| Banality Banality is the static disbelief that hinders imagination. Changelings are beings of the Dreaming and Banality is the erosion of the Dreaming. Banality is inevitable, all Changelings know this, and that is why their fae souls have been bound into human forms. They do not remember themselves until the chrysalis so that they will be strong enough to resist banality by the time they finally remember. If any Changeling has more permanent Banality Traits than their permanent Glamour rating at the end of a story, they loose their fae self completely and become only mortal; the character then becomes an NPC until rescued by other fae. If any Changeling receives 10 permanent Banality Traits they are considered Undone which is a fate worse than death. There is no return from being Undone. It is a final death for the fairy soul, and as if they had never been. (Time to make a new character.) Gaining Banality Banality is gained by: Killing a Changeling’s mortal form (2 tem Traits) or fae form (1 temp Trait). With Cold Iron (at least one permanent Banality Trait). Destroying Treasures. (1 to 5 temp Traits) Destroying Chimera in an improper manner. (1 to 5 Traits) In addition to Banality gained from certain situations, a Changeling may call upon Banality to protect them from hostile magics directed against them. By gaining a temporary point of Banality, the character may call for a retest on any cantrip cast against them. Doing so adds their number of Traits equal to your permanent banality to the retest. So 5 points of banality, equals 5 extra traits. This is a very banal action indeed. Banality is given for denying your fairy self, or chimera you carry. (Not allowing your wings to be free, swinging a chimerical harp through a door to hit something on the other side.) One temporary point per instance. Being too banal, or boring/mundane can be cause for an ST to give a point of temporary Banality. (Don’t bore your narrator.) Permanent Banality Trait is earned if your temporary Banality exceeds 10. At this time you must inform your ST and exchange your temporary Banality. Removing Banality You may exchange temporary Glamour Traits for the removal of temporary Banality Traits on a one for one Trait basis. It must be made immediately upon receiving the Glamour. No waiting! You may opt to instead have a Nightmare upon receiving temporary Banality. The nightmare is Story Teller’s discretion. I have examples of Nightmares listed below. You may only have one Nightmare at a time. Some quests can remove temporary Banality. These quests are very rare and truly epic in stature. If you fail you may gain even more permanent Banality! |
| Some Examples of Nightmares Horrid Dreams: Level 1 You have terrible dreams for the next five nights. No Glamour can be gained in a freehold or glen due to the distraction. Freezing Wind: Level 1 Everywhere you go, you are followed by a chilling breeze or wind. This lasts for a month. Clumsiness: Level 2 You trip continually unless you concentrate on your movement. All tests for physical movement are down by three traits and have the negative physical trait clumsy. This happens the next time you are in a dangerous situation and lasts for a scene. Headaches: Level 2 You are plagued with terrible migraines for the next month. See bouts of searing pain, nausea, muscle aches, and nosebleeds. They are distracting and can cause you to miss school/work and be very grumpy. Bad Luck: Level 3 You lose ties during the next dangerous scene in which you take part. For instance you both throw scissors, you lose. Temporary Blindness: Level 3 You cannot see for a scene/hour. The Storyteller says when the scene begins. Recurring Nightmare: Level 3 You are down two mental traits for a month and become impatient. Widdershins: Level 3 The cantrip you just cast reverses itself. Lose Important Item: Level 4 Even if you constantly watch all your possessions for the next week, you will lose one of them (to fire, destruction or forgetfulness). The possession is usually your most valuable or valued possession - possibly a treasure. It may be possible to regain the item, or it may be lost forever. Wracked with Pain: Level 4 You are wracked with terrible pain and cry out in agony. Every time you think of this pain, you must make a Willpower test difficulty 5 to avoid experiencing it again. This lasts for a full month. Lose All Glamour: Level 5 All of our temporary Glamour departs at once. Banality: Level 5 Banality seizes your heart for a split second. You immediately gain temporary Banality points. (Amount is ST discretion.) Shot in the back by the bullet you were trying to dodge. Nightmares can be very vicious indeed! |
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| All Gothic, Fantasy, Surreal and Dark art are used with permission and are created by JASON BEAM. |