Long ago in a distant land(one that just so happened to conveniently have one or more civilizations that resembled those of East Asia*), there ruled the Shapeless Ones: Twisted, nigh indescribable beings of appearances unlike any man or beast the world had seen before. These hideous, unnatural, otherworldly spawn began to ravage the landscape, and no sword or arrow could pierce their hides.
However, one day a mysterious martial artist appeared and revealed the truth about how these creatures may yet be defeated. Through rigorous training and meditation, one could attain what would become known as the Way of the Beast, where one would undergo a most mystical and divine transformation, unleashing one’s “Inner Beasl” and becoming supernaturally-powered humanoid beast men and women resembling all sorts of animals from mammals to birds to reptiles to fish to invertebrates. This transformation gave the people of the land the key to defeating the Shapeless Ones, driving them back from whence they came. The new beast warriors formed an order dedicated to defending the innocent and teaching The Way of The Beast to others, called The Siblings of Fang and Claw.
Now, as awesome and terrifying as The Way of the Beast is, The Way does have its drawbacks. For one, an individual tapping into The Way must be of high mental fortitude and concentrated on maintaining their form at all times, lest they revert back to their defenseless human shape. This is crucial and ties into the second drawback of the transformation, something that is a point of….. embarrassment among new initiates and those outside the order. That *something* is that the very nature of the transformation into beast form destroys all clothing that the user is wearing. Therefore many members of SoF&K prefer to be nude at all times, even in human form, unless travelling to a settlement where public nudity is strictly prohibited. Another slightly less but still quite embarrassing side effect is that some members without proper training will exhibit traits of their Inner Beast in human form. For example, an initiate whose Inner Beast is a wolf or dog may be compelled to chase after any thrown object, whether thrown intentionally or not, or one whose IB is a frog or toad may be compelled to flick their tongue out when a bug buzzes by. Despite all of this, The Siblings are a feared, respected, and beloved order.
Countless ages have passed since the Shapeless Ones were defeated. A new darkness has crept upon the horizon, and the Siblings of Fang and Claw will rise to the challenge. However, they will need to greatly bolster their numbers if they wish to overcome this new threat. Select members of the Siblings have gone out into the world to recruit new members* and gather intel on their latest foe. As the darkness seeps across the land, only time will tell if it will truly be enough.
Now….Who are *you*?
(*Note 1: I’d like for most characters introduced to have East Asian inspired names to fit the setting but it’s not required.)
(*Note 2: The Siblings usually recruit young men and women starting around 18/19 all the way through the 20s. However, potential candidates may arise from any age group)