Thus Spake Zargrabowski/PastLives

Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2001 08:49:08 -0700

On 24 Aug 01, at 13:11, Joe Murphy (Broin) wrote:

If, in Exalted, it's just a power pool, then presumably, one won't be able to tap 'past lives' for special abilties, as per WtA. You may be able to recall memories and events.

It has some bias. I haven't decided for sure yet, but I think they stick to being the same Caste. Not much beyond that, though. There is a past-life like experience, but it's similar for all Exalted, so I didn't see a need to make it more than a plot device style element.

One reason I'm looking at 'Past Life' as a possible background is that I was a little disapointed with available backgrounds for characters. The available backgrounds are *very* social. There aren't really any backgrounds that relate to your powers or abiltities, the equivalent of an Arcane, an Avatar, or a Generation.

Short form: Generation is the biggest power crock in Vampire. Why would I repeat that?

Long Form: Because a Background that every single player takes at least three dots of shouldn't be a Background, it should be an innate ability of every character. Making mystical assets -- especially incredibly important assets like Generation and Avatar -- into something that you have to buy just makes them a first time chargen landmine. Lots and lots of critical Background choices make each character weaker (the same way long skill lists make every character dumber) and increases the chance you will forget something you Absolutely Must Have during chargen (also exactly like long skill lists). Also, it's my opinion that the elements of chargen should be fairly discreet, and so I tried to confine Backgrounds to social intangibles and keep the innate powers in the Charms where they belong.

Geoffrey C. Grabowski
Exalted Developer, WWGS
raindog@white-wolf.com