Werewolf: The Forsaken

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Werewolf: Pariah
(Werewolf: The Forsaken)
publication
Original publisher White wolf
Original publication 2005
original language English
German publisher Pen and sword
German publication 2005
World and system
genre horror
Game world World of darkness
Basic system Storytelling system
Ascent Experience point purchase system
cube W10 (storytelling system)

Werewolf: The Forsaken (German title: Werewolf: Paria ) is a pen & paper role-playing game that is set in the fictional game world Welt der Dunkelheit (World of Darkness). The series was published by the American publisher White Wolf and was published by Feder und Schwert in German-speaking countries until 2006 . Since this publisher discontinued the Welt der Dunkelheit series, there have been no new German-language products.

As a game of the “New World of Darkness”, it is thematically the successor to the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse from the “Classic World of Darkness”. But it is not a continuation of this game.

Characters

The player slips into the role of the "abandoned", werewolves, who have made it their task to maintain the balance between the spirit world and the material world and intruders from one world to the other (mostly from the spirit world to the material world) to stop. The werewolves call themselves "Uratha", a word that is said to come from the ancient language of spirits, called the "First Language".

People with the blood of the Uratha in them are called wolf-blooded and can go through the "First Metamorphosis". When and why this happens cannot be said, only that it will not happen before puberty and after the age of 60. Each character receives a sign from the moon (the respective moon phase ) and can either join one of five tribes or become a triballess. The latter are called spirit wolves.

The Uratha are extremely territorial predators that have an instinctive urge to hunt. Most of them have problems controlling their aggression, which prevents them from living with normal people and also makes life difficult for one another. In addition, people feel this aggression, the more the connection between a Uratha and his spirit part grows. Most people feel repulsed by this. In addition, every werewolf is in danger of falling into a "death frenzy". In this state they threaten to attack everything and everyone, whether friend or foe. It has already happened that Uratha ate their “opponents” in this state.

In addition, the Uratha have an instinctive (but only superficial) understanding of the First Language in order to be able to communicate with spirits. A fluent understanding of this language must be learned.

In the broader context of the published material, the Uratha are technically shapeshifters. They are beings who are part human, part spirit and part animal. They are neither the only shapeshifters nor the only werewolves, but just a specialized form of werewolves. There are, however, some differences to the other shapeshifters: The Uratha are much more aggressive than most other creatures, their wounds heal faster, and they have a far more complex social structure and a closer relationship to the spirit world than most other shapeshifters. In the world of darkness, however, the Uratha do not have much contact with the other shapeshifters and are rather avoided by them.

Skills

The Uratha are both spiritual and physical beings who can use the energy of the spirits (called "essence") to activate or transform certain supernatural abilities (called "gifts") or to promote their healing or objects permeated by spirits (called "fetishes") to activate. Unlike humans, Uratha heal very quickly, sometimes within seconds, and can even regrow limbs with great effort. However, wounds caused by silver are like burns and heal poorly and very slowly. The uratha are immune to normal diseases, and most foreign matter is quickly eliminated from their body.

The uratha have a faster metabolism than humans and therefore need more food. What you can and want to eat depends on the shape and your personal preferences. Most prefer meat, a vegetarian lifestyle is possible, but difficult to achieve. Uratha can only reproduce with humans, and the chance that a child will also become Uratha is very slim. Reproduction with wolves is not possible, and mating between two Uratha results in the birth of a monster and is therefore considered one of the most serious sins.

Shape change

The Uratha can choose between five forms. Depending on the form, the Uratha has different advantages and disadvantages or can eat different foods, reacts differently to certain substances and drugs and has different instincts that come to the fore. The three mixed forms between humans and wolves (as well as the use of supernatural powers) generate a kind of repression mechanism in normal humans, whereby they forget much or everything they have experienced. Mechanical recording devices also regularly malfunction in these cases. Only people who are supernatural themselves or who have a proverbial iron will are not affected. The five forms are called:

  • Human ( Hishu ): A Uratha looks like a normal, if very healthy human being and is human in all physical respects. This is the form most uratha are most familiar with and which they return to when they pass out or die.
  • Almost human ( Dalu ): The Uratha is significantly larger, hairier and stronger. Ears, teeth and claws are slightly pointed and the features are more angular. The facial hair is clearly visible here, even in women. This form reacts roughly like the human form.
  • Wolf man / war form ( Gauru ): This hybrid form of man and wolf is almost three meters tall, two-legged and extremely strong. In this form the uratha's bloodlust comes to the surface, and it is even harder than usual to maintain control and not fall into the death frenzy. In contrast to the other forms, this one can only be held for a short time, is mostly only used for combat, and its reaction to certain chemicals is unpredictable. A Uratha automatically assumes this form when he falls into the death frenzy.
  • Almost Wolf ( Urshul ): In this form, Uratha are huge, fast and strong wolves with a shoulder height of about one and a half meters, which look more like the extinct Dire Wolf than today's gray wolves. In general, this form reacts like the wolf form.
  • Wolf ( Urhan ): In this form, a Uratha is indistinguishable from a normal gray wolf and has the same physical properties. Depending on which area the Uratha comes from or which area shaped its ancestors the most, this shape can look different. If there are wolf species in the respective areas, the shape corresponds to the respective subspecies of the gray wolf or corresponding other canids such as African wild dogs, red wolves or red dogs, but never domestic dogs. Some Uratha in Africa and the Middle East are even shaped or colored similar to hyenas.

Gifts

In addition to their physical characteristics and the ability to change shape that every Uratha possesses, they can also have a number of supernatural abilities called "gifts". They are not innate in a Uratha, but are given to him by spirits in the form of a trade. It is not possible to learn these gifts from other Uratha. Some gifts are easier to learn than others, depending on the sign and tribe or clan. Still other gifts are only available to certain Uratha. The effects of these gifts vary. They can increase the physical abilities of a uratha, change its shape, give it clairvoyant abilities, control the elements, etc. The more powerful the effect of the gift, the higher the uratha's rank in the spirit world must be, and the higher the price of the Spirit to be able to learn it.

Furthermore, the Uratha can lock spirits into objects or even tattoos with the help of certain rituals and thus give these objects supernatural abilities. How strong these fetishes are depends on the spirit that has been plugged into them.

society

Theoretically, the Uratha can come from any human society which, after its first transformation, loses or increases in importance to different degrees. Some turn away from people completely, others don't. Most werewolves form packs of different sizes in order to be able to better defend their territories and hunt more efficiently. The minimum size for a pack is three individuals. A spirit called a " totem " to join the pack is also necessary.

In addition, everyone among the Forsaken who belongs to a tribe swears the oath of the moon, which roughly indicates the morality of the Uratha ("harmony"). The individual stanzas of the oath are:

  • The wolf must hunt - the Uratha must fulfill Father Wolf's duties.
  • The people do not murder the people - the Uratha do not murder other Uratha.
  • The low honor the high; the high respect the low.
  • Respect your prey.
  • The Uratha are supposed to adhere to humans - Uratha cannot reproduce with wolves, and a mating of two Uratha produces a monster.
  • Do not eat the flesh of men and wolves.
  • The flock is not allowed to know - the people are not allowed to know about the Uratha.

sign

Each of the forsaken has a sign, determined by the respective moon phase, which determines his role in the society of the Uratha. The moon ("Luna") determines, based on the personality and the abilities of the person, under which moon phase a Uratha has its first metamorphosis and which sign is assigned to it. The five omens that give access to certain gifts are as follows:

  • Rahu (full moon, warrior) - warriors of all kinds
  • Cahalith (three-quarter moon, visionary) - seer, narrator and keeper of traditions
  • Elodoth (Crescent, The Border Crosser ) - diplomat at the ghost courts , judge and mediator
  • Ithaeur (crescent moon, lord of spirits) - occultists and keepers of knowledge about spirits
  • Irakka (new moon, stalker ) - scout, spy and tracker

Tribes

The Forsaken have five tribes. These tribes are alliances of Uratha, who have decided to follow one of five wolf spirits each, who are considered to be the firstborn children of father Wolf, but not descended from mother Luna. Everyone demands a certain attitude or approach to the life of the Uratha who follow him, called the tribe. These five tribes - and their First Language names in brackets - are:

  • Blood Claws ( Suthar Anzuth ) - tribe of Fenris Wolf, who are particularly committed to the warrior aspect of the Uratha; Tribal ban: "Do not offer surrender that you would not accept."
  • Bone Shade ( Hirfathra Hissu ) - occultists who want to find out the secrets of the spirit wolves with the help of their patron death wolf; Tribal ban: "Pay back every spirit with the same coin."
  • Night hunter ( Meninna ) - protector of the "gates", spiritual centers where the barrier between the two worlds is thinner, and follower of the black wolf; Tribal ban: "Do not let any holy place in your territory be violated."
  • Eisenmeister ( Farsil Luha ) - tribe of red wolf who lives the principle of adaptation; they are closer to humans than the other Uratha, they adopt technology more easily, and have the most territories in the cities; Tribal ban: "Honor your territory in all areas."
  • Storm Lords ( Iminir ) - tribe of the winter wolf who seeks to lead all Uratha by strength and noble example; Tribal ban: "Do not allow anyone to see or care for your weakness."

In addition to these five tribes, there are also the spirit wolves ( Thihirtha Numea ) among the Forsaken . However, these are not a tribe, but rather a collective term for all Uratha that do not belong to any tribe. As such, they have neither a tribal ban nor a tribal patron. Some follow the oath of the moon, others do not. Some never belonged to a tribe, others have left their tribe, which also applies to the Uratha from the ranks of the “pure”. The only thing that all Spirit Wolves have in common is that they do not actually belong to the Uratha society. Apart from that, no generalizations can be made.

Background myth

According to the legends of the Forsaken, there once existed a perfect world called Pangea , although it is not clear whether it is a place or a time. In this world the boundary between the spirit world and the material world was thin and beings could easily move from one world to the other.

The spirit who watched over the balance of this world was Father Wolf, the most powerful hunter of his time. Father Wolf patrolled the border between the two worlds and allowed z. B. that spirits were in the human world and even established cults around them. But their actions had limits, and many of the powerful spirit lords saw wisdom in it and obeyed the rules. But those who endangered the balance between the worlds, Father Wolf drove back into their respective world or killed them.

Over time, Luna, the spirit of the moon, began to wander on earth in a carnal cover. She had many admirers, but only chose Father Wolf for her companion because of his strength and power. With him she fathered the “first pack”, children who were partly human, partly wolf and partly spirit, who were the ancestors of all Uratha and who helped their father with his tasks.

Over time, Wolf grew weaker and weaker and was no longer able to carry out his duties. When his children saw this, some of them began to rebel against their father and ultimately managed to kill him to take his place. When father Wolf died, the barrier between the two worlds began to become so strong that most beings could only switch over at very specific points. The pain of her lover's death made Luna curse all the children she had ever given birth, so that the silver, her sacred metal, might kill her. Those Uratha who killed their father later took the oath of the moon and promised to take on the duties of their dead father. To those Uratha Luna gave the omens and took some of their curse from them, but not entirely. Silver was still their curse. These Uratha went in search of the five firstborn, who later founded the five tribes of the Forsaken.

In addition to this main legend, there are numerous other legends in the published material, e.g. B. also indicate that father wolf did not generally weaken and was only weakened by a fight with an enemy. Accordingly, it would not have been necessary to kill father Wolf.

The story presented above is only the most widespread version, which itself has numerous modifications and is only the same in its basic principles. Since the spirits who could testify to what happened mostly do not come into direct or even no contact with the Uratha, the "truth" is by no means certain, and there are several other myths about the origin of the Uratha. In the follow-up work Blasphemies , further possible creation myths and those Uratha who believe in them are presented. In Blasphemies , rules and instructions are also given on how the narrator can create further myths.

Opponent

There are several dangers to the Uratha in the world of darkness. However, these rivalries rarely end in open battle, as most of the supernatural beings in the world of darkness have an interest in safety. The main dangers here are:

  • Ghosts: Ghosts who do not recognize the boundaries between the worlds are the most common opponents of the Forsaken. Some flee the spirit world or cross the barrier to meet their own needs. Some attach themselves to people or take full possession of them. They either urge them to take certain actions, occupy their bodies, or merge with them. This last form is the most dangerous. The resulting being is a unique combination of living being and spirit and can even completely change the occupied body or give it supernatural powers. For example, some leopard spirits can transform the human they merge with into a leopard. A problem that should not be underestimated is that the Uratha cannot simply destroy every hostile spirit that is in their territory, since both worlds are connected and the death of too many spirits would end in a soulless, hollow and empty world. In addition, spirits also have some kind of company, and the death of the false spirit could draw uncomfortable attention to the Uratha concerned.
  • The pure ones ( Anshega ): These Uratha descend from the Uratha, who for whatever reason did not revolt against Father Wolf and did not kill him. They blame the abandoned for the loss of Pangea and see their destruction as a sacred task. They are far more numerous than the Forsaken, and their culture of struggle and hatred makes them the most dangerous opponents of the Forsaken. The pure do not care much about humans and generally consider themselves the greatest predators. They despise Luna and worship Father Wolf, but have not taken over his duties, which is why the spirits work with them much more than with the Forsaken. The pure mostly live according to the motto that the end justifies the means. Hence, although they are very concerned about their harmony, they do many things that keep them sinking on the level of morality. From a physical point of view, they differ from the abandoned only in that they “tear off” the omens of Luna and thus deny themselves and have a much stronger reaction to silver than the abandoned themselves. The pure are not a completely uniform group, but consist of three Tribes that all follow one of Father Wolf's firstborn, who never forgave Father Wolf's death. These tribes are: Those Touched by Fire ( Izidakh ), who follow the rabid wolf in religious zeal and are the most numerous of all tribes; the ivory claws ( tzuumfin ), which follow the silver wolf, are possessed by "purity" and consider themselves the purest of all Uratha and rightful leaders of the pure, they are less numerous in size than the fire-touched and the predatory kings; the Predator Kings ( Ninna Farakh ) who follow Dire Wolf and see themselves as the top of the food chain and ultimate predators, leaving their human side behind as much as possible.
  • The hosts ( Shartha ): They are bizarre creatures, a mixture of spirit and flesh, humans and animals. The most common hosts are descended from two vicious creatures that Father Wolf hunted and destroyed before the fall of Pangeas, and who managed to scatter parts of themselves across the material world. These are the Azlu (spider monsters ) and the Beshilu ( rat creatures ). These beings weaken or strengthen the barrier between the worlds, which in both cases has unpleasant side effects. They seek and eat each other, which makes them even stronger. When they have reached a certain level of power, they look for a human, merge with him and become a mixture of human and the respective animal (rat or spider), each of which looks different. For them, people are primarily a means to an end. In addition to these two main hosts, there are others that have the shape of locusts, ravens or snakes. There may be other unknown hosts who have little in common with the Azlu and Beshilu .
  • The Idigam : They are the rarest enemies of the Forsaken. These beings are powerful spirits who represent concepts that existed before Pangea was fully formed. These spirits were banished a long time ago, and nobody really knows what they want or what they are. When they last appeared in the 1960s World of Darkness, the threat they posed led to the few times in history where the forsaken and the pure banded together to defeat an enemy. And yet they did not manage to defeat all of the Idigam .
  • The Hell Hounds ( Azah Gadar ): These Uratha have joined the worst of the spirits with their eyes open. From their point of view, the world is utterly corrupt and they want to be on the side of the winners, which is why they have sided with the foulest of spirits and often enough do things that are unspeakable and the presence of which will take their surroundings as well turn into a worse place. Allegedly the spirit, which serves as a mediator and is called soulless wolf, is one of the firstborn, and the hellhounds possibly the ninth tribe of the Uratha. These Uratha are some of the very few enemies who pose such a threat that the forsaken and the pure would band together to destroy them.
  • People: People can be friends as well as foes for the Uratha. Especially those who are themselves at least partly supernatural can be dangerous to the Uratha, since the normal mechanism of repression works weaker or not at all. The main danger emanating from humans is the fact that they influence the spirit world more than any other beings, even if they are far more cut off from it than the Uratha. In addition, some facts about the Uratha have found their way into people's stories. This fact is troubling to the Uratha, since with the help of modern weapons even a single person can be very dangerous.
  • Other supernatural beings: The Forsaken keep coming into conflict with other supernatural beings such as ghosts, vampires, magicians, skin thieves or other shapeshifters. There is, however, a difference in the relationship between the Uratha and other members of the animal people. Even if a Uratha will never regard another shapeshifter as the same, there is a kind of mutual respect and kinship in the relationship with the other members of the animal race, even if they want to kill each other. The reasons for conflict can vary widely, but there is no pre-determined hostility. The Uratha can certainly cooperate with other supernatural beings if it is worthwhile, but prefer the presence of their own kind. There are also other unusual and sometimes unique beings in the world of darkness, their motives and thus also the reasons for conflicts with the Forsaken can be completely different.

Differences to the predecessor

Werewolf: Paria has some differences from its predecessor Werewolf: The Apocalypse in terms of the rules of the game and details of the world, although there are also strong similarities between the two games in addition to the main theme: Werewolves fight in both games to connect with humanity stay while maintaining their spiritual and animal side and defending their territories. Conflicts between werewolves with different ideologies were already featured in Werewolf: The Apocalypse .

The "pure" in Werwolf: Paria are more frequent, more numerous and morally ambiguous than the diabolical dancers of the Black Spiral in the previous game. The spirits are less friendly and strive for power and influence, both in the spirit world and in the physical world. There are no longer any truly fixed hostilities with other supernatural beings, and the game mechanics are different in many ways.

Another difference is that all Uratha are born from humans or other Uratha and never from wolves, since the Uratha cannot reproduce with them, unlike the Garou in Werewolf: The Apocalypse . Furthermore, there is no Uratha who have two Uratha as parents, since such pairing produces a monster. Furthermore, in contrast to the Garou, the Uratha can only take on their fighting form for a short time.

See also

Publication sequence in the English original

  • Werewolf: Pariah (March 2005)
  • Hunting Ground: The Rockies (April 2005)
  • Predators (June 2005)
  • Lore of the Forsaken (August 2005)
  • Blood of the Wolf (October 2005)
  • Lodges: The Faithful (November 2005)
  • Blasphemies (January 2006)
  • Territories (April 2006)
  • Lodges: The Splintered (September 2006)
  • The Pure (November 2006)
  • The Rage: Forsaken Player's Guide (February 2007)
  • The War Against the Pure (March 2007)
  • Parlor Games (January 2008, PDF only)
  • Tribes of the Moon (April 2008)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Phil Brucatto, Jackie Cassada, Alexa Duncan: Changing Breeds . White Wolf Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781588464934 .
  2. ^ A b c Chris Campbell, Jess Hartley, Peter Schaefer: Skinchangers . White Wolf Publishing, 2006, ISBN 9781588463357 .