Post by Ikon on Nov 11, 2009 19:11:34 GMT -8
Hierarchy
Every gathering of Garou, from the smallest pack to the largest Sept, has a few remarkable similarities. Part of being a
werewolf is knowing the ways of wolves. Instinct plays a big part in how they relate to each other. Like wolves, Garou establish a
pecking order almost immediately. One among them must become the alpha, and all must obey. In most small gatherings, an
alpha proves his dominance by brute force. In larger gatherings, however, doing so is impractical. If a ruler has to fight off rivals
constantly, he will soon become too weak to govern properly. Garou society establishes hierarchy through a system of renown, a measure of a hero's deeds and service to her Sept. Constant infighting wounds and weakens a Sept, but this system channels such energies in a positive direction. ("If you want to show your strength, cub, then show us how well you hunt! I know of a spirit that intrigues me....")
This "caste system" may sound disturbing, but a werewolf s instincts and thousands of years of tribal conditioning reinforce it. Pack instincts demand hierarchy. Every werewolf has his place. Elders rarely need to demonstrate power by abusing their
lessors, and their vassals are usually content to serve. Based on their renown, each werewolf also holds a certain rank in Garou society, and he is often addressed by his proper title.
For instance:
— Cubs are at the bottom of the pecking order, treated as
little more than children. They're eager to learn, and they ask
many confusing questions.
— Once a cub completes her Rite of Passage, she becomes
a Cliath, a young Garou enlisted continually to perform
all sorts of tasks for her Sept. Because packs of Cliath know that
they are in demand, some travel all over the world to learn
about Garou society.
— As Cliath continue to gain renown, they eventually
become Fostern. These Garou are educated enough to act as
esteemed emissaries between Septs. At this stage in life, an
entire pack may undergo a period of fosterage in a distant and
seemingly alien Caern.
— Adren outrank Fostern, often taking on some of the
lesser political positions in a Sept. By this time , a pack of adren
usually limits its travel to a handful of Caerns. Political
rivalries develop over time.
— Athro outrank all these commoners. They are typically
swept up in some of the most perilous and compelling
adventures their tribes can offer. Silent Strider messengers
have been known to travel around the world to summon the
right pack of athro for critical adventures.
— Only the most esteemed and highest-ranking Garou are
addressed as elders. Even if an elder does not currently serve as
a tribal elder, as a Sept leader or in some other esteemed
position, a werewolf with enough renown is still treated with
the greatest forms of respect.
When two Garou of vastly different rank interact — as in a conversation between young Cliath and their elders — their
relative positions are fairly obvious. When two werewolves have roughly the same rank or renown, social niceties are not so clean cut. When heroes of equal status disagree, matters may come to blows. Fortunately, Garou society has developed protocols for
dealing with such conflict. It has developed ways for Garou to contest for leadership without killing each other: tests of dominance
that are usually based on the type of problem facing the Sept.
When danger approaches, the power struggle among werewolves is fluid. When many Garou gather, their alpha may change from hour to hour. Since werewolves know instinctively that each auspice has its particular strength, they are usually willing to follow the strongest and most qualified leader of the proper auspice. For instance, the highest-ranking warrior will usually lead a tribe or Sept in battle. Once the skirmish is over, if the group is confronted by a devious group of spirits, the warrior may then be defeated in a mental challenge by a clever and cunning mystic. If negotiating skills are needed shortly thereafter, a Philodox known for his social acumen might then challenge the alpha to a different type of contest.
When a Garou is especially renowned for his skills, a wise rival steps down from a challenge once he realizes he's outclassed.
Outright challenges are rarely necessary in a pack. A pack of werewolves works together for so long that its members already know who does what best. When a fight breaks out, it's often the Ahroun that becomes alpha. The Galliard usually steps to the fore when someone must address the pack's Sept and speak eloquently. A Philodox is an excellent choice at mediating a dispute or conversing with creatures the pack doesn't understand fully, or even resolving disputes within the pack. The Theurge deals best with spirits and mystical problems, often acting as alpha in the Umbra. And, of course, when trickery and guile is needed, the Ragabash leads the pack in matters of mischief and misdirection.
Every gathering of Garou, from the smallest pack to the largest Sept, has a few remarkable similarities. Part of being a
werewolf is knowing the ways of wolves. Instinct plays a big part in how they relate to each other. Like wolves, Garou establish a
pecking order almost immediately. One among them must become the alpha, and all must obey. In most small gatherings, an
alpha proves his dominance by brute force. In larger gatherings, however, doing so is impractical. If a ruler has to fight off rivals
constantly, he will soon become too weak to govern properly. Garou society establishes hierarchy through a system of renown, a measure of a hero's deeds and service to her Sept. Constant infighting wounds and weakens a Sept, but this system channels such energies in a positive direction. ("If you want to show your strength, cub, then show us how well you hunt! I know of a spirit that intrigues me....")
This "caste system" may sound disturbing, but a werewolf s instincts and thousands of years of tribal conditioning reinforce it. Pack instincts demand hierarchy. Every werewolf has his place. Elders rarely need to demonstrate power by abusing their
lessors, and their vassals are usually content to serve. Based on their renown, each werewolf also holds a certain rank in Garou society, and he is often addressed by his proper title.
For instance:
— Cubs are at the bottom of the pecking order, treated as
little more than children. They're eager to learn, and they ask
many confusing questions.
— Once a cub completes her Rite of Passage, she becomes
a Cliath, a young Garou enlisted continually to perform
all sorts of tasks for her Sept. Because packs of Cliath know that
they are in demand, some travel all over the world to learn
about Garou society.
— As Cliath continue to gain renown, they eventually
become Fostern. These Garou are educated enough to act as
esteemed emissaries between Septs. At this stage in life, an
entire pack may undergo a period of fosterage in a distant and
seemingly alien Caern.
— Adren outrank Fostern, often taking on some of the
lesser political positions in a Sept. By this time , a pack of adren
usually limits its travel to a handful of Caerns. Political
rivalries develop over time.
— Athro outrank all these commoners. They are typically
swept up in some of the most perilous and compelling
adventures their tribes can offer. Silent Strider messengers
have been known to travel around the world to summon the
right pack of athro for critical adventures.
— Only the most esteemed and highest-ranking Garou are
addressed as elders. Even if an elder does not currently serve as
a tribal elder, as a Sept leader or in some other esteemed
position, a werewolf with enough renown is still treated with
the greatest forms of respect.
When two Garou of vastly different rank interact — as in a conversation between young Cliath and their elders — their
relative positions are fairly obvious. When two werewolves have roughly the same rank or renown, social niceties are not so clean cut. When heroes of equal status disagree, matters may come to blows. Fortunately, Garou society has developed protocols for
dealing with such conflict. It has developed ways for Garou to contest for leadership without killing each other: tests of dominance
that are usually based on the type of problem facing the Sept.
When danger approaches, the power struggle among werewolves is fluid. When many Garou gather, their alpha may change from hour to hour. Since werewolves know instinctively that each auspice has its particular strength, they are usually willing to follow the strongest and most qualified leader of the proper auspice. For instance, the highest-ranking warrior will usually lead a tribe or Sept in battle. Once the skirmish is over, if the group is confronted by a devious group of spirits, the warrior may then be defeated in a mental challenge by a clever and cunning mystic. If negotiating skills are needed shortly thereafter, a Philodox known for his social acumen might then challenge the alpha to a different type of contest.
When a Garou is especially renowned for his skills, a wise rival steps down from a challenge once he realizes he's outclassed.
Outright challenges are rarely necessary in a pack. A pack of werewolves works together for so long that its members already know who does what best. When a fight breaks out, it's often the Ahroun that becomes alpha. The Galliard usually steps to the fore when someone must address the pack's Sept and speak eloquently. A Philodox is an excellent choice at mediating a dispute or conversing with creatures the pack doesn't understand fully, or even resolving disputes within the pack. The Theurge deals best with spirits and mystical problems, often acting as alpha in the Umbra. And, of course, when trickery and guile is needed, the Ragabash leads the pack in matters of mischief and misdirection.