Chimera

## First Mentioned

Season One: Pilot

**Chimera** (kī•**mir**•ə) are creatures of Nature that serve to protect the living world and all of Nature's creations. They were not the first lifeform to appear on Earth, but they did appear soon after that, long before humans appeared. Chimera are shapeshifters; they have the ability to transform into any invertebrate, including insects, although that may be more of a challenge, and they come in many shapes, sizes and strengths. Compared to humans, chimera are rare, there being only a few hundred to a few thousand in the world at any given time.

## Chimera

Chimera are spirits of Nature, and though in recent history most are born by joining with the souls of human infants while still in the womb, some appear to have been born as animals. Most notable and obvious is Ralabast, whose existence predates the emergence of humankind in the world. Little information is available on what happens to the human spirit when they die, but the chimera spirit is reborn in a fashion not unlike reincarnation. Most chimera don't recall their prior human lives, but if they live long enough, become powerful enough, sometimes they can pass on the memories of past lives.

Nature randomly creates a new chimera spirit to go out into the world. Sienna and Kagan are new spirits living out their first lives, but the reason for this spontaneous creation is never made clear.

When a chimera dies and its spirit returns to Nature, it will be reincarnated. Unlike what the Order of the White Wolf believes, being reborn does not make a chimera any 'stronger'. Whether or not a chimera will be weak or strong depends on what power tier they were originally and how well they learn to use the skills they're born with. Ralabast was the strongest of all before dying, but the inexperienced Joe is significantly 'weaker', but only relatively. He's still scary strong when needed. Corkindale is another example of a 'weak' chimera using experience to leverage their power. Reincarnation does not improve the level of the reborn chimera.

Chimera are shapeshifters; every chimera can change into something. A chimera can use the shape of any animal that was alive during the chimera's lifetime, which is why Joe transforms into dinosaurs, while Kagan does not. Humans did not exist during the age of dinosaurs. Some can change only into a single creature and are usually fairly harmless, and some can change into fantastical beasts that are a mixture of the best traits of various species. All chimera serve Nature to the best of their ability, most simply are not strong enough to accomplish much on their own. Others accomplish more simply by being more powerful.

Chimera heal quicker than normal creatures, their wounds healing in minutes and hours instead of days and weeks.

When a child is born as a chimera, it will be some years before that child becomes aware of themselves as a chimera, getting the chance to mature first. The trigger appears to be a great need, perhaps aided by the onset of puberty. Experiencing a strong emotion such as anger or fear could also be a trigger. Eventually, all chimera become aware, although understanding of why they are may only come when they meet other more experienced chimera, or if Nature communes with them in a fashion that can be understood.

## Power levels

Kagan breaks down the distinctions between the different chimera by strength and abilities in a discussion with Joe Gomez while trying to mentor him. She explains that there are five tiers or levels of power, with most chimera falling into the first three levels.

### Changelings

Level 1 chimera are the weakest; these are known as Changelings. They have only one form they can take, and it's usually reflective of their personality. The Order of the White Wolf deem these chimera to be too weak and seek to cull them when they find them, as if Nature could make a mistake, sending their spirit back to Nature in the hopes that they will reincarnate as stronger chimera. Sienna (squirrel) and Monica Masters (domestic cat) are Changelings.

### Swarms

Level 2 chimera can transform into multiple instances of the same form; these are known as Swarms. In a pinch, they can transform into a single giant example of their particular species. Corkindale and N'Daigoshii (both rats) are Swarms.

With a Swarm chimera, if all but one member of the swarm is destroyed, the chimera can regenerate over time to become fully fleshed once more. This was demonstrated when N'Daigoshii was nearly eradicated by Corkindale during the Black Death, and again when N'Daigoshii killed all but one of Corkindale's rats. He kept that one as a pet for a while, but Corkindale was rescued, and he was able to regenerate after that.

Swarm chimera are also the only class of chimera that can perform a soul shearing, essentially separating the body into two distinct entities where only one had been before.

### Skin Dancers

Level 3 chimera can transform into creatures within the same genus, such as wolves, big cats, and so on; these are known as Skin Dancers. An example would be a chimera that can shift into a lion, a tiger and a panther, all creatures of the genus *Panthera*.

With most chimera being limited to the first three levels, the next are much more rare and are significantly more powerful.

### Beast Masters

Level 4 chimera can change into any type of creature at will, with a possibly unlimited selection of beasts; these are known as Beast Masters.

### True Chimera

Level 5 chimera can mix many forms and are the rarest of all chimera; these are known as True Chimera. They can pick and choose the best features from many species of beasts. Sightings of transformed True Chimera may have led to the legends of chimera in Greek mythology, as well as other legendary creatures such as harpies and centaurs.

They can become flocks or swarms of the creature of their own choosing. Kagan favors a cauldron of bats or a murder of crows. This could have been what led to stories of vampires becoming a cloud of bats or rats, although a Swarm chimera would do just as well for this.

They can even manipulate and control plant life, (actually, just life, period), for their own purposes. A sufficiently powerful chimera can use plants as a living weapon, or to fashion clothing.

It should be noted here that Ralabast is oldest and strongest and has abilities beyond other True Chimera. He can control the weather and cause disruptions of the earth's surface.

## Eye Color

In the same conversation that Kagan had with Joe, she defines the qualities associated with the three aspects of eye coloration: yellow, red and blue.

There is no true clear-cut distinction between the eye colors. They can be seen as a guide to what motivates the chimera, but they can be a representation of power as well. Some relatively weak chimera, judging by power level alone, can display the stronger eye color, showing that their relative power is greater than would be expected.

### Yellow

"Form follows function, informed by purpose."

This could be taken to mean that the form is guided by what the chimera believes to be its purpose and personality, by what it believes is right. This level is most often associated with those chimera with little power and/or little experience. Corkindale, for instance, as compared to his much older soul brother. Joe has yellow eyes when he's being Joe, but blue when Ralabast is ascendant.

### Red

"Shape follows intent, informed by identity."

This could be taken to mean that the form is guided by what the chimera means to accomplish, guided by more or less selfish reasons. This level is more often associated with chimera with some considerable power an experience, such as Kagan and N'Daigoshii.

### Blue

"Body follows mind, informed by soul."

This could be taken to mean that the form is guided by an enlightened understanding of the mind, guided by the soul. This level has been associated only with the most powerful chimera, such as Ralabast, Romulus and Hanuman.

## Trivia

* A chimera is a monster from Greek mythology that breathes fire and has a lion's head, a goat's body, and a snake's tail.

## References

1. ↑ End of Season One Q&A **Justin\_Jordan** May 31, 2019 *in a reply to* **NyxTheWolf** May 31, 2019
2. ↑ The Catalyst **John\_Amor** Nov 4, 2019 *in a reply to* **Manta1812** Oct 5, 2019
3. ↑ End of Season One Q&A **Justin\_Jordan** May 31, 2019 *in a reply to* **.beep.** May 31, 2019
4. ↑ The Great Beyond **Justin\_Jordan** Sep 28, 2019 *in a reply to* **CurryMonster** Sep 28, 2019
5. ↑ Hey Man Nice Shot **John Amor** Mar 27, 2020 *in a reply to* **danferrcorr** Mar 8, 2020
6. ↑ Sword of Truth **John Amor** Sep 28, 2019 *in a reply to* **Kurobâll** Sep 28, 2019
7. ↑ Catch a Falling Knife **John Amor** May 4, 2019
8. ↑ The Messenger
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lullaby
10. ↑ Slow Sin
11. ↑ Slow Sin **cadmean** Jul 27, 2020 *confirmed by* **Justin\_Jordan** Aug 15, 2020
12. ↑ Imaginary Enemy **Justin\_Jordan** May 24, 2019
13. ↑ The Britannica Dictionary