Campaign of the Month: October 2017
Blood & Bourbon
Status
“Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society.”
Michel Foucault
“If you wish to know who a man is, place him in authority.”
Proverb
“But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.”
Montesquieu
Status is an open-ended Background that can model a character’s standing and authority in countless groups and organizations. What follows are a sample of the many types of Status available to the PCs. Players and the GM can come up with far more.
Mortal Status
These Status Backgrounds are available to all characters, mortal or night-folk. They represent standing and authority among sectors of mortal society.
| Status | Description |
| Academia | Adjunct professor (•), tenure-track professor (••), tenured professor (•••), department chair (••••), university president (•••••) |
| Church | Deacon (•), priest (••), senior priest or auxiliary bishop (•••), bishop (••••), archbishop (•••••), cardinal (••••• •), pope (••••• ••) |
| Corporate | New hire (•), company man (••), middle manager (•••), executive (••••), CEO (•••••) |
| Gang | Young blood (•), established soldier (••), crew chief (•••), kingpin’s right hand (••••), kingpin (•••••) |
| Hospital |
Doctors: Medical intern (•), resident physician (••), attending physician (•••), chief physician (••••), hospital president (•••••) Nurses: Nursing assistant or LPN (•), RN or charge nurse (••), nurse manager or service director (•••), chief nurse (••••) |
| Mafia | Associate (•), made man (••), caporegime (•••), underboss or consigliere (••••), don (•••••) |
| Military |
Enlisted: Private (•), corporal or sergeant (••), staff sergeant or sergeant first class (•••), master sergeant or first sergeant (••••), sergeant major (•••••) Officers: Lieutenant (•), captain (••), major (•••), colonel (••••), general (•••••) |
| Police | Beat cop (•), detective or sergeant (••), lieutenant or captain (•••), commander or deputy chief (••••), chief of police (•••••) |
Many further types of mortal Status are detailed on the Character Portal’s mortal pages.
Vampire Status
These Status Backgrounds are only available to vampire characters.
Camarilla Status
Effect: Camarilla Status represents a vampire’s reputation, esteem, and vested responsibility and according acknowledgement in the affairs of the local Camarilla. Regardless of clan and covenant, certain individuals rise to the top of the social or feudal strata, exemplary because of their efforts in the name of the domain as a whole. Princes, regents, primogen, harpies and other “officers” of a given domain fit this description. At higher ratings, the vampire’s recognition extends to neighboring cities, until their name is known by Camarilla-affiliated vampires throughout the world.
| Dots | Description |
| X | Acknowledged: The character is an accepted member of the Camarilla, but no more. They are just another neonate (or unaccomplished older Kindred) with no meaningful boons or reputation attached to their name. The one benefit to this level of Status is that no one covets the character’s station. |
| • | Known: The character has made a minor name for themselves among their city’s Camarilla. Other Kindred are starting to take notice of them, but they’re still too small-time to make any enemies by dint of reputation alone. The character has earned a few minor boons from other Kindred of equal or lesser standing. This level of Status is typical for indolent ancillae and promising neonates. |
| •• | Established: The character is a member of the Camarilla in good standing. They’ve proven themselves to be a worthy member of the city in which they reside and they possess a respectable number of boons from other Kindred of similar standing. The character’s fellows may regard them as a threat, but they’re still largely beneath the notice of the city’s biggest players. This level of Status is typical for established ancillae and a few outstandingly accomplished neonates. |
| ••• | Influential: The character is a member of the Camarilla in excellent standing and has built up a significant reputation around themselves. They hold numerous boons from their peers and maybe even a few from elders above their station. Neighboring cities may have heard of the character’s name and deeds. Other Kindred are eager to help the character by dint of reputation alone, but they’ve also captured the attention of rivals who want to see them fall from grace. This level of Status is typical for younger elders, decorated ancillae, and princes of small cities (e.g., Lafayette). |
| •••• | Powerful: The character is one of the most respected and influential Kindred in their city. They are recognized as a major player within Elysium and hold many boons, a number of which are owed by potent elders. Even the prince takes the character seriously, and their name and deeds have likely spread throughout the larger region. With this level of esteem comes dangerous rivals eager to claim the place they’ve carved out for themselves. This level of Status is typical for established elders and primogen, as well as princes of cities just large enough to have their own court structure (e.g., Baton Rouge). |
| ••••• | Luminary: The character is a pillar of the local Camarilla. They are either the respected prince of a respectably large city (e.g., Seattle, New Orleans, Houston) or wield equivalent social clout to one, in which case the city’s prince could well regard the character as a dangerous threat to their rule. Everyone’s eyes are on the character and they jealously covet what the character has. Of course, the character is owed so many boons that dislodging them from their throne won’t be an easy task—many of those boons are likely owed by the very same Kindred who desire the character’s downfall. Their name is well-established throughout the region and even known on a global scale, albeit as one of many such names. |
| ••••• • | Global Luminary: The character’s influence transcends the city in which they reside: their reputation is known in Elysia throughout the world. They might be a newer justicar, a retired many-term justicar, a confidante of the Inner Circle, or an exceptionally successful prince whose rule is held as an example for lesser princes to emulate. If the character does not claim praxis over their city, the local prince may well only rule by the character’s sufferance. Invariably, however, the character has made dangerous enemies with influence on a global scale. There’s only so much room at the top. |
| ••••• •• | Global Luminary: The character is a pillar of the global Camarilla and a colossus within the sect. They might be a many-term justicar or one of the most powerful princes in the world (such as Francois Villon of Paris or Mithras of London), and if they are the latter, even justicars—those dreaded representatives of the Inner Circle—find it necessary to entreat with the character as a peer and possibly even superior. The highest eyes of the Camarilla, however, are upon the character—a perilous thing. |
| ••••• ••• | Global Luminary: The character is a member of the Inner Circle. |
Camarilla Title
Effect: The character holds a formal title or office within the Camarilla, such as sheriff, primogen, prince, etc. Whereas Camarilla Status represents a character’s overall reputation and respect within the sect, Camarilla Title represents a specific office with additional privileges and authority over one’s fellow Kindred—though also duties and responsibilities. For example, while a character with Status (Camarilla) ••••• has the social clout of a prince, the character needs to buy Status (Prince) ••••• to actually be the ruler of a Camarilla city.
| Title | Dots |
| Archon/Servire | inexperienced servire (•), established servire (••), new archon or senior servire (•••), established archon (••••), “justicar’s right hand” archon (•••••) |
| Harpy | favored hanger-on (•), newer harpy (••), established harpy (•••), senior-most harpy (••••) |
| Primogen/Whip | ineffectual whip (•), puppet primogen/established whip (••), younger primogen/senior whip (•••), established primogen (••••), “first among equals” or kingmaker primogen (•••••) |
| Prince | “everyone knows they’re a puppet” prince (•••), “secretly a puppet to the primogen” prince (••••), established prince (••••), autocratic “dominates the primogen” prince (••••• •) |
| Seneschal | glorified secretary (••), established seneshcal (•••), prince’s clear second in command (higher Status than the other officers of court), runs the city as a virtual co-prince (equal Status to prince), power behind the prince’s throne (higher Status than prince) |
| Sheriff/Hound | new hound (•), established hound or newer sheriff (••), senior hound or established sheriff (•••), “judge, jury, and executioner” sheriff (••••) |
Some other Camarilla titles include the keeper/master of Elysium, herald, chancellor, consul, eschatologist, headhunter, myrmidon, scourge, scribe, steward, and warden.
Clan Status
Effect: Clan Status is concerned with lineage and the Blood. At the outset of a chronicle, a Kindred’s standing often reflects the prestige their sire has gained and passed along, such as with regard to the Ventrue. Many assume that childer who were Embraced by powerful and influential members of the clan have already shown some special quality or excellence, otherwise they would not have been chosen by so great a sire. This kind of recognition is short lived, however. A neonate might enjoy prestige by association under the purview of her sire, but such a favored childe is expected to make a name for themselves.
Vampires who truly embody the ideals of their clan and who establish themselves in positions of power and influence (often as primogen) gain the respect of others in their clan, being perceived as models for success. While the Toreador tell tales of particularly vicious harpies of distant cities, the Gangrel speak of brooding hulks who confidently brave the Lupine-infested wilds alone. Those who diverge from the expected behavior of the clan in remarkable ways gain renown (or notoriety), as well, perhaps founding bloodlines that become known to vampire society as a whole.
Clan Status is not so rigidly defined as Covenant Status. While some clans (notably, the Ventrue and Tremere) have formal internal hierarchies, the notion of esteem is usually more generalized.
| Dots | Description |
| X | Nobody: The character is an acknowledged member of their clan but has yet to earn a name for themselves. They’re wet behind the ears and haven’t shown much potential (or perhaps they’ve shown potential compounded with problems). They might still turn out to be a waste of the Blood and no one pays much attention to what they say. This level of Status is typical for less accomplished neonates—it’s less common for Kindred to have zero dots in Clan Status than Camarilla Status. |
| • | Known: The character is starting to be known for something among their clan. The character’s still wet behind the ears, but they’ve shown potential and that they’re probably not a waste of the Blood. The character is still too green to have much influence in clan matters, but their elders are more willing to entertain their their thoughts and ideas. The character might also be an older Kindred who simply hasn’t been interested in establishing a reputation among their clan. |
| •• | Credible: The character is a member of their clan in good standing and receives begrudging recognition from their clanmates. The character has consistently proven their worth to the clan, has some seniority over younger members, and is no longer considered wet behind the ears. The character’s clanmates listen when they have something to say, though they’d best remember their place next to their elders. The character is probably starting to develop rivals happy to engineer their fall from grace. |
| ••• | Esteemed: The character is a member of their clan in excellent standing. The character is respected by their clanmates and is entrusted with significant secrets and tasks to further the clan’s interests. The character’s opinion carries significant worth and younger clanmates see the character as an example (or superior) and look to them for guidance. The character can credibly represent their clan before elders with their clanmates’ blessing. This increased respect also brings rivals who covet the character’s position and plot against them. |
| •••• | Admired: The character is a leading member of their clan. The character embodies their clan’s ideals and is given respect and a wide berth by all of their clanmates. The character leads conversations during clan gatherings and is always one of the first Kindred to speak. The character is an elder among the clan and can credibly claim to speak for its interests around other elders. Many rivals covet the character’s station and plot against them, but that envy is tempered with a healthy caution. |
| ••••• | Revered: The character is a paragon of their clan. The character has proven their quality on countless occasions and is considered a near-flawless exemplar of their clan’s ideals. The character speaks first and last during conversations and sets agendas during clan meetings, many of which are likely called at the character’s behest. The character can overrule other elders, many of whom don’t hold this level of esteem among the clan. Clanmates who don’t fear the character plot incessantly against them, but they are extremely cautious to make any moves until certain they can come out ahead. |
| ••••• • + | Global Reverence: Clan Status of six or more dots measures how well-known the character is on a global scale. The character’s name will go down in stories, histories, and even legends passed throughout the entire clan. |
Covenant Status
Effect: Covenant Status represents rank, achievement and responsibility within a covenant. It is less concerned with clan ideals and more with covenant actions, philosophies and accomplishments. The various covenants are not bound by any supernatural means or governed by clan lineage. They find a commonality of goals and ideologies, instead. It is not enough to be powerful or exemplary of clan ideals; a covenant is concerned with what its members have done to benefit its cause and combat its rivals.
Those Kindred who enjoy the greatest covenant-based esteem are often the core members of their factions in a given city, those around whom others rally. These Kindred instigate or mediate conflict with other covenants, generally looking to further certain idealistic goals and establish themselves or other members in positions of influence in the local hierarchy. A Nosferatu in command of a massive spy network might have Status within his clan, but the lowliest of his spies might risk her unlife to gather a specific piece of information that helps oust the Invictus prince, subsequently enjoying far more status with, say, the Circle of the Crone than her master.
Like Clan Status, Covenant Status is not so specifically tied to certain titles. It is more a notion of an individual’s accomplishments. A Lancea et Sanctum priest, for example, has a greater title than, say, a noted ethicist of the covenant, but that ethicist might have written numerous treatises on the state of undeath and the soul, according her more esteem among her peers than the priest who rides solely on the weight of his title.
| Dots | Description |
| X | Nobody: The character may be a member of the covenant, but they haven’t done anything to distinguish themselves. This level of Status is typical for lackadaisical neonates and older Kindred who only hold purely nominal membership in the covenant. It is less common for neonates to have zero dots in Covenant Status than Camarilla Status: covenants are smaller and afford more opportunities for advancement. |
| • | Known: The character has made a minor name for themselves and holds a few responsibilities. The character has little authority, but they likely haven’t made any enemies as a result. This level of Status is typical for average neonates or older Kindred who haven’t bothered to greatly involve themselves in their covenant’s affairs. |
| •• | Established: The character has consistently proven themselves to be a useful member of their covenant. They have received some further measure of trust from their superiors and been entrusted with carrying out moderately important tasks. The character likely doesn’t wield any formal authority over the covenant’s lower-Status members, but they recognize the character’s higher place in the pecking order. The character is probably starting to be regarded as a threat by his peers and immediate superiors. |
| ••• | Influential: The character is part of the covenant’s mid-level leadership, or “middle management.” The character is charged with carrying out the will of the covenant’s leadership and has notable autonomy in fulfilling their duties. The character likely wields some degree of formal authority over Kindred of lower Status. Kindred below the character actively want their position, while the character’s peers recognize them as a competitor and threat to their own advancement. |
| •••• | Powerful: The character is part of the inner circle that runs the covenant. The character has great sway over the covenant’s policies within the city, which the character likely decides together with their (few) peers and possible superior (which the covenant may not even have). Together, they arbitrate intra-covenant disputes and provide direction and guidance to lower-ranking members. The character’s authority comes with many benefits, but commensurately many rivals. Not only do many lower-ranking vampires desire the character’s position, but the character’s peers and (possible) superior may well regard them as a threat too. There’s not much room at the top. |
| ••••• | Luminary: The character is the covenant’s recognized leader within their city. If the covenant is less hierarchical, the character may simply be recognized as first among equals. The character sets the covenant’s agendas and has the first and last word on any subject concerning its activities. The character’s every word probably isn’t law, but no inferior wants to be seen openly challenging the character. Not yet, at least. The character’s position is the single most envied one in the whole covenant, and it’s probably only a matter of time until one of their subordinates makes a move. |
| ••••• • + | Global Luminary: Covenant Status of six or more dots measures how well-known the character is on a global scale. |
Clan/Covenant Friendship
Prerequisite: Not a member of the clan or covenant.
Effect: Characters can hold Status in clans and covenants other than their own. This indicates how much the character is liked and respected by the faction even if they aren’t an actual member. Perhaps they’re a religious Invictus member who shows regular support for the Lancea et Sanctum, or perhaps they’re a Malkavian painter whose artwork has made a splash among the local Toreador.
| Dots | Description |
| X | Neutral: The faction likes the character as much as any outsider. |
| • | Liked: The faction has taken a particular shine to the character or perhaps simply finds them amusing. They prefer the character’s company over that of other Kindred and are more readily inclined to do the character favors. At this level of friendship, the character does not need to have done anything significant to earn it. |
| •• | Respected: The faction respects the character and values their association with them. The character has come to the faction’s aid before (or done something else to earn acclaim) and they won’t soon forget it. They don’t trust the character as much as they do their own, but the character is considered a solid friend and ally, one deserving of commensurate respect. |
| ••• | Cherished: The faction holds a profound and abiding respect for the character. The character come to the faction’s aid on countless occasions (or been an exemplar of the faction’s virtues) and proved their friendship beyond all doubt. The faction is willing to perform significant favors on the character’s behalf, and though these favors aren’t free, they’re much more than the faction would normally offer outsiders. If the character lacks a sire, one of the faction’s elders may offer to adopt the character as an honorary childe. |
Another benefit of holding Status within other Kindred factions is the ability to attend functions otherwise exclusive to members of the faction. A non-Brujah with Status (Brujah), for example, could show up for rants, while a non-Acolyte with Status (Circle of the Crone) could attend the covenant’s religious rites.
This Background may be purchased multiple times, representing a character’s relationship with a different Kindred faction each time.
Drawback: A character who associates too freely with clans, covenants, or sects outside their own is viewed suspiciously by their fellows. (After all, why are they so cozy with outsiders?) For every dot by which the character’s Status dots in a faction they don’t belong to exceeds their Status in the same category of faction they do belong to, the character takes a -1 penalty on Social rolls against their “native” faction’s other members. For example, an Invictus Ventrue with Status (Toreador) 2, Status (Invictus) 1, and Status (Ventrue) 1 would take -1 on Social rolls against other Ventrue, but no penalty on Social rolls against other Invictus members. All of the independent clans except the Ravnos count as covenants for this purpose.
Coterie Status
Effect: The character belongs to a coterie of mutually allied Kindred. The history of the coterie might extend a hundred years before the character was born, but so long as the character holds membership, they enjoy the support of its members and the use of any shared resources it holds. The number of dots in this Background determines how large and/or accomplished its members are.
| Dots | Description |
| • | A weak coterie. It might be: • A moderately sized coterie (up to half a dozen members), most of whom are Status 0 misfits and losers. Some members might even be thin-bloods. • A tiny coterie (three or so members) of Status 1 neonates. The Storyvilles were such a coterie during the nights leading up to their disintegration. |
| •• | A coterie of average effectiveness. It might be: • A large coterie (up to a dozen-ish members) of mostly Status 0 misfits and losers. • A moderately sized coterie of mostly Status 1 neonates. Most neonate krewes, like the Storyvilles during their heyday, fit this type of coterie. • A tiny coterie of highly accomplished Status 2 neonates or young ancillae. |
| ••• | A potent coterie that is a solid cut above typical neonate krewes. It might be: • A large coterie of mostly Status 1 neonates. • A moderately sized coterie of mostly Status 2 accomplished neonates or young ancillae. • A tiny coterie of Status 3 ancillae. |
| •••• | A very potent coterie that is practically a sub-covenant in terms of the influence it can bring to bear. It might be: • A large coterie of mostly Status 2 members. • A moderately sized coterie of mostly Status 3 members. Such coteries are uncommon; many Status 3 vampires drift towards positions of leadership in other coteries or eschew coteries altogether. • A tiny coterie of Status 4 members. Such elder coteries are properly known as conspiracies rather than coteries (what else is more fitting to call a gathering of elders?) and operate very differently than neonate krewes. |
| ••••• | An extremely potent coterie whose power and influence equals a true covenant. It might be: • An enormous coterie that includes enough members of varying Status and internal divisions to make it a covenant for all practical purposes. • A smaller conspiracy of mostly Status 4 elders or a handful of Status 5 elders. These elders may be spread out across multiple cities. A conspiracy whose elders live in the same city is likely to include the majority of that city’s elders, with representatives from a plethora of clans and covenants. (If this sounds like the primogen by another name… yes, it is.) |
| -1 | The coterie is disunified. Its members are slower to come to one another’s aid and may work at cross-purposes when their shared interests aren’t at stake. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing: in a case of “better inside the tent pissing out, than outside pissing in”, such a coterie often serves as a forum for rival Kindred to peacefully resolve conflicting agendas, or else draws together Kindred who wouldn’t belong to a more united coterie anyway. The primogen is a good example of such a coterie. (Attentive readers will note that membership in a 5-dot coterie downgraded to 4 dots for disunity is the same dot rating to be an established primogen member through Camarilla Title.) |
| -1 | The character is a junior member of the coterie and has less clout and respect than a typical member. |
| +1 | The character is the coterie’s leader, patron, or puppet-master. The coterie’s members defer to the character and follow their lead. |
Descendants
Effect: The character is sire to an extended brood of Kindred descendants. These Kindred can consist of childer, grandchilder, great-grandchilder, and still more distant descendants: any vampires who can trace the “family tree” of their Embrace back to the character.
These Kindred look up to the character and turn to them for guidance, aid, and leadership. The character in turn commands their descendants’ respect, has sway over their actions, and can likewise turn to them for aid and assistance. (Elders can be notoriously slow to trust Kindred who are not their blood relatives.) If the character is high Status, they’re respected just for having descendants—being sire to a large brood is a sign of prestige in Kindred society, and many elders are sires to great lineages that live on past even them. These descendants may belong to different covenants than the character and be scattered far and wide across the earth, but their obligation to their matriarch or patriarch never leaves.
Like with all forms of Status, the character adds their Descendants Status dots to Social rolls against their progeny—and unlike other forms of Kindred Status, there are very few circumstances where Descendants Status does not apply. A given Kindred’s standing in their clan, sect, or covenant may not be relevant during purely personal dealings with other vampires, but the relationship between sire and childe is by definition always personal, and that blood tie never leaves.
| Dots | Description |
| • | A small brood of two to four Kindred. The character’s bloodline is larger than a solitary sire and childe, but still occupies a minor place within their city (even if the character’s descendants may be highly individually accomplished). Example: Antoine Savoy’s three descendants, Doc Xola’s two descendants, Coco’s two descendants. |
| •• | A modest brood, up to six or so Kindred, that consists of a meaningful portion of their clan. Example: Annie Pope’s descendants, Alejandro’s descendants, Caitlin Meadows’ descendants. |
| ••• | A notable brood, up to around ten or so Kindred, potentially consisting of a plurality of the clan. Example: Alejandro’s Ventrue, Harlequin’s Malkavians. |
| •••• | A large brood, possibly the largest in the city. It may well compose a majority of the local clan. It may have offshoots and “cadet branches” in other cities. Example: Accou’s Toreador, Lothar Constantine’s Ventrue. |
| ••••• | A vast brood, prolific for its size within the city, with probable offshoots in other cities—there’s only so much room within a single one. Example: “The Mother’s” Malkavians, Miss Opal’s Nosferatu, Pearl Chastain’s Toreador. |
| ••••• •+ | A brood this large is too vast to be contained within a single city. The more dots, the more it’s spread out across the world. Pearl Chastain’s brood in New Orleans rates five dots, but accounting for her brood in Cuba, Lafayette (through Accou), and (possibly) the Old World brings her above five. |
Vassals
Prerequisite: Status or Domain dots equal to Vassals dots
Effect: The character is overlord to one or more vassals who dwell within the character’s domain. These vampires owe the character loyalty and service in return for hunting rights and getting to rule their own sub-domains; the Second Tradition and Kindred Feudalism page for more information about what the relationship between overlords and vassals can look like. The number of dots in this Background determines how many vassals the character commands. These vassals are almost always of lower Status than the character.
| Dots | Description |
| • | A single vassal. |
| •• | A couple or so vassals. |
| ••• | Around half a dozen vassals. |
| •••• | Up to a dozen vassals. |
| ••••• | More than a dozen vassals. |
Drawback: If the character has more Vassals dots than Domain dots, take a cumulative -2 penalty on hunting rolls in their domain from overcrowding.
Ghoul Status
Prerequisite: The character must be a ghoul.
Effect: Ghouls have their own elaborate pecking order, though their vampiric masters pay little heed to it. As a rule of thumb, most ghouls have Ghoul Status equal or below the average of their domitor’s Kindred Status.
| Dots | Description |
| X | The ghoul has been given the Blood, but that is all. Their fellows regard them as a disposable pawn or plaything for their domitor and not likely to last very long. The ghoul might even be a dangerous rogue the Kindred have marked for death. |
| • | The ghoul is a recognized member of their kind’s society. Their domitor seems likely to keep them around. The ghoul’s name isn’t respected, but other half-bloods remember it. |
| •• | The ghoul has made a moderate name for themselves and enjoys some amount of standing, either through service to a noteworthy vampire, significant trust from their domitor, or simple longevity. Probationary members of the Krewe of Janus often have this level of Status. |
| ••• | The ghoul enjoys a notable degree of esteem, either through long and distinguished service to their domitor, the clear favor of a powerful vampire, or some combination of both. Most ghouls within the Krewe of Janus have at least this level of Status. |
| •••• | The ghoul is greatly respected by their fellows. They have likely lived well past their allotted mortal lifetime in service to a prominent elder vampire, such as one of the primogen. If the ghoul belongs to the Krewe of Janus, they have made a name for themselves beyond those already-esteemed ghouls, and are regarded as an especially important member of the Krewe. |
| ••••• | The ghoul commands nearly as much respect—if not fear—among their fellows as the Kindred themselves do. If the ghoul is part of the Krewe of Janus, they are a leader within the Krewe who coordinates its activities during the day. If the ghoul serves a single domitor, they likely enjoy the unparalleled trust and confidence of one of the most powerful elders in the city, whom they have faithfully served for multiple lifetimes. The ghoul might even have the prince themselves for their domitor. The casquette girls also hold this level of Status. |
Hunter Status
These Status Backgrounds are typically only available to hunter characters. Some night-folk manage to infiltrate hunter groups and acquire Status in them, but such is uncommon.
Hunter Cell Status
Effect: The character belongs to (or might simply be closely allied with) a cell of hunters who uphold the Vigil together. The cell’s members might be from the same compact or conspiracy or from a variety of compacts and conspiracies (or unaffiliated with any compact or conspiracy). The number of Background dots determines how powerful and experienced the cell is.
Some cells are infiltrated by night-folk who manage to fake their way into the cell while pretending to be human. Some cells willingly accept monsters into their ranks and form permanent alliances. These cells are derisively called “cancer cells” by other hunters, who often view them as compromised and attempt to deal with them accordingly. Most cancer cells keep the inhuman nature of their cellmate a tightly guarded secret.
| Dots | Description |
| • | A cell of inexperienced and fresh-faced hunters still new to the Vigil. They may or may not have been on a real hunt yet. |
| •• | An established cell of moderately experienced hunters. They’ve probably been doing this between one and several years. They have been on a couple real hunts. |
| ••• | A potent cell of seasoned hunters. They’ve probably been doing this for at least half a decade. They’ve been on enough hunts that it’s routine business at this point. |
| •••• | An extremely capable cell of grizzled veterans. They’ve probably been doing this for at least a decade and have been on more hunts than they can count. This is the most experienced level of hunter cell that typically exists. |
| ••••• | A nigh-legendary cell likely to make history. Each member is a living legend in their own right, almost certainly with multiple decades of experience, and probably a leader of their own cell or removed from field work under normal circumstances. Such cells usually only form on a temporary basis in response to extraordinary threats. |
| -1 | The character is a junior member of the cell and has less clout and respect than a typical member. |
| +1 | The character is the head of the cell (or patron or puppet-master behind the cell). The other hunters defer to the character and follow their lead. |
Hunter Organization Status
The character belongs to (or might simply be closely allied with) a compact or conspiracy of hunters. The number of Background dots indicates the character’s standing, achievements and reputation within the group. Other hunters respect the word of a high-Status character, and while they won’t necessarily lay down their lives for him or her, they regard the character as a leader. Status in a conspiracy also lets the character purchase its Endowments.
| Dots | Description |
| X | The character is a prospective member of the organization. Such hunters are not usually privy to important plans, and certainly aren’t trusted with expensive equipment (or Endowments, for a conspiracy). |
| • | New Inductee: The character has been accepted into the organization, but probably hasn’t done anything special. They may or may not have been on a real hunt yet. |
| •• | Established Member: The organization in the character’s area knows the character as a trustworthy and dependable hunter. They might be chosen as a second-in-command for a hunt. |
| ••• | Influential Member: The character is a mid-ranking member of the organization and is often placed in charge of hunts. Members of the organization in other parts of the country know the character’s name, and trade stories of their exploits. At this point, the character needs to be concerned about their reputation becoming a liability. |
| •••• | Leading Member: The character is considered a leader in the organization, whether they like it or not. They can get support (personnel and equipment) to undertake their own hunts without difficulty, and even order other hunters to undertake independent hunts; it’s entirely possible the character might no longer be involved in regular field operations. Still, if a hunt tied to the character fails, they run the risk of being ousted. Monsters belonging to organized societies might have heard the character’s name (or, more likely, a nickname and a description). |
| ••••• | Paramount Member: Hunters who live long enough to achieve this level of Status are the stuff of legend, and that’s not a good thing for people to whom anonymity is survival. Of course, a leader like this is considered too important to go on field operations without a lot of support; the character’s days of regular hunts are very likely behind them. The character probably runs the organization in their region or metropolitan area, and answers only to the global or national leaders of the entire organization. |
| ••••• • | National Leader: The character leads a nation-spanning hunter organization or runs a global organization’s division within a major country. |
| ••••• •• | Global Leader: The character leads a globe-spanning hunter organization. |
by:
False_Epiphany