Retainer
Description: Your character has an assistant, aide, indentured servant, or fanatical follower on whom she can rely. This loyal companion can be called upon to perform various duties without fail, but they have their limits. The nature of their loyalty and the circumstances of their service can vary greatly.
Acquisition: Each acquisition of this Merit grants your character one follower. Dots spent in this Merit indicate the training, capability, or flexibility of the aide. The retainer needs an identity, background, and character sheet of their own. The Storyteller usually plays your character's retainer.
Effects: Regardless of the circumstances, this person is constantly loyal and follows almost any order without question. However, they can't be made to perform any task that would risk their own life unduly or violate their own morals.
Retainer Creation: All retainers starts with base creation for a mortal + 20xp. Each dot of retainer provides a certain amount of experience points (level x 10) to be used for creating the retainer. For example, a level two retainer would be created with base creation plus 50 XP.
This Merit represents the depth and capabilities of your character's loyal companion, and the specifics of their abilities, skills, and background should be discussed with the Storyteller during character creation to ensure they fit the narrative of the chronicle.
Animal Companion
Description: The Animal Companion Merit reflects a single loyal beast who follows your character. The bond between your character and their animal friend can vary in origin, but this companion is smart, useful, and independent. The Merit allows your character to have a loyal animal companion that can be a valuable ally.
Acquisition: Each acquisition of this Merit grants your character one animal companion. Dots spent in this Merit indicate the power, intelligence, and often the size of the companion. Magical animal must start at a level 2 (you must still purchase level 1 seperately). The companion must have an identity, background, and character sheet of their own. Each Companion must be purchased seperately.
Effects: Unless the Animal Companion is driven off by poor treatment or killed, they remain a loyal element in the character's life. The companion will do whatever they can to assist your character and will regard them with the ultimate affection. The nature of this loyalty depends on the species of the animal. For example, a devoted cat or a loyal snake won't show affection in the same way a dog would. Nevertheless, unless the bond is severed by death or abuse, the Animal Companion remains devoted to your character for life.
Drawback: Unlike the Retainer Merit, an Animal Companion is still just an animal. They don't have free access to the human world and are limited by their manual dexterity, mental perspective, and social rules. The animal may spook other animals and might follow their instincts if prey is nearby. They retain their bestial habits and needs, which can sometimes lead to disruptive behavior. While your character's feral friend might adore them, a smart and powerful animal remains a high-maintenance companion.
Animal Companion Creation: All companions start with the base stats for their breed +20 xp. Each dot of this Merit provides a certain amount of experience points (5 x level) to be used for creating the animal companion. For instance, a level two Animal Companion would be created with base creation plus 35 XP. Animals can be mundane,standard animals or magical creatures, but not Mythic.
A Note on Animal Companions and Pets: Players can have animals that are pets and not Animal Companions. These animals are simply there in the background. They cannot assist your character in any meaningful way. They have base stats as defined by species and do not need sheets.
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