On the rare, and dire, occasions when two or more work together, each member’s individuality is respected within the group. Loners by nature, as a rule they don't form packs. Servants of Gaia, their society is divided into tribes, but these divisions exist solely along lines of heritage and are not influenced by auspice. The Bastet (named for the Egyptian deity Bast) are " were-cats". They were driven to extinction by the Garou during the Wars of Rage, long before the aurochs itself began to decline. The extinction of the aurochs had nothing to do with the Apis extinction. They were also known as "The Matchmakers of Gaia" whose job included teaching humans to respect nature.
They were daytime Fera and were in charge of cultivation and agriculture. The Apis' totem was the aurochs, or the wild ox, which were similar to today's cattle only as wolves are similar to dogs. They were so called after the Apis of Egyptian mythology. The last known Apis was the Minotaur of Knossos. Their other two forms are Lilian and Pithus, a man-spider and a giant spider, respectively. Furthermore, they are the only Changing Breed whose animal form is not a single animal Ananasi instead have "Crawlerling" form, which is a swarm of spiders. The Ananasi are capable of acquiring a number of spider-like abilities such as multiple eyes, multiple limbs, venom, webs, as well as certain psychic abilities. The Ananasi differ from the other Changing Breeds in that they do not have Rage, but instead use blood to fuel many of their gifts. Though Ananasa was eventually freed and many Ananasi renounced the Wyrm, the Weaver did not forgive their lapse in loyalty. Grandchildren to the Weaver and the children of Ananasa, this race of shapeshifters was corrupted and coerced (through the imprisonment of their Queen, Ananasa) by the Wyrm into service for a considerable time. The Ananasi are "were-spiders." Their name is drawn from the West African trickster/god Anansi.
Their five forms are similar to the other mammalian shapechangers: homid (human), anthros (near-human), crinos (were-hyena), crocas (dire hyena), and hyaenid (hyena). These social Fera live in large clans their society is strictly matriarchal, so Ajaba women are typically more aggressive and outgoing than Ajaba men. The widely misunderstood Ajaba are often considered extinct or nearing extinction because of these wars, but the hyena people are very much alive and kicking. In the mid-1980s, the Simba attempted to completely exterminate the hyenas. The Garou, upon discovering the Ajaba (as well as other Fera), slaughtered the other shapechangers quite liberally. These "were-hyenas" could do the same job as the Garou, but were more cat-like so that they could work with the Bastet. AjabaĪ long time ago, Gaia saw that no wolves decided to live in Africa, so she created the Ajaba to be the warriors of the earth. All Fera are wary around Garou and any werewolves have their work cut out for them in gaining the trust of a group of Fera. Many Fera had their numbers decimated during the War of Rage, several even being exterminated. Originally a loose alliance of Fera dedicated to the destruction of the tyrant Simba King Black Tooth and his Pride, the Endless Storm, the Ahadi has grown to become a confederation of Changing Breeds.īad relations still remain from the War of Rage that the Garou waged upon ALL other Fera. In Africa the newer Ahadi has risen to defend the Dark Continent from the forces of the Wyrm. While they do not always get along, the Hengeyoukai know that their cooperation with one another will one day save their homeland from the devastation of the coming Sixth Age. In Asia, the Beast Courts band together to defend the Emerald Mother from the Great Centipede. These regional groups band together in their battles against the Wyrm. In several parts of the world, the Fera gather in groups not unlike the Garou Nation. The affiliation of these other beings is not necessarily to Gaia but this is largely the case. The Fera (also called the Changing Breeds) is a term used by Garou to refer to other shapechangers. Though the most widespread, Garou are not the only shapeshifters in the World of Darkness.