Post by The Wyrd on Aug 31, 2020 21:46:49 GMT -8
What's in a name?
When a person is written into the laws of the Wyrd, they gain a deep appreciation of this question. Their Keeper used their True Name to rework their bodies and memories, dismantling the Self into something that matched the preferences of the Fae. Remembering their Name is what allowed your character to reconnect with the world and escape. It's a precious, guarded moniker steeped with the power of memory. Every time a person used your character's chosen name, it validated their place in the world, giving weight to their presence in reality.
How does the True Name impact a character?
Returning means that this True Name has more power than ever. It's a symbol of the mark they have left behind. Whether this is precious or painful, it is nonetheless dangerous to reveal. It's extremely rare for a character to go by the name they held before their Durance, and it a sign of extreme naivete that is quickly corrected by their peers.
If someone uses the True Name of a Fae entity with sufficient connection to the Wyrd, the impact is subtle, but immediate. A casual statement becomes a compelled destiny that the Fae entity fulfills without question, and are only able to resist if their life is in danger.
True Name and Changeling Culture
Changelings will usually only reveal their True Name under novel, intimate circumstance. Some examples situations would not be limited to: serious personal oaths, declarations of love, a ceasefire pact between enemies in a standoff, living family members, or pledging fealty. Some changelings choose to never reveal their True Names by choice, and this notion is respected as an unsung social contract.
For various reasons, some members of the Lost community will choose to dig up a True Name from an alias, not unlike the mortal practice of doxxing. To reveal a Changeling's True Name without consent is socially akin to sharing deeply private information and is often looked on as a crime. Using a True Name to force another Lost to act is regarded as a violation of agency and a social taboo of the highest degree. No matter one's political views or moral fiber, most Changelings will agree that problems involving hatred or vengeance can be solved through raw violence, social maneuvering, official duels, or other forms of guile. Evoking a True Name is just simply "dirty". Characters that do this without excellent reason should expect other PCs and NPCs to react strongly - even violently.
When a person is written into the laws of the Wyrd, they gain a deep appreciation of this question. Their Keeper used their True Name to rework their bodies and memories, dismantling the Self into something that matched the preferences of the Fae. Remembering their Name is what allowed your character to reconnect with the world and escape. It's a precious, guarded moniker steeped with the power of memory. Every time a person used your character's chosen name, it validated their place in the world, giving weight to their presence in reality.
How does the True Name impact a character?
Returning means that this True Name has more power than ever. It's a symbol of the mark they have left behind. Whether this is precious or painful, it is nonetheless dangerous to reveal. It's extremely rare for a character to go by the name they held before their Durance, and it a sign of extreme naivete that is quickly corrected by their peers.
If someone uses the True Name of a Fae entity with sufficient connection to the Wyrd, the impact is subtle, but immediate. A casual statement becomes a compelled destiny that the Fae entity fulfills without question, and are only able to resist if their life is in danger.
For a character to be affected by their True Name, they must be Wyrd 3 or higher. Low Wyrd characters are protected against this by their connection with their Humanity and the mundane world.
Mechanically, if a True Name is evoked in a command, the Changeling will be compelled to perform the action unless the circumstances are extreme.
A True Name evocation is resisted by Resolve + Composure - the character's Wyrd score.
A True Name can force a Changeling to take actions they normally would resist or avoid, up to engaging in combat.
A True Name cannot force a Changeling to murder a Touchstone, or take an action that would be clearly suicidal in the judgment of the Storyteller.
A Lost's True Name is at least a first name and surname.
A True Name does not have to be the name a character was born with, but the one that holds the most personal meaning. You can work it out with the Storyteller. (i.e. married name, legal change, etc).
A True Name is not a pet name or nickname, or steeped in cryptic symbology that was made up in private.
Some say that the True Fae and denizens of the Hedge are even more vulnerable to manipulation by their True Names. Whether that is true or not is a subject for experimentation or investigation.
Mechanically, if a True Name is evoked in a command, the Changeling will be compelled to perform the action unless the circumstances are extreme.
A True Name evocation is resisted by Resolve + Composure - the character's Wyrd score.
A True Name can force a Changeling to take actions they normally would resist or avoid, up to engaging in combat.
A True Name cannot force a Changeling to murder a Touchstone, or take an action that would be clearly suicidal in the judgment of the Storyteller.
A Lost's True Name is at least a first name and surname.
A True Name does not have to be the name a character was born with, but the one that holds the most personal meaning. You can work it out with the Storyteller. (i.e. married name, legal change, etc).
A True Name is not a pet name or nickname, or steeped in cryptic symbology that was made up in private.
Some say that the True Fae and denizens of the Hedge are even more vulnerable to manipulation by their True Names. Whether that is true or not is a subject for experimentation or investigation.
True Name and Changeling Culture
Changelings will usually only reveal their True Name under novel, intimate circumstance. Some examples situations would not be limited to: serious personal oaths, declarations of love, a ceasefire pact between enemies in a standoff, living family members, or pledging fealty. Some changelings choose to never reveal their True Names by choice, and this notion is respected as an unsung social contract.
For various reasons, some members of the Lost community will choose to dig up a True Name from an alias, not unlike the mortal practice of doxxing. To reveal a Changeling's True Name without consent is socially akin to sharing deeply private information and is often looked on as a crime. Using a True Name to force another Lost to act is regarded as a violation of agency and a social taboo of the highest degree. No matter one's political views or moral fiber, most Changelings will agree that problems involving hatred or vengeance can be solved through raw violence, social maneuvering, official duels, or other forms of guile. Evoking a True Name is just simply "dirty". Characters that do this without excellent reason should expect other PCs and NPCs to react strongly - even violently.