Shidae

Meddlesome wanderers born with a rebellious spirit, a penchant for swimming into trouble, and the wiles to escape it.

Physiology

Standing between just under five feet and stretching to just over six, Pookah have milky white, pupil-less eyes, thin arms with four-fingered hands, hairless rabbit-like feet, huge, fanlike ears, slits for nostrils and blue, mottled skin.

Appearance

 Many Pookah possess a talent for shapeshifting, so the Pookah disguise their appearance often.

Personality

Pookah are quick to scatter, and are frequently skittish. They are also consummate pranksters. They enjoy a good laugh, close family ties, and the distrust of many of the other races. Because of this, the Pookah are confident loners and often expect the worst from other races. Some Pookah are desperate for acceptance or friendship, though this can sometimes be quite obnoxious.

Habitat

Pookah can live anywhere, but they prefer to live close to the water. In the forest of Qaeld they live close to streams and rivers. The city of Machera is ruled by the Pookah, and their population there is high. Pookah stay mostly out of the South, though some live in the City of Brass and along the West. To live in the desert would be hard for a Pookah, and many times it means death or worse, as they are highly prized by the Zjenithi as slaves. Pookah also stay away from Solon. Solonians have no sense of humor.

Society

Pookah family units are very close knit and understanding. The Pookah are natural wanderers, but whenever they leave home, they constantly feel the pull. There really is no hierarchal system, as many of them live simply and move homes often. Pookah marry into many other races, since they are highly adaptive, with the children always being born more Pookah than not.

Adventures

As Pookah are natural wanderers, they make excellent adventurers, and their love of fun only adds to this. Revenge for a murdered loved-one, the chance to pull off the ultimate con or heist, or the search for a stolen family heirloom are good places to start.

Max Caps

• Cunning 12
• Self-Control 12
• Psyche 8
• Insight 8

Powers

• Natural Changelings: Pookah possess a latent ability to change their coloring like a chameleon, mold their features like a shapechanger, and swim like an amphibian. They may spend a Mana Point to receive a racial bonus of +2 to any Swim, Disguise, or Hide check. A Pookah may spend as many Mana Points as he or she likes in this way. The effects are cumulative.

• Dim Water: Since they are used to swimming in murky waters, Pookah can see just fine in areas of low-light and natural darkness.

• Tricksters: Pookah receive a +2 racial bonus to attempts to Taunt their opponents.

• Amphibious: Pookah can breathe underwater.