Background Changes

## Shared Backgrounds

For shared backgrounds, please refer to M20 for the official interpretation and not your own splats book. Any exceptions will be noted. No backgrounds past 5 dots.

**You can only spend the 8 free background points on things from this section or its equivalent (kinfolk/acolyte/retinue) -- you can not use these points on resources.**

* **Allies**: Allies determines the strength of backup you can call. The difference between an Ally and Contact is that an ally is willing to take (Moderate to major) personal risk to aid you, from putting their career on the line or risking bodily harm. Each ally must be detailed. You only need to buy Ally if you believe this character will roll a die. There's two ways of doing allies. Either you get an ally per dot, or your ally gets 10 freebie points per dot after the first (A 4 dot ally gets 30 freebie points).
* **Alternate Identity:** A fake persona. Useful for those hiding.
* **Contacts:** People you can call for information or MINOR favours. A contact is someone you can ask for help, with no or minor risks to themselves. Think sold out tickets, permits and info. Each contact must be detailed. Contacts do not roll. Note: There are no minor contacts -- you should detail what your contact helps you with (Getting guns, sold out tickets, a place to stay, etc)
* **Certification**: Legal documents that show ownership of a thing. Resources generally implies houses, but if you own a bar, have a Military ID, or a legal gun license, you should be Certified for it.
* **Fame:** Recognition in mortal society. This is not the same as your status within your splat.
* **Influence:** Your influence in the political sphere.
* **Mentor:** Having someone who teaches you. Mentor is a mixed bag, and if you plan your character to have one, inform an ST. They probably will assign one for you from the made NPC's.
* **Rank:** If you hold a Rank/Title, you need this. From being a recognized Lady, having a military rank, or part of the board.
* **Resources:** This determines both your spending cash and your living situation. You must detail how you maintain your resources. **This one is not able to be bought with your 8 free background points**
* **Retainers:** Retainers are people loyal to you, but aren't used in (social/mental/physical) combat scenarios. Much more akin to your lawyer or the person who runs your bar.
* **Status:** This can not be bought, and is your reputation within your splat. All characters must mark it, but not necessarily use it.

## Mage

We use the M20 book unless otherwise noted.

* **Arcane/Cloaking:** Arcane and cloaking is not invisibility. It's an effect that makes you not noticed and forgettable in groups, unless you draw attention to yourself. That would mean your character also FUELS the Arcane/Cloaking, and would be trying their best to be non-descript and not interacting with people. Players using this as invisibility but being obvious will have it stripped from their sheets with no recompense.
* **Avatar/Genius:** Please make sure to read the primer on the notes on Avatar Rating.
* **Backup:** Scrapped. Take Allies instead. **Blessing:** Must be discussed with GM.
* **Chantry/Construct:** Chantries are not allowed for singular characters, please build one with your cabal!
* **Cult:** No change.
* **Demesne:** No Change
* **Destiny:** Not allowed.
* **Dream/Hypercram:** No Change.
* **Enhancement:** Not allowed.
* **Familiar:** No change -- Remember, these things require quint per week.
* **Legend:**Limited/Ask First.
* **Library:** Librarys must be attached to your sanctum. Do note, your chantry membership gives you access to their library.
* **Node:** You can have up to a rank 3 Caern at start, but you must detail on how you found and control such a place.
* **Past Lives:** No Change.
* **Patron:** Scrapped.
* **Sanctum/Lab:** A private workplace where you can do your rituals/craft with ease and have it considered coincidental.
* **Spies:** No change.
* **Totem:** Dreamspeakers/Shamans only.
* **Wonder:** Rank 2 and 3 is fine, 4 and 5 needs explicit storyteller approval.

## Werewolf

We use the W20 book unless otherwise noted.

* **Ancestors:** No change.
* **Fate:** Not allowed.
* **Fetish:** No change, BUT you must Okay what fetish you're starting with with the ST. No fetishes higher than rank 3 at start.
* **Kinfolk:** No change.
* **Pure breed:** No change, but note, the local tribe is a Uktena tribe that doesn't necessarily care about your purebreed heritage. While some may hold sway, others will see you as a pretentious twat.
* **Rites:** Allowed, but have a good reason why you have high ranked rites.
* **Spirit Heritage:** Allowed
* **Totem:** Group Background only

## Changeling

We use the C20 book unless otherwise noted.

* **Chimerical Items:** You can have up to rank 3, but 4 and 5 requires explicit storyteller approval.
* **Chimerical Companions:** Allowed.
* **Dreamers:** Allowed. Please note who they are and what you do.
* **Holdings:** You can start with a rank 1 or 2 freehold with no question (Probably your garden or house, even if that’s pushing what a freehold actually is). Anything higher is owned by the lords or the thorns.
* **Remembrance:** Allowed.
* **Retinue:** Allowed. Each member of your retinue needs to be named an their relation to you.
* **Title:** This is different from both Status and Rank (Rank being mortal). For the sake of convenience, non-sidhe may not start at higher than 2. Sidhe are allowed up to 4.
* **Treasure:** Rank 3 cap, others require permission.