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The stories of a Garou's memorable accomplishments are told and re-told among werewolves and their ancestral spirits. These stories are known as a Garou's Renown, and they correspond loosely to how much respect others in the Garou Nation owe the werewolf. Going up in Rank requires a Garou to earn certain amounts of Renown.

 

 

Earning Renown

The earning of Renown is not a humble endeavor. Whenever a werewolf does something noteworthy or admirable, it's in their best interests to brag about it -- or to have someone else do it on their behalf. This role falls traditionally upon Garou of the Galliard auspice. When a Galliard tells the story of someone's worthy accomplishments, the spirits and the Nation take note.

The Rite of Accomplishment

The Rite will be performed traditionally by a Galliard or Philodox. They will use their different ways and means to open the circle for the ears of the spirits. Then once that has been estabilished you will perform your tale of deeds (one or many) for the ears of the Sept and the Spirits taking notice of your story. Every deed will help you gather Temporary Renown. When you have 10 points of either Glory, Honor or Wisdom, you may have this rite performed. Within our Chop channel you will roll with a Storyteller and must WIN your simple test with them to exchange the 10 points for 1 Perminant renown point. These are what are referred to below as totals. If you are concerned or confused you of course may discuss the rite with the Storyteller BEFORE the rite taking place. They will explain fully to you.

 

There are several other requirements around correctly performing a Rite of Accomplishment, such as the requirement that the ritualist be of higher Rank than the subject, and that you can only benefit from it once a month. Read the description of the rite for more details.

 

Renown Required for Rank

The rules about Rank give more details about going up in Rank, but for the sake of quick reference, the Renown requirements for each Rank appear here. The requirements differ by Auspice.

 

Ragabash

     Rank          Any Combination of Renown Traits 

 Cliath                         - 3 

 Fostern                        - 7 

 Adren                          - 13 

 Athro                          - 19 

 Elder                          - 25 

 

Theurge

     Rank           Glory                Honor                   Wisdom 

Cliath                0                    0                        3 

Fostern               1                    0                        5 

Adren                 2                    1                        7 

Athro                 4                    2                        9 

Elder                 4                    9                       10 

 

Philodox

     Rank          Glory                Honor                    Wisdom 

Cliath               0                    3                         0 

Fostern              1                    4                         1 

Adren                2                    6                         2 

Athro                3                    8                         4 

Elder                4                   10                         9 

 

Galliard

Rank              Glory                  Honor                   Wisdom 

Cliath              2                      0                        1 

Fostern             4                      0                        2 

Adren               4                      2                        4 

Athro               7                      2                        6 

Elder               9                      5                        9 

 

Ahroun

 

Rank             Glory                  Honor                     Wisdom 

Cliath             2                      1                          0 

Fostern            4                      2                          1 

Adren              6                      3                          1 

Athro              9                      5                          2 

Elder             10                      9                          4 

 

 

 

 

Rank

 

Rank is the measure of a Garou's social standing in the Nation, and (some say) in the eyes of Gaia. Like military officers, Garou of high Rank command those of lower Rank, while those of lower rank seek to prove themselves worthy of higher standing.

 

Advancing in Rank

As a werewolf earns recognition for their deeds in the form of Renown, they become eligible to advance in Rank. Each Auspice has different minimum Renown requirements they must meet before challenging for the next Rank. Certain minimums of time must pass between rising from Rank to Rank as well. This page lists those requirements with the description of each rank.

 

Once a Garou meets the minimum requirements of Renown and time, they must challenge a higher-Ranking Garou to recognize their worthiness for the next Rank. The elder Garou chooses the nature of the contest – there are several traditional ones, but the challengee is free to innovate. The challenger must prove themselves worthy to the elder's satisfaction before they advance. A Sept's Master of Challenge oversees these contests to ensure they are fair and worthy tests of the challenger's capabilities.

 

The Ranks

 

Cub: Rank Zero

Cubs are young men and women thrown into the deep end of the war for Gaia. They've just recently had their First Change, which may be their first traumatic introduction to the world of the Garou. Other werewolves capture cubs and educate them quickly, both protecting them and indoctrinating them into their new role as Gaia's warriors. Cubs must learn quickly, leaving the trappings of their old lives behind in favor of mastering the basic skills of their Auspice. They must submit to the orders of everyone except their fellow cubs. They cannot fully participate in Garou society -- such as challenging, and being challenged -- until they prove themselves in a ritual called a Rite of Passage. Cubs do not begin play with Gifts; they can learn breed and auspice Gifts under the guidance of others , but access to tribe Gifts comes only after their Rite.

  • Duties: Learn as much as you can about Garou society and your place in it.

  • Privileges: None

  • Gifts Available: Basic Breed and Auspice Gifts, with their Den Parent's approval. 

  • Rites Available: May learn Basic and Minor Rites; may perform Minor Rites

  • Maximum Traits per Category: 10

  • Maximum Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower: 5

  • Lore Allowance: None

  • Time Requirement: None

  • Renown Requirements: None

 

Cliath: Rank One

Cliath are the youngest members in full standing of the Garou Nation. They have fulfilled a Rite of Passage, which proves them worthy of joining the war for Gaia; they are welcomed into the extended family of a tribe. But now their responsibilities truly begin. Higher-ranked Garou expect Cliath to submit to their orders and to the demands of the Litany; Cliath who fail at these tasks can expect harsh judgment. While they are no longer watched by a Den Parent, Cliath must continue to learn, seeking out instruction from the elders of their Auspice and Tribe. When a cub becomes a Cliath, they gain for free one breed, auspice and tribal gift; for those who start as Cliath, these three gifts are gained for free when you build your werewolf.

  • Duties: Serve your Sept however your elders require, including boring minor tasks like cleaning up the bawn or patrolling the perimeter. Seek out Garou to train you as the kind of warrior you want to become. Find a pack to join, or gather up some fellow Cliath and start one yourself.

  • Privileges: You can ask your Sept leadership for justice when you are wronged, or challenge any Cliath, Fostern or Adren who wronged you. When your Renown is sufficient, you can challenge a Fostern or Adren for your next Rank. You might have a little license to fuck up thanks to youth, inexperience and stupidity -- but don't rely on it. It won't stretch far. You may choose to pursue the favor of a Personal Totem, but while you must keep the spirit's ban to do so, you will not yet enjoy its spiritual blessings.

  • Gifts Available: Basic. Upon succeeding at a Rite of Passage, a cub who becomes a cliath learns a tribe Gift for free (as well as breed and auspice, if they have not already done so as a cub).

  • Rites Available: May learn and perform Minor and Basic Rites

  • Maximum Traits per Category: 11

  • Maximum Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower: 5

  • Lore Allowance: You may learn up to level 2 in Lore: Garou, Lore: Spirit, and your tribal Lore without a teacher.

  • Time Requirement: Garou spend at least a month as a cub before becoming Cliath.

  • Renown Requirements: These Renown are not earned as cubs, but gained upon completion of the Rite of Passage:

    • Ragabash: Any 3 

    • Theurge: 3 Wisdom 

    • Philodox: 3 Honor

    • Galliard: 2 Glory, 1 Wisdom

    • Ahroun: 2 Glory, 1 Honor

 

Fostern: Rank Two

Fostern Rank is usually considered the minimum to hold true responsibility. Fostern have proved themselves on their own initiative, choosing how to make their mark and earning some Renown to show for it. They have taken risks and overcome challenges that killed some of the cliath they grew up with. Fostern are considered fully responsible adults, requiring no indulgence from their elders.

  • Duties: Continue serving your Sept. You may be entrusted with greater duties now that you've got experience under your belt. Take responsibility for the safety and success of your fellow Garou. Attend Sept moots. Keep learning, becoming a worthy example of your Auspice, Breed and Tribe.

  • Privileges: Your freedom to move from Caern to Caern is heightened. You're reliably allowed onto your own, and you can even ask the Gatekeeper to open moon bridges for you to travel to to other Caerns, provided you have a serious reason. Spiritually speaking, Fostern may enjoy the full blessings of a Personal Totem.

  • Gifts Available: Basic

  • Rites Available: May learn up to Intermediate Rites; may perform Minor and Basic Rites

  • Maximum Traits per Category: 12

  • Maximum Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower: 6

  • Lore Allowance: You may learn up to level 3 in Lore: Garou, Lore: Spirit, and your tribal Lore without a teacher.

  • Time Requirement: Garou spend at least three months as Cliath before becoming Fostern.

  • Renown Requirements:

    • Ragabash: Any 7

    • Theurge: 1 Glory, 5 Wisdom 

    • Philodox: 1 Glory, 4 Honor, 1 Wisdom

    • Galliard: 4 Glory, 2 Wisdom

    • Ahroun: 4 Glory, 2 Honor, 1 Wisdom

 

Adren: Rank Three

Adren are the first rank of true leaders among Garou. Few Garou survive this long, but those who do tend to be especially competent, carving out a niche where they are well-known for their service to Gaia. Athro and Elders scrutinize Adren and train them in the duties of Sept positions. Ragabash scrutinize Adren as well, eager to increase their own standing by pointing out the Adren's flaws.

  • Duties: Spend most of your time training under an older Garou for new duties. If you're tapped for one of the Sept's lesser duties -- Keeper of the Land, Gatekeeper, Guardian, Den Parent or so on -- carry out the role with distinction. Train younger Garou, sharing the wisdom and insights you have earned along the way. You may not have as much authority as you have responsibility, so you'll need ingenuity to excel at your duties.

  • Privileges: Lesser-Ranked Garou must address you with the respectful suffix "-rhya," or else you can call judgment down on them for insulting your honor. You have a high degree of freedom to create Talens for yourself and for others. You can require that your Sept provide living space for you, though if your demand seems small-minded, you'll probably be given nothing more than a cot and a corner. You may petition the Sept for justice in a decision rendered by the Sept Alpha or Truthcatcher, or by a philodox or council they appoint.

  • Gifts Available: Basic and Intermediate

  • Rites Available: May learn and perform Minor, Basic, and Intermediate Rites

  • Maximum Traits per Category: 14

  • Maximum Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower: 7

  • Challenges. The Bomb beats both Rock and Paper, but loses to Scissors. Adren retain all prior war-form bonuses as well.

  • Lore Allowance: You may learn up to level 4 in Lore: Garou, Lore: Spirit, and your tribal Lore without a teacher.

  • Time Requirement: Garou spend at least six months as Fostern before becoming Adren.

  • Renown Requirements:

    • Ragabash: Any 13

    • Theurge: 2 Glory, 1 Honor, 7 Wisdom 

    • Philodox: 2 Glory, 6 Honor, 2 Wisdom

    • Galliard: 4 Glory, 2 Honor, 4 Wisdom

    • Ahroun: 6 Glory, 3 Honor, 1 Wisdom

 

Athro: Rank Four

Known widely in the Garou Nation, Athro have achieved true respect and authority. Other Garou seek them out for leadership and advice. Few Garou live to earn this rank.

  • Duties: Lead your fellow Garou -- not just your pack, but your auspice, your tribe, even your Sept. Organize other Garou on quests and missions that you deem necessary for the good of Gaia. Gaia may even prompt you to do so with visions; do not hesitate. You set the example by facing danger and taking risks yourself -- you will not ask another Garou to bear a burden you're unwilling to carry.

  • Privileges: When accused of wrongdoing, you have the option of being judged either by a single Philodox of the Sept, or by the Sept's council of elders (typically including Auspice Alphas and the Sept Alpha). You can reliably get your choice of the best missions available to your Sept. Younger Garou defer to you as a proven teacher (don't prove them wrong).

  • Gifts Available: Basic, Intermediate

  • Rites Available: May learn up to Advanced Rites; may perform up to Intermediate Rites

  • Maximum Traits per Category: 16

  • Maximum Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower: 8

  • War-Form Bonus: When taking damage in war-form, an Athro may spend one Willpower to take one less level of damage. They may do this reflexively once per hit. If the hit combines multiple types of damage, this reduces one level of the least severe type. This ability is even effective against silver.

  • Lore Allowance: You may learn up to level 4 in Lore: Garou, Lore: Spirit, and your tribal Lore without a teacher.

  • Time Requirement: Garou spend at least nine months as Adren before becoming Athro.

  • Renown Requirements: 

    • Ragabash: Any 19

    • Theurge: 4 Glory, 2 Honor, 9 Wisdom 

    • Philodox: 3 Glory, 8 Honor, 4 Wisdom

    • Galliard: 7 Glory, 2 Honor, 6 Wisdom

    • Ahroun: 9 Glory, 5 Honor, 2 Wisdom

 

Elder: Rank Five

Elders are paragons among werewolves, the leaders of septs and tribes. Their long and impressive service to Gaia earns them respect from all the spirits of the Nation.

  • Duties: As the elder of a tribe or auspice, you take responsibility for the well-being of all fellow tribe and auspice members of your Sept. See to it that they are well-trained, led, and advised. Represent them when they're in trouble and discipline them when they fail. Adopt worthy new members into the tribe, and expel those who act heinously. Take a role managing the local human population if you're a homid, and dealing with the local wolf packs if you're a lupus.

  • Privileges: When accused of wrongdoing, you may choose whom to be judged by: an Adren or better from the Sept in question, the Sept's council of elders (typically including all major Sept offices), or a council of fellow Elders of the Nation. You may veto a Renown nomination if you feel a story hasn't truly been earned, but you should not employ this privilege lightly. You're largely free to do as you like, as long as you're carrying out the duties above.

  • Gifts Available: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced

  • Rites Available: May learn and perform all levels of Rites

  • Maximum Traits per Category: 18

  • Maximum Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower: 10

  • Lore Allowance: You may learn up to level 5 in Lore: Garou, Lore: Spirit, and your tribal Lore without a teacher.

  • Time Requirement: Garou spend at least twelve months as Athro before becoming Elder.

  • Renown Requirements: 

    • Ragabash: Any 25

    • Theurge: 4 Glory, 9 Honor, 10 Wisdom 

    • Philodox: 4 Glory, 10 Honor, 9 Wisdom

    • Galliard: 9 Glory, 5 Honor, 9 Wisdom

    • Ahroun: 10 Glory, 9 Honor, 4 Wisdom

 

Legend: Rank Six

Legends come along only once or twice in a generation. Garou do not challenge for this Rank, but are chosen for it by Gaia herself. They do not serve one Sept or territory, but serve Gaia in unique ways that no other Garou could accomplish. Legend Garou are not player characters, but Storyteller-controlled NPCs of the Garou Nation organization.

  • Duties: As Gaia wills.

  • Privileges: Other Garou are foolish indeed to contravene the will of Gaia expressed through her servant.

  • Gifts Available: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced

  • Rites Available: May learn and perform all levels of Rites

  • Maximum Traits per Category: 20

  • Maximum Rage, Gnosis, and Willpower: 10

  • Lore Allowance: What need have Gaia's Chosen for puny Lores?   

  • Time Requirement: That's up to Gaia.

  • Renown Requirements: That's also up to Gaia. 

  • Additional Requirements: Player Characters only attain legend upon an organization-wide Storyteller vote, at which time they are retired to NPC status. The original player of the character may still be called upon to portray the NPC.

 

 

Renown Loss and Punishments

 

 

When Garou screw up, their Sept will often punish them with a loss of Renown. It's a shameful moment, especially if a Rite of Punishment is involved, but it's not usually a career-ending event. The only high-Ranking Garou who have never lost Renown are those who have never made mistakes.

 

What It Means

When you lose Renown, the spirits no longer speak of your good stories. The character inflicting the punishment against you will usually choose which story is forgotten. On the bright side, you can prove yourself again: you can perform a similar deed to earn a tale to replace what you lost.

 

Garou of lesser Rank are usually given more leeway to screw up than Garou of higher Rank. Losing one's self-control to Frenzy, for example, might be overlooked in a Cliath who is still learning -- but Elders should plainly know better.

 

Those Who Sit in Judgment

All the following parties have an innate power to strip Renown from the Garou of a Sept. These powers may only ever be exercised once per incident and once per session: stripping more Renown than this for a single incident usually calls for a Punishment Rite.

 

 

  • The Sept Alpha may strip a tale of Renown from any Cliath, Fostern, or Adren Sept member.

    • This judgment may be challenged by the subject, the subject's pack alpha, any Athro or Elder, or the Truthcatcher.

 

  • The Sept Beta gains the powers of the Sept Alpha if the Alpha is not present for the game session (not just busy somewhere else).

 

  • The Truthcatcher may strip a tale of Renown from any Cliath, Fostern, or Adren Sept member.

    • Their judgment may be countermanded by the Sept Alpha.

    • Their judgment may be challenged by the subject, the subject's pack Alpha, or any Elder.

 

  • The Master of the Challenge may strip a tale of Renown from any Cliath, Fostern, or Adren Sept member, but only if:

    • The subject cheated in a challenge or violated its terms; or

    • The subject interfered with a challenge; or

    • The subject refused an honorable challenge without grounds to do so.

 

  • Elders of the Nation may strip a tale of Renown from any Cliath, Fostern, or Adren & Athro or of course other Elders.

    • Their judgment may be challenged by the subject or the subject's pack Alpha if they are of close enough Rank to challenge.

    • Their judgment may be challenged by Sept Alpha, Truthcatcher, the subject's Auspice Alpha, or any Elder.

 

Auspice Roles

These auspices are also particularly involved in the politics of Renown loss:

 

 

  • Ragabash bring others' scandalous actions to the attention of the Sept Alpha or Truthcatcher, who will call for an investigation that may result in Renown loss. Ragabash may question others' stories of Renown be they told over the list, performed on the game floor, or claimed during off-camera moots. Their questions hold particular weight during Rites of Accomplishment. They may attempt to tell stories of shame (below).

 

  • Philodox sit in judgment over questions of scandal, deciding the correct punishments. They may block stories questioned by the Ragabash. They have an easier time performing rites of punishment.

 

  • Galliards choose which positive Renown tales to tell, and are best at performing Rites of Accomplishment. They should never support a tale of Renown whose worthiness they doubt. Galliards may also tell stories of shame (below).

 

Stories of Shame

Galliards and Ragabash may attempt to publicly shame any Garou to cost them a tale of Renown by telling a story of thier dishonorable, inglorious, or unwise deeds. The character must publicly tell the tale in front of the Sept -- either on the game floor or via email. In the simplest case, this inspires one of the Sept officers to exercise their powers of judgment listed above; in that case, the Storytellers don't need to get involved. But in some cases, the Storytellers will handle the consequences via spirits or other NPCs. This type of Renown loss does not include a trial and ignores the typical rights of Rank; the Renown loss of Athro and Elders is decided by the Storytellers.

 

The Spirits and NPC Elders

While the Storytellers prefer that renown be managed through PC actions and politics, there is a need for oversight. Through spirits or NPCs outside of the Sept, the Storytellers may strip any character of Renown fitting to their actions, regardless of their Rank or position. Being of high Rank especially may come with great privileges, but it is not an invitation for abuse, and no character is untouchable. Renown stripped by the Storytellers may be instead of or in addition to any loses or punishments listed above. 

 

Unworthy Deeds

The following are the sorts of acts that are commonly punished with Renown loss and/or Punishment Rites:

 

Losing Glory

A werewolf loses Glory when their acts make them seem like less-then-capable warriors. Inglorious tales may include:

  • Displays of fear and cowardice

  • Acts of incompetence in battle

  • Bad tactical leadership

  • Refusing to fight the Wyrm

  • Refusing to accept a proper Challenge

  • Decisions that cause unnecessary loss of life or damage to Gaia

  • Losing one's self-control to Frenzy, outside of battle

 

Losing Honor

A werewolf loses Honor when they fail to fulfill their promises or make poor moral choices. Dishonorable tales may include:

  • Disobeying orders

  • Crimes of disrespect toward the spirits, other Garou, or kinfolk

  • Failing to respect others' territory, mating with other Garou, eating human flesh, and other Litany violations

  • Untrustworthy behavior to advance your own interests

  • Setting a poor example for younger Garou

  • Neglecting your Sept duties or performing them poorly

  • Inciting conflict and causing strife

 

Losing Wisdom

A werewolf loses Wisdom when their actions show incompetence, shortsightedness, and a lack of caution. Unwise tales may include:

  • Mangling the performance of a Rite

  • Causing unintentional offense to the spirits or other Garou

  • Damaging the Veil

  • Failing to gather good information before mounting an attack

  • Incompetent performance of your Auspice duties

  • Trying to solve problems but making them worse

  • Bringing Wyrm-taint onto the Caern 

 

Additional Punishments

Some incidents, such as major violations of the Litany, are serious enough to warrant more than the loss of a single Renown. The Sept may also inflict punishments like the following:

  • A Punishment Rite.

  • A quest to atone.

  • Ritual scarring.

  • Loss of privileges.

  • Loss of Kinfolk.

  • Loss of Fetishes.

  • Forced service to the offended party.

  • Banishment.

  • Execution (typically through Punishment Rites)

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