BSD Renown

Categories

Power I will crush my enemies. I shall improve myself at all expense. I shall never refuse a challenge. I shall use my power to the greater glory of the Wyrm. The Black Spirals respect those who possess power. They see power as a necessary tool. It's not evil or good, it's a tool. Black Spirals respect a skilled master of power: one who is not afraid, who tries to gain as much power as possible, and one who's effective in the service of his chosen cause, namely the Wyrm (though it could be the pack, Hive, or Pentex). Power is more than brute force, for it represents the limitations of the individual. Renown in Power is ultimately illusory. Power Renown is based more on others' perceptions of an individual's power than said individual's actual power. it must be noted, however, that it's very hard to gain Power Renown among the Black Spirals for long without being able to back it up.

Infamy I shall serve the Wyrm and aid its minions. I shall destroy the homids. I shall destroy the Garou. I shall rend Gaia to make way for the Wyrm. I shall spread corruption. The Black Spirals represent the force of Corruption and they respect it. They believe corruption goes hand in hand with strength. It's the tester and toughener of power. All who possess power, to whatever degree, are tested through corruption. The weak fail, at the cost of their power. The degree to which a Black Spiral has managed to spread corruption and destruction is marked by her Infamy Renown.

Cunning I shall hold to my word only while it is to my benefit. I shall know my enemies. I shall know myself. I shall turn everything, every situation, to my advantage. I shall never give foreknowledge of my actions. The Black Spirals greatly respect Cunning. It is a mark of understanding. It represents wisdom about Garou and homid nature. Those that are cunning are to be feared and respected. They may not be as powerful as some, but they effectively use what they have through surprise and trickery. The Black Spirals even apply this Renown when used against themselves, although the one seeking Renown had better succeed or he will instead be scorned (loss of Renown).

Dark Litany

• Serve the Wyrm in All Its Forms

The Thirteen Tribes continually war with each other, but the forces of the Wyrmn must be stronger. This mandate enforces the tribe’s unity, allowing their alliances with such diverse societies as Pentex and the Sabbat. Service to the Wyrm is more important than philosophical debate.

• Beware the Territory of Another

This dictum allows separate Hives to maintain separate territories. Competition for land is usually not a problem, since most new Hives are created from distant Garou Caerns. This law also applies when Black Spirals from different Hives encounter each other within the tunnels of the underworld. A Black Spiral may travel through the tunnels of another Hive as long as he does not endanger it. If he does, the transgressor is tortured and devoured by the offended werewolves.

• Slay Those Who Will Not Join You

Offering a Garou the chance to walk the spiral is an honor. Prisoners are sometimes offered the chance to transmogrify instead of submitting to hours of messy torture. Those treated with such esteem should show proper deference. Those who reject such overtures are destroyed.

• Respect All Those Who Serve the Wyrm

This stricture allows Hives to consider ideas advanced by humans within Pentex and Sabbat vampires. Though they may choose to disregard the Veil or extol the use of technology, they both serve the Wyrm. Black Spirals may also accord a modicum of respect to Garou who are on the long dark path toward corruption. One might argue against slaying a Shadow Lord cultist or Uktena occultist outright if they believe the cur is destined to walk the Shattered Labyrinth.

• The Veil Shall Not Be Lifted

This idea is not only upheld by Garou and Black Spirals alike, but by most supernatural creatures. By enacting their schemes silently and discreetly, Black Spirals can hide from the Garou who hunt them, infiltrate human society more thoroughly, and employ the advantage of surprise. In a more general context, this dictum sometimes becomes a point of contention between Black Spirals and the Sabbat. The werewolves don’t care for plans that force them to compromise the secrecy of their Hives, but they also don’t mind if Sabbat vampires bring down human retribution on themselves.

• Do Not Suffer Thy People to Tend Thy Sickness

Unlike some tribes of the Garou Nation, the Black Spirals uphold this dictum religiously. A weak cub should not grow old enough to poison the tribe’s gene pool. A weak elder is a liability, and if he cannot defeat challenges against his position, he should be destroyed. As a corollary to this, some Black Spirals are actually so insane that they pose a threat to the security of a Hive. In this case, they are either made Ronin or torn limb from limb in sacrifices to dark powers.

• The Leader May Be Challenged At Any Time in Peace

This stricture has remained intact since the days of the White Howlers. Defeating Black Spirals of renown is an effective way to gain infamy and power. If a leader cannot defeat his own followers, he has no right to lead them against their enemies.

• The Leader Shall Not Be Challenged in Time of War

Once battle begins, the forces of the Wyrm must be united. This is the Black Spirals’ chief advantage over the Thirteen Tribes. Admittedly, arguing this pint of the Dark Litany is difficult, as the tribe is almost always involved in some sort of conflict, but it’s usually reserved for when an outright skirmish has begun. There are few notable exceptions, such as when a vampire or Nephandus is attempting to lead Black Spirals in battle and does so poorly.

• Ye Shall Take No Action That Causes a Pit to Be Violated

The interpretation of this guideline usually applies to security and secrecy. If anyone who is not a Black Spiral Dancer or Wyrm-spirit enters a Pit, he must be killed swiftly. Prisoners are never brought back to a Pit, nor does anyone speak of the sanctum when outside its boundaries. If prisoners are honored with an invitation to the Shattered Labyrinth, the Rite of the Black Spiral must be performed away from the Hive’s sanctum.

Rank and Auspice

Ragabash

Rank	Any Combination
1 (Cliath)	3
2 (Fostern)	7
3 (Adren)	13
4 (Athro)	19
5 (Elder)	25

Theurge

Rank	Power	Infamy	Cunning
1 (Cliath)			3
2 (Fostern)	1		5
3 (Adren)	2	1	7
4 (Athro)	4	2	9
5 (Elder)	4	9	10

Philodox

Rank	Power	Infamy	Cunning
1 (Cliath)		3
2 (Fostern)	1	4	1
3 (Adren)	2	6	2
4 (Athro)	3	8	4
5 (Elder)	4	10	9

Galliard

Rank	Power	Infamy	Cunning
1 (Cliath)	2		1
2 (Fostern)	4		2
3 (Adren)	4	2	4
4 (Athro)	7	2	6
5 (Elder)	9	5	9

Ahroun

Rank	Power	Infamy	Cunning
1 (Cliath)	2	1
2 (Fostern)	4	1	1
3 (Adren)	6	3	1
4 (Athro)	9	4	2
5 (Elder)	10	9	4

Sample Renown Awards

Semi sorta kinda-Official! This is all custom and subject to change by staff.

Combat and Encounters

Activity	Power	Infamy	Cunning
Waiting for your allies to weaken an enemy before joining the fight	1		3
Showing restraint in the face of certain death	1		3
Letting ones allies be injured to avoid injury to yourself			3
Surviving an incapacitating wound	2
Attacking a threat of the Weaver/Wyld without regard to personal safety	3
Defeating a minor threat of the Weaver/Wyld (pups, weak possessed, etc.)	2
Defeating an average threat of the Weaver/Wyld (normal shifters, average possessed, etc.)	3
Defeating a strong threat of the Weaver/Wyld (strong shifters, powerful possessed, etc.)	5
...destroying or killing the threat	+1
...without a single other pack member being hurt	+1
...without being damaged or hurt in the process	+1
...the threat(s) were armed with silver weapons	+1

BSD Relations

Activity	Power	Infamy	Cunning
Teaching other BSD (depends on the depth of study)		3-5	1-5
You are pack leader (awarded once when postition gained)			3
Living alone, without one's pack, except for ritual reasons		-3
Performing regular duties and chores for the Hive			2
Failing to perform regular duties and chores for the Hive			-3
Serving in any Hive position	1/year	1/year	3/year
Refusing any Hive position	-1	-1	-2
Loyal service to a Hive	1/year	1/year	2/year
Participating in a just challenge	1		2
Learning a new gift	1

Behavior

Activity	Power	Infamy	Cunning
Establishing dominance over an ally	2	2
Establishing dominance over an already injured ally	-1	2	2
Mediating a dispute in the favor of ones pack/close allies			3
Keeping one's promises to your own people			2
Failing to keep one's promises to your own people			-1
Any time trickery backfires		-2
Committing an impressive atrocity at a Moot	1	2
Committing a truly epic atrocity, one that is later copied by others	2	2	3
Speaking without permission at a moot			-1
Speaking poorly of the Wyrm as a whole			-5
Speaking poorly of one of the factions serving the Wyrm (BSD, Pentex, Nephandi)			-2
Healing a fellow Wyrmling (non-pack member) unselfishly		1
Supporting a person being accused of a crime (who is later proved innocent)			3
Supporting a person being accused of a crime (who is later proved guilty)			-2
Helping put away an innocent being who is found guilty for a crime			3

Human Kinfolk Relations

Activity	Power	Infamy	Cunning
Maintaining control and power over nearby Kinfolk (BSD)	2	1
Allowing Kinfolk (BSD) to disrespect or disobey their betters	-2	-1
Kidnapping and/or Abuse of Kinfolk (non-BSD or BSD)	1	1	1
Choosing a mate and breeding		3
Breeding with a Kinfolk (BSD) that is mate to a rival		2
Breeding with a Kinfolk (non-BSD) that is mate to a Gaian	2	2
Choosing a mate, but not breeding		-1
Protecting the Veil			4
Harming/rending the Veil	-5
Repairing the Veil		1	3

Hive Activities

Activity	Power	Infamy	Cunning
Helping guard a Pit			1
Staying at your post when on guard duty, even when tempted not to		1	2
Not helping guard a Pit, even when asked			-3
Not staying at your post when on guard duty			-3
Keeping a Pit safe from humans through trickery or negotiation		4
Helping to prevent a Pit from being overrun by the Enemy	3		3
Not preventing a Pit from being overrun by the enemy	-3		-7
Singlehandedly preventing a Hive from being taken by the Enemy	7		5