labcats | That Explains Hogwarts: Changeling's Equinox Road

I've started reading Equinox Road, the latest supplement for Changeling: The Lost. Thus far, it is very good.

I'm reading the section on forging contracts with aspects of the world -- darkness, fire, reflections, you name it. The explanations of what is and is not permitted are well written, explaining both the in game feel of things (e.g., if it feels like a superhero comic, you're probably doing it wrong) and the mechanical considerations (e.g., a three dot ability should not replace a one dot ability by being the same thing only better; it should build on the earlier ability). This is free of all of the convoluted crappy prose that White Wolf used to put out on a regular basis.

Now, I don't much care for the whole idea of courts in Changeling, but I do like the mechanics for creating new courts, in the abstract, at least.

Courts cannot be created singly. The entire system of courts must be created at once. Thus,

mnemex's on the spot scheme of the courts of Drowsy, Wakeful, Snooze, and Sleep would all be created by at least four changelings at the same time. One changeling would perform epic tasks and sacrifice permanent Willpower to create each of these magnificent courts.

Such a great undertaking changes those who create the courts. Each changeling who created a court cannot break their alliance with the aspect with which they have created a contract. They cannot act against it, thus mnemex's hypothetical character who forged the court of Drowsy could not drink coffee to try to stay awake.

Those who create courts cannot ever leave their court for another one. And, they feel compelled to promote their own court.

"This explains Hogwarts," I said.