Ragabash

Embers, a live-action role-playing game, by Embers Productions

Copyright 1999, Embers Productions. All rights reserved.

Tricksters

To call them are jesters is foolish. To say that they are mad is at best in accurate. To ignore them only makes it worse. They poke fun at the self-important egos, at most times when doing so will damage credibility them most. What plans are made, they will undo. What secrets you keep, they will try to uncover. The more you encourage them, the more they get in your way. They are annoying, bothersome, and disrespectful. And yet, with all of the posturing and egos so prevalent in a strength-based society, none are so valuable at keeping these things in check than those born of the new moon - the Ragabash. Though Gaia’s rage burns less in them than any other of the auspices, what the Ragabash lack in fire they make up for in wit, skill, and precision.

The Ragabash philosophy is simple: to teach.

That's it, really. After everything is boiled away, the Ragabash aim is to teach people that which they need to learn. However, sometimes lessons come in very unorthodox forms. And to that end, the Ragabash endeavor to surprise their students, providing them with a more pure form of learning.

Among society, the Ragabash plays a number of roles, many in direct response to the elements around them. It is traditionally a Ragabash who at moots plays the part of The Fool, whose defiance and feigned cynicism reminds Garou of the Litany’s importance and purpose. It is the Ragabash who are consulted to design cunning ambushes and clever strategies. And it is the Ragabash who remind the serious that life is to be enjoyed and the indulgent that it is not to be wasted. At first blush, one might think that the Ragabash exploits would not be welcome among Garou, who quite often conduct their affairs against the Wyrm and Weaver with the utmost seriousness. Devils advocate, political activists, and revelers in the face of adversity, the Ragabash provide perspective and balance.

Certainly, the younger Ragabash do not seem nearly so directed or aware of the point of their lessons. Rest assured, behind every secret they reveal, for every ego they deflate, for every 'joke' they play there is a reason. As the Ragabash gains rank and experience, the lessons become more clever, their points sharpened, detonating with inescapable consequence. It is a matter of bragging rights among the Garou to have the best buzzkill at a moot and the lauded tend to be the most daring and inventive of the lot.

In combat, the Ragabash are valuable for their stealth and cunning, being the more clever and improvisational fighters. In the right situation, a single Ragabash may be able to foil a potentially dangerous situation by using their wits instead of resorting to direct violence.

Esoterics

Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of Ragabash life is that despite their apparent lack of respect, they are collectors and (among the Ragabash) teachers of a wealth of esoteric knowledge. Some of what they know is based in ritual magic, like the ability to open a Moon Bridge without the aid of a Caern spirit. Also, their knowledge comes from local occult legends and connections to unexpected strata of mortal society. And sometimes, their knowledge comes from their snooping around (sometimes even on other Garou). At the achievement of each new rank, a Ragabash is required to spend an evening with the ranking Ragabash wherein he is taught a lesson. Sometimes, the experience is intentionally personal, leading toward inner understanding. Sometimes it is simply a discussion about the various personalities within the Sept. And yet at other times, the Ragabash elder has not shown up at all. In all cases, the younger Ragabash usually leaves the evening feeling as if their mind has been completely blown away – their perspective irrevocably shaken. To compare the Ragabash’s traditions of tiered hierarchy, tests, and revelations to Masonic practices is not entirely unfounded.

Tricks of the Trade

Beyond their cleverness, the Ragabash have abilities that aid their often elaborate pranks which break down into Stealth-related abilities and skills at social manipulation.

• Stealth
  • invisibility
  • theft
  • unlocking

• Social
  • intimidation
  • confusion
  • force others to reveal a secret

The Other Auspices

Ahroun (Full Moon)

A true warrior cares not for the trappings of success and status. The fight is its own reward. Breathtaking to watch in battle, pitiful to watch around a campfire.

Galliard (Three-Quarter Moon)

Talent and ego go hand in hand. Grease up their guitar keys and watch ‘em boil over with anger. Of course, none record history so… dramatically… as the Galliard.

Philodox (Half Moon)

One for all and all for one. Who watches the watchers?

Theurge (Quarter Moon)

What they cannot do themselves they have their spirit servants do for them. But no one knows the Umbra better than our resident shamans. It is never really a good thing to interrupt them in their rituals unless you know what you’re interrupting. They don’t get angry, they get even.