APEX KINFOLK
NOTE: Regular and Gnosis Kinfolk only appear as NPCs in Dominions of Darkness. Apex Kinfolk are a new playable character class and are unique to Dominions of Darkness. They are not an official character class created by World of Darkness.
Apex Kinfolk General Overview -
- A uniquely new addition to available Player Characters, created in the spirit of World of Darkness.
- For a complete list of Apex Kinfolk playable characters, scroll to the bottom of the page or
CLICK HERE.
What is an Apex Kinfolk?
The Apex Kinfolk have both a single thread of Gnosis tying them to Gaia via their Garou genetics, as well as the thread of an inherited, natural ability to tap into Hedge Magic. This manifests as the energy source Mana, allowing them to use their unique talents. While only having one or the other individually is rather limited, the Apex Kinfolk is a hybrid with a grip in both worlds, giving them the “potential” to be so much more than the sum of their individual abilities.
Like any inherent talent, it must be exercised, used, and pushed to its limits in order for the Kinfolk’s true potential to be fully realized. The profession or abilities an Apex Kinfolk is able to perform is strictly dictated by their birth tribe as to how their abilities will manifest. Whether the Apex Kinfolk lives up to their potential is entirely up to them.
Blessed By Gaia
Apex Kinfolk are completely human in all ways, though they are certainly somewhat “more." Apex Kinfolk typically appear as the “apex” of humanity, having all the gifts that Gaia can bestow on humans, such as beauty, health, charisma, etc. Because of these natural gifts, they tend to live the full extent of a human lifetime and suffer none of the usual problems that normal humans endure, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or other normal diseases that usually shorten the lifespan of the rest of humanity. If the Apex Kinfolk lives a respectable, nonviolent life, they can expect to live well into their late 90s or early 100s with relatively good health. However, they are still susceptible to all other human conditions and can die just as easily from a bullet, arrow, poison -- or the unfortunate attentions of nefarious supernatural creatures.
While considered a rare (and celebrated) birth, they are not viewed as particularly unusual. However, stories say their numbers tend to increase when Gaia feels threatened by current events. Whether this is true or not is difficult to tell. Like ordinary humans and Kinfolk, Apex Kinfolk can potentially be turned into ghouls or vampires or preyed upon by other supernaturals and immortals. They cannot become Garou.
Apex Kinfolk and the Garou
Apex Kinfolk are always humans and are never born as wolves. The child of a werewolf more commonly only carries one part of the werewolf gene. Such carriers are called Kinfolk. They can be either human or wolf, but in either case they enjoy a special (if not always pleasant) status in werewolf society. Some tribes look at their Kinfolk as revered children, since they might undergo the Change at any time (it’s most common during puberty, but it’s not unknown for a Garou to experience the First Change during early adulthood). Such werewolves look after their Kinfolk, keeping them safe from supernatural enemies and close to the family so that if they do Change, they can join Garou Society with a minimum of risk or disruptions.
Other tribes view their Kinfolk as breeding stock. Few of them Change, and those that do aren’t getting any benefits by being coddled. The tribes that put the greatest stock on family — the Silver Fangs, Shadow Lords, Get of Fenris, and Fianna — are the most likely to keep close tabs and place heavy restrictions on their Kinfolk. Likewise, the Bone Gnawers, Children of Gaia, and Glass Walkers are more likely to take a mate based on love or desire, rather than trying to maximize their chances of breeding true.
Almost all the tribes have to admit that, at this point, any werewolf who is going to fight in the Last Battle has probably already been born, anyway. Wolf Kinfolk, however, are a special case. With the wolf population dwindling and so few Garou willing to find a suitable lupine mate, wolf Kinfolk are especially prized. The Red Talons, obviously, keep the closest and most protective eye on their Kinfolk, but almost all of the tribes are more willing to fight, hunt and kill in the name of such mates simply because so few of them remain.
While wolf packs including Kinfolk usually have a powerful spirit or even a Garou protector (possibly even a pack, if the Kinfolk roams in territory that includes a cairn or another important feature), Garou often assign a spirit observer to human Kinfolk. This spirit is called a Kin-Fetch, and its job is to alert the Garou if the Kinfolk ever Changes. This system worked better before the human population became as dense as it is, and before the Wyrm established the firm hold it has on the world. Kin-Fetches aren’t infallible — many of them aren’t even very bright, and can be distracted, deceived, or simply destroyed before completing their duty.
Still, Only Human
While Apex Kinfolk are most certainly valuable assets to their Garou families, they are still only humans. They do not attend moots and are not included in the decisions of their Tribes or Septs. They do not receive Garou Gifts, cannot perform Rites of any kind, and with very rare exception, are not looked upon as equals in Garou society.
With that said, Garou are more likely to treat an accomplished Apex Kinfolk with a little more respect and consideration than they would a normal Kinfolk. They are considered excellent choices for mates, friends, and confidants, and help guide the Garou through the intricacies of the human world. If the Apex has strived to dedicate themselves in bringing their abilities to full potential and use their talents for the benefit of the Garou, it most certainly elevates that Apex Kinfolk in the eyes of their Garou brothers and sisters.
Apex Kinfolk as Garou Mates
Those Apex Kinfolk who have shown courage, ingenuity, and aptitude in their craft are often highly prized by the Garou as mates. It is not uncommon for Garou to challenge each other for the right to claim a particular Apex Kinfolk as a mate. While the “disputed property” may sometimes have a say in whom they prefer to mate with, they are more commonly considered the prize of the victor. This process is all part of Gaia’s plan of natural selection, ensuring that only the strongest, most powerful of the Garou may propagate their line with the best mates.
While the Apex Kinfolk may or may not understand this from the perspective of their own humanity, it is the “Way,” and as such should be acknowledged and respected. On the gentler side of the Garou (if there is such a thing) these challenges are rarely to the death. Garou who kill their challengers are not permitted to claim any prizes, having shown weakness by losing control. Their fates and atonement are determined by their Tribe or Sept.
Apex Kinfolk and their Tribes
Each Garou tribe has the potential to spawn an Apex Kinfolk with a specific talent or profession. This is a rare occurrence that only happens when two pureblood Kinfolk (or pureblood Kinfolk and pureblood Garou) of the same tribe mate and produce offspring. It is also one of the predominate reasons why the Garou are so protective of their human Kinfolk.
Having one or both parents already being an Apex Kinfolk is thought to increase the chances of having likewise Apex offspring. It is also believed that Apex Kinfolk are more likely to bear Garou children than normal Kinfolk or humans. Legends say the reason for this is because Apex Kinfolk have been touched by Gaia, which also gives them their special abilities and talents. If we were to test this under a microscope using modern science, it would most probably be attributed to the Apex having a particular gene sequence that is shared with the Garou. While it does not allow for the manifestation of any Garou traits, these “recessive” genes can enhance the probability of the Apex producing Garou children. Depending on which tribe the child is affiliated with at birth will determine what type of Apex Kinfolk they will be.
APEX KINFOLK TRIBES
Currently, there are eight Apex Kinfolk characters from which to choose. More may come available in the future.
Click on the Apex Kinfolk Tribes and Types Listed Below to Learn More.
To view the entire list of Apex Kinfolk playable characters, CLICK HERE.
Apex Kinfolk and the Occult
All Apex Kinfolk may spend XP points to enhance their magical ties by learning more about the Occult and how mastering it increases proficiency in their abilities. By doing so, they are expanding their minds, recognizing new possibilities, and better understanding how magic functions through them in the physical world. An Apex Kinfolk slowly begins to understand how magic is as tangible as the currents in water or a breeze through leaves; each with the potential of gentle rain and caressing Zephyrs, or a devastating deluge or destructive hurricane. It is a force that can be controlled if one only knows how to harness its flow and redirect it to follow a path of the user’s choosing.
Occult Skills - Unique to Garou and the Apex Kinfolk
Occult is one of the foundation skills of the Garou and the Apex Kinfolk that can be purchased with Experience Points. It modifies a great many abilities and special skills for these character classes. Occult can be learned in addition to General Abilities & Combat Skills, as well as the Garou's and Apex Kinfolk's own special abilities.
Each level learned/purchased in Occult gives a stackable +5 modifier. This provides the Apex Kinfolk with a stronger tie to commanding Nature Hedge Magic, which is required for the kinfolk to gain access to a better understanding and control of their abilities, as well as making them even more valuable to the Garou they serve.
• Novice: +5 (+5 modifier)
Your mind is open, and you have just begun to feel there is more to our world than what our senses tell us.
•• Practiced: +5 (+10 modifier)
You suspect that certain skills can be enhanced by drawing from this power.
••• Competent: +5 (+15 modifier)
You have seen for yourself there is a natural current of magic that those who are receptive can tap into, and you understand that this is why you can do things others cannot.
•••• Expert: +5 (+20 modifier)
You can recognize this magic and have an enhanced capacity for redirecting it to make tasks easier for you. It’s as if a 6th sense identifies it and channels it toward you like rain in a barrel.
••••• Master: +5 (+25 modifier)
You know exactly what this is and how it can be used for serving Gaia, your Sept and your Tribe. You also realize that this nature magic knows no good or evil, it simply reflects the intent of he or she who wields it. As a Master of understanding Hedge Magic, you have no difficulties whatsoever in channeling this magic to you and reshaping it your purpose.
Vampires and Apex Kinfolk in Dominions of Darkness
Apex Kinfolk can only be turned by a 12th Level Vampire or older (generation does not matter). Apex Kinfolk have a 50% chance of becoming a vampire or dying (non-modified Roll). Apex Kinfolk who are being turned by a vampire under 15th level will automatically die at the first attempt. (See Death in Dominions of Darkness.)
Because of the Apex Kinfolk’s connection to Gaia and the Occult, only the powerful blood of an older, 12th level Vampire is capable of successfully turning them into Vampires. And even then, there is a 50% chance the Apex Kinfolk will not be reborn Vampire but instead find the mercy of a true death. It is Gaia’s final gift to her lost children. (See Death in Dominions of Darkness.)
While any vampire can attempt to turn an Apex Kinfolk into a Ghoul, vampires beneath the 12th level will find their potential childe forever dead once their blood has been drained and the vampire’s blood is on their lips. As a ghoul, the taint of the Wyrm will most likely be picked up by the Apex Kinfok’s Garou tribe (Gift: Sense Wyrm), sensing the blood of a vampire corrupting the unfortunate Kinfolk’s flesh. Those more impulsive of the werewolf tribes will need to roll vs Primal Urge or succumb to the desire to kill the unfortunate Kinfolk on the spot. Other more “in control” Garou, if they believe the Kinfolk worthy, will attempt to cleanse the Kinfolk and bring them back to the side of Gaia. In either case, any vampire daring to prey upon the Garou’s Kinfolk will most likely find himself the subject of a hunt if his identity is known.
Apex Kinfolk who are ghouled by a vampire will retain all their class skills. These are earned by practice and experience and are not considered Gifts, such as the Garou gain. Those extremely misfortunate Apex Kinfolk who are turned into full Vampires lose all ability to use their previous skills. While the knowledge of them is still retained (education is never lost) they will not be able to perform any previous ability that require Gnosis/Energy point and Occult (an ability that Vampires are incapable of learning). As a Vampire, their form of Energy is gained from Blood, not Gnosis. All experience points earned by the Apex Kinfolk will be returned to the Player to create their new Vampire character in whatever clan their Sire is a member.
APEX KINFOLK TRIBES AND CLASSES
RANGERS - Black Furies Tribe
WAYLANDS - Get of Fenris Tribe
BEASTMASTERS - Wendigo Tribe
CHARISMATICS - Fianna Tribe
JACKS-OF-ALL-TRADES - Fianna Tribe
RAPHA HEALERS - Children of Gaia Tribe
ONEIRO TECHNO PROJECTORS - Glass Walker Tribe
UNSEEN - Bone Gnawer Tribe
