Backgrounds

Redefining Backgrounds for a truly cross-over game setting may require some fine-tuning. Some have been reworded, others have been extended in scope to cover additional venues. Others are not available because they are not very applicable for an online environment. At creation, all backgrounds cost 1 freebie per dot. However, some backgrounds are not available at creation. 
*XP-able backgrounds can be purchased for the same cost as abilities: 3 xp for new background; 2 x current level to increase.
*Spirit rules are not really being added until January of 2011 so backgrounds like Chimerical Companions, Guides, Familar Spirits, Pack Totems are not as useful of a starting background (except for pure story purposes) until then.
*Item-style backgrounds (Chimerical Weapons, Fetishes, Talismans) that grant a single "item" that increases in value or utility based on points invested into it cost 3 XP x Level to buy with XP and have to be arranged for in-game in some way from a craftsman, vendor, etc who specializes in them. Player characters -can- be created as knocker craftsman, fetish-makers or such and demand boons as currency.
==Background Chart==
Name 	Description 	Venue 	Max 	XP-able?
Age 	Each dot adds variable years and disciplines for vampire characters with a cost of Humanity at higher levels. 	Vampire 	3+ 	No
Alternate Identity	You maintain an alter identity. Points taken provide for that ego's status, influence, credibility and resistance to discovery. 	Any 	5 	Yes
Allies 	Each dot adds a single ally, a well-wisher or friend willing to lend special assistance. {ask PC or VIP otherwise create NPC} 	Any 	none 	Yes
Ancestry 	Once per game day, Shifter character may call upon ancestor spirit/past life (Ancestry Pool, dif 6). Each success allows character to add one dice to a specific attribute for rest of scene. A botch causes extreme effects such as character becoming catatonic for 1d10 hours or gaining a derrangement for rest of day or ancestor spirit possessing character until banished by a theurge. 	Werewolf 	5 	maybe
Arcane 	Your character is notoriously hard to notice and remember, or even to be recorded. Each dot increases the strength of this effect. 	
Psychics
Sorcerers	5 	No
Arsenal 	Determines what mundane weapons you have reliable access to. 	Any 	3+ 	Yes
Back-up 	This is the amount of armed NPC assistance you can call upon in a crisis. Dots determine # of mooks and their available firepower/training. 	Any 	5 	Yes
Blessing 	Some mystical endowment that aids you in your life. It is usually gained and often inherent. Various means can bring it about and it might come with strings attached. {not available at creation only via staff-based RP} 	Any 	5 	Yes
Boons 	These represent an important favors owed PCs by a specific HST or VIP character. {not available at creation only via staff-based RP} 	Any 	none 	free
Ceremonial Tatoo 	Exclusive to Eshu, they are designed like other treasures with a few extra details (see p. 83 Kithbook Eshu) 	Eshu 	spec 	Yes
Chimerical
Companion	A chimerical creature who has befriended you and become a special ally or guide. 	Changeling 	5 per	Yes
Chimerical
Other	A chimerical object you own such as armor or a weapon. 	Changeling 	5 per	Yes
Contacts 	a single individual or group with whom you have connections and who possess useful information. {ask PC or VIP otherwise create NPC} 	Any 	none 	Yes
Chole 	You are a "horse" and victim of ritualized possession (hopefully willingly). The higher your rating in this background, the more easily spirits can use you for good or ill. If combined with Familar Spirit, you have a special symbiotic bond with a very specific spirit who considers you an ally if not a beloved vessel. Changelings, Shifters and Vampires cannot serve as vessels for different metaphysical reasons. Any type of metahuman can; an ordinary human character with Chole becomes metahuman by default. 	Metahuman 	5 	maybe
Curse 	Some mystical endowment that hampers you in your life. It is usually gained and often inherent. Various means can bring it about and it might be reversable. {not available at creation only via staff-based RP} 	Any 	5 	x3 to remove
Domitor 	Modified from the canonical background, this background is granted to certain ghouls automatically based on the generation and prestige of their dominator. It provides 1 dice per dot to all social rolls and wp-based challenges in interactions with other known ghouls and vampires. 	Ghoul 	5 	free
Dreamers 	Creative artists who serve as a personal source of Glamour. 	Changeling 	none 	Yes
Dross 	You have access to a supply of dross that can be harvested for 1 point of glamour per dot of dross every game week. 	
Changeling
Kinain	5 	Yes
Equipment 	Determines what mundane equipment/facilities you have reliable access to. {requires a mini-spec} 	Any 	5 per	Yes
Faerie Blood 	All kinain automatically have one dot of Faerie blood; the degree of the background shows how closely related you are to a changeling and/or your access to Fae Gifts (unless you are a Shifter or Vampire who have no Fae-style gifts) 	Kithain 	5 	No
Fame 	This relates to your status in the mundane human world. 	Any 	5 	Yes
Familiar
Spirit	This is an Umbral spirit that accompanies you. Dots corresond to traits the creature can take and the level of effects it can work. Same essential background as Numen. 	
Garou
Kinfolk
Sorcerers	5 per	maybe
Fetish 	This is a possessed item with an Umbral spirit that affords you certain spiritual powers and the ability to cross the Gauntlet with its holder automatically. Only lvl 1-3 fetishes can be taken at creation and always with explanation in history. More powerful fetishes can be made or aquired over time in game. 	Garou 	3+ 	yes
Feth Fiada 	Similar to Arcane but does not affect Changelings, Chimera or the Enchanted. 	Kithain 	5 	No
Freak Factor 	A genetic/spiritual abnormality required of "Freak" aspected ratkin and hiveborn BSD that can be purchased by either ratkin and BSD as well. 	
BSD
Ratkin	5 	No
Generation 	Your blood potency based on degrees removed you are from Caine. Higher generation affords a higher blood pool, blood spending rate, chance of resisting Dominate and ability/discipline cap. Subtract your dots purchased from 13 to determine your character's generation. Mandatory purchase based on sire. 	Vampires 	5+ 	No
Golem 	You are in the possession of a local golem, either self-created or inherited. 	Knockers 	5 per	Yes
Guide 	A mystical animal or spirit has chosen to help you along your path. Unlike familar spirits, guides have a specific motive and attempt to encourage certain types of behavior in their companions. Think of Familar Spirits as Spirit Allies and Guides as Spirit Mentors. 	Any 	5 per	maybe
Herd 	Each dot relates to a variable number of willing hosts from which to drink blood which can take many forms. Add dots in Herd to your hunting rolls. 	Vampire 	5 	Yes
Holdings/
Domain	You possess a freehold or recognized domain. This trait not only reflects the size of the holding/domain but the amount of glamour/blood that may be gained from it each day. Cannot be taken at Creation or bought by XP, only found or granted by the Duke. 	
Changeling
Vampire	5 	free
Kinain 	Human kinfolk of a Changeling who possess Fairy blood and are frequently gifted because of it. Kinain are normally added at creation and can be NPCs or established characters but can be purchased with XP when a different player wishes to introduce a new character and the story provides for it. 1 kinain per dot. 	Changeling 	none 	maybe
Kinfolk 	Human kinfolk of a Garou or other shifter and are immune to the Delirum because of it. Kinfolk are normally added at creation and can be NPCs or established characters but can be purchased with XP when a different player wishes to introduce a new character and the story provides for it. 1 Kinfolk per dot. Kinfolk PCs can purchase Pure Breed. 	Werewolf 	none 	maybe
Household 	Non-kithain, non-kinain established character whom you advise or protect, often without them being aware that you are a Changeling. May be changed to Wards and generalized for all supernatural/metahuman characters. 1 person per dot. 	Changelings	none 	Yes
Library 	This is a library relating to a particular knowledge, usually occult. It can add to research attempts. Dots correspond to the library's quality and quantity. 	Any 	5 	Yes
Mana 	Also called chi, essence, psychic energy or any number of other names, hedge mages can tap into a personalized source of energy within themselves. It is akin to spirit gnosis and glamour with subtle differences. Mana can be spent to lower the target difficult while using Path magick or performing a ritual; it can also be used as chiminage or ravaged by "pure" spirit beings (Umbrood, Chimera, ghosts but not Kithain or Garou) and unspent mana can be drained as blood pool by a vampire before actual health levels are lost.	
Psychics
Sorcerers	5 	maybe
Mentor 	This is a person of same venue that has superior knowledge, experience or prestige that looks out for you, provides information, and/or offers some protection. {must be established character} 	Any 	5 	Yes
Other People's
Secrets	Something important you know that you have "no business" knowing and can turn to your advantage. Details must be approved by a staff member. Dots cover degree of magnitude of the secret. 	
Corax; HoH
Ratfinks
Sluagh	5 per	Yes
Pack Totem 	This trait applies to acquiring a pack totem (guardian spirit) with all of the pack's totem backgrounds combined for purchase and construction of a pack totem. Totems have a minimum number of points that must be invested in them (typically 3-8) with extra dots of totem providing for charms and other special pack abilities. 	Werewolf 	none 	Yes
Patron 	Adapted from the Changeling background to cover all venues, you have the favor of someone in a leadership role/nobility who sets you above others in their service or organization, possibly because you are family or potential love interest. This background cannot be purchased but is awarded by staff when roleplaying seems to warrent it. 	Any 	5 	free
Past Lives 	Your past lives are accessible to you to varying degrees. Through meditation/dreams/spirit quests or through Storyteller discretion, your can draw information from your past lives to augment one Mental-based roll per game day. 	Any 	5 	Yes
Pure Breed 	Blood purity among shapeshifters, especially werewolves. It corresponds to a pure Tribe lineage and is a source of pride and nobility. Each dot adds 1 dice to all social rolls involving one's own shifter type both Trueborn and kinfolk. {Silver Fangs and Silver Fang kin start with 3 dots of Pure Breed for free.} 	
Shifters
Kinfolk	5 	No
Remembrance 	Your connection to the Dreaming and the unconscious knowledge of your past among the Fae. 	Changeling 	5 	No
Resources 	$$$...dots correspond to income and initial possessions. 	Any 	5+ 	Yes
Retainers 	These are NPCs (mooks) who are your personal servants, assistants, bodyguards or domestics. They have no players or extended stories of their own. One dot per retainer. 	Any 	none 	Yes
Retinue 	For Sidhe: you have an oathsworn Kithain, Kinain or prodigal {must be an established character}. For Silver Fangs: you have an oathsworn Garou or kinfolk who serves you as the Head of your House in Protectorate. 1 member of retinue per dot. 	
Sidhe
Silver Fang	none 	Yes
Rites 	Garou version of rituals 	Shifter 	5 per	Yes
Rituals 	Dots correspond to combined quantity/level of known ritual. 	Sorcerer 	5 per	Yes
Royal Lineage 	Canonically for the Eshu, this background has been enhanced to be added to any character type that is a scion of "royalty" within their Venue. This includes the childer of a vampiric Prince, the Kings/Crown Princes of Silver Fang Houses, members of the Sidhe "royal family". It must be taken at creation and typically only given to limited VIPs and HST characters. 	Special 	5 	No
Sanctum 	A private, secret place where you can hide, hold meetings or perform ritual undisturbed. Dots convey size and scope of the sanctum. 	Any 	5 	Yes
Special Mentor 	This is a person of a different venue that has superior knowledge, experience or prestige that looks out for you, provides information, and/or offers some protection. Gives 1 free dot of lore regarding themselves (such as Changeling, Vampire, Werewolf, Sorcerer, Psychic) 	Any 	5 	Yes
Spies 	Adapted from Guide to the Technocracy, the Spies background covers NPC informants (spirit, human, or other) that can be used uncover information (Int+Spies), circulate misinformation (Wits+Spies), and get wind of ominous developments (Per+Spies) via email or PMs with staff. Great for Ratfinks, Sluagh, HoH and other information brokers. 	Any 	5 	Yes
Spirit Heritage 	A certain type of spirit (Ancestors, Animal Spirits, Banes, Elementals, Weaver) react more positively to you than others. You may add your Spirit Heritage to any Social or challenge rolls with them. 	
Shifters
Sorcerers	5 	Yes
Status 	This relates to your prestige within your particular group or race. It is typically rewarded through roleplay or other forms of advancement rather than bought by XP. Adds +1 dice per dot in social rolls within your own venue. 	Any 	5+ 	free
Talisman 	Created via sorcerer paths, items of power that normally can only be used by hedge mages. Can only be taken up to level 2 at creation; others need to be crafted/purchased/earned in-game. 	Sorcerers 	
2+
per	Yes
Title 	Denotes your rank in your venue society. A source of social influence that brings with it responsibility. Different venues reward rank/title differently. They work slightly differently than status, though titles can provide the type of prestige that leads to gaining status. 	Varies 	5+ 	maybe
Treasures 	Glamour-Imbued objects that you possess. Only treasures up to level 2 can be taken at creation; others need to be crafted/purchased/earned in-game 	
changelings
Kinain	2+ 	Yes
Wonders 	These are rare mystical items of power that can be used by virtually any supernatural or metaphysical creature. Dots correspond to rarity and effects. Cannot be acquired except via staff RP and probably possessed only by VIPs 	Any 	5 per	Yes
Background Chart
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