User:Valka

The Litany, as explained by Merciless Truth, who learned it from Balance of War, Forseti and Truthcatcher of the Sept of the White Shadow...

The Veil Shall Not Be Lifted

The Veil protects us, and it protects those around us. There are a thousand things that humanity does not need to know about. There are a thousand things that hide in the world that would love to find a scrap of information about us, that would use it against us in devastating ways. Be vigilant about what you say and what you do. Agents of the Weaver and the Wyrm both are becoming exponentially more adept at catching onto little slips, from errant words to evidence that is left behind. Remember that anything you say or do may be witnessed by something unfriendly or hostile.

You Shall Take No Action That Causes A Caern To Be Violated

The Caern is our most sacred place. Do nothing that would endanger it. Do not lead the Wyrm to our doorstep, nor give its minions any hint as to where that may be. Take no chances at all. The smallest slip of the tongue or the failure to take heed the idea that someone might be watching you could invite the Enemy in or set it up to lay siege. Ignorance is not an excuse: protect the Veil and pay attention.

Garou Shall Not Mate With Garou

Gaia herself punishes this transgression, and it is a sin that is made manifest in the bodies of the offspring of these unions. It is not their sin, yet they must bear it as a reminder for the rest of us. But the reason for this Law is the bond we have with our kin, both human and wolf. There is honor in a good mating: in choosing well, in bonding tightly. We should mate for life: when one chooses, that bond should last until one partner dies. You should be willing to hunt for, kill for, and die for your mate, as your mate should be ready to hunt for, kill for and die for your young. At its heart, this Law concerns the future of our tribes, of our Nation. Disobedience is selfishness. The letter of it is clear, but must sometimes be spelled out: Male Garou shall not mate with male Garou, nor female Garou with female Garou. Its spirit can be expanded: Garou shall not mate with Fera. Wolves do not mate with bears who do not mate with mountain lions...

Combat The Wyrm Wherever It Dwells And Whenever It Breeds

The Wyrm is our oldest enemy and we are called to fight it. This is no secret: this is our purpose. To not fight it - to make excuses, to rationalize, to allow other, less important things to consume the greater part of our time and energy - is cowardice at best and a corruption of its own at worst. Yet we must not charge blindly into every fray, nor leap at the heads of the Hydra. There are not so many of us that we can break like waves against its teeth. Learning this can be a hard lesson that is written in blood. We must first study the enemy and discover where it is vulnerable so that we may strike hard and fast.

Submission To Those Of Higher Station

We are at war. All of us. Our society is a martial one. Rank matters, and rank among the Garou is earned - in blood, in sweat, in tears, in death. Only a fool would claim one he did not rightly bear, and only a fool would not recognize one that had been awarded. No Garou should have to re-justify his rank and position once it has been claimed, especially to someone of lower status. If someone of higher rank than you tells you to do something, you do it. The voices of the Elders matter: and although you may not agree with them, it is a violation of the Law to argue with them unless you have an extraordinary reason. You must be willing to accept that if your proof does not hold up, that if you are wrong and you refuse an order, there will be dire consequences.

Respect Those Beneath You For All Are Of Gaia

Rank matters. Those who possess it are held to a higher standard of accountability, and are to recognize that they are responsible for those that they lead. This is why the Garou are called to defend their aetlings, as well as mundane humans and wolves. This is why injustice is a crime, and why cheating, lying, and stealing from those whom you have charge over is a punishable offense. It is why the Fenrir take such care of their kin and why our standards for them are so high and exacting. In either case, respect is almost always appropriate.

The First Share Of The Kill For The Greatest In Station

When a wolf pack hunts, the alpha eats first, and then the beta; others will eat as they are allowed, while the omega comes to feed last. We, the wolves, accept this as the order of things. We do not in fact eat the Wyrm things that we kill; what this has come to mean instead is that you must trust those of greater station than you to be fair in their judgments, and to give you what you need and what you have earned.

The Leader May Be Challenged At Any Time During Peace

The nature of our society requires order. Some lead, others follow. Our nation is not a democracy, but a meritocracy. No leader should ever feel entirely secure in his office, whether alpha or holder of Sept position. Still, there are times and places for challenges. Traditionally such things are saved for moots, where challenges can be made and grievances aired with less concern for violent disruption of order.

The Leader May Not Be Challenged During Wartime

Some argue that we are always at war with the Wyrm, and it is for this reason that the timing of any challenge should be such that it does not open the door for catastrophe. When we are actively and openly at war, obedience is expected throughout the ranks. If you are given an order, follow it. Period. A hundred things might hinge upon your actions, and any failure on your part may be the reason that we all fall. Pick a quieter time to lay down your challenge.

Accept An Honorable Surrender

Garou often challenge one another and these can become very violent affairs. Pride can be an insurmountable flaw, tied as it is into honor, but if one is willing to admit defeat, we must accept it. You surrender; you show throat. It is not dishonorable to do so, but it is dishonorable to not accept, to continue the fight, or for the victor to dwell long on the downfall of her opponent.

Respect The Territory Of Another

Territory can mean many things. Traditionally it refers to land: the forest is the territory of the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, while the woods around the Wolfshead cabin is the territory of Sleipnir's Charge. It can be a person or a thing, as well: kinfolk are held to be the territory of the tribe whose blood they are and they are as important if not more important than the land itself, for reasons that run like threads through the fabric of our society. Some will hear these words and think I call our aetlings things, like chattel, but I call them territory because they are Fenrir, because they are the most precious things we will ever hold. Respect these claims. Do not intrude on them. Do not trespass without invitation, do not try and steal away one's kin, as they would be fully within rights to persecute you for this. With all due respect, however, you can also challenge for that territory and lay a claim of your own over it... recognizing that you then become responsible for it in that same fashion.

Do Not Suffer Your People To Tend Your Sickness

There is no greater glory than to die in bright, bloody battle combating the Wyrm, and all should embrace that idea with open arms. There is also no shame in fighting well and living long, else who would survive to lead? Who would teach? We have tremendous respect for our elders, those who have done and seen much and lived to tell about it. Those who have earned the right may seek a peaceful death, and should go before they become a burden.

You Shall Not Eat The Flesh Of Humans

This should be self-explanatory.