W20 - Changing Breeds.pdf

EXTINCTION AND THE CUNNING CATAccording to Bastet legend, there was oncea breed of sabertooth werecats. These ancientshifters, known as the Khara, died out not longafter the advent of man, when their feline counterpartswere driven to extinction. All ChangingBreeds die out when their animal Kinfolkbecome extinct.So, if the Ceilican draw their heritage fromthe now-extinct maned lions of Europe (as someclaim), why are they still around?The Ceilican are only one tribe within theBastet Breed, and all Bastet (regardless of tribe)are children of Cat. It is possible that the presenceof other Bastet-tied wild species allows theCeilican to continue to exist, despite their ownnatural cat-Kin’s demise.Or perhaps their cunning Cat Incarna spirithas simply found a loophole to keep his belovedoffspring alive despite the death of their nativefeline Kinfolk.Finding (and keeping) secrets iswhat Cat is best at.It’s also possible that the Ceilican who makethese claims are simply wrong; perhaps it is theScottish wildcat or the Cat Sí to whom thewerecats owe their parentage. This would explainthe tribe’s continued existence, at least for themoment. In the case of the wildcat, however,with less than 100 known members of the speciessurviving in the wild, the end of the species— and their shapeshifting brethren — might benearer than any Bastet would care to imagine.Form StatisticsSokto Crinos Chatro FelineStr: +0 Str: +1 Str: +0 Str: –1Dex: +2 Dex: +3 Dex: +4 Dex: +4Sta: +1 Sta: +1 Sta: +1Man: +0 Man: –2 Man: –2 Man: –2App: –1 App: 0 App: –2Beginning Rage: 3Beginning Willpower: 3Starting Gifts: Faerie Light, Satyr’s WisdomAppearanceIn homid form, Ceilican embrace the width andbreadth of humanity’s diversity, although they often appearto be of mixed racial heritage. Their feline forms tendto resemble a domesticated cat, but much larger — thesize of a small panther — and can be quite fierce. Manyhave patterned fur — stripes and patches of colorationare common — and their interbred lineage often easestheir claims to other tribes.The Yava of the CeilicanLegends claim that one of their number found a wayto break the Yava for the Ceilican, after certain fae lordsused these curses to enslave much of the fae-cat tribe.The price he paid, however, was a fourth ban — the onewhich forces each Ceilican to change their persona atleast once a year. Whatever trade was made, however,it appears time has eroded the bargain. In modern day,the ancient Yava have begun to gradually affect thefae-cats once more.• Historic: The faerie cats fear the touch of cold iron. Itburns them like a brand.• Modern: Pure iron makes the Ceilican uncomfortable,and affects them as silver does.• Historic: Reciting a Ceilican’s name backwards threetimes causes him discomfort; recite it six times thus,and he will die.• Modern: Speaking a Ceilican’s true name — the one shewas born with — backwards makes her uncomfortable.As of yet, no reported causes of name-related deathhave been reported amongst the tribe.• Historic: The sound of a silver bell or church hymnstrikes a faerie cat deaf for three days after.• Modern: Ceilican are entranced by the sound of silverbells; it is difficult for them to take any actions, carryon a conversation, or willingly leave the presence ofpealing bells. Spiritual songs have the same effect,even for those with no religious leanings.• Modern: At least once a year, every Ceilican mustforget who they are and become someone else. Theycannot directly tell anyone of the change.KhanRaw power defines a Khan. Neither subtle nor patient,they are infamous for their explosive tempers. But theirstrength is that of mountains, and their fury knows nobounds. Accustomed to being worshipped as gods, theKhan are the strongest of the Bastet and they are wellaware of this fact.78CHANGING BREEDS