Primer for Cliaths

Primer for Cliaths and anyone else with questions!

Welcome to City of Hope Mush, the city of Prospect, and the Sept of the Enduring Spirit! As a new Cliath/Cub to the Garou Sphere, there are a number of helpful things should know/do. This document is intended to help you get started, and caught up with the game's theme on the MU so that you can have a successful roleplay career here! Howl of Introduction Once you are approved, it is customary to introduce yourself to the sphere. In IC terms, a wolf would howl to alert other wolves in the area that they are entering. Thus Garou would do the same to let the members of the local Sept know they are entering. These howls are posted to +bboard 15. Here is an example post, including the commands to do it: +bbpost 15/Howl of Introduction +bb A Howl can be heard, drifting across the area to all who can hear it:%r%r>>I am Johanna Isla Johnson. Rite named Starchaser, born on two legs beneath the Half Moon, of the Stargazers. I have come from the Sept of Jupiter. I seek permission to enter the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, and join you to defend the Nation.<<%r +bbproof +bbpost (The +bbproof allows you to see your post before you post it - so if there is an error, you can fix it. To do that - you +bbtoss - that cancels you out and you can start over.) IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE ELDERS After your Howl of Introduction, you need to meet with your Tribal Elder. Seeing as scheduling can be difficult, then any Elder is a good next choice. But what will this be about? Why is it so important? Every new arrival needs to get signed up to do patrols of the caern, get involved in whatever issues are going on, and hopefully find a pack to join. But above that there are some rules that every Cliath needs to know. No Tech at the Forest Caern - including phones - it offends Bear (the Caern Totem). Leave them with the Warder. Cliaths may /not/ take a mate until they are at least the rank of Fostern. You should speak to an Elder before deciding to take a mate. Claiming a mate that is not in your own tribe will require both Tribal Elders to be informed first and gain their ok. All Garou should learn the basic rites (as detailed at the bottom of this page). All of these rules were decided upon by the Elders after IC issues have happened. ICA=ICC - keep that in mind. This is an authoritarian sphere, and will be enforced. Formal Introductions When a Garou is greeting another Garou for the first time - in a setting the protects the Veil (i.e.: Safe Places, it will be expected that you give a formal introduction. This establishes a relationship, so each of you know who the other is, and what respect each is due. It is important to include your name, Lupus born or homid born, your rite name (if you are Cliath or above in rank, since Cubs would not have one yet), your Auspice, and your tribe. If/when you are in a pack, and have a position within it, or within the Sept, you would list that as well. But where is any reference to doing this in the books? I'm glad you asked! Check out the Litany! Straight from the corebook, Revised, you can find a reference under the third law, 'Respect the Territory of Another', pg #38. Here is a link to the wiki page with it listed out: LITANY xxxxx1. Your formal introduction does not need to be in the exact same format as the following example, as each person has their own way of wording things. It will change up as you grow ICly, and RP happens. Here are a few examples: "I am Brooke Farman, rited Hushed Blaze, Adren, Galliard Glass Walker of homid birth, Beta of Terminal Velocity, Children of Merlin, Master of the Howl, married to Michael Farman of Glass Walker Kinfolk." "Sergei Ivanov of human name. Among the Nation I am Howling-Wind, son of Bloody-Snow, son of Blood-on-the-Wind. Wolf-born Ahroun of Great Wendigo's people at the Sept of the Siberian Wilds. I am now a member of the Sept of Enduring Spirit and the Pack Terminal Velocity in service to Merlin and the Nation as an Adren." "I am Johanna Isla Johnson, rite named Starchaser, born on two legs beneath the Half Moon, Cliath of the Stargazers." IC Explanation: Perhaps it was planned to conduct this class during the new moon, as Dragomir seems rather peaceful. Unusual for anyone who has spent time with the Garou, and knowing just how much rage emanates off him normally. He smiles at all the faces and nods his head, "Thank you all for coming. As many of you know.. I am Dragomir Mihailovich. I am known as Eye of the Storm. I was born under the half-moon, which makes me a Philodox in the eyes of Gaia. I was born Homid like many of you, and I was born with the expectation of being Silver Fang. That is not always true for Garou, but for me it was pre-destined." he smiles and shrugs, "Parents chose that fate for me... but with it, also came a lot of lessons, and stories. An expectation to learn a great deal about our history and our past not just as Silver Fang, but as a nation of Garou." He looks around, "Some of that knowledge is good, and some is mistakes that we have made, and things we have learned as a Nation since. But all of it was important. I believe it is important to understand not just the rules and expectations of what we do, but to understand why we do them." He looks around, and asks, "So let me ask you all.. why do we as Garou, introduce ourselves with more than just a name? Why do you think that is important?" he opens it for anyone to answer - obviously wanting to create a discussion. Aowyn lifts her hand to guess an answer. "Because not all Garou are born the same way? A lupus may not understand something in the same way a human born Garou might?" Slowly, the sleek silver wolf becomes a man. The change is smooth, effortless, and then.. Gavan's wearing a roughly professorial attire. A blazer and jeans. "Because it is how we identify as Garou. The names we are given in human society.. is of the human world. Our deed name speaks to who we are in the Nation. Tells the Nation what we stand for. Personally." Johanna speaks up in reply, "There are many sides that make us one. Each part tells of who we are, and is important for relating to others." Dusk raises his hand, and speaks after the others, "Because we pay our respect to those that came before us through their name. Through them, and their deeds we're here?" Branton will chip in his bit "I came to the Nation late, only about seven months ago. I figure it has something to do with giving your credentials, getting the hierarchy sorted out because having a solid chain of command and order of authority is important. Also establishes who's responsible for what and who else you might need to answer to. Like I know if someone introduces themselves as a silver fang I make sure they know who you are. If a silent strider, I give em Elder Farshi's name. Stuff like that." Dragomir listens to the responses, nodding his head and offers towards Aowyn first, "No they certainly are not all born the same. Quite unique in fact. Though unsurprisingly, many come out of their rite of passage with the same name." He looks towards the sleek silver wolf becoming man, "Deeds.. deeds are an important differentiator in our society. What we do, is often more important than who we are." He looks to Johanna and smiles, "Knowing how to relate to each other is critical in our society. We will get back to that, great point." A look towards Dusk and smiles, "You nailed it. Ancestry is where it all begins. Each Garou represents those that came before them." He looks towards Branton and nods, "They are in many ways like credentials, that's a fair way to look at them." Then he looks around and says, "Part of our Litany, is to Respect the Territory of Another. It is actually our Law that Garou must give their Howl of Introduction before entering territory of another. This identifies as friend and not foe, but it also honors our ancestors. When we speak our introduction, it is in recognition of those that came before us and what role we serve now in Gaia's plan. That we have taken up the mantle for those that have fallen, as the new generation. Each Garou is important, each kinfolk serves a critical purpose, every member of Gaia's plan is precious. We are far more than just a simple name - we are part of something. Something great and beautiful, and incredible. So when you introduce yourself, you should do so with the love you have for Gaia.. and when you hear someone else's introduction, hear how they introduce themselves and recognize how they view themselves in this plan." Branton nods and considers "It's also kind of a warning label sometimes. Like Elder Farshi telling me to lead with the fact that I'm a sorcerer. Best get some things out of the way if they're going to be a problem." Dragomir offers, "When you are new to a Sept.. it is expected that you would recite your name, your totem if you bring one, your tribe, and your Sept of origin. If you have significant lineage.. then it is wise to say so. You can normally recognize the territory of another by either scent if you are Garou.. or clawed sigil." He displays some of the glyphs hidden in his tattoos and offers, "If you are kinfolk, it is wise to learn to recognize these symbols. They can tell you a great deal about where you are, and the people of that territory." He nods towards Branton and offers, "That is an important differentiator. We as a Nation are very superstitious and untrusting. We have had to be, and paid the price many times when we were not." He motions towards Gavan and says, "Starlight Eyes mentioned deeds. Do you all know the difference between a rite name, and a deed name amongst the Garou?" Branton raises his hand "Oh! I actually know this one." he says sounding excited "A Rite name is one they earned in their rite of passage when they became a Cliath. A deed name is a name related to something exceptional they did and earned acclaim for any other time." Dragomir nods and gestures towards Branton, "Excellent.. and that is important. As your rite name, is the first name you are given by your Tribe and the Garou Nation. It is symbolic in that it starts your legend. We can have many deed names, for many accomplishments. They are important, and some choose to be identified by those deeds. You will only ever have one rite name, usually. That will carry with you in the Silver Accord - and your Ancestors if you ever have the chance to meet them in the Legendary Realm, will recognize you by that name." He motions his hand and says, "Tribes have different ways the handle these names, different traditions, but when coupled with the Garou's rank, tribe, auspice, breed... pack, title. They all help to clarify precisely who is being referred to. We would not want one's reputation to be mistaken for another's." xxxxx2. Check out a class held for “Garou Nation Etiquette” for more information and also details about honorifics: 2018.06.11:_Garou_Nation_Etiquette Cheat Sheet: 'rhya: The most common. It is not a title, and it is meant to be in recognition of one's place in the Garou Nation. It is like saying, I recognize your ancestry, your deeds, your greater station. It is normally most appropriate when you first encounter someone of greater station. You would not just simply call someone 'rhya' though. As it has no meaning without their name. You would not use it to reference someone who you weren't talking to, as that would also be meaningless. You would not connect it to a Homid born name, as that would be like saying, 'congrats on being born-Joe'.. which is just foolish. 'yuf": Rarely used, normally after one first achieves an equal rank or position. It is the recognition of mutual respect. 'ikthya': A denouncement amongst us. It is normally the final proclamation passed onto one who is aligned with the Wyrm without further question. Though amongst the Black Spiral Dancers.. it is an honorific much like our '-yuf' is used. Please be extraordinarily careful with the use of '-ikthya', it is not taken lightly. To associate that honorific with a deed name, is to call into question all that a Garou is and has sworn too. It is a very fast way to piss them off. 'lurf': A derogatory term normally associated with those that have gone ronin or been outcast. 'anrae': Sometimes considered derogatory as well. Some more traditional will use it when referring to someone who needs reminding that they are lesser in position. Shifting Garou and other types of shifters can take other forms. Garou have Homid, Lupus, Hispo, Glabro, and Crinos. When you do shift to one of these, the +shift command will adjust your +sheet because ICly you have changed. Some things work better than others (especially considering some forms you lack thumbs!). With that, normally, you would expect your description to change, as well as your name to become your Rite Name. You can check out +help +shift for more details, and check out the wiki: Shift. Here is my recommendations: IMPORTANT - Be sure to use: @lock me=me, @lock/use me=me, and @lock/enter me=me&!me FIRST A. Use '+desc' for all descriptions. This is the multi-desc'er that allows you to save your descriptions all on an object it creates for you. It makes it very simple for the '+shift' code to be called to do this. '+help +desc' will give you more details. For this primer, here is how to do that, if you have not used it before: +id/init +desc/quick hispo=A large dire wolf with silvery white fur, and sharp teeth. Note: The example description is just an example. If you go for a more intricate description, and want line breaks, or indenting (%r or %t), then be sure you put in 2 (%%r) so it will function when you actually the way you intended when you use it. B. Here is the example of the code I set for hispo: &data_ashift_garou-hispo me=+desc/load hispo;@emit With a crunch of bones and stretch of muscles, fur flies and wind swirls. %n becomes a dire wolf;@name me=Starchaser;@alias me=Johanna As you can see - there is multiple parts to this code. When you would use: '+shift garou-hispo', then your description will change to what you set with '+desc' for hispo. The '@emit' portion alerts those around you that you have shifted - I use the '%n' because maybe I am shifting from Crinos to Hispo - and that would keep me the same rite name. If I am shifting from homid - then it will use that name that is set. Finally, you have that '@name' portion that does the change to the Rite Name. You can have these in any order you wish, just keep to having a semicolon ';' between each section - be aware that if you are setting an alias to save your Homid Name, it needs to go AFTER you set your form name with @name. You may also want to just have a short alias instead that you always keep. You can then repeat this process with each shifter form - customize it for each one. C. This should help to remind you, especially with the name change, to shift back to homid before you end up back in town, walking around and all there. Renown This is Garou way to rank up, and is a reflection of the deeds we do - both good and bad. You receive it in the form of Temp Glory, Honor, or Wisdom. Once you have 10 Temp of one of those, then you earn 1 'Permanent' of that type. Check out on game: +help +renown, +help +renownreq, +bboard 6, as well as Renown Renown Requests: There are two ways to get renown. Either you are nommed by someone (usually the ST of whatever scene you were in), or you put it in for yourself. A. +renownreq: This is for normally for nomming yourself. Typically this will be for when you learn something new like a new Rite, or for monthly guarding and chores. Yes, it is handwaved that every member of the Sept can earn 1 Honor for Guarding the Caern, and more 1 Honor for Chores. This is available ONCE a month, and if you forget one month, you can put in for the past TWO months. After that, you lose out. I recommend that every month, on the first, you submit it. Make it a habit. It may not seem like you get a lot, but consider how it adds up. There is nothing you really have to even do RPwise, and you get 2 Temp Honor a month. Over a year - that is 24 Temp Honor, or 2 Perm Honor, and almost halfway to the next one. For example: +renownreq Honor=Johanna performed Monthly Chores and Guarding the Caern for the month of June 2018: 2 Honor B. +renown/nom: This gets more complicated. Use this page to help you with it: Renown/Guide IF this is part of a PRP (player run plot), usually the ST will submit this for the group. You do /NOT/ want each person to put in their own request as that takes much more time for staff, and things may be missed or confused. Best thing to do is to check with the ST that it is being done. If they are unsure, come find one of the Elders or myself or staff to help. Sometimes, someone does something for you, or around you that deserves renown. Whether that is teaching, or getting out of a sticky RP situation ICly. This is also the time to use this command. When you are new, and learning Rites especially, why not have another PC teach it to you? You can RP it out, but it is not required. Once you have your +xpreq approved for the new Rite, you can submit yourself for (1 Wisdom) for learning the Rite. Put in there that someone taught it to you. Then put in the +renown/nom for the PC that taught it to you - which can be (1 Honor, 3 Wisdom). Simple, and helpful for both of you in what would have been just another xpspend. Template for Group Renown Submission from Valentin Shifter Ranks For Garou (as well as other shifters), your place in society is determined by your rank. From the bottom up it goes: 0 - Cub 1 - Cliath 2 - Fostern 3 - Adren 4 - Athro 5 - Elder Details are listed in +rules shifter rank & +rules minimum time. This gives you the amount of time you must wait between each rank up. Even if you have the renown for Elder, you must wait it out. For each Auspice, you need different amounts of Glory, Honor, and Wisdom. For reference, you can find the list on the wiki here: Rank by Auspice Shifter Rank Requirements +rules shifter rank For a shifter to advance in rank, we impose "+rules minimum time" in addition to the renown requirement. Falling in rank due to renown loss: xxxxx* One-month grace period to regain renown before falling in rank. xxxxx* Minimum time is waived to regain rank previously held and then lost. Walking the Spiral post-chargen: All previous rank/renown is ignored. The new BSD gets rank 1 for surviving, but starts at zero renown and must earn their way to rank 2 from there. Minimum Time +rules minimum time For certain important power stats, we impose a minimum amount of time at the current level in addition to any other requirements: xxxxx* 0 -> 1: No time requirement xxxxx* 1 -> 2: 1 month xxxxx* 2 -> 3: 3 months xxxxx* 3 -> 4: 6 months xxxxx* 4 -> 5: 8 months xxxxxxxxxx* Note - to go from Cub -> Cliath, thus 0 -> 1, you do not need to earn the requisite renown that is listed here: Renown by Rank/Auspice. If a player is approved at Rank 0 and then goes through a Rite of Passage to Rank 1, then they gain gifts and renown as usual for Rank 1 and their breed/tribe/auspice. xxxxx* These gifts don't cost XP. xxxxx* Any previous renown unconnected to the Rite of Passage is retained on top of the auspice baseline. Learning Rites As Garou, we can learn various Rites, both in general and specific to our tribes. The most common ones are the most basic and needed in general very often. Sharing what George, Elder Ragabash of the Silent Striders recommends to start with: Rite of Contrition, Rite of Cleansing, and Rite of Talisman Dedication. You need to know how to say you're sorry because you will fuck up. You need to know how to clean up messes because our life is a messy one. And you absolutely need to keep your damn pants on. Bottom Line: Say your sorry, Take a bath, keep your clothes on. Past that, there are many Rites that are helpful. You can get a list of the rituals and current PCs that know those rites on this page: Rituals by Name It is good to ask first before you learn from someone, which you can do ICly in a scene, or only OOCly. Either way, you would open a +xpreq to either buy the Rite with XP, or to learn it by making a roll and waiting the required amount of days. XP_Chart#Shifter