Agatae

BEAUTIFUL WASPS

DEMONS OF THE FIRST CIRCLE, PROGENY OF THE WHIM-OF-THE-WIND

In his millennia of voyages, Florivet has seen many beautiful things, and there is subtle memory of them 70 contained within the shape of his favored progeny. The brilliance of spring’s first sunrise shines in their wings, a thousand colors glitter in their translucent forms, their sting curves like a swordsmith’s finest blade, and their heads are crowned with the gold of a monarch’s dreams. Transfiguring light hangs about them like an anima of glory. Stories and songs strive to convey the beauty of the agatae, but all fall short of the mark. Those who would bring harm to an agata, without desperate cause, find that their hearts are not in it. Each beauteous wasp stands as high as a Marukan horse on six legs of shimmering crystal, and its powerful wings can bear it aloft while carrying two armored men. The agatae speak in voices that ring of brass bells and crystal, yet their thoughts are more cunning and wise than most humans’ thoughts. Their senses are refined, and their minds are filled with strange philosophies that do not translate easily into any tongue. Irresistible emotions often consume them, from manic ecstatic happiness to unbridled fury, though such outbursts seem natural and reasonable to the minds of the agatae. The wasps are jealous of their riders’ attentions, sometimes leading to bitter attacks on other mounts (including other agatae). Loss of a rider provokes sadness and mourning in the agatae, but their analysis of the order of things suggests they will bear others. Rare agatae are larger than others of their kind, and savants hold that Florivet treats these as the brood mothers of the line. Long ago, the Whim-of-the-Wind traded one of them to Octavian for aid in the construction of his land ship. Damaskenos faithfully serves the Living Tower to this day.

Summoning: (Obscurity 1/2) Sorcerers call agatae to serve as steeds. Sometimes, without sorcery, a demon wasp is briefly drawn to Creation when a sight of beauty changes someone, as when a cave-born child glimpses its first sunrise or a Southern dervish first sees snow fall. Such appearances are typically as fleeting as the moment that calls them. The loss of its rider garners an agata a point of Limit.

Motivation: To act as riding beasts.

Other Notes: Unless the agata is attacking her or one of her Intimacies, an enemy must fail (or spend a temporary Willpower to ignore) a Compassion roll in order to cause the agata to come to physical harm. An agata can use its sting attack only while airborne. Its sustained flight speed is approximately 30 miles per hour, or about 15 yards per tick.