TOADS

After the final days of the Race of Man, in the months when the Weasel gangs seized London-That-Was, Toad entrepreneurs began to trickle in to the City. They came in dribs and drabs mostly, lacking the sense of community that the other People had - the Water Rat crews, or the Mole's Union. Some were inventors, seizing on the strange devices that the humans had left behind, others were from the noble families, no longer able to support their stately homes after the collapse of the Bank of England and the loss of tailors and milliners. At first, the Weasels purged them with blood and fire, protecting their new home in the ruins of London That Was with a fierce savagery. In response, a scattered number of Toad scientists and inventors answered with machines they had salvaged and repaired - pistols and muskets and steam-cars; and stranger things that crawled or crushed through the burned-out houses and streets.

Finally, in the run-up to the first Mayoral Election, Mayor Chief-Weasel Lorre cried peace, gathering the gangs of London That Was together with a number of the finest Toad gadgeteers, to come to what is now widely known as The Arrangement - the Weasels would open the gates of London That Was to Toad citizens, renting them land, slaves and workshops, in exchange for access to the strange technologies the Race of Man had left behind - Technologies that Toads, in their lust for Fash'n, had been able to harness and repair.

Now, Toads live as inventors, tinkerers, scavengers and slave-drivers, making the most of a ruined London-That-Was, with a few scattered individuals trying to hold on to their ancestral Halls, or even taking to the Open Road in search of inspiration for the next great plan, driving refitted steam-cars and scavenging what they can. While it is true that many Toads are inventors and gadgeteers - making use of their affinity for Technology and Fash'n, some have realised the need to act as brokers to the Weasel gangs, standing as salespeople or, in some cases, estate agents for Toads arriving in the City, or trying to barter the best price for their family Halls along the stretch of the Riverbank, transforming the old buildings in to new farms or factories. Fash’n and Fashions

Most Toads prefer bright colours, fine fabrics and the latest in hats - particularly hats with feathers. Much of the latest Fash'n is scavenged from the ruins of London That Was, mended and remade, re-dyed. Some Toad tailors have perfected the art of dying clothes, taking previously faded goods and giving them new life.

Of course, some things are timeless and never go out of fashion. No outfit will be the worse for a stylish pocket-watch and neckwear and gloves of some description are always to be preferred outdoors. For those who can afford it, small parts of machinery can be added to fashionable items to flaunt that wealth as well as to be to hand in the workshop.

What is in Fash'n… Toads are obsessed with Fash'n - what's in, what's out, what's SO last week. This is partly about clothes and worn fashions, but also concerns the devices one Fash'ns - each Toad will have a very clear opinion on what their latest obsession is - and a Toad’s obsessions will often seem to change with the wind. Fash’n is as much to do with Fash’ning as it is to do with Fashions. Toad high society is driven by the love of new devices and unusual gadgets, with each Inventor and gadgeteer striving to outdo the others. This competitiveness, however, concentrates on a subtle sense of driving market forces and rarely has the ruthless (even savage) competitive streak of their Weasel landlords.

When the next Party is… A party is the best opportunity to show off one's latest project - otherwise how can all the other peoples know they are in the presence of greatness? Toads hold parties regularly - often in their homes, sometimes at Country Fayres, while those still lucky enough reside in Halls throw wild parties for the whole of the Riverbank to join – events sometimes lasting days. Even in London-That-Was, these parties are long and complicated to organise. There will normally be a display, where guests and gadgeteers can show off their latest works of Tech, songs or poetry. Almost every Toad knows a song, or has a “party piece” that they are famous for. These parties are sometimes used to discuss more “sensitive” issues, in back rooms and mezzanine galleries. Gossip is rife at these parties and frequently a careful observer will be able to pick up interesting titbits of information.

The Politics of London and who their Landlord is… More a matter of survival than interest, Toads must keep a close eye on the changing political climate. The post of Mayor ChiefWeasel can change hands frequently during turbulent times and the knock-on effects can prove dangerous for a Toad who doesn't keep an ear to the ground. One day, a Toad may be enjoying a fine and lucrative arrangement supplying technology to their Landlord and the next they can find their front door being broken down by Weasel bruisers, following a savage inter-gang scuffle or failed territorial dispute.

Suggested Character Types: Engineer; Clock-worker; Fashion Guru; Politicians; Auctioneers; Traders; Chauffeurs; Technicians; Experts; Gentleman/Lady of Leisure

Toad Minimum Phys-rep Requirement:

Either “Toad” mask / prosthetic OR green “toad” make-up over all visible skin.

Urban Nature

* Your nature is “URBAN” - you are affected by all calls involving “URBAN” * You may attempt to Stake Claims in any Territory, however, holding Claims in URBAN territories will be significantly easier.

• You may use any item that requires “URBAN” as a Nature. This includes Clockwork, Steam and Powder.
• You may not use any item which requires a different Nature.

Toad Merits and Flaws

Toad Merit

SKIN: A Toad has Hide rather than Fur. Hide is the essential component for making armour. If another character uses the “Funeral Rite” or “Tanning” skills on your corpse, they will gain a “Hide” item card rather than “Fur” - while Toad hide can be used to make armour and other leather goods, it is not as warm and cannot be used to keep out the cold during Winter.

Toad Flaws

LACK OF PATIENCE: Barring “Craft Totem” and “Mastercraft Totem”, Toads may not take CRAFT skills at Character Generation and cannot learn them during Downtime.

SOLITARY: Toads are solitary by nature and may not band together with other Toads with regards to sharing Claims or making groups. They are naturally twitchy around other Toads in Uptime and unlikely to form strong bonds with them.

Toads and Technology

Toads have a natural affinity with machines - they are “Apt”.

You may use any item classed as TECH.

You have FIVE points to spend on characteristics

You may pick ANY characteristic from the following:

*Cultural Bonus - Elder Toads are knowledgeable and quick at building tech.

If you pick this Elder Lore, then you may pick “Lore: Steam” or “Lore: Powder” or “Lore: Clockwork” for free. Crafting times for this kind of tech are 1 week less than normal, to a minimum of 1 week.