Editing Independent Alliance (section)

== New Merits and Flaws ==
'''Entrepreneur (2 point Merit):''' Making money is easy considering the Alliance's connections and business dealings. You may take up to 7 points in Resources.

'''Founder of the Alliance (1 point Merit):''' You were present at the founding of the Alliance in 2011 and are considered a Founder of the IA and gain the Status Trait Loyal as an Innate status trait. Only Giovanni and Setite members of the IA may take this merit.

'''Master of the Syndicate (1 point Merit):''' You can call on extended resources and connections within the Alliance. As such, you gain two specialties per dot of the Allies Background. Your Background dots are also considered one higher for the purposes of how many times you can call on your Allies in a game session.

'''Signed In Blood (3 point Merit):''' This merit allows the IA member to solidify a deal and ensure both parties follow through on their promises. The User creates a special type of Blood Contract spelling out the terms of the deal. The names can be utterly false (not attached to a true or Alternate Identity), but the conditions must be accurate and both parties must sign it willingly without being tricked. Once the deal is complete and the conditions are satisfied, the contract becomes inert. If either party fails to fulfill the terms, they take damage per the mechanics of Blood Contract and their true identity is revealed to both the other party to the contract and the User of this power. 

'''Spy Network (1 point Merit):''' You can call on extended resources and connections of the Alliance, and gain two specialties per dot of the Contacts Background. Your Background dots are also considered one higher for the purposes of how many times you can call on your Contacts in a game session. 

'''Questioned (1 point Flaw):''' This Flaw is mechanically the same as the Sabbat “Mistrusted” Flaw on Pg 454. 

'''Outspoken (2 point Flaw):''' Although you are a member of the Independent Alliance you do not believe it to be in the best interests of your Clan and you have let you opinion be known. As such, you suffer from a Lesser Status Ban. NOTE: If you already suffer from a Lesser Status Ban, taking this Flaw converts it to a Greater Status Ban. If you already have a Greater Status Ban you cannot take this Flaw.

'''Spread Too Thin (3 point Flaw):''' You have a tendency to overreach resulting in too many pies and not enough fingers. As such, your Resources, Influence, Contacts, and Allies can never raise above 3 each

===Privilege of the Primus===
The Giovanni and Setites opened their doors 20 years ago to allow other clans to join them. But it is not forgotten that the Giovanni and Setites themselves are the founders. As such, members of Clan Giovanni and Clan Setite who are members of the IA in good standing receive the innate status trait Confirmed.

===Elders of the Alliance===
Even with the Alliance so young, some members pride themselves on age and wisdom. Even so, non-giovanni/setite members are an even more recent addition which makes such considerations difficult. However, the following generally applies:

Elders of the Alliance must be either:
Generation •• and a member of the alliance for over 20 years.
Generation • and a member of the alliance for over 20 years with the Machiavellian Prodigy merit.

Elders of the Alliance receive the abiding status traits Established, Patron.

===Patron and Protege===

Patron and Protege
As in the old days of fealty, the strength of the Alliance is often in the mentor relationship. An elder may have one, and only one, kindred they take under their wing. Such a relationship must be consensual and agreed to, and the relationship may be terminated by either party at any time. 

It is important to note, these relationships are very strictly professional, perhaps to avoid the nepotistic dalliances of the Camarilla. Even the Mesu Bedshet recognize the importance of this relationship’s function. As such, for a patron and protege to be discovered to be involved romantically or intimately is a great scandal worthy of disgrace.

Patron has no effect while an Elder does not have a Protege. The protege must be younger in age, higher in numerical generation, or both. An Elder can simultaneously be a protege to an even older elder.

These benefits apply even if either party is using positional status. This is an exception to the rule which only allows you to use the status benefits from one source.

'''Patron'''
* Passive: The Elder receives a +1 bonus on social challenge against other members of the Independent Alliance so long as the protege is within 10 steps of them
* Spent: By expending Patron, the elder may spend 1 of their protege’s willpower in a retest as if it were their own, so long as the protege is within 10 steps of them when this occurs.

'''Protege'''
* Passive: The Protege is considered to have 1 additional willpower when comparing traits in a social challenge against another member of the Independent Alliance, so long as their Patron is within 10 steps of them.
* Spent: By expending Protege, the protege may gain one free retest, which counts as a Willpower retest, so long as their patron is within 10 steps of them.