Known as mo’o in Hawai’i and honored by some Polynesians as tribal guardians, most taniwha serve as protectors — mainly against other taniwha but sometimes against other humans. Since many Polynesian islands are well within swimming or rowing distance of other islands, taniwha rarely rest, often swimming patrol routes for most hours of the day. In fact, if taniwha establish lairs, no one has ever found one. Due to this constant vigilance, rarely does anything cross their borders without them knowing about it.

Though their natural forms (if any one form can be considered “natural” for creatures who are literally born shape-changers) resemble giant serpents, orcas, sharks, or sea turtles, taniwha consider their prodigious shapeshifting talent as just another tool to use as needed. The more aggressive ones tend to grow thick leathery skin, spines, and massive teeth, ending up resembling a cross between komodo dragons and Godzilla’s little brother. Some even grow wings to fly, which has probably inspired more than a few giant monster movies. When feeling sociable, or on some errand, they manifest as tall and bulky Polynesian folks, often heavily tattooed with authentic cultural designs that suit the birthplace of the taniwha in question. Many taniwha, though, don’t bother trying to pass for humans, though they’ll adopt humanoid limbs and faces in an otherwise monstrous form. In any form, these creatures are big; even wearing human guise, they tower over normal people, with the bulk and muscle of bodybuilders.

Taniwhas tend to be solitary creatures, so if you ever manage to catch one in a mood to chat, you can probably talk shit about other taniwha without offending them. Just be sure you absolutely know which taniwha did what to whom. There’s nothing more awkward than talking to a shapeshifter about something they did while wearing a different form, especially when that shapeshifter could swallow you alive.

While you can make friends with a taniwha, don’t bet on it. Most of them feel a responsibility to a given area or people, which puts you low on their list of priorities. And be prepared to have the conversation quickly; the taniwha instinct to patrol and protect dominates their lives, so they have virtually no patience and would rather fight you than waste time deciding whether or not you’re a threat. That said, creative mages who figure out a way to make their interests coincide with a taniwha’s stand to have a rather powerful friend by their side. Exceptionally creative

Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 3, Stamina 6, Charisma 2, Manipulation 5, Appearance 3, Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3

Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Awareness 3, Brawl 5, Empathy 2, Enigmas 2, Expression 2, Esoterica (Polynesian magic) 3, Stealth 3, Subterfuge 2, Survival 2

Willpower: 6

Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, ‒1, ‒1, ‒2, ‒2, ‒2, ‒3, ‒3, ‒5, ‒5, Incapacitated

Armor Rating: 4 (10 soak dice, total)

Powers/Advantages: Bite and / or claw for Strength + 3 aggravated damage / Armor (4 pts.); Claws and Fangs (aggravated); Earthbond; Elemental Touch (7 pts.); Shapeshift (8 pts.); Soak Aggravated Damage; Telepathy; Unaging

Image: The shape a taniwha assumes depends upon their needs at the time. For a quick trip between islands, one might swim as a giant shark or dolphin, while a longer voyage might call for the efficiency of a whale-like shape. Closer to shore, a taniwha will pick whichever shape makes them feel most at home. Some enjoy lounging around as large people, while others bask as whales, scour the bottom as octopuses, or leap into the air as dolphins or titanic rays.

Roleplaying Notes: Taniwha are surprisingly forthright and honest. Hey, when you can swallow people whole, deception is a pretty useless tactic.

and daring mages might even find a way to play several taniwha off each other, though that whole “swallow you whole” element should be factored into the risk-assessment of such attempts.