Fera
Lore and Overview
History
The Beginning
The Ajabamade their way to San Diego as immigrants, seeking refuge far from their native lands. Their arrival was marked by a quiet and cautious entry, driven by the need to escape the brutal conflicts that decimated their numbers in Africa. The Ajaba, once fierce and proud warriors of the savanna, found themselves scattered and on the brink of extinction, their survival hinging on their ability to adapt to a new and unfamiliar environment.
The first Ajaba to set foot in San Diego arrived in the early 20th century, hidden among the waves of immigrants that flowed into the city. These were-hyenas were few in number, traveling in small, tight-knit groups that sought to avoid detection by both human and supernatural eyes. The city’s growing immigrant communities provided the perfect cover for these newcomers, allowing them to blend in while they established a foothold in this foreign land. Life in San Diego was not easy for the Ajaba. Accustomed to the wide-open spaces of the African wilderness, they struggled to adapt to the urban landscape of the city. Yet, their innate cunning and resilience allowed them to carve out a niche for themselves in the shadows of San Diego’s underbelly. They found solace in the neglected and forgotten parts of the city, where they could maintain their secrecy and continue their ancient rituals far from prying eyes.
The Ajaba in San Diego were not numerous enough to form a cohesive tribe, and instead, they operated as small family units. Despite their fragmented state, they maintained a deep connection to their heritage, passing down their traditions and stories to the younger generation. These traditions served as a lifeline to their past, a reminder of the rich history they carried with them even as they struggled to survive in a hostile world. While the Ajaba kept a low profile, they remained vigilant, ever watchful of the city’s supernatural landscape. They were aware of the power dynamics at play, particularly the dominance of the Garou and other shifters who claimed the territory as their own. The Ajaba avoided direct conflict, knowing that their survival depended on their ability to stay hidden and avoid unnecessary attention. Despite their caution, the Ajaba were not without allies. They sought out other rare and marginalized shifters within the city, forming tenuous alliances based on mutual survival. These alliances, though fragile, provided a measure of security and support in a world that was often hostile to their kind.
Present Day
In present-day San Diego, the Ajaba remain a rare and elusive presence, their numbers still small but their resolve unwavering. These were-hyenas have adapted to the city's modern landscape, using their cunning and resilience to survive in the shadows as they primarily inhabit the outskirts of the larger cityscape. Operating in small, tight-knit groups, they maintain a low profile, discreetly navigating the complexities of the supernatural underworld. The Ajaba have become adept at blending their ancestral knowledge with modern strategies, ensuring their continued survival in a city that has evolved significantly since their arrival. Despite their cautious approach, the Ajaba are not passive. They remain vigilant, gathering intelligence and forming strategic alliances with other marginalized changingbreed. In their hidden enclaves, they continue to honor their traditions, passing down their heritage to younger generations while adapting their rituals to their urban environment.
Chargen Guides
Fera break the typical rarity XP incentive system that is used across spheres given that most Fera are rare in general. As a result, here is a list based on what's currently incentivized with the starting XP listed.
| Category | Types |
|---|---|
| Highly Incentivized | Pumonca (homid), Qualmi (homid), Bubasti (homid), Squamous Breed Rokea, Kumoti Ananasi, Rodens Breed Ratkin, Metis Breed Ratkin, Bastet Kinfolk of the listed breeds |
| Somewhat Incentivized | Khan, Simba, Corax (either breed), Swara, Balam, Bagheera, Feline Breed Bastet, Metis Breed Bastet, Betweener Rokea of any Auspice, Tengu Corax, Hatar Ananasi (not Kumo), Kojin Breed Kitsune, Homid Breed Ratkin, Bastet Kinfolk of the listed breeds, Homid Unktehi Mokole |
| Not Incentivized | Ajaba, Ceilican, Balesharks (need Wyrm sphere approval), Same-Bito Rokea, Makunguru, Arachnid Breed Ananasi, Kumo (need Wyrm sphere approval), Mokole of any varna/breed aside from Unktehi Homid (see entry), Gurahl of any breed/tribe (see entry), Roko Breed Kitsune, Camazotz (either breed), Nuwisha (either breed), Nagah, Mokole Kinfolk, Nagah Kinfolk (must be part of a kinfolk cult or criminal org), Gurahl Kinfolk, Kitsune Kinfolk Men |
| Disincentivized | Non-Same-Bito Homid Breed Rokea, Rokea Kinfolk, Tenere Ananasi, Shinju Breed Kitsune, Kitsune Kinfolk Women (RIP), Ratkin Kinfolk, Nuwisha Kinfolk |
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Backgrounds
Ajaba use all of the same Backgrounds as the Garou, although high Pure Breed becomes increasingly rare as the Ajaba scramble to shore up their decimated numbers.As social creatures, werehyenas are much more likely to have pack totems than personal ones.
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Background
Bastet use most of the same Backgrounds as Garou, eschewing only Ancestors (with the exception of Swara). They use personal rather than pack totems, however (calling such patrons “Jamak”).
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Backgrounds
The timeless Rokea don’t have Ancestors, and don’t concern themselves with Pure Breed. They can have at most a single dot of Kinfolk, as their shark Kin are spread so far across the seas, and their human relations are so very few.
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Backgrounds
Corax rarely stick with any single Mentor for an appreciable length of time, and dismiss Pure Breed as elitist nonsense. They have no pack or personal Totems, either; Raven claims each Corax for his own, granting them one free dot of Athletics, Enigmas, and Subterfuge. In return he asks only that they whisper each secret they learn into the air, that he might hear it as well. Corax can, of course, purchase the Secrets and Umbral Maps Backgrounds (see “Shared Backgrounds,” p. 212).
Concepts Although all Gurahl are not incentivized (no starting XP), the following breed/tribe combinations would be considered common-to-rare in San Diego.
| Category | Types |
|---|---|
| Common | Forest Walkers, Homid Breed |
| Uncommon | River Keepers, Mountain Guardians, Ursine |
| Rare | Ice Stalkers |
| Unlikely/ Very Rare | n/a |
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Backgrounds
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Backgrounds
Kitsune use many of the same Backgrounds as the Garou, eschewing only Pure Breed as redundant — werefoxes are all of the purest blood, after all. Those not associated with a sentai or other pack-group may have either a personal totem or no totem at all.
Concepts
Although most Mokole are not incentivized (no starting XP), the following breed/varna combinations would be considered common-to-rare in San Diego.
| Category | Types |
|---|---|
| Common | Homid Breed of any varna, Unktehi Varna |
| Uncommon | Makara, Gharial Varna, Ora Varna |
| Rare | Suchid Breed, Halpatee Varna, Piasa Varna, Champsa Varna, Sytra Varna, Ora Varna, Karna Varna, Makara Varna, Karna Varna, Lung Varna |
| Unlikely/ Very Rare |
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Backgrounds
Nuwisha use the same Backgrounds as Garou, as well as Umbral Maps (see “Shared Backgrounds,” p. 212). Virtually all Nuwisha have a personal totem, inevitably a trickster spirit of some sort. Rarely, a Nuwisha will bind herself into a pack of other Fera — but only if the pack is united under a trickster totem.
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Backgrounds
Ratkin generally don’t have much in the way of Resources or Allies, and don’t have Ancestors or Pure Breed at all. Some wererats establish themselves under a permanent Totem, while others use a special rite to temporarily assume a Totem for the duration of only a single mission or quest, dissolving their bond to the spirit once their task is done.
Concepts
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Concepts
Fera Kinfolk are to apply the same rule of rarity to their main counterparts. See to the main tab of the Fera that you are wanting to be kinfolk to.
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.
Nagah can only be app'd in as a group of 3+. No solo Nagah.
<Backgrounds>
The self-imposed isolation of the Nagah prevents them from having many Allies; Mentors are likewise rare. Nagah do not purchase the Totem Background; the Wani and their servants don’t act as personal or “pack” totems, and no other spirits are entitled to do so. A Nagah nest counts as a bonded pack for all system purposes, but no totem bond exists.
Concepts
Fera Kinfolk are to apply the same rule of rarity to their main counterparts. See to the main tab of the Fera that you are wanting to be kinfolk to.
Any concept marked rare will need to fill out a restricted concept pitch application and await approval prior to moving forward through chargen.
A universal XP Incentive guide showcases the bonus XP able to be applied.