Homebrew Demon Merits

[Deionscribe]

Thank you very much. I completely forgot about that. I am definitely going to test that out with an NPC Unchained and see how hard it is to kill.

What do you think about this?

Equipment (o to ooooo)
Effect: Your bolthole stores a metaphysical collection of mundane equipment for you to use once per session. One item with a skill bonus equal to dots spent in equipment, two items with bonuses of Equipment-1, and an infinite amount of items at Equipment-2.

Sweet. Let me know how that goes down, if you can.
:3

And that Equipment aspect seems good. It could probably do well in filling a niche for utility items.

Any thoughts on Outburst, though?

Cohabitation •••
Prerequisite: Sleeve Integrator
Effect: When allowing a Demon to take your identity as a Cover, your mind remains "awake", allowing you to remain aware of events and communicate with the Demon (such as offering up critical information to maintain the charade).

Quantum Synthesis •••••
Prerequisite: Cohabitation
Effect: When serving as a Cover, you can let the Demon use your Attributes and/or Skills instead of theirs, if they are better.

Usurp Control •••••
Prerequisite: Cohabitation
Effect: While being used as a Cover, as a Reflexive action once per scene you can contest control by spending one Willpower point and making a Resolve + Composure roll penalized by the Demon's Resolve + Primum.

• Dramatic Failure: Not only do you fail in the attempt, you alert the Demon to your efforts and have your awareness turned "off" for the duration of the Integration. Few Unchained are likely to treat your identity very kindly after such an action.
• Failure: Your efforts to take control failed, and the Demon makes a Wits + Composure roll penalized by your Stealth [or Manipulation?] to notice the attempt.
• Success: You take control of your identity for the remainder of the merge using the Demon's abilities as if they were your own.
• Exceptional Success: Not only do you take control, you manage to black-out the Demon's awareness. You still may need to come up with a convincing lie regarding what happened.

Drawback: Any Stigmatic caught doing this is going to incur a very bad reputation amongst the Unchained.

Poison Pill ••••
Prerequisite: Sleeve Integrator
Effect: After the merger ends, you may transfer any Conditions and damage you were suffering before it to the Demon. Further more, the Demon cannot Go Loud while using your identity as a Cover.
Drawback: Doing this without previous agreement from the Unchained in question is a good way to have a powerful entity pissed off at you.

Hollow Vessel •
Prerequisite: Sleeve Integrator
Effect: You have a great void inside you that only seems to abate when you are connected to demonic Primum. This void is not only a psychological hunger, but can also draw in unwary Demons as well. You may touch one of the Unchained as an Instant action and spend a point of Willpower to force the Demon to take you as a Cover (as per Sleeve Integrator), even if the Demon can no longer maintain any more Covers.
Drawback: After 1 week without serving as a Cover, you gain the Addicted Condition keyed to being used as a Cover again.

Aether Syphon •••
Prerequisite: Cohabitation
Effect: You can a special Aether pool equal to your Stamina. Whenever you end a merge, in addition to selecting Embeds, you may also drain enough Aether from the Demon to fill up this Aether pool. You can spend the Aether on supercharging Embeds (see Heirs to Hell, page xx) or for other applicable purposes.

Exploit Capacitor ••••
Prerequisites: Cohabitation, Aether Syphon
Effect: After ending a merge, you can also store one Exploit that the Demon knows, provided that you also select one of its prerequisite Embeds. You can use this Exploit once (until another merger), as if you had Primum 1, and doing so always provokes a check against Integrity (with any penalties to a Compromise roll also penalizing this roll).
Drawback: Even holding this spark of demonic power is dangerous and debilitating. Roll to acquire a temporary Glitch, which lasts until the Embed is used.

Okay, these are some pretty awesome Merits for Stigmatics here. One question, though. Would it make sense for a Demon-Blooded character to have Aether Syphon AND Aether Pool together?

But other than that, I'm really liking them. Especially the ones that can make a Stigmatic a body snatcher (or, in this case, a Demon Snatcher). Heck, if you had Stigmatics like that siding with the God Machine, I can see them acting as the perfect honey traps for Unchained.

[lladas]

Sweet. Let me know how that goes down, if you can.
:3

And that Equipment aspect seems good. It could probably do well in filling a niche for utility items.

Any thoughts on Outburst, though?

Sorry I missed this completely. I definitely like this a lot and can see its utility. I like the effect of it as is. It's powerful, indiscriminate, and is more manageable than the Self Destruct mechanic introduced in Interface. I guess I only have two questions: First, does this feel more like a merit, or, more like something all demons can do? Secondly, the drawbacks make sense, but I was wondering how you would feel about possibly tacking something on that played into the theme of letting loose with all that energy? Something like what you see in the latest (albeit mixed) run with Superman. They could have a condition that leaves their primiuim one less than where it was before they went loud and can only beat it by buying the next level of primium. The only reason I suggest this is that I can imagine this being used to clear out some serious angelic/supernatural threats with one shot. I hope that all makes sense.

[Vent0]

Okay, these are some pretty awesome Merits for Stigmatics here.

Thanks. :-)

One question, though. Would it make sense for a Demon-Blooded character to have Aether Syphon AND Aether Pool together?

Maybe? The possibility of such is why I declared the Aether pool for Aether Syphon to be special/separate. Sleeve Integrator is far more attractive to non-Demon-Blooded Stigmatics, since it is (currently) the only way for them to gain access to Embeds.

But other than that, I'm really liking them. Especially the ones that can make a Stigmatic a body snatcher (or, in this case, a Demon Snatcher). Heck, if you had Stigmatics like that siding with the God Machine, I can see them acting as the perfect honey traps for Unchained.

These actually arose from a plot idea I had: some G-M Project or Infrastructure was able to detect Demons in normal Cover after a day (or prevent them from maintaining a Cover for more than a day), forcing the Unchained in the city to work with Sleeve Integrator Stigmatics. Then I created an entire organization (Agency?) of Stigmatics that "loaned out" themselves. Then I wanted more mechanical support and incentives (because the Embeds at the end are nice, but you are essentially giving the Demon a blank check to your life for a day).

[lladas]

Vent0! Those merits are terrifying and wonderful. They move Stigmatics and Demon-Blooded from useful characters to useful/deceptive antagonists.

[Vent0]

Vent0! Those merits are terrifying and wonderful. They move Stigmatics and Demon-Blooded from useful characters to useful/deceptive antagonists.

Thank you.

Technically, even if a Stigmatic possessed all of the merits, they are still an attractive option for Demons to "use" as a Cover - Cohabitation means you need never stumble over characterization or missing information when the person you are imitating is right there to tell it to you. Quantum Synthesis reduces/eliminates the need for Legend, since your "co-pilot" can take control as needed. Exploit Capacitor lets them perform a potentially needed burst of power afterwards (and, if combined with the Gadgeteer merit from before, allows them to Install Exploits into Gadgets). The other merits simply serve as insurance that you don't screw the Stigmatic over. They don't have to invoke any of the detrimental effects.

[Vent0]

Related plot/merit idea:

Would the ability to "migrate" a Stigmatic's soul/identity/mind from Cover (their identity as a Cover via Sleeve Integrator) to a different Cover the Demon possesses be a merit, or more of a story power/ability? Because a person trading in their "old" life for a new one the Unchained constructs (a new Patch job or Soul Pact) is really only missing that one step at this stage.

---

As a merit (highly theoretical and rough at this point):

Identity Swap •••••
Prerequisite: Sleeve Integrator (or Cohabitation?)
Effect: The character now has an additional option when forming a Pact with one of the Unchained - when their life/identity is taken as a Cover (via Sleeve Integrator), they can "sign off" on their claim to that life and trade it for another Cover the Demon possesses. The Pact processes is resolved as normal, but when the Stigmatic opens themselves up for use as a Cover, they must spend one Willpower dot instead of a point. The Sleeve Integration merger is likewise normal, but at the end the Stigmatic is separated from the Demon into the agreed upon Cover instead of their old one.

[Note: As far as the Demon end is concerned, this is a Soul Pact, except the signer pays the Willpower Dot, and get the benefit of [Cover] worth +3, which cancels out the Demon's +3 for the Soul Pact.]

[lladas]

Related plot/merit idea:

Would the ability to "migrate" a Stigmatic's soul/identity/mind from Cover (their identity as a Cover via Sleeve Integrator) to a different Cover the Demon possesses be a merit, or more of a story power/ability? Because a person trading in their "old" life for a new one the Unchained constructs (a new Patch job or Soul Pact) is really only missing that one step at this stage.

---

As a merit (highly theoretical and rough at this point):

Identity Swap •••••
Prerequisite: Sleeve Integrator (or Cohabitation?)
Effect: The character now has an additional option when forming a Pact with one of the Unchained - when their life/identity is taken as a Cover (via Sleeve Integrator), they can "sign off" on their claim to that life and trade it for another Cover the Demon possesses. The Pact processes is resolved as normal, but when the Stigmatic opens themselves up for use as a Cover, they must spend one Willpower dot instead of a point. The Sleeve Integration merger is likewise normal, but at the end the Stigmatic is separated from the Demon into the agreed upon Cover instead of their old one.

I definitely like the flavor of the merit and I can see where this could work in the story, but I am not sure if this situation would come up enough for it to be a merit instead of just a story piece. The only reason I say that is because I am not sure how often in a chronicle you will have a demon who trusts a person enough to let them play in a Cover while they use their identity. Even if a demon does trust someone that much that person would have to be able to do this. What could be interesting and more accessible is a merit where a Sleeve Integrator could jump into one of the Unchained's Cover without the Unchained knowing. Or you could add a new aspect to soul pacts where an individual could bargain to jump into another soul pact if that makes any sense.

[lladas]

I have a player who just recently lost their character and so she wanted to make an Uncalled Unchained, but after looking it over she didn’t really understand mechanically why if all she got for it was a loss of options. This got me thinking about a possible merit:

Mercenary (oo)
Perquisite: Uncalled, Subterfuge 2
Effect: Amongst the Unchained community, you have a reputation for being skilled at what you do, willing to work for a price, and above all else discrete about your employer. You receive a +2 bonus to any relevant Social roll when negotiating a deal for your services.

[Vent0]

I definitely like the flavor of the merit and I can see where this could work in the story, but I am not sure if this situation would come up enough for it to be a merit instead of just a story piece. The only reason I say that is because I am not sure how often in a chronicle you will have a demon who trusts a person enough to let them play in a Cover while they use their identity. Even if a demon does trust someone that much that person would have to be able to do this. What could be interesting and more accessible is a merit where a Sleeve Integrator could jump into one of the Unchained's Cover without the Unchained knowing. Or you could add a new aspect to soul pacts where an individual could bargain to jump into another soul pact if that makes any sense.

Well, point of clarification, the Stigmatic doesn't get to "play" in one of the Demon's Cover's while the Demon uses their identity - the Stigmatic is trading their identity in for the Cover. At the end of the transaction, the Demon is down one Cover and up another (essentially a Soul Pact), while the Stigmatic has a whole new identity (that of the discarded/traded Cover). The Demon need never interact with that Cover (now a real person) again. Not sure if that changes your read on it.

And yes, nothing is stopping a Demon from trading out attractive seeming "damaged goods" (like a Cover that has warrants pending, or is being investigated by Angels). Buyer Beware.

Of course, in theme with the previous merits, one could be developed that allows the Stigmatic to "force the issue" as it were. I'n not sure how much alteration a person would have to undergo to be able to switch between two "real" identities, though. At that point I doubt they are a mortal with some supernatural about them, but more of a supernatural thing at that point (a human-Cryptid).

[lladas]

Well, point of clarification, the Stigmatic doesn't get to "play" in one of the Demon's Cover's while the Demon uses their identity - the Stigmatic is trading their identity in for the Cover. At the end of the transaction, the Demon is down one Cover and up another (essentially a Soul Pact), while the Stigmatic has a whole new identity (that of the discarded/traded Cover). The Demon need never interact with that Cover (now a real person) again. Not sure if that changes your read on it.

And yes, nothing is stopping a Demon from trading out attractive seeming "damaged goods" (like a Cover that has warrants pending, or is being investigated by Angels). Buyer Beware.

Of course, in theme with the previous merits, one could be developed that allows the Stigmatic to "force the issue" as it were. I'n not sure how much alteration a person would have to undergo to be able to switch between two "real" identities, though. At that point I doubt they are a mortal with some supernatural about them, but more of a supernatural thing at that point (a human-Cryptid).

I think with that clarification then I think your merit would be solid as is honestly. I think clarifying on where the person becomes that pervious cover would be useful. Something along the lines of "The Stigmatic appears in the last place the Unchained was in the Cover."

[Deionscribe]

Sorry I missed this completely. I definitely like this a lot and can see its utility. I like the effect of it as is. It's powerful, indiscriminate, and is more manageable than the Self Destruct mechanic introduced in Interface. I guess I only have two questions: First, does this feel more like a merit, or, more like something all demons can do? Secondly, the drawbacks make sense, but I was wondering how you would feel about possibly tacking something on that played into the theme of letting loose with all that energy? Something like what you see in the latest (albeit mixed) run with Superman. They could have a condition that leaves their primiuim one less than where it was before they went loud and can only beat it by buying the next level of primium. The only reason I suggest this is that I can imagine this being used to clear out some serious angelic/supernatural threats with one shot. I hope that all makes sense.

Hmm. I think I get the point you're trying to get across.

The reason I put it as a Merit was because I imagine going loud in this manner to be something that needs to be learned. Even without a Cover, perhaps the Primum of a Demon is still influenced by instinctive protocols to contain the bulk of such a burst of power within its body. This also may explain the Glitch roll, as the Demon's body has difficulty processing all that power in itself. That said, I justified Outburst as a Merit by saying that the Unchained has circumvented those 'safeties' (I should probably revise the write-up of Outburst to reflect that).

On a related note, perhaps Outburst is not easy to pull off compared to the 'usual' style of going loud. Perhaps a Willpower point and/or Resolve + Composure roll would be required? That would fit for whether or not it's a Merit, or a House-Ruled addition to the template itself.

[Vent0]

I think with that clarification then I think your merit would be solid as is honestly. I think clarifying on where the person becomes that pervious cover would be useful. Something along the lines of "The Stigmatic appears in the last place the Unchained was in the Cover."

Well, it is intended to work like Sleeve Integrator normally does (you and the Demon separate at the end of the 1 day duration), but with you leaving with the Demon's other Cover, rather than your own. And since Demons are all there Covers at once, the last place the Cover would technically be is where the Demon is. Plus, it would otherwise lead to weird scenarios like a person popping into existence who knows where (seriously, what if the Demon swaped out of that Cover while on a plane bathroom - would you appear in that bathroom, regardless of its occupancy, or in mid air where the change occurred? Too tricky to mediate).

[lladas]

On a related note, perhaps Outburst is not easy to pull off compared to the 'usual' style of going loud. Perhaps a Willpower point and/or Resolve + Composure roll would be required? That would fit for whether or not it's a Merit, or a House-Ruled addition to the template itself.

I think that definitely takes into the realm of a Merit. What are your thoughts on prerequisites? I don't think you would need to do both a roll and a WP point. Maybe just make the cost aether and keep the roll. The successes can determine if the Unchained gets injured on a failure or can direct the damage on an exceptional success.

[lladas]

Well, it is intended to work like Sleeve Integrator normally does (you and the Demon separate at the end of the 1 day duration), but with you leaving with the Demon's other Cover, rather than your own. And since Demons are all there Covers at once, the last place the Cover would technically be is where the Demon is. Plus, it would otherwise lead to weird scenarios like a person popping into existence who knows where (seriously, what if the Demon swaped out of that Cover while on a plane bathroom - would you appear in that bathroom, regardless of its occupancy, or in mid air where the change occurred? Too tricky to mediate).

I see what you are saying and I can see the problem with my suggestion. I think it's a solid addition to the list that you have.

[Vent0]

Snitch ••
Prerequisites: Demon, having a Cover
Effects: The God-Machine has some way to detect when a human witnesses Demonic activity or the irregular circumstances of a Demon's Cover. You've figured out how to spoof the same signal. When in Cover as a mortal, you may opt to turn on or off this "notification" and count as a mortal for the purposes of provoking and exacerbating Compromise checks in your presence.
Drawback: There is a reason for the childhood rhyme "snitches get stitches". Getting caught doing this is a fabulous way to ruin your goodwill with your fellow Unchained.
[Creator's Notes: This offers up a particularly subtle and dirty way to interfere with other Unchained. If the ST wants, they may even extend the effects to other "viewed by a mortal" supernatural consequences, such as the unraveling effects of Dissonance on a Mage's spells, or the difficulty Ghosts have in Manifesting.]

Pretender ••••
Prerequisite: Demon, having a Cover
Effects: You have figured out how to distance yourself from your Cover a bit, letting "it" suffer the effects of a Condition or Tilt. Whenever you would be affected by a Condition or Tilt from a source that does not know you are anything other than a common mortal, and that only affects mortals or has increase effectiveness against mortals, you may pretend to be affected by the Condition/Tilt as a mortal would. At any time, you may "break cover", removing such Conditions/Tilts immediately at the cost of a Compromise roll penalized by the number of Conditions/Tilts removed in this way.
Drawback: Whenever you cancel Conditions or Tilts your cover was suffering, you get the Cover Disassociation Condition with a number of ticks on it equal to the Conditions and/or Tilts canceled (or add those ticks to the existence Cover Disassociation Condition, if any), tied to the Cover that was used.
[Creator's Notes: An ironclad defense against some powers... provided the conditions are met. A Demon isn't likely to pull off the "just a plain mortal" trick more than once per character, but it is useful for infiltrating supernatural cults and organizations.]

---

Condition:

Cover Disassociation
You feel a disconnect between you and your Cover, leaving you numbed and unable to really empathize with it or other humans. You suffer a -2 penalty to Social rolls while in that Cover due to emotional distance, and a -1 penalty to Mental rolls due to distraction. This Condition is attached with 1 or more ticks. Each day, lower the number of ticks by 1.
Possible Sources: Using Pretender to ignore Conditions or Tilts, some Compromise rolls.
Beat: N/A
Resolution: Reach 0 ticks on this Condition.