RAPTURE

Background Traits specify a wide variety of outside resources to

which you have access. These Traits should be taken only when they fit the character concept, not just because they are convenient to have. You need to make sense out of your Backgrounds and integrate them into your character history.

 

Sorcerers get five Traits to allocate among the various Backgrounds,

including Influences and Equipment. Keep in mind many of these Backgrounds are subject to approval or may not be available immediately at Character Creation but will come to fruit through role play during the game. If you want an instant impact on the game then it is recommended to pick the more mundane backgrounds like influences or resources.  

 

Part of a your talent for magic includes the ability to slip quietly past common notice. This Background is not synonymous with invisibility. Rather, it causes people to not pay attention to you or to forget you after you have left the area. For each Trait in this Background, your opponent must bid one additional Trait on any attempts to detect or remember you. This includes pesky reporters, government agents and the werewolf you annoyed last week. Unfortunately, it also includes the friend who needs your help, the bank you used to have an account at and the person at the dry cleaners who seems to have misplaced your clothes. A character with

Arcane may not also have the Background: Prestige, nor may you take the Flaw: Surreal Quality.

 

Artifact: 

 

This Background grants you access to some form of magic item. This may have been created using the art of Enchantment or perhaps it is an item of True Faith. This Background could even represent a Garou fetish or chimerical treasure. You must describe the abilities and functions of the Artifact, at which point the Storyteller will assign a cost for the item. For anything other than a minor (1-2 Trait) item, you must also detail the origin of this prize in your character history. The Storyteller has aright to limit the kind of Artifacts you may possess.

 

Familiar: 

 

You are not alone on your journey of discovery. This Background describes a mystical companion, some spirit incarnate who is willing to aid you in your endeavors. Such relationships are a two-way street, however, as the familiar also requires things in return. The type and nature of your company varies depending upon your magical heritage, from the traditional witch’s black cat to the hawk-spirit of the Native American shaman. Each Trait provides five freebie Traits, which are used to build your familiar. Attributes, Abilities, Willpower, Backgrounds, Merits and Flaws cost the same as for mortal characters. If you have access to Laws of the Wild, familiars may even purchase any of the Charms listed in that book. In addition, this spirit has as many Corpus Levels as you have Traits in this

Background. These function as Health Levels, though the familiar does not suffer any wound penalties due to accumulated damage.

 

Influences: 

 

You have pull in one or more areas of mundane society. Perhaps you hold some position of power, it comes with your mundane job, or you simply have an ear to the ground. For each Influence, you must specify the nature and origin of this connection in your character history. Please see the Influences section of this website for full choices of what The Outpost has to offer in these traits. 

 

 

Mana Pool: 

 

You have an additional set of Traits that you may use to power your magic. Your rating in this Background creates a pool with permanent and temporary Traits similar in function to Willpower. Rather than forfeiting an Attribute or other Trait to cast a particular spell, you may instead spend temporary Traits from this pool. The decision to substitute Mum Traits is made when the path is first learned. Each Trait spent on Mum Pool grants two Traits in the pool for use with sorcery. You must specify the nature of this reserve in your character history, as well as the conditions under which it is refreshed. For example, you may have learned the art of Chi Kung during your studies in Asia, and you recover Traits by meditating.

 

Mentor: 

 

Most sorcerers and priests receive their initial training at the hands of an older, more experienced practitioner. You were wise or lucky enough to continue this relationship even after striking out on your own. This Background represents the relative power level and availability of your teacher. A mentor is not a protector and will not solve all of your problems. However, he might be available between games for instruction or other assistance.

 

Resources: 

 

Sorcerers can get their hands on money in a variety of ways: research funding, lottery winnings, transforming lead into gold or perhaps even a real job. This Background represents the amount of money and equipment you have available or could get your hands on in a pinch. However, if no source for these funds is apparent, you may begin to attract unwanted attention. For each Resources Trait, you have $500 available each month after expenses. In addition, your rating in this Background indicates the relative extent and luxury of your home and property. 

 

Sanctuary:

 

This is a general term for a sorcerer’s haven. These locations vary greatly according to your heritage, from uptown apartments to out-of-the-way chapels. Sanctuaries may also contain many of the bulkier ritual components that you might use, such as alchemical ovens, cauldrons or permanent circles. Each Trait in this Background suggests the level of wealth and space available to you. You may be working out of your parents’ basement, have a single room in a group house, an apartment in a trendy district, or even your own house.