0.4 Backgrounds / Bonuses

[Storyteller]

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Optional Backgrounds/ Bonuses

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Backgrounds and Bonuses are completely optional and are things that your character has made ties to (such as NPCS) or gathered (such as items, treasures or properties). These things all should have something to do with your character and “flesh” the character out. They should be things that “make sense” for your character and not be completely unreasonable to have. Further, they are considered “Bonuses” because in character you can gain, and loose, resources and friends.

For Example: Mychar is a student of the Academy and hopes to be a sailor senshi. She is also a part of the Diamond Crystal Family and works as a backup dancer with the hopes of one day becoming a famous dancer or idol on her own standing. The backgrounds that would make sense for this concept is “Crystal Family: Diamond”, Money (for her performing) and Fame, for her slowly growing fame.

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Over time you can use EXP and role playing to expand your backgrounds. Backgrounds can be taken or given away as the staff notices what you are doing OR you actively seek things out. IE: if you really want to have a police contact, spending a lot of time lurking down at the station or buying donuts or running fundraisers, you’ll GET to know the police at the police station. Likewise for wanting to have contacts at hospitals, in media… etc. The backgrounds ULTIMATELY are there to “represent” what you are doing. Which is why if you ignore your police friend for months then pop up asking for a favor…. Well, it’s going to look more strange then if you get coffee with him every Tuesday.

There are many kinds of backgrounds. The following is the list of all the active backgrounds. With a brief description of what they do… Your job, at creation or when you pick up a background is to define, establish and give details on your backgrounds. The staff can help you, but think of it as fleshing out your character from going from 2 d on paper to 3 d in life.

Backgrounds are broken up in 3 sections. “People” “Things to Own” and “All about Me” 

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PEOPLE

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These backgrounds are associated with NPCS*. They all have different loyalties and strengths and are, as a whole, as imperfect as your character. In Sailor Moon, some of these types of people may be Spirits, Animal Guardians, Planetary spirits, Regular Humans, Humans with some (or lots) of knowledge of the magical kingdoms that have come before…etc.

*NPCs are played, primarily by the staff, unless the player requests specifically to play it themselves. Players can also request players (in the Help Wanted section) to play their special NPC background. It’s player choice- but if a player plays an NPC, that player must get information the old fashioned way – by playing that NPC and converting it into a PC. It’s still on your background as an asset- unless something changes. Players can never: Play their own parents, bosses, or authority figures, or play a NPC that has established multiple ties with multiple characters.

Allies

Allies are people who can do actions or run errands for your character. Allies are friends, minions, or other people who work for you or do things for you for favors or some kind of payoff. They don’t live with you and often have lives completely separate from you.

Sample Allies include: The police officer who helped you through high school when you did some minor thieving. Perhaps your ally is a producer for a TV show that liked some of your early work and still finds time to assist with your productions. Or a best friend who’s a newspaper reporter who happily shares “juicy tidbits” – especially if you share your tips when you get them!

1. 1 Point One Ally of Moderate influence and power in the immediate community.
2. 2 Points Two Allies, both of moderate power locally and some influence in the country or region
3. 3 Points Three Allies, one of whom wields significant power, official or otherwise. *Check out Center of the Web Special Move Under Charm.
4. 4 Points Four Allies, one of whom is extremely influential
5. 5 Points Five Allies, one of whom is a major force in an important institution and can provide aid from far away.

Contacts

Contacts are people who can give information and do some errands. Mostly though, contacts is all about the information. Contacts are largely people whom you can bribe, manipulate, or coerce into offering information; however, you also have a few major contacts- Friends- whom you can rely on to give you accurate information within their fields of expertise.

*Unlike Allies, Contacts do not usually do actions for you, but merely provide information and can keep an "ear to the ground" to give you new information as it arises. Major contacts can do things with in their field- occasionally to help you out, they are really there as information gatherers.

1. 1 Point One Contact over a specific group of people (such as Media, Politics, Police, Schools, Religions, etc) who have a few "ears" of their own. This person is probably somewhat influential in their community.
2. 2 Points Two Contacts over a specific group of people (such as Media, Politics, Police, Schools, Religions, etc) who have a few "ears" of their own. These people may be in the same city (One low class, like a thief with a gang, and one high class, like an administrator with minions), or may be in two different cities (part of a thief ring)
3. 3 Points Three Contacts, same as above, but the third contact may be a part of a specific region, such as a lead merchant or head of the local region's thieves guild (or the head of a company.)
4. 4 Points Four Contacts that can be spread out over 3 cities.
5. 5 Points Five Contacts, Two of these contacts are major players themselves, while they may not think of you as an ally (Unless you combo this with ally that represents your contact at level 5), they do not consider you too much of a rival and offer a healthy source of good information on a worldwide scale. The other 3 contacts can be other cities.

Mentor

Mentor This is a person who can advise and support the character. Typically this character is an elder or possibly even more than one, who actively look out for the character; offering guidance, or aid once in awhile. A mentor may be powerful, but his/her power may not be direct. Depending on the number of ranks in this background your mentor may be nothing more than a parent of modest means- or one of the Grand Council Members themselves. Most often however, the mentor is a family member (a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle...etc.) The more points in this the more likely the mentor is also using you for his/her own purposes- effectively "hand holding you" through life. You'll probably grow out of the hand holding- but for new players who need an extra hand, it can be priceless.This is a person who can advise and support the character. The examples are for the "Harpeah" side of things, equivalent people are available for Earth.

1 Point The Mentor is a young adult of little influence or a parent.
2 Points The Mentor is respected; a master of his or her craft, a minor leader
3 Points The Mentor is Honored, a grandmaster of magic- perhaps even the Master Healer or Master of the Guard (two of the top respected positions in a clan)
4 Points The Mentor is heavily influential, such as a Grand-Master of a clan or someone who used to be a grandmaster (and is no longer in charge of their own clan)
5 Points The mentor is one of the four Grand Council Members. This is a dual edged sword, while their ability to help you is great, so too is the eyes on you and more importantly, their fingers on your shoulders guiding your steps.

Retainers
Retainers These are servants, assistance and other people who are your loyal and steadfast companions. They are played by you, the player- thus assuring their loyalty to your character. You are responsible for making their character sheets. Retainers may also be people whom you have repeatedly abused or mind controlled until they have no free will left, or followers so enthralled with your magic so that their loyalty borders on blind fanaticism. You must maintain some control over your retainers, whether through a salary, the gift of your magic, or herbs. Retainers are never “blindly loyal no matter what” if you treat them too poorly without exercising strict control, they might well turn on you. Abuse them, and they might turn on your...Retainers do not get retainers, allies, contacts, herd, etc of their own. 

1. One Retainer
2. Two Retainers
3. Three Retainers
4. Four Retainers
5. Five Retainers

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THINGS TO OWN

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Property
Properties are stores, houses, land that can be farmed, mined, etc. Property, depending on how your character decides to use them (and where they are located) can produce money, food, raw materials, a safe home for your character to store their belongings- etc.

These holdings are self sufficient if you have retainers or allies or contacts who work the land/shops etc. Otherwise you are expected to spend some attention to maintain your job otherwise the “span” of available money will be small. This “stacks” with money.

1. Point A small farm with a hut, a open air market stall, a small mine that produces one type of ore, etc. $50-100 dollars spending every month.
2. Points A nice sized farm with a pretty cabin or small house, a small shop tucked between others, a decent sized mine that produces 1-2 different types of products. $150-300 dollars spending every month.
3. Points A large farm with a 2 story home, a medium sized shop tucked between others, a large sized mine that produces 1-5 different types of products. $300-500 dollars spending every month.
4. Points A plantation of multiple acres, a large shop two stories and standing alone, multiple mines that produce 1-10 types of products. $500-1000 dollars spending every month.
5. Points You own several tracts of land that you can use for mining or farming. $1000-2000 dollars spending every month.

Money
Resources Your character's wealth, belongings, and monthly income. This is your "standard of living"- if you have no points of resources, then you have no income that comes into your pockets. You should clarify what these resources are, as well as the world (or worlds) they are located on. You can take this multiple times for multiple locations.

1. Allowance Money: You have $50- $100 dollars cash every month, either through allowance or jobs or a trust fund. 
2. Trustfund Money: You have $150- $300 dollars cash every month, either through allowance or jobs or a trust fund.
3. A Nice Job/ Rich Parents: You have anywhere from $500 to $1000 dollars a month, either through allowance or jobs or a trust fund.
4. Wealthy:You have anywhere from $1000 to $50,000 dollars a month, either through allowance or jobs or a trust fund.
5. Millionaire: You have more money then you really know what to do with. This comes from some source, a company, a trust fund, a large inheritance, being apart of a Crystal Family, etc. You have millions to your name, and while it's possible it might run out, you'd have to d a lot of spending! 

Possessions
Possessions are objects you own of non-magical nature. These possessions include furniture, vehicles, jewelry, fine clothes, weapons, etc. You don't need to get anything approved you can easily pick up at a store, however unique, special items require approval.

1. Point  You have one or two nice things, like a musical instrument, or a beat up car.. maybe a gaming computer.. your worldly possessions that are owned 'just' by you probably total under $1,000-1,500 dollars. 
2. Points You might have a nicer used car that is likely not to die while you drive it. A few nice or expensive items, but all under $25,000 dollars. 
3. Points You have a nice new car, a pretty cool computer, a nifty cellphone and probably few other shiny things. Up to about $50,000. 
4. Points Merchant: You have a lot of nice things, and you probably have stored up somewhere a lot of other things. Roughly $150,000 dollars of items. You don't need to get anything approved you can easily pick up at a store. Unique, special items require approval. 
5. Points Noble: You own a lot of 'things', enough that you can run a shop, a twenty cars and probably can, if you don't have it, you probably know someone who does. In some cases, with the right backgrounds, this can get you some pretty unique things, from guns, to vehicles to jewelry.  Up to  $500,000, give or take. 

Treasures
Treasures This background represents a physical item you possess that has some importance to you. This may, or may not have any magical power to it. (Item must be 4-5 to have a magical power associated with it) and can be pretty much anything your imagination can fly past the storyteller. This background can be taken more than once to reflect ownership of more than one treasure. The number of levels of Treasure reflects how potent a device you possess. You should work with the Storyteller to determine what your treasure does, how you can use it, and if it has any requirements for its use (Spending Magic Points to activate, certain words or phrases, being covered in gold cloth, etc.) Very often the most potent treasures have strict requirements on their use, and it is very common for them to be stolen if they are popular.

1. 1 Point A minor treasure (a glowing rock)
2. 2 Points A useful treasure (a magic herring that allows people to breath under water)
3. 3 Points A treasure of significant power (a blade that cuts through wind)
4. 4 Points A very powerful treasure (a circlet of command that influences people's emotions)
5. 5 Points An incredibly powerful treasure (a horn that can summon help)
   
   

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ALL ABOUT ME

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Destiny
All characters have a destiny they are working toward.. and unlike those humble members, to some extent (based on your ranking in the background) you get hints and portents about your destiny- and how truly potentially great it is... (or would of have been?)

Everyone has his or her role to play in shaping the future, but people with Destiny characters get a glimpse of their fate. Perhaps your character knows of his or her importance, or perhaps she is ignorant of the fact until someone points it out. Nonetheless, the character carries its destiny like a standard and may be respected, feared, or envied by those who recognize his or her significance. A "Blessed one" may be watched closely and criticized when he/she doesn't seem to follow what is believed to be their "true path". Others may even try to utilize your character's higher calling to their own ends. Destinies are enigmas, though, and no one has a clear idea of what awaits your character. Yet Fate is not unwavering, Destined people have been known to die before fulfilling their roles. Such deaths are seldom inglorious and never unimportant.

It’s the storytellers delight to decide what your character's destiny is and how she can work it out into the chronicle. She may or may not make you privy to your character's ultimate fate. This doesn’t mean that you can’t offer ideas, but ultimately how it will come to pass and directed from “Fate” will come from the staff.

1. 1 Point You have a certain Funny feeling about your future, a vague prophecy at your birth for example
2. 2 Points You are bound to make an undeniable impact on the lives of many others- a potent or a clear prophecy at your birth gives you a small hint toward your greater destiny.
3. 3 Points Your Destiny is powerful, pariahs as a respected innovator or leader. People in your species line actively watch your every move to see which way you will be guiding them.
4. 4 Points Your Destiny is one of Arthurian Legend.
5. 5 Points The course of the world may be revolutionized by your fate.

Fame
Fame The character's renown in the world. You can establish your fame to be on either Earth or Harpeah. Take this twice for fame on both planets. That fame does not have to be equal, someone could have Fame 5 on Harpeah, and only a Fame of 1 on Earth.

1. 1 Point You’re known to a select group of people in the world. This can be a particular smaller clan, a group of childhood friends, a popular tavern you frequent and brawl at...
2. 2 Points A majority of the local populace recognizes your face; you’re a local celebrity such as a bard, or minor hero.
3. 3 Points You have renown across many different clans (air, sea, earth..)
4. 4 Points Nationally famous; everybody knows something about you.
5. 5 Points You’re a famous icon and people often ask you to kiss their babies for luck

Patron
Patron Otherworldly forces have decided your character is the perfect vehicle to deliver messages- be these concerning the character or those around him/her. The more ranks determine how often the messages are delivered. These signs are often short and enigmatic, arriving with little warning. Your character may feel something asking to what epileptics experience just before an episode, a brief haziness, or an unfamiliar smell, then it hits. Contact is seldom pleasant; it's often disorienting, nauseating or infuriating. Any message are shrouded in a miasma of images and emotions that don't immediately make sense. Otherworldly voices, and bizarre dreams are obvious choices. Other, more eerie messages including text scrambling before the unsuspecting characters eyes urge or advise your character as well.

Storytellers may use this background as an opportunity to offer clues to players and to foreshadow events to come. The storyteller may also decide the reason your character is contacted relatively frequently.

1. 1 Point You are contacted now and again, perhaps three or four times since your birth.
   
   
2. 2 Points You are contacted a few times a year or so, apparently with dire messages only
   
   
3. 3 Points You receive messages a few times every season
   
   
4. 4 Points You are contacted at least once a month, with information of various import.
   
   
5. 5 Points You're contacted so frequently that you take precautions against mishaps- like refusing to swim or riding a horse alone.
   

Reincarnation*

Reincarnation costs 2 bonus points per level. It cannot be lost once it’s gained. Reincarnation is the slow process of your “once” self’s DNA and access to magic slowly taking over your current form. In Sailor Moon it was well established that Usagi and the others were reincarnations of magical creatures from the other planets (and in other cases, magical humans from Earth.) When Usagi first awakens as Serenity, her hair grows very long and changes color to a more pale-silver then her usual blond. Reincarnation is the background we use to represent that purification of the genes and DNA that your character is built on.

This “transformation” is one that effects your character in character by granting powers that can be used out of transformation that are linked to your character. It grants you some glimpses of a life that wasn’t yours, and, occasionally there are other… side effects, such as some people recognize you faster and the magic that protects your identity is less affective.

The Staff will work with you to define what your reincarnation steps are to fit your character as every character- and every reincarnation is different. Be aware, Reincarnation is not instant, and while you may start off with odd “tweaks” to your character- the actual process of reincarnation will happen in character as your character is confronted with the process. (Like Sailor Moon didn’t start her transformation into Serenity until well into the first arch!)