Character Background & Personality

[Zyraen]

BECOMING IMMORTAL

The story starts with the Characters making the "transition" from mortal lives to becoming vampires.

As a prelude to the First RP Session, please provide your character background as a human and also indicate your preferred clan(s). Characters should generally be aged above 18-20, and below 40. To attract the attention of potent vampires, characters are/were not ordinary people and should not be viewed as such, although Kindred are unlikely to Embrace from famous people. Note that Kindred also Embrace those of remarkable ability or mental strength, and not always those that are well off.

It is normal though, that not all of one's resources in life can be maintained into unlife. Attempts to make all the backgrounds "transitionable" may be subject to scrutiny.

All Characters MUST have a mortal family and some friends, possibly love interests. If a sketchy draft is provided, the ST will fill in the details and inform the player. It may help to model some of these NPCs based on real life people.
While family etc are traditionally used by STs to mess with players - and doing so does indeed fit with the tone of the story - a self-composed and wise Kindred may handle things differently.

If you wish you can draft the Embrace of your Character, feel free. Drafts of the Sire/Mentor are also welcome, but do look at notes on Mentor.

Following Notes, especially on Background dots are completely Optional

You can also outline in advance a "forward" state of your Character, detailing things that you would have acquired after settling down into life as a Vampire. This may include Haven(s) description, details of Herds/Retainers, as well as Allies/Contacts still maintained. Any issues can be highlighted by the ST for discussion.

Note that you must provide drafts of your Haven(s) to the ST, and also of Herds and Allies if you have more than 1 dot in them after settling into life as a Vampire. Having "forward" drafts means you dont have to do it later.

Drafts of Status will be ignored by the ST, but may still be a useful reference to work towards.

BACKGROUNDS USED
Allies: includes Contacts
Influence: includes Fame
Resources: left-over dots

ADAPTED
Generation: 3 dots (Gen10). Dots may be reduced on request
Haven: 0-1 dots, increased with Resources
Herd: includes Domains and Retainers. RP dependent
Mentor: see below
Status: RP dependent

UNUSED
Alternate Identity:
Contacts: rolled into Allies
Domain: rolled into Herd
Retainers: rolled into Herd
Sabbat Rituals

BACKGROUNDS USED

Backgrounds Used derives from your life as a Human. That said, the Player writes a Background and the Storyteller assigns dots in a representative/fair fashion.

In general, every character starts with Allies 1, Influence 1, Resources 2, and 5 dots that the ST will distribute then consult you.

Note that, at least while you are/were human, Influence cannot be disentangled from Fame. It may not be superstardom per se, but your name is heard and known in relevant circles.

No Background can start with 5 dots. However, unused dots can be kept in limbo and redistributed later (typically to Haven).

ADAPTED

These Backgrounds typically exist only for Kindred and have to be set up/established during the first session of play. They generally start at 0-1.

Note that different Clans have (wildly) different ways of treating their Childer.

Every character also starts with Haven 1, this cannot be improved until later. You can spend Resource dots to improve your Haven, or set up another Haven 1. Each Haven is a separate address.

Status is what Vampires earn through their deeds/contributions in Kindred society. Fledglings (young/new vampires) generally start with Status 0-1.

Herd is (in this story) a catch-all phrase that includes Domain and Retainers. Herd itself refers to humans who willingly offer blood to the vampire, or indulge in activities that result in the same with little or no risk to the vampire. Retainers are servants of the vampire, usually ghouls, salaried staff, occasionally both. Domain is basically a dedicated hunting ground not already under another Kindreds thumb, and is unlikely available to a fledgling. However, a fledgling might find isolated areas that are fairly poor hunting grounds that few lay claim to, or may have a Sire willing to allow hunting in part of his Domain.

In general, the Characters are sired by Gen 09 vampires, making them Gen 10. Gen 09 vampires are usually fairly influential who have probably existed for 90-150 years.

A Character can request for ST permission to be Gen 11 however. Gen 11 vampires can draw upon Animals for blood, but this cannot increase your BP to more than 6 (ie half your Blood Pool of 12). Note that being of higher Gen does also affect some powers. Since it is 1 dot less, this may also be grounds to increase some other Background, pls discuss with ST. In general, dont expect this "free dot" to increase anything to 3 or more dots.

For purposes of Story, pooled resources will not be allowed.

IMPROVING BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds can only be improved through in game actions. Characters can work with the ST to pursue stories to grow and extend their backgrounds.

Resources cannot generally be improved past 4. That said, if such opportunity arises, the Character can "burn" a Dot in Resource for Cash. See below.

Characters cannot barter Backgrounds among themselves, though they can barter their fruits.
Eg. You cannot give your Retainer Bob to another Character.
Eg. Your Contact has some information that may interest another Character, and you sell it to him for some information.

SPECIAL MENTION

- RESOURCES

A Character may, through RP (or otherwise) expend their 3rd or 4th Dot in Resources for Cash. The Cash gained is randomized within a certain range.

- MENTOR

This differs a lot from the table top game.

For most characters, your Mentor will be your Sire. In the Story, after the initial nights, your Mentor keeps a distance from you, and will for most part be a mysterious, distant figure. As the story progresses, you may or may not find out more about your Mentor, and meetings will not likely be frequent.

Regardless, the dots that you have in Mentor determines what level of access you have to him. This can generally be improved by doing Tasks for him, being useful, or generally being a successful (not necessarily famous) Vampire.

At high dot levels, Mentors may also teach you Disciplines that you might not normally know.

That said, you have some say in what sort of Mentor you like. You can decide the gender, apparent human age of your Mentor, and up to 2 fields of knowledge. Your Mentor is generally from your Clan, and apart from Clan Disciplines, knows up to 2 Common Disciplines and 1 Uncommon Discipline. His dots may vary, but generally between 3-5 dots. You cannot change what you specify, but as story progresses, the Mentor s abilities may solidify at STs discretion.

Some characters may not have Clan Mentors. This will be determined on Character Creation at ST discretion, and may involve some RP. Regardless you still have some say, in form of the Mentors gender, apparent age, Clan (subject to approval) and 1 additional Discipline.

Note that Mentors have been watching you since your earliest nights, and when turned into Enemies can be dangerous and unrelenting foes. Mentors may also not exempt from the consequences of your actions. Embarrassing them or otherwise screwing up may result in broken ties, and severe mistakes can even endanger their unlifes, which might result in them being hostile. Mentors also have their own agenda and problems, that you may get drawn into.

A Character can gain more Mentors along the way, but this is not easy. If gained, it is represented by a separate Mentor rating. Mentors cannot be shared, and an NPC might become an individuals Mentor or a Party Contact or neither, but never both.

THATS A LOT OF BACKGROUND!

Uh, yeah? But for those who would rather hit the ground running (at a relatively great detriment to the experience), here is an alternative.

THRALL

You come from a different time, a different era. Your mortal life was lived at least 100 years ago, possibly more.

You were awakened by the taste of blood from another Vampire (Mentor), and completely blood bound, then sent out to be her agent. You rarely see your Mentor but constantly long and pine for her. While you have received coaching in the modern language, you still speak in an assuredly outlandish fashion, wherever you go. The world has changed, it is a strange new place, but you have not. Eternity stretches ahead, promising nothing but servitude to another.

You have essentially only a few Backgrounds, and start with Humanity 5. You cannot start with more than +2 in any modern Skills.

You start with 2 dots in Mentor, Herd, Resources and Haven. You have no Allies or Contacts apart from the "contact" through which your dear Mentor deigns to contact you.

You may choose your Mentor's gender, apparent age, Clan (subject to approval) and 1 additional Discipline. You can also choose 2 areas in which your Mentor has Allies/Contacts.

Note that your existence is almost entirely at the sufferance of your mentor. Failure to perform as expected while not acquiring Backgrounds of your own through RP, may result in literally being left out to face the sun.

The ST may ask your input for details of your mortal life, soul searing memories, and how you fell into Torpor shortly after being Embraced.

[Zyraen]

INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS - MERITS, FLAWS, QUIRKS

Merits and flaws are selected upon character creation, and are completely optional.

For every merit you pick, you must select a flaw. No character may have more than 2 merits, though you can have up to 4 flaws if you so wish. You might wish to discuss with your fellow players though, since they might have to contend to with having to live with your flaws.

Below are only rough outlines for merits or flaws, and you should discuss with the ST to hammer out the details for each and every flaw you take. Some merits and flaws pertain only to vampires, and only apply after your Embrace, which will come soon enough, anyway.

Note that while flaws have mechanical penalties (usually to skill checks), merits almost never have any mechanical benefits. Their impact is solely at the discretion of the ST, though you might have to remind the ST at times you have a merit and ask if it makes a difference.

Merits and flaws may be lost or evolve through RP. You may even obtain some merits or flaws (usually flaws) during RP. Regardless, you can never spend XP to gain or remove merits or flaws.

MERITS

Blush of Life
You must have Humanity 7 to take this merit. Compared to most kindred, you look more alive, your skin is more flushed and less cold. You can eat and even taste food to some extent, though it provides you no nourishment and you must vomit it out later that same night. If your Humanity falls below 6, this merit has no effect until it increases to 6 or more.
Note that other vampires of Humanity 6-7 have the benefits of this merit if they spend a Blood Point for a scene.

Common Sense
This merit lets you see obvious routes and pitfalls that most humans in your world could figure out.

Early Riser
You rise early in the night and return to rest only close to dawn, which gives you more time every night. You also have a +2 bonus to Perception when having unexpected visitors while asleep. You cannot take this merit with Hard of Hearing.

Eidetic Memory
You can easily remember most things that you have seen or heard.

Familiar Face
You look familiar to most of those you meet, and they often feel like thye have met you somewhere before. This usually results in more friendly interactions, unless you are dealing with those of a paranoid bent. You cannot take this merit with Reputation or Mistaken Identity. You cannot take this merit if you are Nosferatu.

Linguist
You know up to 3 other languages, both written and spoken. Only 1 of these 3 languages may be an obscure language that is no longer spoken.

Natural Leader
When your coterie is deciding what to do, your vote counts as that of two people.

Old Friend
You have a good friend who, as it turns out, is a Kindred. Whether or not he/she was a Kindred while you were human, you do not know. Your friendship persists even into your unlife.

Reputation
You must start with at least 3 dots in Influence to take this merit.
Your name is well known even among the Kindred, and some have even seen your face. This is generaly good, but not always. You cannot take this merit with Familiar Face nor Mistaken Identity.

Seeker
You must start with at least 2 dots in Allies, and one of the areas must be related to vampires.
Before your Embrace, you had some suspicions about the existence of vampires and tried to delve into the matter, establishing contacts along the way. Now that you are a vampire, these old contacts are even more open to share information you might not otherwise have known.

Well-Travelled
You must start with at least 2 dots in Allies.
You travel regularly and know people who can arrange for appropriate transport and accommodations.

FLAWS

Blood-Bound
You are blood bound to your sire, or another vampire. You cannot take this flaw if you are already using the Thrall background.

Dark Secret
You have a dark secret that would embarrass or even endanger you if others were to find out.

Deranged
You start with a Derangement. You cannot take this flaw if you are Malkavian.

Hard of Hearing
You are somewhat deaf. You take -3 penalty to Perception. You cannot hear people more than short range from you unless they shout, and cannot make out whispers, even from your ally right next to you.

Hot Blooded
For Frenzy checks that were not triggered by fire or sunlight, you take a -2 penalty to the check, which is done before converting it to d20 roll. This penalty cannot reduce you to 1 (ie you fail on a 13- on a d20). You cannot take this flaw if you are Brujah.

Leg Injury
You have an injury that impedes your movement. Most individuals outrun you with relative ease. You always move as if wearing heavy armor, and take -3 penalty to Acrobatics and Athletics.

Malcontent
You are known to be either critical of the views of your sect (ie the Camarilla, Sabbat, etc) or to sympathise with viewpoints or persons of a different sect, or both. You cannot take this flaw with Zealot.

Mistaken Identity
You look like someone else, typically someone with a reasonable number of enemies, either due to being notorious or prominent. You cannot take this flaw with Familiar Face nor Reputation, or if you are Nosferatu.

Old Enemy
You have made an enemy (or two) who, as it turns out, is a Kindred. Whether or not he/she was a Kindred while you were human, you do not know. The animosity persists even into your unlife.

One Eye
You have a missing eye, which affects your balance and depth perception.You take -3 penalty to Acrobatics and Perception. This also makes you memorable to those you meet, and you have difficulty in most disguises. You cannot take this flaw if you are Nosferatu.

Short Sighted
You need to wear glasses to see normally. When not wearing glasses, you take -2 penalty when attacking with all Ranged attacks. You also take -3 penalty to Perception and Insight, whether or not you wear glasses.

Soft Hearted
You must start with Humanity 7 to take this flaw.
When you try to do something that may lower your Humanity or cause another being undue suffering, you make a Willpower check. Failure means you cannot do it, and if someone else does it, you have to make a Frenzy check to avoid attacking the person. If you are compelled to do it, you take the lower of two d20 rolls ; if it is some thing you are able to succeed at without making a d20 roll, you instead make an unmodified saving throw, and failure means you fail.

Speech Impediment
You have a speech impediment. You take -2 penalty to all Charisma related Skills.

Zealot
You are an avid advocate of the views of your sect, or other organisations / persons that you are part of or sympathise with. You stand out for this reason, and there are those who would like to see you put in place. Note that 9' under is a place.

QUIRKS

Quirks are similar to merits and flaws, except they are generally neutral, guide your RP and are more "customisable". You can use the above list of merits and flaws as inspiration for quirks, or just come up with your own.

However, please run through all your quirks with your ST, to see if it seems appropriate, if it is too much like an existing merit or flaw. While technically there is no benefit or drawback for a quirk, they may still affect RP and hence can alter situations, and in the case of physical quirks, may actually affect you. There are no limits for quirk, but as a guideline, having a max of 3 is quite sufficient.