Renegade (DTR)

Renegades are Deviants who have turned against the conspiracies that created them.

Overview[]

The Divergence irreparably damages a Deviant's self-identity; they can one define themselves in relation to other people, and those relationships tend to all-or-nothing, either steadfast loyalty or vitriolic hatred. Renegades turn that hatred on the conspiracies that created them, hunt them, or otherwise abuse them, while Devoted cling to those conspiracies for support.^[1]

Renegades on the run from a conspiracy are in constant danger, and many end up living on society's fringes. A few manage to retreat off the grid somewhere rural; many are homeless. Some amount of crime is almost necessary, if only to obtain a passable fake ID. Some Remade find security in gangs or crime syndicates, at least for a little while, but such work is violent and dangerous, and many syndicates are tied into the Web of Pain (if not conspiracies in their own right). The life of a Renegade will always be precarious, even when they aren't actively pursuing vengeance against their Progenitors.^[2]

It's not all hopeless, however. Remade have a difficult time trusting each other, but when two Renegades find each other, even if only online, it's a cause for celebration. A cohort of Renegades may share the burden of existence, while a mentor can prove crucial advice on how to stay hidden while living with at least a little dignity. Other allies exist, or at least people with a shared animosity who are willing to help the Remade achieve revenge.^[3] When that day comes, however, many Deviants are confronted with the reality that their personal story is just one thread in the Web of Pain, and there's always another backer, another enabler, another mad scientist or depraved cultist out there to target.^[4]

Deviants can and do change loyalties from time to time. A Devoted becomes fed up with their treatment, or hits a point where they can no longer ignore the terrible things their conspiracy does. A Renegade tires of life on the run, gives up on revenge, and takes a deal from a conspiracy that seems willing to treat them semi-decently. Such a change in alignment is always slow and never easy, and conspiracies treat ex-Renegades with even less trust than a Remade who was Devoted from the start.^[5]

Origins[]

Autourgics are the least likely Deviants to go Renegade; they went into the Divergence with eyes wide open, and are often deeply committed to their conspiracy and willing to endure a great deal because of it. However, when reality fails to meet their expectations, even Autourgics may rebel.^[6]

By contrast, almost all Exomorphs are Renegades; the Divergence is something that was forced on them against their wills, and they will take any opportunity to escape and get revenge for what was done to them.^[7] Pathologicals also tend to be Renegade by default.^[8]

Systems[]

Renegades begin with a Conviction higher than their Loyalty. Upholding relationships with their Conviction Touchstones can earn them one Willpower every scene, while risking danger to uphold a Loyalty Touchstone replenishes the entire Willpower pool. Failing to uphold these relationships risks the Touchstone and may cause Instability.^[9]

A Renegade who achieves a Loyalty higher than their Conviction achieves Catharsis.^[10]

References[]