Post by Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland) on Nov 18, 2015 14:39:21 GMT -8
Disclaimer: The vast majority of this is not mandatory to know; there are hundreds of RACE NAME settlements with major differences. What is described here is "Mainstream" RACE NAME culture and society for the Valeskan world.
Garou
Origin and Abilities:
The Birth of Garou;
The Garou are an ancient race that predate human civilization, forged centuries earlier by the old gods to defend the natural world from the darker forces that sought to destroy it.
Their original forms were that of wolves, enormous and sentient, crafted to be intelligent predators that strove for the protection of their homes, however the birth of the human race and their growing numbers drove them nearly to extinction. Instinct had driven the wolves to combat the invasion of their territory, but little by little, humans pushed the Garou back, swallowing their homes and killing off the ancient wolves, which were seen as pests to be hunted for their pelts. The gods were outraged.
Their legends say that Luna, the Goddess of the Night and the Moon, took pity on their ancestors. They say that she heard the somber howls that echoed in the darkness, and that the tears she shed became a gentle rain. Those wolves that drank from the water awoke the next day in the form of humanoids, able to blend, adapt and survive in a world that was becoming increasingly crowded. They learned that they were gifted three forms by the goddess; human, wolf, and beast. It is for this reason that the wolves worship the moon and do Luna’s bidding, while keeping the natural balance they were created to uphold.
The Garou are known to be aggressive, strong, and fast, even in human form. They have keen senses that make them excellent trackers and hunters. During the full moon all of their abilities and senses are enhanced, honing them into killing machines. There are rumors of those who cannot shift and are stuck in homid form even on the full moon called loup-Garou. Conversely there are those who are stuck in crinos or lupus form called dire Garou who are hunted out of fear. No one truly knows why or how this has happened, but it is believed among many that both loup-Garou and dire Garou are the results of those who have displeased Luna herself or those whose ancestors had not been present to bathe in the rain of Luna's tears. Even still Garou are hardwired to attack a vampire or demon on sight during a full moon, who they see as the dark forces they were created to battle, though they will hunt human or elven prey if the others aren’t present.
Appearance:
Homid form: Their appearance is like that of any human. Only those who are especially sensitive to the supernatural and other Garou would be able to sense that they are not what they seem.
Lupus from: Their appearance in lupus form is much like any other wolf only slightly larger. The colors being that of natural wolves with anything ranging from full black, full white, browns, grays, mixed colors. Their eyes seem to have an intelligence behind them that normal wolves don’t have.
Crinos form: The appearance in crinos form, is large and hulking. They are muscular and much taller than any human. Their fur and eyes can come in a variety of natural colors much like that of lupus form or of a natural wolf.
Culture & Religion:
Garou have an unwavering sense of loyalty and will often bond with other Garou they meet. They form packs and work with each other as sort of an extended family. The bond of loyalty between Garou is so strong that while changed under full moons, the only beings they don’t attack are other Garou.
They worship Luna above all else as it is she who has granted them the ability to hide amongst men as well as the one who directs their change. They also hold deep ties to their ancestors who also serve as conduits between themselves and Luna. Those Garou who hold the power to do magic must call upon those ancestors to wield it. Without the ancestors they cannot reach Luna or their magic. This is the reason magical ceremonies take place coinciding with moon phases. Contrary to popular belief, it is during the new moon that their magic is at its strongest, with it waning during the full moon when they are at their physical strongest.
The ancestors of the Garou reside in the Umbra, or, the spiritual world. Those who are in tune with Luna and the ancestors can walk the Umbra and commune with the ancestors and it is said when a Garou dies their soul is taken to the Umbra to join the ancestors. Some packs will offer tribute or sacrifices to Luna and the ancestors in order to stay in their graces and have good fortune in their hunts and with their magic.
Society and Military:
As mentioned, Garou live in packs. Within these packs they have a hierarchy that starts with the Alpha and ends with the juveniles of a pack. A pack can be as few as a handful of Garou or as large as thousands. The dwellings of these packs are not easy to find and some packs are even nomadic.
While they may not be the strongest warrior, the Alpha is the leader of the pack. All other members are under their command unless the Alpha is challenged and defeated. The challenger that defeats the Alpha then becomes the new Alpha, however during times of war such challenges are suspended. The Alpha maintains structure within the pack and upholds the laws. They see each of the pack members as family and make important decisions that reflect not only the growth but welfare of the pack as well. The Alpha creates the rules for the pack and makes sure they are properly enforced and decides on ranking, courting, assessments, and membership within the pack. They also have the important responsibility of maintaining the pack's hunting territory. All final decision are made by the Alpha.
Within the pack hierarchy, there is the Beta, who is the Alpha’s second in command, then the Elders who are known as the leaders or in a military sense commanders of those below them. Those below them are divided by the path they choose to take. Those paths are generally divided into warriors, scouts, healers, and magic users.
Garou
Origin and Abilities:
The Birth of Garou;
The Garou are an ancient race that predate human civilization, forged centuries earlier by the old gods to defend the natural world from the darker forces that sought to destroy it.
Their original forms were that of wolves, enormous and sentient, crafted to be intelligent predators that strove for the protection of their homes, however the birth of the human race and their growing numbers drove them nearly to extinction. Instinct had driven the wolves to combat the invasion of their territory, but little by little, humans pushed the Garou back, swallowing their homes and killing off the ancient wolves, which were seen as pests to be hunted for their pelts. The gods were outraged.
Their legends say that Luna, the Goddess of the Night and the Moon, took pity on their ancestors. They say that she heard the somber howls that echoed in the darkness, and that the tears she shed became a gentle rain. Those wolves that drank from the water awoke the next day in the form of humanoids, able to blend, adapt and survive in a world that was becoming increasingly crowded. They learned that they were gifted three forms by the goddess; human, wolf, and beast. It is for this reason that the wolves worship the moon and do Luna’s bidding, while keeping the natural balance they were created to uphold.
The Garou are known to be aggressive, strong, and fast, even in human form. They have keen senses that make them excellent trackers and hunters. During the full moon all of their abilities and senses are enhanced, honing them into killing machines. There are rumors of those who cannot shift and are stuck in homid form even on the full moon called loup-Garou. Conversely there are those who are stuck in crinos or lupus form called dire Garou who are hunted out of fear. No one truly knows why or how this has happened, but it is believed among many that both loup-Garou and dire Garou are the results of those who have displeased Luna herself or those whose ancestors had not been present to bathe in the rain of Luna's tears. Even still Garou are hardwired to attack a vampire or demon on sight during a full moon, who they see as the dark forces they were created to battle, though they will hunt human or elven prey if the others aren’t present.
Appearance:
Homid form: Their appearance is like that of any human. Only those who are especially sensitive to the supernatural and other Garou would be able to sense that they are not what they seem.
Lupus from: Their appearance in lupus form is much like any other wolf only slightly larger. The colors being that of natural wolves with anything ranging from full black, full white, browns, grays, mixed colors. Their eyes seem to have an intelligence behind them that normal wolves don’t have.
Crinos form: The appearance in crinos form, is large and hulking. They are muscular and much taller than any human. Their fur and eyes can come in a variety of natural colors much like that of lupus form or of a natural wolf.
Culture & Religion:
Garou have an unwavering sense of loyalty and will often bond with other Garou they meet. They form packs and work with each other as sort of an extended family. The bond of loyalty between Garou is so strong that while changed under full moons, the only beings they don’t attack are other Garou.
They worship Luna above all else as it is she who has granted them the ability to hide amongst men as well as the one who directs their change. They also hold deep ties to their ancestors who also serve as conduits between themselves and Luna. Those Garou who hold the power to do magic must call upon those ancestors to wield it. Without the ancestors they cannot reach Luna or their magic. This is the reason magical ceremonies take place coinciding with moon phases. Contrary to popular belief, it is during the new moon that their magic is at its strongest, with it waning during the full moon when they are at their physical strongest.
The ancestors of the Garou reside in the Umbra, or, the spiritual world. Those who are in tune with Luna and the ancestors can walk the Umbra and commune with the ancestors and it is said when a Garou dies their soul is taken to the Umbra to join the ancestors. Some packs will offer tribute or sacrifices to Luna and the ancestors in order to stay in their graces and have good fortune in their hunts and with their magic.
Society and Military:
As mentioned, Garou live in packs. Within these packs they have a hierarchy that starts with the Alpha and ends with the juveniles of a pack. A pack can be as few as a handful of Garou or as large as thousands. The dwellings of these packs are not easy to find and some packs are even nomadic.
While they may not be the strongest warrior, the Alpha is the leader of the pack. All other members are under their command unless the Alpha is challenged and defeated. The challenger that defeats the Alpha then becomes the new Alpha, however during times of war such challenges are suspended. The Alpha maintains structure within the pack and upholds the laws. They see each of the pack members as family and make important decisions that reflect not only the growth but welfare of the pack as well. The Alpha creates the rules for the pack and makes sure they are properly enforced and decides on ranking, courting, assessments, and membership within the pack. They also have the important responsibility of maintaining the pack's hunting territory. All final decision are made by the Alpha.
Within the pack hierarchy, there is the Beta, who is the Alpha’s second in command, then the Elders who are known as the leaders or in a military sense commanders of those below them. Those below them are divided by the path they choose to take. Those paths are generally divided into warriors, scouts, healers, and magic users.