Polina

1. #1Garouselective

   Keys: Garou, werewolf

   Garou is a term used by the werewolves breed to identify their race and culture. The term is used nearly interchangeably with Garou Nation. Werewolves cannot breed among themselves to preserve their lineage; their blood is too potent, and the result is always a deformed Metis. To continue their bloodlines, werewolves must mate with pure humans and wolves or kinfolk. However, the chance that any children or cubs that result from such a pairing will breed true is small. Garou are divided into different Tribes. Garou have several special abilities. They heal damage incredibly fast, and can be killed by little but silver or the claws and fangs of other supernaturals. They can change shapes at will and step into the Umbra, the spirit world. They are granted Gifts by the spirits; these are special magical abilities or spells. Even in human form werewolf is much stronger than any human. Werewolves mother are giving birth in corresponding form (mostly in human form).

2. #2Litanyselective

   Keys: Litany

   The Litany is the code of laws kept by the Garou: Garou Shall Not Mate With Garou; Combat the Wyrm Wherever it Dwells and Whenever it Breeds; Respect the Territory of Another; Submission to Those of Higher Station; Respect Those of Lower Station, for all are of Gaia; Ye Shall Not Eat the Flesh of Humans; Do Not Suffer Thy People to Tend Thy Sickness; The Veil Shall Not Be Lifted.

3. #3Feraselective

   Keys: Fera, Changing Breeds, shapeshifters

   While the Garou were created by Gaia as her fangs and claws, to keep her safe, they were not her only children. She created many other breeds of shapeshifters and gave them each a task. Some have lost their way with time; others were forced from their roles by the Garou. Some have turned to serving only one aspect of the Triat, instead of Gaia as a whole. Fera is the term most commonly used by the Garou themselves, to mean shapechangers of other races; other breeds have similar terms. Most Fera have at least a strong distrust of the Garou, due to the actions of the Garou during the War of Rage.

4. #4Gaiaselective

   Keys: Gaia

   Gaia is the Earth and related Realms, in both a physical and a spiritual sense; the Mother Goddess of all living things.

5. #5Umbraselective

   Keys: Umbra

   The Umbra is a realm existing alongside and yet separate from the material world.

6. #6Veilselective

   Keys: Veil

   Veil is a term that refers to the tenet in Garou culture that ordinary humans are not to know that the Garou exist, which the Delirium reinforces.

7. #7Deliriumselective

   Keys: Delirium

   Delirium is the overwhelming instinctive fear that affects human beings who see werewolves and some other Fera in their war forms - with the exception of their kinfolk, who are entirely immune to the effects Delirium, as are ghouls, vampires, and large armies of mortals.

8. #8Crinosselective

   Keys: Crinos

   Crinos is the war-form of some Fera. Fusing the deadliest aspects of human and beast into one body, this form's sole purpose is to kill and shred all enemies into pieces. A werewolf assuming the Crinos form would display gigantic fangs and horrific claws; long, powerful arms; thick skin and bones; heavy fur; and a large wolf tail for balance and body language. Its awful mouth can barely speak human words, though it can bay and howl with deafening eloquence.

9. #9Wyldselective

   Keys: Wyld

   The Wyld is one of the three spirits of the Triat. The Wyld is a generative force: it creates absolute Chaos, which is given order by the Weaver before it is destroyed and returned to chaos by the Wyrm.

10. #10Weaverselective

    Keys: Weaver

    The Weaver is one of the three great spirits of the Triat. Its function was thought to be to make order from the creations of the Wyld, giving them form and function for the duration of their existence before they were destroyed by the Wyrm, maintaining a balance between creation and destruction. Many Garou believe that the Weaver is primarily to blame for the imbalance in the Triat

11. #11Wyrmselective

    Keys: Wyrm

    The Wyrm is one of the three incalculably powerful spirits comprising the Triat. The Wyrm's purpose was to cleanse and rectify all of Creation, furthering its descent into Entropy. When the Weaver went mad and began encasing everything in Webs to prevent the destruction of its creations, the Wyrm was progressively constrained until it could no longer fulfill its purpose as it wished. Denied the opportunity to do as it had been created to do, it was driven into a state of pure rage and madness, hellbent on destroying everything regardless of whether it’s appointed time had come or not. Consequently, the Wyrm now exists as a Dark God of destruction, chaos, darkness, and corruption; the very essence of everything the Garou oppose.

12. #12Tribeselective

    Keys: Tribe

    Tribes are the largest social unit of the Garou. Tribe members are often bound by bloodlines, similar totems, and lifestyles. A Garou is not bound to join the tribe of their ancestry; a cub, for example, may not meet the standards expected of a tribe and is therefore unacceptable as a member. The personal philosophies of an individual Garou may also drive them to seek another tribe that meshes better with their views.

13. #13First Changeselective

    Keys: First Change

    The First Change is the name for the first shapeshifting of a young Garou (and for most Fera). Usually it comes along with the first frenzy and the first usage of the Crinos battle-form in highly stressful situations. At some times however, the change can be more placid and straightforward, as the shapeshifter melds into another form.

14. #14Rageselective

    Keys: Rage

    Rage is a mystical wellspring of primal anger granted to the Garou by Luna. It allows them to move at great speed, shrug off mighty wounds, and change forms quickly. It can also power some Gifts.

15. #15Frenzyselective

    Keys: Frenzy

    Frenzy is the violent outburst, the untamed savagery, the animal instinct for blood and brutality that lurks in the heart of every werewolf. Shapeshifters frenzy when overwhelmed by their Rage.

16. #16Breedselective

    Keys: Breed

    Breed is a term used to describe the form in which a shapeshifter was born. Werewolves have three breeds: homid (human-born), lupus (wolf-born), and metis (crinos-born). Werewolves mother are giving birth in corresponding form (mostly in human form).

17. #17Auspiceselective

    Keys: Auspice

    Auspice is the term for the phase of the Moon under which a Garou was born. Ragabash - Garou born under the New Moon. Their role is the Trickster and Questioner of the Old Ways. Theurge - Garou born under a crescent moon. They are Shamans, more in contact with the spiritual world, the Umbra, and the spirits. Philodox - the Half-Moon are Judges and Mediators in Garou society. They usually are the leaders in time of peace. Galliard - the ones who are born when the moon is Gibbous are the so-called Bards and Keepers of ancient Lore, who know of all the ancient legends and songs. Ahroun - the Full Moon represents the war aspect of Luna (the Moon) and these Garou are the most fierce Warriors. They usually step into leadership during wartime.

18. #18Giftselective

    Keys: Gift

    Gifts are special powers granted to Garou and other fera by the spirits.

19. #19Caernselective

    Keys: Caern

    Caern is a sacred place to the Garou where they can meet and contact the spirit realms. A desecrated caern is called a "Pit", and Black Spiral Dancers caerns are referred to as "hives".

20. #20Septselective

    Keys: Sept

    A sept is a group of werewolf packs organized around a caern. This community of werewolves defend the caern from the forces of the Weaver and Wyrm, other supernatural threats, and the incursions of humanity in general.

21. #21Gnosisselective

    Keys: Gnosis

    While all creatures have some spiritual component, Garou can consciously control and use it. Garou are quite literally half-spirit already, and Gnosis reflects how connected they are to their other half.Gnosis can be used to bribe spirits, activate fetishes and Gifts, and to enter the Umbra. Creatures without enough Gnosis generally cannot perceive or enter the Umbra. Gnosis is a renewable, but dwindling, resource. Garou can regain it at sacred sites, by meditating, or bargaining with spirits. Sacred sites provide Gnosis, but if they become defiled, it can corrupt the Garou, or there simply may be no more available.

22. #22Haranoselective

    Keys: Harano

    Harano is a psychological condition that hinders some werewolves. Harano is an inexplicable gloom, inexpressible longing for unnameable things, weeping for that which is not yet lost. Some say it is depression caused by contemplation of Gaia's suffering. Garou who suffer from Harano are prone to depression, lassitude, and sudden mood swings. They may not act at all, or may explode into intense but ill-advised activity. Garou of every tribe suffer from Harano, but the Silver Fangs are especially prone to it.

23. #23Renownselective

    Keys: Renown

    Renown is a measure of a shapeshifter's place in their society. The more Renown he has, the more weight his words carry. Renown governs how quickly a shapeshifter can gain in rank.

24. #24Black Furiesselective

    Keys: Black Furies

    The Black Furies are one of the Tribes. The matriarchs of the Garou, the Black Furies only accept women as members (save a few male metis), and are known for their honor, wisdom, pride, and fierce skills in battle. While many outsiders claim them to be the ultimate feminists and men-hating Amazons, the Black Furies think of themselves as providing opportunities to females who would have otherwise been oppressed. Instead of working through intimidation, the Furies are usually content to help women and children through persuasion and compromise. To those who offend them or hurt their charges, however, the Furies are merciless avengers and punishers of whatever they consider crimes. While the Black Furies present the face of a women-only club, they count a surprising number of male metis among their ranks. They ceremonially sacrificed all male cubs in the past. Now, however, most are given to other tribes, while the rest are secretly sacrificed. Totem - Pegasus

25. #25Bone Gnawersselective

    Keys: Bone Gnawers

    The Bone Gnawers are one of the Tribes. The scavengers and survivors of the Garou, the Bone Gnawers are seen by the other tribes as little more than mongrels who sift through the waste of mankind. The Bone Gnawers see themselves as underdogs, waiting to triumph against overconfident foes. Freedom and practicality rule above all else when it comes to the Bone Gnawers. They care little for the supposed superiority of Garou and are content to remain in the alleys, gutters, and sewers of man as long as it means they can live on their own terms. Most Bone Gnawers are extremely savvy when it comes to surviving in the streets of man. No other tribe is as accomplished at urban fighting as the Bone Gnawers, and surprise is considered their primary tactic. Totem - Rat

26. #26Children of Gaiaselective

    Keys: Children of Gaia

    The Children of Gaia are one of the Tribes. The peacekeepers of the Garou, the Children work for understanding between the tribes and hope to eventually form all tribes into a unified front against the Wyrm. The Children of Gaia are often used as mediators in disputes between packs, septs, or tribes. Though the Children of Gaia are strong advocates of peace and mercy, it is unity above all else that the tribe cares for. Mercy, they feel, is for their fellow Garou, and those who can be cleansed of the influence of the Weaver and the Wyrm. Peace is their dream, once the tribes of the Garou are united against the Wyrm and the Apocalypse War has been won. That unity is deeply important to them, not only because they are merciful healers, but because they are warriors as well. While it is true that the tribe is more tolerant of metis, they do not advocate such breaches, in part because much of the time they are the ones who end up raising the offspring of such unions. Totem - Unicorn

27. #27Fiannaselective

    Keys: Fianna

    The Fianna are one of the Tribes. Strongly based on Celtic and European traditions, they are known among the Garou for their passions for the pleasure of life, their skills and ferocity in battle, and as keepers of the music, stories, and lore of the Garou. The Fianna acknowledge three virtues: Hospitality, Generosity, and Bravery. All three are traits that, according to the Tribe, set them apart from the rest of the Nation. The Fianna believe that deformities mirror some spiritual corruption. For this reason, they shun their Metis, and a Fiann that finds himself maimed beyond even a Garou's healing powers is avoided. Their desire to be free of flaws and to live free is mirrored in this rejection of those that are different. Totem - Stag

28. #28Get of Fenrisselective

    Keys: Get of Fenris

    The Get of Fenris are one of the Tribes. Fierce warriors with little room for mercy and compassion, the Fenrir view themselves as great heroes, but have been known to shock other Garou with their violent ways. The prime focus of the Get of Fenris is heroism; all members must act against their enemies, particularly the Wyrm. There is no room for cowardice or indecisiveness among the Fenrir, and retreat is not in their vocabulary. In past times, the Get have been extremely harsh towards female members, but in the last century, female Get have had a chance to prove themselves to be as heroic and fierce in battle as the tribe's male members. Even though the Tribe's reputation for cruelty and intolerance is well deserved, a sizable number of modern Get of Fenris have begun to incorporate compassion and kindness into their cultural creed. Strength, they reason, is a gift from Gaia that they have a responsibility to use to protect the weak with; and those who dare to bully the weak are therefore cowards of the lowest order, undeserving of life. Totem - Fenris

29. #29Glass Walkersselective

    Keys: Glass Walkers

    The Glass Walkers are one of the tribes of Garou. Steeped in technology, human religion, and the ebb and flow of the city, the Glass Walkers live and die by a creed of progress. Glass Walkers don't have the strong aversion to human populations that most Garou do. To the other Tribes, the Glass Walkers are dangerously close to falling from Gaia, turning wholeheartedly to the Weaver. The Glass Walkers themselves, however, maintain that they are the ones that work to keep the Weaver's work clean from the Taint of the Wyrm. While most Garou are disgusted by the "scabs" they call human cities, Glass Walkers thrive in them, embracing human culture and technology, incorporating it into their rites and gifts, and using it to their own benefit and the benefit of Gaia. Totem - Cockroach

30. #30Totemselective

    Keys: Totem

    A totem is a potent spirit that lends its power to a group of mystically inclined individuals in exchange for some token service or tribute.

31. #31Red Talonsselective

    Keys: Red Talons

    The Red Talons are one of the tribes. They are the only tribe among the Garou that is exclusively lupine in nature (save for a very few metis), shunning humanity completely as a blight on the Earth. Totem - Griffon. They shun cities completely, exclusively living in their ancestral homelands as they have for centuries. As humans encroach on the wilderness, the Red Talons find their lands and hunting grounds disappearing and destroyed. Although not all Red Talons believe humanity should be wiped out entirely, it is agreed among all tribe members that humans are to be shunned. Those that dare cross the path of a Red Talon, guilty or innocent, will be killed to stop the spread of the Wyrm's taint. Many secretly devour the flesh of their victims, however, which goes directly against the Litany set forth by the Garou Nation.

32. #32Shadow Lordsselective

    Keys: Shadow Lords

    The Shadow Lords are one of the tribes. The politicians and manipulators of the Garou, the Shadow Lords work through their strict hierarchies and secretive ways to wrest as much power as they can. In a group that emphasizes brains over brawn, the Shadow Lords are one of the less physical tribes, placing high emphasis on cunning and manipulation. That is not to say that they do not have their fair share of adept warriors. Power is most important of all of these, and there is no room in the Shadow Lords for showing weakness or mercy to an opponent, be it a battle of wits or of blades. In considering their standings among the other tribes, the Lords have a particular hatred for the Silver Fangs, seeing the Garou nobility as an outdated dinosaur holding the rest back from achieving their full potential. Totem - Grandfather Thunder

33. #33Silent Stridersselective

    Keys: Silent Striders

    The Silent Striders are one of the tribes. Nomadic, introspective, and highly spiritual, the Silent Striders have plumbed the depths of the Umbra, perhaps more deeply than any other tribe of Garou. Striders are rarely found in the company of other Striders, perhaps occasionally pairing up with another for a difficult journey. More often than not, a Strider in a group is found in a pack composed of many tribes. Otherwise, they tend to remain loners, never settling down. One of the reasons for their frequent wandering is to find and destroy the influence of the Wyrm. To meet these ends, the Striders have pierced into the Umbra and into the realms of the dead. They are the only tribe to have mastered this art, and for this reason they have an unsettling air about them that tends to disturb other Garou. The Striders hold their greatest hatred for vampires. Totem - Owl.

34. #34Silver Fangsselective

    Keys: Silver Fangs

    The "Alpha Tribe" of the Garou Nation, the Silver Fangs are traditional rulers and war leaders. hese noble Garou are known for their physical beauty, courage, and honor. Sadly, many younger members of the tribe suffer from odd quirks - absent-mindedness, mild hallucinations, somnambulism - nothing overtly psychotic, but noticeable nevertheless. The powerful history of the tribe lays a heavy burden on the shoulders of its members, and many are too proud to ask for help. Fangs suffer from diseases of the spirit and mind. Inbreeding and harano have weakened the foundation of the tribe, and although they strive to set things right, it may already be too late. The Silver Fangs put a strong emphasis on family and are heavily dominated by homids, believing only those that are raised near power and have the necessary noblesse oblige can properly wield power. To this end, they disdain any signs of impure breeding and even go so far to choose the mates for their Kinfolk in order to maintain blood purity. Totem - Falcon

35. #35Wendigoselective

    Keys: Wendigo

    The Wendigo are one of the tribes. Considering themselves to be the purest of the Garou, the Wendigo seek to destroy the influence of Wyrm while preserving their old traditions. The Wendigo are among the best of Garou warriors, skilled at tracking and silent ambush. They direct as much of their power as they can against the Wyrm, and for many Wendigo, that includes the European Garou, whose influence ultimately resulted in the destruction of the Croatan. Virtually all Wendigo, save for those in Russia are descended from Native American peoples and wild wolves, and their Kinfolk are the same. Totem - Wendigo

36. #36Black Spiral Dancersselective

    Keys: Black Spiral Dancers

    Black Spiral Dancers are one of the tribes who turned to the Wyrm. The Dancers are quite insane, and usually sadistic; however, the Wyrm has given its slaves terrible powers of their own, as well as a violent hatred for the Gaian Garou. The average Black Spiral Dancer has a short and violent life, their goals bringing them into direct conflict with the remaining Garou tribes. Black Spiral Dancers roughly resemble other Garou; however, many of them are malformed, either through metis birth or close proximity to the radioactive balefires of the Wyrm. As a group, the Black Spiral Dancers blame all other Garou tribes for abandoning the White Howlers when they descended into the depths of the Earth and refusing to save them when it became clear that the future Black Spirals Dancers would find only madness there. While it is a rare Spiral that actually survives from those days, this belief does translate into who the dark tribe targets for recruitment; they will happily offer revenge to any werewolf who joins them. Totem - Whippoorwill

37. #37Roninselective

    Keys: Ronin

    Ronin are werewolves that are, for one reason or another, outcasts of the Garou Nation. Most Ronin breached a tenet of the Litany too often, antagonized an elder or their pack and some even chose this life in order to escape the harsh, hierarchical society of the Garou or because they were overwhelmed by Harano. The Garou are not solitary creatures. Every instinct of human, wolf and Garou alike demands the companionship of other members of their species. As such, banishment from others of their kin is one of the most terrible judgements a Garou can face.

38. #38Bastetselective

    Keys: Bastet

    Bastet are werecats, one of the many Changing Breeds. The Bastet are obsessed with secret knowledge and are always pursuing and hoarding it. Many are great magicians, others are great warriors, but they are rarely pack animals and generally work alone. Some of their tribes suffered greatly during the War of Rage. With the exception of the Simba, Bastet are solitary hunters, with little motivation to form a cohesive, interactive society of their own.

39. #39Coraxselective

    Keys: Corax

    Corax are one of the changing breeds - wereravens. The Corax animal form is that of a raven (corvus corax), and they take to their role as scouts, spies, and gossips with zeal. They are one of the few, if not the only, groups of shifters still on good terms with the Garou after the War of Rage. Corax are well known for flying, talking (and talking, and talking...), performing practical jokes on deserving Garou, and swooping down from the sky to nab dimes and tin foil. Most of all, they have a reputation for knowing things. Corax are weak to gold instead of silver.

40. #40Gurahlselective

    Keys: Gurahl

    The Gurahl are werebears, one of the surviving Changing Breeds. Slow to anger, the Gurahl tend to be healers and protectors rather than warriors. Rare since the War of Rage, they were targeted for refusing to teach the Garou the secret of resurrecting the dead. Gurahl are blessed by Gaia with strong wills and many traits of their bear cousins. Their sense of smell is far superior to that of humans, though when in non-human forms, their eyesight is poorer. They have a level of conscious control over their biorhythms, allowing them to alter the speed of their metabolisms, but are susceptible to the seasonal urges of bears, becoming sluggish and lazy in Winter.

41. #41Kitsuneselective

    Keys: Kitsune

    Kitsune are werefoxes, the youngest of the Changing Breeds. Unique among the Fera, the Kitsune are found only in the Middle Kingdom, living mostly in China and Japan. Kitsune often try to teach lessons through their tricks. Seeing as they were created with the last of the strength of the Emerald Mother, they cannot heal how the other changers can. They also do not cause the Delirium in humans, as they never were part of the Impergium. They are affected by silver just as any other breed with Rage; they are, however, unable to assume any Frenzy but Fox Frenzy. With Luna's blessing, the Kitsune acted as assassins of the corrupt authorities in mortal society, as court wizards and thieves in order to protect the Heavenly Mandate.

42. #42Mokoleselective

    Keys: Mokole

    Mokolé are werelizards and werecrocodilians, descendants of the prehistoric Lizard Kings and one of the surviving changing breeds. The Mokolé serve the role of the memories of Gaia through the practice of Mnesis. A trait that all Mokolé share is the Mnesis ability, which allows them to remember thousands to millions of years into the past. The more dots invested in this ability, the further back the werelizard can remember. All Mokolé inherit knowledge of the language of the dragons, even if they have no other Mnesis. They are vulnerable not only to silver, but a gold too.

43. #43Fomoriselective

    Keys: Fomori

    The fomori are created when a Bane possesses a human or an animal via a spiritual "hole" left by some form of sin or spiritual corruption. The Bane will slowly gain more and more influence, until they are completely fused with the host and cannot be separated. Fomori powers vary wildly, but are usually based strongly on the type of possessing Bane and/or their method of creation.

44. #44Baneselective

    Keys: Bane

    Banes are evil spirits in service of the Wyrm. Banes run the full gamut from weak and relatively harmless to hideously powerful creatures capable of rending reality around them. Weak Banes are frequently used to infect humans and animals, turning them into fomori.

45. #45Pentexselective

    Keys: Pentex

    Pentex is a multi-national megacorporation, one of the largest in the world, which is also tainted by the Wyrm. Its main agenda is the spiritual, moral, and environmental corruption of the planet. It is the main tool on Earth of the Defiler Wyrm and one of the most implacable foes of the Garou. Pentex has near limitless supernatural resources as well, employing Banes, Black Spiral Dancers, Fomori.

46. #46War of Rageselective

    Keys: War of Rage

    The War of Rage was an ancient war fought between the Garou and the other Fera. All sources point to the Garou as being the aggressor. While some of the Fera are physically or spiritually more powerful in a one-on-one fight with the Garou, the werewolves had the advantage of fighting in packs. They picked off the solitary Fera one by one, driving some entire Breeds to extinction.

47. #47Kinfolkconstantselective

    Keys: Kinfolk

    Kinfolk are those humans and wild animals who are related to the shapeshifters and are not prone to the Delirium, but who are not actual shapeshifters themselves. Kinfolk are related by varying degrees to the Fera by blood, but do not possess the spiritual component necessary to undergo the First Change. They are divided into two breeds, human or animal. A kinfolk is considered to be a part of (or property of) a Tribe and owe loyalty to that Tribe above all else. The most common extra-normal ability, inherent to all kinfolk is that they're immune to effects of the Delirium, although they're still appropriately prone to fear of an enraged being in Crinos. Though opinions of and attitudes toward kinfolk vary by individual Fera, Septs, and Tribes, kinfolk are recognized as members of the Garou Nation and Beast Courts. Under no circumstance may kin hold rank, regardless of how renowned, respected, or beloved they may be.

48. #48Metisselective

    Keys: Metis

    Metis is a term used to describe a rare mutant breed of Garou: the offspring of two Garou who broke the Litany for love or lust. Metis are born in the Crinos form and that is their natural form - however, they are deformed and sterile.

49. #49Homidselective

    Keys: Homid

    Homid are a breed of the Fera (including the Garou), who were born as and raised by humans, which is their natural form. Homids do not make their First Change until puberty or thereafter; prior to their change, many suffer from dreams and visions dealing with wolves and the wilderness.

50. #50Lupusselective

    Keys: Lupus

    Lupus are a breed of Garou who was born as and raised as a wolf, which is their natural form. Many lupus are familiar with Gaia and bear a strong grudge towards humans for their tampering; this frequently extends to Homid Garou.

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