Bastian

The Library of Celaeno

The Library of Celano is located on the fourth planet of 16 Tauri, both a star in the constellation of Taurus, and a member of the Pleiades star cluster. This star is roughly 4 times the size of Sol, and is blue. The library houses scrolls and stone tablets that are said to contain the secrets of the Great Old Ones and the Elder Gods. It exists as a great repository of mythos lore, and as such is a common destination for denizens of the universe to explore.

The Bastians

Bastians are demi-humanoids with strong feline features, the most prominent being a feline head and a non-prehensile tail. They are approximately human sized, but typically 25% lighter. They are equally mobile on four legs or on two. When traveling, they prefer four legs, and are accordingly faster, and retain the physical abilities of felines, most notable being a strong sense of balance, fast reflexes, and the ability to jump large distances. When on two legs, they are less agile, and generally only stand thusly when working sorcery, fighting, or interacting with other two-legged humanoids. The typical Bastian is as intelligent as a human, and they have well developed magic, something they have an innate gift with. They are distrustful of technology, and are less technologically advanced than humans.

Origins

Descended from the ancient Egyptian goddess Bast (herself an Elder God), They have a love for secrets, and an inability to avoid mischief. Mischief to a Bastian can frequently be fatal to other mortal races. The Egyptians encounters with Bast are very likely Bastians who became lost when traveling, and not the actual elder Goddess itself. The cat-like aliens have their origins on a distant star called Pasht-Bast, and it is a shrine world to the Elder Goddess.

They are particularly incensed by the image of the Crazy Cat Lady, and consider this an affront to Bast.

Sample Bastians

The Black Blade - this bastian is a swordsman, and is quite skilled with a seemingly out of place longsword. In combat, he will block and parry with the blade, and use his own claws to rake at exposed flesh, especially the face. The Black Blade is a mercenary for hire and will be serving as a guide to another group of library explorers, or following a particular target to eliminate it.

The Rat-Catcher - the Rat-Catcher is under retainer to the custodians of the Library, and works for them by hunting down and killing vermin in the safer sections. This isn't the typical rodentia, but rather the malformed and horrific things that find their way into the library along with dimension gating travelers. He is a skilled Ranger of the Library.

The Celican - the Celican is a Bastian sorceress and has used her magic to hunt out the secrets of the Library. She is likely to tag along with a group of patrons if they are going her direction, and she will use her magic for the common good, but will quickly depart if things get too dangerous, leaving her party bereft of her skills. Her magics are strongest in illusion, misdirection, and manipulating potentialities and she does not throw fireballs or raise the dead. Such things are gauche.

The Trouble-Maker - the Trouble-Maker is a rogue and a thief, and will tag along with/guide a group of patrons through the library for the purpose of betraying them to steal their things. He is charming and charismatic, but ultimately, only out for himself.

The Cleric - the Cleric is a Bastian who has devoted her life to the worship of Bast, and has come to the library on a pilgrimage, and is hoping to find a Bastian relic or lost tome to bring back to the homeworld and her religious order. Her command of white magic is impressive, and she is a valuable companion in any group, but her focus is on Bast first, Bastians second, and things like humans are much much further down on the list.

The Caterwaul - the caterwaul is a bard, entertainer, dancer, and seductress. Her interest in the library is tangential to her interest in the patrons of the library. The secrets of those who've devoted such effort to finding more secrets are simply irresistable.