Bestiary

The embodiment of Authority with a capital “A,” The Man maintains a rigid and often oppressive sense of order. His suit is always pressed, dark, and clean. Though his guise shifts from culture to culture, the most common manifestation of The Man these days is a tall, looming man with short hair, dark glasses, and an implacable expression. In his best aspects, The Man wards off disorder, stabilizes his community, and safeguards people who follow The Rules. All too often, though, The Man and his devotees hound and destroy people and spirits who apparently threaten the localized sense of order. As international forces expand and deepen their reach, The Man can be found almost anywhere, the Big Brother of which we’re so often warned.

Although Technocrats don’t make shamanic bargains with The Man, they might find themselves under his protection and benevolent guidance. Along with The Machine, this is one of the two exceptions to the rule forbidding Technocrats to purchase the Totem Background, and those characters certainly don’t see themselves as shamans dealing with spirits. Such nonsense is clearly Deviant and should be purged at the first opportunity.

Manifestations: Scary spirit men, often appearing as cops, executives, Men in Black, stern priests, and other dominant father figures. The Paradox Spirit known as Judgment might be a manifestation of The Man.

Associations: Order, authority, oppression, protection, strictness, supervision, preservation of the status quo.

Brood: The Man favors Black Suits, for very obvious reasons.

Abilities: Intimidation, Leadership, Melee.

Bans: The Man cannot countenance disorder, disrespect, chaos, cowardice, or other deviant behavior.