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The Oceanids are said to foster discord between their children - they begin with large, dynastic families which are pared down by internal conflict until very few remain. Oceanid-touched lineages are among the most likely to preserve their family history, however, hinting at the strain's aristocratic self-image. These histories can often prove an unexpected boon to an Oceanid that begins to delve into his lineage.
 
The Oceanids are said to foster discord between their children - they begin with large, dynastic families which are pared down by internal conflict until very few remain. Oceanid-touched lineages are among the most likely to preserve their family history, however, hinting at the strain's aristocratic self-image. These histories can often prove an unexpected boon to an Oceanid that begins to delve into his lineage.
 
====='''Lahmasu'''=====
 
====='''Lahmasu'''=====
The Oceanids call their Lahmasu the ''Pelopsids''. A Pelopsid tends to retain the physical grace of their lineage, but none of the tact. Pelopsids often simply rely on their strength or beauty to get what they want. Many are predators in the most literal sense.
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The Oceanids call their Lahmasu the ''Pelopsids''. A Pelopsid tends to preserve the physical grace of their lineage but none of the tact, often Pelopsids simply rely on their strength or beauty to get what they want. Many are predators in the most literal sense.
 
====='''Cults'''=====
 
====='''Cults'''=====
 
An Oceanid's cult tends to revolve around the glorification of the Leviathan above all else. Some are simply social clubs, providing fawning admiration to its glorified deity in exchange for consideration, favors, or even simply attention. The Cults of most Oceanids are slanted towards a higher social rung than most of their fellows - they are often well at home in the houses of mortal power.
 
An Oceanid's cult tends to revolve around the glorification of the Leviathan above all else. Some are simply social clubs, providing fawning admiration to its glorified deity in exchange for consideration, favors, or even simply attention. The Cults of most Oceanids are slanted towards a higher social rung than most of their fellows - they are often well at home in the houses of mortal power.
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It begins with dreams of the Rift. In his dreams the Thalassan stands at the forefront of the Tempest. Call it the weight of history, the expectations of the ancestors or just the weight of billions of tons of water. It pushes him ever onwards with no regards to his wishes or direction. As his powers begin to grow dreams become hallucinations. He sees the Shallows in every drop of water. A glass teems with bizarre life, a tap flows with the fury of the Tempest. If it wasn't for milk and fruit juices dehydration would be a big, and rather ironic, threat. Finally the weight escapes from his dreams. This effect is entirely unsubtle, he simply feels as though he weighs several times more, it requires mental fortitude and physical strength to do anything but collapse onto the floor. To free himself a Thalassan must fight back. With each step against the tide his body begins to adapt, claiming the Vestige of Might. In time he will have the strength to swim against the tide, to find his own path, he must do this for the currents of the Rift lead nowhere you'd want to go.  
 
It begins with dreams of the Rift. In his dreams the Thalassan stands at the forefront of the Tempest. Call it the weight of history, the expectations of the ancestors or just the weight of billions of tons of water. It pushes him ever onwards with no regards to his wishes or direction. As his powers begin to grow dreams become hallucinations. He sees the Shallows in every drop of water. A glass teems with bizarre life, a tap flows with the fury of the Tempest. If it wasn't for milk and fruit juices dehydration would be a big, and rather ironic, threat. Finally the weight escapes from his dreams. This effect is entirely unsubtle, he simply feels as though he weighs several times more, it requires mental fortitude and physical strength to do anything but collapse onto the floor. To free himself a Thalassan must fight back. With each step against the tide his body begins to adapt, claiming the Vestige of Might. In time he will have the strength to swim against the tide, to find his own path, he must do this for the currents of the Rift lead nowhere you'd want to go.  
  
What separate the Thalassans from the other Strains is that one can actually fail to become a Leviathan. To stop the processes of changing permanently. It's not perfect, you might end up as a Hemitheos rather than a human and you're certain to have some severe mental damage, yet the option to deny godhood and instead live a full and fulfilled mortal life exists. If you swim against the tides and have the strength you'll become a Leviathan. If you get swept away by the tides you'll probably become a Ophion. But if you cling to a rock until you're raw and bloody – that is cling to another person or some other source of direction external to yourself – the waters will eventually recede. Unsurprisingly many Thalassans teach their children to be strong and self reliant encase they get the chance to become a Leviathan. Equally unsurprising is that many Thalassans try to encourage their children to be dependent on others so they won't become a Leviathan.
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What separate the Thalassans from the other Strains is that one can actually fail to become a Leviathan. To stop the processes of changing permanently. It's not perfect, you might end up as a Hemitheos rather than a human and you're certain to have some sever mental damage, yet the option to deny goodhood and instead live a full and fulfilled mortal life exists. If you swim against the tides and have the strength you'll become a Leviathan. If you get swept away by the tides you'll probably become a Ophion. But if you cling to a rock until you're raw and bloody – that is cling to another person or some other source of direction external to yourself – the waters will eventually recede. Unsurprisingly many Thalassans teach their children to be strong and self reliant encase they get the chance to become a Leviathan, equally unsurprisingly many Thalassans try to encourage their children to be dependent on others so they won't become a Leviathan.
  
 
===='''Evolution'''====
 
===='''Evolution'''====
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The Cohort, in turn, checks the rage and paranoia of the Devotee. There are fights that don't need to be fought, and only an outside perspective can check that impulse in a Devotee of the Rock. He might grumble about the Cohort's cowardice, but living in a constant state of predatory excellence isn't sustainable, even for the most stalwart of Natsar's Devotion. Countless Typhons mark the eventual fate of Leviathans that lost themselves to an endless lust for destruction.  
 
The Cohort, in turn, checks the rage and paranoia of the Devotee. There are fights that don't need to be fought, and only an outside perspective can check that impulse in a Devotee of the Rock. He might grumble about the Cohort's cowardice, but living in a constant state of predatory excellence isn't sustainable, even for the most stalwart of Natsar's Devotion. Countless Typhons mark the eventual fate of Leviathans that lost themselves to an endless lust for destruction.  
  
===='''Vestiges'''====
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===='''Vestiges''====
 
The Blazing School is made up of warriors, first and foremost. They manifest the gifts that give them an edge in a fight, expressing the natural weapons of the Tribe and pushing themselves to the edges of power to defend themselves.
 
The Blazing School is made up of warriors, first and foremost. They manifest the gifts that give them an edge in a fight, expressing the natural weapons of the Tribe and pushing themselves to the edges of power to defend themselves.
  

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