A Nightbreed Bestiary

A Nightbreed Bestiary

The members of The Tribes of the Moon, more commonly known as the Nightbreed, come in many diverse shapes and sizes and possess a wide array of special attributes. Some have specific vulnerabilities while some are near invulnerable. Some can change shape and a few appear to be immortal. What follows is a catalogue of some of the members with descriptions about those members for whom more is known.

Midian- For many generations, Midian was the home of the Nightbreed. On its surface, it appeared to be an old, dilapidated cemetery. In truth it was an underground network of caves and tunnels that formed a small city. Midian was eventually discovered by humans and destroyed, forcing the Nightbreed to seek out a new home.

Baphomet- Baphomet is the god of the Nightbreed, but he is a god that has assumed a corporeal form here on Earth. Baphomet is dismembered. He hangs stationary from the roof of his tabernacle, bestowing blessings upon, or judging the hearts of, the Nightbreed. Baphomet’s origins are unknown. Was he a Nightbreed himself, one that ascended to godhood? Or perhaps his origins are celestial; a fallen angel or demon.

Lylesburg- He was the leader of the Nightbreed for a very long time. He served as their chief cleric judging new members of the Tribe in the name of their god as well as being their lawgiver. Lylesburg was a conservative leader, helping the Nightbreed survive through stealth. This served them well until they were finally discovered. Lylesburg was a wise leader but unable to lead his people in war.

Aaron Boone (Cabal)- Boone was once a human who had dreams of the Nightbreed. He thought that he suffered from a mental illness until he met another human, Narcisse, who also knew about the Nightbreed. Narcisse guided Boone to Midian. Instead of the welcoming he hoped for, he was attacked by Peloquin and bitten.

Later Boone was seemingly killed, but Pelogquin’s bite had bestowed certain gifts upon Boone. Like Peloquin, Boone could now shape shift, and he is also seemingly immortal.

When he shape shifts he takes on a more feral appearance and occult glyphs become apparent on his skin. In this state his strength and endurance increase and he is a more ferocious fighter.

Boone loved a human and his love for her eventually led other humans to discover Midian and destroy it. Rather than being cursed by Baphomet, the god of the Tribes of the Moon, Boone was renamed Cabal, and given the responsibility of leading the Nightbreed after the loss of their home.

Shuna Sassi- Beautiful and deadly, Shuna Sassi’s body is covered with quills. These quills are poisonous and she can launch them from her body. She is agile and moves with the grace of a dancer. She also seems to have the power to enthrall men like a siren. Whether this power is due to pheromones or something else is not clear.

Peloquin- Brutal and ruthless, Peloquin is one the Nightbreed’s fiercest warriors. 

He has the ability to shapeshift. He can take on a more feral appearance which seems to enhance his fighting ability. He also has the ability to judge someone’s innocence or guilt simply by catching their scent. Peloquin is extremely difficult to harm and may be immortal. He has the ability to bestow at least some of these powers on others with his bite, “the bite that mocks death.” . It was his bite that transformed Aaron Boone into a member of the Nightbreed.

Peloquin is loyal to the Tribes of the Moon but doesn’t follow laws that he doesn’t agree with and is not above eating any humans that might accidentally cross his path.

Rachel- Beautiful Rachel is looks like a normal human but she has powerful abilities and weaknesses. Rachel can become an intangible mist, able to slip through the smallest cracks. She can also phase parts of her body, making her hand intangible, inserting it into an enemy and then reforming it inside of them. However, in addition to these powers she is also weakened by the sun and covers herself with veils if she has to venture outside.

Babette- Rachel’s daughter, Babette has very different powers from her mother. She is a shape changer. However, she inherited her mother’s vulnerability to sunlight.

Narcisse- An actor who seemed to suffer from some kind of mental illness, Narcisse cut most of the flesh away from his own head to prove his desire to become a member of the Nightbreed. He was later murdered but his body came back to life and he made his way to Midian. It was he who first guided Aaron Boone to the Nightbreed.

Kinski—Kinski is a loyal member of the Nightbreed who also serves in Baphomet’s tabernacle. He adheres to their laws and also retains some amount of sympathy for humans, at least the ones that don’t mean any arm. He prefers to use knives in combat.

Lude- Part devil, Lude is a sneaky and viscous fighter. He is friends with Leroy Gomm.

Leroy Gomm- Close friend to Lude, Leroy Gomm enjoys feeding his pet eels with his own blood. He has a pair of symbiotic creatures that live in his body. They come out through slits in his belly and can attack his enemies.

Ohnaka- A quiet Nightbreed, Ohnaka prefers the company of his little dog.  He is especially vulnerable to sunlight and it can kill him.

Otis & Clay- Two individuals that share the same body.

Berserkers- These insane creatures come in many shapes but only one size; large. Semi-intelligent, the Berserkers are little more than wild animals. For the safety of everyone, they are usually kept locked up, where they fight each other. They are only released to fight against enemies in times of absolute dire need.

There are countless other Nightbeed. Their shapes, sizes, powers and vulnerabilities vary dramatically. For even more pictures, check out a review of the film here.