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So, you’d like to make a deal with the Devil.

Unfortunately, he’s not personally available, so you’ll have to settle for something a little less…illustrious. A bargain-basement demon will have to do. Or a middle-management angel, if the miraculous is more to your taste. Whatever your character’s inclinations (or the limitations of their current circumstances), here are some guidelines.

Miracles

Only an angel can bless a character with a miracle. While angels are generally benevolent, they are also individuals, and their motivations may or may not be entirely altruistic. Additionally, they are–-at least theoretically–-engaged in a long game against Never’s demons, and both sides of that conflict have been guilty of treating the town’s residents as pawns.

Angels bestow miracles according to their own whims. They may do so for any number of reasons, including:

• Acknowledgement of extraordinary kindness, courage, or generosity
• Consolation for a loss or torment suffered
• Gratitude for a favor
• Cultivation of a mutually beneficial relationship

A character may debut having already been blessed by an angel, in which case the application must detail:

• The nature of the miracle and
• The relationship with the angel.

If a character already in play is seeking out a miracle, the relationship with the angel should be played out in-game. The nature of the miracle should be added to the profiles of both the character and the angel.

Like a contract, a miracle isn’t simply a one-and-done deal. It implies a continued connection between the character and the angel, and at the angel’s decision, it can be withdrawn (but both players must agree).

The characteristics of miracles can be found in the Almanac entry for angels.

Contracts

A contract can only be made with an interested demon. Like angels, demons are individuals, and while they are traditionally regarded as malevolent, a fairer description might be self-interested.

Demons enter into contracts for a very specific price–a human soul. Given the peculiar nature of Never and its proliferation of spirits, the contract is not necessarily fulfilled upon death, but the soul will eventually belong to the demon in Hell. Therefore, the price of the contract must be worth a human soul, whatever that means to the human involved. Some possibilities include:

• Bringing someone back to life (or preventing their death, which may be two very different things)
• Transforming the body or mind of a person
• Creating wealth in the form of money or property
• Curing a disease

A character may debut having already entered a contract, in which case the application must detail:

• The terms of the contract and
• The relationship with the demon.

If a character already in play is seeking to make a contract, the relationship with the demon should be played out in-game. The terms of the contract should be added to the profiles of both the character and the demon.

Obviously, a contract implies a continued connection between the character and the demon. Characters should consider their terms carefully and be prepared for tricks. A contract can be withdrawn, but the consequences should be devastating to both sides (and both players must agree).

The characteristics of contracts can be found in the Almanac entry for demons.