A Year & A Day: Melissae
Changeling: the Dreaming
Homebrew Rules
Character Creation Guide Download: Melissae.pdf
Quoth the Melissae:
“You’re trespassing on our farm, friend. I suggest you leave and tell no one what you saw. Although I secretly hope you do say something, because that gives me an excuse to come after you.”
Kith Excerpt:
Melissae, also known as the Thriai, have been around for millennia, and have spent that time busy. In ages past, they made their magical honey-tincture for the Greek Gods, ensuring immortality of for the whole Pantheon, nursed a fledgling Zeus and hid him away from his cannibalistic father. They taught Heracles and Dionysus the importance of civility, curbing the boy’s excesses (at certain times and places). Many also cite their own triumph to bring men out of the wilds, by teaching them to mix water with honey, instead of spilling the blood of their fellow men. To this day, they still promote a sense of propriety to man-kind. Not that the Melissae have many dealing with men, not in today’s world anyways.
An all-female Fylí (Kith), they are highly organized, much like the bees they so resemble. They act of their own accord in their own places, maintaining secret gardens on the rocky steppes as they have since time immemorial, ensuring that no trespassers (especially men) find their hidden Orchards. This xenophobia has multiple facets. One is that their health is intrinsically tied to the Garden (see below). Another is that the fruit of the Gardens are needed to brew Ambrosia- the literal food of the Gods.
Like the bees that they resemble (in appearance, paradigm, and organization all), every day is structured and eventful. While they are territorial, xenophobic, and even sexist (in their own way), the Kith isn’t overly vicious. They may appear blood-thirsty when they are out to protect their own, but are also fond of dance, music, drinking, and carousing with the other sex (if they have that inclination). Duty will always come first, but pleasure isn’t that far behind.
Flavor
“The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her;
but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships
to dictate her and who she becomes.” ― C. JoyBell. C.
