Influence and Contacts
Influence is power in the mortal world. Contacts are the people who provide information, services, and access. Together, they form the social network that allows vampires to operate in the shadows.
Influence
Influence represents your ability to shape events in the mortal world. It may be political, economic, cultural, or social. Influence allows you to:
- Move people: Get mortals to do what you want
- Move money: Access financial resources
- Move information: Get access to restricted information
- Move things: Move objects or people through mortal systems
Influence ratings
| Rating | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minor influence in a small area | A clerk at a government office |
| 2 | Moderate influence in a small area | A mid-level manager at a company |
| 3 | Significant influence in a small area | A director at a government agency |
| 4 | Major influence in a large area | A CEO of a major corporation |
| 5 | Legendary influence in a large area | A politician, a media mogul, a crime lord |
Using Influence
To use Influence, roll Charisma + Politics or Manipulation + Subterfuge at a difficulty set by the scope of the request:
- Difficulty 2: A minor request
- Difficulty 3: A moderate request
- Difficulty 4: A significant request
- Difficulty 5: A major request
Influence and the Masquerade
Using Influence draws attention. The more Influence you use, the more visible you become. High Influence ratings attract:
- Journalists who investigate unusual activity
- Competitors who want to destroy you
- Government agencies who want to control you
- Criminal organizations who want to recruit you
Contacts
Contacts are people who provide information, services, and access. They may be:
- Mortals: Informants, researchers, specialists
- Vampires: Allies, rivals, informants
- Supernatural beings: Spirits, demons, werewolves
Contact ratings
| Rating | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A minor source of information | A clerk at a library |
| 2 | A reliable source with some expertise | A detective at a police department |
| 3 | A major source with significant expertise | A journalist at a major newspaper |
| 4 | A powerful source with extensive expertise | A professor at a university |
| 5 | A legendary source with vast expertise | A government official with top-secret clearance |
Using Contacts
To use a Contact, roll Intelligence + Investigation or Wits + Streetwise at a difficulty set by the information or service requested:
- Difficulty 2: Common information or service
- Difficulty 3: Uncommon information or service
- Difficulty 4: Rare information or service
- Difficulty 5: Secret information or service
Contact complications
Contacts create complications:
- A Contact may demand payment for information or services
- A Contact may be unreliable or dishonest
- A Contact may be in danger from your enemies
- A Contact may be compromised by your rivals
- A Contact may reveal your secrets to others
Social networks
A social network is a web of relationships that connects you to other people. Your social network includes:
- Allies: People who help you
- Contacts: People who provide information
- Enemies: People who oppose you
- Rivals: People who compete with you
- Mentors: People who teach you
- Students: People you teach
Building a social network
To build a social network, you must:
- Meet people: Go to places, attend events, make connections
- Build trust: Share information, provide services, make promises
- Maintain relationships: Follow through on promises, show up when needed
- Manage conflicts: Resolve disputes, mediate disagreements, enforce boundaries
Social network mechanics
Your social network provides mechanical benefits:
- +1 die to rolls involving a specific person or group
- Access to information, services, or resources
- Protection from enemies or threats
- Support in social or political situations
Social network complications
Your social network creates complications:
- Obligations: People expect things from you
- Conflicts: People disagree with each other
- Enemies: People want to destroy you
- Secrets: People know things about you
- Dependencies: You need people who may not be there
Influence spending
Influence can be spent to achieve specific effects:
| Effect | Cost | Roll |
|---|---|---|
| Gather information | 1 dot | Intelligence + Investigation |
| Move money | 1 dot | Manipulation + Finance |
| Move people | 1 dot | Charisma + Leadership |
| Move things | 1 dot | Manipulation + Streetwise |
| Create a distraction | 1 dot | Manipulation + Subterfuge |
| Arrange a meeting | 1 dot | Charisma + Persuasion |
| Apply pressure | 2 dots | Manipulation + Intimidation |
| Bribe an official | 2 dots | Manipulation + Finance |
| Organize an event | 2 dots | Charisma + Leadership |
| Launch a media campaign | 3 dots | Manipulation + Persuasion |
| Influence an election | 3 dots | Manipulation + Politics |
| Organize a protest | 3 dots | Charisma + Leadership |
Influence and the city
The city is a web of influence. Every neighborhood, every institution, and every social group has its own network of power. A vampire who understands the city's influence network can:
- Navigate the city's social landscape
- Predict how events will unfold
- Manipulate the city's power structure
- Protect their territory from rivals
City influence types
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Political | Power in government and law | City council, courts, police |
| Economic | Power in business and finance | Banks, corporations, unions |
| Cultural | Power in art and media | Museums, theaters, newspapers |
| Social | Power in communities and groups | Churches, clubs, neighborhoods |
| Criminal | Power in illegal activities | Gangs, cartels, black markets |