Mental Merits

Effect: Your character is uncommonly specialized in one area. Choose a
Specialty to assign to this Merit. Forgo the +1 bonus afforded by a Specialty
in exchange for a +2.

•  What is the worst
choice?

•  What do I stand to
lose here?

•  What’s the safest
choice?

• Am I chasing a worthless lead?

On a successful roll, the Storyteller must give a relevant fact or
detail about the issue at hand. Your character knows this fact, but you must
explain within the scope of your character’s background why she knows it. For
example, for Encyclopedic Knowledge: Medicine: “Do you remember that time on
that show, when the doctor said it doesn’t manifest before puberty?”

Effect: Choose a Specialty that your character possesses when you
purchase this Merit. You can apply the +1 from that Specialty on any Skill with
at least one dot, provided it’s justifiable within the scope of the fiction.
For example, a doctor with a Medicine Specialty in Anatomy may be able to use
it when targeting a specific body part with Weaponry, but could not with a
general strike.

No matter how deep in the Vigil a cell is, if it wants to survive they
should endeavor to come up with ConLang (“constructed language”), a series of
code words or hand signs allowing them to communicate in plain sight or hearing
range without tipping their hand. This can come in especially handy versus
seemingly omniscient vampire masters that can hear pins drop and seem able to
smell lies.

A series of quick hand signals, similar to the aforementioned SWAT or
SCUBA applications need not be very extensive to be incredibly useful to
hunters in the field. Mechanically, this will allow each hunter that has the
merit to communicate a simple (2-4 general words) message to others who can see
them each round.

A closed fist means “stop,” fingers pointing to the eyes means
“watch/be aware,” two fingers pointed down in front of the face means
“vampire,” two fingers up means “demon,” and so on and so forth. This Merit
grants a +1 to Tactic rolls for each member of the group possessing the same
Merit.

••
Continuing Education:  When
raising an Asset Skills, the cost is reduced to (2 times the new level) experience.

•••
Networking: The character gains a dot of Contacts for each level of the
Professional Training merit they possess.

••••  On the
Job Training: The character gains a Mentor merit. The level of this mentor is
equal to the level of the Professional Training merit they possess.

•••••  The
Routine:  For each level of the
Professional Training merit (5), the character gains an Allies merit rated at 2
dots.

### Taste (•)

Prerequisite: Crafts 2 and a Specialty in Crafts or
Expression

Effect: Your character has refined tastes and can identify minor
details in fashion, food, architecture, and other forms of artistry and
craftsmanship. Not only does this give an eye for detail, it makes her a center
of attention in critical circles.

She can appraise items within her area of expertise. With a Wits +
Skill roll, depending on the creation in question (Expression for poetry,
Crafts for architecture, for example), your character can pick out obscure
details about the item that other, less discerning minds would not.

For each success, ask one of the following questions, or take a +1
bonus to any Social rolls pertaining to groups interested in the art assessed
for the remainder of the scene.

•  What is the hidden
meaning in this?

•  What was the
creator feeling during its creation?

•  What’s its weakest
point?

•  What other witness
is most moved by this piece?

•  How should one
best appreciate this piece?

### Tolerance for Biology (•)

Prerequisite: Resolve •••

Effect: Most people turn away at the sight of blood, other bodily
fluids, or exotic biology. Your character has seen enough that nothing turns
her stomach. When other characters must resist shock or physical repulsion from
the disgusting and morbid, your character stands her ground. You do not need to
make Composure, Stamina, or Resolve rolls to withstand the biologically
strange. This doesn’t mean she’s immune to fear; she’s just used to nature in
all its nasty forms.

### Trained Observer (• or •••)

Prerequisite: Wits ••• or Composure •••

Effect: Your character has spent years in the field, catching tiny
details and digging for secrets. She might not have a better chance of finding
things, but she has a better chance of finding important things. Any time you
make a Perception roll (usually Wits + Composure), you benefit from the 9-again
quality. With the three-dot version, you get 8-again.