Renegades Expanded

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

Description

Freedom-fighters, terrorists, revolutionaries, and rabble rousers. All these are used to describe and classify them. One thing is true about them; the Hierarchy is their hated enemy, and the feeling is mutual.

It's hard to classify a group of unorganized wraiths who have only one thing in common: hatred for the Hierarchy rule. The Hierarchy has classified them into four groups (pg. 78 WPG). Political dissidents, Philosophical Idealists, Fugitives, and Situational Renegades.

This works fine for the Hierarchy, but the Renegades see themselves differently. They classify themselves through methodology rather than beliefs or situations. This is due to the fact that their beliefs and situations are too similar. They use these terms to divide themselves: Idealists, Terrorists, and Subversives. Each of these Groups have their own beliefs, and ways of fighting the Hierarchy.

What makes a Renegade a Renegade?

The decision to fight against a government is a difficult one, and isn't decided upon hastily. This decision is the one common thread that binds all Renegades. It's what is called a Defining Moment. It's what they tell their Circle mates, their students, and their enemies. The Defining Moment is the moment in a wraith's life he decided to fight back. Every Renegade holds this as a personal triumph and uses it to bolster his resolve.

System: During character creation, a Renegade character must have his defining moment As his number one passion. No other passion may have a higher rating than this. Also should a Renegade character be caught and interrogated by the Hierarchy she may use Stamina and Her Defining Moment rating to resist the interrogation. (It is highly recommended that the defining moment be role-played during the prelude or during the chronicle.)

Who goes there? Or How do I know you're a Renegade?

The way to identify a fellow Renegade is different in each Necropoli. Some use hand signals, while some will use passwords. One way that is universal is the retelling of the Defining moment. Few Hierarchy spies can speak about their 'defining moment' with the true passion a Renegade has. Upon entering Renegade territory, the wraith will first be watched and then approached by three or four Renegades who will then ask her questions as to who she is, and certain other information. While this is going on, there will be several passwords that are injected into the questions. If the wraith in question picks up on these and answers correctly, then the questioning moves on to the second part. This is usually the question, "How did you get to be here?" The wraiths are not asking the directions you took, they are asking about her Defining moment. Should she slip up, The questioning is over and the wraiths book out of there. If she doesn't slip up, she is then trusted and brought to the local camp.

My Enemy my friend?

There are many ex-legionnaire's in Renegade society. They just don't hold any true positions of power. They are often put into the most hazardous situations and suicide missions. They put up with this knowing that they are not trusted, but at least they are free. Renegade society does put A difference upon service in the Legions. If you were a legionnaire for a short time, the trust factor is higher than it would be for a legionnaire who spent years in service of the Hierarchy.

How do I join?

So you want to join, eh? Well it's not as simple as going to your local recruitment office. The first thing is to find the Renegades. This is easier than it sounds. The moment you cross into Renegade territory you will be confronted by them. This part is critical. Any mistake could get you sent into a Destruction Harrowing. They'll question you and you must make sure they understand your intentions of joining.

They'll be skeptical at first, but will take you to their camp (moliating your eyes first of course). Here they will question you some more, and then test you by sending you out on a mission against the Hierarchy. This mission is called a Truth. Most Truths are very difficult and will usually involve sending a Hierarchy agent into a Destruction Harrowing. The perspective Renegade will be followed secretly by other Renegades to see if the mission is completed. At it's completion the Renegades will hurry back to the camp to give a report on the Truth.

When the recruit finds his way back he is confronted by another test called the Lie. The Lie usually involves the Renegades calling the recruit a liar and by saying he has no proof that the mission was completed. Should the recruit offer proof it will be refuted. This goes on for awhile until they see the recruit begin to break down. This is usually the last test and the Renegades will admit to having been there when the Truth was completed. The recruit is then assigned a circle and is semi-watched for about a year. If his service to the circle is without Incident, he becomes a full Renegade. If there is an incident he will be destroyed.

Lexicon

A Thought: A circle of Idealists wraiths.

A Cell: A circle of Terrorists wraiths.

A Murder: A circle of Subversives wraiths.

A Truth: A test to prove your worth, and willingness to be a Renegade.

A Lie: Another test during recruitment.

A Boundman: A Hierarchy wraith marked for destruction by a Murder.

Lost boy: A Renegade who has been caught by the Hierarchy and is marked for destruction for what he knows.

Camp: A haunt belonging to a Cell/Murder/Thought of Renegades.