Contracts of Fang and Talon

Changelings use these Contracts to emulate and become closer to specific animals. Contracts of Fang and Talon are purchased separately, each Contract attuning itself to one specific type of animal. Canines, felines, sea mammals, predatory birds, fish, sharks or even bony fish are all sample possibilities. The character may choose to attune to a particular species, or as widely as a general family of animals; he could take affinity with Wolves or Canines, but not with Carnivora or Mammals.^[1]

Contract Levels

Tongues of Birds and Words of Wolves (•)

The changeling can communicate with the general type of animal represented in the Contract. This communication is partially empathic, but the changeling must either whisper to the animal in her own language or attempt to imitate whatever sounds the animal uses to express itself. Most animals make some sort of noise while responding, but they need not do so. Animals tied to the changeling by kith or this Contract instinctively feel a kinship with the changeling and readily communicate unless immediate circumstances, such as an obvious threat, intervene. Simpler, less intelligent animals communicate with less complexity. Mammals and birds are relatively easy to speak with. However, reptiles, invertebrates and most fish can provide only very simple information, such as whether or not any humans recently came near or the general location of fresh water.

Catch: The changeling gives the animal a new name.

Beast’s Keen Senses (••)

The changeling gains the senses of a specific type of animal, selected when the changeling learns this clause. This clause enhances the changeling’s natural senses, and may well grant him entirely new senses such as a viper’s infrared pits or a bat’s echolocation. Catch: The changeling sees or touches an animal of the type being imitated.

Pipes of the Beastcaller (•••)

The changeling can command the animal specified in the Contract. The character can call any single animal of this type that she can see or hear, causing the animal to come rapidly to her aid, and then instruct the animal on what she wants it to do. Particularly small animals may be called in groups. The changeling can call and command up to a dozen tiny animals, such as rats, mice or small bats, if she can see or hear them all. Changelings can also call an entire hive of insects such as bees or wasps. The animal (or animals) obeys to the best of its ability, but its nature and intelligence might cause the animal to interpret its orders in unusual ways. The animal attempts to carry out commands for the next full day, after which it ceases to obey the character. The animal will not cooperate with anything obviously self-destructive, such as standing still in front of an oncoming car. Large groups of small animals such as rats or bees act as one and cannot be split up to perform different tasks.

Catch: The changeling asks the animal to guard or watch the changeling’s dwelling.

Tread of the Swift Hooves (••••)

The character gains the Contracted animal’s mode of locomotion. This clause allows characters emulating unusually swift animals to run faster, characters emulating aquatic animals to swim better and faster and characters moving like flying animals to jump and glide inhumanly well. If the animal is noted for being able to move exceptionally well in several different ways, such as a type of monkey that excels at both climbing and jumping, the character must choose which type of movement he wishes to gain when he learns this clause and must learn a new version to gain the other ability.

Catch: The character is touching an animal of the correct type.

Cloak of the Bear’s Massive Form (•••••)

The changeling can physically transform into the animal bound to the Contract. The transformation takes one turn. The character’s clothing and small objects close to his skin, such as phones or wallets, blend into this animal form.

Catch: The changeling is in the natural habitat of his associated animal and touching or within touching distance of at least one of these animals.