Black Rhino
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Backgrounds

SpearGeneral Backgrounds

Allies and Contacts

Discuss these with your Storyteller at Character Creation to find sensible and realistic ideas for your characters.

Ancestors

Simba, Bagheera, Ajaba, Corax and Silent Striders can not take Ancestors.

Den Realm

Den Realms are not allowed for starting (Tekhmet) characters. They are not only extremely rare, but no sensible Bastet in their right mind would turn over such a powerful resource to the likes of an inexperienced Werecat.

Lores

Please See our Lores Page. We are treating Lores as a Background.

Resources:

  • Africa is a poor continent. Unless you lie, cheat, steal, or hold a higher-up position, you are likely always in the poor-house.
  • Resources above 2 will not be permitted without prior ST approval and justifiable cause, but it can (and has) happen(ed).
  • If you are a Feral shifter (Lupus, Corvid, Hyaena, Feline, etc.) you may not possess Resources.
  • If you are a nomadic Tribesperson (ie Maasai) you may not possess resources-your idea of wealth is likely focused on cows.

Totem

You are allowed to raise your totem background at a rate of 2 experience points per point of Totem Background you wish to purchase. Remember that this trait is on a scale of 1-10, not 1-5 like most background traits. Due to the character system, this will be recorded as two Totem Backgrounds of 0-5.

No personal totems will be allowed unless previously approved by a Storyteller, this also includes the Bastet variant of Jamak.

Pack or ‘Timu’ totems may be assigned in the game once characters have decided to work together in these groups. There are, however, no guarantees on a pack, or ‘timu’ totem, nor can you choose your pack totem.
Totems will be assigned given the duties and accomplishments your pack or timu have been recognized and gained the attention of a spirit.

Capped Backgrounds

The following Backgrounds are capped to Level 3 for game balance

  • Mnesis
  • Pure Breed (for applicable Tribes; this is a Kucha Ekundu rule anyway)
  • Resources (See Above)
  • Rites (capped to level 3 Rites)
  • Secrets (Discuss with an ST)
  • Umbral Maps

Not Applicable Backgrounds

The following Backgrounds are not applicable to the nature of the game:

  • Mentor (You can easily pick it up in character)
  • Numen (We don't want to see it)
  • Touched (or this)
  • Wallow (Not really appropriate given the nature of the game)

Fetishes:

  • Fetish will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by a Storyteller before character submission.
  • Fetishes above 2 are unlikely for beginning characters and require extensive background justification.

Fetish and Talen Creation Rules

You are required to discuss any fetish or talen creations with a Storyteller before it is attempted. An ST must be present in order for you to make extended-action rolls in which to create said object(s) and they must approve of it. Remember there is a process to creating such things and you must follow the process of standard Fetish or Talen creation:

Talens

  • Limit: One per week, unless otherwise given permission from the Council.
  • Permission: All characters creating talens must first gain permission from the recognized Elder or their breed in the area.
  • Summoning the Spirit
  • Bind the Spirit with proper permission and/or chiminage

Fetishes

  • Limit: One per month, unless otherwise given permission from the Council.
  • Permission: All characters creating Fetish must first gain permission from the recognized Elder of their breed in the area. Preferably a Rites Master of sorts.
  • Cleanse the Object for three consecutive days and nights, tending to the object carefully.
  • Summoning the Spirit
  • Bind the Spirit

Fetish Weapons

Limit: Permission must be granted from an ST, first, and an NPC, second.

The full process of creating a Fetish Weapon is a serious undertaking that must be roleplayed out fully with a myriad of rolls and character-spirit interaction. The scene(s) involved in this undertaking could take a few hours, to a few days depending on the nature of the weapon and the spirits involved.

Silver Weapons

The production and creation of silver weaponry does not take place on the island due to the very expensive, very time consuming, very specific nature of this metal. Because of the high vulnerability of the island’s occupants, silver weaponry is shipped via Kinfolk and may be gained by checking out an item or purchasing an item from the Armory. All characters with silver weapons are accounted for on the island by those employed with Armory duties. Records are kept within the locked warehouse as well as in Mashidano Hall.