SoF Exalted/Backgrounds

This page is intended to serve as a translation guide for Exalted Backgrounds. This will not contain new mechanics or the like, but rather direct people to the parts of Strands that perform the same function as those Backgrounds did in the Storyteller mechanics.

The primary means by which Backgrounds are represented in Strands is through Aspects. For extremely important and significant Backgrounds, these might be reflected in the Character Aspects (particularly the Background Aspect if you're using the Aspect Alphabet). Lesser, but still signifant Backgrounds might be represented with Speciality Aspects, particularly the Foes, Gear and Help Aspects. An advantage of using Aspects for many of these is that they can be Invoked to make appropriate declarations, and be Compelled when they are potentially troublesome.

However, there are also Advantages which enhance the feeling of certain Backgrounds or address their main precepts directly. Those are outlined below.

Mundane Backgrounds

Allies

The primary means of representing Allies is through the Help Speciality Aspect.

Command

Abyssal Command

Contacts/Spies

The primary means of representing Contacts/Spies is through the Help Speciality Aspect. You may also use the Organisation rules if a character has a more formal setup to run their networks of eyes and ears. In this instance the Expert Advantage Headquarters may be relevant.

Family

The primary means of representing Family is through the Help Speciality Aspect.

Follower/Henchmen/Retainers

The primary means of representing these is through the Help Speciality Aspect.

Mentor

The primary means of representing a Mentor is through the Help Speciality Aspect.

Patron

The primary means of representing a Patron is through the Help Speciality Aspect.

Reputation

Depending on whether the character is famous or infamous, either the Foe or Help Speciality Aspects could work to model Reputation. Of the Expert Advantages, Well-Known is directly appropriate.

Resources

The primary means of representing Resources in SoF is, unsurprisingly, the Resources Ability (though this is used for more than just a measure of wealth in the game). This is further nuanced by Speciality Aspects focusing on Resources. In addition, you might consider the following Expert Advantages: Good Investment, Grease the Wheels and Money Talks. Finally, the Heroic Advantages Money is No Object and Persistent Speciality Aspect (for a Resource-based Exceptional Skill, for example) also support the notion of having a lot of money.

Supernatural Backgrounds

Breeding

Breeding for Dragonblooded or Inheritance for God-Blooded, mechanically this is represented by Wellspring. If especially significant, it might also be an Essence-based Speciality Aspect or even a Character Aspect.

Manse

Celestial, Infernal, and Underworld Manse

Unwoven Coadjudicator

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