Lilin

Headstrong and alluring, a lilin (pl. lilinot) knows what she wants and how to get it. Most of the Kithain see the lilinot as volatile vixens, incapable of loyalty and eager to solve every problem with seduction. Like some of the Prodigals who call themselves vampires, the lilinot claim descent from Lilith, a demon who rebelled against her creator and refused to submit to the man she’d been forced to marry. Lilith then fled a would-be-paradise to make her own way in the desert, becoming mother to many creatures that hid from the light of the sun. The lilinot may or may not be her direct descendants, but in claiming her name, they invoke her rebellious spirit. Others say lilinot were born from the fever dreams of desert folk who craved release from the oppressive heat of the summer sun, and from social mores that demonized pleasure. They are the jasmine-scented evening breeze that caresses a shepherd’s cheek, the darkness of the storm on the horizon, and the torrential downpour that brings life to barren lands.

A lilin is hesitant at best to pledge fealty to any lord, unless the benefits clearly outweigh the cost of the obligation. Though they are often criticized for being self-centered, lilinot maintain that they merely know their own worth. More than a few lilinot have become famed courtesans and mistresses throughout the centuries, seeking patrons who admire their spirit and don’t try to tie them down. But woe betide the benefactor who takes a lilin for granted or tries to lord his generosity over her.

Lilinot prefer the nocturnal lifestyle, and all the pleasures that come with it. For a lilin, hedonism comes naturally as breathing, and opulence is never to be rejected. That said, although she appreciates luxury, she will never depend on it. The moment her freedom is threatened, she will leave her silks and precious stones behind without looking back. When she isn’t fleeing perceived captivity, she’s pursuing a change of pace, whether it takes the form of a new lover or a new adventure. She is unlikely to live her entire life in the same city.

As childlings, lilinot are exhilarated by their abilities, and they seek opportunities to exercise them. They thrive in nightclubs, bars, or any place teeming with warm bodies ripe with desire. They are likely to throw themselves into a series of new relationships, but then quickly become discontented when each partner develops feelings of attachment. They flit from one lover to the next, rarely looking back when one has displeased them.

The wilder lilinot are more discerning in their pursuits, focusing more on the quality of their quarries than the quantity. These are the more politically minded lilinot, the ones who seek powerful patrons, who eagerly participate in diplomacy, and who desire to leave a mark on the social and political landscape. They are not above using lilinot wiles to get what they want.

In the grump stage of life, lilinot have seen it all, and grown wiser for it. They no longer see lovers as means to acquiring Glamour or power (for they have likely gained their fair share of each), and instead keep a few loyal partners in rotation. They caution younger lilinot to appreciate each encounter while it lasts, and to be fair to those they leave behind. Lilin grumps are level-headed, and turn their attention to caring for the community at hand, keeping a watchful eye for injustice, and stepping in to defend the freedom of those they care about.

Lilin
[No Symbol Available]
Name	Lilin
Plural	Lilinot
Pronounced	LIH-linn
Dream of...	Independence
Affinity	Fae
Birthrights	Breaking Bonds, Endless Charm
Frailties	Wilting Nightbloom, Free Spirit

Kith Notes

Appearance

Lilinot have long hair that seems to never tangle, regardless of its texture or how it is styled. Their human form tends toward the athletic, with accentuated curves and prominent musculature. They move with serpentine grace and prefer fitted clothing that leaves just enough to the imagination. They will proudly display gifts of jewelry from their patrons. In a lilin’s fae mien, soft wings spring from their shoulder blades, and patches of their skin may shimmer with scales. They favor chimerical companions such as owls and snakes.

Revelry

To a lilin, physical pleasure is paramount when it comes to regaining Glamour, whether she is experiencing it herself or administering it for others. Her methods of revelry are not limited to the pleasures of the bedroom, though those are among the most potent delights. Physical contact between the lilin and at least one other person, mortal or Jinn, is necessary for her to harvest Glamour. Cantrips cast by lilinot may be accompanied by faint rumblings of a thunderstorm, an unexpected gust of wind, and jasmine-scented raindrops.

Kith Mechanics

Affinity

Fae

Birthrights

Breaking Bonds

Provided they don’t do so out of spite or desire to cause harm, the Dreaming shields them from legal and financial repercussions for breaking a mundane deal or contract. Events simply conspire to see to it that they go unpunished, at least with regard to laws and money – agreements get lost, courts drop cases, and the like. Lilinot may even invalidate a fae oath or other supernaturally binding pact without suffering the magical consequences such actions would normally entail, provided they can make a reasonable case that it is imbalanced or unjust. (In her guise as the Dreaming, the Storyteller is the final arbiter of what counts as reasonable.) For example, an oath broken by a lilin will not trigger Banality. Lilinot may shield others from the consequences of mundane contracts or broken oaths at a cost of 1 Glamour for each person. She may not release others from magical oaths, however, only herself.

Endless Charms

Add one dot to Charisma, Manipulation, or Appearance even if that brings the trait above 5. Lilin may spend 1 Glamour to negate a botch on any roll involving that Attribute, turning it into an ordinary failure. Lilin wings are decorative by default, but the cost of the Winged Merit is reduced to 2.

Frailty

Wilting Nightbloom

While sunlight will not destroy them, it weakens them significantly. While standing in direct sunlight, lilinot suffer +1 to the difficulty to all rolls, including cantrips. Moving into shade or shelter ends this disadvantage. Lilinot also do not like being tied down, and have a hard time putting the needs of others above their own desires.

Free Spirit

Choosing to honor a solid commitment – such as one made to an employer, romantic partner, or other stable relationship – instead of doing something the lilin wants will trigger Banality. For example, if a lilin wants to hunt a chimerical beast but promised her girlfriend she’d go on a date that night, Banality triggers if she chooses the lady over the tiger.

References

• Changeling: The Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition Player's Guide, pp. 119-121