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| The '''Changing Breeds''' is a term that broadly refers to ]ing beings in the ]. The most widespread of the Changing Breeds are the '''Garou''', the principal actors in the ] ]. Other ]s (also called '''Fera''' by the Garou) are less common or more regionally/demographically restricted, and as such are not as visible in the World of Darkness. | |||
| == The Changing Breeds == | |||
| === Ajaba === | |||
| A long time ago, ] saw that no wolves decided to live in ], so she created the Ajaba to be the warriors of the earth. These "were-hyenas" could do the same job as the '''Garou''', but were more cat-like so that they could work with the '''Bastet'''. However, it did not work out. The Garou, upon discovering the Ajaba (as well as other Fera), slaughtered the other shapechangers quite liberally. In the mid-1980s, the '''Simba''' attempted to completely exterminate the hyenas. | |||
| The widely misunderstood Ajaba are often considered extinct or nearing extinction because of these wars, but the hyena people are very much alive and kicking. More recently published White Wolf books mention that the Ajaba have increased in population and have a promising future. Once thought to be cruel and tainted by the ], the Ajaba have proven their worth to the other Fera and are now accepted as true warriors of Gaia. This is all due to an Ajaba woman named Kisasi, who returned to the hyena homelands of Africa and rallied other shapechangers (along with the Ajaba) to defeat the tyrannical Simba, Blacktooth. This African group of shapechangers came to be known as the Ahadi, and consists of many different shapechangers including the '''Swara''', '''Mokole''', and even the '''Silent Strider''' werewolves. Though the Ajaba still hold a grudge against the Garou and the Simba for the needless near-extinction of their kind, the formation of the Ahadi has created a renewed sense of hope for all of the shapechangers of Africa. | |||
| These social Fera live in large clans; their society is strictly ], so Ajaba women are typically more aggressive and outgoing than Ajaba men. Their five forms are similar to the other mammalian shapechangers: homid (human), anthros (near-human), crinos (were-hyena), crocas (dire hyena), and hyaenid (hyena). | |||
| Hyenas are more closely related to cats than to wolves, so they are considered a '''Bastet''' breed and can be found in the "Bastet Breed Book" as well as the "Guide to the Changing Breeds." | |||
| === Ananasi === | |||
| The '''Ananasi''' are "were-spiders." Their name is drawn from the ] trickster/god ] (or possible the other way around). Originally servants of the Weaver, this race of shapeshifters was corrupted and coerced (through the imprisonment of their Queen, Ananasa) by the Wyrm into service for a considerable time. Though Ananasa was eventually freed and many Ananasi renounced the Wyrm, the Weaver did not forgive their lapse in loyalty. Thus, the Ananasi can broadly be divided into two groups: those who call themselves Ananasi and serve Gaia, and those who continue to serve the Wyrm, calling themselves '''Dahman''' (in the West) or '''Kumo''' (in the East). The Ananasi of the West have adopted a Triumvirate system within their race, each Ananasi has their Triumvirate aspect chosen for them. Therefore, an Ananasi is ether Tenere (followers of the Weaver), Hatar (followers of the Wyrm), or Kumoti (followers of the Wyld). Additionally, each Triumvirate party has an Aspect in which they follow - Myrmidon (Warrior), Viskr (Wizard), or Wyrsta (Questioner). The Ananasi differ from the other Changing Breeds in that they do not have Rage, but instead use blood to fuel many of their gifts. The Ananasi are capable of acquiring a number of spider-like abilities such as multiple eyes, multiple limbs, venom, webs, as well as certain psychic abilities. Furthermore, they are the only Changing Breed whose animal form is not a single animal; Ananasi instead have "Crawlerling" form, which is a swarm of spiders. Their other two forms are Lilian and Pithus, a man-spider and a giant spider, respectively. | |||
| === Apis === | |||
| The last known Apis was the Minotaur of Knossos. They were so called after ] of Egyptian mythology. The Apis' totem was the ], or the wild ox. They were daytime Fera and were in charge of cultivation and agriculture. They were also known as "The Matchmakers of Gaia." They were driven to extinction by the Garou. | |||
| ===Bastet === | |||
| The '''Bastet''' (named for the ] ] of the ]) are "]". Servants of Gaia, their society is divided into tribes in much the same way as the Garou Nation, but these divisions exist solely along lines of heritage, and are not influenced by auspice. Loners by nature, as a rule they don't form packs. On the rare, and dire, occasions when two or more work together, each member’s individuality is respected within the group. Being very secretive many Bastet are not proud fighters, but mere protectors of their territory. The '''Nine Tribes of the Bastet''' now number only eight, with one of their tribes apparently extinct. Another has gone into extended hiding and is believed to be extinct. They are: | |||
| * '''Bagheera''': Panthers, this tribe is wise and even-tempered, protecting India and North Africa. | |||
| * '''Balam''': Jaguars, this tribe is savagely violent, protecting Central and South America. | |||
| * '''Bubasti''': Holy Cats of Ancient Egypt, this tribe is the most secretive and most magically powerful. They exist in a self-imposed exile, though it is unclear what (if anything) they are hiding from. | |||
| * '''Ceilican''': White Lions of the Fae, this tribe is now extinct, however, among the Bastet they are rumoured still to exist, breeding with normal house-cats. | |||
| * '''Khan''': Tigers, this tribe is the most physically powerful and protects India and parts of Asia. Many Bastet prefer to think of the Khan as their leaders, rather than the Simba. | |||
| * '''Khara''': Saber-toothed tigers, this tribe has been extinct since ages long gone. They do not, however, count to '''Nine Tribes of the Bastet'''. | |||
| * '''Pumonca''': Cougars, this tribe is highly adaptable and protects the southern and southwestern United States. | |||
| * '''Qualmi''': Lynx, this tribe has a strong grasp on practical magic and riddle games, and protects the northern United States and Canada. | |||
| * '''Simba''': Lions, this tribe considers itself the royalty of the Nine Tribes, and protects western Africa. (Most Bastet would rather die than acknowledge the Simba as their kings.) | |||
| * '''Swara''': Cheetahs, this tribe is the fastest of the Bastet, and protects central Africa. They're in constant battle with the Simba. | |||
| === Camazotz === | |||
| Very little is known about the '''Camazotz''', being one of the Changing Breeds that have been wiped out throughout the history of Gaia's shapeshifters. Called the "Voice of Gaia," they were "were-bats" based out of South America that were known to practice variations of South American native blood-rituals. The ] accompanying Spanish Conquistadors into South America in the 1600's were greatly alarmed by the Camazotz, as their chiropteran shapes and blood rituals reminded them of the ] they historically struggle against. Believing the Camazotz to be servants of the Wyrm, the Shadow Lords systematically wiped them out. The last was killed by a Garou named Dark Claw of Vengeance. None outside the Shadow Lords know or suspect this, but it's believed that the spiritual/psychic death scream of the last Camazotz triggered a chain of events in the ] that led to the creation of the ]. After their destruction, the Camazotz' totem, Bat, fell to the Wyrm. In recent years, though, a young Shadow Lord descended from Dark Claw of Vengeance has begun to make amends for the slaughter of the Camazotz, and have even managed to redeem an aspect of the Bat totem. | |||
| It has been confirmed that they reproduced via a ritual not unlike one used by the Corax, but almost nothing is known about them besides that. | |||
| === Corax === | |||
| The '''Corax''' are "were-ravens," and are among the least physically powerful of the Changing breeds. Despite this, they make up for their lack of brute strength with experience, secrets, cunning, and trickery. The Corax have a strong tie to the ], using it to travel quickly from place to place. Unlike many denizens of the World of Darkness, the Corax have shown remarkable resistance to the corruptions of the Wyrm, the machinations of the Weaver ''and'' the madness of the Wyld, and reliably work to protect Gaia. They have neither tribes nor auspices, though they do form loose groups tied by a common purpose. In Asia lives a tribe of Corax called '''Tengu'''. | |||
| === Grondr === | |||
| The '''Grondr''' were "were-boars", and were located in Northern Europe. They were driven to extinction by the Garou during the War of Rage. Their task was to cleanse land. | |||
| === Gurahl === | |||
| The '''Gurahl''' are "were-bears," and are tied to Gaia to an extent experienced by none of the other Changing Breeds. Gurahl cannot easily pass into the ], and must learn a special rite to do so. Also, while Gurahl possess auspices, theirs is based on age and maturity. As a Gurahl ages, its ] advances in the following order: Ragabash, Ahroun, Galliard, Theurge, and finally Philodox. The four Gurahl tribes roughly conform to the ecosystem they have chosen to protect, and are the '''Forest Walkers''', '''Ice Stalkers''', '''Mountain Guardians''', and '''River Keepers'''. | |||
| === Kitsune === | |||
| The '''Kitsune''' are "were-foxes," individualistic beings driven by insatiable curiosity. While the Bastet hoard ancient secrets and the Corax gather secrets of a more modern nature, the Kitsune are especially curious about magic in all its various forms. Their society is divided into four '''Paths''', schools of thought aligned along ] lines and correspond roughly to the auspices of other Changing Breeds in their functions. Unlike most elemental distinctions, Kitsune paths relate not to the four classic elements, but their combinations. They are: | |||
| * '''Doshi''': The path of Lightning (Air + Fire), these Kitsune focus most heavily on magic and the spirit world. | |||
| * '''Eji''': The path of Lava (Earth + Fire), these Kitsune are warriors and cavaliers. | |||
| * '''Gukutsushi''': The path of Fog (Air + Water), these Kitsune are masters of illusion, the mind, and dreams. | |||
| * '''Kataribe''': The path of Clay (Earth + Water), these Kitsune are storytellers and lorekeepers. | |||
| === Mokolé === | |||
| The '''Mokolé''' are, in principle, "were-alligators," though the broader classification of "were-lizards" may be more appropriate. They are the oldest of the Changing Breeds, and are driven by an intense ] of their ancestors, the '''Dinosaur Kings'''. Through the practice of '''Mnesis''', the Mokolé are able to tap into this ancestral memory directly, remembering events ranging from the recent past to millions of years ago. Their ancestral memory is also the source of an intense coming-of-age dream-quest that determines their "true shape"; failure results in death. Metis children always fail this test, having no true form to begin with. | |||
| The Mokolé revere the sun, and have always warred with the Garou (who worship the moon). In a manner similar to Garou auspice, the Mokolé recognize seven '''attitudes''' that the sun can adopt, imbuing those born during that attitude with their destiny in life. The attitudes are: | |||
| * '''The Rising Sun''': Called "Strikes," these Mokolé are fast-acting skirmishers. | |||
| * '''The Noonday Sun''': Called "The Shadowless," these Mokolé are warriors against the forces of the Wyrm and of darkness (such as ]). | |||
| * '''The Setting Sun''': Called "Wards," these Mokolé are stalwart defenders. | |||
| * '''The Shrouded Sun''': Called "The Concealed," these Mokolé are stealthy and cunning. | |||
| * '''The Midnight Sun''': Called "The Shining," these Mokolé are storytellers, judges, and keepers of ancestral memory. | |||
| * '''The Decorated Sun''': Called "The Followed," these Mokolé are matchmakers, responsible for directing the reproduction of their race. | |||
| * '''The Solar Eclipse''': Called "The Crowned," these very rare Mokolé are the unquestioned leaders of their people. | |||
| The '''Zhong Lung''', "were-dragons" of Asia, are also Mokolé in principle, but draw from a very different pool of racial memories. These beings, at some point, split off from the Mokolé line and became creatures of myth, attuned to the changing of the seasons rather than the phases of the sun. Rather than tracking the ancestral memory of lizards, the Zhong Lung have become the keepers of the mythical memory for the entirety of the '''Middle Kingdom''' (as the '''shen''', or supernaturals, refer to Asia). Their four attitudes are: | |||
| * '''Nam Hsia''': Dragons of Summer, they fulfill a role similar to the Philodox auspice. | |||
| * '''Pei Tung''': Dragons of Winter, they fulfill a role similar to the Ragabash auspice. | |||
| * '''Sai Chau''': Dragons of Autumn, they fulfill a role similar to the Theurge auspice. | |||
| * '''Tung Chun''': Dragons of Spring, they fulfill a role similar to the Ahroun auspice. | |||
| === Nagah === | |||
| "Were-Snakes" that originated in India. Most of the other changing breeds believe them to be extinct, however the Mokole and Old Man Many Skins are aware of their existence. The Nagah serve as the ''Judges of Gaia'', filling the roles of silent and hidden judges and executioners for the Changing Breeds. They judge the other changing breeds by the codes the other breeds establish for themselves. When in need to use force, they strike from the darkness using their supernaturally potent neurotoxic venom. | |||
| === Nuwisha === | |||
| Of all the Changing Breeds, it is the '''Nuwisha''', or "were-coyotes," who have the strongest tie to the ]. They are tricksters, troublemakers, and jesters. Though once loyal to the moon in the same way as the Garou, they apparently perpetuated some prank against Luna so reprehensible that she turned her back on them entirely. As such, Nuwisha all represent the epitome of the Ragabash auspice, having no Rage at all. Perhaps because of this, Delirium works differently with the Nuwisha. Rather than becoming terrified, mundane humans simply refuse to accept that a Nuwisha in "Manabozho" form (the equivalent of Crinos) exists, giving them a sort of invisibility. This is known as "The Trick." Their mastery of the Umbra and the weakness of their ties to instinct have caused many Nuwisha to largely abandon Earth and fight for Gaia (in their own perverse way) entirely in the Umbra. | |||
| === Ratkin === | |||
| Though the '''Ratkin''' (or "]s") were once charged with shepherding humanity's urban masses (culling them quietly by eating their grain and spreading disease), their role was supplanted during the Impergium, a blow they never fully recovered from. With the onset of urban sprawl's explosive growth, however, Ratkin are once again in ascendance. The most brutal and ruthless of Gaia's warriors, Ratkin are pragmatists (a side effect of living almost entirely within and beneath cities), though they have made peace with the Garou, they still largely distrust them and by-and-large work in isolation from other shapechangers. Four '''traditional aspects''' and four '''freak aspects''' dictate a Ratkin's place in society. They are | |||
| * Traditional Aspects | |||
| ** Knife Skulkers: The ritualists, mediators, and assassins of the Ratkin. | |||
| ** Shadow Seers: The totemic shamans and spiritualists of the Ratkin. | |||
| ** Tunnel Runners: The scouts, messengers, and spies of the Ratkin. | |||
| ** Warriors: The defenders and guerilla fighters of the Ratkin. | |||
| * Freak Aspects | |||
| ** Engineers: The tinkerers, builders, and monkeywrenchers of the Ratkin. | |||
| ** Munchmausen: The storytellers, swashbucklers, and madmen of the Ratkin. | |||
| ** Plague Lords: The masters and tamer of disease among the Ratkin. | |||
| ** Twitchers: The demolitionists, firebugs, and arsonists of the Ratkin. | |||
| In addition, the Ratkin have nine '''plagues''', the Ratkin term for tribe, that divide their race along territorial lines. They are: | |||
| * The Borrachon Wererats: Based in South America | |||
| * De La Poer's Disciples: Based in Antarctica | |||
| * The Gamine: Based in Europe | |||
| * The Horde: Based in Eurasia | |||
| * The Nezumi: Based in Japan | |||
| * The Ratkin Ronin: Not based in any terrestrial region, instead associated with seafaring and the oceans. | |||
| * The Rat Race: Based in North America | |||
| * Rattus Typhus: Based in Africa | |||
| * Thuggees: Based in East Asia | |||
| === Rokea === | |||
| The '''Rokea''' or "were-sharks" are the unquestioned rulers under the waves. They have only a few Kinfolk among humans, and exist mostly among their bestial relations (a reverse of the Hakken situation). Homid Rokea (those born by a kinfolk and a Rokea) are rare and those who decide to "Swim the Unsea" are hunted without mercy by their kind, which has become a rite of passage among the shark-born Rokea. As a result, theirs is the simplest and most brutal of societies among the Changing Breeds. Rokea see everything in relation to '''Sea''', their Gaia equivalent, who commands them only to survive, and have had little to no contact with '''Unsea''' (i.e. dry land) until very recently. Rokea have three auspices (though only Homids use the term), based on their complex interpretation of the sun and lunar cycle in '''Oversea''' (the sky). These are: | |||
| *'''Brightwater''' (born during full moon, or during the day): fairly common; fierce warriors. | |||
| *'''Dimwater''' (born while the moon is changing, during twilight or when the sun is obscured): the majority of Rokea; without a clear role, though they aren't territorial like other auspices and often enjoy travelling the world's oceans. | |||
| *'''Darkwater''' (born during the new moon or an eclipse): the rarest of all Rokea; innovators and mystics. | |||
| Rokea don't have tribes, but come from many different species of shark. Some of the most common species, with their Rokea names, are: | |||
| *'''Karkha''' (]s) | |||
| *'''Spynha''' (]s) | |||
| *'''Lexcha''' (]s) | |||
| *'''Ixya''' (]s) | |||
| *'''Galchurva''' (]s) | |||
| *'''Rhinkha''' (]s) | |||
| *'''Kanika''' (]) | |||
| A separate branch of the Rokea has broken away from this bestial tradition, under the guidance of the Zhong Lung (see Moloké above) and a Darkwater named Mizuchi. These '''Same-Bito''' have successfully developed a population of human Kinfolk and have different auspices: the '''Karui''' (warriors), the '''Koshuku''' (travellers), and the '''Irono''' (tricksters). They are also the only Rokea to breed with ]s. Same-Bito are seen as traitors by most traditional Rokea. | |||
| == The Beast Courts of the Emerald Mother == | |||
| Among shapeshifters, cross-species alliances are rare. The most notable exception are the '''Beast Courts''', sworn to defend the '''Emerald Mother''' (another term for Gaia). Each of the courts is divided along regional (rather than species) lines. A majority of ] (Garou), Khan (Bastet), Nezumi (Ratkin), Same-Bito (Rokea), Tengu (Corax) and Zhong Lung (Moloké) belong to the courts, as do many Kitsune. The Stargazers (formerly of the Garou Nation) have also recently joined the courts. Still, the Hengeyokai don't have much business with "Sunset people", almost never showing themselves, unless necessary. The Boli Zhouisze ("Asian ]") are generally considered their allies, but not official members of the Courts. | |||
| Within the Courts is a society similar to the imperial cultures of mythic Asia, complete with regents, courtiers, and common folk. Any '''hengeyokai''' (shapeshifter) is free to joint the Beast Courts, provided they swear to follow a communal system of honor and renown known as the '''Way of Emerald Virtue'''. Its First Mandate and Final Mandate are considered the most important. The mandates of this path are: | |||
| * Shirk not the tasks which have given you. | |||
| * Guard the wheel that it may turn in fullness. | |||
| * Presume not to instruct your cousin in his task. | |||
| * Honor your territory in all things. | |||
| * Let mercy guide you in out August Mother's court. | |||
| * Honor your ancestors and your elders. | |||
| * Honor the pacts with the spirit world. | |||
| * War not upon human or beast. | |||
| * Let no one violate the sacred places. | |||
| Their methods usually differ greatly from the western ways of battle and pride. They are more based on discussion and silent threads. | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 05:38, 9 July 2014
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