Aspects of the Garou
Embers, a live-action role-playing
game, by Embers Productions
Aspects of the Garou
The Garou are an amalgamation of what is human, wolf, and magic. Garou
are complex and difficult beings, created out of simple ideas. Here are
described those various aspects of the Garou.
Becoming Garou
The first Garou were created whole by Gaia, after that they reproduced
by breeding with humans and wolves. Over time, certain groups of humans
and wolves became favored by groups of Garou, creating the tribes, though
this was not an equitable, peaceful arrangement - many battles were fought
over breeding rights. On average, nine out of 10 children borne to a Garou/human
or Garou/wolf mating are normal humans or wolves. These children are known
as Kinfolk, are immune to the Delirium, and often aid their Garou brothers
and sisters. Those few who are to become Garou are mundane for their childhood
years, often watched afar by their Garou family who are almost always other
members of their tribe. A Garou is almost always able to scent a
young Garou who has not gone through his First Change. The childhood
of these Garou-to-be is often not a happy one - they have strange dreams,
spend time alone, unable to get along with their peers, unable to belong
amongst the mortals who recognize the nascent predator in their midst.
At some point in puberty, the child is typically fully driven out of
the society of his peers, ostracized or institutionalized. At this time,
the Garou family show themselves, either kidnapping or "adopting" the child
and guiding her through the shock of her First Change. The cub is then
taught the basics of her tribe's lore, then put through the Rite of Passage,
a harsh and deadly test that some cubs do not survive. Those that do survive
learn what it means to be one of the fiercest beasts on the planet and
gain an understanding of the meaning of the Pack as they are accepted into
their tribe and sept.
Lately, the Garou have discovered more and more adult humans (or, very
rarely, wolves) who have the potential to become werewolves, but who were
somehow lost by their tribes and have never been taken through a Rite of
Passage, though may have gone through their First Change no supervision.
These individuals have so repressed the wolf aspect of themselves that
they have no idea it is there. They are known as "lost cubs" and
many go insane or die of depression. So few Garou are left that it
is considered a time of great joy when such a lost individual is discovered,
though sometimes it is too late. Sammael Schulz was one such person
- thought to be "just a Kinfolk" of the Shadow Lords in the Sept of the
Salamander's Soul, he was corrupted and walked the Black Spiral.
An insanely-giggling antagonist of Gaia, he and his pack have been implicated
in the deaths of several Garou.
Breeds and Forms
There are three breeds of Garou, based on what form the Garou had when
he was born. Since Garou children usually live in human or wolf society
prior to their First Change and Rite of Passage, this aspect of Garou has
a great affect on their lives, influencing their behavior, oulook and approach
to life in general.
Homid - Ape, Monkey, Breeder
Werewolves born to humans are the most common of all Garou. They relate
better with people, cities, technology, and abstract ideas. They see the
destruction of nature wrought by humans, yet can't reconcile themselves
to ending that by destroying humans or their way of life. The guilt caused
by this makes it easy to forget that they must have a balance between their
wolf and man natures. Many Homid Garou see their lupine relatives as backwards
country folk. Some even believe that they are the next step of evolution
and the Lupus Garou are outdated.
A Garou in homid form appears very much like a normal man or woman of
the Garou's heritage. Though possibly a bit more feral, a homid is
always in some fashion more charismatic than most humans.
Lupus
Lupus are the Garou that are born of wolf stock. Though once as numerous
as Homids, as wolf numbers have decreased so has the population of Lupus
Garou. Those of this breed are closer to Gaia, but they have a harder time
dealing with the modern world - they are creatures of instinct, living
in the now, acting openly, honestly and directly. Many Lupine Garou look
down upon those that are human born because humans have caused the loss
of their hunting grounds and Kinfolk.
The lupus form is that of a large wolf of the region the Garou's tribe
originated in, e.g. dire wolf or wolfhound for Fianna and timber wolves
for Wendigo. The lupus form is always recognizable as a wolf, except
for a few mangy Bone Gnawers whose lupus form looks like a dog and some
Uktena who get mistaken for coyotes. In the first case, other Garou
are insulted by the lack of noble form of the Bone Gnawer, in the second
case it is the Uktena who is often insulted.
Metis
One of the strongest tenets of the Litany prohibits mating between
Garou, for the result of such is always a sterile, deformed child whose
birth form is Crinos, the wolf-man form of battle. In times past, such
young were put to death. In modern times, Gaia needs as many warriors as
she can find and the offspring of such a union are allowed to live if they
are viable. Besides the revilement of their deformities, Metis are a constant
reminder to other Garou of the shameful act of their parents, causing them
to be generally scorned and abused by their peers. Most Metis are hostile
and cruel as a result, causing them to live up to the reputation as vile
creatures.
While in crinos form, a Garou appears to be ferocious 9' tall wolf-man,
with the head, tail and fur of a large wolf. The fangs and talons are pronounced
and fierce and the arms become long and apelike, suitable for running on
all fours. While in this form, communicating in anything more than simple
guttural words is difficult, requiring extra concentration. However, a
Garou's strength in crinos form is at its peak. The crinos form is universally
accepted among Garou as the form of war.
For more information on each breed refer to the particular Breed Bluesheet
for your character.
Auspices
Luna, sister to Gaia, is the mentor of all Garou. As Gaia is the mother,
Luna is the aunt who provides paths to follow and callings to hear, a crazy-dangerous
aunt whose influence in that way is represented by the Rage in Garou that
grows as the moon becomes full. The moon that a Garou was born under influences
their outlook on life, through the Garou's own heart as well as the teachings
given by the elders of that Auspice. As Luna waxes and wanes, her Auspices
each have their moment of ascendance, though in the growing An Auspice
may renounced and another chosen, but those who go through the Renunciation
face a painful rebirth as they lose Rank and esteem.
Ragabash - No Moon, New
Moon, Trickster
In the darkness waits the light. The trickster is the bringer of wisdom
to those who bring themselves wise, the one who reveals that the emperor
has no clothes. Though often the lightest in spirit of all Garou, their
humor does not always have a light side and is often misunderstood by those
who are being "taught." Their enigmatic natures cause other Garou to be
wary and lack respect, though this also gives the No Moon a freer hand
to work his pranks.
Theurge - Crescent Moon,
Summoner of Spirits, Seer of Visions
The crescent moon shines like a blade, and so are the Garou borne under
that light those who penetrate into mystery. Their understanding of spirits,
rituals and the Umbra is unequaled amongst Garou, though their insights
are often eerie and unsettling and they have little time for common foolishness.
Philodox - Half Moon,
Mediator, Judge, Lawgiver, Balance-Bringer, Keeper of the Sacred Ways
The half moon balances light and darkness, the Garou of the Half Moon
mediate, and all Garou benefit. Philodox are the judges, lore keepers,
and moderators, leading other Garou by example but often keeping their
own counsel close to their heart and mind. Philodox make the best leaders
in times of relative peace and are known as the most honorable of Garou,
though their decisions are swift and sometimes harsh.
Galliard - Gibbous Moon,
Bard, Singer, Storyteller, Dancer-for-the-Moon
The almost-full moon brings out the songs and stories, bidding the
Moon Dancers to sing and play of past deeds and prepare for what is to
come. Galliards are those who find stories to tell, whether it be through
asking after a battle or by participating in it themselves. Often the Bards
are the souls of their packs, for their great passion makes them play hard
and fight hard.
Ahroun - Full Moon, Warrior
Like the brightest moon, Ahrouns are the shining example of what the
Garou can be...glorious warriors defending Gaia. Ahrouns are the toughest
fighters, cunning hunters, fierce combatants, but lack in many of the social
skills that would one want to be around them very long. Though their flame
is bright, it often burns quickly as they are unable to control their Rage
and die an early, if typically glorious death. Those Ahrouns who are able
to master their inner beast become some of the most dangerous creatures
alive, fearsome in their destruction. They are all that is mighty, proud
and foolish in the Garou.
For more information please refer to the particular Auspice Bluesheet for
your character.
Tribes
The tribe is the largest social unit amongst the Garou, and has a great
effect on the werewolf's cultural outlook, upbringing and physical traits.
In past days, all Garou in a given area would be of the same tribe, in
modern times Garou have intermixed more though all still hold to the traditions
and ancient ways of their tribes.
Black Furies
The avengers of the Wyld, the Black Furies are almost entirely female.
This tribe originated in Ancient Greece, and is extremely militant. Male
Garou born to the Black Furies are usually given to the Children of Gaia.
Bone Gnawer
The lowliest of tribes, the Bone Gnawers are mostly found in city alleys,
dumps, and park benches. Though scorned and insulted by other Garou, as
well as being mangy, scrawny, and cynical, they survive.
Children of Gaia
Seekers of unity, the Children of Gaia can be seen as tree-hugging
leaf-eating peacenicks or those most in harmony with Gaia. Don't underestimate
the Children, though - they can be as strong and merciless as necessary.
It was the Children of Gaia who fought to end the Impergium and protect
humanity, a slight that has never been forgiven by the Red Talons.
Fianna
Garou of Celtic origin, they are the preservers of werewolf history
and lore, prefering to occupy their days with wordplay, song, drink, revelry,
and the occasional good rousing fight. Quick to anger and slower to forgive,
the Fianna show much of what is bright and dark in Garou annals.
Get of Fenris
It is said among the Garou that the Get of Fenris would gladly allow
themselves to be devoured by a Wyrm demon just so they could rip out its
tongue before they died. These Norse Garou throw themselves heedless and
howling into battle unlike any other Garou.
Glass Walkers
Most Garou view the Glass Walkers as rebellious, at best a little odd.
They see themselves as adapting to change, of being able to accept as other
Garou can't that the world is different than it used to be. These Garou
are comfortable in urban environments, using technology and people to their
advantage in savory and less-than-savory ways.
Red Talons
The only completely Lupus tribe, the Red Talons sees the only way to
preserve Gaia is to destroy the human despoilers. They keep to themselves
in the wilderness, keeping close to their bestial natures and the secrets
in the depths of nature.
Shadow Lords
Mighty in battle and cunning in peacetime, the Shadow Lords follow
the path of ambition wherever it leads. Their courage, tenacity and arrogance
are unquestioned, though their allegiance to the Wyld occasionally is -
more than one member of this tribe has been lured by the Wyrm to the promise
of power.
Silent Striders
The most mysterious of the Garou, the Silent Striders are individual
wanderers with no permanent homes. A quiet laconic people, when they they
choose to spin a tale their knowledge of what has gone before and what
is to come can exceed that of the Fianna.
Silver Fangs
As far back as Garou legends can reach, the boldest, strongest, and
wisest of the Garou have almost always been Silver Fangs. Today they are
still the very proud leaders of the Garou, though slightly inbred as they
work harder than any tribe to maintain their pure breed. Fierce and regal,
the Silver Fangs tolerate very little in the way of dissention.
Stargazers
Mystic spiritualists and contemplators, this smallest tribe roams the
dark and lonely places of the world protecting the weak from the Wyrm.
Uktena
The remnants of one of the three great North American tribes, the Uktena
at once the most secret and open of tribes. Sly, reticent and devious,
no other tribe knows more about the ways of spirits than the Uktena, though
what they use their knowledge for is unknown. The tribe has accepted many
Lost Cubs and interbred with people of many heritages, moreso than any
other tribe except perhaps the Bone Gnawers. Some Garou suspect that they
are already on the path to corruption, though such accusations are only
whispered because of the mighty power the Uktena do occasionally choose
to wield.
Wendigo
Last of the three Native American tribes, and the only one still pure,
the Wendigo have almost been entirely exterminated along with the Native
Americans they claim as Kin. The rightfully resent all other Garou for
joining with the Wyrmcomers (European colonists) and only claim the Uktena
as friends. At best members of the other tribes are treated in a cold manner.
For more information please refer to the particular Tribe Bluesheet for
your character.
The Lost Tribes
Once the Garou's numbers were far greater, but the Wyrm's genocide has
taken it's toll and three Tribes are no more.
White Howlers
Descended from Picts, these guardians of the north attempted to slay
the Wyrm by carrying the battle to the beast itself. In the Wyrm's cavernous
pits they changed, becoming horrors themselves. They emerged as twisted
mutants calling themselves Black Spiral Dancers, now mortal enemies of
Garou. The White Howlers are rarely spoken of, lest their curse be called
upon the other Garou's heads.
Croatan
The third of the North American tribes, Garou bards sing epics of valor
in their memory. The Croatan gave their lives to banish the Wyrm beast
known as Eater-of-Souls, which had traveled to the New World with the Roanoke
colonists.
Bunyip
The Bunyip were not lost to or slain by the Wyrm, but slain by Garou
and Kinfolk from Europe as they took control of the lands Down Under. No
songs are sung for them, for the Garou are too ashamed.
Ronin
Those Garou without a tribe, sept or pack are known as Ronin. Without purpose
or direction from those sources, these Garou wander the world. At best,
they are tragic figures, at worst the lone, mad wolves who help taint the
opinion of mortal humans against Garou and wolves.
Kinfolk
The children of a mating between a Garou and a human or wolf who do not
become Garou are the Kinfolk. These children are imunite to the Delirium
and can thereby have more regular interactions with werewolves. Human
Kinfolk are vital to Garou existence, as they can freely enter human society
and help their Garou cousins. Wolf Kinfolk are protected with all
other wolves, as there are so few today. Kinfolk are considered to
be the responsibility (some would say property) of the tribe they are descended
from. Kin who have no known tribe are generally taken into whichever
tribe finds them. Some tribes, such as Glass Walkers and Shadow Lords,
have extensive networks of Kinfolk, though not all tribes treat their Kinfolk
equally well. At best, Kin are strong allies. At worst, Kin
become implacable enemies.