Spirit Network [ Book Of Auspices — Page 58 ]
Prerequisites: Theurge Auspice
This Background is something of a spiritual equivalent of Contacts. A Theurge possessing the Spirit Network Background has cultivated good relations with the minor wisp-spirits and Gafflings in a given area, and is thus able to gain information about that transpires therein — even if the events she wants to learn about here unobserved in the real world, they were likely witnessed by some spirit or another. This Background is one of the reasons that Theurges are often privy to information they have no mundane way of knowing.
To see if a Theurge can turn up information about a specific event from spirits, she must first spend several hours in the Umbra talking with different spirits (via the Gift called Spirit Speech). Then, roll her Spirit Network rating against a difficulty of the Gauntlet where the event occurred. This may only be attempted once for any given event. One success gives a vague description, while three or more mean that the Theurge will get a fairly complete rundown. Regardless of successes, however, the description will still be given from the perspective of spirits, which may miss out on important details that have no strong spiritual resonance (like detailed financial or political information).
A Theurge can also receive however much random gossip and minor secrets the Storyteller wishes by means of this Background, simply through daily communications with spirits. Of course, this is a wonderful way to introduce a new plot hook or adventure.
1 You have a few spirits on the lookout for interesting information.
2 Several spirits are willing to share what they have seen with you.
3 You have unseen eyes in countless different locations at any time.
4 Spirits far and wide seek out information and report strange happenings to you.
5 Unless the Gauntlet is extremely high, very little escapes the notice of your watcher-spirits.