An upgrade to the Destiny Background

Daniel Ginn
June 8, 2000 (23:49)

Hello, this is Daniel Ginn, the guy who wrote the Destiny Background and some other stuff for Changeling's Denizens of the Dreaming.

Some of you commented earlier about the Destiny Background not having any saving rolls for regaining Willpower in it. At the time, I had no idea what any of you were talking about because I am not widely read in any other WOD game except Changeling. However, that has since changed. I studied a copy of Mage Revised and took notes. The following is the new and improved Destiny Background as it should have originally appeared but didn't due to my ignorance.

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<3>Destiny

Dán is the guiding force in the tapestry of life. Neither predestination nor free will, it paradoxically combines the two. This Background reflects your character's relative importance in the Tapestry. He may be slated for greatness or a horrible demise, but his is certain to be a tale that goes down into legend. One should keep in mind that those who are greatest are not always found in court or with a title. Sometimes the little things that your character does can have long lasting influence on what he encounters later down the road. You and your Storyteller should decide some of the things your Dán will entail before you begin your chronicle. Your character might be a servant of the Norns or someone prophesied to prevent a grave disaster. You are only guaranteed that you won't die before achieving some form of greatness, but your death itself may fulfill this Dán.

The knowledge that she will go on to do great things gives your character a stronger sense of purpose and, thus, it increases her ability to exert her will. She knows that she will not die an ignominious death and this knowledge gives her the courage to go on when times become life threatening. Once per story (not each game session), if your character faces an end that goes against her Dán or somehow leaves a part of it unfulfilled, you may roll her Destiny score versus a difficulty number of 8. Each success you roll allows you to regain one spent Willpower point. You may use these points to help your character avoid a cheap death. Fate steps in and helps your character when she needs it most.

However, your ST may decide, at any time, that the danger your character faces meets the criteria of her Dán and disallow you any special saving rolls. Your character's fate, in this case, has come calling and she must survive on her own or fulfill that particular destiny.

A changeling can eventually fulfill his destiny, and at such a time the Background goes away. However, the fulfillment of such Dán usually culminates in some large change for the character's life. Conversely, an otherwise mundane person may suddenly discover that a powerful Dán lies in store. The course of fate is fickle indeed, and even moirae cannot see the future with total certainty. Typically, those with this Trait attract soothsayers and moirć. Their lives roller coaster through glorious successes and crushing defeats. The kiss of Fate is both a blessing and a curse, but always a terrible burden.

*	Basic: You will achieve at least one important quest.
**	Minor: Moirae make mild obeisance to you in the streets.
***	Useful: You are in some way attached to one or more legendary Treasures.
****	Significant: Soothsayers and prophets begin to rave whenever you enter the room.
*****	Incredible: You have met the Norns personally, and you could probably get them to do some of the things that you ask… for a price.

--Daniel Ginn