Post by Tami on Nov 21, 2007 22:59:21 GMT -5
The Apis were Were-aurochs, shapeshifters who could take the form of the wild ancestor of domestic cattle. They were a proud, strong race, as unlike the domestic cattle of today as the Garou are unlike domestic dogs. They served an unusual purpose in the grander scheme of things - they are generally understood to have been matchmakers in both a broader and specific sense. They moved among humanity with greater ease than most Changing Breeds, having a relatively low Rage; they attempted to strengthen human bloodlines, encouraging the wise and the strong to produce children that would benefit the race - and Gaia - as a whole. They are also said to have practiced their art among the Changing Breeds, recommending that particular groups settle settle in a particular terrain most suited to them, or arranging beneficial Kin/shapeshifter matches. In some ways, they were the companion Breed to the Gurahl (who healed the land) and the Grondr (who cleansed the land), doing their best to cleanse and heal humanity. Ultimately, though their comparative lack of inner Rage served them poorly in the Wars of the same name.
The Apis were a ritualistic Breed, and even their Gifts often had a ritual feel to them. Their largely focused on promoting harmony, healing humans and nurturing the emotions as well as the body; however, they also had their share of of Gifts that drew power from the Aurochs side of their nature. An Apis ancestor spirit might look kindly on Homids, Philodox, Gallairds, Children of Gaia, and to some extent Fianna and Glass Walkers.
The Apis were a ritualistic Breed, and even their Gifts often had a ritual feel to them. Their largely focused on promoting harmony, healing humans and nurturing the emotions as well as the body; however, they also had their share of of Gifts that drew power from the Aurochs side of their nature. An Apis ancestor spirit might look kindly on Homids, Philodox, Gallairds, Children of Gaia, and to some extent Fianna and Glass Walkers.