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Contents 3
The FirstKlaive
There's not yet been a cub born that can keep his instead they called us out and told us to be ready for a
mouth shut. If there has, I don't know about him. And fight, unless we liked the idea of our necks throttled by
if there is a shut cub up trap out there, then I'll tell you, our own large intestines. Whilst the intestines re-
those teeth don't belong to any Ahroun. You hear all mained in their proper place, and while we weren't
about the yappy Rags, so I figure it's time for me to start going to let them tell stories of us running with our tails
telling the morons about the drone a young Ahroun between our legs, I didn't fancy being praised for
can make. About what he's going to do, how he's going murdering another pack of Gaia's own.
to do it; and when he doesn't do it as he inevitably Eventually the prattle gets past my bullshit toler-
won't, how he's going to do it next time. I know all this, ance level, and 1 snap back out, "Alex, if you break my
because if it hadn't been for my dear Mum pushing me eardrums, I'll break your testicles. And right now, your
out a week early, I'd be one of them. And if that hadn't rabbiting has pushed these things onto very thin ice.
happened, and you think I'm wordy now, you'd be set So I'd start working on shutting up, or guarding your
to kill me already. nads. Now have I made myself perfectly clear?" I've
Alexander Wyrmripper, our Ahroun in question, never understood why this threat still works on us
sent the screeching sentiment echoing around the room. types. When we shuffle up to our big size, we ain't got
"The poofters! Fucking poofs! Don't they care, any material worth speaking about anyway, and yet
Bazza? We've got the bloody Leech cult on the ropes, you try it on any boy with a fur on him and he still goes
when they come down from on high to tell us to get out a little wobbly around the edges. The two-legged ones
of town, they do. When I get my claws on their necks anyway, the dogs seem to get the whole idea about
"I'll spare you the rest. Needless to say, he's not happy. swapping bodies better, or maybe they're just not so
Neither am I, but a cliath shrieking like a banshee isn't worried about the threat.
working like an aspirin for me. Either way, it works a right trick on Alex, giving
The Gytrash are the pack that Alex is busy whin- my ears some blessed respite and giving Little Oliver a
ing about, and they didn't just call us out for a chat over giggle. Despite the name, Oliver's a girl. The name was
tea and crumpets, like any sensible mob would do. No, given to her when she used to hang around pubs and
TheToolsofaCulture
Fetishes can be so easy to forget, aren't they ? Gifts But fetishes are the most prized and useful tools of
are the most noteworthy special talents the werewolves Garou society. They are objects of art, elaborately
possessThe only supernatural edge that is required decorated with drawings, carvings and glyphs that tell
in character creation, and they get an entire chapter the story behind the tool's purpose, its owner, and its
of the main rule book practically all to themselves. creation. An archaeologist finding these would be
What's left of that chapter is the other powerful thrilled at the treasure trove of cultural information
aspect of the Garou and Garou society rites. And they would represent.
there's no question that rites are a very important part Fetishes are more than just the magic swords and
of the game. They open moots and dictate the rela- wands of the werewolves. They don't exist in a vacuum,
tionships between the Garou and the spirits, and occurring spontaneously. They shape and are shaped
between themselves. by their culture, and are as much a window into their
Neither man nor Garou exists in a vacuum, and Fetishes: Formula or Fantasy?
neither does anything he creates. The creation of Before you can make a fetish, the first question you
fetishes is shaped by the culture of the Garou (or Fera) need to answer is: "What is a fetish?" To many Garou,
creating it, down to the very sept that they exist in. the answer is simple a fetish is a spirit bound into an
Even if two Garou are from nearly identical, one tribe object, imbuing the object with supernatural power.
septs, they would still attempt to create the same fetish These Garou boil down the act of fetish creation into
in subtly different ways, for one simple reason: the a formula or recipe. Take one spirit. Blend into object.
different people that surround them. All rites are Stir. Add decorations to taste.
ultimately social, and even the Rite of the Fetish,
And inevitably, the taste these fetishes have is
capable of being performed by a single individual, is in
sour indeed.
the end, a group effort.
This chapter contains a number of new fetishes for tribe or auspice. However, there is a certain social
all breeds, tribes and auspices, and even some for the stigma that comes from using a breed fetish attuned to
various Changing Breeds. The list is hardly meant to abreed other than the owner's; it's generally associated
be comprehensive; even adding together the fetishes with being inappropriately ashamed of your own heri-
in this book, all the Tribebooks, the Players Guide to tage. Of the various breed fetishes, only the bomid
Garou and the core rules, you still have only a repre- fetishes are likely to be adapted by other Changing
sentative sample. Use these fetishes as written, or Breeds; the Fera have such varying relations with their
simply as ideas on which to base your own creations; metis (and, of course, no wolf-bloods) that the prin-
it's all up to your group. They are divided into several ciples behind Garou breed fetishes are usually alien to
categories for ease of use, and ranked from Level One other shapeshifters.
to Level Five within each category. (Variable-level Auspice Fetishes are, more than any other type,
fetishes and talens are listed after the Level Five tools of the trade. They are never fashioned for
fetishes by group.) werewolves of other auspices, and are loaned out only
General Fetishes are presumed to be primarily between packmates, and then almost always tempo-
Garou fetishes, although a Storyteller might permit rarily. Using a fetish specific to another auspices is, to
one to be general knowledge for some other Changing many Garou, one of the first warning signs that a
Breed if it seems appropriate; Air Foot Anklets, for werewolf is going to try to renounce his own auspice.
instance, seem awfully appropriate for Bastet or Kitsune. Fera are only rarely able to adapt auspice fetishes, with
Breed Fetishes are not guarded jealously, since a a few obvious exceptions (Gurahl; Nuwisha and
werewolf s breed is not really as much a subculture as Ragabash fetishes; and so on).
electric arcs, and the air around the wearer feels hot.
When activated, however, it is incredibly dramatic.
The lightning bursts from the Gauntlet and strikes the
ground, and every strike made by the Gauntlet is
accompanied by a crack of thunder. All present when
the fetish is activated must make a Willpower roll
(difficulty 7) in order to resist fleeing immediately.
(Garou failing the roll fall into Fox Frenzy.)
In addition to its impressive image, the Storm
Gauntlet can make a Shadow Lord frightening in
combat. Any claw attacks made with the Gauntlet do
an additional three dice of aggravated damage, and
even a successful parry with the Gauntlet does one die
of aggravated damage to the Shadow Lord's opponent.
(Both forms of damage are soakable if the opponent
has some means of soaking aggravated damage.)
Most Shadow Lords would kill for one of these
fetishes, or at least resort to very underhanded means
to relieve someone of it. Whoever can hold one of
these is a frightening adversary. Obviously, they can-
not be purchased with Background points during char-
acter creation.
CurseBracelets
Level Variable, Gnosis 5
One problem the Shadow Lords often encounter is
that of trust. While they reject the notions of intrac-
table Honor (anything, including personal scruples,
must be sacrificed if this means it will aid Gaia), there
are times when former enemies must work together for
Gaia's benefit. Curse Bracelets are a way of trying to re- Mirror Blade
establish trust between those who previously shared Level Three, Gnosis 7
none. While many Shadow Lords detest these fetishes
The Silent Striders have a constant interest in the
with a passion, none deny they are a remarkable
spirit world in both the Dark Umbra and the Penumbra.
example of lateral thinking in fetish design.
The mirror blade has arisen as a means of defense against
Curse Bracelets are always made in sets of two (or those spirits that often dog their heels. A long thin sword
more), and can be bound with almost any spirit, made from mirrored metal, the mirror blade is bound with
though those capable of great destruction are pre- a jackal-spirit and kept as polished as possible at all times
ferred. The power of the spirit determines the level of not always an easy task on the road.
the fetish, though not the Gnosis, which is always 5.
When activated, the blade begins to reflect light
This is because the spirit gets the cushiest job of all
brilliantly, far more than normal. Against flesh-and-
time it is told to sit tight in the bracelets and do
blood enemies, it's more or less worthless. It does
absolutely nothing. What makes the fetish useful is
standard damage for a sword, far less than what a Garou
that a number of taboos are also attached to it at
can wreak with claws and teeth. Against spirits, how-
creation. The first of these is very simple: "You will
ever, it is impressive. When it shines, it reveals spirits
never take me off your wrist." All the rest detail the
in the Penumbra surrounding the wielder, and the
exact nature of the alliance, and what constitutes a
wielder can strike the spirits with it. The first strike
breach. Should the taboos be broken, the fetish natu-
against a non-materialized spirit with the mirror blade
rally becomes cursed and begins taking vengeance
is at a difficulty equal to the local Gauntlet. If success-
upon whoever broke the alliance. (The Story teller can
ful, the mirror blade does normal sword damage to the
adjudicate how this takes place.) Hence, it's a powerful
spirit and automatically pulls the Silent Strider into
incentive to keep the trust of your allies.
the Umbra. At this point, most sheathe the sword and
This is also the exact reason it is so detested by rely claws and teeth.
many Shadow Lords, who feel it flies in the face of the
very nature of their tribal wisdom. If you learn tomor- Universal Message Tube
row that you must betray the allies you made today in Level Three, Gnosis 6
order to save Gaia, they argue, then you absolutely A common service provided by the Silent Striders,
cannot be bound in such a way that will stop you. particularly the Wayfarers camp, is smuggling. No mat-
Nothing, not loyalty, nor pride, nor honor, nor friend- ter if that smuggling is information, or precious objects,
ship can ever be held above Gaia, These Shadow Lords or people, the Garou have again and again counted
consider that those who seek alliances should simply upon Silent Striders to move things from places they
weigh up the risks intelligently and make their choices shouldn't be to other places they shouldn't be. To help
based on this, rather than on the cheap hope offered by with this, the Universal Message Tube was created, and
tawdry trinkets. has become not just a useful tool of smuggling but also
one of the tribe's best espionage weapons.
Silent Striders Created from hardened leather, the Message Tube
Stormcloak is a small, simple letter holder with a stiff cap, and
Level Two, Gnosis 7 bound with a turtle-spirit. When activated, the Mes-
The Dark Umbra is a foul and forbidding place, sage Tube can hold any single object that is smaller
even to the Silent Striders who know it better than any than the Silent Strider carrying it is in Homid form,
other tribe. In recent years this is even truer the and once activated a second time the object can be
Dark Umbra is more tumultuous and turbulent as extracted. This was originally designed to help smuggle
storms of the dead roll across its barren plains. While out treasures and the like, but also quickly became
the Stormcloak is a very old fetish, it has regained extra incredibly useful for smuggling things into places as
popularity as a response to this increasing turmoil. well. Objects kept inside the Message Tube will not set
Stormcloaks are made as traditional desert cloaks off metal detectors, and are more or less undetectable.
covering the body from head to toe, although some Combined with a klaive or a d'siah, the Message Tube
more modern Silent Striders have experimented suc- is a perfect way to conceal an assassin's approach.
cessfully with raincoats and even leather jackets. Into Atum's Arrows (Talen)
this is woven the spirit of an owl or any armored Gnosis 7
animal, such as a turtle-spirit. While worn, the Silent
According to one Egyptian legend, the sun god
Strider doubles his soak pool against any spirits of the
Atum fired sunbeams as if they were arrows. Though the
Dark Umbra, or any other Dark Umbral phenomenon.
93
made of glass.) Into this is bound a Lune. When With a single harsh command, any creature, no matter
activated, the Lune fills the head with her moonlight how foul would find itself helpless against the urge to
and it turns to silver, causing it to do unsoakable rush within. It is possible the "soldier" was one of
aggravated damage to Garou and many Fera. Much Gaia's warriors; or perhaps one of them heard the story
like grand klaives, some are bound with a second spirit, and was inspired to make a bag like his for himself. If
in this case nearly always a spirit of Rage or war. (Those the latter tale is true, then the werewolf who chose to
with a second spirit bound into them do aggravated follow in the soldier's footsteps should have listened to
damage to anything, and are Level Five, Gnosis 8.) the whole story. In his arrogance the soldier made
In addition, the head of the javelin shines with Death fear and refuse to take him, Hell reject him, and
stunningly bright moonlight. Any attempts to strike Heaven never forgive him. No Garou yet has so far
someone wielding the Javelin are made at +2 difficulty. damned himself to wander the Earth eternally, but
If thrown, the Javelin releases a blast of pure white then none yet have tried to capture Death itself. The
light when it lands, and anyone in the area who cannot first to try (and surely some poor fool soul is saving a
make a Wits + Alertness roll (difficulty 7) is blinded for Soldier's Bag for the day they meet) will be very
one turn. unready for a highly painful eternity of not dying in the
The Crystal Javelin does damage as per a spear, vengeful grasp of the Wyrm's talons.
A Garou who holds a Soldier's Bag can activate
HelmofSvyatogor it with a yelled command to anything that he can see,
Level Five, Gnosis 8 and very few will be capable of resisting the pull
Svyatogor, a giant of Slavic myth, serves as per- within that ensues. Other shapeshifters may defy the
haps a very sad (but perhaps apt) analogy for the bag (with a successful Gnosis roll, difficulty 7), by
modern Silver Fang tribe once a great giant warrior, being both spirit and flesh, as may fomori, Drones,
now tired, old, and fading away. Regardless of the and gorgons; creatures without Gnosis must roll Will-
validity of the metaphor (which many Silver Fangs power, difficulty 9. Spirits roll Gnosts, but at diffi-
would no doubt like to contest), this helmet hearkens culty 9.
back to his glory days, and many Silver Fangs find The most common use of the bag is to capture a
comfort in its presence. When wearing it, they too spirit to force a single favor out of it. This can take the
sweep away the clouds when as they pass, at least form of one of the spirit's Charms, or it can amount to
metaphorically. Lights flicker as they enter rooms, a quest performed on behalf of the character. But those
gusts of wind burst through windows in the dead calm, who extort favors in this fashion should be very careful
and all who feel its presence are filled with a sense of indeed. To coerce a spirit into aiding him, the Garou
its powerful might and, should they be the enemy of must roll Charisma + Intimidation. The difficulty is
the Fangs, of dread. only 4, since the Bag grants the Garou a considerable
In effect, once activated this fetish creates a De- amount of leverage,
lirium like effect even in other Garou or supernatural But if the roll fails, or, even worse, botches, then
creatures. The fetish rolls its own Gnosis (difficulty 7), the Garou must choose between never again opening
and anyone within sight of the helm must roll Will- the bag, or opening the bag and facing the wrath of
power (difficulty 8 for those the Silver Fang considers the spirit trapped within. Storytellers should feel free
enemies, difficulty 6 for those she considers allies). to come up with imaginative ways for this to happen,
Should the defender roll fewer successes than the and should also not feel afraid to have spirits who are
fetish, they suffer from the effects Delirium. Start at 10 forced to perform tasks also try to find ways to gain
("No reaction") and move down the chart one for each revenge at some point down the road. In effect, any
success the fetish scores above the defender. Naturally, player taking this fetish is giving you a free license to
the helm is capable of changing shape to fit a changing introduce new antagonists whenever he uses it, so
Garou head. take the opportunity.
This fetish is sometimes bound with a Silver Fang The Soldier's Bag is bound with the spirit of any
ancestor-spirit, or more commonly with the spirit of a predatory animal. Wolves are particularly favored.
great Wyld beast, defeated in single combat by the fetish
maker. Helms of Svyatogor are considerably rare. Uktena
Soldier's Bag Uktena and Wendigo fetishes enjoy popularity
Level Five, Gnosis 7 among both tribes in most cases. They are arranged by
the tribe among in which they find the greatest popu-
There is an old Russian tale about a soldier who
larity, but both tribes have been known to share their
was given a sack that could and did capture anything.
104
The Echo of Ages is a golden bell, inscribed with Always make it look like an accident. No body, no
small runes carved around the edge. Into this bell is crime. And protect the Sacred Secret at all costs. The
bound the spirit of a turtle. Many different Mokole less evidence left at a crime scene, the better, but some
have experimented with the size and design of the bell pieces of evidence can't be picked up and carried away.
and have found that almost any configuration can Besides which, it is always better if the evidence simply
work one unusually fashion-conscious urban Mokole doesn't exist. Hence, the Reflection of Reality, a fetish
wears hers as a tiny bell hung on a black choker. Most, mirror that can help accomplish just that.
however, are considerably larger. The Reflection is always made by Kamsa Nagah,
When activated and sounded, the bell echoes for they are the only ones who have a hope of convinc-
back into the past of the area, recreating ghostly ing the air elemental required by this fetish to agree.
images and sounds of events that occurred there in the Once this spirit is bound into the mirror, the Nagah
past. The louder the bell is sounded, the further back activates if by rolling Gnosis at a difficulty equal to the
the Echo recalls the past. Supposedly, one can stand in local Gauntlet. She looks into the mirror, reflecting
London and ring the bell so loud that you can see what the object she wants gone, and blows over the mirror,
the area looked like before the first vestiges of the city togging it. When the fog is wiped off, the reflection of
were built. that object vanishes. So does the object,
When activated, the player must roll Strength + The Reflection actually pulls the object out of the
Performance, with a difficulty determined by how physical world and thrusts it into the Umbra. As a
far back you want to see. Seeing into the last day is result, if the Nagah needs the object later, she can
difficulty 5. Going back less than a year is difficulty retrieve it. (Though it may not always be there. In the
6. Less than a decade is difficulty 7, while going back time it takes the Nagah to return to her Ananta and get
a century is difficulty 8. Any more than that is back, her enemies may already have gotten hold of it.)
difficulty 9. It also means that three successes are required to
Five successes are required to exactly gauge how instantly make an object vanish, fewer successes slows
loud the bell needs to be sounded to get a specific time. the process, just like stepping sideways. Finally, the
If fewer successes are rolled the time is off by a fraction mirror does not work on living creatures, only inani-
of how far back in time the bell echoes. The Storyteller mate objects.
should adjudicate this. Despite the limitations, it's a favorite among the
SunSpearThrower Nagah. It works to alter crime scenes, it changes
investigations and with a bit of forewarning can even
Level Five, Gnosis 7 save the Nagah if she's careless enough to get caught.
A spear thrower, also called an atlatl, is a fairly ("Nope, no murder weapon on her, chief.")
simple but ingenious device. A curved piece of wood is
rested along the forearm, and properly flicked can hurl Blood Blade
a spear incredibly long distances with speed and accu- Gnosis 8
racy. The only problem with this is the need for a Talens are often fairly easy to create. The Blood
goodly number of spears to throw with it. The Sun Blade is a sharp exception. One of the most powerful
Spear Thrower carries the spears with it. Or rather, it weapons the Nagah possess, it is bound with the
asks Helios to provide them. powerful spirit of one of the Wani's closest servants.
Bound with a sun spirit, Once activated, the Sun The blade itself is an intricate design made of bone and
Spear Thrower produces a spear of pure sunlight. blood, carved with detailed designs. When buying this
These spears fly out to a range of up to a 100 yards and talen, it counts as a Level Two fetish, and is the same
do Strength +2 aggravated damage (with an extra two when making it. For some, the price is simply too high
dice of aggravated damage versus vampires should it be to be wasted upon a talen. But to the Nagah, who
possible to find one during the day). When the speat already feel that making a fetish is perhaps too high a
hits (or misses), it vanishes in an explosion of light a price to pay, the Blood Blade is perhaps perfect. It
short time later. doesn't permanently remove a potential future spirit
This fetish cannot be used at night. ally, it is powerful, and perfect for those who don't
want to be discovered.
Nagah When activated, the blade's effects last for a single
ReflectionofReality scene. The blade does Strength +2 aggravated damage,
Level Four, Gnosis 7 (But special activation rules, and strikes at difficulty 5. Once the scene is ended and
see below.) all opponents are defeated, however, the blade dis-