W20 - Changing Breeds.pdf

ZHONG LUNG AUSPICESName Solar Equivalent Season Wind ColorTung Chun Warding Spring East Blue/GreenNam Hsai Unshaded Summer South YellowSai Chau Crowning Autumn West WhitePei Tung Shining Winter North Blackand clutch before their own personal desires. Thosewho do not quickly lose the respect normally affordedto their auspice. The Crowning solicit advice from theConcealing, while depending on the Gathering for theirpractical knowledge.Beginning Willpower: 5Auspice Benefits: A Crowning born during a totaleclipse becomes Jewel-Crowned, a high priest leadingceremonies of worship to the sun. When the sun is shining,the character gains one extra die once per scene toapply to any one die roll.A Mokolé born during a partial eclipse is Crescent-Crowned, a warrior king destined to lead loyal followersinto battle. During a scene when a battle occurs, thecharacter gains one extra die to apply to any one die roll.If an annular eclipse occurs during a Mokolé’s birth,the child is considered Unity-Crowned, forging alliancesbetween disparate clutches, inspiring great deeds, andamassing great wealth. Once per scene, the charactergains one extra die to add to any one Social dice pool.A child born during the night of a lunar eclipse iscalled Moon-Crowned. Such legendary and recklessheroes are known for ridiculous whims, deadly practicaljokes, and highly inspired ideas that may “save the day.”Once per scene, the Storyteller may choose to award anextra die to a dice pool related to an act of inspired lunacy.Seasonal AuspicesWhile the Mokolé-mbembe and the Gumagan bothuse solar auspices, their cousin streams to the east prefera more seasonal system. Even between the Zhong Lungand the Makara, however, there is dispute about howexactly to accurately represent the seasons.Zhong LungThe Zhong Lung have four auspices each correspondingto a season, a color, and a wind. Each also hasa rough correspondence with a Solar Auspice, for thepurpose of learning Gifts. Zhong Lung who are a partof the Emerald Court may also choose from the generalhengeyokai Gifts. All Zhong Lung begin game with 4Willpower.MakaraWhile closer to the Zhong Lung than to either of theother two streams, the Makara auspice system is uniqueunto itself and — in part because of the complexity ofthe related caste system — almost incomprehensible tooutsiders.The role of the Makara within Mokolé society isdetermined by this seasonal auspice, though all Makaraare expected to try to aid Gaia’s other children in orderto carry out their duties as the stream of diplomats.The Hemanta, or winter auspice, are tricksters androgues. They are expected to be crafty, but are often attributedwith frivolous behavior. The Hemanta have abeginning Willpower of 2 and the same auspice benefitas the Shining solar auspice.The Zarad, or autumn auspice, are thought of as mysticsand spiritualists. Those of backgrounds that precludepriestly duties often become bhagats (“godly ones”), whotry to blend their daily life with the rituals of religion.The Zarad have a beginning Willpower of 3 and share theauspice benefits of the Concealing solar auspice.The Grisma, or summer auspice, are the judges andpolice of the Makara. They are expected to seek truthand justice. This can be a rigorous duty in a society bornof strong beliefs in duty according to caste and karma.The Grisma have a beginning Willpower of 4 and sharethe auspice benefit of the Gathering solar auspice.The Vasanta are the spring auspice and are the warriorsof the Mokolé of India. They are also travelers andare the most ready to hear of new things. The Vasantahave a beginning Willpower of 5 and the same auspicebenefit as the Striking solar auspice.MOKOLÉ145