W20 - Changing Breeds.pdf

Gauntlet Runner(2-pt. Merit, Ratkin only)The character is able to squeeze through the Gauntletin the presence of any manner of company — even infront of a room full of human witnesses.Good-Looking (2-pt. Merit, Rokea only)Unlike most Rokea, who are rough-looking in homidform at best, the character looks completely human andmay start with as high an Appearance score as the playerdesires. Homid Rokea do not need to purchase this Merit.Spitting Cobra (2-pt. Merit, Nagah only)Unlike most Nagah, the character’s Vasuki form isthat of a spitting cobra or other snake that can projectits venom. She can spit venom in any form other thanBalaram.Umbral Affinity (2-3 pt. Merit,Nuwisha Umbral Danser only)The character has an uncommonly strong connectionto the Umbra, treating the local Gauntlet as 2 pointslower than its real value. For 3 points, the character neednot stare into a reflection to step sideways.Free of the Yava (3, 4, or 5-pt.Merit, Ajaba and Bastet only)Perhaps the character was granted a special blessingby a powerful spirit; perhaps they are simply a strangeprodigy of the world. For whatever reason, the characterdoes not suffer the restriction of one or more Yava: 3points grants freedom from one Yava, 4 from two Yava,and 5 from all Yava.Early Maturation(3-pt. Merit, Gurahl only)For some reason the character emerged as an auspiceother than Arcas. Perhaps her First Change camelate in life, or her early years contained so much strifeand upheaval that her change catapulted her directlyinto another auspice. The character begins play as anUzmati, Kojubat, Kieh, or a Rishi, and must chooseher starting auspice Gift from Level One Gifts on thatauspice’s Gift list.Venomous (3-pt. Merit, Ananasi only)The Ananasi retains her venom sacs even when inhomid form. In homid, she may use any of her venombasedGifts that are normally restricted to other forms.Infrared Vision (4-pt. Merit, Nagah only)The character can detect heat sources out to about50 feet in all forms other than Balaram. This Merit ismost common among Nagah whose snake form comesfrom the Crotalinae subfamily (pit vipers, rattlesnakes,fers-del-lance and moccasins).Sex Appeal (4-pt. Merit, Ananasi,Bastet, Kitsune, and Nagah only)Whether it’s grace, charm, or pheromones, the character’sgot it. Those attracted to the character’s genderlike being around him and are eager to please him. Thisgrants a –2 difficulty reduction to all social rolls againstsuch individuals.Swim Sideways(4-pt. Merit, Rokea only)The wereshark has a natural connection to Sea’sSoul, and can swim there in much the same manner asa Garou steps sideways, without the requirement for areflective object. The Rokea can only use this talent inseas and oceans; weresharks who can also Step Sidewayson land should look to that Merit instead.Feral Near-Man (5-pt. Merit, all butAnanasi, Corax, Mokole’, and Ratkin)The character’s near-man form (Glabro, Anthros,Sokto, etc) is unusually savage in profile; perhaps this isa result of countless hours of shapeshifting refinement, ormaybe the character was just born nasty. Either way, theChanger’s near-human form sports wicked claws capableof inflicting aggravated damage.Gender-Morph(6-pt. Merit, Ananasi only)The character can change their human sex at will,by breaking into the Crawlerling form and reformingas a human again. This can come in handy when beingchased; not only are pursuers unlikely to confuse a manfor a woman, but the character’s scent even changes inorder to throw off Garou and other keen-nosed hunters.Aside from the sex switch, this doesn’t grant a radicalchange in appearance — both sexes have similar featuresand look sufficiently alike to be siblings.Cat/Fox Magic(7-pt. Merit, Bastet and Kitsune only)In addition to the blessings of Luna and Gaia, thecharacter has a rare aptitude for lesser human magic—sheis capable of learning what mages call “hedge magic.”The character can use this talent to mimic Gifts andrites from any Changing Breed, and can develop herown mystic rites given time and Storyteller approval.For a more in-depth treatment of hedge magic, seeSorcerer Revised.208CHANGING BREEDS