Changeling
Why Approvals?
In the World of Darkness, some types of characters are supposed to be very rare. Since we have thousands of players, we've designed a system to help keep the game balanced. Our special request process applies to certain rare and unique Character concepts, Character elements, and Items. Each venue supplement identifies the level of authority needed for approval within the venue (see below). During the review process, several levels of storytellers may evaluate the concept and whether it fits with the overall game. We believe that special character concepts should add to the story and make the game more fun for everyone. This holds true for some Rare NPC types as well. We're not trying to restrict the productive creativity of our local storytellers. Rather, we want to make sure that these rare PCs and NPCs fit with our overall chronicle. If you want to use a rare type of PC or NPC, review the rules for the venue and contact your supervising storyteller. Often, you will find ways to link your ideas with PCs and NPCs already in the chronicle.

Character Sanctioning and Records (1.6)
All characters must be approved by the player's Low Approval Storyteller, and should be kept up to date and on file with that Storyteller.

[The Mid Approval Storyteller in the hierarchy will function in this Storyteller role for the characters of the Low Approval Storytellers. High Approval Storytellers, and the appropriate Low Approval Storyteller will function in this storyteller role for the characters of Mid Approval Storytellers. Top Approval Storytellers and the appropriate Low Approval Storyteller will function in this Storyteller role for the characters of High Approval Storytellers. That is to say, STs will not approve thair own Special Approvals.]

A complete character record should include a character sheet, the character's Experience Point log and records/verification of any special approvals made on the character.
An Experience Point log will detail how starting points (including Free Traits) were spent at character creation, and how points earned after were spent. It will also list games attended and the Experience Points gained for each game. Dates should be noted for each entry in the Experience Point log.
If there is uncertainty over a discrepancy between what is on the player's character sheet, and the copy kept in the Storyteller's records, the copy in the records will be considered accurate.

A Special Approval Form must be submitted for any character which either includes a Restricted Character Type, or any character including restricted Advantages, Traits, etc. Such an Approval Form must be approved by each intervening Storyteller level, until the appropriate Approval Level Storyteller is reached and also grants approval. Any of the Storytellers in this chain can deny the Approval, so long as they explain their reasons.

A Special Character Approval Form of High Approval or higher, whether PC, NPC, or plot element, must be submitted to the Approvals Database at http://camarilla.white-wolf.com/approvals/login.php.

A Special Character Approval Form contains the following:
A full Character Record [character sheet and experience log, see above], as well as the Player's or ST's membership number, Chapter, and Domain, and contact information for that member's presiding ST [usually VST, but may differ if the applicant has an ST position themselves].
A character history.
A detailed explanation of the Approval being sought [whether Character Type, Advantage, Merit, Item, etc] and how it affects the character concept.
Answers to the following questions:
1. What does your character hope to accomplish in the near future; why these particular goals?
2. What are your character's long term goals?
3. What is the real reason the character is in his/her current domain?
4. What gives your character reason to continue existing?
5. What are his/her greatest joys and fears?
6. Which emotions are the primary drives for your character?
7. How does your character view the mortal world and its events?
8. What major events shaped your character's past; what were the pivotal moments?
9. What are your character's relations with his/her [character type]?
10. How will this character make the game more enjoyable for others?
11. What will this character add to Sanctioned play?
12. Why do you want to play this concept in particular?
13. How will you be like a storyteller in the play of your character?

The following list shows the Approval Levels for Player Character Types. NPCs are an Approval Level one lower. Yes, this means that both PCs and NPCs may need to submit a Special Character Approval Form; follow the system outlined on the left.
Low Approval PC Character Types: Boggans, Eshu, Nockers, Pooka, Redcaps, Satyr, Sluagh and Trolls
Mid Approval PC Character Types: Clurichaun, Ghille Dhu, Selkies and Sidhe
High Approval PC Character Types: Members of House Scathach, and Nunnehi
Low Approval PC Character Types: Mortals without Numinae, and Kinain
Mid Approval PC Character Types: Characters with Psychic Numina
High Approval PC Character Types: Autumn People, Dauntain and characters with Sorcery Numina
All Character Types not on this list are Top Approval for PCs and NPCs alike. Note that Autumn People and Dauntain, as "venue-specific antagonists" are actually Low Approval as NPCs. They do not make good Player Characters, however, and so find themselves needing a much higher Approval, and excellent reasons behind such a choice.

Under the Winter Settings Document, there are no approvable concepts that give characters backgrounds specific to other venues (i.e. the character used to be a Mage, Changeling, Ghoul, etc.). Players may only play Non-Player Characters whose Power Class is available as a Player Character based upon either the Players Member Class, or the Member Class of the Storyteller sponsoring the Non-Player Character. Any of these restrictions may be superseded with High Approval.

Other Elements of Characters can also require Approval, regardless of Type, or whether the character is a PC or NPC. In these cases also, the Player or ST must submit a Special Character Approval Form:

Any Lore ability at level five requires High Approval.
Lore: Shadow Court and Lore: Dreaming require High Approval.
Art - Chronos requires High Approval for sidhe characters and Top Approval for others.
Art- Naming requires High Approval for sidhe characters and Top Approval for others. All characters require Top Approval for advanced Naming.
Art - Sovereign requires High Approval for non-sidhe characters.
Backgrounds - the Chimera, Companion, Mentor, Patron, Political Connections, Remembrance, Title, Treasure and Trod Backgrounds require Mid Approval for level four [per item], and High Approval for level five (even if these things are gained/creating in play).
The Title of Squire, Knight or Baron require Low Approval for sidhe characters, Count Mid Approval for sidhe characters, Duke High Approval for sidhe characters, and King (level six) Top Approval. After character creation, title may raise through role-play, however approval requirements [and Special Character Approval form submissions] still apply. The Titles of Baron, Count, and Duke for non-Sidhe (Entitled Commoners) require one higher level of approval than what is listed here.
Merits - any merit which duplicates a Kith Birthright requires High Approval. Poetic Heart requires High Approval.
Shadow Court - any "True Shadow Court" membership or knowledge [and thus also character types of any Thallain, whether PC or NPC, and any House Membership in Ailil, Balor, or Leanhaun, whether PC or NPC] requires High Approval.
Art- Delusion requires Top Approval for non-Shadow Court characters.
Art - Contempt requires Top Approval for non-Shadow Court characters.
Background - Resources level five requires High Approval.

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