This represents a person or group who looks out for you, offering guidance or aid once in a while. A mentor may be powerful, but his power need not be direct. Depending on the number of dots in this Background, your mentor might be nothing more than someone with a remarkable information network, or may be an old and crafty manipulator with tremendous influence and power. He may offer advice, speak on your behalf, steer other clear of you, or warn you when you’re walking into situations you don’t understand.

A high Mentor rating could even represent a group of like-minded people.

Bear in mind that this Trait isn’t a “Get out of Jail Free” card. Your mentor won’t necessarily arrive like the cavalry whenever you’re endangered (and if she does, you’re likely to lose a dot or more in this Background after rousing her ire). What’s more, she might occasionally expect something in return for her patronage, which can lead to a number of interesting stories.

A mentor typically remains aloof, giving you useful information or advice out of camaraderie, but will abandon you without a thought if you prove an unworthy or troublesome protégé.

• * Mentor is of little influence.
• •• Mentor is respected: a highly-decorated veteran, for instance.
• ••• Mentor is heavily influential.
• •••• Mentor has a great deal of power.
• ••••• Mentor is extraordinarily powerful.