E'r
since Mira's kittens grew up, we han't seen a rat for miles. Now,
I know having a litter of cats about will keep any inn clear of vermin,
but, well, I'm not just saying we ain't see them in the pantry or
kitchen anymore. I mean the're gone: pantry, cellar, stables. I
han't even heard 'em scratching in the walls for weeks. And
I know what did it. It's that little dark'n, the one looks like night mists in the candlelight. He gets in there. He gets
everywhere. I swear I seen that damn cat walk through a crack in the
wall like is a damn window. He just...flow right through. S'fine
with me, long as the rats stay gone. But the misses, she says he's got a
devil in 'im, and, well...have you looked 'n its eyes?
-Innkeeper Erim, Earthwander Inn
Classification: Infused Beast
Major Element: Water
Minor Elements: None
Habitat: Any (dependent upon species)
There is a series of tablets, The Primordialis, discovered in the ruins of the ancient city of Mensoj, which discuss the origins of our world, the Elements, and life that sprang from them. The tablets are in actuality a myriad of folklore, myths, and supposed first and second-hand accounts from periods where it is unlikely humans even existed, much less had developed writing. However, some insist the tales may have been passed down to early shaman directly from the elementals and that some truth exists within them. Nevertheless it is a fascinating artifact as are the tales it contains.
One such tale discusses the origins of the cat. It is claimed that before felines came to stalk the land, they were water elementals, curious and attentive. They would wander the shores, watching as humanity slowly developed, forming tribes, villages, and eventually cities. These early humans were rightly fearful of their primordial world, and attacked elementals on sight, forcing the curious Aquans to investigate at night when the people slept. As the elementals became ever more curious about human advancements, they spent more and more time away from the waters, incorporating more and more of the other elements to adapt to their new homes. Eventually they became altogether new creatures, the beast we call 'cat'. Modern felines still retain some of their Aqua heritage, including a fierce curiosity, unrivaled grace, and a taste for fish. Early on in their development away from Water, they were so content with their new place amongst the curious humans that they feared being swallowed back into the seas and dissolving back to their original, singular elemental state. This fear was passed into future generations, long after it had become unwarranted.
The truth of this myth is unclear, but there is surprising evidence that points to it being at least partially true. Felines are in fact connected to the Water element, however absurd it may sound, and the proof of this is the rare birth of a cait sidhe, or mist cat.
Unlike humans, who tend toward balance between the Four Primes, most beasts favor one or two elements. Like humanity though, the exact amount of each element varies from one individual to the next. A type of infused beast is created when a creature is born favoring an element which its species already is inclined to. These mist cats are more of a hyper-specialization than true infused beasts, but the results are quite similar.
The cait sidhe is at a glance not much unlike a standard cat of its species. A domestic mist cat will likely keep much the same routine as its siblings, although its heightened Aquatic nature may give it an advantage at some tasks. They are flexible beyond the means of any normal beast, able to slip through impossibly small openings like flowing water. Their fur is also an odd blue-grey color which seems to bend and scatter weaker sources of light, making them almost impossible to pinpoint in low light. Perhaps most eerie is their eyes, which are a deep, shifting blue with no discernible pupil. Some have claimed the eyes of a cait sidhe are actually portals to another realm or perhaps the bottom of the ocean.
While the only documented cases of cait sidhe are born of domestic cats, it is likely that they are also born to larger felines. The Hunting Haze that once terrorized the Still Peaks was likely a cait sidhe born to a cougar. The Tribes of Rhydd also tell a story of a blue ghost lion that the hero Cuklian finally slew which may have originated with a cait sidhe as well. As is likely goes without saying,these large preternaturally agile, potentially invisible predators would be a quick end to any unprepared adventurer.
One such tale discusses the origins of the cat. It is claimed that before felines came to stalk the land, they were water elementals, curious and attentive. They would wander the shores, watching as humanity slowly developed, forming tribes, villages, and eventually cities. These early humans were rightly fearful of their primordial world, and attacked elementals on sight, forcing the curious Aquans to investigate at night when the people slept. As the elementals became ever more curious about human advancements, they spent more and more time away from the waters, incorporating more and more of the other elements to adapt to their new homes. Eventually they became altogether new creatures, the beast we call 'cat'. Modern felines still retain some of their Aqua heritage, including a fierce curiosity, unrivaled grace, and a taste for fish. Early on in their development away from Water, they were so content with their new place amongst the curious humans that they feared being swallowed back into the seas and dissolving back to their original, singular elemental state. This fear was passed into future generations, long after it had become unwarranted.
The truth of this myth is unclear, but there is surprising evidence that points to it being at least partially true. Felines are in fact connected to the Water element, however absurd it may sound, and the proof of this is the rare birth of a cait sidhe, or mist cat.
Unlike humans, who tend toward balance between the Four Primes, most beasts favor one or two elements. Like humanity though, the exact amount of each element varies from one individual to the next. A type of infused beast is created when a creature is born favoring an element which its species already is inclined to. These mist cats are more of a hyper-specialization than true infused beasts, but the results are quite similar.
The cait sidhe is at a glance not much unlike a standard cat of its species. A domestic mist cat will likely keep much the same routine as its siblings, although its heightened Aquatic nature may give it an advantage at some tasks. They are flexible beyond the means of any normal beast, able to slip through impossibly small openings like flowing water. Their fur is also an odd blue-grey color which seems to bend and scatter weaker sources of light, making them almost impossible to pinpoint in low light. Perhaps most eerie is their eyes, which are a deep, shifting blue with no discernible pupil. Some have claimed the eyes of a cait sidhe are actually portals to another realm or perhaps the bottom of the ocean.
While the only documented cases of cait sidhe are born of domestic cats, it is likely that they are also born to larger felines. The Hunting Haze that once terrorized the Still Peaks was likely a cait sidhe born to a cougar. The Tribes of Rhydd also tell a story of a blue ghost lion that the hero Cuklian finally slew which may have originated with a cait sidhe as well. As is likely goes without saying,these large preternaturally agile, potentially invisible predators would be a quick end to any unprepared adventurer.
No comments:
Post a Comment