't suffer a whit. Book Ref: Ghouls Fatal Addiction, pg.#83
Blush of Health	2	Vampire Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: You look more hale and healthy in appearance than other vampires, allowing you to blend with human society much more easily. System: You still retain the color of a living mortal, and your skin feels only slightly cool to the touch. Notes: This merit cannot be taken by Nosferatu, Gargoyle, or Samedi. This may also not be taken if you possess the flaws Touch of Frost or Monstrous. Book Ref: Vampire: The Masquerade (revised), pg.#296
Bonus From Props	1-3	Mage	WW4043	Synopsis: You receive a + bonus to all of your magice rolls when using props. System: Notes: Many shamans who possess this Merit also have the Dependence on Props Flaw. Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#103
Boon	1-6	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: Someone owes you a favor. The vampire in your debt might be the lowliest neonate in the city or might be the Prince herself; it all depends on how many points the Merit costs. You only have that single favor owed you (unless you take the Merit multiple times), so using it properly is of paramount importance. Depending on status and other factors, the vampire who owes you a favor may well resent his debt, and might go out of his way to “settle” it early — even going so far as to create situations from which he must “rescue” you and thus clear the slate. System: Consult Staff regarding Boon system, read book for more information. Notes: Points invested symbolize the power of the NPC-Vampire whom the boon is owed. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#75
Bright	4	Wraith Supernatural	WW6007	Synopsis: For some reason, the power of your emotion is enough to weaken the Shroud. System: The difficulty of any test involving piercing the Shroud is reduced by one. As well, mortals encountering you add one point to their Willpower score for the purpose of dealing with you. The unfortunate drawback of this Merit is that any mortal seeking wraiths will always choose you to harass over other spirits, and will gain the same one-point bonus when trying to seek you out. Notes: Book Ref: Wraith Players Guide, pg.#26
Bright Hue	5	Orpheus Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Using pigment may have ruined (and ultimately, stolen) your life, but despite the odds it did not adversely affect you in the afterlife. Unlike other hues, you passions in life remained with you in death, infusing your gauze with the energy of the living. System: You do not suffer the Vitality cap that other hues do (meaning you can have up to a 9 starting Vitality) and can now reach 10 Vitality when infused. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
Broken Bond	4	Social	WW2302	Synopsis: You were once blood-bound but have secretly slipped the leash, and you are free to act as you will once more. Your regnant has no idea that you are not in fact bound, and continues to treat you as if you were. At Storyteller discretion, the experience of having been bound once may render you immune to ever being enthralled again. Notes: Sabbat vampires cannot take this Merit. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Bruiser	1	Physical	WW2302	Synopsis: Your appearance is sufficiently thug-like to inspire fear (or at least disquiet) in those who see you. While you’re not necessarily ugly, you do radiate a quiet menace, to the point where people cross the street to avoid passing near you. System: All Intimidation rolls against those who have not demonstrated their physical superiority to you are at -1 difficulty. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#73
Burning Aura	2	Supernatural	WW4010 WW4809 WW4009	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: Called Shimmering Aura in Witches and Pagans Book Ref: World of Darkness: Sorcerer, pg.#67 Witches and Pagans, pg.#82 Halls of the Arcanum, pg.#62
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, pg.#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: Book Ref: Ratkin, pg.#75
Call To Friends	3	Changeling Pooka Social	WW7054	Synopsis: Creatures of your affinity will come when you call and back you up in a fight. Every species of animal has a special call that they use to summon others of their own kind to aid them. You have an innate knowledge of what this call is and you can use it whenever you need. For some affinities, it's a how. For others, it's a cluck. However it sounds, it calls any of these animals within a one mile radius to your aid. Even if you cannot make your voice carry that distance, the animals spread the word for you. All you need to do is reach one of the creatures of your affinity and, unless restrained somehow, that animal calls others. like that, the "word" spreads quickly and your friends come running. System: The limitations of communication still apply. If the animals cant hear you, they wont know to come. If they cant figure out that you're tied to a chair and need them to gnaw through the knot, they're just going to stare at you dumbly. They don't teleport, so travel time is a factor. However, if they see that an ogre is attacking you, they'll jump right in and help you. This Merit works especially well when used in conjunction with the Animal Speech merit listed above. The number of animals available to you varies depending on your affinity and where you're living. The Storyteller should assign a number of animals per success. For example, in New York there may be only one alligator in the sewers within that mile, but there may be a hundred cats. Once this has been established, the player should roll Charisma + Performance to determine how successful her plea for help is. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Pooka, pg.#87
Calming Presence	2	Changeling Pooka Social	WW7054	Synopsis: One advantage of your animal half is the ability to calm any animal with a quiet word or even a look. You may soothe children as well. Something in your scent, or your aura, conveys safety and security to the animal or child. A guard dog will rarely attack you, and when in your arms, babies calm and gaze up at you in fascination and wonder. If you are a domestic Pooka type (cat, dog, rabbit, etc.), you may use this in your animal form as well, by purring, licking or lying quietly in someone's lap. System: The difficulty of all Charisma rolls, except Intimidation, is reduced by 2 when dealing with children or animals. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Pooka, pg.#87
Calm Heart	3	Vampire & Shifter Mental	WW2300 WW3108	Synopsis: You are naturally calm and do not easily fly off the handle. System: You receive two extra dice when attempting to resist a frenzy. Notes: Brujah may not take this Trait. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#299 Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#12
Cast Iron Stomach AKA Cast-iron Stomach	1	Bygone 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, pg.#108
Cat-Like Balance	1	Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: You possess an innately perfect sense of balance. System: Characters with this Merit reduce difficulties of all balance-related rolls (e.g., Dexterity + Athletics to walk along a narrow ledge) by two. Notes: This is what City of Hope uses instead of newer versions written for Perfect Balance (1 point). For more questions, please see the +explain entry on game. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296
Cathartic Fury	2	Vampire Mental	WW20007	Synopsis: Forced to play the part of the civilized monster, you find solace and strength in periodic outbursts of rage. System: At the conclusion of any frenzy, roll Courage (difficulty 5). Each success restores one point of Willpower, up to your usual maximum. Vampires with this Merit still suffer degeneration for their frenzy if such anger violates the tenets of their road. Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to the High Clans, pg.#204
Celestial Affinity	3	Mage Social	WW4046	Synopsis: Your mage has an exceptional instinct when it comes to dealing with High Umbrood. While certain shamans excel at interactions with their totemic spirits and necromancers find truck with the dead a simple matter, your mage's talents make conversing with the noblest and most refined of ephemeral entities easier. System: You receive a difficulty bonus of two to all rolls to summon, compel, coax, bargain with and otherwise influence such beings. This bonus applies as much to Social rolls as it does to Spheres, since trafficking with High Umbrood is often as much a matter of finesse and force of personality as it is one of sorcerous might. Notes: Book Ref: Blood Treachery, pg.#85
Celestial Guidance	1	Shifter Supernatural	WW3110	Synopsis: You are at home in the Aetherial Realm and can intuit the direction you need to go by a simple act of concentration. Even if an Umbral event throws you off course, you can eventually find your way back to familiar territory. System: If you concentrate on your destination and make a successful Willpower roll (difficulty 6), you can sense the nearest appropriate "step" towards your destination, whether a moon path, anchorhead or even the realm of a potential guide. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, pg.#126
Celestial Sensitivity	2	Shifter Supernatural	WW3110	Synopsis: You are attuned to the Aetherial Realm, a condition which allows you to feel when something isn't right around you. This makes it easy for you to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time. System: The Storyteller determines when you receive warning, and whether or not you can determine whether the sense of wrongness comes from some sort of astrological phenomenon, celestial event ir disturbance of the local spirits. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, pg.#126
Chimerical Craftsman	5	Changeling Aptitude	WW5009	Synopsis: This is identical to the nocker Birthright: Forge Chimera. System: Notes: Book Ref: The Shining Host (Mind's Eye Theatre), pg.#103
Chi Attunement	3	Dhampyr Supernatural	WW2920	Synopsis: Your bond to one of the two basic types of Chi (Yin or Yang) is especially strong. System: You regain this type of Chi at twice the normal rate (two per hour of rest, four per hour of meditation), but regain the other type at half the normal rate. A Demon Chi Attunement is not possible. xxxxxBeyond the game effects above, Chi Attunement influences your general disposition and appearance, much like balance and aspect do for a Kuei-jin. If you are attuned to Yang, you appear vital, sensual and short tempered; to Yin, you seem morose, reserved and analytical. Yang attuned dhampyrs often have the Vivophage Flaw, while Yin attuned often have Sun Allergy. Notes: Book Ref: Half-Damned: Dhampyr, pg.#58
Circumspect Avatar	2	Mage Avatar	WW4600	Synopsis: What Avatar? Your mage has never seen her Avatar. In fact, no one's ever seen her Avatar, unless it was her reflection in the mirror, or her shadow, or something that everyone and their dog has. xxxxxYour mage does have an Avatar, but it isn't inclined to put on a show. At most, her Avatar is simply her subconscious, and it's just nudged and pushed her into finding her own Awakening. xxxxxHaving a circumspect Avatar doesn't mean that your mage doesn't have Seekings and Epiphanies. Such events tend to be rooted in reality. The mage may well find that a series of unusual events in the physical world leads her to greater enlightenment, without ever entering a dreamscape. Who needs to go rooting around in dreams and bizarre mindscapes to find out who they are? System: Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#294
Clan Friendship	4	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: One particular Clan (not your own) has a special liking for you. You might have done the Clan as a whole a favor at some point, or perhaps you’re just a loud voice in support of their aims. System: Whatever the case, you’re at -2 difficulty on all friendly Social rolls involving members of the Clan in question. Of course, the reaction your cozy relationship with another Clan is likely to draw from your own Clan leaders is an entirely different can of worms. Notes: You must place a +note listing what the clan is. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Claws AKA Fangs/Horns/Hooves/Barbed Tail	3+	Mage Physical	WW4603	Synopsis: Witches have always been known for their beautiful fingernails and iron teeth, and your character lives up to this reputation, since coming from her, "I'll scratch your eyes out!" is not an idle threat. Or perhaps she has the horns of the devil or the hooves of a centaur, or something more mundane yet cooler - like a surgical steel plate in the skull with bolts to screw spikes on. System: For three points, you may buy one type of attack; for five points two. Seven points allows you to buy three, and nine points allows you to buy four. For even points, you can go for the full devil package and have claws, fangs, horns, hooves, and a barb at the end of your tail (though it costs an additional three points for your tail to be prehensile). Maneuver Difficulty Damage Bite 5 Strength +1 Claw 6 Strength +2 Kick 7 Strength +3 Gore 7 Strength +2 (Strength +4 after a charge of 10 yards or more) Tail Strike 6 Strength +1 xxxxxClaws, fangs, horns, hooves and tail barbs come in varying sizes. the above list assumes you've got the smallest gauge. For an additional point, you can get a somewhat larger size, and another point beyond that gets you el grande, each size larger doing an additional +1 point of damage. However, this is not necessarily a great idea. Wolf claws can be painted and passed off as an expensive manicure, but vulture talons are a bit harder to hide, and a set of giant bear claws are not only incredibly conspicuous but will prevent you from doing things like typing or driving. Likewise a nice pair of goat horns can be hidden under a top hat, but a set of oryx horns will need a sombrero, and there's no hiding a full rack of stag antlers, especially if you've got two points for every year of your age. xxxxxAt Storyteller option, claws and so forth can be made retractable for an additional +1 per unit of size, like vampire fangs can be pulled back in for one point; for two points jumbo fangs (the type that stick down over your lip) can be pulled back into like with regular teeth, and for three points, even boar or walrus tusks can be made to disappear - though there will have to be a good explanation given for why this works. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Traditions, pg.#228
Clean Countenance	3	Wraith	WW6300	Synopsis: For some reason the forges have not touched you. Your face is as clean and fresh as the day you first went into the forges. You have no explanation for it, but it does enable you to move freely in wider wraith society without immediately being identified as an Artificer. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Artificers, pg.#51
Clear Sighted	3	Supernatural Awareness	WW4010 WW2224 WW4009	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, pg.#67 Mummy: The Resurrection (2nd Edition), pg.#68 Halls of the Arcanum, pg.#63
Cloak Of The Seasons	3	Mage Verbena Physical	WW4659	Synopsis: You are magically protected from the effects of the weather and the natural environment. You are perfectly comfortable in winter's chill or summer's blazing heat, regardless of your clothing (or lack thereof). You do not suffer from sunstroke or exposure. You're not even bitten by insects or other vermin. Your senses are still limited by the elements (including fog, rain and snow), and you're not protected from either hunger or thirst. System: Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Verbena, pg.#70
Code Of Honor	2	Mental	WW2300 WW3806 WW4600	Synopsis: You have a personal code of ethics to which you adhere. The specifics of this code must be worked out with the Storyteller prior to play, and the character must follow it strictly. System: Characters with this Merit gain 2 additional dice to all Willpower or Virtue rolls when acting in accordance with their code (e.g., defending the helpless) or when attempting to avoid situations that might force them to violate their code. Notes: Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#299 Players Guide to Garou, pg.#163 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
Cold	2	Wraith Supernatural	WW6007	Synopsis: Most haunted houses are frequented by cold spots, where the temperature drops suddenly and for no easily explainable reason. Your Corpus is very cold, cold enough to pierce the Shroud when a mortal walks near you. Most will shiver, feel very uncomfortable, and walk hurriedly away. Mortals like parapsychologists who know of cold spots may recognize that there is a wraith nearby. System: Notes: Book Ref: Wraith Players Guide, pg.#26
Coldly Logical	1	Mental	WW2302	Synopsis: While some might refer to you as a “cold fish,” you have a knack for separating factual reporting from emotional or hysterical coloration. System: You may or may not be emotional yourself, but you can see clearly when others are clouding the facts with their feelings (-1 difficulty on all Sense Deception and related rolls). Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#74
Combat Expertise	2	Garou Ahroun	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, pg.#124
Commanding Voice	1	Physical	WW7309	Synopsis: You have the ability to make yourself heard over long distances or above a crowd without appearing to shout. This natural projection serves you well in shouting orders on a battlefield, getting a room to quiet down, or calling for aid from reinforcements. System: Your intended audience automatically hears you regardless of the general noise level. Notes: Book Ref: War in Concordia, pg.#118
Common Sense	1	Mental	WW2300 WW4600	Synopsis: You have a significant amount of practical, everyday wisdom. Whenever the character is about to act in a way contrary to common sense, the Storyteller can make suggestions or warnings about the implications of said action. This is a very useful Merit to give to beginning players unfamiliar with the game. System: Notes: Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#298 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
Communicate With Animals	2	Magic Social	WW4043	Synopsis: Through your deep and profound understanding of the spirits within all life, you can communicate with any normal animal. This communication is not as detailed or exact as ordinary speech, nor does it necessarily involve you actually speaking. Instead, the animal you are communicating with understands you through a combination of posture, facial expressions, smell and speech, while you can understand it on an equally primal level. System: Even if the animal noticed such things, you cannot use this ability to ask an animal the license plate number of a car or the cut or someone's suit. However, most mammals and birds can tell you basic information like how many people passed by, as well as possibly odd details like what these people had eaten recently or if they smelled afraid. To determine the actual degree of communication, roll Charisma + Intuition. Finding out extremely simple information has a difficulty of 4 or 5. However, anything more complex than vague information about recent events, or questions about the animal's own activities, will have a higher difficulty. xxxxxSince so few people bother to really attempt to communicate with animals, even wild animals that are not normally interested in humans will usually wish to respond to a mage with this ability. This Merit is largely limited to Dreamspeakers and Verbena, although a few Akashics also know it. Notes: Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#103
Compassionate	4	Vampire Brujah Mental	WW2351	Synopsis: You have the moral character of the Brujah of old, the proud warrior-poets who did what they did because their hearts called to them. System: If you ever fail a Conscience (but not Conviction) roll, you may spend a point of Willpower and attempt the roll again, at a difficulty of 1 higher than the last. If you succeed on this roll, it counts as if you succeeded on the first. You may do this only once per Conscience roll, you must accept the results of the re-roll. If you botch this second roll, you lose one permanent point of Willpower in addition to any consequences of the failed Conscience roll. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Brujah (Revised Edition), pg.#68
Concentration	1	Mental	WW2300 WW4600	Synopsis: You have the ability to focus your mind and shut out any distractions or annoyances. System: Characters with this Merit are unaffected by any penalties stemming from distracting circumstances (e.g., loud noises, strobe lights, hanging upside down). Notes: Clan Toreador may not take this merit. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#298 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
Conditional Magic (merit)	1 to 6	Magic Supernatural	WW4600	Synopsis: There is one thing in the world that is a great boon, or bane, to your character's magic. Perhaps her spells work particularly well against men, or on Tuesdays, or just after a storm, or on people dressed all in black. Maybe she's powerless to affect those who are or who bear that certain thing, such as her magic being unable to affect Christians or those who carry a piece of rowan and red thread. It may be that a certain individual gave her power over them, or perhaps it is utterly proof against her magic due to an oath she swore or spells that were placed on her. xxxxxThe conditions that affect your magic may be common, uncommon or rare, and the value of this Merit or Flaw depends on the rarity of the condition. The base costs listed here assume that you have a difficulty modifier of three on all Arete rolls under the given conditions. You may adjust the difficulty by one for every point more or less you devote to the Trait. Points Condition 1 point Unique: The Sword of Roland, the Matriarch of the MECHA construct, Leap Year 2 points Scarce as hen's teeth: Current or former members of the Council of Nine, your former Mentors, once in a blue moon 3 points Rare, but not unheard of: Toadstones, Swedish royalty, werewolves, rowan and red thread, the holy days of the archangels 4 points Special order: Virgins, middle eastern eye-bead charms, any member of Iteration X, during a thunderstorm 5 points Available without much trouble: Cold iron, silver, Christians, any member of the Traditions, a windy day, holy ground 6 points Common as dirt: Men, anyone who's ever been baptized, the color purple, under cloud cover, Tuesdays System: Notes: This may be used as a Merit or a Flaw. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#294
Confidence	2	Social	WW4014	Synopsis: You've got style, savvy and self-confidence that all say, "I'm the Man." Even without the benefit of dazzling appearance or superb charisma, you possess an untouchable air of superiority. Others quickly defer to your decisions, and you automatically assume authority through sheer force of will. Moreover, you're immune to the barbs of your rivals; wicked wit and subterfuge cannot shake your cool self-confidence. System: With this Merit you can assume a mantle of authority. The Masses quickly bow to someone with confidence; if you look like you know what you're doing, people will let you do it. It's tough to bullshit you, too - your natural confidence often rattles your rival before he can make his play. In game terms, the Merit lowers your Social difficulties by two and raises another character's difficulty by two if he tries to mislead or intimidate you. As many Syndicate ops know, self-confidence is like armor. If it fits, you can stand up to almost anything. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#166
Consanguineous Resistance	1	Vampire Giovanni Supernatural	WW2363	Synopsis: Your character cannot be blood bound by anyone who shares his mortal bloodline. That is, if you were born into the Giovanni family, you cannot be bound by anyone else who was born a Giovanni, though you can still be bound by Pisanob of the Giovanni clan, or by Kindred of any other clan. Similarly, a Dunsirn with Consanguineous Resistance could not be bound by others who were born into the mortal Dunsirn family, but could be bound by a Milliner of the Giovanni clan (for instance). xxxxxIncidentally, the Giovanni are extremely suspicious of anyone known to manifest this quirk. Although his blood-borne aberration hasn't been documented, a few savvy Giovanni have a rough and superstitious idea of what it is and does. It's generally associated with being a rebellious young smartass who needs to be put down (this is not as unfair as it sounds; by the time a bond resistance is really obvious, it's probably because a punishment isn't working). A character who is discovered to have this trait probably earns her sire's hostility at the very least. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Giovanni (Revised Edition), pg.#77
Controllable Night Sight	2	Vampire Lasombra Physical	WW2362	Synopsis: You can see in the darkness as if it were light -- which then turns light into darkness. System: Spend a turn, you can see perfectly in the dark. Any source of light, however, is treated as vision imparing darkness. Notes: This cannot see through Obteneration. Book Ref: Clanbook: Lasombra, Pg. 63
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, Pg. 103
Crack Driver	1	Physical	WW2206	Synopsis: You have a natural affinity with driving motorized wheeled vehicles, such as cars, 18-wheelers and even tractors. System: The difficulties of all rolls requiring risky or especially difficult driving maneuvers are two less. Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#7
Crack Shot	2	Aptitude	WW7309	Synopsis: No matter what you're pointing, gun, arrow or dart, you hit your target with great accuracy. System: You receive no increased difficulty when targeting any specific location. You gain one extra dice on Firearms rolls that do not involve specific targeting. Notes: Book Ref: War in Concordia, pg.#118
Crawlerling Alteration	4	Ananasi	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, pg.#83
Cupid's Gift	1	Social	WW4508	Synopsis: You're unusually seductive. it isn't so much that you're fair of face or quick of wit (though you may be) - you simply possess a certain animal charm that few can resist. System: In any roll based on Seduction or Subterfuge, subtract two from the difficulty... and get ready to suffer the displeasure of your rivals! Folk who are not swayed by your charms often hate you for possessing them. Notes: Book Ref: The Sorcerers Crusade Companion, pg.#121
Cyclic Magic	3	Mage Supernatural	WW4600	Synopsis: Your character's magic is tied to some regular and repeating cycle - night and day, the moon, the sun, the tides, the wheel of the year, or even such things as the stock market price of tea in China (very important for a Syndicate commodities broker). As such, your difficulties with magic fluctuate from the standard by a maximum of three, depending on what part of the cycle you set as your personal high point. You may be tied to the dark of the moon, the full moon, the Bull cycle or the Bear cycle. Regardless, while the cyclic nature of your magic is problematic, it is quite useful in some circumstances, allowing your character to schedule rituals for their times of greatest power. Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#295
Danger Sense	2	Supernatural	WW2206 WW3108 WW6007 WW7300	Synopsis: You have a sixth sense that warns you of danger. When you are in danger, the Storyteller should make a secret roll against your Perception + Alertness; the difficulty depends on the remoteness of the danger. If the roll succeeds, the Storyteller tells you that you have a sense of foreboding. Multiple successes may refine the feeling and give an indivation of direction, distance or nature. Notes: This Merit is more reliable and specific than the Level One Auspex power; the two can be combined to create an even more potent warning system. Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#28 Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#215 Wraith Players Guide, pg.#226 Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#2161
Daredevil	3	Physical	WW2300 WW4600 WW7300	Synopsis: You are good at taking risks, and even better at surviving them. System: When attempting exceptionally risky actions (such as leaping from one moving car to another), characters with this Merit add an additional three dice to their rolls, and negate a single botch die that may result from such a roll. Generally, such actions must be at least difficulty 8 and have the potential to inflict at least three health levels of damage if failed. Notes: Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#297 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#288 Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#158
Darksight (merit)	2	Vampire	WW20007	Synopsis: At will, you may invert the meaning of light and dark to your eyes. System: This requires a turn of concentration and a successful perception + alertness vs 7 . With Darksight active, you may view pitch-black darkness as though it were brightly and uniformly lit, while torches cast a radiance that obscures perception in the manner that darkness interferes with normal senses. The significance of colors likewise inverts, lending a surreal hue to the world without interfering with your ability to separate hues. All penalties for partial darkness instead apply to weak illumination, and absolute emptiness of sunlight and similarly bright radiance blinds you (and burns you, in the case of sunlight). Notes: The Merit does not allow you to see through mystical shadows, such as those produced by Obtenebration. Book Ref: Players Guide to High Clans, pg.#207
Deadened Nerves	4	Vampire Physical	WW2353	Synopsis: Whether it was a condition you held in life or an odd side effect of the Embrace, your nervous system is missing a few connections. You have very little tactile sense, whether pleasure or pain. The downside of this is obvious: One of your senses is greatly impaired, which can keep you from noticing important warnings (a blade at your back, for instance — or in it). System: You suffer a +3 difficulty to all tactile-related Perception rolls, and the Storyteller may call for a roll to notice even the blatantly obvious; you might not even notice that you've been shot if the bullet doesn't knock you down outright. xxxxxHowever, your deadened nerves also protect you from pain, allowing you to ignore your wounds until your flesh is literally blasted from your bones. All penalties for wound levels are halved, rounding down; in other words, you suffer no penalties until you reach the Wounded level, where you deduct only one die from your dice pools, and even when Crippled you can still act at a mere two-die penalty. xxxxxIf the Storyteller is willing, it might be particularly rewarding for the Storyteller to keep track of the character's health levels, and not let the player know exactly how badly his character has been wounded. Even if the Malkavian stops to give herself a quick look-over, the Storyteller puts things in the most general terms (i.e., "There's a number of holes in your chest, but you have no idea whether the bullets are lodged inside or not," "Your left arm refuses to move, although you're not sure why," and so on). This is a fair amount of extra work on the Storyteller's behalf (particularly if in the interest of secrecy, the Storyteller makes all the Malkavian's soak rolls in secret), but can add a lot of tension and verisimilitude to the game. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Malkavian (Revised Edition), pg.#65
Dead Friends	4	Changeling Sluagh Social	WW7051	Synopsis: Sluagh have always been able to see, and sometimes talk to, Wraiths. However, you've gone beyond that sort of casual contact to the point where you've made friends with a few of those who've passed on. They bring you information, spy on your enemies, and generally keep you up to date on things that no living informant could ever possibly uncover. Having contacts who walk through walls can be extremely useful sometimes. xxxxxOn the other hand, these friends will expect you to do them favors as well, and some of those requests can get pretty bizarre. Plus, you never know when your nice Wraith friend is suddenly going to get nasty for no apparent reason, and he knows where you live... System: Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Sluagh, pg.#64
Deathwalker	4	Mage Euthanatos Supernatural	WW4663	Synopsis: Your character has a special tie to the Underworld. System: While most mages must die or undergo the Agama rite to cross into the Shadowlands, you can use the third rank of Spirit to Step Sideways, just as if you were entering the Middle Umbra. Your aura turns pale and you take on the spiritual imprint of one of the dead. You aren't affected by the Avatar Storms when you cross over; they ignore your "dead" soul as it passes by. You are affected by the Avatar Storm when you venture into the Middle and Astral Umbrae, only the lands of the dead are excepted. Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Euthanatos, pg.#69
Deceptive Aura	1	Vampire Supernatural	WW2302	Synopsis: Your aura is unnaturally bright and colorful for a vampire. You register as a mortal on all attempts to read your aura. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#79
Destiny (merit)	4	Supernatural	WW2206	Synopsis: You have a great destiny, though you may well not realize it. Your destiny will become more and more apparent as the chronicle continues. Prophecies and dreams guide your way, and grant you clues to your ultimate goal. The sense of direction and security granted by this feeling of destiny helps you overcome fear, depression and discouragement caused by anything not relevant to your destiny. until your destiny is fulfilled, you may suffer setbacks, but nothing will thwart you permanently. Notes: How this is played is up to the Storyteller. Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#8
Detached	4	Sorcerer Mental	WW4254	Synopsis: Your psychic has the rare ability to view his psychic abilities as separate from his physical existence and can maintain this distance even under adverse conditions. System: Wound penalties don't affect your use of psychic powers until your character reaches Incapacitated. if he's Incapacitated, then you may spend a Willpower point to use a psychic power at half the normal dice pool (rounded down). This action may be performed only once per scene, after which the character falls unconscious, so choose last-ditch efforts carefully. Notes: Book Ref: Sorcerer (Revised Edition), pg.#54
Dexterous Toes	1	Changeling Sluagh Physical	WW7051	Synopsis: Hands tied? Too many things to hold? Not to worry - with Dexterous Toes you can work easily well with hands or feet. A Sluagh with this Merit can do anything she can do with her hands (fire a gun, draw, play a musical instrument, etc.) just as well with her feet. Of course, a Sluagh carting items with her toes will be unable to walk. System: Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Sluagh, pg.#63
Dharmic Schooling	1 or 2	Dhampyr Aptitude	WW2920	Synopsis: Most dhampyrs' knowledge of the Dharmic paths only extends as far as "My father is a Resplendent Crane" or "Angry Devil-Tigers are very dangerous". At some point in your half-life, you have become much more familiar with the principles and precepts of the Kuei-jin Dharmas. While this doesn't actually help your own spiritual development, you understand how to interact with the Hungry Dead. System: If you can discern the correct Dharmic path of a particular Kuei-jin you can phrase requests, make statements and suggest ideas to them in a much more appealing way. Figuring out a Kuei-jin's Dharma requires rolling Perception + Etiquette, with a difficulty equal to the observed Hungry Dead's current Willpower. If the roll is successful, lower by 1 the difficulty of any social roll involving Kuei-jin. You can also produce the opposite effect, irritating the Kuei-jin immensely and even causing them to test for fire soul (a dangerous tactic indeed). xxxxxThe one point version of this Merit grants the dhampyr knowledge of the orthodox Dharmic paths. the two point version includes all of the heretical Dharmas. Notes: Book Ref: Half-Damned: Dhampyr, pg.#58
Diplomatic Immunity	3	Garou Shadow Lord	WW3058	Synopsis: The Garou Nation holds you in esteem as a mediator. You may travel where you please in the furtherance of your duties. No one may search you, and you are welcome at any moot. Of course, should you abuse these privileges, word will spread. The Shadow Lords have worked hard to build up the few Garou entitled to this privilege, and if an elder of your tribe has found out that you have abused this right, you will be coast out from the tribe. (In outher words, whatever you do, don't get caught.) System: Notes: Book Ref: Shadow Lords Tribebook (1st Edition), pg.#54
Discipline Prodigy	5	Vampire	WW20006 WW20007	Synopsis: You are especially skilled in the use of one of your clan Disciplines. The difficulty to use any level of this Discipline is reduced by one, although this Merit can never reduce the difficulty of any roll below 4. System: Characters may only purchase this Merit once and gain no benefit when using Discipline techniques. Notes: In Clan Discipline only. Book Ref: Players Guide to Low Clans, pg.#189 Players Guide to High Clans, pg.#207
Disembodied Mentor	5	Vampire Supernatural	WW2353	Synopsis: The voices in your head may tell you things, but by God, they're useful things. System: You have a personal guide and advisor (bought as usual through the Background: Mentor) who exists largely in your own skull. He may have been a Malkavian who uploaded himself into the Network, or perhaps he's an imaginary construct with access to the shared memories of the clan. Either way, it's exceedingly hard for your enemies to cut you off from your mentor's counsel, and it's usually pretty easy to call on his advice when you need it. Unfortunately, this Merit also has its drawbacks; your mentor can find you whenever he chooses, and can be a real distraction when you're trying to do something he finds irrelevant You're not freed from the obligations of your relationship, either; you find yourself running errands for your mentor just as often as any other pupil would, if not more so. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Malkavian (Revised Edition), pg.#65
Diverse Fighting Style	4	Garou Ahroun	WW3812	Synopsis: You have trained in a truly vast range of different methods of combat, and can apply the full extenet 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 of fighting style you are explosed to. Notes: Book Ref: Book of Auspices, pg.#124
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 Players Guide, pg.#115
Double-Jointed	1	Physical	WW2204 WW2206 WW2800 WW3108 WW3202 WW3704 WW4050 WW7100 WW7300	Synopsis: You are atypically limber! System: -2 difficulty of any dexterity roll involving body flexibility. Notes: Cannot take Lame flaw. Book Ref: Vampire Player's Guide, pg.#45 Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#19 Vampire: The Dark Ages, pg.#277 Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#20 Werewolf Players Guide (1st Edition), pg.#26 Wild West Companion, pg.#68 Book of Shadows Mage Players Guide, pg.#45 Player's Guide for Changeling the Dreaming, pg.#33 Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#168
Double Draught	2	Corax	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 coherant picture, rather than being forced to rely on one viewpoint or the other. Book Ref: Corax, pg.#74
Dracon's Temperament	3	Vampire Tzimisce Mental	WW2361	Synopsis: Taking the notion of Azhi Dahaka to new levels, you've emulated the permutable nature of change and evolution into your very psyche. Like the protean Dracon, you are a whirlwind of temperaments. Unlike multiple personalities, which gives you more than one identity, you are the same person but with different and changing Natures. Essentially, you either have no anchored sense of self; or you're so mutable that you can be anybody. System: At the beginning of each story, until its conclusion, you may choose one Personality Archetype to function as your Nature. This doesn't change your identity; it simply alters the way you perceive situations and how you deal with others. You also regain Willpower according to your new Nature and may be affected by other effects or Discipline powers as per your new Nature as well. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Tzimisce (Revised Edition), pg.#69
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 Players Guide, pg.#76
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, pg.#83 Hunter Player's Guide, page #112
Dual Nature	2	Social	WW2206	Synopsis: You have two distinct Nature, both of which have an influence on your personality and behavior. When you pick these Natures, be careful to choose Archetypes that are somewhat compatible. Dual Nature does not mean schizophrenia (that is a Derangement). This Merit allows you to regain Willpower using both Natures. You may still choose a Demeanor, and it can be as different from the character’s Natures as the player desires. Notes: Set the other nature in a +note. Book Ref: Vampire Player's Guide, pg.#4
Dual Perception	2	Magic Awareness	WW4043	Synopsis: using your status as an intermediary between the spirit world and the mortal world, you can easily switch your awareness back and forth between these two realms. System: When using any spirit magic that involves perceiving the spirit world, you can cease using the ability and observe the mortal world at any time. Then, if the duration of the magic is not yet up, you can continue using it without additional rolls. Also, when you are in the Umbra, you can choose to observe the mortal world instead of the spirit world without needing to make additional rolls. Since this ability is innate, you suffer no disorientation or other penalty associated with switching your perceptions. xxxxxTransvestites and contraries often possess Dual Perception due to their own dual natures. If you take this Merit in addition to the Medium or Spirit Sight Merit, you can effectively turn the appropriate merit on or off at will. Notes: Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#103
Dual Traditions	7	Mage Supernatural	WW4600	Synopsis: Your mage has been educated by two traditions. Most likely, he was a Hollow One who studied a bit of this and that, and found a couple things that made sense to him. Or, perhaps, he was Awakened by a teacher of one tradition, but then studied under a different Master and experienced a second Epiphany through this new knowledge. System: For purposes of spending experience, the specialty Spheres of both Traditions come with the bonus (cheap) multiplier. Your character is more open minded about foci as well, and he may use those of either Tradition. (The penalties for unique foci still apply). If your mage loses his Hermetic showstone, for example, he has to go either about getting another one or rely solely on the props of his other Tradition. Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#298
Dynamic Personality	5	Vampire Brujah Social	WW2351	Synopsis: People are drawn to you, due to some characteristic appeal you exude. You may purchase additional Backgrounds using your experience points at the end of each story - two experience points earn you one Background dot from the following group: Allies, Contacts, Herd, Retainers. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Brujah (Revised Edition), pg.#68
Dynamo	4	Orpheus Skimmers Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Skimmers only. Maybe you have a high spiritual metabolism. For whatever reason, upon returning to your flesh, your soul recuperates from its extra-corporeal jaunts very quickly. System: When in your body, you regain Vitality at four times the normal rate (i.e., four points an hour). Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
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 Players Guide, pg.#78 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#105
Early Maturation	3	Gurahl	WW3079	Synopsis: Circumstances occuring 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, pg.#88
Early Riser	1	Vampire Physical	WW2303	Synopsis: No one can explain it, but you seem to have the ability to work on less rest than your fellow vampires, tending to rise at least one hour before everyone else. You always seem to be the first to rise and the last to go to bed even if you’re been out until dawn. While other vampires may still be groggy, you tend to be awake and aware. Notes: This Merit cannot take the Deep Sleeper Flaw. Book Ref: Guide to the Sabbat, pg.#95
Easier Pandemonium	2	Spook Wraith	WW6305	Synopsis: In addition to Outrage, you also have a knack for picking up Pandemonium. Perhaps you are subconsciously more attuned to the Wyld than you are aware, or perhaps you're just a quick learner. Either way, you have access to those facets of the Pandemonium Arcanos available to both Spooks and Haunters. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Spooks and Oracles, pg.#50
Eat Food	1	Vampire Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: You have the capacity to eat food and even savor its taste. While you cannot derive any nourishment from eating regular foods, this ability will serve you well in maintaining the Masquerade. Of course, you can't digest what you eat, and there will be some point during the evening when you must force yourself to heave it back up. Book Ref: Vampire: The Masquerade, pg.#296
Efficient Digestion	3	Vamire Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: You are able to draw more than the usual amount of nourishment from blood. System: When feeding, you gain an additional point to your blood pool for every two points of blood you consume. This does not allow you to exceed your blood pool maximum. Book Ref: Vampire: The Masquerade, pg.#297
Eidetic Memory	2	Mental	WW2300 WW4600	Synopsis: You remember, with perfect detail, things seen and heard. Documents, photographs, conversations, etc., can be committed to memory with only minor concentration. System: Under stressful conditions involving numerous distractions, you must make a Perceptions + Alertness vs 6 to summon enough concentration to absorb what your senses detect. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#299 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#292
Eidetic Memory	5	Mokole	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: Book Ref: Mokole, pg.#71
Embraced Without the Cup	3	Tremere	WW2357	Synopsis: Almost all Tremere are given a cup of blood, transubstantiated with the blood of the council of seven, who rule the entire clan -- but not you! System: You are not one step bound to the will of the council. Notes: If you are playing a Tremere, and it's found out that you had not been demanded that you drink, nothing good can come of it at all. Book Ref: Clanbook: Tremere, Pg. 67
Enchanting Voice	2	Physical	WW2300	Synopsis: There is something about your voice that others cannot ignore. When you command, they are cowed. When you seduce, they swoon. Whether thunderous, gentle, persuading or simply talking, your voice commands attention. System: The difficulties of all die rolls involving the use of the voice to persuade, charm or command are reduced by two. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#296
Enslaved By The Blade	2	Ratkin	WW3807	Synopsis: This merit allows a Ratkin that is not a Blade Slave (Warrior) to wield a Pain Dagger. System: Only work if he also undergoes special rituals (and has bought this merit). Notes: The Ratkin cannot access the Charm bound within the blade. Book Ref: Player's Guide to the Changing Breeds, pg.#143
Eternal Cherry Blossoms	4	Bone Flowers Supernatural	WW2905	Synopsis: Perhaps you have reserves of Yang that you just don't know about; perhaps you have a stronger connection to the world of the living than others of your type. Whatever the reason, your body is capable of being Yin imbalanced for long periods of time and never developing the corpse-like features of the ch'ing shih. Even exposure to the sun will not cause you to become twisted and corpse-like; instead, you will suffer a type of dry rot, ultimately becoming flaky and brittle (although still beautiful). This does not change the game effects of sunlight except in regards to Appearance. The down side of this Merit is that the Yama King Emma-o targets beautiful female Kuei-jin with this Merit to become his shikome (see The Thousand Hells for more details). System: You regain this type of Chi at twice the normal rate (two per hour of rest, four per hour of meditation), but regain the other type at half the normal rate. A Demon Chi Attunement is not possible. xxxxxBeyond the game effects above, Chi Attunement influences your general disposition and appearance, much like balance and aspect do for a Kuei-jin. If you are attuned to Yang, you appear vital, sensual and short tempered; to Yin, you seem morose, reserved and analytical. Yang attuned dhampyrs often have the Vivophage Flaw, while Yin attuned often have Sun Allergy. Notes: Book Ref: Dharma Book: Bone Flowers, pg.#57
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 Players Guide, pg.#83 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#111
Faerie Affinity	2	Supernatural	WW2206	Synopsis: Your presence does not frighten faeries; indeed, it attracts them, and you a re naturally attuned to their ways. You are able, unlike most Kindred, to enter Arcadia, the mystical kingdom of the faeries, provided you find an entrance. Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#8
Faerie Eternity	5	Changeling Physical	WW7300 WW7100	Synopsis: After you went through your Chrysalis, you had a birthday, and then another, and then other. Something was strange however - you didn't seem to be growing or getting older. You are touched with a vestige of the immortality that used to be the birthright of all fae. System: As long as your fae seeming is active, you will age at one-tenth that of a normal human or changeling. Should your fae seeming be permanently destroyed, or should you retreat into Banality, you will begin to age normally. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#162 Changeling: the Dreaming Player's Guide, pg.#26
Faint Reflection	2	Lasombra Supernatural	WW2062	Synopsis: Some Lasombra have somehow mastered the art of actually producing a Faint Reflection. Those with this talent can actually appear in mirrors, albeit in extremely pale, ghostly guises. Objects moving behind a Lasombra casting a faint reflection will be clearly seen through her form. However, often even a faint reflection is enough to allay the suspicions of kine or Camarilla. Book Ref: Clanbook Lasombra (1st Edition), pg.#33
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), pg.#20 Players Guide to Garou, pg.#159
False Reflection	3	Nosferatu	WW2354	Synopsis: When using Mask of a Thousand Faces, a Nosferatu with this Merit can create a false impression of his disguise on recording media. He can have his picture taken, show up on videotape and even record an imitation of the subject's voice. Nosferatu without this Merit cannot disguise themselves to machines using the Obfuscate Discipline. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#71
Family Allegiance	2	Ravnos	WW2064	Synopsis: Through your travels, you have gained the favor of a mortal Gypsy family. The family aids you in your exploits whenever possible, providing shelter from enemies or acting as a method of transportation to or from a city. System: All difficulty numbers involving social interaction with the family in question are reduced by two. So long as you do not abuse your trust (such as using family members as steady sources of blood), the family will not turn away from you. Notes: You may not take a Family Allegience with the Tsurara or Ravnos familes. Book Ref: Clanbook Ravnos (1st Edition), pg.#44
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, pg.#162
Famous Anchor	3 to 5 - All Phyla	Fae Inanimae	WW7307	Synopsis: With this Merit, your Anchor becomes a famous and cherished monument. Hundreds if not thousands will try to protect your Anchor from harm. The fame of your Anchor depends on the cost of the Merit you have bought. System: Notes: Book Ref: Inanimae: The Secret Way, pg.#68
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 Players Guide, pg.#76
Fangs AKA Claws/Horns/Hooves/Barbed Tail	3+	Magic Physical	WW4603	Synopsis: Witches have always been known for their beautiful fingernails and iron teeth, and your character lives up to this reputation, since coming from her, "I'll scratch your eyes out!" is not an idle threat. Or perhaps she has the horns of the devil or the hooves of a centaur, or something more mundane yet cooler - like a surgical steel plate in the skull with bolts to screw spikes on. System: For three points, you may buy one type of attack; for five points two. Seven points allows you to buy three, and nine points allows you to buy four. For even points, you can go for the full devil package and have claws, fangs, horns, hooves, and a barb at the end of your tail (though it costs an additional three points for your tail to be prehensile). Maneuver Difficulty Damage Bite 5 Strength +1 Claw 6 Strength +2 Kick 7 Strength +3 Gore 7 Strength +2 (Strength +4 after a charge of 10 yards or more) Tail Strike 6 Strength +1 xxxxxClaws, fangs, horns, hooves and tail barbs come in varying sizes. the above list assumes you've got the smallest gauge. For an additional point, you can get a somewhat larger size, and another point beyond that gets you el grande, each size larger doing an additional +1 point of damage. However, this is not necessarily a great idea. Wolf claws can be painted and passed off as an expensive manicure, but vulture talons are a bit harder to hide, and a set of giant bear claws are not only incredibly conspicuous but will prevent you from doing things like typing or driving. Likewise a nice pair of goat horns can be hidden under a top hat, but a set of oryx horns will need a sombrero, and there's no hiding a full rack of stag antlers, especially if you've got two points for every year of your age. xxxxxAt Storyteller option, claws and so forth can be made retractable for an additional +1 per unit of size, like vampire fangs can be pulled back in for one point; for two points jumbo fangs (the type that stick down over your lip) can be pulled back into like with regular teeth, and for three points, even boar or walrus tusks can be made to disappear - though there will have to be a good explanation given for why this works. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Traditions, pg.#228
Fascinating Gaze	2	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, pg.#68
Faster	2	Redcap Physical	WW7055	Synopsis: This doesn't refer to the speed at which a Redcap moves, or eats, or does anything else. Instead, a Redcap with Faster can actually go 24 hours without eating. System: My spending a Willpower point, the player can then have the character go another 24 hours, and so on until he runs out of Willpower. The down side to being a Faster, unfortunately, is that once the fast ends, the Redcap is compelled to eat enough to make up for all the days he skipped. Furthermore, he'll feel the need to do so immediately. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Redcaps, pg.#90
Fast Charger	2	Orpheus Projectors Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Projectors only. Just merging with your body for 20 minutes is enough to completely recharge your Vitality. On the down side, depleting your body of its energy in this fashion inflicts one level of lethal damage that you cannot soak. In a pinch it can be worth it, however. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#84
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, pg.#106
Feral Appearance	1	Kinfolk Social	WW3074	Synopsis: There's something about you that drives woofs wild (the good kind of wild, that they like you. Not the kind involving them wanting to rip your head clean off ... necessarily). System: +1 to rolls to Appearance when dealing with homid Garou, and you are considered having an extra dot of Charisma among lupus Garou. Notes: None. Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, pg.#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, pg.#54
Fin Blades	3	Rokea	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, pg.#83
Flexible Heart	2	Satyr Psychological	WW7053	Synopsis: Satyrs are the most tender hearted of the Kithain. They bruise easily and bounce from one extreme of emotion to another. In such a dark world, people work hard to hurt one another, and goats feel the blows most acutely. They do not benefit from the solid lack of emotion that bolsters the trolls, nor do they have the haughty self-confidence that allows Sidhe to believe it couldn't have been their fault. Satyrs bleed. xxxxxYou, on the other hand, have learned to let these things roll off your back. You indeed feel the blows, but they don't knock you down. Supersonic emotional healing lets you avoid the moodiness that cripples other Satyrs. You love just as deeply as they do, but when your love leaves you, you can tell yourself that there are plenty of other opportunities to devotion, and you believe it. System: If you have a Flexible Heart, you gain the use of one extra Willpower to control yourself in a situation where another goat might over react emotionally. Of course, even you realize that you may not be able to control your being forever if the situation continues, so you do all you can to extract yourself. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling - Kithbook Satyrs, pg.#63
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 Players Guide, pg.#79 Hunter Player's Guide, page #107
Fluid Corpus	5	Wraith Masquers	WW6011	Synopsis: Your Corpus is so remarkably amlleable that you can virtually pour yourself into a pitcher without Moliation. System: All Moliate attempts made on your form (including Red) are at -3 difficulty, and you can squeeze your Corpus through a hole the size of a quarter without having to spend a Corpus Level or make a Moliate roll. Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Masquers, pg.#50
Fly Fingers	4	Sluagh Physical	WW7051	Synopsis: In your fae seeming, your fingers end in suction cups akin to those of a fly. You are capable of climbing sheer walls, hanging upside down from ceilings, and otherwise defying gravity as long as you have something to hold onto. System: The player must make a Dexterity + Athletics roll. The fingers in question cannot be gloved in order for Fly Fingers to work. The toes of a Sluagh with this Merit are similarly affected, although the fingers alone are enough to support a changeling's weight. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Sluagh, pg.#64
Force Of Spirit	2	Sorcerer Social	WW4254	Synopsis: The raw inner force of your soul grants you a certain character that others may find irresistible. Perhaps you glow with an inner light; maybe your beauty seems virtually divine. System: You may spend Mana points to reduce the difficulty target number of a Social roll. No difficulty may be lower than two, and none may be lowered by more than three. Obviously, you must possess Mana points to be able to spend them. Notes: Book Ref: Sorcerer (Revised Edition), pg.#54
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. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, page #77 Hunter Players Guide, pg.#109
Former Ghoul	1	Social	WW2302	Synopsis: You were introduced to the Blood long before you were made Kindred. Your long experience as a ghoul gives you insight into and comfort with vampiric society. System: You are at -1 difficulty on all Social rolls when in the presence of other neonates (particularly those who haven’t been educated by their sires), and have a -1 difficulty on all rolls relating to vampiric knowledge. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#74
Foul Blood	3	Vampire Supernatural	WW2354	Synopsis: The vitae flowing through your veins tastes truly awful. System: Anyone who bites or feeds from you must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) or spend the next turn choking, retching and gagging. Any idiot who actually tries to diablerize you must make three Willpower rolls (difficulty 9) to succeed. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#71
Friend Of Sorcery	5	Shifter	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 aquire a new Theurge Gift (although you must still abide by the restrictions of your Rank). Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, pg.#128
Friend Of The Underground	3	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: While you’re not a Nosferatu, you know your way around the sewers, tunnels, ducts, subway tubes, and other subterranean passages of your hometown. The local Nosferatu (and any other creatures dwelling down in the muck) may not actually like you, but they’re not inclined to kill you on sight when they see you in their territory. System: You are at -1 difficulty on any rolls involving the subterranean world (sneaking from place to place underground, finding routes into sub-basements, and so on). Notes: Nosferatu cannot purchase this Merit. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Friend To Spiders	4	Sluagh Supernatural	WW7051	Synopsis: This Merit might more properly be called "Friend to Arthropods", but it was with spiders that the Sluagh first spoke, and hence the name remains. Nor is the relationship implied in the Merit's name as much a friendship as it is a business transaction, but even the Sluagh have their sacrosanct traditions. System: If you are a Friend to Spiders, you can speak to all manner of creeping, crawling creatures (when the player makes a Perception + Enigmas roll, difficulty 7). While the conversation isn't as much an exchange of pleasantries as it is a swap of images and impressions, a tremendous amount of information can be gained by speaking with spiders in this fashion. Recent passersby can be noted, changes in the wind (and what they bear) can be uncovered, and other bits of vital information that might otherwise have passed you by can be gleaned from taking the time to speak with eight-legged informants. The number of successes indicates the clarity of information learned. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Sluagh, pg.#64
Friendly Face	1	Physical	WW2302	Synopsis: You have a face that reminds everyone of someone, to the point where strangers are inclined to be well inclined toward you because of it. System: The effect doesn’t fade even if you explain the “mistake,” leaving you at -1 difficulty on all appropriate Social-based rolls (yes for Seduction, no for Intimidation, for example) when a stranger is involved. Notes: This Merit only functions on a first meeting. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#73
Full Of Life	1 to 4	Wraith Corporeal	WW6007	Synopsis: You were always vibrant, energetic, and full of life when you were alive. This serves you well in death, as your maximum Corpus is higher than that of most wraiths. System: For each point that you invest in this Merit, you may have on emore Corpus Level than usual. The only drawback to this Merit is that when you are above 10 Corpus Levels, you will seem somewhat more real and almost alive to other wraiths. This may keep you from hiding in a crowd, and may spoil any attempt at cloaking or disguising your identity. Notes: Book Ref: Wraith Players Guide, pg.#22
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: Hunter Players Guide, pg.#105 Demon Players Guide, pg.#78
Gall	2	Social	WW3074	Synopsis: You ain't afraid of nobody! You'll tell it like it is, beating down the man's doors and anybody else. You represent! System: +1 die to any social roll involving a display of backbone. Notes: Book Ref: Kinfolk Unsung Heroes, Pg. 52
Gaping Maw	2	Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: You've got a nasty gash where your mouth should be. It can smile, if can frown, and most importantly, it can grin two or three inches wider than any human mouth can. An ordinary vampire can suck up to three blood points a turn. System: You can drain up to four points a turn, provided you can latch your tooth-filled orifice around enough skin. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#71
Gender-morph	6	Ananasi	WW3082	Synopsis: You can change your human sex at will, by breaking into the Crawlerling form and reforming as a human again. This talent is very handy when being pursued, as few people normally confuse the male and female bodies. Even your scent changes, and any Ovid tracking you will likely think you are merely related to the werespider they were pursuing. (Of course, that might not get you off the hook in cases where the tracking shapeshifter doesn't mind using you as a hostage.) Note that this ability to change gender does not mean a radical change in appearance; both sexes have similar features, and look sufficiently alike to be siblings. System: Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, pg.#83
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), pg.#87
Ghoul	5	Supernatural	WW2205 WW4009 WW4010 WW4600 WW4801 WW4805	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: The Hunters Hunted, page #61 Halls of the Arcanum, page #111 World of Darkness: Sorcerer, page #69 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), page #296 Crusade Lore (Screen Only), page #39 The Sorcerers Crusade Companion, page #128
Gifted Liar	3	Fae Social	WW7304	Synopsis: You are so good at lying that you can sometimes convince yourself that you are telling the absolute truth. It makes it extremely difficult for anyone to catch you in a falsehood; in your own mind, you are not lying. System: In most cases, no rolls need to be made for you to stand up to questioning or interrogation. Success in a simple Willpower roll (difficulty 7) allows you to evade the truth sensing ability of House Gwydion or negate the effects of magical attempts to detect deception. Notes: Book Ref: Pour L'Amour et Liberte: The Book of Houses 2, pg.#32
Gift Of Babel	2	Aptitude	WW7056	Synopsis: One of the Eshu's original duties was to serve as Olorun's linguist, and as such he knew every language that ever was. Your character retains some of this flair and can potentially master an astonishing number of languages. System: You may learn twice the number of languages that a character with the same level of the Linguistics Ability would normally be able to learn, and all training times with this ability are cut in half. Obviously, you must purchase some level of the Linguistics Ability for this Merit to be useful; however, this Merit can be a godsend to diplomats and other characters who depend on the command of a wide variety of languages. This Merit can also be combined with the Natural Linguist Merit to make for a true mastery of languages. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Eshu, pg.#85
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 Players Guide, pg.#115
Gift Of Seline	5	Bastet	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, pg.#87
Gift Of Thoth	5	Mummy Supernatural	WW2380	Synopsis: Like the legendary magicians of ancient Egypt, your character is especially gifted in the use 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, pg.#69
Gift Of Tongues	3	Magic Social	WW4043	Synopsis: All spirits that can communicate with mortals naturally possess the ability to communicate in any language. Like these spirits, you also have the natural ability to transcend language. When speaking with any sentient being (from Earth), you can understand its language as if it were your own. System: Due to the limits of the human mind, you can only understand and speak one language at a time. If two people who speak different languages are talking to you at once, you can only understand one of them. Using a coincidental Mind 1 Effect can allow you to understand multiple languages at once. Magically augmenting this gift to allow speech in multiple different tongues is, of course, vular. xxxxxThe Gift of Tongues Merit works only for conversation held in person, where you and the person you are speaking to can actually hear each other's unaltered voices. You cannot use this ability to read another language or to communicate by telephone, microphone or any other electronic or mechanical medium. Notes: Note that not being able to use this Merit to read another language means it also does not work with ASL. Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#104
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, pg.#52
Good Instincts	3	Shifter	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 precidence over thought. System: You make all rolls involving Primal Urge or Survival at -2 to your difficulty. Notes: Book Ref: Rage Across the Heavens, pg.#129
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	WW7054 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: Pooka only: All rolls related to your Birthright are made at -1 difficulty. Book Ref: Kithbook: Pooka, page#86 Demon Player's Guide, page #78 Hunter Player's Guide, page #105
Good Looking	2	Rokea Physical	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, pg.#82
Good Night Vision	2	Physical	WW8202	Synopsis: Maybe your character's mortal host spent a lot of time camping. Maybe she's just a fisherman who's used to gettinng up before dawn. For whatever reason, your character's night vision is excellent. System: The difficulty of Percption rolls decreases by two at night. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Players Guide, pg.#78
Good Old Boy	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, pg.#53
Good Relationship	3	Wraith	WW6013	Synopsis: The Shadow and Psyche have established a good relationship, insofar as this is possible, and have come to a certain understanding. Although they obviously do not agree on many things, (including the Psyche's eventual destination) there is an established level of trust and mutual respect. The wraith may not resist the odd bit of Catharsis; the Shadow may refrain from disturbing the Psyche at a particularly ticklish moment. System: All rolls made by one aspect of a wraith with this Merit to influence his opposite number are at -1 difficulty. Notes: Book Ref: Shadow Players Guide, pg.#26
Good Reputation	5	Ananasi	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, pg.#83
Good Right-Left 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 Players Guide, pg.#77 Hunter Player's Guide, page #108
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: Hunter Players Guide, pg.#105 Demon Players Guide, pg.#78
Gossip	1	Social	WW8120 WW8202	Synopsis: You're an incurable gossip, and other gossips recognize a kindred spirit in you. You're more than happy to spend hours shooting the breeze with others, all the while discussing the minutiae of other people's lives. Surprising how much information you can pick up that way, isn't it? System: Lower the difficulty of any Interrogation rolls made in a social situation, without bullying or intimidation, by two. Notes: Book Ref: Hunter Players Guide, pg.#105 Demon Players Guide, pg.#78
Graceful	2	Physical	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, pg.#86
Granite Skin	2	Redcaps Physical	WW7055	Synopsis: Some Redcaps are tougher than others. Some, in fact, are a great deal tougher than others, in part because in fae mien, their skin is literally stone. The stone is not more than skin deep, thankfully - it's quite literally an epidermal layer, and that's all. However, it does make a Redcap a great deal tougher than she might be normally, as well as leaving small flakes and chips of stone behind every time she bends or flexes. System: A Redcap with Granite Skin has the equivalent of two levels of armor at all times, with no area of her anatomy considered unarmored. On the down side, Granite Skin also provides a +1 difficulty to all rolls involving moving quietly. The constant flaking and chipping of stone makes it nearly impossible for the Redcap to move without making some noise. And let's not even discuss the romantic implications. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Redcaps, pg.#91
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, pg.#80 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#107
Green Thumb	1	Magic Supernatural	WW4600	Synopsis: Flowers spring up in your footsteps and trees burst into bloom at your touch. Your hands are as warm as sunlight or stones from a cheery hearth. A common Merit among Verbena. System: Notes: Remember that being obviously magical in front of Sleepers is generally considered a bad thing. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#294
Guardian Angel	6	Supernatural	WW3108 WW7300	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: Book Ref: Werewolf Player's Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#15 Changeling: the Dreaming, pg.#162
Gut Instincts	5	Social	WW7053	Synopsis: When you've got a direct line into the more primal of your instincts, you benefit from the ability to act without thinking first. In certain situations, this instinctiveness can be a very good thing. You may not always know why you're doing what you are, but once the dust has cleared, you realize it was the correct move. System: This Merit nullifies the effects of surprise and permits you to act normally, though you may not attack, only defend. In cases where you're not surprised, you may pre-empt your opponent's action. The difficulty for all Wits + Alertness rolls are reduced by 1. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling - Kithbook Satyrs, pg.#65
Harmless	1	Social	WW2302	Synopsis: Everyone in the city knows you, and knows that you’re no threat to their plans. While that sort of estimation may seem insulting, it’s also what’s kept you from being killed. No one considers you worth their time to deal with, and that low opinion keeps you safe. If you start acting in a way that demonstrates that you are no longer harmless, others’ reactions to you will likely change as a result. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg. #75
Haven Affinity	3	Vampire Supernatural	WW2361	Synopsis: Caine's curse resonates strongly in your bones, but it possesses a proven advantage. System: You are connected to the soil of your prime haven, granting you an extra die to all dice pools when you operate there. It also acts as a mystic beacon to you, allowing you to home in on its location with a standard Perception + Survival roll (difficulty 6), +1 difficulty when a state or country separates you; +2 if you're halfway across the globe. This applies only to your prime haven and to none of your auxiliary shelters. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Tzimisce (Revised Edition), pg.#69
Healing Touch	1	Vampire Supernatural	WW2302	Synopsis: Normally vampires can only seal the wounds they inflict from feeding by licking them. With but a touch, you can achieve the same effect, closing the puncture wounds left by drinking blood. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#79
Healthy Skepticism	1	Psychological	WW8120 WW8202	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 Cynicism" in Demon. Book Ref: Demon Player's Guide, pg.#82 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#110
Hearing The Buzz	3	Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Normally, the hive-mind shared by Spectres remains inaccessible to either ghosts or projectors, but for unknown reasons (and much to your chagrin) you hear the warped, chattering network of Spectre thoughts. System: When Spectres are within 100 feet of you, you may roll Perception + Empathy to eavesdrop on the Spectral "conversations," though the material is intent and sense actions and events rather than hearing Spectres converse. When these "transmissions" are really powerful (between Spectres of Spite rather 6+) or nearby, you must spend a Willpower point to keep the hive-mind from absorbing your thoughts. This means the Spectres are instantly aware of your presence and actively seek you out. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
Hidden Diablerie	3	Supernatural	WW2302	Synopsis: The tell-tale black streaks of diablerie do not manifest in your aura. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg. #79
Hidden Power	2	Fomori Physical	WW3810	Synopsis: All of your powers and Taints are concealable. System: Whether you're a fomor with slimy tentacles or a Kami with needle-sharp teeth, you can concentrate for a moment and retract, cover, or otherwise hide any of the modifications the spirit inside you has made. Notes: Book Ref: Possessed A Players Guide, pg.#106
Higher Purpose	1	Mental	WW2206 WW2800 WW4050 WW6007 WW7300	Synopsis: You have a goal that drives and directs you in everything. You do not concern yourself with petty matters and casual concerns, because your higher purpose is everything. Though you may sometimes be driven by this purpose and find yourself force to behave in ways contrary to the needs of personal survival, it can also grant you great personal strength. System: You gain two extra dice on all rolls that have anything to do with this higher purpose. You need to decide what your higher purpose is. Make sure you talk it over with the Storyteller first. Notes: If you have the Flaw Driving Goal, you cannot take this Merit. Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#4 Vampire: The Dark Ages, pg.#278 Book of Shadows Mage Players Guide, pg.#30 Wraith Players Guide, pg.#16 Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#154
Hivemind	7	Ananasi	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 conciousness 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, pg.#83
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, pg.#76 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#108
Homid Ancestor	2	Red Talon	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), pg.#78
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, pg.#107
Honeyed Tongue	2	Social	WW4805	Synopsis: Lies pass your lips like the Gospel truth. People tend to believe what you say, no matter how inane your conversation or how incredible your stories. This liberty enables you to spread falsehoods with impunity, deceive friends and enemies alike, and explain your way out of most situations. System: All attempts at Subterfuge gain an automatic success, and Social-based rolls that depend on glib assurances reduce the base difficulty by two. Notes: Book Ref: The Sorcerers Crusade Companion, pg.#124
Honored Birthright	5	Changeling	WW7008	Synopsis: Your Faerie Blood is strong, and you have inherited the Birthrights of your faerie heritage (see the individual kith for details on their Birthrights). That means a sidhe kinain gains two extra dots of Appearance, a troll kinain gains benefits to Strength and Willpower, and so on. xxxxxIf a Birthright requires interaction with chimera or other things of the Dreaming (such as the chimera creation of the nockers), you can only perform that Birthright while enchanted. xxxxxYou do not suffer from the Frailties of your heritage unless you take the Flaw Inherited Fraility. System: Notes: Book Ref: Changeling: The Enchanted, pg.#75
Honored Lineage	2	Social	WW4659	Synopsis: Your bloodline is descended from one of the oldest and most respected families among the Verbena, and you can trace your ancestry back to the Burning Times, if not further. You are a true scion of the legendary Wyck, the First Ones. System: Among mages (particularly Verbena) who care about matters of lineage, reduce the difficulty of your Social rolls by two (but not to less than 2). You're also likely to receive a measure of deference and respect from those people, though others will also expect great things from you and could be disappointed if you don't live up to your heritage. Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Verbena, pg.#70
Huge Size	4	Physical	WW2300 WW4600	Synopsis: You are abnormally large in size, at least 6'10" and 300 pounds in weight. Aside from making you extremely noticeable in public, this extra mass bestows an additional Bruised health level. Characters with this Merit may also gain bonuses to push objects, open barred doors, avoid being knocked down, etc. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg. #297 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg. #288
Human Form	3	Ananasi	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, pg.#83
Hypersensitivity	3	Physical	WW4661	Synopsis: Your mage has very keen senses of touch and taste. Indeed, the Cultist can often sense minute motions, and she absolutely adores the touch of silk or the taste of wine. This Merit is different from just an Acute Sense; it's a qualitative difference. The Cultist derives a greater quality of satisfaction and pleasure from all manner of indulgences and carnal activities. System: The Cultist tastes subtle hints in drinks and can tell the most minute, soft touches. With a Perception + Alertness roll, your Cultist can often perform feats such as telling the exact vintage of a wine by a tiny taste or use a simple swatch of silk or a subtle caress as a suitable focus, instead of indulging in more extreme measures. Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Cult of Ecstasy, pg.#69
Immaculate Aura	1	Supernatural	WW2353	Synopsis: Whether because of your iron control or some fluke of chance, your aura does not give away your insanity. The aura doesn't shift or swirl at all, even when you're confused, frenzied or in a psychotic fit. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Malkavian (Revised Edition), pg.#64
Immortal	5 or 7	Magic Physical	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, pg.#68
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, pg.#69
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, pg.#69
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), pg.#16 Player's Guide to the Garou, pg.#166
Immunity (merit)	Variable	Magic Physical	WW4603	Synopsis: There is one peril to which your character is completely immune, even to the magical versions. Perhaps like Mithridates, your mage slowly built up an immunity to all poisons, even those concocted by the Euthanatos. Perhaps she had an accident in the lab and now all metal phases harmlessly through his body, even magic swords and comic-book alloys - or it bounces off his chest. Perhaps it still cuts, but the wounds don't bleed and they seal up immediately. System: However, this invulnerability is only to the particular thing, not to any secondary or tertiary effects - Fenris may have blessed your character so that he is unscathed by teeth and claws of wolves, even werewolves, but that does nothing to stop the werewolf's silver sword or even the damage when the werewolf pounds your mage's head into a wall. (Fenris, after all, said you'd be unharmed by wolves, not by architecture.) Likewise, even if metal doesn't exist for your mage, it does for his lab coat, and a bullet's going to pack quite a whollop before it shreds the cloth. And even if the faeries at your christening said that no mortal man could ever harm you, that proviso doesn't apply to vampires, or the magics that mortal man might command, or even - for that matter - to his 1957 Chevy Bel Aire. xxxxxYour mage might be immune to all physical harm, save one thing, like beheading, incineration or being stabbed through the heart with a dagger thrice blessed by three separate Popes; or he might be immune to all things save in one spot, like Achilles' heel or Siegfried's shoulder. However, this will not prevent him from being turned into a rutabaga, having his soul stolen, being sealed in Lucite or sent into orbit, though his body (if not his sanity) will withstand all these things. He'll merely be an invulnerable soulless rutabaga orbiting the earth in a Lucite block while his enemies look for a third Pope to bless a dagger. xxxxxImmunities vary in price, depending on their lethality and their frequency, much as Vulnerabilities do. You must buy each Immunity separately, although the Storyteller may allow a number of similar Immunities (basilisks, snakes, toadstools, iocaine powder) to be packaged as one more common Immunity. Total immunity continues to go up in price price depending on the size of the chink in your armor. xxxxxAlternately, for half the price of any given Immunity, your character may be Resistant to a particular bane - taking only half damage, rounded down, or reducing your soak roll difficulties by 3... your choice. Anything doing only one die of damage, you ignore. 2 points: A minor nuisance (poison oak, common cold) or a very rare threat (basilisks, the Ebola virus) 4 points: A major threat (disease, hunger, supernatural evil gook), or a moderately rare threat (poisons, extreme heat or cold, raw magic Levin bolts, death spells) 6 points: A terminal threat (asphyxiation, drowning) or a common threat (fire, metals) 8points: Invulnerable to all physical threats but with one large weak spot (the head, the neck, the chest) or one common bane (fire, edged weapons, drowning) 10 points: Invulnerable to all physical threats, but with one tiny weak spot (Seigfried's shoulder, Achilles' heel, the spot where the third eye would go) or one rare bane (silver bullets, mistletoe, deadly nightshade); one common bane in one large spot (edged weapons vs the neck, i.e. beheading), or one common bane in a specific circumstance (a gun fired by a woman). Or immune to all physical threats save those which inflict aggravated damage, or immune to all physical threats save oneself - can be strangled with a robe made of own hair, mentally commanded to gnaw own arm off or destroyed with own Phylactery. Alternately, mage is invulnerable until mage is destroyed. 12 points: Invulnerable to all physical threats, but with one very rare bane (the bite of an Egyptian asp, nuclear radiation, a specific ritual cast by a master mage), one rare bane in a tiny spot (a stake of twisted rose briars through the heart), or one rare bane in a very specific set of circumstances (poisoned with belladonna by a beautiful woman) 14 points: Invulnerable to all physical threats, but with the bane being an extreme rarity (a dagger thrice blessed by three Popes, the elixir of eighty evil essences), or one very rare bane in a highly specific set of circumstances (dragged through the streets of Baghdad by wild horses during the month of Ramadan) 16 points: Invulnerable to all physical threats except one unique bane (the Holy Lance of Longinus, the Sword of Roland), or invulnerable until Phylactery destroyed, requiring an equally unique bane. xxxxxThis Merit may also be taken in conjunction with the Vulnerability Flaw, especially if the Vulnerability is something common and not usually deadly, such as water. Thus, it costs only three points total to be the Wicked Witch of the West, Immune to every variety of harm except being doused with a cleaning bucket. ("I'm melting! I'm melting! Oh who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy all my beautiful wickedness!") xxxxxObjects, especially Phylacteries may also have Immunity to physical perils, but Storytellers should impose some limit on size so min-maxers will not use this Merit to create invulnerable dreadnoughts and impenetrable fortresses. The larger the object, the less of it can be invulnerable. You can have an indestructible moped, but your '57 Chevy wont have puncture-proof tires, and your Winnebago of Doom can have the tires blow out and the windows smashed even while the rest of it remains unscathed. Likewise, your cozy witch's cottage will just need to be rethatched after the dragon attack, but your mansion will be gutted with nothing left but smoke blackened walls. However, you can have the last laugh by making your Phylactery your castle and making the only way to defeat your castle's Immunity being your own death. That way, if your enemies ever sneak into your inner sanctum and kill you, they get to deal with the castle collapsing on their heads - a common staple of sorcerous fiction. Need we even mention that this Merit can be phenomenally abusive? Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Traditions, pg.#229
Imperial Ambassador	2 - All Phyla except Solimonds	Fae Inanimae	WW7307	Synopsis: You may travel into any homeland and get +1 to any reaction roll with an Inanimae official. You can also claim diplomatic immunity in any Kithain court. This may or may not work depending on any local treaties. System: Notes: Book Ref: Inanimae: The Secret Way , pg.#68
Increased Pain Threshold	3	Physical	WW2380 WW7050	Synopsis: Characters who possess this merit still feel pain as much as others, it just doesn't affect them to the same degree. Legends are rife with tales of heroes who fight on, even while mortally wounded, only collapsing into death once the battle is won. System: In game terms, the dice penalty for each Health Level is reduced by one level. For example, a Troll who is Hurt reacts as if Bruised, and is only capable of action when killed. This does not add extra Health Levels or reduce the severity of the wounds, merely the reaction to the pain each level incurs. Notes: Called "High Pain Tolerance" in Mummy. Book Ref: Mummy: the Resurrection, pg.#69 Kithbook: Trolls, pg.#62
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. Notes: Book Ref: Demon Players Guide, pg.#83 Hunter Player's Guide, pg.#111
Infectious Courage	5	Garou Ahroun 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, pg.#124
Innate Vampiric Ability	3	Wraith Supernatural	WW6302	Synopsis: All Risen can learn some vampiric abilities, but wraiths with this Merit have a special knack for a particular Discipline. System: The cost for learning this Discipline is five times the current rating, rather than the normal six. In order to take this Merit, the Risen must also buy an initial level in the Discipline in question. Notes: Book Ref: Wraith: The Oblivion - The Risen, pg.#39
Inner Knight	5	Supernatural	WW4014	Synopsis: Like an heir of Avalon, you possess a higher purpose. Other Technocrats may be working for the future, but you carry a vision of a glorious past. In your dreams, you are a Knight of Reason, a valiant crusader for the common good. No matter what occurs, that vision cannot be silenced. When adversity knocks you on your ass, the paladin within you rallies, carrying you to victory. At night, you often visit bygone places in incredibly vivid dreams. Dreams that seem almost disturbing in their sensory detail... especially if you find things in the waking world that remind you of those dreams... System: Essentially, this Merit reflects a "past life" - the reincarnated Avatar of an ancient Daedalean. Since no modern Technocrat would admit such a thing, your character considers this reborn soul a heroic dream. When he's facing some deadly crisis, the modern agent can call on his "dream self" and remember things he never learned (like historical details and personalities); display skills he was never taught (like the Background: Dream at 5, but without entering a trace); or rally an additional five points of Willpower. These temporary Traits and memories last only a few minutes (in game time, a scene or two), but they carry with them a sense of having lived before. Naturally, these visions - of being a knight, an artist, an alchemist or a crusader - are just romantic fantasies. But are they really? After a while, you might start to wonder... Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#167
Innocent	1	Social	WW4009	Synopsis: You are always thought of in the most positive light, unless evidence exists to prove otherwise. System: If you do something wrong and the act is not easily attributed to you, it will most likely be blamed on someone else. This does not mean that you are "an innocent" - it just means everyone thinks you are. Notes: Book Ref: Halls of the Arcanum, pg.#62
Inoffensive To Animals	1	Supernatural	WW2302	Synopsis: With rare exceptions, animals usually despise the Kindred. Some flee, others attack, but all dislike being in the presence of a vampire. You have no such problem. Animals may not enjoy being in your company, but they don’t actively flee from you. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#79
Insensible To Pain	5	Physical	WW4600	Synopsis: Your character might be made of steel, or just hopped up on drugs (although you should also take the Addiction Flaw if such is the case), but whatever the cause, he doesn't hurt no matter how wounded he is. System: You ignore all wound penalties until your character is finally killed. Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#288
Inspiration (merit)	4	Satyr Supertural	WW7053	Synopsis: The Gift of Pan lets all satyrs inspire lust in those who hear their music, which lowers inhibitions and strengthens resolve. System: When you play your instrument, however, you can inspire whatever emotion the song relays. A tender lullaby, when you play it, causes those listening to fall asleep. More rousing tunes get people's bodies moving and they feel the uncontrollable urge to dance. When you play a soulful dirge, your audience weeps. As with the Gift of Pan, only those who fail a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) feel the effects of your music. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling - Kithbook Satyrs, pg.#64
Intimidating Stance	3	Social	WW7053	Synopsis: You talk a mean talk and walk a mean walk. And there is bite to match your bark. Whenever you enter a room, everyone turns around to look at you. For Satyrs, this presence isn't so unusual, but when others look at you, they appear concerned. Those who know you understand that you're just a sheep in wolf's clothing, but even they don't want to irritate or anger you. Something about you screams Dangerous! xxxxxYou can exaggerage this effect whenever you want and, thus, actively increase your chances of intimidating someone. With a look or a gesture, you intimate what you wish to do with their bodies once you get hold of them, and they actually believe that you would. System: The player must make a Charisma + Intimidation roll, though the difficulty is reduced by 2. This ability only works on other Changelings, since mortals cannot see all the subtle signals in the Satyr's demeanor. Humans naturally avoid this goat, but they wont be intimidated by him any more than they normally would be. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling - Kithbook Satyrs, pg.#64
Inviolate	4	Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: You have a natural resistance to possession of any sort. System: While alive, your body is immune to possession from ghosts, Spectres or any other supernatural entity, even if you're not occupying it at the time. Notes: Characters without bodies, obviously can't take this Merit. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
Iron Will	3	Mental	WW2300 WW3806 WW4014 WW4600	Synopsis: When you are determined and your mind is set, nothing can thwart you from your goals. System: When you are affected by a Dominate power, you may spend a point of Willpower to shake off the effects. In addition, you receive three extra dice to resist the effects of any mind-altering magic, spell, or Thaumaturgy path. Notes: This Merit does not affect presence or other powers dealing with the emotions. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#299 Players Guide to Garou, pg.#163 Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#166 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#292
Jack-of-all-trades	3	Aptitude	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 a roll Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to Garou, pg.#163
Judge's Wisdom	4	Mental	WW4657	Synopsis: You aren't swayed by emotion. Ever. perhaps you're a strict Legalist who follows Han Fei Tzu's advice to keep emotion out of the business of living, or your heart has been calmed by years of meditation. In any event, even magical attempts to alter your emotional state almost always fail. System: Your character is immune to all Mind effects that work on the emotions, the power of vampiric Presence and similar effects. He can still be swayed by attempts at direct mind control, such as possession, mental illusions, vampiric Disciplines and the like, and extremely potent powers (with six or more dots) may overwhelm his defenses. Your character can be calm but weak willed, after all. Note that you cannot take this Merit and the Merit Iron Will'. That would result in a quick ticket to Clarity! Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book Akashic Brotherhood (Revised Edition), pg.#60
Kinain	4	Supernatural	WW4600	Synopsis: Although your character is not a changeling, she's got their heritage running through her veins - literally. Faerie blood allows her to walk in the Dreaming as if she were fae herself. While doing so exposes her to chimerical attack, it also opens her to a new and wonderous world. System: Their Banality is also quite low (typically two to five) and their presence is often welcome in the courts of the Fae. Naturally, this sort of gift carries an obligation to play Faerie politics. Nevertheless, it can be a wondrous game. This merit also allows the character immunity to the effects of the mists. Note that a full mate cannot have a Glamour pool. Notes: See +rules Kinain PCs with this merit may buy arts/realms, in which case they start with Glamour based on their age (4 for Wilder, 3 for Grump). This must fit within the limits from '+rules multiclass'. Kinain may have faedescs, but they should be subtle compared to kithain. xxxxxExamples: Troll kinain may be slightly blue, or slightly bulkier, but not a giant blue behemoth. Nocker kinain may have pale pink cheek swirls or knobby fingers. Satyr kinain may have little head bumps, but not large horns. xxxxxException: If you have specific relevant stats (e.g. Glamour, Honored Birthright, Oneiromancy, Demesne), then your faedesc may be overt, but should also OOCly identify those stats. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#295
Kinfolk (merit)	4	Supernatural	WW4600	Synopsis: By some quirk of fate, your character is related to a werewolf, -cat, -raven, -bear, -or even one of the more mysterious breeds. The changing blood has not stirred in him - at least not in the traditional way - but it has left its mark. System: He's immune to the Delirium (the madness that claims those who see a werebeast's half human form), and he has friends among whichever Breed he's related to. Having this Merit doesn't mean that he knows their secrets or that he can wander around their sacred sites without retribution, but he has a certain edge that no normal mortal can match. if your character is a sorcerer, you might be able to learn a few spirit Gifts, and an Awakened mage can use these inherent magical powers as well without threat of Paradox. However, he can never have Gnosis, the innate connection to the spirit that all shifters share. Notes: See +rules Kinfolk. Be aware that many shifters, mainly Gaian, may automatically dislike a vampire or ghoul kinfolk, possibly seeking to kill the former and detox the latter. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#296
Lack Of Scent	2	Shifter Physical	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: Players Guide to Garou, pg.#159
Laid-back Friends	2	Social	WW8120	Synopsis: Everyone needs pals. You've got a particularly good bunch. They're pretty cool about when they get to see you; they don't get uptight if you're not in contact for a while. They're also great at not interfering with your life. Sure, you've gone through some changes of late, but that's your choice. They'll be there if you want to talk or need help, but they'll otherwise stay out of your hair. If these guys are also your Allies (see Hunter, pg.#119), they'll help you without asking too many difficult questions. Hey, your life, your business, right? System: Notes: Book Ref: Hunter Players Guide, pg.#107
Large	1	Nuwisha	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, pg.#48
Leech	1	Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Your gauze pulls Vitality from those ghosts or projected entities around you. For every hour you spend in the presence of another spook, he loses one Vitality while you gain one. Hues, in particular, dislike you and avoid your company. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#84
Legendary Attribute	5	Mage/Sorcerer	WW4600	Synopsis: Your mage has a superhuman Attribute, something in which he has the potential to be greater than human. Although this Attribute is not necessarily automatically better, the mage could potentially exceed the bounds of human ability. Such a gift is rare and precious, and many people with this capacity never even manage to fulfill their true potential. System: In your character's legendary Attribute, your character has the potential for a rating of six dots. Thus, your mage might have the Strength of Hercules of the Intelligence of Occam. This Merit does not confer such a rating automatically; it must still be purchased with Attribute points, freebie points, or experience. In addition to the potential for inhuman power, your character has some miraculous capability tied to that Attribute. A mage with legendary Stamina might have the ability to roll a soak against any form of damage, for instance, while a mage with legendary Wits might be able to shift his initiative category by one place in any given turn automatically. This power is generally automatic, and it is subject to the Storyteller's approval. Its potency varies with the character's actual Attribute rating, so a character with a legendary Stamina of 1 has a weak legendary power that might grow with time and experience. This Merit obviously has the potential for abuse, and it is not appropriate for all chronicles or characters. Notes: Mages and Sorcerers only. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#296
Lesser Shaman	6	Sorcerer Supernatural	WW4043	Synopsis: Only Sleepers can take this Merit. Lesser shamans make up the majority of shamans found in the world today. While they have considerable power, they are considerably less able than even the weakest Dreamspeaker. Still, the power to speak with the spirits is formitable, even if the will behind it is not Awakened. Imbued with a sort of calling by the spirits, a shaman of this sort still has many spiritual powers, though he ultimately must gain such from the spirits, not from an internal wellspring of enlightenment. System: Lesser shamans all possess the Merit Spirit Sight at no extra cost. In addition, they can summon and banish spirits, raise or lower the Gauntlet (up to two points, but never below two or above ten) over a small area, and awaken the spirits inherent in objects or places. xxxxxPerforming any magical actions requires long and elaborate rituals for a lesser shaman. Without the force of Awakened will, the shaman must rely on careful rituals and the good will of the spirits. Such rituals generally last between two and three hours. At the end of the ritual, the lesser shaman's player make a roll using Charisma+Rituals (with a difficulty of no less than 6) and spends a point of Willpower. Once summoned or awakened, spirits may do as they will, but temporary actions like raising or lowering the Gauntlet only last until next sunrise or sunset. xxxxxA number of Dreamspeakers who are connected to a tribe, band or other community have one or more lesser shamans who watch over the community while they are away. Any Sleeper who possesses the Spirit Sight Merit can be trained to be a lesser shaman. However, this training process often takes years. Still, the benefits of having shamanic Acolytes often outweigh the investment costs on time and effort, especially because a few rare students may actually Awaken. Dreamspeakers generally know how to train apprentices (though how well the shaman teaches is a function of the Instruction Ability), and Verbena have been known to train Sleepers in this fashion as well. Notes: Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#105
Library Of Heresies	2	Vampire	WW2819	Synopsis: You have access to one or more of the core texts of the Cainite Heresy in some form. Whether those texts are complete or not, accurate or not, or even legible or not is up to the Storyteller. What matters is that you know what you possess and you know what it is worth, both to yourself and to others. System: Notes: Book Ref: Cainite Heresy, pg.#93
License To...	1 to 5	Legal	WW4014	Synopsis: With the right permits, you can do anything... well, not anything, but a lot more than the average Joe. Through some devious or official means, you have obtained a permit that allows you special privileges. System: Depending on the cost of the Merit, you may be authorized to: xxxxx*One point: Own and operate odd vehicles (like limos or trucks). xxxxx*Two points: Practice medicine or law (as a doctor or lawyer). xxxxx*Three points: Uphold the law (as a cop, detective or government agent). xxxxx*Four points: Own military hardware (heavy weapons, explosives, vehicles). xxxxx*Five points: Break the law in the course of duty (as a diplomat or secret agent). xxxxxNaturally, these rights involve certain responsibilities. As part of your license, you may be required to fulfil certain duties and observe certain limitations. Even a cop cant go around busting heads on anyone he sees, at least not without some serious repercussions. Licenses of all kinds involve review boards, tests, periodic checks and an overseeing authority. Like anything else in life, you have to be careful how you apply your privileges. Abuse 'em, and you'll probably lose them. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#165
Lightning Calculator	1	Mental	WW4600	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: You as the player are welcome to use a calculator during play, even when your character is fleeing for her life. Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
Light Sleeper	1 to 3	Mental	WW2300 WW4600	Synopsis: (1 point - Mage) For one point, your mage needs less sleep than other mortals: He can function quite well on four hours a night. If the Storyteller imposes penalties on other players for sleep deprivation (one or two-die penalties are suggested), then you are exempt. Needless to say, this Merit allows your character to accomplish a lot more with his daily activities. (2 points - Mage) For two points, you mage sleeps only about two hours per night. This resilience is quite unusual, and it lets your mage get a lot more done. It also means that he has the luxury of sleeping wile on the run. (3 points - Mage) For three points, you mage is truly sleepless. You may suffer penalities from exhaustion, but he does not need shut-eye. Perhaps your mage's brain sleep center was destroyed in an accident, or he may be something like a golem that's designed to stand forever vigilant. Regardless, the only time your mage sleeps is if he's drugged or beaten unconscious. (2 points - Vampire) You can awaken instantly at any sign of trouble or danger, and do so without any sleepiness or hesitation. You may ignore rules regarding how Humanity/Path restricts the number of dice available during the day. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#299 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#291
Lilian Alteration	6	Ananasi	WW3081	Synopsis: An Ananasi's Lilian form is determined unconciously; 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 alteryourself 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, pg.#83
Lizard Limbs	1	Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: With a little bit of effort, you can shed parts of your body. System: When one of your appendages is restrained or grappled, spend one blood point and roll Willpower (difficulty 8). If you succeed, you can tear off that body part and wriggle away. Vampires can eventually regrow their limbs if they spend enough blood; however, if you're missing an arm or leg, you should have a -3 dice pool penalty to represent your injury. And remember to be careful. If you shed both your legs, you'll have a bitch of a time crawling away. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#70
Long-distance Runner	3	Aptitude	WW3059	Synopsis: You must have a minimum Stamina of 4 to purchase this Merit. When running, you may double your normal speed for one hour per point of Stamina. Gifts improving movement are calculated from the new speed. Thus, possession of this Merit and movement-improving Gifts allows you to travel at amazing velocity. System: Notes: Book Ref: Silent Striders Tribebook (1st Edition), pg.#47
Long-lived	1	Physical	WW4659	Synopsis: Whether through heredity, the blessings of the gods or just good, clean living, you are especially long lived. You age, but gracefully, retaining both your vitality and your faculties. You can expect to live to see your first century, and possibly another beyond that. System: Note that adepts of the Life Sphere can achieve this Effect through magic. This Merit grants it naturally (and does not incur the possibility of Paradox). Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Verbena, pg.#70
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), pg.#21
Long Fingers	1	Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: Your fingers are unnaturally long and spidery. System: You gain an extra die on any roll involving coordination or grappling. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#70
Long Sleeper	3	Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Your body endures well under the strain of cryogenic sleep. System: You can stay in a sleeper pod for twice the normal duration without incurring any unhealthy consequences. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
Loud Voice	1	Physical	WW7054	Synopsis: Some animals have voices that carry farther than a normal human's. You have the ability to project your voice as far as a wolf can howl or to shout as loudly as an elephant can trumpet. This comes in handy, but unfortunately, it also draws attention to you. Not only does your target hear you, so does everyone within a certain radius. The physical landscape can hinder this ability, buildings muffle, hills echo. In open territory, however, your voice carries for up to five miles, if you've conditioned it to do so. System: Roll Stamina + Performance, difficulty 6, minus any modifiers for landscape. The number of successes determines how many miles youf voice carries. On a botch, you strain your voice and suffer laryngitis for a number of days equal to your dice pool. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Pooka, pg.#87
Luminous	5	Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Your potential Vitality max is 15, not 10. That's a huge boost for you, but it comes at a price. This supercharged state transforms you into a beacon for ghosts and Spectres alike, you realize something is amiss with you. You are brighter than a majority of humans. System: Anytime you possess Vitality 11+ spooks and Spectres within five city blocks sense you and may investigate (Storyteller prerogative), depending on the amount of Vitality being thrown around. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
Mad Science	2	Mental Supernatural	WW4658	Synopsis: By experimenting with other dimensions, mind-wracking mathematics and Paradoxical technologies, the Sons of Ether risk their mental stability at the price of unique insights. Having touched the infinite, inhuman reaches of Truth, madness takes its toll, but it also brings inspiration. System: Characters with this Merit receive a one-point break on magical difficulties as well as uses of the Awareness, Cosmology, Enigmas, Occult, Science, and Technology Abilities while in the throws of Quiet or an active derangement. Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Sons of Ether, pg.#58
Magic Resistance	2	Supernatural	WW2300	Synopsis: You have an inherent resistance to the rituals of the Tremere and the spells of the mages of other Clans. The difficulty of all such magic, both malicious and beneficent, is two higher when directed at you. Notes: You may never learn magical Discipline of Thaumaturgy. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#300
Manifest Avatar	3	Mage Avatar	WW4600	Synopsis: Most people see their Avatars only during Seekings, if at all. Your mage's drops by every day for tea, if it doesn't hang out 'round the clock. This avatar is completely invisible to everyone but your character (and those who can read her mind), unless you take this Merit in combination with the Allies Background, creating the body of a person or familiar for your Avatar. In this case, your Avatar becomes your bamf!ing buddy, popping in and out of existence when it feels like it. If it's killed, only the mortal shell dies, not your Avatar - unless you also have the Phylactery Flaw, in which case your Avatar's form is immune to all physical harm, but is is manifested permanently. If such is the case, it is able to be kidnapped, transformed and so on. System: Storytellers should note that an Avatar doesn't have to say it's an Avatar, and just because an Avatar is invested into a phylactery doesn't mean that everything that phylactery tells you is a pronouncement from your Avatar. A VA may have his laptop as a phylatery, but unless he's also taken Manifest Avatar as a Merit, his laptop's warnings to update his virus software are nothing more significant than that. Likewise, you may have invested your Avatar into your best friend, but that doesn't mean that everything (or anything) he says are pronouncements from your personal spirit guide. Such only happens to be the case if you take Manifest Avatar. Even then, why should your Avatar tell you he's anyone except your best friend? xxxxxA manifest Avatar can chat with you and other people like the intelligences that show up on the Web to guide Virtual Adepts and converse with their contemporaries. With the right tricks, it can even materialize to harangue you, to fight, to push you around, or just make for a hot date. Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#295
Manshape	1	Mokole	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, pg.#70
Mark Of Pure Blood	2	Vampire	WW20007	Synopsis: You have a physical mark that emerged during your Embrace, akin to a birthmark. This mark is part of your lineage and helps establish credibility as an heir to power and reputation of your sire's line. System: Players should work with the Storyteller to define the mark, whether it is a particular tint of the eyes, an actual discoloration of skin or something more exotic. All such marks are within the bounds of natural possibility and/or easily concealed, ensuring that mortals do not automatically suspect your undead nature. While this merit has no system per se, you are more difficult to impersonate and your mark may carry status with vampires who know its significance. Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to High Clans, pg.#203
Mars Rising	6	Shifter	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, pg.#130
Mastery Of Fire	2	Magic Supernatural	WW4043	Synopsis: Having control over fire and flame is one of the powers traditionally associated with shamans. Many cultures consider fire to be a natural force with a strong connection to the spirit world. As a shaman, you have a closer connection to the powers of fire than most. System: You are considerably more resistant to damage from fire than most people, and you receive three extra dice to all Stamina rolls to resist damage caused by fire. You can soak fire damage normally. In addition, you also receive a one point bonus on all magic rolls to create, destroy or manipulate fire. Notes: Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#103
Master Of Red Tape	4	Legal	WW4014	Synopsis: You're a god of getting things done. Whether you need some supplies, security clearance, favors or additional backup, you can get it with a phone call or two to the right people. Your suave personal and bureaucratic skills make the passage easier than it would be otherwise. After all, it's not what you ask for, but who you ask and how. System: In game terms, this Merit subtracts two from the difficulty of rolls that involve getting equipment, aid or favors through a bureaucracy. Such rolls are usually based on the Backgrounds: Allies, Backup, Influence, Library, Mentor, Patron, Requisitions, or Resourses. To use this Merit, you must plan out what you need, contact a friend or ally in the necessary department, then file a request. Naturally you can blow this Merit if you're not respectful and grateful to the right people; the Storyteller may feel free to disallow or revoke this Trait if the character isn't doing his part to keep the red tape clear. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#167
Medium	2	Supernatural	WW2300 WW4600	Synopsis: You possess the natural affinity to sense and hear spirits, ghosts, and shades. Though you cannot see them, you can sense them, speak to them and, through pleading or cajoling, draw them to your presence. You may call upon them for aid or advice, but there will always be a price. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#300 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#295
Metamorph	7	Shifter Physical	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: Book Ref: Players Guide to Garou, pg.#159
Misplaced Heart	2	Physical	WW2206	Synopsis: Your heart has actually moved within your body, though no more than two feet from its original position near the middle of your chest. Those who attempt to stake you find it very difficult to find the right location (which should be your most tightly guarded secret). System: Notes: Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#11
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: Players Guide to Garou, pg.#159
Mnesis Of The Lost Ones	1	Mokole	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, pg.#70
Mole	3	Social	WW2302	Synopsis: You have an informer buried in the Sabbat (or, less likely, one of the independent clans or the Anarch Free States) who funnels you all sorts of information as to what her peers are up to. What you do with the information is up to you, but abusing the knowledge might be a good way to get your informer killed. The other side has spies too… Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Moon-bound	2	Garou Supernatural	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: Players Guide to Garou, pg.#165
Mother's Insight	4	Shifter	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, pg.#128
Natural Channel	3	Magic Supernatural	WW3806 WW4600	Synopsis: You find crossing the Gauntlet easier than many of your fellow Garou. System: The difficulty for stepping sideways is one less for you. Notes: Text for mage: Your mage is a natural weak point in the Gauntlet between worlds. The difficulty to use magic to pierce it is one less, and spirits react a bit more favorably to the mage. If your mage finds an especially weak spot in the Gauntlet (with Awareness or Spirit 1), he can step between worlds without magic. Book Ref:Players Guide to Garou, pg.#166 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#295
Natural Husk	3 - All Phyla	Fae Inanimae	WW7307	Synopsis: Your Husk is extremely lifelike. Even if you only have one dot in the Background, your Husk seems to pass for human. System: The benefit of this Merit is that people are so certain that you are human they may actively deny some evidence to the contrary. Notes: Book Ref: Inanimae: The Secret Way, pg.#68
Natural Leader	1	Social	WW2300	Synopsis: You are gifted with a certain magnetism to which others naturally defer. System: You receive two extra dice when making Leadership rolls. Notes: You must have a Charisma rating of 3 or greater to purchase this Merit. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#300
Natural Linguist	2	Mental	WW2300	Synopsis: You have a flair for languages. System: You may add three dice to any dice pool involving written or spoken languages. Notes: This merit does not give you any more languages. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#299
Natural Runner	1	Physical	WW8202	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 Players Guide, pg.#77
Natural Shallowing	5	Magic Supernatural	WW4632	Synopsis: A rare few souls draw the spirit worlds to them like moths to flame, calling out silently through the Gauntlet. Your mage is one such. System: The Gauntlet is always one less in the immediate vicinity of the mage (which, in some of the last remaining places of power, can reduce the Gauntlet rating to zero). Further, by expending a point of Willpower, the mage may cause the Gauntlet to reduce by an additional one, though this is as far as she can go. Note that multiple mages with this power cannot "stack" its effects. Dreamspeakers often see those who possess this Merit as being especially blessed by the spirits and are inclined to be friendly to them (-1 to social difficulties). Notes: Book Ref: The Infinite Tapestry, pg.#187
Natural Shapeshifter	3	Aptitude	WW4659	Synopsis: You are a natural and talented shapeshifter when using Life magic (not necessarily related to the Fera, though you may also have the Kinfolk Merit). System: You are never in danger of losing yourself to the identity of your beast-form, and any new shape you adopt is as comfortable to you as your own. Moreover, the difficulty of Arete rolls to change your own shape is two less than normal. Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Verbena, pg.#70
Nature Linked	3	Supernatural	WW7050	Synopsis: Legends are full of incidents concerning the connection to nature and strength; this Merit represents the positive aspects of such tales. Possessors of this Merit have a near mystical link to all nature and all living, growing things in their own environment. They are rarely lost, and can find food and shelter easily, almost as if nature itself is seeing to their needs. System: Characters who possess this Merit may subtract two from all difficulty numbers when in their natural surroundings. Cities and asphalt are not considered natural, although a park within a city might qualify. As always, the Storyteller is the final arbiter. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Trolls, pg.#63
Nexus	3 - 5	Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Only one character can normally help another with a Horror's Benefits, but in your presence, several crucible members can stack their Benefits for one recipient. System: At three points, characters can stack two Benefits, at four points the characters can stack three Benefits, and at five points, the character stacks four characters' Benefits. Please note that the character with Nexus cannot perform any other action when acting as Nexus, nor can he split the effect between different donors and recipients in that one turn. Instead, the Nexus acts as a focal point whereby two or more characters channel their Benefits through him, and he, in turn, channels the combined effect into the recipient. This Merit makes you very important to your crucible, but if the others grow too accustomed to your presence, they may rely on you for too heavily. Also, bear in mind that stacking two Benefits means four members of the crucible are not focused on one attack. Better make that attack count. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
Nice Abs!	3	Wraith Spooks	WW6305	Synopsis: By some strange quirk of fate, you have not been too obviously touched by the effects of your constant use of Outrage. Your Corpus does show signs of "bulking," but not in the typically overproportioned fashion of most Spooks. You still appear physically intimidating (what Spook worth his salt isn't, after all?), but for all anyone else knows, you might have gotten those pecs from being a weightlifter in life. Your husky build certainly doesn't look like the mark of Outrage; this fact allows you to move through public situations without autmatically getting red-flagged as a Spook. System: In practice, this Merit lessens the difficulty of all your Social rolls by one. Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Spooks and Oracles, pg.#50
Nightsight (merit)	3	Sluagh	WW7051	Synopsis: Night blinds many eyes, but not yours. Regardless of the lighting conditions, your eyes adjust automatically, so that you can see equally well at high noon or midnight. The adjustment is instantaneous, so that, if you are standing in a dark room and someone lights a candle, you are not blinded. System: Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Sluagh, pg.#63
Noble Bearing	1	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, pg.#69
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), pg.#85
Noted Messenger	3	Garou Ties	WW3059	Synopsis: You reputation as a reliable and uncorruptible messenger precededs you. You can enter most septs unchallenged, as long as you have a message for someone residing there. in addition, few Garou will attempt to hinder you in your duties, and most will let you cross their territories unmolested. However, the mere word of your presence will sometimes stir up rumor and intrigue, as the locals wonder what message it is that you carry. System: Notes: Book Ref: Silent Striders Tribebook (1st Edition), pg.#48
Oasis	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 (aka Oasis/Wellspring), 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 deflie 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: Listed in the book as Dragon Nest. Book Ref: Mummy Players Guide, pg.#114
Obsession (merit)	3	Wraith Shadow	WW6013	Synopsis: The Shadow is focused intensely on one part of the Psyche's personality, so that other opportunities to drive the wraith to Oblivion are neglected or missed altogether. System: The Shadowguide chooses one of the Psyche's Passions to serve as the focus of the obsession and then goes to work on it. Henceforth, all rolls the Shadowguide makes involving that particular Passion in any way are at -1 difficulty. This includes rolls for using Thorns to frustrate a Passion, rolls to gain Angst from a diametrically opposed Dark Passion and son on. Notes: On the other hand, all rolls which the Shadow makes relating to other Passions or any other aspect of the Psyche are at +1 difficulty. Book Ref: Shadow Players Guide, pg.#26
Occult Library	2	Supernatural	WW2206	Synopsis: You possess a library of occult materials, which may include at least one version of the Book of Nod. You are not necessarily familiar with the contents of these volumes of knowledge (that is a function of your Abilities), but in time of need your library can be an invaluable source for research. System: Notes: Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#8
Officially Dead	2	Legal	WW4014	Synopsis: Your old life ended tragically... or so they believe. These days, you're essentially a new person. As far as family, friends, the government and other folks are concerned, you're long gone. Unless you break your cover, no one knows who you are... who you were. System: Being dead isn't all fun, though. Chances are, you miss at least one person from your old life, but visiting him would be A Very Bad Idea. At the very least, it'll be painful - at worst, you could get them killed. Unless you change your face or fingerprints, you might leave the authorities with all kinds of awkward questions. ("According to records, this woman died three years ago. So why was she in a bank this morning?") There's probably someone looking for you, or making sure you keep a low profile. Attract attention from these parties, and you might not be "walking dead" much longer. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#166
Old Age	2	Wraith Social	WW6010	Synopsis: You were an old man or woman when you died, and consequently are accorded more respect by those within your family, even those who are actually much older than you. Many will come to you for advice because of your extensive life experience. Even the heads of the family will respect your opinions more, merely because of your age. System: Lower the difficulty by two of any Social roll when dealing with members of your family. Notes: Book Ref: Dark Kingdom of Jade, pg.#124
Old Pal	2	Social	WW2302	Synopsis: An acquaintance from your breathing days was Embraced at the same time you were. Fortunately, your friendship has endured even death and unlife, and you find a constant source of support and aid in your old friend. She expects the same of you, which isn’t always convenient, but at least you each have someone to hang onto who remembers the good old nights — and days. The Storyteller should play the Old Pal as a very loyal Ally. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#75
Omnidexterous	2	Wraith Masquers	WW6011	Synopsis: You aren't just skilled at using both hands equally well, you're talented with whatever appendage you manage to sculpt. You receive no penalty for trying something with anything normally considered an "off-hand." Talented Masquers with this Merit can type with their feet, pick locks with their tails and wield darksteel with their tongues. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Masquers, pg.#50
Open Road	2	Social	WW2302	Synopsis: Unlike many Kindred, you like to travel. You have a solid knowledge of safe travel routes and methodologies, not to mention haven space available in any number of destinations. Unless someone out there knows your exact route and is specifically looking for you, you can move between cities unimpeded by random encounters with Lupines, overzealous state troopers, and the like. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Oracle	4	Changeling Supernatural	WW7311	Synopsis: Except for the moirae and the sidhe of House Beaumayn, the seers of House Scathach are quite possibly the best in the Dreaming. System: This is a birthright handed down through the generations from the Morrigan herself, giving the character a -2 on all rolls involving the Soothsay Art. Notes: This Merit is not exclusive to House Scathach, but is possessed by the most able prophets of other kith and houses. Because most others don't share Scathach's prophetic heritage, however, the cost is +1 freebie point for all other fae except the moirae and House Beaumayn. Book Ref: Changeling the Dreaming - Book of Lost Houses, pg.#111
Oracular Ability	3	Supernatural	WW2300 WW4600	Synopsis: You can see and interpret signs and omens. You are able to draw advice from these omens, for they provide hints of the future and warnings of the present. System: When the Storyteller feels that you are in position to see an omen, you will be required to make a Perception + Occult roll, with the difficulty relative to how well the omen is concealed. If successful, you may then roll Intelligence + Occult to interpret what you have seen; the difficulty is again relative to the complexity of the omen. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#300 Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#295
Organized	1	?	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, pg.#83
Osiris' Gift	1	Mummy Supernatural	WW2381	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. 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. System: Notes: Book Ref: Mummy: the Resurrection, pg.#69
Other Half	3	Wraith Supernatural	WW6007	Synopsis: A Greek philosopher once theorized that each person is divided into two halves, and spends his entire life searching for their other half. You have found your other half, whether a friend, lover, identical twin, or even a complete stranger Though you are now a member of the Restless Dead, you still have a strong tie to your other half. System: You must choose that person as a Fetter, and all bonuses involving your other half are doubled. You can also regain one point of Corpus per hour by being close to your other half. Notes: You may not take both this and the True Love Merit. Book Ref: Wraith Players Guide, pg.#26
Out Of Phase	3	Supernatural	WW21001	Synopsis: Not only can the living not see you unless you're manifesting, but neither can other spirits. While invisibility has its advantages, it's a pain when you must expend the energy to manifest just to be seen by your allies. Notes: A character can "reappear" to spooks for one scene and without manifesting, however, by expending on Vitality. Book Ref: Orpheus: Crusade of Ashes, pg.#85
Oversized Fangs	1	Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: You have enormous fangs, snaggly tusks resembling those of an elephant or walrus. System: They cannot be retracted, but they do an additional die of damage and add one die to your Intimidation dice pool. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#70
Pain Tolerance	2	Vampire Physical	WW2361	Synopsis: Maybe you've deadened your nerves through Vicissitude. Maybe you're a tough bastard. Maybe it turns you on. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Tzimisce (Revised Edition), pg.#69
Pale Aura	1	Ghoul	WW2021	Synopsis: Due to some quirk of fate or your reaction to the Blood, your aura is naturally pale. Vampires reading your aura via Auspex assume you to be Kindred unless they have strong reason to suspect otherwise. This Merit can be of great use if you wish to impersonate a vampire, but can also cause some very dangerous misunderstandings. Book Ref: Ghouls Fatal Addiction, pg.#83
Paragon (merit)	6	Vampire Social	WW2358	Synopsis: The Embrace has awakened within you an aspect of personality that others find particularly compelling. You may select one Background from the following group: Allies, Black Hand membership, Clan Prestige, Contacts, Fame, Herd, Influence, Mentor, Resources, Retainers, Sabbat Status, or Status. Your maximum Trait score in that Background may exceed your normal generation limit by one. For example, a 10th-generation Kindred may take this Merit and enjoy the benefits of a Contacts Background of 6. You may take this Merit for only one Background, which may drop (and thereafter possibly rise again) at the Storyteller's discretion. Players should choose this Merit only for a Background that makes sense - a Camarilla archon is unlikely to have a Black Hand Membership Background of 7, for example. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Ventrue (Revised Edition), pg.#77
Parlor Trick	1	Magic Supernatural	WW4600	Synopsis: Your character has a natural ability to perform some small, pretty or useful bit of magic at will. This trick is nothing that can cause much damage, or even serious annoyance; it's just enough to perform some small basic task or give your mage a little flair. Your mage might be adept at the old wizard's trick of conjuring an orb of witchlight to hand or a flame to her finger. She might be a cyborg who had the bright idea of installing a light bulb or pilot light in her head for the same purpose. If your mage uses a magical sense like night-vision often, you might have the added perk that he can make his eyes glow like a vampire's, allowing him to see even in total darkness. If your character is of the scientific bent, he may be able to emit enough x-rays to use with his x-ray vision, or he could have a laser pointer installed in his index finger just for fun. You don't have to roll or spend anything to make this parlor trick work. xxxxxStorytellers should note that this Merit is provided to add color and reason to the game, not to give min-maxers a loophole to create engines of death. With this Merit, mages can light pipes without a lighter, conjure roses or martinis, have mood music play in the background or pop a penknife or a single claw out of a fingertip. Yes, you could put an eye out with one of those things, but the combat difference between a penknife, a single tiger claw, and a press-on fingernail is inconsequential. System: Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#294
Passion (merit)	2	Satyr	WW7053	Synopsis: Over the centuries, Satyrs have lost some of their orriginal passion. the goat with the Passion Merit has retained it in full. You pursue your interests with the utmost intensity and usually succeed at them. Life holds many fascinating chances for you and you don't want to miss out on them. You grab them up greedily. Mundanities, such as money, mean nothing to you except when they result from the pursuit of your Passion. And, because you focus your attention so completely on experience and self improvement, you do achieve greatness. The Living Time does not affect you because you have the innate ability to handle your Passion. Concentration in this one area permits you to advance more quickly. System: The difficulty for all rolls related to your Passion are reduced by 2. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Satyr, pg.#64
Past Life (merit)	1 to 5	Supernatural	WW7300 WW6007	Synopsis: You can remember one or more of your previous incarnations. This can be as simple as constant deja vu in places known to your past lives, or as complex as conscious, waking memories of being another person. In practical terms, this means that your character (and therefore you the player) knows slightly more about whatever situations the dead memories contain. You might know your way around the past life's hometown, or back away from your murderer without knowing why.This is a good Background for beginning players; the Storyteller can tell them that something they are about to do is stupid, dangerous or both, because even if the character wouldn't logically know that, one of her past lives might. However, this Background cannot be used to "remember" Abilities. System: The Storyteller can, and likely should, take the opportunity to flesh out one or more of these past selves with the player. Unless the memory is very detailed, the character, and probably the player, isn't likely to know everything about that past. One Point - Deja vu memories of one life Two points - Dreamy, vague memories of one life, with deja vu from several lives. Three points - vague memories of several lives and one or two well remembered impressions from one life. Four points - Several well remembered impressions from many lives. Five points - A clear but broken thread of memories back to the Mythic Age and beyond... Notes: Book Ref: Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#160 Wraith Players Guide, pg.#26
Patagia (merit)	4	Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: Leathery wings fold up into your horrid little body. Picture the gliding wings of a pterodactyl or a flying squirrel. Now visualize them hanging off the twisted skelton of batlike wings. With the aid of an updraft or a strong wind, you can glide for short distances - rather useful for Nosferatu who skulk along rooftops, don't you think? Storytellers should know that a vampire with this Merit can glide at his normal walking speed. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#72
Path Natural	5	Sorcerer Supernatural	WW4254	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: Sorcerer (Revised Edition), pg.#56
Patience	3	Vampire	WW2233	Synopsis: You have learned the wisdom of patience in all things. Passions may burn brightly; but as they say, revenge is served best cold. Often, with enough patience, new avenues of endeavor open, enemies grow careless and favors shift. Those who wait and watch re in a position to take full advantage of the vagaries of time. System: Due to your mastery of patience all Frenzy rolls are made with a -1 difficulty modifier. Notes: Book Ref: Elysium The Elder Wars, pg.#64
Pawn	3	Vampire Social	WW2204 WW2206 WW2800	Synopsis: You can manipulate and have some control over another vampire, one of higher generation than you. Your hold was likely formed through Blood Bond, but it can also come from a variety of other sources, such as blackmail, bribes or threats, you make it up. The pawn does not necessarily know that it is being controlled. System: Notes: Book Ref: Vampire Player's Guide pg.#42 Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only) pg.#16 Vampire: The Dark Ages pg.#273
Pelagic Harmony	3	Vampire Lasombra Mental	WW2362	Synopsis: Being close to the sea calms you and reinforces your self-control. System: All Willpower rolls made while you're on or within sight of the sea have their difficulties lowered by one. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Lasombra (Revised Edition), pg.#64
Personal Aura	2	Vampire Supernatural	WW20006	Synopsis: You do not project the aura associated with your road. Instead, you aura reflects some deeper aspect of your Nature or personality. You may choose the aura associated with any road (subject to Storyteller approval) or create your own, calculating your aura modifier according to your permanent Willpower. System: Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to Low Clans, pg.#188
Perfect Balance	3	Physical	WW7300	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 -3 difficulty. Notes: This is intentionally used over newer versions in other books. If you are looking for the 1pt version, City of Hope uses Cat-like Balance for that. For more questions, check out +explain on game. Book Ref: Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#158
Perfect Liar	3	Social	WW4014	Synopsis: When you speak, everything is the truth. Your words never quaver, your vital signs remain normal, your facts seem consistent and your eyes betray no deception whatsoever. No matter how outrageous your story might be, an objective observer will assume that at least you believe it's true. System: In game terms, most casual deceptions succeed automatically. Subtract two from the difficulty of any roll that involves fooling someone about something important. This Merit will not foil Mind magic, aura-reading, or other forms of mystic truth-seeking, but it will deceive any mundane detection (like body language or lie detectors). Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#166
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, pg.#107
Phantom Fate	5(7)	Changeling Supernatural	WW7311	Synopsis: Fate's tapestry records the life and destiny of every living being. Most lives are stitched in bright and vivid threads, easy for Fate's disciples to watch and record. Others, however, are recorded in threads invisible to all but the most discerning eye. Because House Scathach has taken up a contrarian relationship to Fate's design, some have become truly adept at camouflaging their patterns. System: Such "ciphers" are all but invisible to the Soothsay cantrip Omen (the only way to track such a character is by deciphering the "ripples" she causes when she interacts with others). Furthermore, all other Soothsay cantrips are at +3 difficulty when cast against her, thouch this additional difficulty pertains to beneficial and detrimental effects alike. The character is just as likely to deflect blessings as curses and may not purchase any Merits or Flaws pertaining to luck. xxxxxScathach who attain the seventh level of mastery undergo a rite known as the Trial of Shadows and automatically exhibit this Merit - if they survive. Notes: This Merit is not exclusive to House Scathach (indeed, even some humans may unwittingly be ciphers) but it is quite rare elsewhere. The cost is +2 points for all other fae. Moirae may not purchase this Merit and are particularly apathetic towards those so endowed. Book Ref: Changeling the Dreaming - Book of Lost Houses, pg.#111
Photographic Memory	3	Bastet Aptitude	WW3037	Synopsis: A real asset for talekeepers and spies, this talent allows you to remember things with almost-total recall. Your memory isn't literally photographic, but it's close. System: In game terms, you can recount conversations verbatim, or ask the Storyteller to refresh your cat's memory of things that you the player may have forgotten. He may demand an Intelligence roll before doing so, with the difficulty depending on the memory's complexity and obscurity. Remembering the address of the apartment you visited last night would be 4; remembering your first boyfriend's phone number would be 6; remembering the social security number on a file you saw last week would be a 9. Naturally, you have to have something to remember before you can remember it. This Merit does not supply facts that your character wouldn't have noticed in the first place. Notes: Book Ref: Bastet, pg.#87
Physical Abnormality	3 or 4	Changeling Pooka Physical	WW7054	Synopsis: Some aspect of your animal mein transfers into your faerie mien. This may mean that you have prehensile feet or tail, the ability to climb vertical surfaces, a sticky tongue, eyes that rotate 180 degrees, extra legs, a scorpion stinger, venomous bite, tough skin, skunk spray or any of a huge variety of unique attributes that affinities can have. System: The Storyteller determines the cost of the particular physical abnormality you choose. Obviously the more offensive the attribute, the more it costs. In a case where the Pooka has a physical abnormality that allows him a special attack, he uses his own dice pool rather than his animal dice pool. If the attack involves venom, then he injects no more venom than he would in his animal mien. Such venomous attacks deliver (at best) one die of damage unless the character also takes the Venomous Attack Merit. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Pooka, pg.#88
Piscine	1	Vampire Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: You are abnormally comfortable underwater and vastly prefer swimming to walking. System: You get a -1 difficulty on any Physical dice pool related to underwater movement. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#71
Pithus Alteration	4	Ananasi	WW3081	Synopsis: Unlike most of the Damhan you have conscious control over exactly the appearance your body will take when you convert to the Pithus form. The actual changes to what you can do are minimal, but there are advantages to picking the spiderj form you want to employ. Most Ananasi look a certain way and. are readily recognizable by their appearance. With this ability it's easier to blend in wherever you might not be known (and want to keep it that way). Mostly, however, the advantage is psychological. Some people are more terrified by the image of a tarantula than they are by the idea of a giant black widow. System: Notes: Book Ref: Ananasi, pg.#83
Pitiable	1	Social	WW2206 WW3202	Synopsis: There is something about you that others pity. This causes them to care for you as if you were a Child (Archetype). Some Natures will not be affected by this Merit (Autocrat, Deviant, Fanatic, Sycophant), and some Demeanors may pretend they are not. You need to decide what it is about you that attracts such pity, and how much (or how little) you like it. System: Notes: Book Ref: Vampire Player's Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#7 Werewolf Players Guide (1st Edition), pg.#21
Poetic Heart	3	Changeling Supernatural	WW7300 WW7100	Synopsis: You have a truly inspired soul within you. You are destined to be a great hero or artist, and therefore Glamour shields you from the ravages of Banality. At times, you may even be able to stave off the tide of Banality. System: You may make a Willpower roll (difficulty equal to the character's permanent Banality to avoid gaining a point of temporary Banality once per story. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling: the Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#164 Changeling: the Dreaming Player's Guide, pg.#27
Poison Resistance	1	Changeling Physical	WW7300	Synopsis: You have, for some reason or another, become resistant to poisons. It could be that you are somehow naturally resistant, or that you have spent years building up your resistance against all known types of poisons. System: Any time you need to make a soak roll against the effects of a poison or toxin, reduce your difficulty by three. Notes: There is a 2pt version in Crusade Lore, but it is not allowed as of yet. If you want that version, please submit a +request. Until then, this is the only version allowed on City of Hope. Book Ref: Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#158
Poker Face	2	Social	WW4014	Synopsis: A specialty of Men in Black; no matter what happens, you maintain a facade of perfect calm. Nothing short of an extra-dimensional deific manifestation can make you blink, and even that might not do it. The appearance may be deceptive - you could be screaming inside for all anyone knows - but quite complete... and very disconcerting. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Technocracy, pg.#166
Powerful Gaze	1	Vampire	WW20031	Synopsis: You have a quality that makes your gaze forceful and menacing. Those who meet your eyes must look away, or else are captured, almost entranced, by your gaze. System: You gain a -2 to the difficulties of all Social rolls where you are able to make an maintain eye contact with the person you are dealing with. This means being at fairly close quarters (a few yards or less), and it only affects one person at a time. Book Ref: Road of Kings, pg.#74
Precocious	3	Mental	WW2302	Synopsis: You learn quickly. System: The time for you to pick up a particular Ability (or Abilities, at Storyteller discretion) is cut in half, as is the experience cost. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#74
Precognition (merit)	4	Supernatural Awareness	WW4010 WW2224 WW4009	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, pg.#68 Mummy: The Resurrection (2nd Edition), pg.#68 Halls of the Arcanum, pg.#64
Prehensile Tongue	3	Changeling Sluagh Physical	WW7051	Synopsis: One of the things that has earned the Sluagh a far worse reputation than perhaps they deserve, the Prehensile Tongue is something that comes in handy when one has no free hands. Essentially, your tongue is another limb, able to reach up to two feet from your mouth in order to grasp and wield objects. System: While a Prehensile Tongue doesn't make for the best of weapons, it can still be used for a poke in the eye or a revolting slap. Players must make a Stamina roll, difficulty 6, if their characters are touched with a Prehensile Tongue; failure leaves the characters overcome with sheer disgust for a turn. xxxxxIn order for a Sluagh to use a Prehensile Tongue to pick something up or something else along those lines, the player must roll Dexterity + Athletics (difficulty 7). A success indicates that the Sluagh is in full control of his extra limb and need not check again this scene to see if he can use it. A failure indicates that the specific attempt fails; a botch leaves the protruding tongue hanging disgustingly limp down the character's front. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Sluagh, pg.#64
Prestigious Mentor	1	Changeling Social	WW7300	Synopsis: Your mentor had or has great Status among the Kithain, and this has accorded you a peculiar honor. Most treat you respectfully as result, while some have only contempt for you, believing you to be merely riding your mentor's coattails. This prestige could greatly aid you when dealing with elders acquainted with your mentor. Indeed, your mentor's contacts may actually approach you at some point offering aid. Although your mentor might no longer have contact with you, the simple fact of your apprenticeship has marked you forever. System: Notes: Book Ref: Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#165
Prestigious Sire	1	Vampire Social	WW2300	Synopsis: Your sire has or had great status in her Sect or Clan, and this has accorded you a certain amount of prestige. Though your sire may no longer have any dealings with you, the simple fact of your ancestry has marked you forever. This prestige might aid you greatly in dealings with other vampires, or it might engender jealousy or contempt. Notes: On City of Hope, this gives you +1 to your status. Book Ref: Vampire The Masquerade (Revised Edition), pg.#300
Projectile Vomiting	2	Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: This talent is like the Eat Food Merit, but twice as versatile. Food comes in; food goes out very, very fast. A vampire with this ability can ingest and possibly even taste, food and drink. He cannot gain any nutritional benefit from this ordinarily digestible matter, but he can store it for later use. When this need arises, the Nosferatu can not only disgorge his stored supply of food, but also aim it with a degree of precision. System: For the record, projectile vomiting in the Storyteller system usually requires a Stamina + Athletics roll; the difficulty is 8, and a victim can attempt to dodge this bolus of ejected victuals. Although this attack does not cause damage (save to one's pride), the type of food ejected may temporarily obscure a victim's vision, cause him to slip or merely force him to weep with shame at a Camarilla Toreador's grand ball. Pity the poor vomit drenched Toreador... Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#71
Promethean Clay	5	Vampire	WW20007	Synopsis: Your flesh ripples and molds itself to your preternatural will, almost before you consciously invoke the change. The difficulty to use any Vicissitude power on you is 2 less than normal, and you may activate Vicissitude powers relexively at your full dice pool wile taking other actions. Powers the require multiple turns to activate still require the usual duration - the change simply occurs without conscious direction. As a final benefit, you need no physical scupting to use hte first three levels of Vicissitude on yourself, as your flesh undulates and extrudes to its desired shape. Notes: Only characters with at least one dot of Vicissitude may purchase this Merit. Book Ref: Players Guide to High Clans, pg.#207
Prophetic Ability	4	Supernatural	WW2020 WW4010	Synopsis: God speaks to you in signs and portents, visions and images. Some visions may be precognitive, while others might be warnings or advice. You can not request or induce a prophetic vision; they come on their own. These visions will range from the obvious to the symbolic; the exact nature and effect of the visions is up to the Storyteller. This Merit should provide dramatic moments, and players should not come to rely upon them for plot resolution. Book Ref: The Inquisition, pg.#58 World of Darkness: Sorcerer, pg.#68
Protege	1	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: Your sire watched you for some time before Embracing you, and spoke glowingly of you to acquaintances. These vampires may be inclined to look favorably on you by dint of your sire’s recommendation. System: You are at -1 difficulty on Social rolls with all those who’ve heard good things about you. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#75
Proxy Kissed	4	Giovanni Supernatural	WW2363	Synopsis: Before the Embrace, you received the traditional Giovanni Proxy Kiss. System: This means you have one free dot of Potence, and the other members of your clan tend to be comfortable that you were Embraced in "the proper Giovanni fashion." On the downside, you are partially blood bound to someone - probably someone other than your sire. Given the way that anziani like to balance things out, you may well have been Embrace by someone who dislikes or disagrees with your domitor. Notes: You may take this Merit a second time (for a total of 8 points) to gain a free dot of Fortitude, indicating a very long service as a ghoul. If you do this, it means that you're: (a) patially bound to three Kindred, (b) one-third bound to one and two-thirds bound to another, or (c) fully bound to the Kindred who Embraced you, who will probably be in deep shit with the elders - if she isn't an elder herself. Book Ref: Clanbook Giovanni (Revised Edition), pg.#77
Psychic Ritual	2	Sorcerer Supernatural	WW4254	Synopsis: Your psychic is a true rarity amongst the pure practitioners of the Arts of mental magic. Some realization of the importance of the universe has crept into his subconscious sufficiently that he has even managed to create a ritual that allows him to perform some extended psychic effect. System: You need to create a ritual, approved by your Storyteller, for one of the levels of one of your character's psychic Paths. When your character performs this ritual, you may use the normal rules for rituals and extended magic rules, with minor necessary changes. Obviously, as your psychic does not gain Paradox, the penalty for a botch falls to the Storyteller, greatly increasing the horrific effects of the catastrophic failure. Your roll is limited to no more dice than your psychic's Stamina + Parapsychology. (In this case, you may roll simply your Stamina dice, even if you don't have the Parapsychology Knowledge.) Notes: Book Ref: Sorcerer (Revised Edition), pg.#54
Puddle	5	Changeling Sluagh Supernatural	WW7051	Synopsis: As the centuries slithered past, the Sluagh slowly lost their ability to assume any form they desired. Gradually they became more and more restricted in the shapes they could assume, eventually being locked into one more or less human guise. xxxxxBut not you. With the Puddle Merit, you can reduce your form to a flattened pool of goo on the ground, ooze through the smallest cracks and crannies and pour yourself into containers that shouldn't be able to hold you - and then assume your proper form, none the worse for wear. This trick is particularly useful for spies, couriers and assassins. System: In order for a Sluagh to Puddle, the player must make a Stamina + Athletics roll (difficulty 6). Moving while in Puddle form requires Dexterity + Athletics (difficulty 7), while reconstituting takes Stamina + Athletics (difficulty 7). A botch on either of the last two rolls renders the Sluagh an inert quivering mass, easily caught and poured into a container for safe keeping. Failure simply means that the Sluagh must try again. Notes: Book Ref: Kithbook: Sluagh, pg.#64
Pure Blood	5	Vampire	WW20007	Synopsis: The curse of Caine runs strongly in your veins. System: You may spend one more blood point per turn than your generation should permit. You look especially pale and drawn under Soulsight and yet oddly flushed with abundance health. Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to High Clans, pg.#207
Purity (merit)	4	Wraith Pardoner	WW6304	Synopsis: You have great spiritual purity, which allows you to utilize your higher consciousness to fight off the ravages of Oblivion. System: With this merit, you begin the game with 2 points in Eidolon. Furthermore, this Merit reduces the difficulty of all Purify (Castigate ***) rolls by 1. Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Pardoners and Puppeteers, pg.#131
Quick Healer	3	Wraith Spooks	WW6305	Synopsis: Your Corpus heals faster than normal when "struck" by something in the Skinlands. Quick scrapes heal almost immediately, while more substantial injuries (getting "run over" by a car, for instance) tend to heal in about half the time they usually do for other wraiths. System: This Merit automatically decreases the difficulty of all Stamina soak rolls by one. In addition, substantial injuries require the use of one less point of Pathos to heal. Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Spooks and Oracles, pg.#51
Ratkin Buddies	3	Bone Gnawers	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, becaue 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 lifty little table:<br xxxxx1: xxxxxBad Day - Ratkin make your life difficult. xxxxx2-5:xxxxxSad Day - No Ratkin. Go outside and leave a present for the local rats. xxxxx6-8:xxxxxGood Day - Ratkin perform a minor favor. xxxxx9: xxxxxReally Good Day - Ratkin allies save your ass. xxxxx10: xxxxxOne Ratkin joins the rat pack, one leaves. The new Ratkin leaves you a gift as an introduction. He thinks its 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), pg.#80
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, pg.#52
Regeneration (merit)	7	Changeling Supernatural	WW7300	Synopsis: Your faerie nature is very strong, and as a result you heal much faster than other Kithain. System: For every turn spent resting, you recover one Health Level of chimerical damage. Physical wounds can be regenerated at a rate of one Health Level per hour. While in a freehold, your wounds heal at twice this speed. Wounds inflicted by cold iron are not affected by this Merit. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#160
Rep	1	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: Your fame has exceeded the bounds of your Sect. Everyone knows who you are, what you’ve done and what you’re supposed to have done (which might not be the same thing). The publicity can be good or bad; what matters is that everybody knows your name. Whether individuals outside of your immediate social circle know enough to match your face to your name is a different matter. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#75
Reptile Buddy	3	Nosferatu Supernatural	WW2354	Synopsis: Yes, those legends about albino alligators in the sewers really are true. You've been nursing a few of them with your vitae in the local spawning pool for years. Your careful breeding and vigilant training has produced a reptilian slave of exceptional intelligence. It has a mind as sharp as that as a five-year-old child and teeth as keen as butcher knives. The beast understands your native language perfectly and can even follow complex directions. Faster and deadlier than any human ghoul, it is a highly efficient killing maching fully capable of patrolling your domain with ruthless efficiency. Reptile buddies also love to play "fetch" with human limbs (whether attached or severed). System: Ghouled Reptile Buddy Physical: Strength 6, Dexterity 2, Stamina 6 Social: Charisma 0, Manipulation 0, Appearance 0 Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 3 Disciplines: Fortitude 2, Potence 2 Blood Pool: 5 Willpower: 5 Attacks: Bite (7 dice(, Tail Slap (6 dice) Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#71
Reputation	2	Social	WW2206 WW3108 WW6007 WW7300	Synopsis: You have a good reputation among the Kindred of your chosen city. This may be your own reputation, or it may be derived from your sire. System: Add three dice to all Dice Pools for social dealings with the city's Kindred. Notes: A character with this Merit may not take the Flaw of Notoriety. Book Ref: Vampire Players Guide (2nd Edition Text Only), pg.#9 Werewolf Players Guide (2nd Edition), pg.#18 Wraith Players Guide, pg.#24 Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#165
Resemble Kindred	2	Physical	WW2205	Synopsis: You look like a Vampire - unusually pale and thin like them. You can move among them as one of them, but they may force the new stranger before the Prince for recognition, and he may ask for a Blood Bond. System: Notes: Book Ref: The Hunters Hunted, pg.#60
Resigned Spirit	2	Shifter	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 dissapointed 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, pg.#129
Resistant Pattern	7	Mage Physical	WW4603	Synopsis: Aggravated damage means nothing to you, at least personally. Enchanted weapons, vampire fangs, deadly spells and toxic waste can still harm you, of course, but this damage is no worse than that dealt out by ordinary weapons, cat claws, car crashes and sports injuries, any of which can still kill you. System: You take only lethal damage from attacks that would normally score aggravated wounds, including the Avatar Storm. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Traditions, pg.#229
Resonant Passion	3	Mage Cult of Ecstasy Supernatural	WW4661	Synopsis: One of your mage's areas of Resonance also reflects a strong internal tie to one of the Nine Sacred Passions (pg.#43 of Tradition Book: Cult of Ecstasy Revised). System: Choose one of your character's Resonance Traits. Whenever your mage performs magic that gains a bonus from that Resonance, you gain a two point difficulty break instead of one. Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Cult of Ecstasy, pg.#43 & 69
Revenant Disciplines	3	Vampire Tzimisce Supernatural	WW2361	Synopsis: The ties to your revenante family stayed with you well past the Embrace. As such, the Disciplines that were innate to you as a ghoul have remained so as Cainite. System: At character creation, select the ghoul family from which you hail. Instead of the Tzimisce's standard complement of Animalism, Auspex, and Vicissitude, you instead draw from your three family Disciplines for your starting allocation (though you may buy other Disciplines with freebies, as normal). Also, you learn your family Disciplines at the cost of a clan Discipline. It's either or, however, meaning you cannot buy both the Tzimisce and family powers at clan cost unless they both share a particular ability like Vicissitude. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Tzimisce (Revised Edition), pg.#69
Rip Van Winkle	3-6	Gurahl	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, theres 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 centuring - 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. 3 pts Your Gurahl begins as an Uzmati, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from either the Arcas or Uzmati catagories. 4 pts Your Gurahl begins as a Kojubat, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from among the Arcas, Uzmati, and Kojubat catagories. 5 pts Your Gurahl begins as Kieh, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from the Arcas, Uzmati, Kojubat, or Kieh catagories. 6 pts Your Gurahl begins as a Rishi, and she can choose her beginning Auspice Gift from any category. Notes: Book Ref: Gurahl, pg.#89
Rising Star	3	Vampire Camarilla Social	WW2302	Synopsis: You’re one of the up-and-comers in the city, a rising star in the Camarilla's firmament. Everyone wants to know you and be your friend, even as those in power groom you for positions of greater responsibility. System: You are at -1 difficulty on all Social rolls against any Camarilla vampires who aren’t actively opposing your ascent. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Ritual Congregation	4	Sorcerer Social	WW4254	Synopsis: Some magicians require large numbers of believers to aid them in creating the resonance and trappings necessary to invoke spells or rituals. Most individuals limited in such a way become adept at manipulating or swaying audiences into helping the, unwittingly or not. You have carefully cultivated a group of at least 100 members who are at least familiar enough with the concepts of your magical style to serve as useful aids in the process. Of course, most of them are expecting something in return, whether it be redemption, social interaction, or direct magical benefit. System: Notes: Book Ref: Sorcerer (Revised Edition), pg.#54
Robust Health	1	Physical	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: Hunters Players Guide, pg.#109
Rugged Bad Looks	5	Nosferatu Physical	WW2354	Synopsis: Your face is hideous, but it could almost pass for that of a really ugly human. If you were to cover every other part of your body, you could shamble into mortal society looking only slightly suspicious. While you might have a hunchback, reptilian scales over parts of your fleshs or a foul stench that never dissipates, you can actually walk among mortals - with extensive precautions - without automatically breaking the Masquerade. Other vampires give you no end of grief for not looking like a "real" Nosferatu. By the way, this is as "attractive" as a Nosferatu ever gets; no merit will ever increase a Nosferatu's Appearance above zero. System: Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Nosferatu (Revised Edition), pg.#72
Sabbat Survivor	1	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: You’ve lived through at least one Sabbat attack or attempted recruitment. Your experience helps you anticipate situations where you might potentially be endangered by the Sabbat once again. System: You are at -1 difficulty on all Perception rolls when it comes to Sabbat-based matters. This Merit is generally taken by groups in conflict with the Sabbat, and comes into play most frequently as a means of avoiding ambushes. Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#75
Sanctity	2	Vampire Social	WW2303	Synopsis: This Merit is sometimes called the halo effect; everyone considers you pure and innocent, though not necessarily naïve. You have a saint-like quality that is hard to pinpoint but cannot be denied. You are trusted, even if you are not trustworthy. At the Storyteller’s discretion, you tend to receive lesser punishments for wrongdoing, and you are liked by most. Book Ref: Guide to the Sabbat, pg.#95
Sanguine Incongruity	5	Giovanni Physical	WW2363	Synopsis: Giovanni with this atavism are few and far between - fewer than a dozen reported instances have occurred since the clan rose from the ashes of the clan that preceded them. System: Kindred possessing it do not bear the Curse of Lamia; their Kiss causes no more damage than the blood loss itself. These vampires acquire a peculiar pallor upon their Embrace however - they look like corpses, and no amount of blood ingestion can flush their features (as other vampires are able to do). Giovanni with this Merit are afforded wide berth, as the Giovanni tend to be quite superstitious about it. Notes: Book Ref: Clanbook Giovanni (Revised Edition), pg.#78
Save Thy Servant	3	Vampire Physical	WW20032	Synopsis: This Merit is most commonly found among those on the Path of Penitence, but it is available to any of the Faithful. Of all Cainites, it is those who walk the Via Caeli that are most often given to ritual self-abuse and vicious bouts of flagellation in their attempt to do what they believe is God's will on Earth. The paradox of such behavior, however, is that it can leave terrible wounds when taken to extremes - wounds that invariably require the vampire to hunt down and shed yet more innocent blood. System: This Merit seems to be the means by which God has reconciled this paradox. Those graced with it have the ability to regenerate self-inflicted damage. Any wound you suffer at your own hand (and in the name of prayer or atonement) counts merely as bashing damage, no matter how grievous the wound itself may be, and may be healed with the expenditure of a single blood point, regardless of how many wound levels were suffered. Thus, if you cut off your own arm in penance, suffering two "aggravated" wounds in the process, you may regrow that arm at the cost of a single blood point. This ability may not be transferred to another not benefitted from at the expense of the Merit's intent. Notes: Book Ref: Road of Heaven, pg.#73
Scholar Of Enemies	2	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: You have taken the time to learn about and specialize in one particular enemy of your Sect. You are aware of at least some of the group’s customs, strategies, abilities, and long-term goals, and can put that knowledge to good use. System: This Merit is worth a -2 difficulty for all non-combat rolls pertaining specifically to the subject of your specialization. On the other hand, you are at a +1 difficulty when it comes to dealing with other enemies, simply because you’re so thoroughly focused on your field. Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Scholar Of Others	2	Vampire Social	WW2302	Synopsis: This Merit functions identically to Scholar of Enemies, except that it applies to a group that is not necessarily inimical to your Sect. System: Notes: Book Ref: Guide to the Camarilla, pg.#76
Scientific Mystic	3	Mage Sons of Ether Mental	WW4658	Synopsis: Some Etherites have a special aptitude for interpreting other magical styles through the lens of their own theories. As a result, they can use mystical methods, even if their own paradigms are devoted to scientific truth. Polymath Adventurers are known for their "secret studies in the East" or esoteric technologies pulled from ancient legends. System: This Merit allows a character to use one other Tradition or Craft's foci for one Sphere that the character knows as long as the player can justify how this knowledge fits into the character's paradigm. For example, a rune-carving Son of Ether isn't using "Norse magic", but the geometric, psychological and psionic insights of a culture whose discoveries were, no doubt, downplayed by the enemies of Science! The character may select a specialty focus, but this choice replaces the normal specialty focus for the Sphere. Notes: Book Ref: Tradition Book: Sons of Ether, pg.#58
Secret Death	2	Wraith Social	WW6302	Synopsis: There is no official record of your death, and few people, if any, know that you ever died. In a society where so many of our interactions require that we prove that we are who we say we are, this can be a considerable benefit. System: Notes: Book Ref: Wraith: The Oblivion - The Risen, pg.#38
Seeming's Blessing	5	Changeling Supernatural	WW7300	Synopsis: All of your Birthrights affect your mortal seeming as well as your fae mien. They even function normally in the presence of mortals. System: A sidhe would have her extra dots in Appearance, a satyr would get his extra stamina and speed, trolls would get their extra strength, etc. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling The Dreaming (2nd Edition), pg.#164
Seldom Sleeps	2	Fianna	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), pg.#83
Sense Of The Metal	1	Wraith	WW6300	Synopsis: You have a good sense of how metal feels, enabling you to bend it to your will more easily. System: All arts involving metal (such as Lightning's Bite) are at a -1 difficulty, and you gain the same bonus when trying to Germlinize or Claim something made completely of metal. Notes: Book Ref: Guildbook: Artificers, pg.#50
Sexual Reverie	4	Satyr Supernatural	WW7053	Synopsis: As a rule, Reverie requires the slow and careful cultivation of a Dreamer. the Changeling inspires a mortal to achieve greatness by tapping into the Dreaming and creating a Glamour-filled work. Some Satyrs, however, have the ability to bring mortals to such incredible heights of pleasure that the actual act of having sex produces Glamour that the goat can then harvest. This process takes more than one session usually, though in certain cases, the intensity of a one night stand is enough. System: For these epiphanies to work, it must be more than just a literal bumping in the night: The Satyr must establish a special connection between herself and the mortal, which could be a smoldering desire that has built up over time and finally come to fruition, or a fulfilment of the mortal's fantasies, or some similarly magical circumstance. Finding the right time and place generally makes a huge difference, and the Satyr may prepare for months, trying to set up the perfect situation. For a Satyr to achieve epiphany through sex, the player must roll Manipulation + Empathy (diffuclty 4). The number of successes rolled equates to the number of Glamour points gained by the Changeling. Notes: Book Ref: Changeling - Kithbook Satyrs, pg.#65
Sexy	2	Physical	WW8202	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 Players Guide, pg.#78
Sex Appeal	3	Changeling Satyr Social	WW3082 WW7053	Synopsis: You may not be the most attractive creature around, but in human form you're pretty desirable, whether it's grace, charm, or pheromones. You might not even be a given person's "type", but most folks still find being around you a highly pleasant experience. As a result, the opposite sex is putty in your hands. System: All Social rolls dealing with people who are attracted to your gender are at a -2 difficulty. Notes: Book Ref: Breedbook: Ananasi, pg.#83 Changeling - Kithbook Satyrs, pg.#64
Shamanic Authority	2 to 4	Sorcerer Social	WW4043	Synopsis: You are recognized as a true shaman by a select group of people. This Merit carries both significant mundane influence and substantial responsibility. These people (who can be anything from a small, isolated band or tribe, to a local ethnic community in a large American city) aid you in any reasonable fashion that they can. Among other advantages, these people will support you with cash, goods, or services. The larger and less isolated the community, the greater the cost of the Merit. Being the shaman for an isolated tribe of 60 people would be worth only two points, whereas being recognized as a shaman for an ethnic community of several thousand people living in a major city is worth four points. Your people will aid and support you in a style appropriate to their own resources. If you are living in a small community, you may have a one room home and regular (if bland) food, plus a marginal income of trinkets and gifts. Your flock will also attempt to protect you and aid you. xxxxxHowever, in return for protection and sustenance, you are expected to act as the spiritual guide and intermediary of your community. You will be expected to heal the sick, contact spirits of the departed, bless the community's members and allies and possibly curse their enemies. Failure to meet these obligations will result in losing all benefits from this Merit (at best), and it may even cause the people to turn against you and attempt to find another shaman to cast a curse on you. xxxxxMost Dreamspeakers with this Merit live full-time in their community. those who do not usually have assistants or allies, such as lesser shamans, who help manage the spiritual affairs of the community while the Dreamspeaker is absent. In the vast majority of cases, shamans with this Merit were born and raised in the community to which they minister. Notes: Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#104
Shamanic Traditionalist	4 or 6	Mage Mental	WW4043	Synopsis: Though you are a member of one of the Traditions, you had a shamanic Awakening, a calling through the spirits that took you to death's door and thence to realization of the single world. Perhaps a silicon spirit infected you before you joined the Virtual Adepts, or maybe you fell ill under the eye of a spirit of knowledge and then came through the fire to join the Order of Hermes. Whatever the case, you have some shamanic understanding combined with your Tradition ties. System: With the four point version of this Merit, you can take the Totem Background. You likely have a totem spirit - not necessarily an animal, if you're a modern shaman - and you can speak with it just like a Dreamspeaker. You may choose to make Spirit your specialty Sphere in lieu of your Tradition's normal specialty. xxxxxWith the six point version of Shamanic Traditionalist, you may have a totem, and you get Spirit as a speciality in addition to your normal Tradition Sphere! You don't start with an extra dot of Spirit (though you should certainly put one of your starting dots there), but it's easier for you to improve with experience points. xxxxxObviously the Shamanic Traditionalist Merit is pointless for Dreamspeakers, who get all of its advantages already. Similarly, it's too far afield mystically to be appropriate for Technocrats. Notes: Book Ref: The Spirit Ways, pg.#105
Shame	2	Bone Gnawer	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 preceeds 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 preclide some rival (or an inquizitive 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), pg.#80
Shattered Avatar	5	Mage Avatar	WW4600	Synopsis: Although not necessarily weak, your character's Avatar has been broken to pieces. Your mage has one splinter - your Avatar rating, if you have one, purchased at the normal cost for that Background - and the other pieces are scattered elsewhere. However, what has been broken can be put back together, at least in this case. If you can find the other pieces of your mage's Avatar through questing and roleplaying, you may increase your Avatar rating after Character Generation. xxxxxThe other pieces of your character's Avatar may be scattered about the cosmos, secreted in extra-dimensional hidey-holes with sphinxes and other creatures guarding them, or they may be part of a phylactery, of which you have one or more pieces. For instance, perhaps your mage's Avatar is invested in 10 mighty rings, 3 of which she has (and a corresponding Avatar rating of 3), but she must go and retrieve the others from those who have them. Or perhaps there are other mages who share your character's Avatar, and whenever your mage kills one, her Avatar rating grows by their Avatar rating. Unfortunately, the other mages who have this Avatar are out to kill her as well... xxxxxDesign the nature of your shattering with your storyteller and decide beforehand what your character must do to regain a piece of his broken spirit. Notes: Book Ref: Mage: The Ascension (Revised), pg.#297
Silence (merit)	1	Supernatural	WW2055	Synopsis: You have an unusual ability to move quietly that goes far beyond the norm. System: Reduce the difficulty on any Stealth roll involving moving quietly by two. You are even able to move quietly over dry leaves. Should the wind blow while you are moving, there is no way to hear you. Notes: Book Ref: Players Guide to the Sabbat (Text Only), pg.#77
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). Negates the ability to c