1. Choose Concept, Nature, Demeanour, Gender, Age and Name.
2. Prioritise Physical, Social and Mental (7/5/3). Rate Attributes. None may rise above 5 at Character Creation. Newbirths rate as (6/4/3).
3. Prioritise Talents, Skills and Knowledges (13/9/5). Rate Abilities; note that none may rise above 3 at this point. (Newbirths rate as (5/3/0).
4. Select Aptitudes (4). Players may choose any of the Aptitudes, but none may rise above 2 at this point.
5. Select Backgrounds (5). Newbirths are heavily restricted by what Backgrounds they may start with. See below for Backgrounds.
6. Choose Ethical Code. Rate appropriate Moralities (5). Record starting Balance.
7. Calculate Willpower (equal to Courage), Initiative (Instinct + Courage) and starting Vita (Intelligence + Quintessence). Unless the character purchases any
levels of the Essence Background, her maximum Vita is 10, even if she starts the game with less.
8. Select starting Manifestations (up to 15). Kylars must balance Feadoses. No more than 15 points of Kylars or Feadoses may be taken at Character Creation.
Players may choose to begin with no Manifestations. Newbirths may take a maximum of 10 points.
9. Spend Freebie Points (15 � see costs below), and purchase Merits and Flaws if desired. Abilities can now rise to a maximum of 5, and Aptitudes may be raised
above 2. Starting Vita is limited to the character�s Essence Background.
10. Record Vita Limit, as according to the Essence Background (default Limitis 1). Record Renown, as according to your Status Background (and any other relevant Traits).
11. Calculate Soak (Bashing = Stamina + Endurance, Lethal = [Stamina + Endurance]/2) and Encumbrance limitations (Maximum = [Strength + Stamina + Might +
Endurance + Willpower] x 2, Arduous = [3 x Maximum]/4), Hard = Maximum/2, Awkward = Maximum/4).
Allies
The Allies Background reflects on how many people you can rely on in times of need. However, be warned � your allies aren�t there just to help you out, the relationship is two-way. Allies can be either Nephilim or Human, although the costs vary. For each point invested in Allies, your character may have one Human Ally, or alternatively for two points, she can have one Nephilim Ally. For example, four points in Allies could give a character either four Human Allies, two Human Allies and one Nephilim Ally, or two Nephilim Allies. This Background cannot be taken at Character Creation for a Newbirth.
Artefact
The Artefact Background is a measure of how potent a particular artefact that your character possesses is. This Background
Attribute
Ability
Aptitude
Background
Morality
Willpower
Vita
Initiative
5
2
7
1
2
1
2
1
X No artefact.
� A low-level artefact; requires only a Vita roll to activate.
�� A mildly impressive artefact; requires the expenditure of 1 Vita to activate.
��� A moderately powerful artefact; requires the expenditure of 1-2 Vita to activate.
���� A very powerful artefact; requires the expenditure of 2-3 Vita to activate.
����� An extremely powerful artefact; requires the expenditure of 3-4 Vita, and perhaps a Vita roll, to activate.
Circle
Essential to all Nephilim who wish to utilise their Aptitudes is the force of Vita, which is a part of them and a part of the world around them. Humans produce Vita unknowingly, but this Vita is only accessed through amiable relations with the Humans, or from Zombi. Such knowledge is kept very secret from Humans, and in fact most Nephilim are unaware of how it works either. Regardless, this Background is a measure of how many Humans the Nephilim knows well enough to provide a source of Vita that she can easily tap into. The Humans in a character�s Circle should be defined at character creation.
X None. The character will just have to get by on taking Vita when she can.
� 1 Circle member. The character is able to regain up to 3 Vita points per day, provided she spends some time amicably with her Circle member.
�� 2 Circle members. The character is able to regain up to 3 Vita points per day from each Circle member she spends time amicably with.
��� 3 Circle members. The character is able to regain up to 3 Vita points per day from each Circle member she spends time amicably with.
���� 4 Circle members. The character is able to regain up to 3 Vita points per day from each Circle member she spends time amicably with.
����� 5 Circle members. The character is able to regain up to 3 Vita points per day from each Circle member she spends time amicably with.
Citizenship
The Citizenship Background represents the character�s standing in one of the Seven Kingdoms. Exact details should be worked out with the Storyteller. This Background may be bought/acquired multiple times to reflect Citizenship in more than one Kingdom. This Background cannot be taken at Character Creation for a Newbirth.
X No Citizenship. The character belongs nowhere, and will be in a great deal of trouble should she run into any authorities.
� Low-level Citizenship; the character is considered as little more than a peasant.
�� Common-level Citizenship; the character knows a few people.
��� Middle class-level Citizenship; the character should be (but not always is) respected by those with lower Citizenship, and knows the majority of the place�s
authorities.
���� High-level Citizenship; the character is respected by the authorities and has much more leeway than the average citizen would get.
����� Elite-level Citizenship; the character is a well-known patron of the area, and is granted respect and adoration by the inhabitants.
Contacts
Contacts is a measure of how many people the character knows who can provide her with information. Contacts are almost always Humans, although major contacts may be Nephilim at Storyteller discretion.
X No contacts at all.
� One mediocre contact, and a smattering of minor contacts.
�� Two mediocre contacts, and a collection of minor contacts.
��� Three mediocre contacts, and a few minor contacts.
���� One major contact, four mediocre contacts, and a small network of minor contacts.
����� Two major contacts, five mediocre contacts, and a vast network of minor contacts.
Essence
Nephilim are imbued with Manifestations and the power of Vita upon their birth from the Initium Occasus. The Essence Background represents how in tune the character is with her Vita. Note that while the Essence Background cannot ever change after Character Creation, her Vita Limit can (through Experience Points).
X The character can have a maximum Vita pool of 10, and her Vita Limit is 1 Vita point per turn.
� The character can have a maximum Vita pool of 12, and her Vita Limit is 1 Vita point per turn.
�� The character can have a maximum Vita pool of 14, and her Vita Limit is 2 Vita points per turn.
��� The character can have a maximum Vita pool of 16, and her Vita Limit is 3 Vita points per turn.
���� The character can have a maximum Vita pool of 18, and her Vita Limit is 4 Vita points per turn.
����� The character can have a maximum Vita pool of 20, and her Vita Limit is 5 Vita points per turn.
Fame
Fame is a measure of how renowned the character is amongst Human society, for whatever reason. Fame often ties in with Citizenship.
X None; the character is a nobody.
� Meagre; the character is known in one settlement, most often that in which she was born.
�� Moderate; the character is known in three settlements that are all close together.
��� Renowned; the character is famous in one area of a country, or to one sub-race.
���� Widespread; the character is famous in an entire country, or to one race.
����� Legendary; there are not many people who have not heard of the character.
Fellowship
Fellowship determines how high-standing a character is within a particular Nephilim faction. This Background may be bought/acquired multiple times to reflect the character having Fellowship in more than one faction � although this could be potentially dangerous for the character. No Fellowship rating may ever be greater than the character�s Status rating.
X None; the character doesn�t even qualify for the Nomads.
� Minor; the character is occasionally invited to Faction gatherings, but is usually just ordered to do the legwork.
�� Moderate; the character is often invited to Faction gatherings, is privy to certain information, and is often asked to perform important tasks.
��� Respected; the character is always invited to Faction gatherings, and is considered trustworthy for all sorts of information.
���� Feared; the character ranks highly in the Faction, and often has her own contingent to command.
����� Legendary; the character is one of the most highly-acclaimed luminaries of the Faction, and has a say in almost everything of importance.
Mana
Mana is a second source of mystical energy, other than the character�s inherent Vita. This Background is a representative of how naturally it comes to the character to use mystical powers and abilities. When performing an Aptitude power that requires the character to spend at least 1 Vita point, the character may also elect to spend one or more (depending on how much she has in this Background) Mana points to reduce the difficulty of any (all, if there is more than 1) rolls that are required for the effect. The difficulty of any roll may not be lowered by more than three. Recovering Mana must be done whilst in a state of meditation; the character must roll Stamina + Meditation (difficulty 7) when doing so; each success restores one point of Mana up to her maximum.
X You must get by with your skill and Vita alone.
� May store a pool of/expend one Mana.
�� May store a pool of/expend two Mana.
��� May store a pool of/expend three Mana.
���� May store a pool of/expend four Mana.
����� May store a pool of/expend five Mana.
Mentor
A Mentor is someone who guides and teaches the character, and though he may not always be there for her, she at least has a valued friend and educator. This Background may be bought/acquired multiple times to reflect the character having more than one Mentor. Mentors are almost always Nephilim. Characters learning new Aptitude powers by working with, or being taught by, her Mentor, may purchase the new power for 1 less Experience Point.
X None; the character must get by alone.
� A Mentor of limited capability and roughly equal status.
�� A Mentor of proficient capability, respected in some circles.
��� A Mentor of impressive ability, with a good reputation, perhaps in one of the Nephilim factions.
���� A Mentor of great competence, respected by many. The Nephilim is likely a fairly high-ranking member of one of the Nephilim factions.
����� A Mentor who is of extraordinary authority in his area, and is known by almost all. The Nephilim is almost certainly a high-ranking member of one of the
Nephilim factions.
Patron
A Patron differs from a Mentor in that a Patron is usually the character�s employer or contractor. The relationship between the character and her Patron is most often formal and professional, and while a Patron can reward greatly, he can also punish terribly, should the character make some sort of embarrassing mistake. This Background may be bought/acquired multiple times to reflect the character having more than one Patron. The majority of Patrons are Human, although it is not unheard of to have a Nephilim Patron.
X None; while the character is not tied to an employer, it does mean that she will have to find work or money herself.
� A Patron of limited standing and wealth.
�� A Patron of moderate standing and wealth.
��� A mildly respected Patron of reasonable standing, wealth and influence.
���� A well-respected Patron of impressive standing, wealth and influence.
����� A highly-respected Patron of excellent standing, wealth and influence.
Resources
Life in the World is hard, and for those without money it can be even harder. The Resources Background is a measure of how much materiel wealth the character has. Whether this is simply how much gold the character�s coffers hold, or the amount of property she owns, or both, this Background represents how affluent she is. Characters that begin with the Resources Background (or even those that do not) may begin with the following Wealth, which may be put into her Haul, Store, or both, as she sees fit, and in any denomination, so long as it totals correctly. Obviously this is only a starting value, and once spent, the character does not retain the amount given in the following table, despite retaining the Resources rating.
X Virtually nothing; the character is almost penniless and often owns nothing but the clothes on her back (and in some cases, she doesn�t even own those).
Begin with 1gc (Gold Crowns) or an equivalent amount.
� Scant; the character barely has enough to pay for food and lodgings. Begin with 10gc or an equivalent amount.
�� Sufficient; the character can afford at least two meals a day, basic lodgings and a few limited possessions. Begin with 50gc or an equivalent amount.
��� Affluent; the character can afford three decent meals a day, comfortable lodgings and has ample wealth to afford a few luxuries. At this level, the character
can afford to own her own house. Begin with 100gc or an equivalent amount.
���� Wealthy; the character has enough to feed an entire family, probably owns her own business, and has enough material possessions to satisfy most of her
needs. Begin with 250gc or an equivalent amount.
����� Rich; the character is ridiculously wealthy. Not only can she afford fine foods from foreign lands, but she may also own her own castle, complete with
servants. There is very little that she cannot afford. Begin with 500gc or an equivalent amount.
Retainers
The Retainers Background represents how many people are in the character�s employ, whether for money, by oath, or as a slave. Retainers will usually accept any order, but it is the foolish master who demands too much of his lackeys. The Storyteller always creates and plays a character�s retainers, although their basic identities should be considered with the player.
X None; the character is alone.
� One retainer.
�� Two retainers.
��� Three retainers.
���� Four retainers.
����� Five retainers.
Status
Status differs from Fame in that Status concerns the character�s rank in Nephilim society as opposed to Human society. Although Status also dictates starting Renown, this Trait can fluctuate greatly during the game, regardless of the character�s Status. Status has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on Humans, unless they happen to pay attention to such Nephilim matters. Characters beginning play with the Status Background may not also begin with the Flaw: Notoriety.
X No Status. Being with zero Renown.
� Low Status; the character is mostly regarded with a grunt of acknowledgement at best. Begin with Renown 1.
�� Moderate Status; the character is accepted as being above the common urban mob. Begin with Renown 2.
��� Fair Status; the character is regarded well by most. Begin with Renown 3.
���� Good Status; the character is invited to all the top gatherings. Begin with Renown 4.
����� High Status; the character is a luminary and is well received by virtually anyone. At this level, the character is treated as having an automatic Fellowship rating
of 1 in any neutral or amicable place she visits. Begin with Renown 5.
Weapon
The Weapon Background denotes a special weapon that the character possesses. Note that �weapon� may also include armour, and that the Weapon does not have to be mystical; this Background can simply denote that the character possesses a rare or very expensive weapon. This Background may be bought/acquired multiple times to reflect the character possessing more than one special Weapon. Exact powers of mystical Weapons must be approved by the Storyteller, although some examples are given here.
X None; the character possesses only standard weaponry (though not if she has no Resources).
� Above average weapon, or weapon of limited mystical capability.
�� Hard-to-find weapon, or weapon of moderate mystical capability.
��� Very expensive weapon, or weapon of impressive mystical capability.
���� Rare and valuable weapon, or weapon of great mystical capability.
����� Exceedingly rare and very valuable weapon, or weapon of legendary mystical capability.