Moots are assemblies of Garou that combine social, religious and political functions, and thus, are tremendously important.  Moots provide a lifeline of spirituality, strength, culture, law, tradition, honor and history that stretches back into the deepest primeval times back to the First Pack.  At moots, Garou bond with one another and reaffirm their commitments to their species and Gaia.  Garou who frequently avoid moots are viewed with suspicion by their brethren.

Moots are generally held on the full moon and are always held at caerns.  At moots, questions of policy are debated, plans for the future are discussed, heroes are honored, violators ofthe Litany are reviled, and, most importantly, the caern is recharged via the passion (in the form of Gnosis) expended during the ceremony.

There are many types of moots:

• Sept Moots, held monthly for each Sept to conduct the business of the sept.  These are the most comon sort of moots.
• Elder Moots, held on special occasions for the elders of a sept to debate issues.  All Garou of the sept are welcome to watch, but may only participate if specifically called upon to do so.
• Tribal Moots, where Garou of a particular tribe in an area perform rituals sacred to them.
• Grand Moots, where all Garou of a tribe gather to discuss matters affecting the entire tribe.
• Concolations, where all Garou are welcome to discuss issues of importance to the Garou Nation.

Moot Positions

Master of the Howl
It is the Master of the Howl who leads the howls in the Moot, recites the Litany and determines when each segment of the Moot begins and ends - in other words, the Master of the Howl is the equivalent of a master of ceremonies for the moot.  The Galliards (usually the elder Galliard) determine the Master of the Howl, and though this position is most commonly occupied by a Galliard it may be held by any Garou.

The Fool
It is a tradition amongst the Garou that a Fool should be apointed for any moot.  What the Fool does and says is never held against him.  He can caper and dance, make fun of the Litany and dispute the word of anyone without fear of retribution.  In return, the Garou are supposed to affirm their heritage by refuting the claims of the Fool.  Of course, when the Fool agrees with the sept, that is also an insult; after all, he is a Fool.

After the Moot, the Fool's privileges are suspended, and his words in the moot are supposed to be forgetten and/or forgiven.  This is often hard for Garou to do, which is why many Fools don't go completely overboard - a wise Fool nettles where he can do the most good.  The elder Ragabash appoints the Fool for a moot; the position is usually held by a Ragabash, though not always.

Caller of the Wyld and Four Winds
The Caller of the Wyld is assisted by four Garou representing the East, South, North and West Winds.  The Caller asks for the aid of the winds, and summons the caern spirit during the Inner Sky, where the Garou renew ties of community and respect with their totems and the spirits around them.  The Caller is determined by the Theurges, usually by the Master of the Rite.

Talesinger
The Talesinger will tell a tale, usually a story of some ancient Garou, or something from the Silver Record, or perhaps a song of Renown from long ago that can act as a parable to the Garou.  The Talesinger is typically chosen from amongst the Galliards by the elder Galliard.

Truthcatcher
The Truthcatcher is chosen from amongst the Philodox and presides over the Cracking the Bone, where it is the time for those at the moot to make their grievances known, petition their peers for judgement, and propose or question sept policy.  The eldest among those present generally speak first, though all members of the sept may participate.  The Truthcatcher guides the discussion and can interrupt at any time, asking questions or demanding clarification.  Once all is said and done, it is the Truthcatcher who hands down the final decision, the final ruling, and, if appropriate, the punishment.

Wyrm Foe
Chosen by the Master of the Howl at the beginning of the Revel portion of the Moot, the Wyrm Foe is typically an Ahroun and represents the consummate warrior as she leads the Revel.  The Wyrm Foe calls for mock battles, ritual hunts, displays of strength and wild dances that channel the vibrant energy of the gathered Garou.

Moot Outline

Where items are linked, there are additional bluesheets for those portions of the moot.  Where noted, times are for moots of the Sept of the Buried Heart.  The Sept of the Zephyr's Mind is being handled separately.

Assembly
All Garou attending the moot assemble at the place of gathering in the caern, usually at the center of the caern.  The air rings with howls of introduction as Garou meet one another and discuss matters prior to the beginning of the moot proper.  [This typically takes about an hour or so from game start at 2pm.]

Opening Howl
The Master of the Howl welcomes the assembled Garou and leads them in an opening howl, and typically follows with a second howl of mourning for the lupus who are lost.  Refer to the Howls bluesheet for more information on howls.  [This takes approximately 5 minutes.]

Recitation of the Litany
The Master of the Howl then asks for the Fool to come forward, and recites various tenets of the Litany.  After each, the Fool will make a specific challenge to that tenet, and then all of the assembled Garou will call out rebuttals to the challenge, thus re-affirming the Litany for all of the Garou.  Sample rebuttals are available in the Litany Responses bluesheet.[This takes approximately 15 minutes.]

Calling the Wyld
The Caller of the Wyld and the four Garou representing the winds summon forth the spirits of Gaia, including the caern spirit, to thank them for their efforts and affirm the Garou's connection to Gaia.  [This takes approximately 5 minutes.]

Stories and Songs
The Talesinger steps forth to tell a story, to remind the Garou of their roots.  [This takes approximately 5 minutes.]

The Talesinger then calls each pack of Garou to step forth and tell the stories and songs of what deeds they have accomplished since the last moot, thus affirming the connection of Garou to one another.   This is the time when everyone gets to find out what everyone else is doing - to laugh at foibles, to cry at a sad story, to swear for justice and revenge.  As the assembled Garou applaud each story or not, or hiss at it, the elder Galliard finishes the presentation of the story or song by approving the Renown that has been awarded or taken away through the assembly's acceptance of the story (or not).  It is also at this time that the auspice elders make known any Renown awards that they have made since the last moot.  [This takes approximately 5 minutes per pack.]

Stories and songs from older times along with bardic challenges and the like are heard during the Revel.

Cracking the Bone
In this part of the moot, those at the moot deliver announcements to the Garou, make their grievances known, petition their peers for judgement, and propose or question sept policy.  While individual matters are often taken care of by individuals, or by Philodox tribunals, the Cracking the Bone is generally used for sept-wide matters or for Garou who seek attention to their causes.  Any rituals to take place before the assembled sept are typically done during this portion of the moot (though must be approved by the Master of the Rite).  Also, any scandals being brought forth by the Ragabash are made known at this time.

Typically the eldest are asked to speak first and the cliaths last, but only one who has been "passed the bone" may speak, and only the Truthcatcher may interrupt.  Of course, grumblings and mutterings will be heard from the assembled Garou, but Garou who truly interrupt may lose Wisdom Renown.

The Truthcatcher presides over this portion of the moot and decides the composition of any tribunals.  For more information on the Philodox and judgement, refer to the Philodox bluesheet and the Challenges bluesheet.   [This takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on matters at hand.]

Revel
As the Cracking the Bone ends, the Ahrouns then stand forth in a circle.  The Master of the Howl stomps around the inside of the circle, looking at the Ahrouns in turn, measuring them, judging them.  Finally, the Master of the Howl will lock eyes with an Ahroun and then turn away, indicating that the chosen Ahroun is the Wyrm Foe.

The Wyrm Foe coordinates the Revels, which include all challenges for Rank brought before the sept and other games that Garou may devise and the Wyrm Foe approve.  It is a time for celebration as well as for discussion, for Garou to move off into the quiet places and share what they know.  Refer to the Challenges bluesheet for more information on challenges, and note that the Master of the Challenge has responsibility for the challenges as they occur.  [The Revel occupies the majority of the game and is the closest to a typical LARP, where players gather and mingle at will.]

Inner Sky
As the moot comes to a close, the Master of the Howl once again summons the assembled Garou to the center of the caern, where the Caller of the Wyld thanks the spirits and dismisses them.  [This takes approximately 5 minutes, towards the end of the evening.]

Closing Howl
The Master of the Howl then leads the Garou in a booming howl that ends the festivities.  After this, Garou will quietly discuss and disperse.  [This pretty much marks the end of active GM effort for the evening, the actual game shutdown will occur not long after the Closing Howl.]