The character has a condition – race, looks, or some obvious signifying mark, brand, aura taint or onus of some kind – that has made it so that people’s natural reaction to them is fear and hostility. They will be seen as a harbinger of trouble, the bearer of bad tidings and ill omens.

By default, those with a Cultural Stigma will not be sold goods, and may be refused services by an establishment or settlement. Goods and services cost more. They will be the target of gossip and superstitious beliefs. Their stigma is such that it will affect any group they travel in – the association will cast doubt, aspersion, and distrust on them; It can affect Reputation. Offsetting this is extraordinarily difficult and expensive. The scope of the stigma is universal unless noted.

• Weak: Goods and services cost up to 50%-100% more and have lower priority. They are seen as an individual problem to be tolerated.
• Strong: Goods and services cost up to 500% more; Refusal is common, sometimes they are chased out of establishment or settlements. The law will generally look the other way when offenses are committed against such an individual. The stigma affects all those they travel with, including group Reputation/Prestige. Due to the outsider status of such an individual, if the character has this at Inception, they will also have Cultural Lag and in most cases cannot have a Cultural/Regional Experience.

Stigma Offset: Many targets of Cultural Stigma find a way to offset it by 1 measure. This is usually a set of behaviors, mannerisms, and dispositions that are they/’their kind’ are known for in trying to compensate, and generally mark them as one of the “safe” ones. If they do not conform to this, they quickly regain the full impact of it. The loss of the condition that brings the stigma removes the effects of it’s intolerance as well. All negative reactions by regular locals may be offset over time in a specific locale by constant showing of offset characteristics and continual support of the community.