Azeban (ah-zuh-bahn)

Azebans are spirits that inhabit raccoons in northeastern America. They are mischievous tricksters that can be pacified with food. They will play pranks and other tricks on people and animals until they get some food. These pranks can be very annoying and sometimes frightening, but are never dangerous. The Azebans were hunted to near extinction because the carcasses of raccoons were used as an ingredient in alchemy. Their origin is unknown, but they cannot survive without a raccoon host.

History

The Azeban have a long history in Abenaki mythology. Most of this history is oral, and much of it has been lost. However, there are still some records and stories of the Azeban. When European settlers arrived and began to explore the continent, some hunters and trappers noticed the existence of the Azeban. They quickly found that they could be easily pacified by giving them a few treats.
After a few years, an alchemist from France joined the trappers to find new resources for his endeavors. He heard about the Azeban on one of his travels and tracked down a few of them. With the help of some hunters, he captured some and experimented with them and their carcasses. The carcasses turned out to be quite useful for brewing potions and creating powerful poisons and cursed tools. He put a bounty on all the carcasses, which attracted many hunters and trappers to kill the Azeban.
After a few months, other alchemists and some merchants also began trading in Azeban parts, shipping some back to Europe. This was a profitable venture until the Azeban were virtually extinct. The last few Azeban learned to hide their presence and stopped approaching humans.

Conservation Efforts

The Azeban population never really recovered after being hunted to near extinction. But because the Azeban are quite long-lived, they survived in hiding. Until the 1960s, when the Adirondack Druid Circle rediscovered the species and were able to gain the trust of one. They helped them establish a small territory in the Adirondack Mountains in the Hoffman Notch Wilderness Area. There they are under the protection of the druids and have recovered quite well.

Abilities

Small Illusions

Conservation Status

Endangered (EN)

Geographic Distribution

Northeastern America (Adirondack Mountains)