Ajaba

The legends of the Ajaba say that they are the African counterparts of the Garou, created to be Gaia's warriors in a continent without wolves. However, in part due to the division of roles among their genders, the Ajaba have spent much of their history bickering amongst each other.

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This led to conflict with the Bastet, and eventually war with the Simba, specifically those led by Black Tooth, who nearly succeeded in wiping out the Ajaba. Since their near destruction, the Ajaba have had to rebuild their society, and much about them has changed.  Ozuzo are Ajaba who fell to the Wyrm in the wake of the tragedy.

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The most notable trait of the Ajaba is that they are strongly divided along gender lines: female Ajaba are warriors, with generally high Rage and lower Gnosis; males are mystics, with opposite tendencies. Some small number of Ajaba are born with inverted traits for their gender, and are seen as omens of great good or ill.

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Weaknesses

All werecats have a Yava, a three-folded tribal weakness that is a highly guarded secret of the tribe in question. Abuse of a Yava could result in the annihilation of the tribe.

 

Breeds

The Ajaba have three breeds.

 

Homid - who are born from humans

Metis - who are born from the union of two Ajaba.  Unlike Garou Metis, those among the Ajaba are hermaphroditic. They have correspondingly moderate Rage and Gnosis, falling in between the norms for male and female Ajaba, and receive some reverence because of this.

Hyaena - who are born from Hyenas.

 

Aspect

Historically, Ajaba elders recognized three major aspects: Dawn, Midnight, and Dusk. Dawn and Dusk aspects were most common among females of the Breed, translating to a high aptitude for pack or clan leadership, respectively. Midnight aspects were most often male, making the oft-abused and little-respected male Ajaba the most stable and centered of the Breed. An ajaba’s aspect is determined by the time of day that she undergoes her First Change. From sunrise to midday, she is Dawn, from midday to dusk she is Dusk, and when the sun is down, she is Midnight. All Ajaba regain two points of Rage each sunrise. 

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In the years since the Endless Storm massacre, however, nearly equal numbers of males and females have manifested in each aspect. Future generations of Ajaba may be interested in the ramifications of an assumedly supernatural trait changing due to cultural schisms assuming the Breed survives long enough to study it.

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Dawn: Dawn Ajaba are filled with fury and Rage, eager to fight with their foes or to prove their dominance over their own kind. They are feisty and combative, easily-offended and hyperactive, and have historically made strong pack-leaders — although they usually lack the control necessary to lead an entire clan.
Beginning Rage: 5
Beginning Gnosis: 1
Starting Gifts: Beat of the Heart-Drum, Finishing Blow, Lightning Reflexes, Pack Tactics, Razor Claws

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Midnight: Midnight Ajaba are balance made manifest. While their anger may not equal that of the Dawn aspect, nor their supernatural strength that of the Dusk, neither do they have particular weaknesses in either area.

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Historically, males among the Ajaba frequently exhibited the Midnight aspect. This gave them a unique place in Ajaba society, as they were considered some of the most stable and balanced individuals of the Breed, despite their low social standing. The irony of this state of affairs was not lost on them.

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Midnight aspect Ajaba are often the glue that holds the pack or clan together, and many of their aspect Gifts reflect that talent — or the simple ability to endure in the face of adversity.
Beginning Rage: 3
Beginning Gnosis: 3
Beginning Gifts: Beast Speech, Burning the Vision, Mindspeak, Perfect Recall, Tears of the Heavens

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Dusk: Dusk Ajaba turn their Rage inward, learning more subtle ways to fulfill their sacred duty. Dusk aspect werehyenas strike from the shadows, stalking their prey until they are most vulnerable. They know how to see beyond the obvious, ferreting out their target’s weaknesses and using them to full advantage, whether that be to cull the herd, or lead the clan.
Beginning Rage: 1
Beginning Gnosis: 5
Starting Gifts: Blur of the Milky Eye, Fatal Flaw, Open Seal, Scent of Running Water, Whispers in the Grass

Forms

Ajaba have access to five forms. Two of them incite the Delirium.

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Homid - human form.
Anthros - near-man form.
Crinos - the war form; slightly smaller and less powerful than that of Garou, but also a little tougher.
Crocas - near-hyena form. An enormous hyena the size of a small bear.
Hyaenid - hyena form.

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Form Statistics
Anthros    Crinos    Crocas    Hyaenid
Str: +2        Str: +3      Str: +3      Str: +1
Dex: +1        Dex: +2     Dex: +2     Dex: +2
Sta: +1         Sta: +4      Sta: +3      Sta: +2
Man: –1      Man: –2    Man: –2   Man: –2
App: –3       App: 0        App: 0

 

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STEREOTYPES

Silent Striders: You come, you go, but you fuckers never stick around. You cannot keep ignoring us.
Simba: You’re murdering dictators every one. Some of you might not like the current bastard in charge, but that doesn’t make us friends.
Mokolé: You will remember our story and it will teach future generations: do not trust the Simba.

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Gifts

Ajaba begin play with one breed Gift, one aspect Gift, and one Level One general Ajaba Gift from the list below. Breed Gifts are functionally identical to those of the corresponding Garou breeds, with hyaenid using lupus Gifts. Ajaba share a great number of Garou Gifts, though they often learn them from very different spirits.

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General

Dusk

Dawn

Midnight