By default, a Beloved Avatar manifests in perceptible ways. That spirit might be seen and heard only by the mage herself, but the Avatar does have a distinct, recognizable identity and presence. In Trait terms, such Avatars comprise Background ratings of 3 or higher; a lesser Avatar could not have such a potent relationship with its mage. The Manifest Avatar Merit (see The Book of Secrets, p. 71) is essential when such spirits come into play, and the Ally Background must be chosen as well if the Beloved is to become an entity that people other than the mage herself can perceive. Chances are good, though, that the Beloved will assume an apparently mundane form. It’s possible to have a Beloved Avatar who looks like a puppet, shark, or six-armed alien, but it’s not bloody likely and that relationship would seem weird even by the standards of a mage.

As detailed in the Manifest Avatar entry, this sort of Avatar becomes a character in his own right. It’s possible that a trusted player could roleplay that Avatar if the player portraying the mage agrees to that arrangement. Otherwise, the Storyteller controls the Beloved; the mage’s player can give suggestions and guidance, but Avatars are notoriously independent entities and so the Beloved spirit ultimately remains beyond the player’s command.

In addition to the usual matters an Avatar spirit address­ es, Beloved Avatars tend to shape, challenge, and comment upon their mage’s approach to relationships in general. The Avatar could be jealous, sabotaging all human rivals for its affection… or, possibly, supportive of them instead. (“When was the last time you called your mother, anyway?”) A willworker with family or romantic issues (and really, who doesn’t have at least a few of those?) will find herself dealing with an extension of those issues when dealing with her Avatar. The Avatar might spoil her for mortal relationships, too; after all, what kind of person can compete with a loving extension of your soul? Love, though, has many faces, some of which are ugly. That battering brute with a volcanic temper might be your Avatar, and no restraining order or domestic violence shelter can hide you from someone who is literally part of your soul.