THERIANTRHOPES

By Katie Bubenik (bubenikk@columbus.rr.com)

Introduction

Every once in awhile, a mistake is made when a soul is molded to a body. Usually, you get a human body with a human soul, but not always. What causes it could be any number of things, but not one can be agreed upon (or proven). Ask ten Therianthropes why and you'll get twelve answers. But however it happens, it happens. Some humans are born with the soul of an animal instead of that of a human. What animal differs from 'thrope to 'thrope, and geographical placement seems to matter very little. Even extinct/mythological animals' souls have been known to inhabit human bodies. It should be noted that Therianthropes are not humans who have been possessed by animal spirits, nor has their original soul been pushed out to make room for the animal soul, but creatures in human form born with the soul of (and only of) an animal. Despite their minds being totally alien to humans, their intelligence is recognizable in human society.

Character Creation

Therianthropes are created just like a mortal is created (if you don't know that's 6/4/3 for attributes, 11/7/4 for abilities), save that they can have the talent Primal Urge. In fact most have at least one dot in it. Animal Kin is also a common skill among Therianthropes. They can purchase Numina or Hedge Magic, as per the rules for each. Therianthropes start with five Willpower, three background points and get fifteen freebie points. Sometimes 'thropes can purchase supernatural merits or flaws, but it depends on your storyteller. Most other merits and flaws are fair game, but for gods sake people, use common sense. The same goes for backgrounds. For one freebie point, 'thropes can purchase one acute sense; for three all physical senses are acute.

Traits

Besides the Primal Urge, immunity to Delirium and the occasional acute senses, Therianthropes have the same traits as normal, living, non-bane possessed, un-awakend humans. They can't shapeshift, nor will they turn into Garou or other Weres later in their life. They cannot awaken, something about the odd combination of body and soul jinxes that. They won't wake up one day to be Changelings. If they die they have the same chance of becoming Wraiths as any other human, yet in death they tend to appear as an anthropomorphic animal. If embraced they will become vampires. They are subject to Wyrm infestation and anything else humans are, unless they learn some sort of protection. A 'thrope's aura appears as a mundane animal's aura of the appropriate type. Needless to say, this may confuse anyone reading the aura.

Society

Most 'thropes know of the existence of others of their kind. They tend to find each other via the Internet and communicate that way. Some even form "packs" in the real world. Unfortunately, a few 'thropes do not know of the existence of others of their kind, and thus fall into depression. Therianthropes tend to "awaken" around puberty. They don't awaken in the sense Mages, Changelings or Weres do, but they do begin to realize that they aren't quite the same as everyone else around them. Those that are lucky meet up with another 'thrope to help them through the discovery phase, but most must do it alone.