6.7 KiB
HERITAGE OPTIONS: BON TEMPS
These Ancestries and Communities are designed for the Bon Temps campaign frame, representing the unique entities, cultures, and factions found within the True Blood / Southern Vampire Mysteries universe.
ANCESTRIES
An Ancestry establishes your character's biological species, physical traits, and innate capabilities. In the world of Bon Temps, supernaturals lived in hiding for centuries, but are now slowly adapting to a human-dominated society.
HUMAN
Humans are the most populous species in Bon Temps. In a world increasingly populated by ancient vampires and territorial shapeshifters, humans rely on their resilience, adaptability, and ability to blend into the crowd.
ANCESTRY FEATURES
- Stubborn Resolve: When you fail a Trait Roll, you can spend 1 Hope to add +2 to the final result, potentially turning a failure into a success.
- Under the Radar: Supernaturals often underestimate mortal capabilities. You have advantage on Stealth and Deception rolls when interacting with or hiding from Vampires, Shapeshifters, and Werewolves.
FAERIE (FAE)
Faeries are beautiful, magical humanoids originating from a pocket dimension parallel to our own. They possess photokinetic abilities and telepathy. However, their blood is a delicious, intoxicating nectar to vampires, making them prime targets. Many faeries hide their heritage and pass as humans.
ANCESTRY FEATURES
- Telepathic Spark: You can read the surface thoughts of nearby mortals. Spend 1 Hope to listen to the immediate thoughts of a target within Close range. Additionally, you can manifest a bright faerie light to illuminate dark areas at will.
- Siren's Blood: If a Vampire bites you and feeds on your blood, they must immediately mark 1 Stress and are Stunned (cannot take actions) for 1 round as they are overwhelmed by the euphoric flavor. However, they also clear all physical damage, and they will likely stop at nothing to feed on you again.
SHAPESHIFTER
Shapeshifters (or "shifters") are born with the ability to copy the form of any animal they have observed. Unlike werewolves, shifters are not bound by the full moon and can assume multiple different forms, though they often have a preferred "first shift." Shifting requires deep concentration and emotional control.
ANCESTRY FEATURES
- Animal Form: You can shift into any mundane beast of roughly your size (or smaller) that you have observed closely. While in this animal form, you gain its movement speeds (such as flight for a hawk or swimming for an otter) and senses (like darkvision or scent tracking). You retain your Mind traits, but your Physical traits become equal to the animal's natural traits.
- Imprint: You have a special bond with one specific animal type (e.g., dog, horse, owl). You have advantage on all Instinct and Animal Handling rolls when interacting with that species, and shifting into this animal costs 0 Hope (other shifts cost 1 Hope).
WEREWOLF
Werewolves are proud, physical therianthropes who shift specifically into large wolves. They live in highly structured, territorial packs led by a Packmaster. In human form, they are exceptionally strong, warm-blooded, and hot-tempered.
ANCESTRY FEATURES
- Lupine Shift: You can transform into a large, fearsome wolf. While in wolf form, your Melee attacks deal +1d6 physical damage, you gain a +1 bonus to your Armor Score, and you have advantage on tracking rolls using scent.
- Pack Tactics: You have advantage on attacks against targets that are adjacent to at least one of your allies.
WEREPANTHER
Werepanthers are a rare, insular breed of therianthropes who shift into black panthers. They are reclusive, clannish, and historically live in isolated communities like the backwoods of Hot Shot. They are agile, stealthy, and highly protective of their kin.
ANCESTRY FEATURES
- Feline Grace: You can shift into a black panther. While in panther form, you gain a climbing speed equal to your movement speed, and your attacks gain the Finesse tag, dealing +1d4 damage.
- Insular Instinct: Your upbringing in a tightly knit, suspicious community makes you difficult to deceive. You have advantage on rolls to detect lies, illusions, or hidden motives.
COMMUNITIES
A Community represents the environment and culture in which your character was raised or currently lives. It defines your social skills and resources.
BAYOU-BORN
You grew up navigating the dense, humid swamps, marshes, and backwaters of Louisiana. You are self-reliant, comfortable in the mud, and know how to survive where others get lost.
COMMUNITY FEATURE
- Swamp Survivalist: You have advantage on rolls to navigate, forage, or survive in swamps and wetlands. You can swim at your normal movement speed, and you are immune to natural poisons found in the bayou.
SMALL-TOWN LOCAL
You are a resident of Bon Temps or a similar small town. You know everyone, and everyone knows you. You understand local politics, family histories, and the rumors floating around Merlotte's.
COMMUNITY FEATURE
- Southern Hospitality: You know how to make people feel comfortable and get them talking. You have advantage on Presence rolls to gather rumors, information, or seek shelter in social environments.
FANGBANGER
You belong to the subculture of humans who are obsessed with vampires. You frequent vampire bars, seek out the thrilling high of the vampire's bite, and might even trade your blood for protection, money, or the illicit drug V.
COMMUNITY FEATURE
- Vampire Savvy: You understand the etiquette, slang, and warning signs of vampire culture. You have advantage on Deception and Insight rolls against Vampires, and you can easily locate hidden vampire havens or black markets in any city.
HOT SHOT RECLUSIVE
You were raised in an isolated, impoverished, and deeply protective rural community like Hot Shot. You are suspicious of government authorities and city slickers, relying entirely on your family clan.
COMMUNITY FEATURE
- Kinship Loyalty: When an ally is helping you or when you are actively protecting them, you can spend a Hope to grant them a +2 bonus to their roll. You also have advantage on rolls to resist Intimidation.
VAMPIRE COURTIER
You serve or reside within the formal hierarchy of the Vampire Authority or Shreveport Area 5. You understand the strict laws of the undead, the power dynamics between Sheriffs and Monarchs, and how to survive in their courts.
COMMUNITY FEATURE
- Authority Protocol: You know how to navigate the dangerous politics of the undead. You have advantage on Presence rolls when negotiating with vampires of higher status, and you cannot be glamoured unless the vampire spends a point of Fear.