Page 327 - Hunter - The Vigil

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A APPENDIX ONE:MORALITY AND THE VIGIL
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player may decide that her character’s Morality changes, and one against man and breaking down the social ties that allow people
of the “sins” associated with the normal human Morality rating to live, work and grow together as a group. Deviations from this
is changed to an edict that applies directly to her particular Vigil. moral code are a threat to the social structures upon which human
The original “sin” is no longer a part of her Code; it is replaced society is based. Sociopaths — those who emotionlessly deviate

by a new sin, just as limiting, but more specific to her experiences significantly from the agreed-upon core mores of human society

and goals. Further along in the Vigil, another Trigger Point may — represent a danger to individuals and to society as a whole. In a
be reached, and another of the hunter’s Morality sins might be world built upon certain core assumptions, rejecting those assump-

replaced by a Vigil-specific mandate, gradually customizing the tions can have far-reaching consequences.
basic tenets of not only how she behaves, but also how she views Hunters, however, are privy to information that the gen-
the world around her. The process seems simple, and yet, as Mo- eral masses do not have and, as such, are forced into making
rality stands at the heart of humanity’s definitions of what it is to choices about how best to serve their own interests (be they

be human, altering one’s Code represents a life-changing event. selfish or altruistic) that mainstream humanity simply does not
While this change can be suggested by a Storyteller have the perspective to understand, let alone condone. This
at certain points that he feels appropriate, it should not be insight and their unnaturally dedicated reaction to it means
forced upon a player. Ultimately, it is the player’s choice (with that hunters are driven in ways “normal” humans are not. This
the Storyteller’s approval) as to whether her character should preternatural focus and sharply honed obsession is what makes
make the Morality Degeneration roll in a Trigger situation or it possible for their moral Code to change when even the most
whether her character’s Morality Code has shifted. fanatic normal human is tied to the general Morality scale.
Even hunters, however, do not change their Code on a
Trigger Points whim. Code changes come at specific times when a hunter is

faced with the choice between pursuing the hunt and taking
Changing one’s basic moral Code does not happen casually.
an action that is a Morality sin (whether or not it is a sin at
Humanity, for the most part, holds to a relatively narrow moral
his current Morality level) or abandoning (at least temporar-
code for a reason, and certain acts have been held as sins by the
ily) the hunt to avoid the sinful action. When the hunter
majority of the world’s major spiritualities, religions and laws
chooses the hunt over Morality, they are said to have come
throughout history. These actions are predominantly those that
to a Trigger Point, and the player may choose to change the
cause dissent between individuals (stealing or destroying oth-
hunter’s Code, replacing one normal Morality sin with a sin
ers’ property), or injure others (rape or murder). The widespread
more appropriate to the hunter’s obsession.
presence of these acts is harmful to human society, pitting man

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