#owod

And I think they're at their most interesting when you ignore those attempts and allow them to be just a bunch of snooty street gangsters who imagine themselves to be feudal lords. When their entire Gehenna is honestly not that important from the point of view of, like, an average Technocracy operative or Sidhe lord, and even the might of Caine himself would put him at most in the middle of top 10 biggest problems of the year.

A Metis Garou who's a professional tattoo artist and body modder (as in, the person who does the mods on other people).

Pegasi: The star-steeds occupy a transitional niche among the Kithain, aspects of Home, Heart, and Highrule visible within their feathers. Pretty face and powerful wing, these Faeries form the third corner of Changeling nobility, a position they struggle with and ascribe to. Their Dream is that of the Steed, where King and Knight alike command their skill. They are not themselves rulers, but neither are they slaves. Sidhe Dream of Lordship, and Trolls Dream of Honor. A Pegasus Dreams of Loyalty. They are not bound by personal code or people's expectations. They bend the knee to whomsoever has earned their trust, and serve them completely and unwaveringly. To break this trust is to break them, and a greivous sin in the eyes of their kin.

Childlings:

Young Pegasi are far from angels, but for the most part, fairly contained. Children this young have not yet grasped the truth of their Dream, and are rarely in danger of falling. Yet in a way, many never quite grow out of this stage, trusting in the good nature of others by default. Unseelie are a tad more cynical, but it's really all the same.

Wilders:

A Pegasus of the Seeming has begin to fly. They mix and mingle as all the rest, and inevitably, they find a roost. Smart Steeds will tie themselves to an ideal before an individual, but the choice is theirs and theirs alone. A charity, a castle, a lover and a Lady, the bonds that define the Pegasi are forged here. Each and every one knows their True Name from birth, and entrusts this truth to the entity they feel has earned it. Despite the Wilder reputation for flights of fancy, this is rarely an impulse, instead a long-debated, well-thought decision(They are terrible flirts though. Almost worse than Satyrs). They tie themselves to their masters by choice, and should that trust be betrayed, they become Diomedes, twisted, shattered creatures who feed on the Glamour of Faerie heartblood, Banality strangling their core as their own disbelief manifests.

Grumps:

The elders have chosen, and chosen well. They are the first thought that comes to mind when one thinks of the species, and fixtures of any court, the honored advisor of ruling lord. They are considered less trustworthy than Giant counterparts, but their own advice is always worth listening to. Graybeards rarely become Undone so long as their Principle stays stable, making those tied to ideas and organizations notably long-lasting, while persons become wards of their former colleagues, honoring the oaths sworn in a life they no longer remember.

Changeling Society:

Pegasi are more well known among the Commoners as "Ponies", fleeing with the Shining Host into Arcadia all those years ago. Some stayed, of course, by personal choice or regent's resolve. But by and large, winged horses were just as much myth as Dragons for quite some time in Autumn. The same tensions that plauge the Sidhe apply to Steeds as well, seen as flighty, unworthy rulers.

Seelie: In a way, the Steeds are among the purest Dreams of this Court, something that has served them for better and worse.

Death Before Dishonor: Giant and Gyrfalcon share similar but decidedly different ideas of what this tenant means. Where the former look to their own code of law and literal Self, a Pegasus only needs ask whether an action will bring shame to their Lord. Their own honor is irrelevant, only the good of whomsoever they serve. This, again, makes them incredibly valuable assets, and terrible things to abuse.

Love Conquers All: This is the core of a Pegasus' Dream, a heart so eager for embrace. They love deep and long, be it person or beast or thing, and will never stop loving, pain metastasized of purest affection. Their Loyalty is their love, true and strong, and to stop loving is to stop living in short order.

Beauty Is Life: Not quite so vain as their stereotypical masters, the Nightingales nonetheless enjoy their flights of fancy, preening and polishing for hours on end before appearing in public. They foster this same indulgence in Dream and Dreamer alike, inviting all to take a moment simply to admire-mostly themselves, but that's beside the point.

Never Forget A Debt: While this certainly ties back to the first tenant, Pegasi are naturally inclined to live by such a rule, much as a Boggan's Frailty, even. They will always seek to settle any outstanding scores in good time, even at the expense of their Oath in all but the most sever circumstances. Defying their Loyalty in this manner incurrs a point of Temporary Banality.

Unseelie: Darker Pegasi don't act notably different from their counterparts, only freer in their opinions. You can't keep a caged bird forever, after all.

Change Is Good: Pegasi are just as prone to Wyld impulses as any other Fae, and just because they bind themselves doesn't make that bond a chain. They aren't afraid to challenge the concepts and crowns that define them, because this wasn't what they signed up for, it needs to be better!

Honor Is A Lie: Unseelie Steeds don't jump through the same hoops-yes, they don't care about your ideals of justice and fair rule. They chose their Roost, and everything else comes second.

Glamour Is Free: To keep their Oaths, to keep their souls, to keep their loved ones near, the calculus is simple. Humans have their place, worthy of respect, but they are prey to predators so very frail. It's only fair they make every meal count.

Passion Before Duty: Whatever expectations lie on the shoulders of a Steed matter not, their obligations and orders nothing in the face of their regent. They choose their own purpose, direct from the heart, and the rest can burn for all they care.

Miens:

The image of Pegasus is "Winged Horse" in the Consensus, but the Fae take it a few steps beyond. Most Pegasi actually resemble Bird Pooka far more than their Bygone counterparts, anthropoid shape of feather and scale. They maintain equine strength and hooves(and sometimes teeth), and the rest of their body resembles avian creatures, especially those native to the area. Pure white is the sterotype, but tropical and desert Steeds sport quite rich, vibrant plumage over their coats. Every Pegasus does have wings, at least two, which can be situated on their back or arms with equal occurence.

Birthrights and Frailty:

Featherlight: The Steeds have not earned their name for naught. A Pegasus in possesion of wings gains an additional dot of Speed during character creation, and can fly for the duration of the Scene when calling upon the Wyrd.

Sensitive Soul: Pegasi can form bonds lesser than their Loyalty, and these are just as valuable in their eyes. When such an entity takes damage, the Pegasus can spend a point of Temporary Glamour to bear the pain themselves, converting it into the appropriate level of Chimerical Damage.

Loyal Steed: Should a Pegasus be commanded by one of sufficient authority, they must roll Willpower against the appropriate Social Attribute to refuse. If their Loyalty is to a person, their own may be added as well. If they fail, they carry out the task almost in a trance, subjugated by the will of their betters. What constitutes a higher authority is rather more personal, from father to Freehold owner, but does not apply to their Loyalty, which requires a drastic change of one's True Name to defy.

Interactions with Others:

Trolls: Giant and Gyrfalcon are often seen together, corners of Noble triad. Relations are generally friendly, both honoring their oaths to king, idea, and each other with devotion unshakeable.

Boggans: Many Pegasi have, in fact, sworn themselves to such strong Fae, respecting their stability and kindness in a world so devoid of such things. They don't need the adulation of the court, only the warm fire against Winter's wind.

Redcaps: Unseelie Steeds can at least respect how honest the blood-beasts are, that's its own kind of loyalty. Ever seen a Pegasus rip out someone's eyes with half their skull? Redcaps are an accquired taste, but one not half-bad. Seelie, on the other hand, are just as snobby as the rest.

Pookas: Some speculate that Pegasi split from the Wyldkyn ages ago, but this is a mostly unfounded theory. What is known is that alone among the Noble Fae, they harbor a strange affinity for the Tricksters. Conversation comes simply, frustration slowly. Perhaps they recognize something others cannot, but the Ponies inspire loyalty of their own within many Pooka.

Satyrs: Love and Loyalty share a heart, often a name. Gryfalcon grounds Goat more often than not, but perhaps Pegasus may be tempted into Bacchus' circle. Either way, these Kith share a long enduring alliance, friends and lovers in ways they can rarely be around anyone else.

Unicorns: While there is little direct overlap in their Dream, the Pegasi are quite impressed by these Fae. Their charges are their pride and joy, vital resources for all Changelings and true bond forged without so much as a word. This feeling is, however, not mutual, and more than one Steed has been stabbed for thinking kinship.

Sluagh: The Underfolk are loyal to each other, if not necessarily the Courts. Pegasi understand(or fail to) the same feelings they inspire in others when they see these Fae, a grudging acknowledgement and wish for honest rapport they can never quite achieve.

Sidhe: No other Kith is so closely tied to the Pegasi as the Shining Host. They have given up so much, and returned pariahs and parliment just as their masters. But the Sidhe do not take their service in stride. For all their faults, the Elves understand what it means to earn the Loyalty of a Pegasus, and are loathe to abuse such a pure expression of the love they value so highly.

Hippogriffs

These Thallain are Nightmare of Infidelity, all the worst whispers of the Pegasi with none of their honor. They play their part perfectly, better than either of their Noble mockeries, but in the end, will always prove false, fake friends hiding behind feathered veil. Besmirching the name of the Steeds is their greatest pleasure, and ideally, no-one will know they were even there when they leave.

Childlings:

Young Hippogriffs are perfect angels, ever above suspicion by their supervisors. The other children see their truth, not fooled by the shimmering scales underneath, but find it hard indeed to convince their parents of playmate's cruelty, shunned and slandered for sins not their own.

Wilders:

Growing Thallain are refining their craft, sly silvertounges settling into Changeling courts. They do tend to overestimate their skill, sniffed out and destroyed by their Kithain counterparts, but those who survive are dangerously deceptive, able to play nearly any part to perfection. More than one Freehold has been destroyed by false information and anonymous tips delivered of Hippogriffs, and while they cannot hide their face, their wings carry them far indeed, repeating their games in unsuspecting areas.

Grumps:

Graybeard Gryphons have typically become infamous to the Kithain, instead residing within the ranks of Balor, Shadow, and Vampire organizations. Among other Fae, they're treated worse than Sluagh, no-one willing to take them at their word for obvious reasons, but the Glamour-saturated environments can be the key to survival, so they endure the indignity. Among Humans and Others, their reputation is far less notorious, allowing Hippogriffs to get away with truly incredible scams and traps. Fortunately, Grumps are rare, but if you even suspect one's operating in your area, you'd best kill them head-on, playing politics is a loser's game.

Miens:

Hippogriffs are indistingushable from Pegasi unless looking for their Legacy and Patterns directly, which they take great pains to keep hidden.

Birthrights and Frailty:

Silvertounge: Hippogriffs are supernaturally convincing creatures, adding an extra Die to any Manipulation, Persuasion, or Charisma rolls.

Nice Guy: A Gryphon will never be the first suspect when a crime occurs, minds and eyes glancing over them as normal people, close friends, even. This illusion can be dispelled by rolling Willpower against the Thallain's Manipulation+Permanent and Temporary Glamour, but this does not extend to convincing others of the truth once realized.

Gaia’s immune system, as evidenced by the state of her body, has failed her. The Wyrm is ascendant, balefire consuming the land and Banes breeding as never before. The Wyld is resurgent, new, lawless world free of Weaver’s Banality and empty of Human life, strange and terrible creatures in twisted wastes. The Weaver was found dead behind a Slocum’s Joe. But the Fera are not quite done yet, broken and battered as they are.

Pentex: Their influence greatly contributed to the Vault experiments, those of Big M.T., and the ever-present preservatives and toxins in consumer goods. While they did not launch the missiles, they have achieved their goal in every sense but bringing their master into physical Reality, something the scattered remnants are eagerly attempting still.

Hengeyokai: The Beast Courts were struck heavily by the targeted shelling of China, but the continent was expansive enough for them to reconsolidate and restructure. As of modern nights, Asian Shifters are completely unmasked to the Human residents of the continent, ruling over them in a softer Impergium, effectively unchallenged with their unity as compared to the squabbling of Others. Japan, India, and Indonesia have advanced the most, electricity and industrialism returned first there and spread across the rest of the continent, leaving it effectively the new and only world superpower, if still a rising one.

Ahadi: Consisting now of Ajaba, Nagah, Simba, Bagheera, Swara, Tembo, Silent Striders, and Mokole-mbembe, the African Fera have kept their home from collapse for centuries, not ruling like Asian counterparts, but rather serving as arbiters, defenders, and influencers among the Human and Other settlements and cities. While yet accosted by Kerasi, Banes, Fomori, and numerous other antagonists, the combined might of multiple Fera parties and their own allies tends to dissuade all but the most powerful and foolish dangers, even disregarding the other supernaturals and Nexuses that would rise to defend their home as they rebuild from the ashes.

Echoes: The Audrastians were rarely seen Pre-War by civilians, wreaking havoc on militaries and government projects, underwater installations and ventures especially so ravaged such ideas were given up long before the bombs fell. Post-War, with Gauntlet so thin, the aquatic Others are nearly mythical in power and sighting, defending lakes, rivers, and especially the open sea, joining the Rokea at last against the horrors of the deep and providing safe passage for boats mad enough to set out upon the waves. The largest congregation in North America can be found on and around Far Harbor, Wyrm-Tainted island demanding their defense.

Garou Nation: Scattered, decentralized, and a shadow of already failing glory, the centuries have not been kind to the Wolves, but perhaps kinder than their fellow Shifters, already populous and typically outside of population centers.

Black Furies: Extinct.

Bone Gnawers: Though their population was greatly reduced, at the epicenter of attack, Rat perseveres, and the Tribe does as well, sulking protectors of their few Caerns and settlements. They operate as packs far more than other Garou, able to convert new or lost cubs without the pressure of the Nation pushing them away. The largest known Pack operates out of Megaton, Atomsplitters defending the foolish residents from the Banes flocking to the bomb.

Children of Gaia: Fallen to the Wyrm, toxins and bile where once was peace and healing. They use a Brood known as “Voidpetal” in place of dancing the Spiral, Botanical matter enveloping the convert and leaving them a horrific mixture of bone and wood, blood and sap, leaf and fur, flesh and fruit. They are the Harvestmen, the Gardeners, the Reapers, showing the truth of the world to those who foolishly cling to hope. Not hedonistic as the Dancers, but purest, depressive nihilism, to see the world undone in sickening rot.

Fianna: As the Ceilican, most fled into the Dreaming, destroying the Tribe as a cultural idea.

Get of Fenris: Massacred by the Harvestmen and awoken abominations shortly after the bombs fell. Extinct.

Glass Walkers: Extinct as a Tribe, individuals positioning themselves within the Commonwealth Institute of Technology, Vault-Tec, Enclave, anywhere their talents could ensure their safety, while more moral members only brought tragedy as they tried to hide with Human populations, Cockroach silent to their pleas as the last one died.

Red Talons: Among the most successful Tribes, surviving almost unscathed in the woods and wild. Unfortunately for Humanity however, the Apocalypse has only further convinced Griffon’s brood of their mission, habitat desolated and future destroyed. Many a caravan has been beset by Raging crimson marauders, scavenging supplies and corpses to sustain themselves, and the most daring will even assault settlements directly, ripping through the population from within and without. They are not yet Fallen, but the void yawns ever closer.

Shadow Lords: As their Vampiric counterparts, the spywolves secured positions among the hidden ringmasters of Pre-War world, but even fewer managed to survive, Rage flaring at worst of times. Those who weathered the storm passed their blood through Enclave and Institute, one successful Vault attempt, and the wastelanders directly. They still devote themselves to the cause, fighting the Wyrm with the resources and security of armies ahead, not wishing to risk their skin without allies who can stand the same.

Silent Striders: Followed the Nuwisha into the Umbra shortly after the end, seeking greener pastures, save those who stayed with the Ahadi, still banned from their ancestral home, and so serving as communicators in place of the Corax over the breadth of the continent.

Silver Fangs: Extinct as a Tribe, few survivors with ancestors selling their souls to the Enclave in exchange for shelter.

Uktena: Perhaps the best adapted to the wasteland, embracing the unnatural tools of destruction as instruments of survival. They have not lost themselves to the Devourer, instead scientists and magicians working ever against it with own creations. The other Tribes think them mad, but the world is mad. They can fix this. They just need to learn how.

Galestalkers: What few remain sell their services as bounty hunters and escorts, once proud Tribe reduced to weary survivors. But North Wind still roars, and through the Banality that has choked his charges, may awaken them to true purpose once more, protectors and avengers against the many monsters now unleashed upon defenseless populace.

Black Spiral Dancers: By far the most well-off Tribe, Hives dotting the world and howling in jubilation, they have never been stronger or greater in number, among the worst nightmares of the wasteland.

Bastet: The Bubasti have been wiped out, and the remaining independent Tribes of Balam, Pumonca, and Qualmi were heavily reduced Pre-War, single digit populations afterwards. The last Ceilican have fled into deepest Dreaming, leaving Werecats a rare sight outside of the largest continents, seers and savages alike.

Kitsune: See Hengeyokai.

Ananasi: As always, the largest population of the Shifters, spiders coalescing in jungles and forests and caves as the bombs fell. The Ananasi are no longer a monolith or coherent society, Queen’s voice lost in the Apocalypse. They wander, unsure, finding purpose among the other factions of the wasteland or forging their own path forwards. The Triat is as unbalanced as it has ever been, and how can they hope to fix….this? But they do still try, leaders and influencers for better or worse.

Corax: Extinct.

Gurahl: All but extinct, but those who remain can be identified by their territory-great, green growth, oasis in the blasted landscape. They typically do not allow mortal residents to stay amongst the Spirits of the area, but will offer their healing and temporary shelter if the visitors are deemed in need. The Yao Guai, on the other hand, are Wyrm-corrupted bears, and just as any, may carry the Kinfolk spark, giving rise to the Weguche, tainted beasts who decay the land with every step.

Mokolé: Invaluable to the Wasteland, repositories of ancient knowledge now volunteering it to any who will listen, but primarily integrated with the Followers of The Apocalypse in North America.

Nagah: Much the same as they were before the bombs, where they in fact prevented them falling sooner. In the wastes, they no longer conceal their true nature, letting their legend spread as the leaders of their society were no longer able to forbid such, to strike fear into the hearts of those they might need visit.

Nuwisha: Ducked into the Umbra when first came the bombs, have since returned to wander the Wyld wastes in much the same role they always have.

Ratkin: Utterly exuberant, Humanity no longer dominant and Weaver toppled from her tower. They are actually much less fanatical nowadays, but plenty still cling to the ancient mission, gnawing at the roots of any settlement that starts to get greater ideas. Second most populous Gaian Shifters.

Preface:

The concept of Fallout/World of Darkness has tugged at me since I learned WOFD was a thing, and now that I've finished the species of Old and New WOD, I figured I might as well take a crack at it before heading to Nexuses and Twilight. Probably not terribly lore-accurate, but I use what I know, and it's for fun anyway. The name is....a work in progress.

Cainites:

The destruction of Human society collapsed the Camarilla as well, Anarchs scattered and Sabbat greatly reduced. Only the canniest of Elders or the luckiest Ancilla survived the firestorms when the bombs dropped, either secured below in one of many public and private Vaults, or simply far enough away from cities and military targets to be spared armageddon. Prior to the end of the world, Vampires existed mostly in the upper echelons of society, streetwalkers outed and captured with increasing frequency as paranoia ramped up. In the Wasteland, nuclear rays have mutated even the dead, Blood boiling and unstable. Disciplines manifest randomly among the Clans, Banes strengthening and warping in unexpected ways. By 2287, the Clans are as follows:

Banu Haqim: The Warriors maintain control over the Middle East, a strict, harsh state, but ultimately a safe one, and far fairer than the other challengers for the region. Isolationist save for oncoming dangers, they focus more on the security of their charges and livestock, keeping all healthy in mind and body as they rebuild a semblence of society. Haquim remains in Torpor.

Brujah: Natural leaders of the many cliques that litter the wasteland, from mercenary to raider groups. While lacking even the Anarchs as a central base of culture, not much about them has truly changed. Troile remains in Torpor.

Toreador: All but extinct, and modern remnants of the Roses would be unrecognizable to their former selves, perpetually suffering their Bane should it manifest and too fixated by Compulsion to dodge the oncoming bullets. A few cling to the structure of the NCR and other such civilizations, but they are few and far between.

Nosferatu: Rarely seen by common Wastelanders, instead much more likely to be found among the Enclave, within unofficial bunkers containing their own residents, the underbelly of large settlements, or braving the wilds with their mastery over the beasts and giant bees. Not much has changed regarding their role and desires, but Absimiliard's last known location has yet to be confirmed, so that does include the constant fear for those in the know.

Ventrue: Most prepared for the apocalypse, many funded and were part of several Vault-Tec, Enclave, and military projects themselves, securing spots in safe, control Vaults, to varying success. On the surface, they have once again snaked into the upper echelons of Shady Sands, Diamond City, Megaton, wherever they can be important. Those who suffer the Clan Bane do not tend to survive long, specificity impossible to fufill in the Wastes.

Gangrel: By far the most successful Clan, merging into the new Wyld world with ease. Almost never found within the bounds of remaining civilization now, they walk the plains and mountains of the planet, delving nightmarish depths to become another monster below, even soaring through the sky on black wings. The apex predators of the Wasteland, conscious cunning combined with the slithering bulk of Deathclaw and Radscorpion.

Hecata: Extinct on the surface, retreating into the Shadowlands or clustered in the heart of cities. Vault 10 houses the last known Giovanni, Adrian Agosti spending the family fortune on a privatized shelter not 12 years before the bombs fell, populated with trusted retainers and allies. This gamble has since paid off, sealed Vault now holding a population of born Blood Dolls and never more than 20 Vampires, holding leadership positions below the Overseer himself.

Lasombra: Those foolish enough to seek shelter in the Abyss were promptly devoured by the beasts within, while cannier ones slipped into the sea. The majority of the clan are mariners by modern nights, feeding on rare captives by boat and the supernatural bounties of the deep on the seafloor. Not much about their culture has changed, philosophy only proven in their eyes by the rough, viscious world.

Malkavian: The Cobweb prewarned even those who could not see the building signs, madmen the Clan with most survivors of the initial strikes by merit of hiding far earlier, removing themselves from Kindred society almost as one. In the Wasteland, they often masquerade as Psykers, wandering from place to place under inexplicable pull. Many have become deeply religious, priests and acolytes of gods real and imagined.

Ravnos: The resurgence of the Dreaming has likewise bolstered this Clan. In truth, they've never felt so alive, wandering the continents as explorers and adventurers. Alongside the Gangrel, Ravnos have adapted the best to the Wasteland, never settling, leaving legends in their wake.

Ministry: Sobek's escape from his prison has left much of Northern Africa in further ruins, requiring the combined might of Sabbat, Ahadi Hadithi, and the Burning Man to send to Final Death. In the wake of bomb and Crocodile, the Ministry has functionally collapsed, individual Setites mercs, merchants, and leaders, sociable and seductive as always, but entirely on their own, usually Embraced as they get kicked out of their Sire's settlement to forge their own path. Set remains unknown.

Tremere: Completely and utterly destroyed, knowledge of ages lost and magics broken and backwhipping. While Pre-War Usurpers found places in the FEV and robotics labs of the US, Wasteland scholars are the result of loneliness, desperate attempts to keep a connection formed by a wandering immortal.

Baali: Much as the rest of Saulot's blood, the Diabolists are crippled in the new world, many Reliquaries destroyed in the merciless flame and masters lost to them. Scattered pockets find new gods, other Fallen, Ug-Qualoth, Atom, but never as terrible as before.

Salubri: Their powers have blossomed in Apocalypse, but their presence is almost mythical. Antediluvian meeting Final Death, the backlash has rippled through the Blood far more than Wizards and Demons, closest Childer of Saulot. The third eye proclaims salvation and destruction, absolution in near angelic power, but their already endangered numbers have left the Clan reduced to 2, 4, or perhaps even 1 individual, harbinger of change.

Tzimisce: The Old Clan is drastically reduced in number, land atomized and blighted and Practice no longer working as they should for those who remain. Sabbat and from-them-Embraced Dragons lord over mortal populations with Vozhd and Szlachta, maintaining their own rituals to stay "sane". Benevolent Fiends are nearly as rare as Salubri, but make irreplacable medics to any organization who can claim one.

Ghouls: Can be Embraced

Super Mutants: Cannot be Embraced