FATE Werewolf

From Gothpoodle

Latest revision as of 20:01, 15 March 2015

Animist world where only natural things have spirits, artificial thing's spirits are dead. When men lived in the natural world, their spirits mingled with those of animals (often through ritual consumption of kills) and shape-shifter tribes were born. Most have thinned out to the point that shape-shifters are born as throwbacks except to pure bloodlines, though intermarriage is becoming problematic as populations dwindle. The most prolific tribe in the northern hemisphere are the werewolves. Various tribes of were-cats are the most common in the southern hemisphere (tigers in Southeast Asia, lions and leopards in Africa, and jaguars in South America). Every other tribe is small and local and many have died out (though individual members may change from much diluted bloodlines).

Because of the rarity of shape-shifters, there is a strong cultural prohibition against killing one another.

Werewolves

The Fenrir are werewolves who side with the natural world, practicing shamanism and often fighting against human incursions into wild areas. They consider the war a fight for their existence and humans as a threat, a plague upon the world. They have an excellent relationship with the spirit world. They generally favor their animal nature over their human side and live as wolves. Basically, wolves who can take human shape. Their legends often say that they gained the ability to take human form by devouring humans. Those who truck with human myth claim to descent from Fenrir.

The Romuli are the werewolves which side with humanity. They see the need to adapt to humanity and the changing world, often focusing on trying to find a balance. They often struggle against destruction of natural areas, as well, but also protect humans from incursions by nature spirits and the Fenrir. Those that are urban have often lost touch with their spiritual practices and are considered traitors by the spirit world. They are the more traditional humans who can take wolf shape. Their legends tell of them descending from Romulus.

A small tribe calling itself the Anapa has a long history with the Ubesti in Egypt. Warring with the lions over territory has diminished their numbers and now they keep to the deserts of North Africa and the Arabian peninsula, for the most part. They gather in mated pairs rather than packs to defend their territory. In mindset, they are closest to the Fenrir. They fight for a rebirth of the dying natural world and have an affinity for spirits of the dead, often avenging them.

Were-cats

The lion tribe calls itself the Ubesti and is obsessed with dominating human civilization, tracing their bloodline back to Bastet and bemoaning their fall from prominence in Egyptian culture. They tend to in-breed with African and Indian royal lineages but aren't beyond setting themselves up as dictators through coups. They are the only primarily social were-cat, forming family dynasties around male leaders, and their females are the warriors. They generally have an antagonistic relationship with werewolves of both factions.

The leopard tribe calls itself the Borfima and was decimated while fighting against colonial incursions (particularly in West Africa). They were leopards which gained human form by eating humans and were vicious and brutal. They are solitary folk, only coming together for common cause (which they haven't since the early 20th century). They are now bogeymen and the other shape-shifters consider them to have been driven mad by the destruction of their habitat such that they now just hunt men out of bestial fury. They are found throughout Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia.

The jaguar tribe calls itself the Nahual and considers itself the spiritual guardians of humanity, watching over the race in a religious capacity. Like most of the were-cats, they are solitary creatures who live among humans in South and Central America, claiming a village, town, or neighborhood in a city as their territory, to protect and nurture.

The tiger tribe of China, India, and Southeast Asia is scattered and has no single name or mythology. It exists in small family units with their own traditions and culture.

Other Shape-Shifters

The bear tribe calling itself the Berserkir is composed of isolated, solitary folk. They have no unifying principles, each having their own agenda, but are known to work for pay as mercenaries, bodyguards, or other roles that take advantage of their immense strength.

The seal tribe called the Selkie and is more ambiguous towards humanity than most groups, being both fascinated with them and wary of them (particularly their treatment of the sea). They live in large families and always stay close to the water. They are also widespread, found in both hemispheres.

The cobra tribe calls itself the Naga and exists throughout Southeast Asia, solitary creatures living among humans. Their perspective is most like the Romuli, seeking to guide and protect humanity, but individuals vary. Some seek to rule over humans in a manner similar to the Ubesti.

The fox tribe called the Kitsune and is widespread through the northern hemisphere in small family groups. They are known for their cunning and intelligence and are heavily biased towards humanity because of these traits, though they are less protective than opportunistic. They prey off of humanity for their own interests.

The hyena tribe called the Bouda are opportunistic scavengers who live in small groups that subsist off of theft, moving constantly to avoid being caught. They originated in Africa and the Middle East but have since spread throughout the world's urban centers.

The raptor tribe calling itself the Tengu are protectors of the natural world through communion with the spirits of nature. They tend to gather in small monastic communities in isolated locations throughout the world. They are known for their depth of lore about the spirit world.

The coyote tribe has no uniform name. They gather in family units and tend to operate as con artists. They have a great affinity for humanity but aren't as protective as the Romuli or Naga. That they respect humanity's cleverness and consider their activity as keeping them sharp. They are common throughout North and Central America.

Other Supernatural Entities

Skin-Walkers are witches who gain the ability to shape-change through magically-prepared animal skins. They are considered by the tribes to be "false shape-shifters" and generally evil shamans, though at least some historical skin-walkers have used the rite to fight back against colonial incursions and protect the natural world, making it more ambiguous. It is possible that these rites might make someone a true shape-shifter.

Vampires are dead shape-shifters who are reanimated by their animal spirit, which is voracious and cannibalizes humans. The Romuli refer to them as the Remi and their legends say Remus was the first. The Fenrir refer to them as Draugr.