Lessons from the Den Parent (ATTN new players and cub characters)

**Kathy A** · 07-15-2010, 06:37 PM

((This is a very long post but it has some good information that you can assume you are being taught. Aaron or I will be posting occasionally to this thread to add information that will be part of each cub's lessons. This does not mean you can't read this if you are not a cub, this is a teaching tool for everyone. Questions can be asked by your characters in this thread but this thread is not considered "live". Rather this is a "downtime" thread which means that full conversations won't happen here, just lots of info and some answers to pertinent questions.))

You are garou. This means you are part human, part wolf. Once upon a time the spirit of the earth, Gaia, was manifest and walked among the creatures she had made. There was enough energy, power, woogie, whatever you want to call it coursing through the world for The Mother to be with us everyday. She created werewolves, Garou, to be her warriors, protectors of the planet. She created shifters of all kinds, each had their own purpose in helping Gaia. We are the warriors, the military.
The werewolves, the garou, are her warriors. She created us to be her army. So, what is a garou? Like I said, half human half wolf. No this does not mean that one of your parents was a wolf, or was bitten by one. It's a genetic thing. When Gaia created us she combined the best aspects of humans and the best aspects of the wolves. Through the generations the Garou have mated with kinfolk and carried on the line of the garou to today. All of us are born kinfolk. Some of us are born with the potential to shift, to be come a garou. It's not a gene that doctors can pick out or anything, but its in the DNA somewhere.
Now, I know this next part is going to suck to hear, but it's just the way it is. From the day you're born, or rather the night, there are things, aspects of your life that have been pre-destined and you have no way around. The phase of the moon when you're born will determine your auspice. Now, if you think of being garou like being in the army, then your auspice is kind of like what unit you're in. There are five auspices, one for each phase of the moon.

Within each of us is the capacity to shift forms, a connection with the spirit world (gnosis) and a connection to Gaia's anger (rage). So the first lessons are to find and recognize the pools of spirit and anger, and to learn to change forms.
Changing forms takes a conscious effort unless there is some external stimulus that forces you to shift. You can either take the time to shift through the five forms to the one you want or you can access the pool of rage within you to shift instantly to the form you want. All that stuff on TV about having to see the full moon to shift is lies. You can shift whenever you need to. Just keep the Litany in mind.
Now, Gnosis, that connection to the spiritual side of us, to Gaia and the Umbra. Every garou has some, you do too. Just have to dig down and find it. Rage on the otherhand is fairly easy to get at, I mean, we are warriors, it's always boiling just under the surface. Just reach out for that anger that isn't a result of some woman turning you down.
So, work on shifting forms and work on finding the pool of gnosis and rage within you. Then we'll move on to another lesson.

There is this world that everyone can see, hear, touch. But there is another world, called the Umbra. It co-exists with this world, sort of like it's overlapping. When you get over there you'll notice that some structures and people have representations, images in the Umbra that match what you see in the real world. We call the real world the Tellurian. Now, when a garou is walking in the Tellurian, you will see an Umbral representation that is strong because of our connection to the spirit world thanks to Gaia. Buildings that have been around for a really long time will have representations as well, you can actually go into the buildings in the Umbra. Things with strong emotional attachment will also have a representation. So maybe a kid is walking down the street with a teddy bear that has been handed down from big brother. That's two kids worth of lovin, the bear could have a representation. So if you were in the Umbra, you might not see the kid, you'd just see a representation of the bear crusin along. If the local bank has been in service for a hundred years, but got remodeled 20 years ago, it's going to be in the Umbra because of the length of time it's been around, but it's going to look like the old building because the new remodle changes haven't had time to filter through to the Umbral representation yet.

The Umbra is a dangerous place. Don't let anyone fool you. The spirits that live around the Caern here are all well and good. They're here to help. But the farther out you go the crazier it gets. Rule #1 of the Umbra, don't go wandering without a Theurge or a dire emergency. Now, the Umbra isn't like the Tellurian where it's one layer and if you could feasably walk in a straight line continuously you'd end up right where you started. If you keep on walking, you'll keep on walking. There is a barier at the end of what they call the Near Umbra, which is named that way simply because it's close, and past the barier is the Far Umbra. The Far Umbra is comprised of uncounted numbers of Realms. Each realm is an area where reality follows a different set of rules. For instance, there is a realm called The Battleground. In this realm, every major battle ever is constantly replayed again and again. There is a realm called Erebus, this realm contains a massive lake of silver where those who have been tainted beyond recovery are taken to be burned clean by the silver. Some people believe there is a realm for everything. I don't know about that but I do know I've never met anyone who's been to all of them. Anyway, the point of all this is that if you're not a theurge, you won't survive long out there in the Umbra.

Lets talk about rank for a moment. As a cub, you are basically rank zero. Then there is Cliath, rank 1, then Fostern, rank 2, then Adren, rank 3, then Athro, rank 4, then Elder, rank 5, then Legend, rank 6. The majority of the Garou Nation falls into Adren or lower. It takes a ton to skill, knowledge, prowess, and everything else to make it to Athro. So when you see one, show some respect. Now the Litany says Submission to those higher in station. This means someone higher in rank, but it also means someone who has a sept position. Example, if you are cliath and the warder is cliath, you submit to the warder in matters of protection of the Caern since that's the warder's job. This does not mean that you can't ask questions. This does mean that if someone higher in station tells you to drop it, you drop it. There is a way around this. If you *really* think you have a point you can offer an Honorable Challenge. A couple of things here. One, you cannot challenge too far above or below your rank. One rank above or below is acceptable. It is not acceptable for a Cliath to challenge an Adren, or a Fostern to challenge an Athro. Reverse is true as well. It is completely dishonorable for an Adren to be challenging a Cliath. That being said, if an Adren tells a Cliath to drop something and they don't, that Adren is completely in their rights to kick that Cliath's butt. While you can offer Honorable Challenge at any time, generally they are actually done at a Moot. Unless things need to be resolved right away or there's a long time till the next Moot.

Honorable Challenges. Example. If you challenge me, then I get to pick the type of challenge and then we enter negotiations on the terms of the challenge. Once both parties are agreed, the challenge can commence. You challenge me, I pick a physical challenge. You say no gifts to be used, I say that we will fight in a certain form. Negotiation continues till I'm satisfied since I'm the one being challenged. Then we take it to the Master of Challenge, who is usually the eldest Philodox of the sept. We give the Master the run down and the Master will decide if there is time for the challenge to commence. If we're about to go to war, the Master will tell us we're being stupid and we can fight after the battle. If the Master is cool with it, then we draw a Challenge Circle and we fight according to the rules we've set down. Whoever wins it right. End of story. No arguing, no whining. Garou do not whine.

**darknightowl** · 08-29-2010, 08:46 PM

06[16:32] * @Claudia_ circles up the group around the firepit in the center of the cabins
06[16:32] * cassil joins the group
06[16:33] * Kasey_ sits drinking a pepsi
06[16:34] * @Claudia_ settles on a bench and takes a swig from her bottle of Jack Daniels
06[16:34] * Ayven crawls out from under Nikkis cabin dirty and disheveled he squints under the bright sun looking around the campfire he takes seemingly confused stock of the area around him. dragging his feet as he walked he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out his softpack lighting the cigarette before rubbing the sleep from his eyes
06[16:34] * Keilanni sits down next to the firepit. She's wearing a slightly oboxious looking yellow shirt, with a giant pikachu on the front. Her dark cargo pants, with entirely too many pockets, jingle as she sits.
[16:35] <@Claudia_> So, gang, it's part of my Fostern challenge to be wise and help teach people about being garou.
06[16:35] * Dietrich_ walks up and sits down the bench from Claudia, swigging his own bottle of Jack
06[16:35] * Keilanni sets her laptop case next to her as she listens.
[16:36] <@Claudia_> So, uhm...
[16:36] <@Claudia_> Where to start.
[16:37] <@Claudia_> Anyone have questions?
06[16:37] * Keilanni adjusts the black biker goggles strapped across her forehead.
[16:37] <cassil> how do we talk to totom spirits
[16:37] <Ayven> did you guys ever get through the litany ?
06[16:38] * Keilanni nods at Ayven.
[16:38] <Keilanni> Yeah. Took a bit, though. Was a long night.
06[16:38] * Kasey_ is wearing a white tank top, blue jean shorts and white reeboks, her blck hair is pulled back into a ponytail and she smells like a dirty kennel, she just got back from community service and has not bathed.
[16:38] <@Claudia_> How do you talk to Totem spirits. Well, if the spirit is your Pack Totem then you just talk to them through your pack link.
06[16:39] * Kasey_ nods
06[16:39] * Keilanni furrows her brow.
06[16:39] * Keilanni raises her hand slightly.
06[16:39] * cassil nods
[16:39] <Keilanni> Ummm...Totem spirit?
[16:39] <@Claudia_> If you're talking about a Tribal Totem, you can summon an avatar, which is like an in between to speak with.
06[16:39] * cassil listens
[16:40] <@Claudia_> Totem spirit. It's kinda like the stereotypical native america stuff.
[16:40] <@Claudia_> Each Tribe has a spirit that claims that tribe as their followers.
06[16:40] * Keilanni nods.
[16:40] <Keilanni> Okay, so like, those bird, bear, coyote statue things?
[16:40] <@Claudia_> This spirit is very powerful and gives their tribe certain benefits
[16:41] <@Claudia_> Sort of
[16:41] <@Claudia_> We don't do the whole statue thing.
06[16:41] * cassil nods and listens
[16:41] <@Claudia_> We know that our Totem spirit is always watching and doesn't need a wooden statue to manifest.
[16:41] <Keilanni> Ah, so no weird monkey carvings anywhere?
06[16:41] * Keilanni does the motions for 'hear no evil' 'see no evil' 'speak no evil.'
06[16:42] * Keilanni nods.
[16:42] <Keilanni> Okay, got it.
[16:42] <@Claudia_> Each tribe has a different Totem.
06[16:42] * Nikki_ walks into the area and looks around at everyone and starts listening.
[16:42] <@Claudia_> I'm a Silent Strider, my Tribe's Totem is Owl.
[16:42] <@Claudia_> Owl is a Totem of wisdom
06[16:43] * Coyotechaser looks up at the sky and takes a deep breath, a grin on her face as she listens.
[16:43] <@Claudia_> So all Silent Striders follow Owl.
06[16:43] * Keilanni purses her lips.
[16:43] <@Claudia_> Glass Walkers follow Cockroach.
[16:44] <@Claudia_> Get of Fenris follow Fenrir.
[16:44] <@Claudia_> Black Furies follow Pegasus.
[16:44] <@Claudia_> Children of Gaia follow Unicorn.
06[16:44] * Kasey_ nods
[16:44] <@Claudia_> Shadow Lords follow Grandfather Thunder.
[16:44] <@Claudia_> Silver Fangs follow Falcon.
06[16:44] * Nikki_ looks at Kasey with a smile and nod.
[16:45] <@Claudia_> Bone Gnawers follow Rat
06[16:45] * cassil looks to nikki and nods
06[16:45] * Ayven gives a small wave at the mention of rat
06[16:46] * Nikki_ looks and smiles at Ayven.
[16:46] <@Claudia_> Stargazers follow Chimera
06[16:46] * Coyotechaser looks at Claudia, raising an eyebrow and waiting.
[16:47] <@Claudia_> Wendigo follow .... SURPRISE! Wendigo
[16:47] <@Claudia_> Uktena .... again SURPRISE! Uktena
[16:47] <@Claudia_> Fianna follow Stag
[16:47] <@Claudia_> Red Talons follow Griffin.
06[16:47] * Coyotechaser grins, and clarifies, "Uktena is the horned serpent," and she nods at the some of the younger-appearing Garou.
06[16:47] * Keilanni shakes her head slowly, her eyebrows lowered in though.
[16:48] <@Claudia_> I think that's all of 'em
[16:48] <Keilanni> So.....what are these tribes, exactly. Do you mean, like....
06[16:48] * Keilanni taps her hand to her mouth doing the sterotypical, native american, war cry esque thing, using her other hand to pantomime a feather on her head.
[16:48] <Keilanni> That kind of tribes?
[16:48] <Ayven> some are
[16:48] <@Claudia_> It's more like the ancient history definition of a tribe of peoples.
[16:49] <Keilanni> Oh, so it's a heritage thing?
06[16:49] * Ayven finally seeming awake nods to nikki and smells at his clothes silently deeming them alright
[16:49] <@Claudia_> For the most part, but there are exceptions
[16:50] <Kasey_> its like the tribe of the wolf that dwells within oneself right?
06[16:50] * Ayven scratches at his scruff
06[16:51] * Keilanni sighs to herself.
[16:51] <@Claudia_> Sort of Kasey, except that kinfolk are part of tribes and they don't have a wolf inside.
06[16:52] * Kasey_ nods
[16:52] <@Claudia_> So spirits, they have a ranking system too.
[16:52] <Kasey_> Do kinfolk serve totems?
[16:52] <Keilanni> So, what's the tribal totem for the "Don't have a clue what the hell they are?" tribe? I mean, I'm not exactly from a long line of Native Americans.
[16:52] <@Claudia_> You don't have a tribal totem yet Keilanni.
[16:52] <@Claudia_> Kasey, they do, but not in the same way we do
06[16:52] * Keilanni raises an eyebrow.
[16:53] <Keilanni> Yet?
[16:53] <@Claudia_> Eventually you will join a tribe Keilanni, then you will have a totem
[16:53] <Keilanni> Oh, so it's kind of like a sorority thing.
[16:54] <@Claudia_> I was born into my Tribe.
[16:54] <@Claudia_> My father is a Silent Strider, his father as well.
[16:54] <@Claudia_> Dietrich here, Get of Fenris for generations.
[16:55] <Kasey_> my MOM and cousin of CoGs
[16:55] <Kasey_> are*
[16:56] <@Claudia_> Sometimes a person just has a look about them that tells you they're going to be a certain tribe.
[16:56] <Ayven> and then theres me
06[16:56] * Kasey_ nods
06[16:56] * Nikki_ looks at Ayven.
[16:57] <Ayven> well the tribe i mean
06[16:57] * cassil looks to Ayven
[16:57] <@Claudia_> I'll let you ask someone from each tribe about their particulars.
[16:59] <Kasey_> So spirits have ranks?
[16:59] <@Claudia_> Oh yeah!
[16:59] <@Claudia_> That's where I was
06[16:59] * Kasey_ smiles and nods
[17:00] <@Claudia_> So yeah
[17:01] <@Claudia_> Englings are the smallest, weakest, least intelligent spirits. Mostly used just for refilling on gnosis
06[17:01] * Kasey_ nods
[17:02] <@Claudia_> Jagglings and Gafflings are next. These ones have minds of their own. Missions of their own.
06[17:03] * Kasey_ nods
[17:03] <@Claudia_> These make up the majority of the spirits we deal with.
06[17:03] * Keilani frowns slightly, saving her question on 'Gnosis' for later.
06[17:03] * Nikki_ frowns at the terms Jagglings and Gafflings.
[17:03] <@Claudia_> Some of them are friendly, some of them are mean, and some of them simply help the highest bidder.
[17:04] <@Claudia_> I'm seeing lots of frowns
[17:04] <@Claudia_> Who's got a question
06[17:04] * Keilani fiddles with the goggles on her head.
06[17:04] * Kasey_ raises hand
[17:04] <@Claudia_> Yeah Kasey?
[17:05] <Kasey_> i heard a rumor that spirits assemble in "Choirs" is that true?
06[17:05] * Tai_afk excuses himself quietly
[17:06] <@Claudia_> Choirs? They're not angels, and unless they're spirits of music, they don't sing.
06[17:06] * Kasey_ nods
06[17:06] * cassil rases her hand
06[17:07] * Keilani slips a hand into her pocket, messing with something in there while she waits for the others to ask their questions.
[17:08] <@Claudia_> Anyone else?
[17:08] <cassil> what is the differance between a jaggling and a gaffling
06[17:08] * Nikki_ shakes her head. "Just thinking of the spider..that's all my frown was about."
[17:09] <@Claudia_> Honestly? About three gnosis.
06[17:09] * Keilani furrows her brow.
06[17:09] * Kasey_ muffles a chuckle
[17:09] <Keilani> So....what's Gnosis...exactly?
[17:10] <@Claudia_> At the most basic, it's magic.
06[17:10] * Keilani slides her hand out of her pocket, placing it on her lap.
[17:10] <@Claudia_> It is the mystical connection we have to the Wyld and it powers a lot of our abilities.
06[17:10] * Kasey_ nods
06[17:11] * cassil listens
[17:11] <Keilani> So....not the sawing in half making people disappear type, right?
06[17:11] * Kasey_ nods
[17:12] <@Claudia_> Nope, not that kind.
[17:12] <@Claudia_> We have super powers, we call them "Gifts"
[17:12] <@Claudia_> Gaia and the spirits gave them to us to help us fight the War.
06[17:12] * Keilani raises an eyebrow at 'super power,' but doesn't say anything.
[17:12] <Kasey_> Claudia does it help us step sideways into the Umbra as well, the Gnosis i mean?
[17:13] <@Claudia_> It does do that Kasey
06[17:13] * Keilani blinks.
[17:13] <Keilani> Alright, you just threw out another two terms I have no idea about.
[17:13] <Keilani> You guys really need to get me a copy of this Garou dictionary.
06[17:13] * cassil raises my hand
[17:14] <@Claudia_> Told ya kid, no dictionary
[17:14] <@Claudia_> Yes Cassil?
[17:14] <Keilani> I know, I know. Paper rends the viel, loses to scissors, that kind of crap.
[17:14] <cassil> is there differant zones in the umbra
[17:14] <@Claudia_> Yes Cassil, but that's advanced lessons, we're still in elementary school here
[17:15] <Keilani> Speaking of elementary school....Umbra?
06[17:15] * Kasey_ chuckles
[17:15] <cassil> /nods
06[17:15] * cassil looks to kasey
[17:16] <Keilani> And...I haven't really noticed myself turning into a super hero or anything. How do these...errr...magical super power things come about?
[17:16] <@Claudia_> The Umbra is the spirit realm
[17:17] <@Claudia_> Think of it like being super-imposed on the earth. Like Green Screen!
06[17:17] * Kasey_ nods
[17:17] <Keilani> Are we the green screen and they're the image, or the other way around?
06[17:17] * cassil sits drawing in the dirt
[17:17] <Kasey_> You feel the super power when you shift Keilani....
[17:18] <@Claudia_> That depends on who you ask Keilanni.
[17:18] <@Claudia_> Remember the discussion about Wyld and Weaver?
[17:18] <Keilani> Ah. Better make sure not to wear too much green around here then, might disappear.
06[17:18] * Keilani nods, grinning a bit.
06[17:18] * @Claudia_ laughs
06[17:19] * cassil rases my hand
[17:20] <@Claudia_> As for the superhero part, you are taught your super powers once you prove you're ready. With great power comes great responsibility.
[17:20] <@Claudia_> Yes Cassil?
06[17:21] * Keilani does the spiderman, webslinging motion with her hand.
[17:21] <cassil> does the webs the weaver weaves effect the we move into the umbra
[17:21] <cassil> way*
[17:21] <@Claudia_> Only if you trip on them Cassil
[17:21] <Keilani> Wait...we can travel into the green screen?
06[17:21] * cassil giggles
[17:22] <@Claudia_> Yup, sho can.
06[17:22] * Kasey_ nods to keilani
[17:23] <Kasey_> Claudia can one get lost in the green Screen?
[17:23] <@Claudia_> Call it the Umbra, will save confusion later.
[17:23] <@Claudia_> And yes, anyone can get lost over there.
[17:23] <@Claudia_> And getting lost means wandering until you die.
06[17:24] * Kasey_ nods
[17:24] <Keilani> Alright, so, Gnosis is magic, spirits have magic, we use Gnosis to get into the Umbra and to use super powers, we can move into the Umbra, spirits live there, and we could potentially get stuck and wander around forever.
06[17:24] * cassil listens
[17:24] <@Claudia_> Not forever, just until you die. Everything else is correct.
03[17:24] * Miranda_Montreve is now known as Ella
[17:24] <Keilani> Ah, that's reassuring then.
[17:25] <@Claudia_> Don't forget though, the super powers are called Gifts.
[17:25] <Kasey_> Claudia can we use gifts to speak to, bind and summon spirits?
[17:25] <Keilani> 'Kay. Superpowers equal gifts, magic equals Gnosis, and the Green Screen equals Umbra. Got it.
[17:25] <@Claudia_> Theurges are able to learn a gift called Spirit Speech, the language of the spirits.
06[17:26] * Kasey_ nods
06[17:26] * cassil lookaround
[17:26] <Keilani> They don't speak English?
[17:26] <@Claudia_> Binding spirits requires a Rite of Binding, again, usually a theurge thing.
06[17:26] * Keilani blinks.
[17:26] <Keilani> Actually...yeah, I guess that wouldn't make sense, since a lot of people don't speak English.
[17:26] <@Claudia_> Summoning a spirit requires a Rite of Summoning, again, usually a theurge thing.
06[17:27] * Keilani purses her lips.
[17:27] <@Claudia_> Yes Keilani?
06[17:27] * cassil frowns
[17:28] <Keilani> Theurges deal with spirits quite a bit, don't they? Ummmm....how exactly do spirits talk? They don't do the whole chain rattling ghost thing, do they?
[17:28] <Keilani> And....Rites?
06[17:29] * cassil looks to claudia
[17:29] <@Claudia_> Spirits talk usually according to what they are. To someone without Spirit Speech a wind spirit may simply sound like a breeze through the trees
06[17:30] * Kasey_ nods
[17:30] <@Claudia_> A bird spirit may sound the a chirp.
[17:31] <Keilani> So...when do I pick that up? Can't really imagine taking a course for 'Wind' or 'Bird Calls' at MSU. Seems like it'd be handy if I'm supposed to be messing with spirits.
[17:31] <Kasey_> Claudia i know you said Theurges usually do all that spirit stuff but cant other Auspices do them also?
[17:32] <@Claudia_> It's more like a .... on Star Trek when they had the meetings with all the different species, they had those little translator dealies so you could understand everyone.
[17:32] <Keilani> Ah, so I'll pick up a little translator thingy somewhere along the way.
[17:32] <@Claudia_> Spirit Speech allows you to speak in a way that all spirits can understand and allows you to understand all spirits.
06[17:32] * Kasey_ chuckles
[17:32] <@Claudia_> The gift is the translator, no device needed.
[17:33] <@Claudia_> Kasey, I'll bite your fingers off if you move in on my gig
06[17:33] * @Claudia_ smiles jokingly at Kasey
[17:33] <Keilani> Ah, one of the superpowers. I'll be talking to fish like Aquaman in no time.
06[17:33] * Kasey_ winks at Claudia
[17:34] <Keilani> Anyway....ummmm. What are Rites, exactly? You mentioned them quite a bit when talking about dealing with spirits.
[17:34] <@Claudia_> They are sort of like spells.
[17:34] <@Claudia_> You perform certain actions with intent and get a result.
[17:34] <Keilani> Abrakadabra, poof, there's a spirit?
06[17:34] * Kasey_ chuckles
06[17:35] * @Claudia_ shrugs. "It looks cooler in practice than just that, but yeah."
[17:36] <Keilani> Sweet. I'm like Aquaman and Harry Potter all thrown into one.
06[17:36] * Kasey_ nods and says "And some aren't so instantaneous either...."
[17:37] <Keilani> Do you need Gnosis to do Rites?
01[17:37] <Dietrich_> If you're hoping to wave your wand around and win, you'll be very disappointed.
06[17:37] * Kasey_ chuckles
06[17:37] * Keilani flourishes her hand.
[17:37] <Keilani> Hey, my wand kicks ass. I'll send pirahnas after you.
[17:37] <@Claudia_> Rites do not necesarily need Gnosis
[17:39] <Keilani> Alright. So...I'm going to learn these eventually, right? How to use Rites, and Gnosis, and this Umbra thing, and Gifts, and how to....errrr...
06[17:39] * Keilani raises her hands above her head like claws.
[17:39] <Keilani> Become a big scary monster thing?
[17:39] <@Claudia_> Yes.
06[17:40] * Keilani flashes a quick grin.
[17:40] <Keilani> Cool.
[17:40] <Kasey_> Claudia can you explain Fetishes and what fuels them?
06[17:40] * Keilani blinks.
[17:40] <Keilani> Fetishes...like, people who get off on feet?
[17:40] <Kasey_> No
[17:40] <@Claudia_> Not kink....
[17:41] <@Claudia_> A Fetish is like a magic weapon.
[17:41] <@Claudia_> well, item really
06[17:41] * Kasey_ listens as Claudia speaks with intrest
[17:41] <@Claudia_> Doesn't have to be a weapon.
[17:41] <Keilani> So...like a wand?
06[17:41] * Keilani flashes a quick grin at Dietrich.
[17:42] <@Claudia_> Could be a wand. Or a pouch, or a flute, or a rock, or just about anything.
06[17:42] * Kasey_ nods
06[17:43] * Keilani raises an eyebrow.
[17:43] <Keilani> So, it could be, like, a laptop or a cell phone.
[17:43] <@Claudia_> You start with your item and make a deal with a spirit to willingly bind itself to the item.
06[17:43] * Keilani glances at her laptop case.
[17:43] <@Claudia_> I'll save the laptop for the Rite of Awakening discussion.
[17:44] <@Claudia_> Now, a goodly number of fetishes are weapons
06[17:44] * Kasey_ nods
[17:45] <@Claudia_> You get yourself a bigass sword, stick a spirit in it and voila, you have a vorpal sword plus 5
06[17:45] * Keilani grins.
[17:45] <Keilani> D&D, spirit style?
[17:45] <@Claudia_> Kinda
[17:46] <Keilani> You make it sound pretty easy to do...
[17:46] <@Claudia_> No, no. Not easy at all.
06[17:46] * Keilani sighs.
[17:46] <Keilani> I figured.
[17:46] <@Claudia_> Ain't nothin easy this side of the War.
06[17:47] * Kasey_ nods
[17:48] <Kasey_> Are there temporary, one time use Fetishes?
[17:48] <@Claudia_> There are, the one time use items are called Talens
06[17:48] * Kasey_ nods
06[17:49] * Keilani pantomimes a bird's claw with her hand.
[17:49] <@Claudia_> T A L E N
[17:49] <@Claudia_> Not O N
06[17:49] * Keilani lowers her hand.
[17:49] <Keilani> Oh.
06[17:49] * Kasey_ chuckles
[17:50] <Kasey_> What's a Klaive? I heard about them but and confused...
[17:51] <@Claudia_> A Klaive is a vorpal sword made of Silver.
06[17:51] * Kasey_ shudders at thought of silver
06[17:52] * Keilani notices Kasey's reaction.
[17:52] <@Claudia_> It lowers your access to your gnosis, but it packs a hell of a punch
[17:52] <Keilani> Got something against silver?
[17:52] <Kasey_> Yes alot
06[17:52] * Keilani blinks.
[17:52] <Kasey_> some of us are not tolerant Keilani
[17:52] <@Claudia_> Just like in the movies, Silver kills, Keilanni.
[17:53] <Keilani> Ah, great. I've got some kick ass earrings at home, too. I'm not going to keel over if I wear them, am I?
[17:54] <@Claudia_> It'll hurt a lot but they won't kill ya.
[17:54] <@Claudia_> Wearing a silver bracelet won't kill you
[17:54] <Keilani> Well...crap. Meh, wasn't really into fashion anyway.
06[17:55] * Kasey_ chuckles
[17:55] <@Claudia_> Give them to a friend, pawn them, whatever
06[17:55] * cassil grins
06[17:55] * Keilani shifts, the pikachu on her shirt seeming to move as if agreeing.
[17:56] <Keilani> So...anything else that does a number on us? Besides the whole silver deal?
[17:56] <@Claudia_> Losing your head.
[17:57] <Keilani> Damn. I was really hoping to join in that public decapatation later, too.
[17:57] <@Claudia_> Some of us have personal allergies.
01[17:57] <Dietrich_> Fire.
[17:57] <Kasey_> and bullets
[17:57] <Keilani> So, typical stuff, right? Silver's the only kind of unusual thing in the bunch?
01[17:58] <Dietrich_> Nah, bullets don't really bother me.
[17:58] <@Claudia_> I've heard of some of us having allergies to Wolfsbane
06[17:58] * Keilani blinks.
[17:58] <Keilani> That weird plant?
06[17:58] * Kasey_ nods
[17:58] <@Claudia_> Yup
[17:58] <Kasey_> Claudia can items be dedicated so they can shift as you do into the different forms?
06[17:59] * Keilani nods emphatically at the question, though the word 'dedicated' threw her off a bit.
[17:59] <Keilani> Yeah. Am I going to lose all of my clothes whenever I go all wolfy?
[17:59] <Kasey_> yes
[17:59] <Keilani> 'Cause that we....ummm...uncomfortable.
[17:59] <@Claudia_> Yes we can dedicate a set of clothes so you don't lose them
[18:00] <@Claudia_> you can dedicate items too, but very few.
06[18:00] * Keilani brushes dirt off her pikachu shirt.
[18:00] <Kasey_> like what exactly?
[18:00] <@Claudia_> Usually we just pick weapons or things we really need
06[18:00] * Kasey_ nods
01[18:00] <Dietrich_> But since we like to shower and change clothes, like normal folk, its a good idea to get used to having your bits hanging out.
[18:00] <Keilani> Sweet. Cause I really didn't like the thought of streaking whenever I hulked out.
[18:01] <Kasey_> Not everyone showers dietrich
01[18:02] <Dietrich_> Well I sure do.
[18:02] <Kasey_> me too
[18:02] <@Claudia_> I'm a huge fan of personal hygiene
06[18:02] * Kasey_ chuckles
[18:02] <Keilani> Can you...errr...'dedicate' more than a few items. I'd like to keep my 'bits' out of the public eye.
[18:03] <@Claudia_> it's limited by how well you access your gnosis
01[18:03] <Dietrich_> You'd have to learn to do it yourself, like every day, even if you had that kind of potential.
[18:03] <Keilani> Great. Didn't know that we got an MP pool.
01[18:03] <Dietrich_> Some people find it a waste of time.
[18:03] <Kasey_> it'd be a toughy girl...
[18:03] <@Claudia_> total mana pool
01[18:04] <Dietrich_> Just tap that inner wolf, and you'll care a lot less about it.
06[18:04] * Kasey_ nods
[18:05] <@Claudia_> Dietrich likes to tap that
06[18:05] * @Claudia_ snorts
06[18:05] * Kasey_ chuckles
01[18:05] <Dietrich_> Ha ha.
06[18:05] * Keilani holds a hand to her lips as she chuckles.
[18:05] <cassil> me grins
06[18:05] * Dietrich_ lights up a Marlboro and offers the pack to Claudia
[18:05] <cassil> (Brb)
06[18:06] * @Claudia_ takes the pack and lights up her own cigarette before handing the pack back to Dietrich
[18:06] <@Claudia_> C'mon now, this is for my rank... ask more questions.
[18:07] <Kasey_> ok
[18:07] <Kasey_> Can you explain our forms we shift into and what stuff we can do while in them besides killing?
[18:07] <@Claudia_> Ok....
[18:07] <cassil> (back)
[18:08] <@Claudia_> Lupus, straight wolf form
01[18:08] <Dietrich_> I'll be your dummy.
06[18:08] * Dietrich_ strips his clothes off and shifts to lupus
06[18:08] * Kasey_ chuckles
[18:08] <@Claudia_> You already are, now shift to lupus
06[18:08] * Keilani looks away for a second as Dietrich strips down.
[18:08] <@Claudia_> Ok, this is lupus
06[18:08] * cassil looks away
06[18:09] * Keilani glances back.
[18:09] <@Claudia_> Note the spiffy nose
[18:09] <@Claudia_> Good for sniffing out prey and bad guys
06[18:09] * Kasey_ nods
[18:09] <Keilani> Cool...
06[18:09] * Dietrich-lupus pads around and sniffs everyone, getting their scents
[18:09] <@Claudia_> Good for running away and fitting into smaller spaces
06[18:10] * Dietrich-lupus shows how much faster you can run
06[18:10] * Dietrich-lupus is a large grey Scandinavian wolf
[18:10] <Kasey_> Can you speak in Lupus form?
06[18:10] * Dietrich-lupus looks like the deadly fimbul wolves of legend
[18:11] <@Claudia_> You can communicate in lupus
06[18:11] * Kasey_ nods
[18:11] <@Claudia_> It's a combination of movement and vocals
06[18:11] * Keilani raises her hand slightly.
[18:11] <Keilani> When's the class on 'growling like a wolf?'
06[18:12] * Kasey_ chuckles
[18:12] <Kasey_> I don't think you need a class it will come instinctively
06[18:12] * Dietrich-lupus growls and his hackles go up like he's ready for a fight
[18:12] <@Claudia_> You'll catch on the more you have to eal with it
06[18:13] * Keilani blinks at Dietrich.
[18:13] <@Claudia_> For example Dietrich here is saying that he wants to fight.
[18:13] <Keilani> How do you say "Hell no!" in wolf?
[18:13] <@Claudia_> Either that or he just noticed I farted on him.
06[18:13] * Kasey_ chuckles
06[18:13] * Dietrich-lupus pounces Claudia and rolls her off the back of the bench
[18:14] <@Claudia_> Fuck!
06[18:14] * @Claudia_ laughs
06[18:14] * Keilani shakes her head a bit, laughing.
06[18:14] * Dietrich-lupus pants with a wolfish grin
06[18:15] * Dietrich-lupus stands right over Claudia and shifts to hispo
[18:15] <@Claudia_> Ok, moving on to hispo
06[18:15] * Keilani blinks.
[18:15] <Keilani> Big wolfy....
[18:15] <@Claudia_> Gigantor wolf
[18:15] <Kasey_> man wolf?
[18:15] <@Claudia_> Good for fighting
[18:15] <@Claudia_> not man wolf
06[18:16] * Dietrich-hispo now stands almost as tall as Claudia
[18:16] <@Claudia_> gigantor wolf
06[18:16] * Kasey_ nods
[18:16] <@Claudia_> Very good for traveling, nice speed
[18:16] <Keilani> Looks like he'd eat you whole.
[18:17] <Kasey_> and he looks stronger on two feet than in Lupus too.
[18:17] <@Claudia_> If it weren't against the Litany he might
06[18:17] * Kasey_ nods
[18:17] <@Claudia_> Huge paws, nice slicing sized claws
06[18:17] * Dietrich-hispo licks Claudia's arm, like it wouldn't taste that bad
06[18:18] * Keilani snorts.
06[18:18] * @Claudia_ punches the hispo wolf in the shoulder, obviously doing next to nothing
[18:19] <Kasey_> so he can take a good hit then....
[18:19] <@Claudia_> Oh yeah
06[18:19] * Dietrich-hispo doesn't even move
06[18:20] * @Claudia_ flips out a six inch switch blade made a steel. She shows it to the wolf. "Cool, Dietrich?"
06[18:20] * Dietrich-hispo nods and chuffs
06[18:20] * Kasey_ watches as Claudia pulls a switchblade
06[18:20] * Keilani grins widely.
06[18:21] * @Claudia_ takes the blade expertly and stabs it into Dietrich's shoulder, dragging it down a bit before pulling it out.
06[18:21] * Keilani winces.
[18:21] <Keilani> Owwww.....
[18:21] <@Claudia_> Now we watch the amazing healing powers of the Garou!
06[18:21] * @Claudia_ goes all Vanna White
[18:21] <Kasey_> Nah he can take it
06[18:22] * cassil looks on
06[18:22] * Dietrich-hispo grunts a little, but the wounds starts closing almost as soon as the knife comes out
06[18:22] * Keilani blinks.
[18:22] <Keilani> That one of those Gift thingies we learn?
[18:23] <@Claudia_> Nope, that there is natural healin that all garou get with the package.
06[18:23] * Kasey_ nods
[18:23] <@Claudia_> Warning, not quite as effective in whatever form you were born in.
[18:23] <@Claudia_> Your case, homid.
06[18:23] * Keilani blinks again, then rummages through her pockets until she finds a small pocket knift. Flipping out the blade, she nicks her finger with it.
06[18:23] * Keilani puts the finger in her mouth.
[18:24] <Keilani> In my case, what?
[18:24] <@Claudia_> Now what did I just say.
[18:24] <Kasey_> Homid
06[18:24] * Keilani the words are muffled as she sucks on her finger.
[18:24] <@Claudia_> Not quite as effective in homid.
06[18:25] * Keilani keeps her finger in her mouth, her brow furrowing at the term.
[18:25] <@Claudia_> Homid is human form
[18:25] <@Claudia_> the form you and I are in.
06[18:25] * Keilani pulls the finger out of her mouth.
[18:25] <Keilani> Ah.
06[18:26] * @Claudia_ walks over to Keilani and takes the wounded finger in her hand, she activates Mother's Touch and heals the wound instantaneously.
06[18:26] * Keilani blinks at her finger.
[18:26] <Keilani> Well... that seems handy to have around.
[18:27] <@Claudia_> It is
06[18:27] * Keilani grins at Claudia.
[18:27] <Keilani> Huh, guess you are a superhero after all.
[18:27] <@Claudia_> Another Theurge trick
06[18:27] * Dietrich-hispo shift up to glabro (Fair Glabro)
[18:27] <@Claudia_> And we have apparently moved on the Glabro
06[18:28] * Keilani whistles.
[18:28] <@Claudia_> Dietrich is an unusual specimin for this
[18:28] <Keilani> We can turn into Shaq?
[18:28] <Kasey_> Were you raised by wolves or humans Keilani?
06[18:28] * Kasey_ chuckles
[18:28] <@Claudia_> Usually there is a low sloping forehead and unibrow
[18:28] <Kasey_> or Batista or Trish Stratus or Randy orton.....
06[18:29] * Dietrich-glabro pulls his hair back so they can see the greatly broadened torso
06[18:29] * Dietrich-glabro is roughly 8+ feet tall in this form
[18:29] <Keilani> So, we can go all caveman on people?
06[18:29] * Kasey_ chuckles at the mentioning of a unibrow
[18:30] <Kasey_> Claudia is there two types of Galabro?
[18:30] <Kasey_> Glabro?*
[18:30] <@Claudia_> Some garou just look better than most when in Glabro
06[18:30] * Kasey_ nods
06[18:31] * Dietrich-glabro tries to gesture to all his larger muscles without pointing out more private areas
[18:31] <Keilani> So, most go all Olga-esque when they look like that?
[18:31] <@Claudia_> yes
[18:31] <Keilani> Is vanity a part of the shift?
06[18:31] * Keilani gestures dismissively at Dietrich.
06[18:31] * Kasey_ chuckles
[18:32] <@Claudia_> No, some people just have one eyebrow and some have two
01[18:32] <Dietrich-glabro> Your mass nearly doubles, as you can see, even though your height doesn't increase as much.
[18:32] <@Claudia_> It's good for fighting in the city
06[18:32] * Kasey_ nods
[18:32] <@Claudia_> Beefs up your strength without totally rending the Veil
01[18:32] <Dietrich-glabro> But don't go jumping on someone's bumper like this.
[18:32] <Keilani> Makes sense. Though I think Andre the Giant stunt doubles would still get a few looks.
01[18:32] <Dietrich-glabro> You'll wreck their suspension.
[18:33] <Kasey_> and attract police for indecent exposure as well
06[18:33] * Dietrich-glabro chuckles
[18:33] <@Claudia_> Unless you're in clothes that you have dedicated
01[18:33] <Dietrich-glabro> Well, I would do this in a dedicated set of clothing, were I in the city.
[18:34] <@Claudia_> in which case they'll get bigger too
06[18:34] * Kasey_ nods
[18:34] <@Claudia_> And now for Crinos
06[18:34] * Dietrich-glabro shifts to crinos
03[18:34] * Dietrich-glabro is now known as Dietrich-Crinos
[18:34] <Keilani> Ah.
[18:34] <@Claudia_> War form
06[18:34] * Keilani raises her hands like she's pantomiming a big monster.
[18:34] <Keilani> The rawr form.
[18:34] <@Claudia_> Man-wolf
[18:34] <@Claudia_> Yes
[18:35] <@Claudia_> Most of us don't use this form unless we're ready to fight
[18:35] <@Claudia_> Plain and simple, this form is violence contained.
06[18:35] * Dietrich-Crinos now weighs roughly a ton and a half and is double his original height
[18:36] <Kasey_> And full of Rage right?
[18:36] <@Claudia_> Yes
[18:36] <Keilani> Makes 'American Werewolf in Paris' look fuzzy...
06[18:36] * Dietrich-Crinos picks Claudia up in one hand, careful not to spear her with his claws, and lets her sit there like she weighs nothing
[18:36] <@Claudia_> but no more rage than he had in human form
[18:36] <Kasey_> right
06[18:36] * @Claudia_ sits her 5'3" thin body on Dietrich's arm, a handful of his fur to keep herself steady
[18:37] <Kasey_> is his senses more acute in this form?
[18:37] <@Claudia_> Yes, your senses are generally more acute in any form other than homid
[18:37] <@Claudia_> except maybe touch
06[18:37] * Kasey_ nods
06[18:37] * Keilani gets a weird image of a Father letting his little girl ride on his shoulder and chuckles to herself.
01[18:38] <Dietrich-Crinos> <g> The fur can interfere with tactile responses.
[18:38] <@Claudia_> He is speaking in garou
[18:38] <@Claudia_> It is difficult to make human sounds in this form
06[18:38] * Kasey_ nods
[18:38] <@Claudia_> Obviously the throat and therefore voicebox are in a different shape and so cannot make the same sounds
[18:39] <Keilani> Sounds like a pissed off Mel Gibson...
[18:39] <Kasey_> Claudia when we awoke the caern we all got crescent scars when we shift will the scar shift with us and be noticeable?
06[18:39] * Dietrich-Crinos grunts, "Hulk Strong" and tosses Claudia high up in the air and catches her on the way back down
[18:40] <@Claudia_> The scar will be visible in all forms Kasey
[18:40] <Keilani> Ah.
[18:40] <Kasey_> ok thanks
06[18:40] * Dietrich-Crinos sets Claudia down
06[18:41] * Keilani thinks about her eyes, but doesn't pull her goggles down, remembering the reaction it got with Claudia earlier.
06[18:41] * Dietrich-Crinos shifts back to homid
[18:41] <@Claudia_> and homid
[18:41] <@Claudia_> Or human form
[18:41] <Keilani> Right, the 'don't cut yourself' form.
06[18:42] * Kasey_ chuckles
01[18:42] <Dietrich_> Scar tissue can't grow hair or fur, so it will actually be more pronounced in some forms.
06[18:42] * Dietrich_ pulls his boxers back on for the modest people
06[18:42] * Kasey_ nods to Dietrich
[18:43] <@Claudia_> Any other questions tonight?
06[18:43] * Keilani raises her hand slightly.
[18:43] <Kasey_> Are we susceptable to mange and other things like dogs and wolves are?
06[18:44] * Keilani blinks, but lowers her hand.
[18:44] <@Claudia_> No, you are barely susceptible to human diseases.
06[18:44] * Kasey_ nods
01[18:44] <Dietrich_> We heal to fast to worry about most anything.
[18:44] <@Claudia_> You have a superhuman immune system
06[18:45] * Dietrich_ finishes getting dressed and takes a big swig from his bottle of Jack before he sits down
06[18:45] * Keilani raises her hand a bit again.
[18:45] <Keilani> What was that Rite of Awakening you talked about earlier?
[18:46] <@Claudia_> Remember how we talked the other night about everything having a spark of spirit in it?
06[18:46] * Keilani nods, her brow furrowing a bit to remember.
[18:47] <@Claudia_> Well, there is a Rite that allows us to awaken that spirit within the item.
[18:47] <@Claudia_> Then you can talk to it!
06[18:47] * Keilani glances at her laptop again.
06[18:47] * Kasey_ nods
[18:48] <Kasey_> but with it comes a sacrifice....
06[18:48] * Keilani tilts her head.
[18:49] <@Claudia_> Everything costs.
[18:49] <Keilani> So...like....burning cows?
06[18:49] * Keilani grimaces.
[18:49] <@Claudia_> No.
[18:49] <Kasey_> No
[18:51] <@Claudia_> Any other questions?
[18:51] <Kasey_> There was another Theurge at the Sept here who gave her life in the Rite to Awaken our Caern
[18:51] <Keilani> It wasn't always this way?
06[18:52] * Keilani looks around the Caern.
[18:54] <@Claudia_> She didn't give her life to awaken the caern. She gave her life to defeat the bad guy.
[18:54] <@Claudia_> But the bigger the rite, the bigger the risk for death
06[18:54] * Keilani shakes her head slowly, clearly confused.
06[18:54] * Kasey_ nods
[18:55] <@Claudia_> What are you confused about Keilani?
[18:56] <Keilani> I just...I dunno. I don't think I understand this whole Rites thing yet. And, what's a Caern? I'm assuming it's this place, right? Where I keep feeling all...tingly?
[18:56] <@Claudia_> A Caern is a place
[18:57] <@Claudia_> yes, it is a tingly place.
06[18:57] * @Claudia_ chuckles
[18:57] <Kasey_> Is it the "heart" of the Sept?
03[18:58] * Ella-shower is now known as Ella
[18:58] <@Claudia_> It is what the Sept protects
06[18:59] * Kasey_ nods
[18:59] <@Claudia_> It is one of Gaia's places of power
[19:00] <Kasey_> Claudia can there be more than one in a Sept? Not acting stupid, just was curious if it was possible?
[19:00] <@Claudia_> No
[19:01] <Kasey_> Thanks
[19:01] <@Claudia_> Caerns are not that closely situated
06[19:01] * Kasey_ nods
[19:01] <@Claudia_> Geographically impossible3
06[19:02] * Kasey_ chuckles
01[19:02] <Dietrich_> Plus, we try not to spread ourselves that thin, even if it happened.
06[19:02] * Kasey_ nods
01[19:03] <Dietrich_> Some septs out west have huge territories, and a couple potential caern locations. But they only have one awake and raised. They leave the others sleeping because they are so hard to protect.
06[19:03] * Kasey_ nods
06[19:04] * @Claudia_ takes a swig from her bottle.
[19:05] <@Claudia_> Ok, my talker's all worn out. Any more big questions?
[19:07] <Kasey_> I am good for now, i have a Date with an Athro from my tribe for private lessons, after that i probably have quite a few, dont know what to expect from that.
[19:07] <@Claudia_> Hopefully answers.
06[19:08] * @Claudia_ looks at Keilani. "You?"
[19:10] <@Claudia_> Alrighty then.
[19:10] <@Claudia_> Thanks for coming out, have a great night, don't forget to tip your waitress!
[19:11] <Kasey_> Well i learned alot and enjoyed this meeting, thanks Claudia, you'll make a great Fostern.
06[19:12] * Dietrich_ retreats into Claudia's cabin with his bottle of Jack
06[19:12] * Kasey_ tips the waitress a few quarters and heads to shower