LEGION OF PAUPERS

By Dave an Kim Seward (sewaka67@telenet.net)

Prelude

I'm here again. This alleyway, at this time, again. It stinks here. Like garbage, feces, and rotten fruit. I search this place over and over again, but nothing. No memories, no flashbacks. There's a bum over by the dumpster, maybe I'll talk to him tonight. Yes, I think I will. I'll appear to him and he'll leave. Omigod! He said a name, Travis! I think....my name it's Travis. I remember, no wait! I don't want to, I don't want to!

Description

If we are the sum of all our experiences and memories then these wraiths are nothing. Bereft of their identity, they must carve out a new existence in this hostile environment.

Some have no recollection or their lives while others hold on to hazy memory. They cling to their wraithly duties because it's all they've ever known. And those that have memories either divorce themselves from them, or hold on to them as a painful reminder of what they used to be.

Special note: Although the books say that they forget how they died, I felt that it would be more dramatic if they had lost their memories of their lives.

Common Archetypes (Ranked by Frequency)

Architect, Survivor, Driven, Child, Explorer, Bon Vivant

Common Shadows (Ranked by Frequency)

The Pusher, Leech, Hypochondriac, Paranoid

Merits & Flaws

Shadow lost: 3 pt merit. Your shadow is as in the dark as you are about your past. He doesn't know, and you know he doesn't.

Shadow in the Know: 3 pt flaw. Your shadow knows of your past. He will constantly bribe, and cajole you about it. You may be in for a rough time.

Arcanoi

Due to the fact that their lives are a mystery, their fetters become even more vital. So the arcanos Lifeweb is commonly taught. All Paupers begin the game with a free dot in Lifeweb.

Legion Arcanos: **** Strengthen Fetter

With this art a wraith is able to strengthen his connection with a particular fetter.

System: The player rolls Strength+Lifeweb diff 8. If he succeeds he temporarily loses 1 point of strength for a scene. This art costs two pathos and one willpower point.


The rarest arcanos is Mnemosys. Their disconnection with the past hinders them with this art. All pathos, willpower, and angst costs are increased by one.

Famous Circles

Pandora's Circle: This circle was founded after the Code of Paupers was introduced. They believe that all wraiths should know of their past, and would help any who would know.

Dictum's Circle: This circle was handpicked by the Beggar lord to ferret out those who seek their past.

Cohorts of Haley: This circle has existed for over one hundred years. Each member has a face and an identity. When that member is lost a new member assumes that face and identity through moliation.

The Beggar Lord

No one knows who he is, and speculation is rampant. Only one Beggar lord's identity was discovered and that was long after Canute II was gone from his Beggarlordship. All that is known is that he has been several people. He has been known to be harsh, just, cruel, and kind. This current one has been the most popular.

History: After his death in 1778, he found himself in the Paris necropoli, unsure of how he got there, and more importantly who he was. He joined the legion, and was given the name, Jared. In 1810 he was named advisor to the Beggar Lord, and in ten short years replaced him.

He has stopped wondering who he is. In fact he once searched adamantly, but with no success. In the past few years he has thought of repealing the Code of Paupers, which state that no wraith shall search for his past. He knows he cannot, for he would lose control.

The Beggar Lord Francois Marie Arouet

Life: Blank slate
Death: Mystery
Regret: Legacy
Nature/ Demeanor: Scientist/Visionary
Backgrounds: Eidolon 3, Legacy 4, Status 9, Memoriam 4.

One of the greatest debators, Voltaire constantly tries to improve the Hiearchy. His social reforms have made him very popular. His alliance with the Silent Legion has garnered support from his men.

Relations with the others

Allies: Silent, Iron

Opposed: Gaunt, Grim

Neutral: Emerald, Fate, Penitent

Views of the Legion of Paupers

Silent: We have so much in common. They try to forget what we already have.

Emerald: These have joined us through no fault of their own. Sadly, some are too wrapped up in their fromer lives.

Grim: There is more to this existence than fighting. Exploration, insight, and study. These are lost on them.

Iron: Intelligent, thoughtful, these wraiths understand us, and we them.

Penitent: Some see insanity as a weakness, others as insight.

Gaunt: Poor souls. Their policies and actions are too much.

Fate: Lady Fate has chosen these for her own. Wonder why?

Renegades: I understand the need for reform, but through policies and dictums, not through violence and pain.

Heretics: Searching for something more is admirable, but not someone else's dream thank you.

Transcendence: This is the only life I have ever known. I shall worry about it when it comes.