Chimera

Heart and Claw

"Gather close, little cubs, and let the warmth of the fire settle in your bones as I weave you a tale older than the tallest mountains, a story whispered from leaf to leaf, claw to claw, from the first breath to this very night. It's the story of our beginning, the story of how we came to be.
It begins in the time before time, when this world was still a patchwork of shattered earth and swirling skies. A silence hung heavy in the air, for there were no rustling leaves, no howls echoing across the valleys, no birdsong greeting the dawn. It was a world waiting, a canvas bare, longing for a touch of life.
Then came the Great Spirits, beings of pure starlight and whispers of a world beyond our knowing. They descended from the boundless sky, their forms shifting, swirling with the colors of the dawn. They were the weavers of life, and in their hearts, they carried the seeds of a world yet to bloom.
With a touch, they painted the bare earth green. Mighty forests sprung from their footsteps, rivers flowed from their tears, and towering mountains rose where their voices echoed against the sky. They sang the winds into being, breathed life into the oceans, and whispered starlight into the countless creatures that scurried, slithered, and soared across the land.
Humanity, a flicker of ambition and curiosity, arrived soon after. A creation not of the Spirits but of some other force, their purpose veiled, their path uncertain.
The Great Spirits watched, their hearts heavy. Humanity, though possessing a spark of creation within them, seemed blind to the delicate balance, the interwoven threads of life they'd so carefully crafted.
They need guidance whispered the Spirit of the Wind, her voice a gentle rustle among the leaves. They need guardians, those who understand the language of both heart and claw, those who can bridge the world of human and beast.
And so, from the heart of the Worldspine, a tree older than memory, taller than any mountain, the Spirits drew forth their power. They blended the cunning of the Cat, the wisdom of the Hawk, the strength of the Bear, and the unwavering loyalty of the Wolf. To this, they added a spark of humanity, a glimmer of compassion and the fire of a soul capable of both fierce love and devastating rage.
Thus, the First Kin were born, four noble figures – one for each clan, their eyes blazing with the light of the Spirits, their voices carrying the wisdom of the ancients.
Guide the younger kin the Spirit of the Earth rumbled, his voice shaking the very foundations of the world. Protect this fragile web of life, for a darkness slumbers even now, and a hunger that cannot be sated grows.
The First Kin swore oaths beneath the boughs of the great tree, promising to lead their clans with wisdom, to safeguard the balance, and to stand against any shadow that threatened to devour the world's light. They scattered, each to their chosen corner of Yrdde, guiding their people and forging a path in this newly formed world.
But their reign, like the bloom of the brightest flower, was fleeting. The whispers of an ancient darkness proved true, and though the details are lost to time, it is said the First Kin fell, one by one.
Yet, hope flickers within our hearts, for it is said that an oath sworn beneath the great tree cannot be broken, not even by death. When the darkness rises again, when the very threads of the world are threatened, the First Kin will return, their spirits summoned from the winds, the earth, and the starlight itself. They will gather the scattered clans, and lead them in a final battle for all that lives and grows." - Clanmother Ysana Quickclaw

History

Chimera history and legend is recorded and passed down by Clanmothers, respected elders who spend their remaining years teaching the children of their clan. Details of the Chimera creation myth vary, but they all involve a group of mysterious beings called the Great Spirits. These Great Spirits created the first chimera, the First Kin, by blending animal characteristics with the soul of humanity, usually for the purpose of protecting the order of nature. Chimera do not typically worship these beings, as most believe they have left Yrdde behind in search of another place to spread life. Chimera clans tend to make offerings to nature itself, hoping to influence the outcome of a hunt or the success of a farming season.

The Clans

While individual Chimera can be spotted in every corner of Yrdde, the large population centers for the surviving clans are spread out and tend to stick to separate areas. Organized socialization between the clans is rare, though some of the larger communities do send convoys between each-other yearly to exchange news and trade.
Wolf

The Wolf Clan, with their inherent distrust of outsiders, maintain a distant relationship with the other factions. They trade reluctantly, only when necessity demands it, preferring to remain self-sufficient and secure within the boundaries of their mountainous havens. They view the Empire's grand ambitions and magitech innovations with disdain, seeing them as disruptive to the natural order. The Sanctum Alliance's fervent faith in a slumbering savior holds little appeal for them – their beliefs rooted in the practical, the tangible, and the wisdom gleaned from observing the world’s harsh, yet undeniable, cycles.
They are skilled hunters and trackers, their instincts heightened by their Chimera nature. They rely on bows crafted from ancient heartwood, spears etched with runes that empower their strikes, and a keen knowledge of the wilderness and tracking passed down through generations of hunters.
The core of their social structure revolves around the pack – tight-knit family units that function with a hierarchy based on strength, wisdom, and experience. A group of the oldest partners lead the pack, making decisions for the good of all.
Legends and rituals often center around their First Kin - a massive warrior with fur white as snow and eyes that blazed with a frigid light. They revere his memory, emulating his strength, stoicism, and unwavering commitment to protecting the clan.

Cat

The Cat Clan’s nomadic nature and preference for individual freedom have led to complex and often strained relationships with other factions. They can be shrewd traders, offering rare goods acquired during their travels, but their loyalty is often fleeting, guided by opportunity rather than allegiance to any particular power. They are both admired for their resourcefulness and viewed with suspicion for their unpredictable nature and a propensity for disrupting established power structures – a fact that makes them both valuable assets and potential thorns in the sides of empires and councils alike.
Some Cat clans, embracing the boundless freedom of the sky-sea, have abandoned land altogether. They live on "wandering fleets" – collections of interconnected airships, from cobbled-together wrecks to sleek, custom-built vessels, that roam the sky-ways, their paths guided by the winds of fortune and opportunity. These floating communities become microcosms of their culture, vibrant with music, storytelling, and the constant barter of goods and information.
Some gravitate towards human settlements, blending into the crowded alleyways and bustling markets of sprawling cities like Aetheris or the vibrant trade hubs of the Free States. They utilize their natural agility, keen senses, and innate understanding of human nature to carve out a living as merchants, artisans, informants, or, if necessity (or opportunity) demands, skilled thieves and smugglers.
Their First Kin was said to possess a pelt as black as midnight and eyes that could see through any deception. Her legacy endures in whispered stories that celebrate quick wit, adaptability, and the wisdom of knowing when to stalk in shadow and when to pounce with fearless precision.

Hawk

The other clans speak of the Hawk Chimera with reverence tinged with a chilling sense of loss. They describe a people whose hearts beat in rhythm with the sky's currents, whose wings carried them farther and higher than any other kin, whose gaze encompassed the horizon with a piercing wisdom that could unravel both storm clouds and the tangled threads of fate.
They were said to be unparalleled navigators, utilizing an innate understanding of the sky-sea’s intricate aetherial currents to chart the world's most perilous paths, discovering hidden islands and reaching realms whispered to exist beyond the veil of reality itself.
Some believe it was beyond this veil that they stumbled across some ancient secret, a hidden truth about the nature of the world or the origins of magic, a knowledge so potent that it threatened to shatter the world's balance. Consumed by this forbidden knowledge, they were either wiped out by forces they couldn’t comprehend or chose to erase themselves from existence, fearing the consequences of unleashing such power upon the world.

Bear

The Bear Clan's interactions with other factions are rare and often viewed with a mixture of curiosity and guarded skepticism. They possess a profound understanding of natural remedies and herbs, knowledge gleaned from centuries spent living in harmony with the wilds. This makes them valuable healers, sought after by those desperate enough to venture into their isolated territories. However, their mistrust of empires, technology, and the ever-changing tides of the human world often leads to misunderstandings.
They favor locations where nature's embrace is strongest - ancient forests untouched by axes or hidden caverns within mountain ranges. They build simple, sturdy shelters, blending into the landscape, crafting their homes from rough-hewn timbers, woven branches, and layers of moss and leaves, mirroring the hibernation dens of their bear ancestors.
Bear Chimera are capable of enduring long periods of time without food or water, their metabolism slowing to a crawl, allowing them to survive through harsh winters or seasons of scarcity. This is a sacred practice and allows them to conserve energy, connect with the earth's deep wisdom, and awaken renewed and invigorated when the world calls upon their strength. Some individuals may slumber for weeks or months, while elders, steeped in the stories of generations, are known to hibernate for years or decades at a time, their dreams woven with visions of the past and subtle glimpses of the future.
Each small Bear Clan community is guided by a council of Elders, those whose lifespans have stretched for centuries, their wisdom gleaned from countless seasons. Their pronouncements are revered, their guidance sought only during times of dire need. The Bear Clan's First Kin is said to have slumbered for so long his hide had turned to stone and sprouted tree. They honor his strength, his unwavering patience, and his rough wisdom.

Appearance

Chimera manifest in two primary forms, each representing a different degree of integration between human and animal essence

Pure Chimera

The embodiment of primal energy. Their physical form is dominated by their animal ancestry. A Wolf Chimera, for example, might appear as a towering, bipedal wolf with sharp claws, glowing eyes, and a coat of fur rippling with power. Bear Chimera possess massive frames, thick fur, and imposing claws, while Cat Chimera exhibit feline grace, keen eyes, and a nimbleness that allows them to traverse rooftops and shadows with uncanny ease.

Half-Chimera

They resemble humans, but bear subtle features hinting at their animal heritage - pointed ears, elongated canines, unusual eye colors, enhanced senses, or perhaps a heightened agility or strength that defies ordinary explanation. While their appearances vary, they often carry an air of otherworldliness, a captivating charm, or a lingering sense of primal energy beneath the veneer of human resemblance.
Within their own clans, Pure Chimera are often seen as blessings, embodying the strength and wisdom of their ancestral spirit. They tend to be groomed for leadership, their inherent connection to nature making them ideal guides, protectors, and shamans within their communities. Half-Chimera, while more common and therefore less revered, are accepted and loved as part of their kin. However, many Half-Chimera, living in a world where humanity dominates, often seek to accentuate their animal features, wearing furs, feathers, bones, or intricate tattoos as a way to embrace their unique heritage.
The rigid order of the Empire often views Chimera with a mix of suspicion and fear. Half-Chimera are tolerated as second-class citizens, often forced into menial labor, relegated to specific districts, or facing scrutiny for even the slightest expression of their animal nature. Pure Chimera, however, are rarely welcomed. They are seen as threats, uncontrollable forces of nature, and many find themselves ostracized, imprisoned, or forced into hiding on the fringes of Imperial territory.
The Free States, born from rebellion and a commitment to personal freedom, offer a more accepting environment, but even here, perceptions vary. Larger cities with diverse populations, like Nivora, often have integrated Chimera communities, while smaller, more homogenous towns may still view them with distrust.

Culture

Chimera are given their first name several years after their birth, as many children do not survive their early years. Families are large, and are not always blood related. Family units extend beyond traditional bloodlines. Children are often raised communally within a clan, given freely from one family to another, nurtured by a collective spirit of responsibility for their young. These adopted children, known as heart-kin, are cherished, loved as dearly as if born within their adoptive families. Chimera of a family all share the same last name, and generally keep them after marriage, though in the rare cases where a chimera and a human are bonded, they tend to take on the traditions of their human mates.
The central belief that unites Chimera spirituality is the recognition of the Great Spirits - powerful, often enigmatic entities that represent the elements, the seasons, and the primal forces that govern the sky-sea. Rituals and offerings vary but often involve showing respect for the land, appeasing the spirits of specific creatures they hunt, or seeking guidance from nature’s whispers and signs.
Clans who live near human settlements often weave aspects of their neighbors’ beliefs into their own spiritual practices, creating a blend of traditional ceremonies, local deities, and interpretations of the world’s origins. However, there are boundaries they will not cross. Most Chimera vehemently reject the Imperial Pantheon, viewing the Emperor Eternal’s ascension as an act of hubris, a dangerous power grab that goes against the natural order. The very notion that Chimera were born from “mutated humans,” is a spark that often ignites conflicts.

Language

For the majority of chimera clans, trade and other dealings with human society is key to long-term survival. For this reason, chimera children learn Imperial at an early age. Clans that are very remote tend to only have a half-dozen individuals who speak Imperial, for the rare occasion a trade caravan or Imperial patrol stumbles across their land.
Each clan has its own native language however, and they incorporate animal sounds and bodily gestures that humans are incapable of replicating. For example, two cat chimera are capable of carrying out an entire conversation through nothing but the movement of their ears and tails. Some humans have attempted to learn and record chimera language, to little success.
Chimera written language uses pictographs and symbols, typically carved into wood or stone, or painted on hides and cloth.

" Some see noble savages, mystical creatures connected to nature's heartbeat. Others see barely-tamed beasts, a threat to order, a reminder of the chaos lurking beneath the surface of "civilized" society. Frankly, they're just as diverse and contradictory as any group of humans I've encountered. You've got your honorable hunters, your shrewd traders, your artists, your rebels… and yes, your share of ruthless bastards, too. The scales tip depending on who's holding the pen, writing the laws, or whispering the latest rumors. But there's a raw authenticity about Chimera, an undeniable spark that you don't find in your average stuffy Imperial noble or self-righteous Sanctum zealot. They don't pretend to be something they're not. They are what they are - a beautiful, frightening, utterly captivating blend of primal instinct and undeniable humanity. They make damn good stories, those Chimera, whether they’re roaming the skies or fighting for a scrap of land the Empire deems worthless. I'll tip my glass to that." - E Dawnstrider