Changeling - Players Guide.pdf

Taboo: Granite demands that his children never back
down from a test of strength or endurance.
Ice Background Cost: 1
The northernmost regions of the American continent,
where Ice enjoys his greatest influence, are icebound for much
of the year, while in the Rockies and the higher ranges of other
North American mountains, Ice often makes himself at least a
temporary home. The native tribes of the Far North have
learned from Ice how to travel upon its surface, build shelters
from large blocks of ice and gather food by fishing through holes
cut on frozen lakes and waterways. Ice represents the contradictory
nature of life, since he can be solid enough to support great
amounts of weight yet fragile enough in places to break underfoot.
Ice reminds Nunnehi of the coming of Winter.
Traits: Ice grants his Nunnehi children Survival 2
(Arctic) and one additional point of Stamina.
Taboo: Ice requires his allies to dwell in places where he
is prevalent and to care for the people and creatures who make
those lands their home.
Maize (Corn)
Background Cost: 3
Maize (com) is the staple crop of many tribes. A close ally
of Blue Corn Woman, a chief spirit of the Upper World, Maize
symbolizes bounty, fertility, and protection. Besides forming the
basis for corn pone (or cornbread), grits (or hominy), and the
corn tortillas of the Southwestern tribes, powdered maize was
often dusted over a family's sacred possessions to feed the spirits.
Ears of maize acted as protective fetishes against witchcraft (or
bad medicine) and harmful creatures or as repositories for ghosts
during ceremonies of mourning. Maize is a regal spirit, concerned
with ceremony, yet she is also imbued with an intimate
concern for nourishing and protecting those who honor her.
Traits: Nunnehi who choose Maize as their totem gain
Empathy 2 and Cooking 2 as well as one additional point of Wits.
Taboo: Maize's children must hang an ear of corn
somewhere in their permanent dwellings, and must carry a
few kernels of corn or corn pollen on their person at all times.
Saguaro Cactus
Background Cost: 2
Thriving in the Southwestern deserts, Saguaro towers
over the other plant life, dominating the landscape. His spiny
limbs arch upward, forming a link between earth and sky. The
Papago of Arizona use the succulent's bright red, plum-sized
fruit in brewing a syrupy liquor which they ritually consume
as part of their rainmaking ceremonies, hoping this act would
bring rain to their parched land. Saguaro is proud and hardy,
proof that even the barren desert can sustain life and growth.
Traits: Nunnehi allied to Saguaro gain Stamina 1,
Survival 1 (desert) and Brewing 1.
Taboo: Saguaro requires his children to conserve water
and to oppose those who pollute water sources.
Sandstone
Background Cost: 2
Sandstone makes her home in arid regions such as deserts
as well as near areas of fresh and salt water. The Dineh (Navajo)
grind her colorful stones into fine sand to use in the elaborate
and beautiful sand paintings that figure in their ceremonies
depicting the various Chant Ways — among them Earth Way,
Shooting Way and Blessing Way. Sand paintings absorb the
evil spirits driven out in healing ceremonies. Sandstone is also
useful as building material for the various pueblo tribes. Sandstone
is patient and flexible, willing to participate in both the
practical and spiritual affairs of those who respect her.
Traits: Sandstone's Nunnehi children gain Craft 2
(sandpainting) and Occult 1.
Taboo: Sandstone requires her children to study the
ancient rituals of their mortal tribes.
Tobacco
Background Cost: 4
Regarded by almost all Native American tribes as one of the
most sacred plants, Tobacco's dried leaves were crumbled, then
scattered upon holy ground to honor the spirits or else burned in
an open fire to send its pungent fumes to the Upper World.
Smoked in special pipes, Tobacco's mildly narcotic smoke opened
lines of communication between the Upper and Middle Worlds.
White settlers who "discovered" and commercialized the use of
tobacco as a recreational, habit-forming drug have ignored its
spiritual qualities and opened themselves to the dangers of
overindulging in its potentially harmful properties. Tobacco
shuns those tobacco plants harvested by the cigarette industry,
and will usually avoid large fields of commercially grown tobacco.
Traits: Tobacco grants his Nunnehi children Spirit
Lore 1 and one additional point of Perception.
Taboo: Tobacco requires his children to restrict their tobacco
use to ceremonial occasions, honoring its original purpose.
Whitewater
Background Cost: 1
Whitewater is known for her mercurial nature, by turns
playful and menacing. She is the symbol of self-challenge and the
free spirit of the untamed wilderness. Whitewater delights in rapid
movement and constant change. Whitewater's laughter pierces
the forests and announces her presence over long distances.
Traits: Whitewater endows her Nunnehi children with
Swimming 3 and Boating 2. Her children also gain an
additional point of Dexterity when involved in activities
which take place in rapidly moving water.
Ban: Whitewater requires her children to make their
homes near her banks. She also asks that any who honor her
refrain from polluting her rivers.