Post by Storyteller on May 9, 2015 17:19:57 GMT
Bad Liar (1 Trait Flaw)
It’s said that children develop the capacity for deception as early as two years old, but your talent for fabrication hasn’t progressed much since that tender age. You might have obvious behavioral telltales when you try to lie, such as stammering or blushing, or maybe you just tend to invent situations that are just too fantastic for anyone to give them credence. Regardless, you should roleplay this difficulty whenever possible, and you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges involving deception in a social situation.
Blackmailed (1 or 2 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Somebody has dug up some dirt on you and is forcing you to pay up or risk exposure. Whether the blackmailer is an individual or an organization, you’re stuck with the results: Your blackmailer demands money or your cooperation, or maybe even your organization’s secrets, in return for keeping your secret. For one Trait, you suffer from a rather embarrassing secret that might cost you your job and organizational position. For two Traits, you harbor a dangerous secret that could very well be the death of you if the blackmailer reveals it. Obviously, your antagonist won’t make it easy for you to kill him. You’ll need to roleplay cleverly to overcome this Flaw.
Bully (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
You like to throw your weight around, and don’t see anything wrong with getting your way through social pressure or physical force when you feel like it. In addition to these charming traits, you don’t tend to deal well when compelled to follow a more forceful penalty, and tend to be a troublemaker when you’re not in charge. You’re one Trait down on all Social Challenges when you’re not the figure in charge, due to your irritation.
Charach (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
You are known to have a Garou lover. You may be performing the Rite of the Clouds and Rain, or simply be involved romantically. The Storyteller will create this character for you except if part of your character past (meaning he will never show up) or it's a deal between players, but you should be aware that any charach is regarded by Garou (even some Children of Gaia) as a perverted criminal who deserves death. Other Garou may be very angry with you for breaking the Litany, and may insist on punishing you. You automatically begin the game with one less point of Renown, and must lose that point of Renown from Honor if at all possible.
Children (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
You have children who depend on you for the necessities of life, not to mention love and support. Fortunately for them, you treasure your role as a provider and take pride in being there for your kids; unfortunately, the demands of the hunt can quickly place a strain on your relationship with them, and no matter how they feel about it, the guilt of neglecting your responsibilities takes a terrible toll on you. This Flaw requires a lot of downtime attention to be significant enough to count, and should only be chosen if you and the Storyteller are willing to mind it often enough for it to have a real presence in the character’s life. If you go more than three days without seeing your kids, either due to the hunt or other obligations, you cannot regain Willpower until you have a chance to be with them again for a like amount of time.
Chronic Pessimist (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Determined to make Eeyore look like Shirley Temple, you learned long ago that everything sucks, and what’s more, you’re happy to share this knowledge with others. Nothing ever looks like it’ll turn out right, and even if it does you’re sure it’s only because that success is a prelude to an even greater failure down the road. Even for one of the imbued you’re pretty down on the world, and that’s saying something for someone who knows that horrifying monsters kill people and poison the planet every day. Naturally, take delight in roleplaying this doomsaying at every opportunity, but remember that such fun does have a price: you’re down two Traits on all Social Challenges involving motivating people (such as Leadership challenges) or cheering them up in any way (such as Empathy tests) - it’s just not you.
Chronically Late (1 Trait Flaw)
Delays, delays, delays - something always seems to come up whenever you’re trying to get somewhere on time. This is as much a reflection of natural procrastination or inattentiveness on your part as it is external factors. Anytime you have an appointment to make, formal or informal, you must make a successful Willpower test against three Traits to be there on time-failure means you’re at least 10 minutes late. This can include entering the game later than other characters, if the time of your arrival is important. Alternately, the Narrator may choose to increase your effective travel times by as much as a third, to represent your inability to start a trip on time.
Chronically Shy (1 Trait Flaw)
People? Eep! Above and beyond the Negative Trait of the same name, you’re incredibly wary of strange people, and even worse with crowds. You’re one Trait down on all Social Challenges with people you don’t know, and two Traits down on all Social Chalelnges that address a crowd of any kind. And yes, these penalties are cumulative for crowds that are composed of more strangers than familiar faces.
Crude (1 Trait Flaw)
You may be a trusted friend in private and valued ally on the hunt, but when it comes to situations that require a certain amount of manners or refinement, even your best friends try to pretend they don’t know you. You seem to break all the rules of etiquette, deliberately or otherwise, and thus are two Traits down on all Social Challenges in situations where tact or social grace are required. This Flaw can be taken in addition to Negative Traits such as Tactless or Obnoxious, because it reflects a general ignorance of social mores as opposed to a more specific difficulty with particular behaviors.
Dark Secret (1 Trait flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Some incident in your past haunts you and you strive to cover it up - maybe you murdered an elder, or you had extensive dealings with a vampire. Whatever it is, knowledge of this could get you branded as a pariah in the Garou Nation. You can cover it for now, but someday, the piper will need paying.
Eccentric Appearance (1 Trait Flaw)
Perhaps you run with a particular clique -Goth, punk, raver, etc. - or maybe you’ve just got a truly unique sense of style, but either way your appearance immediately makes you stand out in a crowd (at least among more ordinary folks). Aside from occasionally drawing negative attention from others who disapprove of your clique or style, you’re also easily remembered by other people. Any attempts to track you down through witnesses are two Traits up, and you cannot take the Everyman Background or the Forgettable Merit.
Enemy (1 to 5 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
There is someone or something out to get you. The value of this Flaw depends on the power of your enemy. An enemy with an equal level of power to yours is worth one Trait, where a pack of Black Spiral Dancers or a coterie of vampires would be worth five Traits. Work with your Storyteller to determine who your enemy is and how you became enemies in the first place.
Gambling Addict (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background to support
You can’t help it - whenever there’s a possible wager on the table, you just have to take it. This is bad news because while you probably have extensive experience with gambling, you’re addicted to it as well, which means that you tend to lose a lot more than you win because you can’t pull yourself away from the table when you’re ahead. Aside from the obvious impact this might have on your Resources, you must also make a Willpower test against four Traits to pass up a chance to gamble. Once you’ve started, you must spend a Willpower Trait or make another test to stop gambling for any reason less than a direct threat, regardless of whether you’re winning (“I’m ahead now, so why stop?”) or losing (“I have to at least break even!”).
Ghoulish Sense of Humor (1 Trait Flaw)
You have a highly active sense of humor, but not exactly a healthy one-in fact, you tend to find amusing what other people consider disturbing or outright disgusting, and thus have a bad tendency to crack inappropriate jokes at the worst possible times. Any time you’re faced with a gory scene or otherwise uncomfortable moment (such as someone consoling a crying victim), you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges due to your habit of belittling the situation or those involved in it. Needless to say, you should roleplay this behavior as well as possible, so long as you remember to keep all the jokes in character.
Icy Demeanor (1 Trait Flaw)
Whatever that intangible quality is that makes people open up to others, you just don’t have it. No matter what you’re like on the inside, you habitually project a cool and hostile demeanor to those around you, and most don’t bother trying to get to know you any better than that. You are two Traits down on all Social tests with someone during the first scene that you meet them, due to your innate difficulty with presenting a likable face to others. This is distinct from the Callow Negative Trait in that it represents an ineptness at presenting yourself well rather than actual emotional isolation, though the two may be combined in to create a truly heartless and distant S.O.B.
Isolated Upbringing (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Born and raised by peculiar parents, you rarely ventured into the outside world. You should roleplay a degree of unease with the modern world, and you sometimes fail to understand the customs of everyday life. You are one Trait down on all Social Challenges with people from outside of your corner of reality.
Mistaken Identity (1 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
They say everyone has a twin out there somewhere; problem is, yours is up to no good, and everyone knows it. You bear a striking resemblance to a notorious figure of some kind, whether a prominent criminal, infamous celebrity or even a feared monster or radical imbued. You must wear a description tag indicating this unfortunate resemblance. It doesn’t usually take much effort for others to figure out that you’re not your “evil twin,” but some hotheads or glory hounds might not stop to make the distinction before confronting you, and even then your presence is easily remembered by those who recognize you.
Needy Friends (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Perhaps you’re just too soft-hearted to ever say no, or perhaps you have (or are perceived to have) time and money to bum, but regardless, you’re the one your friends and other non-imbued acquaintances always seem to come to when they need help. From posting bail to giving a ride to holding someone’s hand, their need for you never seems to end, and while you still consider them real friends as opposed to moochers, that only makes it less likely you’re going to break free any time soon. In game, the Storyteller may reflect this from time to time by temporarily lowering your Resources, asking for additional favors from an Ally or Contact, limiting your downtime activity between sessions or otherwise indicating how your friends need you as the chronicle progresses.
Rebel (1-3 Trait Flaw)
You have a reputation as a rebel, a maverick or even a loose cannon within your society. Maybe your techniques get results, but you are scorned and hated for your methods. Because your practices are seen as questionable (at best) by your peers and superiors, it is difficult for you to get support and backing from your group. The more Traits in the Flaw, the less likely you are to get such help.
Shy (1 Trait Flaw)
Unlike the Negative Trait Shy, which indicates difficulty dealing with other individuals, you have a specific problem with large groups of people. You take a two-Trait penalty on all Social Challenges with three or more people, three Traits for groups of 10 or more.
Stubborn (1 Trait Flaw)
There are pit bulls, and then there’s you - both unwilling to let anything go once they’ve got a hold of it. All of your beliefs enjoy your full, unwavering support, and anyone who attempts to challenge them finds herself the recipient of as much grief as you can muster. Any time someone questions one of your beliefs, you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges with that character for the rest of the scene as you naturally close yourself off to her (not to mention the embarrassment if she’s actually right).
Trusting (1 Trait Flaw)
You can’t help it - you just naturally take people at face value, whether due to an optimistic view of people or just a limited amount of contact with people whose motivations aren’t as noble as yours. Not only do you take them at their word, but you also do such incautious things as accept rides home from recent acquaintances or walk through bad areas at night, simply because you truly don’t believe something bad will happen. You are two Traits down on all attempts to detect a lie or judge the character of someone you’ve met for the first time that session.
Compulsive Liar (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Whether or not you’re good at it, you tend to inject your own special blend of the truth into what you say, ranging from little white lies to untruths that might potentially hurt others. At this point you might even believe the lies you invent, since you tell them so often. Regardless, you should roleplay this constant level of fabrication as best you can; additionally, in order to tell the complete truth for a scene, you must spend a Willpower Trait or win a Willpower Challenge against four Traits. This is also the case when you must tell a truth that openly exposes a previous lie.
Criminal Record (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Rightly or wrongly, you have been convicted of several misdemeanors or perhaps a minor felony, and questions of rehabilitation aside this places certain legal restrictions on you as well. You cannot buy firearms legally, you can be brought in for questioning with the slightest of evidence, and depending on your particular crime and the place you live you might have to report yourself to the local police, newspapers or both. Needless to say, this can earn a lot of ill will from those who find out about your past, and you can expect to get nothing but grief from most police officers. You are two Traits down on all Social Challenges with law enforcement officials who know of your criminal past.
Dangerous Secret (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
You possess information of a highly secret nature. In fact, the information is so volatile that knowing about it puts your life in jeopardy. Perhaps you’ve uncovered a government conspiracy to breed humans and werewolves, or discovered that the archbishop is an infernalist. Not only will nobody believe you if you reveal the secret, but the individuals involved would probably bring the entire weight of the organization down on you. Revealing the secret might put you at risk of arrest or even execution.
Disconcerting (2 Trait Flaw)
No matter what you do, your presence seems to naturally put people on edge, and animals become skittish around you. Even once someone gets to know you better, that subtle sense of weirdness never really departs. You are two Traits down on all tests that involve getting someone to trust or like you, and should adopt acreepy mannerism or two to reflect the social difficulty this Flaw presents. Some such habits include, but are certainly not limited to: staring directly at someone without blinking, even while speaking to them; always referring to other people in the past tense (subtle, yet very effective); smiling or laughing softly whenever you hear bad news; and so on.
Dogged by Fringe Media (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
The truth is out there, but the sad fact is that lots of people went over the edge right along with it, and for one reason or another you’ve got one such “colorful” individual following you around. Worse still, this person is an amateur journalist for an paranormal Web site or ‘line of some kind, and thus while you needn’t worry about his work landing you on the front page of the local paper anytime soon, he can still draw lots of unwanted attention toward you, especially if monsters happen to monitor the local fringe media. What’s more, he has the most annoying habit of showing up just in time to witness something bizarre or difficult to explain, which naturally only fuels his curiosity further. You should work with the Storyteller to come up with some details about him and how the two of you met, although it will be up to the Storyteller to determine his true abilities and motivation.
Graceless (2 Trait Flaw)
The polar opposite of the Merit Graceful, you always seem to find the exact wrong thing to say or do, and never seem to make a good impression no matter how hard you try. In fact, the harder you try, the worse things get, which of course makes you more frustrated and determined, and so on. In game terms, you are two Traits down on all tests to make a good impression or recover from a social misstep.
Infamy (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
You’re well known in the area that you live, but for all the wrong reasons. You might be a well-known criminal associate, or perhaps you were involved in a prominent local scandal that has never quite lifted from your reputation. While you won’t necessarily be attacked on the street, people do tend to look down on you or treat you with some hostility, and so you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges with those who know about your past.
Notoriety (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Something that you have done, or not done, identifies you as a liability to others. Your bad reputation in your own society makes your life difficult, and even independent garou tend to distrust you. Maybe too many of your partners have been killed during your hunts, or perhaps your attitude is so zealous that you annoy everyone around you. You should choose the exact nature of this Flaw, with the help and approval of your Storyteller.
Persistent Parents (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
When you became a Garou, you likely disappeared from your old life. Your parents refuse to let your memory lie and started searching for you. Perhaps they’ve even hired private detectives to hunt for you. For some reason, you simply can’t come clean with your parents - perhaps your mother is employed by Pentex, or they have strange religious beliefs that would mandate killing you to “save” you.
Probation (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
At least it got you out of larger trouble, but making a deal for probation does have its bad side as well - you must report to your case officer on a regular basis, and submit to random searches of your residence or person when the court deems it necessary. Not only that, but you must demonstrate a commitment to becoming a model citizen as well: hold down a job, keep up with debt, not being seen any place suspicious, etc. Needless to say, this can make a lot of hunting activities quite difficult to get away with, but as the price for getting caught is most likely being tossed in jail, it’s a balancing act you’re going to have to become quite good at if you wish to go far.
Stalked (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Life as a garou is terrifying enough without the additional threat of an obsessed “normal” individual trailing your every move, but you have just one such sick person who continues to bother you despite repeated warnings to back off (legal and otherwise). This stalker need not be violent, but he is definitely beyond all reason regarding his obsession with you, and his action could possibly escalate into violence later on. Every time you got out you must make a Mental Challenge against five Traits - failure means that your stalker has managed to get your trail and may well put in an appearance later on that night. And before you ask, leading this nutcase into a trap or territory full of monsters never seems to work out the way you’d hope, at least until you buy off this Flaw .... Until then, however, you’re stuck with him.
Technophobe (2 Trait Flaw)
You hate modem technology, especially computers, and you’re pretty damn sure it hates you right back. While you’re at home with tried-and-true things like cars and telephones, making any sense of cell phones, pagers, laptops or other newfangled gizmos is quite beyond you. You must make a Mental Challenge against five Traits to perform even simple tasks on a computer, ATM machine or other technological device you’re not comfortable with (which is most of them), and the Storyteller will probably restrict some of the Abilities you can take at character creation to reflect this deficiency as well.
Hunted (3 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
A very powerful hunter is tracking you, believing you’re a rabid animal who’s a threat to all humanity. He has the skills and resources enough to make your life “interesting” (and to snuff it out, if you aren’t careful), and will keep you watching over your shoulder. Your friends, family, allies and associates are also in peril should this hunter decide to turn an eye their way. Worse, your hunter is immune to the Delirium. Keep one eye on the exits ....
Moneygrubbing (3 Trait Flaw)
Money makes the world go round, and you intend to ride the merry-go-round for all it’s worth. Everything is secondary to the pursuit of wealth, and you’re capable of performing some extreme things so long as there’s enough money in it for you. Any time you’re offered a bribe, even by a monster or other loathsome figure, you must either spend a Willpower Trait or make a Willpower test against six Traits to avoid accepting the bribe. This difficulty increases by one if you’re pretty sure the task required won’t hurt anyone (that you know of). In addition, you must make a similar test to avoid searching the bodies or dwellings of fallen opponents for valuables.. . or looting fallen allies for the same.
Wanted by Law Enforcement (3 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Well, now you’ve done it (or maybe not, but it sure looks like you did) -you‘re the prime suspect in a felony crime, and the police are actively searching for you. That means living a fugitive’s life from night to night, as your assets are frozen, your regular hangouts watched closely and your known associates might be called on to provide your whereabouts. It is assumed in this Flaw that for one reason or another you cannot simply walk into the police station and clear up the matter, even if you happen to be innocent. Indeed, this Flaw cannot be bought off at all unless you either undergo the long and difficult process of clearing your name, or you somehow deflect official attention in a big way (flee the country, fake your own death).
Ward (3 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
You are devoted to the protection of a human. Perhaps she’s Kinfolk, or one of the few friends you’ve hung onto since your Change. You may describe your Ward, but the Storyteller will actually create her. Such people are often targeted by your enemies, or just get caught up in the action too well. If she is Kinfolk, you must have a particularly special relationship with her (spouse, lover, child, longtime friend, sibling, etc.).
Criminal Entanglements (4 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Crime pays, as you learned when you went to some shady sources for a loan a while back; however, now you either can’t or won’t pay back what you owe, and that’s starting to.. . irritate your unlikely business partners. They’re not sending hit men after you - not yet - but they will definitely make themselves known before long, and what’s more they will have no problem escalating the level of their coercion in an effort to get their money back or make an example of you.
Mr Red Tape (4 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Somehow, you always seem to get put at the bottom of the stack in any bureaucracy. Double the time and effort needed for all Bureaucracy Influence uses (for instance, faking a death certificate has a cost of six levels), as well as other influences (such as Health, University, Police) when they involve using official channels and/or paperwork.
Inept (5 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
You are incompetent and unskilled. Until you buy off this Flaw, you may not buy your Abilities or Influences above one Trait.
It’s said that children develop the capacity for deception as early as two years old, but your talent for fabrication hasn’t progressed much since that tender age. You might have obvious behavioral telltales when you try to lie, such as stammering or blushing, or maybe you just tend to invent situations that are just too fantastic for anyone to give them credence. Regardless, you should roleplay this difficulty whenever possible, and you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges involving deception in a social situation.
Blackmailed (1 or 2 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Somebody has dug up some dirt on you and is forcing you to pay up or risk exposure. Whether the blackmailer is an individual or an organization, you’re stuck with the results: Your blackmailer demands money or your cooperation, or maybe even your organization’s secrets, in return for keeping your secret. For one Trait, you suffer from a rather embarrassing secret that might cost you your job and organizational position. For two Traits, you harbor a dangerous secret that could very well be the death of you if the blackmailer reveals it. Obviously, your antagonist won’t make it easy for you to kill him. You’ll need to roleplay cleverly to overcome this Flaw.
Bully (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
You like to throw your weight around, and don’t see anything wrong with getting your way through social pressure or physical force when you feel like it. In addition to these charming traits, you don’t tend to deal well when compelled to follow a more forceful penalty, and tend to be a troublemaker when you’re not in charge. You’re one Trait down on all Social Challenges when you’re not the figure in charge, due to your irritation.
Charach (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
You are known to have a Garou lover. You may be performing the Rite of the Clouds and Rain, or simply be involved romantically. The Storyteller will create this character for you except if part of your character past (meaning he will never show up) or it's a deal between players, but you should be aware that any charach is regarded by Garou (even some Children of Gaia) as a perverted criminal who deserves death. Other Garou may be very angry with you for breaking the Litany, and may insist on punishing you. You automatically begin the game with one less point of Renown, and must lose that point of Renown from Honor if at all possible.
Children (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
You have children who depend on you for the necessities of life, not to mention love and support. Fortunately for them, you treasure your role as a provider and take pride in being there for your kids; unfortunately, the demands of the hunt can quickly place a strain on your relationship with them, and no matter how they feel about it, the guilt of neglecting your responsibilities takes a terrible toll on you. This Flaw requires a lot of downtime attention to be significant enough to count, and should only be chosen if you and the Storyteller are willing to mind it often enough for it to have a real presence in the character’s life. If you go more than three days without seeing your kids, either due to the hunt or other obligations, you cannot regain Willpower until you have a chance to be with them again for a like amount of time.
Chronic Pessimist (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Determined to make Eeyore look like Shirley Temple, you learned long ago that everything sucks, and what’s more, you’re happy to share this knowledge with others. Nothing ever looks like it’ll turn out right, and even if it does you’re sure it’s only because that success is a prelude to an even greater failure down the road. Even for one of the imbued you’re pretty down on the world, and that’s saying something for someone who knows that horrifying monsters kill people and poison the planet every day. Naturally, take delight in roleplaying this doomsaying at every opportunity, but remember that such fun does have a price: you’re down two Traits on all Social Challenges involving motivating people (such as Leadership challenges) or cheering them up in any way (such as Empathy tests) - it’s just not you.
Chronically Late (1 Trait Flaw)
Delays, delays, delays - something always seems to come up whenever you’re trying to get somewhere on time. This is as much a reflection of natural procrastination or inattentiveness on your part as it is external factors. Anytime you have an appointment to make, formal or informal, you must make a successful Willpower test against three Traits to be there on time-failure means you’re at least 10 minutes late. This can include entering the game later than other characters, if the time of your arrival is important. Alternately, the Narrator may choose to increase your effective travel times by as much as a third, to represent your inability to start a trip on time.
Chronically Shy (1 Trait Flaw)
People? Eep! Above and beyond the Negative Trait of the same name, you’re incredibly wary of strange people, and even worse with crowds. You’re one Trait down on all Social Challenges with people you don’t know, and two Traits down on all Social Chalelnges that address a crowd of any kind. And yes, these penalties are cumulative for crowds that are composed of more strangers than familiar faces.
Crude (1 Trait Flaw)
You may be a trusted friend in private and valued ally on the hunt, but when it comes to situations that require a certain amount of manners or refinement, even your best friends try to pretend they don’t know you. You seem to break all the rules of etiquette, deliberately or otherwise, and thus are two Traits down on all Social Challenges in situations where tact or social grace are required. This Flaw can be taken in addition to Negative Traits such as Tactless or Obnoxious, because it reflects a general ignorance of social mores as opposed to a more specific difficulty with particular behaviors.
Dark Secret (1 Trait flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Some incident in your past haunts you and you strive to cover it up - maybe you murdered an elder, or you had extensive dealings with a vampire. Whatever it is, knowledge of this could get you branded as a pariah in the Garou Nation. You can cover it for now, but someday, the piper will need paying.
Eccentric Appearance (1 Trait Flaw)
Perhaps you run with a particular clique -Goth, punk, raver, etc. - or maybe you’ve just got a truly unique sense of style, but either way your appearance immediately makes you stand out in a crowd (at least among more ordinary folks). Aside from occasionally drawing negative attention from others who disapprove of your clique or style, you’re also easily remembered by other people. Any attempts to track you down through witnesses are two Traits up, and you cannot take the Everyman Background or the Forgettable Merit.
Enemy (1 to 5 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
There is someone or something out to get you. The value of this Flaw depends on the power of your enemy. An enemy with an equal level of power to yours is worth one Trait, where a pack of Black Spiral Dancers or a coterie of vampires would be worth five Traits. Work with your Storyteller to determine who your enemy is and how you became enemies in the first place.
Gambling Addict (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background to support
You can’t help it - whenever there’s a possible wager on the table, you just have to take it. This is bad news because while you probably have extensive experience with gambling, you’re addicted to it as well, which means that you tend to lose a lot more than you win because you can’t pull yourself away from the table when you’re ahead. Aside from the obvious impact this might have on your Resources, you must also make a Willpower test against four Traits to pass up a chance to gamble. Once you’ve started, you must spend a Willpower Trait or make another test to stop gambling for any reason less than a direct threat, regardless of whether you’re winning (“I’m ahead now, so why stop?”) or losing (“I have to at least break even!”).
Ghoulish Sense of Humor (1 Trait Flaw)
You have a highly active sense of humor, but not exactly a healthy one-in fact, you tend to find amusing what other people consider disturbing or outright disgusting, and thus have a bad tendency to crack inappropriate jokes at the worst possible times. Any time you’re faced with a gory scene or otherwise uncomfortable moment (such as someone consoling a crying victim), you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges due to your habit of belittling the situation or those involved in it. Needless to say, you should roleplay this behavior as well as possible, so long as you remember to keep all the jokes in character.
Icy Demeanor (1 Trait Flaw)
Whatever that intangible quality is that makes people open up to others, you just don’t have it. No matter what you’re like on the inside, you habitually project a cool and hostile demeanor to those around you, and most don’t bother trying to get to know you any better than that. You are two Traits down on all Social tests with someone during the first scene that you meet them, due to your innate difficulty with presenting a likable face to others. This is distinct from the Callow Negative Trait in that it represents an ineptness at presenting yourself well rather than actual emotional isolation, though the two may be combined in to create a truly heartless and distant S.O.B.
Isolated Upbringing (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Born and raised by peculiar parents, you rarely ventured into the outside world. You should roleplay a degree of unease with the modern world, and you sometimes fail to understand the customs of everyday life. You are one Trait down on all Social Challenges with people from outside of your corner of reality.
Mistaken Identity (1 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
They say everyone has a twin out there somewhere; problem is, yours is up to no good, and everyone knows it. You bear a striking resemblance to a notorious figure of some kind, whether a prominent criminal, infamous celebrity or even a feared monster or radical imbued. You must wear a description tag indicating this unfortunate resemblance. It doesn’t usually take much effort for others to figure out that you’re not your “evil twin,” but some hotheads or glory hounds might not stop to make the distinction before confronting you, and even then your presence is easily remembered by those who recognize you.
Needy Friends (1 Trait Flaw) – Must have background story to support
Perhaps you’re just too soft-hearted to ever say no, or perhaps you have (or are perceived to have) time and money to bum, but regardless, you’re the one your friends and other non-imbued acquaintances always seem to come to when they need help. From posting bail to giving a ride to holding someone’s hand, their need for you never seems to end, and while you still consider them real friends as opposed to moochers, that only makes it less likely you’re going to break free any time soon. In game, the Storyteller may reflect this from time to time by temporarily lowering your Resources, asking for additional favors from an Ally or Contact, limiting your downtime activity between sessions or otherwise indicating how your friends need you as the chronicle progresses.
Rebel (1-3 Trait Flaw)
You have a reputation as a rebel, a maverick or even a loose cannon within your society. Maybe your techniques get results, but you are scorned and hated for your methods. Because your practices are seen as questionable (at best) by your peers and superiors, it is difficult for you to get support and backing from your group. The more Traits in the Flaw, the less likely you are to get such help.
Shy (1 Trait Flaw)
Unlike the Negative Trait Shy, which indicates difficulty dealing with other individuals, you have a specific problem with large groups of people. You take a two-Trait penalty on all Social Challenges with three or more people, three Traits for groups of 10 or more.
Stubborn (1 Trait Flaw)
There are pit bulls, and then there’s you - both unwilling to let anything go once they’ve got a hold of it. All of your beliefs enjoy your full, unwavering support, and anyone who attempts to challenge them finds herself the recipient of as much grief as you can muster. Any time someone questions one of your beliefs, you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges with that character for the rest of the scene as you naturally close yourself off to her (not to mention the embarrassment if she’s actually right).
Trusting (1 Trait Flaw)
You can’t help it - you just naturally take people at face value, whether due to an optimistic view of people or just a limited amount of contact with people whose motivations aren’t as noble as yours. Not only do you take them at their word, but you also do such incautious things as accept rides home from recent acquaintances or walk through bad areas at night, simply because you truly don’t believe something bad will happen. You are two Traits down on all attempts to detect a lie or judge the character of someone you’ve met for the first time that session.
Compulsive Liar (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Whether or not you’re good at it, you tend to inject your own special blend of the truth into what you say, ranging from little white lies to untruths that might potentially hurt others. At this point you might even believe the lies you invent, since you tell them so often. Regardless, you should roleplay this constant level of fabrication as best you can; additionally, in order to tell the complete truth for a scene, you must spend a Willpower Trait or win a Willpower Challenge against four Traits. This is also the case when you must tell a truth that openly exposes a previous lie.
Criminal Record (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Rightly or wrongly, you have been convicted of several misdemeanors or perhaps a minor felony, and questions of rehabilitation aside this places certain legal restrictions on you as well. You cannot buy firearms legally, you can be brought in for questioning with the slightest of evidence, and depending on your particular crime and the place you live you might have to report yourself to the local police, newspapers or both. Needless to say, this can earn a lot of ill will from those who find out about your past, and you can expect to get nothing but grief from most police officers. You are two Traits down on all Social Challenges with law enforcement officials who know of your criminal past.
Dangerous Secret (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
You possess information of a highly secret nature. In fact, the information is so volatile that knowing about it puts your life in jeopardy. Perhaps you’ve uncovered a government conspiracy to breed humans and werewolves, or discovered that the archbishop is an infernalist. Not only will nobody believe you if you reveal the secret, but the individuals involved would probably bring the entire weight of the organization down on you. Revealing the secret might put you at risk of arrest or even execution.
Disconcerting (2 Trait Flaw)
No matter what you do, your presence seems to naturally put people on edge, and animals become skittish around you. Even once someone gets to know you better, that subtle sense of weirdness never really departs. You are two Traits down on all tests that involve getting someone to trust or like you, and should adopt acreepy mannerism or two to reflect the social difficulty this Flaw presents. Some such habits include, but are certainly not limited to: staring directly at someone without blinking, even while speaking to them; always referring to other people in the past tense (subtle, yet very effective); smiling or laughing softly whenever you hear bad news; and so on.
Dogged by Fringe Media (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
The truth is out there, but the sad fact is that lots of people went over the edge right along with it, and for one reason or another you’ve got one such “colorful” individual following you around. Worse still, this person is an amateur journalist for an paranormal Web site or ‘line of some kind, and thus while you needn’t worry about his work landing you on the front page of the local paper anytime soon, he can still draw lots of unwanted attention toward you, especially if monsters happen to monitor the local fringe media. What’s more, he has the most annoying habit of showing up just in time to witness something bizarre or difficult to explain, which naturally only fuels his curiosity further. You should work with the Storyteller to come up with some details about him and how the two of you met, although it will be up to the Storyteller to determine his true abilities and motivation.
Graceless (2 Trait Flaw)
The polar opposite of the Merit Graceful, you always seem to find the exact wrong thing to say or do, and never seem to make a good impression no matter how hard you try. In fact, the harder you try, the worse things get, which of course makes you more frustrated and determined, and so on. In game terms, you are two Traits down on all tests to make a good impression or recover from a social misstep.
Infamy (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
You’re well known in the area that you live, but for all the wrong reasons. You might be a well-known criminal associate, or perhaps you were involved in a prominent local scandal that has never quite lifted from your reputation. While you won’t necessarily be attacked on the street, people do tend to look down on you or treat you with some hostility, and so you are two Traits down on all Social Challenges with those who know about your past.
Notoriety (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Something that you have done, or not done, identifies you as a liability to others. Your bad reputation in your own society makes your life difficult, and even independent garou tend to distrust you. Maybe too many of your partners have been killed during your hunts, or perhaps your attitude is so zealous that you annoy everyone around you. You should choose the exact nature of this Flaw, with the help and approval of your Storyteller.
Persistent Parents (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
When you became a Garou, you likely disappeared from your old life. Your parents refuse to let your memory lie and started searching for you. Perhaps they’ve even hired private detectives to hunt for you. For some reason, you simply can’t come clean with your parents - perhaps your mother is employed by Pentex, or they have strange religious beliefs that would mandate killing you to “save” you.
Probation (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
At least it got you out of larger trouble, but making a deal for probation does have its bad side as well - you must report to your case officer on a regular basis, and submit to random searches of your residence or person when the court deems it necessary. Not only that, but you must demonstrate a commitment to becoming a model citizen as well: hold down a job, keep up with debt, not being seen any place suspicious, etc. Needless to say, this can make a lot of hunting activities quite difficult to get away with, but as the price for getting caught is most likely being tossed in jail, it’s a balancing act you’re going to have to become quite good at if you wish to go far.
Stalked (2 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Life as a garou is terrifying enough without the additional threat of an obsessed “normal” individual trailing your every move, but you have just one such sick person who continues to bother you despite repeated warnings to back off (legal and otherwise). This stalker need not be violent, but he is definitely beyond all reason regarding his obsession with you, and his action could possibly escalate into violence later on. Every time you got out you must make a Mental Challenge against five Traits - failure means that your stalker has managed to get your trail and may well put in an appearance later on that night. And before you ask, leading this nutcase into a trap or territory full of monsters never seems to work out the way you’d hope, at least until you buy off this Flaw .... Until then, however, you’re stuck with him.
Technophobe (2 Trait Flaw)
You hate modem technology, especially computers, and you’re pretty damn sure it hates you right back. While you’re at home with tried-and-true things like cars and telephones, making any sense of cell phones, pagers, laptops or other newfangled gizmos is quite beyond you. You must make a Mental Challenge against five Traits to perform even simple tasks on a computer, ATM machine or other technological device you’re not comfortable with (which is most of them), and the Storyteller will probably restrict some of the Abilities you can take at character creation to reflect this deficiency as well.
Hunted (3 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
A very powerful hunter is tracking you, believing you’re a rabid animal who’s a threat to all humanity. He has the skills and resources enough to make your life “interesting” (and to snuff it out, if you aren’t careful), and will keep you watching over your shoulder. Your friends, family, allies and associates are also in peril should this hunter decide to turn an eye their way. Worse, your hunter is immune to the Delirium. Keep one eye on the exits ....
Moneygrubbing (3 Trait Flaw)
Money makes the world go round, and you intend to ride the merry-go-round for all it’s worth. Everything is secondary to the pursuit of wealth, and you’re capable of performing some extreme things so long as there’s enough money in it for you. Any time you’re offered a bribe, even by a monster or other loathsome figure, you must either spend a Willpower Trait or make a Willpower test against six Traits to avoid accepting the bribe. This difficulty increases by one if you’re pretty sure the task required won’t hurt anyone (that you know of). In addition, you must make a similar test to avoid searching the bodies or dwellings of fallen opponents for valuables.. . or looting fallen allies for the same.
Wanted by Law Enforcement (3 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST APPROVAL
Well, now you’ve done it (or maybe not, but it sure looks like you did) -you‘re the prime suspect in a felony crime, and the police are actively searching for you. That means living a fugitive’s life from night to night, as your assets are frozen, your regular hangouts watched closely and your known associates might be called on to provide your whereabouts. It is assumed in this Flaw that for one reason or another you cannot simply walk into the police station and clear up the matter, even if you happen to be innocent. Indeed, this Flaw cannot be bought off at all unless you either undergo the long and difficult process of clearing your name, or you somehow deflect official attention in a big way (flee the country, fake your own death).
Ward (3 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
You are devoted to the protection of a human. Perhaps she’s Kinfolk, or one of the few friends you’ve hung onto since your Change. You may describe your Ward, but the Storyteller will actually create her. Such people are often targeted by your enemies, or just get caught up in the action too well. If she is Kinfolk, you must have a particularly special relationship with her (spouse, lover, child, longtime friend, sibling, etc.).
Criminal Entanglements (4 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Crime pays, as you learned when you went to some shady sources for a loan a while back; however, now you either can’t or won’t pay back what you owe, and that’s starting to.. . irritate your unlikely business partners. They’re not sending hit men after you - not yet - but they will definitely make themselves known before long, and what’s more they will have no problem escalating the level of their coercion in an effort to get their money back or make an example of you.
Mr Red Tape (4 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
Somehow, you always seem to get put at the bottom of the stack in any bureaucracy. Double the time and effort needed for all Bureaucracy Influence uses (for instance, faking a death certificate has a cost of six levels), as well as other influences (such as Health, University, Police) when they involve using official channels and/or paperwork.
Inept (5 Trait Flaw) – NEEDS ST NOTIFICATION
You are incompetent and unskilled. Until you buy off this Flaw, you may not buy your Abilities or Influences above one Trait.