Tribal Background
Legends claim this tribe died out in the great witch-purges of the 1500-1600s. As usual, the legends lie; the Ceilican simply went underground. A mercurial breed, these faerie cats danced with the Good Folk and demons alike, and led humans along for the festivities. Their wild ways caught up with them; faerie lords enslaved them and witch-hunters burned them. By the time the tribe's survivors sailed to the New World, they were down to a handful. Common wisdom calls them dead, and they won't dispute the claim.
The Ceilican are a hidden tribe, a fact that's driven through a Tekhmet's head during her fostering. There's no telling how many of the old secrets still work, and they're still in circulation. A new-changed kit often feels like the only one of their kind; by the time they're appraised otherwise, their family's secret has become obvious. Ceilican pretend to be members of other tribes and keep in touch through an arcane network called "the Silent Way." The name is a conundrum: The Silent Way is actually a musical code. In the old days, bards bore messages between cats. Messages are hidden in lyrics and chord structures. Most Ceilican consider it a special treat when a Silent Way message actually gets airplay - especially when it's an insult directed at the other tribe.
Still, these Bastet take their secrecy seriously. There's no telling when the old weaknesses might undercut the tribe one last time. These cats believe Arcadia fell, but claim that a "false faerieland" called Doirionn Blair still exists. Within this "Storm Plain," the Unseelie lord Samhach and his allies covet the survivors of the Ceilican. Better to stay quiet and live free, they reason, than to risk eternity in a fae lord's castle.
Of all the tribes, the Ceilican have adopted best to the modern world. Most favor sports, music, mass media, and frighteningly enough, psychology. Passion intoxicates these Flk; anything that stirs up emotions draws them like ants to sugar, and they're not shy about whipping up a few frenzies now and then just to keep things interesting. ( Most Ceilican have a natural aptitude for technology too; no other tribe is as comfortable with computers and mechanical devices as the ring dansers. <- This would apply in Ayenee, or if Tenaria ever allowed Tech.) All varieties of Ceilican favor blades over guns; blades simply have more style. Most Ceilican dabble in magic as well. There's a definite cunning bent to this tribe, a mischievous mark that ignites either playful games or malicious villainy. Often both.
The Ceilican curse manifests in a divided nature. While most Bastet affect a Pryio, or moon-favor, which indicates their overall personality, the Ceilican shift Pryio unpredictably. A friendly dancing cat may become sullen and conspiratorial without warning, which makes friendships difficult for them. Even the most freewheeling Ceilican have a manic, unstable air; add this to their extreme deep-cover antics and you get an enigmatic and volatile tribe.
The fae cats are romantic to a fault, and love to make a production out of everything they do. Passion is the key to attraction; Ceilican love to be around people in glamorous positions.
Like the Bubasti, the Ceilican have lost their original feline Kin. For the last few centuries, they've bred with leopards, cougars, and wildcats, producing a wild mix of pelts and features. This, of course, makes it easy to hide in plain sight; few Bastet have reason to question a Ceilican's parentage.
Like many Bastet, Ceilican wander. At least once a year, each Ceilican shifts personalities, changes his/her looks and lifestyle and takes another name. He/She may return to their old ways eventually, but cannot settle into any role for long. Before they leave, the changing cat sense out a series of clues as to their new identity. In time, their friends track them down again. A changed cat remembers who they once were, but until they return to that persona, they recall their memories like movies they once saw, not like things they have experienced.
Ceilican love gossip, folklore and personal secrets. Elusive as they are, they love digging up dirt about others.
Appearance
Of all Bastet, the Ceilican most closely resemble domestic house cats; they are, however, much bigger - the size of small panthers - and can be quite fierce. Many have patterned fur - stripes and patches are common - although most favor a predominant colour like black or white. Rebels at heart, lost of fae cats enjoy punk and pseudo-midieval fashions. Such clothes allow them to be their flamboyant selves and get away with it.
The Nine Tribes