Gangs Seng Ge
The Snowlions.
I was inspired to create these fera when i was building (for fun) a Baghera character based in Tibet. The idea was a lineage of Baghera that belonged to the Beast Courts, but were outcast due to a feud with the the Khan. During my research I discovered that Snow Leopards were not actually leopards. they are actually more closely related to Tigers. They are also the only big cat (Panthera) not to have a changing breed. Were as several small cats do (Cheetahs, Pumas, Scottish wildcat, Lynx). So i decided to create a new Bastet. Problem being there should only be 9....since they are cats.
I will post stats first and add the history in pieces as i have time. Then the gifts and rites i created or compiled for them. There may be some confusion as i call them Snowlions, but their feline form is a Snow leopards. The Snowlion is in reference to "Gangs Seng Ge" Tibetan/Himalayan mythical creature. Whom this tribe is named after and takes as it's spirit totem guide.
"Nine are his lives, Nine fold is his soul, Nine is the number of his children, but lord Cat is nothing if not crafty and sly enough to find away around this cosmic balance." --The Silver Fist Bái Hǔ of the Court of the Sapphire pool and Emerald Sky. The First Gangs Seng Ge.
When the wars of Rage and Shame ravaged Gaia. Lord Cat realized that one day one of his children would fall. With their fall his soul would be broken. So he began to plan. He knew Gaia and Luna would not allow him to bring unlimited children to the world. His nature was bound to three threes. So he sought out the human mages. The clever monkeys always came up with the best ideas so he sent his children to watch. He quickly learned about Horizon realms were human created their own rules and changed them at whim. If he could get one of these Name Breakers to work with his new children. So that when one of his nine fell his new children could enter Gaia's realm. Keeping his soul whole. First he will need to find a champion to lead them. Lord Cat watched all his children. Looking for one strong enough to lead in exile, a people too independent to follow. He found a Khan by the name of Tao Wu His strongest and most stubborn warrior.
The story of Tao Wu.
Tao Wu was the greatest Khan to ever live. If you were to listen to him tell this tale. That is how it would begin. Tao Wu was a stubborn fool, a stupid stump. He may have doomed the Emerald Mother to a slow death. It is our responsibility to fix his mistake and similar mistakes made by others.
Tao Wu lived during the last days of the War of Shame. He was a powerful and proud warrior of the beast court. With a beautiful, unblemished fiery orange and black striped coat. His pride in his fighting prowess was matched only by the power of of his roar. His strength was so great even the strongest of Zhong Lung feared his wrath. He won glory and honor for his clan in hunting down his changing cousins. Taking delight in challenging the most powerful to single combat. Tao Wu heard about an Okuma Elder who had fled to the high Himalayas. Abandoning his duties and fleeing to the mountains. This made him guilty of wyrm taint in the blind eyes of Tao Wu. Tao Wu tracked him for 3 months through the mountains. Fighting off attacks from centipede's beast seeking to stop him. Corrupted Nagah who thought to judge him and failed. Finally finding his quarry sitting at the top of a mountain meditating in the rising sun. Tao Wu- " You're minions have failed, I have chased you to the top of the world. Lord Sun shines down to illuminate your corruption to the world. I am his righteous fist. I shall burn your corruption from this world." The Okuma Elder sighed, got to his feet, Looked upon Tao Wu with sadness. "I forgive you cousin. You know not why you do, what you do."
With that Tao Wu takes his war form attacking the elder. The sound of their fight shattered lesser mountains. Each calling on all their magic and strength. In the morning of the next day. Tao Wu stood over the dying Okuma elder. Tao Wu said " You are beaten. Your Corrupt powers could not save you."
The Elder looked up and spoke " Tao Wu shall for ever be know as Stubborn fool and a stupid stump". The Elder Pointed behind Tao Wu. "There lies The Death Bear. I Killed you last night with the setting of the sun. Lord Cat Visited me and asked me to save you. He still had need of you. So I summoned the Death Bear and fought for your spirit to return. Only for you to leap to your feet and strike me down once I succeeded. The scar from your punctured heart still remains." With a sad smile The Okuma Elder died. The last of his tribe.
As Tao Wu looked with astonishment at his scar. The world turned black for Helios closed his eye to the world in sadness at the loss of his only bear children and the shame of one who would praise him. With a clap of thunder one of heavens messengers appeared. A great dragon "Where is Lord Cat? He has defied the fates and forever alter the wheel of time. You were not supposed to live, she was and from her the Okuma would have been reborn. From her body and her teachings." Tao Wu for the first time in his life knew fear. Shaking he prostrated himself before the messenger. "I do not know great one. If their is anything I can do to make right this terrible wrong. Name it and I and all my clan and descendants shall make it our one life goal. "-said Tao wu
"There is nothing a stupid stump can do to make this right." replied the Messenger "Go and seek your redemption somewhere else there is none for you here." With another clap of thunder the messenger was gone.
In game terms when one of the Bastet tribes goes extinct most likely Ceilican*, Khan, or Bubasti. Then the path way to Khembalung will open. Allowing the Gangs Seng Ge and their kinfolk to reenter the world.
*Revised actually did kill them and the survivors were made into hellcats. Wyrm bastet. Savage age changed this slightly and only part of the tribe died/fell.
Str +0/+2/+1/+0 Rage 1
Dex +2/+2/+3/+3 Willpower 5
Con +2/+3/+3/+3
Man -1/-3/-3/-3
App -1/0/
Yava
1) Can never harm an enlightened being or allow one to be harmed in their presence. Should Snowlion do so. Their magic will be stripped from them till they perform the Rite of Redemption
2) Must never frenzy (fox or berserk). They must do everything to avoid it. Should they frenzy they loose their rage for a full moon cycle. If they fall to a wyrm frenzy they loose their rage permanently. Once the frenzy ends.
3) *under construction. Suggestions are very welcome
Backgrounds-Some changes to the backgrounds normally taken by Bastet.
Den Realms- New Rank 1 characters must pay triple the cost for the rite of the Den Realm and my not start with one. As there was no reason or ability to have one in Khembalung. Only a few elders kept the knowledge of the rite and like all Bastet they don't give up their secrets lightly.
Secrets- Gangs Seng Ge seek secrets of the lost breeds(tribes, streams, ect...). This is their mandate from Heaven and Lord Cat.
Resources- Gathering large amounts of wealth are looked down on by the tribe. As a sign of an unbalanced soul. Loss of temporary Honor Renown.
Spirit Heritage and Totem are very common among the Gangs Seng Ge.
They may purchase the Ancestors background.
Merits/Flaws
Due to their time in Khembalung they may purchase at reduced cost
They may buy the Step Sideways merit for 5-pt
Cat magic Can also be bought for 5-pt
Common Merits/Flaws
Perfect balance, Fair glabro, Daredevil, Strict carnivore, Inner strength, Calm Heart, Iron will, Soft hearted, Curiosity, Clan Rival(Khan Hengeyokia), Supernatural companion(mage), Spirit Magnet, Docile
Prohibited Merits/Flaws
Huge size, Berserker, Natural channel, Moon-bound, Slip sideways(unless you have step sideways merit),