WERE-GUPPIES

By Thomas Fransworth (farnth@wwc.edu) (23 May 1996)

Disclaimer

I use in this many ideas and gifts straight out of White Wolf's World Of Darkness Game World. I in no way intend this to infringe on copyright laws, and I hold the copyright for the material that is origional. Feel free to use as storyteller, but use for profit is illegal. Thomas Farnsworth (farnth@wwc.edu during the schoolyear)

History

In the early part of the 1900's the tropics of South America were just beginning to be explored, and fascinating beautiful fish that were easy to keep in aquariums were discovered. They were all part of the Molly family of fish, and the most common was the Guppy. As in all Bete tribes there were also some Were-guppies among them, and when they found their schools being fished out and exported they went along for the ride. Soon Were-guppies were in every continent, and they began to integrate into society.

Breeds

There are three breeds of the Were-Guppy: the common Platys, which is born under the auspice of the rainy season, and the rarer, flashier Swordtail, born under the auspice of the dry season. (Sorry, can't correspond these with a time of year, because it varies above or below the equator.) Along for the ride as a scientific curiosity was their cousin the Amazon Molly. The Amazon Molly breed consists entirely of females.^*

^* See storytellers note at end

Forms

The Were-guppies have three forms: Homid, Crinos, and Poecil (fish form for the stupid).

Homid forms are always short (varies from breed to breed). Males are always socially oriented, with vivacious personalities and convincing mannerisms. Females are more staid and controlled, and tend to blend in to crowds well.

Poecil forms are easy, with the Were-Guppy taking on the form of fish corresponding to his breed, with size being only slightly larger than regular, females about 3", males about 2".

Crinos forms are where the Were-guppy differs widely from their other Changer cousins, Bete or Garou.

The Crinos form for Platys is the same size as the normal form; the only difference is that it appears more intense, more powerful and commanding or more average and self-deprecating (M/F). Male Crinos get bonuses to their Social skills while females get Mental and Physical boosts.

The Crinos for Swordtails is the same, but they have an optional tail that can be grown in. It is about three feet long, and razor edged (can be poisoned with the venom gift). It must be grown during the transformation into Crinos, not after. Male crinos get major boosts to Social, but very little physical boost, while the females get a large physical boost and a minor intelligence boost.

The Amazon Molly is the exception to the trend among her cousins. She actually bulks out 120%, gets extremely ugly, and grows a two foot tail like the Swordtails as well as fins on the arms like the Rokea, also razor edged and able to hold the Venom gift. The tail and fins are not an option; they are part of the Amazon Molly Crinos form. She will also get a major physical boost but nothing in social or mental.

The Drawback is that none of these forms incite Delirium, but who's going to believe you saw a six foot guppy walking around slashing the hell out of everything (Amazon Mollies) or that you were conned into buying that lemon of an oldsmobile by a fish-out-of-water? (Platys and Swordtail)

Culture

Originally the Were-guppies were all Poecil but as they expanded they began to breed with humans while in Homid form. But the young are always born as fish, so long term relationships tended to be awkward.

All female Were-guppies give birth to about fifty live young at a time. But only one in one-hundred of these are Changers, the rest are normal guppies. (In a way every Were-guppy is a Metis, but no deformity encrues since Were-guppies cannot breed among themselves) Gestation time is six months, so most Guppy females can birth one Changer a year.

The exception is the Amazon Mollies, who birth one Changer in every birthing. Since there are no male Amazon Mollies they breed with any other willing Changer, bete or garou, in Homid form preferably, but Crinos gives a little more spice...

Male Were-Guppies can only successfully breed with true, non-Changer guppies. Any impregnation of a Homid female by a Were-guppy will result in an miscarriage within the first two weeks. (Needless to say this hasn't helped the Were-guppies morals any, sex with no consequences...)

There is no specific social structure among Were-guppies, usually they are alone unless it's females with their children, then they form small schools. Occasionally siblings will work together for the course of their lives. (an all Male Platys Public Relations firm... scary...)

Habitat

In the wild, tropical ponds, swamps, and shallow streams. In civilization...AQUARIUMS! Duh, you could've guessed that much. (A swordtail Tropical fish shop owner..."Hey mister, wanna buy a fish?" <uses Mastery gift>)

Language

Homid: English, Hispanic, or Portuguese

Crinos: Same as above, with a slight bubble to the speech

Poecil: None, communicate through body language or the Message Glance gift.

Totem

Guppy (suh-PRISE!)

Rage, Gnosis, Renown

Rage: Platys start with 2, Swordtails with 3, and Amazon Mollys with 4 (5 if a totem other than Guppy is used).

Gnosis: Platys start with 5, Swordtails with 4, and Amazon Mollys with 3.

Renown: Not really applicable to loners, if part of a family/school can gain status over siblings but not parents, aunts, uncles, etc... Glory would be won through good usage of Social attributes, Honor through not getting hurt, and Wisdom through whatever the storyteller wants; of course the Amazon Mollys could use the regular Garou charts.

Umbra

All Were-guppies can enter the Umbra, but they must use the surface of an expanse of water (puddle or stream, doesn't matter). They can enter from the top down, or the bottom up.

Character Creation - Male Platys

Concept: the male platys is a social manipulator. He uses his good social skills to convince others his way is best, whether or not this is true....(Salesmen, Con Men, Etc...)

Description:; Under 5'7" tall, with bright red, yellow or stark black hair. Skin color runs from swarthy to ruddy.

Stats

	Str	Dex	Sta	Cha	Man	App	Per	Int	Wit
Homid	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0
Crinos	+1	+3	+3	+2	+2	+3	-2	+0	+1
Poecil	0	2	+2	0	0	3	-2	-1	-2

Gifts: ('^*' indicates starting gifts.)

1st
• Find Water^*
• Spirit of the Fish^*
• Scent of Running Water
• Aura of Confidence
• Inspiration
2nd
• Distractions
• Awe
• Grovel (no penalty)
3rd
• Dazzle
• Disquiet
• Message Glance
4th
• Harano
• Mastery
• Ultimate Argument of Logic
5th
• Geas
• Obedience
• Madness

Character Creation - Female Platys

Concept: She is a social chameleon, trying to blend in and carry out her goal in secret. Most have a motherly demeanor if not nature, and try their best to keep others in line; if this means convincing them telepathically.... (Mothers, Deskclerks, Preschool Teachers...)

Description: Under 5'9" tall, with muddy brown or yellow hair, brown eyes, and dark complexion.

Stats

	Str	Dex	Sta	Cha	Man	App	Per	Int	Wit
Homid:	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0
Crinos:	+2	+3	+3	+1	+1	+0	+1	+2	+0
Poecil	0	2	+2	0	0	3	-2	-1	-2

Gifts: ('^*' indicates starting gifts)

1st
• Find Water^*
• Spirit of the Fish^*
• Scent of Running Water
• Mindspeak
• Resist Toxin
2nd
• Blissful Ignorance
• Strength of Purpose
• Surface Attunement
3rd
• Guilty Mind
• Mental Speech
• Message Glance
4th
• Strength of Dominator
• Mindblock
• Take the True Form
• Quicksand
5th
• Directing the Soul
• Halo of the Sun
• Reach the Umbra

Character Creation - Male Swordtails

Concept: He is a consummate smooger who can twist nearly anyone to his will given a little time, but is morally decrepit, with not much he won't do. (Toy Boys, Collection Agents, Etc...)

Description: He is under 5'8" tall, and has bright colored hair, usually slicked back and shiny. His eyes glow with energy and enthusiasm, and his mannerisms make him popular around the women, but men may get jealous.

Stats are as follows. Homid: Same as WOD stats... need I repeat this every time?Crinos: S:+0 C:+3 P:-2 D:+1 M:+3 I:+0 S:+2 A:+2 W:-1Note, in Crinos the optional razortail he uses to protect his precious backside as he runs away lowers all modified social stats by a -2. Homid Appearance of 2, +2 for Crinos, -2 for Tail, total... Appearance of 2).

Gifts: ('^*' indicates starting gifts)

1st
• Spirit of the Fish^*
• Find Water^*
• Scent of Running Water
• Persuasion
• Razor Tail
2nd
• Glib Tongue
• Awe
• Grovel (no penalty)
3rd
• Dazzle
• Princely Bearing
• Message Glance
4th
• Ultimate Argument of Logic
• Mastery
• Venom
• Dopplegangor
• 5th
  • Geas
  • Riot
  • Violation




Character Creation - Female Swordtails

Concept: She has a motherly or caregiver nature, although she may hide it with her demeanor. She likes keeping the peace, and making things flow smoothly. (Nurses, Doctors, Teachers, Mothers, Etc..)

Description: She stands 6' tall or less, and is drab/normal, but not as bad as the Platys females. She is nearer normal than any other guppy in outlook on life so won't be doing weird things every time you turn your back on her.

Stats

	Str	Dex	Sta	Cha	Man	App	Per	Int	Wit
Homid:	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0
Poecil	0	2	+2	0	0	3	-2	-1	-2

Stats

	Str	Dex	Sta	Cha	Man	App	Per	Int	Wit
Homid:	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0
Crinos:	+3	+3	+3	+0	+1	+0	+0	+2	+1
Poecil	0	2	+2	0	0	3	-2	-1	-2

Note in Crinos, same modifier for tail applies to females as well.

Gifts: ('^*' indicates starting gifts)

1st
• Spirit of the Fish^*
• Find Water^*
• Scent of Running Water
• Razor Tail
• Mothers Touch
2nd
• Strength of Purpose
• Calm
• Disfigurement
3rd
• Message Glance
• Guilty Mind
• Secrets
4th
• Venom
• Mindblock
• Serenity
• Take the True Form
5th
• Calm the Flock
• Head Games
• Reach the Umbra

Character Creation - Amazon Mollies

Concept: Can have any tough nature or demeanor, since she looks at life like a challenge. "I mean, why should boys have all the fun; we women can do it better anyway." She is large, intimidating, and short tempered. (Construction woman, Bouncer, Wrestler, Etc...)

Description: She stands between 6' and 6'3" tall, and has a hefty build. She is graceful and coordinated, making her a whiz at athletics and martial arts. She looks as drab as the Platys females and doesn't really care, but any comments about her looks aren't appreciated.

Gifts: ('^*' indicates starting gifts)

1st
• Spirit of the Fish^*
• Find Water^*
• Scent of Running Water
• Speed of Thought
• Razor Tail and Fins
2nd
• Curse of Hatred
• Awe
• Luna's Armor
3rd
• Message Glance
• Catfeet
• Paralyzing Stare
• Icy Chill of Despair
4th
• Venom
• Wasp Spines (In tail and fin trailing edges)
• Balor's Gaze
• Doppleganger
5th
• The Thousand forms
• Violation
• Pician Lobotomy (makes victim like a fish out of water)




Storytellers Note

One in every 100,000 Amazon Mollies is a male but he contributes nothing to the gene pool. I figure the storyteller can make him an amazing changer whose Crinos form is truly intimidating (triple all stats?). Would make a great NPC for a game including Amazon Mollies. I wouldn't recommend having more than one exist at a time though...

Stats

	Str	Dex	Sta	Cha	Man	App	Per	Int	Wit
Homid:	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0	+0
Crinos:	+4	+5	+4	+0	+0	0	+0	+0	+1
Poecil	0	2	+2	0	0	3	-2	-1	-2