This comes from something posted on the old forums. As before the staff may adjust this.
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Sept Traditions and Other RP Tips
As new players, or old players with new PCS, arrive at the Sept it seems a good idea to write down various traditions and other RP Tips. If others wish to add to this by all means do so. Also the moderators and DMs might edit or remove things.
If you have comments or questions please start a separate thread so that this is kept “clean”. By “clean” it is intended that after the question you raise is addressed the moderators will update this thread. That way new players do not have to wade through post after post of changing viewpoints until the decision is reached.
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Howl of Introduction
Garou communicate a great deal in a what appears to be a simple Howl. The Howl of introduction is done by using the Howl tool to “Howl to Luna” then state your name, rank, moon sign and tribe. Other information could also be included like honour-names or deed-names.
Quite a lot of the Litany deals with status, above and below, and following a leader in times of war (combat like adventures). There is also a matter of territory. If people do not know each other these parts of the Litany would be hard to do.
Even if you know someone if you have not seen someone for a time, like been off on different adventures, the Howl of Introduction is done again.
Another important aspect of repeating the Howl of introduction is to help immerse ourselves in Rping wolf like creatures. Humans might wave and say ‘hi Mike’. Wolf creatures make wolf noises, the Howl of Introduction.
Not doing a Howl could be taken as walking up to someone and refusing to even say ‘Hi’. Given the combat nature of the Garou fighting the Wyrm an non-identified approaching person is the way a threat acts.
In terms of PvP not doing a Howl of Introduction by itself wouldn’t be a PvP warning. Refusing a “why didn’t you howl” though and say approaching with a weapon out (that you forgot to put away after killing monsters) might.
In terms of Kin a rare few understand Garou but humans (Kin) can not make the Howls. If Kin are present you might state the same information of Name, Rank, Moon and Tribe in common. Sometimes this in addition to a Howl of Intro other times just by itself.
A Kin’s introduction would be along similar lines stated in common of course. That being Name and Tribe. If they are under protection, such as a mate or a guest, of a garou they could also state that relation and some of the Garou’s information. For example Susan of the Black Furies, Guest of Elder Whoop-Ass.
A guest of the Sept (we have some at times) could follow the Kin’s format for introduction.
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The Role of Kin
The most widely known role of Kin is in mating. However, that comes from the PnP game where pretty much everyone is playing a Garou and Kin are a sidenote. Here on this server there is a more even ratio of Kin PCs.
To help understand what they do here are a list of tasks of what Kin do:
- Get supplies for the Sept
- Make and support long term trade arrangements (like Ale!)
- Watch over Kin that don’t live in the Sept to see if they birth a Garou
- Spy on the city
- Are crafters and builders (Garou rage doesn’t go over well with frustrations in everyday oopsies)
- Help raise young Garou
- Fight using different techniques (say archery or NWN wizards)
- Patrol close to human lands, like being Van Helsing detectives tracking down rumours of blood-drained travellers
- Meet and divert strange humans that stumble to close to the Sept
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Summons and Spirits
White Wolf has an Umbra full of spirits. Natural looking animals work very well. Keep an eye out for how your Roleplay more exotic things.
Summon Monster III gives you a Wolf. Now that works great for roleplaying a helpful spirit. Often I summon one and then unsummon on giving it a task like ‘find so and so’.
Also the language widget device lets you speak through the summon. To do this first activate a voice and test that the “listener” has arrived. This may take a few tries or some time.
Once it is up use a semi-colon. Next to the L on a normal keyboard
/dm ;woof
/dm ;*looks around*
/dm ;*g*I am Speaks-For-Self
(The *g* marker is a short form for speaking in garou. Some spirits, like wolf spirits, could be RPd doing so. Most spirits though would speak spiritual)
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Polymorphs and Shape Shifting
Keep in mind the settings view on creatures when polymorphing. A Dragon shape is a good way to get the fellow Garou to kill you on the spot. So is half-man half-spider Dryder. Bears are complicated as there is a WereBear in the setting.
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Languages
There are additional languages available beyond the Garou widget.
Currently you need a DM to give them to you.
Spiritual refers to the language of spirits, like wolf spirit. A good theurge language.
Celestial refers to the language of angels. Garou are unlikely to have this.
Barbarian mine refers to the Norse language but it could be used for other human non-local (ie French) languages
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Fighting, Biting and still Loving
This section touches on the physicality of the garou. The server rules on PvP are a higher authority than this. What I am intending readers to understand is how we RP the "within faction" bouts that take place.
These are also my own views as a player. Situations may be more complex than the examples here. It is meant as an aide.
Territory and "momentary aggresion"
Garou are part wolf and part human. We the players are human. Even if playing Kin the Litany is madated by the wolf-human garou. To understand the RP of Garou one needs to in part look at wolf behavior. Dogs come from domesticated wolves so if you look at interactions how your (or a friend's) dog does that to will help.
If a dog is chewing on a bone and you go to take it even your beloved family pet might bite you. That bone is their territory. Five minutes later the dog may be happily playing catch with you or defending you from an intruder. It is momentary aggression. You and the pet stay loved by each other.
The concept of momentary aggression explains much of our within faction RP.
Like the above example a garou PC might go into full PvP with you over something taken. This could be as simple as taking their seat at moot. When out of the momentary aggression you are happy family again.
Recieving, and being beaten up, in momentary aggression is not the funnest part of the game. Nobody likes their PC to get pulped. Focus on the idea of momentary aggression. It was a moment that has passed.
The victor need not go around jumping and yelling about the fight. Wolves dont really do that either. The pack concerns of getting food, fighting the wyrm, working together come quickly back to mind. Once the "rage" is spent in the momentary aggression carry on with each other.
Leaders and Challenging Them
Wolves as we know have a hierachy which in WW is seen in the Alpha, Elder etc ranks of the Sept or he designated Hunt Leader of an adventure. There are Litany matters about respect to those above and below rank. Showing respect, or lack of, is one of the top reasons for a "within faction" fight.
Looking at the wolves again if in a time of crisis the leader is being challenged we wouldn't be surprised if it made a bite at the disobeying one. This could be an attack or spell, which is PvP. Again though it is a "momentary aggression". The pack, adventure, sept quickly resumes.
In general we have looked at the Litany of the leader can not be challenged in a time of war to mean when an enemy is on map or about to be engaged. It does not mean 100% of the time on the server. It does mean 100% when you are swarmed with nasties or going on a faction vs faction fight.
A good way to clarify is "Who are we to fight?". If there is someone/something nearby it is a time of war. This includes meeting someone/something we possibly
may fight.
The Litany allows us to challenge (respectfully) the leader in times of peace. The higher rank can also (respectfully) refuse your different view or may listen to the idea. If you act respectfully, that is don't insult or threaten, each other its all good. Disresepct and certainly threats can lead again to "momentary anger".
Compare this to working in a factory. A time of war would be like when a major shipment is about to be late and the company suffer a huge fine for late delivery. We can see the shop boss barking orders, tasking people to do different jobs. Arguing with him at that time is really bad idea. That same boss in a normal "time of peace" may be very open to suggestions and even ask your opinion.
Pack in combat:
Think of a wolf pack working to pull down an elk. It is much larger than them yet they swiftly move as needed to help together. Often with little talking they do things like fast wolves tiring the elk out in a chase, a lead wolf wounds it and the pack jumps in to bring it down.
In relating this to combat here on the server it is the Hunt Leader's general direction of which map to fight on. Also somewhat of which part of the map, like to go left or righ in the intersection. People might be physically ahead of them yet if they are following the leaders intentions it is respectful and proper.
Should we suddenly enconter something unexpected, such as strange mystical being played by a DM or a member of a rival faction, it is for the Hunt Leader to set the tone of what to do. They may have reasons for talking. They may calls us to fight even if you wish to talk to it. If the Hunter Leader is talking to the encounter usually the rest mostly listen. It is upto if you talk but if you interrupt the Hunt Leader to much it may be a breach of ettiquette. You might instead talk to the Hunt Leader such as: "this the one I told you about" or "this one known to be a vampire".
Passing information to a leader is not a challenge. Offering an option is not a challenge. Insisting on a course of action can be considered a challenge. (Okay in peace, not okay war).
Physical Engagements
Within our faction we might engage each other physically. It does not have to be to "winded", aka PvP knock out. A clear margin is sufficient.
Also important is that if it does go physical yielding is also fitting RP. The Litany includes accepting an honorable surrender.
You don't have to beat the crap out of each other. A smack in the head done as an emote or a quick attack-disengage are also options. Within faction PvP for us does not need to always go to *winded*.
If two in a real life pack fight one might yield. The other accepts the yielding, accepts the submission. They then go merrily on as a pack. It is "momentary aggression".
Wrap up
With all this said each particular situation maybe different. What I hope you understand is the range of options you have when dealing with the physical nature of our faction.
"Momentary Aggression" is an important concept for both sides to understand.
The most common reasons for in faction PvP have been outlined. Lack of respect above/below, disrespect for territory even if unintended or an inappropriate challenge have been shown.
The DMs of course may review a PvP engagment. It happens most of the time. Sometimes I have spent time IC "teaching" characters the concepts above.
To be honest if we where not playing wolf linked creatures the amount of within faction fights would seem bonkers. We are though wolf linked. Wolves bite, fight and go on loving each other. That is what I hope you realize, we carry on as a pack of friends.
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Duel Formats
In addition to the earlier article on how we bite, fight and still love each other is the matter that Garou fight duels.
As a respected Theurge I often oversaw or took part in duels for a variety of reasons. Here are the guidelines that have worked well for us.
Reading some of these they sound obvious common sense. Nothing about common sense is common and there have been times when some where ignored.
= Not when an enemy is near.
An enemy being near activitates the Litany on a leader may not be challenged in a time of war.
= The terms need to be understood
The conditiions to the loser/victor need to be known openly to both sides. Those witnessing the fight are also to know so that they can witness it being fulfilled.
= Buffing
It needs to be agreed whether to begin buffed or unbuffed. Unbuffed is assumed unless otherwise stated. Combat magic, even defensive magic, is a clear intention of fighting so it indicates the fight has started.
Fighters are already in a combat state unbuffed.
Mages and clerics will do much better if they buff. The more commono ones are highlighted below.
= Any restricted magic?
The duel can include restrictions on powers. Timestop for example almost universally will settle a duel espically with some of the high level attack spells.
= By tooth and claw
Similiar to limitations on magic duellists can agree to fight with just tooth and claw. This means nothing can be held in the hands.
= Specific Form?
Normally the garou can fight in any form. They duel terms may specify that only a specific form be used. For example whether someone is wolf-enough implies a Lupis or Hispo fight.
= An honorable duel can not be used for a dishonorable reason
You can not use a duel to force someone to do something dishonorable. Examples include:
- to have sex with them
- covering up a dishonorable matter, like duelling someone to be silent about an IC lie or IC cheating
- that they do something to break the Litany
- to leave the Sept
= Not to the Death
Like the server PvP rules duels are rarely to the death. There is a common enemy, the Wyrm. Honor duels are there to settle issues and release "momentary aggression". Permament death also takes DM presence and almost always the players permission.
= Supervisor
Duels should have someone to supervise. Someone who is familiar with duels and the Litany is preferred. They act as witness so they need to know the terms. That helps ensure both sides know what the terms are.
= Duels can be declined
Though there can be in character reactions to this a duel can be declined.
= Count to start
The supervisor of the duel counts of 3, 2, 1, go. One entry per text message at a consistent pace.
= Healers can be nearby
As duels are not to the death a healer can attend someone who fights according to the terms. Generally someone who violates a term is not given aid.
= Seconds and groups
Duels can involve more than one person on a side
= Duels can be practice
As a society who are at war fighting duels to practice is acceptable. This lets us test our skills, gauge who is a superior fighting and try out or learn new tactics.
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Subject: Additional guidelines for Garou and Kin 
Sat Oct 30, 2010 6:44 pm
