W20 - Kinfolk PDF

Credits Special Thanks
Authors: Jackie Cassada, Jess Hartley, Ethan Skemp, Martin “Dracula Lives” Ericsson for rising from the
Bill Bridges Gallows with good news.
Developer: Bill Bridges
Editor: Carol Darnell
Dedication
To the memory of Wolf #10, the “Big Guy” of the
Creative Director: Rich Thomas
Yellowstone Wolf Reintroduction Program. May your and
Art Direction and Design: Mike Chaney #9’s descendants one day breed true.
Cover Art:Brian Leblanc
Interior Art: Brian Leblanc, Andrew Trabbold, Chris
Bivins, Bryan Syme, Drew Tucker, Leo Albiero
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2
Table of
Contents
Introduction to Get of Fenris 20 Kinfolk Religions and Cults 33
Glass Walkers 20 Buriers 33
Canis Homo Familiaris 7 Red Talons 21 Kinhome 34
Themes and Moods 7 Shadow Lords 22 Lunae 34
Spiritual Genetics 8 Silent Striders 22 Reincarnates 35
Begettings 8 Silver Fangs 23 Callow Kinfolk 35
Glossary 9 Stargazers 23 Look to the Past 35
Formal terminology 9 Uktena 24 From Callow to Kenning 35
Informal/Slang 9 Wendigo 24 Lost and Found 36
Kinfolk of the The Other Side 38
Chapter One: Fallen and the Lost 25 The Bottom Line 38
Bunyip 25
Kinfolk Society 11 Chapter Two:
Black Spiral Dancers 25
Being Kinfolk 11 Croatan 26 Whelps of Other Breeds 41
Kenning Kinfolk 12 White Howlers 26
The Kinfolk Examined 12 Kinfolk Fellowships 27 Fera Kin 41
Mindset 12 The Black Eagles 27 Ajaba 41
Customs 13 The Gaia Network 28 Ananasi 42
Hierarchy 13 The Locksmiths 29 Bastet 42
Subaltern Packs (Kinfolk Packs) 13 NAMID 29 Bagheera 42
Marriages to Garou 14 The Silvertree Balam 43
Love and Marriage 14 Genealogical Society 29 Bubasti 43
Arranged Marriages 14 The Sisterhood 29 Ceilican 43
Tribal Customs 17 Widdershins Society 30 Khan 43
Kinfolk of the Thirteen Tribes 17 Wolfenhome 31 Pumonca 44
Black Furies 17 Secret Societies 31 Qualmi 44
Bone Gnawers 18 Judges of Gaia 32 Simba 45
Children of Gaia 19 The Eleusines 32 Swara 45
Fianna 19 Afterlife 33 Corax 45
3
Gurahl 46 Kinfolk Gifts 64 Finders Keepers 75
Kitsune 47 Gifts 101 for Kinfolk 65 Fumblegum 75
Mokole 48 Renown, Tribe, and Breed 65 Leaf of Grass 76
Nagah 48 Gnosis 65 Spirit Shield 76
Nuwisha 49 Original Kinfolk Gifts 66 Other Equipment 76
Ratkin 49 Tribal Gifts 66 Silver Bullets 76
Rokea 50 Black Furies 66 Herbal Medicines 77
Hengeyokai 51 Bone Gnawers 67 Bugs 77
Hakken 51 Children of Gaia 67 White Noise Generators 77
Khan 52 Get of Fenris 67 Nonlethal Weapons 77
Kitsune 52 Glass Walkers 67 Silencers 77
Kumo 52 Red Talons 67 High Tech Gadgets 77
Nagah 52 Shadow Lords 68 Poisons 78
Nezumi 52 Silent Striders 68 Numina 79
Same-Bito 53 Silver Fangs 68 Hedge Magic Ways 79
Tengu 53 Stargazers 68 Conjuration 79
Zhong Lung 54 Uktena 68 Divination 80
Supernatural Kinfolk 54 Wendigo 68 Healing 81
Kindred and Ghouls 54 Rites 69 Herbalism/Brewing 82
Awakened Souls 55 Rites of Accord 69 Spirit Chasing 83
Wraiths 55 Rite of Apology 69 Psychic Phenomena 84
Rite of Unity of Purpose 69 Empathic Healing 84
Chapter Three: Sway the Hand of Anger 69 Soulstealing 84
Kinfolk Characters 57 Rites of the Milestones 70 True Faith 85
Rite of Welcoming (Birth) 70
Why Play Kinfolk 57
Vow of Partnership (Mating) 70 Chapter Four:
New Talent 58
Intuition 58
Wake for the Departed (Death) 70 Storytelling Kinfolk
New Knowledge 58
Rites of the Homestead 71
Chronicles 87
Rite of Homestead Dedication 71
Bureaucracy 58 Kinfolk and Chronicles 87
Rite of Protection 71
Herbalism 59 Themes 88
Rite of True Seeing 71
Veterinary Medicine 59 Mood 88
Rites of Punishment 71
Rituals 60 Storytelling Kin Characters 88
Rite of Exile 72
Backgrounds 60 Lupus Kin 89
Rite of Intervention 73
Equipment 60 Kinfolk Allies 89
Rites of Renown 73
Garou Favor 61 Enemy Kin 89
Rite of Challenge 73
Renown 61 Family Archetypes 90
Seasonal Rites 73
Resources 62 Kinfolk Chronicles 90
Minor Rites (Individual Rites) 73
Rites 63 Mixed Player Groups 91
Rite of the Morning Song 73
Merits and Flaws 63 Support Maneuvers 91
Rite of Evening Chant 74
Mental 64 Fera Kinfolk Stories 91
Equipment 74
Airhead 64 Sample Story Hooks 91
Fetishes 74
Flashbacks 64 Love and Romance 93
Blood Brother Blade 74
Supernatural 64 Too Much Information? 93
Bloodhound’s Snout 74
Supernatural Kinfolk 64 Deliberate Vs. Unplanned 94
Hearth Caul 74
Wyrm-Tainted 64 Chemistry 94
Songbird Staff 75
Physical 64 Adversity 95
Talens 75
Unscented 64 Resolutions 95
Biting Bullet 75
4
Generational Chronicles 96 Paul Blackwood, Tabitha Craddock
Challenges 97 the Clever Cousin 110 (“Briar Rose”) and Talitha
Predestination 97 Story Seeds 110 Craddock (“Snow Flower”) 120
Legacies 98 The Millers: Gideon Paton
Backing It Up with Rules 98 Myths and Moonshine (The Troubled Child) 120
Example of Play 98 (Kenning) 111 Story Seeds 121
Kin Fetches 99 Using the Millers 111 The Garrisons:
The Family History 111 Birds Without Borders
The Process 100
The Miller Homestead 112 (Kenning) 121
Variant Rites 100
The Miller Family 113 Using the Garrisons 122
Lost Rites 100
John-Jacob Joe-Bob Miller, Family History 122
The Trigger 101
the Patriarch (Garou) 113 The Family Secret 122
Breaking the Bond 101
Billie-Jean Mahoney Miller, The Garrison Homestead 122
Fera and Kin-Fetches 101
the Matriarch 113 The Garrison Family 123
Spirits of the Blood 101
Billy-Bob Joe-John Miller Isaac Garrison,
Kin-Fetch 102
(Garou) 114 the Forward Thinking Patriarch 123
Blood Fetch 102
John-Jacob Joe-Bob (“Junior”) John Garrison, the Tech Geek 123
Blight Nurse 103 Miller, Jr., the First Born 114 Dr. Mahnaz Garrison,
Fetch Spider 103 Rose Apple Miller, the Environmental Expert 123
Fetch-Hawk 104 the Eldest Daughter 114 Jacob Garrison,
Kin-Fetch Story Hooks: 104 June Bird (“Birdy”) Miller, the Latent Corax 123
Skin Dancers 105 the Spinster Aunt 115 Ethan Garrison, the Rebel 123
The Seductive Creed 106 Story Seeds 115 Tara Garrison, the Callow Kin 124
The Greater Danger 106 The Long Strider Saradar Gillani,
Using the Skin Dancers 106 Traveling Circus: the Concerned Father-In-Law 124
Off-Balance on the Road Coyle, the Guardian (Corax) 125
Appendix: (Callow) 116 Story Seeds 125
We Are Family 107 Using the Craddocks 116 The Grinders:
The Family History 116 Drugs and Violence (Callow) 125
The Blackwoods: The Family Flaw 117 Using The Grinders 125
Burdens and Scars (Kenning) 107 The Craddock Homestead 117 Family History 126
Using the Blackwoods 107 The Craddock Family 118 The Family Secret 126
Family History 108 Matthew Craddock, The Grinder’s Homestead 127
The Family Secret 108 the Ringmaster 118 The Grinders 127
The Blackwood Homestead 108 Marina Crayton Craddock, Twitch: the Self-Proclaimed
The Blackwood Family 109 the “Swan” 118 Rat King (Ratkin) 127
Lottie Blackwood, Daniel Craddock, Gina: Big Momma 128
the Matriarch 109 the “King of the High Trapeze” 119
Jojo: the Shot Caller 128
Gina Blackwood, the Oldest 109 Olivia Hines Craddock,
Shaggy: the Hookup 128
Jesse & Anna Blackwood, the “Firebird” 119
Zee-Dub: the Bottom Bitch 128
the Troubled Couple 110 Alan Paton,
Ant: the Scout 128
Darren Blackwood, the Healer 110 the “Leader of the Pack” 119
Story Seeds 129
Maggie Blackwood, Cerise Craddock Paton,
the Historian 110 “Princess of the Dance” 120
5
Introduction
to Canis Homo
Familiaris
“You can choose your friends but you sho’ can’t choose your family,
an’ they’re still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge ‘em or not,
and it makes you look right silly when you don’t.”
— Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Kinfolk are those special people who carry the seed of to do it again once she’s healed. Even worse, she might take
the Garou within them. They themselves did not “breed her anger and frustration out on you — she is a cauldron of
true” — they’re not Garou — but they have the potential Rage, after all. As a Kin, you have a constant target on your
to give birth to Garou, as well as contribute to a lineage of back from the Garou’s enemies. But you might also have a
Kinfolk who might one day also birth True Garou. blessing, the invisible care and attention of spirits loyal to
There is no single template for Kinfolk. They vary by the Garou. Your big brothers and sisters are always looking
tribe, culture, socioeconomic standing, geography, etc., in out for you, and you know, no matter what, that you play an
other words, they’re just like humans everywhere, except that important part in a war; even if your job is simply to keep
they’re related to werewolves. While many of them know the home fires burning.
they’re related to werewolves, and are imprinted by Garou
culture, some of them have no clue that the wolf runs deep
in their veins, even if it’s destined never to come out. The
former are called kenning Kin — they’re “in the know” —
Themes and Moods
Themes of stories and chronicles that involve Kinfolk
while the latter are called callow Kin — they’re ignorant of (either as Storyteller, or player characters) often involve
the greater reality to which their blood ties them. themes of duty, obligation, overwhelming responsibility, and
Being a Kin who never Changes is essentially tragic. You family ties. The Kinfolk have an imperative from their Garou
aren’t going to be top dog, ever. Although this also means cousins: be fruitful and multiply… even if you don’t want to.
you get to avoid charging into Wyrm dens, you also cannot The weight of family expectations is a classic source of
ever claim the glory of a Garou. If you are so unlucky as to drama, conflict, and paranoia. Face it, the Garou are scary,
actually love a Garou to whom you’re married or bonded, even if they are your parents, siblings, or children. You are
you know that she might not come home one day, or might of them but you are not them. They can tear you to pieces
crawl home nearly dead and terribly scarred, just to go out
Introduction to Canis Homo Familiaris 7
in seconds when Rage explodes, and their regretful tears Perhaps it doesn’t exist. Or, as some Glass Walkers have
afterward are little consolation. Kinfolk often feel they have theorized, it is a gene that is partly spiritual. It exists somehow
to walk on eggshells around their cousins, and this warps on both sides of the Gauntlet, one foot in ephemeral matter,
their behavior with one another. You always hurt those clos- the other in material-world molecular matter. Regardless, no
est to you, and Kinfolk families are often seething knots of Glass Walker has yet found this spirit gene, either.
Begettings
repressed anger, misplaced judgment, blind ambitions, and
heedless commands imposed from parent to child.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Although conflict is the The Garou of old, before science began its talk of DNA
heart of a story, moments of joy, awe, and wonder are also strands and molecules, saw the issue of Garou inheritance
the birthright of the Kin. There’s a war going on, but it’s a as one of spiritual destiny tied intimately with physical
war for something beautiful and desperately needed — the bloodlines. Non-Kinfolk don’t produce Garou. Period. That
living world of Gaia. Kinfolk, like the rest of us mere mortals, is known. Only someone who has blood coursing through
can’t peer across the Gauntlet into the Umbra, however, the his veins from a line of Garou inheritance can produce a
spirit world surrounds them and is closer to them than to Garou, even if many generations have passed since that
the vast majority of non-Kin. They live in a world more alive Garou blood was introduced. It’s a matter of the blood.
than most, and sometimes they even get to know it. They It’s a matter of family.
might not be able to summon a spirit on demand, but they Much is made among Garou about the importance of
might catch a glimpse of one riding the sunbeam breaking pack bonds, sept bonds, and tribal bonds. Too often un-
through the forest trees at dawn. These moments of grace spoken are the bonds of family. One reason for this is that
might be few, but they’re more assured to Kin than to most. family is too close, too foundational. It doesn’t need to be
spoken of, because it’s so bloody obvious and inescapable.
Spiritual Genetics The other reason, though, is a hint of shame: most family
aren’t Garou, they’re Kin. Non-shapechangers, fragile mor-
tals, blind and dumb to the spirit world and the dangers of
Modern Garou often speak about a Garou “gene” that
determines whether a given child is actually a Garou or is the Wyrm. To speak of them is to remind one that family
just a Kinfolk. In other words, it’s an inheritance that is is too often a liability.
determined in the womb — or even prior to conception, if Kin are begat. This archaic, Biblical term for begetting
you believe some of the wilder spiritual speculations about children also refers to the genealogical lists that mark who
predestination among Gaia’s warriors. came from whom. Among the Old Testament-era Hebrews,
It makes a certain amount of sense to think of it in terms this was a matter mainly of worldly inheritance: which son
of the science of genetics. According to this view, there is a would inherit the family wealth and the patriarch’s position,
particular gene that is transmitted from one or both of the and which sons would not. For Garou, it’s a matter most
parents to the child. From there, things get murky: is this dear: a record of who carries the precious hope of the future.
gene always expressed, or is it expressed through certain Most tribes keep very good records of who their Kin are.
environmental and/or developmental factors? If the former, But time and calamity can erode anything. Septs are wiped
then only some people have it, and those always become out in battle and oral tales die unheard. Sometimes, a Kin
Garou. If the latter, then perhaps all Kinfolk have the chance line is lost. Even here, though, there is hope. Far removed
of Garou gene expression, although the odds of the proper in time from the initial spark of Garou blood, they can still,
factors coming together to turn on the gene are rather low. against all odds, produce a Garou.
And yet, all attempts to identify this gene have come Many Garou came to believe that Kinfolk who bred
to naught. Many have tried, and many keep trying, pouring with non-Kinfolk produced non-Kinfolk children. Blame it
vast amounts of research dollars into the project. It is the on the obsession with purity and keeping lines intact. The
raison d’etre of D.N.A. (Developmental Neogenetics Amal- truth is, that there is always a chance in such pairings that
gamated), the fabled Philosopher’s Stone of their research. the offspring could inherit the Kinfolk factor.
As well, many Technocratic Progenitors have attempted the Some Garou, such as the Silver Fangs, dwell overmuch
project, and although some have produced interesting and on issues of genetics, such as whether a given child is full
creative results, it’s as if they’re only imitating the alleged blood, half-blood, one-quarter blood, etc. Suffice it to say
gene, rather than isolating and manipulating it. Pentex, that, regardless of the fraction of DNA inherited, a Kinfolk
too, has tried to master the gene, and although they’ve been breeding with a non-Kinfolk can still pass on the wolfen
able to alter Garou physiology in various ways that might lineage.
be related to mutating the mysterious gene, they have yet The mechanism for why and how this works — dominant
to find and code it. genes, recessive genes — is a mystery that may never be solved.
8 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Informal/Slang
Kinfolk can still pass the subtle seed of the Garou down
through the generations — generations of distant Kin very
often forgotten by actual Garou. Anybody could harbor the
Golden apple: A term for a Kin who the family believes
wolfen bequest, and it can — against all odds — even express
will one day breed “true” (i.e., become a Garou), despite
itself at any time throughout life.
there being no known way to accurately predict which Kin
will become Garou. A play on the phrase “the apple doesn’t
Glossary fall far from the tree.” Compare to rotten apple.

Idiot: Derogatory term for callow Kin.
Formal terminology Lethal mutation: A derogatory term used by certain

kenning Kinfolk to refer to the First Change, when one of
Bequest, the: Old-form term for the Garou “gene,” the their kind breeds true and becomes Garou. Some Garou
spiritual inheritance from birth that eventually results in the take offense at this term, but others recognize that it comes
First Change. Example: “Watch this child well — she might from a place of impotent envy and are willing to pretend
have the Bequest.” See also Garou gene. they didn’t hear it.
Callow: A Kinfolk who is unaware of the Garou and his Mare: A female Kinfolk who serves no purpose other
or her relation to them. He might suspect that he is somehow than breeding stock; a derogatory term. See also stud.
different from others, but has no factual knowledge to base Nanna: A Kinfolk who cares for Garou children or
this on. Compare to kenning. pups. The term applies to all genders.
Fellowship: A formal organization of Kinfolk, usually Rotten apple: A derogatory term for a Kin that does not
formed to aid communication or genealogy research, to help breed “true” (i.e., become a Garou). A play on the phrase
the Garou cause in some manner, or for the mutual aid and “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Compare to golden
protection of Kinfolk from their cousins’ Rage. apple. Sometimes used to refer to Kin who become corrupted.
Garou gene: Modern term for the Bequest. Despite Glass Stud: A male Kinfolk who serves no purpose other than
Walker, and certain human attempts to pinpoint this alleged breeding stock; a derogatory term. See also mare.
gene, it eludes scientific study. Unfortunate: Term for callow Kin.
Kenning: A Kinfolk who is aware of the Garou and his Ushers: Term used by kenning Kinfolk to refer to a
or her relation to them. Compare to callow. “fallen” Kinfolk family, one that is suffering bad times or is
Kin Fetch: A special type of spirit used to watch over a on the outs with their Garou cousins. From the Edgar Allen
Kinfolk and alert the Garou tribe if a Firsting occurs. Poe story, “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
Plebe pack: See Subaltern pack.
Subaltern pack: A tightknit formal grouping of Kinfolk,
in emulation of Garou packs.
Introduction to Canis Homo Familiaris 9

Chapter One:
Kinfolk Society
And, you know, there is no such thing as society.
There are individual men and women, and there are families.
— Margaret Thatcher
Being Kinfolk
the role of back-up singers in the band, extras or supporting
actors in a movie or play, members of the choir, a NASCAR
driver’s pit crew, the surgeon’s nameless operating team. They
A young girl grows up amid an extended family, which are effectively the civilian suppliers of an army that fights a
not only protects her and her siblings from most types of supernatural enemy in an unspoken war. And, though the girl
exposure to the outside world, but also alternately smothers may not like the answers she gets, at least she finds that it all
her with lists of things she can and cannot do; often leaving meant something. And, often, the knowledge makes her proud.
her to figure out things for herself in dangerous situations. She This chapter provides the low-down on what it means to
tries to question her relatives, either asking for explanations live as one of the Kinfolk, the good, the bad, the ugly — and the
or for a relaxation of the rules. She meets with equivocation heartbreakingly beautiful. Kinfolk live a life fraught with meaning,
at best (“Someday, you’ll understand.”) or hostility at worst but a life that puts them in a subservient or supportive capacity
(“Don’t question my orders, child!” Slap.). to their Changing relatives. Some Kinfolk know what they are
Occasionally, a special relative visits the family home- from the get-go; some discover their heritage as the answer to the
stead. It may be the usually absent father, perhaps one of mystery that their family has known and only just now passed on
the grandparents, an aunt or uncle, even an elder sibling. to them; some never know, and never understand why life has a
When Aunt Crystal arrives, everything in the family stops, way of crashing in on them with dreaded regularity.
and action revolves around the visitor. Even the family elders Not all Kinfolk families know what separates them from
defer to her, giving her the best seat in the house and at the the rest of humanity, what makes their lives different from
table, feeding her first and cooking special foods for her that others of their same social class, economic level, ethnic group,
the money-saving family rarely sees. Expensive cuts of steak or geographic location. The ones that do, call themselves
appear at each meal, even breakfast. Kinfolk, as do the Garou who know of them or claim them as
Eventually, the girl becomes part of the family secret. family. The Garou also refer to these knowledgeable humans
They are Kinfolk, human relatives of the Garou. They play as “kenning” Kinfolk, or “kenners.” The ones who don’t
CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 11

know, don’t call themselves anything other than human — make-up. They also know that because they missed out on
unless they use the word “cursed,” or “afflicted,” or even the particulars that lead a Garou to her First Change, they
“blessed,” or just “lucky.” Garou call them “callow.” rate second in anything involving Garou. Many of them
keenly feel that they are “second-class” citizens of the Garou
Kenning Kinfolk
Nation. The Garou, themselves, bolster that impression all
too often by their tendencies to act with either condescension
or arrogance toward their human family.
Most Kinfolk fall into the category of kenning Kinfolk.
The extent of knowledge in these families differs greatly, Many Garou expect service from their Kinfolk, often
from those who only know that they have werewolves in above and beyond otherwise normal expectations. When
the family, to the ones who can recite genealogical history, a Garou comes to his Kinfolk family needing healing, rest,
discern one tribe from another, and sometimes serve as in- supplies, or even a place to hide temporarily, they usually
formation sources for Garou looking for obscure points of expect their relations to meet those needs immediately and
lore. Most kenning families fall somewhere in the middle: without hesitation. They rarely take into account the fact
they know about the Garou, that they have one or more that their appearance may interfere with the family’s normal
family members who are Garou (and that future generations schedule. Piano recitals and soccer games, board meetings,
of their family might undergo the First Change), and that factory work schedules, and even surgical operations must
they have a duty to support their Garou family members. come to a crashing halt to meet the needs of the Garou.
The amount of support a kenning family owes to their Many Kinfolk accept this and make accommodations
Garou differs from family to family, from Garou to Garou, for this sort of occurrence; others solve the problem by
and from tribe to tribe. Some kenning Kinfolk only see their never becoming involved in things that they may have to
Garou relatives when their help is needed. They stand ready interrupt when Uncle Sings-of-Gaia’s-Battles shows up with
to provide shelter, access to medical aid, food, and other yet another request (i.e. command) for assistance. Some
material necessities whenever their Garou brother or aunt families forbid their children to participate in extracurric-
shows up wounded, hunted, or otherwise in need. The rest ular activities, attend proms, or make plans for the future
of the time, they live relatively normal lives. that can’t undergo change in an instant. While some young
Kinfolk eventually reconcile themselves to their social and
Other Kinfolk families spend most of their time pre-
vocational limitations, others only grow more and more
paring for the day the Garou might call upon them. They
resentful, sometimes to the point of open rebellion.
bring up their children with a focus on the ways they might
serve their Garou family member. They remain on call all Other Kinfolk families find a happy medium; between
the time, maintain an inventory of things the Garou might having a family life of their own and allowing their children
need, and excise from their lives anything not connected in enough independence in planning their futures to balance
some fashion with their Garou relatives. their own needs with those of the Garou in their lives. Some
Garou tribes, such as the Children of Gaia, demand less of
Garou differ greatly from tribe to tribe, depending on
their Kinfolk in terms of subservience. Others, such as the
their places of origin, physical characteristics, and mindset.
Bone Gnawers, go out of their way to include Kinfolk in
These differences appear as well in their Kinfolk. Still, even
as many of their activities as possible without causing them
though they may be very different from one another in ways
injury. Still others, such as the Shadow Lords, often insist
that mirror the differences of their Garou relations, Kinfolk
on a superior-to-inferior relationship.
from different tribes have more in common with one another
than they do with “normal” humans. Many Kinfolk grow up feeling inferior to, or jealous
of, the Garou. In combination with some degree of resent-
The Kinfolk Examined ment that Gaia did not choose them to manifest the Garou
“gene,” these individuals also harbor a heavy dose of envy.
Most kenning Kinfolk (a discussion of callow Kinfolk fol- This causes them to react in different ways.
lows, p. 35) share a common personality profile. They exhibit
Some go out of their way to prove they can hold their
similar personality traits, mindsets, and temperaments. This is
own alongside (or against) their Garou relations. They work
not to say that Kinfolk all come in cookie-cutter patterns. They
out, undergo strenuous strength-training regimens, and often
are as individual as any non-Kinfolk humans in the details of
resort to biochemical enhancements, such as steroids. Others
their lives, but they fall into broad general characteristics that
resort to subtly subverting their relative’s needs: providing
reflect many generations of family connections with the Garou.
them food that is nutritious and plentiful, but badly cooked;
Mindset supplying them with second-rate (though not sub-standard)
equipment; nursing them to health with something less
Kenning Kinfolk grow up with the knowledge that they
than TLC (without seeming to do so). A few go to extremes,
carry the Garou “gene” (or Garou blood) in their biological

seeking those who might help them fulfill their dreams of
becoming Garou. (See Chapter Four: Storytelling Kinfolk Hierarchy
Chronicles, for more on the Skin Dancers.) Some Kinfolk families have an internal hierarchy that
mimics that of a Garou pack. In most cases (and not unlike
Customs many traditional “nuclear” human families), the father or
eldest male is head of the family and receives the same kind
Regardless of the differences from one Kinfolk family
of respect as a Garou elder. The father’s mate, unless Garou,
to another, or among Kinfolk of different tribes, all Kinfolk
acts as the primary support for the Kinfolk “elder” or acts
share a few common traits or customs that enable them to
as leader in his absence. Whenever a Garou is present, of
deal with family members who live in a permanent state
course, the Garou takes over as elder (regardless of his actual
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These are a few
Garou rank). If a family runs along matriarchal lines, the
customs that enable harmonious relations to exist among
mother or eldest female acts as the elder. In other families,
Kinfolk and Garou in most circumstances.
the oldest family member, regardless of gender, acts as elder.
Acquiescence: From a very young age, kenning Kin-
Black Fury Kinfolk tend to have a matriarchal structure
folk learn that when their Garou relatives speak, they had
to their families, while a patriarchal hierarchy most often
better respond with compliance. “Don’t let Uncle Jimmy
exists among the Get of Fenris, Silver Fang, and Fianna.
get angry with you,” is a warning that most young Kin take
Among the Shadow Lords and Glass Walkers, merit singles
very seriously. Even older Kinfolk, including normal heads
out the elder Kinfolk, with the other members falling into
of families, walk carefully around their Garou family no
place according to their usefulness to the family. Children
matter how deep their bonds of affection.
of Gaia, Stargazers, and Silent Striders usually have a looser
Nurturance: Most Garou visit their Kinfolk (unless they family structure, giving precedence to Garou relatives but
live with them) only in times of need or in order to breed. with minimal structure beyond that. Bone Gnawers either
Kinfolk recognize this and take pride in their ability to soothe have no hierarchy or they have a matriarch or patriarch that
their Garou relatives, whether through food, comfort, sexual has final say over most family matters. Uktena and Wendigo
attention, or simply providing a quiet, restful environment. tend to pattern themselves after their human tribal customs
Pride of Place: When a Garou relative visits, she re- whenever possible. Among Red Talon Kinfolk, hierarchy
ceives the lion’s share of whatever she wants: food, drink, follows the normal structure of a wolf pack. Children are
the best chair in the house, the best bed, or bedroom, etc. almost always the lowest in the hierarchy, having the most
Unless the Garou indicates otherwise, she eats first, speaks to learn and needing the most protection.
first, and acts first, as if she were pack leader to her Kinfolk
(and, in fact, she is). Subaltern Packs (Kinfolk Packs)
Respect: Many Garou believe in their superiority over Just as Garou form packs of bonded individuals to better
their Kinfolk. As members of a species with a strict hierarchy serve Gaia, the idea of Kinfolk packs, sometimes called subal-
system in their own tribes and packs, Garou naturally expect tern or plebe packs, has grown exponentially among Kinfolk.
some of the same treatment from their Kinfolk. Unless they Usually, these packs consist of Kinfolk in their late teens and
are very familiar with and fond of one another, a Kinfolk older, though young Kinfolk sometimes form “play packs.”
will usually address their relative with a “sir,” or “ma’am,” or Forming a permanent or even a temporary group of
some other term of respect (not unlike those used in some Kinfolk to tackle field missions enables Kinfolk the chance to
military families). While a Kinfolk may voice disagreement fight some of Gaia’s enemies with a good chance of survival.
with a Garou relative, she usually takes great care to do so Taking as their models the Garou pack, the military’s special
in a tactful and respectful manner, never pushing her ideas ops small-tactical groups, and even the adventure gaming
or opinions once the Garou has made a decision. model from online games, most Kinfolk packs contain from
Submission: Inevitably, a member of a Garou’s human four to six members. One person takes on the job of pack
family will do something that brings the Garou’s Rage to the leader, another acts as “medic” or healer (usually someone
fore. A battle between Garou and Kinfolk can only end in with medical knowledge or supernatural healing), another
the death or permanent maiming of the Kinfolk, however as scout or point person, and the rest as “muscle.”
ably the human might defend himself. If a Kinfolk becomes While many Kinfolk packs come and go as necessity
the target of a Garou relative’s attack, he learns to submit dictates, a few packs have managed to stay together and
immediately, either through backing away, or, in extreme have made a name for themselves among Kinfolk. A few of
cases, by exposing his throat or belly to the Garou attacker. these packs appear below.
This submissive posture usually cuts through a Garou’s Rage • # (Hashtag): Made up of Glass Walker Kinfolk with
by invoking the portion of the Litany that demands a Garou impressive computer skills, this pack excels in conducting com-
accept an “honorable surrender.” puter ops that cause major headaches for Pentex and various

other Wyrm-affiliated corporations. Occasionally, they take
to the field for some on-site sabotage, but their chief business Marriages to Garou
consists of monitoring the Internet for useful information or For many (actually, for most) Garou, Kinfolk exist primarily
for early warnings that the Wyrm is on the move. Headed by as breeding stock. Whatever else they might be or become,
Yvonne Masters, a 32-year-old software designer with her own Kinfolk must, wherever possible, provide male and female
business, # holds regular meetings to hone one another’s skills Garou with mates. While this may sound crass or demeaning
and keep track of their progress on long-term projects. Other pack to most people, Garou recognize that Gaia, in her wisdom,
members include Logan Firth, 22-year-old security consultant/ has forbidden Garou to mate with Garou. If Gaia’s Warriors
hacker, whose expertise in placing or erasing viruses has already are to continue to fight her battles, then they must find mates
brought a couple of environment-wrecking companies to the among their human or wolf Kin. While this may seem to
point of bankruptcy; Fawkes, 26-year-old video game tester who relegate Kinfolk to the role of breeders, in actuality, bringing
builds his own processors; Morna Dawes, 23-year-old blogger forth the next generation of Garou to take on the formidable
and device wizard; and Alvin Geauchard, online investor, self- job of combatting the Wyrm in all its many forms rates as one
made millionaire, and the author of “How to Write Yourself of the highest forms of service one can give to Gaia.
Into History,” a how-to book on using the Internet and social Family ties are among the strongest ones within the
media to spin your own reality. They pride themselves on doing animal world, particularly among wolf packs. The impor-
damage to the enemy without having to leave their homes. tance of those ties resonates among the Garou, who cherish
Working together has made them that much more effective. their young and, usually, their mates with a fierceness that
• The Killers: This not-so-subtly named Kinfolk pack sometimes goes beyond the bounds of protectiveness.
consists primarily of Get of Fenris and Silent Strider Kinfolk In many cases, Garou mate with Kinfolk for life, just as
who specialize in knock-down, drag-out fights with the tribe’s wolves do. Occasionally, some Garou may choose many mates,
enemies or targets assigned to them by their Garou kin. Gun- particularly when Garou children do not seem forthcoming
ther Kraler, 30-year-old army veteran and professional hunter, with their current partner. Some tribes, such as the Silent
leads the pack with a loose military style. Attention to the pack Striders, find their nomadic lifestyle leads to less permanent
hierarchy is important, but discipline is generally comfortably relationships with either human or wolf partners. Others,
loose. Pack medic is Anna Glimm, 28-year-old triage nurse, such as the Black Furies, have complex relationships that allow
the only female, and usually the only non-combatant in the for more than one male Kinfolk partner at a time. For them,
pack. Silent Strider Kinfolk Macabee Concannon, 26-years- the importance lies in the ability to produce female Garou.
old, acts as scout when he is in town. Otherwise Stefan Lunz,
30-year-old wilderness guide, takes the job. Another part-time Love and Marriage
pack member, Silent Strider Kin Jacobi Al Yusef, serves as Marriages among Garou and Kinfolk more often than
small-arms coordinator when his travels enable him to join in not have a basis in romantic love and physical attraction.
a pack operation. Twins Mark and Mikal von Zurgen, 20-year- Garou passions run high, and so do those of their Kinfolk.
old athletes and gun enthusiasts fill out the pack’s muscle. Many unions begin with sheer “animal” magnetism, with
All members know how to use multiple weapons, including little thought beyond the joy that both partners share in their
artillery and grenades, and are trained in at least one combat physical union. Resulting marriages have a success rate not
or martial arts style. Their Garou kin supply them with a list unlike those of normal humans. Some partners remain in
of potential targets they want removed or “neutralized” and love with each other until the death of one of them severs the
leave it to the Killers to plan and execute their own ops. So bond. Others discover that the initial attraction soon fades,
far they have always succeeded and have not been caught. and the reality of a permanent union frays and breaks down.
• Nightshade: This pack of Black Fury Kinfolk consists Even so, just as some human families do for religious or soci-
of Rebecca Pacoulis, 27-year-old leader and the daughter of etal pressures, many Garou and their mates tough it out for
a Theurge; Melika Ash, 22-year-old EMT and herbal healer; the sake of keeping the family together, particularly when the
Alexander Likoiros, 18-year-old extreme sports enthusiast union proves a good one for the creation of Garou children.
and pack point man; Rico Karakis, 23-year-old Olympic-style
wrestler; Pola Mistrunner, 25-year-old gym teacher; and Themis
Arranged Marriages
Oeris, 19-year-old college student and amateur archer. The Other Garou unions resemble political ties or business con-
pack has been together for a little over a year and its members tracts, not unlike those that occur among human royalty or among
have distinguished themselves as useful in taking out human the economic upper crust. Many countries still practice arranged
operatives of Wyrm-controlled companies, usually attacking marriages, and this pattern also exists among Garou. While some
simultaneously with a Black Fury Garou assault on the main tribes, notably the Children of Gaia, Bone Gnawers, Fianna, Glass
target. This pack provides an outlet for male Fury Kinfolk Walkers, and Silent Striders encourage ties of affection or incidental
who get tired of taking a back seat in this matriarchal society. pairings, others keep careful track of their Kinfolks’ breeding potential.

NEW BLOOD: KIN AND NON-KIN MATING
Garou prefer that their Kinfolk marry and breed with too closely related (or is otherwise unappealing), Kin are
other Kinfolk. This guarantees that their children will also encouraged to find mates out in the world, away from
be Kinfolk. It also makes it easier to keep the secrets of the the confines of the septs, even though this means mixing
Garou in the family. But as the Bard said, “the course of with non-Kinfolk. Baring the lucky find of a callow Kin
true love never did run smooth.” Kinfolk sometimes fall as a mate, modern dating and breeding means that some
in love (or lust) with non-Kinfolk, resulting in marriages, children will not be Kin.
relationships, or even one-night stands with someone not This brings with it a new concern: whether to raise
“of the blood.” Their children might be Kinfolk… or they non-Kin children as kenning or callow. It might be a
might not be. (See “Begettings,” in the Introduction, pp. 8-9.) mercy to keep the truth of their family’s Garou heritage
Garou argue about the odds of such unions pro- from them, since they cannot easily participate in the
ducing Kin (let alone Garou), with some favoring pure family business (not being able to tolerate witnessing
bloodlines to ensure higher probabilities, and others Crinos form). Since these non-Kinfolks’ own children
preferring to let diverse lines mix, believing that only will also not be Kinfolk (unless they mate with a Kinfolk,
Gaia controls the results. giving their child a chance to be a Kinfolk), many sept
Kinfolk are well aware that they’ve got to open up elders consider it best to sever the connections with
their families at times to let in new blood. Inbreeding can these lesser cousins, to let them go their own way, never
produce unhealthy children, unfit for the First Change knowing the truth about one of their eccentric parents.
or for continuing the bloodline. For many Garou tribes, Other septs, however, feel they need every ally they can
this has traditionally meant planning for arranged mar- get, and raise these non-Kinfolk with full participation
riages or at least social meet-ups between kenning Kin in and knowledge of the burden their family bears.
from different septs. These matches were once mostly Although matings between wolf Kin and non-Kin
between Kin of the same tribe from different regions, with wolves have always been common, the widespread prac-
some cross-tribal blood being accepted now and then, tice of human Kin and human non-Kin mating is such a
mainly out of necessity. In modern times, as the ranks relatively recent phenomenon that there are few guidelines
thin and tribes gather together into multi-tribal septs, based on tribal cultures. The practice varies from sept to
there is an increasing awareness that Kinfolk should seek sept, based largely on modern conditions and needs. The
new blood outside the circle of Garou. That is, when Silver Fangs, of course, are an exception, continuing to
no Garou mate is available, and every Kin candidate is hold out for purity in their Kinfolks’ matings.
PURE BREED: BEHIND THE SCENES

Silver Fangs, more than any other tribe, exhibit an pp. 99-104) along with a welcome to the tribe. Even if
obsessive interest in bloodlines. Most of their Kinfolk he never undergoes his First Change, he becomes an
possess the Pure Breed Background, and the Silver Fang important contributor to the tribe (and goes on the list
make certain that the purity of their lineage does not of approved carriers of the blood).
diminish due to such paltry reasons as love or physical If a child proves to be the result of a match between
attraction. Soon after a female Silver Fang Kin delivers a Silver Fang Kin and anyone else (including a Garou of
a child, a member of the tribe (sometimes the Garou another tribe), the interrogators remove the child from his
parent) shows up to “verify” the purity of the birth. The mother and “relocate him.” The official story holds that
Silver Fang contacts an ancestor spirit using a tribal ritual the child enters an approved foster home and becomes
to determine the true father of the child. Coupled with “adopted” by a less particular tribe (i.e., the Bone Gnawers,
often rigorous interrogation of the mother and close Children of Gaia, or even Silent Striders).
relatives, the tribe can ferret out any stray infidelity that
Most Garou and Kinfolk prefer to believe the
might lead to a dilution of the blood. When the child
official story.
receives approval by the tribe, he receives his Fetch (see

The Silver Fangs have the strongest reputation as stick- Shadow Lords care as much, if not more, about the mating
lers for Pure Breeds, making certain that their Kinfolk mate choices of their Kin, but for their own reasons. Foremost in the
with Garou or other Silver Fang Kinfolk. Sometimes these minds of the Shadow Lord Garou stands the question: “How best
matings result from arranged marriages; at other times they can a mating advance the power and influence of the tribe?” Closely
come from ad hoc pairings that do not necessarily result in followed by: “How can I best benefit from selecting a politically,
long-term relationships. The need to conceive a child serves as socially, or economically influential mate?” Marriages or relation-
the imperative to which all else takes second place. The Silver ships outside the Shadow Lord fold may win approval by the tribe
Fang keep at least one registry (see the Silvertree Genealogical provided they pass careful scrutiny that involves bank accounts,
Society below) to ensure the perpetuation of the blood. investments, and sometimes not-quite-legitimate activities. The
Likewise, the Get of Fenris have strong preferences bottom line: what’s good for the tribe is the only thing that matters.
toward the lineage of those they claim as Kinfolk. For the The Red Talons, since they have no human Kinfolk,
most part, they prefer Kinfolk of Nordic or Teutonic stock, don’t seem to worry overmuch about “marriages.” Wolves
believing that their warrior traditions, strong patriarchal tend to mate for life, and Red Talons retain so much of
tendencies, and cultural ethos provide the best nature-nur- their wolf nature that the conceiving, bearing, and raising
ture environment for the Get’s Garou-to-be. of children by wolf-Kin does not present a problem. As for
On rare occasions, usually ones in which a non-Get Kinfolk the occasional Red Talon who may enjoy a tumble with a
brings herself to the attention of a Get of Fenris pack through human or wolf Kinfolk from another tribe, only rumors exist
an act of distinction, that pack may reward the individual with to suggest that such an event ever happens. Some Black Fury,
the right to call herself Get of Fenris Kin. Usually this happens Bone Gnawer, Uktena, Children of Gaia, and Silent Strider
in the case of romantic involvements between a Fenris Garou Kin claim that they have met and even borne children by
and someone outside the circle of Kinfolk and resembles the one or another rogue Red Talon, but no confirmation has
old fairy tales in which a worthy commoner undergoes a test of ever come from the Talons — nor ever will. Undoubtedly any
strength and character to win his beloved in marriage. Red Talon caught consorting with human Kinfolk ends up
Mostly, Get of Fenris Kinfolk keep their children close facing tribal retribution resulting in loss of Honor and/or
enough so that they end up in approved relationships, either Wisdom Renown at best, actual rank loss even worse, and
with other Get Kin or with a pre-selected Garou. banishment for incorrigibles (repeat offenders).

LE DROIT DU SEIGNEUR: THE LORD’S RIGHT
Also referred to as jus prima noctis (the right of the first night), le droit de jambage (the right of the leg), or le droit de
cuissage (the right of the thigh), le droit du seigneur refers to the custom dating back at least as far as the Middle Ages,
if not before, in which the lord of a realm had the right to the wedding night of any of the subordinate women,
noble or peasant, if he desired. Though not a confirmed fact, enough references to the practice exist to presume
that high-born men, particularly in a society that valued women only as commodities or vessels for breeding, did
exercise this prerogative. Garou of the time period did not differ overmuch from their human counterparts, and
many modern Garou (more than they might like to admit) look back with some nostalgia on the days when Kinfolk
“knew their place.”
Medieval society, with its strict hierarchical structure, made it easier for the Garou to keep track of their
Kinfolk and make sure that they always had enough quality breeding stock to perpetuate their tribes. Throw-
backs to those older ways of thinking occur now and again in tribes with closer ties to their cultural history:
Silver Fangs, Get of Fenris, Fianna, Shadow Lords, and even Wendigo.
Even today, some circumstances allow or even seem to encourage a Garou to “claim” Kinfolk women as
mates, even (or especially) on their wedding nights. Subcultures such as biker gangs, insular communities in which
close kin often produce children, religious or social cults, gangs, or criminal families may consider this practice
an accepted part of their lifestyle — and Garou packs crop up in all of these circumstances. Is this some Garou
pack’s answer to inbreeding or stacking the genetic cards? Perhaps. Is this rape? If the female is unwilling, yes!
Storytellers should be careful about including such circumstances in their Garou or Kinfolk chronicles.
Players must be ready and willing to confront morally ambiguous (or just plain morally wrong-headed) actions,
and perhaps rescue one of their Kinfolk, or change a long-standing pack policy.
Kinfolk of
Another tribe that pays close attention to the breeding
practices of their Kinfolk are the Wendigo. These Garou tend
to try to preserve the Native American Garou from the contam-
ination of mating with the Wyrmbringer tribes from Europe.
the Thirteen Tribes
While individual Wendigo may decide differently and follow
their hearts, the tribe as a whole looks askance at such marriages
Black Furies
or relationships and reacts with censure or requires some sort The Black Furies’ overarching concern for women and chil-
of ritual purification before accepting the errant Wendigo back dren in the clutches of a patriarchal or male-dominated society
into the tribe or reluctantly acknowledging her choice of mate. brings them close to their Kinfolk, both male and female. Many
female Kinfolk associate themselves with Black Fury circles.
In general, all Garou try to make use of their Kinfolk in
ways that strengthen the tribe, and none of the tribes hold In Europe, and the Old World, the Sisterhood works
themselves above dictating who should marry whom when to deliver Kinfolk and their children to places of safety. In
the future of Gaia is at stake. the modern world, where genetic cleansing has resurfaced,
Garou and Kinfolk of the Sisterhood have rescued women
and children in Eastern Europe and in the new countries
Tribal Customs of the former Soviet Union, not to mention places in Africa
and the Middle East. Male Kinfolk find a welcome place
Each Garou tribe has its own view or views on Kinfolk, in the Sisterhood. In many countries where this group of
their purpose, their care and keeping, and their attitude Black Furies fight for freedom and equal rights, male Kinfolk
toward these humans (or wolves) who ensure that the Garou can go places and secure advantages not allowed to women.
species survives. As the number of Garou dwindle, Ga- These brave men recognize their jobs as important, but in no
rou-Kinfolk relationships sometimes find themselves pushed way superior to the job that Kinfolk and Garou women do.
to the limit, exerting great amounts of stress on both sides. Many Kinfolk associated with the Sisterhood (see p. 29)
Some tribes and their Kinfolk experience this more have learned hedge magic (see Numina, in Chapter Three).
keenly than others. A few claim that they have no problems Known as strega among the locals, they have a reputation
with their Kinfolk. In most cases, they are lying or delusional.
as wise women and healers, another factor that brings form to better partake of the refreshment, realizing that it
down negative attention from the regional patriarchies. didn’t matter who was who. They were all Bone Gnawers.
Sisterhood Kin also train in combat fighting and martial All one of “us.” In fact, many Bone Gnawers realize that
arts skills, sometimes more than their Garou kin, who rely their Kinfolk often bear their thankless, trouble-filled lives
on natural weapons and strength as often as they do with with more courage and with many fewer advantages than
other modes of fighting. the Bone Gnawers do. From that day, as the Galliard’s story
Where the Sisterhood provides welcome and safety spread, Bone Gnawers looked at their Kinfolk with much
for Kinfolk in Europe and other parts of the world, the more respect. Or so the story goes. Other stories say it was
Moon-Daughters, born from America’s flirtation with the always that way.
New Age, serve the same purpose in the Western Hemi- Bone Gnawers hold their Kinfolk in high regard, or
sphere. Working with the Children of Gaia, the Furies of as highly as anyone with little regard for society’s trappings
the Moon-Daughters more often seek peaceful solutions, can. They understand that they and their Kin need to work
though their warrior spirit never stays entirely quiet. They together to achieve whatever Gaia wants from them. Kinfolk
embrace pagans, holistics, New Agers of all kinds, and even associated with the Bone Gnawer’s Rat Fink camp often
Christians who agree with their egalitarian, peaceful practices. occupy society’s lower rungs, holding down (or trying to)
Moon-Daughters often practice ritual magic, keep wolf-Kin jobs as janitors, fast-food slingers, garbage collectors, file
as close companions, and consider male Kinfolk (and some clerks, and other thankless jobs that support the necessary
male non-Kin) as equal or nearly so. but unglamorous bottom-of-the-ladder to success. Along
Unlike many tribes, who place procreation above all with their Garou kin, they traffic in information, and are
other purposes for Kinfolk, Black Fury Kin acknowledge generally in a good position to acquire odd facts.
their duty to provide for the next generation of Black Fu- Both human and wolf Bone Gnawer Kin know of the
ries, but also realize the importance of providing safety for Barking Chain, which uses coded yelps, howls, and barks
all women and children. They have few problems with gay to relay information from place to place, whether within a
or alternate lifestyles, and some Black Fury groups seem city, between cities, or from city to rural Gnawers. Although
to prefer same-sex companionships for everything except human Kin can’t replicate the complex sounds used in this
producing children. Black Fury Kinfolk often choose to form of communication unless they possess the Chain Talk
have male children, particularly those who show signs of Gift (see p. 67), they know that any information passed along
becoming Garou, adopted into other tribes; in like manner, to lupus Kin will travel along the Chain to its desired end.
Black Fury Kinfolk willingly adopt girl children from tribes Kinfolk who run with the Bone Gnawer’s “Hood” share
who prefer male scions, such as the Get of Fenris and some their Garou relations’ desire to create a more equitable
Shadow Lords. society by redistributing as much of the wealth as possible.
Bone Gnawers These Kinfolk range from petty thieves who have stumbled
upon a “noble cause” upon which to hang their shady deeds,
Unlike most other Garou, the Bone Gnawers do not to pro-bono lawyers (not all of whom practice legally), and
suffer from a tendency to condescend to or underestimate ex-social workers who realize that they can help more people
their Kinfolk. Circumstances and history have conspired outside than inside the system.
to place these Children of Rat on the low end of Garou In many cities, Bone Gnawer Kinfolk find their way into
society — just about on the level of Kinfolk. Some say that jobs with local animal control. This allows them to locate
one day a Bone Gnawer Galliard woke up in a hut filled Garou taken by surprise by their First Change; reports of
with Kinfolk, who were all passing the time telling stories “wild dogs” enable them to find and rescue these Garou,
about themselves and their past deeds. As the night wore regardless of their tribe, and get them to safety before they
on, each story grew longer, the intricacies more detailed, end up in the back of an animal control van. Kinfolk also
and the events more fantastic. The Bone Gnawer listened spearhead the drive for no-kill solutions to stray animals and
to stories of enemies vanquished, innocents rescued, and lead the fight against dog- and cock-fighting rings.
the downtrodden given champions to defend them. Finally,
Road Warders’ Kin share the wanderlust of the Garou
his turn came to tell a tale. He tried to think of something
who make up this camp. Usually they have one prize posses-
he had done that stood out from among the others. At last
sion, a van used for hauling their latest group of “family,”
he stood up in their midst and said, “I can do this.” He
including Garou, down backroads and superhighways, or
changed into his fiercest form and looked around. One or
sometimes a motorcycle, for those who would rather travel
two of the Kinfolk looked amazed for a moment. Then they
closer to the ground. Some continue the hobo tradition;
all applauded, and one of them offered him a drink from
others wander only when the urge takes them, or when the
a freshly unstoppered clay jug. “Looks like you’re one of
jobs run out, or when they get caught.
us,” the giver said. The Bone Gnawer resumed his human

The Kinfolk associated with the Bone Gnawers’ Hillfolk expect too much of their Kin, particularly in combat situa-
camp fulfill every stereotype conjured up by the word “hill- tions. At times the physical shortcomings of Kinfolk have
billy” — but only sometimes. For every ignorant, backward, disastrous results and serve as grim reminders that equality
illiterate, inbred mountain man and his barefoot family, there of intent does not always result in equality in fact.
is an herbalist with a PhD in folklore and herbal healing, a
diligent hill farmer whose home-schooled children are just Fianna
as likely to attend university as they are to stay at home and For the Fianna, family encompasses so much more than
add another room or two to the family homestead. Many of blood relations. The Garou of Celtic human stock incorpo-
these Kinfolk turn their backs on technology; others boast rate ideas of clan pride, fighting fellowships, and the joy of
of their satellite dishes and monitor their police radios living and dying into their daily life. Kenning Kinfolk grow
religiously to keep up with the latest news. And, of course, up knowing their connection not only to their Garou family
they (Kinfolk and Garou) brew up the most righteous but to a cultural tradition as well. Some Kin become caught
moonshine in the hollows of Appalachia, the Ozarks, and up in the political and social struggles associated with their
other mountainous regions. They are also more likely than Celtic backgrounds.
most Kinfolk to involve themselves in family feuds that last The Irish and Scottish Fianna Kin sometimes find them-
for generations. selves embroiled in political activities that periodically erupt
in violence. In the U.S., Fianna Kinfolk often participate
Children of Gaia in the close-knit activities of Irish or Scots-Irish Americans,
Of all the Garou, the Children of Gaia probably hold attending meetings in Hibernian societies or participating
their Kinfolk in the highest esteem. Recognizing the impor- in Highland celebrations. They sometimes adopt ethnic
tance of the role that Kinfolk play in the perpetuation of the attitudes based on outdated and backward prejudices that
species, the Garou accord Kinfolk equal status where possible, date from a time when being Irish was unpopular, or when
and near-equal in matters where Garou must take the lead. Americans of Irish and Scottish descent seldom got along.
The residual stigma of one of their Kinfolk, Samuel Many Kinfolk need reminding from time to time that racial
Haight, whose notorious hatred of his inferior status led him and ethnic tensions, religions and political differences do
to the discovery of “skinchanging” and to the subsequent not belong in their world (or in any world), and that being
formation of the outlawed Skin Dancers, has branded the Fianna takes precedence to everything else.
necessity of doing right by their Kin deep into the tribal While Fianna Kinfolk share with their Garou kin on
consciousness. No one wants a repeat performance, with an almost equal basis, the differences between Gaia’s war-
perhaps even more insidious consequences next time around. riors and their human support network loom large when it
Like their Garou kin, Children of Gaia Kinfolk focus comes to battling the Wyrm and its minions. Kinfolk share
heavily on community involvement, particularly concen- in much of the life of the caern, with trusted families living
trating on environmental issues, social inequities, and within the bawn and carrying out duties connected with
relief efforts. Among the first responders after hurricane, securing the caern’s surroundings. Feasts and celebrations
tsunami, and earthquake disasters, Children of Gaia and include Kinfolk, and most Fianna septs uphold a tradition
their Kinfolk worked side by side in volunteer rescue efforts, of the feast before battle. These occasions also provide an
as well as post-disaster relief for both humans and animals. opportunity for Kin and Garou to choose partners, whether
From national and international organizations such as the for a night or for a longer-term relationship.
Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, animal protection Relations between Fianna Kin and Garou are far from
groups, wildlife preservation societies, and environmental promiscuous. Rather, they aim for an attitude that embraces
conservation action programs, to local volunteer firefighters’ the need for love in the face of impending death and the
groups, benevolent societies, and grassroots self-help and overwhelming belief that joy, however transcendent, over-
protection groups, Children of Gaia Kin work toward the comes the greatest of sorrows. Ingrained into the life of both
greatest good for the greatest number. Lupine Kin often act Fianna Garou and their families is the attitude that life is
as caern guards and bawn sentinels, sharing in the life of precious and fleeting, joy should never wait for the “right
the tribe as fully as possible. time,” and family ties endure forever.
Whenever possible, Garou Children attempt to include Competitions play a part in many get-togethers among
their Kinfolk in moots (at least in the parts where they may Fianna Kinfolk and Garou. Sometimes Kin and Garou com-
participate) and rites. Although they do not have “voting” pete on an even basis with dancing and drinking contests.
rights when it comes to making decisions for septs, the wishes (It’s not sporting to cheat by using the Resist Toxin Gift.)
and ideas of Kinfolk receive consideration. Physical competitions generally separate Kinfolk from Ga-
Sometimes equality between Garou and Kinfolk can rou, acknowledging the obvious differences in capabilities.
prove more than a Kinfolk can bear. Now and then, Garou Many Fianna Kinfolk follow occupations that reflect
their cultural upbringing, as well as their penchant for military training to give them the ability to fight alongside
work that tests their physical limits, such as police officers, their Garou kin if needed. Frequently, female Kinfolk seek
firefighters, emergency responders, coaches or fitness in- out the military as a way of impressing on their male Kinfolk
structors. Others become doctors, teachers, or artisans of as well as their Garou relations their fitness to do battle for
various types. Not a few enter the hospitality field, excelling Gaia. Female Kin also take on vocations that allow them
as brewers and caterers. to serve as role models for the next generation of girls,
Some Kinfolk, particularly those whose families have whether Kinfolk or not, by teaching self-defense, sports,
learned to reconcile their Garou blood with traditional re- and other activities meant to bolster confidence and bring
ligious practices, enter the religious life as priests or nuns, if out leadership qualities.
Catholic, and as ministers, if Protestant. Fianna Garou often Some Kinfolk band together to hunt down creatures
have problems with Kinfolk desiring to enter vocations that such as vampires and destructive ghosts, while simultaneously
require celibacy, since this removes them from the desper- protecting the werewolves under their roofs.
ately needed breeding pool. While Fianna do not expressly While the stereotypes of Fenris Garou ruling their Kin-
forbid Kinfolk from making such decisions, they do insist folk with an iron hand may continue to exist, the truth of
that their Kinfolk have very good reasons for wanting to do the matter is that the stereotype is becoming the exception.
so. In cases like this, the alleged equality of relations between
Garou and Kinfolk undergo their most severe tests. Glass Walkers
Glass Walker Kinfolk occupy an unenviable spot com-
Get of Fenris pared to most other Kinfolk. On the one-hand, Glass Walkers
While the Get of Fenris have a well-deserved reputation value their Kinfolk highly and, consequently, expect a lot
as fierce warriors, implacable foes, and often harsh advocates from them. On the other hand, the Walkers themselves
for Garou superiority, they represent something very differ- fulfill most of the functions usually filled by Kinfolk of
ent to their Kinfolk. The passion, loyalty, and devotion the other tribes. As financiers and businesspersons, they raise
Get have for their Kinfolk, and their protectiveness toward ample funding for the tribe. They’re also able to perform
them, rivals their commitment to Gaia’s safety. Their Kinfolk urban-based activities such as purchasing equipment and
know this, and have learned to accommodate the sometimes food for caerns or septs, and forming contacts with local
overweening authoritarianism of their Garou parents, sons, authorities as well as the criminal underworld. Since the
daughters, lovers, and other relations. Garou take over these aspects of tribal survival, the major
In general, Kinfolk do not question the decisions made portion of Kinfolk jobs are serving as breeding stock and
by their Garou kin, even if it regards decisions that have to taking on jobs that require them to travel far from the sept.
do with their own life choices. More often than not, how- Throughout their history, female Glass Walker Kinfolk have
ever, a woman married to one of the Get will discuss with had a harder time finding a place in tribal society than their
her mate whether or not she wants to get a job outside the male counterparts. Some, in fact, joined human institutions
home, pursue an advanced degree, or run for public office. such as the Church, where, as nuns, they could exercise
In a similar fashion, a male Kinfolk married to a Get listens indirect influence to keep their Garou kin out of trouble.
carefully to her opinions on what actions he should take This, however, removed them from the breeding pool, so
to best fulfill his role as protector of their human family. female Kinfolk often had to overcome a lot of opposition
Although a distinction between the sexes once played if they wanted to take this path.
a firm role within the tribe and between the Get and their Male Kinfolk were only slightly better off. The Garou
Kinfolk, the lines between gender-appropriate activities has often found uses for their male Kinfolk by sending them as
blurred as women have become more outspoken, and main- spies into the territories of other tribes or Wyrm-suspected
stream society comes closer and closer to blanket equality. agencies. This resulted in taking these Kinfolk away from
Many Kinfolk still raise their children in the old ways, with their families for long periods of time, often fostering less-
strict roles for girls and boys. Other Kinfolk families pay than-perfect relations between Garou and their Kin.
more attention to where an individual’s strengths lie and Despite the disadvantages many Glass Walker Kinfolk
try to nurture the actual talents of their children. experience, they do enjoy the protection of the tribe. Many
Get Kinfolk in the outside world tend toward careers septs require their Kin to live within the caern, usually in
that have tangible measures of success. Many men, and some separate quarters, in order to protect them. This applies
women, aim for professions that give them authority and most often to pregnant females and children.
allow them to exercise their preference for taking control Access to sophisticated arms and various weaponry,
of a situation; many enjoy the discipline and challenge of combat armor, and other protections enable Glass Walkers
attaining a medical or law degree and enter those fields with to outfit their Kinfolk well enough to join them in combat.
an eye toward eventually helping their tribe. Others look to The Garou do not expect their Kin to battle the Wyrm’s
supernatural allies, but they do find Kinfolk extremely
helpful in combatting the Wyrm’s human servants and
some weaker fomori. With certain Gifts and at least one
special rite, Glass Walker Kin can temporarily work together
with Garou as a pack, availing themselves of the benefits
of the pack totem as if they were Garou.
Red Talons
Red Talon Kinfolk are wolves, and only wolves. Nev-
ertheless, the distinction between Kinfolk and Garou that
exists with other tribes and their homid Kin still comes
into play. Garou do consider themselves superior in
many ways to their wolf-Kin. They have Gaia’s mandate
to fight for her; their Kin only know survival. Their
“human mind,” which enables them to take on Homid
form and walk among humans, gives them the ability to
think ahead, to plan, and to take precautions. This means
they know how to protect their birth-pack, with whom
they generally form close ties and from whom they will
probably choose a mate.
Wolf-Kin automatically recognize pack leaders,
though they do not attach the word “alpha” (or any
word) to them. These Kinfolk follow their Garou relative’s
instructions, communicated through vocal sounds and
body language. They know when to hunt and when to stay
behind while their Garou kin leaves for other business.
Red Talon Kinfolk do not display the same resentment
at their relegation to an inferior place. Their instincts
tell them to accept their place in wolf society. Since
Garou live longer than either humans or wolves, one
Red Talon may, in fact, preside over multiple genera-
tions of wolves within the pack. Wolves attain maturity
within two years; this means that wolf cubs soon learn
the proper behavior around their Red Talon leader,
innately learning the submission of pack member to
leader. The downside of this longevity and pack stability
falls upon the shoulders of the Red Talon, who must
see generations of beloved mates and comrades, even
children, grow old and die.
Wolves still remain endangered, for the most part.
Especially in places where the law no longer protects
them, humans take advantage of their unprotected
status to hunt them. More and more, Red Talons find
themselves in the position of acting as keeper to packs of
wolves, either their birth-pack, or else one they encounter
after their First Change.
Occasionally, one wolf Kinfolk may stand out above
the rest of the pack. Perhaps she has passed the usual
time for a Firsting (two years for a lupus Garou) and has
not changed, indicating that something has gone amiss.
Nevertheless, this wolf exhibits some types of reasoning
that seem more Garou than wolf. These wolf-Kin may, in
fact, possess one or two points of Gnosis, a sign that Gaia
TO PLAY A WOLF
The Red Talons have no human Kinfolk, therefore playing a lupus Kinfolk in a Werewolf chronicle would
mean playing a wolf. Under rare circumstances, a chronicle based around a pack of Red Talons with one or
two wolf-Kin might work, particularly as a one or two-session game with advanced players.
Anyone taking on the task of playing a wolf character needs to do a little research on wolf behavior in
particular, and animal behavior in general to understand how to communicate without using words. Players
may, of course, describe what they are doing and why they are doing it, but should take care not to attribute
reasons that belong in the human realm.
Wolves live in the present, with limited concepts of past and future. They know certain things happen
after certain other things happen. They act upon instinct and do not read intention. They don’t know what
another character means to do, only what that character does.
This does not mean that players should not attempt to play wolf Kinfolk, only that they should realize the
limitations involved before they make the attempt.
has touched this wolf without fully calling her into service Despite their ambitions, Shadow Lords do not always
as a Garou. These rarities among wolf-Kin may learn certain enjoy the type of resources they require to fulfill their respon-
limited Gifts, provided their Red Talon Garou kin elect to sibilities toward Gaia. For this, they rely on their Kinfolk,
help them learn and intercede with the spirits to teach these using their power and influence as they see fit.
Gifts in such a way that a wolf can perform them. Shadow Lords try to work within human organizations
Wolf-kin who possess Gifts generally do not use them to minimize the damage humans can do to Gaia’s creations,
on their own, but at the instigation of their Garou relatives. as well as to counter the effect of predatory beings, such as
Examples of these Gifts are included in Chapter Three (pp. vampires, on human actions. Kinfolk become very useful in
67-68), but a Storyteller may decide other Gifts are suitable this regard, since they frequently enjoy positions of power (or
as well and add them to the chronicle. potential power) in police forces, local and state governments,
banking, and other business fields. Moreover, Shadow Lords
Shadow Lords and their Kinfolk recognize the great power wielded by the
Though many of their oldest Kinfolk families come criminal underworld, whether Mafia, the Russian Mob, Mex-
from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Shadow Lords ican drug cartels, or other types of illegal groups. Wherever
choose their Kin from the available humans around them. there is power, there are Shadow Lords — and their Kinfolk.
In modern times, Shadow Lord Kinfolk cover the gamut of Where Garou from other tribes may keep their Kinfolk at
races, ethnic backgrounds, and wolf breeds. These ambitious a distance, Shadow Lords tend to work closely with their Kin,
Garou look more to qualities other than national heritage for incorporating them into strike teams similar to those used by
selecting their Kin. They prefer individuals who are, first and the Glass Walkers, or working side-by-side in the same institu-
foremost, intelligent, cunning, and ambitious. They select tions. Thus both Kinfolk and Garou have served on the same
lupus Kin in the same way, from wolves who demonstrate police force, sometimes within the same unit, whether general
more intelligence and survival traits than others. Wherever investigators, special victims units, vice, or other squads.
possible, Shadow Lords prefer Kinfolk whose talents have
made them powerful, either financially or politically. Silent Striders
For the most part, Shadow Lords show little favorit- Silent Striders draw their Kinfolk from among the world’s
ism between the sexes. Although more men than women, nomadic populations. Some of the oldest Kinfolk families date
even today, have power in their own right, many women as far back as the time when the Semitic tribes wandered in the
have come into power, while still others demonstrate the desert. Other Kinfolk claim Romany, Mongol, tinkers, African and
potential sought by the Shadow Lords. Like most Garou, Central Asian nomads, and other historic wanderers. When the
the Shadow Lords take great care to protect their Kinfolk, tribe arrived in the New World, their wanderings brought them
so long as their Kin prove worthy of protection. A stupid into contact with the native tribes. In some cases, they were able
or incautious Kinfolk can expect little help from the Lords to convince the Uktena to allow contact with the local popula-
should he find himself endangered. tion, so that a few Native American families are Strider Kinfolk.

Unlike the Garou, Silent Strider Kinfolk do not suffer Kinfolk base to include humans from notable bloodlines,
under the mandate to keep wandering. Because of this, including families that have places of respect in their various
Kinfolk often provide their Garou kin with stable places communities — the new nobility! Once a family takes its
to stop during their travels. With their Kinfolk, Striders place in the ranks of Silver Fang Kin, their Garou kin keep
can receive a bed for the night, a hot meal, supplies and, a careful watch over them.
sometimes, companionship and romance. So concerned are the Silver Fangs with preserving cer-
Because of their perpetual wanderings, Striders often tain bloodlines and ensuring that none of their approved
have the opportunity to visit with their lupus Kinfolk, lines grow weak through improper or casual mating, that
making sure that the lupine blood stays strong within the they often take arranged marriages to the extreme. Silver
tribe. They also have the ability to make sure their wolf packs Fangs do not mate for love, or even politics. They mate to
receive the protection they need to survive in a world too keep their bloodlines pure. They believe themselves to be
rife with hunters. the leaders of Gaia’s warriors, and that they have a duty to
Many Strider Kinfolk inherit the wandering “gene,” breed the finest Garou possible to carry out their destiny.
and take to the road in caravans such as traveling circuses, This means that they have to hold their Kinfolk to their
motorcycle clubs (or “gangs”), and similar groups. While own narrow standards.
these Kinfolk cannot supply Silent Strider Garou with a Outside of breeding, the Silver Fangs act to protect their
lot of resources or financial assistance, they do, however, Kinfolk, as do most Garou tribes. They tend to interfere
provide a mobile support network. more in the daily lives of their Kin than some other tribes,
Some Silent Strider Kinfolk inherit a trace of the tribe’s expressing their disapproval if Kinfolk settle for jobs that
supernatural connection, and, along with the Fianna Kin- do not recognize their stellar leadership qualities. They pull
folk, have a propensity for receiving what is often called “the strings whenever they can to make certain that their Kinfolk
sight.” Some Kinfolk find work as professional psychics or get and keep prestigious jobs, and even prefer it when a
paranormal investigators. Others try to ignore any hint of Kinfolk is independently wealthy and does not need to work.
a supernatural gift, figuring that being Kin to a werewolf is Anything their human families do that brings acclaim
supernatural enough. to them likewise improves the standing of the Silver Fangs
Because Silent Striders keep very few records other than — at least in their own eyes.
oral histories, they tend to lose their Kinfolk ties more than The spark of madness that marks the Silver Fangs also
most other tribes. Many of the callow Kinfolk come from touches their Kinfolk to some degree, expressing itself in
Silent Strider lineage. any of the popular neuroses or else in peculiar quirks that
Although the Silent Striders value and respect their make them seem just “odd.”
Kinfolk, they do not usually form close ties to them due to
their own compulsion to wander. Sometimes, a Garou and
Stargazers
Kinfolk make a lifelong match. In that case, the Kinfolk The Stargazers present a challenge to the rest of the
usually elects to accompany their Garou partner. Garou. By striving to overcome their Rage instead of chan-
Most Kinfolk pursue occupations that allow for the neling it for Gaia’s use, they seem to deny the essence of what
possibility of frequent moves. Strider Kinfolk serve as park makes them Garou. Their Kinfolk face a similar dichotomy.
rangers, wildlife photographers, explorers, and modern day As Kinfolk, they feel the pull of Gaia’s need for warriors.
adventurers, as well as members of such groups as Doctors At the same time, the Garou who are closest to them hold
Without Borders and many international rescue agencies. them at a distance, refusing the bonds of attachment that
Others preserve the travelers’ lifestyle, while a few remain in provide a secure identity for Kinfolk families.
one spot to provide way stations for their wandering Garou kin. Most Stargazer Kinfolk come from populations associated
Striders do not treat female Kinfolk any differently from with the mysticism of the East. Early Stargazers selected Kinfolk
male family members unless they decide to choose a mate. from Nepal and the Himalayan region as well as both the Near
Usually, male Striders remain with pregnant Kinfolk until East (India) and the Far East. In modern times, Stargazers
the safe birth of a child. Likewise, female Garou tend to re- select Kinfolk from all over the world, so long as they possess
main with their Kinfolk partners until they have given birth. the qualities they deem preferable for their tribal aims. They
seek out mystics, pacifists, and other people who turn away
Silver Fangs from war as a solution to the world’s problems. Many Stargazer
In the past, Silver Fangs chose their Kinfolk only from Kinfolk now come from some Native American tribes, usually
those humans with royal blood and from wolves with im- with the permission of local Uktena.
peccable breeding. Since royalty has become rarer and so Of all the Garou, the Stargazers cherish their Kinfolk
much harder to find, Silver Fangs have broadened their most and love them the least. The ingrained habits of non-at-
tachment lead Stargazer Garou to keep their Kinfolk at a
distance, becoming part of their lives only when they choose Often Uktena Kinfolk dwell within the caern or at least
to breed or need their assistance. In many cases, Stargazers within the bawn of the sept and share in its caretaking as
hide their Kinfolk away in out of the way communities, much as they can. They do not fully participate in all Ukte-
making sure they are safe and protected. na dealings, but they rarely feel the sense of exclusion that
While some Kinfolk may resent the lack of closeness Kinfolk of other tribes experience.
to their Garou kin, others recognize the respect with which Formerly, the Uktena kept themselves at a distance
the Stargazers regard them and appreciate the ability to live from their Kinfolk, but the events of history convinced
their lives as they see fit. them that their fates and those of their Kinfolk intertwined
Some few Stargazers opt to settle down and live peace- so closely that they needed to keep their Kinfolk close to
fully with their Kinfolk. These are most likely to form en- them. In many ways, Uktena Kinfolk enjoy belonging to a
claves and secure compounds closed away from the outside large extended family.
world. Many Kinfolk choose occupations as philosophers, Because many native people tend not to marry within
counselors, and other careers that profit from detachment. their clans but rely on outbreeding with other clans of the
Some become doctors, nurses, and members of emergency tribe to keep their bloodlines vital, many Uktena Kinfolk
response groups when they interact with the outside world. rely on tribal matchmakers to select partners for mating or
They find their sense of detachment helpful for keeping for longer relationships. Even the Garou generally follow
calm in stressful circumstances. Others become teachers, the advice of the matchmakers, who consult the spirits and
spreading their attitude of peaceful detachment along with their oral records to make sure the marriages or liaisons do
their lessons. not violate any tribal taboos. Within those strictures, Uktena
Garou and Kinfolk often find love as well as respect and
Uktena affection in their relations with each other.
Of all the Garou tribes, the Uktena have the highest
regard for their Kinfolk. Rather than simply cherishing and Wendigo
protecting them like most tribes, the Uktena view their Despite their reputation for harshness and ferocity,
Kinfolk as an integral part of their lives. Kinfolk participate the Wendigo are second only to the Uktena in their deep
in many Uktena rites, attend moots, voice their opinions; involvement with the lives of their Kinfolk. Like the Wen-
share songs, dances, and lore freely (or as freely as any se- digo Garou, the Kinfolk, many of whom come from the
cret-keeper shares anything); and acknowledge a wide variety native tribes of the extreme northern regions of the Amer-
of peoples as their Kin. ican continent, face a day-to-day struggle for survival. The
Once, the Uktena only selected members of the First Inuit, Aleuts, Yakuts, and other arctic tribes live in a harsh
People who were among the first inhabitants of the Pure and unforgiving environment. The tribes of the northern
Lands; when the original First People died out or disap- and northeastern U. S., such as the tribes that made up
peared, they chose Kinfolk from among the tribes of the the People of the Six Nations in the American northeast
southeastern mountains, the south, and southwest, leaving (Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and
the northern tribes for their Little Brothers, the Wendigo. Tuscaroras) dealt with the historical encroachment of the
After the Wyrmcomers destroyed many of their Kinfolk, the Wyrmbringers onto their lands and their own removal to
Uktena opened their hearts to other displaced tribes — the reservations. In modern times, they still deal with grinding
people of Africa brought to North and South America as poverty and substandard living conditions. As much as they
slaves, as well as later immigrants who suffered from the can, the Wendigo try to keep their Kinfolk true to their
European Wyrmbringers. Eventually, Uktena could count native customs and traditions. They also include their Kin
native Hawai’ians, Australian aborigines, Maori tribes, in many of their rites and teach them Gifts to give them an
Siberian tribal folk, Polynesians, and Caribbean native edge particularly useful in the cold arctic and tundra regions
peoples. Everyone, in fact, became welcome as potential of Canada, Alaska, and Siberia.
Kinfolk except for the European settlers who arrived in the Since the Wendigo Garou exist in a state of perpetual
aftermath of Columbus’ voyages. warfare against both the predations of the Wyrm and the
From this general population, Uktena look particularly presence of the European Garou, they often spend time
for individuals with a strong spark of spirituality. Many of away from their Kinfolk as they carry on their constant at-
their Kinfolk have some knowledge of the spirit world, ei- tacks on their enemies. Protection of their Kin looms high
ther as shamans, medicine men and women, spirit healers, in their system of priorities. They know that without their
and the like. Others have simply found their way into or Kin, they cannot exist.
connected with the spirt world on one or more occasions. Of more concern than even their human Kin, however,
Uktena tend to nurture the spirituality of Kinfolk and usually is the state of wolves in the American north and in Canada.
try to teach them Gifts wherever possible. The near-extinction of the wolf has led many Wendigo to find
and preserve their own wolf packs in isolated lands seldom No Bunyip Garou have been born to Kinfolk since the
trod by humans. They, more than any tribe, realize that the war that annihilated the Bunyip drove the few survivors
loss of the wolf would spell the death of the Garou as the into the Umbra. Kinfolk resemble the aboriginal tribes
human strain would eventually thin out the Garou blood. of Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. They are small,
They believe that they are also the key to the salvation of dark-skinned people with dark hair and eyes. They live in
the Red Talons as a tribe, should those Garou ever decide tribes and dwell in harmony with the land, honoring the
to mate with humans. To this end, some Wendigo and their spirits of animals, plants, and minerals. Although civiliza-
Kinfolk practice living as minimally as possible to provide tion encroaches, drawing many aborigines away from their
a less threatening environment for social interactions with culture into mainstream civilization, a few remain true to
Red Talons in Homid form. their origins and their relationship with the Dreamtime.
Many Kinfolk realize that in spite of their Garou kin’s They tend to place little value on material possessions,
desire to separate themselves from mainstream culture and live very simply, cherish their children, and enjoy a greater
its Weaver-saturated standards, spending time among the spiritual connection with the world than more “civilized
Weaver-infested society that surrounds them provides them people.” Occasionally, one of them may mate with Kinfolk
with information on events that might affect the native tribes from another tribe, usually Uktena, but none have yet born
as well as the Garou. These Kinfolk make themselves part of any Changing children.
the mainstream, but usually choose occupations that allow
them to help their people. Work in wildlife conservation,
Black Spiral Dancers
in the medical professions, as lawyers, and organizers for Of all the Garou tribes, the Black Spiral Dancers
Indian Rights keeps Kinfolk up on the times and able to have, perhaps, the clearest opinion of their Kinfolk. Some
warn their Garou relations if trouble lies ahead. individuals descended from those Picts who once called
Whenever they can, Wendigo take Kinfolk with them themselves Kin to the White Howlers now live as chattel
and teach them how to hunt and how to survive in the to their Garou, for all practical purposes. But the Dancers
northern wilderness. They try to encourage their Kin to don’t limit themselves to a certain ethnic type. They relish
keep in touch with Gaia’s world as much as possible, since stealing Kinfolk from other tribes. They seem to have a knack
they recognize the propensity of many tribal natives toward for finding callow families, where they get offspring through
falling into despair, turning to alcohol or drugs, or becoming rape, one-night stands, or through abduction. Anytime they
part of the growing criminal element that grows in areas can, they insinuate themselves into a family of Kinfolk,
where legitimate work and fair treatment are the exception callow or otherwise, with an eye to corruption or seduction.
rather than the rule. Everything the outside world knows about dysfunctional
Although Wendigo almost exclusively select their Kin- families exists in larger-than-life form within the Black Spiral
folk from among the native tribes of Canada, the northern community. Rape, incest, abuse of all kinds, characterize
American states, Siberia, and other sub-arctic and arctic the lives of these Kin. Many of them find relief from their
tribes, exceptions always exist. day to day existence as whipping boys and punching bags
in substance abuse of various kinds. Others turn to crime
Kinfolk of not only as a way of bringing in money for the tribe, but
the Fallen and the Lost as a way to wrest some sort of power for themselves within
a community that allows them no real sense of self-worth.
Bunyip Many Black Spiral Kinfolk bear the burden of severe
mental disorders. The Silver Fangs may be “touched” with a
As a Garou tribe, the Bunyip are extinct, killed largely by spark of madness; the Dancers are completely mired in it. If
the European Garou who settled Australia in the centuries they aren’t born with a disorder, their families do their best
of exploration that also populated the American continent. to foster one or more in them from an early age.
Some human Kinfolk do exist, in very small numbers, but Many Kinfolk children don’t know regular schooling.
they have scattered among the Aboriginal tribes of the Aus- If they attended public schools, the signs of their abusive
tralian bush and the wild lands of Tasmania. Although their home life would bring down unwanted attention from so-
animal Kin, the thylacine wolf (or thylacine tiger) has been cial services and law enforcement agencies. Instead, Black
extinct since the last one died in captivity in 1936, rumors Spiral parents “home school” their children, at least until
persist of sightings of these elusive marsupials from time to they reach an age where they can conceal their home life of
time. In truth, a few groups of thylacine still exist far from their own free will and perhaps cooperate with their older
human contact, guarded over by spirits of the Australian relatives in spreading their corruption around.
and Tasmanian Umbras in order to keep them undiscovered
Spiral Kinfolk, when they mix with the outside world, tend
and unmolested.
to do so with an intent to corrupt all they touch. They take
pride in luring runaway girls and boys into prostitution, drug Only a very few Croatan Kinfolk survived; those lucky ones
addiction, or worse, receiving gruff approval from their Garou found new homes with either the Wendigo or Uktena tribes.
kin for every soul they manage to lead into the Wyrm’s service. With no tribal totem, also sacrificed in the ceremony that
While many Kinfolk don’t really know the reason why they defeated the Eater of Souls, the tribe ceased to exist. Children
live in hell, browbeaten and physically dominated by certain born from Croatan Kinfolk, if they change, are considered
gangster types who seem to run their families, other Kinfolk as members of the tribe that gave their ancestors a home.
know some of the Dancers’ secrets all too well. Often, crimes Although some local or state governments have recog-
committed by Dancer Kinfolk get written up by local authorities nized one or another tribe as the descendants of the Croatan
as the work of Satanic or devil-worshiping cults. The rantings and Indians, no new Croatan Garou have been born from them
ravings of some Kinfolk, when brought in to police stations for or from any other tribe. The sacrifice of the Croatan seems
questioning about certain crimes, sound more like the nonsense final, since even their Kin Fetches disappeared along with
of incoherent cultists, when the truth is so much worse. the tribe.
Occasionally, Black Spiral Kinfolk live in total ignorance
of who they are. All they know is that a life that is difficult
White Howlers
enough, regardless of social class, becomes a living hell when When the White Howler Garou danced the Black Spiral
certain relatives show up. They soon learn that resistance to and transformed into the Black Spiral Dancers, their Kinfolk
their “crazy Uncle John” or “Aunt June” only leads to worse changed as well. A few White Howler Kinfolk managed to
outcomes than if they had simply given in to their relatives’ escape that fate, fleeing to other tribes to warn them of the
depravities. In some ways, these Kinfolk have the cruelest tragic fate of their Garou kin. Those surviving Kinfolk, with
fates, for during the times when their Garou kin are away, no tribe to claim them and no totem spirit to mark their
they struggle to tell themselves that things will get better, children, either joined with the Kinfolk of other tribes or
that there is hope for a brighter future. Unfortunately, the else disappeared into the ranks of the lost, or callow, Kinfolk.
Voice of the Spiral says that they are wrong. Most of the White Howler Kinfolk today find their
homes with either the Get of Fenris or the Fianna. Like the
Croatan Fianna, they share a Celtic heritage, stemming from ancient
The Croatan Garou sacrificed themselves and their Kin- Pictish blood. Like the Get of Fenris, the White Howlers
folk to defeat the Eater of Souls in early Colonial America. made a name for themselves for their courage in battle. The
tales of their prowess as fearless, even sometimes reckless
warriors, earned them respect from the Get of Fenris, who
managed to ignore their Celtic lineage.
Every now and then, a Garou is born to Kinfolk of Howler CODE OF THE BLACK EAGLES
ancestry who appears to be a throwback to the original tribe. Members of the Black Eagle Commando Unit
White-furred and wiry in wolf form, these Garou mirror the affirm the following conditions to any mission
Howlers of old. The resemblance ends with their physical ap- they accept:
pearance, however. They no longer have a tribal identity apart
1. I will accept no mission that involves the
from their current one, and are no different from any other Get
deaths of non-combatant women or men.
or Fianna. Likewise, few Kinfolk exist who have not mingled
their bloodlines with generations of Fianna or Get of Fenris. 2. I will accept no mission that involves causing
More often, a Garou who looks like one of the Howlers harm to children under any circumstances (with the
of old just serves as a bitter reminder of the tragic loss of a exception of temporary discomfort in the interest
tribe to the Wyrm. of conducting a rescue mission).
Kinfolk Fellowships 3. I will accept no mission that proves harmful

to the environment.
For as long as Kinfolk have existed, groups of Kin have 4. I will accept no mission that causes or results
formed societies or fellowships. These groups serve many in the useless deaths of animals or the extinction
purposes. They provide Kinfolk of one tribe with a means of a species, however useless it may seem. I will
of bringing together people who have something important use my discretion or that of my unit leader when
in common — their connection to the Garou Nation. Some a mission involves the deaths of disease-bearing
of these fellowships provide purely social contact, much like species, and even then, I will use the minimum
book clubs or bridge clubs do for many individuals. Others necessary force to carry out the mission.
form around a common purpose, much as the fraternal
5. I will, in all circumstances and at all times,
societies such as the Elks, Kiwanis, or Rotary clubs, or care
refrain from any actions that may cause insult,
providers such as the Red Cross. Some unite under the
injury, or cast a stain upon my personal code of
aegis of a particular political or environmental issue, like
ethics and upon the name and reputation of the
many conservation and PAC committees. Some include
Black Eagles
only members of a single tribe, while others have an open
membership policy. Some are restricted to Kinfolk only, (Here follows an oath sworn on something or
while others have Garou sponsorship or one or two Garou someone most valued by the member taking the oath,
members. All of these societies exist under the radar of as well as the signature of the sworn-in member.)
mainstream society.
A few societies exist that are secret even to the Garou.
These usually bring Kinfolk together under the banner of
dissent or even rebellion. Secret Kinfolk societies rival similar in their record of accomplishing their mission anywhere in
mainstream societies both in their extreme attitudes and in the world within 48 hours. It takes them a little bit longer
the care they take to remain invisible to the Garou and to to do the impossible. Their service comes at great cost, and
the outside world. The penalties for membership meted out they only accept jobs they consider worthy of their atten-
by human authorities are bad enough; those handed out by tion. The truth is that this group of primarily Get of Fenris
Garou who realize that their Kinfolk may be working against Kinfolk rarely refuses a commission; only those missions
them tend to be much, much worse. that actively or passively aid the goals of the Wyrm receive
The following groups represent a sampling of Kinfolk a sharp and absolute veto from them — and often spurs an
organizations. Storytellers and players should feel free to Eagle-initiated strike against the group that wanted to hire
create their own either as additions to, or replacements for, them. Word soon spread: Be careful what you wish for. Make
these groups. Membership in these groups may provide a sure your cause is righteous.
means for initiating a chronicle involving Kinfolk. Needless to say, only a few people know the true nature of
The Black Eagles the Black Eagles, though the mercenary community and those
who hire them know and respect the Eagles’ code of honor.
Among paramilitary and mercenary groups worldwide,
The missions undertaken by the Black Eagles include
the Black Eagles have a reputation for excellence, efficiency,
raids, extractions, security consultation (for Garou and
honor, and swiftness. These crack professionals take pride
Kinfolk only), training, reconnaissance, insertions, neutral-

izations, acquisitions of persons or property, deliveries and of Fenris in his Crinos form without batting an eyelash.
pickups, search and retrievals, rescues, emergency disaster Another time, he survived a punch from his Garou friend
relief, among other small unit operations. Gerald Schwartz, during a precipitous frenzy. Another Get pulled him away
the current battalion commander, has retired from field from his friend and managed to defuse the situation before
operations, though rumor has it that he is preparing for any deaths occurred, but Schwartz’ reputation for toughness
one last glorious mission, which he does not intend to and courage grew immeasurably due to the incident.
survive. “Retirement is for pussies,” he has been known After his honorable discharge from the military, Schwartz
to remark, although he does not require others to hold to continued to make money by working in the reserves, saving
this philosophy. it for his new purpose. Discovering the existence of the Garou
Sandor “Sandy” Hunter, Schwartz’ adopted son, has had given his life meaning and provided him with an outlet
received training directly from Schwartz and now leads for his insatiable energy and high “prey drive.” Founding
many of the more dangerous missions. Noise within the the Black Eagles, he maintains, saved his life. Currently,
ranks says that he will take over leadership of the Black Schwartz still handpicks all new members, though he now
Eagles within the next year or two. Tall and muscular, with brings Hunter into the decision-making process.
dirty blond hair tied back at the neck, dark eyes that reveal While non-Garou employers pay steep prices for the
nothing, and a harsh face with too many stress lines for his Eagles’ assistance, Garou of any tribe need only pay for
27 years, Hunter has already earned the trust and respect of transportation and expenses. Although Schwartz jokes about
the majority of Black Eagles. Only a few still mistrust him, retiring to Florida, some of his colleagues believe he actually
and they have a difficult time pointing out why. intends on starting another secret compound deep within
Black Eagles’ HQ is a well-defended 2,500-acre the Everglades for his own mysterious purposes.
ranch-compound somewhere in Montana, where training
takes place and where Schwartz handles logistics and con- The Gaia Network
tract negotiations. The compound includes an arsenal, Started by a group of Children of Gaia Kinfolk, the
where state-of-the-art equipment is stored, a large garage Gaia Network and the Gaia Youth Network comprise the
for specialized vehicles, a private airstrip and hangar for the largest Kinfolk network to date, a position it has held for
group’s helicopters and small planes, indoor and outdoor over 30 years. The organization’s stated purpose is to keep
training facilities, a quartermaster’s building, security com- track of the Children’s Kinfolk and Garou around the world,
plex and living quarters for a few full-time residents, as well formulate policies and serve as an advisory body to all Chil-
as rooms for members to stay for shorter periods of time. dren of Gaia septs. Kinfolk hold most of the staff positions,
Some stories circulate about levels beneath the compound with a few Garou regulars helping the organizational effort.
where the Eagles maintain their own detention facility While the Children of Gaia do not enjoy a reputation
for “special” prisoners, though only those with “need to as the most organized group, the Kinfolk of the Gaia Net-
know” status are aware of who qualifies for such treatment. work hope to corral the energy of the tribe’s many Kinfolk
Schwartz also maintains a warehouse in Washington, D.C. by enabling Kin and Garou to locate one another and to
to serve as a secondary headquarters. Some other facilities work together. It serves as an action organization, a way for
are located in several countries around the world to provide Kinfolk and Garou singles to meet one another, and a way
safe houses and recruitment centers. Total membership to encourage camaraderie within a group already known for
at any given time is around 100 personnel worldwide, its social outreach capacity.
including two or three 25-person companies capable of The Gaia Network has recently opened communications
splitting up into smaller units. An extensive network of with the Locksmiths (see below), seeking a closer relationship,
support personnel and contacts enable the Black Eagles to perhaps even a merger of the two groups. While Children
acquire almost anything a combat team might need for their of Gaia and the Glass Walkers may not seem likely partners,
missions. Schwartz reportedly has contacts within the NSA both groups believe in moving forward with the times. Some
and Homeland Security which keep the government from Children want to take advantage of new technology by using
noticing the Eagles’ activities. the expertise of the Locksmiths, while some Locksmiths
Although the Black Eagles readily come to the assistance want to learn some of the Children’s social ease with var-
of their Get of Fenris Garou kin, they pride themselves on ious elements of society. Other members of both Kinfolk
not needing the assistance of Garou to accomplish their groups remain adamantly opposed to anything more than
missions. Though tracing Schwartz’s actual Kinfolk lineage careful cooperation.
has resulted in so many dead ends that some people believe While the Network accepts members on their own say-so,
he has no actual Kinfolk blood, the Get still recognizes him a number of members feel that younger Kinfolk trust too
as a “spirit-Kin” by virtue of his talents and dedication to readily and fear that the organization may eventually become
the cause. During his stint in the army, he witnessed a Get a liability to Kinfolk and Garou everywhere.
The Locksmiths to the Society, still oversees what has come to be the largest
and most detailed data bank for Silver Fangs and Garou of
The Locksmiths appeared as an organization in the late all tribes. Any Garou interested in researching her lineage,
1990s, when internet junkies started stretching their legs and either in order to find a likely mate or to see if she really is
discovering all the things one could do using the world wide related to a famous Garou, is welcome to use the archives.
web. Started by a Glass Walker known only as Strangelove, According to Mrs. Barrows, the material in the archives
the Locksmiths serves as a Glass Walker Kinfolk network. dates back approximately 600 years, or to the sixteenth cen-
Garou and Kinfolk all over the world use it to keep in touch tury. Originally, Mrs. Barrows started collecting information
with one another and to track the latest goings on of Pentex in various forms. Some rare documents remain preserved
and other Wyrm-infested companies. Lately, the Locksmiths under glass and anyone wishing to consult them must take
have added a website devoted exclusively to fracking and precautions to avoid contaminating the fragile documents.
the possible natural and supernatural dangers it presents. An antique card catalog containing cards meticulously scribed
The group’s first projects were two large databases: a list in pen and ink represents the beginnings of Mrs. Barrows’
of all known tainted products, and a list of all the companies efforts. As technology for data storage evolved, the Society
that belonged to Pentex or any other Wyrm-owned company. has availed itself of more modern storage techniques. The
An interactive website called Tale Time combines state of Society pays young Kinfolk to serve as summer interns,
the art graphics with stories of legendary Garou and Kinfolk providing them with room and board as well as a stipend,
as a repository of lore and history. to help bring all the records into the twenty-first century. In
At first, the Locksmiths maintained tight controls over the meantime, genealogical researchers may need to consult
what kinds of projects they undertook. Current thinking, multiple resources such as the card file, rolls of microfilm,
however, has led to a more open policy, as Glass Walkers microfiche, computerized databases, CD-ROMs, and flash
seek to bring some of the other tribes into the data stream. drives.
NAMID At first, Mrs. Barrows ran the Society from her home,
(North American Indian Decree) but eventually spatial considerations made this impractical.
Today, the Silvertree Genealogical Society has its own building
Also called the Star Dancers, the translation of the on the grounds of the Barrows estate (named “Silvertree”).
Chippewa word “named,” this network of Wendigo Kinfolk Her husband’s original sept has a caern in a wooded part
(with a few Uktena Kin members) has at its core the well-be- of the estate. In addition to the seasonal interns, a full-time
ing of Native Americans. The organization seeks to break staff of Kinfolk and one or two young Garou take care of day-
the cycle that leads to poverty and related problems among to-day business, including assisting visitors, fielding phone
Native Americans living on reservations and in mainstream calls and email, maintaining several Internet groups, and
American society. NAMID has established scholarship conducting original research when new information arises.
programs for Native Americans attending colleges, gradu- Recently, the Society has undertaken a couple of new
ate schools, medical, veterinary and law schools, and other projects. One group, headed by Tara Touches-the-Stars, a
professional educational institutions. They also provide a young relative of June Barrows, searches for information
network of attorneys, a legal defense fund, and a political concerning lost Kinfolk families, hoping to bring more
action committee to lobby for Native American civil rights, Kinfolk back into the fold. Another, riskier project headed
land claims, and other issues. by Daniel Trefoil, a Silver Fang Kinfolk and his life-partner
The organization also has an unsanctioned militant Creta Netglider, a Glass Walker Theurge, has taken on the
wing that attracts angry young radicals (and older ones as task of putting together a genealogical file of Black Spiral
well) who decry going through channels and political action Dancers and any White Howler Kinfolk they may come across.
as ineffective and who openly favor violence as the only way Most of their work takes place at a distance, using remote
to achieve justice. Some supporters of NAMID fear that the information gathering. Both Daniel and Creta believe that
organization may fall apart through internal dissension or their work may lead to some important discoveries.
that the radical element may split off to form a more dan-
gerous and uncontrolled splinter group. The Sisterhood
The Silvertree Genealogical Society The Sisterhood is more than a network of Black Fury
Kinfolk. It is an organization made up of Furies and Kin,
Founded in 1989 by June Richmond Barrows, after the both male and female, lupus and homid. Their goal: to work
death of her Silver Fang husband, the Silvertree Genealogical together for the good of the tribe. While common belief labels
Society continued and expanded Mrs. Barrows’ interest in the Black Furies as anti-male as well as matriarchal, the truth
family history and genealogy. Today, the elderly but still spry that all Furies recognize is that without male Kinfolk, the
June Barrows, while no longer able to devote her full time tribe would not exist. In addition, some societies look more
favorably upon men to act as spokespersons, particularly in
the Middle and Near East. Many male Fury Kinfolk hold Widdershins Society
prominent positions in the Sisterhood. Twenty years ago, Fianna Kinfolk Padraig and Aidan
One of the most important missions of the Sisterhood is Conneely formed Widdershins, a Celtic folk band made up
to enable refugees, abused women and children — and men of their musically talented friends, all from Fianna stock.
as well — to flee dangerous situations and seek out havens Playing the Irish folk songs they had heard as children, as well
where they can live safely. In earlier times, the Sisterhood as original material in the folk style, they gathered enough
cooperated with the Underground Railroad in the U. S., to of a following to go professional, with a contract, albums
help slaves get to free states or to Canada. In almost every (later, CDs), and tours based mostly in the southeastern U.S.
situation where a refugee population has looked for a way Gradually, they attracted more Kinfolk followers through
to freedom, whether for political or religious reasons, the word of mouth, and the idea of a fellowship that could relay
Sisterhood has been there to help them. messages between Kinfolk along the Gulf and East coasts
Some members of the Sisterhood are strega, or witches; arose. So did the idea of Kinfolk bands.
others work as administrators, teachers, healers, and field The Conneely twins are in their forties, now, but the
agents leading groups of refugees out of danger, usually at band keeps going even as its members age and, in some
great personal risk. cases, move on to other things. Other Celtic folk groups
Another significant effort undertaken by the Sisterhood have since joined the Widdershins Society: Wolves of the
involves the purchase of lands once held by the Furies, Highlands, specializing in Scottish folk songs and featuring
including many sacred sites. The Fury Kinfolk hope to bagpipes and Scottish pipe and drums, makes their way up
establish their own safe enclaves, independent of any coun- and down the Appalachian region; Gaelsong, an acapella
try and responsible only to Gaia. They work in rainforest group of Kinfolk, regularly tour the arts and crafts fairs and
reclamation in Central and South America and have put anywhere else that invites them; Taliesin’s Songbird, a Welsh
a lot of time and effort into locating and protecting the folk band with connections on both sides of the Atlantic;
vanishing wolves, including some lesser known varieties and there are others. Some of these groups are professional,
once believed extinct. while others exist as serious hobbies or compete in amateur
folk competitions and music festivals. All of them hold their

Kinfolk heritage as a point of pride. An occasional Fianna to “Wolfenhome” (inspired by legends of Wolfhome, an
Galliard has joined the society, strengthening ties within an Umbral Realm) and incorporated as a municipality. Most
already strongly-connected tribe. residents now hold paying jobs within the community, many
While the Widdershins Society remains a Fianna society, of them as small business owners or independent small
other tribes have followed suit, and some have formed their farmers. Wolfenhome now boasts its own school, clinic and
own Kinfolk musical societies. Pan and the Muse, a duo made emergency medical center, post office, member-owned power
up of a pair of Black Fury fraternal twins, Andromache and company and community center. A non-denominational
Andros Peloppaneus, bring ancient Greek songs into the church building occupies a site near the town center for
modern age and anchor a group of Black Fury male and members who are so inclined.
female Kinfolk; Gertie’s Jug Band centers around a large Wolfenhome has a covenant which requires that mem-
network of Bone Gnawer Kin, providing Cajun and Zydeco bers be either Garou or Kinfolk, though some citizens object
music as well as soup kitchens to feed and entertain home- to the exclusion clause. Supporters feel that the community
less populations; Potlatch Songs consists of young Wendigo is predicated on a Garou-Kinfolk membership and feel that
Kinfolk musicians eager to bring a strong environmental allowing the general population to settle there would not
and natural living message to the world, believing that this only defeat the town’s purpose but would make life difficult
can help strengthen Gaia for the coming battle. Each tribe for the Garou who make it their home.
has at least one musical Kinfolk group providing musical The underlying philosophy behind Wolfenhome aims
and social connections. at achieving full acceptance for Kinfolk in Garou society.
The idea of uniting all these groups into one Kinfolk This includes Kinfolk representation at moots, the right to
mega-society has recently taken hold. While some Garou refuse assignments deemed too dangerous or ill-planned,
tribes may object to this kind of inter-tribal cooperation, and reproductive freedom. Members seek not only to change
proponents of the concept feel certain that such an organi- the policies but also Garou attitudes towards their Kinfolk.
zation is inevitable. The community has supporters among the Children
Wolfenhome (formerly Viatopia) of Gaia, the Bone Gnawers, and the Black Furies, while
other tribes, namely the Silver Fangs, Get of Fenris, and
Experimental communities have proliferated throughout more traditional Fianna seem reluctant to accept so much
history. In the United States, alone, religious groups such as change so quickly.
the Oneida Community and the Shakers, cult compounds Preston’s dream has fueled Wolfenhome since its in-
such as the Reverend Moon’s Unification Church, and ception nearly a quarter of a century ago. Now in his late
societies based on certain political theories, such as Henry 50s, Preston still remains actively involved in all aspects
George’s “Single Tax” proponents, have tried to make a go of the community, where he has served on the governing
of creating their own alternative societies. council without a break. Some folks both inside and outside
Over and over again these attempts, however bright their the community wonder whether Wolfenhome will sustain
start, failed after a few years for one reason or another. The itself after Preston either retires or dies. His charismatic
Garou of Wolfenhome hope to change that. personality and straightforward way of dealing with all types
Shadow Lord Kinfolk Adam Preston bought some prop- of people have eased what might have been a difficult path
erty in southern Minnesota in the early 1990s with family of growth and development for the community. Enough
funds and started a community for Garou and Kinfolk of people associate Preston with the image of a cult leader to
all tribes. He called the community Viatopia, presumably raise the question of true viability among many.
wanting to express the idea of a “viable utopia.” Although The jury is still out.
the initial members were Shadow Lord Kin or Garou, by
the end of the first year, all tribes had at least one or two
Kinfolk members.
Secret Societies
In addition to Kinfolk societies known to the Garou, a
Preston contributed the initial plot of land, but later
few Kinfolk groups hold secret meetings and strive to keep
donors and investors helped increase the community’s land
the knowledge of their existence hidden from their Garou
holdings to three times its original size. The governing board,
kin. One or two of these groups pose no real threat to the
a council of officials who serve four-year elected terms with
Garou; they arose, instead, out of the inherent need to
no term limits, hopes to continue to grow the community
keep something secret from individuals who seem to know
based on the idea of responsible residency.
everything about them and can call on spirits to find out
All residents pay a share of the cost for land upkeep. what they don’t know. Other groups, however, have more
Members also volunteer time for outdoor or administrative sinister purposes, ones that the Garou would not appreciate.
work and attend town meetings. Once the community Since the discovery of the Skin Dancers, the Garou have
reached the point of self-sustainability, it changed its name
become extremely twitchy about the idea of secrecy among Though this organization’s founder is a Silver Fang, it
their Kinfolk. Even the most innocent of the following attracts dissatisfied Kinfolk of all tribes. So far they have
groups tread very carefully around the Garou, knowing guarded their secret closely, but too many disappearances
that discovery might mean their deaths, regardless of how of Garou might call attention to their existence without
valuable they are as Kinfolk. extreme caution. Those Kinfolk accepted for membership
pledge oaths of secrecy and solidarity to one another, and only
Judges of Gaia Kinfolk with undeniable proof of serious Garou misconduct
Five years ago, a Silver Fang Kinfolk named Curtis Can- are even considered for membership. Every member of the
non, a graduate student in history, took a year off from his Judges considers himself already under a death sentence by
official studies to get some first-hand experience of American the Garou, but believes in doing what must be done.
historic sites. He spent some months in California, studying
some of the Spanish missions and interacting with the Native The Eleusines
tribes of the region. When he returned to his studies, he was Named for the Eleusinian mysteries of the ancient
a different man. He graduated with a degree in American Greek cult of Demeter and Persephone, this secret society
history, with a specialty in pre-Columbian tribal cultures. In of female Kinfolk originally began with the Black Furies Kin,
accordance with his family’s plans, he accepted a teaching but now includes women of almost every tribe. The Uktena
position at a local college near his hometown of Baltimore, and Wendigo female Kinfolk have their own ceremonies,
Maryland. In secret he contacted some Kinfolk he had met so membership in the Eleusines usually numbers only one
during his travels, and created the organization that fulfilled or two at any given time. The secrecy of this group lies in
the vision he had received in California. the fact that it has always been a secret society. According
As part of a New Age “Native American Experience,” to the Fury Kin, the Eleusines have existed for as long as
Cannon had gone on a vision quest, enhanced by sacred there have been Kinfolk.
herbs and mushrooms. During his vision in the desert, he The purpose of this society is to initiate and prepare
encountered Gaia herself weeping for her Garou children female Kinfolk for their “duties” as mates to the Garou and
who had gone astray by abusing their Kinfolk and placing mothers of their children. The Eleusines maintain that were-
themselves in position of power over their Kin. Instead of wolves, because of the animal nature that lies so close to the
working with them as partners, they were lording it over surface, need special understanding to be successful in not
Kinfolk and running their lives. only mating with their Kin, but in sustaining a relationship.
Cannon offered to find a way to change this situation, When the Children of Gaia Kin joined the Eleusines
promising Gaia that he would do everything in his power in significant numbers, sometime during the Middle Ages
to change the structure of Garou and Kinfolk relations, and according to the group’s lorekeepers, they added to it the
would rid the world of those Garou who refused to change. three-fold nature of “the goddess.” Young, unmarried, and
The Judges of Gaia was born. unmated women who join the cult do so as “maids.” Their
The organization has around twenty members, centered job consists of learning what they need to know to mate
mostly in the Mid-Atlantic States. Cannon hand-picked all with Garou and bear their children. Once they have borne
the members for their belief in his vision and their personal children, they enter the second stage, becoming “mothers,”
loyalty. The group’s mission consists of collecting information whose job is to serve as examples for future maids.
about Garou who have run afoul of Kinfolk, either through Since the likelihood of becoming a widow is higher
physical abuse or through some other form of behavior that among mates of Garou, the third stage is composed of those
has denied Kinfolk their rights, as they see them. When they who have loved and lost: the “crones” or “hags.” Sometimes
have assembled enough evidence about an individual Garou, these women are quite young, but they remain as crones
the group conducts a trial of that individual in absentia. unless they remarry and reclaim their status as mothers.
If the tribunal, made up of Cannon and his three closest The crones are the actual teachers of the mysteries, the
advisors, finds the Garou guilty of crimes against Kinfolk, leaders of the meetings, and, in some cases, matchmakers
it passes a death sentence. within their tribes.
Members of the group with some form of combat While some Garou may know of the existence of the
training form cadres of assassins and put together a plan Eleusines, they do not interfere with the practices of the
to carry out the death sentence. So far, the Judges of Gaia cult since their beliefs tend to support the Garou. In the
have accounted for only two successful missions, causing the aftermath of the Skin Dancer problem, the Eleusine lead-
death of their target by mysterious means. Whether or not ership has gone so far as to swear to Garou female leaders
the cadre uses special poisons, silver weapons, or sabotage that they intend no harm to any Garou. Thus, they have
remains a mystery. Cannon allows his death cadres complete become something of an open secret, one the Garou agree
independence of action. to not notice.
What they don’t realize is that the Eleusines have Many Kinfolk, especially those who are aware of the
become a powerful force within the Kinfolk. Not only do Dark Umbra or the Underworld, incorporate this knowledge
they unite most of the tribes, but they also exercise a great into their religious beliefs. When a Kinfolk dies, she does
deal of influence within their human families and with the not immediately pass into her expected afterlife. Rather,
Garou with whom they mate. Some believe that if Kinfolk she enters the Underworld, where all her shortcomings and
society is ever to change its status with regard to the Garou, wrongdoings are examined and purged from her, allowing her
the initiative will come from this group. to achieve a state of being fit to enter her expected afterlife.
Many Kinfolk believe that they must resolve any unfinished
Afterlife
actions during this time as well, thus finding an explanation
of “ghosts,” as opposed to ancestor spirits.
As spirits dedicated to Gaia, the Garou believe that
when they die the good death, their spirits enter the Um-
Kinfolk Religions and Cults
bra where those who do not reincarnate become ancestor While many Kinfolk follow a religious faith that corre-
spirits. This belief receives confirmation by the ability of sponds to their cultural and ethnic background, others find
Theurges to connect with these ancestor spirits, speak with their spiritual convictions in religious movements of their
them, take counsel from them, and, when necessary, bind own. The knowledge that their Garou kin do pass beyond
them into fetishes. the borders of the material world and enter the spirit world
While most Kinfolk believe this as well for their Garou goads Kinfolk into searching for a similar path for them-
relatives, their beliefs about their own afterlives differ greatly selves, one that makes sense in the light of their existence
from tribe to tribe. No official belief system or religious canon as something just a tad bit more than human. Garou look
exists to explain what happens to Kinfolk after they die. Some on these Kinfolk movements with tolerance, for the most
Kinfolk find no real dichotomy in the religious traditions part; since what their Kin believe about the afterlife does
of their human cultural traditions. Many Fianna Kinfolk not generally concern them. Examining some of the Kinfolk
remain practicing Catholics, just as a number of Get of Fenris religions, however, might cause Garou some concern about
attend Lutheran services. There are even one or two Fenris the mindsets of those humans they consider as family.
Kinfolk families who practice their Quaker beliefs. Other While religious situations usually place a minor role, if
Kinfolk join the revivalist movements that have returned to any, in most Werewolf chronicles, Storytellers and players
the worship of their native pantheons: the Greek pantheon should consider using one of the Kinfolk religious groups
for Black Fury Kin, Celtic religion and druidism for some listed below to design their own such group(s). Adding
Fianna, and the resurgence of religions acknowledging Norse membership in a community that places additional demands
deities for Fenris Kinfolk. The Stargazers and their Kin have on Kinfolk already burdened with the care and feeding of
long found truth and understanding in the wisdom of the their Garou kin could create additional layers of meaning
east, so some Stargazer Kin are Buddhists, or followers of to a Kinfolk chronicle.
the Dao. Silent Striders claim religions such as Hinduism,
Islam, or Judaism, depending on the geographic origins of
Buriers
their family. The Shadow Lords Kinfolk have participated A religious cult exists among the Bone Gnawer Kinfolk
in the revival of Eastern European paganism, while some that draws its beliefs from ancient history. They believe, as
Silver Fangs are Russian Orthodox. did many ancient peoples, that you could take it with you.
Some few Black Fury Kin identify with Greek Orthodox The tombs of the pharaohs and other important Egyptians,
religion and culture, placing them at a religious divide with among other cultures, contained many possessions to enrich
their Greek pantheon worshiping Kinfolk. Glass Walkers the afterlife of the tomb’s inhabitant. Some Bone Gnawer
tend to have a more materialistic view of their own after- Kin, since they usually lack material resources in life, believe
lives, or at least do not take religion seriously. Their beliefs in an afterlife that provides them with what they have missed.
sometime include quasi-science fiction ideas involving To this end, Buriers take to the streets on trash nights or
cryogenics and the potential for downloading personalities hang around landfills to find objects (even broken ones)
after death. Bone Gnawers tend to look on life and death that they might like to have with them in the afterlife. At
as a continuous process of recycling, and rarely talk about certain times during the year, a call goes out for the Buriers
any personal beliefs on afterlife. The Children of Gaia, not in a given area to unite at a certain spot, determined by a
surprisingly, adopt many New Age religious beliefs or adopt Kinfolk with the second sight. At this gathering, the stronger
the Garou afterlife model. Both the Uktena and Wendigo members dig a huge pit in the earth. The Buriers bring the
Kinfolk tend to honor tribal religious customs, which tend items they have gathered to this meeting and, after labeling
to be similar to those of the Garou. each item with the name of its owner, place their offerings
in the pit. After some singing, dancing, and other festivities,
the Kinfolk who dug the pit close it up, burying the items Those who believe in Kinhome do not have weekly
until such time as the departed spirit of the Bone Gnawer “church” services, but usually honor their beliefs within
Kinfolk might need them. By then, the items will be in their homes or, occasionally, at “Kinhome moots,” usually
good repair and ready for the Bone Gnawer Kin to enjoy a held near the solstices and equinoxes. These meetings do
comfortable life after death. not take place on the solstice (or equinox) itself because the
Garou hold their seasonal rites at those times and usually
Kinhome have some form of participation for their Kinfolk. Most
The idea that after death, Kinfolk go to their Garou’s believers do not speak of their beliefs to Garou, but they
tribal homeland in the Umbra makes sense to many Kin. find satisfaction in thinking about a time when they do not
For them, human religions do not explain their nature or have to take second place to their Changing kin.
offer them a convincing image of an afterlife. As Kinfolk,
even if underappreciated or mistreated by their Garou kin, Lunae
they know they have something that is lacking in the rest A small group of Kinfolk belong to the Luna Community.
of humanity. What would a merely human religion have Called “Lunae,” these Kinfolk believe that when they die,
to offer them? their spirits enter their tribal homeland where they undergo
The hope is that when they die, Kinfolks’ spirits go to a test of their resolve, their dedication, and their bravery.
the Umbral homeland set aside for their tribe. Some believe Those Kinfolk who pass their test travel to an afterlife in the
that, within that homeland, a “Kinhome” exists for Kinfolk. moon’s realm, a place for Kinfolk only. Here they experience
In that place, their service to the Garou ends and their spir- peace, clarity of vision, and, on the night of the full moon,
its dwell in an eternal bliss. When Garou spirits or Garou a chance to return to Earth and visit family and friends
traveling in spirit form seek to enter Kinhome, they enter (although these people may not be aware of the visitation).
at the pleasure and in the service of the Kinfolk spirits that Some of the Children of Gaia find this an attractive view
dwell there. The thought that a place exists where the Garou of the afterlife, as do a few Silver Fangs.
defer to them holds a great deal of appeal to many Kinfolk.
Reincarnates Look to the Past
The Reincarnates believe that Kinfolk who prove them- Something in the past of a callow family happened to
selves in the eyes of Gaia and their tribal spirits reincarnate sever their connection to their Garou kin. When a hive
as one of the Garou when they die. Because of their affil- of Black Spirals descends upon a sept of Bone Gnawers,
iation with Eastern philosophies, many Stargazer Kinfolk catching them unaware and destroying them to the last
fall into this category. While a few Kinfolk sects exist that wolf, the Kinfolk of those Gnawers often find themselves
have reincarnation as their center, such as the Reincarnate cut adrift from their connection to the Garou who knew of
Kinfolk and the Kinfolk of the Wheel (or Wheelers), most their existence. After they mourn the deaths of their Garou
Reincarnates don’t belong to any organization. They simply kin, if they ever discover what happened to them, that family
live their lives in dedication to the Garou, learning as much or those families may simply disappear from the knowledge
as they can about their Changing kin in the process. of the Garou unless they do something to perpetuate their
connection. When something of that magnitude happens,
Callow Kinfolk
however, a Kinfolk family may decide that flight is the
better course of action. All of a sudden, they are without
the Garou who both ruled their lives and served as buffers
“Your Uncle Robert just got on a bus to Chicago one day,
between them and the world of weirdness that the Garou
and that’s the last we ever heard of him. He was a little strange,
represented. They might flee the area or even the country,
though. A real lone wolf.”
leaving no trace of their whereabouts. A few generations
— An old woman explains a
pass, and the knowledge of their existence is lost.
bout her lost brother to her grandchildren.
Occasionally, children from callow families may experi-
ence the “imaginary playmate” syndrome with a difference:
Many Kinfolk grow up with the knowledge that their
their playmate is real, a Kin Fetch still watching their family
lives touch somehow upon the supernatural. Some know
line with no Garou known to whom they can report. Some-
most of the details about their Garou kin and even about
times, the Fetch will disappear from one child’s life, when
Garou in general. Others know only enough to keep
it becomes clear that the child is not a Garou-in-waiting.
them from running away whenever Uncle Henry has one
of his strange fits and Mom sends all the kids out of the At other times, callow Kinfolk may find their lives marked
house, or when Mom has to go away for weeks without any by tragedy. Stories of a family whose father goes berserk, killing
explanation. However much or little these Kinfolk know all of the rest of the family and then either slaying himself or
about their Garou kin and the world as seen through the disappearing, may conceal a tale of a late and unanticipated
eyes of those who fight to protect Gaia, at least they know First Change that goes terribly wrong. Tales of a wild animal
something. roaming through a community periodically killing people or
animals might constitute a Garou made mad by a Change
Not all Kinfolk know what they are. For some Kinfolk,
she never expected and does not acknowledge.
life simply takes strange turns every now and then. A string of
bad luck may follow one family, as if someone or something Concerned family members may attempt to track down
has it in for them: tragedy strikes one family member after the source of a family curse or chain of mysteries. Sometimes
another within a short span of time; another family suddenly they run up against a dead end, unable to make the leap
finds their world flipped bottom-side up when an otherwise across the border of what they can and can’t believe.
secure job suddenly disappears. Still other families may get From Callow to Kenning
the sense that someone is stalking them, or that something
The discovery that an individual belongs to a family
sinister is out there and will come crashing down on them
of Kinfolk can make for an intriguing beginning (or end)
if they’re not careful. Another family may only know that
to a Kinfolk chronicle. By having a group of players create
they have secrets in their background that seem to stymie
characters that seem to be merely human (perhaps with some
attempts at tracking down their family history.
Numina to make them special), then leading them through
Callow Kinfolk are those Kinfolk who have fallen beyond a chronicle that allows them to discover their Kinfolk roots,
the reach of the Garou. They have the potential to pass along a Storyteller can bring her players to the knowledge of just
the Garou gene — and, indeed, do pass along their blood how far away from the mainstream world their Kinfolk
through the generations — but they have no idea that they characters have come when they do accept their heritage.
belong to the blood of werewolves. The live out their lives
Using the concept of callow Kinfolk as a way to intro-
in seeming normalcy, although they may experience more
duce characters to the life and times of Kinfolk in general,
than their share of unexplained circumstances due to some
perhaps through the personal experience of their characters,
inherent attraction they offer to the supernatural world.

may imbue the world of Kinfolk with its own power and a merry chase until finally the mystery comes to light. The
highlight the ability of using Kinfolk to tell compelling and family is composed of callow Kin. Something, a long time ago,
memorable stories within the larger context of the world of made a family head decide to run from the Garou. He told
the Changing Folk. his children only the signs to watch for that might indicate
Stories can begin from any of the following scenario ideas: the presence of “the watchers,” or “government spies,” or
• The Legend of Mad Selena: A family moves to a even “aliens.” When they saw the signs, they should run.
new house, one said to have belonged to their family at the Tracking down the Kinfolk’s tribe or finding a tribe to take
turn of the last century. As they search the house during the them in might prove challenging. And if the family decides
process of settling in, they come across items that apparently to keep running….
belonged to these long-lost relatives. Finally, they come upon
an album of pictures, or perhaps a diary belonging to a family
Lost and Found
member with a literary bent, who tells the story of “Mad The Garou realize that many of their Kinfolk families
Selena,” who had a fixation with the moon from the time have fallen by the wayside, but not all tribes actively seek
she was a young girl, who dreamed of a strange, handsome to track down their missing links. A number of factors
man who would come down from the moon and take her contribute to the variety of responses to the knowledge that
away. The story of Selena might lead to the revelation that callow Kinfolk are “out there.”
the family decided to lock her up to keep her from trying • Black Furies: Some of the less numerous tribes, such
to realize her odd dream, only to find that she disappeared as the Black Furies, realize the need to find their missing
one night. By searching for more information, the char- Kin but simply lack the numbers for an organized search.
acters may discover that something killed the remaining When they do discover a callow family, they act as quickly as
family during the night, with possibly one other survivor: possible to bring the family back into the fold. If a Kenning
the ancestor of one or more of the characters. Ultimately, family lives near the callow one, the Furies enlist them in the
they can track down the Silver Fang sept who claimed their recovery, gaining the confidence and friendship of family
sister Selene Moon-Caller from a family unwilling to let her members before springing the truth on them. Otherwise,
follow her destiny. they send one of their own tribe as an ambassador to reunite
• Fire and Flood: A group of Kinfolk characters travel them with their lost heritage.
to a community where flooding has left a community in • Bone Gnawers: Whenever a Bone Gnawer or one of
ruins. As they attempt to help restore the community and their Kin picks up the scent of a callow family, regardless of
heal the land left ruined by collapsed sewage pipes from a their tribe, they act quickly and decisively. Since the tribe
nearby factory, they find themselves drawn to a particular tends to absorb information of all kinds, news of callow
family. If they win the family’s trust (not hard to do since Kinfolk seems to come to them as a matter of course, either
they are helping the community), they discover that a fire through gossip passed along from their informants, or from
in the town hall a couple of generations ago destroyed most one of their own noticing some of the signs of their presence.
of the public records. Births, deaths, marriages, deeds, wills, Their luck with discovering Lost Cubs in animal shelters
and other documents were lost before they could be digitized. occasionally leads them to lupus Kinfolk, a precious and
Other clues, perhaps attempts to harm the characters’ new highly prized acquisition for them. Normally, Bone Gnawers
friends, might lead to the discovery that some supernatural will notify other tribes if they find one of their lost Kinfolk
forces are out to neutralize the family. If the characters scratch families. Oddly, they tend to forget to inform other tribes
the surface, they may uncover a line of Kinfolk lost since of any lupus Kin they discover.
the fire — and uncover the creatures behind the attempt to • Children of Gaia: The Children are one of the most
eliminate them. diligent in pursuit of lost Kinfolk, often tracking down any
• On the Run: A seemingly normal family periodically reference they come across of odd happenings attached to
packs up everything they can carry and moves somewhere a family, such as items that appear in tabloids and other
else, changing their name, cutting all ties to their previous alternative media sources. When they come across any cal-
life, and starting over somewhere else. This fact comes to low Kinfolk, they are quick with their welcomes, although
the attention of the Garou, who suspect that they may occasionally, their exuberance may evoke a negative reaction.
have stumbled upon a group of renegade Kinfolk. Because They often disregard the callow family’s original tribe, caring
they do not want to waste too many Garou in chasing after more about adding more Kinfolk to the mix than making
them, they choose some reliable Kinfolk, with perhaps one sure they get slotted into the right pigeonhole.
or two Garou cubs to accompany them, to follow the family, • Fianna: The Fianna always consider the discovery
discover what they have done to make them so twitchy, and of one of their callow families a cause for celebration.
deal with any problem that might arise. The family proves They don’t, however, make a concerted effort as a tribe to
unusually good at spotting tails and runs the characters on find missing Kinfolk. Far more important to them is the
war against Gaia’s enemies. The Fianna tend to leave such forth considerable effort to reclaim their lost Kinfolk. If,
things like tracking down callow Kin to their Kinfolk. Some however, the callow family proves itself unworthy by Shadow
Fianna Kinfolk consider finding lost families a high priority; Lords’ standards, they allow them to remain ignorant, or,
others tend to leave such things to chance, believing that if necessary, neutralize any threat they might present to the
the callow families might have lost their connection for community of Garou.
a reason, such as an inability to maintain family ties or a • Silent Striders: Among the Garou most likely to have
weakness in the blood that caused no new Garou births to Kinfolk lose track of them, the Silent Striders make up for
reaffirm the connection. it by assiduously trying to track down any rumors of lost
• Get of Fenris: A division exists within the Get re- Kin. The tribe’s nomadic life style puts them in the way of
garding callow Kinfolk. Older, more traditional Garou tend rumors, tall tales, and other transient forms of communi-
to adhere to the idea of “survival of the fittest.” They hold cation, so they often have a leg up on searches for callow
that callow families somehow brought their condition upon Kinfolk. Once a callow family comes within their radar,
themselves, either through something they did or through they quickly seek them out and attempt to unite them with
something they omitted. They believe that callow Kinfolk existing Kinfolk families, sometimes remaining with them
have been culled from the Garou breeding pool. Younger until they have a chance to adjust or until their wanderlust
Get feel that circumstances often conspire to cause a Kinfolk compels them onward.
family to lose its connection and that it is their duty to Gaia • Silver Fangs: The extensive research that goes into
to help them find their way home. Fortunately for callow keeping track of the Silver Fang bloodlines ensures that, of
families, they remain immune to the Delirium, since the all the Garou tribes, they have the fewest callow Kinfolk (if
Get’s methods of informing callow Kin of their true heritage unknown quantities can be counted). When any hint of a
are seldom nuanced or subtle. callow Silver Fang family appears on the horizon, the Silver
• Glass Walkers: The Glass Walkers regularly search Fangs send out a group of Garou and Kinfolk to locate the
the Internet in search for signs of missing Kinfolk. Taking family and confirm, or deny, the accuracy of the report.
advantage of social media sites, as well as sites dedicated to Some Garou, however, don’t put it past some Silver Fang
genealogy, the Glass Walkers follow any leads that seem to to accidentally lose information that might lead to the dis-
indicate that the poster might have Garou blood. They also covery of a long lost family, particularly if the family might
follow up on police reports of wild animal appearances or be too “common” for Silver Fang lineage. In that, the Fangs
other anomalies that might lead to the discovery of callow resemble the Shadow Lords. When they put their minds to
Kinfolk. While some Garou who support active searches it, however, few can beat the Silver Fangs for thoroughness
for callow families may criticize the Walkers for not taking in locating lost Kinfolk.
their searches to the streets more often, the Walkers believe • Stargazers: These reclusive Garou are so few in number,
their use of technology expedites their search and saves them particularly those who remain in the western world, that they
from useless dead-ends. keep close track of their Kinfolk despite their penchant for
• Red Talons: Occasionally, a Red Talon literally picks keeping them at arm’s length. When the Stargazers receive
up the scent of a callow pack. When that happens, the entire news of a lost family, they take decisive, though not always
Garou pack often tracks down their callow brothers and obvious, action to find the family and make sure it ends
sisters. While some minor fighting to determine dominance up with the correct tribe. While they attempt to treat any
of the callow pack sometimes occurs, it usually ends quickly, discoveries with equanimity, they find it hard to deny the
with the Red Talon Garou as the winner. Sometimes an- true joy they feel at reclaiming one of their own.
other tribe comes across a wolf pack that shows signs being • Uktena: The wide dispersals of American Indian
callow Kinfolk. If the discovering tribe wants to score points tribes have contributed to significant severed connections
with the Red Talons, they inform the Talons of their find. between Kinfolk and the Uktena. The tribe follows any
Otherwise, they increase their own font of lupus Kinfolk. signs of the existence of a callow Uktena family with great
A few Red Talons, who have taken on jobs as park rangers urgency. One of the instances where inter-tribal cooperation
or wild life rehabilitators, make recovering callow Kinfolk occurs without much fuss, Uktena both give and accept help
a primary responsibility of theirs. The paucity of wolves, locating callow families. They believe that the other tribes
however, makes their searches generally fruitless. owe them assistance in tracking down their own lost Kin;
• Shadow Lords: As with the Get of Fenris, the Shadow likewise, they hold themselves accountable to other tribes
Lords’ emphasis on success and their inherent contempt for when finding one of their Kin. The Uktena put the same
failures often get in the way of their search for callow Kinfolk. effort in finding callow families from their more recent
Where they can find proof that the family’s connection to members’ ethnic groups as they do for original Uktena Kin
their tribe occurred with no fault to the family, they put who have lost their way.

• Wendigo: Like the Get of Fenris and a few other
tribes, the Wendigo waver between jumping to answer the
call of a lost callow family and deciding that a family who
loses its connection to Gaia’s warriors does not possess the
strength to fight on Her behalf. For the most part, however,
the Wendigo hope that they can increase their small num-
bers through finding and, in some instances, “adopting”
callow Kinfolk.
The Other Side
What happens to a family that has gone on for gener-
ations in the conviction that they were “normal” people,
when they suddenly realize that they have werewolf (or
other Changing Folk) blood in their veins? How do callow
Kinfolk react to their transformation into Kenning families?
Since callow families are Kinfolk, they do not suffer
from the Delirium when a Garou changes into his war-form.
For some callow families, this visual affirmation that the
supernatural exists and that they are part of it comes as a
welcome surprise. In many cases, the discovery answers
questions that have long plagued the callow family, such as
why they might not mind dreams of shape-changing, or why
they have an inexplicable aversion to silver.
Sometimes, callow families need some persuasion
before they accept that their lives will never be the same.
The Children of Gaia, in particular, have counselors to
ease the transition, and they will lend them out to other
tribes when necessary.
Some callow families, however, never accept their new
status, particularly if one of their members witnesses a
Garou change form by accident, often from being in the
wrong place at the wrong time. While a callow Kinfolk may
not suffer from the Delirium, acceptance of the Garou and
of their own heritage is not a given. One family of callow
Kinfolk not only refused to acknowledge what they were,
but they decided that they had received the “call” to become
hunters of supernatural creatures. Their immunity to the
Delirium makes them particularly dangerous to the Garou.
The Bottom Line
The Garou know they engage in a day-to-day fight
against the forces that would bring harm to Gaia and to Her
creation. To this end, most of the Garou do whatever they
can to return callow Kinfolk to their intended tribes. They
realize too keenly that the Black Spiral Dancers grab up any
“loose” Kinfolk they find, and that even Kinfolk with severe
problems don’t deserve becoming slaves of the Dancers.
While some Garou wait until a Fetch suddenly alerts
them to the birth of a Garou into a family that had long
been lost, most either follow any credible report that might
lead to recovering a callow family or else search proactively
for indications of the existence of such. The Silver Fangs
boast of at least one of their Kinfolk who runs a private
TESTING THE WATERS
All Garou tribes know of the existence of callow Kin. While the Scent of the True Form Gift and similar spirit aid can
identify a Kinfolk as such, not every Garou pack has a member who knows this Gift or has access to similar “true-seeing”
secrets. Outside of such a Gift, fetish, or what have you, the most reliable test available to determine whether a person or
family is Kinfolk is to expose them to a Crinos-form Garou. Kinfolk, even callow ones, will not fall to the Delirium. This
could, however, cause issues. A family that isn’t Kin, however, will fall prey to the madness of seeing a Garou in Crinos form,
and may cause harm to themselves or go flying to the police, the media, or their local shrink. The Garou must somehow
find a way to help make sure the family has no long-term memories of the experience.
In order to minimize problems, most Garou will adopt other ways to predict whether or not the final test
will have the desired result: the discovery of a lost family of Kinfolk.
Some of these methods include conducting extensive conversations with family members to get an idea
of their hypothetical reactions to seeing a werewolf; engaging them in a verbal game of “what if?”; asking them
about family history involving supernatural occurrences; testing them for allergies to silver; or summoning
spirits to test for the presence of Gnosis or the ability to do hedge magic; or actually exposing them to some
other form of supernatural creature, such as a ghost, to gauge their reactions.
A Garou can try to questions spirits on the matter, using the Rite of Discovery (see below.
If all the signs are encouraging, the final step involves having the family, either separately or together,
witness a Garou change into her Crinos form.
RITE OF DISCOVERY
Level One
This rite enables a Garou to question a spirit who might be able to identify a callow family as probable
Kinfolk. If the spirit is an ancestor spirit, the Garou may query it as to whether the callow family sparks any
memories of a time when their ancestors were recognized as Kinfolk. (The spirit will need to be able to witness
the alleged Kin in question, or be exposed to photographs and/or one or two of their close personal items.)
Alternately, the Garou can question spirits in the area where the family lives to find out if they know of
any signs that may indicate whether or not the subject family might be Kinfolk.
System: The Garou spends a point of Gnosis and begins questioning the proper spirit (who must first be encoun-
tered or summoned by other means). After offering the appropriate chiminage to gain the spirit’s favor, the Garou asks
the spirit a series of questions geared toward discovering the true nature of the family in question. Note that with this
rite, the Garou does not need to understand Spirit Speech — its purpose is to allow nearly any Garou to find answers to
the question of a given callow family’s possible identity. The spirit will answer either “yes” or “no” through some visible
means. Its answer is not definitive — it simply means that the ancestor spirit either does or does not recognize the family,
or the local spirit thinks they are or are not weird enough to be connected to the Garou somehow.
detective agency specializing in “missing persons.” Other while not entirely satisfactory, nevertheless gave a reason
Garou call upon existing groups, such as the Black Eagles they could accept for this important lapse. When the Litany
(see p. 27), to take on a recovery operation. came to the Garou, the world was a smaller place, and most
Once upon a time, some Garou Philodox, Theurges, people knew their place in the scheme of things, even if they
and Galliards met to discuss why the recovery of callow were unhappy with it. Callow families, in the beginning, did
Kinfolk was not a part of the Litany. After much searching not exist. When war came to the Changing Folk, families
for answers, including questioning spirits and conducting of all the Changing Breeds bore the wounds. The wound
rituals to uncover the answer, they reached a decision that, the callow Kinfolk represent exists to this day.

Chapter Two:
Whelps of
Other Breeds
Fera Kin
tradition and custom were lost in a single night. The Ajaba
who survived have been forced to take mates and make
children (or cubs) wherever they can in a desperate attempt
Ajaba to keep themselves from being driven to extinction.
This new generation of mates is, for the most part, callow.
Historically, the Ajaba had strong relations with both Chosen by desperate survivors seeking any opportunity to
their hyena and human Kinfolk. Whether dwelling in packs or pass along their genetic legacies, many of the new breeding
living in tribal configurations, family ties and group identities stock are completely unaware that the supernatural world
were an important part of Ajaba culture. The vast majority exists. The chances of an Ajaba breeding true and creating
of Kinfolk were kenning, participating fully alongside their a shapeshifter through a union with a non-Kinfolk mate
shapeshifting relatives in both the mundane and supernatural is slim. Recognizing this, most Ajaba simply do their best
challenges that faced their families. Strong Kinfolk were as to breed as often as possible, hoping to create the first in
valued as Ajaba themselves, as hunters and providers, sages a generation of Kinfolk who may serve as more prolific
and storytellers, counselors, diplomats, and healers. Tribal partners to Ajaba mates in the future.
and family identity was more important than whether a Desperate times have led to desperate measures. Ajaba
particular individual could shapeshift or not. An Ajaba once kept careful oral accounting of their lineages, culled
would definitely consider himself more similar and closely their weak, and prided themselves on the strength of their
tied to a Kinfolk of his lineage, be they hyena or human, family lines. Now, every drop of Ajaba blood, be it in a shape-
than to another werehyena of a different village or pack. shifter or Kinfolk, is considered precious, and their young,
All of that changed with the near-annihilation of the sick, lame, or mentally unstable are protected and nurtured
Ajaba and their Kinfolk by Black Tooth and the Endless in hopes that they can add something – anything – to the
Storm. With nearly every able-bodied Ajaba killed and those nearly-destroyed Breed. Some Ajaba have attempted even
few survivors driven away from their territories, centuries of more untraditional and rash efforts to renew their numbers,
Chapter Two: Whelps of Other Breeds 41

taking mates from among other Changing Breeds’ Kinfolk annihilated, the Breed would continue to serve Grandmother
in hopes that their offspring might breed true at a higher Spider’s purposes. Additionally, no animal species serves
rate than with non-Kinfolk stock. As can well be imagined, nearly as invisibly as spies, infiltrators, and thieves as do
this has not earned them a strong welcome among the other the arachnids to their Ananasi relatives.
Changing Breeds. When it comes to their human Kinfolk, the Ananasi
As for the Kinfolk left behind after Black Tooth’s massa- make efficient use of them, too. While the Changing Breeds’
cre, life has been as hard on them as on their shapeshifting emotions are left behind before their First Change, meaning
relatives. Many fled their traditional lands, hoping to reunite that there is little in the way of love between an Anansi and
with their scattered families. Some were successful in finding their Kinfolk mate or children, they still recognize the inher-
their own families, or other displaced Ajaba and Kin who ent value of their human Kinfolk. Grandmother Spider’s
were more than happy to overlook former rivalries in a des- work is far too important to allow their Breed to die out,
perate hope of salvaging something of their destroyed culture. and so future generations must be ensured.
Others clung desperately to the villages and hunting As well, while many Ananasi prefer solitary lives by
grounds of their tribes and packs, hoping against hope that nature, they still have need of other humans, if for no other
their kin were not among those slain by the Bastet on that reason than to create the illusion that they are still human
ill-fated night. Sadly, Black Tooth and his followers were themselves. And yet, their arachnoid nature presents chal-
ruthless in their dedication to their task, following the battle lenges at keeping mundane minions close enough to present
proper with a cleanup effort that wiped out almost every a proper façade. When the Ananasi must allow someone
Kinfolk villager left behind. into their proverbial parlor, kenning Kinfolk are much less
Ananasi
likely to question their sanguine tastes than even the most
well-paid employee.
No Changing Breed is as utterly emotionless as the
Ananasi, and so it is of little surprise that werespiders’ Bastet
relationships with their Kinfolk are based on other factors. Due to their independent natures, the Bastet’s relations
That does not mean, however, that those relationships are with their Kinfolk also tends to be individual, rather than
weaker or even less favorable to the Kin than among their defined by their Breed or tribe. That is not to say that they
Ovid cousins. While Grandmother Spider’s shapeshifters are not a vital part of a Bastet’s existence – quite the oppo-
may not feel romantic love, nor familial affection for their site. Without a sept-like structure, Kinfolk provide most of
Kinfolk, neither are they prone to the egotistical pride or the deep social connection and support for Bastet, and an
Rage-driven fury that plagues many shapeshifters’ relation- individual Bastet’s ties to their family lines may well be the
ships with their Kin. There is little room or reason for cruelty most important connections they have.
or abuse among the cold and logical duty of the Ananasi,
and that, in many ways, is more than other Changing Breeds Bagheera
can claim. Among the Bastet, the Bagheera are the most closely
No animal Kinfolk are as prolific or ubiquitous as those connected on a day-to-day basis with their Kinfolk and each
of the Ananasi. There are more than fifty thousand species other. They communicate regularly with their own kind
of spiders, and arachnids outnumber humans by a factor and their Kin, and were once global explorers, traveling the
of several thousand. Native to every continent other than world as individuals or in small family groups to discover
Antarctica, they share territory with humanity wherever it truth wherever it might be found.
is found. They are unique in their ability to pass unnoticed In recent generations, the Bagheera’s home territories,
and unbothered through human territories in their animal and both human and feline Kinfolk, have fallen victim
form without causing the slightest suspicion; even a raven to predation by industrial encroachment, spurring the
or housecat found in a house or place of business is likely wereleopards to withdraw back to their native lands and
to cause more stir than a single spider (other than to arach- focus on healing and reclamation there. This willingness
nophobes, of course). to sacrifice personal motivations for their people’s greater
While a Kinfolk spider has no real intellect, they also good is characteristic of the Bagheera’s relationship with
have no real willpower. Once directed, they will complete their Kinfolk. Whether human or feline, Bagheera Kin are
their task, or die trying, without the majority of the self-pres- valued, respected, protected-where-possible, and treated as
ervation instinct so challenging to overcome in higher an- part of an inclusive community, rather than seen as separate
imals. The combination of these two factors makes spider and lesser than their shapeshifting relatives.
Kinfolk invaluable to the Ananasi. Their sheer numbers and Bagheera highly value wisdom and justice; their most
survivability ensure that, even if homid Ananasi were to be favored Kinfolk are those who can offer advice – be it spiri-

tual or practical wisdom – to help ensure the Bagheera take Kinfolk work hard to provide their Kin (shapeshifting or
rightful actions and make sage decisions. However, they are not) with all of the necessities and luxuries expected of near-
also capable of great violence in the cause of what is right. gods, as they have for centuries. Modern times are beginning
Kinfolk, whether they walk on two feet or four, who fight to undercut this devotion slightly, but the khepur will use
ferociously when there is need, are highly valued as well. any means available to them – mundane or supernatural
– to maintain the status quo that has served their tribe for
Balam generation upon generation.
The jungles and depths of Central America are a harsh
environment for survival. Danger lurks around every corner, Ceilican
both natural and artificial. For centuries the lush resources The tricksy fairy cats are a conundrum, even to them-
of the Balam’s home territories have attracted those who selves. While all Bastet may face difficulties in tracking their
would strip them for their own profits, destroying anything Kinfolk due to their tendency to walk alone rather than
– or anyone – that stood in their way. in packs, the Ceilican’s annual persona changes take that
The Balam do not take kindly to this violation. Together challenge to a near impossible level.
with their Kinfolk, they fight fiercely to slow the ever-en- Feline Kinfolk to the Ceilican are rumored to be found
croaching line of invasion upon their pristine lands. When among the Scottish wildcats, although the felines’ numbers
it comes to battle, ferocity, not the ability to shapeshift, is are so low as to make them nearly unsustainable as breeding
the deciding factor, and Balam are proud to fight alongside stock. Some Ceilican claim their feline Kin are actually all
their Kinfolk family members. long extinct, and that all Ceilican and their extant Kinfolk
It is not enough for the Balam to survive, however; they are human-born, but how far can the word of a creature that
are driven to recover what has been lost to the predations of changes its identity on a yearly basis be trusted?
the past. When seeking secrets, many eyes – and many paths Most Ceilican Kinfolk are callow in modern times; the
walked — are better than few. Because of this, the Balam reality of their nature stretches the boundaries of belief even
actively cultivate connections with their human Kinfolk, for those who are bonded by blood to the fae cats. Those
educating them on the types of clues that might lead to few Ceilican Kinfolk who are kenning know better than
discoveries of lost or stolen knowledge. to expect their mercurial lovers to have a regular place in
Despite their ferocity, Balam love as avidly as they hate. their lives. At best, the passionate whirlwind they fall in love
When a Balam takes a Kinfolk mate, they and their offspring with in their youth may cycle through as several different
are protected and treasured as the center of the werejaguar’s personalities over the course of a lifetime. The heart knows
life. A Balam will not hesitate to fight and kill another of more than the eye can see, however, and the person they feel
their kind who attempts to encroach on their territory, and they’ve known forever, even though they just met, might well
nothing but death will satisfy a werejaguar whose mate or be their Ceilican partner from years in the past.
children have been harmed or stolen. Most contact and matchmaking takes place on Samhain,
at their annual revel on the moors, where a whispered word
Bubasti or well-placed rumor about a Ceilican Kinfolk in need of
Even the Silver Fangs cannot rival the painstaking and companionship may well make it to an accommodating ear.
obsessive focus on lineage maintained by the Bubasti. The
khepur elders of the tribe maintain complete records on all Khan
Kinfolk born to Bubasti (feline or human) back to before the Strong Kinfolk are a point of pride among the Khan, and
times of the great dynasties, carefully arranging appropriate strong relationships with their Kinfolk are just as important.
unions to ensure the limited breeding pool remains as pure Whether human or feline, Khan Kinfolk are expected to
as possible without sacrificing strength or viability. be physically tough, aesthetically beautiful, have powerful
As the kyphur cats of the Bubasti’s original lineage personalities, and to know their place, both in relation to
are no longer available as breeding stock (see Kyphur Cats their shapeshifting relatives and within their pecking order
and Kindred, p. 54), the elders have attempted somewhat amongst other Kinfolk.
successfully to introduce similar species as surrogate feline Feline Khan Kinfolk hold their own territories, inter-
Kinfolk for their tribe. These servals, golden cats, and cara- acting with Khan and each other predominantly only for
cals are carefully groomed and selectively bred to attempt to mating. Sometimes, however, in the case of a successful kill
recreate the glory of the former kyphur. As Kinfolk, they are too large for the hunter to consume, nearby relatives are
considered inferior to the original kyphur, but preferable to allowed to partake, so long as they show proper respect for
allowing the feline branch of the Bubasti to die out entirely. the individual providing their meal. It is a point of pride to
The purest among the Bubasti human Kinfolk are treated the Khan if their Kinfolk is the one who has proven their
as royalty, pampered and protected. More distantly related prowess in this way that they can provide such a banquet.
Similar traditions are reflected amongst the Khan’s likely to eventually result in a Pumonca Kinfolk finding a
relations with their human Kinfolk. While the Khan’s Pumonca mate than the social networking or matchmaking
attentions are likely to be distant at most times, when they that is common to other Breeds.
are focused on a Kinfolk they are passionate, intense, and Among feline Pumonca, however, their likelihood of
utterly genuine. Khan take pride in sharing the fruits of their finding a Kinfolk among the native cougar population is
success with their Kin, and even greater pride when their fairly high. A narrow breeding pool, nomadic nature, and
Kinfolk succeed to the point where they can reciprocate that awareness of the need for continued breeding, combined
generosity on their own. with a lack of long-term familial units means that many of the
Pumonca cougars alive today have a Pumonca ancestor somewhere in
their past few generations. The challenge, for these werecats,
The most solitary of the Bastet, Pumonca hardly maintain is simply finding mates, with the large territories, dwindling
contact or relationships with other werecougars, let alone population, and solitary nature of the cats themselves. With
having much interaction with their Kinfolk as a whole. As the declaration of extinction of the Florida panther, those
such, they are the most likely to take mates from among whose traditional mates came from the Eastern panther
non-Kinfolk, simply because it’s statistically unlikely that population have been forced to seek other territories (or
they know other Pumonca or their family lines from which resign themselves to a potentially fruitless quest to find those
to choose a partner. few feline Kinfolk still surviving undetected by humans.)
This is not to say, however, that Pumonca Kinfolk don’t
exist. An individual homid Pumonca may well have a mate Qualmi
to whom they are devoted; someone who can keep pace with Qualmi are a curiosity, even among the Bastet. Like
their simple, isolated lifestyle, and may even have children their Pumonca cousins, they are solitary nomads by nature,
with that partner. Even if this is a life-long pairing, however, although much more social. However, while they enjoy
their offspring are unlikely to grow up and encounter other interacting with others greatly (in small doses), their trav-
Pumonca. Having a love of the outdoors and a need for sol- els and customs make it very difficult to form traditional
itary exploration inspired by a Pumonca parent is far more relationships with their Kinfolk. Feline Qualmi spend a

great deal of their time simply scouting the wilderness for and intimate relationships when they bond with Kinfolk,
potential mates, especially in the traditional late-winter the Swara are slow to trust, and by nature very private, even
breeding season. After conception, however, it is back to to the extent of xenophobia with outsiders. These traits
their solitary lifestyle, although females will remain with directly manifest in their relationships with their Kinfolk,
their kits for nearly a year to protect and train them enough both human and feline, which are very deep, but also in-
to survive in the wild. clude a strong tradition of personal space, both literal and
Homid Qualmi tend to form very here-and-gone rela- metaphoric.
tionships with their Kinfolk. While their wandering ways Female feline Swara, be they Kinfolk or shapeshifters,
result in a lot of offspring being raised by relatives, or dealing tend to live alone, in home ranges that sometimes overlap
with absentee parents, the werelynx also have a quixotic with those of other female cheetah. Other than mating
charm about them that frequently lets them get away with season, and a few months after giving birth where they train
this behavior while still being considered “a great guy” or and protect their offspring, they prefer a solitary existence.
“an awesome gal.” When they do return to check in on Male feline Swara, on the other hand, often form small
their Kinfolk, they are usually welcomed back with open packs which may include Kinfolk as equals. Whether alone
arms, inspiring that “pick up where we left off” connection, or with others, their territories often overlap those of several
whether it’s been a few months or many years since they’ve females, allowing them to form relationships and mate with
seen their Kin. a variety of appropriate partners.
Simba While having separate territories and living apart may
seem distant and cold to outsiders, the Swara and their
Simba are unique amongst the Bastet, in that they do Kinfolk will hold the same territories year after year, often
intrinsically form social groupings with others of their tribe. returning to the same several mates for subsequent litters.
Unlike many shapeshifter “packs,” however these “prides” The relationships built are long-lasting, and vital to the
inherently include Kinfolk, as they represent both cooperative Swara, and the distance and separation involved ensures
working/hunting units and breeding/family pools. that the individuals’ need for privacy is a respected part of
The structure of these prides can be incredibly complex, the relationship configuration.
but usually consists of between one and three Simba, their Homid Swara often find similar relationship boundaries
respective mates, and very young offspring. For homids, this suit their natures. A Swara may have several committed part-
may form a small village, or an extended family unit, while ners, while retaining their own home, or live in an extended
for feline prides, the pride may appear from the outside to family with separate sleeping and living quarters for each.
be simply a successful and efficient lion pride. Regardless of the details, they are likely to be very private
Tradition and pride in one’s culture are both very about the inner workings of their family life, especially where
important to the Simba. Because of this, within the pride, outsiders are concerned.
traditional gender roles are most often upheld, even when
it means the Simba appears to take what might be seen as
a “lesser” role to their Kinfolk. A female feline Simba may
Corax
For many of the Changing Breeds, Kinfolk are not just
guide her pride, using her advanced intellect and sentience
non-shapeshifting relatives. They are potential shapeshifters
to aid their survival, but she is likely to still hunt beside her
awaiting some random circumstance to reveal their true
female Kinfolk companions to feed the males (even the
natures, as well as the most likely conduit through which a
Kinfolk). Likewise, if tribal structure for a human village
shapeshifter’s supernatural legacy may reveal itself. These
has traditionally had female leaders or counselors, a male
dual aspects influence how the Changing Breeds view and
homid Simba is likely to work within that structure, even
interact with their Kinfolk, in some cases defining the very
if it means supporting the pride in ways that might seem
nature of Kin-shifter relationships.
subservient to outsiders to the culture.
Every Garou Kinfolk has the potential of going through
Woe be it, however to those who might mistake this
their First Change. While most who will do so change
honoring of tradition for weakness; no Simba or Kinfolk
during puberty (or whatever their species’ equivalent is),
will take an insult lightly. Those who treat a Simba poorly
even an elderly Kinfolk has a chance of becoming a full
for respecting traditional roles with their Kinfolk will quickly
Garou at any point during their lifetime, and the same is
find that there are no traditions to protect outsiders from
true for Bastet, Gurahl, and the like. These Breeds do their
a werelion’s wrath.
best to keep close track of every member of their lineages,
Swara using Kin-fetches and mundane surveillance to ensure these
While the Pumonca and Qualmi are solitary in no small potential shifters are not lost. They’re also likely to educate
part because of their nomadic natures, they do form deep their Kin on the nature of what they may become, creating a

culture of Kenning Kinfolk aware of their supernatural ties.
As well, when shapeshifters randomly develop from
a small percentage of Kinfolk stock, the number of true
changers can only be increased through factors like prolific WHEN IS A KINFOLK
or selective breeding. This creates a cultural value in those NOT A KINFOLK?
Kinfolk who prove themselves as more likely to “throw” While it is unusual, it is possible for the Rite of
shapeshifting offspring, but also narrows the perceived value the Spirit Egg to be performed upon an individual
of Kinfolk in general to that of breeding stock. If producing who is not Kinfolk to the Corax as well. Technically,
shapeshifting offspring is both desirable and random, the all that is required is a willing subject, a capable
best way to stack the odds is to reward prolific and successful benefactor (corvid Corax for humans, or homid
production of offspring, and it’s a very small step from there for ravens) with the Rite, and the ability to take
to viewing that production as a core component – even the the target into the Umbra.
only factor – in an individual’s worth.
Some believe this to be the highest honor a
This is not true of the Corax, however. Without the
Corax can bestow upon someone not genetically
Rite of the Spirit Egg being performed, no Corax Kinfolk
related to the wereravens. Others believe that to
develops into a full wereraven, meaning that Kinfolk are not
do so is a blasphemy, an act of unforgivable insult
inherently looked at as latent Corax and that the line between
to Helios.
Kinfolk and Corax is greater without this random potential.
As well, the odds of a shapeshifter being born into a given What is universally held, however, is that such
genetic line cannot be stacked by fecundity, or prolificacy, or an act is taboo to perform upon anyone who is not
the spiritual virility of their ancestors, taking the aspect of fully raven or human. The cautionary tales against
Kinfolk as breeding stock selectively chosen for their chances what could happen if such a Rite were attempted
of “throwing” a shapeshifter out of the cultural paradigm. upon other Breeds’ Kinfolk or other supernatural
Because of these two factors, Kinfolk merit has nothing creatures are enough to dissuade even the most
to do with how likely they are to produce Corax offspring or curious of Corax.
spontaneously become Corax themselves, and everything to
do with their own personal attributes, skills, dedication, and
potential. Corax are less likely to feel superior about how
many wereravens are a part of their family line, and more In many ways, the Rite of the Spirit Egg removes the
likely to take pride in the individual merits of those they pressure that most breeds place upon their Kinfolk mates
are related to. Kinfolk themselves are differently motivated and offspring. No spouse or child of a Corax will be that
towards assisting the Corax as well. If the only way to “earn” wereraven’s supernatural progeny, which means that as a
one’s wings is to be seen as wise and worthy, Kinfolk are culture, the Corax have not developed an attitude towards
more likely to dedicate themselves to their duty than those their Kinfolk as extensions of their own spiritual virility.
whose “promotion” is a random mystery. Since the power to transform a Kinfolk into a Corax is in-
herently not available to their own relatives, while a Corax
may be proud that their Kin are chosen for the Rite, they
aren’t prone to “owning” their Kinfolks’ worthiness in the
BREEDISM same way many other Breeds develop. This has allowed the
In order to be a Corax, a Corax of the opposite wereravens to develop a different paradigm with their Kin
breed as the Kinfolk must deem them worthy of than other Changing Breeds, and many Corax believe that
the honor of carrying a Spirit Egg. Homid Corax their relationships with Kin are inherently more genuine
who hope for their progeny to be honored with because of it. With the posterity issue out of the way, they
the Rite are more likely to retain good relations are able to have real relationships with their mates and
with their raven-born brethren, and vice versa. children, based on emotion and affection, rather than built
Over the centuries, this has created a culture out of duty and responsibility.
with less breedism than most Changing Breeds
have developed. There is little room for human- Gurahl
or raven-centric views when such traits tend to be For centuries after the War of Rage, Gurahl society
inherently bred out of the changing population. on Earth consisted entirely of their Kinfolk and a single
representative of the werebears. In that time, much of the
Kinfolk blood thinned, and with it, generation after gener-

ation, stories of the Kinfolk’s role as valued helpers, beloved generation of Kinfolk. They spent time in their traditional
mates, and wise advisors to the Gurahl slowly transformed lands, speaking about conservation and recovery, about re-
from instructive lessons to legends and mythology. When specting the centuries-old methods of working with, rather
the Gurahl returned to protect their remaining kin from than against the land. And they watched to see who truly
the Storm Eater, it was a wakeup call for shapeshifter and listened, who took action, who sought for more.
Kinfolk alike. Like long-separated lovers, Kinfolk and Gurahl Over time, they took new mates from among these folks
had to rediscover one another and reshape their relationship – the dreamers, the protectors, the doers. They treasured
to suit what each had become over the time they were apart. them, knowing full well what it was like to do without
Luckily for them, and for the world at large, the bond their Kin for so very long. They had children together, and
between the Gurahl and their Kin ran stronger and deeper raised that new generation with an awareness of the old
than the divide which had separated them for so long. ways, knowledge of the new, and challenged them with how
Ursine Kinfolk took most easily to the reintegration; to integrate the two to heal the damage that the Gurahl’s
unlike human Kinfolk, their animal instincts were never absence had brought about.
muddied by the belief that the Gurahl were myths or legends.
Their animal intellect had not formulated any reasoning for Kitsune
the Gurahl’s disappearance, and so their return was simply There is no love more bittersweet than that of a Kitsune
a return to the natural way of things. for his Kinfolk – save, perhaps, that of a Kinfolk for her Kit-
The Gurahl, however, were taken aback by how cruelly sune. Steeped in the poignant (and complicated) romantic
their animal kind had been treated in their absence, mourn- ritualism of the Asian cultures in which they evolved, Kitsune
ing the extinction of their Kin in California, and Mexico, courtship is a graceful dance of charm and wit, half-hidden
in Africa, and several species in Alaska. Of those who between lowered eyelids and fluttering fans. However, for
remained, so few were left, and the Gurahl were angered at all its beauty, there is a pain inherent in these pairings. The
the world that had thinned their Kin’s numbers so greatly. Kitsune and their Kin are cursed to suffer in the creation of
Many felt great shame that their time of hibernation had left a child together. The labor pains of a Kitsune-Kinfolk birth
their animal relatives so vulnerable to man’s predation, and are so great that they strike both parents equally, wracking
dedicated themselves to their preservation and protection, the father with torturous cramps and bone-wreaking spasms
even if they themselves were human-born. just as strongly as the mother.
Reconnecting with the Gurahl’s human Kin was a more Should the fruit of their union be true Kitsune (rather
difficult matter. Unlike their ursine cousins, several centuries than a Kinfolk), the experience is even more painful. When
including the influx of Europeans to North America, had a Kitsune is born; someone will die. Often, the price is paid
scattered the Gurahl’s native Kinfolk to the four winds. by the Kinfolk, whose body and spirit have less resilience
Some remained on traditional tribal lands, although their than that of their werefox mate. If both the Kitsune and
way of life had become unrecognizable to the returning Kinfolk survive, which is rare, the curse will strike another
bearshifters. Others had integrated with European society family member or friend (often Kinfolk themselves) – the
entirely, leaving behind traditional ways and turning their price must be paid.
back on the truth of their role as Kinfolk. The Gurahl did For some Breeds, knowing that their mates have a high
what they could to re-educate those who seemed able and chance of dying in childbirth would distance them from
willing to understand that the tales which had become their Kin. It might, in some, discourage the shapeshifter
children’s stories or were found only in books on folklore from becoming attached to their mate, knowing that there
were not fanciful entertainment, but a solemn account of is a high chance of losing them in this manner.
duty to a power much bigger than the Kinfolk or even the However, this pain and potential loss makes the Kinfolk
Gurahl themselves. even more precious to their fox-shifting relatives. The con-
And, where the Gurahl found no Kinfolk remaining – cept of “wabi-sabi” – beauty defined through imperfection
where government relocation, European-introduced disease, and impermanence – is key to many of the human cultures
war, famine, or the Wyrm’s intercession had wiped the Gu- related to the Kitsune, and recognized by the Kitsune them-
rahl’s people from existence – the bears began anew. They selves. As the Silver Lady’s artful destroyers, they know that
sought out those, regardless of their ancestry, whose hearts nothing can – or should – last forever. All that is precious
and spirits beat in time with the traditional ways of the will one day fade, the brevity of its beauty adds to, rather
Gurahl and their lost Kinfolk. They taught the traditional than diminishes, its worth.
stories, and watched to see which eyes sparked with interest, Not all Kinfolk, of course, are lovers and mates to
who sought to see the turning of the seasons, which of the the Kitsune. Like all Breeds, Kinfolk are also teachers and
new generation might hold the potential to create the next advisors, bodyguards and crafters, spies and servants for

the Changing Breed. Each of these roles carries with it its times since the Lizard Kings ruled, and their appearance is
own respect, its own value, its own place in the carefully a comfortable reminder of the Age of Kings. Humanity, on
arranged pattern that is Kitsune culture. Ever mindful of the other hand has gone from proto-hominid to Homo sapi-
their vow to Gaia (and the reward promised to them at the ens, from useful, subservient (albeit ugly and weak) minions
end of this Age, should they faithfully fulfill it) the Kitsune to uppity, cunning individuals who believe themselves the
are superlatively dedicated to their causes, and expect no masters of the world around them. It is little wonder that
less than the same from their Kinfolk. When those roles are most Mokole, even those born from human parentage, are
properly fulfilled, and the goals smoothly worked towards, more comfortable with their animal Kinfolk.
Nagah
the Kitsune will do everything within their power to aid
and support their Kinfolk in all endeavors. If, however, a
Kinfolk slacks in their duties, is untrustworthy, or worse yet, While Kinfolk are important to every Changing Breed,
lies to the Kitsune? They quickly learn why the Silver Lady the Nagah rely upon their Kin in a unique fashion. For many
was willing to entrust bringing down entire kingdoms to snake-shifters, their Kinfolk are the only individuals who
her cunning, canny, ruthless little werefoxes. know they actually exist. After forging their own extinction
Mokole during the War of Rage, the Nagah severed all ties with the
rest of the Changing Breeds and their former spirit allies.
Unlike other Changing Breeds, the Mokolé remember (The exception being those who joined the Beast Courts in
a time before they had human Kinfolk. In the days of the the East, see Nagah, p. 52 for more details.) They also cut
Lizard Kings, during the height of the Mokolé reign, humans connections with all mundane allies and associates, spending
were little more than proto-apes. Many Mokolé believe generations alone in the Umbra with only their own kind.
that the Lizard Kings’ attentions (others would use terms When they emerged, they set about their reintegration
such as enslavement and rape) are what gave these early with the mundane world with meticulous care. Kinfolk were
proto-humans the boost they needed to eventually attain identified through arcane ritual and clandestine research,
true sentience themselves. beginning what would form one of the most painstakingly
Regardless of whether these memories (which are con- researched and maintained archives on Kinfolk lineages in
tradicted by modern scientific research) are accurate or not, existence. This research served a double purpose. First, it
they are still Truth to the Mokole. The weresaurians still allowed the Nagah to keep tabs on any of their own who
view humanity (including their own Kinfolk) as little more appeared to be nearing their First Change, and thus pre-
than children playing at ruling over a domain they have no vent the secret of their existence from being blown by an
true capability to understand. The Mokolé remember what it unfortunate transformation in front of witnesses. But just
means to truly rule, to make the Earth tremble under your as importantly, it also allowed them to screen their Kinfolk
every foot step and its inhabitants soil themselves in fear at carefully before broaching even the gentlest of connections
the sound of your roar. They remember; and they resent. with them. Those whom they determine unsuitable for
It was Kinfolk who survived, lizard and proto-human both, incorporation into the great secret, even from casual observa-
evolving for millions of years after the Wonder Work destroyed tion are dealt with, watched, and protected from a distance,
every one of the Lizard Kings. And through that elusive super- although they are likely to remain unaware of the source of
natural genetic chain, it was to Kinfolk that the first of the new their protection. They may be encouraged into employment
Mokolé were born, after no true Mokolé had walked the Earth or seduced into brief affairs with Nagah (or at least with one
in millennia. But old prejudices die hard, especially in those of the Nagah’s disposable public personas) in order to ensure
who remember back far further than they were alive. future generations, all the while remaining callowly unaware
Human Kinfolk have never been seen as equals to their of the service they are giving to their wereserpent relatives.
Mokolé relatives. They are necessary, and more tolerable than Those who make it through the first filtering process
other parts of humanity, in that they often can be trained in are approached with intent to recruit them into their local
their proper place in the grand scheme of things, and provide Kinfolk cult. They place the bait carefully, through offers
service and support that allows the Mokolé themselves to of employment, casual social connections with interesting
do what it is they do best – remember and wait. Mates and and attractive individuals, aid with challenges the unknow-
offspring are also necessities; each successive generation offers ing Kinfolk may be facing, and the like. Slowly, the callow
the opportunity for more Mnesis to be revealed, more Dreams Kinfolk is reeled into the society, being sworn to secrecy,
remembered, more bits and pieces of the past recovered. and is trusted with tidbits of information about the nature
There is more tolerance and respect for their beast of the world around them and their place in it. Eventually,
Kinfolk among the weresaurians. Perhaps they are simply when trust is fully earned, the Kinfolk is made aware of
more familiar; the reptilians have changed very little in the their relative’s existence, or at least the semi-fictionalized
version that the Nagah desire their Kin to believe. Young
Kinfolk are taught that their shapeshifting relatives are And, it’s a very good thing that Nuwisha Kinfolk
sacred beings tasked with slaying wrongdoers, and that the relationships have that intensity, because they lack the
secrecy surrounding them is a holy mandate. Fully indoc- infrastructure that werewolves tend to be able to offer their
trinated, the Kinfolk serve the Nagah in many ways. They non-shapeshifting relatives. Nuwisha society (if such a thing
protect the young weresnakes until they are able to protect could be said to exist) simply doesn’t have the same sort of
themselves. They provide a façade that allows the Nagah support structure that Garou society does. Werecoyotes are
to remain hidden from human (and supernatural) society, individuals, first and foremost, whereas Garou are – at pack,
performing mundane tasks like chauffeuring, accounting, sept, or tribal levels – social creatures. As well, Nuwisha
shopping, and the like, which are difficult to manage for Kinfolk are far less common than Garou Kin; with only
someone who the world does not believe exists. 100 Nuwisha allowed on Earth at one time (and so much
And, of course, they are the spouses, lovers, parents, and pranking to do while they’re there) the Nuwisha have sim-
children of Nagah, giving them the closest thing to genuine ply had less time and opportunity to breed with coyote or
relationship connections that the Nagah will ever have. How- humans than their Garou counterparts. As such, Nuwisha
ever, even between the closest of companions, no Kinfolk will Kinfolk tend to have far less connectivity with each other,
truly know the Nagah they interact with. For their own safety, or their shapeshifting relatives as a group.
and the protection of the Sacred Secret of the Nagah’s exis-
tence, they will only be offered what information the Nagah Ratkin
believes they can truly understand and protect, that which Like the Corax, no Ratkin Kinfolk develops into a full
they need to know to serve and interact with the Nagah, and shapeshifter on their own. There are no “accidental” First
what will help the Nagah perform their sacred, secret duties. Changes for the wererats; every Kinfolk who becomes Rat-
Nuwisha kin does so by virtue of a specific act. While the wereravens

bestow their Rite of becoming as an honor, for the Ratkin
In some ways, the Nuwisha are so similar to the Garou it is a necessity. In order to have any hope of surviving the
that they have been known to actually pass for Garou among current war, they know their numbers must continue to
the wolf-shifters themselves. In others, they are a world apart, grow exponentially. Creating a massive Kinfolk breeding
and one of the ways that they differ is in their relationship pool (and then converting as many of them as possible into
with their Kinfolk. shapeshifters) is the cornerstone of their plans for bringing
Garou and their Kinfolk have a tightly knit network, about the destruction of both the Wyrm and the Weaver,
relatively speaking; in many ways, it functions much like and allowing the Wyld free reign over reality.
a huge family reunion. Everyone may not know everyone Because of this, in the past few decades almost every
(and some folks may not have a clue why they are there), but Ratkin Kinfolk has been infected with the Birthing Plague
regardless of how the family lines intertwine or how much as soon as they are old enough to have whelped or sired
some of them want to just put in an appearance and go back a few litters and are strong enough to have the potential
to their normal lives, it’s all one big (sometimes miserable, to survive the physical and mental ravages of the Plague.
often dysfunctional) interconnected family. Being Kinfolk to Compared to other Changing Breeds, where Kin outnumber
a Nuwisha, on the other hand, is more like the relationship their shapeshifting relatives by orders of magnitude, this
with a favorite great-aunt or that insane (but magical) lover means that the number of Ratkin is quickly closing in on
from college. They aren’t going to be around all the time, the number of their Kinfolk, with that ratio shifting even
which considering their eccentricity and the chaotic effect more with every passing year.
they tend to manifest when they are around, may actually This is producing a unique culture among the wererats,
be a good thing. In fact, it may be years between meetings, where Kinfolk have become seen as a larval stage of shape-
with nary a word from them. But then they show up, and shifter, rather than something separate or less than their
there’s a bond there that is unlike any other relationship. Ratkin relations. Rodent Kinfolk can reach sexual maturity
They’re the 80-year-old woman who disappears for months, by five weeks of age. Females have less-than-a-month-long
returning with tales of her adventures on the Great Wall of pregnancies, and can whelp a dozen or more pups per litter,
China. The motorcycle-riding cousin who shows up out of going back into heat within days of giving birth. They’re most
the blue on a work night with directions to the best party — often encouraged to have a few litters before being bitten and
two states away. The college buddy who dropped out after a infected with the Birthing Plague, whereas males are often
half-semester, but taught you more than all your university bitten as soon as it’s suspected they can survive the Plague’s
professors combined. Intermittent. Chaotic. Intense. Even rigors. Through these methods, the rodens population has
callow Kin know that there are just certain people in their skyrocketed over the past few decades; it is likely that there
lives with whom they have a connection that transcends are more rodent-born Ratkin and Kinfolk in the world today
mundane explanation. than all other shapeshifters and their Kinfolk combined.
Rokea
Unlike other Changing Breeds, however, Ratkin place
almost no value in their human Kinfolk. Compared to
rats, humans have slow gestation, small “litters,” mature
Save perhaps the Red Talon Garou tribe, no other
at a glacial pace – a rodens pair and their offspring could
Changing Breed hates humanity with the unyielding fervor
produce more than twenty thousand rats in the time it took
and passion of the Rokea. While Ratkin may believe the
a human to grow to sexual maturity. As well, in Ratkin eyes,
human race to be tainted, the Rokea actively hunt and
humans — even their own Kinfolk — rely far too heavily upon
destroy not only humans, but their own human Kinfolk
the Weaver and its tools for survival. As such, they are not
and homid breed, as well as any Rokea insane, tainted, and
only painfully inefficient, but inherently tainted, and at best
corrupt enough to mate with a human. Because of this,
seen as cannon fodder and meat shields in the Ratkin’s war
outside of the Same-Bito (p. 53), it is estimated that there
against Weaver and Wyrm.
are less than 100 human Rokea Kinfolk alive, and no known
Homid Ratkin hold the lowest ranking in their culture, homid weresharks.
and are viewed by the rest of Ratkin society as barely above
This means that the vast majority of Rokea Kinfolk
the other Changing Breeds or humanity at large. They often
are shark-born. Sharks do not raise their young; whether
avoid contact with larger groups of Ratkin, in no small part
dropped in egg sacs or live-born, shark parents have nothing
due to the suspicion their breed is viewed with by rodens
to do with a pup after it leaves its mother’s body. From then
and even metis Ratkin. But they are also usually ill-suited for
until two or three years of age, the life of a shark Kinfolk
human society, suffering from a combination of paranoia,
is most likely identical to that of its mundane counterpart.
schizophrenia, conspiracy delusions, and dangerously violent
And, indeed, if they do not undergo an awakening into full
mood swings. Humans who can tolerate their presence are
Rokea, their life will most likely continue to be a near mirror
often just as ill-off, and the realities they deal with are often
image of that of a normal shark, with animal-level awareness
at least borderline delusional in nature. Because of this,
of the world around them. They eat, rest (although not
most human Ratkin Kinfolk are callow – even if they are
truly sleep), mate, and eventually die, in an ongoing state
made aware of their natures, they’re often in no position to
of callow Kinship and near-solitude. Only those few who
truly understand the lessons or the ramifications thereof, at
will eventually go on to become full Rokea experience the
least until they’re forcibly infected with the Birthing Plague.
broadening of perception, increased intellect, and eventual
ability to understand and use the Sending (a form of electric ern. Some are specific to individual Breeds, as noted below.
pulsar communication) to communicate with other Rokea. Others are more generally applicable to all Hengeyokai.
They may be protected by the Rokea, but this guardianship As a culture, the Hengeyokai are more respectful of the
is more of a general tending to the Sea and its health than elderly than their Western counterparts; ancestors are vener-
an actual protectiveness of any particular squamous Kinfolk ated, and age and wisdom are treated with respect compared
based on familial affection. to the Western focus on youth and vitality. As well, ritual
Human Kinfolk, those few who exist, are another mat- and control are more highly valued than brutality and battle;
ter altogether. Other than the families of the Rokea who while the Hengeyokai can be formidable fighters, they are
dwell within the Emerald Court (see Same-Bito, p. 53), more prone to seeking an elegant alternative to all-out-war
homid Kinfolk of the Rokea are no more than one or two compared to their Western counterparts. Because Kinfolk
generations removed from their direct Rokea ancestors. To are unlikely to match their shapeshifting relatives in physical
a person, those who are kenning Kin can trace their lineage prowess, but may exceed them in experience, wisdom, intel-
as Kinfolk to a Betweener Rokea who went to Unsea at lect, or other resources of a non-physical nature, this results
some point after the 1955 Turna’a nuclear disaster that in a more balanced relationship between the Hengeyokai and
destroyed all of the great elder Rokea, most of the those of their Kin than is often found in Western Changing Breeds.
the Darkwater auspice, and more than 75% of the Rokea Perhaps the most striking difference between the Kinfolk
population alive at the time. Most are kadugo, the direct of the Hengeyokai and the Kinfolk of the Western world
offspring of a Betweener and a human who they – against is the likelihood of contact with shapeshifters outside of
all odds – formed a relationship with that transcended their own relatives. With so many of the Beast Courts’
the Rokea’s inhuman temperament and inherent solitary sentai being formed of several different Changing Breeds,
nature. Kadugo-maker is also the most offensive insult one and the Courts themselves having much more cross-Breed
Rokea can use for another, carrying tones not only of not interaction than happens among Western shapeshifters, a
being unclean and traitorous, but deviant to the point of Kinfolk to the Same-Bito, for example, is much more likely
insanity, which gives a strong idea of how Rokea view their to meet Kumo or Hakken than a shark Kinfolk ever would
homid Kinfolk in general. their Western counterparts.
The few kadugo who actually exist are often directly While this can create a more cooperative and rich
protected by their Rokea parent, whether they are callow or Changing Breed community, it is not always a good thing.
kenning Kin. The experience of caring for another individual Honor duels and intense inter-sentai wars have their roots
in the way that humans feel affection for a mate or child in the unfortunate circumstances that arise when a Khan
is alien to the Rokea, and those Betweeners who do so are is (intentionally or otherwise) insulted by a Tengu Kinfolk,
often fanatical in their dedication to their family members. for example, or a Hakken becomes intent on winning the
After all, when something is strong enough to overcome the hand of his Zhong Lung sentai-mate’s Kinfolk sister. At
solitude and aversion that has exemplified one’s kind for their best, cross-Breed connections can strengthen a Beast
millennia, it is truly a force to be reckoned with. Court, but when relationships become rocky, the effects are
far further-reaching than love-spats or arguments between a
Hengeyokai Hengeyokai and their own native Kin.

Hakken
Relations between the Changing Breeds and their
Most Hakken make their home in Japan, where wolves
Kinfolk are, in no small way, influenced by the cultures in
are now extinct. By necessity, the Hakken’s lupine Kinfolk
which they are born. Each culture has countless different
have an awkward relationship with their shapeshifting
iterations, but generalities can be drawn across a broad range
relatives. Wild creatures by spirit and soul, they are too
of specific deviations.
precious to the continuation of the lupine Hakken lines to
Relations between Hengeyokai and their animal Kinfolk
be allowed complete autonomy and risk the same fate as the
are not, for the most part, significantly different than that
rest of Japan’s wolves. Thus, their relationship with their
of Western shapeshifters with their animal Kin – beasts
shapeshifting cousins is an awkward blending of protected
care nothing for borders or the meaningless technicalities
possession, pitied captive, and beloved relative.
of human interpersonal customs. Save for the Hakken, who
Human relations vary slightly depending on whether
are desperately attempting to keep their lupine Kinfolk from
the Hakken belong to the Beast Courts or not. Outside of
utter extinction in Japan, the roles animal Kinfolk play in
the Beast Courts, Hakken culture closely reflects the sept
their relatives’ lives is fairly simple and unchanging.
system of the Garou. The majority of Hakken fall into this
Within human Kinfolk, however, there are some major
category, favoring their own inclusive cultures over com-
differences between Eastern Kinfolk relationships and West-
mitment to the Beast Courts, which means most kenning
Hakken Kinfolk fill roles similar to that of their Western the edification of the Destroyer are nearly unfathomable,
counterparts, although gender roles, familial responsibility, but even more disturbing is when the Kumo’s corruption
and being perceived properly by the outside world are even of their Kin is so complete that their victims not only begin
more important to Hakken and their Kinfolk than to other to tolerate and enjoy their ministrations, but believe them
Garou and their relatives. to be actual affection.
Those Hakken who join the Beast Courts are likely to
be more inclusive and tolerant of other Changing Breeds,
Nagah
and this is reflected in their Kinfolk as well. While the Nagah of the Eastern world are not as isolated
as those in the West, they still prefer to remain under the
Khan proverbial radar as much as possible, meaning they still rely
While more numerous than wolves are in Japan, the heavily upon their Kinfolk, both for practical support and for
Khan’s feline Kinfolk are endangered and rare throughout a sense of community. Most dwell within small settlements
Asia. Many Khan tiger Kinfolk dwell on tiger reserves with their Kinfolk, interacting predominantly with their
throughout Asia, an insult tolerated by the Khan only be- own Breed and direct relatives. Others are sworn to the
cause the alternative – risking their Kinfolks’ extinction – is Beast Courts and dwell within the territories of a Dragon
inconceivable. Protective Khan do everything they can to Nest, although even among these, they maintain close and
support and defend these reserves, from actively patrolling personal ties with their human and serpent Kinfolk.
their borders against poachers to calling in favors to politically The most significant difference between how Eastern and
and economically bolster them from a bureaucratic angle. Western Nagah interact with their Kinfolk is the near-absence
Khan are also fiercely protective of their human Kinfolk, of Kinfolk cults in Asia. While care is taken to ensure that
although their quick tempers and bombastic personalities Nagah Kinfolk of the Hengeyokai understand the weight of
often create a respect tinged with more than a little fear in the secrets that they bear, there is less of a façade involved
their human Kin. in their interaction with their shapeshifting relatives. The
snake-shifters’ Asian Kinfolk do not, for the most part,
Kitsune need the fiction of an intricately crafted, false religion to
Unlike the rest of Gaia’s children, all Kitsune consider create a sense of deep dedication and oath-sworn fealty to
themselves Hengeyokai, although only a small portion serve their Nagah relatives; such depth of devotion is more easily
the Beast Courts directly. Since those periods of service echoed from other aspects of their native culture.
tend to be fairly short-lived, they do not overtly change the
werefoxes’ relationships with their Kinfolk, although juggling Nezumi
both the Laws of Heaven and the Way of the Emerald Virtues For better or for worse, the Nezumi are more akin to their
and Mandates may temporarily alter the fashion in which Western relations than any other of the Hengeyokai. They
these crafty werefoxes interact with their Kin. disdain humankind, including their own human Kinfolk, and
value their rodent Kin as the key to survival and success in their
Kumo War against the forces of both stagnation and destruction. They
While Western werespiders are a dispassionate and see other Changing Breeds, even those of the Beast Courts, as
calculating Breed, their Eastern counterparts are truly evil hopelessly tainted by the influence of humanity, and helplessly
in nature. Most make the conscious (and unconscionable) weakened by their reliance upon human society for survival
decision to dedicate themselves to the Wyrm’s service, and (especially the Hakken and Khan, whose animal Kinfolk are
any who do not are hunted by their own kind and viewed all but extinct). And, perhaps most unforgiveable to the rest
with unyielding suspicion by the Beast Courts they attempt of the Hengeyokai – they maintain relations and cooperation
to find sanctuary within. This corruption cannot help but with their Western counterparts, both Ratkin and Kinfolk alike.
reflect itself on their relations with their Kinfolk. For the Nezumi, this is common sense; if one has the
Spider Kinfolk may well find themselves held captive, only winning strategy in a war that threatens annihilation,
mistreated, or tormented by their shapeshifting relatives, one’s best allies are those with the same strategy. Western
but their primitive senses and lack of sentience make them Kinfolk are just as worthy – or disposable in the case of
dissatisfying targets for true sadism. Those efforts are gen- human Kin – as those born locally. It makes little difference
erally reserved for the Kumo’s human Kinfolk, who often to the Nezumi if the rats they breed with were born in a
find themselves unable to escape mentally and physically Hong Kong back alley or a Seattle sewer; if they survive the
abusive relationships with their shapeshifting relatives. The Breeding Plague, they are obviously worthy to aid in the
depths which a Kumo can sink for their own enjoyment and Nezumi’s efforts.

Same-Bito in great reverence, relying upon the serene wisdom of the
Eastern weresaurians and their sacred Kin to balance the
While there are obvious cultural differentiations Same-Bito’s inherently brutal nature.
between the Hengeyokai and the Changing Breeds of the
rest of the world, none is so drastic as that of the Eastern Tengu
weresharks and those of the West. While many Hengeyokai Of all the Hengeyokai, the Tengu are most likely to
consider themselves superior to their western counterparts, interact not only with their own Kinfolk, but with the Kin
the Same-Bito see the rest of the Rokea as humans might of every other Breed as well. Their curious natures, and
view a Neanderthal – a barbaric prototype, rather than as dedication to ferreting out secrets, inspire them to poke their
an equal. beaks into every nook and cranny, and it is not uncommon
Specifically, the Rokea’s attitude towards Betweeners and for a Tengu to be the first to discover a lost Kinfolk of another
their Breed’s human Kinfolk are abhorrent to the Same-Bito. Breed, or to notice danger to distant relatives.
While most Same-Bito spend the vast majority of their time However, while Tengu have far-flung attentions, their
in the water, nearly a quarter of Hengeyokai weresharks are depth of care suffers because of it. Like the Tengu themselves,
homid. Homid Same-Bito are not held in disdain by their wereraven Kin are expected to be self-sufficient, cunning
squamous brethren, and both breeds cherish and protect survivalists, capable of going about their duties without a
their human Kinfolk with as much honor and diligence as great deal of molly-coddling from their shapeshifting relatives.
those born of the Sea. That is not to say that the Tengu do not care for their
Additionally, where the Rokea have little interest in Kinfolk; whether raven or human, Tengu Kin are a vital
interacting with other Changing Breeds, Same-Bito often part of the information networks and spy chains that allows
join the Beast Courts and interact with other Hengeyokai the Tengu to do their job, and many Tengu have loved ones
and their Kinfolk in cooperative efforts that span both land who act as a sort of touchstone to return to when their du-
and sea. They hold the Zhong Lung (and their Kinfolk) ties send them flapping from one end of Asia to the other.

Their interactions, however, are simply not dependent on
constant interactions or perpetual companionship, as much
as mutual respect and unyielding loyalty.
KYPHUR CATS AND KINDRED
Zhong Lung Long ago, the last remaining feline Kinfolk
The Zhong Lung are perhaps the most “hands-off” of of the Bubasti were kidnapped by a coven of
all the Hengeyokai when it comes to interactions with their vampires in service to the dark god, Set, and
Kinfolk. While they will rise to the occasion when something fed blood to bind them into unholy servitude.
threatens themselves or their close allies, most of their time They did so as a profanity of the cat’s role with
is spent in the hazy half-consciousness of Mnesis. Their social the ancient dynasties of man, unaware of their
construct with their Kinfolk is very ritualized and formal, connection to the werecats. These felines, driven
overseen by a female elder who specializes in arranging and mad by the blood of Set’s vampiric servants,
watching over matches which are normally lifelong, if not survive to this day, somewhere in the darkness
always monogamous, partnerships. beneath Egypt’s deserts.
Male Zhong Lung live solitary existences, rarely inter- The Bubasti do not speak to outsiders of the
acting with others other than for brief periods wherein fate of their lost Kinfolk, choosing instead to allow
they mate, give council, combat direct mutual threats, or them to believe that the line is lost completely.
fulfil their duties to the Courts. Females, on the other There are those among them, however, who have
hand, form small groups, and have more interaction both made it their life’s purpose to attempt to ferret
with other Zhong Lung and with their Kinfolk. Homid out their ghouled Kinfolk’s locations, and put
Zhong Lung aunties monitor the health and happenings them to rest once and for all.
of their local Kinfolk, often through older women within
the community. Through their human counterparts, they
provide wisdom about healing, cooking, farming and other
domestic matters, in addition to interpersonal advice to
strengthen and support the relations between their Kinfolk. the bloodsucking undead. While they are sacrificing their
Not only does this foster and maintain the Kinfolk com- Kinfolk’s fertility and humanity, some believe that the
munity, but also provides them with vital information for powers potentially gained are sufficient tradeoff. Rarely do
matchmaking between the Zhong Lung and their human such Kinfolk remain long in their shapeshifting relative’s
Kinfolk relations. service, however; after the Embrace, a Kinfolk vampire is
no different than any other supernatural apex predator,
Supernatural Kinfolk
and their likelihood of remaining in service to a mortal –
even one with supernatural powers – is slim.
It should be noted that while most Changing Breeds
Kindred and Ghouls might be mistaken for Kinfolk at birth, they are either shifter
or not from their conception. As such, a pre-Change Garou
To a vampire, a Kinfolk (whether of the Garou or anoth-
who is Embraced reacts like a Garou, not a Kinfolk, for the
er of the Changing Breeds) is just another blood bag; their
purposes of whether they die or become an Abomination
supernatural connection to their shapeshifting relatives is
rather than a vampire proper. (Assume his Gnosis is that of
imperceptible via magical means, and their aura is no different
a beginning character of that breed.) Two types of Changing
from that of any other human or animal. What is different,
Breed Kinfolk – the Corax and the Ratkin — are transformed
however, is their were-kin’s likely reaction, should they dis-
by outside forces, however, remaining Kinfolk up until the time
cover that a “leech” has dared to drink from a Kinfolk, let
the Rite of the Spirit Egg or Breeding Plague is performed.
alone blood bond or turn them. As most Changing Breeds
Once the Breeding Plague has begun affecting a Ratkin
see vampires as servants of the Wyrm, this insult would
Kinfolk, they would react just as a full Ratkin, dying or
not pass lightly, and any Kinfolk unfortunate enough to be
becoming an Abomination as fate sees fit.
ghouled or Embraced would almost certainly be put out of
its misery rather than allowed to live a corrupted existence. No Corax would willingly perform the sacred ritual
upon a Kinfolk-turned-vampire; the results, if such a thing
The exceptions to this rule are the Kumo and the
were done through force or coercion, would result in the
Black Spiral Dancers, both of whom have been known to
subject’s death as Helios’ connection with the Corax lethally
willingly subject their Kinfolk to the unholy embrace of
burned clean the corrupted Kin.

Awakened Souls Wraiths
While it is rare, it is possible for a Kinfolk’s soul to Awak- Animal Kinfolk do not become wraiths; their spirits
en. In those few circumstances where this has happened, the are returned to the cycle, and saved from further torment
newly-created mage still remains Kin to their Changing Breed after their passing.
family. Those ties, supernaturally forged, are not broken by Most human Kinfolk do not become wraiths either,
the Kinfolk’s soul Awakening, although they may well find just as most humans do not. But, sometimes, especially for
their relationship paradigms change significantly once they kenning Kinfolk, the lessons of duty and service are too
are in possession of supernatural powers themselves. strong to allow the Kinfolk to fully depart the mortal coil.
It is still possible (although no more so than with They may torment those who abused them, or seek to protect
other Kinfolk) for an Awakened Kinfolk to give birth to a those they loved, but regardless of whether for good or harm,
shapeshifting child. The chances of this are no greater than those who do become wraiths are more likely than most to
before the Kinfolk became a mage, however. It is still much turn their postmortem focuses on the world of the living
more common for their offspring to simply be Kinfolk (or rather than interacting solely with the already dead. Their
even human, if they mate with non-Kin humans rather). close ties to their shapeshifting relatives often cause those
It should be noted, however, that even for an Awakened who are cursed with existence beyond death to dabble in
Kinfolk, magic cannot create a Kinfolk or a Garou from a Puppetry and Phantasm and other mortal-focused Arcanoi,
normal human. That miracle is beyond the kenning of mortal regardless of the consequences thereof.
magic, no matter how awe-inspiring or far-reaching it might be.

Chapter Three:
Kinfolk Characters
Go out in the woods, go out.
If you don't go out in the woods nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin.
— Clarissa Pinkola Estés,
Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
Why Play Kinfolk

Werewolf: The Apocalypse, 20th Anniversary Edition
provides detailed directions for creating Kinfolk. (See pp.
379-386.) Some new Traits and Gifts are introduced in this
Kinfolk serve a vital purpose besides providing future chapter. Other Werewolf supplements have or will provide
generations of Garou. Garou numbers dwindle, no matter additional detail, but you should find enough in these pages
how assiduously they attempt to procreate. Gaia’s chosen to allow you to create a multi-dimensional Kinfolk character.
warriors must, by necessity, depend on their Kinfolk to serve Note that we assume here that Kinfolk chronicles are
in many capacities: as quartermasters, supplying the Garou about human Kin. While it is certainly possible to run a
with equipment necessary to continue their war against game of lupus Kin, since they are no different than wolves
the Wyrm; as support troops, taking on the Wyrm’s lesser in behavior and intelligence, it would be a rather limited
warriors; as perimeter guards of caerns and other sacred (although possibly enlightening) experience, perhaps akin
lands; as scouts or spies, going among the minions of the to Jack London’s Call of the Wild novel. We leave that up
Weaver and the Wyrm in ways the Garou’s nature and to the Storytellers and their players, if they should decide
temperament make difficult. to try such a game.
As more and more Garou find themselves involved Before putting anything down on paper, take a few min-
head-on in the struggle to preserve the balance and defeat utes to envision your Kinfolk character. Create an image of
the growing forces of the Wyrm, Kinfolk become caught up her in your mind. What does she look like? Does her physical
in increasingly important aspects of Garou life — even though appearance reflect a particular ethnic heritage, perhaps one
they may not know everything about what they’re doing. based on her Garou tribe? What tribe makes up the Garou
This chapter outlines the rules and variants for human part of her background? Is she human or wolf? Do others
Kinfolk characters. Use it in Kinfolk chronicles, in mixed find her attractive, and, perhaps more importantly, does
Garou-Kinfolk chronicles, or as Storyteller characters to she find others more attractive than her Garou relations?
enrich the backstories of the Garou player characters.
Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 57

Once you have taken all these factors into consideration,
you’re ready to assign dots and choose traits to bring your
Kinfolk character into game-playing life
CHARACTER CREATION EXTRAS
Concept: Possible concepts for Kinfolk could
include: architect, archaeologist, anthropologist, bi-
New Talent
ologist, bounty hunter, ecologist, forester, lab tech, Intuition
nature guide, outdoor writer, outcast wolf, police From time to time, you have good hunches. You have
officer, zoo-born wolf. He could also be an animal learned to trust them. At times, you might not be able to
shelter employee or animal rescuer, member of explain why you suddenly know certain things, or how you
Doctors without Borders, evangelist/tent revivalist, jump to a startling conclusion based on a confusing or mys-
freelance writer or journalist, handyman, nature tifying set of facts. Your instinct tends to serve you very well,
photographer, aspiring politician, veterinarian, except when it doesn’t. Intuition reflects your aptitude in
or almost anything else you think might imagine. making good guesses and relying on your gut feelings. This is
Numina not a psychic ability; rather, it is an innate “sixth sense” that
Numina for Kinfolk are categorized here into enables the character to sense if someone is lying or whether
three types: Psychic phenomena (such as telepathy or not a particular argument holds more persuasive force
or clairvoyance), hedge magic (folk wizardry), and than another with the target individual. A character with
True Faith (the power of spiritual belief). Some Intuition may be able to string together tiny or otherwise
of the Numina available to Kinfolk characters are overlooked clues, resolving into the strong feeling that “we
described toward the end of this chapter and may need to go to the warehouse now!” or “Mr. X is the person
also appear in future supplements. behind this.” Storytellers can use a character’s Intuition to
give information to the players or as a handy device to move
Trait Cost along a stalled plot when all else fails.
First Numen* 7 freebie points per dot • Novice: Your instincts help you find the right track.
Second Numen* 14 per points dot •• Practiced: You automatically follow your initial
guess rather than second-guessing yourself.
••• Competent: You always know when something’s
going down.
•••• Expert: You know not only what’s wrong, but
Once you have an idea of your Kinfolk character’s physical
who’s behind it.
appearance and the kind of reaction she might get from others
••••• Master: Your insights and hunches scare you
at a superficial meeting, you can go deeper into your character’s
sometimes!
make-up. Does she know she’s Kinfolk? Most Kinfolk characters
will be kenning Kinfolk; if she is, what is her attitude toward her Possessed by: Kinfolk, counselors, mothers, trending
Garou relations? Does she take pride in her association with the experts, teachers, intuitive diagnosticians, private detectives
Garou? Is she happy to play a support role, perhaps serve as the Specialties: Reading Between the Lines, Subtext, Sensing
mother of children who might undergo the First Change? Or, Dynamics, Meditation
instead, does she resent taking a backseat role that may very well
impede all her future life choices? Does she hate the thought that New Knowledge
the Garou consider her as nothing more than a brood mare or
a glorified servant? If this describes her feelings, does she bottle Bureaucracy
it up and pretend compliance while planning revenge? Or does You understand the world of human organizations and
she fail to dissemble, letting her family and even the Garou know have learned to weave your way through the strands of red
her feelings and taking whatever consequences may follow? tape that permeate most government agencies, and private or
What role does she play in the human world? Is she still public businesses. This Ability allows you to find the quickest
a student, whether in high school, college, or as a graduate way to accomplish something through the usual channels,
student? Does she hold down a 9-5 job, perhaps as a secre- getting speedy answers and bypassing many of the snags
tary, a sales person, or a factory worker? Does she have a waiting to trap the unwary. You slice through red tape as if
professional career as a doctor, veterinarian, or emergency it were strips of paper. You know who to talk to and which
medical technical? Or is she an artist or self-employed, a strings to pull to get what you (or your Garou kin) need.
career that gives her a good deal of unstructured time in For you, it’s a game rather than a chore. Combined with the
which to fulfill her Kinfolk obligations? Contacts Background, you can make a lot of inroads that

allow you to help both Kinfolk and werewolves. Whether pharmaceuticals. Kinfolk far removed from urban areas
or not the Garou appreciate your efforts, you are effective and without health insurance find Herbalism to be a vital
and take pride in your expertise. means for maintaining a healthy community.
• Student: Although you have just embarked on your • Student: You are able to make some basic herbal
trek through the red tape jungle, you are able to plan mixtures and can identify most standard herbs.
well, and you can locate local government offices using •• College: You can identify, plant, grow and harvest
either the Internet or the old-fashioned phone book. just about any herb, with the exception of extremely
•• College: Your knowledge is growing, and you are exotic or rare herbs. You can make most herbal
an accomplished amateur. In times of trouble, you concoctions and treat some wounds and illnesses.
know the best people to contact. ••• Master: You are a doctor of herbs. You may have
••• Masters: You have honed your organizational an advanced degree in botany or in herbal studies,
skills to a fine pitch. Some Glass Walkers might or you may have acquired your knowledge through
envy your command of “the system” and your an apprenticeship and years of study. You can
information network. You may even have a degree diagnose many types of illnesses and prescribe
in management, business, or marketing. herbal cures for them, and treat most wounds with
•••• Doctorate: You wend your way with confidence herbal poultices and such.
through all but the highest levels of bureaucracy. •••• Doctor: You may have a doctorate in botany, herbal
Red tape melts when you appear. Only the highest medicine, or some other advanced study relating
officials put you on hold. Shadow Lords take notice to herbs, or you may have outstripped your own
of your expertise. You could lecture on the subject teacher and are now passing your knowledge along
of bureaucracy if you wanted to. to students. You can make complex herbal cures
••••• Scholar: You can arrange meetings with almost and treat any wound with confidence. You also
anyone. You possess the skills to run a multinational make a mean ratatouille!
corporation, complete with subsidiaries. Other ••••• Scholar: You could put your herbal knowledge
bureaucrats who know about you look to you for into a book; perhaps you’ve already done so. If you
advice. wanted to, you could teach at a university level.
Possessed by: Kinfolk, politicians, lobbyists, government You may have lectured on herbs or even acted as
employees, PACs, bureaucrats a consultant to several medical boards or herbal
Specialties: Facilitation, Loopholes, Rights Protection institutions. “Herb” might as well be your first
(civil, animal, children’s, etc.), Red Tape Cutting name.
Possessed by: Kinfolk, Children of Gaia, holistic healers,
Herbalism herbologists, grandmothers
You have studied plants with an eye to using healing herbs Specialties: Medicinal Herbs, Growth and Preservation,
as well as cooking herbs. You believe that herbs are far and Herbal Healing, Potions, Household Products, Poisons
away better than pharmaceuticals, since they are purer and
less likely to be tampered with. In fact, you tend to distrust Veterinary Medicine
anything made by Big Pharma, even to the extent of making Your interest in medicine drew you to veterinary school
your own aspirin from scratch whenever possible. You enjoy rather than medical school. You find it not only satisfying
using herbs in food preparation as well and are known for but useful and important to look after the health of Gaia’s
your particularly tasty dishes. Perhaps you even “spike” your non-speaking creatures. You take pride in your ability to
soufflés and casseroles with certain herbs that provide extra diagnose patients who can’t verbalize their problems. You
nutrients or enhance immune systems. You know how to have also found it useful to treat wolf Kin and lupus Ga-
grow herbs, harvest and prepare them, and may even have rou instead of relying on human medicine to take care of
your own herbal business. You know how to make soaps, them. You are respected among other Kinfolk and among
dyes, lotions, and other products using natural products. the Garou as well.
The systems use of herbs is in the hands of the Story- • Student: You are still learning how to treat ani-
teller. Suggestions include: slightly improved healing times mals medically, but you can perform many kinds
(with regular administrations of poultices and/or teas and of first aid and emergency treatment on animals
elixirs), calming and soothing, stimulant effects, etc. Herbs, and Garou.
when used properly, can help heal wounds and illnesses •• College: You have the basic veterinary knowledge, but
and mitigate symptoms without the adverse side effects you need experience in the field to gain confidence in
and addictions that often come with the use of modern everyday healthcare for animals and your Garou kin.

••• Master: You can add the title “Dr.” to your name, Possessed by: Garou Kinfolk, Fera Kinfolk, some hedge
or the letters D.V.M. after it. You know how to care mages
for everything from gerbils to elephants. There still Specialties: Individual Rites, Group Rites, Accord,
may be some types of animals you have not yet mas- Mystic, Seasonal, Minor
Backgrounds
tered, but not many. The Garou find you useful for
medical problems that can’t be dealt with by Gifts.
•••• Doctor: You have an established reputation in the Many of the backgrounds in this section resemble the ones
veterinary community at large as well as among that appear in the Werewolf: The Apocalypse, 20th Anniver-
Kinfolk and Garou. You can do everything from sary Edition. These backgrounds, however, emphasize their
treating minor wounds to performing major surgery relevance to Kinfolk characters. Other backgrounds are new and
under difficult conditions. You feel certain you can pertain exclusively to Kinfolk (or as exclusively as a Storyteller
take care of most of the Fera, as well, if necessary. wishes them to be). Storytellers should help their players choose
••••• Scholar: You have published papers and books on backgrounds that fit the Chronicle. The Backgrounds Allies,
aspects of veterinary medicine and you are qualified Contacts, and Mentor remain the same for Kinfolk. The main
to teach in veterinary colleges nationwide. You rulebook covers these. Kinfolk may not purchase Kinfolk, Past
don’t necessarily have a public practice, but you Life, Rites, Totem, or Fetish. Instead, Kinfolk may purchase the
could do so if you wish. The Garou and Kinfolk new Background Kinfolk Rites in order to learn special rites just
keep you busy enough with their problems and for them. They may take Fetish as a Kinfolk Merit.
consider themselves fortunate to have you.
Possessed by: Veterinarians, scientists, researchers, Equipment
animal activists, Kinfolk Either from your Garou family, a Fellowship (see pp.
Specialties: Holistic, Surgery, Exotic Animals, Small 27-31), another connection, or through your own cleverness,
Animals, Wild Animals, Wolves you have access to highly specialized equipment not available
through standard channels. This equipment can range from
Rituals the relatively simple (silver bullets) or rare and hard to get (a
Garou learn this Knowledge in order to participate mage’s “ray gun”). You begin the game with this equipment,
in the spiritual life of sept, tribe, and Garou existence in but when it’s gone, whether used up, lost, stolen, or destroyed,
general. Kinfolk have their own version of Rituals that you cannot replace it except through roleplaying. (See below,
likewise enables them to add a spiritual and communal or the main rulebook for ideas or examples.)
element to their existence as blood relations of the Garou. • One minor item: Equipment may include silver
This Knowledge conveys some general knowledge of the bullets, quality Kevlar vests, street-level drugs, etc.
Garou rites and mysteries (such as the names and intents •• Two minor items: These can include laser sights,
of most Garou rites and a simplified version of Garou tra- healing herbs, gas masks, or police-issue pepper
ditions). In addition, Kinfolk who possess this Knowledge spray.
can participate in rites specifically created for Kinfolk. ••• One major item: These include explosive ammu-
While many Kinfolk rites involve the formalized behavior nition, wiretaps, pharmaceuticals, surgical field
common to most ceremonial events and serve to provide a kits, white noise generators, small private aircraft,
closer bond among Kinfolk, or between Kinfolk and their and other items of similar quality. If you have the
Garou Kin. Other rites provide limited access to the spirit Merit Gnosis (5 pts.), you could have a lesser talen
world, though any power gained from such rites in no way at this level.
rivals the potency of Garou rites. A character cannot learn •••• Two major items: More major items include spe-
a rite of a level higher than her Rituals rating. cialized vehicles, military-issue firearms, electron
• Student: You’ve closely watched as other Kinfolk microscopes, etc. If you have the Merit Gnosis (6
perform rites. pts.), you could have a greater talen at this level.
•• College: You’ve successfully participated in rites ••••• One unique item: High-tech experimental firearms,
performed by others. magical crystal balls, and untraceable poisons
••• Masters: You teach rites to other Kinfolk. fatal to Garou are possible. If you have the Merit
•••• Doctorate: Garou watch you to pick up pointers. Gnosis (7pts.), you may elect, instead, to own one
••••• Scholar: You can create your own rites and could powerful talen. At this level, the Storyteller should
write a book on the subject. help the player select the item so that it will not
overbalance the story.

Garou Favor Renown
You have somehow earned a big favor from a Garou. Very few Kinfolk ever gain Renown in the eyes of
Perhaps you rescued one or more of his Kinfolk or saved his Garou. Occasionally, one of the Kin performs some action
life. You might have performed some action that prevented that the Garou feel merits the awarding of Renown. This
the destruction of a caern or other spot sacred to Gaia. This Background allows your character to begin the game with
means that you can claim one favor from the Garou who some temporary Renown. You may choose whether the
owes you. The type of favor is up to you and your Storyteller. points go into Honor, Wisdom, or Glory, or whether you
It could range from a “get out of jail free” card that provides receive a combination of the three. You should work out
you with an out from a risky or potentially fatal situation. with your Storyteller the circumstances under which your
You can either gain some positive boon from the Garou or character receives her Renown. (See the Renown Chart
avoid a negative effect. It might be a cash gift, a piece of for more information and suggestions.) Even possessing
fancy equipment, even a hit on someone who is threatening Renown, a Kinfolk may never receive the rank of a Garou.
you or your family. Like the Equipment Background, once Nevertheless, as with Pure Bloodline, Garou recognize and
you call in your favor, it is gone. You can always try to earn honor Kinfolk with Renown, but they demand more work
another one by roleplaying for it in the game. Explain to and service from them as well.
the Storyteller the circumstances that led to your acquiring • One temporary point of Renown.
the favor. •• Two temporary points of Renown.
• One favor from a Garou of low rank (0-1). ••• Three temporary points of Renown.
•• One favor from a Garou of medium rank (2). •••• Four temporary points of Renown.
••• One favor from a Garou of high rank (3-4). ••••• Five temporary points of Renown.
•••• One favor from a Garou of highest rank (5).
••••• One favor from a tribal leader.

KINFOLK RENOWN
The following chart illustrates sample awards of Kinfolk Renown. You may add to it or use it as the basis
for designing your own chart to fit your chronicle. Keep in mind that every positive award carries the potential
for an even greater negative. If you refer to the Renown Chart in Werewolf: The Apocalypse, 20th Anniversary
Edition (pp.246-250), remember that Kinfolk awards do not receive as many points. As a rule of thumb, give
one point of Kinfolk Renown for every four points of Garou Renown. Only use Renown if you think it will
not unbalance or detract from the focus of your chronicle.
Activity Glory Honor Wisdom

COMBAT AND ENCOUNTERS
Extreme valor in the face of death 1 – –
Surviving an Incapacitating Wound 1 – –
MYSTICAL EVENTS
Exposing Wyrm-tainted Kinfolk 1 – –
Exposing a Garou as Wyrm-tainted – – 4
Having and following a prophetic vision – – 2
Discovering fetishes, talens, long-lost lore – – 1 to 3
Being asked to participate in a moot or rite – 1 2
CAERN ACTIVITIES
Being asked to help guard a caern 1 – –
Dying in defense of a caern 3 3 –
Refusing to fight in defense of a caern -3 -1 –
RELATIONS WITH GAROU AND KINFOLK
Serving your tribe faithfully (five years) – 1 1
Maintaining good relations with other Kin – – 1
Bearing Garou offspring – 1 -1
Refusing to mate* – -4 –
MANNERS AND BEHAVIOR
Answering a request for sage advice – – 1
Protecting Garou not of your tribe – 1 –
Rudeness – -1 -1
Speaking badly of Garou – – -3
Acting without honor – -1 to -5 –
* Only levied once the Kin is no longer capable of fathering or bearing a child, and then only if he/she willfully
resisted doing so all that time (miscarriages or lack of fertility don’t count so long as the Kin tried to have a baby).
Resources can help your Garou relatives. Werewolves often rely on

Kinfolk to come up with the funds to buy sacred lands,
Just as for Garou, this Background reflects your ma- purchase equipment, and fund raids against Pentex and
terial and personal wealth, your assets, and your access to other Wyrm-tainted human organizations and companies,
means. For Kinfolk, Resources also reflects how much you along with anything else that might cost more in money

or equipment than the Garou can provide for themselves.
While some Garou may, in fact, be independently wealthy Rites
or prove able to handle the outside world well enough to Like their Garou relatives, Kinfolk find importance
amass their own material goods and money, most find it and meaning in the performance of rituals to celebrate who
safer (for themselves and for humanity) to let their human they are, recognize significant milestones in their lives and
Kinfolk interact with society, especially in affairs as po- otherwise mark themselves as separate from non-Kinfolk
tentially volatile as keeping a job or handling the pressure humans. This Background determines how many rites the
of investments or corporate management. The Shadow character knows at the beginning of the game. The ratings
Lords and Glass Walkers, in particular, pay attention to represent levels of rites, so that a character with four dots in
the wealth their Kinfolk may accrue. Other tribes, such as Rites may know one Level Four rite, four Level One rites,
Red Talons and Stargazers, may not care as much about two Level Two rites or a Level One and a Level Three rite.
material possessions or money. Most tribes fall somewhere A character must have a Rituals Knowledge rating of at least
in between. Even Bone Gnawer Kinfolk may accumulate the level of the rite she wishes to learn, so our character in
up to three dots worth of Resources that they are able to the previous example must have four dots in Rituals to have
contribute to their Garou relations (those scratch cards that Level Four rite. These levels refer to Kinfolk rites only;
paid off!). if a Kinfolk who possesses the Rituals Knowledge wishes to
• Student: You have enough to squeak by on. You learn a Garou rite, she must work that out with her Garou
have an efficiency apartment (rental), keep a low-in- kin. Kinfolk may not learn above a Level Two Garou rite.
come job (or jobs), a moped or bicycle, and lots of Higher levels of the Rituals Knowledge allow a Kinfolk to
canned soup and Ramen noodles. You could find learn only more Level One or Two Garou rites. For example,
room and board with you for one Garou relative a Kinfolk with four dots in Rites may, with permission, learn
for a few days. four Level One Garou rites, or two Level Two, or two Level
•• Middle class: You have an apartment or small Ones and one Level Two Garou rite. Kinfolk may also learn
house and an older car. You have a steady, but minor Kinfolk rites at a cost of two minor rites per dot. This
often tedious job that lets you save a tiny bit each Background merely notes how many levels of rites a Kinfolk
month, if you’re careful. Your clothes are good but knows, not whether or not they are Kinfolk or Garou rites.
rarely fashionable. By serious budgeting and buying Being able to know a rite and actually learning it are two
cheap cuts of meat, you can provide for a couple very different things.
of Garou for three months or a single Garou for • You know one level of rites.
longer. •• You know two levels of rites.
••• Upper Class: You work at a professional level and ••• You know three levels of rites.
earn good wages or are self-employed in a successful •••• You know four levels of rites.
endeavor. You own a nice home or condo, drive a ••••• You know five levels of rites.
Merits and Flaws

car no more than five years old (and have your eye
on a “green” vehicle), and have nice clothes with
popular, eco-friendly labels. You could support Merits and Flaws add to the ways in which you can
half a dozen Garou for a year and still manage personalize your Kinfolk. These are optional tools, and
steak tartare and rare filet mignon on a regular not every Storyteller may allow them. Purchase Merits with
(not daily) basis. freebie points. Flaws earn a number of freebie points, up to
•••• Wealthy: The family estate is or will be yours. You a total of seven. Having a character with more than seven
have access to land, a small staff of servants, a couple points in Flaws often results in an unplayable individual.
of fine cars (including that green-fuel SUV you’ve Alternately, your Storyteller may allow you to select up to
always wanted), and a stuffed bank account. Your seven points of Merits offset by an equal number of points
investments are solid and doing well. You could in Flaws. In addition to the ones listed here, W20 Corebook
(and perhaps do) support a large pack of Garou lists a number of Merits and Flaws in its Appendix (p. 470).
indefinitely. Some of these may be appropriate for Kinfolk as well as for
••••• Filthy Rich: Money? No object. You possess mul- Garou. Other sourcebooks may contain additional Merits
tiple homes, at least one per season, have a fleet and Flaws suitable for Kinfolk, provided your Storyteller
of cars, and interests in several businesses. With approves their use.
your assets, you could probably support the entire Storytellers may even want to base some of their stories
Garou population of North America for a while, on the Flaws the players select for their characters. For ex-
at least. ample, a Kinfolk with a Fetish Merit or an Outsider Flaw

may find themselves embroiled in a sept’s affairs, either is merit in knowing about both your supernatural and your
favorably or not so favorably. Kinfolk backgrounds.
Mental Supernatural Kinfolk costs four points for mages,

changelings, and wraiths. Vampire Kinfolk costs 5 points
due to the inherent hostility between Garou and Kindred.
Airhead (1 pt. Flaw) Sometimes even family ties are hard-pressed to bridge the
Your personal concerns are so important that you gap between the two gestalts.
tend to be clueless about the real world or what is going on Kinfolk characters created with the standard rule (i.e.,
around you. This may be your means of avoiding problems those who are not either dead, Awakened, Embraced, or
or retreating from your fears; nevertheless, you don’t often Kithain), may not have this Merit. It is reserved exclusively
use your brain to its best advantage — or any advantage, it for characters constructed as wraiths, vampires, mages or
seems. Those who know you describe you as “spacey,” and changelings based upon the rules for those games.
their patience often wears thin around you. You fade in and
out of conversations, insert non sequiturs, or just plain fail Wyrm-Tainted (4 pt. Flaw)
to get it. The Garou and even your own Kin make fun of Whether through your own twisted actions in the Wyrm’s
you behind your back. service, an unfortunate hereditary blemish, or through sheer
bad supernatural luck, you reek of Wyrm-taint. Because
Flashbacks (1- 3 pt. Flaw) certain Gifts enable a Garou to identify you as marked by
You may have left the battlefield, but it never left you. the Wyrm, most werewolves may try to kill you outright!
Alternately, you survived a traumatic catastrophe in your This Flaw is not to be taken lightly. You should work with
childhood or some other time in your past. Whatever the your Storyteller to determine how you acquired this taint,
source of your “episodes,” you re-live the horror of those unless you want it to be a mystery to your character.
hideous moments as if they were happening all around you.
As a one-point Flaw, you have momentary flashes of the event, Physical
enough to rattle you for a single action or a few minutes. As
a two-point Flaw, the flashback can last as long as an entire Unscented (1 pt. Flaw)
scene and requires action on the part of someone you trust For some reason, you have no noticeable body odor.
to bring you back to the present. No roll is required. As a Your scent is so faint as to be practically undetectable by
three-point Flaw, you feel the terror anew and you struggle animals and Garou. This may work to your advantage while
to get away from it as you did way back when. Everyone hiding from scent-driven predators (and many humans
around you becomes part of your horror scenario. A family may prefer a neutral-smelling person), this fact is a decided
member or close friend may try up to three times to bring disadvantage among Garou. They are likely to instinctually
you back using a contested Willpower roll. After that, you distrust anyone without a scent, suspecting that he or she
need professional help. Medications may reduce the difficulty is using supernatural means to hide Wyrm taint. No Gifts,
of bringing you back to speed by lowering your Willpower, such as Scent of the True Form, can reveal you as Kinfolk.
but only for purposes of calming you down. Among a group of people who rely heavily on their sense
Supernatural of smell, you have a distinct disability.
Supernatural Kinfolk (4-5 pt. Merit)

This Merit is not intended for mortal Kinfolk. If,
Kinfolk Gifts
however, you intend to play a vampire, mage, wraith, or Although some Kinfolk can learn and use Garou Gifts,
changeling character who is also Kinfolk, you must purchase restrictions apply. Kinfolk characters may not begin play with
this Merit. Despite your supernatural status, your Garou Gifts (i.e., they may not be purchased with freebie points
tribe (or other Changing Breed) accepts you as Kin. They during character creation). They must acquire Gifts through
may not rejoice in it, but they don’t automatically deny or good roleplaying and character development, and these Gifts
reject you. Individuals outside your family, including other must be purchased using experience points gained in play or,
Garou, may not like you. Other tribes may not acknowledge perhaps, as special rewards from the Garou or from spirits
you as Kin. Most Garou view mages as Gnosis-raiders. They helped by the Kinfolk. In addition, the number of Gifts a
see vampires as Wyrm-spawn, wraiths as un-natural, and Kinfolk may possess should never outstrip what would be
changelings as untrustworthy. In fact, you may experience reasonable for a Garou. A Kinfolk character with more than
a conflict of interest in walking a fine line between your two or three Gifts would have to have very good reasons for
two supernatural worlds. You find, nevertheless, that there possessing so many! Most Kinfolk who can use Gifts have

one Gift; occasionally, a talented and Gaia-blessed Kinfolk
might have two Gifts. Under very special circumstances, and
only as a reward for exceptional roleplaying, a Kinfolk who
accomplished something unique and epic, might acquire
GIFTS ARE NOT FREE
three Gifts. After long sessions spent bargaining with
Garou and spirits, hours (or sometimes months)
Gifts 101 for Kinfolk of practice, suitable presents, chiminage for spir-
its, and perhaps even the completion of tasks or
Kinfolk can only learn Level One Gifts, never Level
quests, the player may spend experience points to
Two or higher.
purchase the hard-won Gift. The costs involved
Once a player purchases a Gift for her Kinfolk character, for a Kinfolk to learn a Gift are:
the character must learn the Gift during play before she can
use it. Such a Kinfolk must first find someone to teach her Teaching Cost
the Gift. Since spirits teach most Gifts, the Kinfolk needs to Gift is of Kin’s breed or tribe 15 points
find a Garou — usually a Theurge — to summon a spirit to Gift is outside Kin’s breed or tribe +5 points
act as teacher, although any Garou who can summon spirits
Gift is taught by a Garou rather +5 points
will do. At the same time, the aspiring Kinfolk student must than a spirit
present evidence to the Theurge of her need to learn the
Gift, her accomplishments that merit this privilege, and how
she can help her Tribe by knowing this Gift. If she has any
Renown, throwing in a recitation of the deeds that led to
receiving it couldn’t hurt. Kinfolk generally cannot learn a Gift outside his breed
Next, the Theurge, provided he is willing, must call or tribe. A Bone Gnawer Kin, for example, has little if any
forth the spirit that can teach the Gift. If the spirit decides chance of convincing a lupus Glass Walker Philodox to
to appear, the pupil needs to negotiate with it, usually summon a spirit to learn a Gift usually reserved for Glass
through an interpreter using Spirit Speech. Except to act Walkers. As always, exceptions may occur due to special
as a translator, the Theurge at this stage does not involve circumstances, great need, or the welfare of an entire sept.
himself in the bargaining process unless a threat to the sept The continuous tensions between breeds and among the
presents itself (or in case the spirit takes an intense dislike tribes lead to a certain possessiveness about their Gifts.
to the Kinfolk). During this process, the Storyteller should Kinfolk have better luck keeping within their own tribe
ask the player to make the appropriate Social rolls. and breed for seeking out Gifts. If a Kinfolk is particularly
Sometimes spirits contact Kinfolk on their own, without close to his sept, working often and consistently to serve the
a Theurge to mediate. If the Kinfolk performed some deed Garou, he stands a much better chance of gaining approval
that pleased the spirit or did the spirit or one of its earthly for learning a Gift. Garou may see allowing a particularly
children a significant service, the spirit might decide to trustworthy Kinfolk the chance to acquire a Gift as a way
teach the Kinfolk a Gift as a reward. If this happens, the of arming another soldier against the Wyrm.
Kinfolk has no choice in what Gift he has the opportunity Note that as rare as it is for human Kinfolk to learn
of learning. One does not provoke a spirit by putting con- Gifts, it is even more rare for lupus Kinfolk to acquire
ditions on its generosity. them. The wolf cannot actually learn a Gift in such a case;
Kinfolk cannot learn Gifts as quickly as Garou can, but a instead, the spirit instills the Gift in him. Hence, lupus Kin
patient spirit can teach its Gift to a Kinfolk in several hours. can only know and use Gifts that work passively or can be
activated instinctually.
Renown, Tribe, and Breed
Possessing Renown can help a Kinfolk who desires to
learn a Gift. She may need to recite her deeds either as
Gnosis
Unless a Kinfolk has the Merit: Gnosis, she can only
part of the price for teaching or in order to persuade the
learn Gifts that do not require the expenditure of Gnosis.
Theurge to undertake the process of calling up the spirit. A
This imposes a severe limitation on the Gifts available to a
student who behaves in a respectful manner and otherwise
Kinfolk. Gifts such as Blur of the Milky Eye (W20 Corebook,
impresses her Garou kin with her demeanor may have an
p. 161), Falling Touch (p. 170), or Lambent Flame (p. 193)
easier time convincing the Garou to assist her in learning
do not require Gnosis to invoke. These, therefore, are the
the Gift. Kinfolk do not have Rank; rather, they may have
most common Gifts for Kinfolk to learn.
permanent Renown to a certain point. (See Kinfolk Renown,
at the end of this chapter.) Kinfolk who possess Gnosis have a much wider choice.
In theory, they can learn any Level One Gift with the ex-
ception of those that require the user to spend
Rage or require Rage rolls. Since Kinfolk do
not possess Rage under any circumstances, these
Gifts remain beyond their ken.
Original Kinfolk Gifts

The Children of Gaia first recognized the advantages
of having Kinfolk with the ability to use Gifts. Not only
did Gifted Kinfolk strengthen the tribe by giving them
one more way to help their Garou kin, knowing Gifts
sometimes meant that Kinfolk could help themselves in
situations where they might otherwise have to ask for
help from the Garou. Because of this, some Children of
Gaia helped their Kin create their own unique Kinfolk
Gifts. These Gifts are also available to the Garou, but
since they tend to be less powerful than even Level One
Garou Gifts, most werewolves forego them in favor of
their own, more potent ones.
With Storyteller’s approval, players might create
uniquely specialized Gifts for their characters, in addition
to the ones presented below. Such Gifts count as if they
were within any Kinfolk’s breed or tribe for purposes of
experience point cost.
Some Gifts differ from Garou Gifts of the same
name by duration, number of times it may be used per
day, or strength of the boon.
Tribal Gifts
The Gifts presented here are, in most cases, slightly
altered versions of the Garou Gifts of the same name.
Kinfolk versions may have a shorter duration, require
expenditure of either Gnosis or Willpower, or must make
an additional effort to make an effect permanent. This
list does not include all the possible Gifts, but stands as
a sampling of what Gifts are possible. The Storyteller and
players may add or subtract to this list or create unique Gifts.
Learning Gifts from other tribes is possible, but only
under certain circumstances.
Black Furies
• Owl’s Speech (Level One) — Black Furies and
their Kinfolk may draw on the connection between
Athena and her sacred owls by means of this Gift. This
Gift combines the effects of the Galliard Beast’s Speech
Gift and the Philodox King of the Beasts Gift, though
it only works on owls. The Moon-Daughters often share
this Gift with Kinfolk, particularly those with Gnosis.
System: If a Kinfolk possesses Gnosis, this Gift is
permanent and may be used at any time. If a Kinfolk
does not possess Gnosis, she may learn this Gift, but
must spend a point of Willpower to invoke it each time.
It lasts for 8 hours.
Bone Gnawers System: The player spends a point of Gnosis (or two
points of Willpower) to activate this Gift. Afterward, one
• Chain Talk (Level One) This Gift enables a human point of Willpower (or Gnosis) per day maintains it. When
Kinfolk to participate in the Bone Gnawer’s Barking Chain anyone possessing Wyrm taint enters the designated area, the
for a brief time. Because they cannot change shape, Kin do player may roll Perception + Occult (difficulty 7) to detect
not have the ability to shape lupine noises. For the duration the intrusion. More successes enable the character to pin-
of this Gift, the human Kinfolk’s normal voice can mimic to down the type and strength of the intruder. Kinfolk may
that of a wolf’s. The human speaks normally, but the sounds only protect an area they can lay claim to, whether within the
that he produces mimic the language of the Barking Chain. bawn (excluding the actual caern) or in the outside world.
System: The Kinfolk spends either a point of Gnosis
or Willpower to evoke this Gift. With Willpower, the Gift Glass Walkers
lasts for the length of one series of conversations (usually • Control Simple Machine (Level One) — Similar to
one scene). A Kinfolk who possesses the Gnosis Merit may the Glass Walker Garou Gift, this Gift allows Kinfolk to
use Gnosis instead of Willpower to extend the duration to command the spirits of simple machines, cause switches to
24 hours. A wolf- or dog-spirit teaches this gift. flip, operate levers, push buttons, etc. A technological spirit
• Trash Hound (Level One) — This Gift resembles the Bone teaches this Gift.
Gnawer Level One Cooking Gift except that Kinfolk without System: The player spends a Willpower point and rolls
Gnosis can learn it. A Kinfolk uses a special cooking pot, such Manipulation + Crafts (difficulty 7). The Gift lasts for one
as a cast iron skillet, Dutch oven, or other all-purpose vessel and scene.
fills it with some sort of liquid and any food or food-related items • Diagnostics (Level One) — As with the Glass Walker
that happen to be nearby. The food need not be still edible. Garou Gift, this Gift enables a Kinfolk to tell just by look-
Items can include wrappers from fast food to gourmet deli-paper, ing what is wrong with a machine. She may then enlist the
cereal box-tops, coffee filters, and similar goodies. The result is a machine’s spirit to aid in repair. Any technological spirit
meaty stew, a hearty casserole, mac and cheese, or spaghetti and teaches this Gift.
meatballs — enough to feed a family for a main meal. System: The player must spend a point of Willpower
System: The Kinfolk combines the ingredients while con- to enable the Kinfolk character to correctly diagnose the
centrating on the desired meal, spends a point of Willpower, problem. By spending a point of Gnosis (or two points of
and waits 15 minutes. At the end of this time period, the food Willpower), the Kinfolk may convince the spirit to aid in
is piping hot and ready to eat. The meal must be consumed the repair process. The player rolls Dexterity + Repair (dif-
before the next morning or it will disappear. If a Kinfolk ficulty 6). The repair time is halved as well as the number
possesses Gnosis, spending one point of Gnosis instead of of successes needed for a successful repair.
Willpower also erases tiredness and ensures a good night’s • Well-Oiled Running (Level One) — This Gift enables
sleep for all partakers. This Gift is taught by a fire-spirit. Kinfolk to keep their fighting equipment in the best possible
Children of Gaia condition, free from dust, damp, or other environmental
factors. It is taught by a dust, war, or water spirit.
• Water-Conning (Level One) — A Child of Gaia Kinfolk System: The player spends one point of Willpower
can evoke this Gift to purify any but the most tainted water and rolls Stamina + Crafts (difficulty 7). Each success al-
by putting her hand into the water or touching her forehead lows the Kinfolk to protect one piece of machinery from
to the surface. An avatar of Unicorn teaches this Gift after environmental damage for one day. Direct hits or physical
the Kinfolk performs an appropriate service for Unicorn. attacks still affect it.
System: The player spends a point of Gnosis (or Willpow-
er) and rolls Perception + Intuition. Water polluted by feces Red Talons
or parasites has a 6 difficulty. Water fouled by chemical wastes • Howl to the Pack (Level One) —This Gift enables
or other man-made toxins has an 8 difficulty. Wyrm-taint the wolf Kinfolk to raise her voice in a howl that any pack
may be cleansed only by a Garou possessing this Gift. Each member of hers can hear, regardless of distance. Garou
success purifies enough water for one person for one day. associated with her pack can also hear this howl and may
Get of Fenris respond to it. This Gift is instilled by a wolf-spirit.
System: The player spends one point of Willpower to
• Safe Haven (Level One) — This Gift allows a Fenrir activate this Gift along with a howl.
Kinfolk to put a supernatural watch on her house or territory
• Purify Meat (Level One) — This Gift allows a wolf
so that she instantly knows when anyone tainted by the Wyrm
Kinfolk to cleanse tainted meat of poison, chemicals and
trespasses. Kinfolk who live within the bawn of a sept find
other toxic substances not produced naturally. Foods that
this a useful Gift to know. An Owl-spirit teaches this Gift.
are toxic to wolves and other animals are not affected. The
wolf must sense (usually by smell, touch, or taste) that the again for 12 hours. When the user is underwater, the difficulty
meat is corrupted. This Gift can cleanse 50 pounds of tainted of Perception rolls is at a -2 difficulty for seeing objects or people.
meat. A wolf-Kin must possess at least one point of Gnosis
to learn this Gift, which is taught by a water-spirit. Stargazers
System: The player spends a Gnosis point. The character • Balance (Level One) — The Kinfolk achieves near
must touch the meat to activate the Gift. perfect balance and can walk across ledges, ropes, or other
narrow objects regardless of how slippery or mobile the
Shadow Lords surface is. A wind-spirit teaches this Gift.
• Aura of Confidence (Level One) — This Gift enables System: The player spends a point of Gnosis or two
the individual Kinfolk to project an aura of superiority to- points of Willpower and centers himself upon the task.
ward other humans, preventing anyone from detecting his Climbing difficulties decrease by 3, and maintaining balance
flaws or read his aura. An ancestor-spirit teaches this Gift. is automatic. While this Gift is permanent for Garou once
System: Kinfolk must spend a point of Willpower to enacted, a Kinfolk must enact this Gift once each day or
enact the Gift, which has a duration of one week. when necessary.
• Whisper Catching (Level One) — This Gift allows a • Iron Resolve (Level One) — The Kinfolk uses her
Kinfolk to supernaturally overhear conversations, giving her resolve to execute great feats •through Willpower alone. An
a chance to get a heads up on any potential plots against the ancestor-spirit teaches this Gift.
Garou or their Kin. A crow-spirit teaches this Gift. System: The Kinfolk spends a Willpower point to gain
System: The player spends a Willpower point and 2 automatic successes instead of one. This ability may be
can hear whispered conversations within earshot as if the enacted no more than three times per day for Kinfolk.
speakers were next to her. If obstacles or distance could im-
pede ordinary conversations, the player may need to make
Uktena
a Perception roll to succeed. • Sense Magic (Level One) — The Kinfolk can detect the
pulses of magic and mystical energies, whether the spiritual
Silent Striders Gifts of the Garou or the blatant power of wizards or the
• Heaven’s Guidance (Level One) — A Kinfolk with this more harmonious magics of healers, shamans, and other
Gift can always find her way when there are stars visible in the tribal practitioners. They can also sense the darker energies
sky. This Gift is taught by a spirit servant of the North Star. that emanate from vampires or those who practice infernal
System: The Kinfolk must spend a point of Gnosis to magic. A spirit-servant of Uktena teaches this Gift.
learn the Gift, but after that, it always operates from twilight System: The player rolls Perception + Enigmas, with a
to dawn. The user of the Gift is never lost so long as she difficulty that varies according to the nature and strength of
can see a single star; she always knows where north is and the magic being sensed. One or two successes merely suggests
the path she took to get to her present location. that some spiritual energy is present. Three or more successes
• Silence (Level One) — The Kinfolk can muffle any provide additional information. For example, the user can
sound he makes. This Gift enables Kinfolk to assist his tell if the magic relates to dreamcraft, herbal magic, blood
Strider Kin when necessary. An owl spirit teaches this Gift. magic, or demoncraft. The radius is 20 feet per success.
System: The player spends a point of Willpower and Wendigo
gains +2 dice to all Dexterity + Stealth rolls. This Gift lasts
• Call the Breeze (Level One) — The Kinfolk can con-
for one scene.
jure up a strong, cold wind (20 mph) that chills anyone not
Silver Fangs prepared for it. The wind can redirect or disperse clouds of
• Osprey’s Eye (Level One) — This Gift enables a Kin- vapor or airborne toxins such as tear gas. It can also deflect
folk to spot objects or people through water, ignoring any swarms of insects. An air elemental teaches this gift.
distortion or discoloring of the water that might otherwise System: The Kinfolk spends a point of Gnosis (or two
impede sight. It enables the user of the Gift to see someone points of Willpower) and whistles or hums to summon the
who is underwater as clearly as if they were on dry land. An wind. She can direct it by thought. Anyone caught in it loses
osprey- or salmon-spirit teaches this Gift. one die from Perception rolls for the duration of the wind
System: The player spends a point of Gnosis (or two points and, unless dressed appropriately for such a wind, suffers a
of Willpower). The Gift lasts for one scene and cannot be used -1 penalty to all actions after one minute of exposure.

Rites KINFOLK RITES CHART
Many Garou tribes include Kinfolk in a number of
their rites. These rites usually honor Gaia, mark seasonal Type Roll Difficulty
changes, or address milestones in the life of an individual Accord Charisma + 7
or family. Some rites, of course, are for Garou only. In the Rituals
same fashion, Kinfolk have devised their own rites intended
Homestead varies 7
to bring them closer to each other as Kinfolk or to mark
gatherings of Kinfolk from a number of different tribes. Milestones Charisma + 7
Rituals
While most of these rites do not require Gnosis and do
not involve mystic powers, they do serve to renew Kinfolk’s Punishment Charisma + 7
connections to their tribes, to Gaia, and to one another. Rituals
Usually, a Kinfolk elder acts as ritemaster to enact the Renown Charisma + 6
rite. If a Garou is present, she is often asked to lead the Rituals
rite or participate in it as a matter of courtesy or respect. Seasonal Stamina + varies
Garou are free to refuse to lead the rite with no negative (Changing Year) Rituals
implications, since these rites are properly led by Kinfolk. Minor none none
For a Garou to refuse participation in a rite when asked Where Gnosis is necessary, its use and related
might imply some sort of criticism. Therefore, such requests difficulty is indicated in the rite description.
never happen lightly.
Many of these rites are versions of Garou rites of the
same name, but a few are unique to Kinfolk, or to Kin of
certain tribes. Kinfolk group their unique rites under the disagreement, whoever is at fault, is worth enmity between
same categories as the Garou use, for convenience. The Kin. Each person focuses on transferring her anger or
following list of Kinfolk rites present a sampling of cere- blame or negative feeling onto a single sheet of good writ-
monies and does not purport to be exhaustive. Players and ing paper. Once this is done, each person enacting the rite
Storytellers should feel free to create their own rites for exchanges papers so that each person touches each piece of
Kinfolk chronicles. paper. The papers are put together and each person takes a
One rite common to many kenning Kinfolk is the turn at ripping the paper in half. With each tear, the anger
Baptism of Fire (p. 210, W20 Corebook), whereby a Kin dissipates. The torn paper is burned and discarded, along
family can assign a Kin Fetch spirit to one of their offspring. with the ill feeling.
Although the Kin ritemaster cannot summon the spirit, a Kin System: Nothing needs to be written on the paper, but
Fetch that is already present to the family can be used. Such the Kinfolk must spend a point of Willpower to transfer
a spirit can make itself known and visible to the ritemaster. her feeling onto it. No roll needs to be made, but the Will-
For more on Kin Fetches, see pp. 99-104. power point cannot be regained for 24 hours. The effect is
Rites of Accord permanent for that quarrel.

Rite of Unity of Purpose
Rites of Accord for Kinfolk seek to restore or create
harmony within a Kinfolk family or group. An element of Level Two
symbolic rebirth or new beginning is usually present in these This rite is enacted on one of two occasions. Either
rites. They have no supernatural power attached unless the some major issue has divided a Kinfolk family and needs
Kin acting as ritemaster possesses Gnosis and chooses to to be reconciled, or the family is about to undertake some
spend it to add to the rite. They are usually quite psycho- major project as a group. This can involve moving from one
logically and spiritually effective for Kin who practice them. location to another, or going into combat as a family unit.
Rite of Apology Sway the Hand of Anger
Level One Level Two
When members of a Kinfolk family have a serious dis- This Garou rite protects a related Kinfolk from a Garou’s
agreement and wish to make amends and permanently put frenzy. The ritemaster convinces a protective trickster-spirit
animosity behind them, they may enact the Rite of Apology. to bond to the Kin. If the designated Garou (who must be
The concerned individuals stand facing one another and related to the Kin by blood or tribe) loses control and at-
forswear any feelings of anger or blame, declaring that no tempts to attack or threatens the Kin (or if the Kinfolk feels
threatened), the spirit awakens and redirects the Garou to System: The ritemaster conducts the rite using whatever
attack other targets. Once this has happened, the spirit is steps and formulae customary to the family or the tribe. A
freed. The rite must be repeated each time to continue to point of Willpower may be used to reinforce the ceremony
provide the Kinfolk with protection. on the memories of the participants, including that of the
System: The ritemaster locates a household or trick- infant.
ster-spirit (usually with help from a Garou, a fetish, or through
personal encounter) and, through gifts or persuasion,
Vow of Partnership (Mating)
convinces it to latch onto the Kinfolk who is the subject of Level One
the rite. The ritemaster spends a point of Gnosis and rolls While many Kinfolk undergo standard marriage rites,
Charisma + Rituals (difficulty of the spirit’s Willpower). depending on their religious beliefs, as well as the requisite
Rites of the Milestones

civil ceremony, some also want to solemnify their union
under the eyes of Gaia. The Vow of Partnership establishes
These rites do not use any mystic power nor do they re- the nature and duration of the relationship between two
quire the expenditure of Gnosis. Willpower helps strengthen Kinfolk or between a Kinfolk and a Garou.
the impression the rite leaves on its participants but is not The ceremony usually takes place in the home or on
absolutely necessary. Kinfolk use these rites to mark various the ground of one of the Kinfolk. Sometimes a location
stages in their lives, to acknowledge and reaffirm their iden- outside the home is used, such as a national or state park, a
tities as Kinfolk and as individuals. Tribal variations may community center or arboretum. Occasionally, a wilderness
distinguish the rites from those of other Garou tribes, but site serves as the venue for this rite. If the site is anywhere
the enactment of each rite differs from household to house- other than the home of a Kinfolk or on territory claimed
hold. Some Kinfolk do not see the necessity of these rites, by Garou (i.e., the caern or its bawn), someone who can
while others hold them very near and dear to their hearts. perform the Rite of Cleansing should do so to ensure the
place is free of Wyrm-taint.
Rite of Welcoming (Birth) Once the site is ready, the family and friends gather
Level One around the couple to witness their vows to one another.
The birth of a new Kinfolk is a cause for rejoicing. This The commitment may be a life-bond, or may have some
rite takes place as soon as mother and child return home from specific time or condition, such as “until we have a child,”
the hospital (if the child is born there) or, if the child is born or “for a year and a day.”
at home, as soon as mother and child are rested and aware. After the recitation of the vows, the ritemaster pronounc-
The family gathers in one room of the house. One es the couple bound to one another in the eyes of Gaia, the
of the Kinfolk elders, usually the father, but sometimes Garou, and Kinfolk. Again, each tribe may have a variant
a grandparent, aunt, or uncle, takes the infant from the to add to the ceremony. The rite ends when the ritemaster
mother and holds him up for everyone to see. The ritemaster introduces the couple to the attendees.
introduces the child by his name, first to Gaia, then to the System: No rolls are necessary. The couple may spend
tribe totem, and, finally, to the other family members, by a point of Willpower each to seal their vow.
name and relationship. If non-family members are present by
invitation and expect to stand in relationship to the child as
Wake for the Departed (Death)
god-parent, protector, etc., that individual is also introduced Level One
to the child by name and relationship. This rite honoring a Kinfolk or Garou who has recently
The child is returned to the mother’s arms after that, died takes place after any official services, such as a funeral
and, unless any tribe-specific events occur, the rite con- or graveside ceremony. The form this rite takes varies from
cludes, usually with a ceremonial meal or a toast. Fianna tribe to tribe, and from family to family. Fianna Kinfolk
Kinfolk generally throw a party, while Silver Fangs usually usually hold a wake that might last for days, with music,
spend time discussing the child’s lineage or drawing up an dancing, stories, songs, and lots of alcohol. Silent Striders
individual family tree. One Silver Fang family adds a stylized may make a pilgrimage, visiting the deceased’s favorite or
leaf-painting with the child’s name and birth date to a mural most meaningful places. Silver Fangs hold a more somber
of the family tree. Bone Gnawers sometimes give the child version of a wake with the deceased’s genealogy recited
some sort of trinket so that she will not be entirely without and discussed ad infinitum. Likewise, the Get of Fenris
resources, while Silent Strider Kinfolk take the child for hold a supper honoring the deceased with much touting
his first official “outing,” even if it is just around the yard. of the honoree’s most memorable actions, testimonials,
(This rite is entirely separate from the Garou rite that and solemn drinking. Glass Walkers celebrate their dead
attaches a Fetch to the child.) Kin through online meetings. Wendigo usually hold

a potlatch in honor of the departed during which the ritemaster takes a talisman or pouch containing symbols
family gives many of their relative’s possessions to those of every person to be protected as well as something of the
who knew and honored him. Children of Gaia Kinfolk household (pets, too!) and asks the tribe’s totem spirit or a
might establish a scholarship fund or make a donation spirit of protection to prevent anyone who intends harm to
to a charity or cause dear to the heart of the departed, the family from entering the house or its grounds. The rite
while individuals might pledge volunteer hours in the master makes a paste from his own blood and the “blood” of
deceased’s name. the land around the house (i.e., blood and dirt) and daubs
System: No rolls are necessary. the talisman with the paste while asking the spirit’s help.
Rites of the Homestead

If the rite succeeds, the talisman disappears, taken into the
Umbra by the spirit.
These rites revolve around the places where Kinfolk System: The ritemaster must possess Gnosis or an
reside and serve to dedicate their living places to Gaia, to item that allows her to use Gnosis. She must speak a chant
declare themselves as a household of Kinfolk, and to ask for composed when she learned the rite while making the paste,
protection from the spirits. Whenever possible, a ritemaster another chant while applying the paste to the talisman,
who possesses Gnosis should perform these rites; otherwise and a third chant while she spends a point of Gnosis and
Willpower in sufficient amounts can substitute. rolls Charisma + Rituals (Difficulty 7). Only one success is
necessary, but more successes provide stronger protections.
Rite of Homestead Dedication The effects are largely up to the Storyteller, but usually
Level Two involve making the rolls of any who intend harm to suffer
Whenever a Kinfolk builds, buys, or otherwise acquires higher difficulties. Attempts to set fire to a protected home
a new residence, this rite dedicates the structure and sur- might find matches won’t light or the wind snuffs out flame.
rounding area to the service of Gaia, much as the Garou Those sneaking into a protected home might slip on the
Rite of Caern Building, though less powerful. This rite steps or accidentally break a window, alerting those inside.
may be performed several times, as appropriate: when a The rite lasts for 24 hours per success, and may be re-
site is purchased or acquired, when building starts, when peated as necessary until no more Gnosis exists. Since the
a manufactured home is put in place, when the structure enactment of the rite also notifies the nearest Garou kin of
is complete before the family moves in, and on the first the danger to his Kinfolk, the rite generally does not need
evening in the new home. to be performed more than once or twice.
The details may vary according to the building stage,
but the rite usually involves making a circle around the
Rite of True Seeing
perimeter of the land as well as around the house itself, Level Two
while calling upon Gaia and the tribe’s totem spirit (and This rite needs to be performed by a Garou for the
any other spirit that might have attached themselves to the appropriate individual. It allows a non-Kinfolk who has
Kin family) to recognize the house in the Umbra and look married or partnered into a Kinfolk or Garou family to
upon it with favor. gain temporary immunity to the Delirium. To enact the rite,
A talisman representing all the family members along the Garou must work with the subject of the rite to create a
with either some building material from the house or yard talisman from some strands of that individual’s hair and a
is buried near the door of the house. At the end of the final few strands of the Garou’s hair from his Crinos form. The
ceremony, the family enters the house and offers thanks to ritemaster explains to the subject that she must burn the
Gaia for their home. talisman while the ritemaster imbues the burning talisman
with power. The result grants the individual immunity to
System: A point of Gnosis must be spent (or two points
the Delirium for seven days, after which the rite must either
of Willpower). The player rolls Charisma + Rituals, difficulty
be repeated or a more permanent solution found.
7. One success is needed.
System: After making the talisman, the ritemaster spends
Rite of Protection a point of Gnosis and rolls Charisma + Rituals (difficulty
Level Two 7). Only one success is necessary.
When the home or family of a Kinfolk comes under
threat, whether from human agents or from the supernat-
Rites of Punishment
ural community, this rite can give the house and property As with most families, punishment is usually handled
of a Kinfolk family some temporary protection until their within the family as the offense occurs, and usually involves
Garou kin can set some better protections or until the family only misbehavior and minor wrongdoings by the children.
can get to a safe place. When there is time to prepare, the Depending on the nature of the parents and their philosophy

of child-rearing, the external mores exerted by schools and happen, every member of the Kinfolk’s household who is
society, and the general tendencies of the tribe, the types of at least 12 years old (or two years old, if a lupus Garou is
punishment meted out to children vary from extensive lec- part of the household) must agree that nothing further can
tures (with or without a hefty dose of guilt tripping — Children be done to change the Kinfolk’s bad behavior.
of Gaia, Bone Gnawers, Stargazers, Uktena), revocation of Once a household has made this decision, the ritemaster
privileges or allowance (Silver Fangs, Shadow Lords, Glass calls the offending Kinfolk before her for one last chance
Walkers), to more corporal methods of punishment (Get at change. She reads or lists the bad behavior, usually such
of Fenris, Fianna, Wendigo). Kinfolk children already grow things as serious drug or alcohol usage with no intention
up with the weight of Kin responsibilities to some extent, so of reforming, physical abuse of family members, inexcus-
punishment is just another normal occurrence in a life that able criminal behavior, consorting with infernal beings or
most parents want to seem as normal as possible. Wyrmspawn, and the like. The subject of the rite then has
When an adult or older teen Kinfolk commits serious a chance to speak for himself, either explaining his behavior
or chronic behaviors that threaten the family’s ability to or promising under oath to change his actions. During the
function as Kinfolk, of these rites might be used to impress rite, the subject’s words either have the ring of truth or they
upon the errant Kin his need to change his ways. Again, sound flat and tinny, indicating lies or insincerity.
these rites are not enacted at the drop of a hat. Most family If the Kinfolk can successfully explain why he offended
problems are just that — family problems. the family (“I was enthralled by a vampire,” or “if I didn’t do
Rite of Exile what they wanted, they were going to hurt you,” or even “I
really screwed up because I didn’t think anyone cared about
Level Three me, and I promise it won’t happen again,” the ritemaster
When a member of a Kinfolk family has proven so declares the rite over without completion and works with
disruptive as to destroy the family’s unity and interfere the rest of the family to help the Kinfolk.
with its duty to tribe and to Gaia, the head of the family If, on the other hand, the Kinfolk shows no remorse, the
may choose to enact this rite to send the offending member ritemaster continues with the rite and declares the subject of
away, usually for a fixed period of time. In order for this to the rite exiled from the family for a certain period of time
— usually at least a year and a day, and sometimes as long persuasive the intervention, though one success is enough
as five years or more. The conditions for reinstatement into to complete the rite.
Rites of Renown
the family are stated at that time. “You must prove that you
are no longer subject to chronic drunkenness,” for example.
The rite ends with the subject physically leaving the home. These rites mark acts of heroism or brave deeds in
Usually, the family will allow the exiled individual to return defense of the family or the tribe or any other of Gaia’s
to the house long enough to pack a couple of bags and a children. While they do not confer Renown among Garou,
bedroll. Sometimes these things are prepared before the rite, unless the Garou agree to award temporary Renown, these
so that once the subject leaves the house he cannot return rites have meaning among other Kinfolk.
until the time of exile is over. If he attempts to do so, he
suffers bouts of sickness, crippling anxiety, and general bad Rite of Challenge
luck until he is swayed from his course. During a family gathering or a Kinfolk gathering, one
System: This rite takes some preparation. The ritemaster Kinfolk may issue a Rite of Challenge to another Kinfolk.
prepares a candle to symbolize the person to be exiled. He The challenge can be a simple one: I challenge you to a race
inscribes the name of the Kinfolk on the candle and places to see which of us is faster, or complex: I challenge you to
it in a holder in the room where he will hold the rite. When go to the cave at the foot of Slickback Mountain and stay
the rite begins, the ritemaster spends a point of Gnosis and the night, and bring me proof you’ve been inside the cave.
lights the candle, which burns throughout the ceremony. If the challenged one accepts the challenge, the chal-
The ritemaster rolls Charisma + Rituals (Difficulty 7). Suc- lenger and challenged work out the details of the challenge,
cess enables the candle to continue burning as long as it who is to judge it, and how to determine success or failure.
needs to and creates the aura of truthfulness within which Both Kinfolk spend a Willpower point to seal the challenge.
the words of condemnation and defense are spoken. If the When the action is completed, the second half of the
rite is ended without completion, the ritemaster carefully rite takes place. In the presence of the same Kinfolk who
releases the candle to burn out naturally. If the ritemaster witnessed the challenge, the challenged individual makes
completes the rite, he blows out the candle forcefully and his claim of success or admits failure. If he succeeds, he
snaps it in half. The gesture physically compels the Kinfolk gets back the point of Willpower he spent. If he fails, his
toward the door and, with the exception of a grace period challenger gets back the point she spent.
to gather his things, acts as a barrier to prevent the exile
System: Willpower is expended in both parts of this
from returning within one mile of the household until the
rite. No rolls are necessary.
time of exile is ended.
Rite of Intervention Seasonal Rites
Level One The Garou honor the passing of the year at the solstices
A Kinfolk family may enact this rite when one of their and the equinoxes. In most cases, Kinfolk can participate
family needs to face some truth about herself or take a course in all or part of these season celebrating rites. See the W20
of action that she would otherwise refuse to take. Not unlike Corebook for descriptions of these rites (pp. 218-220).
interventions in the outside world, this rite differs in that
Minor Rites
(Individual Rites)
it has the force of Gnosis behind it.
Situations that might warrant a rite of intervention
might include convincing a family member to take charge Minor rites take place throughout the day in the life of
of a chronic disease or affliction and seek help to manage a Kinfolk who wishes to reinforce his dedication to Gaia,
it, to advise a family member to seek counseling for depres- tribe and family. These rites take half the time to learn and
sion or some other mental or emotional disorder, to bring cost half as much. They usually require no expenditures of
chronically quarrelling family members (siblings, or husband Gnosis or Willpower and do not have to take place in secret.
and wife, etc.) together to work out their differences, and
other repairable situations. Rite of the Morning Song
System: The family arranges for the subject or subjects The Kinfolk rises before dawn and prepares to greet the
to be present and confronts them. The ritemaster announc- first rays of morning fire. Starting with the first true sun rays
es she is beginning the Rite of Intervention. Each family (not just the lightening of the sky), the Kinfolk offers praise
member is expected to contribute to the discussion as well to Helios. She may sing (words are optional), read or speak
as to express their caring for the rite’s subject. The ritemaster a poem, intone and chant syllables, or otherwise vocalize
spends a point of Gnosis or two points of Willpower and her greeting. If she does this for nine straight sunrises, like
rolls Charisma + Rituals. The more successes, the more the Garou Rite Greet the Sun, the Kinfolk gains the ability
to Sense Wyrm for the next nine days as if she possessed “blood brothers forever” ceremony (any gender can do this).
the Garou Gift. If she misses even one morning, she must Those two are then mystically bonded through the blade.
begin again for the effect to take place. This bond can survive the death of the Kinfolk and pass to
his or her bloodline children, but once the Garou passes
Rite of Evening Chant away, the spirit inhabiting the fetish is freed.
This rite requires the Kinfolk to sing Luna’s praises The bonded Kinfolk can later activate the fetish (using
through one entire phase of the moon. Songs, poetry, sto- Willpower or Gnosis) by cutting himself with the blade (a
ries, and other verbalizations must be made for at least 15 slice across the thumb will do). This alerts his bonded Garou
minutes. After the Kinfolk has completed the requirement, that the Kin is in need of him. There is no supernatural
he receives an additional die on all Social interactions with compulsion to come to the Kinfolk’s aid, but since Garou
Garou of the same auspice as the moon was when the rite do not idly hand out these fetishes, it is assumed that the
was performed. This rite is sometimes performed with other Garou will do all in her power to come running.
Kinfolk, but the results are separate for each Kinfolk. This Alternatively, the Kinfolk can activate the blade by cut-
effect lasts until that moon phase comes around again (either ting an enemy and drawing blood (or ichor, whatever the
waxing or waning). case may be). The bonded Garou will then know the scent
of the enemy and be able to recognize it anywhere and be
Equipment able to track it once she encounters it.

This fetish is made by binding an ancestor spirit relat-
Kinfolk may possess or acquire many kinds of specialty ed either to the Garou or the Kinfolk participating in the
equipment. Some, particularly fetishes and talens, are ceremony.
exceptional items possessed only by a few Kinfolk, and
then only through unique circumstances. Players and the Bloodhound’s Snout
Storyteller should come up with a story to explain how a Level One, Gnosis 5
Kinfolk character possesses each fetish or talen she claims. This is a dog’s leash that, when activated by a Kinfolk
Non-supernatural equipment may also be difficult to (who can roll Willpower or Gnosis to do so), will lead its
acquire, either due to prohibitive costs, limited availability, owner along the trail of a particular target’s scent. The Kinfolk
or the nature of the equipment. Possession of certain objects must have a sample of that scent, such as from a scarf, glove,
may also bring the owner to the attention of government or even water bottle the target drank from, and he holds
agencies. Storytellers should keep a listing of which charac- that item up to the leash as he activates the fetish. This acts
ters own items that would bring them to the notice of law in every way like a normal, living dog tracking the scent. It
enforcement or governmental departments. can be fooled by all the sorts of things that can baffle a dog,
such as by the target crossing a stream or rolling in animal
Fetishes scat to overpower his own scent, etc. During activation, the
leash literally pulls out ahead of its holder, traveling along
Fetishes require attunement through a Gnosis roll (dif-
the ground as if there were an actual dog at the end of the
ficulty of the fetish’s Gnosis rating, with only one success
leash. Each activation lasts until the target is run to ground
necessary). Once attuned, anytime the Kinfolk calls upon
or a full day passes, whichever occurs first.
the fetish’s powers, he must make a Gnosis roll or spend a
Gnosis point, depending on the individual requirements of This fetish is bound with the spirit of a domestic dog. It
the fetish. Some fetishes may be used by Kinfolk without is easier to make this fetish if its intended recipient Kinfolk
Gnosis. Instead, these rare objects require Willpower rolls is an experienced and caring dog-owner. If the Kinfolk has
or expenditures for attunement and use instead of Gnosis ever abused a dog, he cannot use this fetish; the spirit will
points. The difficulty remains the fetish’s Gnosis rating. not cooperate with him.
Usually, a Theurge must make a particularly good case with Hearth Caul
the inhabiting spirit for allowing its use by a Kinfolk. Some
Level Four, Gnosis 7
possible fetishes appear below.
This is the remains of a Kinfolk’s birth caul, a piece
Blood Brother Blade of birth membrane. Caul births are very rare, and much
Level Three, Gnosis 7 folklore has been built up about the magical uses for a ba-
This hunting knife is carved or painted with Garou by’s caul. Should a Kinfolk be so lucky as to be born into
pictograms representing Kin and/or Honor. When it is first a family who honors such traditions, the entire family can
made, a Garou and a Kinfolk each cut themselves with the benefit. The caul must be saved and preserved with special
blade and then join their blood together in the traditional herbs (the Herbalism Knowledge Ability can help with

identifying and collecting them well ahead of time) and is talen. In some cases, Willpower may substitute for Gnosis,
then kept in a special box that is hidden somewhere inside particularly in the case of talens meant for use by Kinfolk.
the family’s hearth. If the family doesn’t have a fireplace,
they’ll need to declare a hearth space, and be able to hide Biting Bullet
this box from view. Gnosis 7
So long as the family keeps the caul, its members (im- This is a bullet or round of buckshot. A Kinfolk (or
mediate family and extended family so far as uncles, aunts, Garou) who puts it between his teeth and bites down can
and first cousins) gain good fortune. This is not miraculous fire the bullet at a target he faces, just as if he were taking
luck, such as winning lottery tickets, but more protective aim with a gun. He rolls Dexterity + Firearms or Athletics
and nurturing, synchronicities that might at first appear to to hit. The damage delivered depends on the caliber of the
be foul luck but then reveal themselves to be providence: bullet; act as if it were a real gunshot. Unfortunately, the
Hundred-year floods that wash the neighbor’s houses away, biter takes one level of bashing damage from the explosion
leaving only the Kins’ unharmed, or a flat tire that prevents in his mouth.
one of the family members from driving over a bridge just This talen contains a fire spirit.
before it collapses.
Should a non-family member see the caul, its effects
Finders Keepers
end until it can be re-activated by a family member using Gnosis 5
Willpower or Gnosis. The difficulty is one less if performed There’s an old joke about a drunk who loses his keys in
by the family’s recognized matriarch. Should a non-family the park but searches for them near a streetlight because that’s
member (except for a Garou) touch the caul, it is ruined; where the light is. With this talen, a drunk — or anybody who
the bound spirit leaves the fetish. uses it — no longer needs the streetlight or even the park.
The spirit inhabiting the fetish is an ancestor spirit of This talen is a simple match, and it usually comes in a box or
the Kinfolk or their related Garou tribe. matchbook with four others of its kind. When lit, it will reveal
to its user a vision of something he has lost or had stolen. If
Songbird Staff he dropped his keys under the couch, he’ll see an image of
Level Two, Gnosis 6 the keys there. If his wallet was stolen, he’ll see an image of
This oak staff is carved with stylized images of birds of where it is now, such as in the pocket of the crook who took
all types, from wrens and vireos to crows — but not preda- it. When he strikes the match, he must speak the name of
tors and scavengers like hawks and eagles. When a Kinfolk the object he’s looking for: “my keys,” “my wallet,” etc. Note
activates it (using Willpower or Gnosis), it will produce that the image won’t necessarily reveal the exact location of
faint bird sounds, chirpings, cawings, or even scoldings. The the object, but there might be clues — the name of a Chinese
user can understand simple messages about her immediate take-out place seen over the shoulder of the crook who stole
environment, such as whether there are people or predators the wallet. The image disappears when the match burns out.
nearby, if the weather is about to change (such as rain or This talen holds a hawk or falcon spirit.
snow is coming), or if there is imminent danger (a forest fire
or a coming earthquake). The user can query the staff for
Fumblegum
more specific information by making bird sounds herself Gnosis 6
— they just have to sound somewhat like birds; they don’t This pack of five sticks of bubblegum has helped many
have to be perfect — and will receive very basic replies: the a Kin (most often Bone Gnawer Kin) out of a jam. The
group of humans over the ridge is armed, there are three Kin activates it by giving a stick a few chews. He then tosses
of them; or the oily substance in the water originates five it on the ground. It then winds up on the heel of anyone
miles upstream. Generally, if it is information that would who is pursuing or following the Kin, even if he didn’t walk
be known by the local bird population (even if they can’t directly over it. The pursuer must succeed in a Perception
think analytically about it), the staff can convey it. + Alertness roll to notice that he’s got gum sticking to his
This fetish requires a bird spirit, preferably a songbird foot. So long as the gum is stuck to him, he’ll find it harder
or a talkative bird like a crow or raven. It cannot be a bird to catch up to his prey. Passersby will inadvertently block his
that preys on other birds. way, delaying him; cops will stop him to question him; traffic
will prevent him crossing the street in time. If he outright
Talens tries to run after the Kin, he must roll Dexterity + Athletics
not to trip and fall. If he succeeds, the gum’s effect ends. If
Talens differ from fetishes in that they are single-use
he fails, the gum keeps working.
items. They require no attunement; the user must make
This talen is created by binding a rat or cockroach spirit.
a Gnosis roll or spend a point of Gnosis to activate the

Leaf of Grass
Gnosis 4
This is a broad-bladed tree leaf (despite its name) which,
when laid over a Kinfolk’s eyes, imparts to him the words of
an original poem. That’s it — a poem. But it is a very good
poem, and if he were to recite it or publish it, he’d receive
high accolades. A Galliard would be envious.
This talen holds an elemental spirit.
Spirit Shield
Gnosis 7
This talen resembles a small shield, about the size of
a pendant, which can be worn around the neck. The user
brings the talen to his lips to activate it and spends a point
of Gnosis. The talen glows with a faint luminescence. This
soft aura expands to surround the wearer, so that he, too,
gives off a pale, unearthly light. All hostile non-Garou
experience fear when they witness the aura and do not
approach the wearer. Against Garou attackers, the talen
has one of two effects. In order to attack the wearer, the
Garou must roll Wits + Enigmas (difficulty of the talen’s
Gnosis rating). If the Garou succeeds, she may attack the
wearer, but the talen absorbs up to 20 levels of damage
before dissipating. If the Garou fails the roll, her attack will
miss, no matter how many successes she rolls on her attack
roll. The talen disappears when it absorbs all the damage
it can or when the combat is over, whichever comes first.
This talen can only be used by a Kinfolk, since one
of the Kinfolk’s ancestor spirits is bound into the talen
and will only protect one of its non-Garou descendants.
Some Garou have several of these made for their Kinfolk
if they anticipate the possibility of an attack. Kinfolk may
also request these talens from a Garou kin if they know
they will be fighting a Garou. This talen does not protect
against the attacks of fomori or other Wyrm creatures.
Other Equipment
The items described below do not appear on stan-
dard lists of weapons or survival equipment. Starting
Kinfolk characters need to purchase at least one dot in the
Equipment Background to begin play with one or more of
these items. Some of these may become available during
play once the game begins. Other related Backgrounds
or Abilities, such as the Streetwise Talent or the Contacts
Background, may also be important for the character to have
when attempting to purchase or acquire this equipment.
Silver Bullets
Silver bullets cause aggravated and unsoakable damage
to Garou, depending on the breed and form of the were-
wolf when he takes damage. Because silver is fairly cheap
and easy to work with, Kinfolk with the right equipment
and experience can make their own silver bullets at home Tasers come in two varieties. A hand-to-hand version
or in their own workshop. Since they make great weapons requires the user to connect with the assailant with the taser’s
against Black Spiral Dancers but can also harm Garou kin, prongs. A long-range taser shoots out a pair of pronged wires
any Kinfolk carrying silver bullets would be wise to explain that deliver a shock to the target. Since the prongs actually tear
to any friendly Garou their reason for carrying them. into flesh and cause actual damage, they are usually available
only to law enforcement and other government agencies (or to
Herbal Medicines Kinfolk who have access to those sources). While costs, voltage,
Garou and many Kinfolk generally recognize and respect and styles vary, the bottom line is that tasers serve as a successful
herbal or folk healing. A packet of healing herbs from a skilled deterrent against all but the most dedicated attackers.
herbalist or herbal pharmacologist would serve as a useful Pepper spray, available in many forms, has become one
addition to any Kinfolk’s starting equipment. Storyteller and of the most popular self-defense mechanisms for women who
player should come up with the contents of any “herbal kit” travel alone at night or in dubious neighborhoods. While the
chosen as part of a character’s starting Equipment purchased acrid, stinging sensations delivered by pepper spray tend to
through the Equipment Background. Herbs come in many discourage most attackers from remaining in the vicinity of the
forms: powders, teas, syrups, poultices, etc. user, for Garou the results can be disastrous on a temporary
Aconite, or wolfsbane, is a deadly toxin. Even small basis. Since Garou, particularly those in Lupus form, rely
doses can kill. Garou are susceptible to it — hence the name. heavily on their sense of smell, the strong pepper gas throws
For a character to start the game with this poison herb, she off a Garou’s olfactory senses sometimes for hours — never
should have at least four dots in the Equipment Background. mind the other physical effects: watery eyes, sore throat, and
Storyteller and player must work out the circumstances under harsh, raspy coughing. Pepper spray set loose inside a den or
which the character acquired this substance and why it was the home of Kinfolk can render the location uninhabitable
necessary to do so. until the gas dissipates, which may take hours or even days.
Bugs Wire of various kinds, including barbed wire or trip
wires can also work as deterrents, especially when coated
Bugs are listening or viewing devices. Although they may in silver-plate or spray. For that matter, a can of spray paint
be of any shape or size, they are usually very small and easily mixed with silver can provide a serious deterrent, and even
concealable. Most need to be in the immediate vicinity of a cause lethal damage should it get into a Garou’s blood stream
conversation (i.e., in the same room) unless they are strong via an open cut or wound.
enough to hear through walls. A person can also wear a bug
As always, players must obtain Storyteller approval for
or a wire so others can monitor her conversation. Sometimes
any kind of non-standard, special weaponry.
the listening devices also have cameras for visual espionage.
Some are also equipped with recording devices. The more Silencers
complex and powerful a device is, the higher the number Silencers make a handy addition to many types of guns,
of dots required in the Equipment Background. even though they do not entirely silence a weapon. They do
White Noise Generators muffle the sound of gunshot and marginally slow down the
speed of the bullet to just under the speed that would cause a
These devices can be either very simple objects that gen-
break in the sonic barrier (with its resulting “boom!”). Silencers
erate a sound comparable to a strong fan or highly complex
do not work well, if at all, on revolvers. The structure of the
items that operate on a number of wavelengths to prevent
revolver makes covering the gap between the gun barrel and
remote as well as nearby eavesdropping. Werewolves in
the gas releasing cylinders impossible. Multiple shots also wear
Lupus form, normal wolves, and specially trained dogs can
down the effect of a silencer, which works best on a single-shot
hear certain types of white-noise generators and can track
sniper’s or executioner’s weapon. An extremely talented gun-
them to their source.
smith could make a nearly soundless weapon, but the result
Nonlethal Weapons would be a permanently altered and highly illegal weapon.
Weapons don’t have to do lethal damage to be effective Basic manuals on guns and ammunition, either in book
against Garou. Tasers, which have gained in popularity as form or on the internet, can provide useful information for
personal protection devices as well as standard issue for roleplayers otherwise unfamiliar with firearms.
law enforcement officers, deliver a powerful but usually
non-lethal electrical charge to its target. Likewise, pep-
High Tech Gadgets
Beginning with computers and working up through smart
per spray (of which “mace” is one variety) can seriously
phones, pads, tablets, digital notebooks, and highly sophisticated
disrupt a Garou’s senses without causing permanent
“spy stuff,” the items in this category run the gamut from rela-
physical damage.

TOXICITY TABLES
EPA (U.S.A.)
Level Fatal Amt. Effect Warning Label
Toxicity Class I <5 gm Most toxic Danger – Poison (usually with skull
& crossbones)
Toxicity Class II 5-30 gm Moderately. toxic Warning (followed by advisory
phrase)
Toxicity Class III >30 gm Slightly toxic Caution (advisory phrase)
Toxicity Class IV — No signal word required Non-toxic
EUROPEAN UNION
Level Label Warning Label
Class I very toxic European Toxicity Symbol
Class II toxic European Toxicity Symbol
Class III harmful
Class IV corrosive
Class V irritant
Class VI corrosive
Class VII carcinogenic
Class VIII mutagenic
WHO (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION)
Level Label
Class 1 extremely hazardous
Class 2 highly hazardous
Class 3 moderately hazardous
Class 4 slightly hazardous
tively easily acquired (except, perhaps, for Bone Gnawers and such as hydrogen peroxide, ethylene glycol (anti-freeze), sodium
Kin) to only available in experimental technological laboratories cyanide, and strychnine, exist primarily as refined substances,
(i.e., the world of Glass Walkers). Ideas for these items can come though ultimately they come from natural sources. In some
from any number of recent movies and TV series and need cases, antidotes for poisons are themselves poisonous if taken
Storyteller approval before including them in a chronicle. The without the substance they can neutralize.
Storyteller should decide which items require the Equipment Most poisons have a toxicity rating. Many poisons fill
Background and which to consider as standard issue. In many the shelves of hardware stores due to their uses as paint
cases, smart phones and/or tablets could be acquired simply stripper, moth balls, antifreeze, detergents, pesticides and
through having enough Resources to afford them. other home and garden products. Others, like snake or frog
Poisons venom, sometimes exist in backyards and certainly exist in
natural surroundings. Still others, such as weapons-grade
Poisons come in many varieties. Some, such as foxglove, toxins or radioactive poisons are illegal to possess (though
hellebore, hemlock, nightshade, and mountain laurel, are not impossible to get hold of). Players wanting to start the
herbal in nature. Others, such as bufotoxin (from the bufo game with some of the harder-to-obtain poisons need to
toad), conotoxin (from the cone snail), or tetrodotoxin (from spend points in the Equipment Background and possibly
the puffer fish), come from the animal kingdom. Still others, the Contacts Background as well.

Numina
for having “the second sight,” or for “dreaming true.” Char-
acters with psychic abilities rarely possess more than one
type, just as magically-gifted individuals rarely have more
Most mystical powers fall into the categories of Garou than one type of Numina. Each phenomenon has five levels
Gifts, Awakened Magic, Fey cantrips, vampiric Disciplines, or of ability, with each level indicating greater effects than the
ghostly Arcanoi. The category of Numina (singular Numen) one before. The psychic phenomena Empathic Healing and
comprises those supernatural potentials that exist among Soulstealing appear below.
mortals — humans who haven’t had a First Change, an Truth Faith mirrors a character’s commitment to a spir-
Awakening, an Embrace, or who have died and still linger itual belief system, such as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam,
beyond the lands of the living. Buddhism, Judaism, paganism, or just about any mortal
Though not as powerful or effective as those powers faith that involves a transcendent deity or reality. This
available to truly supernatural beings, Numina can often Numina’s rating ranges from 1-10, with each level granting
accomplish a lot. Some mortals naturally possess Numina, more powerful effects deriving from the character’s Faith.
acquiring it at birth; usually, a relative had the reputation of True Faith is most powerful against the undead, but it also
having the “second sight” or being a “witch” or “medicine confers powers useful when fighting werewolves, mages, or
man.” Others learn them, usually in secret, after years of changelings. It can also create miracles.
training.
Numina fall into three categories: hedge magic, psychic
phenomena, and True Faith. Players use freebie points
Hedge Magic Ways
A mystic’s culture and belief system help guide her
during character creation to purchase Numina. Later they
practice of hedge magic. Lifestyle, ethical code, favored foci,
may improve these abilities through experience points or,
and methods of instruction determine the appearance and
with Storyteller approval, learn new Numina. Having more
method of a hedge mage’s power. A worker of Appalachian
than one type of Numina, however, is extremely rare. A
hoodoo magic might use very different gestures, foci, and
talented psychic may possess Psychology and Animal Psi,
special ingredients to work a healing magic than a medicine
both of which belong to the psychic phenomena category,
man or a voudon priestess. The rituals all result in healing,
but will rarely know any of the hedge magic paths.
but the look, form, smell, and feel of the actual workings
Numina cost a lot to learn, and operate under different are very different. Hedge magic tends toward a set pattern
and, often, mutually exclusive paradigms. Learning too many of actions, or ritual, and does not have the advantage of
mystical powers from disparate sources puts a strain on the flexibility in casting that Awakened Magic has, but it still
character’s mental health. See the following chart for costs alters the way things are.
for purchasing psychic phenomena and hedge magic with
Hedge magic is cast through rituals. Each level in a
freebie points and for purchasing or raising them with expe-
hedge magic Way (also called a Path) describes a range
rience point, True Faith increases only through Storyteller
of powers available at that level, but the hedge magician
awards for good roleplaying.
cannot simply cast these willy-nilly — she learns and casts
Hedge magic encompasses different aspects of mystical specific effects through specific rituals, and can only use those
ability, including Brewing (potions, etc.), Cursing, Healing, effects for which she knows a ritual. For instance, two dots
and Summoning. Each path has five ability levels as well as of Conjuring allow the hedge magicians to move objects or
specialized rituals. Hedge magic differs from Awakened Magic to teleport (“conjure”) them across a distance. Each type of
because practitioners do not need to have an Awakened object requires a separate ritual. A hedge magician who can
Avatar, only some innate ability to use their will to shape pull rabbits from a hat cannot necessarily cause a coin to
reality through the use of potions, rituals, and particular disappear from his hand to reappear in someone’s pocket.
belief systems such as totemic magic, mountain hoodoo, and He needs at least two separate rituals for these tricks.
herbal magic. While more time-consuming than Awakened
Each time a student learns a new level, he receives a
Magic due to its reliance on complicated casting rituals and
new ritual for that level. Thus, a character with two dots
complex preparation, hedge magic can accomplish some
in a Way knows two rituals automatically. Storytellers and
very powerful results.
players can work together to create new rituals that suit
The Way of Spirit Chasing, described below, is especially their chronicles. Kinfolk hedge mages might have slightly
meaningful for Kinfolk hedge mages. Other Ways useful different rituals than non-Kin practitioners.
for Kinfolk appear in this section, including a Healing Way
different from the psychic phenomenon form of healing Conjuration
described below. The Way of Conjuration enables the hedge mage to
Psychic phenomena involve the use of mental powers. move objects about from one place to another. They can
People who possess psychic powers may have a reputation pull rabbits out of hats (in truth), summon swords or other
weapons to hand, and, at the highest level, move a human
or human-sized object without physically touching the target. Divination
Such objects must be prepared in advance using methods Predicting the future, gaining insights into what is to
dictated by the caster’s belief system. This can include sac- come, or telling fortunes — the art of divination has stood
rifices, ritual inscriptions, cleansing rituals, prayer, or some as the hallmark of the magically or psychically gifted per-
other means descriptive of the caster’s beliefs. son. From the Delphic Oracle to modern day tarot readers,
Conjuration is a difficult type of hedge magic. The diviners hold a position of both awe and fear. People both
caster cannot choose just any item, but must use one already want and dread to know what lies ahead for them.
ritually prepared (and often carried on the caster’s person Fortune-tellers crawl out of the woodwork, setting up
until needed). A different ritual exists for every object or shop in downtown storefronts, in middle-class neighbor-
item, and the hedge mage cannot substitute one item in hoods, or via a flashy website. Most of them are fakers who
a ritual for a different item. For each level a hedge mage occasionally hit the mark square on. The hedge magic Way
knows above the level required to move a particular object, of Divination, however, allows Kinfolk to part the veil be-
the caster may move an additional object. For example, a tween the spirit world and the material world so that they
hedge mage knowing two levels of Conjuration may move might read the threads of fate and see what outcomes are
two objects of the size and kind described in level one. most likely. This ability makes diviner Kinfolk valuable to
Roll: Dexterity + Occult the Garou of their tribe as well as to their families.
Cost: 1 Willpower A diviner may cast only one ritual per scene and must
• The caster can nudge a tiny object (coin, card, small spend one Willpower point per casting. Viewing the future
knife) without touching it at a range of 10 feet or less. also grants the possibility to alter it if the diviner can see
The contains no real force and anyone who picks clearly where to tweak the threads of fate. Storytellers, of
up the item can prevent the caster from moving it. course, have the final say as to how useful or how detailed
this ability can be.
•• The caster can move a small, simple item, such
as a book, a rope, a jar, or other similar object, Roll: Perception + Occult
or conjure (i.e., teleport) it across the intervening Cost: 1 Willpower
space. The range is up to 15 feet from the caster. • Fortune-telling: The most basic form of Divination,
To stop it, an individual must make a Strength this level allows the user to gain a general sense of
roll, difficulty 5, to pick it up or otherwise stop it a person’s future, for good or bad. Results usually
from moving. involve symbolic or cryptic answers with many
••• Large, complex objects such as swords, boom box- possible interpretations. Possible rituals include
es, and laptops, or simple lifeforms such as snails, Ouija board readings, simple tarot readings relying
insects, or goldfish, are conjurable or movable by on yes and no answers, coin flipping, and similar
the caster. The mage can levitate the target, move positive/negative methods. The difficulty for most
it, or snatch it from thin air. The object must be no rolls is 6.
larger than a chair and must be within 25 feet. It •• Dowsing: This level enables the diviner to find lost
can weigh as much as 200 pounds. Anyone wishing objects or people. The dowser should be familiar
to stop it must make a Strength roll, difficulty 7. with the object or have a personal effect of the indi-
•••• Now the caster can move, levitate, or summon a vidual he seeks. Long-range dowsing usually involves
living mammal, reptile, bird, or other complex holding the focus over a map; short range dowsing
lifeform less than the mass of an adult human. requires the caster to hold the focus in the air and
Each type of animal requires a different ritual. follow the pull toward the presumed location. The
Inanimate objects such as steamer trunks or small number of successes determines the accuracy of the
pianos can be targeted at this level. Maximum search. Ritual foci typically include pendulums or
range is 50 feet. dowsing rods. Rituals might enable the dowser to
••••• The caster can move or conjure a human or discover treasure such as gold deposits, buried jewels,
human-sized animal or object from up to 60 feet or other items, finding water (the most well-known
away, provided the living subject is willing or form of dowsing), or locate missing people, such
unconscious. This works best with a long-time as kidnapped children or wandering adults. The
partner who does not panic at the disorientation difficulty for this type of divination varies according
this causes. Botching this effect can be disastrous; to the complexity of the situation.
at best it simply fails, but given a particularly bad ••• Augury: The user can determine the outcome
failure it can cause serious injury or death. of a particular future event, such as the success

or failure of a business venture, which army will of ascetic or ecstatic practices for altering the con-
win a particular battle, or what team will win the sciousness, such as fasting, sweat lodges, shamanic
championship. Rituals include consulting the I vision treks, or even such extreme practices as the
Ching, chi readings, throwing the bones (or rune- Native American Sun Dance. Foci may include
stones), complex tarot readings, or even reading psychoactive substances, sage or incense burning,
the entrails of an animal, as in certain religions. as well as other objects. The diviner enters another
The difficulty for an augury dice roll is 7. realm of consciousness, or, in the case of Kinfolk,
•••• Premonitions: At this level, dowsing becomes may even gain visions of the Umbra.
entwined with intuition. The Diviner receives
visual flashes, dream-like visions, or strong feelings
Healing
that indicate a possible event, such as sensing a By this Way, a hedge mage can heal many kinds of
particular plane is going to crash, or that someone injuries and diseases, banish or control pain, and generally
unexpected will arrive. There are no rituals for this, treat ills of all sorts. This Numen does not perform mira-
but the player must still succeed in her roll. The cles (although it may seem to do so). Healing takes time,
Storyteller determines the difficulty as well as the whether it involves injuries or disease. Healing is effective
form of the premonition. for relieving pain so long as the healer remains in contact
••••• Vision Quest: The most advanced form of divina- with the sufferer. The healer can also reduce the likelihood
tion involves seeking for and receiving a detailed of infection when working with a wound.
vision of the future, either concerning the diviner Practitioners of Healing hedge magic usually need some
or someone he focuses his concentration on. The form of medical knowledge, whether it be dots in the Med-
experience may not present itself in a linear fashion; icine Ability or non-traditional sorts, such as acupuncture,
details of the vision may not appear in order, en- herbalism, shamanic healing, meditation, reiki, or some other
abling the caster to misinterpret parts of the vision. form of medicine. Kinfolk who know veterinary medicine
The number of successes determines the length and can use Healing magic to treat wolf Kinfolk. Use of this
the amount of detail. Possible rituals take the form Path consumes the healer’s energy and, without care, can

bring about burnout, or cause psychological damage to the sometimes worked, when the herbs and other ingredients
healer. Healers often take care to get ample rest, practice contained viable substances. Otherwise, they were just so
relaxation techniques, and even seek psychological counseling much “snake oil.”
when necessary. The Way of hedge magic known as “herbalism” or
This Numen cannot heal aggravated wounds, though “brewing” enables the practitioner to imbue natural in-
it may ease the pain from such wounds. gredients with real power so that their natural healing (or
Roll: Manipulation + Intuition poisoning) abilities achieve greater results. At the highest
Cost: 1 Willpower per ailment level of knowledge, these substances produce effects that
• This level allows a healer to soothe headaches, border on the miraculous. The Garou treasure and protect
backaches, or equivalent pains. While the ailment these Kinfolk, valuing them for their ability to effect cures
does not go away, the pain backs off for a while. when normal means fail.
The number of successes dictates the length of time Kinfolk who study this herbal magic Numen must first
the pain relief lasts (as a guideline, a few hours per have at least one dot in one of the following Knowledges:
success). Herbalism, Medicine, or Science (botany). Naturally, the
•• This level enables the healer to treat sprains, flu, more dots in the appropriate Knowledge, the greater the
migraines, minor infections, and the like. With probability of success. Using this Path requires time and
multiple successes, the caster can cut the healing effort, as the practitioner must find and gather, or grow, the
time in half or even better. proper herbs, flowers, roots, or mosses. In addition, preparing
potions or other herbal concoctions takes time involved in
••• At this stage, the healer can mend broken bones
boiling, steeping, crushing, or otherwise transforming the
and spur nasty wounds to heal faster and without
ingredients into the required mixture.
infection. Fractures do not immediately mend
themselves, but they do take much less time to The strength and effectiveness of the mixture depends
heal. Relief and healing for the common cold occur on the herbalist’s successes (Intelligence + Herbalism). One
at this level. A Healer can help an Incapacitated success produces something that marginally works but may
character get back on her feet so she can move to a look foul and taste bitter, or worse. With four or more suc-
safe place, but she cannot completely heal wounds cesses, the concoction not only succeeds but does so with
as bad as those. twice as much effectiveness — and tastes delicious, to boot!
•••• This level of Healing can fix compound fractures Of course, herbalism also allows for the concoction of
and severe trauma, speeding up the healing process poisons. Those who ingest such poisons or mixtures with
and preventing infection. Such injuries heal 50% harmful effects may attempt a Stamina roll against the herb-
faster. The healer’s touch also banishes pain. A heal- alist’s successes to resist or survive the effects.
er of this level can also heal chronic diseases such Players and Storyteller should devise their own rituals
as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, etc. The conditions for making the herbal mixtures depending on the herbalist
do not disappear overnight, but take weeks. The character’s cultural background or the needs of the chronicle.
cures last so long as the healed individual takes Roll: Intelligence + Herbalism
appropriate steps to avoid re-acquiring the disease. Cost: none
••••• Through a great deal of effort, a healer at this • The poultices or brews made at this level can cure
level can cure the most serious diseases, including minor aches or rashes, induce or prevent sleep,
AIDS, cancer, heart disease and other “hopeless” preserve foods longer than their normal freshness,
ailments. Major traumatic injuries and broken relieve symptoms of non-chronic illnesses, and
bones heal in one to three weeks. produce other effects that would not fall under
the category of “magic.”
Herbalism/Brewing •• At this level, the herbalist’s products quickly cure
The herbalist, or natural healer, has long occupied a minor illnesses or pains, avert or enable pregnancy
place in folklore and in the culture of pre- or non-techno- (100% certainty), alter a person’s mood, attract or
logical societies. In later history, the snake-oil salesman deter insects or animals, cure intoxication, and
exploited for their own ends the trust many people once produce other effects that seem miraculous, but
placed in non-traditional healers. Many herbalists — and not necessarily supernatural.
many herbal con-artists — merely relied on recipes handed ••• The substances made at this level can put people
down through generations or conjured whole from their to sleep with just a pinch, cure moderate pains
imagination to produce potions, ointments, tinctures, pos- and illnesses, cut healing time in half for open
sets, and other herbal concoctions. These mixtures or brews wounds and broken bones (more for Garou), put

partakers in light trances or elevate the libido, and or even the brief appearance of the spirit’s type of animal or
cause other effects that may raise eyebrows due to plant, and the spirit chaser intuitively understands the meaning
their speed and effectiveness. of such responses. Others would easily interpret it as being all in
•••• This level of mastery enables the herbalist’s the spirit chaser’s imagination, but she knows better. At higher
concoctions to clear up an infection in minutes, levels of awareness, it’s even possible that a spirit might like the
cure life-threatening illnesses, neutralize poisons, spirit chaser enough to materialize before her now and then,
temporarily increase someone’s physical traits (one or use other Charms that signal its direct presence.
or two dots to Strength, Dexterity, or Stamina for Roll: Manipulation + Occult
one scene), and other equivalent effects. Cultural Willpower cost: 1 point
expectations and Storyteller judgment play a part • The mystic learns to “eat” the food of the chosen
in the effects, which are neither sudden, flashy, spirit. The proper food needs to be available (water
nor permanent. and sun for plants; pasturage for herbivores such as
••••• At this level, the herbalist produces truly spec- cows or deer; grubs, honey, berries, etc. for bears; raw
tacular potions, brews, balms, and the like. Love meat for wolves or other predators). She receives full
potions, sleeping concoctions, healing balms, nutrition from this food as if she were her chosen
deadly poisons, oils of flying, and other seemingly animal. Rituals might involve cud chewing, squirreling
impossible mixtures enable the user to alter her food away to eat later, burying food, and so forth.
reality for at least a little while, or, in the case of •• The spirit chaser can match his own sensory levels
poisons and healing medicines, permanently. The to his animal. For example, a lynx might allow
truth of the matter should remain open to discus- the spirit chaser to see in the dark or sniff out
sion and have a plausible explanation behind it. predators or prey. Scenting humans, sniffing out
Extreme effects, such as changing forms, should a trail, finding food, or “reading” the air are some
not occur instantly, but should take effect subtly of the rituals that might accompany this level.
or over time. ••• Animals and plants know how to survive and
Spirit Chasing what to do when they need healing. Plants “heal”
by means of photosynthetic energy, while some
This Way enables a hedge mage to create a bond between
animals lick their wounds, or fall into a healing
herself and a chosen type of plant or animal. Those who
sleep. The vibrational rate of a feline’s purr seems
practice this Way believe, not unlike the Garou, that every
to have some healing properties as well. Each
living thing possesses a soul or animating spirit.
year, for some part of the winter, some creatures
A spirit chaser uses her bond to watch and learn from hibernate; temperatures are cold and food is scarce,
her chosen animal or plant. Unlike the process of learning so hibernation is a type of self-induced coma to
Gifts, no bargain exists between animal/plant teacher and insure survival. At this level, a spirit chaser may
student. The practitioner starts by contacting the spirit and fall into a healing sleep which heals one Health
simply watching it. Next, she asks questions of the spirit Level for each success rolled on Spirit Chasing.
and tries to mimic its natural abilities. After this, the spirit With three successes, the spirit chaser could heal
chaser devises a private ritual in which she pleads with the three levels after 12 hours of sleep. Rituals include
spirit, requesting it to appear. When this happens (and it hiding, healing, cleansing & purging venomous
can take a very long time), the spirit chaser explains that or poisonous wounds, and childbirth.
she would like to learn its ways. For example, a spirit chaser
•••• At this level, the spirit chaser received the inner
choosing a bear spirit would ask to learn the ways of bears.
wisdom of the chosen animal or plant spirit. Based
The spirit might require some kind of proof of sincerity or
on the level of success on a roll to use this level of
a quest undertaken to prove the spirit chaser’s worth, but
power, the Storyteller decides how much and what
if it agrees, it allows the spirit chaser to learn the basics of
sort of information provided to the spirit chaser.
living like the chosen creature.
An oak spirit might give the spirit chaser insight
As learning progresses, the hedge mage learns to focus into an event that happened when the oak was a
her senses to see as her animal does. She might even learn sapling. A wolf spirit might give the caster knowl-
special activities, such as a bear’s ability to hibernate or a lion’s edge of something affecting the survival of wolves
ability to use claws. This Way is unique to every practitioner. in a particular part of the world. The Storyteller
Note that this Numen does not provide the ability to see, can make use of this power to give story hooks
hear, touch, or summon spirits. It does provide a degree of to the characters. Rituals might include seeking
intuitive communication with a chosen spirit type, such that visions, detecting lies or making intuitive leaps.
queries might be answered by a gentle breeze, the snap of a twig,
••••• The most committed and dedicated spirit chasers Roll: Charisma + Empathy
may attain this advanced level of mastery. Here, Cost: Special
the spirit chaser receives the ability to practice • Soothe the Spirit: The healer can absorb minor
some aspect unique to its bonded animal or plant bruises, simple depression, or grief. She can heal
spirit. She might, if bonded to a deer, be able damage at the Bruised Health Level. Her own body
to run especially quickly or leap high fences. A recovers within a day. Difficulty: 6.
practitioner bonded to a bear might call on great •• Knit Flesh: The healer can heal deep cuts and stop
strength; one bonded to a lion might grow claws loss of blood. Hurt and Injured Health Levels heal.
for battle. Certain plants might give the caster skin Her own body takes about a week to regain her
that could be poisonous to the touch. At least three strength after using this level. Difficulty: 7.
successes are necessary to invoke this ability, which ••• Mend Bones: The healer can heal massive wounds
is the closest a Kinfolk may come to experiencing or serious acute illnesses (not cancer). Wounded
the Garou’s shapechanging ability. Possible rituals and Mauled Health Levels disappear from the
may involve shielding, through growing a thick subject as the empath mends shattered bones and
coat of hair or tree bark; offensive powers, such as torn ligaments, tendons and muscle. The healer
growing sharp, strong fingernails; scaling a vertical may take several months to heal without the help
surface as a spider might; and other abilities. of Gifts or other magic. Difficulty: 8.
Psychic Phenomena •••• Organ Repair: The healer can repair severe internal
injuries, stop internal bleeding, and even bring her
Some call it ESP or Psi; others refer to it as “witchery,” “the patient back from the brink of death. Crippled
sight,” or even just use the word “weird” to describe people and Incapacitated Health Levels fall to the healer’s
with these paranormal abilities. Kinfolk who demonstrate expertise. The healer requires a minimum of a year
any of these abilities meet with many different responses to heal naturally. Difficulty: 9
from their Garou relations. Some find it interesting, worthy ••••• Pacify Madness: Only the best of the best attain
of respect, or potentially useful to the tribe. Others do not this level of Empathic Healing, and only those who
trust it, seeing too much of mage-craft or dark magic in it. are certain of their abilities dare use the power
Most Theurges, some Fianna, and the entire Silent Strider granted here. A healer who uses this power must
and Stargazer tribes seek to learn more about Psychic Phe- have complete mental discipline, courage, and
nomena in general and sometimes consult known Kinfolk control of her own emotions. This ability allows
practitioners for their knowledge. the healer to absorb the worst forms of mental
Empathic Healing illness, including Harano, falling into the same
(Charisma + Empathy) state of psychosis as she has just healed in her
patient. Many months of rest and counseling may
This power comes at great cost to the practitioner, and ultimately heal the Empathic Healer, but a few
is one of the most intimate of the Psi powers. To use it, the never recover from this ordeal. Difficulty: 10.
healer joins his mind and body with that of the injured or
sick person. The healer then absorbs the wound or illness Soulstealing
into his own body, taking the same number of Health Levels This disturbing power enables a psychic to forcibly enter
he heals as damage to his own body. Empathic healers can the victim’s subconscious and destroy pieces of the personality.
repair aggravated wounds through this method, making them Ultimately, Soulstealing reduces the victim to a shell of his
extremely valuable to Garou and Kinfolk alike. The downside, former self, devoid of Willpower and stripped of any Gnosis
of course, is that it may take many months for the healer to he might have. Soulstealing doesn’t cause insanity; the victim’s
heal himself after such an extreme healing. In most cases, the mind is too empty to be insane. Most practitioners of this
Empathic Healer has a companion to care for him during his power belong to Black Spiral Dancer Kinfolk, but a few other
own healing process. Although a healer could push himself dangerous or unhappy Kinfolk have been known to possess it.
too far through overuse of this ability, Garou Gifts such as Some Shadow Lord Kin seek knowledge of this power in order
Mother’s Touch can help him heal more quickly. to build their own power base within their tribe. Kinfolk who
Each level requires at least three successes on a Charisma know Soulstealing generally keep their knowledge to themselves
+ Empathy roll to take effect; successes may be cumulative, and use it carefully, knowing that the punishment for possessing
but puts additional stress upon the healer. The base difficulty this Numen would be extremely harsh — if not fatal.
is 6, but increases by 1 per level of Empathic Healing beyond To use Soulstealing, the psychic makes a Willpower roll
the first one. The difficulty, therefore, is 7 at level two, 8 at (difficulty equals the target’s Willpower + 2, with a maximum
level three, 9 at level four, and 10 at level five.
of 10) and spends a Willpower point. The victim must be used, it does not return. The Soulstealer must steal
in the psychic’s line of sight. more if he wants it.
Victims usually do not remember the incident unless
the Storyteller allows them a Perception + Enigmas roll (dif- True Faith
ficulty equals the psychic’s Willpower) to notice the process. Some Kinfolk have a strong attachment to their spiritual
If the target actively resists, the difficulty of the Soulstealing nature. They enjoy a deep-seated, unshakeable love for and
increases by 1 (up to a maximum of 10). devotion to the divine, whether they call it Gaia, God, or
A Soulstealer may attempt to use this power once per some other form of higher power or supreme entity. For
scene on any living being. Stargazers have some lore that them, there exists a bedrock upon which all things rest and
speaks of Soulstealers who lost their minds after attempting which they can touch, at times, through the virtue of their
to tangle with a vampire or a wraith. belief. They connect with that power, especially in times of
Roll: Willpower stress or urgent need, and draw strength and, occasionally,
Cost: 1 Willpower tangible effects from expressions of their Faith.
• Dream Invasion: The psychic enters the victim’s Kinfolk characters with this Numen start out with one
dreams and interacts with the subconscious. He dot of True Faith, which ranges from 1-10.
cannot plant or steal memories, but can participate True Faith adds to Willpower rolls in critical situations,
in the dream as an “actor,” remembering what he adding +1 to the dice pool for each point of Faith. It does
sees. not add to rolls used for rites, Gifts, Psychic Phenomena,
•• Will Sapping: Each success allows the psychic to Hedge Magic, or similar abilities.
drain a temporary point of Willpower and transfer The Storyteller determines the effects of True Faith,
it to himself (up to his maximum). The victim depending on the situation. True Faith may repel vampires
recovers Willpower in the usual way. or wraiths. The player must succeed on a Faith roll against
••• Drain Vital Essence: Every two successes drain a difficulty of the opponent’s Willpower. True Faith pro-
one Health Level from the victim. The wounds tects from the powers of mages. Each point acts as a die of
are not aggravated; the victim recovers normally. countermagic.
Because the damage is mental, rather than physical, Those Kinfolk with True Faith in Gaia might be able
the victim appears unwounded. to repel Wyrm creatures and those suffering the taint of the
•••• Shift Life: Every two successes enable the psychic Wyrm, in the same manner as with vampires and wraiths.
to transfer one of the victim’s Health Levels to Kinfolk may gain an additional point of temporary
his own body, giving him an extra Bruised Health Willpower per point of True Faith due to their devotion. At
Level. Alternately, the psychic can use the stolen higher levels, True Faith may have effects that seem miracu-
Health Level to heal one of his own lost Health lous to others: healing a Health Level to prevent someone
Levels. The Soulstealer may add up to twice the from dying, receiving a second chance to attempt a difficult
normal number of Health Levels (up to seven). action if the first attempt fails horribly, having some sort of
••••• Gnosis Theft: For every two successes, the psychic fortuitous intervention occur when all seems lost, or some
may steal and keep one point of Gnosis, retaining effect of a level consistent with the Kinfolk’s Faith rating.
it until it is spent. Even if the psychic does not True Faith does not increase through the spending of
possess the Merit: Gnosis, he may use the stolen experience points. The Storyteller may award extra points
Gnosis to power Gifts or use fetishes. Once it is in True Faith based on the character’s actions.

Chapter Four:
Storytelling Kinfolk
Chronicles
“WE ARE NOT THINGS”
Mad Max: Fury Road
We’ve been telling stories about families for as long as There are a number of challenges inherent in telling sto-
we’ve been telling stories. Everyone understands the power of ries about Kinfolk and their relationships with their bloody,
stories about familial bonds, whether by blood, adoption, or bestial Garou lovers, and children, and parents. Thankfully,
marriage. What happens when you test the bonds that have a lack of ideas will never be one of them.
grown weak by neglect? What happens when the blood is a
Kinfolk and Chronicles

shackle tying people to others who hurt them? When filial
duty is set against romantic love, which wins out? When two
families go to war, can anyone get out unscathed?
The Garou/Kinfolk dynamic turns traditional family
We write countless variations on these stories. Shake- relationships on its ear. Kinfolk are parents, spouses, siblings,
speare alone gives us a faltering patriarch and his daughters, children, cousins, aunts and uncles, and beyond — but the
two teenagers whose families are at bloody war, a man power differential between them inverts a lot of traditional
whose bloody ambition is driven by his wife, a son who roles. Once a cub Changes, they hold more power than any
despises his mother’s new husband — act after act and Kin. Children wind up protecting their own parents. If a
scene after scene of love and pain and obligation. Take healthy emotional connection is there, the Garou is given
a look at any bookshelf and consider the Bennetts and a fascinating amount of responsibility towards their entire
Cratchits, the Karamazovs and Ingalls, House Baratheon family. And if the emotional connection is unhealthier or
and the House of Usher. Flip through a streaming service abusive, things could get horrific quickly.
and see how many films and ongoing TV shows center on
The trick with Kinfolk is triggering that emotional connec-
a family; even if you leave out the sitcoms, the number’s
tion in the players. Most people have pretty strong opinions
staggering. You could do worse than model a Kin family
about their families, for better or for worse. The same should
on the Corleones or Barksdales. Consider history: Tudor
be true for player characters. To really play a meaningful role
and York, Medici and Borgia, Oda and Takeda, Cao and
in a chronicle, Kin need to be by turns helpful and vulnerable,
Sima, Hatfield and McCoy.
characters with ambitions of their own who can’t ignore their
Chapter Four: Storytelling Kinfolk Chronicles 87
bonds with the Garou. It’s work to make them more than
disposable spear-carriers, but the work pays off in spades.
Themes THE DUTY OF PROCREATION
There are plenty of themes to explore with a Kin-focused To be honest, many of the possible consider-
chronicle. Some will be suggested by the tribal cultures ations surrounding the Garou necessity to breed
involved, but these three should be universal. are revolting. It’s very easy to put together stories
• Blood Is Thicker than Water: When asked to choose where Kin are presented as having very limited, or
between family and friends or lovers, the idea is that family even no real reproductive freedom. It can wind up
should come first. In practice it doesn’t always work out like looking like The Handmaid’s Tale, albeit with the
that, but filial duty is even more important for Kin. They’re added possibility of male Kin chattel and female
supporting a war effort. If the family falls apart, everyone Garou authorities. (Not that this makes things
they care about is in horrible danger of death or worse. any better.)
What’s more, Kinfolk with werewolf blood (or those of This is by rights a sensitive topic. Respect
other strongly social shifters) feel an extra nudge of territorial your players’ feelings on the matter; if they have
kinship. Outsiders tend to see Kin families as intimidating: no interest in playing through a harsh take on
clannish, short-tempered, and everyone knows if you pick a the subject matter, don’t press it. A story about
fight with one you pick a fight with all of them. Kinfolk is powerful only if the players want to play
• You Can’t Pick Your Family: Nobody ever asked to through forming bonds with their Kin. You can
be born into the war for the Final Times. This holds double have a more positive and compassionate take on
for Kinfolk. Who would want to be tied to a parent or lover the Garou’s relationship with their relatives and
possessed by Rage? A wolf-blooded family is stuck with each still have a game that’s recognizably Werewolf.
other, no matter how bad it gets. Sure, there are runaways. Loving one’s family is not so uncommon, even in
But there are also stories about horrible things that happen the World of Darkness.
to lone Kin without their clan to look out for them. A lot
of these stories are sadly true.
• Mortal Legacy: The Garou have a lot of ways to
linger on beyond their death. With Renown, their deeds
Storytelling Kin Characters

may be remembered for ages. They might craft powerful
fetishes or discover new rites. They might even come back
as ancestor-spirits. But shapeshifters and Kinfolk alike can’t
Kinfolk are excellent supporting cast members in a lot
forget about the next generation. Even in the Final Times,
of ways. They have little chance of stealing the spotlight
there’s still the hope that there will be more children and
from shapeshifters; they have the immediate “in” of being
grandchildren, ones who might inherit a world where the
family; they have an engaging mix of competence and vul-
Apocalypse is past. Werewolf is a fatalistic game, but Kinfolk
nerability. They’re excellent at filling in the corners of a
stories really put the possibility of a future front and center.
chronicle. Where rival packs and elder Garou provide large
Mood and dramatic brushstrokes, Kin can be used as softer detail
work to flesh out the canvas.
The mood of a Kinfolk-focused chronicle varies depend-
ing on the family; some might be morbid, others celebratory When portraying kenning Kin, remember that most are
in the face of doom. But most run heavy on tension and conflicted to some degree. Loyalty to the family wars with the
vulnerability. A Kin family has all the stresses of any other, and knowledge that they’re risking everything to stand by their
then some. Parents worry about the future of their children, terrifying relatives. They might be a little afraid of the player
who might die horribly just for being born who they are. characters, even if they love them. It’s how they deal with
Children inherit the fears of their parents. The Veil casts a this conflict that measures them. Let the players see hints
curtain of alienation between kenning clans and ordinary of that conflict. They may appreciate and empathize with
people. Kinfolk have to rely on each other against a world the Kinfolk more if they see that it’s not easy to overcome
of dangers, and their Garou relatives won’t always be there that fear, but their relatives do it anyway.
to do the fighting. In fact, their Garou relatives are one of Like all other Storyteller characters, Kin are expendable.
the dangers. There are of course bright spots here and there, Don’t pull strings to keep a pet character alive just because you
moments of idyll and celebration. But the tension hanging really like playing him or have big plans for his future. Kinfolk
over a Kinfolk family can’t truly vanish until the war’s over. can play the role of dramatic casualties much as other horror
Which is to say, it probably won’t end until the world does. supporting cast members might. That said, killing off beloved

Storyteller characters just to shock the players is a limited • The Cleaner: These Kin are dedicated to preserving
gambit. You can only do it so often before they get jaded, or the Veil. They might hide bodies and tidy up crime scenes,
worse. The last thing you want is for players to refuse forming or they might alter security tapes, purge information from
any bonds with Kin out of fear that you’ll just use those bonds the Web, or “lose” police records.
to get at them. Wield your executioner’s axe with discretion. • The Sentinel: A role necessitated by the Garou’s lack
Lupus Kin of numbers, sentinel Kin watch potential problem areas that
their werewolf cousins can’t. They might have a simple post
Players who take the Kinfolk Background can define such as watching the road approaching a caern. Some might
some of their Kin as wolves, and a sept may have a Kin be scientists like seismologists, keeping an eye out for abstract
wolf pack or three nearby. But this doesn’t mean that the disturbances. The Uktena usually post Kin sentinels where
characters get access to super-intelligent, loyal wolves. Wolf they know bound Banes lie sleeping.
Kin are still just wolves — wolves that have a higher chance • The Informer: A player can learn a lot with a Street-
of breeding Garou offspring, and that react better to Garou wise or Politics roll. The Informer is someone who spends
than other wolves might, but they don’t become capable of most of their time making rolls of that nature, so to speak.
abstract thought or language. They might keep their eye on human politics, or organized
Wolf Kin are universally callow. They’re capable of recog- crime; they might have infiltrated a Pentex subsidiary; or
nizing some Garou as friends — more specifically, as relatives they might know a thing about local vampires or other
in some unspecified way — but they know no more about supernatural entities.
the Wyrm or Umbra than any other animal would. At best, • The Scout: The Garou are usually much better at
they can be trained to seek safety in specific Garou-protected the role, but a capable Kin scout can sometimes go places
lands or give a specific howl if they’re in trouble. They aren’t a werewolf can’t. Plus, they’re more expendable. This is
very useful as Kin allies go, but it’s characterful and cool to especially true in social situations, where a Kinfolk can slip
have wolf relatives around. Reason enough. into a stressful environment without danger of frenzy.
Kinfolk Allies • The Love Interest: Potential love interests are “useful”
When a player drops some Background points on in the long-term sense of producing kids. But they drive
Kinfolk, it’s to pick up friends and allies who already know stories, and the more dynamic ones simultaneously fulfill
about the secret war against the Wyrm. They aren’t generally other roles. For a longer look at running romantic subplots,
as capable as actual Allies and Contacts, but they come in see Love and Romance, pp. 93-95.
more numbers. It can be useful to have a vanload of people Enemy Kin
who’ll help you drag away some fomori bodies in the middle
Kinfolk make dangerous enemies. They’re not as resil-
of the night.
ient as Black Spiral Dancers or even fomori, but they have
Some Kin are more than just extra helping hands and an inside track. Even callow Kin can be dangerous, if they
trigger fingers, though. A particularly helpful Kinfolk might be know enough to pack silver. But kenning enemies know just
purchased through Allies or Contacts, or be the standout of the how the Garou operate, what might draw them into a trap,
20 friends and relatives gained through Kinfolk ••••. And players and where they’re least defended.
can get help from skilled and useful Kin without spending any
A band of enemy Kin is more of a mental or social
Background points. The Background just means the players
challenge than a physical one. Only the best-equipped, best-
can invoke contact reliably. There’s nothing stopping you from
trained Kin can go toe-to-toe with a pack; and even then they
providing a wise Kin historian with a lot of useful information
dearly need the element of surprise. It’s a little like a Batman
who tends to show up when needed but not when called.
story: there’s no question Batman can beat the tar out of the
Ally archetypes come in a lot of flavors, and a given Joker one-on-one, it’s the struggle to identify and disarm the
character can fill more than one. Joker’s plots before they culminate. Kinfolk enemies want
• The Teacher: A Kin who has access to information the the conflict to go like a hunt, picking the terrain to their
player characters don’t. They might be a trusted historian, master advantage, using the best weapons they can get, and doing
of a given Ability, or an instructor in social graces. Some Kin everything they can to drop their targets before the beasts
are dedicated to teaching lupus Garou how to pass as humans, close with them. Garou going up against a dedicated Kin
or raise metis cubs in place of the actual shamed parents. enemy will have to deal with false trails, traps, distractions,
• The Support: This is an all-purpose role, that can flash-bangs and tear gas, and of course, plenty of silver.
cover anything from providing transportation to scoring The best Kin antagonists come from within. It gets more
illegal goods to putting up a place to crash. Mostly it covers personal if a wolf-hunting band has members from the player
manual labor or material goods. It can range anywhere from a characters’ own bloodlines. Even better, they can have an
Glass Walker’s chauffeur to a talented silversmith weaponer.
effect on the chronicle before they’re ever introduced. A
character’s mother has a long scar on her arm — and then
her brother rolls back into town. A love interest joined the
sept recently, fleeing troubles from back home — then his
KENNING OR CALLOW?
parents show up demanding to bring him home, and won’t We assume that the vast majority of Kinfolk
take no for an answer. And when the pack finally catches games involve kenning families. It allows for more
them, is tearing them apart going to solve the problem, or player resources (such as Garou allies and perhaps
substitute a new trauma for their loved ones? some spiritual power). It permits more diversity,
The most dangerous Kinfolk ever to oppose the Garou when multiple Kin bloodlines can recognize
are the Skin Dancers. These disgruntled Kin turned skinners one another and work together for a mutually
and skinchangers are detailed more on pp. 105-106. understood good. It’s certainly easier not to have
to play ignorant.
Family Archetypes All that said, a game featuring callow Kin can
Memorable families in fiction usually have some kind of be a lot of fun as well. It’s something like playing
“gimmick” to them. You have a diverse group of individuals, a prelude, where the player characters start out
but there’s a theme that binds them all together. If you’re in ignorant and then have the World of Darkness
need of a quick idea to bring a family into question, here’s a come crashing through their windows. It could be
number of classic archetypes. For added utility, think about a one-shot story, or grow into something more.
pairing them with something other than the obvious tribe; Certainly by the end of that first story, the family
a group of snooty New England blue-bloods might be more isn’t likely to be callow any more.
interesting as Children of Gaia Kin than as Silver Fang family.
Rich as Sin: WASPish American old money; modern-day
aristocracy; captain of industry’s dissipated heirs; tech in-
dustry new money; crime boss’ household
Dirt Poor: Clannish rural backwoods; struggling urban While Kin aren’t called on to venture into Hives or
poor; single-parent household; homeless drifters; jobless roam the Umbra, they still suffer from being on the bad
suburbanites; children moving away in search of better work side of the power imbalance. They die much easier. They
Family Business: Police and rescue workers; medical; have fewer resources; bank accounts and social contacts can
criminal; farmers; ranchers; wilderness rangers; old-school pale by comparison to spirit allies, Gifts, rites, and fetishes.
crafters; teachers; ministry; miners; dockworkers And for all that, they still have the same enemies. If the
Faded Glory: American Deep South antebellum heritage; Wyrm’s forces raid a caern, they don’t care about if it’s a
aristocrats on brink of losing holdings; old names marrying fair fight. It might be well-trained spec op forces, fomori,
new money; younger generation abandoning older; decaying or even Black Spiral Dancers given the task of slaughtering
New England upper crust; run-down family homestead or capturing the bloodline.
Immigrants: Assimilated for generations; fresh off the Interlocking Families: A Kinfolk game is easier to or-
boat; separated from parent tribe; insistent on Old Country chestrate when all the player characters hail from the same
traditions; hungry to assimilate into new culture; fleeing a family. In practice, players tend to like a little more variety.
lost tribal territory; scattered but in touch If the troupe’s characters are multitribal, there needs to be
Dark Secrets: Ruthless patriarch/matriarch; bloodline a reason for them to work with each other rather than their
curse; incestuous; abusive; tainted ancestor; ties with vampire own families. One reason might be a shared support role for
clan or worse; haunted; history of cannibalism; kinslayers the sept: a cleaning squad for Garou activities, shared access
to a secret library, chosen representatives of their families,
membership in a subaltern pack (see p. 13) or Kin Fellow-
Kinfolk Chronicles ship (see pp.27-31). Or they might gather thanks to a mortal
institution: all enrolled at the same college, for instance.
Games focusing on Kinfolk as player characters hit a Outside Perspective: A lot of Garou existence is off-lim-
number of the same themes of family and obligation. Keep its to Kinfolk. They might never see the inside of a caern
these facts of life in mind as you plan. their family’s guarded for generations. They almost certainly
Harsh Dooms: The Garou are made to fight a bloody will never see the Penumbra, much less the strange abstract
war. Death is such a part of their existence that the most realms beyond. But at the same time, Kinfolk see things their
one can hope for is to die well. Kinfolk aren’t called to the werewolf relatives miss. They can pick up on subtler threats
front lines as often, but on the downside they may well be in places where the Garou don’t go, or note a neighbor’s
considered more expendable. strange behavior over time.
Mixed Player Groups
rolls Perception + Brawl, Melee, or Firearms, depending on
his chosen packmate’s method of combat. The difficulty is
equal to the enemy’s Wits + Athletics. If the roll is successful,
The massive power gap between Kinfolk and shape-
on the chosen packmate’s next action, she receives an extra
shifters isn’t something that can be mechanically balanced.
die to her dice pool involving the relevant Ability, plus an
Arguably, it shouldn’t be; if the Kin could reach the equal
additional die for every three successes on the spot target roll.
of the Changing Breeds, the war would be going a lot better.
This bonus can be used only to attack the designated enemy.
But as a Storyteller, you can balance spotlight time. If every
player gets to contribute and has a little time to be the focus • Call Defense: The character watches over an ally,
of roleplay, then it shouldn’t matter if the Kin characters can’t warning her of enemies on any flank. The player designates
stand shoulder-to-shoulder against the Black Spiral Dancers. a packmate to watch over, and rolls Perception + Leadership
(difficulty 8). The ally gains one die to defensive actions
When you’re trying to keep spotlight time equitable,
(block, dodge, and parry) taken for the next turn, plus one
consider situations where some characters are more use-
additional die for every three successes on the call defense
ful than others, but where all characters are in some way
roll. These dice can be used only to defend against enemy
present. Not all groups enjoy balancing the spotlight by
attacks that the spotter can see — if the spotter misses an
having only one person interacting with the Storyteller for
invisible Ragabash, the ally can’t use these dice to dodge the
twenty minutes, then letting the next player have another
sneaky New Moon’s attack.
twenty-minute solo session. Garou can tag along to social
encounters where the people without Rage have to do most Fera Kinfolk Stories
of the talking; Kinfolk can take part in a hunt, even if they
Running a game focusing on the Fera and/or their Kin
have to move slower with only two legs.
can be even trickier. The challenge of representing multiple
When we talk balance, we often speak in terms of families in a multitribal chronicle expands dramatically when
combat. A fight is, by default, an area where theoretically you might have shapeshifters from entirely different Breeds in
every character contributes to a single goal, and spotlight your group. The families of a Ratkin, a Rokea, a Nuwisha and
time is measured out by initiative counts and turn order. a Simba can easily pull the themes in four different directions.
Characters without much to contribute to a fight don’t get It’s admittedly possible to have a single family with so many Kin
as much out of their turn in the spotlight. And it’s not a lot bloodlines running through it that they have shifter children of
of fun to sit around and watch other people play. (Though different Breeds — but that’s seriously improbable, given that
there are exceptions. Some players are very content to spend multiple Fera bloodlines is the exact opposite of Pure Breed.
most of their time watching their friends ham it up, and are
Some Fera have kenning families that behave somewhat
satisfied with less active participation.)
like Garou Kin families might, and are therefore a little
So if you want to level things out a bit, what to do? For easier to handle. This is particularly true of Ajaba, Gurahl,
one, consider ways that Kin might participate in fights with- Mokolé, some Corax, and some of the Bastet tribes such as
out getting shredded. This may be as simple as encouraging Simba and Swara. Others tend toward callow bloodlines,
them to fight at range from cover while the shapeshifters especially the secretive Breeds such as Ratkin and Nagah,
tear things up hand-to-talon. There’s also remote communi- or the more solitary Breeds such as most Bastet.
cations, technological or spiritual. We’ve included a couple
Mixed Fera groups tend to stress a chronicle theme of
of new maneuvers that allow weaker characters to contribute
diversity rather than tight family bonds, so it’ll be more work
to a fight, actively swaying the results without necessarily
to stress the themes inherent to Kin stories. Stories heavily
throwing around bullets, claws, and klaives themselves.
featuring Fera Kin might focus on the scattered nature of
Support Maneuvers their families, or chance encounters and adoptive bonds.
The following maneuvers are like combat maneuvers, but For a mixed Changing Breeds Kinfolk game, you probably
focus on spending your own actions to aid another’s. They want to enforce an additional structure for the group: the
can be used by anyone with a clear view of the battle and group finds each other in pursuit of a specific legendary fetish,
the ability to communicate with a teammate. Because they they were all captured and escape imprisonment together,
rely on focused attention, they can’t be used in conjunction an enigmatic spirit gathered them together, or the like. A
with powers like Rage or Celerity that grant extra actions. bit of structure beyond coincidence makes things logistically
But they can also be used remotely, allowing a Kinfolk to easier on you, and may give the game a memorable focus.
play eye-in-the-sky in a meaningful way.
• Spot Target: The character keeps careful watch on an
Sample Story Hooks
enemy, and calls out where his guard is weak. The player • Unwanted Suit: Someone in the family has an un-
designates a particular enemy and a packmate to assist, then desirable suitor. Could be a simple matter of being from

the wrong bloodline — but this time it’s not that easy. The solve the matter subtly before something happens, and both
wooer might be another shifter, a subtle thrall of the Wyrm, families start howling for each other’s blood?
a supernatural being such as a vampire, even an incarnate • Sudden Change: One of the family abruptly undergoes
spirit. Or the wooed party’s in danger of spilling family the First Change. This shouldn’t have happened; the Garou
secrets. Or both. But the suitor has strong connections, had examined her at birth, proclaimed she wasn’t Garou,
making a “disappearance” likely to cause even more trouble. and that was that. What happened to change that? Was
• Fenris Wants Grandchildren: At least one of the there a cover-up among the sept? Were the children covertly
characters is feeling strong pressure to take a mate. Not just swapped? Is something really strange going on?
from the family — from spirits representing the tribal totem, • Getting Under the Skin: A recent Rage-driven tragedy has
who allegedly has some sort of plan in mind. However, the half the family questioning the fairness of it all. And some Skin
proposed candidates aren’t even mortals. They’re spirits, and Dancers have gotten wind of it, and are using the opportunity
the wooing is an Umbral quest. Is this a symbolic marriage to try some recruiting among some of the more isolated and
to complete a grand ritual, or does the totem actually expect vulnerable relatives. Can the characters find out what’s going
half-spirit progeny? And how much say do the characters have? on before loved ones start turning to the Skinner’s legacy? And
• Rotten at the Top: The family patriarch or matriarch what will they do if they’re too late, and now their cousins, or
is growing senile. They’re making terrible decisions, and siblings, or parents, or children are Skin Dancers?
starting to break the family apart. But this isn’t something • Death Spiral: The Skin Dancers aren’t the only ones
easily solved by a challenge and a duel; the characters don’t capable of seductive recruitment. It turns out that a family
have the status, or such a challenge would make the family branch is actually of mixed blood — one part the expected
explode entirely. How do people touched by Rage ease the tribe, but one part Black Spiral Dancer. Their relatives have
transition of their own Lear figure? found them, and are encouraging them to come home.
• Bad Romance: One of the Kin’s in a truly destructive Worse, what if the Spiral blood is even in the veins of one
relationship, and loving it. They should be split up for their or more player characters?
own good — trouble is, the other party is of excellent stock, • Ancient Deeds: A family member, maybe a player
and the darling of another bloodline. Can the players re- character, is having visions that they shouldn’t have. They’re

glimpses of old crimes committed by a distant forebear. But
that forebear’s accounted for; he’s an ancestor-spirit in fine
standing, watching over the family. Where’s the truth in
the matter? Are the memories a fabrication to frame the
LOVE AND THE LITANY
ancestor, is the spirit hiding something, or is the ancestor Garou/Garou romances are verboten, and
an impostor? therefore very tempting. In fact, you probably don’t
• Information Wants to be Free: The Garou prefer need any advice on how to run stories of this nature.
their Kin not be too visible, especially online. But with Players have a tendency to seek out these relationships
genealogical websites and keyword searches everywhere, on their own, and the obstacles are obvious. Plus,
it’s hard to avoid some informational presence. Even those it’s generally dirty pool to tempt players to get their
families with technological spirits sheltering them are at characters into trouble with such taboo romances.
constant risk of someone recognizing the patterns that say Which isn’t to say you couldn’t. Lots of the
“werewolves.” When someone starts getting anonymous advice in this section could apply if you felt like
emails hinting at cracking the code, things are about to get setting up possible Litany-breaking temptations.
complicated. What do they want? What resources do they We won’t tell.
really have? How can the security breach be closed, if this
anonymous investigator isn’t the only one?
• Homesteading: Thanks to shifting boundaries or a
sudden windfall, the family has a chance to reclaim an old much less acting out some of the words. If this is the case
patch of land that used to be theirs. Buried somewhere with your group, don’t force it. The gains aren’t clearly
on that land is a legacy that the bloodline once guarded: a outstripping the cost.
powerful fetish, a bound spirit, maybe even a nascent caern. If some of your players are interested and others would
But the Kin themselves have forgotten their old charge. How rather avoid actual romantic roleplay, then you have other
will they discover their old legacy, and who else knows about options. In the earlier days of the hobby, some groups han-
it? Can they defend it until their Garou relatives arrive? dled private roleplay through passing composition books
• For Want of a Spirit: The Baptism of Fire rite is back and forth, in a process that the game designer Aaron
performed on a newborn, but no Kin-Fetch answers the Allston dubbed “blue-booking.” Nowadays in-character
call. The well has apparently run dry. How will the players
recruit new Kin-Fetches to look to their family’s future? Did
natural attrition reduce their numbers, or was it a more
organized force? IF IT NEEDS SAYING
Love and Romance
Some players confuse sexuality and sexual
content. Sexuality sounds racier than it actually is.
Let’s address the obvious first: Not every gaming group Even G-rated Disney movies have sexuality when-
is comfortable roleplaying romantic subplots. A chronicle ever a prince and princess are interested in each
involving Kinfolk is sure to touch on the topics of marriage other, or a child is raised by biological parents. A
and mating, though. If you or your players don’t want to game without sexuality would be a game without,
roleplay courtships and difficulties, you can keep that side well, any references to Kinfolk.
of the equation pragmatically out-of-character. While the more conservative Garou don’t
But if you do, you probably already know that romantic approve of sexual orientations other than hetero,
subplots can be by turns difficult, frustrating, rewarding, and again referencing that “anything that makes breed-
even a source of unexpected insights about a character. In a ing more Garou less convenient is bad” mentality,
game strongly featuring Kinfolk, they’re even more appro- we’re of the belief that they’re wrong. All sexual
priate. When you love someone and want to build a future orientations belong in Werewolf, because they make
with them, the Garou’s war to ensure there is a future is all characters more like living people. You can have a
the more poignant. G-rated romance between two men, or a poly triad,
or whatever; all the same rules of depiction apply.
Too Much Information? In a game where sapient shapeshifters can breed
The biggest obstacle to a romantic subplot is usually with non-sapient animals, that’s tame stuff anyhow.
the comfort levels of everyone involved. Players might be a
little embarrassed talking about courtship and sweet-talk,

courtship can take place over emails and digital chat. As a
bonus, many players find it easier to be articulate in writing. Chemistry
In addition, some of the players can meet outside of the Any interesting relationship has chemistry. We like to see
regularly scheduled game sessions for smaller, downtime sparks fly when two (or more) people interact. Unfortunately,
sessions dealing specifically with those characters’ sub-plots. solid chemistry can’t be mandated. We have to believe in it for
Even if all the players enjoy roleplaying romance at the it to work, and as many Storytellers have learned, sometimes
table, you’ll probably want to set some boundaries. The actual the character you think will capture your players’ imaginations
knocking of boots doesn’t need to be more than alluded falls flat. It happens with antagonists, and it happens with
to, unless you’re part of a particularly bawdy troupe. It’s romantic interests. While we can’t provide you with sure-fire
enough to fade to black, at most saying “you two have an advice, here are some things that’ve worked for us:
enjoyable evening” or “he’s kind of excited, but eventually • Find Out What Characters (or Players) Like: You
you settle him down.” don’t have to outright surprise the players. You might ask
It might be frustrating if some of your players are too them what kind of traits their characters might find attractive:
embarrassed to deal with romantic subplots. It does seem intelligence, humor, broad shoulders, a stormy personality.
strange that people are often more comfortable with graphi- Some Storytellers even ask players to send them pictures of
cally violent content than with abstract romance. But don’t people they find fascinating, from celebrity headshots to
be too harsh on them. Romance is by definition an intimate fantasy art. This becomes an agreed-upon signal that “she’s
behavior, and intimacy isn’t something you want to force, got that Natalie Dormer smile” or “he’s built like Dwayne
even in the safe environment of a gaming table. Johnson” is shorthand for “This character catches your
eye.” But do try to get multiple examples or traits from your
Deliberate Vs. Unplanned players. If a player tells you “anyone who looks like Oded
Sitting down to plan a romantic subplot for a character is Fehr, that’s my only requirement,” then that puts pressure
tricky, and can even be counterproductive. It often happens on you to make the Silent Strider who looks like Oded Fehr
that you can craft a Storyteller character with the intent that the best option. And since chemistry can’t be mandated, it’s
this is going to be a player character’s true love, and then better to always have backups and alternate options.
the player doesn’t really take an interest. • Make Characters Interesting in Their Own Right:
Romantic subplots that show up unbidden are easier to Don’t define characters primarily as possible romantic
handle, even if they take a bit more improvisation. If they’re interests. Intriguing characters have goals and ambitions
unplanned, then they’re fueled by genuine interest. In these independent of the player characters’ own. This makes them
cases, the best thing you can do to straight-up encourage more realistic, and in a way “hard to get”; sometimes they’re
them is to be obliging when a player locks on a character paying attention to things other than the player character.
you hadn’t thought of as a potential romantic interest. Player characters pitching in to help them realize their goal is
Sure, maybe you didn’t expect anyone to be attracted to the also a very effective aid to romance. It establishes partnership,
badly-scarred veteran who tragically lost his pack; having a great test to see if the chemistry’s working.
him be a romantic interest makes him less of a loner. But • Have Interesting Reasons They’re Available: Why isn’t
in almost every case, it’ll make him more interesting and an attractive and competent character already spoken for?
well-rounded. The character in question doesn’t have to The good ones aren’t always married or gay (or straight, for
immediately fall in love with the player character, mind. that matter). Rather, they should have reasons they aren’t
They might not even start out attracted to them. But if the already in a relationship that provide interesting obstacles
player’s interested in overcoming that challenge, you have to overcome. Controlling parents? Just out of a bad break-
some proactive play ready to happen. up? Looking after a younger sibling? Haunted by an angry
Sometimes players want a romantic subplot even without ancestor-spirit? It’s a classic romance bit that the protagonist
an existing character in mind. In those cases, the obliging overcomes a barrier that lesser men or women couldn’t, and
Storyteller puts a little more thought into introducing char- wins their beloved’s heart. Just make sure that the obstacle
acters that fit the character’s preferences. One important isn’t too daunting. A man haunted by the memory of his
tactic is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Seed a variety first, true love is damn hard to win over, because the ghost
of characters who might catch the player’s eye. If she locks of his love will always be perfect to him.
on one, great. If she finds two or three of them interesting • …Or Unacceptable Reasons They’re Unavailable:
and can’t decide, even better! Alternately, the character could be in a relationship, and
Once you have a potential romantic interest and a player her partner is terrible. This is another classic romance bit,
willing to pursue it, you have the skeleton of a romance. To though a little trickier to pull off. If the potential partner
flesh it out and make it more of a story, though, you need comes across as a damsel (male or female) in need of rescue,
two things: chemistry and adversity. the player might not respect them all that much. This setup

is particularly appropriate for Werewolf stories, as so often lovers, Renown issues, existing engagements or understand-
a Kin’s family dictates that they marry for reasons other ings, some cases of spirit interaction, or tribal rivalry.
than love. The player might leap at the chance to overcome These obstacles are ideal for players who enjoy character
a rival and win another character’s admiration in one go. interaction, stories about gaining Renown, complicated rela-
Even better if the player enjoys stories about Honor… tionship networks, making friends and influencing people.
Adversity They’re at their most effective playing out over the long term.
Mental adversity is one of the trickiest to handle. While
To quote Thomas Paine, What we obtain too cheap, we physical and social adversity may separate two lovers who want
esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. to be together, mental adversity might induce a romantic
That’s why adversity is the heart of stories, and romances interest to wonder if she does want to be with the character
are absolutely no exception. If lovers suffer no impediments in question. A classic example might be the widower who still
to getting together and staying together, we become less mourns his wife and isn’t sure he’s ready to move on. The
invested. An added side benefit of adversity is that it also obstacles can’t be clawed apart or socially outmaneuvered.
explains why a romantic interest isn’t locked down in a lov- They generally require understanding and patience. Of course,
ing relationship already. The player character who succeeds some mental adversity may involve more investigative puzzles,
where others have failed will enjoy it all the more. such as when a love interest goes mysteriously missing.
You can generally group these obstacles according to Examples of mental adversity include love triangles,
the familiar physical/social/mental split. mourning for a lost love, amnesia, past traumas, mysterious
Physical adversity is the most straightforward, and occurrences, even subtle spirit possession.
sometimes the most contrived. The lovers are separated by Stories of this nature suit players with an interest in
physical obstacles. The long-distance relationship relies on character psychology, intimate character interaction, ambig-
a physical boundary; you can’t just travel for thirty minutes uous relationships, and the thrill of the chase. Investigative
to meet up with your intended. This might not be as chal- stories of course hit the players who enjoy problem-solving
lenging for Garou with access to moon bridges, of course. and mystery.
A more dramatic physical obstacle might be captivity: the
Naturally, most romantic relationships are threatened by
lover has been shut up in the proverbial tower, surrounded by
a blend of two or three types. A long-distance relationship
dangerous beasts, sheer walls, and other physical challenges.
might include the social aspect of a possible love rival and
Examples of physical adversity include long distance, the mental aspect of absence engendering doubt. If you’re
captivity, some cases of spirit influence, recovering from experimenting with possible obstacles to challenge a romance,
wounds, interfering “kill-on-sight” characters such as Wyrm- use the physical/social/mental triad as inspiration rather
spawn, even physical transformations. than prescription. Once you have your primary obstacle as
These stories suit players who like straightforward a springboard, keep yourself open to anything else that will
challenges and unambiguous interest. They also play well make the romance seem more convincing.
to Werewolf’s mythic nature; it’s appropriate to have a love
story that plays out like a fairy tale or ancient myth. Physical Resolutions
adversity is most effective in the short-term: if a character Finally, adversity doesn’t last forever. Most times either
can’t have regular contact with the loved one, the sting of the character overcomes the obstacles between her and her
absence can fade over time. intended, she loses interest in the romance, or she or her
Social adversity is the heart of countless love stories. intended are taken out of the equation entirely. Leave the
The lovers aren’t permitted to be together, thanks to “will-they-or-won’t-they” perpetual lack of motion for the
feuding families, social class, controlling guardians, or tired, lazy dramas on their ninth season.
any number of other possibilities. There might still be When the lovers are united, that’s the end of the court-
physical or mental obstacles to go with this, of course: ship story, but it’s not an end to all stories. More adversity
the classic example is Romeo having to sneak onto the could pop up, of course — a stereotypical example being that
Capulet grounds and climb a balcony. But social adversity the two can’t have children, so there’s pressure to split up
tends to be long-term. Even if you bypass the associated and find a mate who can help engender the next generation.
obstacles — with a stealthy elopement, for instance — if you Loved ones tend to get threatened in about every genre.
haven’t solved the root social obstacle, it’ll rear its head But just because the chase is over doesn’t mean the relation-
again. If the caern warder didn’t want you dating his son, ship is boring. A romantic partner is no less interesting than
he’s going to give you constant grief if you disobeyed his any other supporting cast member with a personality. When
will and stole his son away. done right, you’re rewarding players with extra social roleplaying
Examples of social adversity include controlling parents or instead of experience points — and isn’t that a worthy goal?
guardians, feuding families, protecting the Veil, rival would-be
Generational Chronicles
• What’s the Ending Point? Most often you’ll answer
this with the present day, or the End Times. But a chronicle
might end earlier, particularly if it seems like a tragic doom
If you and your players are up for a particularly challenging is about to take place. A chronicle that started with the fall
form of game, the generational chronicle can take you places of the Roman Empire could end with the last children of a
you wouldn’t ordinarily go. There’s no way to explore the Garou bloodline vanishing with the Croatan.
theme of legacy quite like actually playing as the generation
• Play Every Generation, or Skip a Few? The answer relies
who inherits the consequences of your last characters’ actions.
on the previous two. Obviously, if you plan to start in the Roman
At its simplest, a generational chronicle involves playing Empire and end with the End Times, it’d be far too demanding
through a “chapter” with one group of characters, then to play through every generation. On the other hand, if you’re
advancing the timeline for a new chapter starring new starting with World War I and planning to run up to modern
characters, the heirs of the previous group. The players times, it might seem abrupt to skip a generation or two.
might play Garou every generation, or Kinfolk, or a mix
• One Bloodline, or Many? Do the players prefer multi-
of the two. A generational chronicle might last as little as
tribal play, or are they interested in following the fortunes of
two generations, or many more, depending on the chapter
a single family? You might find that single-bloodline chroni-
length and the way the stories play out.
cles work better when they’re shorter, being less diverse but
This style of play can be a lot of fun, but it’ll bring some more intimately connected.
new challenges as well. It might be trickier to adapt to a new
• Kinfolk, Shapeshifters, or a Mix? You might be an-
batch of characters on a regular basis. But there’s nothing
swering this question differently for each generation. It keeps
quite like the thrill of seeing story elements have repercus-
things fresh when a player moves from playing a shapeshifter
sions that resurface later on. You’ll get to ask and answer
to a Kinfolk and back, as long as you’re comfortable challeng-
the question “What happened next?” in a whole new way.
ing a mixed group, or moving from a story starring Garou
Here are some of the questions you’ll likely want to ask to a story starring ordinary Kin. With luck, your players will
as you plan your chronicle: be inspired by the events of each chapter, and their ideas for
• What’s the Starting Point? When does the first gen- their characters’ heirs will make your job easier.
erational story take place? The American Civil War? The Odds are, every generation is going to be more Kin
arrival of European colonists in the Americas? The Middle than Garou, particularly if you’re playing the descendants of
Ages? Even earlier?
the previous. If you’re comfortable with mixed Kin/Garou their parents’ enemies howling for their blood. The players
groups, you might want to have each player roll a die to see know the chronicle won’t end if their characters get killed
if their next character “breeds true.” The difficulty for the early — but they also know that the consequences of their
roll is 10, reduced by 1 for any amount of Pure Breed, and actions will live on beyond their current characters’ time.
reduced by 1 again if the player acquitted herself memorably • Player Turnover: Fact of life: players sometimes have
with her last character. Success indicates the player can play to leave a game, and new ones might ask to join. This is
a Garou if she so chooses; otherwise, her next character is actually not a challenge in and of itself. The shift between
Kin (and no, there is no botching this roll and having to generations is a perfect time to change up the troupe, and
sit out a story). even if some players have to leave or join partway through
If you prefer to avoid mixes, then consider having every one generation’s story, it’s no more difficult to deal with
second or third generational group be Garou. This adds an than it would be in a traditional chronicle. The main issue
interesting bit of pacing to the chronicle, as the stakes jump to watch out for is investment. You want new players to
higher whenever a werewolf pack’s in play. care about what’s gone before, so be sure to find ways to
make the previous generation’s actions relevant to their own
Challenges characters’ goals and situations.
Earlier, we did say a generational chronicle is challeng- If you’re using mechanical legacies (see below), be sure
ing. If you’re considering running one, here are some of the to offer them to every character in a generation that gets
considerations you might want to bear in mind. them, new player or not. The legacies aren’t a reward for
• Logistics of Length: A satisfying generational chronicle long-term participation, they’re a mechanic to show that the
needs to have at least one complete story for each generation players’ actions matter. It reinforces that concept when a
played. It can be tricky to pick the right length of spotlight legacy affects an entire generation, not just certain characters.
time for each group of characters before moving on. On the
terse side of the spectrum, the chronicle might spend only Predestination
a single session on each generation, effectively chaining to- It’s pretty obvious that if you’re playing a generational
gether one-shots. On the generous side, it might be multiple chronicle, the world’s not going to end before you get to
stories building up a chapter before a generation reaches a the last generation. Well, it could, but that’s generally not
dramatically satisfying stopping point and the torch is passed. what’s at stake. But that doesn’t mean everything’s mapped
If you’ve run an extended chronicle before, you probably out from the beginning. Nor should it be. The players may
know some of the considerations already. For example, your know there’s going to be another generation after their
players’ attention spans: do they want to thoroughly explore current one, but that doesn’t mean their characters have to
each character, or do they want to hit some dramatic high survive to sire or bear children, much less rear them. The
notes and then try something different? Or player availability; next generation might be the offspring of cousins, adopted
if someone’s often away traveling, would quick generation apprentices, just about anything.
turnover work well for them? Estimate the chronicle length You might have an idea about the plots for each gen-
that you know your players can commit to — and then maybe eration ahead of time. Take our advice; don’t set anything
shorten that estimate, just to allow for unforeseen hang-ups. in stone ahead of time. If you plan to begin the second
• Historical Detail: Nobody expects a chronicle to be as generation with having an old, scarred previous character
meticulously researched as a grad thesis, but a generational handing off the family klaive, then you’ll have to throw that
chronicle does need to touch on the current events or plan out if the character dies heroically in a Black Spiral
milestones of each time period. A chapter set after a World Hive, and his klaive is lost with him. (And by all means resist
War should feature families who’ve suffered crippling loss. the temptation to prevent that death — the players’ actions
A chapter set in the Cold War showcases paranoia. The should dictate the chronicle’s path, not your script.) Plus,
better you can sell the zeitgeist of a historical setting, the now a character might have a “retrieve your father’s klaive
richer your chronicle will be. from the Black Spiral Dancers” story, and the player has an
• The Apocalypse: Experienced Werewolf players know instant personal connection to that plot.
that the End Times hit in our own modern time. Even though Think a little about what the players are supposed to
their characters don’t know that, players might not viscerally achieve in each story or generation. Then consider what
feel apocalyptical dread during a game set a hundred years might happen if they fail, or if they succeed more gloriously
in the past. Don’t worry about focusing on the Apocalypse than you’d expected. The starting point of the next story
as a theme for the historical chapters. Instead, show the should reflect the close of the last, even if it takes place
players how their actions will shape the next generation. generations or even centuries later.
Their decisions might land their next group of characters If you’re doing it right, the final story of the chronicle
in a worse position, with squandered family resources and might not be anything like what you had in mind when you
pitched the chronicle in the first place. Or it might. But get ten experience points, a Merit and a Flaw; if a crushing
with the freedom to follow the players’ actions, it’ll be all defeat, ten experience points and a Flaw.
the more satisfying for feeling organic and earned. Note that the legacy doesn’t automatically range from
Legacies “strong advantage” to “you get nothing.” Even if a generation

failed in their story, that’s going to give their inheritors plenty
Each generation leaves a mark on the next. In a Were- of problems already. You don’t have to compound it with a
wolf chronicle, you can reinforce this further by bringing in parsimonious or purely negative inheritance.
supernatural legacies, or even mechanical ones. Essentially, Most Backgrounds make good legacy rewards, specifically
this is an opportunity to reflect continuity and consequences Allies, Ancestors, Contacts, Fate, Fetish, Kinfolk, Mentor,
by having later generations start with benefits or burdens Resources, Rites, and Totem. Even Pure Breed and Spirit
(or both) inherited from their forebears. Heritage might work, though these are usually not awarded
The simplest legacy is knowledge. If one pack survives to to an entire group, for obvious reasons.
pass down their knowledge, the next starts play with access Good Merits for mechanical legacies include Favor,
to some of their enemies’ secrets. Not only does this cut Camp Goodwill, Notable Heritage, Supernatural Compan-
down on exposition time, it helps unify the chronicle’s tale. ion, and Ancestor Ally. Particularly appropriate Flaws include
Spirits and other immortal Storyteller characters are Dark Secret, Enemy, Camp Enmity, Hunted, Cursed, Insane
another excellent resource. The players might win the loyalty Ancestor, and possibly Dark Fate. (Contemplate a chronicle
of a spirit that promises to protect and advise their children. where everyone gets Dark Fate in every generation. Some
Or they might slaughter a vampire, causing the vampire’s bloodlines have a hell of a cross to bear…)
mate to swear vengeance against their bloodline. An ageless
ally or enemy also ensures the feeling that these stories are
Example of Play
tied together — possibly with overt commentary, even. Aaron is planning a generational Werewolf chronicle
that will cover 150 years of history. He plans to start in the
Most important, and perhaps trickiest, is a social legacy
Wild West era, situating the action around a caern in the
that affects the inheriting generation. This goes beyond the
Sangre de Christo range. He knows he wants to handle a
basics of “the sept knows your ancestors were great heroes”
number of time periods: Wild West, Prohibition or Great
and into specifics. If a predecessor pack won the favor of
Depression, the 1960s, the early ’90s, and the present day.
a river-spirit, then the caern itself might have such strong
He decides to limit himself to only a story or so for each
water-spirit affinity years later that a new pack of Uktena
generation, unless the players revolt and demand to play
and their Kin have become part of the sept. The allure of a
another story with a particularly beloved batch of characters.
roleplaying game is the ability to make decisions that matter,
His intention is to start with a werewolf pack in the Wild
and to see your actions reflected in the world in an organic
West period, then have two Kinfolk stories before switching
way. Setting up a social legacy, letting the players see just
the focus back to Garou in the more modern times.
how they’ve changed the world (and where they haven’t) and
having that be the starting point for a new story — that’s He creates the Voice of the Snow Caern, and sets up a
mainlining the drug of player agency. situation where the local werewolf population has been ravaged
by the war with an ancient Bane and its brood. The native
Backing It Up with Rules Uktena and Wendigo are too few to guard the caern safely,
The existing character creation rules provide some great but the newcomer Garou are also too weak to take and hold
opportunities to provide clear legacies for your players. it themselves. The first story will focus on finding a way for
Consider granting a successor generation bonus experience the two sides to unite and finally rebind the Bane: essentially
points, free Background dots, free Merits (or free Flaws), or an “origin story” for the caern. He figures later generations’
a combination of any of those. The specifics of the legacy stories will be a mix of legacy plots that spin out of each group
depend on how the story of the last game ended. For instance, of characters’ actions, building toward a climax where the
if the family captured a silver mine from a fomori gang of Wyrm’s forces try to reawaken the Bane in the modern era.
outlaws back in the 1800s, maybe the next generation gets Four of his friends agree to play in the chronicle, al-
an extra dot or two of Resources to reflect their gains. though not all can promise to be there for every generation.
A sample structure might involve giving a successor Laurie wants to play an Uktena, and focuses on the mystic
generation up to ten free experience points, and up to five secrets passed down through the years. Shep wants to play
points of Background or Merits depending on how their a Get of Fenris for the first story, but will see where it goes.
previous generation ended the last story. If the last generation Martin goes for a Wendigo, and is toying with the idea of
won a solid victory, the successors get ten experience points his bloodline falling to the Wyrm at some point. And Liz
and an appropriate Merit; if it was a Pyrrhic victory, they picks a Black Fury, really drawn to the idea of building a
family legacy of great Renown.
Kin Fetches
Aaron plots out the first story, setting things up so
that the Bane, a monstrously powerful thing called the
Child-Gnawer, is mortally wounded but still on the loose.
The player characters’ various allies and mentors have al- The Garou are a scattered few watchmen along a very
ready given their lives to hurt it so badly. It’ll be up to the long wall. They simply can’t be everywhere they need to be.
characters to strike a peace, recover the ritual to bind the And that means that most First Changes happen without
Child-Gnawer, and put it back under the earth. a fellow werewolf anywhere around. Although a werewolf
Aaron then considers possible end-points for the first is a werewolf from birth, to Scent of the True Form and
story. The players could fail entirely, which would mean the other spirit magics they appear to be Kinfolk until the hour
next group of characters might have to recover the caern from of their Change. And since the First Change can happen
the Wyrm’s forces and complete the ritual. They might have anywhere from early adolescence to late in life, Garou can’t
a mixed success, in which the Child-Gnawer is bound again, even plan to be there when a Kinfolk hits “the right age.”
but at great cost. And they might exceed his expectations, Out of necessity, the duty of watching Kinfolk and notifying
finding a clever way to bind the Bane and survive largely intact. their Garou relatives in case of a change was delegated to
spirit allies.
He decides that an utter failure will mean a mechanical
legacy of 15 bonus experience points and a nasty no-points bonus Kin-Fetches are a rare Gaian example of a “cultivated”
Flaw for the new characters in the Prohibition or Depression era. spirit, one that has changed to serve a specific purpose rather
They’ll need to be tough, but they’ll also bear the mark of their than reflecting a natural creature, force, or abstraction. They
predecessor’s failure. A mixed success will mean 12 experience started out as Gafflings tied to the tribal totems’ broods, and
points but no Flaw. A dramatic success will mean 12 experience were changed by magic such as the Gift: Malleable Spirit
points and a potent free Merit or two. Although Aaron has a (W20 Corebook, p. 166). These days, a tribe’s allied brood
few ideas for what Merits and Flaws might be appropriate, he of Kin-Fetches ranges from old servants who’ve been around
decides (wisely) not to choose them ahead of time. However for generations, even centuries, to recently modified spirits
the players resolve the situation will indicate what advantages still learning their new purpose.
or disadvantages their next characters will inherit. Every kenning extended family relies on many Kin-Fetch-
At the close of the story, the players have earned a mixed es. Optimally, they should have access to one for every child
success; Shep’s Get of Fenris has died gloriously, and the (or wolf cub) born into the bloodline. Practically, that’s not
Child-Gnawer is bound, but it had time to pronounce a always the case. Not only are there generational fertility
curse on the survivors. Aaron revises his initial plans. In booms, but Kin-Fetches can be lost in the cause of duty — or
addition to the mechanical legacy of 12 experience points worse — subverted.
he adds a Flaw: Cursed, but he offsets this by adding the Like most spirits, a Kin-Fetch starts out small, weak,
Merit: Ancestor Ally to the mix (since a mixed success would and with barely more sapience than a bundle of instincts.
normally levy no Flaw at all). The next batch of characters All that’s required of them is to return and alert the family
have inherited their parents’ and forebears’ curse, but Shep’s if their charge undergoes the Change. Since full Garou are
Get is lingering around as a brutally helpful ancestor-spirit. a minority in any generation, most Kin-Fetches never do
Aaron informs the players that the next generation will focus anything but watch over their charges.
on Kinfolk descendants in the Great Depression, and the The way for a Kin-Fetch to get stronger is to perform
troubles they bear with the curse in play. its function. The spirit that returns with news of a new-
Also, there’s a shift in the troupe. Liz has had to drop ly-Changed Garou is free to be bound again, just a touch
out of the next story for real life reasons, but Amado and swifter and more perceptive for its success. Many tribes, the
Karen heard about the game and think it sounds pretty great. Uktena in particular, make a point of offering chiminage to
Amado generates a Wendigo Kin, only distantly related to returning Kin-Fetches to honor their service. This strength-
Martin’s new character. Karen asks to play an inheritor of ens the spirit even further. Wise (and lucky) Garou families
Liz’s legacy, and gets her blessing to play a Fury Kin from the can nurture more powerful and individual servants over
bloodline. Aaron gives both Amado and Liz the option of the generations, becoming almost like ancestral familiars.
taking the mechanical legacy or not. Both accept; Amado’s Silver Fangs take pride in their family Kin-Fetches, much as
character’s new to the region, but he likes the thought of any aristocrat might value a servant who has distinguished
the Child-Gnawer’s curse falling on her through no fault himself.
of her own. Although Kin-Fetches are highly valuable, they’re an
Aaron then outlines the next story based on the proposed oddity in the spirit world: spirits with the explicit purpose
characters, again anticipating the players’ possible degrees of serving the Garou. They have no identity outside their
of success, and on the chronicle rolls. function of watching over the next generation of werewolves.
This makes them less than popular with spirits outside their
tribal totem’s brood. Not all Kin-Fetches who go missing are • The Glass Walkers developed variants of the rite that
lost to the forces of the Wyrm. can be blended with other religious ceremonies, thus allowing
The Process callow Kin to be present for a more traditional “baptism”
or the like. The ritemaster performing these rites must have
The first Kin-Fetches were shaped from other spirits in at least one dot of Subterfuge. The difficulty to detect the
the tribal totem’s brood, then bound to their infant charges Kin-Fetch or the child’s brand is raised by one for anyone
using the Rite of Binding. Over time, as more Kin-Fetches other than a Glass Walker or one of Cockroach’s brood.
became available, the Garou developed the Baptism of Fire • The Shadow Lords douse all their fires and lights at the
rite. (See p. 210 in the W20 Corebook) height of the ritual; the moment when the Kin-Fetch kisses
A powerful Theurge can create a Kin-Fetch from another the child is performed in utter darkness. All rolls to detect
spirit of her tribal totem’s brood, using the Gift: Malleable the child’s brand are at +2 difficulty for anyone other than
Spirit at difficulty 9. This works best if the spirit has been a Shadow Lord or one of Grandfather Thunder’s Brood.
encouraged to “volunteer” for the process with ample chimi- • Silent Striders are the exact opposite of the Fianna,
nage (reducing the difficulty to 8). Some elder Crescent performing the Baptism of Fire in level whispers. The
Moons consider it their duty to create more Kin-Fetches Kin-Fetch is encouraged to help hide the child in times of
every year, just in case. trouble. The difficulty to detect the Kin-Fetch or the child’s
In a pinch, a werewolf can use the Rite of Summoning brand is raised by one for anyone other than a Strider or
and Rite of Binding to attach a Kin-Fetch to a child. But the one of Owl’s brood.
Baptism of Fire rite serves the function better. This rite has • The Silver Fangs’ version takes a good long time, as
many small variants according to the tribe, in some cases even they recite the child’s extensive pedigree. The Kin-Fetch
the camp or bloodline. Some tribes make a point to teach the gains +1 to its Willpower score as it understands the gravity
Baptism of Fire to any Kinfolk who have proven themselves of its charge.
capable of using rites. Children born to Kin/Kin pairings • The Stargazers must perform their rite under the open
don’t always appear on their Garou relatives’ radar, so it’s sky, optimally cloudless; they’ve been known to delay the
practical to make sure that the Kinfolk can pick up the slack. rite for moon after moon until the stars can be seen. For the
Variant Rites next year, the ritemaster gains an additional die to any dice
pools for Gifts or rites used to divine the future, location
The Baptism of Fire takes many forms — at least thirteen,
or well-being of the child.
one major variant for each tribe. Here are some suggested
variants, with possible minor mechanical adjustments. If • The Uktena call their Kin-Fetches out of natural run-
you don’t like the thought of rites undergoing mechanical ning water when they can. Their Kin-Fetches receive +1 die to
drift, just use the standard rite. any actions taken within earshot of a natural stream or river.
• The Black Furies often use a portion of the umbilical • The Wendigo draw tenacious Kin-Fetches by leaving
cord as part of the rite, to further reinforce the tie. This gives the infant exposed to the weather for a short time. If properly
the ritemaster two additional dice to the rite’s dice pool. appeased, their Kin-Fetches receive +1 to their Rage scores.
• The Bone Gnawers tend to have sprawling, chaotic Lost Rites
families. One version of their rite involves heaps of chiminage Some Galliards keep tales of when it was better. Accord-
for the Kin-Fetch, but includes the extra command of “and ing to their legends, the tribes held more powerful rites that
if any of your charge’s siblings Change, you let us know.” could do even more. One ancestral ballad depicts a rite that
• The Children of Gaia try to bind Kin-Fetches with summoned a host of Kin-Fetches, sending them to watch
some affinity for healing or good health to their children. over an entire bloodline at once. Another tells of more
Such a Kin-Fetch has one fewer point of Rage, but one extra powerful Kin-Fetches, shaped from mighty spirits by heroic
point of Gnosis. Theurges. They would not merely watch a cub, but watch
• A Fianna Baptism of Fire is a noisy event, full of howls over it — manifesting as a terrible beast when the child was
and song. If the tribe has the freedom to cause a ruckus threatened — and then vanishing once they dispatched the
without drawing enemy attention, they draw a Kin-Fetch threat. Some Theurges have even mused that it was possible
with a Gnosis score one higher than usual. to bind Kin-Fetches to an entire tribal lineage, back in the
• It’s common Get of Fenris practice to draw the blood days before the Garou spread across the continents.
of the infant during the rite. If the child doesn’t cry, it’s The rites themselves are long lost, unfortunately, and
an excellent sign. The ritemaster can roll Dexterity + Med- the shamans of the End Times have much more pressing
icine, difficulty 8, to draw the blood painlessly. If the child affairs on their minds than recreating them. Still, odd things
doesn’t cry, the summoned Kin-Fetch gains +1 to its Rage happen. Strange Kin-Fetches nobody can remember binding
and Willpower scores.
sometimes appear, leading Garou to newly-Changed cubs
from unfamiliar families. An urban legend of a little girl’s
very real, unnervingly violent, imaginary friend unfolds with
evidence of a powerful but unseen spirit watching over the LINGERING KIN-FETCH
child. Such rites would be a valuable edge if they could be (2 PT. KINFOLK MERIT)
recovered — or if they fell into the Black Spiral Dancer’s tal- You never Changed, but for some reason your
ons, a dangerous inspiration for their fevered imaginations. werewolf relatives never freed the Kin-Fetch bound
The Trigger to you. The spirit is unusually alert and responsive
for its kind, and occasionally whispers warnings of
Once a Kin-Fetch is attached to its charge, it stays near things it perceives. Once per story, it alerts you to
at all times, using a Charm to stay invisible. Other spirits danger (assuming that there is danger in the story),
and shapeshifters can’t tell if a person has an attached Kin- as if you had successfully rolled on the Danger
Fetch by spying in the Umbra. The only giveaway is the fetch Sense Merit (Werewolf, pg. 483). You might or
brand. The spirit Peeks into the material world sometimes, might not know the source of the warning; even
and sometimes keeps its senses in the Umbra. callow Kin can take this Merit.
When a cub marked by a Kin-Fetch undergoes the One drawback of this Merit is that you still
First Change, the spirit knows instantaneously. The brand have your fetch brand. Any Garou who sees it —
dissolves, and the energy released alerts the Kin-Fetch. It including Black Spiral Dancers — instantly knows
immediately sets out in search of the Garou who bound it you for Kin.
to the child, or failing that, any other Garou of the relevant
tribe nearby. Some Kin-Fetches are swift, others unerring
trackers. MALINGERING KIN-FETCH
Of course, sometimes the Garou who bound them are (3 PT. KINFOLK FLAW)
dead and gone. A sept might have been wiped out years The Kin-Fetch bound to you was never freed,
ago, and the Kin-Fetch can find only bones. What happens and its attentions have started to become unpleas-
next varies, especially depending on the spirit. A weak and antly obsessive. It whispers for you to Change in
near-unintelligent Kin-Fetch might wait at the caern for years, times of stress, giving you a -2 penalty to Perception
hoping for a Garou to appear. More powerful Jagglings might rolls in difficult situations. This can be particularly
go on a long journey to find proper relatives. Some tell the unpleasant and frightening for callow Kin.
first Garou they see — regardless of tribe. To further complicate things, you still have
Breaking the Bond your fetch brand. Any Garou can recognize you
as Kin if they see the glyph.
The Garou can’t afford to let a Kin-Fetch stay forever
with a bonded Kinfolk, when there are other cubs to watch.
If a Kin reaches an age where it seems clear the First Change
won’t happen — and this age is entirely subjective — her were-
wolf relatives are likely to use a variant of the Rite of Spirit offspring most nests wouldn’t have the Kin-Fetches to spare.
Awakening to erase her fetch brand and free the Kin-Fetch. The Nuwisha prefer odd divinations to determine the time
This has to be done more subtly on any callow Kin who of “strange accidents.” But then again, the werecoyotes never
received the Baptism of Fire, usually while they’re drugged. did like doing things the same as everyone else.
Fera and Kin-Fetches Spirits of the Blood
The Kin-Fetch practice serves some Fera as well. The
less social Changing Breeds, such as most Bastet, are dis- Like other spirits, all Kin-Fetches have Airt Sense,
organized enough that the process is even more vital. The Materialize, Realm Sense, and Re-form, although only the
more nomadic the Changing Breed, and the less likely to strongest ones will even consider Materializing. Most also
keep sept-like structures, the more they may rely on their have the following Charms.
own versions of the Baptism of Fire. The Corax, for instance, • Fetch Brand: The spirit can mark a mortal with a
may bind a Kin-Fetch shortly after the Rite of the Fetish Egg small brand, visible only to Garou, in the shape of the
that they use to pass on their half-spirit nature. glyph of its brood’s allied tribe. The spirit can place the
Some, like the Kitsune, are as formal about the process brand just about anywhere on the body, including even
as any Silver Fang. Others don’t bother. The Ratkin trust the inside of the lip or the scalp. Most werewolves instruct
their information networks, and frankly they have so many the Kin-Fetch to make the brands hard to find (the Black

Spiral Dancers in particular); some, too proud for their
own good, want an easily evident sign of glory (such as
many Silver Fangs). If the marked mortal undergoes the KIN-FETCHES BY BROOD
Change, the brand is burned away and the Kin-Fetch is
immediately aware of the Change, whether or not it’s Every tribe has Kin-Fetches that resemble
viewing the material world at the time. smaller versions of their tribal totem’s avatar. Here
are some ideas for Kin-Fetches that resemble other
• Subtle Watcher: The Kin-Fetch can make itself invisi-
spirits in a tribal totem’s brood.
ble at no cost, and maintain the invisibility for as long as it
chooses, as long as it remains within roughly three meters Chimera: Living mandalas, glass moths,
of its fetch-branded target. Other spirits will not be able to mirage serpents, patchwork animals, incarnated
detect it unless they have specific counter-charms. names
Kin-Fetch Cockroach: Coin spiders, digital insects, glass

mice, data clouds, tiny mechanical drones
The most basic Kin-Fetch is a Gaffling, small and weak.
This represents a Kin-Fetch that hasn’t successfully alerted its Falcon: Herons, pelicans, cranes, merlins,
tribe to a newly Changed cub more than once, or a freshly egrets, swifts
adapted spirit. They are quiet, modest spirits, fully dedicated Fenris: Ravens, cuckoos, squirrels (children
to their job once they’ve placed the fetch brand on a charge. of Ratatoskr), weapons and shields
Rage 3, Gnosis 4, Willpower 5, Essence 12-20 Grandfather Thunder: Crows, bats, shadows,
Charms: Fetch Brand, Peek, Subtle Watcher; one of whispering voices, St. Elmo’s Fire
Swift Flight or Tracking
Griffin: Badgers, wolverines, lion cubs, car-
Image: The typical Kin-Fetch resembles a member of rion birds
its totem’s brood, or perhaps a small version of its totem’s
avatar: shaggy wolf-spirits with steely teeth, barn owls and Owl: Skeletal mice, nightjars, scarabs, cobras,
screech owls, small horned snakes, rats of every color. Some jackals, scorpions, tiny crocodiles
are smaller and more innocuous, and others are larger and Pegasus: Winged animals, gazelles, goats,
more majestic. Since the purpose of a Kin-Fetch is to serve drakainae, weaver-women
a tribe, they all bear a silvery glyph of their allied tribe on Rat: Stray dogs, raccoons, mice, newspaper
their form. animals, alley cats, opossums
Background: Kin-Fetches remember little of their pre-
vious existence as animal-spirits or more abstract Gafflings. Stag: Hares, luna moths, white deer, foxes,
They shift from a mental focus on the good of a tribe to boars, salmon
the mental focus on a single child or cub, and then back Uktena: Feathered serpents, hummingbirds,
again once their mission is complete. They are poor con- quetzals, roadrunners, sea snakes
versationalists at best. Unicorn: Doves, swans, ducks, otters, mutts
Blood Fetch Wendigo: Wolverines, geese, jackrabbits,
Some Kin families are so old and prosperous that their porcupines, living auroras
Kin-Fetches have altered further to match them. Blood
Fetches are invariably attached to bloodlines with high Pure
Breed, as they’re strengthened and shaped by the higher
birthrate of Garou. They have risen to Jaggling rank, and tinct appearance all their own: an owl-headed sphinx, an
act something like household deities for their families. articulate mengu (samurai’s mask), a stag with six antlers. A
Rage 7, Gnosis 8, Willpower 8, Essence 23-35 few aristocratic Kin families even have heraldic devices that
Charms: Fetch Brand, Peek, Subtle Watcher, Swift Flight, resemble their Blood Fetch.
Tracking; one other of the Storyteller’s choice Background: Kinfolk families who’ve had Pure Breed
Image: Blood Fetches are like their weaker brethren, but for many generations may have a Blood Fetch attached to
clearly larger and more resplendent. Most Blood Fetches are their clan — sometimes more than one, especially in the
of the “resembles the tribal totem” variety, though it doesn’t case of Silver Fang houses — though usually only one per
seem clear that they started out that way. Perhaps centuries household. The Blood Fetch has an individual name, in-
of faithful service just makes one of Owl’s Kin-Fetches voked during the Baptism of Fire. It is invariably bound to
more like Owl. Certainly some Blood Fetches have a dis- the most promising-seeming child.

Blight Nurse
Kin-Fetches can be tainted like any other spirit, and
Kinfolk can be just as brutal and psychopathic as any other
mortal. A Kin-Fetch corrupted by the twisted deeds of its
charge may become a Blight Nurse, compelled to find other
children and help them grow up “properly.” They whisper
horrible suggestions from the Umbra, and sometimes even
go so far to possess their charges, turning them into fomori.
To make it even worse, Blight Nurses have a real knack for
sniffing out Kinfolk, and prefer them to any other children.
Rage 4, Gnosis 5, Willpower 4, Essence 13-20
Charms: Corruption, Fetch Brand, Peek, Possession,
Subtle Watcher, Tracking
Image: Blight Nurses look something like their original
forms, with a strong tendency to become emaciated or obese.
The tribal glyphs on their form have shifted, with many of
the pictographic strokes ending in warped Wyrmish spirals.
They speak in wheedling whispers, although they address
only their charges. “Tell that nasty wolf you don’t want to
go with him,” they say. “Make me proud.”
Background: Sometimes Kin-Fetches go bad. It happens
most often when the children they’re bound to aren’t quite
right. The child goes to darker and darker places, especially
as they grow into adulthood, and the Kin-Fetch has nowhere
to go. It can’t abandon its precious charge. With enough
accumulated taint, the spirit becomes a Blight Nurse.
The Blight Nurse’s purpose veers away from “tell the
Garou,” and into “make sure the child comes up right.”
Once it’s released — usually by the death of its charge, since
most aren’t bound to actual shapeshifters — it finds another
child to latch on to, preferably another Kin. They’ve been
known to kill and devour Kin-Fetches and take their place.
Some Black Spiral Dancers even bind Blight Nurses with their
own version of the Baptism of Fire. They find it dreadfully
amusing. If all goes well, a child grows up with an affinity
for the Wyrm even before their First Change.
Fetch Spider
The Weaver poses a constant threat to Kin-Fetches
operating in big cities and other such places. Weaver-spirits
try to assimilate Kin-Fetches much as they would any other
spirit. The Glass Walkers found one way around that threat
by binding spirits that could pass for the Weaver’s servants.
Rage 1, Gnosis 5, Willpower 4, Essence 10-20
Charms: Fetch Brand, Peek, Subtle Watcher, Weaver
Camouflage*
*Weaver Camouflage: Weaver-spirits ignore the spirit
with this Charm, assuming it to be one of their own. If the
spirit attempts to infiltrate any area of strong Weaver activ-
ity, the spirits on guard might notice something is amiss. If
an observer’s suspicion is raised enough to look for some
deception, the difficulty to see through this Charm’s power
is equal to 10 – the Charm user’s Rage.
Image: Fetch Spiders look largely like Pattern Spiders; in
much the same way a robber fly resembles a bee or a viceroy CRUSADE FOR THE CHILDREN
butterfly takes after a monarch. Close examination reveals a Fetch-Hawks are just one example of one of
more organic rounding to their joints, and the Glass Walker the more insidious arms races between Gaia’s own
glyph is subtly marked on the underside of their abdomens. and the Wyrm’s chosen. The Black Spiral Dancers
Background: Nobody’s sure whether the Glass Walker work to develop new rites and seek out possible
Theurges modified Weaver-spirits to change their very alle- Gifts that would allow them to detect and subvert
giance, or infused Gaian spirits with Weaver essence for a Gaian Kin-Fetches. If they had their way, they’d
powerful camouflage. Either method would be considerably rig the spiritual game so that the children of the
more challenging than creating a Kin-Fetch from one of a Thirteen Tribes would deliver themselves right to
tribal totem’s brood. Still, the Fetch Spiders are a notable the nearest Hive.
success, fooling even Banes. The only drawback is that they’re Gaian Theurges don’t sit idle, either. They
fragile. The higher the spirit’s Rage, the harder it is to pass puzzle out the details of countermeasures to protect
as a Weaver-spirit — its vital energy feels too different. Fetch their nursemaid spirits: rites that can baffle Spiral
Spiders aren’t the best at defending themselves, but with divinations, fetishes that can detect Fetch-Hawks,
luck it doesn’t come down to that. and so on. The Charm: Subtle Watcher is an old
Fetch-Hawk example. Back before the White Howlers fell, there
wasn’t as much need for Kin-Fetches to hide them-
These wasp-like spirits were carefully groomed by Theurg-
selves. They remained visible near their charges,
es of the Black Spiral. Their purpose is to hunt Kin-Fetches,
and most spirits would avoid them the moment
parasitize them, and then misdirect them to bring news of
they saw the tribal brand. When the Black Spiral
a First Change to the Dancers instead.
Dancers started actively targeting Kin-Fetches, the
Rage 3, Gnosis 4, Willpower 6, Essence 13-18 Thirteen Tribes figured out a way to modify the
Charms: Corruption, Parasitic Possession*, Tracking spirits. Whenever a sept manages to raid a Spiral
*Parasitic Possession: As the Possession Charm, save Hive, at least one of the Theurges carefully hunts
that the Fetch-Hawk can sink its essence into that of another for evidence of any new advances in the race.
spirit. The Fetch-Hawk gains three extra dice to the Gnosis
roll to possess Kin-Fetches.
Image: Fetch-Hawks are named after tarantula hawk
wasps, not avians. They look something like wasps the size
of a man’s thumb, with long syringe-like abdomens and extra
sets of bale-green compound eyes. Their speech is a wheezy
Kin-Fetch Story Hooks:
whisper formed by the beating of their wings. • Interception: A character receives a call from her Kin
Background: The Black Spiral Dancers don’t have that that one of the family just Changed. But the Kin-Fetch never
many pure Kin-Fetches left. The original White Howler arrived at the sept. Odds are the spirit was intercepted by
familiars died out long ago, and the Dancers often cope by the enemy, making it a race against time to get the cub calm
keeping their children in captivity rather than recruiting and somewhere safe. To further complicate things, what if
spirits to let them grow up a little more free-range. But the the Kin-Fetch is older and stronger, like a Blood Fetch? Will
Dancers always love recruiting, and so their Theurges mod- the pack risk themselves to rescue it, or is it likely to show
ified these spirits to serve an insidious purpose. up later, twisted and betrayed?
A Fetch-Hawk uses Tracking to scent out Kin-Fetches, • Nest-Robbing: The characters have intercepted not
then attempts to possess them. The insectoid Bane lies just any Bane, but a Black Spiral Dancer Kin-Fetch trying to
dormant in its host spirit, waiting. When a parasitized report in. They have a chance to rescue a new Garou from
Kin-Fetch watches its charge undergo the First Change, the a horrible life of corruption, but the cub is almost sure to
Fetch-Hawk then takes control and flees back to the nearest have all manner of problems in his blood. Can they save a
Hive to inform the Black Spiral Dancers that a new target soul full of blackened Rage? And what if the cub’s Dancer
awaits recruitment. As an added bonus, the Gaians may take relatives are genuinely attached to him?
a while to notice one of their children is missing… • Chrysalis: A veteran Kin-Fetch has been showing
signs of increased intelligence and perception, engaging in

conversations about things other than the here and now of
its charge. It’s on the verge of metamorphosing into a Blood
Fetch, which would be amazingly valuable, and the cub it
watches has been showing signs of growing Rage. But it’s
starting to get distracted in its newfound awareness, and
people are noticing strange things happening around the
cub. Can the pack watch over the cub until the Change?
Can they protect the spirit until it changes itself? And
what threats will be drawn by the Kin-Fetch’s behavior to
complicate both goals?
• Subtlety Required: The tribe needs more free
Kin-Fetches to deal with recent births. The pack is charged
with removing the Kin-Fetches from the older members of a
family of callow Kin. But they have to do it without causing
a ruckus, or drawing attention that the family is more than
it seems. How adept is the pack at subterfuge and stealth?
And what if they discover one of the Kin might be on the
verge of Changing after all?
• Information War: A few Kin go missing, and unlikely as it
seems, someone’s been targeting their Kin-Fetches. A tech-savvy
Black Spiral Theurge has innovated a new way to track and
detect Kin-Fetches via corrupted Weaver magic. Can the players
successfully track his data trail without getting too entangled in
the Weaver’s net? Can they devise effective countermeasures,
or even find a way to hijack the Spiral’s own methods?
• Unknown Cousin: The pack meets a stranger wearing
the brand of a Kin-Fetch, but after asking questions and
consulting records, they discover she’s not from any known
Kin bloodline at all. Some investigation reveals that she could
be callow Kin, the descendant of a cadet branch thought
lost a hundred years ago. How does she have a Kin-Fetch
on her, then? Was it placed by a mysterious, possibly Ronin
relative? Did it attach itself to her after its previous host died,
and if so, how?
• Presumed Extinct: A strange Kin-Fetch appears at
the caern, alerting the sept to the Change of a new Garou.
To the surprise of all, the Kin-Fetch is tied to one of the
Lost Tribes. How could it still be bound to a charge after
all these years? Is there a new cub out there with the pure
blood of the fallen? Has someone found a way to call on
the Kin-Fetches of lost tribes? Is it a trap?
Skin Dancers
Once upon a time, a Kinfolk figured out something
terrible. If you took the skins of five Garou and performed
a blasphemous rite, you’d become a werewolf yourself. That
man, the Skinner, is long gone. But he taught others the trick,
the euphemistically named “Rite of Sacred Rebirth.” Now
they’re a mock-tribe, who recruit new members whenever
they can get the pelts together. They call themselves the Skin
Dancers, and the Garou Nation despises them.
The Skin Dancers weren’t originally designed as antag- ers would rather recruit or subvert than murder. Frankly,
onists for Kinfolk chronicles, but they’re perfect in the role. they need the numbers. No, the real danger of the Skin
They were Kin once, before they turned on their Garou rel- Dancers comes from listening to them. A Kinfolk suspected
atives. They committed atrocities, maybe for understandable of Skin Dancer sympathies is at much greater risk from her
vengeance, maybe just out of envy and ambition. And any own Garou cousins.
Kin could become one of them. A Skin Dancer is a possible This is also the reason why it’s dangerous as hell to keep
threat to a character’s loved ones, but also a source of valid secrets from your werewolf relatives. The Garou remember
temptation. She points out the power imbalance between how the Skinner’s gruesome legacy started. Secret Kinfolk
the Kinfolk and their shapeshifter relatives, and offers a way societies are taking their lives into their hands, because
to balance the scales. Her very presence raises the question, sooner or later their wolf-blooded relations are going to
“How much do I want power?” equate them with the Skin Dancers.
The Seductive Creed Using the Skin Dancers
One of the reasons the Skin Dancers continue to be Mechanically, Skin Dancer antagonists are fairly simple.
successful is that they often get to introduce themselves. The process is much like building other Garou characters,
Many Garou don’t like to tell their Kin that the Skin Danc- but they tend to focus heavily on Abilities and Attributes
ers exist — that might put ideas in their heads, after all. — they had to be skilled and tough Kin to be able to collect
So when a smooth-talking new friend starts talking about those skins — even if only through subterfuge. Their Gift
ideals, about how great it’d be if the Kinfolk could stand selection is a bit shoddy, and focuses more on breed and
eye-to-eye with the Garou, odds are you don’t even know auspice Gifts, as they lack any tribal affinity. But most are
why you shouldn’t be listening. good with rites, thanks to the demands of learning the Rite
The hard part of the pitch, of course, is the require- of Sacred Rebirth.
ment of the skins. Five Garou pelts is a lot to ask. The first The Skin Dancers are fundamentally underdogs; a role
Skinner was a serial killer on a level most Kin can’t match. we usually reserve for the protagonists. They lack the numbers
But to make the question more complicated, the skins can and resources that help make the Black Spiral Dancers so
be taken any way possible. A potential Skin Dancer doesn’t intimidating. In order to be proper antagonists they need
have to murder five Garou. A little grave-robbing or covert to be clever and ruthless; a slow-witted werewolf hunter
cleaning work will do the trick. There’s even rumor that if never lasts long, blood or no. They also tend to be cults of
all five skins are deliberately bequeathed, like a voluntary personality, built around a charismatic and capable leader
organ donation, that the new Skin Dancer will be completely who seduces unhappy Kin with promises of retribution
free of Wyrm-taint. and power. Their threat is in subversion. They can turn a
And if you can pull this off? Well, every Kin who knows Garou’s family against her — and nobody knows where best
the truth about the Garou has dreamed about Changing to stick the knife like family.
themselves, at least once. Most have told themselves “If I At the core, the Skin Dancers’ complaint is understand-
had the power, here’s what I’d do with it.” There’s so much able. But what sets a Skin Dancer apart from any other
to be gained. And much to be lost as well… but the Skin abused, resentful or rebellious Kinfolk is atrocity. Like the
Dancers don’t dwell overmuch on that part when they’re Spirals, the Skin Dancers are able to articulate a reason for
recruiting. It can get demoralizing. what they’re doing. And like the Spirals, their methods ar-
The Greater Danger en’t justifiable — as we’d see it. But it makes sense to them.
And once they’ve got those skins on their backs, it’s all the
The truth of the matter is that the Skin Dancers aren’t easier to justify. Performing the Rite of Sacred Rebirth is
that dangerous themselves, at least to the average Kin. True, effectively writing your own death sentence — you just have
some act out old grudges after the Rite, killing hated family to be smart enough, hard enough, and quiet enough that
members before fleeing into the night. But most Skin Danc- the Garou don’t get a chance to enforce it.

Appendix:
We Are Family
If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.
— George Bernard Shaw, Immaturity
The Blackwoods: Using the Blackwoods

Burdens and Scars Optimally you could attach the Blackwoods to any tribe
with minimum fuss. They’re a pragmatic family with a lot of
(Kenning) scars and a certain hardening, and as such, play closely to the
Get of Fenris, Shadow Lord, Fianna, Black Fury, and Wendigo
In some families, being a cop is in the blood. In others, stereotypes. With a few tweaks (such as maybe un-Anglicizing
every loyal son and daughter winds up in the military. The their surname), they fit well with other tribes.
Blackwoods are much the same way. They know the price of The Blackwoods have useful skill sets, enough that
duty. It’s a point of pride that they serve — not that they’re they’d be a bargain purchase for the Kinfolk Background,
servile, mind — but that they do what needs doing for their or potentially solid Allies or Contacts. Some might make
Garou relatives. good romantic interests, particularly for characters who are
The Blackwoods know all about the struggle. They teach looking for competent partners. They could also serve as
their children emergency response skills, first aid, mechanical potential antagonists, if you play up their ruthless streak.
repair, whatever it might take to get through a crisis. More di- They do pride themselves on making problems go away,
rectly, they help their Garou relatives by acting as cleaners. They which is bad news for characters seen as problems.
can make corpses and evidence go away quickly and efficiently, Player characters could easily be blood relatives of the
even something as damning as a heap of fomori corpses. Blackwoods. The family’s absent patriarch isn’t named by
But every rope frays and every chain rusts. Even the strongest default. That’s deliberate; he could be an existing Storyteller
back can’t carry a heavy burden forever. Even the most dedicated character in a long-running chronicle who goes missing at
soul can see too much. The Blackwoods can be valuable allies some point, a name from the player characters’ preludes,
or well-loved family, but it may take character action to keep or even a relative. (If you’d like a default deed name, use
the clan together and heal some of their old wounds. “Blood-on-the-Bricks.”)
107
Family History
The Blackwoods have been kenning for several gener- PROFESSIONAL CLEANERS
ations. They’re used to harsh-but-fair treatment from their Many people don’t realize that crime scene
Garou relatives; they’re stoic in the face of disdain, and cleanup is a profitable, privatized business. These
hard-working and helpful enough to earn praise. This particular cleaning companies are usually small and local,
branch followed their relatives to their current location, and with only a few large enough to be national. They
settled in once their shifter cousins attached themselves to must be licensed to handle and transport biohaz-
the local caern. In the last twenty years or so, they got into the ard material such as blood, toxic irritants like tear
“cleaner” business. After a couple of years doing it the hard gas residue, drug residue in a meth lab, and other
way, “Discretion Trauma Services” was licensed as a legitimate such dangerous substances. The coroner’s office
crime scene cleanup company. They’ve been a solid boon to or other government body must release the crime
the caern and the tribe, helping to maintain the Veil. scene before a cleaning company can go to work.
Of course, the Blackwoods have had some failures as The industry term for cleanup is “remediation.”
well. Recently, their patriarch — a noted Garou warrior — There isn’t space to cover all the details in this
was badly wounded in battle. His family took him home appendix, but you can find out more about the
to recuperate, but it did no good. He died of his wounds details of crime scene cleanup with a good search
in the Blackwood homestead. It left a small black mark on engine and a little time to hunt down fascinating
the family reputation. And if the rest of the sept knew the tidbits and ideas.
whole story, that mark would be much bigger. In the World of Darkness, plenty of these
The Family Secret businesses are more than they seem. Most vampire
princes find it useful to have at least one on pay-
It was justified. Everyone there knew that was the case.
roll to help with potential Masquerade breaches.
But the fact of the matter is, the Blackwoods are kinslayers.
Pentex owns one of the national-scale businesses,
They killed one of their own — a Garou, one of Gaia’s rare
a highly useful subsidiary called Sterilico — “Dedi-
soldiers — and then they made the evidence go away. The
cated, Diligent, Discreet.” Sterilico vans are quick
surviving members of the family guard this secret for all
on the scene of many a monkeywrenching attack,
they’re worth, because Kin families, even of good breeding,
and always careful to forward some of their more
have been culled for less.
profitable-seeming samples to other subsidiaries.
Lottie’s husband, the patriarch of the Blackwoods, was
the second-in-command of a pack of good Renown. Unfortu-
nately, he felt he deserved better than second place. He wasn’t
ambitious enough to betray his packmates, but he needed to
feel in control somewhere. His family wound up taking the
brunt of his frustrations. Most of it was emotional abuse, The Blackwood Homestead
but one night he wound up letting his Rage get the better The Blackwoods occupy a large and sprawling house,
of him. His wife Lottie survived, but she’d never walk again. either in the suburbs or the countryside, depending on your
The sept reprimanded him, and he lost Honor for the chronicle’s needs. Officially, they run two businesses out
attack. That was it. Then he came back home, humbled and of the home: a struggling catering business (mostly a cover)
apologetic. But it didn’t take long for his family to see that and Discretion Trauma Services. The place has a spacious
the shame was just putting his temper on another slow boil. kitchen, plenty of bedrooms (including some set aside for
The Blackwoods had learned long ago to be pragmatic. Garou to crash or convalesce), and a very well-equipped
They took precautions. Soon enough, their father came home basement with a storm-cellar entrance.
sorely wounded by silver and poison, marks of a run-in with Their large detached garage is practically a coach house.
some old enemies. They put him to bed, and started to care It houses both the catering and cleanup vans, with a two-
for him; and when he started to lash out in his pain, they room loft above.
put him down. The homestead also houses a secret related to the de-
The Blackwoods had plenty of experience doctoring ceased patriarch. It might be a panic room sealed against
corpses. The rest of his pack saw that he’d apparently died the Umbra, a buried cache of talens stolen from the Wyrm,
of his wounds, and they had no reason to doubt it. They a hidden account number, any number of things. Select
offered their condolences to the family, and that was that. something appropriate to the patriarch as you’ve defined
So far. him. The Blackwoods either know about the secret and are

looking for the right person to pass it on to, or don’t know the look in her kids’ eyes. These days, she suspects she’s
about it and are about to be visited by someone sinister damned for that moment when she locked eyes with Gina
who does. Whichever sounds more interesting. and slowly nodded.
The Blackwood Family Lottie’s a proud woman. She does as much as she can
to still run the household, though grudgingly she’s let Gina
absorb some of the tasks that require quicker mobility, such
Lottie Blackwood, the Matriarch as reporting in to the tribe when an alert’s been sounded.
Charlotte Blackwood was a good wife. She knew it’d be Sometimes she misses her husband terribly, and sometimes
difficult marrying a Garou and bearing his children, but she she curses his memory. Her family loyalty is ironclad, and
was raised to be up to the challenge. She even came to love few things rattle her more than the thought of her children
her husband in a way, although he made it hard sometimes. being endangered because someone found out their secret.
But she genuinely loved their children, every one. Lottie is a middle-aged woman with heavy gray in her
That horrible night when the claws tore through her back hair. She’s confined to a wheelchair, and keeps a silver
and hips, Lottie thought she was done for. She wondered knife strapped under the seat. She still has a fair measure
if her last thoughts would be wondering what she’d done of strength, and even a surprising reserve of humor.
wrong. But her kids were there for her, and Darren’s quick
attention helped her pull through. She couldn’t go to the Gina Blackwood, the Oldest
hospital, though, not with those claw wounds. Family care The elder daughter of the Blackwood family, Gina’s
took away the pain and helped her regain her strength, but also the one carrying the most responsibility. She oversees
it couldn’t help her walk again. She wanted to curse her lot, the Discretion Trauma Services business, which employs
but that’s not what a Blackwood does. her younger brother Darren and a few other Kinfolk from
The death wasn’t her idea. When her husband reap- around the sept. She also sees to those family affairs that her
peared, all torn up by silver and poison, she was resigned mother can no longer easily handle. Gina is tough as nails,
to helping him get through this again. But she recognized and runs well even on very little sleep. She has an earnest
desire to prevent her family from suffering, which is part of
what got the Blackwoods where they are. Maggie Blackwood, the Historian
While her siblings helped her, Gina was the one who Maggie is the youngest of Charlotte’s children. She
finished the job with their father. She was also the one who completed a degree in library science recently, and serves the
directed the cleanup effort, and made sure that only the family as a researcher. She’s savvy with the Internet, although
right people were around to tell their Garou relatives what only an amateur programmer. She’d need instruction to
happened. The whole affair took a heavy emotional toll on become a dedicated hacker, though she has the intelligence
her, but she’s borne up with an iron will. The others know for it. Her room is crowded with books, and the annotations
she’d do it all over again, and the thought scares most of them. are in a code she developed herself. She grew up afraid of
Gina is a handsome woman in her early 30s, usually her father, even though she mourns him.
with her hair tied back. She has a few burn and cut scars on Maggie is a sharp-eyed woman in her early 20s, whose
her hands, and hasn’t put on makeup in the last couple of dress tends to lean toward library chic. She can be squeamish
years. For all that, she’d make a stately figure if she dressed for a Blackwood at times, mostly where injured animals are
for a formal occasion; she certainly carries herself with a concerned. She has a genuinely curious spirit, and wants to
determined dignity. learn whatever rites she can as a Kin. Maggie knows enough
about the spirit world to respect its dangers, but she doesn’t
Jesse & Anna Blackwood, let fear keep her away from the possibility to learn.
the Troubled Couple Paul Blackwood, the Clever Cousin
Jesse is the older son of the family, at about 30. He
and his wife Anna run the catering business; not only does Paul doesn’t live at the Blackwood homestead. He’s a
it provide some extra income for the Blackwoods, but the cousin on Charlotte’s side, kenning but with less respon-
business’ van has come in handy for a few discreet errands. sibility. He works for Discretion Trauma Services and gets
along reasonably well with Gina. Paul wasn’t there when
Jesse doesn’t just cook, he also gathers certain herbs
the Blackwood patriarch “failed to pull through,” but Gina
and reagents for the tribe. He and Anna have had trouble
trusted him with the secret not too long afterwards.
conceiving, particularly as their sex life hasn’t been much
to speak of recently. He finds it a little too easy to throw He puts on a sympathetic face, but what he doesn’t
himself into his work, and is actually afraid of what might mention is that he thinks the murder was wrong. He only saw
happen if a child breeds true. the patriarch during the best of times, and although there’s
no arguing that Lottie’s in a wheelchair now, he still has a
Anna is kenning herself, from another Kin family related
hard time thinking of the patriarch as the one who did it.
to the tribe. However, she’s had some trouble adapting to the
At present, Paul’s wondering if he should notify someone
more hands-on approach of her in-laws. She’s not as stoic
about the incident. He doesn’t want his cousins to die, but
as Lottie or as ruthless as Gina, and it’s starting to fray her
he thinks they should be punished. He just doesn’t know
nerves. She does love her husband, and although she has
how the sept would react. And he’s weak enough that a
her suspicions about her father-in-law’s death, she’d never
potential payout might shift his decision.
willingly betray them. But the stress is mounting, and sooner
or later she just might make a mistake. Paul is in early middle-age, with a lot of smile lines and
an easy salesman’s patter. He’s fussier about his appearance
Darren Blackwood, the Healer than most Blackwoods, and likes to dress up. Around actual
Darren is Gina and Jesse’s younger brother, and made Garou, his demeanor becomes respectful and a little awed.
it partway through premed before family affairs called him
back home. He has a wide range of medical skills from EMT Story Seeds
training to older Garou remedies. He works part-time as a • Whistleblower: Paul’s looking for the right person
paramedic, but also joins the cleaning business from time to maybe tell about the Blackwood family secret. The “right
to time. He’s the most troubled by their father’s murder, person” would be someone who would exact justice with-
but his mother’s suffering keeps him telling himself they out slaughtering his cousins outright, someone who would
were in the right. protect Paul from any possible retaliation, and optimally
Darren is in his mid-20s, with a fair share of the family someone who would advance his station out of gratitude.
good looks; he’s athletic, good with his hands, and has a He starts sniffing around one or more player characters, or if
charming if somewhat nervous smile. His bedside manner they seem too loyal to the Blackwoods, to some of their rivals.
leans a little too much toward gallows humor for most • Tough Stains: The Blackwoods are called in for anoth-
people’s tastes. He knows how to fight, but has nightmares er cleanup, one with a good deal of Wyrm-brood evidence
sometimes about how easy it would be for a Garou to tear to dispose of. The task proves less routine, though, when
him apart. a small overlooked fetish turns out to have something…
infectious to it. It’s a simple knife, ideal for cutting tendon with their Garou kin, and others fortunate enough to taste
and muscle, enough so that it becomes part of the cleanup their special spirits.
crew’s equipment. How long will it be before someone no- The Miller children grow up learning a lot of survival
tices that one of the Blackwoods has fallen under the ugly skills useful in backwoods or wilderness terrain. They also
ritual tool’s spell? know how to repair many kinds of machines, from stills to
• The Heirloom: When the family patriarch passed, automobiles, and have some first aid and firearms skills.
he left behind a potent fetish, possibly even a klaive. The They may also excel in stealth and evasion, particularly if
Blackwoods have no right to it, but they want to see it placed they have any scrapes involving their illegal livelihood.
with a worthy Garou — one not likely to injure his own. They Like many moonshiners and mountain or backwoods
invite an honorable player character out to the homestead folk in general, the Millers are independent minded, un-
as a possible inheritor, and pass on a “last request” from appreciative of interference from the government or any
Lottie’s husband. What’s so important that they’d risk lying authority. They do the minimum necessary to escape the
to a Garou? Will the character’s pack draw the attention of attention of the law, revenuers, and social service agents.
an available Blackwood, or be drawn into family intrigues? Although the Millers might initially come off as ste-
• Skin Dance: The family cleanup practice has given reotypical “hillbillies,” on a closer look they exhibit many
a Blackwood a singular opportunity. After a bloody final tendencies that set them apart from the norm and make
encounter with a Black Spiral pack, the Garou called in the them useful in a Kinfolk chronicle.
Using the Millers

clan to dispose of the corpses. But one of the Blackwoods
got some interesting letters from a Skin Dancer some time
back. Now there are five Black Spiral pelts bundled up and
Typically, the Millers fit the Bone Gnawer tribe without
stowed in the basement. Will the characters find out before
a lot of tweaking. They would work just as well, however, as
their relative enacts the Rite of Sacred Rebirth? And if so,
Fianna — given a more Celtic name — or Children of Gaia.
will they even try to stop the ritual? Or would they rather see
With a slight stretch, this family might be a poor offshoot
a faithful Blackwood elevated to proper werewolf strength,
of a Silver Fang line of Kinfolk, with the potential for family
even via very improper means? If so, how far will they go
embarrassment that might hold. Their surprisingly diverse
to defend him?
personalities and skill sets make them good Allies as well
• Second Time’s Easier: One of the Blackwood children as a useful example for the Kinfolk Background. They are
has a new admirer. The suitor’s a full-blood Garou who’s also a colorful lot, with enough good humor and sometimes
taken an actual fancy, and the rest of the tribe is willing bawdy mannerisms to provide some much needed comic
to move along with the wedding. But the Blackwoods see relief, should the Storyteller choose to emphasize that aspect
something ugly behind the newcomer’s eyes, a familiar kind of the family.
of temper. After the first bruises appear, the family will have
On the other hand, the Millers have a rough-and-tumble
to decide if they’re willing to kill again to protect their own.
side to them. Their moonshine activities leave them with
no love for the law, with some exceptions. While they gen-
The Millers: erally dislike police, whether patrolmen, state troopers, or

federal marshals, they admire bravery and applaud the job
Myths and Moonshine that law enforcement often performs as first responders in
(Kenning)
disasters. The Miller sons aren’t above a little ambulance
chasing themselves, seeing it as a way of testing themselves.
The Millers could serve as an extended Kinfolk family
Moonshining families still proliferate in the backwoods for any of the characters, with the addition of another
and reclusive areas of many states, from the Appalachian child to the main branch or the invention of another aunt
Mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, or uncle from any place in the country. Initially suspicious
to the Deep South, to the hidden places in the Ozark Moun- of strangers, once characters have been vetted by another
tains, and in the mountains of Pennsylvania and upstate family member, or by a Garou known to them, they prove
New York. For some families, making and selling un-taxed to be warm-hearted people, generous to a fault, and willing
liquor (or corn alcohol) has become a household tradition; to help out one of the “Kin.”
for others, it provides a convenient way of staying off the
grid while still providing food and shelter for the family.
For the Millers, moonshining not only allows them to
The Family History
stay out of the mainstream of public life, it also provides The Millers, according to them, have always been “wolf-
this family of kenning Kinfolk a way to share Gaia’s bounty kin,” and family stories bear testimony to the presence of
Garou in their lives for generations. The family founder
Appendix: We Are Family 111
arrived on the continent with the first of the Europeans to and mud cabin, like many of the other mountain families.
settle the backwoods of the American continent. Unlike When they intervened to hide a group of Uktena Kinfolk in
many of the “Wyrmcomers,” however, they made friends a cave system the family pointed out to them, they discovered
with the native Garou and their Kin. Since they belonged what they felt was a more natural way to live. The Uktena
to the lowest of classes in the Old World, they brought little Kin eventually moved west to rejoin their native tribe and
with them to the New World and felt no kinship with the search the West for more Wyrm creatures, leaving behind
landed or propertied folk whose actions shaped the English the caves where they had recently made their home.
colonies. Rather, they identified with the downtrodden, Over the years, the Millers have embellished on the cave,
which included the native tribes. As Kinfolk, they stood out working with the rock to create sturdy and attractive walls
to the Uktena, from whom they learned about the ways of and level floors. In the mid-1900s, the Miller boys thought it
the land. When a land-hungry U.S. government forced the would be a good idea to build a wood cabin façade in front
native tribes further and further west, the Millers helped hide of the main cave. There, they could present a semblance of
some of the Uktena Kinfolk for a time, discovering in the “normal rustic life” to any visitors from the outside. They
process, a set of caverns that today serves as their homestead. could also have a few modern conveniences on display, such
The departing Uktena left the Millers two of their most as a radio, telephone, and, later, a television, without raising
sacred charges: a small wolf pack that they have tended too many of the wrong eyebrows.
even when wolves were nearly hunted to extinction, and a The cave system is quite large and “airy,” making use of
Bane that the Uktena Theurges captured and bound years a few natural openings as windows to let in light and fresh
before the advent of the Europeans. The Millers keep these air. Trees and other vegetation conceal the openings from
two secrets with a seriousness of purpose that belies their casual viewers, though someone who knew what to look
easy-going, laid-back surface. for might spot signs of shaped or chiseled rock, particularly
The Miller Homestead near windows and doors.

Within the “house” are several spacious rooms, including
They never intended to dwell in a cutting-edge, eco-friend- a bedroom for each family member, guest rooms or alcoves,
ly, earth-sheltered home. The earliest Millers lived in a wood a natural “hot tub” that uses water naturally heated from
their homes. Like many men and women who live sufficient
to themselves, John (his public name) wears many hats, seem-
ingly with names for each role he plays within the household.
THE SECRET CAVE John (or John Jacob) Miller runs the family business when
A narrow passage, not easily navigable except he is not doing active duty as a Theurge for his nearby sept.
for those in Lupus form, leads from the main As Joe-Bob Miller, his neighbors know him as a taciturn,
cave system to a smaller cave. Uktena mystical but not unfriendly individual, who sometimes visits one of
symbols depicting the capture and binding of the local watering holes, shows up with his family in tow for
the Bane called Warps-the-Land, adorn one of community gatherings, such as house-raisings, funerals, pot-
the cave walls. In the center of the cave floor lies lucks, and the like, and occasionally allows folks to persuade
a circle barely visible to the eye in the material him to pull out his fiddle and entertain them with familiar
world. In the Umbra, this circle is a doorway to songs and the occasional original melodic composition.
the prison that holds Warps-the-Land bound in Members of his pack and his sept call him Eyes-of-the-
uneasy slumber and immobility. Three seals hold Forest, both to acknowledge his duty as bane-tender and
the doorway closed. his habit of searching for Lost Cubs or newly-Changed
Before the Uktena bound the Bane, the land lupus Garou.
suffered periodic severe earth tremors (measuring At home, his wife calls him “Husband” (as he calls her
4-5 on the Richter scale). Each tremor left some “Wife”) in public. His children call him Dad, or Daddy, and
sort of poison ground or plant in its wake. Left to his siblings call him ThreeJay. He derives some humor from
roam freely, it would have eventually corrupted the all his names, remarking that all those “people” who live
area for miles around, rendering it uninhabitable inside him help keep his magic honest. Though he seems laid
for anything other than Wyrm creatures. back, he is never still, always keeping busy with something.
He enjoys keeping up with events in the outside world as
The patriarch of the Miller family visits this
well as within the sept, but prefers to get his information
cave every three months to renew the bindings.
narrated by others. He reads a few old favorite books for
This ceremony requires a ceremonial bloodletting
pleasure. His favorite man-made object, other than his still,
(of the patriarch’s blood), the burning of certain
is a police-radio and scanner, which allows him to track all
herbs, and the recitation of prayers to the spirits
kinds of activity in his community.
of the rocks and land to renew the bindings.
John is a lean man in his early 50s, his body wiry without
John Miller has not yet told the secret of the an ounce of spare fat on him. He wears his sandy hair (now
cave and its contents to either of his sons. As soon showing signs of grey) long enough to cover his ears and
as Billy-Bob seems ready to take on some of the occasionally shoves it out of his eyes when it gets too long
responsibility for tending the Bane, however, John in front. He wears a ball cap or a well-worn fedora when
intends to bring him into the cave. he needs to. Jeans, work shirts, heavy flannel shirts, and
hunter’s jackets make up most of his wardrobe, along with
work boots and rope sandals, for inside the house. In wolf-
form, he is a tawny-colored wolf, rangy and “noble” looking.
deep within the earth. A river (actually a stream) literally His amber eyes speak of many secrets in any of his forms.
flows through the house, enabling not only indoor plumbing, Billie-Jean Mahoney Miller,
but supplying fresh mountain water for the family business,
located deep within the caverns.
the Matriarch
The matriarch of the Miller family, born Billie-Jean
The Miller Family Mahoney, married John Miller when she was 17 and he was
a few years older. When she was a senior in high school,
Detailed below are the major family members. The her parents took her with them one night to a meeting with
Storyteller or the players should create other children to fill another family, introduced her to John, and told her she
out the family according to their chronicle’s needs. was going to marry him as soon as she graduated. She had
John-Jacob Joe-Bob Miller, been promised to him years ago. Fortunately for her, she
the Patriarch (Garou) fell in love with John immediately, thinking he was a much
better catch than most of the boys she knew.
The family patriarch looks like a “mountain man,” like
Until she met her husband, Billie-Jean had no idea that
any you could find in the Carolina or Tennessee backwoods,
Garou existed or that she was Kinfolk. Her parents, unable to
the Ozarks, or just about any place where hillbillies make
decide how to explain themselves to their only child, simply
delayed having “the talk” with her. They left it up to John to Gaia. John-Jacob intends to initiate Billy-Bob into the ways
initiate his young wife into the mysteries of Kinfolk living. of bane-tending, but hopes he can have the experience of
All things considered, Billie-Jean took the knowledge pack life first.
quite well. After a few demonstrations, she believed the wild Billy-Bob is almost tall (around 5’10”) and gangly, with
story he told her. By the time she met the members of his straw-colored hair that occasionally sees a comb and usu-
sept and of his pack, she knew how to conduct herself. John ally hangs around his shoulders and falls into his eyes. He
told her to just be herself and all would be well. dresses for comfort. His eyes are a pale amber, not unlike
After high-school, she attended community college and John-Jacob’s eyes. John has never denied being Billy-Bob’s
got an accounting degree so she could manage the money natural father, but then, no one has ever asked the question
from the family’s moonshine business and from her own of him. Billy-Bob is smart, soaking up knowledge wherever
modest job as a seamstress extraordinaire. Any kind of he can find it. He speaks rarely, but always to the point,
needlework comes easily to her, and their house enjoys the often interprets things literally, and takes being a werewolf
beauty of her hand-crafted and designed quilts, blankets, very seriously. Although he looks almost twenty, Billy-Bob
embroidery and knotwork. is just two years old.
Happily, for John, she also excels at birthing children. John-Jacob Joe-Bob (“Junior”)
(Storytellers or players should feel free to add children to
this family as needed; only a few are detailed here.)
Miller, Jr., the First Born
Billie-Jean stands a few inches shorter than John, but At 17-years old, Junior Miller has the dubious title of
her natural poise and sense of dignity make her appear as first-born son. He still has at least a year of school to finish
tall as her husband, if not taller. Her dark hair is worn long, before he can get a high school diploma, but he champs
and usually coiled at her neck or piled high on her head. at the bit wanting to make his name as a grown-up. His
She dresses simply in clothes of her own make, and always “little” brother Billy Bob idolizes him and has learned a lot
looks “catalog” pretty. She carries a little more weight for of his human behavior from watching Junior interact with
her bony frame than she would like, but John enjoys the soft the family and with the people who come looking for the
“cushion” of her body. Her face shows years of hard work Miller’s fine brew.
and several children, but maintains a placid sweetness that Junior enjoys the adulation of his younger brother,
finds peace from within herself. She is religious, but not but finds himself more than a little jealous that the First
fanatically so. She enjoys singing the hymns from a copy of Change hasn’t come upon him, and may not ever take place
the Broadman Hymnal that she keeps by her upright piano. for him. Something in him insists on challenging Billy-Bob
to contests of skill or strength, from shooting tin cans off a
Billy-Bob Joe-John Miller (Garou) fence to seeing who can climb a tree the fastest. Occasionally,
John-Jacob had a “feeling” when he went into the woods Junior cheats to make sure he bests Billy-Bob, but the Garou
two years ago in search of the wolf pack that he regularly Cub either doesn’t notice it or ignores it, feeling that his
keeps an eye on. When he emerged from the woods several big brother ought to win every now and then.
days later, he had a young boy with him, a lanky youth in Junior knows that he cannot inherit his father’s Bane-
the long-legged, wild innocence of his early teens. He and tender duties unless he does undergo a First Change, but
Billie Jean named him Billy-Bob (after Billie Jean) Joe-John he does hope to take over the still at some point. So far he’s
(after John) and plopped him into the middle of their family. managed to keep his envy in line and the other members
Billy-Bob learned the ways of humans quickly, but he of the family try to keep him busy. But all that may change.
especially liked the ways of turning corn mash into fine, Junior is slightly smaller in build than his father, taking
smooth moonshine. He often spends time in the cavern after his mother in size and coloring. He usually wears jeans
that houses the still, listening to the sounds made by the and t-shirts or flannel shirts when around the house. He’s
machine as it works its magic on the corn. started to discover girls and frequently attends socials and
When John-Jacob introduced the Cub to his sept, they church dinners with his mother. When he does so, he takes
determined that Billy Bob was a Theurge, and John agreed more care of his appearance and seems to find favor in the
to teach his “son” the ways of the Crescent Moon. Within eyes of several young women his age.
a year, Billy Bob had mastered the basics, aced his Rite of
Rose Apple Miller,
Passage, and was ready to join with a pack. He has proved
reluctant to do so. He had a deep loyalty to his human family,
the Eldest Daughter
and to the business of making moonshine, and shows no Junior may be the first-born son, but he is not the oldest
inclination of wanting to leave yet another family. Both the of John-Jacob’s children. That honor goes to Rose, a young
sept and his adopted family are waiting, with mixed feelings, woman of elfin grace, her mother’s dark good looks and
for the time to come when he must leave to do battle for poise, and her father’s inner strength. When she was in
school, Rose found out her closest friend was being abused it short. For now, she wears it coiled high on her head or
by her father. Helpless to do anything about it, she told her tucked in under a scarf.
Story Seeds
parents what she thought was going on. A few weeks later,
her friend’s father had an accident that left him unable to
walk and without most of his strength. • The Rogue Suitor: Rose has fallen in love with a young
While Rose suspected that her father had something man she met after one of her presentations on preventing
to do with it, she never pushed matters, but the incident domestic abuse. What she doesn’t know is that the charming,
made her sensitive to instances of abuse she encountered solicitous young man is actually a Black Spiral Kinfolk who
elsewhere. A smart child, she went to college and got a de- thinks Rose would be a perfect mate. To complicate matters,
gree in education. Now she runs a school for the children in her family has already picked out a young Garou from her
the valley where her family lives. She also travels to nearby father’s pack as a good match for her. Instinctively, she has
towns to talk to family groups and school groups about rejected her parents’ choice and is ready to elope with her
domestic violence. boyfriend. The characters may be drawn into the search for
She realizes that, as a werewolf, her father has strong Rose or they may find out about her when they discover the
emotions and could potentially turn violent, so she has set Black Spiral Kinfolk. Romance and bloodshed may ensue.
herself to watch out for the signs. She has taken classes in • Lost and Found: The Miller’s moonshine enjoys
self-defense to protect herself from unwanted advances. a reputation for excellence, but occasionally they brew a
As the daughter of a Garou, Rose also knows that her special batch for special occasions, using water from the
father’s sept may expect her to marry one of their members. local sept’s caern along with their own pure river water.
She’s not sure how she feels about that, but tries to be patient. One such batch, intended for a special sept celebration,
She hopes she won’t find herself forced into a relationship has gone missing. The Millers are frantic to find it, since
she doesn’t want. they have no idea what effects this particularly potent and
Rose is a dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty in her early 20s. magical brew might have on the general population. The
She is slender and delicate looking without being anorexic. characters may have to search the mountains to find the
Self-defense class and hard work around the household have missing brew. Perhaps the thieves don’t know what they
strengthened her muscles, so that she is a match for many have and are just looking to sell some good moonshine at
of the boys she encounters. She hopes to go back to school top prices. Or perhaps they do know exactly what they have
for more degrees, but can’t make herself leave home yet. and have some special plans for it….
June Bird (“Birdy”) Miller, • Things Fall Apart: The wards that have held the
the Spinster Aunt Bane trapped beneath the Miller’s house have weakened.
The family first notices the proliferation of minor Wyrm
Birdy is John Jacob’s older sister. Closest to her brother spirits in the nearby Umbra, gathering around the Miller
in age, she has always felt closer to him than to any other household. Things start to go wrong around the house: food
member of the family. She makes her home in a small cabin that should still be fresh spoils; furniture and parts of the
not far from her brother’s cave-house. Here she raises the house made by the Miller family starts breaking down; bad
corn for the family business. smells linger around the deeper cave rooms. John-Jacob Sr.
Birdy is a hedge witch, or wise woman. She has a great realizes that something is happening with the Bane, but isn’t
store of knowledge about herbs and can brew up a potion sure what to do about it. He has neglected none of his duties,
for almost anything. Her brother insists she talks to the corn and neither has Billy-Bob, when he has accompanied his
to make it grow, and he’s not far from wrong. father. What the two Garou don’t know is that John-Jacob,
Birdy has never married, and while she knows that some Jr. has tried to copy what he’s seen his father do, and has
members of her brother’s sept are disturbed that she has no accidentally weakened the wards and negated some of the
interest in reproducing, they respect her for the magic she spells. While Kinfolk characters aren’t strong enough to
shares with them when they have need. fight the Bane, should it get loose, they can help figure out
She watches Rose carefully and is prepared to shelter what’s going on and get help, as well as battle some of the
her niece if she ever needs protection from an unwanted creatures summoned by the strengthening bane.
marriage. • Wolf on the Prowl: A two-year old wolf, a member
Birdy is a medium-sized, stout (but not fat) woman of the pack that the Millers tend, has undergone his First
in her mid-50s. She dresses in trousers for working in the Change and can’t handle it. Separated from the pack at the
cornfield, but wears dresses indoors. Her clothes are either time, he is now on the loose, panicked and dangerous. The
store-bought or made for her by Billie-Jean. Her long hair hunt is on to find him, and the Millers need the characters’
shows signs of graying and she is contemplating cutting help. The new Garou is causing havoc in the woods. Though

he has not yet slain any humans, each day he remains on to sanctuaries. Now the only animals they include in their
the loose, the danger grows. acts are the family pets, a small, but well-cared-for menagerie.
• Meet the Millers: Kinfolk player characters either
move to or visit the mountains where the Millers make Using the Craddocks
their home. They received the name of one of the Millers Because of their haunted nature, the Craddocks work
(Storyteller’s choice) as a good contact for the region, but best as lost Kinfolk of the Silent Striders, but they could
no other information was forthcoming. This is a chance just as easily come from Silver Fang or Shadow Lord stock,
for Storytellers to have some fun as the various layers of having their origins in Eastern Europe or Eurasia. They
the Millers’ complicated life slowly come to the surface: as could also have the blood of the Children of Gaia running
Kinfolk, as moonshiners, as Banetenders (the two Garou), through their veins.
and as kin to a practicing hedge witch. How the characters They have a wide variety of skills, though most of them
handle exposure to this Kinfolk family may involve serious tend toward physically active occupations. Though most of
confrontations, light romance, or mountain shenanigans. them have acts they perform for the circus, several also have
• Just Like in the Movie: Someone has ratted out the skills that allow them to take on temporary jobs wherever
Millers as suspected moonshiners, and the Feds are on the they stop for a while, usually several weeks. They are a gen-
search. The family has practiced dealing with this event, and erally friendly family, though they tend to keep other folks
need to dismantle and store their still, hide their stores, and from knowing more than a few surface facts about them.
erase any trace of their business. Above all, they need to keep Both sexes tend to have a “love ’em and leave ’em” attitude
the government men (and women) away from the cave with toward relationships, always falling back on the family, first,
the trapped Bane. Anything could go wrong — and at least last, and always.
one thing does. Enter the characters to save the day or add Player characters may encounter the family and get to
to the mayhem. This presents an ideal scenario for midnight know them. They may discover oddities about the family
car chases on twisty mountain roads, fast thinking and faster that eventually lead to identifying them as callow Kinfolk.
talking, fighting, shooting, and maybe some supernatural In this case, the characters may be responsible for finding
twists and turns. and restoring a welcome group of prodigals to the Garou
extended family.
The Long Strider The Family History

Traveling Circus: In 1919, Luiz Cradiscz immigrated with his family to
Off-Balance on
New York, from the new Hungarian Republic that followed
the end of the First World War. The depredations of the war
the Road (Callow) had ruined the family, turning a once-prosperous house of
performers into a group of starving beggars. At that time,
also, their patron, a distant relative who dropped in on them
Sometimes, a family of Kinfolk falls off the Garou
grid, becoming lost to their tribe. They lose touch with any from time to time and always made sure they had money
knowledge of their heritage, living their lives in ignorance and prestigious bookings, dropped out of sight. The family
of their true nature. The Garou call these “callow” Kinfolk. presumed him dead, another war casualty.
While they know many of these families are out there, no Eager to assimilate into the culture of their new home, the
one has come up with a good way to rediscover them, except family changed its name to Craddock and sought work in New
by accident. York City. The men of the family bounced from one temporary
The Craddock family lost its Garou connection a few menial job to another, while a few of the women got factory
decades ago and exists now mostly to keep the family together jobs that paid barely enough to keep a roof over their heads.
and soluble through their traveling circus. In this day and The children got involved in the street culture, and their parents
age, however, they have problems attracting audiences, and worried that they would grow up to be hoodlums or worse.
some family members think the family is cursed or haunted. A few years of hard times in the big city convinced the
Several times in their family history, they have tried to put family to return to their original livelihood, that of a travel-
down roots. Within a few months, however, circumstances ing circus. Elmer Craddock, the family patriarch, borrowed
or wanderlust causes them to take to the road again. They money to purchase some caravan vehicles and horses and
keep trying to modernize their circus acts, but somehow, they the Long Strider Traveling Circus was born.
remain on the “B” circuit, wondering if an “A” circuit even The early years of the Circus were good ones. The
exists. They have recently cut out their animal acts due to pres- Craddocks made enough money to pay back their loan
sure from animal rights groups, sending their exotic animals and expand the size of their caravan. They made their own

costumes, purchased more animals for their animal acts, to turn up in the most unlikely places. Family members heard
and joined the circuit of circuses and carnivals that provided strange noises at night, and occasionally they would discover
entertainment in the pre-television days. that someone had apparently rearranged their vehicles without
Over the years, the family periodically put down roots, disturbing any of them. More than once, several members of
settling in several states in the Midwest. Sooner or later, the family experienced the same dreams, disturbing pastiches
circumstances sent them on the road again. The Craddocks featuring headlong flight through dark forests or eerie chases
attempted to change their performances with the changing through mazes of buildings while some formless evil “thing”
times, but somehow the “big time” eluded them. pursued them. Most of the Craddocks felt as if someone were
When animal rights groups initiated their campaigns to watching them, not with benevolent intent.
stop the usage of animal acts in circuses, the Craddocks agreed This general sense of paranoia and malaise has been
to stop their exotic animal acts. They retired two elephants, the primary motivation for the family’s reluctance to retire
three aging tigers, and several monkeys, sending them to the circus and put down permanent roots, even though it
approved sanctuaries. They retained their family pets, several seems that the days of the circus life are numbered.
cats, a pair of guard dogs, and a family of Chihuahuas, as well
as their horses, which they incorporated in their acts with care The Craddock Homestead
to emphasize that the animals were not mistreated in any way. The Craddocks live in several motor homes, which, along
Today, the wagons have become a small fleet of pick- with their other vehicles, form the family caravan. When
ups, vans, horse trailers, and one semi, used to house the they stay in one place for any length of time, they make use
wagons they used for their parades into towns where they of campgrounds and RV parks, where they have occasional
had scheduled performances. contact with the denizens of those places.
The Family Flaw Currently, three families make up the Craddock house-
hold. Matthew Craddock, the family patriarch, lives with his
Over the years, the Craddocks noticed strange things hap- second wife Marina and their three young children in one
pening in and around their circus. Props would go missing, only
motor home. Matthew’s oldest son, Daniel, and his wife, curse.” Even Matthew’s wife, who saw his parents leave to
Olivia, along with their twin daughters and their infant pick him up, swore she saw what looked like a shadowy
son, occupy a second motor home. Cerise, Matthew’s oldest figure tailing after the pair as they got into the car. She now
daughter, her husband Alexander Paton, and their young believes she saw the ghost of one of them.
son Christopher live in a Winnebago, which also serves, due Matthew’s job with the circus consists of introducing the
to its size, as a general gathering place for the family when acts, acting as stage manager during the show, and keeping
meetings are necessary. the books, for which his accounting degree comes in handy.
Other Craddocks, aunts, uncles, cousins, and unspeci- He has recently completed certifications for driving most
fied relatives, have single campers, customized live-in vans, kinds of commercial vehicles, and has started taking online
or camp out in tents when the family stops over in a city. courses in household repairs and motor vehicle repairs.
Those who don’t perform, serve as drivers, maintenance, Matthew is in his late 40s, but the lines on his face add
and general crew for the family. another 10 years to his appearance. He has curly black (gray-
The Craddock Family ing) hair, olive skin, and pale amber eyes, sometimes called
“wolf eyes” by his family. He is clean-shaven, but needs to
The family members listed below make up only part of shave twice a day to stay that way. He works out and does his
the extended Craddock family. Feel free to add or subtract share of the physical work for the circus, so he enjoys good
family members as needed. health and a muscular physique. He tends to dress casually,
favoring dungarees, comfortable shoes, and turtlenecks or
Matthew Craddock, the Ringmaster shirts and sweaters. His features indicate strength, and he
Matthew Craddock has held the responsibility for the acts decisively where his family and the circus are concerned,
Craddock family as well as the traveling circus since the but discerning folks can sense a fragility beneath the sur-
deaths of his parents in a car accident three years ago, when face, as if he is desperately trying to keep one step ahead of
their truck went off an icy bridge as they were returning to everything to avoid falling apart. Matthew Craddock’s past
the circus’s winter campground near Columbus, Ohio. The continually haunts him.
deaths were ruled accidental, with several other traffic inci-
dents occurring that night. Matthew, who was a passenger
Marina Crayton Craddock,
at the time, was thrown clear of the vehicle, but both his the “Swan”
parents died on the scene. Marina Crayton married Matthew Craddock a year
Matthew lives with a survivor’s guilt, because he had after his first wife, Ramona, died from cancer. Marina was
requested a ride back to the circus that night after his plans a close friend of Ramona and had been maid of honor at
for an overnight stay in Columbus were canceled. His father her wedding to Matthew. When Ramona received the news
agreed to come for him outside a club near the hotel where that she had an aggressive form of cancer, she got in touch
he intended to stay that evening; at the last minute, his with Marina, asking her to stay and keep her company
mother decided to accompany her husband. through her final illness so that her husband would not have
What Matthew has not told anyone was that on the drive to choose between being with her and running the circus.
home, with snow and freezing rain interfering with vision, Ramona lived for just six months after her diagnosis, but
Matthew confessed to his parents that he had been seeing a by that time, Marina had come to feel part of the family. It
woman in Columbus and was intending on breaking up with was Ramona’s dying wish that her husband and Marina try
her after one last night together. She had decided otherwise to find happiness together, so a few months later, Marina
and left him abruptly, leaving him with wounded feelings and Matthew were married.
and no place to stay. He believes that his father was so upset At first, the two had trouble adjusting to life with one
that he should cheat on his wife of only a few years that he another and without Ramona. Marina felt that Ramona’s
failed to slow down crossing the bridge, despite warning ghost was constantly watching her to make sure she made
signs about early icing. Matthew happy, while Matthew felt that Ramona’s presence
Matthew does not believe he should have survived, but stood between him and his new wife. Though Marina doesn’t
has since dedicated himself obsessively to his wife and young know it, this was one of the reasons Matthew sought comfort
children, as well as to the circus. The thought that the circus outside his marriage in its early years.
might go under on his watch terrifies him, especially since Marina believes that it took the death of Matthew’s
he has known no other life. parents to instill in him the desire to make their marriage
Other family members and friends of his that do not work, and every night, she includes them in her prayers.
know what Matthew knows believe that the deaths of Adam Despite the difference in age (Matthew is 47 and Marina is
and Lenore happened as another instance of the “family 25), Marina loves Matthew and appreciates his devotion to
her and to the family. Most of all, she loves their children,
twin girls Tabitha and Talitha, nicknamed “Briar Rose” and Craddock. Olivia and Daniel grew up together, got into
“Snow Flower,” and their infant son, Adam, named after trouble together, and shared a love for taking risks.
Matthew’s father. A talented acrobat and horseback rider, Olivia has her
Marina studied ballet as a child and has incorporated own acts in the circus, and draws a crowd that enjoys not
her skills into her circus act. Billed as “The Swan,” Marina only beauty and skill, but the sight of a woman on horseback
performs a variation on “Swan Lake” that incorporates performing as one mystical creature. Together with Cerise,
ballet, gymnastics, and modern dance in a highly dramatic Daniel’s sister, the two women form a bareback duo that
solo performance that has lately become the highlight of consistently thrills the crowd.
the circus for the adults who attend its shows. As “The Firebird,” Olivia performs her acrobatic skills,
A talented seamstress as well, Marina helps with the incorporating the use of fire into several parts of her act.
costumes for the performers. She also does the bulk of the Unlike her husband, however, she always works with a net
cooking for the family, which has developed the habit of and keeps arguing for him to do likewise. Growing up has
eating communally to save time and money. inculcated a sense of responsibility for personal safety in her
Marina is tall and blonde, the ice princess to her hus- that apparently escaped her daredevil husband.
band’s swarthy earthen presence. She practices meditation, Olivia is a fiery red-head with the body of an athlete and
which enables her to wear a calm face regardless of what the face of an angel. She styles her long-red hair according to
is going on, though the antics of her children often make her act, wearing it in an elaborate up-do as “The Firebird,”
her laugh out loud. She dresses modestly and comfortably to keep it away from the flames, and wearing it long and
when not performing. As “The Swan,” she is an ethereally flowing or else in a long braid for her equestrian act. She
beautiful and desirable queen of the dance. is unable to conceal her feelings and is vocal about express-
ing her opinions, even when she thinks someone (i.e., her
Daniel Craddock, husband) is acting like a fool.
the “King of the High Trapeze”
Matthew’s son Daniel, now 25-years-old, was born Alan Paton, the “Leader of the Pack”
for the circus. Athletic and something of a daredevil as a Alan Paton always dreamed of being in a circus. He had
child, he became infatuated with the trapeze and high-wire a gift for hitting things — not so much other people — and not
acts in general. A lifelong fan of the Flying Wallendas, the with his fists, but with his throwing arm and his keen aim. An
German-born high-wire wizards who became stars of the expert knife thrower, crack shot with rifle, pistol, and bow and
Ringling Brothers circus despite a history of deadly falls. arrow, he took advantage of the arrival of the circus in his small
Determined to work in their tradition, Daniel studied the Minnesota town to pitch his expertise to the Craddocks. He
art of the high wire and the trapeze with anyone who had also spotted young Cerise Craddock and attracted her attention.
something to teach him. Adam Craddock hired him on the spot.
Like his heroes, Daniel works without a safety net, a con- While polishing his various acts, Alan also demon-
stant bone of contention between him and his wife, Olivia. strated his ability with the family animals, particularly the
His increasingly dangerous acts now serve as the primary dogs. Somehow, he was able to convince them to perform
draw for the circus, so that even if he wanted to play it safe, extraordinary tricks, such as jumping through fiery rings and
he would refuse in order to keep attracting an audience. walking across wires suspended in the air. Only someone
When he is not practicing or designing more-and-more extremely discerning in reading the language of animals
dangerous acts, Daniel helps maintain the fleet of vehicles could tell the obedience given by the dogs was due to their
and also assists with costuming, having a little knowledge fear of and intimidation by Paton.
gained from winters spent working for a tailor and from Although Alan and Cerise have been married for 13
high school home economics classes. years, their relationship is anything but smooth. Cerise
Daniel is a slightly smaller, wirier version of his father. puts a brave face on her feelings for her family, knowing
He wears his curly hair long and has lately taken to wearing that Alan has become a valuable part of the circus, but she
a mustache, though the jury is still out on that. He dresses has been the victim of Alan’s emotional and verbal abuse
in clothes that accentuate his superb physique, considering almost since the beginning. By strategically granting and
himself a walking advertisement for his act. He desperately withholding his affection and approval and using his skill
loves his wife, but he loves danger more. This may not bode with words to degrade Cerise when she acts without his
well for the future. approval or permission, he keeps her in a constant state of
nervous tension, ready to jump if anyone so much as touch-
Olivia Hines Craddock, the “Firebird” es her or speaks harshly to her. In all their years together,
Olivia Hines has loved Daniel for most of her life. Her Alan has never once touched Cerise physically to hurt her.
father, now deceased, was a longtime friend of Matthew Instead, he uses his physical attractiveness to dominate her,
making sure she realizes that she is his possession, and that Her solo act consists of a combination of dance
he could hurt her — or their son — anytime he so desired. movements and demonstrations of physical flexibility and
Cerise has never challenged him, nor has she spoken of it contortion to rival some of the top Chinese acrobats. She
to any of her family. obviously takes great pleasure in her accomplishments,
Alan’s most proud possession, however, is not Cerise relishing the accolades of the audience with a radiance that
but their son, Gideon. Alan takes great care to ensure that can only be genuine.
Gideon loves him totally and that the boy will do almost While Cerise receives praise through her performances,
anything to please his father. He practices great patience her personal life gains her nothing but emotional torture. In
and understanding with Gideon, in sharp contrast to his order to avoid the cruel, belittling remarks from her husband,
actions toward Cerise, and he has noticed that his son now and, now, even from her son, Cerise has learned to dress
tends to look at his mother with the same judgmental bias according to what Alan wants her to wear, speak only when
as Alan. Deep down, Alan knows he is preparing Gideon spoken to, eat sparingly to avoid accusations of becoming
for something. He just doesn’t yet know what it is. “too fat and ugly to perform,” and never to assume that
The truth of the matter would probably horrify Alan if any part of her life is free from criticism. She has become
he knew it. Not only has he married into a family of callow withdrawn and silent within the family, assuming a meekness
Kinfolk, he is, himself, a member of a family of Black Spiral that contrasts radically from the radiance she exhibits as a
Dancer Kinfolk, deliberately kept in innocence by the tribe performer or the shameless exuberance she demonstrated
and used to locate and seduce Kinfolk of other tribes in as a child. Cerise doesn’t even allow herself the release of
search of more Black Spirals. Alan’s “handler” is a Black tears, lest Alan hear her and subject her to another one of
Spiral Theurge, who uses his Gifts to coerce Alan from a his derisive tirades for her emotional weakness. She has re-
distance to take certain actions. From childhood, Alan has cently contemplated suicide, but the thought horrifies her.
been conditioned to act in certain ways, developing his Still, sometimes it seems that anything would be preferable
subtle style of abuse to a fine point. A tour of duty in the to the life she lives now.
army, after going to sniper school during training, honed
Tabitha Craddock (“Briar Rose”)
not only his skill with ranged weapons, but his ability to
take lives without qualms when necessary. and Talitha Craddock (“Snow Flower”)
Alan Paton is a lean, wiry man in his late 30s, with brown Although they are still toddlers, the two-year-old twin
hair, worn army-short, handsome, but angular sharp features, daughter of Daniel and Olivia Craddock already demonstrate
and piercing dark brown eyes. He exudes a feral magnetism both an uncanny intelligence and an eerie ability to com-
that draws people of both sexes to him and allows him to municate with one another without speaking. In addition,
influence them without appearing to give them anything they show no fear of animals and seem to understand them
for their efforts except for a grudging nod of approval. He innately. The dogs, cats, and horses of the family likewise
dresses in black, both for its dramatic sense and because he regard the pair of toddlers as beings that need protection
looks his best in very dark colors. and worthy of affection. What they will become remains
to be seen.
Cerise Craddock Paton,
“Princess of the Dance” Gideon Paton (The Troubled Child)
Matthew’s first-born, and Daniel’s older sister by six At 11-years-old, Gideon Paton has already displayed
years, Cerise lives to dance. In her younger years, she want- a great interest in the family business, although he longs
ed nothing more than to be a classical ballet dancer, but for the days when the big animal acts were in demand. He
the family’s peripatetic life style made studying at any one understands that animals shouldn’t be mistreated, but he
place an impossibility. Nevertheless, Cerise took lessons has a fascination for the big cats, bears of all kinds, and,
whenever she could, encouraged by parents who saw the most especially, wolves. Lately, he has begun having strange
usefulness of her growing talent as both a dancer and a dreams and has developed a craving for raw meats of all
fledgling contortionist. kinds. He found bliss when he discovered sushi, at age 6,
but now that he has had his first taste of steak tartare, he
Cerise’s love of animals and her affinity for the family
feels he can never go back to medium rare again. He has
cats has enabled her to create a humorous “cat act” that
fantasies of being a big predator, and sometimes acts out
has proven to be one of the lighter highlights of the circus.
stalking his prey (the family dogs and cats) during play times.
Using costuming and tricks, she coaxes the cats to maneuver
He is learning tumbling and acrobatics, but really wants to
through a series of obstacles, walk on their hind paws, and
learn to fight.
generally charm anyone who has ever fallen for silly cat videos.
Together with her sister-in-law, Olivia, Cerise also performs Gideon takes after the Craddocks’ side of his family,
on horseback, to the thrill of the audience. for the most part. With a wiry build, dark curls, and an

olive complexion, he already shows signs of becoming a very Garou’s search for the Craddocks involves doing battle with
handsome man. From his father, Gideon has inherited a the spirits placed to watch the family by the Black Spirals
judgmental streak, particularly toward his mother, whom before they can locate the Craddocks and spirit Gideon to
he now sees through his father’s eyes. He does not yet safety — and perhaps inform the Craddocks of their proper
understand everything he feels emotionally about his par- place in Garou society.
ents, but he knows that he will do anything for his father’s • As the Wyrm Turns: In another ghostly variant, the
approval, and that his mother is a weak individual without instances of Craddock family hauntings increase dramati-
any fighting spirit. While his parents believe he is a happy cally, with Matthew as their focus. Despite the difficulty in
child, Gideon is troubled by his dreams and by the feeling tracking down family history, due to their transient lifestyle,
that something in his short life is about to end. members of the family, or perhaps Matthew himself, may
Story Seeds try to discover information regarding the death of his par-
ents, something for which Matthew blames himself. When
• All in the Family: One night, after the circus’ last he uncovers actual information from police and, possibly,
performance in a small town, the howling of the dogs alerts hospital records, he discovers that his parents’ death was
the family to something wrong. The family’s search for the not accidental, but instead was the product of an unknown
reason for the disturbance results in the discovery of Cerise’s perpetrator. Attempts to track down the murderer after so
body, lying in the stall of her favorite horse, an empty bottle many years may ultimately lead to the discovery of a true
of sleeping pills still in her hands. She is barely breathing, supernatural connection in the family’s history and to their
and can be saved, depending on the family’s actions. This eventual outing as a family of Kinfolk. This type of chronicle
leads to an attempt to discover what led her to this dark could take the form of a mystery or a police procedural, until
place. Resulting investigations might alert the family to the the Wyrm spirits and werewolves responsible for the crime
hidden abuse going on in their midst. The outward ripples come to light. Fans of the Supernatural TV series might enjoy
(the possibility that Cerise may seek counseling; Alan’s re- a combination of mystery and horror.
luctance to do the same; suspicions of murder if Cerise dies) • The Return of the Wolf: Either through the Silver
may alert either local Garou or the Black Spiral watchers Fangs’ genealogical information network or through dabbling
(or both) of the Craddocks’ existence. The family may be in social media’s ancestry websites, a Garou has turned up
in for a supernatural surprise. the Craddock name as one that formerly belongs to her
• The Haunting: The eerie happenings that have sur- tribe’s Kinfolk. Now the game is afoot, as Garou involve
rounded the Craddocks suddenly takes a frightening turn: Kenning Kinfolk in a search for the lost family. Once the
the toddler twins, Tabitha and Talitha, suddenly assume Garou locate the Craddocks, they must decide how to break
their pet names for real, insisting that they are Briar Rose the news. Kinfolk might come in handy as go-betweens until
and Snow White. At first the family may believe that the the inevitable “show-and-tell” session. This story enables
duo has contracted a case of “princess fever” and that the Storyteller and players to focus on how callow Kinfolk
phase will soon pass. When the twins seem to be at the become Kenning.
center of a metaphysical whirlwind of poltergeist effects,
exhibitions of glossolalia, actual power over the animals,
and other supernatural effects, the family may seek outside The Garrisons:
help for their problem. Child psychologists prove to be a
dead end. The family may seek an exorcism, but find that Birds Without Borders
the usual kind doesn’t work either. The situation threatens
to get out of hand, alerting the supernatural community of (Kenning)
trouble brewing on the fringes of their society. This might be To call the Garrison Family “professional Kinfolk” would
the seed for a cross-over chronicle involving Garou, mages, be both literally and metaphorically true. For generations,
Changelings, and wraiths — even vampires — in a race to their line has faithfully served the Corax – specifically the
find a solution and assert a claim on these tiny sources of Hermetic Order of the Swift Light — in whatever way each
immense power. individual family member was best suited for. In the past,
• Return of the Lost Flock: A Garou pack starts having they’ve been warriors and wheelwrights, torturers and tax
strange dreams, in which people they have never seen before collectors, smugglers, scribes, and stevedores. Modern times
seem to cry out for help. These oddities persist until one are no different; the skill sets have just changed over the years.
evening, during a moot called to discuss the matter, a Fetch Now the Garrisons fill (for the most part) white collar
appears with news of a Firsting. The only problem is that professions for the Order: teachers, scientists, bankers,
the Fetch can provide little information as to the location of lawyers, information technologists. They’re part of the infra-
the family involved, since something is now blocking it. The structure that keeps the First World running, and through
their extended network, provide valuable services and access resulted in decreased fertility rates in the family line — and
to vital information for their Corax kin. the (more than) occasional mental quirk.
The Garrisons have their own motivations, desires, For years, these facts have gone largely ignored by the
shortcomings, and secrets as well. Those who can aid a Garrison patriarchy, although not by the Corax themselves,
Garrison in achieving those may well find themselves with who have seen fit to bestow the gift of becoming Corax
an ally for life, but no alliance is without its own strings, less and less often on the genetically-weakened family line.
and the Garrison nest is a sticky wicket indeed. Earlier generations ignored this slight, or blamed it on other
Using the Garrisons

factors. The current family, however, has chosen to take
matters into their own hands.
While the Garrison’s primary loyalty is to the Corax, Desperate to strengthen his decaying line (and perhaps
others who are able to persuade them of similar goals may restore the favor of being chosen for the Rite of the Spirit
find them to be a strong resource both for professional Egg upon his progeny once more), Isaac Garrison has taken
services and for information. As long as the tasks do not action in both overt and covert fashions. He pulled in favors
threaten to discredit them in the eyes of their shapeshifting to bind his line with that of the Gillani’s, a strong Kinfolk
relatives, convincing the Kinfolk family to aid in tasks in Corax family from Southern Asia, and rumors have it that
Gaia’s service won’t be difficult. this was neither the first nor the most significant strings
As their various assignments for the Hermetic Order the patriarch has pulled to attempt to restore his family’s
of Swift Light bring them into contact with a wide variety suitability in the eyes of their shapeshifting relatives. Ironi-
of information sources, the Garrisons could easily serve cally, it was not his actions but his daughter-in-law’s which
(singularly or as a group) as Contacts, serving up plot hooks granted the family their first latent-Corax in generations.
to lead the protagonists into adventure. As Allies, they have
a diverse set of professional Skills that could be useful to The Family Secret
the Garou or other Changing Breeds, assuming those who A family like the Garrisons is rife with secrets. Some are
seek their aid win the Kinfolk’s loyalty (or make it worth widely suspected but not spoken of. Among these is the fact
their while). that Ethan is not Isaac’s son by blood. Anyone seeing the
However, the Garrisons are proud, and insults to them- feeble physicality of Isaac, John, and virtually every other
selves or their family will not be taken lightly. Those who member of the Garrison line over the past few generations
treat them as less than valuable because they are not shape- might suspect that perhaps some fresh blood had made it
shifters will find their requests for aid stoically stonewalled. into Ethan’s genetic makeup. The true secret, however, is
While the Garrisons are “good guys,” player characters not that Isaac was cuckolded, but that he orchestrated the
might find themselves at odds with the family as well. The arrangement himself, in an early attempt to renew his family
Garrisons take their duties extremely seriously, so if tasked line. The details are known only to Isaac and his late wife,
with gathering information about the player characters, or but Isaac considered the “experiment” a success, initially. As
taking action against them, the Kinfolk will do everything the boy began demonstrating rebellion and poor intellect,
in their power to succeed. As well, if they are treated poorly however, Isaac reconsidered his original assessment, and
as allies, they will not hesitate to retaliate. While they may moved forward with plans for the next generation instead.
be “merely” Kinfolk, the Garrisons are, to a person, strong-
willed personalities, and as kenning Kin they’ve got a good The Garrison Homestead
idea about how to defend themselves and their own against Due to the nature of their various careers, the Garrisons
those they deem as threats. They will not hesitate to pull spend a lot of time scattered around the globe, but “home”
strings, calling in favors from past allies, or use their vast is a century-old farmhouse surrounded by five acres of
array of professional skills to make life very inconvenient farmland and forest. Isaac’s great-great-grandfather had the
for those who do them wrong. house built shortly after the turn of the century, and mul-
Family History tiple generations of Garrisons have settled in it ever since.

John and Jacob live there now, along with John’s brother,
The Garrison line originates in the British Isles, and the Ethan, and Ethan’s wife, Tara, who moved in shortly after
Garrison family in the United States can trace their lineage Mahnaz was assigned to field research.
back to the Mayflower, a fact they are exceedingly proud of. Isaac’s mobility no longer allows him to navigate the
Unfortunately, that pride has encouraged them to engineer multi-story dwelling, and his pride won’t allow him to install
marriages predominantly from within suitable (i.e., equally- stair-lifts or other devices that might make doing so possible.
as-pure Corax Kinfolk) bloodlines. These arranged unions, Instead, he’s taken a ground-floor flat in the nearby city,
generation after generation of narrowed genetic pools, have from which he continues to manage the Garrison clan.

Saradar still owns a luxury top-floor condo in Karachi, Regardless of how it came to be, John loves Mahnaz and
Pakistan (along with multiple investment properties around their son with all his heart. He’s a dedicated father, and when
the world), although he moved to the United States after Mahnaz was given an out-of-state field assignment recently,
his recent retirement, to be closer to his daughter and only he arranged to do the majority of his work by telecommute,
grandchild. Spry for his age, and in wonderful health, he still to spend more time with their son.
travels extensively, and contracts with his former employer
for consultant work even post-retirement. Dr. Mahnaz Garrison,
the Environmental Expert
The Garrison Family Mahnaz was born in Karachi, Pakistan, to a well-to-do
professional family. Her father was an investment banker,
Isaac Garrison, her mother a corporate lawyer, and as their only child,
the Forward Thinking Patriarch Mahnaz grew up with every advantage. After her mother’s
Isaac’s childhood home had been built to house dozens “accidental” death, Mahnaz spent her teens and early twen-
of children, although even a century ago, that prospect was ties studying in Great Britain, before moving to the United
more hopeful than likely. Years of inbreeding has cursed the States to complete her Doctorate in Environmental Studies.
Garrison line with infertility, poor health, and other genetic An avid student, Mahnaz is solemn by nature, a quiet
challenges. By the time he was born, his parents (an arranged counterpart to her husband’s comedic personality. Her
marriage between second cousins) were both only-children, college relationship with Coyle was a brief period of impetu-
and Isaac himself was born only after his mother had suffered ousness, and one she’s never mentioned to John, even after
through numerous miscarriages, several stillbirths, and the the Corax re-entered their life after Jacob’s birth.
death of his elder sister in infancy. Mahnaz met and fell in love with John Garrison at
Isaac’s family indoctrinated him to his duty in his university, introduced by seemingly random circumstances
childhood, and Isaac took his responsibilities seriously. that were actually engineered by Isaac without his son’s
He married the distant relative they arranged for him, and knowledge. The two married soon after graduation, and
grew to respect, if not particularly love, his bride. Seeing her their son, Jacob, was born a few years later.
suffer challenges similar to those that plagued his mother A talented scientist, Mahnaz has recently been assigned
in pregnancy and child-bearing, Isaac decided that the past to a year-long field study, a job which in truth consists of in-
methods of ensuring genetic purity were actually hurting the stalling remote sensors to monitor suspected environmental
family, and set about finding a means to ensure his family tampering by Pentex agencies. She hates being apart from
line’s continuation and undo some of the harm done by her family, and keeps in touch via regular video chats and
previous generations. phone calls.
John Garrison, the Tech Geek Jacob Garrison, the Latent Corax
John was born dangerously premature, and has always Most parents believe their child is something special, but
been a sickly, stunted child. His intellect, however, was strong, in Mahnaz and John’s case, they know it to be true. Coyle,
as was his cheerful demeanor. Unfortunately, neither was a “friend” from Mahnaz’ youth, bestowed a high honor
enough to truly win him the appreciation of his stern and upon the young Kinfolk: The Rite of the Spirit Egg. Since
authoritative father. then, the family has watched with bated breath for the boy
From the moment of his brother’s birth, John lived to begin showing signs of his First Change.
physically in the shadow of his younger-but-stronger sibling. Jacob’s a good kid. Like both parents, he’s slim, although
Surprisingly, however, this didn’t sour the elder; John not at 11 it’s manifesting as all knees and elbows. He’s smart,
only idolizes Ethan, but developed his own (often self-dep- but has increasing difficulty paying attention in class, so
recating) sense of humor about being rescued and protected his grades are suffering. His teachers have recommended
from bullies by the younger Garrison brother. testing for ADHD, but his family believes it’s simply the
Years spent reading, studying, and tinkering with com- early signs of the spirit egg preparing to hatch and unleash
puter bits eventually evolved into a full-ride scholarship to his new destiny.
MIT and a successful career in Information Technology
working for one of the Hermetic Order of Swift Light’s
Ethan Garrison, the Rebel
satellite companies. John met Mahnaz while both were No matter how dedicated a family line, there’s always
studying on the East Coast, and has no idea that their rela- got to be one member who doesn’t buy the company line.
tionship was carefully orchestrated and cultivated by Isaac Ethan is that, in spades. The sole athlete in a family of
and whatever mundane and supernatural favors he could intellectuals, Ethan focused on the physical, excelling in
pull in from past allies. sports and developing into a bit of a bully. He made it

through high school on charm and cheating, and won a
full scholarship for football to a state university afterwards.
Poor grades and a poorer attitude endangered his college
career from his first semester, however, and by the time he
tested positive for recreational drugs in his sophomore year,
even his coach wasn’t sad to see him go. He’s been bouncing
around temporary jobs, doing security work and acting as
hired muscle for the Order ever since.
Ethan wasn’t supposed to marry Tara, who isn’t Kinfolk
and knows nothing about the Corax or the Garrison’s duty.
Showing up at the family home with his new bride in tow
infuriated his father, who had planned to orchestrate his
younger son’s marriage just as he had the elder’s. The two
barely speak, although this isn’t a new occurrence.
Tara Garrison, the Callow Kin
Unlike the rest of the Garrisons, Tara’s not Kinfolk
to the Corax. In fact, she doesn’t even know they exist.
Ethan married her as much to spite his family (specifically
his father) as for any other reason. There’s not a lot of love
lost between her and her husband; their whirlwind romance
turned sour before she and Ethan showed up at the Garrison
homestead, and only her gold-digging nature is keeping her
there at the moment.
Like her husband, Tara drinks a lot, and prefers to spend
her evenings out at local bars. She’s already run afoul of
the local police on multiple drunk-driving incidents and if
Isaac hadn’t pulled some strings to get the charges dropped,
she’d likely be behind bars.
Saradar Gillani,
the Concerned Father-In-Law
Like the Garrisons, Saradar Gillani’s family line has
knowingly served the Corax for generation upon generation.
His late wife, Mahnaz’ mother, came from a similar line, and
their marriage was an arranged one to better connect the
two South Asian Kinfolk lineages. In time, Saradar and his
wife came to deeply respect and care for one another, but
he always hoped that his daughter would find a partner
who she truly loved.
Both Gillani, an investment banker, and his late wife,
a corporate lawyer, worked their entire adult lives for the
Hermetic Order of Swift Light in the Pakistani city of
Karachi, although through a convoluted series of holding
companies and conglomerate subsidiaries that even the
canniest bureaucrat would have had a hard time proving
any allegiance between their employers.
When Mahnaz was in her late teens, her mother was
killed in what was officially labeled a random outburst of
political violence between anti-religious activists and local
security forces, but Gillani, knew better. His wife had been
charged with heading efforts to close down a Pentex-affiliate
that had set up new headquarters in Pakistan, and her work,
while nominally successful, had resulted in an assassination believe him, so he sets out to prove his suspicions, enlisting
order. To protect young Mahnaz, after her mother’s funeral, the help of player characters knowledgeable in the mystic
Gillani sent his daughter to boarding school in London, but arts to undo whatever magic holds sway over his daughter.
not before sharing the family’s history (and its duty) with her. • Slip of the Lip – During a visit to check in on Jacob, Coyle
Upon retiring recently, Gillani moved to the United lets slip about her previous relationship with Mahnaz, not only in
States to be nearer to his daughter and only grandchild. He front of John, but the entire family. How strong are the Kinfolk’s
has been very hands-off with the Garrisons thus far, although need to keep the good graces of the only Corax who has seen fit
he is beginning to suspect that Isaac, his counterpart in the to bestow the Rite of the Spirit Egg on their line in generations?
Garrison hierarchy, may well be more devious and ruthless And how will this affect Mahnaz’ relationship with her husband,
than the rest of his family suspects. father-in-law, and father upon her return from the field?
Coyle, the Guardian (Corax) • Running into Trouble – Tara gets in yet another drunk
driving accident – this time with the player characters. She
Although not a member of the Garrison family, per se, is severely injured, as are both vehicles. How will the Garri-
Coyle’s fate is interwoven with theirs. She has performed sons cover up the accident, and what kind of conflict will
the Rite of the Spirit Egg on Jacob (with Mahnaz and John’s this bring them into with the victims of Tara’s recklessness?
blessing), and checks in with the lad as often as her duties
The Grinders:
to the Hermetic Order allow.
Coyle was rescued by Mahnaz while the Kinfolk was
Drugs and Violence

still in school in Great Britain. After the corvid Corax was
bitten by a plague-bearing wererat during an investigation
in the sewers beneath the city, Mahnaz nursed the bird
back to health, and the two became lovers for a brief and
tumultuous time during Mahnaz’ early university years. The
(Callow)
Offspring of a half-dozen renegade Ratkin, this street
relationship, however, was doomed, in no small part due to gang deals in drugs, human trafficking, gun-running, and
the incompatibility caused by Coyle’s inhuman temperament general terror. When their patriarch realized his options
and trickster attitude, and Mahnaz’ serious nature. Despite were limited as a homid Ratkin, he took destiny into his
their breakup, the pair remained friends even after Mahnaz own hands and created his own army of followers completely
moved to the United States to finish her schooling. and fanatically devoted to him and his cause.
While John knows about Mahnaz saving Coyle’s life, Unlike most Kinfolk “families,” the Grinders aren’t
and suspects it to be a factor in the wereraven gifting Jacob all related by blood; instead they’ve been carefully gleaned
with a spirit egg, he remains unaware of the depths of his from a narrow genetic pool for their loyalty to the gang’s
wife’s past relationship with the Corax. patriarch, their commitment to the family culture, and their
Story Seeds sociopathic willingness to kill or die for the group. Whether
serving as enforcers, money-makers, spies, or breeders, every
• Friend of the Family – One of the player character’s surviving Grinder has a role within the gang, and has been
father develops a terminal disease, and on their death bed raised from birth to fulfill it.
admits a secret to their offspring: thirty some years ago, Even the best laid plans go astray, however. Their leader
during a period of poverty, he was hired to sire a child for may have succeeded in creating his cohort of Kinfolk, but
an infertile couple. Now, as his dying wish, he wants his no reign lasts forever. As his minions grow stronger, and
child to track down the child of that transaction, and make his power over them wanes, he may discover his family’s
certain they are taken care of. All evidence points to that carefully cultivated brutality directed back at their maker.
Using The Grinders

child being Ethan Garrison.
• Gone Without a Trace – After months of daily
remote check-ins, Mahnaz stops contacting the family, and Insane and violent, the Grinders would make great
calls to her go unanswered. Her employer assures the family recurring antagonists for an urban story arc. Considering
that the problem is purely technical, but when days turn to themselves apex predators of the street culture, they’re
weeks, the Garrisons seek aid from any source possible to sure to run afoul of just about any player character group
track down what’s happened to their beloved family member. eventually. Well-intending player characters might think
• Arranged Marriage – Saradar Gillani discovers Isaac’s that this “human” street gang is a simple challenge, before
influences on his daughter’s marriage to John Garrison, discovering the Grinders to be much more than they seem.
and suspects that her feelings may have been entirely cre- While Ratkin Kinfolk may not be a long-term challenge
ated through supernatural means. She, of course, does not for shapeshifters and other creatures with supernatural pow-

Family History
DRAWING THE LINE The Grinders were originally a gang of homid Ratkin,
led by a young Knife Skulker named Twitch. As a homid
Although the vast majority of the Grinders wererat, Twitch was distrusted and mistreated and realized
remain callow, that doesn’t mean the Ratkin don’t quickly that he was going nowhere within the ranks of
use them. Even after building his own criminal Ratkin society. No matter how brutal, how cut-throat, how
army, Twitch still yearns for the approval of wer- loyal he was, he’d never be fully trusted by those in charge.
erat society, an obsession that makes him easy to He formed a small gang with other homid Ratkin in simi-
manipulate for their purposes. When the wererat lar positions but realized that, even working together, they
elders need meat shields, disposable operatives, or would never amount to much in the eyes of their distrustful,
bullet fodder, they’re likely to nudge Twitch to send shifting relatives. As the original Grinders began falling
his Kinfolk in whatever direction necessary. And, apart, Twitch desperately struggled with a way to retain
if they feel his little army is growing too strong, power and relevance.
they may well invent “necessary” tasks, just to thin
More than a little insane, Twitch had the idea to literally
Twitch’s herd down to an acceptable level.
breed himself the next generation of Grinders: his own army
While the Ratkin encourage the Grinders’ of loyal followers, faithful minions, and meat shields willing
destructive rampages, they do draw the line at ac- to die for him and the causes he raised them to believe in.
tivity that directly serves the Wyrm or the Weaver. With the aid of almost two dozen human women — none
Bombs, chemical weapons, and explosives are fine; of whom were informed about his nature or what their
if The Grinders dabble in Wyrm- or Weaver-tainted offspring were in for — Twitch has fathered more than a
weaponry, the rat nation will definitely find a way hundred Ratkin Kinfolk over the last 35 years. Between
to put an end to it (and them). himself and the original Grinders, they are responsible for
Not above using the rest of Gaia’s children to siring every existing member of the current gang.
do their dirty work, this might even entail bringing Local Ratkin see the Grinders as little more than a suicide
the Grinders to the attention of the Garou, and squad to be pointed in whatever direction requires mindless
letting nature sort itself out. violence. Having been groomed for loyalty for decades by Twitch
makes the gang simple to direct; if convinced a given target is
a threat or detriment to the gang, the family becomes a fire-
and-forget weapon just waiting for Twitch to pull the trigger.
ers, the Grinders’ savvy, speed, strength, and numbers make
them as difficult to ferret out as their shapeshifting kin. And,
The Family Secret
when the scales start to tip too far against the Grinders, those From the outside, the changing of the guard for the
supernatural relatives are likely to step in. While the Ratkin see Grinders looked organic. In a world built on violence,
this army of human Kinfolk to be nothing more than cannon power-grabbing, and criminal activity, death happens. He
fodder — completely acceptable casualties in their own agendas who lives by the 9-millimeter, more than likely dies by the
— the Grinders are their cannon fodder. The wererats are likely 9-millimeter, and usually in a rather messy fashion. So, for
to take umbrage to direct attacks against them, and they’ll likely five out of the six original Grinders to die over the course
get involved in any outside efforts to wipe the gang out. of 20 years isn’t particularly surprising.
The Grinders aren’t big on helping, unless it’s going to What isn’t immediately obvious from the outside,
further their leader’s agendas, but that doesn’t mean their however, is that Twitch specifically engineered each of the
role has to be entirely antagonistic. They’re cut-throat (often other original gang member’s deaths. After using them for
literally), violent, and utterly indoctrinated into their own long enough to ensure the first generation of his Kinfolk
sub-culture from such an early age that mainstream morality family members were old enough to step in and begin tak-
means almost nothing to them, which can make them useful ing over, his original crew members were potential threats,
tools to accomplish tasks too gruesome, violent, or morally and as such, Twitch made certain they were dealt with. As
repugnant for the average street thug. In those arenas, they well, any members of bloodlines other than Twitch’s who
could be allies to the player characters, at least in the short retained a sense of loyalty to their family over the gang as
term. Convince them that it’s in their best interest, and a whole have been snuffed out as well. Even Twitch’s own
the entire psychotic family could serve as criminal Allies or offspring (or their kids, as decades passed) were not exempt
underground Contacts. Remember, however, their ultimate from the culling, if they didn’t conform closely enough to
loyalty will always be to themselves and their own. the gang leader’s concept of personal fealty.

Some were framed for crimes against the gang, and Some of Twitch’s offspring are simply incapable of obey-
Twitch executed them under the guise of justice. Others ing the rules of the House, and choose to avoid it altogether.
were killed in carefully orchestrated accidents, sabotaged and But for the very young, or those capable of coping with the
left for the gang’s enemies to finish off, or sent on missions contradiction between their life “outside” and the behavior
they had no hope of succeeding at. By the time Twitch’s expected of them at Gina’s, the House is an inviolate oasis
eldest surviving son, Jojo, was ready to take his place at the in an otherwise insane world.
head of the gang, the active members, blood-family or no, Outside of Gina’s house, the gang has dozens of apart-
were all 100% loyal to Twitch and the macabre culture he’d ments and warehouse facilities that they maintain for various
created for the Grinders. purposes within their territory of town. Some are lesser (and
The Grinder’s Homestead more transient) versions of Mama Gina’s: places where vari-
ous women still raise Twitch’s half-Ratkin offspring, ensuring
The closest thing the Grinders have to a family home- future generations for the gang. Others are flop houses, where
stead is Mama Gina’s place. It’s not fancy, or in a great adult gang members live, with accommodations varying
neighborhood, and the house takes up almost every inch depending on the individuals’ current favor with the gang.
of the lot, but there’s a half-dozen bedrooms which often There are sites used for receiving shipments of contraband,
house a dozen or more children, teens, and young adults. cribs used for prostitution, drug processing and packaging
It’s well maintained; Gina believes in a strong work-ethic, locations, and business fronts that look legitimate but are
making do with what you have, and learning the skills you used as a façade for illegal activities.
need from an early age.
Gina’s got some strict rules for her house, and as the The Grinders
unquestioned matriarch of Twitch’s brood, he allows her a
Twitch: the Self-Proclaimed
lot of latitude in enforcing them. No criminal activities are
condoned under Mama Gina’s roof. No disrespect is allowed; Rat King (Ratkin)
backtalk is met with a backhand, and repeat offenses result Scrawny and premature, born to a heroin-addict Ratkin
in exile from the house entirely. Profanity is forbidden, as Kinfolk and her dealer, Michael “Mikey” Davis started out life
are alcohol and drugs. Physical violence (except for that with the odds stacked against him. By the time his mother
brought down on those who violate her rules) is right out. knew Mikey was on the way, his father was already dead, and

the double-blow of losing her common-law husband (and that his father is taking a more hands-off role. Taller than
her source for drugs) and finding herself pregnant pushed his dad by over a foot (a legacy of his mother, Gina), Jojo
her even further into her addiction. is muscular enough to put the smackdown on any would-
Born 10 weeks early, with no medical care, Mikey be challengers. He took the reins of the Grinders with his
shouldn’t have lived. But something in him refused to give father’s blessing and assistance, deposing Twitch’s former
in to death. The boy essentially raised himself, learning “lieutenant” when it was discovered that the son of one of
quickly to steal food and supplies to take care of himself the other original Ratkin members was double-dealing on
when his mother couldn’t. He used school mostly to avoid the Grinders with a rival gang. Jojo is aware that the charges
the nearly-condemned building they lived in, and the in- against his predecessor were fake, but that didn’t stop him
creasingly insane mother who ruled the roost there. When from carrying out the execution when Twitch ordered it.
she died, the rats found her before he did. Discovering her Jojo is his father’s son in more than one way. His
partially consumed body sent the always-unsettled kid over aspirations stretch far beyond serving as a loyal lapdog for
the edge and spawned a nervous tic that earned him the his father. There will come a day – sooner rather than later
nickname “Twitch.” – when Jojo lives up to his father’s legacy, and the entire
The local Ratkin infected the boy when he was twelve, Grinder gang will be his.
as much to rid themselves of him as anything else. To their
surprise, he not only survived the Birthing Plague and ensuing
Shaggy: the Hookup
First Change, once the initial waves of madness subsided, If a customer wants it, Shaggy knows a guy who knows a
Twitch seemed somehow more calm than he’d been before. guy who can get it for them. Meth, Uzis, imported “brides,”
In truth, however, his tranquility was actually just an chop-shop parts, or illegally imported cigarettes, Shaggy’s got
obsessive focus on his own prosperity and survival – at any connections on anything The Grinders or their clientele
cost. That obsession led him to create the Grinders, a legacy might possibly want.
which will surely outlive the now-aging Ratkin. Shaggy’s sampled more than his fair share of the illicit
While Twitch is still the patriarch of the Grinders, substances that he specializes in trafficking, lending him
he isn’t as hands-on with the gang as in the past. At 52, the burn-out personality that prompted his nickname. But
Twitch is ancient for a Ratkin (and for a gang-member). when it comes to remembering sources, numbers, rates of
His age, injuries, and years of indulging in all of the fringe exchange and profit margins, he’s a prodigy.
benefits of being top dog has left Twitch slow, fat, and ripe Zee-Dub: the Bottom Bitch
for replacement.
Prostitution is a profitable enterprise, and the Grinders
Gina: Big Momma are not the kind to turn down an opportunity for profit.
While Twitch has sired over a hundred children with While Twitch is not morally above putting the girls in the
more than two dozen women, Gina is something special. gang into the sex trade, he knows careers in that field are
“Big Momma” has given Twitch 17 children, including three short lived, women impressed into sexual servitude are of-
sets of twins, over the last 27 years. Out of them, 14 are still ten no good for anything else once their marketable time is
living, ranging in ages from Jojo in his late 20s to a pair of over, and it’s difficult to maintain loyalty from those who
girls not old enough to start school yet. are treated like a saleable product. As such, the gang relies
almost entirely upon outside prospects for this market.
The children in the family, both her own and any whose
mothers see fit to leave their offspring with Gina, are Big As Bottom Bitch, it’s Zee-Dub’s responsibility to make
Momma’s territory. She makes sure they’ve got health care, certain that the incoming “employees” are trained, not just
that they get the chance to get educated, and that they are in service but in attitude, even if that requires addicting them
taught the things they will need to assimilate into the gang to drugs to ensure their loyalty and complacency. Her role
as successfully as possible. gives her authority over all of the gang’s sex workers, and a
certain degree of power due to the import of her duties to
Beyond that, Gina doesn’t get involved in what she calls
the family’s income.
Twitch’s “business.” She doesn’t ask questions she doesn’t
want to hear the answer to, and she supports Twitch and Ant: the Scout
the adult members of the family with her silence and by
Ant is the youngest daughter of one of Twitch’s original
honing each new offspring into as perfect a potential new
Ratkin gang members, who was killed on a mission before
prospect for the gang as possible.
the girl was born. Her mother adamantly refused Twitch’s
Jojo: the Shot Caller encouragement to let Gina raise the girl, and the lack of
food and health care she received in her infancy probably
Jojo isn’t Twitch’s first-born, but he’s the Ratkin’s eldest
did a lot to contribute to the girl’s immature features.
surviving child, and the active head of the Grinders now
Always small for her age, Angela aka “Ant” looks more • The King is Dead – Twitch goes missing, sending
like a grade school kid than a cunning 14-year-old. Her the entire gang into a frenzy. Jojo steps up to take over, but
diminutive size and childlike features serve her and the when it becomes clear that the son has killed his father, the
gang well, however. No one pays much attention to a kid, gang splinters between those who follow the new king and
and Ant has turned looking innocent and non-suspicious those vowed to seek revenge for the old one. The gang war
into a vital information conduit for her family. She’s also spreads like wildfire, especially after the Ratkin decide to
a consummate sneak thief, getting in and out of areas that up the ante, biting the leaders of both factions and sending
most folks wouldn’t even consider possible to access. their already-sociopathic natures into utter insanity. Can the
city survive the effects of two utterly insane, supernatural
Story Seeds gang leaders, each hell-bent on destroying the other?
• Spread Like a Plague – The local Ratkin decide that • To The Highest Bidder – Someone close to the play-
Twitch’s family has been avoiding the Birthing Plague for er characters goes missing, and the trail leads back to the
long enough, and send in operatives to infect his line from Grinders. By the time they are able to follow up, however,
the youngest all the way to Jojo himself. To their surprise, the target has already been drugged and bound, destined
more than their fair share survives the rite, leading to a for a foreign port and sale at a slave auction. Only Twitch
mass outbreak of insane gang-bangers, prematurely turned knows the ultimate destination, and with an entire gang
child-Ratkin, and a very angry Twitch, loose on the town. willing to throw themselves in front of him, he’s not highly
• Spare Parts – Someone’s in the market for relics, motivated to share the information.
in the religious sense: supernatural body-bits for arcane • To Catch a Thief – Player characters catch Ant in
purposes. Shaggy and the Grinders may not know they’re the act, and when she is unable to make her get-away, the
related to the supernatural world, but if the price is high girl plays up the “stealing to feed my family” story. In truth,
enough, they’re willing to believe that their target is. When she’s been tasked with stealing information and potentially
the Grinders are pointed towards the player characters or valuable artifacts from them for the Grinders. If released,
their allies, which will be stronger? The gang’s greed, or their she’ll keep trying, or the Grinder’s attempts to obtain the
target’s survival instinct? objects of their desire will get more overt.

Name: Breed: Nature:
Player: Tribe: Demeanor:
Chronicle: Relation: Concept:

  
Strength ___________●
OOOOO Charisma___________OOOOO
● Perception__________ OOOOO
●
Dexterity __________●
OOOOO Manipulation________
OOOOO
● Intelligence_________●
OOOOO
Stamina ___________●OOOOO Appearance_________●
OOOOO Wits______________● OOOOO

  
Alertness___________OOOOO Animal-Ken_________ OOOOO Academics__________ OOOOO
Athletics____________
OOOOO Crafts_____________OOOOO Computer__________OOOOO
Brawl_____________OOOOO Drive_____________OOOOO Enigmas___________OOOOO
Empathy___________OOOOO Etiquette___________OOOOO Investigation________OOOOO
Expression__________OOOOO Firearms___________OOOOO Law______________OOOOO
Intimidation________OOOOO Larceny____________OOOOO Medicine___________ OOOOO
Leadership__________OOOOO Melee_____________OOOOO Occult____________OOOOO
Primal-Urge_________OOOOO Performance________OOOOO Rituals____________OOOOO
Streetwise__________OOOOO Stealth____________OOOOO Science____________OOOOO
Subterfuge__________OOOOO Survival____________OOOOO Technology_________OOOOO
_________________ OOOOO _________________ OOOOO _________________ OOOOO

  
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
_________________ OOOOO _______________________ _______________________
  
 O O O O O O O O O O Bruised 
 Hurt –1 
O O O O O O O O O O
 Injured –1 
 Wounded –2 
O O O O O O O O O O Mauled –2 
 Crippled –5 
  Incapacitated 
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 
 

 
__________________ __________ _____ __________________ __________ _____
__________________ __________ _____ __________________ __________ _____
__________________ __________ _____ __________________ __________ _____
__________________ __________ _____ __________________ __________ _____
__________________ __________ _____ __________________ __________ _____
__________________ __________ _____ __________________ __________ _____
__________________ __________ _____ __________________ __________ _____
 
________________________ OOOOO _____________________ ___ ___
________________________ OOOOO ____________________________________
________________________ OOOOO _____________________ ___ ___
________________________ OOOOO ____________________________________
________________________ OOOOO _____________________ ___ ___
________________________ OOOOO ____________________________________
________________________ OOOOO _____________________ ___ ___
________________________ OOOOO ____________________________________
________________________ OOOOO _____________________ ___ ___
________________________ OOOOO ____________________________________
________________________ OOOOO _____________________ ___ ___
________________________ OOOOO ____________________________________
 
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________
______________________________ ____________________ ____________________

   
_______________ ___________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Maneuver Roll Diff Damage
_______________ ___________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Bite* Dex + Brawl 5 Strength + 1/A
_______________ ___________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Body Tackle Dex + Brawl
Grapple Dex + Brawl
7
6
Special/B
Strength/B
_______________ ___________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Kick Dex + Brawl 7 Strength + 1/B
_______________ ___________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Punch Dex + Brawl 6 Strength/B
_______________ ___________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ A=Aggravated Damage B= Bashing Damage * Lupus Breed Only
_______________ ___________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _________________

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8 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Glossary fall far from the tree.” Compare to rotten apple.

Formal terminology Lethal mutation: A derogatory term used by certain

Introduction to Canis Homo Familiaris 9

CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 11

12 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 13

14 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

PURE BREED: BEHIND THE SCENES

CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 15

16 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

18 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

22 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Kinfolk Fellowships 3. I will accept no mission that proves harmful

CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 27

30 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 35

CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 37

CHAPTER ONE: KINFOLK SOCIETY 39

Chapter Two: Whelps of Other Breeds 41

42 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

44 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Chapter Two: Whelps of Other Breeds 45

46 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Chapter Two: Whelps of Other Breeds 47

Nuwisha kin does so by virtue of a specific act. While the wereravens

Hengeyokai Hengeyokai and their own native Kin.

52 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Chapter Two: Whelps of Other Breeds 53

54 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Chapter Two: Whelps of Other Breeds 55

Why Play Kinfolk

Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 57

58 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 59

60 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 61

Activity Glory Honor Wisdom

Resources can help your Garou relatives. Werewolves often rely on

62 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Merits and Flaws

Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 63

Mental Supernatural Kinfolk costs four points for mages,

Supernatural of smell, you have a distinct disability.

Supernatural Kinfolk (4-5 pt. Merit)

64 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Original Kinfolk Gifts

68 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Rites of Accord permanent for that quarrel.

Rites of the Milestones

70 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Rites of the Homestead

Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 71

Equipment able to track it once she encounters it.

74 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 75

Chapter Three: Kinfolk Characters 77

78 KINFOLK: A BREED APART

_________ _ _____________