BOYAR

By Jason C Marshall (jcmarshall@sympatico.ca)

Introduction

Majestic and proud, the Boyar are one of the rarest of shapechangers alive today, with perhaps 4 or 6 of them worldwide. It is thought that these strange creatures come from the same source as the Corax, but this is unknown nor is the rumour that they rule the Corax substantiated.

To date, only four of these creatures have been documented by supernatural agencies. All four times the camera crew never came back. It is hypothesised that the Boyar can travel into the umbra at will, much like the Garou step sideways.

History

It is believed that the first of the Boyar was created when an inquisitive Corax used the creation rites on the egg of an eagle. The resulting hatching became the first of the new Boyar.

Nurtured by the Corax who created it, the Boyar grew to adulthood, learning the ways of the Corax. Soon, though, it became apparent that the Boyar was developing new powerful abilities. Soon the Boyar over-shadowed the Corax, becoming something else. The Corax mentor fled, fearing what it had created.

The Boyar wandered the world, not quite one with Raven's children and yet a part of his get. It was at this time that he was found by a Jaggling of the Wind Incarna. The Jaggling, seeing something in the Boyar, led him to the Wind Incarna and there a bond was formed.

The Boyar roamed the world, flying the winds of the north, south, east, and west in search of others of it's kind. He found none, so he turned his Creation Rite upon new eggs of eagles.

During the War of Rage, the Boyar sheltered their progenitor/creators from the Garou's battles, but for a price. What this was, no one knows, and the Corax will not say. It is known that soon after, Corax started treating any Boyar they met with respect and deferment that one would only reserve for royalty.

Organization

The Boyar are similar to the Corax, in that they are very solitary creatures. When the Corax call their Gathers, the Boyar show as well. Boyar treat glory and honour very highly, but also revere wisdom. Rank is treated the same way as the Corax and Garou.

The Umbra

The Boyar can travel between the Umbra & reality without the need for a reflective surface, a gift from the Wind Incarna. Boyar often travel the Umbra, seeking knowledge and battle.

Totem

All Boyar have the Wind Incarna as a totem. The Incarna gifts them with the ability to traverse between the Umbra and reality without need of a reflective surface.

All Boyar are of the Umbral Wind Aspect, plus one other determined by which ever wind was blowing at the time of their births.

Boyar do not pay the background cost for Umbral Wind, but they will pay for the wind under which auspice they are born.

Language

The Boyar use a language similar to the Corax, though it is of a slightly different dialect. Any Corax will be able to understand a Boyar, (with an intelligence+linguistics roll, needing 3 successes), and vice versa.

Habitat

Most Boyar travel the skies of the world, occasionally crossing into the Umbra to fly its vast skies.

Breeding

The Boyar breed as do the Corax. They use a creation rite to impregnate an egg of an eagle or a human child. Upon maturity, the Boyar's nature comes into being.

Character Creation

Beginning Willpower: 4
Beginning Gnosis: 8
Beginning Rage: 2

Breeds

None.

Forms

Homid: Basic human body, no modifiers.

Crinos: Str. +2, Sta. +2, Dex. +2, App. -2, Man. -2, Per. +3, Diff. 6. Bizarre eagle headed body, with large wing\arms capable of limited grasping with claw like hands. The feet are also claw-like. Clawed hands and feet do Str. +2 damage.

Eagle: Str. -1, Dex. +2, Man. -3, App. -3, Per. +5, Diff. 6.

Tribes

None, though there have been rumours of a Golden Eagle type of Boyar.

Auspice

The Boyar are creatures of the wind and thus follow auspices dedicated to the wind under which they were born.

North Wind ---- Lorekeepers:

These are the storytellers and teachers of the Boyar. As children of the North Wind, they receive Occult 2, Enigma 2 and Instruction 1.

South Wind ---- Travellers:

Among the Boyar are those who were born under the ever moving South Wind. These Boyar function as the spys, scouts, and observers of the Boyar. They receive the Gift: Eye of the Eagle from South Wind.

East Wind ---- Seers:

The children of the East Wind are the sorcerers and seers of the Boyar. As followers of East Wind they receive 3 extra Gnosis points per story, and their Frenzy difficulties are at +1, making it harder for them to lose control.

West Wind ---- Watchers:

These Boyar are the leaders of the Boyar. They simply watch and render decisions. West Wind gifts them with Meditation 3 and three extra Willpower points per story.

No Wind ---- Warriors:

Those Boyar who are born on a day of no wind become the warriors of their people. The warriors of no wind possess Brawl 2 and two extra health levels per story.

Also, No Wind use slightly different gifts than the others of their kind and learn a version of Kailindo specialized just for them.

Racial Abilities

Special Combat Maneuver: Eye Pluck

Learned from the Corax, the Boyar can also try an eye pluck in combat. This is a nine difficulty, and does Str. +3 damage. If five successes are scored to hit, and at least two damage successes get past the soak, the victim's eye is torn out. This counts as aggravated damage.

Special Combat Maneuver: Wing Buffet

This is a knockback attack perfected by the No Winds when in combat. A Wing Buffet does Str. +4 damaged but the damage is stun only. A target that suffers five success is considered knocked off his feet.

Gifts

Enemy Ways: (Level One) See Corax gift of the same name.

Mantle of Glory: (Level One)

Razor Claws: (Level One -- No Winds Only) See Ahroun Gift with same name.

Omens and Portents: (Level Two) See Corax gift with same name.

Speak with Wind Spirits: (Level Two) See Wendigo gift with same name.

Bitter Wind: (Level Two -- No Winds Only) See Wendigo gift called Cutting Wind.

Summon Stormcrows: (Level Three) See Shadow Lords gift with same name.

Dark Truths: (Level Three) See Corax gift with same name.

Whispering Wind: (Level Three -- No Winds Only) See Stargazers gift with same name.

Airt Sense: (Level Four) See Corax gift with same name.

Gauntlet Breaker: (Level Four)

Scream of Gaia: (Level Four -- No Wind Only) See Get of Fenris gift with same name.

Portents: (Level Five) See Corax gift with same name.

Regal Majesty: (Level Five)

Invoke the Spirits of the Storm: (Level Five -- No Wind Only) See Wendigo gift with same name.