Galliard
Embers, a live-action role-playing game, by Embers Productions
Copyright 1999, Embers Productions. All rights reserved.
The Garou as Bards
Dancers, singers, keepers of the Silver Record. Among the Garou, none evoke so much passion through their art as those born under the three-quarter moon, the Galliards. In a society driven by social status, it is necessary to have one’s exploits recanted to the Sept. A heroic act against the Wyrm will gain one much notice, but a gripping epic poem will forever burn it into the memory of one's brethren. The greatest compliment one can have is to be sung about for generations to come. The best way to remember from where one came is to hear the Silver Record and remember why the Garou are Gaia's chosen defenders. To immortalize the Garou adventure into the great tapestry that of verbal history is what puts the ink into the Galliard's pen, the notes to the song, the passion in the story.
Second only to the Ahroun in their fiery tempers and great rage, the Galliards are the historians of the Garou’s dying culture. But the Galliards play an even deeper role in Garou society – that of its razor sharp eyes and ears. For who better to witness and communicate the events of a nearby battle than the Galliards? Who better to put events into the proper perspective? They provide the Garou Nation with the fighting edge they need against their enemies. And when arguments erupt within the Sept, who better to convince other of the justness of actions, to plea the case to the Sept judges. Galliards are the detectives, investigative journalists, and lawyers, gathering intelligence and ferreting out all there is to be known.
The Voice Among Many, The Eyes in Battle, The Passion Within
If a pack or one of its members is to gain notice for actions honorable, wise, or glorious, it is almost always done in tale or song by a Galliard. To go without one’s services is to condemn one’s deeds to anonymity. Also Galliards are very skilled at pleading a case in a Philodox tribunal, stirring the emotions to a more favorable decision. Moreover, it is the ranking Galliard who decides at a moot who will lead the Sept as Master of the Howl and whose voice that recites the Silver Record at moots. This is the way it has been for centuries.
Those Galliards more involved in Sept politics often take a back seat in their activities, seeing great value in staying alive long enough to provide their services to the community and simply living to tell the tale – every song needs a singer, every tale needs to be told. To let another’s actions go unnoticed, to neglect to tell the younger generations of their heritage, is to dishonor the entire Nation. But some Galliards are not so passive in their actions. There are those who become very practiced at stealth and perception. These make the very best scouts and infiltrators and as such, they provide the Garou with critical intelligence. One stealthy Galliard can find out more about an enemy’s defenses than many blindly attacking Garou. And in the twilight days, there simply are not enough numbers to justify ignoring more tactical attacks. Those fighting Galliards have a front-line perspective that imbues the tales of the exploits with am unequaled passion (if at times somewhat exaggerated).
But perhaps more than any specific benefit Galliards bring to the Sept, they are the keepers of passion. Their stories remind the Garou why they were chosen to do and of their ancestors that fought before them. King Henry V’s St. Crispien’s Day speech masterfully roused his troops into a frenzy of purpose so great that they not only bested France’s outnumbering defenses, but they pledged their undying loyalty. The Garou of today, tired and worn down until their limbs ache with fatigue and weight, can find in a Galliard’s song their spirits renewed, their health restored, and their fiery rage rekindled.
Traditions
Galliards aim to inspire passion among those of their Sept especially during times of grief. Galliards take it upon themselves to expose their feelings for fallen or missing comrades, often enacting elaborate and emotionally wrenching rituals in order to achieve (or at least display) a kind of catharsis. Crying, singing at extreme volumes for entire evenings, ranting eulogies, sleep deprivation, vision questing, isolation, and even self-mutilation are common cathartic practices. The point of the effort is to expose as much of the emotion as possible and let it out, allowing them to deal with their issues instead than burying them. This can understandably make the Galliards seem to be a moody lot – histrionic at first and then callous as time wears on. But the Galliards care little for what other people think in this regard.
It is quite a common practice for Galliards to be in competition with each other for the attentions of their fellow Septmates, especially at moots. In the best of times, evening festivals are held to allow Galliards to see who can tell the best tale, who can sing the best song, and who can inspire their audience the most. Judged by applause, the Galliards take these competitions very seriously, preparing their material for days ahead of time. After such festivals, the most popular Galliards are often those sought to narrate the higher-ranking Garous’ adventures.
Because of their great rage, Galliards will endeavor to psyche themselves up for battle – a state called The Fugue. Some do it by chanting (which inevitably becomes ranting at the height of the passion), some by singing the rallycries of battles past, and some will even try to pick fights with others, all in order to get everyone’s blood boiling. When a Galliard is properly Fugueing, he appears to be channeling … something else entirely, almost becoming alien to his own species. Unsurprisingly, most Galliards after the Fugue will not remember things they have said or done while under the influence of their rage.
Though most all Galliards are talented artists (of various media), the ritualized performance of their art is known to have a rather dramatic effect on their audience. At times, effects are so dramatic that they appear to be somewhat mystical – raging Garou or hostile enemies can be calmed, arguments lose their importance, depression temporarily alleviated. In some legends, mortally wounded Garou are rumored to have even been brought back from certain death by a Galliard’s ministrations.
The Other Auspices
Ahroun (Full Moon)
Gaia’s rage rides these Garou the hardest. They often are the front lines of the Garou battle and thus their exploits are quite often the easiest to chronicle. It is unwise to become the focus of their aggression, so it is wise to know the right soothing melodies to divert their attentions. However, none are so appreciative of the Galliard’s efforts as the Ahroun. The warrior tradition seems to mean more to them than one might expect. Certainly, most memorable heroes among Garou are Ahroun.
Philodox (Half Moon)
Judges and Police. Of all the Garou they are the strictest when it comes to the Litany. However, they are also the most unified of all the auspices, which makes them a powerful force to reckon with. Of course, being the arguing kind that Garou are, the Philodox are pretty good at letting arguments go on long enough for folks to feel satisfied but stop ‘em before someone gets hurt badly. Without them, Garou society would surely self-destruct. Of course, they tend to be pretty secretive sometimes. Makes you wonder what they talk about in private.
Theurge (Quarter Moon)
There isn’t a one of ‘em who not weird in some way. Like when you talk to them - they don’t look right at you or its like their attentions are focused somewhere else all the time. Or even worse, they treat you like you are a big distraction to something really important. But they join in the fight with the rest of us when they can. They get us there through the dizzying Umbra in good fashion. And when the fight’s over, they’re the ones who clean up the mess. If you’re looking for stories of beings what lurk beyond the Veil, ask Theurge.
Ragabash (New Moon)
The young ones are a real riot sometimes, poking fun at those that need a little deflating. But it’s kind of embarrassing when you’re the butt of the joke. That’s the point, I guess. The older ones are creepy, quieter, but they’ve always got something going on. You’re guaranteed to get the best tall tales when you follow the Ragabash, but sometimes they lead you on wild goose chases looking for ‘snipes’. Yeah, yeah, very funny.