Curiouser and Curiouser Bargains - 10 Homebrew Contracts, 9 Entitlements, 1 Court

[Super Vlad]

I am proud to present, Curiouser and Curiouser Bargains! This is a collection of most of the homebrew I've made over the years, finally collected into one giant bundle! There are 10 new homebrew Contracts made by me, alongside 9 custom entitlements, and 1 custom court! As a newcomer to the forums, I haven't been posting my stuff here, but I have on the CofD Discord Server and decided to post it here. Critiques, Comments, Feedback, and Likes are welcome!

Edit: The final version is now on the STV!

[Nicolas Milioni]

Congrats SuperVlad!

[Super Vlad]

Another Entitlement is being added to the collection: The Satrapy of Pearls! I saw the one created by Chazz Kellner and Steven Pope in Lost Entitlements Volume 2, and it didn't quite fit with the vision I had of the "wealthy trader" vision I had of them. So I made my own version!

The Satrapy of Pearls
Prerequisites: Wyrd 2, Persuasion 3, Resources 3

Heraldry Token: Dealmaker (• to •••••)

A blue fountain pen with a golden tip, able to be summoned to one’s hand at a moment’s notice to sign upon that dotted line. After the name is signed, the transaction is complete.

Dealmaker is able to passively store up to its token rating in Goblin Debt.

When activated, the user and a willing target gain a number of points equal to the token’s rating. Each can be spent on exchanging ownership of one point of: Glamour, Willpower, Goblin Debt, Merits, Skills, Objects (each dot of Availability counts as one point), and social currency. Not all the points have to be spent, and the trade can be uneven. All exchanges are permanent, except for Skills and Merits, which return to the original owner after a scene.

Catch: The user gains a Goblin Debt from the Wyrd.
Drawback: The user cannot lie as long as the token is active.

Iridescence of Wealth (••••)
Glamour gain
Enhanced new Specialty
Additional Thread

Two Additional Abilities
As long as you’re making a deal with someone, you may use a strengthened Sealing on their words (written or spoken) for free. The Satrapy knows when they break the Sealing, how they broke it, but not necessarily why.
Once per session, for each dot in Resources, temporarily gain the equivalent of Allies, Retainer, or Staff for a chapter. You must perform some sort of gesture to them to gain them, which may result in the Leveraged condition.

Touchstone: A person who gave you something you can’t pay back.
Curse: Clarity attacks suffered from failure to fulfill a deal add damage dice equal to ranks invested in this merit.
Beat: The Satrap knowingly makes an unfair deal in someone else’s favor.

[Super Vlad]

Another homebrew Contract is being added!

Trespasser’s Spoor (Shield, Common)

The changeling performs a ritual and marks the edges of her territory with symbols, either in chalk, blood, or some other material. They know they are safe, as no evil can enter without their watchful eye knowing.

Cost: 1-3 Glamour
Dice Pool: None
Action: 5 minutes
Duration: One chapter, or when the Changeling leaves the marked area

Effect:

• 1 Glamour is for several rooms or a floor, 2 Glamour is for a small house, and 3 Glamour is for a large house or building. 1 Glamour for a small Hollow, and each dot of Size Matters increases the Glamour cost by one.
• Characters within Trespasser’s Spoor cannot hide their presence or location from the Changeling. The Changeling will automatically know when someone enters, leaves, or portals inside of their territory. Supernatural beings attempting to use magic to hide themselves must make a Clash of Wills against the Changeling.

Ogre: The Ogre may once per scene take the blow of any damage inside of the territory, mimicking the damage as if she was in the person’s place.
Elemental: The Elemental may control their element from anywhere inside of the territory, and can use Contracts on anyone touching their element inside of Trespasser’s Spoor.
Beast: The Beast may look through the senses of any animal or person inside of the territory with an Instant Action.

Loophole: The changeling instead takes an hour to mark their territory.

(inspired by Boneyard from GtS, Lord of the Land from VtR, and Trespasser’s Spoor from CTL 1e)

[Super Vlad]

One homebrew Contract added...

Know Thy Weakness (Mirror, Common)

In visions summoned by the Wyrd, the changeling gets flashes of images that foretell the target’s greatest banes. They must first spend at least a turn studying the target.

Cost: 1 Glamour
Dice Pool: Manipulation + Empathy + Wyrd vs Composure + Wyrd
Action: Instant
Duration: Instant

Success: The Changeling learns any frailties or other weaknesses she possesses (including physical and mental Conditions and Tilts) and whether she’s under the grip of any strong emotions or supernatural influences/powers. If the information is used to manipulate the victim in the same scene, the Changeling gains a +3 to their Social dice rolls related to doing so.

Exceptional Success: The images give deeper insight on the information given, granting the Informed condition.
Failure: The Contract fails.
Dramatic Failure: The changeling gets a false or misleading vision about the target.

Darkling: The Darkling may instead spend a scene studying the target, which removes the target’s resistance to the roll.
Beast: The Beast gains a +3 on all attack rolls against the target if they utilize the weaknesses they uncovered in the same scene.
Ogre: The Ogre may ask for what the target’s greatest strengths are, both mundane and supernatural. The Ogre can make the first attempt to utilize their greatest strength against them in the same scene provoke a Clash of Wills.

Loophole: The changeling reveals one of their weaknesses to the target that they don’t know. This doesn’t have to be major, as it could just be “When I get stressed, I have the worst cravings for sugar.”

(inspired by Prey on Weakness from WtF and Uncanny Perception from VtR)

[Super Vlad]

...and another!

Sideways Jaunt (Steed, Common)

A strange sort of Portaling, this Contract allows the Changeling to skip going into the process of going to another dimension, and pop out into another place in the same world. This Contract cannot be used to travel from the Ironside to the Hedge, or the Hedge to the Ironside. This Contract doesn’t open a Hedge Gate. Although some Changelings refer to this Contract as “Scooby-Doo-ing,” no one can deny its usefulness.

Cost: 1 Glamour
Dice Pool: None
Action: Instant

Effect: The Changeling jumps into a closable portal she can fit through, and appears out of another closable portal within (their Wyrd x 10) meters. They must know the end location well enough to imagine and concentrate on it.

Beast: The Beast increases the range to (their Wyrd x 30) meters, and is never deposited in a disadvantageous position if they let the Wyrd take the wheel.
Darkling: The Darkling may step into darkness, and out of darkness as if it was a portal.
Elemental: The Elemental may step into a natural element, and out of another version of the same element as if it was a portal.
Fairest: The Fairest can make the two portals linked to each other for up to her Wyrd in turns, allowing others to pass through. This connection is broken if someone opens a Hedge Gate on either end.
Ogre: The Ogre can push someone else through a portal with an attack roll, making the Contract activate on them instead.
Wizened: The Wizened may have the portal suck them in, regardless of whether they can fit through or not, as long as they’re within 5 meters of the portal. They still must be able to fit through the exit portal.

Loophole: The Changeling lets the Wyrd take the wheel and deposits them out of a random portal within range.

[Demigod Beast]

Yay! CtL homebrew! Woot!

[Master Aquatosic]

...and another!

Sideways Jaunt (Steed, Common)

A strange sort of Portaling, this Contract allows the Changeling to skip going into the process of going to another dimension, and pop out into another place in the same world. This Contract cannot be used to travel from the Ironside to the Hedge, or the Hedge to the Ironside. This Contract doesn’t open a Hedge Gate. Although some Changelings refer to this Contract as “Scooby-Doo-ing,” no one can deny its usefulness.

Cost: 1 Glamour
Dice Pool: None
Action: Instant

Effect: The Changeling jumps into a closable portal she can fit through, and appears out of another closable portal within (their Wyrd x 10) meters. They must know the end location well enough to imagine and concentrate on it. Alternatively, they can let the Wyrd take the wheel and deposit them out of a random portal within range.

Beast: The Beast increases the range to (their Wyrd x 30) meters, and is never deposited in a disadvantageous position if they let the Wyrd take the wheel.
Darkling: The Darkling may step into darkness, and out of darkness as if it was a portal.
Elemental: The Elemental may step into a natural element, and out of another version of the same element as if it was a portal.
Fairest: The Fairest can make the two portals linked to each other for up to her Wyrd in turns, allowing others to pass through. This connection is broken if someone opens a Hedge Gate on either end.
Ogre: The Ogre can push someone else through a portal with an attack roll, making the Contract activate on them instead.
Wizened: The Wizened may have the portal suck them in, regardless of whether they can fit through or not, as long as they’re within 5 meters of the portal. They still must be able to fit through the exit portal.

Loophole: The changeling is fleeing from a True Fae, Huntsman, Loyalist, or their minions.

I like it, but i wonder if "Let the Wyrd decide" could actually be the Loophole? I really like that portion. It also makes the Loophole usable by Hobgoblins and Changelings Loyal to the Gentry

[Super Vlad]

I like it, but i wonder if "Let the Wyrd decide" could actually be the Loophole? I really like that portion. It also makes the Loophole usable by Hobgoblins and Changelings Loyal to the Gentry

That's a good idea, lemme change that.

[Super Vlad]

Mwahahahahaha! Another homebrew contract!

Witchcraft’s End (Autumn, Royal)

Entering a Contract is one thing, but to wield it is another. Members of the Autumn Court call upon the entropy of all things to end their deals early.

Cost: 2 Glamour
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Occult + Mantle vs Resolve + Wyrd
Action: Instant
Duration: Instant

Success: The targeted Contract immediately ends. If the Contract is cast reflexively, it may stop Contracts as they are invoked.

Exceptional Success: The Contract not only ends, but curses the caster for their hubris. The original caster cannot invoke the Contract again for the next scene.
Failure: The changeling is unable to affect the targeted Contract.
Dramatic Failure: The attempt to nullify the Contract fails and some unpredictable but negative byproduct befalls the changeling. This effect is left to the Storyteller’s discretion.

Loophole: The Changeling possesses the Contract that they are targeting, and has activated it within the past 24 hours.

(Inspired by The Center Cannot Hold)

[Super Vlad]

Another one! This contract is basically as-written as it is in Dancers at Dusk, so I just updated it to 2e! Beyond the Hedge, a Storyteller Vault, gave me the idea to allow the "extend to a scene" enhancement.

Babel’s Curse (Autumn, Common)

Gnoifajimoamflkmdflaljfmfaa!

Cost: 1 Glamour or 1 Glamour + 1 Willpower
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Expression + Mantle - Resolve
Action: Instant

Success: The targeted individual is unable to communicate in any manner for a number of turns equal to the Changeling’s successes, or a scene with a point of willpower. This includes verbal, written, physical or even supernatural means. Only the most fundamental of communications: a shout of alarm, a cry of pain or a joyful laugh can be communicated. Anything more complex is scrambled until its meaning is lost entirely.

Exceptional Success: The target also cannot understand any verbal, written, physical, or supernatural means of communication for the duration as well, beyond the fundamentals stated above.
Failure: The Contract fails.
Dramatic Failure: The Contract backfires, cursing the Changeling with the effects of an Exceptional Success for a scene.

Loophole: The changeling writes the target’s true name on a piece of paper and tears it into tiny pieces.

(Inspired by Babel’s Curse from Dancers at Dusk and Beyond the Hedge)

[Super Vlad]

I DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS IDEA! A very talented person named espritdecalmar did, and he has given me permission to post a heavily modified version of the Contract here.

March Hare Apparent (Spring, Royal)

The changeling touches a mundane animal symbolic of spring (a rabbit, a bee, a dove, etc) and infuses it with the essence of the season, transforming the creature into an avatar of growth and life, a loyal servant of the Antler Crown.

Cost: 3 Glamour
Dice Pool: None
Action: Instant
Duration: Until the sun next crosses the horizon

Effect: The animal, suffused with the essence of spring, begins to grow until it reaches Size 4 in a humanoid form with clothes. It grows a basic intelligence, its feelings become well disposed toward the changeling, and it can speak one language that the changeling herself speaks. The animal acts as a Retainer with a dot rating equal to the Changeling’s Mantle. The creature retains all its natural abilities, and their natural instincts count as its area of specialty for the purposes of the Retainer merit. The Changeling can only have one avatar at a time.

The animal gains Wyrd 1 and a maximum Glamour pool of 6, with one goblin Dread Power based on its nature.

At the end of the Contract’s duration, the changeling may spend Experiences equal to the Retainer merit’s rating to make the magic permanent. They no longer count towards the maximum avatar count. You can transfer the magic over to someone new, but doing so causes a clarity attack with damage equal to the Changeling’s Mantle.

Loophole: The changeling makes a crown of ivy and flowers and places it on the animal’s head, bestowing a fitting noble title, such as Prince of Spring or Baroness of the Lushest Meadow.

[Super Vlad]

Another homebrew Contract!

Fear of the Dark (Autumn, Common)

The darkness hinders the Changeling’s enemies, as dark hands grasp for the limbs of the target like walking through a nightmare.

Cost: 2 Glamour
Dice Pool: Manipulation + Intimidation + Mantle vs Composure + Wyrd
Action: Contested

Success: The target’s Speed is halved, while Defense, Initiative, all Physical actions, and all Resolve or Composure rolls made to resist fear or intimidation suffer a -2.

Exceptional Success: The penalty increases to -3, and they suffer Shaken. If they’re already Shaken, they instead suffer Frightened.
Failure: The Contract fails.
Dramatic Failure: The target is emboldened, and is immune to the Contract and all fear and intimidation (within reason) for the next scene.

Loophole: The target is alone (without allies) and is already afraid of the Changeling.

(Inspired by Fear the Dark from The Reach, Creeping Dread and Touch of the Paralyzing Shudder from CTL, and You Cannot Run from BTP)

[Super Vlad]

aaand another homebrew contract!

Shape the Heart’s Desire (Spring, Royal)

The patron of Spring sometimes takes things into their own hands- or more specifically- makes people take things into their own hands. The changeling has a heart to heart talk with the target, and bursting out of their heart a simulacrum of themself comes to help them out.

Cost: 3 Glamour + 1 Willpower
Dice Pool: Wits + Empathy + Mantle vs Composure + Wyrd (unwilling)
Action: Instant
Duration: Until the desire is fulfilled, or one chapter (whichever comes sooner)

Success: The target spawns a being born of the target’s heart desires, appearing as a brightly colored humanoid based on their desire. They are the person’s desire, and know the target very well, succeeding on all Empathy rolls to read the person’s emotions and desires (as they are them). The avatar acts as a Retainer with a dot rating of up to the Changeling’s Mantle, and has specialties based on the desire.

The avatar acts as a mentor, guide, and helper to the target. The Changeling has no control over the avatar once they create it, as it is fully loyal only to the person who it spawned from. Although the target knows the avatar isn’t real, they still see them as a Touchstone.

A person can have only one avatar at once.

Exceptional Success: The avatar is incredibly capable, and gains a +3 to help the target in all ways, shapes, and forms.
Failure: The Contract fails.
Dramatic Failure: The avatar is a being of the target’s darkest, most cruel and evil desires.

Loophole: The target is in a state of denial against their emotion.

[Super Vlad]

A homebrew entitlement to add to the collection!

The Forest
Prerequisites: Wyrd 2, Animal Ken 2, Survival 2

Heraldry Token: Wayward Seeds (• to •••••)

A strange mix between an Oddiment and a Token, this endless packet of seeds is sure to make you find your home.

When planting a seed in dirt and saying a key phrase to it, the seed quickly grows into a wooden tree-like facsimile of the user. The user can swap places with the statue by chanting a key phrase they planted the statue with. There can be up to (token rating) statues in the world. Attempting to plant a new seed beyond the limit will make the oldest statue wither. The statues are the size of the user, and have a Durability of 3.

Catch: The key phrase is a secret they wish to keep hidden.
Drawback: Whenever a statue is destroyed by someone other than the planter, the planter suffers three bashing damage and a Clarity 2 attack.

Nature’s Growth (••••)
Glamour gain
Enhanced new Specialty
Additional Thread

Two Additional Abilities
The Forest can talk to plants and animals. They have a friendly disposition towards you, and will do things to please you out of respect. The Forest is never hindered, harmed, or attacked by non-sentient plants and animals.
The Forest may spend 1 Glamour to extend their senses into a living (and willing) plant or animal they have touched up to (Wyrd) miles away. They may do this for free and at any distance for the plants created by Wayward Seeds.

Touchstone: A mortal who the Forest wishes to see grow.
Curse: Clarity attacks suffered from seeing destruction of nature add damage dice equal to ranks invested in this merit.
Beat: Whenever the Forest protects nature in a way that would hinder himself or his motley, take a beat.