Places

The Black Furies’ homeland is a pristine wilderness straight from mythical Grecian legends. Rocky mountains stretch through the clouds and fall away into wine-dark seas. Lush, fruit-laden trees fill the land between cities. All creatures live as part of nature’s cycle of predator and prey with neither side being over-hunted or dying of starvation. The hunt is not forbidden for humans, though. The chase is sacred to the Furies. Humans perform the Prayer for the Prey out of respect and freely hunt across the homeland. The other predators within the Realm are just as free to hunt, and wolves, lions, and other carnivores stalk the lands, with sharks, killer whales, and other marine hunters in the sea. Humans are no more protected than are other creatures but the animal emanations only kill for food or safety.

The Furies’ realm has changed over time. The archi­ tecture was almost exclusively Grecian but has adapted over the last few centuries. Now the buildings reflect styles from anywhere the Furies have borne children, which in modern times includes almost every country on Earth.

Another major shift is the presence of men in the homeland. The Furies permitted no males in the Realm until recently; they relaxed the ban for their male Metis children. This unexpectedly led to greater changes — Furies suddenly found men in the human settlements where previously there were none. The female residents don’t appear to have noticed; to them nothing has changed. The Furies’ initial reaction was to hunt and kill these un­ welcome additions to the homeland but Pegasus forbade it. The totem has refused to explain her reasons but Elder Furies believe she is testing her tribe.

Men are still uncommon within the human population and wholly female settlements remain the norm. The tribe periodically petitions Pegasus to revoke her ban and allow a cull of the male humans. The totem refuses every request. The Furies grow increasingly frustrated at this and wonder what lesson must be learned or conditions must be met before the Incarna will relent.