Chimera

[ChordTerias]

Chimera

Reference Sheet: Understanding the True Fae

Classification: fae, subspecies of hobgoblin (a creature that inhabits the Hedge)

Appearance and Creation:

Chimera are reflections of two things -- the materials from which they are made and the location they are “born.” These shape all of the things that make them. A chimera made of raw Glamour can look like anything, whereas a chimera made from a basketball post long abandoned in the Hedge would have rusted metallic skin that groans as it moves.

Chimera are made in two ways. First, when a Fae gathers the components and intention and breathes life into it. A chimera may only be created thusly within the Hedge itself. Second, when the Hedge swells with Glamour and needs to rid itself of excess it can either expand into the Mortal World or it can create a chimera to feed upon the glamour.

Lifespan:

Within the Hedge, they are ageless. When they Bond with another being, their existences becomes inexorably tied to the being -- they will suffer whatever fate their masters suffer.

Bonding is often symbiotic -- the chimera provide additional power over the Hedge to a Mortal where Mortals can give chimera the chance to escape the Hedge. A chimera can be a trophy or display of status for the Fae, and bonding with Fae give a chimera exponentially stronger powers. 

Characteristics:

As with many fae creatures, chimera are often manifestations of a singular emotion -- though some particularly strong Chimera may experience a modest spectrum of emotions related to titles they have consumed. As such, it may be impossible to expect pity from one with beastial tendencies; whereas another may instantly imprint upon the first person they see.

Chimera favor animalistic appearances, regardless of what materials were used to create them. A snake made of clouds, a puppy carved from bone, or even a golem made of ants -- there is an unfathomable variety of chimera within the Hedge. As it is the place of both dreams and nightmares, it houses many and more fantastic beasts within its domain.

A bound chimera can be taken on as a familiar to the magically adept. They gain the power to utilize their master’s magics and in return give their master the ability to supplement their power -- no matter the source -- with Glamour. The chimera retains much of its personality, but gains a measure of humanity that allows it to grow alongside its master. Just as a master may abuse its familiar, the chimera can grow to consume its master. Such a dangerous bond is either punctuated by complete trust or it ends when one of the two die.

Powers and Abilities: 

Bonding: The ability to tie their Glamour into the life force of another being. This power is bound by one of the strongest Fae laws -- it must be requested or demanded in a way that leaves no question. Involuntary binding can be fought by a chimera. During the process, they can earn their freedom by making the other party retract their attempt, by slaying the other party, or by putting enough distance between the two.

Titles: The chimera has the power of any titles it has been gifted or consumed. Unlike with True Fae, a title bestows an appropriate contract upon the subject.

Names: Names are dangerous things in the Hedge. When unnamed, a chimera can only grow so strong. But when given a name, and thus when a story is told of them, they can grow in strength exponentially. Such as an elderly Spanish woman wandering into the Hedge, and seeing a beastial Chimera before returning home in a panic, who then tells her family the horrors of the Chupacabra. As she embellished this story and it is passed down, the chimera gains strength with every time it is named and referenced. 

Self-Destruct: A chimera may, of its own volition, destroy itself entirely. Everything which created them -- their Title, material, Glamour -- are ripped from existence. This is one of the surest ways to open a portal into the Hedge, as the sudden void of power draws Glamour forth from beyond the Mortal World to bring it back into balance. A chimera cannot be forced to self-destruct by any means. Even the forces beholding all to the conditions of victory or defeat within a Legend are insufficient to make a chimera destroy itself in this way.

Liabilities and Weaknesses:

Hedge-Bound: They cannot leave the Hedge for either the Mortal World or Arcadia without being bonded.

Volatility: For creatures born within such unfathomable chaos, chimera do not often react well to the unexpected. A chimera’s fight or flight response is often on a hair trigger, and can be set off without constant training.

Intangibility: Chimera that are not familiars are intangible within the Mortal World, even when bound. They cannot touch or interact with its materials that aren’t themselves infused with Glamour, and are indeed invisible to those without the power to see through Masks. This may be seen as a boon by many, but it is not something they can control, often leaving them stranded with no way to return to the Hedge. Haunting, wandering, waiting for anything which could be used to get them back home.

Bond Liability: Any weakness that their mate has, they have as well. If they are bound to a True Fae, they cannot touch iron. If a vampire took one, it would be unable to face the sun.

Common Personality:

Coming from an environment as harsh as the Hedge, it is hard for any chimera to trust -- unless its Title gives it such a personality.

Otherwise, their personality often reflects whatever animal they are fashioned. This can be a problem when, say, a lava cat decides it wants to be pet and one has a natural attachment to one’s limbs.

Vampire Interaction:

The taste of a chimera depends on what part of the Hedge it was born.
Spring: Hints of sweetness, like honeysuckle. Leaves you feeling refreshed with but a small amount.
Summer: Saltier than normal blood, like the sweat made of a humid afternoon. Makes you crave more.
Fall: Soured, like decaying leaves and dead bugs. Filling, but makes your stomach turn afterwards. Perhaps literally?
Winter: Subtle, like what blood tasted like before you turned. Best not to question if the chill is from the temperature or the haunted, unspoken existential question that turns in your head when you drink it.