Nunnehi

The Nunnehi are native American changelings. Like the Kithain, they are spirits in flesh. The first Nunnehi changelings were accepted into the bodies of willing mortals, and have been born into mortal bodies ever since. Unlike the Chrysalis of the Kithain, Nunnehi spirits are usually welcomed to awaken in their mortal host in a ceremony.

The Nunnehi have a much deeper spiritual connection than the Kithain, and have many similarities to the Garou, connecting with totem spirits and spirit companions, and being able to travel into the Umbra (the spirit world, similar to but not the same as the Dreaming).

When the Kithain first came to North America, they called it "Tir-na-nog" or "The Summer Country", a place free of the spreading Banality that pervaded Europe. As they settled into the new country, they made peaceful overtures to the native fae, and some oathbonds of peace were sworn. Later generations of Kithain would come to forget these oaths, though the Nunnehi never did. As the Kithain came in larger numbers, and the taint of Banality followed them inexorably into the new land, they took freeholds and sacred grounds belonging to the Nunnehi, resulting in wars between the fae.

Modern day relations with the Nunnehi have been strained, the Nunnehi largely and somewhat justifiably considering the Kithain to be oathbreakers. The ruler of the Kingdom of the Burning Sun, "Chief Greyhawk" has done much to try to bridge the gap between the native fae and the Kithain, but there is still much work to be done.

Nunnehi have Summer and Winter "camps", like the Seelie and Unseelie courts of the Kithain. Nunnehi gather Medicine (Glamour) from nature, and cast cantrips as the Kithain do (calling them "Songs of Power").

The Nunnehi are separated into "families", like kiths. These families of Nunnehi are usually found in areas near the tribes of the people who first dreamed them. With the exception of the thought-crafters, the families of Nunnehi are detailed in the Changeling Player's Guide.

Families of the Northeast

Thought-Crafters

See the entry in "Families of the Southeast Nunnehi" below.

Families of the Southeast

Thought-Crafters

The thought-crafters come from tales told by the Algonquin tribes, and they usually reside among the remnants of the Algonquin tribes scattered between Maine and Virginia. In addition to being skilled crafters and artisans, the thought-crafters are dedicated to opening the ways to the Higher Hunting Grounds to all Nunnehi again. The thought-crafters are especially dextrous, and quick witted, and they are skilled in physically manipulating objects, as well as solving riddles and puzzles. They are especially skilled at inspiring others and may restore lost Glamour to changelings, and bring creativity back to mortals who have lost it. The fae mien of a thought-crafter resembles idealized versions of their mortal kin. Thought-crafters are detailed in Kingdom of Willows.

Families of the Far North

Pu'gwis (also "Bukwus")

Horribly ugly, cursed beings who are among the most tragic of all of the Nunnehi. Pu'gwis long for love and friendship, but their hideous seemings make these goals nearly unreachable. Ironically, they are gifted singers, and are able to summon those who hear their songs to them. They also can also sing a song to cause those who they failed to win over to forget them. The pu'gwis have the faces of rotting corpses, with yellowed eyes that almost seem to decay in their sockets. This decay extends to their physical form, making them physically weak, as well as mortifyingly ugly.

Inuas ("Spirit Helpers")

Born of the dreams of the northernmost tribes, the Inuit and the Aleuts, inuas were the helpers of the shamans, aiding these mortals in communing with the spirits and in enforcing the taboos. To aid them in this task, the inuas have the ability to invest powers from their Arts into amulets to be used by the mortal shamans. Inuas are also able to change into animal forms native to their region. Though they are able to change into more than one type of animal, it is difficult and takes practice to learn to move in several different forms. Inuas look much like members of their tribes. Most wear "labrets", plugs of ivory, bone or other hard material inserted into the skin to make a chin decoration. When advising a shaman, they prefer to be in animal form; usually an animal important to the welfare of the tribe.