LeviathanTempest:OceanClan

Oceanids

[Picture: The Symbol of Oceanus: A round plate in black and white, decorated like a Grecian pottery. Black circle on the outside, then a thin white circle, then the picture in white on black: an old, bearded man, from the chest up. In his right hand he holds a trident with a snake nestled between the tines. His left hand is submerged in the water that surrounds his lower body. Scales cover his stomach. ]

[Picture: Central. An Indian woman is sitting on a concrete post, which is pitted and eroded by salt. Her feet rest on sand. She is wearing a patterned bikini, with a thin piece of cloth wrapped around her waist and legs. The legs are kept together under the wrap and of a somewhat unnatural shape, suggesting a fish-tail. She wears sunglasses, complex earrings and a nose stud. The sunglasses still show some light shining from her eyes. Her hair is tied at the back, revealing gills on her neck. Her right hand is sitting in her lap, dialling on a cell phone. Her left hand, dangling at her side, holds a child’s beach bucket, covered with traces of blood, like a fisherman’s bucket.]

Morphology

The Oceanids assert that they are marked with the grace of the Tribe's deified lineage. Even those that are not blessed with physical beauty command the strain's much-storied presence. The Oceanids are expected by their fellows to be true predators, using their advantages to the fullest to achieve their agendas. This naturally makes many members of the tribe leery of getting too close to the spawn of Oceanus - they are always assumed to be manipulative.

Progenitor

The Oceanids' mythical Progenitor is Oceanus, who they claim is the orderer of seas and rivers, and the natural leader of the children of Tiamat. Some Oceanids see this predilection for order as a suggestion of a connection to humanity, while others claim that humanity has infringed on their mandate of control over the seas.

Genetics

Chronologically the lasting Oceanead bloodlines are among the most reliable for the tribe. Within a family the number of generations between Leviathans remains constant to within a few generations. The Strain as a whole however does not have a set timetable and even within a family the period may slowly change over time, increasing or decreasing by a few generations every cycle.

While the Oceaneads can reliably tell when their inheritance will next be bestowed knowing where it will appear is a lot harder. A new Oceanead can be born to almost any direct relative of a previous Oceanead. The only noticeable pattern is that all the Oceaneads from a single cycle, typically just one or two, are roughly the same age. It's even possible for the inheritance to permanently move away from the family through the line of an illegitimate child or a single family member who cuts his ties; often this causes either celebration or a frenzy of family reunions as the family tries to find and reforge ties with the newborn Leviathan before their inheritance is forever lost to another.

Puberty

It starts with a feeling, one day a new Oceanead wakes up to the sound of her heart pounding in her chest. Her palms are sweaty, adrenaline is pumping and she feels like Queen of the World. At this early stage her goals are unchanged, merely perused with greater confidence and with a small measure of her inheritance fulfilled to satisfaction. If she is not scared by hints of the supernatural behind her successes she may even enjoy it for a while. This cannot last, a young Oceaneads powers grow to meet each challenge. As her abilities becomes increasingly uncontrolled she must confront her greatest challenge: Mastering her own abilities and the quest for Tranquillity.

Oceaneads are unique in that their transition affects not just them but their close (both genealogically and geographically) family as well. These changes are permanent and the results are among the most healthy, and often physically human, Pelopsids to be found. Unsurprisingly this can be a time of great expansion both metaphorically as members rise in wealth and status but also literally with successful courtships and newborn babies.

Evolution

An Oceanid's True Form hints at the shallows - the graceful lines and light coloration of a marine mammal. Some display vibrant coloration and designs, and almost all are seen as strikingly contrasted to the stark conditions of the marine Depths.

Ecology

Family

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

The Oceanids call their Lahmasu the Pelopsids, asserting a connection between their bloodline and the numerous heroic dynasties laid out in Greek fable and history. A Pelopsid tends to preserve the physical grace of their lineage but none of the tact - many are simply brutes.

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.

Vestiges

Sanctity, Elements, Might, Predation

Symbols and Associations

The Sea of Fars, the Ionian Sea, the vice of Lust.

Concepts

Club diva, big man on campus, queen of the suburbs, reclusive CEO, bright young son of a political dynasty

Quote

"People love beaches, perhaps now more than ever. You know why? Because there’s no roof. You’re totally exposed – the more you’re naked, the more you’re at ease. It’s the place in the world where you’re the most defenseless. Don’t you think it’s interesting that everyone rushes there?"

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