Abha

**Abha** is a Bastet (Bagheera).

## Biography

You were born during the season of monsoons, when the rains drove the Americans from your home, Anjuna Beach.

You carried more than a little of them wherever you went; it was common knowledge that your mother had conceived you during a brief "courtship" with the foreigners.

Her family cast you both out for the shame. Your mother later explained why: "We have shared the blood of the leopard. He is our savior and our destruction."

It would be years before you understood what that meant.

As you grew, the strictures of the jati, the caste system they had chafted you as your mother. For a time, you were angry, a thief and liar who punished foreigners for contributing to your outcast state.

During a stay in a hellish Bombay jail, you repented such crimes and decided to seek a higher path.

During this imprisonment, a young man with a blissed expression -- a holy sidhu wanderer -- caught your attention.

His hair was long and dirty but his eyes seemed focused on immaculate visions. After a few discreet questions, you were introduced to him.

And from there, to Vishnu. It wasn't Vishnu but Shiva who got you out of prison. One night, during the monsoon season, a scalding fever boiled into transformation.

You became the leopard that Mother spoke of and ripped through a dozen guards to get away.

You never saw the sidhu again, but his example led to the path you now follow:

the higher path of denial of the flesh for the benefit of the self.

Even so, you are of the leopard's blood.

Whether that leopard came through you father, your mother's line, or the gods' curse or favor remains a mystery. At the moment, it's unimportant.

Your dharma holds many puzzles. It is not for you to know the answers. At least, not yet.

An angry young man turned spiritual wanderer: although technically a Hindu, your own life has been proud that the perfect life is not always to be found in the sutras.

Your mother rebelled against her place, as have you, and yet the gods seem to have some special destiny planned.

In time, those plans may become obvious, but for now, simply focus on your own perfection.

Only by freeing yourself from worldly distractions can you attain some insight into dharma's path, and your direction on it.

Luxury is not for you; it's a distraction and an indulgence. Let others eat their poisoned meats and unclean breads---you hunt and kill your own food, forswear all conveniences. Spiritual questions interest you more than idle gossip, and you love a good debate.

When in doubt, see the world through the leopard's eyes.

His vision is much clearer than your own.

**Equipment:** Cobra companion, dhoti loincloth, and nothing else

## Quote

*"Shut out your world so that you might see the whole world."*

## Stats

**Breed:** Homid

**Pryio:** Daylight

**Tribe:** Bagheera

**Physical:** Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina (Enduring) 4

**Social:** Charisma 2. Manipulation 2, Appearance 2

**Mental:** Perception (Clear) 5, Intelligence 3, Wits 3

**Talents:** Alertness 3, Athletics 1, Brawl 3, Dodge 2, Empathy 3, Expression 1, Primal Urge 2, Streetwise 1

**Skills:** Animal Ken 3, Etiquette 1, Survival 2

**Knowledges:** Enigmas 2, Linguistics (English) 1, Medicine 1, Occult 3, Rituals 2

**Backgrounds:** Allies (Cobra) 1, Contacts 2, Secrets (General)

**Gifts:** Cat Claws, Humbaba's Escape, Spirits Sight

**Rage:** 3

**Gnosis:** 5

**Willpower:** 4