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 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. Pookah often wear cloaks and hoods, the better to aid in their disguises. Pookah from Machera wear elaborately crafted masks. Most Pookah dress down and in layers which are able to be discarded quickly, should a hasty escape or a quick dive into the water be deemed necessary.

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. Oftentimes a Pookah will harangue, tease or play pranks on those he or she actually likes. To ignore others is the Pookah way of showing dislike or disgust.

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.

Upon the death of Pookah, most are returned to the sea from which they came, whether they are cremated or given a proper burial at sea.

Relations

In order for Pookah to reproduce, they either mate with their own kind or shapeshift into another race and mate. In any case, whether born to a Pookah or another race, the resulting child is a full-blooded Pookah. If this comes as a surprise to a mother of another race, the Pookah would likely see this as a great joke. However, most Pookah would never allow anything bad to happen to one of their own. Pookah get along best with certain Humans, Goblyns, and Sobaki. Many races universally see Pookah as trouble.

Motivations

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. Pookah have a desire for achievement and good stories.

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.

• Darkeyes: 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.