New Stuff

New Stuff for Werewolf: The Apocalypse

Below are some goodies I have or will include in my Werewolf games. I welcome comments. If you want to use something from here in your games, feel free. Please let me know if you do; I'd like to know how it is used and how the players react.

FETISHES	RITES
Weapons	Accord
Grand Klaives	Mystic
Klaives
Spears
War Clubs
Bows
Non-Weapons
Bullroarers
Other

Fetishes
Weapons
Grand Klaives

Song Sharpener Unique Fetish
Image: 3’ straight blade, slightly leaf-shaped, double-edged. The center fuller is decorated with wood-grained metal, with waves of gold and grays rippling down like a river. The glyph for “Song Sharpener” appears in silver in the fuller three times on each side of the blade.
*History:* The blade was forged in the tenth century, given to Roech mac Gamal (called “Answers-the-Ages”), an elder Moondancer, as a badge of office for his sept’s Songkeeper. So it remained for four centuries, until a schism at the caern forced the Songkeeper Declan to take it and a number of followers on a roving path. It was lost in an Umbral battle until the 1800’s, when an ancestor spirit led Aidan the Stone-Voiced to a hiding place in the Fianna Homeland. It came back to Ireland , where it stayed until a duel between Goll mac Mourna and Ian “Gleam-in-His-Eye” Corrigan. The victorious Corrigan claimed the blade and holds it still as righ of the Sept of Bridget’s Blessing.
System: (Grand Klaive, L5 G 7, Diff 7, Dam Str+3A) When carried, adds +2 Dice to Expression and Performance rolls; expending a Gnosis point grants the bearer three additional dice of Ancestor to access ancient lore of the Fianna) Song Sharpener prefers to be sung to while being ritually cleaned on a weekly basis.

Draught of Souls Legendary Wyrm Fetish
This is a grand klaive forged by the Black Spiral Dancers, as is clear from the abominable glyphs etched along the length of the silver blade. Within the unique weapon is housed a powerful Bane known as a Soul Eater. Anyone with the psychic potential of a lobotomized mouse can feel hunger and malice emanating from the legendary fetish. With each successful strike, the blade shimmers with a glow on the very edge of ultraviolet, and moans with a very low-pitched thrumming.
*Image:* ***

*History:* The Draught of Souls is among the most notorious weapons of the Black Spiral Dancers, its name spoken in reverent tones by the Wyrm Howlers and whispered with fear by Gaian Garou. First forged in the early 1800’s, the first owner, Gurragh, endured a difficult quest and sacrificed many captive werewolves to bind a Soul Eater to the blade. The weapon’s frame barely contained the powerful Bane, but soon the minion of the Wyrm settled into both its new shelter and its role; Gurragh and his pack were unholy terrors, ravening through the Garou of the New World like a wolf among sheep before Gurragh died through the treachery of another Spiral pack that coveted the blade.
The notorious fetish went through many hands; when one owner fell, another scooped it up. Sometimes ambitious Spirals came from far away to challenge the latest bearer. The lucky losers died quickly, while true unfortunates were killed gradually, with slow, lovingly malicious strokes of the Draught of Souls itself. The last to wield it was a fearsome Black Spiral named known as Black Whirlwind, spreading fear among the Garou and their Kin. He and his pack were finally taken down in an ambush by two packs of Uktena. The weapon was taken to the Glass Hand Caern, hiding it from the enemy packs that invariably converged where the Draught’s bearer fell. A council of elders debated on what to do; destroying the klaive would only loose a powerful Bane, but so long as it existed it would be hunted. So they decided to give it into Fog’s keeping. No one outside the Rite Master knew the weapon’s resting place, hidden by Fog’s veil.
For decades packs of Black Spirals searched the mountains for their lost treasure. At last, in the 1940s, they discovered the caern and overwhelmed the defenders. Yet the caern’s spirit drew into itself, hiding both itself and the great weapon from discovery. Though the caern is once again in Gaian hands, Fog has not revealed the location (or even existence) of the blade, though some of the elders have heard the rumors of an artifact of great power in their lands.
Yet as the years pass, Fog seems to be having difficulty keeping the Draught of Souls quiet. The hungry blade murmurs in its slumber; perhaps it called to the last Wyrm Howlers that attacked the sept a few years ago. The totem spirit may decide to reveal the weapon to allies before foes come calling once more.

*System:* As with other grand klaives, the silver blade does Str + 3 aggravated damage (difficulty 7 to hit). But worse than the physical damage is the harm done to the victim’s spiritual self. As the blade slices the body, it hungrily rips at the spirit, spilling Essence which the Soul Eater greedily slurps up. Spirits may only soak using Willpower (no Armor Charm) when attacked with this klaive. Garou struck by the blade lose temporary Gnosis at the rate of one point per health level of damage (no soak possible). Continued damage strips away the Garou’s spiritual potential; once all temporary Gnosis are exhausted, permanent Gnosis is lost at the rate of one damage point for the first Gnosis, two for the second, three for the third, and so on. Mages hit by the blade lose two Quintessence per point of damage, and may only soak the drain if they have some spiritual “hardening”. Mortals and vampires suffer spiritual drain but have no immediate system effects. Physical defenses have no bearing on the spiritual damage done; if it connects with the body, it eats at the soul.
Example: A strike with the Draught of Souls nets 5 successes for damage. Against a Garou with permanent Gnosis of 4 and 2 temporary points, the blade strips the temporary Gnosis (2 damage points), then the 1^st permanent Gnosis (1 damage point), then the 2^nd(2 damage points), leaving him with no temporary Gnosis and a permanent Gnosis rating of 2. If he takes 3 more points (and survives), he would lose another permanent Gnosis. Even if the victim could soak silver damage because of armor or a Gift, he would still lose the same amount of Gnosis.
Any creature or spirit killed by the blade has the remaining spiritual energy sucked up in a burst and is considered destroyed permanently – no reincarnation or reforming possible.
Survivors (a rare occurrence) are considered lucky only by degree, suffering nightmares, personality changes, or even derangements as a result of the spiritual trauma. A Changing Breed that loses all permanent Gnosis may not step sideways or use fetishes or Gifts requiring Gnosis. The spiritual damage inflicted by the Wyrm blade is only truly mended by meditative therapy and quests to places of spiritual renewal. Many succumb to an aching void within, falling to Harano or giving themselves over to a new master, Eater-of-Souls.
For the wielder, the Draught of Souls is, both literally and figuratively, a double-edged sword. With each successful strike, the fetish gives its bearer some of the stolen spiritual energy in the form of one Gnosis (he may not overfill his Gnosis pool, and the spirit does not pass on any energy derived from vampires). It is a rush so powerful that it may overthrow all reason; with each damage-dealing hit, the wielder must make a frenzy check to avoid going berserk. Unlike most frenzies, the Garou may still wield the fetish – indeed, he is most unwilling to do otherwise. All other rules for frenzy apply, including those relating to attacking packmates. If a fight goes on long enough, the wielder will inevitably become a whirling scythe-man who feels neither pain nor fear.
Should he go more than a week without “feeding” the blade, he begins to feel a compulsion to fight and kill – foes if possible, though even Kinfolk and septmembers are not exempt. Further, all Frenzy rolls are at a –1 penalty until the blade is satisfied.
While it is possible for a Gaian werewolf to wield Draught of Souls, the blade begins to subtly corrupt its owner, making him desire the high that comes from a sudden rush of Gnosis (goading him to engaging in unnecessary fights or avoiding killing blows so as to take more sips at the font as it were), and opening him to darker desires that may eventually lead to the Black Labyrinth. He also faces sanction and loss of renown should other Gaian werewolves learn of what he wields, and hostility from the spirit world – not to mention the focused attention of Black Spiral packs worldwide.

Klaives

Honor's Burden Unique Fetish
*Image:* 11" blade, plain but with a slight leaf shape. The grip is black leather.**
History: Smithed in the 1600s at the request of the Half-Moon Silver Fang Denys Clearsight, who died in battle against the Black Spiral Dancers. The blade was taken up at that battle by Pyotr Evenstance, another Philodox, who kept the blade from defilement. After Pyotr’s death, it was put away. In 1900, when a great campaign against the Spirals was imminent, Antonia Strongheart took up the blade. The Half-Moon honored the blade with great deeds, and lived a long and honorable life. Her son, a Galliard named Valerius Sharpeye, inherited the blade in the 1950’s, who also lived long but brought less renown to the klaive. When he died, Honor’s Burden was claimed by Sharpeye’s grandson, the Full Moon Vladimir Mighty Strike. The fifth wielder of the blade was dishonorable, engaging in unjust challenges and staining the silver blade with the blood of Gaia’s warriors. In his arrogance he challenged a young Uktena named Magena, though he was a seasoned Fostern and she just barely past her rank challenge. She was skilled and brave, but skill and courage alone would not have saved her, for she had only her claws and a minor flint fetish knife against a silver blade. In the end, Honor’s Burden twisted in the Silver Fang’s grasp, giving the Uktena an opening. The wicked Garou died, and the bewildered victor took up the blade as was her right. Unsure of what to do, she swore to honor the weapon. She cleaned it and smudged it with sacred tobacco, and perhaps more importantly, she strove to always act in honor. Three Silver Fangs challenged her for the blade, and each one lost. Finally, Magena Klaivetaker appealed (through an intermediary) to King Albrecht, who decreed that no Silver Fang should ever challenge her again.
System: (Klaive L4 G6, Diff 6, Dam Str+2A) Blade is silver. No additional special traits. The blade desires to be treated with respect, and insists that the wielder is always honorable.

Sithchenn's Last Unique Fetish
Image: **
*History:* The blade was forged in 1700, the second and last klaive by master smith Sithchenn. The current wielder is Caoilte McLaurin.
System: (Klaive L4 G6, Diff 6, Dam Str+2A) Sithchenn’s Last prefers to be sung to at dusk on a regular basis.

Tine of Caelbad Unique Fetish
Image: Wickedly-dagged 10” blade, with a stylized antler forming the guard
History: It was forged some 900 years ago for Caelbad mac Fiachu, given in recognition of his victory over a Wyrmbeast of great power. As Righ Caelbad, this blade honored him, and he it. Many winters later, Caelbad, with his last strength, placed the klaive in the hand of his son and successor, Adamnan. Mac Caelbad used this blade to the exclusion of all others, forsaking spear and sword in battle. When he fell to the claws of a Black Spiral Dancer, his sister, Aoife, took up the blade, and wielded it for a score of years before giving it to a packmate, Padrig mac Comhail (Padrig Mor, as he's now called). The weapon passed from hand to hand until in modern times until it came to a No Moon called Andrea. She died in an ambush, but the blade was recovered by Ian Corrigan, who as Righ handed it down to his protégé, Erin Kelly.
System: (Klaive L4 G6, Diff 6, Dam Str+2A) Tine of Caelbad is content when kept in a fine box decorated with symbols representing victory in war; it also likes being cleaned with pure water on a weekly basis (more often when used in battle).


Spears

Gae Bolga Unique Legendary Fetish
The Gae Bolga is among the greatest treasures of the Fianna, and one of the most notorious. When the mighty spear strikes a foe, the head shatters, sending a hundred slivers flesh-shreding to the farthest reaches of the victim's body. When the shaft is withdrawn from the wound, the pieces race back and reassemble so that the head appears perfect. This means that each wound is almost certainly lethal.
There is a terrible price for the wielder, however. Though he may try to avoid the consequences, inevitably a friend, and ally, or even the wielder himself is struck down by the spear. Thus, though the spear is carried with pride, it is used with the greatest reluctance.
*Image:* A stout shaft 5' long, with a foot-long head. Ogham letters spiral around the shaft, telling of the might of the spear and the fear it instills. It says nothing about the curse, however.
History: The spear is said to have been forged by a powerful fae in the days before the Romans marched across Europe. For much of that span it was an heirloom by the High King, although in the last few hundred years it has been customary for the Ard Righ's heir to bear it as a mark of his position. Bronn mac Fionn broke that tradition by retaining it during his rule, and it stands by his throne in a golden holder. Since the Battle of Tara it has tasted blood only once, when mac Fionn slew a traitor and pretender to the high seat. In this one instance only did the weapon not strike twice, perhaps because up until that moment the heir counted the traitor as his friend.
*System:* (L6 G 8, Diff 6 Dam Str+8 A) The spear is well balanced, and can be thrust or thrown. Somehow, circumstance will bring retaliation against the wielder or his ally. Perhaps an enemy retrieves the spear and throws it back; perhaps a friend frenzies and falls upon the point, but regardless, it will happen, and all too soon.

Lúin Unique Legendary Fetish
Lúin is a hungry spear. When it smells the blood of an enemy, it writhes in the hands of its bearer; if blood is not spilled and quickly, it will turn on its owner unless quenched in a cauldron of venom.
Image: Leaf-shaped head on a light but nigh-unbreakable shaft. Two winglike guards which spread behind the spear's blade keep the foe from sliding up the shaft. The spearhead is often sheathed in a special scabbard of leather and wood and lined with fine felt made from a black lamb in an field free of all taint; the weapon may not scent an enemy when so covered.
*History:* An ancient weapon, the spear was said to have been left on the field after the second battle of Magh Tuireadh. Its current whereabouts are unknown.
System: (L6, G8, Diff 6/3, Dam Str+1A) The fetish can Sense Wyrm (as per the Gift), which is always on unless muffled with the sheath. When it smells Taint, it twists and writhes to get at the foe; difficulty to hit the target is at –3. Hindering the weapon is difficult; every turn after the third not spent trying to hit the opponent, the wielder must make a contested roll, Strength + Dodge vs. the weapon’s Gnosis. The bearer takes the weapon’s net successes as (soakable) aggravated damage. There are three ways to quiet the mighty spear: slay the target, sheathe the weapon with its special scabbard (a difficult feat when it is twisting in one’s hands) or submerge the head in venom (any kind will do, but a cauldron of dragon’s venom works especially well).
To Lúin, Wyrm-Taint is Wyrm-Taint, and it makes no distinction between Fomori and someone splashed by Bane Ichor. . .or, for that matter, a packmate in the Thrall of the Wyrm or even someone with severe chronic depression.


War Clubs

Falling Giant
*Image:* The 3’ ball club is carved from hard maple. The haft, which is rectangular in cross section, is elaborately carved to resemble a horned serpent coiling around a large tree, with its mouth open to encircle the ball. Strips of redwood adorn the front and back of the haft.
History: Words-to-Deeds (Before being named Nine-Moons-in-Galunlati) dreamed of a massive Bane attacking an Uktena. The serpent coiled around an ancient tree; the tree fell on top of the Bane, crushing it. Inspired, the Half Moon made this weapon.
Notes: A redwood spirit resides in this fetish
System: (L4 G7; Diff 6, Dam Str+2 Bashing/see description) Ordinarily, the club appears normal, and its damage is considered Bashing. When activated at the beginning of a strike, the damage for the strike is Aggravated, and armor is halved. The impact sounds like the crash of a massive tree hitting the earth, and those not killed outright are usually driven to their knees. The strike sends waves of shuddering force resonating through the body, causing horrific damage.

Hungry Stick
Image: A 4’ “gunstock” war club made from hard maple, with a 4” blade attached. It has a leather sling. The wood is stained a deep rich dark red. Each side of the haft has 14 triangular pieces of ½” long white horn.
History: The Wendigo Crescent Moon called Big Stick Bearer created the fetish.
*Notes:* A weasel spirit empowers this weapon.
System: (L2 G6; Diff 7, Dam Str+2 Bashing or Lethal) Once it has tasted blood in a combat, it may be activated; if successful, the weapon seeks out foes (-2 difficulty to hit for the remainder of the combat). Hungry Stick dislikes being teased; once it is awakened, it should feast well or else it will show displeasure (by becoming heavy or slipping from the wielder’s grasp).


Bows

Hornet Bow
*Image:* Cherokee bow with a stylized hornet on each of the limbs near the grip.
*Notes:* As the name suggests, a hornet spirit powers the bow.
*System:* (L3 G6) when activated and fired (must be reactivated before each shot) and the arrow strikes (does damage after soak), the point lodges in the flesh, detaching from the shaft. The point exudes poison, causing a level of Aggravated damage each turn, until dug out or a number of turns equal to activation successes elapse. The spirit used for this particular fetish was specific: 1) Every month, the bow must be washed in clean spring water and coated with honey (no, hornets don't make it, but they don't mind eating it); 2) Once a month, the user must feed Hornet's earthly counterparts; 3) All arrows must be wooden, with black stone points.


Non-Weapons

Speaking Stick of the Uktena
*Notes:* This is used by the Uktena at their Grand Councils, but versions exist at other septs and with other tribes.
Image: 4’ long sapling spiraled by vine; the spiral has been carved into an Uktena, and a yellowish quartz crystal in its mouth.
*System:* (L3, G6) Once activated, the staff remains active for the scene, and can be passed from hand to hand. While holding the stick, a Will (9) roll necessary to lie.

Bullroarers
The basic bullroarer is a fairly flat piece of wood with a cord attached to one end; it is rapidly spun so that makes a whirring/roaring sound. Bullroarers come in many shapes and sizes, but they have been considered powerful tools in dealing with the spirit world by peoples across the world.
Most fetish bullroarers are made from wood that has been prepared in ritual fashion. A few are made from the sternum bone of a particularly brave fallen warrior. Glyphs, etchings or even painted figures adorn the wood. The cord is typically a braid of leather, hair, or plant fiber. Some are short (5" on a 4' cord) while some are heavy enough to require considerable strength to bring it to speed and maintain it there (say, Strength 4 to use a 2'/15' bullroarer).
All bullroarers must get up to speed before they can be activated. Assume one turn, plus an additional turn for every 5 feet of cord (so a 4 foot corded bullroarer could take 2 turns of use before activation, while a 15 footer would take 4 turns before an activation attempt.
Bullroarer fetishes have been used by many different tribes, but seem to be most common among the Uktena and Wendigo.
Below are a few examples of bullroarer fetishes:

Spirit Caller
This bullroarer calls spirits. Spirits of screech-owls, loons, doves or other plaintive songsters typically inhabit this type of fetish.
Image: Usually less than 8" long on a 6' cord.
System: (L 2 G 6) Successful use reduces the difficulty to summon a particular spirit (or spirit type) by 1; difficulties to summon ancestor spirits are decreased by 2. Note that many local spirits will also hear the bullroarer, and may investigate.

Roar of the Warder
This one drives away malicious spirits. A powerful Gaian predator spirit (often a lion- or bear-spirit) is bound into this fetish.
Image: Over a foot and a half long, with a cord 10’ or longer, decorated with the stylized painting of the inhabiting spirit; emits a deep, angry roar.
System: (L 4 G 7; requires Str 3 to use) With a successful Gnosis roll, nearby spirits of malicious intent or disposition (say, a disease spirit, vengeful ancestor spirit or any Bane) within hearing (it can be heard on both sides of the Gauntlet) to make a Gnosis roll (difficulty 8) to keep from fleeing for one turn per success on the user's activation roll. Non-hostile and allied spirits must make the roll at difficulty 4 or flee.

Spirit Way Opener
Image: A 12-14” long, thin wood oval, marked with the glyphs for “Cut” and “Gauntlet”; often carries a stylized painting of the type of spirit within.
System: (L 3 G 6; Str 2 is required to use it.) With a successful Gnosis roll, the user slices into the wall between the world, lowering the Gauntlet within the radius of the bullroarer’s arc (9 to 20 feet). The fetish must be in full use for five turns before being activated; the Gauntlet within the circuit is reduced by 1 for every two successes, to a minimum of 2. Once the bullroarer falters or stops, the Gauntlet begins to rise again at the rate of 1 per turn.

Other

Mammoth Tusk, Legendary Fetish
This ancient fetish can cleanse any place of Triatic Taint. It may also be used to drive off a Triatic Spirit and turn a caern into an nearly-impregnable sanctuary for Gaia.
Image: The great curving tusk is over 4 feet long and weighs 80 pounds, with a blunt tip and broken end suggesting the original could have been longer than 12 feet. The bluish surface is brown-tinged on one side, and features several cracks along its length. Some of the partially mineralized “bark” on the broken end is gone, revealing the off-white ivory.
History: Legend has it that Mammoth himself gave this tusk to a Croatan Theurge for safekeeping until the day when it would be most needed. He carried he heavy ivory fetish, using it as an altar for rites conducted for Mammoth. As the herds moved northward, so did he. His son succeeded him in his guardianship, as did his granddaughter, and so on until, generations later, the tusk was now in the arctic. When the last of the great mammoths were dying, the Croatan buried it, taking a shard from it which would be the key to finding it again. The Guardian then returned to his tribal homeland. For over 10,000 years the tusk has lain undisturbed, awaiting its destiny. Some decades ago, a stream washed the tusk free, and it was found by a shaman who, recognizing the spiritual power within, took it to a cave and created a shrine around it.
System: (L6 G8) To cleanse a caern, the Rite of the Tusk is performed, and permanent Gnosis points equal to the caern level must be sacrificed (drawn from any rite participant and not necessarily from the ritemaster). The tusk is then buried in the ground. All area within the bawn is cleansed of Triatic Taint in a matter of minutes, and no new Taint can take hold so long as the tusk remains undisturbed. Sources of Taint are not destroyed, but simply contained; for example, Banes must escape or else fall into Slumber. The caern will be virtually impregnable against assaults by the Weaver, Wyld or Wyrm. Furthermore, the air around the caern protected by the Tusk glows with a very faint aurora (which is much more pronounced in the Umbra). A heavily Tainted being, such as a Fomor or Drone, must make a successful Willpower test against the Tusk’s Gnosis in order to enter the bawn, and all dice pools have a penalty equal to the caern’s level. Finally, the caern’s level is effectively one higher (so a level 3 caern become a level 4 caern for all practical purposes, including keeping Triatic spirits at bay).
The Tusk may also be used to cleanse a land outside a caern, but with less effect. Perform the Rite of the Tusk as usual. If successful, roll the Tusk’s Gnosis (difficulty is the local Gauntlet); add one success per permanent Gnosis sacrificed (minimum of 1). Each success adds approximately 100 feet to the radius of the cleansed area. (Example: 2 successes plus 3 Gnosis = 500 feet, or a circle encompassing 18 acres.)
At any time, the Tusk may be unburied and taken to another place for another Rite of the Tusk. However, the land will once again be susceptible to Taint, and the caern loses the extra level.
The heavy Fetish may be wielded to drive away a Triatic Spirit. If a Garou holds the tusk towards the spirit and successfully activates it, the spirit must counter with a Gnosis roll, (difficulty 8); with five successes the spirit may (and likely will) attack the tuskbearer with impunity; three allows the spirit to do anything except get closer to the bearer. With one success, the spirit is hesitant, unable to act except in self-defense. No successes drives the spirit beyond sight; a botch sends it as far away as it can quickly get, and it will not return for the tusk’s presence for at least a day.
Finally, the tusk acts as a portal shrine to Mammoth, giving a bonus of –3 to all rolls involving the spirit.

Tusk Shard
Image: 6”x2” shard of bluish-white cracked and rough bark ivory, probably from a mammoth tusk and likely from Alaska or northern Canada . A loop of brown leather allows it to be worn around the neck. The glyphs for “Purity” and “Gaia” can be seen on the smoother inner side of the shard.
*History:* The shard broke off the Mammoth Tusk fetish and was bound with a spring water spirit. The original bearer gave it to another protector, and it passed from hand to hand, from Croatan to Uktena, until the Cherokee Removal. The current guardian, Singing Water, gave it to a Kinfolk to protect it until one of the Changers came to claim it. Singing Water died shortly thereafter. Danger passed, and the warrior passed the Shard to his daughter before his death in 1879. She in turn passed it to her son shortly before dying in 1892. The son, Joseph Tallman, married a white woman, Moriah. He gave her the shard as a wedding gift, telling a vague and garbled story about the artifact, and saying it should remain in the family until the rightful owner came to claim it.
Joseph died suddenly in 1910, leaving a widow with no means of support. She tried to sell the heirloom, but could get no ethnologists or archeologists to believe her tale. Some Black Spiral Kinfolk caught wind of the object and determined to take it. They set her house on fire with Moriah and her children inside. Neighbors who heard the ruckus set upon the wicked men and drove them off. Later, Everett Peebles found the fetish while sifting through the rubble. He found it an object of mystery and comfort until dying in 1975. His nephew, Lester Peebles, found the Shard among his uncle’s things, and took it along with a collection of pottery and arrowheads to a museum. The scientist there (Carper) kindly offered some money for several of the items.
The shard was recovered by the Mist Watcher Pack, who used it to find the Tusk. It is currently carried by Fire-Hand.
System: (Level 5, Gnosis 8) When worn, it confers the Merit: Immunity from Triatic Emanations (similar to Immunity from Wyrm Emanations, but more encompassing). The wearer may also Sense Gaia as per the Gift.
Perhaps most importantly, the attuned bearer may meditate on the shard to sense the general direction of the mother tusk. This usually takes ten minutes and requires a roll against the shard’s Gnosis to determine the precision of the bearing.
After prolonged contact with the shard (more than a few days) the Garou will develop a stronger Gaian “taint” as it were. Other spirit servants of Gaia may notice this and give some modicum of respect, while Triatic spirits (most especially Banes) will single out the individual for special attention.





Rites

Rites of Accord

Rite of the Tusk (Level 3 Accord)
This specialized ritual is used to activate and inter the legendary Mammoth Tusk. It takes roughly an hour to complete, and requires at least five Garou (one from each auspice). To complete the ritual, permanent Gnosis points equal to the caern level must be sacrificed (drawn from any rite participant and not necessarily from the ritemaster), and the fetish is then buried in the ground to be cleansed. Details of the effects of the rite can be found in the entry on the Mammoth Tusk.


Mystic Rites

Transume (Level 4)
The Umbral realms are filled with spirits and emanations that cannot be brought to the physical world. With this rite, however, spirit-stuff is transformed to matter that can exist on this side of the Gauntlet, providing Garou with tools, ritual materials, and even trophies of their victories in the spirit world. Only inanimate objects may be transumed; a piece of wood or a carcass may be brought over, while a living tree or animal cannot.
Before enacting the rite, the item must be brought to the Penumbra. The Garou draws a circle on the ground. Within the circle, the Garou lays a material (dedicated, obviously) object just touching the emanation. The material object should be like the spirit object in form or function (if both, then the ritual difficulty is –1). For example, the spiritual representation of a wooden bat could have a staff of wood or a golf club, but a real wooden bat would make the ritual easier. Similarly, to change a spirit rifle, one could use a steel object, a crossbow, or better yet another rifle. Complex manufactured items are more difficult to transume than simple or natural objects.

1 successes	Uncrafted item (rock, stick, skull)
2 successes	Simple crafted item (knife)
3 successes	Basic machine (firearm)
4 successes	Complex machine (automobile)
5 successes	Extremely complex (computer)

The Gnosis required depends on the size of the object: A short sword or human-sized skull requires one Gnosis; a backpack or long rifle, two Gnosis; up to man-sized, three Gnosis; each multiple after that requires another Gnosis. A clip of bullets ordinarily counts as one object.
Once the rite is completed, one more crucial step remains: the transmuted item must be brought through the gauntlet. It is important to step sideways as quickly as possible, as the items are stressed by the transition and prone to breakage. If transit is instantaneous then no damage occurs. For every 30 seconds spent in the Gauntlet, roll one die, with the target equal to the successes required on the ritual roll: a rock will crumble on a roll of 1, while a computer fries itself on a 5 or less. Items broken by the Gauntlet deteriorate at an accelerated rate.
Example: A Theurge survives a firefight in Battleground, and decides to take one of the keen rocket propelled grenades to help in caern defense. In the Penumbra, he draws a circle on the ground and places the loaded tube and a dedicated pistol (which follows function but not form, so no bonus). He performs the ritual and gets the necessary 3 successes (the RPG is a basic machine). Next, he picks up the launcher and steps sideways. He had a harder time negotiating the Gauntlet than expected (2 successes), so the player rolls a die and hopes to get a 3 or above. If he had only had one success to step sideways(5 minutes), it would require 10 rolls, and more than likely, the weapon would be completely inert and no stronger than a tin can.
Once in the physical world, the item is real in all respects. That means that a gun can rust, electronics can short out, and flesh rots.