Animal Affinities
Common
| Uncommon
| Exotic
| Rare
| Insect
(Note:
This page was put up to keep this information accessible and available
after the Digital Dreaming domain expired on 1/16/11. All credit goes
to the author of the Dreamburrow site, as this is not an attempt to
plagiarize the work, but to have it hosted for those who love to play
the game.)
Common
Birds:
Crows, ravens, chickens, pigeons, ducks, turkeys, sparrows, robins,
bluebirds, hummingbirds, seagulls and canaries. Domestic and
city-living birds are also commonly found among pooka. Some might not
be the most dignified of affinities, but are fun just the same. They
tend to be good singers or mimics, for certain. All bird affinities are
also a solid reason for pooka to have the Winged Merit, provided their
particular bird affinity can fly.
RF:
1
Burrowers:
Here you will find moles, shrews, ground hogs and badgers. Some are
timid while others are nasty, but all are small burrowing mammals. Such
pooka tend to be quite comfotable underground and can dig like no one's
business. Mole pooka are noted for their bad eyesight, and badger pooka
are notorious for their large claws and furious tempers. Even redcaps
step carefully around a badger pooka.
RF:
1
Cats:
Here kitty kitty! Cat pooka make up an unusual porportion of of pooka
population. No one is quite sure why there's so many cat pooka, or why
so many of them are female.
Like dogs, cats can move about in human places without too much notice,
and their incredible agility and balance helps them in numerous
situations. While cats cannot truly "see in the dark", their sharp eyes
and whiskers do give them an advantage in the absence of light. This
category includes all breeds of domestic cat.
RF:
0
Crustaceans:
Crabs, crayfish, lobsters and king crabs. These unusual pooka are
suprisingly common. No one is quite sure why. In either case, they are
almost always found along seacoasts, and their fae miens often have
hard shells and pinchers. They have an intense dislike of Red Lobster
restaurants.
RF:
1
Dogs:
Man's best friend. Dog pooka have the advantage of being able to get
around in public without drawing a lot of attention. Stray dogs are
common, after all. And people are often nice to them, offering a treat
or a scritch behind the ear (but be careful, just as many will whack
you with a newspaper!).
Then, of course, there's the advantage of a dog's keen nose and ears.
There are few scouts that can compare to a fae with the nose of a
bloodhound!
Just watch out for the dogcatcher. No pooka wants to be put to sleep!
This category includes all breeds of domestic dog, from cocker spaniels
to dobermans.
RF:
0
Farm
Animals: Cows, pigs, goats
and sheep fall into this category, despite that they vary widely in
species. Affinities of this nature are most often found in Pooka that
grew up on farms, or simply those with calm natures. Cow and sheep
pooka tend to be quite gentle and placid in personality, while goat and
pig pooka are notorious for their huge appetites.
RF:
1
Fish:
This category includes most common fish: Catfish, perch, goldfish,
lionfish, clownfish, salmon, tuna, bluegill, tetra, anchovy. Obviously
these pooka are good swimmers and often have gills in their fae miens.
RF:
1
Horses:
Large, strong, sturdy and fast, horse pooka are some of the best
runners around, and usually have great endurance. Childling horse pooka
are often called "colts" or "fillies" as a joke, but they actually like
it.
While they usually have no problem giving their friends rides when
necessary, they prefer to run free. However, there have been horse
pooka known that have been paid to be the "noble mount" of one sidhe or
another (who will take any opportunity to 'accidentally' dump their
elven rider into a mud puddle).
RF:
1
Rabbits:
Everyone loves bunnies, right? Floppy ears, puffy tails, twitchy noses.
Rabbits are fairly common pets, and many Childling Pooka have
affinities towards them. The idea that all Rabbit Pooka eat carrots and
say "What's up, Doc?" is a myth, though. They are usually quite good at
leaping and burrowing.
RF:
0
Raccoons:
A common type of pooka is the raccoon. These furry critters lend
themselves well to the pooka mindset, being mischevious little bandits,
found both in the wilderness and in urban environments.
RF:
1
Small
Mammals: Mice, rats,
squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters and gerbils. These small mammals are
quick, agile, and can wiggle into places most other creatures will
never fit. Such pooka typically make skilled theives and spies. They
also tend to shy away from danger whenever possible, though they still
carry their own brand of courage.
RF:
0
Uncommon
Armadillos:
This small armored animal rarely has to worry about getting hurt, and
neither does the pooka who has an affinities for it. Quite a few of
these pooka are found in Texas.
RF:
2
Bats:
The world's only flying mammal, bats often instill fear in mortals due
to the legends connecting them to vampires. Bat pooka quite often have
wings in their fae miens, and bad eyesight but keen ears. Rarer though,
is the bat pooka who displays the power of echolocation in her fae mien
(better known as "bat radar"). Some of these pooka have also been known
to have a taste for blood, but most tend to resent being called
vampires.
RF:
2
Bears:
Large and usually gentle, bear pooka are not quite as rare as most fae
would think. These pooka tend to be large and burly (and hairy) in
their fae miens, and often have a taste for salmon and honey. While
they are slow to anger, a pissed-off bear pooka can make even a troll
think twice about engaging him. They typically have poor eyesight, but
sharp noses.
RF:
2
Birds:
Penguins, peacocks, cardinals, blue jays, splendid fairy wrens, geese,
pelicans, kingfishers, warblers. These less common birds are grouped
together here. Penguin pooka are notably fine dressers, and peacock
pooka are notoriously vain.
RF:
2
Fish:
Pantherfish, blue tang, filefish, sea bass, angelfish, rock beauty,
Spanish hogfish, lookdown, moonfish, short big-eye, yellowbelly hamlet,
scrawled cowfish, rainbow parrotfish, queen triggerfish, silver king
tarpon, puffer fish, African pompano, red hind, pirahna, mudskipper.
These fish pooka, like their more common cousins, are excellent
swimmers and often have chimerical gills.
RF:
2
Foxes,
Coyotes & Hyenas: Sly
and cunning, these larger mammals make excellent pooka.
Almost always displaying bushy tails and ears, fox pooka usually have
the trademark cleverness of their affinity (or at least they think they
do). These pooka like chicken a lot.
Coyote and Hyena are scavengers, and survive on their wits. Hyena pooka
have shown a disturbing taste for carrion and rather wicked sounding
laughter.
RF:
2
Frogs
& Toads: With strong
legs and sticky tongues, these pooka are not always the most popular
("Ewww, a toad!"). Many of these pooka have long prehensile tongues
even in their fae miens, and have an odd taste for flies. Almost all
are incredible leapers and swimmers. However, despite what their follow
pooka say, licking a toad pooka has no narcotic effects.
RF:
2
Hedgehogs
& Porcupines: These
animals have one of the greatest defenses around. Their coats of quills
make them dangerous to touch. Pooka of these affinities often have the
same defense in their fae miens, with chimerical quills bristling along
their backs and arms. Despite such a dangerous physical abnormality,
they are rarely violent.
RF:
2
Koala
Bears: Fae are suprised this
affinity isn't rarer. Koala pooka are suprisingly abundant, probably
due to their cute, cuddly quality, and many are found outside of
Australia despite popular belief. Such pooka are excellent tree
climbers and do indeed have a taste for eucalyptus leaves.
RF:
2
Monkeys
and Chimps: Humanity's
distant cousins, monkeys have many advantages over other animal
affinities. This category includes spider monkeys, slender loris and
chimpanzees. Rarer simians are found in other divisions. With working
hands, prehensile tails and incredible agility, Monkey Pooka in their
fae miens are often known to have prehensile feet and tails (Chimpanze
pooka don't have tails, of course).
RF:
2
Moose,
Deer & Musk Oxen:
These large mammal are generally laid-back and serene beings, but can
do soem damage when spooked or provoked. No one wants to be struck by
moose antlers. And regardless of jokes, no moose pooka has ever been
named Bullwinkle.
RF:
2
Moutain
Goats, Ibex & Chamois:
These wild goats and goat-like animals dwell in mountainous regions
throughout the world. Pooka of these affinities are notably
sure-footed.
RF:
2
Otters
& other Small Mammals:
Otters, beavers, weasels, ferrets, lemmings, voles, meercats, tapirs
& muskrats. This category includes all these small mammals.
More than one beaver pooka has worked in some capacity with rivers,
while lemming pooka are invariably followers. Meercat pooka enjoy
singing "Hakuna Matata" whenever possible, especially with a warthog
pooka should they find one to pal around with.
RF:
2
Reptiles:
This category includes many lizards, salamanders, newts, mudpuppies and
iguanas. Many fae find them rather disturbing to hang around, but they
are generally a harmless bunch.
RF:
2
Snakes:
Here you will find many common snakes: copperheads, rattlesnakes, coral
snakes, garden snakes and grass snakes. Few of these are poisonous (the
copperhead and rattler being obvious exceptions).
RF:
2
Turtles
& Tortoises: These
pooka seem to appear slow in their thoughts and actions, even though
they are not. They do tend to be shy (except for the snapping turtle
variety). An incredible feature is the turle or tortoise pooka that he
or she has a shell in his fae mien. This shell is hard and solid, and
acts as a form of armor!
RF:
2
Exotic
Big
Cats: Lions, tigers, cougars,
jaguars, panthers, leopards, cheetahs, lynxes....the great hunting cats
of the wild are all in this category. Claws and sharp senses and a
taste for meat epitomize these pooka, as does the typical feline
haughtiness.
RF:
4
Birds
of Prey: Majestic hunters in
the sky, these sleek pooka can take wing as eagles, hawks, falcons,
osprey, condors, vultures and owls. The rarest of all is the Bald Eagle
Pooka. These fae often have wings, sharp eyes and even talons in their
fae miens. Most display an appetite for meat above other foods and tend
to have disconcerting stares.
RF:
3 (5 for bald eagles)
Birds
(Non-predatory): Scarlet
macaws, great argus pheasants, green-backed heron, harlequin ducks,
green woodpeckers, wandering albatross, ostriches, toucans &
parrots. All these rare birds are found here.
RF:
3
Bushbabies:
Small, shy, lemur-like creatures found only in Africa and India, these
fuzzy little critters are amazing jumpers. One tree-to-tree leap was
recorded at 23 feet! They feed on fruit, berries and small birds.
RF:
3
Camels:
Pooka of this affinity obviously do well in desert environments. Their
animal miens have the ability to store moisture in their hump (or
humps, depending on the breed). They are, understandibly, found near
deserts, though nothing stops them from living in cooler locales. Camel
pooka tend to be good-natured, but are known for spitting at people
when upset.
RF:
4
Dolphins:
A perennial favorite, humans love dolphins. These brilliant sea mammals
are very clever and friendly. Dolphin pooka are understandably great
swimmers, can hold their breath for a long time and are extremely
playful.
RF:
4
Elephants:
Big, strong (and reputedly with excellent memories), elephant pooka
show an odd taste for tree bark among their other dietary staples. They
dispise ivory hunting and often work to stop it.
RF:
4
Elk,
Reindeer, Caribou & Bighorn Sheep:
These wild grazing animals are popular game for hunters. Pooka with
affinities for them obviously have issues with that. They also usually
have chimerical antlers that can be deadly in combat, and are fleet of
foot...er, hoof.
RF:
4
Fish:
These fish include Alantic sturgeon, electric eel, barracuda and
swordfish. Can you imagine the nose on a swordfish pooka? Would you
want to shake the hand of an electric eel pooka? Ouch!
RF:
3
Giraffes
and Okapi: Perhaps it is best
not to imagine the neck on a pooka with this affinity. Just kidding.
These pooka wouldn't really have ten-foot long necks. How would they
get through doors?
Okapi are related to giraffes, but have shorter necks and are
purplish-maroon in color with black and white stripes. They are from
Africa.
RF:
4
Gorillas,
Orangutans & Baboons:
These larger primates are humanity's closest relatives. Gorillas are
strong as well as agile, and tend to be agressive. It is only a rumor
that any of these pooka obsess over bananas, but they do like them.
RF:
4
Humpback
Whales: The great mammals of
the seas, it no doubt suprises many fae that a pooka could have an
affinity for an animal that is just....so....BIG!
RF:
4
Kangaroo:
Bouncy bouncy bouncy! These pooka are, despite popular belief, also
found outside of Australia. They do tend to be excellent jumpers, and
many have belly pouches in their fae miens (females, anyway). Despite
another rumor, they are not naturally-skilled boxers.
RF:
4
Lizards:
This group has geckos, frilled lizards, thorny devils, gila monsters
and chameleons. Gecko pooka can often walk on walls while Chameleon
pooka are notoriously hard to see when they don't want to be seen.
RF:
3
Misc.
Mammals: All of these various
mammals are grouped together here mostly to save room. Wombats, wart
hogs, flying squirrels, steenbok, dik-diks, anteaters and the spotted
cus-cus. Yes, anteater pooka do eat ants. Especially chocolate-covered
ones!
RF:
4
Platypus:
This, the goofiest looking of all mammals is also the only one that
lays eggs. Still, they hold a special place in many people's hearts,
and it's not suprising that some pooka take after them.
RF:
4
Polar
Bears: The ursines of the
arctic, these huge pooka prefer the polar regions and are almost never
found outside of them. They make excellent swimmers and fishers.
RF:
4
Sea
Lions & Manatees:
Although not closely related, these two creatures are grouped together
here. Manatees are also known as "sea cows". Pooka of either affinity
would be skilled swimmers. Manatee pooka have a taste for seaweed.
RF:
4
Sharks:
Hunters of the seas, these fearsome (and fearless) creatures think of
only one thing: Food. Pooka of these affinities are obvious rare, mean,
typically Unseelie, and found only near oceans (or in them). This
category covers all breeds of shark affinities, including the
incredibly rare Great White Shark.
RF:
3 (5 for great white sharks)
Snakes:
Here you will find the nastier types of snakes: cobras, asps, boa
constrictors, vipers and adders! They can make for some very nasty
pooka. Yessssssss...
RF:
4
Wolves:
One of the finest hunters nature ever produced, humankind has always
had a love-hate relationship with the wolf. Pooka of this affinity are
excellent fighters, and work well in groups. They also have a dangerous
attraction to werewolves, and often refer to themselves as such.
RF:
4
Zebra:
The famous black and white striped horse of Africa have long been a
favorite of mortals. Pooka with an affinity for zebra always have skin
colored in the same manner in their fae miens.
RF:
4
Rare
Alligators,
Crocodiles
& Komodo Dragons: The
biggest reptiles on earth, found most often in swamps and jungles.
Pooka with affinities for these beasts usually live near such
environments. 'Gator pooka in New Orleans are rather common (but no,
they are not all Cajun). These pooka are noted for their strength,
tough hides and powerful jaws, even in their fae miens.
The rare Komodo Dragon is only found on the island of the same name,
but the very few pooka with an affinity for it are somewhat more
widespread.
RF:
5
Binturongs:
Also known as the "Asian Bearcat," Binturongs are tree-dwelling mammals
found in southeast Asia. Weighing as much as 50 lbs according to soem
reports, they have black fur and prehensile tails, looking like a cross
between a cat and a small bear. While cute and rather friendly,
binturongs do not make good pets.
RF:
5
Birds:
These are birds that are currently in danger of extinction in the World
of Darkness. The King Bird of Paradise, Atlantic puffin, secretary
bird, kea, superb lyrebird, whale-headed stork, whooping crane,
flamingo, hoatzin, yellow-bellied sapsucker, quetzal, great crested
grebe, moas, tragopan pheasant, kiwi, ibis, cassowary, emu, and booby.
RF:
5
Fish
and Seahorses: This group
includes the rare snaggle tooth fish and the viper fish. It also
includes seahorses. Yes, seahorses can be pooka. No male seahorse pooka
has been know to give birth, however.
RF:
5
Octopi
& Squid: These odd
and freaky pooka often have multiple arms or tentacles in their fae
miens, not to mention large eyes. Despite what they say, these pooka
are not responsible for pulling ships and submarines underwater to
their doom. Some have been known to ejct cloud of black ink from their
bodies, even into the air. They are always found living on ocean
coasts, if not in the oceans themselves.
RF:
5
Rhinoceros:
Pooka of this affinity tend to be big and strong, obviously, and often
have horns jutting out of their faces in their fae miens. And talk
about rough skin! These are not the type of pooka you want to taunt
into charging at you.
RF:
5
Tasmanian
Devil: Warner Bros. cartoons
aside, there is some very interesting potential found in a pooka of
this variety. Depsite what you might think, they are indeed found
outside of Tasmania.
RF:
5
Whales:
The biggest mammals on earth, and the biggest anything found in the
oceans, these pooka are always found near those oceans, and tend to be
large with big appetites. This category includes all whales except
Humpback Whales.
RF:
5
Insect
Ants:
Some of the hardest workers you will ever find (which actually helps
them get along with Boggans and Nockers), ant pooka work well in
groups. In fae miens, they often have fierce bites and are suprisingly
strong, often able to lift several times their own body weight (but
they never very large). Fire ant pooka also have venomous bites.
RF:
5
Bees,
wasps, yellowjackets & hornets:
These similar flying insects are grouped together here. Pooka of these
affinities do often display stripped flesh in their fae miens and
sometimes have poisonous stingers. A potent weapon, perhaps, though it
does take some skill to strike someone with your rear-end.
RF:
5
Beetles:
This category includes all types of beetles. These pooka often have
hard shells in their fae miens, giving them good protection from harm.
They may occasionally have the large pincers extending from their
mouths.
RF:
5
Butterflies:
All varieties of butterflies fall into this category. They are
undeniably the most beautiful of the rare insect pooka, no matter what
their current form. Delicate and gentle, these pooka almost always
display butterfly wings and antennae in their fae miens.
RF:
5
Dragonflies:
Often considered nearly as lovely as the butterfly pooka, these
shapeshifters have beautiful shimmering wings.
RF:
5
Fleas:
These tiny pooka are strongly disliked by dog and cat pooka for obvious
reasons, despite that flea pooka do not usually bother their furry
brethern. They tend to be incredible jumpers.
RF:
5
Flies:
House flies, horse flies, fruit flies...these common pests are found
here. Fly pooka can often fly and cling to walls and ceilings. They
also often have the uncanny ability to know when they are in danger
(and not just from flyswatters) and some faceted eyes in their fae
miens.
RF:
5
Ladybugs:
These pretty pooka come in both genders in spite of many jokes, and
male ladybug pooka don't exactly appreciate the humor. They occasionaly
display wings in their fae miens, but not always.
RF:
5
Mosquitos:
These pests are most abundant in summer and breed in stagnant water.
Mosquito pooka, like their spider brothers, have a taste for blood, and
also often have working wings.
RF:
5
Moths:
Not as pretty or popular as the butterfly pooka, the moth pooka is
still very similar. It is only a rumor that moth pooka have a tendancy
to run or fly into fires. They certainly do not do so against their
will.
RF:
5
Praying
Mantis: This category
includes all sorts of mantis. These fearsome creatures have scythe-like
forelimbs, and their pooka occasionally have similar weapons in their
fae miens, for which even redcaps give them a nod of respect.
RF:
5
Scorpions:
Much like the spider, the scorpion pooka had the ability to generate
venom in their animal mien. If their fae mien includes the tail, such a
pooka becomes a force to be reckoned with.
RF:
5
Spiders:
Arachnophobia aside, spider pooka have numerous advantages, namely,
venom and webbing. Imagine being able to carry those abilities over
into your fae mien? Now that will give people arachnophobia! Not to
mention that these creepy pooka often have a taste for blood! Sluagh
seem to have a strange attraction to them.
This group includes all spiders, including tarantulas, black widows,
brown recluses, daddy long legs, you name it.
RF:
5
Termites:
These pooka do tend to have large appetites, but not necessarily for
wood, as some would say. Eating wood is best left for redcaps, but
termite pooka seem to be able to stomach it.
RF:
5
Worms:
Not technically insects, but found here anyway. Many, even other pooka,
find it hard to believe there are worm pooka, but there have indeed
been a very few throughout history. They understandably dislike going
fishing, and tend to be excellent burrowers.
RF:
5