Bestiary

Humans have domesticated animals for millennia. Dogs serve as hunting companions and household guardians. Horses and oxen act as beasts of burden. Cows and sheep provide food and wool.

Not all the animals a person invites into his home have a practical purpose, however. The pet snake will never hunt at her master’s side, nor will the rat or the hamster be more than a furry ball of warmth that spends most of its time in a cage. They are just pets, and Srador is the spirit who rules over them. It isn’t a glamorous empire, but it’s enough to earn Srador a surprisingly high place in the spirit world.

One pet species is notably absent from Srador’s divine portfolio — cats. Domesticated cats are unusual in that they serve a function among humans by controlling the rodent population, but they do so because they choose to and not because Man trained them to hunt mice. Millennia ago, Srador courted Tibia, the First among Cats, and offered to make her his queen in exchange for her influence over her feline sons and daughters. Tibia refused him, insisting that housecats would remain independent — neither pet nor partner of Man but a companion by choice. Srador bears cats an eternal grudge because of her refusal, and he will not countenance any felines within his demesne. He treats any host or a guest who has regular contact with housecats with royal suspicion and may send his spies to watch her.

Srador grants audiences to those shapeshifters who seek him out, although he can be imperious and condescending. Anyone willing to turn over an unfinished basement for his use and lavish him with all the gifts a pet frog could desire — fresh water, regular food offerings, and a suitable environment — can easily coax Srador into an alliance. In exchange for these trifles, Srador will teach Gifts related to leadership, communication, and navigating the Umbra, as

well as those taught by frog spirits (such as Hare’s Leap — W20 p. 158).

Srador richly rewards those envoys who provide him with truly impressive and decadent gifts — such as a hundred frog “subjects” captured by the supplicant’s own hands, a large plastic castle with working drawbridge, and an indoor breeding pond. He arranges meetings between his most lavish hosts and the circle of misfit spirits that hover around him hoping to eat the proverbial crumbs from his table. While these spirits are not powerful, some have useful, if strange, Charms at their disposal. Srador also hosts lavish banquets for many of his spirit peers — some of whom are quite powerful and influential in their area.