by Eloy Lasanta (World of Darkness | World of Darkness: Shanghai | Resources)
In the old days, only the wondrous hsien traversed the Xi Wang Chi (The Dreaming). They were the formidable rulers of the Middle Kingdom’s dreams and their plentiful elemental power backed their steadfast determination to stay on top. Then the first traveler from the West arrived
Beginning in the early 1800s, the foreign trade routes got closer and closer to the isolated Middle Kingdom. Along with the first traders came the amazing dreams, legends and myths of the west. This caused a huge reaction from the hsien of the area, because it suddenly caused the birth of the Native Kithain, called Zhu Jing, in Zhongguo. The vile taint their presence caused the Middle Kingdom was not well received by the Kamuii, however, which lead to various impeding laws.
The Wu Hsien, hsien commoners, vigorously rebelled against the strict laws of the Li Shen, hsien Nobles, for centuries. The use of Wu Tan outside of the exacting boundaries set forth by the laws of the Shui Fu was strictly governed. The subjugated Hirayanu of Shanghai could do little against the edicts of the Li Shen.
The Zhu Jing began appearing in the 1830s, mostly commoners with little or no Remembrance. Zhongguo, of China, was their indigenous home, as they were all Asian in descent. However, the Mists hid most of them from sight, having only recently gone through their Chrysalis. As mentioned above, in the eyes of the Kamuii, their very presence in the Middle Kingdom upset the natural order of power in Shanghai. The Zhu Jing were all seen as commoners, even the few Sidhe among them, which raised the number of lessers that needed to be governed. The Li Shen Shui Fu in turn began implementing even more strenuous restrictions on both the Kithain and Wu Hsien. The Yu courts of the Red Mandarin agreed with these laws and sent their Yu-Kuan forces to impose these regulations on the city. They allowed no use of Glamour or Yugen without permission from the Li Shen. The Wu Hsien and Zhu Jing suffered through these conditions for more than a century, but did not have the leadership or organization to oppose the Li Shen, now that they had the Yu enforcing their laws. Without this leadership, the Zhu Jing became Banality-ridden, as they often had to hide who they were to evade prosecution.
Waigoren, western strangers who were obsessed with the Xi Wang Chi even more than the Po Jen, came from the lands of America, France, Russia and Great Britain. With no Trods in the Middle Kingdom, they traveled in ways that are more conventional: boats. They came by the tens and the chimera of the local Dreaming struck them down. They came in twenties and were stomped under the foot of hsien oppression. They came by the hundreds and nothing could stop them.
Upon arriving in the Middle Kingdom, the Waigoren had seen nothing but scorn from the Li Shen and had endured battle after battle with the Yu-Kuan. Their court hearings never lived up to the prosperous dreams of peace for which they hoped. Only a small number of them survived; those that were smart enough to stay under the radar of the hsien. Until he came.
In 1959, shortly after Shanghai was evacuated of most foreigners, a Scathach warrior of an unknown past appeared in the city. This lone Sidhe, Soliad Thoraxian, stood tall and proud and did not bow to the vicious authority the Li Shen tried to oppress him with. Not only that, but he also called the commoners, Kithain and Hirayanu, of Shanghai under his banner. Many of them held fast to their surreptitious identities, but others more courageous rose to his calling. Those that came forward were not only all of the Waigoren, but also many Zhu Jing who hid themselves for so long.
The War of Correspondence had begun. With the newly formed legion under his command, and some Po Jen connections he acquired during his stay, Thoraxian marched on the hsien dragon nest in Yu Yuan Gardens and demanded to be seen. The Yu-Kuan resisted, but the army brutally defeated their first forces and even though the Kamuii’s magic was great, the army’s certain determination, courage and Glamour proved greater. They toppled many of the detailed dragon-sculpted structures in the garden, searching for the Kamuii who had hidden themselves in plain view. No matter how great their power was, they could not defeat an entire army.
The Kamuii had no choice but to show themselves. To avoid further bloodshed, the Chu-ih-yu captain of the Yu-Kuan proposed a duel. That was music to the ears of Soliad, who was a great duelist and master of the Dragon’s Ire. The eminent spirit of the metal element stared at Soliad eye to eye. During the course of the magnificent battle, the two fought with cunning and valor, but the mighty Sidhe stood victorious.
Upon losing, the Chu-ih-yu gracefully withdrew his forces, respecting the Sidhe and Kithain's right to autonomy. Soliad saw to it that all the Changelings have free reign in Shanghai and that he would establish a new kingdom, in which they could be a part of the Middle Kingdom like any other group of shen. The Kamuii had no choice but to agree, as the honorable Red Mandarin commanded an end to the conflict. After participating in various oaths of loyalty, fully backed by the Dreaming, the hsien and Changelings of Shanghai were as one entity and they signed the Treaty of Reverence.
The Red Mandarin looked at his options, considering each one carefully. Exploitation seemed the best choice of all. Thoraxian was no fool. He played in the affairs of Sidhe for too long to be taken by such obvious manipulators. His new kingdom would not fall so soon.
From all around the Middle Kingdom, Zhu Jing and Waigoren alike heard word of a newborn kingdom, one that had fought the hsien and won their respect. From the far reaches of Asia, those Changelings began their exodus to Shanghai. There was little for them hope for in the shattered world before the resurgence, but Soliad gave them that hope.
These hsien, mostly composed of Hirayanu, have been the only aids to the Kithain throughout the years. They are just as interactive with the Xi Wang Chi as the Changelings, which lead many other hsien to think they are crazy. This is seldom true and usually far from the case. They are seers, as the Dreaming somehow gives them powers close to the effects of Soothsay. They composed the few hsien who joined in the War of Correspondence to get equal rights for those that could teach them more about the Dreaming.
The first condition in the Treaty of Reverence was that the hsien and Kithain be seen as equals under the eyes of Heaven. No longer would the Changelings fear death for using their powers or harvesting Glamour. Another form of government was now visible in Shanghai, the Kingdom of Shining Waters, and the Kithain crimes could only be tried by this kingdom’s laws. This rule was equal to the hsien, as Hirayanu of the area could only be tried by the hsien judges of the Hunan Province.
The second condition was that the new kingdom would assist in rebuilding the Yu Yuan Gardens. This was the opening to the gates of understanding. Changeling and hsien working together towards a mutual goal was a truly glorious sight to see with Glamour and Yugen flying in unison. This cooperative effort was complete in 1961 and is still standing today.
The third condition was that Soliad be allowed to light new Balefires and create a Trod in Shanghai. With this he created new Freeholds, with the most important being the Shanghai Train Station. This site hosted the largest of all the Balefires in the city and was the personal home to Soliad himself until recently.
The fourth condition held the most power. It stated that the hsien and Changelings were not only equals, but brothers as well. They could call on each other for aid in battle, strategy or celebration and that the other would be bound to respond, even if it cost them their lives. This was a clause that Soliad created, hoping to pull on the support of the hsien if ever the rival kingdoms ever dared attempt to usurp his power. Clever, but would prove to backfire on him.
Shanghai is a city of refuge for all Kithain. The essential fact that the only Trod in mainland China resides in the city is obvious proof of that. The Treaty of Reverence was a contract between the Kithain and hsien of the Shanghai. These conditions are only for those Changelings who are currently within the boundaries of Shanghai. Any Kithain outside the boundaries of the city is on their own. This is something the players should be made aware of as they travel through unharmed. They should remember that if they were to step just one foot outside of the city, that they could be killed and have no repercussions come about at their deaths.
In 1969, the Sidhe of the cowardly houses returned. After staking all their claims and founding Concordia, the Kingdom of Pacifica set its sights abroad. The final condition of the Treaty of Reverence proved truly worthwhile now.
Although several Sidhe lords came honestly to serve with loyalty, others also came in an attempt to seize control of the Kingdom of Shining Kingdoms. However, the Treaty of Reverence held strong. Many common wars in the Dreaming, and in the Middle Kingdom alike, began and ended with only small casualties with the aid of their brothers, the hsien.
When conventional methods of attacks failed, assassination of the king was the next viable option. The dreaded Secret Strike Brigade was called for duty. These attempts never made it to Soliad as he went into hiding shortly after the first, surfacing only to have his protective magic recast. He did not reemerge until a certain guest requested an audience, some 25 years later.
Queen Aeron of House Fiona, Unseelie ruler of the Kingdom of Pacifica, disembarked in Shanghai, in 1995. She had never seen such a wonderfully mysterious land. She wanted it. When the time of the audience approached, the two rulers sat and discussed the world as they saw it. It is said the two views differed greatly, however the words they exchanged were never documented.
Queen Aeron left only by the grace of her gods. After piercing Soliad’s heart with a poison-tipped dagger, he lay dead and the journey to her ship to return her to her own kingdom was treacherous. Soliad's followers pelted the queen with rocks and daggers as she climbed into her ship, barely surviving.
Soliad, sadly, could not be revived, but his written will was found. In it was the crest of the kingdom and a statement that his adopted son, Zhang Bihuan, an eight-year-old Troll, would then be exalted to the King of the Kingdom of Shining Waters. Throughout the next years under his rule, many of the Waigoren left the city. They did not feel that the foreign Kithain were well represented in the first place, but now that Soliad had passed, the multiplying Zhu Jing outrageously outnumbered them. However, Bihuan proved to be an impressive ruler, even in his young age, to those who stayed, especially in recent events.
The worlds of the Dreaming have always been terrifying in Zhongguo, but they have grown increasingly worse in the recent years. The numerous chimera of the Dreaming have always been fierce, but not to such a degree as they have become in the latest months. Something is seriously wrong with the city, with its energy, with the Dreaming. The changing of the fragile Chi-scape has affected even the Kithain. They are not in tune with the energies of Yin and Yang, yet the Xi Wang Chi is becoming more perilous every day that Shanghai stays the way it is.
News has spread to the king about the Li Shen’s weakened dragon nest. The hsien ruler, Ye Haojie, has decided to enact the Treaty of Reverence this time and the Dreaming binds the Changelings of Shanghai to help. King Zhang has vowed to do everything in his power to find out the source of this loss and has created certain societies to reflect this.
The Red Mandarin wishes to be kept abreast of every advance the Kithain are making in their diligent searches. The Collective was created as a way to communicate with the hsien. They are accountable for conveying all viable information to the Kamuii, usually through their Hirayanu messengers. The disappearance of many of the Collective since the beginning of 2003 has made King Zhang Bihuan begin to worry. Who would want their messages to be deterred?
Members of the collective are essentially unknown, except by the society’s leader, Eric Sullivan, and the king himself. They wear no signature marks or any other indication that they follow the Kingdom of Shining Waters. In addition, both Kithain and Hirayanu both serve in this society.
This society is the first collection of Kithain created by Zhang Bihuan, assembled for the purpose of investigating the occurrences in the city. Many of them have trained in the arts of Feng Shui and are starting to sense something amiss in the city. The lines of power are wrongly aligned and the signs point in every direction. Any of the shen could be guilty, but whatever the case, it is their responsibility to find out who the devious culprits are.
Those that follow the Kingdom’s Eye wear a special bracelet that allows members to identify each other. The bracelet is a simple rope, but has two charms, one of an eye and the other the crest of the kingdom, attached to it. Only Kithain, mostly Zhu Jing, are members of this hidden society, as it has not been determined that the seemingly pious hsien themselves are not responsible for all the recent disasters.
After the death of the illustrious Soliad, King Zhang Bihuan, called upon the finest knights of the Kingdom of Shining Waters and created the celebrated Thoraxian Legion. In the recent months, dangerous chimera have begun running rampantly through the city, many of which have the ability to call upon the Wyrd. The king leads this faction, being brought together in an attempt to calm their chimerical foes.
All chimera are simply captured, if possible, and brought to a freehold built for chimerical containment, a dungeon of sorts. At this facility, the chimera are detained, away from those they could harm, until the problems that now plague the Middle Kingdom. If the creature cannot be detained it is either made to flee or slain on sight.
The knights who join this legion have nothing to hide. They all wear the striking crest of the Kingdom of Shining Waters proudly upon their armor as they fight each demanding battle. They are planning a strategic attack at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in the near future.
This subgroup of acrobats and magicians is at the forefront of Shanghai Tourist attractions. They have kept the ancient arts and traditions of Chinese acrobats alive and have combined them with several different styles of magic to form a new and amazing show. Before the Treaty of Reverence, many Zhu Jing wanted the chance to fulfill their dreams of performance. They saw this dream come to life with the founding of the New Shanghai Circus.
In 1959, shortly after the Kithain received equal rights in Shanghai, a number of separate prestidigitation and acrobatic clubs merged to create the Shanghai Magic and Acrobatic Group. The Zhu Jing took this opportunity to audition and slowly integrate into the circus. Later it was renamed the Shanghai Magic Troupe. Foreigners that visited were amazed by the performances, but were saddened that there was nothing like this, except in China. The New Shanghai Circus was created for this purpose. It has traveled all over the world, performing for countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Korea, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Belgium, France, and Hong Kong. The Zhu Jing and hsien became a part of the show, whether it was performing, training or even the stage crew, whatever was available. It is a plentiful source of Glamour and Yugen alike.
Rigorous training begins at the Shanghai Circus Academy, where Chinese between the ages of 11-45 audition to become part of the crew. Only 24 (mostly women for some reason) are chosen and everyone must audition again each year to claim their coveted positions. If they are accepted, they go through intense training for 3 to 4 hours a day, with needed focuses on balance, strength and grace. Everyone involved in the fantastic show become like family. Even when a performer is no longer able to participate, they likely turn to training the newcomers.
The types of performances done vary widely and at different times. All of them are marvelous to behold. The umbrella balance, aerial ballet, sword dance, group contortion, and nose balance are some of the acrobatic spectacles available. On the magic stage, there are disappearing acts, levitation and various other illusions to wow the audience. No actual Arts or Wu Tan are used in the impressive performances. The shows schedule runs for 9 months a year (April to December), with either one or two shows a day for 6 nights a week. Now, they perform all shows at the famous Shanghai Center Theatre.
The imagination of the acrobats and the hopes of the New Shanghai Circus have lead to the structure known as the Shanghai East Circus Center to begin construction. But what few mortals know in the Middle Kingdom is that this edifice already stands in the Xi Wang Chi (The Dreaming). This is the site where the Zhu Jing members of the New shanghai Circus perform for their brothers and sister and a site of peace for both the Kithain and hsien.
Eric Sullivan, foreign investor and the leader of the Collective, has spearheaded the building of the structure on the other wide of the Wall. He has received many offers for investment from all around the world and has been able to raise enough money not only for the project, but to fund the search for the reasons behind the pulsing with the Dreaming.
The largest Freehold and Trod in Shanghai both reside at the Shanghai Train Station in the north part of town. It has been the seat of power has been since the birth of the Kingdom of Shining Waters, now lead by young King Zhang Bihuan. He has resided here for the last eight years, performing all important court proceedings from his throne.
It is the site of the only Trod in or out of mainland China (the second is located in Kyoto, created in 1986). Although, the hsien were initially reluctant to allow a portal to the Xi Wang Chi in the city, it has proved helpful on more than one occasion to have access to the strange realm.
The year this wondrous structure was erected and the time of Soliad’s death both coincided with Bihuan’s rise to the crown. It became linked to the Dreaming and is a wonder to mortal and Kithain alike. Many mortals describe the tower as "two dragons playing with a pearl”, a beautiful sentiment to humans, but something much more meaningful to the beings of the Dreaming.
The Xi Wang Chi brings the dreams of humanity to life and nothing could prove that fact more than the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Two dragons, powerful chimera from the Deep Dreaming, have made the tower their personal playground. It is a striking view to behold the dragons, one as blue as a shimmering ocean and the other as red as burning flame, playing with a large pearl, struggling and fighting over it throughout the night, but it is forbidden for the Kithain to visit the Pudong during these times. More than six Changelings of the Kingdom’s Eye have gone to investigate the dragons’ arrival in Shanghai, but none have returned.
Are they here by their own accord, were they summoned by someone, or are they the outcome of the strange Feng Shui that has corrupted the city? Either way, it does not help the search to solve the problems with the Dreaming.
Background: Bihuan started his life out in dark alleys of Shanghai, but Soliad Thoraxian himself saved him from the hardened streets. As a Childling, he discovered his true nature and quickly took up the art of war, combat and the ways of the knight. There was a grand celebration when Bihuan became a full knight, which also corresponded with his ascendance into being a wilder. He fought side by side with his adopted father up until Soliad’s assassination.
For the last eight years, the young king has ruled the Kingdom of Shining Waters with shaky ground. From his inauguration, his subjects began to abscond, leaving him with a reduced amount of warriors and workers. When the Collective arrived with word that the Red Mandarin’s courts required his aid, his job turned from bad to worse. Nevertheless, he is doing well in his honorable attempt to keep his subjects happy and fulfill his sacred onus to the Treaty of Reverence.
The role of a king has not been kind to him when it comes to courtly advances. The Suijen that rules the Hunan Province treats him with disrespect simply due to his age and often disregards his station as king. He still tries to command esteem from the hsien and has gotten a strong Hirayanu following, which really does no help in court. He is the ruler of a kingdom, a small and hidden one, but a kingdom nonetheless.
Description: Being only 16 years old, he obviously has a youthful appearance in both his mortal and Fae Mien. In his mortal Mien, he is of average height and has thick brown hair, with dark eyes. Often he is seen wearing the same slightly ripped clothes day after day, as he does not have much money. In his Fae Mien, on the other hand, he stands proud, as a king should. He wears a small, golden crown, armor with the crest of his kingdom upon it and wields a large bastard sword.
Roleplaying Hints: You always present yourself with an air of naivety about you to throw everyone off their toes. However, this often backlashes on you, making you seem childish, something you have tried to live down since you were a Childling. You love being king and the respect it garners you, yet you hate being responsible for everyone and everything. You also blame yourself for death of Soliad and the weakening of the Kingdom after his passing. But none of this ever shows on the surface.
Home: The Shanghai Train Station is the location where two subways and a train line meet. Underneath the station, lie the former Freehold of Soliad Thoraxian and the current home to King Zhang.
Secrets: During the Second Resurgence, many nobles of House Scathach ran to the Kingdom of Shining Waters looking for refuge. Soliad gave them solace, but they have started to conspire against the kingdom after his passing. This is a recent event, but Bihuan has not divulged this information to anyone, but his closest followers.
Influence: As ruler of the Kingdom of Shining Waters, all the Kithain of Shanghai are bound to his words.
Court: Seelie, Legacies: Regent / Ringleader, House: Scathach, Seeming: Wilder, Kith: Troll
Attributes: Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4, Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 2, Dodge 2, Intimidation 1, Kenning 1, Leadership 2, Streetwise 1, Skills: Crafts 2, Etiquette 1, Melee 3, Security 1, Survival 2, Knowledges: Investigation 1, Linguistics 2, Law 2, Lore: hsien 3, Politics 2
Arts: Chicanery 1, Primal 4, Wayfare 2
Realms: Actor 3, Fae 4, Nature 3
Backgrounds: Chimera 3 (Items), Dreamers 2, Holdings 5, Title 6 (King), Trod 5
Glamour: 5, Banality: 2, Willpower: 6
Background: The press called her the ‘magnificent and incomparable’ Yu Wentong when she was younger. She was one of the performers in the New Shanghai Circus, doing the Barrel Contortion and Sword Dance performances and was the forerunner in her skill and leader of the circus for years. It was even her idea to create the New Shanghai Circus, mostly to quench her urge to travel. Surviving in the circus until the age of 36 took years of training and hard work. However, it ended with a simple knee fracture.
One year ago, during a routine practice session, a barrel landed on her knee with the weight of three other performers on it as well. She went through countless procedures to heal the immense damage done, but none were successful. The doctors told her never to perform again, or lose use of that leg permanently. Therefore, instead of harming herself any further, she has begun her life as a trainer at the Shanghai Circus Academy.
In Kithain affairs, King Bihuan has appointed her as the new leader of the Kingdom’s Eye. She has the colossal duty of now trying to find out what is going on in the City and was given only a small force to carry this out this duty. She has lots of free time, so why not serve her Kingdom that keeps her safe from the harm the Kithain would be under if they broke the Treaty of Reverence.
Description: Even at 37, Wentong is a very beautiful woman. She is of average height and is very flexible as well as strong. In her mortal Mien, she seldom wears more than her tights or sweatpants with T-shirt that promotes the circus. In her Fae Mien, she stands fully decked in a red, traditional Chinese acrobat suit, designed with dragon scales and silk.
Roleplaying Hints: You are very devoted, not only to your community, but also to your kingdom. You will most often put the needs of others before your own. Especially since the one thing you lived for, performing, is gone from you life. You will usually seem distant to onlookers as well, as you constantly daydream about the way things could have been.
Home: Wentong lives in a small apartment building near the Shanghai Center Theater.
Secrets: The Kithain find it easy to hide in plain sight, making the snooping that the Kingdom’s Eye does quite successful ordinarily. Wentong knows the locations of many of the obstructions in the Dragon Lines, but is not saying anything until all her facts check out. If caught by enemy shen, the information they could get out of her would be monumental.
Influence: The Kingdom’s Eye has great sway over the Changeling community, as they are his last hope to solve the disorder of the region, in the eyes of the people.
Court: Seelie, Legacies: Troubadour / Riddler, House: none, Seeming: Grump, Kith: Eshu
Attributes: Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2, Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 2
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 1, Dodge 3, Empathy 2, Kenning 2, Streetwise 2, Skills: Etiquette 2, Melee 4 (Sword Dance), Performance 3, Stealth 2, Knowledges: Computer 1, Gremayre 2, Investigation 3, Lore: hsien 1, Politics 1
Arts: Chicanery 2, Legerdemain 3, Soothsay 1, Feng Shui 1
Realms: Actor 4, Fae 2, Prop 2, Scene 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Dreamers 2, Resources 2, Retinue 3
Glamour: 4, Banality: 5, Willpower: 7
Background: Mr. Sullivan has been with the Kingdom of Shining Waters since its prestigious creation. He stood with Soliad during the legendary War of Correspondence and even helped to rebuild the scenic Yu Yuan Gardens. On top of that, he has been the Know-it-all of the realm for decades. He uses his natural ability to get into others’ business quite well, mostly with his many dotcom companies that he owns.
When King Zhang called upon Eric to lead the Collective and serve as the king’s advisor, it was to no one’s surprise. He started by arranging a meeting spot at the Shanghai Center Theater (easily enough with Yu Wentong’s help) where the representatives of the Hunan Province and he could speak in private. He then read up on the Tongs of Shanghai and slowly leaked himself into their contacts. He now has much of the Old City and International Settlement in his pocket. Dealing with the French Concession presents a problem however, as it is crawling with bloodsucking cheats and thieves. That is definitely a challenge worth going for, especially for a white man.
Description: As one of the more business-like agents of the Kingdom of Shining Waters, Eric wears designer suits. He is Caucasian, with brown hair that is prematurely graying and glasses. He is a very distinguished looking man at only the age of 23, but looks older than he is. In his Fae Mien, he is a tad shorter and wears brown boots, and fatigue like clothes, brown in color, with a blue vest over them.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a ruthless investor and investigator. Not only are you heading up the project to build a Shanghai East Circus Center in the Wyrd, but you have also been appointed as King Bihuan’s personal advisor and the leader of the Collective. You have a lot of things on your plate and have very little time to mess around. Some will think you are cruel and heartless, but you are just ‘doing your job’.
Home: Mr. Sullivan stays in his penthouse apartment located in the Bund.
Secrets: Although Eric likes the king on a personal level, he always knew that as soon as Soliad was gone, a Zhu Jing would end up on the throne. He has secrets plans to get rid of the new king, but has not found a way yet. He intends to place with himself or another Waigoren on the throne. He cannot complete his plan until the problems with the Dreaming and city’s Feng Shui are complete, however. Will his plans come to the surface before then and destroy his squeaky-clean reputation in Shanghai?
Influence: Eric has both financial and community influence in the city. His links with local Tongs and his investment properties give him the edge he needs.
Court: Unseelie, Legacies: Sage / Pandora, House: none, Seeming: Wilder, Kith: Boggan
Attributes: Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3, Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 4, Appearance 3, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Dodge 2, Empathy 2, Leadership 1, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 4, Skills: Etiquette 2, Firearms 2, Security 2, Stealth 2, Knowledges: Computer 2, Enigmas 1, Gremayre 2, Investigation 3, Law 2, Linguistics 3, Lore: hsien 3, Politics 3
Arts: Chicanery 2, Primal 1, Soothsay 1, Sovereign 1
Realms: Actor 3, Fae 3, Prop 2, Scene 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Holdings 1, Remembrance 3, Resources 4, Retinue 3
Glamour: 4, Banality: 4, Willpower: 7
