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| The Litany; Laws the werewolves live by | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 24 2011, 09:07 AM (92 Views) | |
| Falcon | Aug 24 2011, 09:07 AM Post #1 |
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Garou Shall Not Mate With Garou Explanation: Werewolves should mate only with humans or wolves. Because metis offspring are deformed, twisted or even insane, Garou are forbidden to mate with their own kind. Of course, this law is enforced largely because of age-old prejudices against metis. This stricture forms the basis for some of the greatest tragedies of Garou culture. Galliards have been known to move listeners to tears by telling ballads of two werewolves who fall in love and can never express their passion. . . or who do so at the cost of their lives. Combat The Wyrm Where ever It Dwells and Whenever It Breeds Explanation: The Wyrm is a source of evil in the world. Gaia created the werewolves to protect humanity, and destroying the Wyrm is the most direct way to do so. The fastest way for a Garou to become respected is to prove himself in battle against the servants of the Wyrm. The Apocalypse may be close at hand, but the surest way to delay it is to fight without restraint against the Great Serpent and its minions. Respect the Territory of Another Explanation: Whenever a Garou approaches another werewolf s territory, he must announce himself first and ask permission to enter. The traditional method involves the Howl of Introduction, reciting one's name, sept, totem, tribe and home sept. Many Silver Fangs and Shadow Lords also insist on a visitor's lineage, establishing whether he is pure bred. In addition to these precautions, a werewolf should mark his territory, whether with scent or clawed sigils, to keep peace with other Garou. Accept an Honorable Surrender Explanation: Duels between werewolves are common. While many homids prefer to talk their way out of disputes, most tribes emphasize martial prowess, stressing trial by ordeal and single combat. As a result, many werewolves die. As the race dies out, peaceful Garou have reemphasized this dictum. They can't stop their sept mates from killing each other, but because of this portion of the Litany, a werewolf being attacked by another Garou can end a duel peacefully by exposing his throat. The loser shouldn't suffer a loss of reputation or renown for doing so, but a victorious Garou should be praised for his mercy. Theoretically, any dueling Garou is honor-bound to accept a surrender. Submission to Those of Higher Authority Explanation: Like the wolves with whom they breed, werewolves are theoretically a hierarchical society. Someone's always alpha, and some poor fool always ends up skulking behind the rest of the pack. Therefore, the concepts of Renown and Rank are integral to Garou society. A werewolf must always honor reasonable requests from higher-ranking Garou. The First Share of the Kill for the Greatest in Station Explanation: Elders are well known for invoking this custom. repeatedly. While this "kill clause" originally applied to hunting, it has since been expanded to include spoils of war. In theory, the most renown Garou has a right to the most powerful fetishes found by their packmates. Silver Fangs and Shadow Lords demand what they see as their due; other tribes accept grudgingly. Ye Shall Not Eat the Flesh of Humans. The Law: This portion of the Litany was first sung shortly after the Concord. Stargazer mystics noticed that many werewolves of the Western concordat took a bit too much pleasure in devouring human flesh.. Such cannibals found themselves vulnerable to the corruption of the Wyrm. Elders grown fat off human stock also became weak at stalking and killing more challenging prey, like the Wyrm-spirits they should have been hunting. In the 21st century, this law is more than a simple spiritual matter. Human beings now consume a frightening amount of preservatives. Their chemical-laden diet makes their flesh unwholesome. Respect Those Beneath Ye-All Are of Gaia The Law: The werewolves of human legend are skulking solitary monsters, but Garou are communal creatures. Their legendary ancestors pledged to become the world's protectors, so they must respect every creature's place in the natural world. Every Garou is likewise worthy of respect. Chivalry is a classic Garou concept, and chivalrous behavior is a respectable way to gain renown. The Veil Shall Not Be Lifted Explanation: Werewolves must be discreet when acting among humans. This practice is far more than simple respect for the Concord, the decision to respect humanity's right to its own civilization. The world is a dangerous place. Human hunters, religious fanatics, ancient vampires and far more sinister supernatural creatures stalk the night. And, of course, the servants of the Wyrm are lurking everywhere, exploiting the weak. If werewolves choose to act like monsters, other creatures will hunt them like the beasts they are. Garou as a whole, have all obligation to protect humanity. When human see werewolves lumbering about in Crinos form, insanity grips them, and they concoct all sorts of outrageous rationales for what they've seen. Fear mounts, panic results, and the populace resorts to drastic measures of defense. In short, rampaging werewolves can cause almost as much damage as the Wyrm creatures they hunt. Do Not Suffer Thy People to Tend Thy Sickness Explanation: Sadly, people at war do not always have the resources to care for their infirm. Long ago, an infirm, aged or mortally wounded Garou would be torn to pieces by his septmates. Such a pitiable hero should not suffer further. In the modern world, it is considered more dignified to let such an elder choose how to end his own life. In Garou legends, many of the greatest heroes simply set out on one last journey, never to return. The Leader May Be Challenged at Any Time During Peace. The Law: A werewolf s pack mentality may be strong, but he should not tolerate a weak alpha. If no immediate threat is nearby, a Garou of sufficient rank may challenge the pack leader for his position. A contest results, usually a duel, a test of wits or a simple, snarling display of intimidation. In a pack, this contest is resolved quickly and decisively. In a sept, the assembled werewolves enact the contest with great drama. The Leader May Not Be Challenged During Wartime. Explanation: The most dangerous spirits are capable of manifesting in the physical world; in their true aspects, they are monstrous in size and power. For werewolves, pack tactics are the best defense against such invasions. Therefore, obedience in a pack is essential. Once a fight begins, the pack alpha's word is law. A pack mate who disobeys may be punished or assaulted by his companions, or possibly even by his sept, after the danger has passed. Ye Shall Take No Action That Causes a Caern to Be Violated. Explanation: This law is obeyed as strictly as the need to preserve the Veil. Caerns surge with mystical energy, the lifeblood of the Earth. If one is destroyed or corrupted, part of the Earth dies, and so does the power of the Garou. A werewolf who leads a proven or potential enemy to a hidden caern is punished severely, even if the act was unintentional. |
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8:28 AM Jul 11