GAALODI

By Tim Layne ([email protected])

Description

Long ago, when Gaia created the animals, there was a great dissension. There were some totems that would graciously lead Gaia's chosen wolf, chiefly Falcon, Fenris, and Unicorn. There were some however, who would not lead the wolf, and instead chose to lead their Earthly counterparts: Coyote, Bear, Raven, Turtle, and many others. So it was that the War of Rage occurred, decimating the children of Bear, Raven, Coyote, and others. Turtle, wise and hardy, fared better than the others, and lived on. However, his freedom was not without a price. He was hunted by Gryphon, Fenris, and Weasel for many years. Knowing not what else to do, he turned to the Wyrm. The Wrym spoke to him, telling him many things that pleased Turtle's ears. "Come," the Wyrm said. "I have a place for you within myself. You are tough, and clever. You shall help me survive." Turtle agreed, with much trepidation however. With that, the Wyrm gave Turtle's children the gift of changing flesh.

For a century and more, Turtle lived under the guidance of the Wyrm, and survived by his toughness, wits, and the powers the Wyrm had given him. From a distance the Wereturtles, who called themselves the Gaalodi, watched the Garou, and what they did. Soon, they approached them, and, prepared for violence, asked of Gaia. The Garou asked who they were, and so they answered. The Garou were astounded, as mother Gaia had not told them of the Gaalodi. They did not fight. They spoke together, and taught the Wereturtles about Gaia, the Triat, and their mission. They were astounded that the Garou would want to destroy their father, and they asked. They learned that the Wyrm stood for corruption, and that all the "Favors" they had done for him were for ill. They then knew they had been tricked. A very curious, and very wise Theurge went into the Umbra that night, and sought out an avatar of Gaia. She asked it a simple question. "Mother Gaia, why do these Wyrm creatures not know what they do, and why?" The Avatar returned soon after departing. "Turtle went to the Wyrm with fear. The Wyrm used that anxiety of Turtle's, and made his noble children do these acts in the name of Goodness." The Theurge returned, and told of what he had found. The Garou took the Gaalodi in then and reintroduced them to Gaia. She accepted them willingly, and lovingly, along with Turtle, as he had broken free of the Wyrm's grip. Soon, the Gaalodi say, their Manipulator will see what it is like to see his entrails strewn across the Umbra.

Gifts

"I can make it, I know I can.
You broke the boy in me
But you won't break the man!"
-- John Parr, St. Elmo's fire

The Gaalodi, one time servitors of the Wyrm, are now faithful warriors of Gaia. They still aren't trusted within the shapeshifter's group mentality, much the way the Ananasi aren't either. Their vision is clear however, and they know what must be done. To accomplish this, Gaia has given them some gifts, to replace the fell powers of the Wyrm. However good they might be, Gaia has realized that the Wyrm made them too powerful; he thought they were too set in their ways to use them against him. Some Garou viewing the Gaalodi using these powers might do one of three things. #1. Use Sense Wyrm to determine WTF is going on. #2. Attack the Gaalodi outright (Get of Fenris and Red Talons are notorious for this) or #3. Realize what it is they are. They share the same breeds and Auspices that the Garou have, and they also share the same ranking system. So, the only gifts that are different are the breed gifts.

Breath Everlasting (Level One)

Ageless Wisdom (Level One)

Aqueous (Level Two)

Arrow Poison (Level Two)

Movement of the Quick Mind (Level Three)

Timeless (Level Three)

The Flow (Level Three)

Shell of Iron (Level Four)

Communal of Hydros (Level Four)

Balesludge (Level Five)

Vision. (Level Five)

The Forms

"So seek the wolf in thyself
Shape Shift. Nose to the wind
Shape Shift. Feeling I've been
Move Swift. All senses clean
Earth's gift
Back to the meaning of life"
Metallica, "Of wolf and man"

Homid: Normal human being; no adjustments.

Glabro: The near-turtle. Strength +2, Dexterity -1, Stamina +3 Manipulation -1, Appearance -1 In this form, the hair on the body disappears, and the hair on the head shortens as the follicles recall it. The Gaalodi grows about 3 inches, but adds almost 100 pounds to the body weight. The beginnings of a shell are formed, but they are soft and smooth, like a sea turtle's.

Crinos: The Turtle-Man. Strength +4, Dexterity -2, Stamina +6, Manipulation & Appearance 0 In this form, an additional 3 inches are added on, but so is an additional 300 plus pounds. The shell is defined now, and the Gaalodi can draw itself into it, granting a +4 to the soak roll.

Hispo: The big turtle. Strength +2, Stamina +4. This is exactly the same as a large Land turtle, much like those seen in the Galapagos islands. There are rumors of a different breed of Gaalodi who's Hispo form is that of a large sea turtle, but they have yet to be seen.

Terrapd: The turtle Strength -1, Dexterity -2, Stamina +2. Your basic medium sized turtle.

Stereotypes

Opinions are like assholes. Everyone's got one, and they all stink.
-- Common Adage.

Garou: Perhaps the first of the shifters, these wolves paved the way for the rest.

Mokole: Our kin. Too bad they hate the Garou and other Bete so much. We might actually get along.

Gurahl: Large, quiet, strong. I'm nice to 'em, and that's why my head's still attached to my shoulders.

Bastet: Something of an enigma to us. We are entirely different beings, but we have yet to go to war against each other.

Corax: Poly wanna gift of precognition? Oh yeah, they already got it.

Rokea: We may swim alongside of them, but still, we are diametrically opposed.

Ananasi: In the way of the past, they are as much our kin as the Mokole and we followed their example.

Wyld: Rapid fluctuations make intersting converstaion pieces, and all the other Shifters seem to like it.

Weaver: Yeah, I heard some Red Talon say our shells were of the Weaver, then he tried to kill me. Poor puppy.

Wyrm: Don't get me started.

Vampires: Does it really taste like chicken?

Magi: Interesting fellows, albeit an odd lot.

Wraiths: Wow, a real skeleton in the closet, cool!

Faeries: They give us hope for a new world. Might wanna go to Arcadia someday myself.