WATER RATS

To the Water Rats nothing is more important than the River. It is not just the most important thing in their lives; it is the only thing. Without it they would have nothing, it keeps them safe and fed. Devoted followers of the River, the Water Rats are able to glide along its silver surface with ease; even where it reaches the Urban sprawl of the City. But the River is a fickle mistress and her wrath will fall on any who attempt to journey on her surface without due devotion. Many is the Weasel or Toad who have attempted to usurp the Water Rats dominion of the River, only to find themselves lost in the murky depths.

Water Rats plough the waters of the Thames, from east to west and back again. In the heart of London-That-Was, just beyond Big Ben, the Foxes and the slow slide of ruins into the river make the route impassable by boat, even if Mayor ChiefWeasel were to permit river travel that far. Certainly, no Water Rat has made it out in to the open sea. To the west, in the depths of the Wild Wood, the Thames splits in to a series of smaller streams, eventually overgrown with weeds and bushes. Some brave Water Rats or Badgers work to keep the routes through the Wild Wood clear, walking them each day, cutting back brambles and clearing debris after storms.

Most Water Rats, however, work the curving stretches of the River, shipping goods and passengers in their long narrow boats and barges, whole families devoting their lives to the movement of boats on water. A whole thriving society has built up around the Water Rat narrow boats and barges – with every mooring along the River engaged in the bustle of trade and talk, wherever two crews meet.

Water Rat narrow boats are often filled with luxuries, silk cushions and hookahs, books and fine china. The boats themselves are frequently hung with richly coloured cloth and painted bright colours. All the pleasures of life, all in one small boat, housing a single family or crew of friends. Such tight quarters demand clever use of space and the roof of a narrow boat is often hung with hooks and canopies, while bench boxes provide even more clever storage. Water Rat fashions mimic this, a combination of the eminently practical (waterproof hide, pockets and pouches and belt loops and sashes) and the luxurious (rich colours and textures, fine fur collars to keep one warm at night, silk scarves and wide trousers) all in a dazzling array of fabrics. It is often simple to tell when a Water Rat crew approaches; they are preceded by the flash of light from mirrors and sequins, or the jangle of jewellery as they walk.

The flow of the River and the health of their fishing grounds… All Water Rats are attached to the River and as such will always be able to tell you the conditions of the river, how quickly the water is flowing and in what direction and what that means. What's more, they will usually be able to wax freely about it, to all who will listen. In addition, Water Rats live off the River and a Water Rat can often tell a lot about the state of its health from the ease at which they are able to fish. Since the Knifewinter, Toads and Weasels have been salvaging the ruins of factories far downstream, in London. Since they have been pumping the sewage from these factories in to the Thames, the stocks of fish in those areas has dwindled to nearly nothing.

Who is using the River… While Ferrets might control a stretch of Road, Water Rats consider themselves to have control over the whole length of the River - with no Crew owning more than any other; and no Crew owning less than all of it. As such, a Water Rat considers it his business to have full of knowledge as to the traffic on it.

A Story, or a Song… More than Hedgehog Lorekeepers, more than Stoats in the heart of the Wild Wood, more than the most experienced Ferret story-smith, the People of the River understand the power of tales. Every Water Rat will know a story, or a song. Their history is passed, like a boat on the River, along the flow of stories. It is considered a great honour amongst Water Rat crews to have one’s story adopted and adapted – frequently one can trace the movements of a crew by the stories that they tell – a crew who has recently been trading in London might begin “I was standing under the shadow of Big Ben”; whereas one that has come from trading furs in the Wild Wood might begin “I was hunting deer in the dark…”. Most of the Peoples of the Land agree that Water Rats are extravagant liars – every spring, at the Country Fayres, crews will invite all comers to take part in the “Liars Contest” – a meet where tall tales are shared and grand boasts are made, with Elders judging the tallest and grandest and most entertaining.

Suggested Character Types: Boaters; Fisher-folk; Legitimate River Traders; “Legitimate River Traders, Cap'n”; Healers; Doctors; Mercenaries; River Pirates; Dockers; Storytellers; Wanderer.

Water Rat Minimum Phys-rep Requirement: Rodent mask or prosthetic

• Your nature is “COUNTRYSIDE” - you are affected by all calls involving “COUNTRYSIDE”.
• You may stake claims in any Territory, but holding claims in the Countryside will be significantly easier.
• You may use any item that requires “COUNTRYSIDE” as a Nature. This includes Clockwork and Steam, but not Powder. (However, see “Merit: Guns” below)
• You may not use any item which requires a different Nature.

ALL Water Rats have the following Merits and Flaws:

AN EYE FOR INGREDIENTS: When gathering Ingredients for Brews, you will harvest more ingredients than usual.

TRADER: During downtime, the markets that you run are a little more successful than others.

THE ONLY THING: During Downtime, you are able to perform the “Hunt” action on “River” territories. Any “Meat” cards you acquire from fishing are assumed to be the fish. You will not gain “Fur” this way.

GUNS: If you have “Skill: Firearms”, then you may load Powder weapons as if you had an “URBAN” nature. However, as a Water Rat, you may never call damage higher than SINGLE with Powder weapons.

RIVERFOLK: As a Nomadic people, Water Rat groups do not gain the free Claim at start-up. Water rats may own buildings. Water Rats may Claim “River” Territories during Downtime.

You have FIVE points to spend on characteristics You may pick ANY characteristic from the following list

Cultural Bonus: Elder Water Rats can, at start-up, take a free Claim at a specific place on the river. **Water Rat ONLY More details on this are given in the extended cultural brief.