Pooka
My, what a horrible present! This is certainly something I will never use. — Rasputin, pooka street poet
Contents |
History
Background
The pooka were bom of the dreams of mortals who wished for a better, more carefree life. These mortals envied animals their relaxed lifestyle. Cats sleep in the sun throughout the day; puppies romp and play at their leisure. Horses have no chores to do, no taxes to pay. Animals have nothing more to do than eat, sleep and learn about the world. Thus, arly legends said the pooka ate, slept and watched all that happened around them. They, like the wise animals, were believed to understand more about the world and its workings than their mortal Dreamers.
To mortals of the early Middle Ages, tales of pooka provided entertainment. Then, with the arrival of Christian morality, the pooka began to change. No longer did they merely lounge around like the animals; they became nuisances, mischievous ne'er-do-wells whose idleness made them troublemakers. Christian preachings taught that to be idle was to commune with the Devil. The pooka's inability to tell the truth also became an integral part of the mythology at this time. Stories about pooka became parables to teach the young the dangers of laziness, inactivity and falsehood. Despite this, the pooka kept many aspects of what they were before the influence of Christian morals. The pooka never stopped watching and listening to the world around them. They remained ever-vigilant, peeking in windows, always looking for a prank or a gag to pull. They also never became mean-spirited. The pooka remained a friendly and well-meaning, if somewhat annoying and amoral, faerie. Above all else, they kept their desire to cheer up those who needed it.
Attitude
The pooka are much more aware than the cute and carefree pranksters they appear to be. These enigmatic fae see with their hearts what others cannot see with their eyes. Because of their innocence, they felt the Sundering more sharply than any other changeling kith, and they continue to feel the weakening of the Dreaming. They sense Banality closing in on them and see it in omens and signs everywhere. This explains the perpetual, though hidden, inner pain endured by the pooka. And yet, they will not give in to this sorrow for long. They understand that to do so would be to surrender to Banality. Although they may slip into fits of depression, they climb back up as quickly as possible to continue their mission of bringing goodwill and laughter to the world.
Although all pooka may not do so consciously, they use their pranks and games and even their lies to tip the balance back toward the Dreaming. Their silliness serves as their weapon against the darkness that would swallow the world. Quite consciously, the pooka realize the burden that they have taken upon themselves as the jesters of the world. They step forth into territory where others refuse to go, playing the fool or risking the anger of their targets, only to inject a bit of joviality and laughter into an otherwise gray existence.
Despite their open frivolity, pooka can tender their behavior to fit the circumstances. When the situation requires them to be serious, they can be. Deeply loyal, pooka would never intentionally harm anyone they loved. Nor would they make light of an intensely solemn moment.
However, pooka cannot bear to see people unhappy. This stems from their own unbearable sadness. They always attempt to cheer others up, even if they may not always choose the appropriate method. And they greatly appreciate any attempt to cheer them up as well.
- Animal Affinities
Every pooka has an affinity with a specific animal. Although the type of animal varies greatly, most are those that live close to mortals. These may be pets, farm animals or urban hangabouts such as rats or pigeons. Although some claim to have met lion and bear pooka, most people don't believe it. Pooka affinities lean toward smaller, more friendly animals.
The pooka's animal nature will dictate much of his personality. Although every pooka is a unique individual, those sharing the same animal affinity show similar traits. For example, cat pooka tend to be sneakier in their pranks than excitable dog pooka, who jump right in and don't care who knows that the prank was their idea.
Most pooka are bom as mortals, although on the rare occasion, they come into the world as animals. Those bom in their animal form have little or no chance of ever climbing far enough out of Banality to discover their faerie seeming. Furthermore, they have only their animal experience to draw upon when suddenly faced with this revelation. They do not speak the language, and do not understand even the most rudimentary aspects of how to survive. Most tend to go straight into Bedlam unless guided by a very gentle hand through their Chrysalis.
Appearance
The pooka's animal natures give them certain attributes to their faerie seeming. Nearly all pooka have tails and ears that correspond to their animal counterparts. Their faces will bear the characteristics of the animal. Many have a fine layer of fur, softly colored, on their bodies, cheeks and hands.
No singular dress code exists for pooka, although many prefer brightly colored, flashy clothing. Generally, their style will walk hand-in-hand with their animal affinity. A cat pooka may prefer sleek, close-fitting styles, whereas a dog pooka would be more likely to wear things loose and sloppy, yet colorful.
- Shapechanging
Each pooka is born with the ability to change into the natural form of whichever animal they espouse. Thus, a cat pooka' may become, at will, a cat. A pooka's shapechanging is unfortunately limited to only the one form. A dog pooka may not change into a pig, for example, or any other shape that she would like to try. The transformation is total and complete. The pooka has at her disposal all the abilities and disadvantages of the animal (including claws, teeth, running, jumping, an inability or ability to climb, etc.).
Pooka never change form in front of witnesses. The reason for this goes deeper than their embarrassment at being seen. It is not a choice. In the dreams that created them, the pooka were naturally drawn by curiosity to watch anyone around them. The means to capturing a pooka was to catch his eyes and stare him down. The pooka was said to be unable to look away, like deer caught in headlights.
Although this remains only partially true, it has caused them to never change form in a place where they can become distracted by others. In the brief moment between forms, they are at their most vulnerable. A second or two of disorientation follows the transformation, leaving them open to attack. Whereas originally the pooka chose not to change in front of others, over the centuries they have found they cannot. They lost the option, and now can only change when completely alone.
- Confidant
The pooka's natural empathy for the Dreaming extends to other changelings and mortals as well. They have an instinct for drawing people's secrets from them. Historically, the pooka are excellent listeners. They truly do listen to what people tell them, and this is their greatest tool in getting people to open up to them. Through ages of practice, they have become so attuned to the pain in the world, from the overall suffering of the Dreaming to the individual anguish of their friends and acquaintances, that they instinctively know which buttons to push to open the box.
- Lies
The inability to tell the truth is fundamental to all pooka. It represents their rejection of Banality in the extreme. They mean no harm by it; they merely cannot help themselves. Every sentence, every utterance that falls from their mouths must be false. The pooka don't consider it lying; they say they have a communication problem, or rather others have a listening problem. They know exactly what they mean, even if no one else does. Translating pooka-ese can be an exercise in patience.
Telling the truth is difficult, but not impossible for the pooka. In situations where a falsehood would land her in serious trouble, the pooka may make a concentrated effort to speak the truth.
Organization
Pooka consider themselves to be the members of a big, happy club. Several attributes combine to meld the pooka into a loyal band. They love to share ideas for jokes among each other, because, of course, no one could understand a pooka like another pooka. This feeling of being misunderstood runs deep among pooka and gives them a commonality that few of the other kith experience.
Furthermore, the sadness that resides in the heart of every pooka draws them together. Although they never talk about it, they all know and understand the feelings they have in common, the fear that accompanies the constant threat of Banality and the sadness that comes with watching the slow, withering death of the Dreaming. Thus, this shared sympathy forms an even stronger bond as they attempt to live up to their self-perceived duty to remind others of the lighter side of life.
- The COUP de Mardi Gras
Once a year, many pooka gather together in New Orleans or on the French Riviera at Nice for Mardi Gras. They call it their COUP de Mardi Gras, the "Convention of Amiably Maladjusted Pranksters." All pooka are welcome. The convention begins with Mardi Gras and lasts for a week.
Pooka converge on New Orleans from all over the world and proceed to let loose. Held at a swank convention center downtown, the gathering usually draws international media attention, much to the delight of the pooka. Like the Shriners and the Moose, COUP has helped to give conventions their bad name. Drinking and partying, hanging from chandeliers and seducing hotel staff are common occurrences at these events. Fortunately, the hotels always receive ample reimbursement for all damages.
Every year at COUP, an unwritten challenge invites all pooka to produce the best prank of the year. The winner is crowned king for a day. He reigns on the last day of the convention, and his name becomes known throughout the world among the pooka. Needless to say, the entire week produces nothing but mass chaos as the pooka try to outdo each other's pranks.
- Social Dynamics
At one time, all pooka followed Seelie principles in their endeavor to strengthen the Dreaming. Although they pulled their pranks and sometimes hurt other's feelings, they did not do so out of malice or anger. Relatively recently, however, some pooka have become more bitter and vengeful. They stage their jokes, not out of a desire to strengthen the Dreaming, but to slap those who have fallen or would fall victim to Banality.
Seelie Pooka
Light-hearted and romantic, the Seelie pooka embrace the concepts of love, beauty and honor. Although their definition of honor may seem to vary greatly from that of the sidhe or the trolls, they would never betray a friend or break a promise.
Furthermore, these sweet changelings can be deceivingly fierce in battle, particularly when their loved ones or friends are at risk. Their loyalty runs deep, and they never break an oath, although they don't make a big deal out of it either. Their loyalty is a subtle thing that most wouldn't even notice except in the most critical of situations.
The Seelie pooka have an undeniable romantic streak that makes them fun and loving partners. Instead of simply offering a bouquet of flowers to his love, the pooka will have the bouquet pop startlingly out of a can, or his sleeve, or the steering wheel of her car.
Unseelie Pooka
On the darker side of these prankster fae, Unseelie pooka have been twisted by the sorrow that resides in them. They can at times turn angry, cynical and bitter. Other changeling races, and even their own Seelie kith, consider the Unseelie pooka unpredictable and dangerous. Their sense of humor manifests in cruel, cynical jokes and pranks that target those whom they judge to be serving Banality, mortal and fae alike.
Rather than helping to cheer up someone who would bemoan a loss, they react badly, often making it worse. A "stop-cryingbefore-I-give-you-something-to-cry-about" attitude pervades their kind. Weakness and sadness in others makes them angry.
Despite this, even Unseelie pooka can charm a redcap. When those around them are happy and having a good time, Unseelie pooka forget their own sadness and ride the wave of fun. In truth, they don't mean to be bad; they can't help reacting hatefully to any sign of mundanity or Banality. Their resentment goes so deep that they respond without thought or premeditation, often causing emotional or physical harm to their targets.
Culture
- Beliefs
Even the pooka have limits to what they will and won't do. Certain taboos are never to be broken.
- Animals
No pooka will ever willfully harm an animal. They will go out of their way to rescue a stranded cat or to guide a lost dog safely home. They will not allow cruelty to animals, and will plague anyone they see harming an animal. Often, they will inflict the wrongdoer with whatever act he imposed on the animal. This may be as harmless as causing a man kicking a cat to trip and fall harshly on his hind end, or it may have more serious outcomes. The age-old practice of drowning unwanted puppies and kittens in a burlap sack may result in the prompt drowning of the murderer.
- Children
Pooka also have a special place in their hearts for children. As with animals, they will go out of their way to protect and help a child. They find it extremely difficult to ignore a crying child, even if the situation is none of their business and they have better things to do. All pooka believe that children will be the saviors of the Dreaming. Even Unseelie pooka find it hard to be cruel or unkind to a child. Some pooka may reveal themselves to mortal children, playing the role of "secret friend" for many years. Many small children, usually five years old and younger, still have enough innocence and wonder left in them that they can see the Glamour. However, when the day comes that the child ceases to believe in the Glamour, that child can no longer see the pooka's faerie nature. The devastation of losing such a wonderful friend to Banality often causes the pooka to fall into the Mists or Bedlam.
Relation to other Supernaturals
Everyone who knows about pooka view them as either an annoyance or as a source of wonderful amusement. It is considered to be suicidal to harm a pooka in the presence of supernaturals that like them, as many groups are willing to put aside their differences to defend the pooka.
Referrenced
- Changeling Players Guide pg. 73
