Abilities & Attributes

Political power can seem like magic. With a few words in the right person’s ear or a form filled out the proper way, you can make people disappear, change identities, incite scandals, and make or unmake kings. For certain mages – especially Technocrats, Hermetics, Ecstatics, and Virtual Adepts – such power is more effective than obvious spells; in a global era, the ability to throw lightning bolts pales in comparison to the clout to stage a riot ... or a coup.

Literally the “art of cities,” this Knowledge helps your character work the reins of power – government agencies, law enforcement bureaus, celebrity culture, and so on. In game terms, this Trait combines a number of separate Knowledges from previous editions (Power-Brokering, Covert Culture, etc.) into a unified understanding of civil influence. As with several other Knowledges, you can use the Well-Skilled Craftsman option to purchase several specialties once you reach four dots in the Trait. Each specialty reflects a different sphere of influence.

For coincidental Mind-based Effects, you could also use Politics as a focus instrument, assuming that you’re willing to let that Effect take a bit of time. A clever mage, for instance, could implant an otherwise ridiculous idea (“the President is a Muslim Nazi space alien”) in the minds of a few influential parties and then let that idea spread through political channels over time. This sort of thing cannot be done abruptly, though; political influence is a subtle tool, and vulgar Effects weaken its influence.

Unlike stealth or violence, the Politics Trait demands a certain amount of patience and finesse. You can’t just charm a district attorney and then walk away from a murder rap – there are too many people and procedures involved in law enforcement situations. Still, this Knowledge helps your character know who those people are and which strings can make them dance. Though it’s not a glamorous skill, it might be among the most potent tools in the modern world.

For game systems involving social influence, see Social Occasions and Intrigue in Chapter Nine, (pp. 402-404). For magickal practices that employ political clout, see the Art of Desire and Dominion practices, the Management and Human Resources option, and their associated instruments, all in Chapter Ten, (pp. 573, 577, and 595).

• Dabbler: Amateur power-broker.

•• Student: Devotee of influence.

••• Scholar: A skillful manipulator of civil institutions.

•••• Professor: Magnificent bastard.

••••• Master: Machiavelli’s ghost whispers in your ear.

Possessed By

Politicians, Activists, Pundits, Lawyers, Journalists, Kingpins, Tycoons, Celebrities, Syndicate Ops, NWO Agents, Cult Gurus, Leaders of All Kinds

Suggested Specialties

Legal Codes, Law Enforcement, Gang Culture, Local Government, National Government, International Politics, Corporate Influence, Media Influence, Blogosphere, Loopholes, Dog Whistles, Radical Politics, Celebrity Media, Organized Crime, Power-Brokering, Specific Groups (U.S. Congress, News Corporation, Anonymous, the Mafia, etc.), Specific Cultures (Militia Movements, Neo-Communists, Conspiracy-Theorists, Jihadis, Anarchists), Specific Supernatural Groups (Traditions, Technocracy, Faerie Courts, Vampire Courts, etc.)