Alternate Identity

Overview

• Found In: M20 page 304-305, V20 page 111 (but we use the HR below)
• In Character Generation: Purchased as standard Background.
• After Character Generation: Raised through methods below.
• Purchasable When Becoming: No
• Limitations: A rating of 5 is the maximum.

Using Alternate Identity

V20 and M20 have contradicting rules for how Alternate Identity works. The V20 version, being very abstract, leaves characters who take it vulnerable to inconsistent implementation by STs. The M20 version is basically worthless if you think through the mechanics. We use our own rules, as follows.

If someone wants to attempt to crack another character's Alternate Identity, they must spend 1 Downtime to make the attempt.

The Investigator and the Target will make a resisted roll to see if the ID is broken. The Investigator rolls Highest Mental + Investigation against a difficulty equal to Target's Alternate ID + 3.

The Target rolls Highest Mental or Social + Higher of Subterfuge or Alternate ID against a difficulty equal to Investigator's Investigation + 3.

Target's successes eat the Investigator's successes.

If the remaining successes are greater than the Target's Alternate ID rating, the ID is broken. Otherwise, the ID is solid as far as the Investigator is concerned.

In Character Generation

Alternate Identity is a standard Background bought with Background dots, Freebies, and Starting XP.

When you create a character and pick an Alternate Identity score, you will be asked to set a note called "alternate identity" on your character. In this note, please disclose your character's alternate ID, and fill out the following:

• Birthdate.
• Legal name.
• Recorded birthplace.
• Marriage records, if any.
• Family on record, if any.
• Criminal records, if any.
• Miscellaneous records (e.g. passport, certifications, exceptional credit history, or whatever you want to stand out).

Alternate ID And Vampires

Typical Vampire characters get 4 free dots of Alternate ID for one and only one alias. This is specifically intended to give you the ability to make a character who can hold down a job, have a house, a car, and a bank and/or brokerage account. This one legal alias is valid within the United States. However, this allotment has a limited scope of intent, so certain character types will not get free Alternate ID depending on what they are applying for.

The following aspects about a character will prompt staff to ask that you explicitly purchase Alternate ID:

• Paperwork/identification that involves federal government (e.g., FFL, DEA permit).
• Paperwork/identification that involves a different country (e.g. Dual Citizenship).
• Resources 5.
• A Resources =note that involves receiving inheritance.
• Dots of Fame.
• Died 300+ years ago.

Don't forget about Double Unlife, the house background that involves an alternate identity as a different vampire.

After Character Generation

• Staff Run Scenes: Put in a +request describing your goal! Tell us what your goal is and how your character is going to get started in pulling it off. The storyteller will coordinate with you. Once you achieve your goal, you request staff to update your sheet.
• PRPs: Have someone else run a PRP for you. The PRP runner needs to submit a request to have it approved but once it's approved they may run it. Once your goal is achieved, you and the PRP runner tell staff about it so we can review it, and then we will update your sheet.

When acquiring a stat through role play, you must still pay with XP.

Don't forget about Karma! Whether you are getting something through PRP or Staff run scenes, when you pay 10 Karma you can buy a story beat that puts your character into a favorable position that makes whatever your goal is easier. A storyteller will hook you up with a story beat. Your success is not guaranteed, but you will have the wheels nice and greasy.

Alternate ID can be bought at any level, but you will need to pay for the interstitial levels.