2022.09.22: The Long Vigil

The Long Vigil 2022
This seasonal rite was held in the Caern Amphitheater with all Gaians invited to join and take part. Stories were told and trophies were sacrificed to Luna, Helios, and Gaia in a bonfire.
Players	Branton, Brooke, Dale, Erin, Fionna, Finn, Iris, Irsa, Jackie, Journey, Kohana, Lennox, Pandora, Reno, Rhapsody, Sean, Stephen, Torey, Yelena
Location	Caern Amphitheater
Spheres	Gaian Garou

The Amphitheater has been decorated.. nigh, adorned with what to some may be junk, but to the Garou they are trophies of war. Around the edges, one can find Bent rifles, broken Wyrm-fetishes, shredded armor, horns, fangs, and garlands made from smaller teeth and fangs. All still smeared in blood, although cleansed from previous taint. Urns are placed, see through, so the dust within can be seen. Broken bits from vehicles, cages, and..is that? Yes, the skull of a minotaur? Oh no, that can't be, right?

In front of the stage, is where the bonfire is set up to be lit. Before that happens, the Garou and kin begin to arrive. There are guests from around the country arriving tonight, as some are passing through, and others have been invited. All have been checked by the warder before entering, and howled before they even entered the Sept lands. As sundown begins, Brooke, the Master of the Howl, takes the stage.

"Good Evening, Sept of the Enduring Sprit, friends, family, all of the Nation and Gaia. Tonight we mark the autumnal equinox. As the season of long days gives way to the season of long nights. We must prepare ourselves for the difficulties of the lengthening hours of darkness, and prepare for those battles ahead. We honor Helios, and thank him for his blessing. We pray for his safety in the coming winter. We praise Luna and seek her aid for these long nights to come! Join me! As we share our tales of glorious battles this last year and the deeds done in Luna's name! Bring forth your trophies of war, and share them with us."

Brooke gives the signal to Branton, "Our Master of Fire, Branton, will light the bonfire." She steps off the stage, giving the signal to the others helping her around to keep the area clear so he can do his thing.

Branton steps up to the bonfire after the opening speech is given, having been asked to see to this part "Let this fire stand in His image and we light it in his name. For his Glory." And he holds a hand out and with a /thump/ and a /whoosh/ the bonfire is lit and a mature blaze.

Irsa is sitting in one to the seats closest to the stage. She grins as stories are mentioned, and that grin widens as Branton steps forward to do his thing. Count on a sorceror to make the best fire!

Broken Fang finds a good spot at the edge of the hollow to park his furry butt and sit up to dutifully give his attention to Brooke when she begins the Vigil, though he cranes his head around a little to look for those Gaillards that might be getting ready to lead things off, before turning his attention back to watch Branton.

Erin sits quietly turning her attention to Brooke when she speaks and smiles softly as Branton steps up to start the fire. She takes a deep breath resting her hands on her belly.

A galliard from the Children of Gaia steps up onto the stage with a guitar in hand to start things off. A trail of small cubs follow him and sit in a circle around him. Strumming the guitar, the garou begins to sing a song all about a battle between his pack and some wyrm tainted turtles, making it sound way more childish than maybe it should be. By the end, the cubs are singing the chorus with him all about swimming turtles.

Irsa snickers as the cubs join in. She's swaying from side to side as she listens to the music, and even joins in on the chorus herself when she has it down. Quietly, of course, you don't drown out cubs!

Broken Fang's expression softens at the cubs singing their little hearts out, while the Tail of Approval thumps away behind him. Good choice. Good story.

Dale walks in and jives to the turtle music, kinda mimicking a swim of a turtle until he takes up his seat. He chooses a spot down front and then straightens his jacket.

Rhapsody arrives, carrying a small bag with her. She looks around admiring the trophies collected already, and sits her bag next to a cage. Stepping around, she finds a place to sit near Irsa and listen to the stories being told.

A weathered looking man steps forward, he looks older than he is, aged by work and weather and life beyond his years. "I am Sings-Upon-The-Wind. A Galliard of the Wendigo and refugee from the Three Rivers Sept." a pause, "Some of you remember it..."

He exhales then, "Stormbreaker'Rhya has asked me to speak for the Wendigo, a story perhaps? Something here that fits...now I lost my sept, fallen to slumber to be healed in time. Saved thankfully from corruption but not once at its glory. So I know the threats imposed upon us."

The Galliard circles, "So it's important to me to speak of the safety we enjoy from secrecy. From anonymity. Every action we take, a fight in an alley, a home being built, phones brought here and there can lead the enemy to our doorstep."

"One such event happened not long ago. Kinfolk of the fallen tribe at the doorstep of Stormbreaker'yufs lands. His children caught in their clutches pulled to be taken and kept...and who knows what atrocities." The Wendigo continues. "...but as is often the case we protect our own."

"Kohana Stormbreaker, assisted by other garou first hunted and defeated the kidnappers. Culling the enemy from the earth." He explains with a please whoop and howl.

Irsa leans forward in her seat as she listens to Sings-Upon-The-Wind, arms resting on her knees. This is an important tale, and she doesn't want to miss a single word.

Erin smiles softly as she turns her whole attention to Sings-Upon-The-Wind as he begins to speak.

Dale gives a whoop woop out with the Wendigo to cheer their deeds on.

Broken Fang shifts a bit in his spot, glancing down as he listens to Sings' recanting of the story, ears swiveled forward to focus completely on the speaker, containing himself for the moment when Sings lets out a little whoop and howl.

Sings-Upon-The-Wind continues, "Stormbreaker tasting their blood, taking strength from it like our great totem Wendigo! Using it for vengeance. His rage a judgement of death upon them."

"Then, with even further aid from the garou nation found this foul kinfolk Militia and wiped them out."

"They stood armed with guns and technology. Explosives going off around them." The Wendigo shares. "Raining hot fire of metal upon our heroes. Lightning in Stormbreakers eyes, Allies at his side...they hunted and moved through each building of the compound."

Such war was made that day. The drums of Wakiyan Tanka in the air...thunder drumming like the heart beat of our great tribe." He says pleased. "Outnumbered, fighting tooth and claw, it mattered not...only victory."

"Be wary what you do. How the enemy may break through our veil of secrecy." The Galliard concludes, "And if they do...do not grant them mercy."

Torey comes in silently. She moves off to the side so that she is able to listen carefully to the stories being told. She smiles and folds her hands before her as she looks over the crowd.

Irsa nudges Rhapsody as Sings-Upon-The-Wind as he speaks about the enemy breaking through the veil of secrecy. That's advice the Mistseekers hold near and dear to their hearts. She throws back her head and howls for the tale, nearly as loud as if she was in lupus herself.

Rhapsody nodnods to Irsa, and howls in harmony with Irsa. This is just what they are there for. Good chance to learn as well.

Broken Fang shuffles on his feet when Sings finishes his telling, and along with Irsa, throws his head up and adds to the howl, adding his approval to the others, both for the storytelling and the deeds themselves.

Dale is all in for this telling of tales. He howls out and ends it with a grin. "That's right, kill those wyrm bishes."

Erin joins in with the others and nodsnods to what Dale shouts out.

Finn skids into the clearing... late. It's his curse, so to speak. A bit red-faced, he nods to the folks present before moving over to find a seat. As luck would have it, he takes a seat near Dale as he's howling out about killing the Wyrm! A look around and he cheers! "Hell yeah!"

Dale high fives Finn.

A tall man in a suit steps up onto the stage and with a boom voice tells his tale. This one about corporate espionage, and finding their dealings with a company were fake and it was run by fomori. The tale ends with how his pack, Elite Bucks, met them in the board room and wiped them from existence, and how they sacrificed their fine suits for Gaia.

Irsa perks up at the story. Now this is the kinda story not often told: all the ways the Wyrm has grasped the city in its corrupting coils. She also throws her head back for this howl, and throws a fist up in the air to celebrate the tale.

Dale will clap for this one, and arooo after Irsa. He looks rather serious suddenly for all of two seconds, when there's mention of corporate espionage going on. The sacrificing of suits? He nods his approval. "Suits are tres expensive, cher. That's real sacrifice." He taps the flower worn on the lapel of his suit jacket this evening.

With that last howl, Dale gets up next to go up front and speak. The Get of Fenris, Raga Fostern, also known as Knockout-Queen, grins. He steps out in front of the crowd in his designer suit of blue and yellow tulips, "Ladies and gents! I'm here to spill the tea on a city night. And tonight I want to tell you about a very special booger! For those who don't know, puh'leeeze, this is about an unattractive queen with a bane inside of her. Her name was Ma Pickle, and we won't get into her dickle. There's children present!" He continues, "But she was busted, messy, and sloppy. I was up in her face, once I knew she carried taint, and when I found her sipping it up, eating up all the lady boys with her air fryer, and yuh'ess, we won't go into details. But there was a dial a friend, and between the two of us we nailed her into a corner while she was putting on her very tacky Wet -N- Wild. Who wears THAT since the 80's? Pheh! Dis-assster girl."

Dale snaps his fingers, "This Bane Pickle started shifting her waggy neck, and it grew like a giraffe. Her makeup didn't even have time to cook, because she was fish. And when her limbs stretched out, for even Gumby would have been proud, she turned green." He fans himself, "We blendered her in a duo fight. And with envy once we shifted into this year's fur, we rendered that eat it BI-atch down! Our claws took that who-ho's head off, and then we burned that hovel down. Lord, I needed a new mani after that one."

Dale walks up to the fire and tosses in an 80's blush palette pack in white plastic. It holds a clear case of bright purple blush, pink, and hot momma neon pink. "Tacky!"

Irsa blinks at this tale. She follows it along, looking both fascinated and completely horrified at all these Wyrmy fashion faux paus. Even a Bone Gnawer knows you don't mix corruption and fashion!

Brooke has to cheer for Dale. "What a story! Wet-n-wild!" She shakes her head in amusement, having a great time hearing these tales.

Torey is doing her best to follow along with the story but she looks incredibly confused though the talk of removing a head does cause the red headed kinfolk to pale just a little. She nods at the end of the story though and lifts her hands to clap for the success and victory!

Erin looks thoughtful at the mention of the Wet-n-Wild then looks over to Dale and gives a little shutter at something he must of said, she joins in the clapping.

Dale wipes his hands together as if cleansing his hands and retakes his seat up front again next to Finn. He does a slam dunk mime with pride, and grins back at the crowd.

Out steps a young Uktena woman, dressed in native garb. A dress made from hide, with beads adorning it. Her hair in two long braids with ribbons tied within and feathers hanging down. Her skin is tanned, and glowing. Introducing herself as a Galliard, she tells her tale of the missing cubs and how her Sept rallied to find them. Poachers mistaking the playing wolf cubs for the game they were hunting for, while being lead by a fomori and dancer. Tracking down the cubs, they discovered the young of other species being taken as well, corruption in process. After defeating a herd of skull pigs that were called upon to protect the poacher camp, the Uktena Sept was able to rescue all the cubs and young that were captured, and the Wyrm defeated!

Finn grins at the story from Dale, shaking his head in amusement. There's no look of disapproval, just impressed at the story and the telling of the tale.

Mercy has been here the whole time, swear! She laughs at the story and claps, and just takes a minute to appreciate Knockout-Queen's suit before turning her grin to the next storyteller!

Broken Fang barks out at the 'tacky' comment, but howls out at the story, Tail of Approval thumping away, before settling down, just barely in time to catch the whole deal from the Uktena, enough to lift his voice loudly again. Someone gonna need a lozenge by the end of the vigil, fer sure.

Dale hehes with a smirk back at Finn, and he catches Broken Fang's bark. But he's already cheering for the solving of the crime, that the Uktena woman is telling. He hoots!

Irsa lets out a loud howl for the Uktena's tale, celebrating the victory. Fomori and skullpigs are literally the worst. She and Rhapsody are seated close to the stage. She gets up now, though, and heads for the stage.

Irsa steps forward to tell her tale. She looks around the circle, meeting the eyes of everyone present before she speaks. "My story begins at dawn, in the mist-shrouded lands of th' spirit world. A group a' Garou gathered 'round a fire, brought to this place by one a' their greatest Elders. Mercy's Messenger, a powerful theurge a' great renown, had sent out the call and they had answered. Let th' Nation hear their names, so their deeds can go down in legend."

"The first ta arrive was Hammer-Tooth, Fostern Theurge of th' Bone Gnawers, leader of th' Garou gathered here. She was fresh from her succesful challenge for rank, as was th' group's mystic: Protector-of-Hope, Fostern theurge of th' Black Furies. With them were Tipping the Scales, Cliath Ragabash of th' Stargazers, Eclipsing-Tempest of th' Kitsune, an' Jackie Hagen, Kinfolk of the Fenrir. They had come to join together as one in th' bonds of Pack t' seek their Totem. Marked on their brows with glyphs of wisdom by their Elder, blessed by th' spirits an' Gaia herself, they set out on their journey."

"Heeding th' directions of Mercy's Messenger, they walked inta th' mist, a thick, cloying bank a' fog that blinded their eyes an' dulled their senses. You all know th' hazards of travellin' in fog. You can't see, ya can't smell right, an' even sounds echo weirdly in its embrace. It hides allies so they can't be seen, an' enemies that can fall upon ya in an instant. But they trusted their path, using all their senses to seek out th' heart of their patron: Aelous, keeper a wisdom an' secrets, he who teaches his Children his ways. Stealth, so they can may confuse and harry th' enemy. Patience, so they can watch and wait in th' shadows, bidin' their time t' strike. Subtlety, so they can use th' secrets they've learned ta strike in secret at their foes. This is th' Totem th' pack sought, and none would return from their quest unchanged."

Erin gives a little shutter at the mention of skullpigs. She then cheers as the tale comes to an an end and the others howl. She rest her hands on her belly as she turns to listen to the next storyteller.

Rhapsody is on the edge of her seat, listening to Irsa speak. She's been looking forward to this one!

Irsa lowers the timbre of her voice, building up suspense and mystery. "They wandered in th' fog for what seemed like hours, until they came across a disturbing sight. To th' left, they saw a deep chasm cloaked in fog so thick it looked like it descended inta darkness forever. To their right was a paved path of brick an' stone leadin' inta a village. Th' pack chose stealth, keepin' to th' shadows to see what a human village was doin' in this place. And then they saw them: th' husks of human, obviously dead, wanderin' mindlessly in th' street. Several more dead were hung in th' open. And then saw found proof of what was happenin' here: green banners emblazoned with th' cursed sigil of th' Green Dragon, one of th' Black Spiral Dancer's most powerful Bane Totems. Protector-of-Hope found flyers that read, 'Gatha'ck brings justice - Peace through Power'. The Enemy was here, and they would die when th' pack found 'em. Gaia's Chosen heard shouts in th' distance and left th' dead behind them, well aware that battle here would only weaken them for th' true battle ta come."

"Hammer-Tooth had crafted talens a' Night ta hide th' pack, and no enemy could see them. Th' pack remained in th' shadows, and it was wise that they did. They watched in horror and fury as th' humans were rounded up, an' th' Spirals stood on th' steps of th' village City Hall. Their leader shouted and railed, buildin' up fury in th' humans that had fallen under his sway. He turned them loose on th' others ta murder an' kill, and soon chaos, screams of pain an' violence surged through th' human throng. Hammer-Tooth wasn't havin' none a' this, an' all of 'em were hella pissed. She led 'em to th' back a' city hall, and sent th' pack's scout, Tipping the Scales, inside take a closer look."

"Tipping the Scales did well at her task: she'd found a map of th' building, and had even snuck inta th' mayor's office. She posted th' map up against a window for th' pack ta see, mooned Protector-of-Hope, and Mindspoke with th' group, tellin' 'em which route ta take ta reach her. But then things took a turn. A human guard had returned and was posted up outside th' office. Hammmer-Tooth once again wasn't havin' that. She told Tipping the Scales ta wait for th' pack to attack th' guard before openin' the office door so they could all dart inside. She led th' pack inta City Hall, took dire wolf-shape, an' waited in th' stairwell until th' guard had settled in before th' pack struck. Jackie threw th' stairwell door open wide and Hammmer-Tooth bolted forward, clampin' her jaws over th' guard's face so he couldn't scream for help. Pandora threw th' door open, and bam! Just like that they whisked th' guard inside. He knew nothin', so they tied him up an' gagged him ta keep him quiet while they searched th' place."

Sean comes in however late. He's got the usual stuff, but he ALSO has on a poorly-drawn eyebrow and his face is shaved baby-booty smooth. Nothing wrong with that really, except that he's almost unrecognizable if it wasn't for the hair and all that. He's late, but he hurries in and finds himself a seat near literally any other Fianna he can spot.

Pandora is also totally here and comes in time to hear the beginning of Irsa's story

Lennox is also late, but for good reasons. He's not giving any of the them right now, because that would be rude to interrupt like that. Everyone will just have to assume his reasons stand up to scrutiny. He heads across to wherever Finn and Dale are sat at, and joins them quietly.

Torey is standing there listening, eyes fixed on Irsa as she tells her story. When the spirals are mentioned she shifts, uncomfortable but listening. When the talk of locking jaws over someone's face though the little kin has to close her eyes. She shifts again and smooths out her dress, fidgeting as the story goes on.

Dale gasps at the telling of the dead husks in the streets. He's quiet all the way, still intent on listening to the tale of the pack, and how they handled the corruption. His head shakes slightly, until he sees Noxxie coming their way. He makes room on the bench for the lad.

Irsa looks around the gathering, a low growl of anger rasping in her throat. "Th' mayor's office was a scene a' horror. It had all th' things ya'd expect: a HUGE fuck-off desk, leather chairs, fancy lamps: but th' first thing th' pack spotted was an altar to th' Green Dragon, littered with lumps a' meat, spattered with blood, and all th' tokens a' power th' Dancers could find ta offer to the Bane Totem. One of th' side rooms was th' den th' Dancer pack was usin' for their den, littered with rottin' carcasses of th' humans they'd been feedin' on. And then things got worse real fast, they heard th' Dancer pack returnin', heading up th' stairs to their lair. Hammer-Tooth quickly had th' pack set up an ambush. she'd hide under th' desk; Eclipsing-Tempest would hide behind th' huge double doors leadin' inta th' mayors office; Jackie, Protector-of-Hope an' Tipping the Scales hid in side rooms. Ta add insult ta injury, they sat th' guard up in th' mayor's ENORMOUS office chair an spun it around with th' back facin' the door t' make it look like he'd snuck in to sit in Gatha'ck's chair."

"The plan worked like a charm. Gatha'ck, furious that th' guard wasn't at his post, threw open th' doors and spotted th' chair turned around. He flew inta a rage an' stormed forward, only ta have him an' his entire pack bushwhacked. All at once, Gaia's chosen struck! Hammer-Tooth rose up in Crinos, picked up th' HUGE fuckin' mayor's desk and threw it like it weighed nothin', crushin' the Dancer theurge an' one of th' fomori under it. Eclipsing-Tempest killed th' Dancer pack's Galliard with two blows, an' nearly killed Gatha'ck himself. Protector-of-Hope slew one of the Fomori guards with her fetish blade, and Tipping the Scales called on her Ancestors t' lend her strength an' Gifts in battle as she closed with th' Enemy. Jackie held the flank, spear in hand, coverin' th' Garou in case any fell in battle an' needed healin'."

"Gatha'ck, nearly dead, pretty much went 'FUCK THIS' and ran off, leavin' th' rest of his pack ta die. Hammer-Tooth ordered th' others ta run him down an' kill him, while she, Akio an' Jackie dealt with th' Dancer theurge. Protector-of-Hope an' Tipping the Scales sped after Gatha'ck, with th' last fomori racin' after them, tryin' ta save his boss. The Dancer theurge mananged t' wiggle out from under th' desk, but then Hammer-Tooth threw th' ENORMOUS fuckin' Mayor's chair, bound guard an' all, right at him and clocked him again. Th' fucker summoned a pair a' Banes, an' the battle was on!"

Erin quietly listen to Irsa tell the tale. She bites her lip at a few parts as she continues to listen. She even shifts a little bit on her seat as she continues to listen, hanging on every word.

Sean comes up alongside Torey and makes sure she can actually see him before he leans in to whisper. He's listening to the story, but he wants to check on his tribemate

Mercy'd heard the tale, but not in such theatrical form, or all in the right order! She leans forward, seeing the events in her mind like a tv show.

Finn leans in, listening to the story as Irsa spins the tale.

Torey takes in a deep breath and she lets it out again.She looks like she might actually take her leave but when Sean comes over she tilts her head to listen to his whisper. Perhaps it is her sheer strength of will or perhaps it is the support from Sean. She nods to him and she actually links her arm with his and leans into Sean where she stands, it seems she will be remaining!

Hammer-Tooth suddenly raises her voice in an exuberant shout! "Back to th' pursuit of Gatha'ck! Tipping the Scales used a Gift ta knock him sprawling, sending th' Dancer alpha slidin' down th' hall on his face. Protector-of-Hope slid after him and swung her fetish blade, takin' his head clean off an' leavin' him dead in his own blood. They made quick work killin' the fomori guard an' started runnin' back to join th' others. Meanwhile! Th' theurge commands his two Banes ta attack Hammer-Tooth and Eclipsing-Tempest. Hammer-Tooth is all 'Two can play at that game,' and uses a Gift ta Command one of th' Banes ta fight th' other one. That other Bane ain't havin' NONE of this, an' uses a Charm ta compel Hammer-Tooth ta strike at Eclipsing-Tempest. He sees th' blow comin' and dodges it, Hammer-Tooth shakes off th' control damn quick, and picks up th' HUGE DESK AGAIN ta squash th' fleein' Dancer theurge, who bolted away an' is jumpin' out th' window. She pins him again an' polishes him off by throwin' the ENORMOUS fuckin' chair at him an' crushes his skull."

"Th' entire Dancer pack is dead now, and no one's even hurt on th' Gaian side. Th' humans are free of th' Dancer's control an' settle things with th' Wyrm-tainted traitors in their ranks. Th' altar to th' Green Dragon Bane Totem crumbles as the Bane speaks one word about his dead followers: 'PATHETIC.'. Th' pack leaves, takin' old Garou talens an' a cursed fetish they'd found away, ta cleanse 'em and give 'em to th' sept. And then it happened: Aelous himself appeared, takin' on th' visage of a very average looking man, so average lookin' ya might forget him if ya saw him on th' street. He was wearin' a plain, light grey suit that looked real nice with his silver hair and goatee. "Well done." he said in a muted voice, lookin' over the carnage as calmly as ya please. "I think I'd enjoy having you working for me."

Irsa raises her voice as she wraps up her story. "And that's th' story of how th' Mistseekers journeyed inta th' Umbra ta seek Aelous' patronage, discovered a pocket realm there bein' tyrannized by Green Dragon bastards, an' killed 'em all in' the sneakiest way possible. Lift up yer voices in praise to th' Mistseekers, and give 'em a hero's Howl of Victory! I'm proud of each an' every one of 'em." She holds up the remains of a Cleansed and destroyed talen as proof of the pack's victory, and offers it to the fire.

Dale nearly stands for ovation there as he howls in delight! He claps, and gives a hoooot, for the entire ladies pack.

Erin raises her voice to praise the heros as she claps and hooots as well.

Broken Fang sits silently through all of Irsa's retelling, but when she holds up the cleansed talon and announces their victory, he does indeed join in with the requested howl, putting his lungs into it for a good, long moment.

Brooke shifts into her crinos form long enough to let loose a long howl of appreciation. She cannot hold that back at all. What a story!

Lennox gets here in time to hear Irsa's story, or at least, most of it? He's foreign and also not at all drunk, which may explain his slightly more reserved response than Dale's, clapping which falls underneath the howl that he of course joins in on as well, even the Scots know how to howl.

Irsa hops off the stage and swaggers over to join her pack mates. She flashes a grin as she sits down.

Rhapsody pulls Irsa into a big HUG! "That was awesome! Thank you for telling it for the pack!"

Pandora's got the other side of that hug and adds a zerbert to Irsa's cheek!

Perhaps on cue after waiting to make sure she is not interrupting another of higher station, a large, rust-red timber wolf pads her way forward and flomps her butt down close to the center, before lifting her voice to the sky above, << I am Chases-Many-Tails, four-legged Adren Gaillard of the Red Talons, a guest of Enduring Spirit with a tale to tell in honor of the invitation. Six full moons ago, my pack, Ragged Ice Talons, took down and killed a group of spirals that were hunting the San Bernadino National Forest for wolves to take as breeding stock, hoping to catch some of our kin in their nets. Five dancers have been slain and destroyed and most of the wolves they took have been rescued before they could be lost to their corruption. This was done by Bites-The-Tail, Paws-On-The-Ground, Accurate-Vomit, and myself, Chases-Many-Tails. >> Her story complete, the wolf rises to all fours, and pads off the stage.

Mercy ululates in joy while clapping wildly, "Yeah!" she shouts for the Mistseekers. She quiets when the next story comes padding up though, and claps just as much for the Talon. Long or short, dead Dancers always makes a good story.

Erin joins in the clapping or whatever cheering is done for the next story tellers tale of victory over the wyrm.

Young of face with a bright golden mane of natural blonde, wearing conservitive clothes, but highly attractive comes forward to speak.

"If you ever hear of the Fraternity Tau Upsilon Phi, know that you speak of the Wyrm. This Fraternity takes men and makes them Formori, Sons of Typhon. Regenerative, able to pass infectious banes in bodily fluids to make more of themselves. They have money, and power. Pentex always hires graduates from Tau Upsilon Phi, in some form, or some capacity. This is the breeding grounds for the Wyrm.

I am Cheerleader, Galliard Bone Gnawer Adren. My Pack is the Frat Hunters, under the Lost Dog. My Alpha, Swingy, Ahroun Gnawer Adren. Yes, with a Fetish baseball bat. The Dean is my Beta, Philodox Glasswalker handling the legal aspects, and keeping us from causing TOO much trouble. Scirocco, Rocky as we call her, our Theurge, Silent Strider, Adren and a real champ at keeping us mobile. Class Clown is a Get Ragabash. He's a professional asshole and is ready to take on anyone any time. We are going to destroy this Fraternity, work with monkeywrenchers against the Pentex machine and smash one of it's sources of Formori.

We passed through Prospect a year or so ago, Rocky scoring temporary housing for us through Enduring Spirit, that's how we met the Shaderunner. We scoped out University of Prospect, nothing much of interest to us there, and hung out for long enough for Rocky to learn from Shaderunner before we went on our way, wheels underneath us."

Dale really appreciates all those rite names involved. He hoooowls for Chases-Many-Tails, and then sits back down to listen to the next story.

Irsa 'oofs' as she's hugged by Rhapsody and sputters as Pandora zerberts her. She howls loudly for the next two tales, especially the one told by the visiting Bone Gnawer. Howls for both talesq

A short break before continuing, Cheerleader says, "We needed to destroy a pit of breeding that was the House of Tau Upsilon Phi. The issue was the Frat house ITSELF was Alive in the Umbra, a terrible thing of flesh and teeth and strong enough to make the house itself fight back in the Physical world. Rocky took a Bridge to seek Shaderunners assistance and he came to Sacramento to help. That was a physical battle because of Shaderunner. We assembled, Shaderunner instructed us to have a Radio on to listen for the signal. Sudden static and the sound of an airplane engine, and explosions, with the screaming voice of power coming from those speakers, 'FALL BEFORE ME!'

We could feel the Gauntlet...shift as if something immense were happening on the other side. The Dean KNEW, and we learned of Clashing Boom-Boom The war totem of the Glasswalkers, and her great and terrible wrath that was brought to that house. The House died in that moment and we struck in the confusion. Shaderunner entered with us, dark, copies of himself made of shadow moving ahead, drawing out the first attacks, killing with that orange crystal blade of his. He fell into the battle, keeping it tight and contained, calling out upcoming targets that let Swingy take the head of the Chapter Alpha of the Frat with his metal Fetish Bat.

The battle was a success, and no one died. It was a good night of blood work. Sacramento was going to be daunting, but we handily took the fight because of Shaderunner. Tau Upsilon Phi is still out there and so are we. These are the things we do, this is what we remember this Long Vigil."

She intones and moves back to the background.

Irsa howls even louder. Bone Gnawers tell the best stories!

Lennox listens to the next story told by Chases-Many-Tails, and onwards to the story told by Cheerleader. Between each he howls in appreciation of the successes against the Wyrm.

For every tale, for every victory won, Finn offers a round of applause and hoots of approval! He's all in, listening to the stories told.

Erin cheers as the next story closes and claps. She shifts a little bit in her seat and blows out a little air as she gets comfortable and awaits for the next to tale their tale.

Out of nowhere, there is a middle eastern man standing on the stage. The man introduces himself as a Galliard of the Silent Striders, and shares his story of traveling through the desert. How he came upon what seemed to be a mirage, finding something like Stonehenge, but colorful rocks - neon colored - seven stacks of them. Strange thing it was, so he called a few contacts, and together they found it was not just a tourist trap, but literally a trap! Human traffickers, looking for new subjects for a secret Pentex operation. Together they were able to take down the operation, and have left the rocks with kinfolk to watch over it. The art something they could appreciate, and was gathering attention.

Dale cheers for the Silent Striders. There's a lot to celebrate this evening, and he lifts a fist to give appreciation for their deeds.

Erin smiles and joins in the cheering for the Silent Strider.

Rhapsody nudges Irsa, "That sounds like quite a mystery."

Yelena, a kinfolk from the Silver Fang tribe, gets up to face people. She unfolds a piece of paper typed out in front of her and reads it like a news report, after putting on a pair of black framed glasses. She speaks up with a projected, and monotone voice. "On June 2, 2022, at 0842 the Silver Fangs were pre-emptively taken off a moonbridge by an entity spirit, and were unable to reach their destination for a Russian visit with family. This spirit, had significant difficulty in communicating its needs to the party it trapped, but it was requesting aide."

Yelena continues, "The destination for the party took them to a beach, surrounded by ocean water and with no viable housing in sight. The group found themselves to be in the Umbra, and the party and other members were later joined by spirit intervention. The party fought a group of plant fomori with calculated skill, expertise, and shredded their appendages. These corrupted beings regenerated, and the group found themselves to be fighting for their lives, and for their kin. Shortly after, the party found the island to be a puzzle. After solving the puzzle of the island, by finding a hidden area down beneath, the volcanic tunnels beneath the island at low tide led to inner chambers. The Silver Fangs and their companions, let the destruction commence against the Wyrm, to reach an inner treasure chamber where a relic was found that belongs to what we believe, is the Get of Fenris tribe. The relic was a long lost tablet carved in Viking runes, that after translation from the local leader, reveals the location and map to the Lost Tomb of Snotra. This journey has yet to be undertaken, but the tablet is now in safe hands."

She walks to the fire, and tosses in a few small bronze coins that once belonged to the dead, locked up, and discovered inside that island vault.

As quietly as he can, Reno makes his way in, to find a place to sit.

Irsa nods at Rhapsody as she listens to the next story. Something to discuss after the Vigil, for sure. She lets out another howl for Yelena's tale, stomping her feet against the ground for extra praise.

Brooke finally gets back on the stage herself and stands tall as she begins her story, "This is a tale starts years ago, when the silicon valley was just coming into its own. Startup tech companies were hustling to catch up with Big Blue, and computers would take up an entire floor of an office building. Tech was spreading like wildfire, and was confusing for many.

A group of tech savvy garou discovered a source of power, and opened a caern in the middle of all this. The Digital Eye was discovered and he granted them great benefits while watching over all that was happening. The garou thrived, as they were able to make leaps and bounds of discoveries before the mundane world.

But there was one pack within this Sept that thought they could do better, known as MCP. About five years ago, they took over a building just a mile or so down the street from the Caern building, and began producing software that could do really great things. Soon though, the pack was rarely seen, and their alpha would send out messages but no one would ever see him again. Finally, the Sept leaders were concerned enough that they sent another pack, Chips Ahoy, to investigate."

Broken Fang turns his head a little, snuffing the air when Reno makes his way in. More thumping of Tail of Approval, but his attention goes right back to Yelena and her story, ears focused entirely on her storytelling. When she tosses the coins into the fire, he offers a loud bark and howl of encouragement before trailing off to listen to Brooke's tale.

Brooke continues, "When they arrived, security was unlike anything they had ever seen. The best techs they had tried to hack through the door security, but they had to end up entering through brute force. Once inside, there was no one to be found, but a voice could be heard.

"We were not expecting you so soon, but we are ready. Always ready. Take the elevator and we will show you." The voice was well timed, but without emotion. Was it a computer? They did not know for sure.

They looked for stairs, and one team went up, one team went down, and the last team took the elevator.

"I see some have honored our request. We will see you shortly. The others, this is your choice." And the voice went silent again.

The team that went up the stairs stepped out on the second floor, and looked around. The rooms was full of computer terminals, and it was cold. VERY cold. Soon the air was getting thinner and they did not notice until they passed out.

The team that went down the stairs stepped out into the basement, where boxes were stacked all around. They went around the maze of boxes until they ran into what seemed to be a robot. Not quite from the movies, something more than that. It reached out and howled, it's hands grabbing both garou and squeezing their shoulders, pushing them down to the ground before smacking them hard enough in the head that they fell to the ground.

The final team, made up of the Alpha and Theurge, waited in the elevator until it reached the destination of the top floor. Together they walked out when the doors opened into a dark room. Blinking lights of white, yellow and green from the many computer terminals around lead them forward to a shrouded figure. The various computers around them began to show text at the same time as speech could be heard in surround sound."

Brooke finishes the story, with a gesture of both arms wide open, ""Welcome to the future. A future where the Nation can finally defeat the Wyrm, and bring the power of the Weaver to full strength. You will join us, as will all the Garou in the coming years as we spread and assimilate into our great design." The lights then illuminate the figure and they recognize what /was/ the Alpha of the missing pack - but now he was mostly machine. This pack, MCP, all members of the Cyberdogs, had gone /too/ far.

The other mechanized pack members soon collect and bring the rest of this pack together on the top floor headquarters and through calling upon the spirits and their totem, there was a battle that one would only expect in the movies. Glass Walker vs Glass Walker. Tech being destroyed, bursting into millions of pieces. Their was losses on both sides, but in the end, sacrifices had to be made. The MCP pack were all killed as they had given into the Weaver so far that they were but shells of bodies with mechanized parts. The final straw was when the Alpha called for a final retreat before he unleashed the devastating Technotheocratic Apocalyptica upon the room. At the last second, he moon bridged out, letting the place just explode!

Upon reporting to the Sept, a clean up team was sent out to clear and put a fence around the building. Soon after the building was demolished in full, and later turned into a parking garage. If you look there today, you will find etched into the pillars within the names of the Garou that perished."

Irsa lets out a low, rumbling growl as she listens to the story. She lets out a howl for the fallen and looks at her packmates.

Dale blinks. There's a whole lot to unwrap there with the techno story. He's clearly impressed, and he tips his head back and lets out a howl!

There's a howl of approval from Reno! He makes his over to sit with Broken Fang. He grins at the wolf and gets comfortable.

Erin blinks as she hangs and looks at Brooke as she tells her tale and blinks a little at some of the story but as the story comes to an end she joins along with the others in that howl and cheer and clapping.

Broken Fang blinks several times at the details of Brooke's story, looking a little surprised along with some of the others, such that it takes him a moment once she's finished, to have to register that she is indeed finished, Dale's howl snapping him out of it long enough to howl along with him.

Finn gives cheers and huzzahs, whistles and clapping - well done, all! "Good times." A grin, the man looking over to Dale. "Someday I'll have a lot more stories to ship out..."

Sean is listening, enjoying the shit out of the whole night

Sean ALSO has his arm linked with Torey's and he just has the biggest grin on his face. He loves stories like this. BUt he peeks over once in a while to check on Torey

Dale comments back at Finn with a dare, "You could still get up there. Nothing stopping you from telling something else, before people pack up. From what I understand, this shin dig goes till dawn. People might want to hear your Legolas story on that ladder, but can always save it for another campfire."

Jackie sits with her pack, listening and clapping at stories, but generally more reserved than the howling bunch.

Lennox howls in appreciation with each story, good thing his voice can't really give out, because that's a lot of howling. He glances to Finn and grins, "Are you not going to tell of the snake fomori that was attempting to ensnare Madden kinfolk and how it was abusing wolves?"

"Come on, ya know ya all got a story or two in ya. Who's got one? I know ya ain't that chicken." Irsa looks around, to see if anyone steps up.

Finn looks to both Dale and Lennox. "I ain't in the right mindset. You can tell it, Lennox." He says, honestly.

Broken Fang tilts his head in curiousity when Lennox mentions Madden kinfolk and snake formori, turning both radar eyes onto him to listen tot he exchange between him and Finn.

Fiona snuck it at some point....stealthy little Fianna..

Torey keeps her arm linked with Sean's but as the PTSD enducing stories seem to have come to a close she doesn't look like she may run for the hills anymore or perhaps throw up. She smiles up at Sean and whispers quietly to him.

Sean grins at Torey and nods, leaning down to whisper quietly, then he sets to quietly poking at his index finger with his thumb and making little 'ouchie' faces while he does it. New habit. Yay

Dale peers at Lennox as it seems he's about to get up. Just about to, and yeah he encourages him. "Do it. Dooo eeet."

Torey shakes her head to Sean but she smiles at him and whispers right on back, nodding towards the group afterwards

Mercy takes a minute after the last story to 'splain some bits to Pink Floyd sitting near her (her many colored metis kid). When she spots someone maaaaaaaybe getting up, she helpfully adds her own bullying to the mix with a "Woo!" and a clap for Lennox.

Sean glances over at Lennox, then back to Torey with a little grin and a whisper.

Lennox grins to Finn and then nods before glancing around, sharing the same grin with Tinlin who is here with the Fianna crowd before he stands up and steps out to share a much smaller story. Cliath stuff. He's not particularly good at the showman aspects of storytelling but can definitely shout loud enough to be heard by everyone.

"So, t'was a mighty fine day, the sun was up and breakfast had been pleasant." This is the opening to a Fianna tale, of course breakfast is important to it. "Second breakfast was still an hour away, and we heard of an incident at the Madden Distillery, a kinfolk of the tribe had been injured by a wolf. When we got there to treat the wound, I inspected the video of the incident. The wolf was acting very oddly indeed, almost single-mindedly, and had run off into the woods after mauling the man's arm."

"So Finn, myself and Kennard readied ourselves to investigate what problem this poor wolf had, and we ran into the woods. I lead the way, and fortunately spotted the trap just before leaping into the jaws of it: I mean literally, a bear trap was sprung on the trail. We leapt past it, and were fell upon by a camouflaged Fomori, who set the poor wolf upon us against it's will and attacked from the shadows!"

Dramatic pause.

"Anyway, we felled the snake with wily tactics," (That's shifted to Crinos and killed the hell out of it, in Garou subtext.) "Then cleansed and brought the wolf back for medical care. The end." Then he goes and sits back down.

Irsa huffs a bit, until someboy finally accepts the challenge. Hooray for Lennox! She lets out another cheer and a howl for the story.

Fiona makes her way towards rhe area, catching thr last bits of the familiar story. She lingers towards the back as she surveys the places to sit

Dale claps Lennox on the back. "That wasn't half bad! Lucky you didn't lose a paw or two. Cripey." He glances at Finn. "You too, laddie. Sounds like the Fianna had their own pickle that day."

Erin cheers for Lennox as he takes up the challenge and tells a story.

Broken Fang pants a little and howls at Lennox in encouragement and celebration when he tells if the killing of the snake fomori, dancing a little on his feet as he adds his voice to the group.

Melting into wolf form beside Broken Fang, Moves Like Quicksilver adds his own howl of encouragement!

Mercy WOO!'s again for Lennox and the tale of success! But then her player steps away to eat mac and cheese.

Lennox gives a few waves as people howl in appreciation of his story and plops back down with the Fianna. This shindig is going to go all night, and Lennox is here to howl for each story before eventually having to find his way home. In fact he's probably 'designated escort' for Tinlin, since she lives so far off the grid, so he'll make sure she gets back home safe too, in the early AM.

Irsa slaps her pack mates on the shoulders, just as another Garou comes running up with a message for her. "Damn it, I got more shit t' deal with at Dead Mall. Catch ya all later? I'd like ta meet up tomorrow."

Broken Fang offers a couple of barks farewell to Irsa when she makes noise about business needing to be taken care of, then nudges Reno, <<Think storytellers taking break for mead then will pick up later tonight with stories of epic learning experiences - fails.>>

Erin looks around at all the faces the ones she knows and all the guest. She smiles softly and then looks down at her belly.

Mercy eyes around the amphitheater, seeing if there's still stories to go, or if we're merging into Mingle Town. She tells Branton with a sigh, "I need to go do more stuff, I'm so unprepared!"

Branton reaches over to smooch his mate's arm "But the trainees will love you for it. On top of all the other reasons. You are so very loveable after all."

Erin looks over to Mercy and Branton and smiles softly.

Broken Fang stands up and shakes himself out rather violently, padding his way over to quietly yip his needing to pad out and a promise to return before the serious drinking sets in.

Quicksilver looks to Broken Fang and his seizure. He snorts at the wolf and watches him walk off. His tail flops on the ground a bit and he looks around some.

Mingling it is! Standing up for a good stretch, Mercy says, "This was a good one, I'm glad so many people had stories and news about their year. There's bound to be a lot of new stuff coming up as well, it'll make for another excellent batch of trophies and stories next year, that's for sure."

Erin looks over towards the trophy's and gives a nod "A very good year " she agrees and smiles "And next year will be better"

Branton nods at Iris and grins broadly "Especially with some of the adventures people have been talking about. I'm very excited to see what the new year is going to bring."

Mercy offers a hand down to Pink to get him up to his feet as well, and asks Branton, "Speaking of which, you wanna go be a total nerd with me? I need to look through books and I'm not entirely sure what it is I'm lookin for. It's gonna be a six pot of coffee night."

Branton nods and reaches out for pink's other hand and grins at Iris "I always want to be a nerd with you." Here's hoping the sept has a good dental plan.

---

+lose willpower
You lose one Willpower
+roll stamina + rituals vs 5
<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Brooke rolls Stamina(5) + Rituals(5) (10 dice) vs 5 for 9 successes.
3 +5 +5 +7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +8 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

---

:As dawn approaches, Brooke calls everyone together and the last of the trophies are ceremonially sacrificed into the bonfire. “Together, Luna, we put our trust and faith in you. Our deeds, our victories are yours, your brother Helios, and sister Gaia’s! Be by our side during the coming year as we will fight in your honor in the darkness that is to come!” With that the fire strengthens, as it takes the trophies for its own. The rite was successful for another year.