Changeling - Players Guide.pdf

The legends of the tribes of the West contain stories of
fearsome giants who terrorize intruders into their lands.
Reputed to be cannibals and feared for their destructive and
malicious tempers, these spirit beings were also respected for
their strength and honored as reminders of the inherent
power of nature to destroy as well as create.
These tales refer to the Nunnehi known as numiizo'ho,
named after one of the heroes of their Family, a giant who
taught mortals how to fashion tools from stones before he
disappeared from their sight.
The truth behind the malevolent behavior and violent
tempers of these giants is the story of their anger at what has
happened to the world around them. Even before the ways to the
Higher Hunting Grounds closed, the elders of this Nunnehi
Family had glimpses of the devastation mortals would cause to
the natural world. Their anger grew within them until it became
a prime force in their lives. The oldest numuzo'ho swore a sacred
oath, binding on all their descendants, to act as the avengers of
the natural world. In return for the special powers granted them
to enable them to keep their vow, they accepted the eventual
loss of part of themselves as the price they would have to pay.
Unlike other stories told about them, however, these
giants are not cannibals. In times of great hardship, one of
their elders may offer her body as food for her Family, but this
is only an act of desperation. The niimuzo'ho have no particular
appetite for human flesh.
The numuzo'ho are not always instruments of destruction.
Occasionally they will assist lost travelers or aid the victims of
natural disasters (ones they do not cause) such as rockslides or
avalanches. They respect the traditions of their mortal tribes,
although they usually have little contact with humans. Some
braves or younglings, however, demonstrate an uncharacteristic
desire to associate with mortals or with Nunnehi outside
their Family. These individuals are ones who have managed to
quell their constant anger and allow their Summer personas to
rule them. These numiizo'ho make loyal companions, although
they must continually struggle to remain calm in the face of
blatant examples of human despoliation of the environment.
(Crushers of People)
Appearance:
Numuzo'ho appear as extremely tall and muscular examples
of their mortal tribes—the Washoe, Kalispel, Flathead,
Paiute, Coeur d'Alene, Wishram, Miwok and other natives of
the Far West. Their eyes glow with an unearthly luminescence,
and their elders are frequently deformed in some fashion.
Seemings:
• Younglings appear to be very
large, though well-proportioned,
children. They learn very early
how to intimidate mortal children
and have a reputation
as bullies.
• Braves are frequently
troublemakers,
and most of them give
themselves over to
their Winter natures.
They reach their full
size and strength at
this time.
• Elders calm
down considerably
from the violent
behavior of their
younger years,
but they also
succumb to
some physi-