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[[Setting: Changeling House Rules | Changeling House Rules]]\\

====== Changeling Merits ======
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======Physical Merits======

Acute Sense (1pt. Merit)\\
//You have one exceptionally sharp sense: hearing, touch, smell, vision or taste. The difficulties for tasks involving the sense in question are decreased by two.//

Ambidextrous (1pt. Merit)\\
//You have a high degree of off-hand dexterity and can perform tasks with the “wrong” hand at no penalty. The rules 
for taking multiple actions still apply, but you do not suffer a difficulty penalty if you use two weapons or are forced to use your off hand.//

Double-Jointed (1pt. Merit)\\
//You’re unusually supple. Reduce the difficulty of any roll involving body flexibility by two. Squeezing through a tiny space is one example of a use for this Merit.//

Friendly Face (1pt. Merit)\\
//You have a face strangers are inclined to trust. The effect doesn’t fade even if you attempt self-deprecation, leaving you at –2 difficulty on all appropriate Social rolls (yes for first impressions, no for Intimidation, for example) when a stranger is involved. This Merit only functions on a first meeting.//

Poison Resistance (1pt. Merit)\\
//It could be you’ve a natural resistance, or perhaps you’ve built up your defenses against all known types of poisons. Any time you need to make a soak roll against the effects of a poison or toxin, reduce your difficulty by three.//

Wheelman (1pt. Merit)\\
//You have a natural affinity for driving motorized wheeled vehicles. The difficulties of all rolls requiring risky or especially difficult driving maneuvers are reduced by two.//

Crack Shot (2pt. Merit)\\
//Whether pointing a gun, arrow, or dart, you hit your target with great accuracy. You receive no increased difficulty when targeting any specific location and reduce the difficulty of rolls not involving specific targeting by one.//

Dexterous Toes (2pt. Merit)\\
//Anything you can do with hands (firing a gun, drawing, playing a musical instrument, etc.) can be done just as well using your feet. Polite society tends to frown on such behavior, but sluagh and pooka laugh at such prissiness.//

Granite Skin (2pt. Merit)\\
//A Trait held most commonly by trolls and redcaps, Granite Skin is quite literally an epidermal layer of thin, hard stone. You’re a great deal tougher than you might be normally, but have the undesirable effect of leaving small flakes of stone behind every time you bend or flex. You possess the equivalent of chainmail armor at all times (see p. 285). Granite Skin does not cause a Dexterity penalty, but does impose a +1 difficulty to all rolls involving moving quietly.//

Murderous Mien (2pt. Merit)\\
//Something about your mien screams danger. Previous infamies mark your appearance like open wounds. With a look
or gesture, you can terrify another changeling into obedience. Any rolls you make to threaten or coerce changelings and faetouched humans have their difficulties reduced by three. Other beings find you unsettling, imposing a +1 difficulty to attempts at charming.//

Nightsight (2pt. Merit)\\
//Night blinds many eyes, but not yours. Regardless of the lighting conditions, your eyes adjust automatically, so you can see equally well at high noon, midnight, or entering pitch darkness. The adjustment is instantaneous, so if you are standing in a dark room and someone lights a candle, you’re not blinded.//

Surreal Beauty (2pt. Merit)\\
//You possess a beauty far beyond that of normal mortals, unsettling in its perfection. People stand in awe of your ideal, yet alien, form while an inexplicable nausea subconsciously rises to the fore. Reduce the difficulty by three on any roll in which you try and acquire a changeling or faetouched individual’s attention, or win them over with your looks. Other beings find your beauty unnatural, imposing a +1 difficulty on attempts at winning such a person’s trust.//

Increased Pain Threshold (3pt. Merit)\\
//You feel pain as much as others; it just doesn’t affect you to the same degree. Legends are rife with tales of heroes who fight on, even while mortally wounded, only collapsing into death once the battle is won. The dice penalty for each of your Health Levels is reduced by one level. For example, a troll who is Hurt reacts as if Bruised, and is only incapable of action when killed.// 

Perfect Balance (3pt. Merit)\\
//Whether through constant training or inherited skill, your sense of balance is akin to that of a circus performer or bird on a wire. It’s very unlikely you’ll ever fall during your life. You may trip, but you’ll always catch yourself before you fully lose your footing or handhold. This Merit functions for such actions as tightrope walking, crossing ice, and climbing mountains. All difficulties involving such feats are reduced by three.// 

Prehensile Tongue/Tail (2 or 4pt. Merit)\\
//An additional prehensile limb is a useful, yet potentially disgusting, feature to possess. At two points, your tongue acts as a two-foot (60cm) long limb, capable of grasping and wielding objects. While not the best of weapons, it can be used for a poke in the eye or revolting slap. When the tongue is extended, speech is incomprehensible. In order to use a prehensile tongue successfully, you must roll Dexterity + Athletics (difficulty 7). A success allows full control of the extra limb for the scene. A failure indicates the specific attempt fails; a botch leaves the protruding tongue hanging disgustingly limp down your front. At four points, you possess a tail like a monkey’s. This tail is two feet long (60cm), and can perform simple manual tasks such as pushing buttons and lifting objects with a Strength equal to half the changeling’s rating (rounded up). A prehensile tail can wield a weapon with a Melee rating equal to half the changeling’s rating (rounded up).You may use a prehensile tail with the same dexterous capability as any of your other limbs.// 

Sex Appeal (3pt. Merit)\\
//You put it down to your looks and charm, but the dark truth is you have a dangerous, and perhaps unconscious, level of control over your pheromones. Your sexiness and sensuality attracts lovers to you like moths to a flame. You are the irresistible center of attention at any gathering. All rolls where sexual attraction matters have the difficulty reduced by three. This Merit cannot be used to seduce someone lacking a baseline of sexual attraction to the character.// 

Huge Size (4pt. Merit)\\
//Your mortal seeming is abnormally large in size, over 6’10” and 300 pounds in weight (well over two meters tall and over 130 kgs). You are extremely noticeable in public, but gain one additional Bruised Health Level.//

Eidetic Taste (4pt. Merit)\\
//Possessed most commonly by redcaps, Eidetic Taste allows you to remember the taste of everything you’ve ever eaten, and be able to identify it instantly if you taste it again. Furthermore, you’re granted the ability to sense where the nearest supply of that taste might be. If you’ve ever had a bite of someone, it serves as an excellent way to track that meal. Creative changelings have found other uses for this power, including tracking down poisons.//

Blessing of Atlas (5pt. Merit)
Remarkable among trolls and seen as a true miracle among other kiths, the Blessing of Atlas permanently raises your 
Strength by one, and raises the potential maximum Strength rating by one. You’re only slightly larger than your fellows, but defined as if carved of marble. Should it become known by others you possess this Merit, you’ll be expected to act the hero or be feared as a budding warlord.
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======Mental:======

Common Sense (1pt. Merit)\\
You possess significant practical, everyday wisdom. Whenever you’re about to act in a way contrary to common sense, the Storyteller can make suggestions or warnings about the implications of said action. This is a very useful Merit for beginning players unfamiliar with the game.\\

Concentration (1pt. Merit)
//Nockers have an uncanny way of shutting out distractions, but this Merit isn’t limited to that kith. You’re unaffected by any penalties stemming from distracting circumstances (e.g., loud noises, strobe lights, or a troll holding you upside down).//

Higher Purpose (1pt. Merit)\\
//All changelings have some vision of their path, but you’ve a special commitment to it. You don’t concern yourself with petty matters, because your higher purpose is everything. Though you sometimes behave in ways contrary to the needs of survival, your purpose grants you great personal strength. The difficulty of any roll that has something to do with this higher purpose is reduced by two. Decide what your higher purpose is, and make sure you discuss it with the Storyteller.// 

Introspection (1pt. Merit)\\
//You routinely meditate on your own ulterior motives, applying them to others like you. Through this nightly exercise, your incredible insight reduces the difficulty by two when you use a Perception-based action against someone in your Court.//

Language (1pt. Merit)\\
//You know a language in addition to your native one. You can take this Merit multiple times, each reflecting a different language.//

Lightning Calculator (1pt. Merit)\\
//You are a savant when it comes to mental arithmetic, making you a natural when working with computers or betting at the racetracks. The difficulties of all relevant rolls are decreased by two.//
 
Mechanical Aptitude (1pt. Merit)\\
//You are naturally adept with all kinds of mechanical devices. The difficulties of all dice rolls to understand, repair, or operate any kind of mechanical device are reduced by two. This Merit doesn’t help you drive. This Merit affects your aptitude with chimerical mechanical objects as well as the mundane.
//
Specific Interests (1pt. Merit) \\
//You are specialized in an obscure or arcane field or niche interest and on this subject specifically you are an encyclopedia. Choose one rare area of knowledge. In this field, reduce the difficulty for all mental rolls by two. Example fields include the study of a dead language, a culturally-specific hobby, expertise in mythical demon names, and in-depth biographical knowledge of one celebrity.// 

Eidetic Memory (2pt. Merit)\\
//You remember, with perfect detail, things you see and hear. Documents, photographs, conversations, etc., can be committed to memory with minor concentration. If you as the player forget an important piece of information the Storyteller believes your character would recall, the Storyteller will jog your memory. Under stressful conditions involving numerous distractions, you must make a Perception + Alertness roll to concentrate and absorb what your senses detect.// 

Loyal Heart (2pt. Merit)\\
//While all fae are conscious of the bonds of oaths, for you it’s almost of a religious nature. Whenever you’re overwhelmed, the thought of your duties is enough to give you the strength to persevere. In game terms, you reduce the difficulty of rolls pertaining to the fulfillment of your oaths by three. Similarly, the power of your sense of duty may be sufficient to allow temporary immunity to other supernatural effects (Storyteller’s discretion). No Willpower may be spent on actions having to do with the breaking of oaths. This is not cumulative with the effects of the Merit True Love (see p. 185), though it can be combined for purposes of roleplaying.//

Natural Linguist (2pt. Merit)\\
//The well-travelled changeling knows the use of being able to comprehend many languages. You may reduce the difficulty of any task involving the study of written or spoken languages by three, and each purchase of the Language Merit gives you two languages instead of just one.//

Iron Will (3pt. Merit)\\
//To your detractors your head is full of rocks. In truth, your determination and stubbornness makes you unshakable once your mind is set. Characters attempting any mind-altering magic against you are at +3 difficulty, up to a maximum difficulty of 9. This Merit does not affect powers dealing with emotions. Characters with Willpower scores below 5 cannot take this Merit.//

Master Craftsman (3 pt. Merit)\\
//When designing, building, or repairing something, the difficulty of your rolls is reduced by two. Additionally, you require three fewer successes on any extended rolls required when working on large or complex projects.// 

Gut Instincts (4pt. Merit)\\
//You’ve got a direct line into the more primal of your instincts, and benefit from the ability to act without thinking first. You may not always know why you do what you do, but once the dust clears, you realize the correct move was made. This Merit nullifies the effects of surprise and permits you to act normally, though you may only defend. In cases where you’re not surprised, you may preempt your opponent’s action.// 

Jack-Of-All-Trades (5pt. Merit)\\
//You’ve a large pool of miscellaneous skills and knowledge obtained through extensive travels, the jobs you’ve held, or all-around know-how. You automatically have one dot in all Skill and Knowledge Dice Pools. This is an illusory level, used to simulate a wide range of abilities. If you spend experience in any untrained Skill or Knowledge, you must still pay the point cost for the first level.// 

Because I Think I Can (6 pt. Merit)\\
//When you declare you are using a point of Willpower and roll for successes, your self-confidence may allow you to gain the benefit of that expenditure without losing the Willpower point. You do not lose the point of Willpower unless you fail your roll. This also prevents you from botching. This Merit may only be used when the difficulty of your roll is 6 or higher.// 

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======Social:======

Benevolent Patron (1pt. Merit)\\
//You intrigue a changeling ranked more highly than yourself. So long as the reason for this intrigue remains — whether it be looks, a field of expertise, or the way you composed yourself in the freehold — you hold the other changeling’s attention and he has a vested interest in keeping you around. This Merit should be played like a 1-dot Mentor with a specific interest. However, unlike a Mentor, Benevolent Patron does not imply a permanent relationship.//

Boon (1-6pt. Merit)\\
//Someone is in your debt. It could be a lowly fledge or the count of a freehold; it all depends on how many points the Merit costs. You only have that single favor owed you (unless you take the Merit multiple times,) so using it properly is of paramount importance. Depending on status and other factors, the being who owes you a favor may well go out of his way to “settle” it early — even going so far as to create situations from which he must “rescue” you and thus clean the slate.//

Calming Presence (1pt. Merit)\\
//Common among the pooka is the ability to calm any animal or child with a quiet word or even a look. Something in your aura conveys safety and security to the animal or child. Guard dogs and wild animals never attack you, and babies in your presence calm and gaze up at you in fascination and wonder.//

Good Listener (1pt. Merit)\\
//Pooka excel at the ability to get others to open up to them; however, you are a master confidant. A word here, a gesture there, you crack people open like oysters and harvest their secrets like pearls. Your ability to listen makes others tell you their feelings, concerns, and hidden dreams. They don’t know why they’re telling you, but they usually feel better afterwards. All rolls related to obtaining information from others are at a –2 difficulty.//

I Know You (1pt. Merit)\\
//You have one of those faces, or a way of acting, that makes others just assume you are someone they already know. Perhaps you resemble someone from their childhood, or their favorite television show. When introducing yourself at social gatherings, you always succeed in grabbing someone’s attention. You cannot be immediately dismissed without at least a few curious questions first.//

Natural Leader (1pt. Merit)\\
//You’re gifted with a certain magnetism to which others naturally defer. Difficulties of all attempts to rally people with your words are reduced by two. You must have a Charisma rating of 3 or greater to purchase this Merit.//

Protégé (1pt. Merit)\\
//An important changeling once mentored you, and spoke glowingly of you to acquaintances. Others may be inclined to look favorably on you by dint of the recommendation; you are at –2 difficulty on Social rolls with all those who’ve heard good things about you.// 

Your Best Advocate (1pt. Merit)\\
//You are especially convincing when telling tall tales about your exploits. You receive a –2 to your difficulty on Social rolls related to recounting your deeds, whether true or not.//

Nature’s Child (2pt. Merit)\\
//You are one with nature and beasts. You receive a –2 to your difficulty on rolls when dealing with nonpatient animals in their natural environment, whether training them, tracking them, or simply petting them. Changelings should take care relying on this Merit when dealing with chimera, however; some of them are much more intelligent than they appear.//

Reputation (2pt. Merit)\\
//You have a good reputation among the changelings of your Court. This may be your own reputation, or it may be derived from your mentor. Reduce the difficulty of all social dealings with others of your Court by two. However, those who desire to bring down the hierarchy will seek to besmirch your fine standing.//

Scholar of Others (2pt. Merit)\\
//You have taken the time to learn about and specialize in one particular group outside your kith or Court. You are aware of at least some of the group’s customs, strategies, and long-term goals, and can put that knowledge to good use. This Merit is worth a –2 difficulty for all non-combat rolls pertaining specifically to the subject of your specialization. On the other hand, you are at a +1 difficulty when it comes to dealing with other groups, simply because you are so thoroughly focused on your field. This Merit can be taken multiple times for multiple groups.//

Voice of a Songbird (2pt. Merit)\\
//The satyrs say your voice could charm apples from the trees. You have perfect pitch and can sing a cappella without missing a single note or going off key. Even when only speaking, your voice has a seductive quality that attracts people to you. Whenever you make a roll that involves inspirational speaking or singing, you are at a –2 difficulty.//

Sage (2pt. Merit)\\
//Other changelings come to you for counsel. Maybe they believe in your wisdom, age, or experience. Perhaps they think you are touched, or capable of seeing the bigger picture. The trust others place in you means, in most cases, you are approached first in matters requiring discussion, and may either use this advantage to provide wise counsel, or to influence others to consider your own agenda.//

Heir to the Throne (3pt. Merit)\\
//You can produce a convincing claim to ownership or title over land, people, or inventory. This rank allows you to influence your peers and lessers with ease, as when invoking your title the difficulty of Social rolls is reduced by two. Nobles likely treat you with respect and most other changelings defer to you. A contingent — possibly comprising rival heirs — will however see you as a ripe target for kidnapping or assassination.//

Fake It (3pt. Merit)\\
//You talk a convincing game. Sometimes you are even convincing enough to be right. Maybe you claim you can “make that jump,” “ace that test,” or “hit that target.” You may be criminally lucky or possess hidden talents. When you successfully lie about your proficiency in a task with a Subterfuge + Manipulation roll and then attempt to prove your claims, the difficulty of the roll to carry out your ambition is reduced by two.//

Rising Star (3pt. Merit)\\
//You are one of the up-and-comers in the freehold. Everyone wants to know you and be your friend, even as those in power groom you for positions of greater responsibility. You are at a –3 difficulty on all social rolls against any changelings who aren’t actively opposing your ascent.//

Soul of the Muse (4pt. Merit)\\
//You are an inspiration to creators of all types. Whether you are artistically gifted or not, other artists find it far easier to create masterworks when you are around. If you are in the presence of any creator — whether you are acting as a model, providing counsel, or singing a song — that creator reduces the difficulty to create his work by three. This creative stimulation applies to works of wonder and destruction alike, as you inspire all.//

Trusty Companion (4pt. Merit)\\
//You have a reputation as trustworthy, stalwart, and unfaltering in your dedication to your companions. Your very presence in a motley or circle bolsters the Willpower of companions, allowing them each one additional temporary Willpower point per chapter. You will always be relied upon to risk your life for them, as only a trusted companion might. Should you ever complain about your lot, the Willpower bonus you provide disappears until you once again risk physical or reputational peril for your friends.//
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