The Seven Tribes

The tribes of the New World are the seven distinct lines of descent from the Thirteen. The Thirteen are said to have come from another world, commonly referred to as the Old World. The seven tribes are kept as pure strains mainly by a severe taboo on interbreeding. It has been proven that some of the special traits inherited from the Thirteen are lost when members of two different tribes interbreed.

Casrin
Casrin are the descendants of the mercenary Horrin and the prophetess Castana. They are known for their great strength and their ability to form Binding Circles. All Casrin are born with a cryptic prophecy inscribed upon their backs. They are best known for their aggressive nature. The Casrin are very vocal about the need to exterminate the Dark and are commonly at the forefront of any action against its forces.

Distinguishing Marks
Cryptic prophetic tattoo inscribed on back.

Tribal Advantages and Drawbacks
Compulsory:
Strength
Prophetic Tattoo
Susceptibility to Magic

Elective:
Binding Circle, Binder (0)
Weak Magic (-10)
Chained, Binder (-15)

Damasha
This tribe is descended from the lunatic Kmsh and the berzerker Beldama. They are divided strongly into two different sects. One is the Old World mysticism of the Lunatic cult of the moon, the other is the following of the Unicorn totem mysticism which can help Damasha control their berzerker nature. Some of the Damasha do not belong to either sect but they are few. Although the two sects do not fight one another, they disagree strongly in methodology.

Distinguishing Marks
Sect markings upon face. One set for the Lunatics, another for the Pearl Horn. Those who belong to neither do not have any markings.

Tribal Advantages and Drawbacks
Compulsory:
Berzerker

Elective:
Lunatic (+10)
Initiate of the Pearl Horn (+10)

Karam
The Karam are, in fact, not human. They are descended from Sarshak, a member of a race of cat-like humanoids which were allied with the humans of the Old World, and Geffen, a special breed of female the Karam of the Old World created as companions. For all intents and purposes the Karam are considered human by the beings of the New World. Physically, the Karam resemble man-like cats. They are furred and some have full long manes. All are equipped with fangs and claws they can use as natural weaponry. Their sense of smell is highly developed.

Distinguishing Marks
Required: cat muzzle. Optional: pointed ears, claws or mane.

Tribal Advantages and Drawbacks
Compulsory:
Detect Poison
Fangs and Claws
Light Sensitive

Elective:
Nine Lives (+10)
Immune to Disease (+5)
Aqua-phobia (-5)

Kendayen
The Kendayen are descended from the magician Kenth and the Dark-bearing woman Dayen. They have inherited his magical abilities and her taint of Darkness. They all have the ebony skin of their paternal ancestor. This and their innate taint of the Dark has made them somewhat distrusted (The mark of a Darkling is his gray skin, with Kendayen the skin remains black).

Distinguishing Marks
Jet Black Skin. All visible areas of the player's skin should be made to appear black in colour.

Tribal Advantages and Drawbacks
Compulsory:
Ebony Skin
Tenuous Link

Elective:
Watcher's Sense (+5)
Gift of Tongues (+5)
Taint of Darkness (-5)

Maethis
The descendants of the marksman Thisden and the Witness Maeda are known best for their inability to lie. They are bound by a powerful oath that makes them unable to speak untruth. They are also possessed of near perfect memory. Some say that the Maethis are all mentally linked on a subconscious level. There is evidence they can sometimes tap into a repository of all Maethis memories.

Distinguishing Marks
None

Tribal Advantages and Drawbacks
Compulsory:
Perfect Memory
Marksman's Aim
Witness' Oath

Elective:
Force Shield (+5)
Knowledge Pool (+5)
Open Mind (-5)

Nefayen
The Nefayen tribe is somewhat related to the Kendayen. Both are descendants of Dayen. The Nefayen also inherit the legacy of Nefeld, an Old World Psion. The Psion were an Old World sub-breed that could harness and use the powers of the mind. The Nefayen are a breed of Psion. Not all manifest the actual abilities but all are distinctively attuned to the powers of the Psion.

Distinguishing Marks
Optional: The possessors of Psion abilities bear the markings of the branch of power they can access. Burners have flames upon their forearms, Movers have white hands and Minders have a blue diamond upon the forehead.

Tribal Advantages and Drawbacks
Compulsory:
Psion blood
Inhuman
Open Channel

Elective:
Psion Abilities (+10)
Partial Psion Abilities (+5)
Human (+5)
Magic Funnel (-15)

Syole
This strange hybrid tribe is the result of the interbreeding between the Wilder Kole and the human Sybill. They resemble the Wilder side of their heritage strongly, and Wilder will occasionally mate with the females of this tribe. They are very long lived and have a link to nature unshared by any of the other tribes.The Syole are a sad lot for they can understand the Wilders' relation to nature but never fully experience it.

Distinguishing Marks
Required: Wilder ears, pointed. Optional: feathers of brilliant colours braided into hair.

Tribal Advantages and Drawbacks
Compulsory:
Wilder Tongue
Life-span
Wilder Heritage

Elective:
Lifegiver (+5)
Wilder Magic (+5)
Friendship of the Wild (0)
Crowd Madness (-5)