W20 - Changing Breeds.pdf

APIS IN THE MODERN DAYIf any of the Apis survive, it is only becausethey lived in the far depths of the Umbra. Aslate as 500 years ago, the last Apis may haveretreated into the depths of the spirit lands, and,due to the vagaries of umbral time, survive to thisday. Because the aurochs has been extinct for400 years, the surviving Apis cannot reproduce,even with humans. They are literally the verylast of their kind. These relics represent a tragicparadox. They can help save other ChangingBreeds from extinction, boosting their numbersby giving advice about successful breeding, butthey cannot save their own kind.However, there might be hope. Perhapssome shapeshifters or maybe the last remnantsof the Apis’ human Kinfolk have been workingto try to back-breed the oldest breeds of domesticcattle in order to recreate the mighty Aurochs.Such efforts may be doomed to failure, or theymight succeed — and if they did, perhaps thatwould be what called the last few dozen Apisback from the depths of the Umbra.Whether Lost Hope ever discovered the secrets theysought remains unknown. If one of their numbers couldreturn after thousands of years, it is possible others may.And if their mission was successful — well, the possibilityexists for the Apis — and other Lost Breeds — to returnin time to join the final battles.BreedsAs befits experts in breeding true, there were nometis Apis. There were only two Breeds of Apis: homidand bos. Homid Apis began with a Gnosis of 3 and bosApis began with a Gnosis of 5.AuspicesThe Apis were creatures of both the sun and themoon, and their breeds reflected this division.• Twilight: Twilight Apis were born at sunrise orsunset, and so were the rarest Auspice. They soughtthe advice of spirits and listened to omens, obtainingthe mystical clues that helped both the Apis and theircharges thrive. Twilight Apis could learn Theurge Garouauspice Gifts.Beginning Rage: 1CHAPTER FOUR: APIS THE LOST BREEDS• Solar: Solar Apis were born during the day. Theywere considered the best breeders, as well as the Apiswho worked most closely with humanity. Solar Apiscould learn Philodox Garou auspice Gifts.Beginning Rage: 3• Lunar: Lunar Apis were born at night. They defendedboth their people and others under their chargefrom anything that might have threatened them. LunarApis could learn Ahroun Garou auspice Gifts.Beginning Rage: 5Traits• Apis used Rage in the same manner as Garou and werecapable of frenzy.• All Apis began with a Willpower of 4.• Apis suffered the same effects from both silver and goldthat werewolves do from silver. They regenerated inthe same way as Garou.• Apis could step sideways into the Umbra like the Garou.• In Minotaur and Aurochs form, Apis had long hornsthat allowed them to gore opponents (difficulty 7,Strength +2 damage). This damage was aggravatedin Minotaur form, lethal in Aurochs.FormsApis could assume three different forms. Other thana tendency for being sturdily built, their homid form wasnot notably different from the humans they interactedwith. Their other two forms were as follows:• Minotaur: The Crinos form of a werebull lookedlike the classic minotaur, a 10-12 foot tall, muscle-bound,bull-headed humanoid with long and deadly horns. Thisform inflicted full Delirium. Modifiers: Str +5, Dex +1,Sta +3, App 0, Man –3• Aurochs: The animal form of an Apis was a hugereddish or dark wild cow with wide, sharp horns. An Apisin Aurochs form stood about 6 feet high at the shoulder.Modifiers: Str +2, Dex +1, Sta +4, Man –3General Apis GiftsApis characters begin play with one Level One Giftfrom the appropriate auspice list, and two Level OneGifts from the general Apis Gift list.• Beast Speech (Level One) — As the Galliard Gift.• Brother’s Scent (Level One) — As the Childrenof Gaia Gift.• Gift of Flesh (Level One) — This Gift allowsthe Apis to refresh his own strength by dining upon anenemy’s flesh.System: If the character spends ten minutes inMinotaur form devouring the body of a foe (not prey233