From: Richard Scott Revised 12/1/95 PONGIDA Introduction "Well I'm as old as the hills and young as the day Nobody sees things in quite the same way" -- Midnight Oil, Feeding Frenzy Phoenix rose. Gaia wept. Luna woke. Gaia's lament, the War of Rage. "Who will defend me?" she cried. "Mother, I know not." Phoenix watched. "There must be, daughter, or I am lost." "Mother, I am sorely weakened with the deaths of the changing breed." Phoenix stirred. "Luna you must try." "Mother, there may be one. The last, but I had feared to try." "Daughter, save me." Phoenix spread his wings. Luna sped through the night sky. West, ever west. Phoenix flew. Luna called the East Wind to her. "I have a task for you." East Wind bowed to Luna, and sped through the night. Phoenix watched. Luna shone. "Here are Gaia's Pongida, flaming Phoenix. The last of the Changing Breed." Phoenix saw the wind. The East Wind came, bringing another. "Go, Wind, call your brothers and sister. Let them bring their gifts again." East Wind bowed, and left. "You, Phoenix, you must give a gift too." Fiery Phoenix, bathing all in his glow. And the Pongida were strong. The Winds blew. The Pongida knew the Rite-Gifts. Gaia saw, and was glad. She blessed them with the Way of Gaia. Phoenix took wing. Luna showed her many faces to the Pongida. Ahroun, Galliard, Philodox, Theurge, Ragabash. All of the Pongida. Then formed the tribes of the Pongida. Beringa. Peaceful mountain defender, rarest of them all. Gora. Strength of the Last breed. Graua. Scouts of the plains, the hidden. Troglo. Swift and clever, the many. Two other tribes came, as the East Wind blew. Sumpygma. Warrior-mystics. Borpygma. The hermits and philosophers, the thinkers. Luna shone. Luna spoke. "You are the last of Gaia's defenders, my Pongida. Others have strayed, and lost the way. You must not. Beware the Garou. Help the Changing Breed." Luna dimmed. "I am tired, my children, I must sleep. Go. Save our mother." Again, the East Wind came. The Pygma were gone. Luna slept. Still, Phoenix watched. The mist of light from which they take their grace Hides what they are. -- Richard Monckton Milnes "These are the last days. May Gaia have mercy on us." - Prophecy of the Phoenix. Setting The Pongida are the last of the Changing Breed, created in response to the War of Rage. In Africa and Asia the Garou went not, or went warily, so the Pongida helped save many of the hidden Changing Breed, unknown to the Garou. Mostly legends and old tales abound. Luna created them as they were most like man, hoping they could understand and guide the humans more than any others of the Bete. Common Parlance Gorillai : Term that means the Gora, Graua, and Beringa Pygma : Word for the Borpygma and Sumpygma The Cities "So you cut all the tall trees down You poisoned the sky and the sea You've taken what's good from the ground But you left precious little for me" -- Midnight Oil, River Runs Red The Troglo are the Pongida most comfortable with cities, although others can be found there. However, as more and more forest is cut down, and becomes more urban, and the rapaciousness of increased subsistence farming continues, this will change. There are very few of the Gorillai left at all, and they are rarely scene. The Wilderness Found mostly in the places of their creation, the Pongida have begun to range throughout the world, and hence have more interaction with others, including the Garou. Stories of the White Gorilla, and Congorilla have surfaced in modern times. Apes "Don't want to be a member of a species that's deceasing" -- Midnight Oil, Pictures The mountain gorilla, from whence Beringa kinfolk come, is extinct. The lowlands gorillas of both varieties number in the hundred. A similar case with the orangutan. There are still over a hundred thousand of the chimpanzees alive, so they are the most plentiful of the Pongida, particularly in the Simus breed. Very few Simus Gorillai or Pygma will now be born. The Present Day The state of the Pongida at present is bad, directly linked to the fate of the wild apes. Few Beringa remain at all, do any remain alive? It seems their hope is linked to their human kinfolk. The Graua and Gora fare little better, but some of their simian kinfolk survive in captivity and in the wild, although their free brethren will all be dead soon. There may only be a handful or Beringa left alive, and maybe the Graua and Gora are more plentiful, although conflicting reports come from members on the Bete and others, although all agree their numbers are very low. Gorilla parts are used for fetishes in Africa, and highly prized, and poaching is a big part of why they died or are dying out with starving Rwandana or Zaire farmers, or ex-farmers killing them to eat or sell. The fate of the Pygma is similar, and their numbers are around the same. The Troglo are far more numerous than any of the others, although they too will be cut down as their habitat decreases and human population grows. Perhaps they may number in the low hundreds. More and more Pongida of all breeds are forced into the world of man, in the strange, alien environment of the cities. The Wyrm, of course, is not unaware of this. Does salvation lie with the homids, sadly? Unlikely. The Pongida, like the Garou and others of the Bete, are dying. Other Lycanthropes "Who'd like to change the world Who wants to shoot the curl" -- Midnight Oil, One Country The Pongida never participated in the Impergium as such, and often see the Garou as the enemy, and misunderstandings abound. There are rumours of other Bete, unknown to the Garou, and the Pongida may well have allies with the Ophidi and the Raptora, others of the Bete existing where they live, and mostly unknown to the Garou. The War of Rage largely passed them by, with some conflict claiming some of their number. Pongida Society "Tarzan wasn't a ladies man He'd just come along and scoop 'em up under his arm" -- Crash Test Dummies, Superman's Song Pongida are an affectionate bunch as a whole, and like to live in families, around Nests, much like the Garou packs and Caerns. The non-African Pongida, the Pygma (their own term for the two tribes, Borpygma and Sumpygma) tend to be a lot more solitary, however, which perhaps has not helped them. Becoming Pongida is easier than Garou; there is no harsh rite of passage, but children are taken at around the same age from human society. (Of course leaving their families like this gives rise to the ape-man stories, and the raped-by-apes stories). The Pongida used to fight over breeding rights for ape families, too, but no longer, as the numbers are not there. More and more ape and human life is coming together. Lost young Pongida are found on occasion. Mostly in Africa. Breeds Homid: These Pongida grew up in human society, with all the problems that entailed with their Pongida nature. They can talk and know the ways of humans. Some were taken as teenagers, a few others were of the 'lost variety' just turning up, unknown to other Pongida. Metis: Children of two Pongida parents. They often have deformities, but are not reviled as Garou Metis are. They are valued members, although perhaps a little bit prejudiced against when it comes to certain areas, like leadership. "Monkey see and monkey do Making babies, eating food Smelly things, pubic hair Words of love in the air" -- Talking Heads, Facts of Life Simus: Raised as apes, often smarter than their family, hence rising to leadership positions in the hierarchy. Have some problems relating to man and with speech of the human variety. However, they will be able to communicate with apes of their own kind. i.e. a Troglo Simus could communicate with chimpanzees. Nests "The girls and boys combine like monkeys in the zoo" -- Talking Heads, Facts of Life Much like Garou Caerns, Pongida families guard and gather around Nests, their own magical sites. Nests can be really bizarre, especially if in cities, and not what you might expect. The Pongida share similar dominance patterns with the Garou, as well, but tend a little less to bloody violence to settle things, with more ritualistic displays of aggression. The Pongida do have their own special language, as well. Also, they can communicate over long distances by special cries, screeches, and grunts, much like apes. Pongida are not as hung up on lineage and standing, other than dominance. There is no set Pongida Litany. Dominance In a Pongida Family there will often be dominant leaders, perhaps older in general, these could be male or female, and often there will be both, and the hierarchy of a Family will be known, but not often a cause for violence. The Pongida know their numbers are small, and try to avoid killing each other, or fighting each other. The Troglo are often an exception to this. Language The Pongida do have their own language, invented by the Borpygma in the distant past. Simus form Pongida may communicate with other apes, too. Humans can actually learn to communicate with apes to a certain degree, and Pongida will naturally have some skill at this in other forms. Families A group of Pongida, being gregarious creatures, will form Family groups (with a capital F) and some of them may be related, but not necessarily, as others join frequently, and Families may well be of all unrelated Pongida. They become both kin and develop deep friendships a well, a doubly strong bond. Families will stay together for life, adopting new members on deaths. They will all defend each other to their utmost. Families have elaborate grooming rituals, even in human form hair-brushing, nail-clipping or other such activities will be performed. These are often related to dominance status in the pack, but also serve to enhance the ties between all members of the Family, even with as little time for pleasant activites like this that they have in these times. The Tribes "I'm absolutely free Living in the trees The birdies and the bees 'Cause I'm a nature boy" -- Talking Heads, Totally Nude Beringa: The Mountain Gorilla is what they most resemble. Male Beringa will have a silver back when they are in Simus form, and in Homid form will often have white or grey streaks in their black hair. They are peaceful creatures, and Gaia's staunchest defender. However, very few of the Beringa remain, unfortunately. It is very rare than a Beringa will get angry or violent. All Rage rolls are performed at a +3 difficulty. Many of the Beringa will appear as African mountain tribespeople in Homid form. Gora: The lowland gorilla is their kind, they will appear as dark or black apes, and likewise with human appearance will be dark or black haired. Very strong, and can be fearsome warriors. Often hirsute in homid form. Quickest tempers of the Gorillai, but they too do not anger easily. But if they do... (Their Rage rolls are performed at a +1 difficulty) The Homid appearance will generally be Western African and that region. Graua: Plains dwellers of the east, they like to travel and scout, often mating with any gorillas they find in their travels. They are adept at scouting and hiding and travel. They tend to have little to do with humans, other than observation or spying. They are the hardiest of the Pongida. Their Rage rolls have a +2 difficulty. The human form will often look like a native Eastern African. Troglo: The African chimpanzee is the most plentiful ape alive, giving the Troglo a certain advantage. They are the smallest in Simus or Crinos form of all the Pongida. Often they will be brunette as homid, and will be brown-furred as Simus, and tend toward the shorter end of the human height specturem. Troglo are the tribe that seek most to influence the humans, or work with them. They are by far the most common of the Pongida. Usually African in appearance. Borpygma: Originating in Borneo, they like to keep to themselves whenever possible, and are deep thinkers, contemplating the ways of the world and the Pongida and other Bete. Other tribes will often come to them for advice. (and often get impatient with the seeming endless philosophical lecture that will inevitably follow) They too are exceedingly peaceful, and hard to anger. Their Rage rolls are performed at a +3 difficulty. Borpygma will look like Borneans, quite frequently, but others are common, too. Sumpyga: The Sumatran orang is their flock, and they have a decided mystical bent, which some Pongida are in awe of, and some are a little distrustful of. Both varieties of Pygma will be orange or red-furred in Simus form, and red/auburn/ginger/haired as homid. A balding appearance is even not uncommon. While not enjoying the contemplation of their cousins, they are still peacelike. Rage rolls are at a +2 difficulty. Their homid appearance will generally be Sumatran. Kinfolk The Pongida have both ape and human kinfolk, and again, the problem is that the Pongida gene is recessive, and very few orangs or gorillas remain to breed with, so they are forced to turn to humans. Wyrm Corruption "Come down for a minute touch the grass on the other side meet the devil who is your host Strike down what you believe in" -- Entombed, Rotten Soil Nean Ravagers Lots of the mythology and cosmology is similar to the Garou, and, of course, there is the ever-present Wyrm. The Garou's greatest evil, the Black Spiral Dancers, has unfortunately affected the Pongida, as well, but in far fewer numbers. The Troglo are most likely to fall prey to this. To become Nean Ravagers, (the Pongida equivalent of the Black Spiral Dancers) Pongida are taken to abandoned mines by Nean Ravager packs (a term taken from the Garou, to echo their destruction of other Bete) , where pits of corruption are found, and immersed in all manner of foulness. When they come out of this Wyrm-spawned horror they are insane, more brutish, more human looking, and out to cause the downfall of the Pongida. Pentex and the Fomori of course affect the Pongida as well. Mines and other such sites from particularly environmentally noxious industries will be the most common sites to become Nean Ravager Pits. The Ravagers will look like an evil echo of what they were before, a nasty glint to their eyes, often drooling or foaming, and becoming more brutish, hairier. Chins and teeth will be a little more pronounced, and heads more sloping. An even more insidious ability of the Ravagers, if they manage to take control of a Pongia Nest, is the ability to turn it into a Pit, and twist all the Pongia, magic, energy and strength of Gaia to the Wyrm and multiply it. Vampires The Pongida are becoming more likely to encounter the undead as they enter more cities. Few of the vampires were likely to venture into areas that had strong Pongida rumours, as one or two strangely crushed corpses in their histories were enough of a deterrent. Even the more adventurous Gangrel were unlikely to be able to make a peaceful contact, especially with Garou-smell, for those Pongida in that camp that they were unlucky enough to stumble across. Hunters Pongida hunters are few, but do exist. Legends of the Great White Ape are enough to ensure this. They are likely to be about as successful as Garou hunters, i.e. not very. However, there is no Delirium affecting humans where the Pongida are concerned, so that can be a pseudo-advantage for a hunter. They will meet more as they venture into cities, and the humans become aware. The Yowie and Bigfoot sightings, along with the Yeti, could well be a product of slightly careless Pongida activity. Mages Very dangerous creatures, except perhaps for some of the more naturist types, but avoiding them is a good idea. The Borpygma are often tempted by the knowledge these beings bear. Wraiths The Restless are often on surprisingly good terms with the Pongida, being sympathetic to their plight. Some ancient legends hold that high Ranking Pygma have even walked the lands of the dead. A dangerous feat, because even the Wraiths that you visit would have enemies. Changelings The Eshu tell stories of the Pongida. There is definitely a relationship between the African Fae and these Bete. Many of these Fae are not well known, being African in origin. Bete The relationship between the Pongida and the Garou can often be called uneasy at best, but it depends on the tribe. They do not like the Mokole, or Anansasi. The Corax are known to them, and the Apres. The Rokea are unknown, and would not be popular if they were. The Bastet and Nuwisha and Pongida tend to encounter each other infrequently, and the carnivores and omnivores can be suspicious of each other, but they too, were victims of the War of Rage, and come under the province of the Pongida. The Apres are seen occasionally, but Delphi and Lutrans are only stories. Character Creation "Well I told you about the forest and trees and the chlorophyll green. Yes I told you the birds will endure flutter wings dance on leaves Hold onto dreams, hold onto dreams tonight" -- Midnight Oil, Renaissance Man Gnosis The usual Storyteller process is followed, with the same point distribution as the Garou. Concept/Attributes/Talents etc. The same number of freebie points. Breed Initial Gnosis Homid 1 Metis 3 Simus 5 Breed Gifts Initial Breed gifts are same as the Garou, substituting Pongida for Garou where appropriate of course. Simus characters may not have abilities that could only be learned by humans, except anything that involves very simple tool use, etc. Assimilation becomes a Level Four gift for the Pongida homid. Heightened Senses, Scent of Sight, and Gnaw are all taught by an Ape-spirit. Auspice Gifts Auspice Initial Rage Troglo Beringa Gora Graua Sumpygma Borpygma Ragabash 2 1 1 1 1 1 Theurge 3 1 1 1 1 1 Philodox 4 1 2 1 1 1 Galliard 5 1 3 2 1 2 Ahroun 6 2 4 3 2 3 Initial Auspice gifts are the same, except Ahroun get Iron Hands, instead of Razor Claws. Sense of the Prey is limited to Troglo only, and taught by a chimpanzee spirit. Call of the Wyld is taught by an ape spirit, and involves the calls of the particular tribe, screeching, etc. Heart of Fury will be taught by a Lion spirit. Clenched Jaw will be taught by an Ape spirit. Iron Hands (Level One). Character Creation by Tribe Troglo Tribe Initial Willpower Troglo 3 Gora 4 Graua 4 Beringa 5 Sumpygma 5 Borpygma 6 Tribe Beginning Gifts Totem Troglo Glib Tongue, Persusasion. Rat Gora Resist Pain, Iron Hands. Bear Graua Camouflage, Speed of Thought. Owl Beringa Sense Wyrm, Mother's Touch. Ngagi Sumpygma Sense Wyrm, Resist Pain Stag Borpygma Sense Wyrm, Sense Magic Mawas Troglo Gifts Glib Tongue Persuasion Snarl of the Predator Distractions Merciful Blow Invisibility Speed Beyond Thought Stoking Fury's Furnace Riot Trees in the Air Beringa Gifts Mother's Touch Sense Wyrm Calm Luna's Armor Dazzle Spirit Friend Beast Life Serenity The Living Wood Summon Ngagi Gora Gifts Resist Pain Iron Hands Howl of the Banshee Clap of Thunder Might of Thor Wrath of Gaia Open Wounds Hero's Stand Luna's Avenger Shake the Earth Graua Gifts Camouflage Speed of Thought Blissful Ignorance Messenger's Fortitude Adaptation The Great Leap Attunement Speed beyond Thought Gate of the Moon Maze of Doom Sumpygma Gifts Sense Wyrm Resist Pain Luna's Armor Beastmind Icy Chill of Despair Silver Hands Strength of the Dominator Doppelganger Circular Attack Paws of the Newborn Borpygma Gifts Sense Magic Sense Wyrm Spirit of the Bird Spirit of the Fish Call Flame Invisibility Call Elemental Ultimate Argument of Logic Wisdom of the Seer Gaia's Divine Insight Rites and Renown Very similar to the Garou. As is rank. The rites differ among the tribes. The Troglo will have aggressive, physical challenges. The Gora will deal with some aspect of warriorhood, perhaps. The Beringa in peaceful games, the Borpygma in puzzles, logic, or philosophy. The Sumpygma may deal with entirely mystical rites. Backgrounds Pongida do not have the Pure Breed background. The Many Forms "There are times when not being human would be a source of inner pride" -- Entombed, Full of Hell Homid: The Human No adjustments, shift difficulty 5. May carry silver items without harm. Homids look as described above. Shift Difficulty Troglo 5 Gora 6 Graua 7 Beringa 8 Sumpygma 7 Borpygma 8 Glabro: The Near Man, shift difficulty 6. Shift Difficulty Troglo 6 Gora 7 Graua 8 Beringa 9 Sumpygma 8 Borpygma 9 In Glabro form, chests will get deeper, bodies hairier, jaws more prominent and heads more beetle-browed. The Glabro will gain 100-200% of their own weight, and grow several inches taller. teeth get bigger and bodies more muscular. Str Sta Dex Man App Troglo 3 1 0 -1 -1 Gora 4 2 0 -3 -3 Graua 5 1 0 -3 -3 Beringa 6 0 0 -3 -3 Sumpygma 5 1 0 -2 -2 Borpygma 5 1 0 -2 -2 Crinos: The Ape-Man, shift difficulty 6. Shift Difficulty Troglo 6 Gora 7 Graua 8 Beringa 9 Sumpygma 8 Borpygma 9 The Crinos form will be at least one and a half times taller than the homid form. The body will be completely hairy, hands bigger. Teeth will be even more pronounced than an ape's, with large canines. Movement on all fours will now be undertaken. Another 100-200% weight will be added. The head will become very apelike. Oh, and will be really mad and not good at talking (think the Hulk for speech patterns, in the less-intelligent incarnations) Str Sta Dex Man App Troglo 5 2 1 -3 0 Gora 6 3 0 -4 0 Graua 7 2 0 -4 0 Beringa 8 1 0 -4 0 Sumpygma 7 1 0 -3 0 Borpygma 6 2 0 -3 0 Hispo: The Near-Ape Basically, a giant ape, almost as big as the Crinos form, and will be able to charge on all fours like an ape. Big, hairy, and scary. Shift Difficulty Troglo 6 Gora 7 Graua 8 Beringa 9 Sumpygma 8 Borpygma 9 Str Sta Dex Man App Troglo 4 2 2 -3 0 Gora 5 3 0 -3 0 Graua 6 2 0 -3 0 Beringa 7 1 0 -3 0 Sumpygma 6 1 1 -3 0 Borpygma 5 2 1 -3 0 Simus: Ape Shift Difficulty Troglo 5 Gora 6 Graua 7 Beringa 8 Sumpygma 7 Borpygma 8 Smaller than the Hispo form, and looking almost exactly like an ape of the same variety (although quite a bit larger) the Simus form will be less aggressive, as well. All the sensory advantages and ape-communications will be available. Str Sta Dex Man App Troglo 2 1 2 -3 0 Gora 3 2 0 -3 0 Graua 4 1 0 -3 0 Beringa 5 0 0 -3 0 Sumpygma 3 1 1 -3 0 Borpygma 2 2 1 -3 0