Post by Wilhelm Opens-the-Way on Aug 25, 2012 14:16:43 GMT -8
The Litany of the Garou
And the Laws of the Sept of the Endless Paths that Support It[/i][/center][/size]
With introduction and comments by Grand Alpha of the Sept of the Endless Paths, Willhelm Opens-the-Way, Athro Metis Ragabash of the Silver Fangs, House Wyrmfoe, Alpha of the Torcbearers Pack, follower of Sphinx, Totem of Wisdom. (A version of this document is included in Garou Glyph language as well)
Words of the Grand Alpha: The following are the Laws of the Sept of the Endless Paths under the Totem Sabertooth as expressed by myself, Grand Alpha of the Sept on behalf of its just and honorable Elder Council. It is meant to be a living document, such as there shall be amendments and changes to it as are required by circumstances through our sacred tradition of Challenge. Though as time passes these may be simplified or expanded upon, the Litany remains the ultimate law of the land. If some tenet of our Septs Laws are ever proven in challenge to be in violation of one of them, that law should be stricken.
These Sept Laws are to be remembered, known and taught by our Philodox, sung by our Galliards, the Punishment Rites within taught and performed as needed by our Theurges and the Laws themselves, ever questioned by our Ragabash and where needed, the sacred trusts within; our way of life and our sacred Caerns, defended by our Ahroun. Our Denfathers and Denmothers should teach this to our cubs. Those of the teaching Rank should seek to instruct those beneath them. In this way these laws will be kept.
I have added my words and opinions to this document. As time goes on, other Elders or learned Philodox may add their words to this document as well. It is my hope that in time, this may produce a continuity of thought about or laws and traditions that future generations (should we avert the Apocalypse somehow) may build upon our just work. May we always serve Gaia justly and defeat her enemies.
~ Wilhelm Opens-the-Way
The Litany
- Garou Shall Not Mate With Garou
- Combat the Wyrm Wherever It Dwells and Whenever It Breeds
- Respect the Territory of Another
- Accept an Honorable Surrender
- Submission to Those of Higher Station
- The First Share of the Kill for the Greatest of Station
- Ye Shall Not Eat the Flesh of Humans
- Respect for Those beneath Ye - All Are of Gaia
- The Veil Shall Not Be Lifted
- Do Not Suffer Thy People to Tend Thy Sickness
- The Leader May Be Challenged at Any Time during Peace
- The Leader May Not Be Challenged during Wartime
- Ye Shall Take No Action That Causes a Caern to Be Violated
- Sept Law 1: Cause No Permanent Harm to Another Garou
- Sept Law 2: Take No Action that Results in Harm to Gaia, Sept or the Nation as a Whole
- Sept Law 3: Place Neither Garou Nor Gaia in Unnecessary Danger
- Sept Law 4: After War Spoils, the Rule of Challenge Governs All Conflict of Property
- Sept Law 5: Garou Shall Not Commit Murder
- Sept Law 6: Treason Against Nation or Sept is Forbidden and Punishable By Death
Full text of the Laws:
Sept Law 1: Cause No Permanent Harm to Another Garou
To permanently debilitate or dismember one of Gaia's warriors unjustly is to weaken Gaia. Garou whose actions have placed another Garou who harm other Garou in this may receive the punishment of shunning, up to and including the Rite of Ostracism.
Sept Law 2: Take No Action that Results in Harm to Gaia, Sept or the Nation as a Whole
Garou whose pride, cowardice or ego has resulted in actions that have harmed Gaia or the Garou as a whole shall receive the harshest punishments before death. Shaming most often consists of the enactment of either the Rite of the Stone of Scorn or the Voice of the Jackal. More serious, or many minor or repeated transgressions result in the performance of the Satire Rite.
Sept Law 3: Place Neither Garou Nor Gaia in Unnecessary Danger
Placing other Garou in danger by depriving them of needed aid or property, leaving cubs or those lower in station to fight Wyrm that is far beyond their ability or through action or inaction allowing taint to fall on sacred Gaia may be punishable by shunning. Garou whose actions have placed another Garou or Gaia herself in unnecessary danger or who are repeat offenders for the same action often receive the Rite of Ostracism the duration of which shall not be known to the Garou so afflicted until it is lifted.
Sept Law 4: After War Spoils, the Rule of Challenge Governs All Conflict of Property
Once the Litany is satisfied and greatest in station has received his due, all spoils, Territory, Fetishes, Talens or other property of any value to the previous owner must be taken by lawful challenge only. No-moons may take what their Auspice demands, but must return what they have taken when the need is done or the lesson is learned. Property does not change hands lawfully simply because one Garou is sneakier than another. The simple inability to hold an item against threat or action of another's theft does not prove the original owner unworthy to do so. Prove your cunning in Challenge, or else take nothing.
Sept Law 5: Garou Shall Not Commit Murder
Garou may Challenge to the Death as their Honor demands, though the Master of the Challenge is the final arbiter of any such Challenge, and may deny challenges of this type. Garou killed in Honorable Combat are generally not to be considered murdered. Premeditated destruction of another Garou without just judgment by their Elders for crimes against other Garou is illegal and grounds for the Rite of the Hunt to be called upon them. Garou who have committed murder, but who have managed to retain some personal honor, such as surrendering themselves to judgment or conducting themselves with humility and repentance during their trial, are generally accorded the opportunity of a swift death.
Sept Law 6: Treason Against Nation or Sept is Forbidden and Punishable By Death
There is no forgiveness for those who commit Treason against their Sept or Nation. Treason is grounds for the Rite of the Hunt to be called upon them. Garou who have committed Treason, but who have managed to retain some personal honor, such as surrendering themselves to judgment or conducting themselves with humility and repentance during their trial, are generally accorded the opportunity of a swift death.
How the Laws Support the Litany, and the Grand Elder's Views on the Litany
Garou Shall Not Mate with Garou
Words of the Grand Alpha: We Garou are forbidden to mate with our own kind. Many Garou may believe that this is because of the deformities displayed by Metis and the age-old prejudice correspondingly levied against us, but some legends tell that the law is older and a deformed metis child is the curse and punishment to those breaking it. In this Sept, to bring by birth the Metis curse upon an innocent Garou child is to cause permanent harm to a future Garou of Gaia.
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To permanently debilitate or dismember one of Gaia's warriors unjustly is to weaken Gaia. Garou whose actions have placed another Garou who harm other Garou in this may receive the punishment of shunning, up to and including the Rite of Ostracism.[/ul]
Words of the Grand Alpha: We Garou are creatures of passion. Intercourse or genital contact without intent to mate between Garou tempts our greater passions and is forbidden. Any acts that harm Gaia and the Garou Nation, such as treading too close to violation the Litany or the Laws of the Sept are to be met with public shame and scorn. [/size]
Garou whose pride, cowardice or ego has resulted in actions that have harmed Gaia or the Garou as a whole shall receive the harshest punishments before death. Shaming most often consists of the enactment of either the Rite of the Stone of Scorn or the Voice of the Jackal. More serious, or many minor or repeated transgressions result in the performance of the Satire Rite.[/ul]
Words of the Grand Alpha: We Garou must seek mates around either human or wolf society. This law exists so that the Garou focus their attention on wolf and human.
This Elder Council recognizes that this tenet embodies one of the great Garou tragedies; Moon Dancers often move audiences to tears with ballads of Garou who fell in love and could not express their passion - or who did and were torn to pieces by their outraged tribe. The existence of we Metis, however, is evidence that this law is broken all too often. There are those amongst the Garou Nation (particularly among my own Auspice, the Ragabash) who argue that, in the age of the Apocalypse this tenet should be lifted, as the Garou could swell their numbers quickly by adding large numbers of Metis to their ranks. To spite that argument, the Litany stands sacrosanct in the Sept of the Endless Paths, and so too shall the Law of our Sept shall be obeyed.[/size]
Combat the Wyrm Wherever It Dwells and Whenever It Breeds
Words of the Grand Alpha: We Garou were spawned, say the Galliards, to fight the Wyrm, and much of our history comprises battles between their heroes and the Wyrm's minions. It is not wise however, to brutally destroy everything with the slightest Wyrm taint regardless of common sense. Question the sanctity and resilience of the Veil and consult with your Elders unless cornered into clear combat. Look to those of Rank within your Auspice for wisdom on when to fight, and when to plan for a fight. Reporting a threat that is greater than your prowess alone holds both Wisdom and Honor; yet we are by nature bold creatures and Gaia’s chosen warriors. Simply give these first two virtues equal weight against Glory.
For those in leadership positions, it behooves us to act tactically when assigning Gaia’s warriors to battle, so that we do not waste Gaia’s warriors in contentious fights against other Gaian Septs while the Wyrm grows in power, or send untrained cubs into battle with far greater forces. Still, Gaia’s leaders must do what they must with the warriors and resources they have, and some death is inevitable in war with the agents of the Wyrm. Garou leaders walk a fine line between coddling the young and stunting their growth or risking their loss. This Elder Council recognizes that ours is not a soft existence. No leader should be frivolously challenged for sending a warrior to battle who gave their life in the assault.
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Placing other Garou in danger by depriving them of needed aid or property, leaving cubs or those lower in station to fight Wyrm that is far beyond their ability or through action or inaction allowing taint to fall on sacred Gaia may be punishable by shunning. Garou whose actions have placed another Garou or Gaia herself in unnecessary danger or who are repeat offenders for the same action often receive the Rite of Ostracism the duration of which shall not be known to the Garou so afflicted until it is lifted.[/ul]Respect the Territory of Another
Words of the Grand Alpha: The practice of this portion of the Litany has changed over the last few centuries; humans have spread to the extent that merely urinating one's territorial marking has become impractical. Instead, a Garou visitor or immigrant must first ask permission by singing the Howl of Introduction, reciting name, Auspice, Sept, lineage, Totem and Tribe to the Caern Warder or their chosen Guardians. Some Septs, particularly those of the Glass Walkers, also accept phone calls or even e-mails, as howling in a city may be considered a breach of the Veil. Keep in mind whose territory you are visiting, and consult with the Gatekeeper if at all possible about the laws of other Septs.[/size]
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Once the Litany is satisfied and greatest in station has received his due, all spoils, Territory, Fetishes, Talens or other property of any value to the previous owner must be taken by lawful challenge only. No-moons may take what their Auspice demands, but must return what they have taken when the need is done or the lesson is learned. Property does not change hands lawfully simply because one Garou is sneakier than another. The simple inability to hold an item against threat or action of another's theft does not prove the original owner unworthy to do so. Prove your cunning in Challenge, or else take nothing.[/ul]Accept an Honorable Surrender
Words of the Grand Alpha: We Garou realize that we are a dwindling race and that duels and challenges are a vital part of our society. Realizing that continuous battles to the death would only advance the Wyrm's cause the Children of Gaia and Fianna of yore forged the incorporation of this element into the Litany. A Garou combatant may end a duel by exposing her throat or presenting some other sign of formal surrender and the opponent is honor-bound to accept the surrender. The loser suffers no reduction in Renown for surrendering, although the winner may certainly gain Renown for winning.
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Garou may Challenge to the Death as their Honor demands, though the Master of the Challenge is the final arbiter of any such Challenge, and may deny challenges of this type. Garou killed in Honorable Combat are generally not to be considered murdered. Premeditated destruction of another Garou without just judgment by their Elders for crimes against other Garou is illegal and grounds for the Rite of the Hunt to be called upon them. Garou who have committed murder, but who have managed to retain some personal honor, such as surrendering themselves to judgment or conducting themselves with humility and repentance during their trial, are generally accorded the opportunity of a swift death.
See also: Sept Law 1: Cause No Permanent Harm to Another Garou[/ul]Submission to Those of Higher Station
Words of the Grand Alpha: Our wolf nature practically enforces a hierarchical structure within our society. Thus we Garou have implemented the concepts of Renown and Rank. Within reason, any request by a Garou of higher Rank is to be obeyed.Supported by:
See also: Sept Law 3: Place Neither Garou Nor Gaia in Unnecessary Danger[/ul]The First Share of the Kill for the Greatest of Station
Words of the Grand Alpha: This portion of the Litany can be understandably much favored by the Garou Elders, as well as such tribes as my own, the Silver Fangs and the Shadow Lords; it is often grudgingly acquiesced to by the rest. The "kill clause" also applies to the spoils of war - thus, the prey's most powerful Fetishes and the like may be garnered by the Garou with the highest renown. Wise Elders should be cautious with this tenet; a "great and powerful elder" who has claimed the greatest share of the kill to the exclusion of those who follow him may find that their followers reason that such a great Garou must not need the aid of his lessers. Still, part of most Elder’s duties includes effective allocation of a Sept’s resources. In the Apocalypse war, many have fallen for lack of a Healing Gourd or other needed Talen that was available, but simply not on hand when required. Remember this when returning from battle, and horde not your spoils – for in doing so you may one day stand alone.
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Words of the Grand Alpha: This portion of the Litany was first sung in the post-Impergium days; the Stargazers are believed to be responsible for its insertion. They noticed that Garou who routinely consumed human flesh often grew Wyrm-tainted; furthermore, cannibals had a hard time stalking and killing more challenging prey, such as woolly rhinos or Banes. Additionally, in these modern times, this ruls serves a function similar to the "kosher" laws of the Hebrews; modern humans' chemical-laden diet makes their flesh bitter and unhealthy. The Red Talons and many other lupus Garou dislike this tenet, particularly because it does not include a prohibition on the consumption of wolf-flesh. Our Sept recognizes that, while the consumption of wolf-flesh is not specifically outlawed in the litany, the spirit of this tenet prohibits such cannibalism as well.
Respect for Those beneath Ye - All Are of Gaia
Words of the Grand Alpha: We Garou already tend to think of ourselves in communal terms, and we thus realize that most creatures have some sort of contribution to make toward the whole. When all is said and done, we Garou were created to be the world's protectors. The chivalric ideal is much in vogue among some Septs, (and myself personally) and Garou who display a great deal of noblesse oblige may get Renown. This tenet historically has been viewed to also soften the edge of the fifth and sixth tenets of the Litany.
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Words of the Grand Alpha: This tenet was instituted after the Inquisition of the medieval and renaissance periods wreaked havoc upon our population. This is perhaps the most inviolate portion of the Litany. We Garou are aware that both the Wyrm and human witch-hunters hunt for us. Garou who disobey this edict may die at the claws of their brethren. With the Delirium covering our actions, however, many Garou may feel that it is difficult to breach the Veil at all, and, in the case of Frenzy, breaches of the veil are sometimes unavoidable. This is yet another reason we Garou often avoid cities; cities not only offer more provocation to frenzy (claustrophobia, surprise, street crime, frustration, etc.) but then a Frenzy within a city will almost certainly be witnessed by humans. Guard your Rage from overtaking you in the Scab and near human, and know whom to contact to clean up any potential breeches of the Veil.
Words of the Grand Alpha: In ancient days, an injured, infirm or aged Garou was simply torn to pieces by his peers. As time went on, however, it came to be considered more dignified to let such a Garou end his own life. In these ending days, this tenet is softened; aged or infirm Garou who are still sound of mind may be allowed to survive and mentor younger Garou. If the aging sickness of the mind be proven to be a detriment to the Sept or Caern or the Nation as a whole by a quorum of Elders, then a merciful and quick death is desirable. Pack-mates have first right of kill in these matters. Alpha first, then by Rank, then it falls to Sept positions to fulfill this duty. If none can, it falls to the Tribe.
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Words of the Grand Alpha: Though we Garou are known for our pack mentality, this does not mean we must slavishly obey our leaders. If no immediate threat is pending, any Garou of sufficient standing may Challenge another's position of leadership within the Sep, the terms of which to be governed by the Master of the Challenge according to tradition. If the challenger wins, he assumes the mantle of leadership; if he loses, he must accept the leader's dictates with good grace.
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Words of the Grand Alpha: It is a fact that certain creatures of the Wyrm are monstrous in size and power, and no one Garou can best them. Pack tactics are vital to our Sept and Nation’s success against such creatures, and obedience is vital to successful pack tactics. In battle, the word of the leader is immutable law. A Garou who challenges or disobeys a superior in wartime is committing treason against both Sept and Nation and will be punished as soon as circumstances permit, assuming that the Garou in question and those he disobeyed survive the encounter. If it is known that the Garou disobeyed a leader in wartime and has died, Renown may even be stripped from them after death; a poor way indeed to meet their Ancestors.
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There is no forgiveness for those who commit Treason against their Sept or Nation. Treason is grounds for the Rite of the Hunt to be called upon them. Garou who have committed Treason, but who have managed to retain some personal honor, such as surrendering themselves to judgment or conducting themselves with humility and repentance during their trial, are generally accorded the opportunity of a swift death.[/ul]Ye Shall Take No Action That Causes a Caern to Be Violated
Words of the Grand Alpha: Like the preceding clause about the Veil, this rule is fairly ironclad. Caerns are Gaia's lifeblood and if they are destroyed, the Garou Nation will cease to exist. Even a Garou who accidentally leads an enemy to a Caern shall be severely punished. Even most Ragabash cannot bring themselves to actively question the complete and total validity of this tenet. All Garou are tasked with protecting these sacred places.
Bring no Wyrm tainted creatures nor any Wyrm taint across the edge of the Bawn.
Any more than the most minor taint of the other Triat, be it Weaver or Wyld is also forbidden on Caern. If you are unsure of what this means, consult your Elders.
Warder and Guardians should among their number know how to and actively attempt to detect the scent of the Wyrm and learn the truth of the words that are spoken at introduction.
Perform (or have performed on you) the Rite of Cleansing if you have been in battle with the Wyrm or have visited the Scab recently.
Report all Wyrm or other threats you encounter immediately to the appropriate Sept Elder or position holder.
All should be aware and dedicated that death is far preferable to allowing a Caern to fall. No matter your Auspice, Breed or Tribe, if our Caern falls under attack by the Wyrm, you are to fight with your last ounce of Rage drop of blood to protect it unless directly ordered by Garou of higher Rank to do otherwise. Any blatant attack on the Caern of the Sept of Endless Paths is an act of War, and Wartime protocols are to be considered in effect whether announced or not.[/font]
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