Common
Terms
Ahu: The beginning and end of all things, epitomized by the
Deep Umbra or outer space. Usually, but not always, considered feminine.
Asura: Singular and plural; refers to both the spirits of darkness (Banes),
which feed on the destruction of the world, and to their father. Unmakers
and corrupters, the Asura often disguise themselves to better serve their
pupose. Some ghosts take that name as well, but remain blind to the true significance
of the term.
Caliah: Verbal lore, specifically about the beginnings of
things as we know them. Usually, but not always, recited during a ceremony.
Cahlash, the Unmaker: The Dark Father, whose influence grants
mysteries but also destroys what exists to make way for what is to come. The
personification of Entropy. Although Cahlash is technically the entity the
Garou call the Wyrm, the Bastet consider him the Father of Night, the Author
of Mysteries. Interestingly, both Cahlash and his brother Rahjah are known
collectively as "The King of Cats.".
Chatro: The huge sabertooth war-form that all Bastet attain
between Crinos and Feline forms.
Chaya: Denizens of the Umbra, the brood of Cahlash, and the
shadows at the edge of the world; spirits.
Crinos: The half-human form of Moon-Rage, when the power
of Seline brings forth the strongest elements of a Bastet's nature and focuses
them into a mystical killing machine.
Dakat: The traditional name for fomori. Seen by most Bastet
as children who got too close to a fire and were burned beyond recognition.
Given this state, they should be put out of their misery.
Den-Realm: An Umbral home territory, staked out by a powerful
Bastet. Creating a Den-Realm is hard work, and violating it is a deadly crime.
Folk, the: A casual term for Bastet, also applied more loosely
to all the changing breeds.
Gaia: The Earth. Unlike the Garou, werecats consider Gaia
a lesser player in the cosmic drama. Her survival is essential for those who
dwell with Her, but the death of Gaia means the end of the Earth, not the
end existance as a whole.
Hakarr: Bastet ceremonial blade, similar to teh African hungamunga.
Like a Garou klaive, the hakarr is a favored dueling weapon, especially among
Simba and Khan.
Hanshii: Ritual combat, usually to decide territorial rights.
These contests may be riddle games, formal duels or fang and claw warfare.
Homid: The human form, or human breed, of a werecat.
Jamaa: Powerful spirits, like Celestines and Incarna. Akin
to gods, but still considered "part of the family" See also Nyota
Jamaa
Jamak: Spirit allies who aid a werecat in return for favors
and friendship. Similar to the totems of the Garou, although the relationship
between Bastet and Jamak is more egalitarian.
Karoush: The werecat Litany.
Kheuar: The shared language of all Bastet.
Kit: A young werecat, a baby, or a new-changed pupil learning
the ways of catkind from a kuasha.
Killi: Fellow shapeshifters, gifted by Seline and Gaia (Garou,
Corax, etc).
Kuasha: Literally, 'mist'. The mentor who takes a Bastet
under his protection, teaches her waht she needs to know, then drives her
away (or leaves) to teach the cub self-reliance.
Lune: One of the moonbeam messengers, the handmaidens of
Seline.
Madness, The: The great European witch-craze of the 1400s-1700s,
during which cats were demonized and the Ceilican tribe was believed to have
been exterminated. Also called the Burning Times.
Nala, the First Mother: The half-crazy Mother of Creation.
Torn between two lovers whom she both adores and despises, Nala's dance keeps
creation in motion. Known by the werewolves as the Wyld, and called Dynamisn
by some Magi.
Nyota Jamaa: "Star Family"; those primal entities
the Garou call the Triat -- Nala, Rahjah and Cahlash. Also known simply as
the Jamaa ('Cousins'), a name that applies to less-powerful spirits.
Padaa: A sense that combines smell and taste from a distance.
To use it, a Bastet opens his mouth, flares his nostrils and inhales. The
air passes across his tongue and an organ in the roof of his mouth.
Pride: Technically, one's family. Usually describes a werecat's
allies, dependants or friends.
Pryio: The "Moon Favor", a personality
tendency based upon the time of day a Bastet attains her First Change: The
werecat's true essence, not the face she shows to others except in the most
general ways. Though the concept resembles the Garou Auspices, carry no special
Gifts or social requirements.
Rahjah, the Maker: The ambitious brother whose drive to impress
Nala gave form to the Earth. Unfortunately, Rahjah doesnt know when to stop,
and tries to define everything into rigid forms. Known by the Werewolves as
the Weaver, Rahjah personifies the metaphysical state of Stasis, and is sometimes
called "The King of Cats" (qv Cahlash)
Seline: Gaia's sympathetic sister, the Moon, who birthed
the Changing Breeds as a Gift to the Earth. She favors the werecats, of course,
and considers them her finest creations. Her body is said to be the final
sanctuary for all Bastet.
Shadow Folk: A common term for other supernatural creatures,
ie, mages, vampires, faeries, etc. Other shapeshifters are not usually considered
Shadow Folk. (qv Killi)
Sokto: The huge proto-human form between the Homid and Crinos
states.
Taghairm: A cat gathering, often called in one Bastet's Den-Realm
or home to exchange information and pleastantries. Usually performed during
the height of the full moon.
Tahla: A secret disguised as a story or riddle. If you understand
one, you've learned something; if not, you weren't smart enough to deserve
enlightening.
Taklah: An all-werecat pride gathered together for a commn
purpose.
Tribe: One of the nine werecat races. Technically, eleven
tribes once existed; the Khara (weresabertooths) are now extinct, the Ceilican
are believed destroyed and the Ajaba (werehyenas) have been exiled and arent
considered family any longer.
War of Rage: The genocidal war for dominance that the Garou
once waged upon all other Changing Breeds. Although it occurred over 10,000
years ago, old grudges linger.
Yava: A tribal secret, hidden from all outsiders, that supposedly
grants another being power over you if learned. The most tightly guarded of
all Bastet lore, these are exposed only under the most extreme circumstances,
if even then.
Formalities and Rank Titles
Akaa: "Truthchaser"; honorific for an
equal of either gender. Also the formal title for a Second Rank Bastet.
Bon Bhat: "Great parent"; a respectful
term for an elder. Often used to address the host the first time a werecat
attents a tarhairm in a new country. (Thank you, Bon Bhat Kareem, for allowing
me to enter your sanctum"). Also the title for a Bastet of the Fifth
or Sixth Rank.
Buree Pa: An ancient secret revealed only during a great
ritual, usually as a reward for some service or accomplishment.
Hamaal: "One Family"; A formal term for
catkind which excludes all other races as inferiors.
Ilani: "Wonder favored"; a flattering
address for a Bastet of some notoriety. Also the term for a Fourth Rank werecat.
Naa: A werecat who comes from nowhere; an outsider, a stranger
who hasnt earned the trust of others.
Shining Child: An archaic term for a human.
Tekhmet: "Little one"; a condescending
address from an elder to a youngster. Also the title for a Rank One Bastet.
Tilau: "Accomplished Friend"; a respectful
title of address for an experienced and prosperous werecat. Also the title
for a Rank Three werecat.
Watua: "Children"; an affectionate (and
somewhat condescending) name for feline Kinfolk and other true cats.
Slang
Brain-Wading: Spying on anothers thought; using telepathy.
Caloo: A wild party or celebration.
Declaw: To mess up another Bastet, usually as a punishment.
Dog: A Garou. Highly derogatory. Also pretty common.
Ghat: An insult directed at one Bastet who sleeps with another.
Housecat: Insult; a Bastet who's grown too civilized or has
forgotten her roots.
Meshing: Going into cyberspace, or hacking.
Monkey: A human, especially a stupid or loud-mouthed one.
Ngiri: "Warthog"; an insult for vain or
pompous individuals.
Playing Blood-Tag: Hunting humans or other outsider, especially
in trouble zones like the Amazon or African grasslands, for fun or revenge.
Puss-in-Boots: Derogatory term for teaming up with a human,
especially in an "inferior" role. ("She pulled a Puss-in-Boots
and fell in love with the Monkey.").
Ratshit: Panic, usually cowardly ("He went ratshit and
ran.").
Scratching One from Nine: Pulling off a really close escape.
("I scratched one from nine getting outta that one!").
Spiderface: A mage, especially an evil one. Coined the creeping
sensation many Bastet have when looking into a mages eyes for the first time.
Yabba: A moron. Possibly derived from a mispronunciation
of "Yava".