PREACHERS

By Kit Peters (capchaos@ns.cencom.net) (10 November 1995)

Description

These Kithain draw their glamour from fanatical belief and devotion. Good examples would be David Korresh and Charles Manson. Their power comes from their followers; if they believe in her, she is made powerful. They can come from all walks of life, and be of any appearance. In their fae seemings, they often seem larger than life, dressing outlandishly and flamboyantly. Many of these Kithain are Unseelie, driving their followers to murder, lie and steal, all in her name. Seelie Preachers often believe what they preach with a passion, and will stop at nothing to defend their beliefs, or to stop perceived persecution.

Seemings

Childling Preachers are often friends with everybody, and can often be found at the heart of plots to humiliate a disliked teacher or principal.

Wilder Preachers often become involved in organizations, paying lip service to whomever is in charge while quietly making their bids for power. At this stage, they begin to dress more flamboyantly.

Grump Preachers are often settled in a highly visible position, basking in the adulation of their followers, while maintaining confusion and infighting among those whose ambitions they feel are dangerous.

Birthrights

Born Leader: The Preachers are naturally charismatic amd are quite adept at manipulation, albeit only of crowds. They receive an extra dot of Charisma and Manipulation, and an extra die in all rolls involving persuasion or manipulation of more than 3 people.

Crowd affinity: The preachers are also able to sense the mood of the crowd, and use it to their advantage. They automatically receive one free dot of empathy, which can be increased normally using freebie points.

Frailties

Crowd control: Preachers often become influenced by the crowds they speak to, and if in the direct presence of an audience, must make a Willpower roll against a difficulty of 5, increased by one for every five members of the audience, to do anything contrary to the crowd's wishes. In practical terms, if an Unseelie Preacher has got a crowd hyped up and ready for a blood sacrifice, she will be hard-pressed to undergo a sudden change of heart.

Unmistakability: Like the Sidhe, Preachers are unmistakable, emanating a larger-than life aura. People will immediately be able to pick them out of a crowd, and they are often the prime targets for an assassin's bullet, especially when their deaths could be seen as martyrdom. Such cases should be arbitrated by the Storyteller, but it is suggested that the difficulty of hitting the changeling be lowered by 1, possibly more if she is of great renown.

Affinity

Actor

Outlook

Boggans: Too wrapped up in their own petty intrigues to be of any real use to us. Occasionally, they have useful information, though....

Eshu: The wanderers tell wonderful stories, and if the stories are about us, so much the better.

Nockers: We have no need for their flawed creations.

Pooka: Amusing, and good scapegoats. If they didn't lie so much, they might be useful as spies.

Redcaps: Excellent foot soldiers and rabblerousers. Dispose of them when they become inconvenient.

Satyrs: Music can move the masses, and sex is a powerful attractant. Highly useful.

Sidhe: These fools have no idea of the power they are missing out on.

Trolls: They do not trust us, and rightly so. If one can be turned to your service, she will be a valuable ally. If not, dispose of her.