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A Werewolf: the Apocalypse fan blog

[tlwebb]

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Through the dying of the wild lands

Where the final age begins

Step across the fading threshold

Dance the spiral down within

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It is hardly surprising that the Garou display a certain favoritism when they speak of Gaia. Having dedicated their lives to an unending quest to heal and protect Her, Gaia is much more than a mere figure in a mythological textbook. Though commonly referred to as a goddess, that title barely captures Her true essence. Many even insist that She exceeds the bounds of a Celestine, even if Her most familiar aspect appears in that guise. Some Theurges even propose that the Earth itself is a Celestine form—a sliver of creation confined to the limits of human perception, understanding, and experience.

For most Garou, however, such metaphysical debates are secondary. Gaia is omnipresent, imbued with the vibrant life force of creation. In their eyes, fighting for Gaia in the tangible world holds far greater meaning than any abstract cosmological theory.

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The Black Furies embody the tangible manifestation of a woman’s wrath. They are regarded as the progeny of Luna, appearing as Artemis, the Moon’s Huntress. Their mythic origins can be traced to ancient Greece and Asia Minor, where they were designated as guardians of the untamed Wyld. In every legend that recounts women taking up arms for honor, revenge, or the bonds of blood, the essence of the Fury is present.

Almost exclusively female by nature, the tribe sends any true-blooded male offspring, whether human or wolf , to another tribe, as their totem, Pegasus, refuses to accept them. The exception are the male metis, who are taken in, perhaps as an act of mercy or as a reminder to the Black Furies of their own transgressions.

To compensate for the loss of potential kin, the Furies seek out disenchanted Garou chafing under the rule of another tribe. They firmly believe that women deserve respect, honor, and sometimes even veneration. While no Black Fury will ever tolerate a man assuming the role of master or tyrant, the tribe does not rally around outright misandry. Some members may harbor lasting grudges, yet others are open to forging partnerships, friendships, or even romantic relationships with men (though strictly as equals).

Although the Lupus Furies do not face the same overt discrimination as human women, their lupine nature connects them deeply to the Wyld, allowing them to cultivate profound empathy for both their human and homid sisters.

While many Furies are driven by a deep-seated animosity, this bitterness is not celebrated as a tribal virtue. Instead, they hold dear the principles of honor, pride, the mysticism of the Wyld, and an unwavering commitment to effect change. A true Fury vows to stand by her word, to remain dignified rather than submit, to protect and revel in the wildest landscapes, and to fight relentlessly until her final breath for a better world.

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Most Garou view cities with disdain, considering them either infestations of vermin or near-impervious monuments to the corrupting power of the Wyrm. Urban residents, steeped in misery, radiate an indifference that harms the planet. Despite knowing that small sacrifices could improve their environment, people continue to litter, pollute, and overwhelm the Earth with waste. Toxins from everyday life find their way into rivers, lakes, and eventually the oceans. Some werewolves believe that cities could be redeemed through collective human effort, while others argue that urban centers should be eradicated. If humanity is to rise from the ashes, it must leave its old ways behind.

The sensory overload of urban areas—the clamor of horns, ceaseless electronic chatter, and polluted air—drives the Garou to the brink. However, tribes like the Bone Gnawers and the Glass Walkers not only survive in the cityscape but flourish, finding urban jungles as vibrant and diverse as any forest. Still, for many Garou, the city remains a challenging paradigm shift.

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The Dance of the Black Spiral

This is the sacred Rite of Passage of the Black Spiral Dancers, conferred upon Spiral-born cubs following their First Change or upon defectors from other tribes. Regarded as the tribe's most hallowed ritual, it is typically witnessed by all capable Dancers within the Hive. The cub is brought to the Pit's spiritual heart, where the ritemaster meticulously paints an elaborate spiral upon the floor. As the ritemaster labors, the Hive's Galliards recite the ancient tale of the betrayal of the White Howlers by other tribes of the Garou Nation, a narrative that tells of the tribe’s rebirth and dark enlightenment as the Black Spiral Dancers. When the tale concludes, the cub must pass before every member of the Hive; any who oppose the cub’s initiation are permitted to attempt her murder without fear of reprisal.

Assuming the cub reaches the ritemaster unscathed, she is bid to step into the spiral, a symbolic representation of the true Black Spiral Labyrinth. As she traverses its twisting path, Banes arise to challenge, test, and ultimately enlighten her. The spiral seems to swell into dark enormity, and at times she passes in and out of the Umbra. Should she reach its center, she catches a fleeting, stark glimpse of the Wyrm's true visage, a vision so overwhelming it shatters her mind. Her journey continues as she staggers back along the winding path, her soul left torn open and receptive to the Wyrm's dark miracles. In response, the Banes taste her agony and madness, granting their blessings upon her. When she finally emerges, she is recognized as a full-fledged member of the tribe. By custom, the first utterance of a Black Spiral Dancer becomes her tribal name, a collection of seemingly nonsensical syllables. Those few who, with clarity and resolve, bestow upon themselves a name that proclaims mighty deeds are held in esteem as foretellers of future triumphs.

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A Garou Glossary

A

Anchorhead – A spirit gate between the Near and Deep Umbra. (See Membrane.)

Apocalypse – The prophesied age of destruction, the final battle against the Wyrm, and the end of Gaia. Many Garou believe this time is now.

Auspice – The phase of the moon under which a Garou is born, influencing personality and role in the pack: Ragabash (New Moon) – Trickster. Theurge (Crescent Moon) – Seer. Philodox (Half Moon) – Judge, Galliard (Gibbous Moon) – Moon Dancer, Ahroun (Full Moon) – Warrior.

B

Bane – Malevolent spirits serving the Wyrm, including Scrags, Kali, and Psychomachiae.

Bawn – The patrolled boundary surrounding a caern.

Blight – A location corrupted by the Wyrm, either in the physical world or the Umbra.

Breed – A Garou’s ancestry: Homid (human-born), Lupus (wolf-born), or Metis (born of two Garou).

C

Caern – A sacred site where Garou commune with spirits.

Celestine – The highest-ranking spirits, akin to deities. Examples include Luna (the Moon) and Helios (the Sun).

Chiminage – A debt or favor owed to spirits, often in exchange for gifts or aid.

Cliath – A young Garou of low rank.

Concolation – A grand moot where multiple tribes convene to discuss matters affecting the Garou Nation.

Concord, The – A pact ending the Impergium nearly 9,000 years ago, establishing laws still followed today.

Corruption – The destruction, decay, or debasement of life, particularly by the Wyrm’s influence.

Crinos – The war form of the Garou, a terrifying fusion of wolf and human.

D

Deep Umbra – The distant reaches of the Umbra beyond the Membrane, where reality becomes unstable.

Delirium – The madness and memory loss suffered by humans who witness a Garou in Crinos form.

Domain – A small sub-Realm within the Umbra, often connected to a greater Realm.

F

Fera – Other shapeshifters besides werewolves, most believed extinct.

Feral – Slang for a Lupus Garou.

Fomori (singular: Fomor) – Humans possessed by the Wyrm, mutated into abominable monsters.

G

Gaffling – A minor spirit, often a servant to a greater entity.

Gaia – The Earth, both physically and spiritually; the Mother Goddess of the Garou.

Garou – The werewolves’ name for themselves.

Gauntlet – The barrier between the physical world and the Umbra; strongest near technological sites, weakest at caerns.

Glabro – The near-human form of a Garou, slightly larger and more bestial.

H

Harano – A deep, soul-crushing melancholy, often caused by witnessing Gaia’s suffering.

Hispo – The near-wolf form of the Garou, resembling an enormous dire wolf.

Homid – A Garou of human ancestry; also refers to the human form of a Garou.

I

Impergium – A 3,000-year period in prehistory when Garou actively culled human populations.

Incarna – Powerful spirits beneath the Celestines in rank.

J

Jaggling – A spirit servant of an Incarna or Celestine.

K

Kenning – A mystical howl used for communication.

Kinfolk – Humans and wolves related to the Garou, immune to the Delirium but unable to shift.

Klaive – A sacred silver weapon, often a dagger or sword, imbued with spiritual power.

L

Litany – The ancient code of laws governing Garou society.

Lupus – A Garou of wolf ancestry; also refers to the Garou’s wolf form.

M

Membrane, The – The boundary between the Near and Deep Umbra, passable only through Anchorheads or the Dream Zone.

Metis – A sterile, often deformed Garou born from two werewolf parents, traditionally outcast.

Moon Bridge – A mystical portal linking two caerns, often appearing during moots.

Moot – A sacred gathering of a sept or tribe at a caern.

Mule – Slang for a Metis Garou.

N

Near Umbra – The spirit world adjacent to Earth.

P

Pack – A small group of Garou bound by a shared mission rather than blood or tribe.

Penumbra – The spirit world’s reflection of Earth, where many physical landmarks have spiritual counterparts.

Protectorate – A pack or sept’s claimed and patrolled territory.

R

Reaching – Entering the spirit world.

Realms – Stable planes of existence within the Tellurian, including Earth.

Ronin – A Garou who has been exiled or abandoned their kind, living as a “lone wolf.”

S

Sept – A community of Garou that protects and maintains a caern.

Stepping Sideways – Entering the Umbra; some elders consider this term flippant.

T

Tellurian – The entirety of existence.

Totem – A spirit representing a pack’s or tribe’s essence. Tribal totems are Incarna, while pack totems are lesser spirit avatars.

Triat, The – The three cosmic forces: Wyld – Chaos and creation. Weaver – Order and structure. Wyrm – Decay and corruption.

U

Umbra – The spirit world.

V

Veil, The – The supernatural illusion that prevents humanity from recognizing the existence of creatures like the Garou.

W

Ways, The - The culture and traditions of the Garou Nation.

Weaver, The – The cosmic force of order, technology, and rigid structure.

Wyld, The – The force of raw chaos and uncontrolled change.

Wyrm, The – The cosmic force of destruction and corruption; the Garou’s greatest enemy.

Wyrmhole – A spiritually corrupted location tainted by the Wyrm.

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Glass Walkers

The Glass Walkers are the consummate urban werewolves, embracing human civilization, technology, and finance in ways that make them indispensable to the Garou Nation, despite being seen as Weaver-tainted sellouts by more traditional tribes. While most werewolves scorn cities as soulless “scabs,” Glass Walkers thrive in them, using human systems to wage war against the Wyrm. Their totem, Cockroach, values survival through adaptation, promoting a selective alliance with the Weaver’s Machine and Science aspects while opposing its oppressive Patriarch facet. The tribe is highly meritocratic, rewarding intelligence and pragmatism over bloodline, making them one of the most accepting of Metis and outsiders. However, their focus on progress comes at a cost as older traditions are frequently discarded, and their internal politics can be ruthlessly competitive. They are masters of finance, technology, and modern warfare, yet nearly useless outside of urban environments. Historically, they have repeatedly reinvented themselves, evolving from the Warders of Men in the ancient Middle East to the Iron Riders of the Industrial Revolution before adopting their modern name in the early 20th century. Despite their controversial methods, even their detractors begrudgingly rely on them, as no one funds Garou operations, hacks security, or arms a pack like the Glass Walkers.

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Global Cybersecurity Breach Tied to Sunburst Computers Raises Concerns Over Privacy

(AP) Hong Kong— A massive cybersecurity breach linked to budget computer manufacturer Sunburst Computers has exposed sensitive personal data from millions of users worldwide, intensifying scrutiny over the company's controversial business practices. According to cybersecurity experts, a network of anonymous hackers known as Incognito has exploited vulnerabilities in Sunburst’s hardware and software, siphoning financial records, internet histories, and even webcam footage from unsuspecting customers.

The breach, first detected by independent security researchers, appears to be part of a broader pattern of exploitation that extends beyond digital threats. Sunburst, a subsidiary of multinational conglomerate Pentex, has long faced allegations of environmental destruction, exploitative labor conditions, and deliberate obsolescence in its product lines. Consumer advocacy groups have criticized the company for producing machines with substandard parts that frequently fail outside of warranty coverage, forcing users into a costly cycle of repairs and outsourced technical support.

At the heart of the latest controversy is Incognito, a decentralized hacking collective with a history of launching coordinated harassment campaigns and denial-of-service attacks. Investigators say the group has weaponized Sunburst’s security flaws to build extensive databases of potential victims, using stolen personal information to intimidate, manipulate, or outright ruin targets. "This is not just about cybercrime. It is psychological warfare," said Alex Chen, a cybersecurity analyst based in Singapore. "The people behind this aren’t motivated by financial gain alone. They take pleasure in destruction."

Sunburst has denied any wrongdoing, issuing a statement that dismissed the allegations as "baseless speculation" and claiming the company is committed to "customer security and ethical business practices." However, reports from labor watchdog organizations suggest otherwise. Journalists embedded in Sunburst's facilities have documented harrowing conditions, including workers subjected to shifts exceeding 20 hours and living in squalid company housing. Incidents of substance abuse, workplace injuries, and suicides have risen sharply among Sunburst's workforce, raising concerns that the company's rapid expansion has come at a human cost.

Meanwhile, environmental groups have condemned Sunburst’s supply chain, alleging the company uses plastics and non-biodegradable materials that contaminate local ecosystems. "They market themselves as a 'green' company, but their products are an ecological disaster from the moment they leave the factory to the day they’re dumped in a landfill," said Dr. Elaine Foster, a researcher with the Global Environmental Protection Initiative.

Authorities across multiple countries have launched investigations into Sunburst’s potential regulatory violations, but some watchdog groups fear the company's deep ties to powerful corporate interests could stall any meaningful action. As the breach continues to unfold, cybersecurity experts warn that even Sunburst's high-end machines remain vulnerable to Incognito's infiltration, leaving consumers at risk.

"This is bigger than just one company," Chen said. "It is an entire system built on exploitation, deception, and control. The real question is: how deep does this go?"

(AP)

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The Fall of the White Howlers

The White Howlers were a proud and fearless tribe of Garou, renowned for their relentless crusade against the Wyrm. Their warriors ventured deep into the blackest pits of corruption, determined to root out evil at its source. Claiming the rugged lands of what is now Scotland, they drew their Kinfolk from the Picts, the indigenous people of the region.

For generations, the Howlers waged war in the darkest places, but their boldness came at a terrible cost. Their numbers dwindled, their strength eroded by the ceaseless battle, even as their human Kinfolk lost ground in their own struggles. By the 1st century, with their power waning, the White Howlers made a final, fateful decision. They descended en masse into the deepest reaches of the Umbra, intent on striking at the Wyrm’s heart itself.

They never returned. What emerged from the abyss was something unrecognizable—warped, broken, and consumed by madness. No longer Garou, they had become the Black Spiral Dancers, monstrous servants of the Wyrm and the greatest enemy of their former kind.

Today, the White Howlers exist only in legend. No living werewolf has encountered one, nor do the Garou truly understand their lost rites and traditions. Yet, the Howlers’ name is still spoken with reverence, their bravery mythologized. The Garou cling to the idea that their sacrifice was noble, refusing to acknowledge the harshest truth of all: to take the fight to the Wyrm is not just a suicide mission—it is an invitation to be claimed by the darkness.

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Gaia is the Creator, but werewolves also experience a potent mystical connection to her kin Luna. When the moon is in the heavens, the Garou feel tougher and sharper. The impact of the moon provides a benediction at birth that directs each werewolf’s divine pathway. This course, this boon, is called the auspice.

An auspice is several things. It may affect the werewolf’s broad character attributes, feelings, and concerns; it deeply motivates his responsibilities in the pack. All auspices are essential, for no werewolf can fill all these roles alone. Each distinctive orientation supports the pack when they collaborate as one. Auspice also regulates the Rage of the werewolf. Some Garou parents try to use aromatic plants or other techniques to stimulate birth under a particular moon, which is one of the explanations for why Ragabash and Ahroun are approximately as prevalent as the other three auspices, despite the full moon and new moon materializing only half as frequently as the other phases.

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