2019.09: Moot

Moot
September 2019 Moot for Sept of the Enduring Spirit
IC Date	Full Moon
Players	Those performing the Moot Rite: Branton, Brooke, Dragomir, Hjalmar, Iris, Kallie, Rian
Location	Caern Ampitheater
Prp/Tp	Monthly Moots= Previous - Next
Spheres	Gaian Garou

Moots are held on +bboard 79 as of June 2018. This is a compilation of the posts for September 2019.

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The Fool

A young woman with an elaborate tangle of braids and shiny beads saunters forth in front of the crowds. Marked with the symbols for Glass Walker and Ragabash fashioned from electronics boards decorate her attire, her voice pitched high and carrying through the amphitheater.

“Hi, I'm Short Circuit, you may remember me from such films as 'Electrical outlets aren't friends' and 'Hey, why is that lady going through my mail'. I was thinking late last night about what it will be like to be an Elder. To be an Alpha. To be a Leader amongst Garou. I've been eating all my vegetables, drinking all my milk, I'm gonna grow up big and strong and then...

And then what? Spend all my time worrying about what little runt, or GROUP of runts, is gonna want to take everything I've worked for?! Heeeeeeell to the naw. I don't want to flip flop what I need to be paranoid about! If it ain't monster packs all over then it's my own damned kind. WHEN I become a great and powerful leader? That's it. I should just BE the leader, always. Obviously I've earned it, obviously I've got the rank for it, if I wasn't meant to be the leader then I wouldn't be, now would I? If I'm good enough to lead in war, then I'm good enough to lead in peace, and that should just be that!”

( Written by Rian )

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Opening Howl

It’s that time again, oh yes, brothers, sisters, kin, friends. Time to begin the Moot for the Sept of the Enduring Spirit! Come one, come all, come on down! The circle filling the amphitheater with what appears to be every last Garou, and then some tonight. The buzz around about the stories for this Full Moon has everyone charged up already.

Coming up with a determined step is the Master of the Howl, ready to begin tonight. The laughter and boos directed at The Fool dying down as she does. Her gate ends at the center of the circle and then she becomes totally serious. Both hands raised up, calling for quiet, eyes steadfast as she looks from one side to the other and everyone is hushed.

”Sept of the Enduring Spirit, Hear me tonight! Friends, Family, Welcome! Our great totem, Bear, is with us tonight! We give back and refill our Caern tonight, showing our commitment to Bear, to the Sept, and the NATION! JOIN WITH ME!!!” Leaning back, she begins her howl with a solemn sound that grows in intensity and yips while the crowd joins in.

The Master of the Howl stops and as the howling dies down she speaks, ”We remember those that have given their all, given their life for Gaia and live on as spirits watching over us! We mourn their loss, the potential we no longer have amongst us, while we celebrate and remember all that they accomplished in their time on earth as a Warrior for Gaia!” Leading the howls again, this time with one of great sorrow, yet the remembrance of the Glory achieved by those lost.

“Now let us share in the news from the spirits of all that we have done!” The Master of the Howl reads off the renown gained and lost during the previous moon cycle since the last Moot. Important to share of what they have done, what mistakes have been made, but how they all have continued to grow and defend their way of life, the Sept, the Nation, and Gaia through it all. She shares all those that earned rank as well.

“The Litany - our code, or backbone of our way of life. Let us remember it, and thus prove The Fool wrong!” The Master of the Howl grins and looks over the woman, still waiting there in the circle. She begins reciting the litany, encouraging participation at this point for agreements as she hits each point. “The Leader May Be Challenged during Peace!” Her head turns to the side to look over The Fool. “Now, Ms. Thang… Short Circuit. You think that if you become a leader, say and Elder, that you should always be that? No matter what? Huh. See, that is not how it works.”

The Master of the Howl walks toward her and begins a small circle around The Fool. ”You earn the title, you cannot sit back on your laurels, you cannot just eat grapes and sip wine, you cannot just expect everything handed to you, including 30 virgins and a goat. Gaining rank, gaining leadership is one thing. Keeping it? Proving that you deserve it is another. And if the way you hang on to it is through sins? For example gluttony, dishonesty, intimidation, lying, cheating, stealing from our own?”

Looking out amongst those gathered she gestures and walks toward them now. “Well, then you should expect to be challenged, and if you are not? Then that is on those you lead, and they probably will not be there when a greater force from outside the Nation comes after you. The poor saps that may still be there will not know what to do because you were a crap leader and taught them how not to be.”

Nodding her head with those that are agreeing with her, and making noises to indicate that, she continues, ”No, in times of peace, we must be free to challenge our leaders if they deserve it. Even if they do not deserve it, so as to keep them at the ready as well. Respect is earned, and while rank grants some to you? It is only a portion, and if you truly deserve it, then those you lead should and will challenge you until you are out.”

The fool dramatically eyes and glares at the Master of the Howl, no actual menace or animosity there, just pure theatricality. While Hushed Blaze gives her wisdom, Short Circuit stalks a circle or two around HER this time. In the end she 'Aaaaaagh!'s at the false sky of the caern and wails ever so dramatically, "But that's not fair! I'm gonna be a GREAT Elder one day!"

Stepping forward, she throws her hands up and, using a few little tricks she's learned (or stolen) over time, she raises her voice, deepens it, brings to it a frightening quality, a gloom casting itself over the amphitheater and dimming the light as Short Circuit shouts, arms upraised dramatically, "Instead of a Dark Lord you would have a QUEEN! Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Tempestuous as the sea, stronger than the FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH! All shall love me and despair!"

The gloom fades quickly, and Short Circuit stands there for a moment before lowering her arms and telling the Master of the Howl in a carrying voice, "Okay, I suppose you have a point." by way of admitting defeat. She takes a quick bow, grins, and trots out of the circle.

The rest of the litany is recited, the Sept agrees and energies raise, awaiting the Theurges and the Inner Sky.

( Written by Brooke and Rian )

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The Inner Sky

As the time comes for the opening ritual, Bane-Breaker makes her presence known. The withered Metis does not step forward, but instead turns heavy eyes to her side where a Hispo sized wolf sits. He flicks an auburn-splashed ear and steps into the midst of the gathered circle, showing off a body marked from skull to rump with ritual glyphs smudged in black across fur colored a deep, earthy gold. From the smell, it’s fresh soot. His legs are unmarked and soaked with water.

<< I am Voice of the Light. >> Says the wolf in a crystalline, clear voice that carries with it the immediate impression of the first, gentle rays of the rising sun. It’s a warmth that sinks into the bone. << Whelped of Griffin, walking with the Dawn, singer of Spirits, third rank among Garou. I came to Bane-Breaker-rhya to learn. To learn, I must prove. >>

The Red Talon’s words stop there.

As is the way of the wild, the ritual is performed in body and wolfsong. She begins at the East, with a rising call that evoked the rising of the sun. As she howls, the Theurge walks from east to west, tracing the path of the Sun. Her howl reaches a throaty, fiery pitch at the point of the North and then fades as she steps to the west. As Helios is honored, next does she honor Luna, tracing the same path in reverse. The howl rises and falls as the waxing and waning of the moon, but instead of a guttural hunting sound invoking the power of the fertile seasons, this is a more mournful and lonely dirge for the silent night lady and the long sleep of the earth.

As these songs end, the Talon throws himself into the center of the circle. There he rolls on the earth in a joyous celebration, smearing glyphs and mingling the soil with soot and the water held in his fur into a dark, muddy mess. As he does so, he yaps and calls to the spirits, leaping at times onto his feet and into the air. The fertility of the earth, the freshness of the water, the warmth of the fire, and the clean clear sky; all are honored in the showing of shameless abandon.

Lastly, Voice of the Light flings himself out towards the circle of Garou. The massive Hispo lopes from side to side, at times leaping forward to slam down his paws with a vicious snarl. His brown fur is darkened with mud and soot, spiked and wild with dampness, and with his actions the impression invoked a bear challenging any who might threaten it. As the Red Talon returns to the center, he rears up on his hind paws and swells up into the Crinos form. A quick bite is delivered to each of his hands, and red blood wells along with the luminous glow of Gnosis. The Theurge lets out a full throated roar, giving his thanks to Bear and the guardian spirits for their patronage of the caern. As this thanks is given, there is an answering roar that shakes the ground, inspiring an awe dread like the Garou had entered a dark cavern only to be met with the call of a primordial cave bear.

<< Bear has come, welcome your spirits! The Inner Sky is open, let us honor them and Gaia. >>

( Written by Kallie )

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Cracking the Bone

Bane-Breaker takes her leave, with Voice of the Light trotting next to her, looking up already for approval from his mentor. They pass by the Truthcatcher and Starchaser as they walk into the circle. A polite nod from the Philodoxes to the Theurges, and the next segment begins!

Walking forward first is the Truthcatcher. Held within her grasp is a stick of hard wood, about six inches long and decorated with glyphs in vibrant greens and yellows. She lifts up her strong voice, the talking stick held over her head. "I am Alecto, rited Howls-at-the-High-Moon, Elder Philodox, born on four legs of the Black Fury tribe. Daughter of Slay-the-Wyrm, Granddaughter of Free-the-Tide, great granddaughter of Bite-and-Twist, great, great granddaughter Judges-the-Weak, great, great, great granddaughter of Honor-Among-Thieves, follower of Tijuana, protector of the weak and innocent and Truthcatcher to the Sept of the Enduring Spirit. Who has business?"

Iris Tiganites, Mercy's Messenger, rises up from her spot amongst the audience and steps into the open space, saying "I have business, I would like to speak." when other business is asked for. When she's handed the 'bone', she moves out to where she's sure she can be seen and heard by all.

"Hello, friends and family! This is a public service announcement from the local Black Fury tribe, I've made this before but we have new Garou and Kinfolk coming to the Sept pretty often, so it bears repeating! We've all got our tribal and cultural quirks, but in Prospect we're not burdened by thousands of years of tradition engraved in stone. This is a melting pot of all tribes and breeds, a cross roads for different values and ethics. This should be a place where you can bring the teachings and traditions of your families, but also a place where you should be able to evolve and make your own teachings and traditions as well.

So I want to remind all of my Garou and Kinfolk brothers and sisters here tonight of the saying 'No Means No'. I'm not up here to rant about the injustices of the Patriarchy or anything stereotypical like that, this is just a basic reminder to those that have been here and a heads up to those that are new that here at the Sept of the Enduring Spirit, we don't tolerate sexual or romantic violence or violation against our own. Whether you're a Kinfolk or a Garou, this kind of thing can happen to anyone and there's a million different reasons we have to justify this sort of thing, but it's just not gonna fly here. Male or female, Garou or Kinfolk, remember that you're not cattle, and you're not weak.

If you feel like you've been taken advantage of, or if someone you know feels that way, whether we're talking about bullying, some dubious consent, or out and out rape, it's your duty to report it. If an inquiry finds that everything is just fine then so be it, but if a crime against another person is committed, then justice is a must. There's a hundred different traps you can fall into, and it's up to you to know what your rights are so that you don't think you deserved it, or that it was your fault. A higher rank, a higher position, the ability to shift or to breed, none of these things gives anyone the right to bully or manipulate another into bed or some compromising position that feels wrong.

I know a lot of our adults out there are probably inwardly rolling their eyes and I don't blame you, this isn't the sort of thing that should bear reminding about or some great discussion, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen and that it's not a problem. It is, it's the dirty little secret we hide under our fierce and noble exterior and bury under a half mile of traditional excuses. So remember, ALL of you have the right to say no, regardless of your rank, status or makeup, and you have the right to say no to anyone that propositions you at any time, whether it's right then when you're asked or halfway through getting naked or whatever. If something feels wrong, that's probably because it IS wrong, so listen to your gut when it's talking to you.

If anyone has any questions or concerns or anything at all, you can come talk to myself, or to Alecto, Howls at High Moon. Confidentiality guaranteed, and no matter how small or how silly or inconsequential you think something is, we will listen to you, and we will take you seriously. Be mindful of yourselves, and of your friends, If you think something happened to someone you care about, talk to them, talk to us, and let's make sure no one's being hurt or bullied out of their pants."

Iris flips the stick and catches it, smiling and gesturing at the gathered Sept members, "And that's it! Stay groovy, family!" She returns to Alecto to hand over the stick and reclaim her seat amongst the onlookers.

( Written by Iris )

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As Dragomir approaches, Truthcatcher hands him the bone, golden eyes studying him briefly before she steps back.

Dragomir steps up, and takes a moment to look over the crowd - one by one, recollection serving in some capacity with most. Though some faces, he does not know - or has not shared battlefield with. He takes the stick and says, "I know many of you.. some I knew when I came to this Sept as barely more than a cub. Many I have stood beside in combat, and bled with. Some of you, I personally trained. Some of you I have only just begun to know."

The man takes in a breath, gripping the stick and considers it for a moment. "I have stood up here before, beside pack mates and friends. I have been part of many stories here, battles and quests. I have told you stories of my journeys to countless umbral realms. I had the pleasure of leading the children of Merlin, with the pack of Terminal Velocity. Some of the greatest Warriors that walk this Sept today." He pauses, and then he starts again, "I had the pleasure of leading the children of Eagle, with the Legend's Guardians pack. Some of the bravest and most loyal people I have ever known."

Dragomir grips the bone a bit tighter, holding it in his hand and looking at it - the symbolism before he lifts his gaze once more. "I have fallen from grace." he offers simply, allowing that to sink in, looking around to make sure that everyone heard him correctly. "I gave into my own weakness, and suffered you all by doing so. I harmed kinfolk with my actions, not least of which my own mate - but also others that I did not give proper respect to. I have betrayed trust in doing so, and I have damaged my pack and the relationship with Eagle. Perhaps irrevocably."

The large Russian steps out of his fancy hand-stitched dress shoes, and starts to peel off his suit jacket, letting it fall to the dirty ground beside him. He unbuttons his dress shirt, revealing the half-tattooed chest, and the many scars he has endured over the years with the Sept. "I submit myself to the Sept. To the Spirits, and to all of you. I have failed to keep my promises. I have failed to maintain good relations with my kinfolk. I have dishonored my mate and Eagle. I have failed my pack. I submit before you all, before I leave on my quest." He lowers down slowly knee by knee to the ground. He lifts his half-gloved hands upwards, towards all and slowly moves to place his belly on the dirty floor, the stick held out before him.

The man squirms forward towards the assembled, groveling and holding himself there before the Sept in submission. "I give my Oath. I -will- restore what has been broken, and I -will- seek where I have fallen, and I -will- fight to redeem the Honor lost. I submit onto you, as my Sept, my pack brothers and sisters, my Family, my Mate, my Tribe, my Kinfolk. I am not above my mistakes, I accept them. Before Gaia, I lay beneath them and submit to your judgment. I will return with Honor, if it is your will Gaia."

The man lays there silently for a long moment, allowing any to say or do what they so wish to.

The bone is taken from Dragomir by the Truthcatcher. She walks away from him to hand it off the bone to the next person to speak, leaving Dragomir where he is in front of everyone.

( Written by Dragomir )

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A moment of quiet preludes what is to come next at the Moot. A few torches are being placed at the circle's edges and are lit to illuminate and invoke a certain mood. Tension can be felt rising as the Ritual is about to start. For the ritual is a Satire Ritual. The silence is broken as a drum starts sounding. The beat being drummed a steady one. A few seconds later, Hunts the Shadow of Frostbite pack, appears with the drum, and walks to one side of the circle.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thumpthump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thumpthump.

A few more seconds of just the drum sounding its beat. The other members of Frostbite step forward with Guides the Dead, first to join their packmate in this loose inner circle, closely followed by their Alpha, Ironsides. And then Stormhowler. Their Kinfolk Theron stands but stays out of the circle. For only Garou may truly participate.

With Frostbite having taken up their positions. The pack starts humming a heavy and low hum. A few spots remain open. But one of these is soon filled as the Denfather, Honor's Keeper steps forward, adding his voice to the humming. The second to step forward is Lights the Hearth, a Silver Fang. Then the Elders Shaderunner and Mocks the Dark both step forward to add their voices in it as well. And the last spot of the circle is then filled by Mercy's Messenger. She too adds her voice to the humming.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thumpthump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thumpthump.

The drum beat increases and the humming reaches a higher pitch. And with that. ShieldBrother steps forward from the circle as well. He is barefoot and his upper body undressed but adorned with woad paint combined with Norse Futhark runes for protection. Around his neck, different sets of necklaces can be seen. all made out of wood, beads, bone and different metals. Most importantly, the bone is in his hand.

With his deep and enchanting voice carrying far and over the humming and drumming, Shield Brother starts singing. The others all fade into a background role. His blue captivating eyes roam around at all those being present.

"We watch for predators roaming the wilds! The predators roaming the cities! The predators roaming the oceans! But forgetting the predators amongst ourselves!" The words drawn out, and fitting with the humming conveying the wanted feelings on the background. The feeling of adrenaline coursing through one's body. Of needing to be watchful. Of being in danger. "Good it is to have those amongst us, to watch for these! Those we look upon to teach us. To protect us! Those we trust!" The humming conveying the feeling of safety. Of being cared for.

"What pain it is! Being betrayed by those that would protect us. Oh Elders! The fear! The Terror! The hurt and pain! Where can one find safety.. If not with you!" The humming conveys a deep sense of betrayal and hurt. Pulling at the tears of those listening.

ShieldBrother looks towards one Garou in particular now. And points to the man whilst stepping forward towards him to make sure that everyone present sees whom it is. His blue eyes not wavering from him. "Stand and step forward Eye of the Storm.. Proud and honourable Silver Fang. Or one would have thought! Betrayed those he ought to protect! His lust and appetite of the body, betraying Kin and Garou alike!" A sensation of shock courses through the bodies of those attending as the humming changes pitch. The drumming keeps its steady beat though, acting as the pace and line through it all. "Eye of the Storm. One of those we wanted to trust. He acts worse than a cub born on four legs and in its first heat ever could! Forcing himself up to Kin, ripping her clothes away.. Upon Garou.. Forcing her to flee to the Umbral realms! Where he even dares to follow her! And at Kin again. Raping her in the Silver Fang tower! Demanding to know her purity and virginity!"

Shieldbrother lets out a long and anguished sigh.. The humming too. Comes to a low pitch.. He shakes his head and spits on the ground. Then looks up with clarity in his eyes. His stare boring into Eye of the Storm. "No more we say! He!" He points at the Silver Fang. "An Elder of the Sept! Behaving worse than a Cliath or Cub ever would! This place of sanctity.. Turned into a place of terror.." The humming conveying a deep sense of betrayal... Making one's heart knot with coldness. "And all this. Whilst at home. His Mate and Children await him.. Waiting for his return. To come home and sit with them. Dine and play with them. Be a Mate and father to them..."

ShieldBrother looks at Eye of the Storm with even more disgust now. And shakes his head again. The sensation felt in everyone's guts. "No more we say.." His voice low but clearly audible. "No more we say! His voice now hard and loud. The words drawn out long and the humming helping to convey the anger. "He that we needed to trust. He that proved to be not worthy of our trust. Let him be stripped of what he is. Let him learn that we are one. Our Kinfolk. We Garou. Our Sept. We are all of Gaia! And we shall not sit idly by as one would endanger us!" The humming convey a sense of hope and determination.

"Eye of the Storm! Your name will not be untarnished anymore. Your rank is forfeit. Gaia demands this! The Sept demands this... Your Victims deserve this!" The sense of determination growing stronger and stronger.. And then the music stops. ShieldBrother looks around at all those present again.. Silence roaming across the Moot. "Learn from this Eye of the Storm. Learn that we shall stand united against these things. Learn from it and change.. Be the one we need you to be."

With that. ShieldBrother lowers his head and averts his gaze from Eye of the Storm. The silence being almost audible and clearly conveying the sense of loss. One by one, those in the inner circle step back. Frostbite pack first. Then the Denfather, followed by Shaderunner and Mocks the Dark, Lights the Hearth following them. Then Mercy's Messenger. And lastly. ShieldBrother himself. Leaving Eye of the Storm standing there on his own. For all to see.

( Written by Hjalmar )

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Stories and Songs

Story: Branton's Ballad

<OOC NOTE> The Ballad of Lilah Rose is by a wonderful recording artist and you can listen to it on her webpage here http://sjtucker.com/lyrics-and-vid-the-ballad-of-lilah-rose

When the time comes for story telling Branton steps forward with a guitar in his hand and he clears his throat to speak, in a strong clear voice, “I have a story for you but it’s not a garou story. I know Lilah and her father were kinfolk. And this is their story as told by their community. Sorcerers and witches, seers and fortune tellers. And some just plain people. I still think it has value for the garou to listen to because its a story about perseverance, about honor, and about how heroism can be found in some of the most unlikely places.”

The guitar music for the song is simple, supporting the story and accenting it without overwhelming it. The phrasing is light at first, about introduction and acceptance, intending to leave one wondering just a touch about what her father's thinking.

“Lilah loved her family and the land they worked upon.

She minded what her daddy said, she grew up sweet and strong.

Jared was the apple of his southern mother’s eye,

but the devil was his daddy, and he couldn’t help but lie.

Try to stop a cyclone from going where it may.

Try to stop young love from growing day by day.

Lilah’s daddy saw it in his little girl’s face,

but he never said a word about disgrace.

“That boy is trouble,” all the ladies would agree,

and they’d pester Lilah’s daddy to put her under lock and key.

He’d listen with the patience of a saint, but that was all.

Gossip swirled along the wind through harvest into fall.”

The intensity of the chords and singing starts to build and as the story pushes into conflict, Lilah's story starts to go more than a little wrong.

”Lilah was a good girl ’til Jared came around.

Her daddy felt the wind change, but didn’t run him out of town.

Lilah found her mettle when Jared did her wrong.

“Boys will be boys” is such a tired old song.

Love demands a tribute grand enough to shake the earth.

She will meddle in your life and in your death and your rebirth.

Now, Jared ain’t been seen for days and no one acts surprised.

“Long time comin’, and the river’s bound to rise.”

The little waltzing fireflies were glowing there above

when Jared said “forever” in exchange for Lilah’s love.

That girl believed his every word, and so did he, until

that Sunday, when the sight of Mary Ellen broke his will.”

The audience can see anger stirring, amid flickers of fear around the edges as Branton continues the story.

”Mary Ellen was the preacher’s child, as fair as she could be,

but known for stealing kisses out behind the apple tree.

Her pretty eye met Jared’s, saw the wolf there in his grin,

and mischief took to growin’ in the garden there and then.

Lilah came on Mary Ellen walking with her beau,

and there inside her heart, she felt the thorns begin to grow.

When the preacher’s back was turned, she cursed her suitor so,

and heard the Devil’s laughter outta nowhere, soft and low.

Lilah whirled around and met that Devil eye to eye.

She stood her ground before him and he smiled, long and sly.

“Too bad for you, Miss Lilah”, said the Devil with a bow.

“That boy has got you dreamin’, and it’s too late now!”

The fear of the last passage descends into nervousness and mocking sadness.

“Love will leave her mark on you and then leave you for dead.

She will take the place of God and pluck the sense right from your head.

Now, Jared’s got a babe on you, my girl. Best keep it hid!

Long time comin’, and I know just what you did!”

The Devil laughed at Lilah’s tears and kissed her shaky hand.

“Don’t fret, poor child. Your pa will help you find an honest man,

or at least a man with a little less of me run through his veins.

I fear that boys like Jared all gonna come out much the same.”

The Devil walked sweet Lilah home and left her at the gate.

“It’s not the end, Miss Lilah. Don’t you wail about your fate.

I’ll never be too far away to hear you when you call.

Just curse my boy the way you did before, if I can help at all.”

Now at rock bottom the melody wails in despair for a sharp moment before it starts building back up.

”Lilah watched the Devil walk away back through the corn.

She told her daddy everything, her heart all choked with thorns.

He listened, and he fretted, but the only thing he said was,

“you know that I have loved you since the day you first drew breath.

“No devil’s words, nor devil’s son can take that love away.

It’s up to you what happens, and it’s not for me to say.

I know my girl is strong and I don’t need to hold her hand.

Her mother was a goddess of the land!”

Love will pull a flush no matter how the bets are laid,

and then she’ll shake the walls down ’til your every debt is paid,

but those who love you best will love you, no matter what they know.

“Long time comin’, and the cotton’s bound to grow.”

There's a sense of fragility being shored up along with the building power of the narrative.

“Well, the Devil’s been around as long as we’ve known how to sin,

but the earth and rain are older, and they saw the world begin.

Lilah found her power and she started to explore.

Come the spring, her family’s fields were greener than before.

Jared walked up to their gate, but Lilah kept it barred.

He smiled his winning smile at her, but Lilah’s eyes were hard.

“Your daddy’s got good manners too, but we still don’t let him in.

You had your chance and lost it. Best not come around again.”

Then Jared saw the shape of her and knew what he had done.

“Sweet Lilah, if you’ll have me, I would do right by our son.”

Lilah’s smile was sidelong, for she knew it was a lie.

“No, the Devil is your daddy, and you’ve got a roving eye!”

Determination and resolve now showcased, throwing back temptation and the assertion of a path chosen.

“But Jared wouldn’t let it be, and swore he’d change his ways.

The gate stayed shut, but Lilah lent a softness to her gaze.

“Meet me and the preacher by the railroad track tonight.

If you come, I’ll know you mean it, and we’ll set the whole thing right.”

Love’s no fool herself, though she makes fools of everyone.

She burns us and she breaks us ’til the whole thing comes undone.

Lilah’s at the crossroads, but she’s standing straight and tall.

“Long time comin’, and the rain is bound to fall.”

Lilah never even told the preacher man just what she had in mind.

She walked alone and heavy, and she led those cuss words fly.

She met Jared at the crossroads with a gent all dressed in black.

It was his first sight of his daddy, summoned up to take him back.”

The sense of a door being slammed shut and sense of victory as the ballad comes into the home stretch

“The Devil, being who he was, went after something more.

He asked for Lilah’s child as well, to settle all the score,

but Lilah stood her ground and sent him running for the hills.

She said, “don’t make me call my mother,” in a voice to give you chills.

The Devil didn’t cross that line. He knows his limits well.

There’s a magic runnin’ deeper than the deepest pits of Hell.

“We’d best be gone, my boy, for there is nothing left to say!”

He put his hand on Jared’s shoulder, and they faded clear away.

Now, Lilah sits on Sunday, with a baby on her knee.

Her daddy sits beside them, as proud as she can be.

They never speak of Jared when the gossip wants to start,

cuz all those thorns have turned to roses down in Lilah’s broken heart.”

A brief surge of intensity as the last verse fills the air before the song echoes off softly into the air.

“Love’s a vengeful goddess with her anger gone to flood.

She will bless the waking soil with your body and your blood.

Now, Jared ain’t been seen for years and no one acts surprised.

“Long time comin’ and the river’s bound to rise.”

It was a long time comin’, and the river’s bound to rise”

After the notes both sung and played fade from the air Branton speaks again “This is where ‘and they lived happily ever after’ usually goes but Lilah, her daddy, and her son were all real people. And real lives don’t work that way but when you’ve learned to know your own worth and how to find your own bliss? You can do alright.” And he takes his guitar and steps away from the performance area.

( Written by Branton )

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Story: Attacks on Mars!

Walking out again into the circle is the Master of the Howl. Dressed in black leather pants, a long sleeved white knit shirt, with a black tight vest zipped up, white fingerless gloves, with a belt hanging both what looks like a futurist pistol on one hip, and a lightsaber on the other, Hushed Blaze seems ready for quite the tale for this Moot. Flipping her long red hair behind a shoulder, she grins just as she is ready to begin.

"Warriors, I bring you tonight the tale of the packs Frostbite and The Devil's Own, and their brave treacherous journey to the Red Planet - Mars! They travelled in a Space Boat - through the Umbral skies! Was it a three hour tour? A mission to seek revenge for a dead father only to find out the one that killed him was the father? No no no. This was what the Devil's Own do!" She looks across the circle to find Iris. "They needed to get a rock for Mercy's Messenger, of course." Yeah, because that makes total sense. Well, more if you know Iris.

"Frostbite was given a dingy to sail down from the Space Boat to the planet, through open space with spirits to guide them. The Devil's Own? Well, they grew wings and of course Iron Man has boots that help him fly." She gestures to Branton, Mr. Iron Man of course. "For this Field Trip to Mars, they brought gear, bravery, strength, and of course, a sack lunch. The surprising thing they all found once they landed was straight out of the movies. A shanty town you would see in that Mel Gibson movie, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome." She looks to see who knows it and adds, "A classic, I know. Bit before most of our times." Hahaha! "With jets flying overhead, and weird humanoid creatures around, even a passing dragon, they see fire, mayhem, and fighting of course. Was it the Thunderdome? Or just Fight Club? Well, considering this is Mecca for the Get of Fenris.. possibly some Fianna.. what do you know, but there is a pack of Garou there!"

Hushed Blaze turns and gets low, bending her knees, near a group of young cubs. "So what do you think happens when you mix a pack of desperate fighty Get of Fenris Garou, and they see The Devil's Own, and their own Iron Man with them? Hmm? Well those Garou questioned what he was, and decided to kin-nap him! How dishonorable is that?" She makes it more dramatic and then rises and paces out to the middle again.

"Not just kin-nap, but they tied him like a hood ornament to their Apocalypse Mater Mobile! They know they did wrong, but they were desperate. Seek forgiveness later? Well, actions do have consequences. Even on Mars." Hushed Blaze grins, and then holds her arms out, palms of her hands out and up. "There was no way Mercy's Messenger would allow her mate to be taken, and neither would the pack Alpha, Fiery Bellona, nor Death's Jester, or their pal with them, Broken Claw. Fiery Bellona ran after them, launching into the air with her wings..." she whooshes her left hand out from one side to in front of her "...while the rest of them jumped in a chariot and took off..." now whooshing her right hand forward to join the other, and then bounce away from each other in an upward explosive manner ".. which you can see /just/ what happened. Yes, The Devil's Own came a knockin' , and these Mars Garou were going to be rockin'."

She moves forward now and off to her left. "Now Frostbite could see that there was trouble for their spacboatmates. They saddled up, grabbed whatever vehicles were rigged together there from motorcycles to tanks. Taking off, the angry spirits see them trying to steal their stuff and they charge after them too. Yeah, more anger is present on Mars for some reason. Oh yeah. Nerigal. Frostbite chases after the trail of dust that the fleeing Pack of Get and The Devil's Own are leaving, and what should join them? More people on bikes and chariots, geared up with flaming battle chains, and arrows, and on top of that? An enormous otherworldly sandstorm. What are they to do? But Frostbite has found a tank. not just a tank, but one they can get in, control and take shelter."

"Now during this time, The Devil's Own has managed to catch up and get onto the Apocalypse Mater Mobile, and get to those controlling it. The crinos dread pirate warriors are there for more than just to right the wrong, but to give it back at high velocity to them. Even tossing one of the offenders out of the vehicle only works so long, before he returns via moon bridge! All the while a Massive Tornado from this sandstorm is up ahead and they just manage to miss it. Frostbite fights valiantly, taking out the pursuing war spirits, and kin that keep attacking, finding guns that use the Force.." She reaches for her lightsaber, and pulls it off her belt for a moment, and then replaces it. "... well, Gnosis, and they make good use of them, with Hunts the Shadows blasting one machine into a massive explosion, detonating into a fireball that is swallowed up by the tornado. So much power in this explosion, that it hurts the tank." She has to add, "Remember, this is an Umbral realm, and that tank is actually a spirit. He could be hurt and was. With Frostbite there to care for him, they all charge on in GLORIOUS battle to help out their friends, and seek out Nerigal."

"Despite all of this, the Frostbite crew do manage to catch up, thanks to clever tank driving by Guides the Dead, but they see something the others have not. What could it be? Is it a plot twist? Oh yes, and not just that the last season was a dream. No, what else when you have a chase through the red sands of a war planet." She then grins and tilts her head just a bit and then nods her head slowly. "You guessed it. The bridge was out. Yes, a massive canyon up ahead and the one bridge is out of order! What do you do in that scenario?"

There is an audible vroom vroom from somewhere. Possibly preplanned from some people to one side? "Yes. Like the General Lee - you speed up and jump it. It's all or nothing. Time to Bring it." She runs and jumps back near the center and after a bit of a turn, she bends her knees a bit and holds her hands out. "At this point, it is a make or break situation. Hunts the Shadows tries to go for it and nearly falls from the tank. Ironsides, already battling on top of the tank, so skillfully saves his pack mate, thus allowing Hunts the Shadows to take the risk. As they get the tank close to the Apocalypse Mater Mobile, he uses Parkour and grabs for the Alpha of kin-napping Get pack, as he is blasted with flames coming from Branton who just got himself mostly freed, and then tosses the body lit with fire from the rig, to be probably trampled in this demolition derby they have going on. He dives into driver's seat and hits the gas! If they are going to make this jump? They got to go for it - with a Blaze of Glory! Garou Gunslingers of the Apocalypse they go, and the vehicles all make the jump!"

Standing up, she shakes her hair out and sweeps it back again behind her, and resting her hands on her hips, she audibly sighs. "Would our story end here? Oh non non, mon frère. Picking themselves up and in some cases, up from dangling off the cliffside, Frostbite and The Devil's Own regroup, and take stock. The Get Pack kin-nappers have a lot to explain, or face certain death from them all. Smartly, they surrender to The Devil's Own, and accept their pledge as allies, as they go to seek the great Nerigal as their totem. They take time to heal and head to face what they all came for. The God of War himself."

At this point, Hushed Blaze stops and concentrates for a bit. Working up to something. Her eyes closed, head tilting, and suddenly there is a swirl around them. Something is forming.. manifesting. The winds get stronger, like a tornado is forming, and soon like a flicker, a dream is taking form. It fades in and out and soon, everyone can see it! (OOC: Use of Gift: Fabric of the Mind. 1 Gnosis spent for scene)

Standing about 10 feet tall, this mythical version of Ares appears to be living, breathing, and opposing in his nature. Ares here is both beautiful and terrifying, a true Greek God. In full regalia, with worn, polished golden armor, a blood red cape moving in the breeze, huge muscles, and a weapon so many Ahrouns would dream of. Thanos ain't got nothing on this one. Ares is how Iris saw Nerigal, and the one that shared the story with the Galliard.

Opening her eyes, Hushed Blaze grins and with one hand pushes her long red hair back from her face. She gives Ares a respectful bow of the head, "I got just a bit more, then it is your turn, ok?" With a gesture of her hands, she more or less introduces the Greek God to the Sept and then continues the story. "So our heroes, Frostbite and The Devil's Own not only made the jump, but they landed at you know who's front door." She thumbs back to Ares here. "The front door, of course, being the red stone mountain side of a Volcano. Exactly what you would expect, if you could get there. With an opening large enough for a good fifty men side by side to march through, and giants taller than this guy. It had it all inside. Rotting heads on pikes, pits of purifying fire, a city built tier upon tier with streams of red molten stone. There were spirits of war.. totems really. Examples of all that war would find /most/ glorious. For the Get and Ahrouns? This was home. Of course they all came in, and did as we would expect an honorable Garou to do, and they went in and introduced themselves to the big man."

Hushed Blaze looks back now to Ares here, and asks him. "And what did they say to you? What did they ask?"

In a booming voice, Ares responds, "A ROCK. They wanted a Rock. Who asks for that?" He laughs loudly, viciously, seemingly amused and yet sociopathic. "These ones.." he gestures to where Frostbite and The Devil's Own are within the crowd "..came for a Rock, and my favor. No one comes and asks for that? I'm used to be asked for great war strategies, mighty weaponry, and to sought as a patron for packs. But a Rock? What in hell would anyone need that for? All that -science-..." he gives a disgusted look "...and they bring that Dudebro and his pack to my door. Fine. They got my favor, and my rock. I got a new pack to be the totem for, and zapped the bald one over there." Ares grins at that memory as he looks towards Branton. "And gave the rest of them all a good shock as well. They found me. And now return me to my realm, red one!"

It takes a moment, but the dream that is now materialized disappears, blowing off like dust as though just erased from this world. Hushed Blaze looks from one side of the circle to the other, letting them all settle down a moment before finishing. "Our heroes managed to get to Mars, have one kin-napped, ride the Fury Road in galactic apocalyptic glory, take on war spirits, a misguided pack of Garou, fight through a massive storm, JUMP a canyon in true daredevil fashion, meet a Celestine, and now? They face their last hurdle. How do you get a massive rock back from here to the Space Boat? Enter the tank! Yes. The tank spirit is there to save the day! Together, the packs work together, get the rock back and each other to the Space Boat. And what of the helpful tank spirit? Well, good thing he could change shape and now travels as a more boat friendly, veil friendly dog spirit, remaining with the Frostbite packs twin crescent moons."

The story done, Hushed Blaze clasps her hands together, and walks to the center of the circle. "And now you know the tale of working together, seeking a common goal, and that there is so much out there. More than any one of us could truly imagine if we do not open up our minds, our horizons, and shoot for the stars. Limits? The more we learn, grow, work together and do Gaia's work? There is no stopping us. We can accomplish anything - including getting a rock from the God of War." She takes a bow, and then exits the circle as this month's Wyrm Foe prepares to come stir the Sept up for the Revel.

( Written by Brooke )

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The Revel

Tensions are high, and it is obvious how the Sept is itching and squirming, ready to explode for the Revel to give back to the Caern. A pair of Ahrouns coming leaping out into the circle, charged and ready!

>> WE ARE LIGHTNING BRINGER AND BURNT TAIL! FULL MOONS OF GRANDFATHER THUNDER! TOGETHER, WE CALL UPON YOU ALL! <<

They howl, still in unison, calling everyone to join them!

>> RISE UP! MAKE YOUR CHALLENGES! DO NOT HOLD BACK! DO NOT REST! SHOW YOUR STRENGTHS! SHOW YOUR CONVICTIONS! SHOW YOU ARE WORTHY! <<

Excitement charges them all! Many come up and make their challenges, bordering on some chaos, but with the help from the Wyrmfoe twins all is kept within bounds.

The whole Sept now standing, worked up and energies palpable, the Wonder Twins fist bump and shift to Crinos and HOWL!

>> BROTHERS! SISTERS! HEAR US! THE WYRM IS WAITING! IT IS TIME TO HUNT!! <<

Side by side, the twin Ahrouns lead the Sept out to battle! To hunt! To get their prey and destroy the Wyrm!

Having only bits and pieces left, they race back into the Caern, into the Amphitheater and HOWL! Energies released, their combined Gnosis flooding into the heart for their totem. >> FOR BEAR! FOR THE SEPT OF THE ENDURING SPIRIT!! << They howl and cheer! The Caern recharged for another month.