2. The Garou Tribes in Toronto =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= There's something inside me It's, it's coming out I feel like killing you Let loose the anger, held back too long My blood runs cold --Cannibal Corpse Hamer Smashed Face >From before the time when the kindred came to this place, the Garou have been among us. Sometimes working hand-in-hand with the Magi, the shaman of the tribes. Mostly culling alone. Then the undead started arriving, and the Wyrm in North America started to expand. There were years of bloody battle, and at least one full tribe of garou died to protect the land. The Uktena were nearly destroyed, and it took in the remnants of the other tribes who once flourished here. The Wendigo have remained pure, but that has led to fewer and fewer being born. The Garou, even more than the Kindred, are a fractured society. But from the chaos, there must come a leader to unite the tribes into a stained glass peice of beauty that not only colors the light, but focusses it as well. The alternative is that each colored shard of is ground into sand under the scales of the Wyrm. The Garou fought the kindred in the early 1800's. They had hunted down every last leech they could find. Then they were approached by a woman, a Magi for the Order of Hermes. She said she was aske to set up peace negotiations between the Garou and the Kindred. The Silver Fangs agreed, and met with the Kindred Prince. He explained his vision that there would be more and more Europeans coming over to the New World, and if he falls under their fangs, others would surely come to slay them. He made an offer that if ther eis peace, he could determine which Kindred could enter the city, and how many could exist. They agreed. Now, the Garou chafe under the restrictions placed on them by the Toronto Supernatural Non-Agression Pact (TSNAP). They feel that the Kindred have gotten too powerful, that the Magi are stealing their caerns from under them, and slowly, they fear, they are dying. As failures to Gaia. Garou: Sect Toronto Area Head Black Furies 6 18 Sandra Birnbaum "Rends without Sound" Bone Gnawers 8 27 George Carlos "Aluminum in Your Teeth" Children o Gaia 7 32 Bill Horquist "Tearbringer" Fianna 4 12 Stephani McAllister "Hearts in throat" Get of Fenris 8 29 Brendan Colm "Moon Walker" Glass Walker 14 40 Albert Willhelm "Digital Howl" Red Talons 4 30 Jennifer Rheyes "Sees below the sun" Shadow Lords 8 22 Colm Tzaikowski "Caern Builder" Silent Striders 7 30 Kathy Torrence "Mate with the Moon" Silver Fangs 13 28 Eugene Morency "Claws Across the Fire" Stargazers 2 5 Mary Rivas "Scents the Past" Uktena 8 21 Josphine DelaCroix "Harbinger" Wendigo 6 18 Dan RieL "Voice of Love" 2.1 Black Furies What remains of the Black Fury tribe in Toronto is actually Chinese. Many of the Black Furies returned to Europe in the early 1980's to fight for their dominance in Italy, Greece and Spain. Most have not returned. However, the Asian elements of the Tribe have stayed, and even grown over the last decade. They are hard women, with a no-nonsense approach to everything. Unfortunately, none of them have a rank above 3, and the eldest knowledgeable Philodox is a kinfolk granfather. He teaches them the litany, and advises his "children" in some of the more spiritual aspects of maintaining the Garou spirituality and the Chinese philosophies. They congregate once a week at Value Pets in Chinatown, just beyond Kensington Market. The head of the Black Furies is Sandra Birnbaum (Rends Without Sound) 2.1.1 Sandra Birnbaum, the Black Fury Elder She's called Rends-Without-Sound for a reason. SHe single-handedly turned back a forestry troop advancement in South America. There are still stories of the demon that unts the rain forest. She returned to China, but with the major political upheaval, many of her kinfolk were moving to Canada. She moved as well, and took the position of elder only two years ago. 2.2 Bone Gnawers Aluminum-between-your-teeth is the head of the Bone Gnars. There are almost a dozen Gnars in Toronto. They congregate mainly in The downtown core, around the Eatons Centre (on a minor caern). During the evenings, they will break into the Eatons Centre and enter the basement for their moots and rites. The Bone Gnars are an ever-present and always watching presence that should not be under-estimated. 2.2.1 Aluminum-Between-Your-Teeth, Bone Gnar Elder He's a Lupus breed, but he's got the cunning of coyote. There are rumours that suggest he's got some connections with the Nuwisha and the Bastet. He won't listen to such talk though. And he's got contacts with Cordden, the Bone Gnar Legend of Toronto. "Aluminum" keeps the Bone Gnars orgaized while looking disorganized. He has recently condoned some Bone Gnar's making alliances with the Nosferatu and the Hollow Ones. 2.3 Children of Gaia The Children of Gaia are not a happy bunch. Their leader, Tear-bringer has witnessed as his tribe is slowly being left out of major decisions involving the welfare of the city. Through their involvement with the Thomas Gradenko Service, they have recently become much more aware of the part they have, up until recently, been playing in the pact triad. They have resolved, as a group to no longer be the scape-goat, the flaky whipping boys. The Children of Gaia now offer redemption, or damnation. 2.3.1 Bill Horquist "Tearbringer" He has been plagued by visions of a world where they have won, but nothing else has survived. Victory over the Wyrm is a worthy goal, but only if Gaia survives. Somewhere along the line, He beleives, the Garou forgot that. In their lust for the destrution of the Wyrm, they've forgotten that the other part of the immune system acts to deaden the pain. 2.4 Get of Fenris The Aryan race is alive and well, and living through metro Toronto. Led by their charismatic leader, Brendan Von Colm (Walks the Edge of the moon), seeks any chance he can to wage open warfare on both the Kindred and the Magi. He sees them as the vines of corruption that have entwined the city in their grasp. And, like a vine, the only cure to save the land, the city, and the people within it, is to kill the vine. The Get of Fenris advocate massive culling of Kindred and Magi, and for that matter, the Bone Gnar's, the Glass-Walkers and the Silver-Fangs. Their greatest allies lie among the Shadow-Lords and the Red Talons. Most Get of Fenris are unaware that they are financially backed by the Tremere clan. 2.4.1 Brendan Von Colm "Moon Walker" Blonde haired, blue eyed. He's the Nazi poster-boy grown older. He's lived through his own night of the long-knives, and will live through the descent of his vengeance. "The Silver-Fangs are in alliance with the Leeches and the Energy-Saps. There are factions that need to be worked away at so that the true lustre of the people in Toronto can shine through." 2.2 Fianna The Fianna in Toronto keep to themselves mostly. They are uninterested in combat where it is not necessary. However, they have been paying very close attention to the politics of late. The Fianna elder, Stephanie MacAllister (Hearts-In-Throat) is almost ready to call a Hunt. The Fianna act as the unofficial advisors to the Garou member of the Tribunal. Many of the Fianna are performers, and recently some kinfolk have become municipal politicians, struggling to preserve the arts in Toronto. 2.2.1 Stephani McAllister "Hearts in throat" Blonde and stately, McAllister has kept the Fianna on a strong and true path in Toronto. SHe knows, perhaps more than most Garou that agreeing to a peace pact and obeying the pact are two completely different things. Her knowledge goes very far back, but like the watchful bard, she says nothing--giving no clue to her knowledge. 2.6 Glass Walkers This Tribe has permeated much of the city, and has an established influence among three separate underworld organizations, and possibly more. Most of the Glass-Walkers tend towards the Vigilante side of dealing with crime. They are very interested in working with the Kindred to gain a better control over the city's dynamics. Their leader, Rips-the-Sky beleives that if the Triumvirate were to act up to its full potential, they could effectively direct the entire growth and development of not only Toronto, but the entire region, and possibly the entire province. This dream has yet to be realised. The Glass-Walkers have a lot of contact with Angus McDiarmuid, the exiled Gangrel Elder, and his coterie of supporters. 2.6.1 Albert Willhelm "Digital Howl" "There are too many people who want war, here. The price of destroying the fragile peace would be too great. We've grown complacent, yes. But is the remedy a full-throttle dive into chaos? Perhaps. For now, though, there are other ways." Few have ever met Wilhelm. He's a thick man who has his priorities straight. He's advised by a Corax, and is rumouyred to have some contacts with a Gurahl. His name comes from his most efficient area of combat. 2.7 Red Talons The Red Talons Tribe has long chafed under the restrictions imposed by TSNAP. As a direct result, there are only 4 known Red Talons in Toronto, and they are members of a sept in London, Ontario. When present in Toronto, Jennifer Rheyes (Sees-Below-The-Sun) speaks for them. However, they are generally an unruly bunch, intent on destruction and havoc. They, like the Get of Fenris wish to see the Kindred destroyed. However, they also wish to see the Mortals destroyed as well. It's their fault that Gaia is dying. 2.7.1 Jennifer Rheyes "Sees below the sun" Little is known about Jennifer Rheys, except that she has declared war on the mortals of Toronto. Some have suggested that she is allied with the Shadow-Lords and Get of Fenris. 2.8 Silver Fangs Long the clan of leadership among the TC9, They have recently come under closer scrutiny. With the growing dissatisfaction with TSNAP, the SIlver Fangs are finding it harder and harder to control the other tribes. Moderation and caution are not desired now. The other tribes wish to act. The Silver Fangs representative, "Claws-Across-Fire" fears that if too many of the Garou wish the dissoultion of TSNAP, then chaos will reign in the streets. She beleives that a century of peace with the Kindred and the Magi have allowed these other parties to gain superior knowledge about the Garou. If the Garou act violently, the Kindred and Magi may retaliate in force. It is better to have them as allies. He wishes to convince the Kindred and Magi of the reality of the threat of the Wyrm, and keep the peace between them, preventing the destruction of the Toronto Garou. She also fears that this has long been the Kindred's plan. 2.8.1 Eugene Morency "Claws Across the Fire" Morency is the only Garou who knows how the Order of Hermes and the Silver Fangs are bound together. The Silver Fangs will protect the Order of Hermes in times of need. They will also protect Tabitha House, until it is time that the prophet is born. Eugene is a troubled man who sincerely wishes it was not his time to lead the tribe. But he knows that he is the most competent among the Fangs right now, and so he will do what must be done--even if it means sacrificing all he holds dear. 2.9 Shadow Lords The Shadow Lords in general are one of the strongest voices that calls out from the Garou against the Kindred. There is open rivalry among them and the Silver Fangs, as they beleive the Silver Fangs have grown too weak to speak up against the pact. Thee is tension around many of teh Shadowlords because too many have died recently. Their leader, Colm Tzaikowski, has requested that some of the members of the vaunted Thunder Bay caern help to reclaim some of their lost lands. 2.9.1 Colm Tzaikowski "Caern Builder" Dark and Ominous--when Colm enters a room, he is the centre of attention. He has the strength and presence of a drill seargent. As he watches Eugene Morency wither away into frail old age, he chides the SIlver Fangs for not killing him while there is still honor. WHile he does this, he has slowly been usurping the Silver Fangs caerns. Colm has the knowledge and the ability to create new caerns, and he guards his abilities with some paranoia. 2.10 Silent Striders There Silent Striders among the denizens of Toronto are rarely ever seen, Some believe that the Striders avoid Toronto. Their representative in the Grand Moot, Kathy Torrence (Mate-With-The-Moon), says only that none have disputed her claim to her position, and that the workings of the Silent Strider Tribe are not the concern of others. They will help when asked, and will require help when they ask, but beyond that, do not presume to know them. It is beleived that the Silent Striders and the Bone Gnars have an information exchange with the Toronto Nosferatu. 2.10.1 Kathy Torrence "Mate with the Moon" her first turn came while masturbating under the moon. When the moon cleared the trees, she climaxed. Since then, she has brought a climax of sorts to all who surround her. However, these tend to be epiphanies, and realizations. She is an information gatherer, a manipulator, and she's very good at what she does. She knows smost of the stories that have been told about the history and dyanamics of Toronto and Ontario . But which side is she on? 2.11 Stargazers This tribe has been recently active to a greater degree than normal. The Mississauga caern-warders have received ominous visions of a massive battle that will wash away the wounds in a river of blood. They feel the wyrm is on the move, but they lack the sense of direction. They know the world is changing, but they do not know how. Manny Rivas (Scents-the-past), the Stargazer Elder claims that now is the time when ancient prophecies are gathering to work their ends. As the millenium begins, so too will a new world. But that world must be gained through bloodshed. Peace must be fought for. 2.11.1 Mary Rivas "Scents the Past" She's beautiful, but flighty as hell. Her Rite of Passage was too painful, and her mind cracked under the stress. Since then, she lives two lives too clearly: her own, and that of the Stargazer French Leiutenant who died on the plains of Abraham. There is so much she knows she is missing, but she must wait until the Lieutenant's life unfolds fully before her eyes, before she can know the truths around her. 2.12 Wendigos The Wendigos have a task before them, and they will see it through to fruition, even if it brings the entire TSNAP down around their ears. They beleive, like the Stargazers, that the time of Apocalypse is nearing, and that they must prepare. However, Daniel Riel (Voice of Love), their elder, claims only that preparations must always be checked. One never knows when the wyrm will strike, or where. There are very few Wendigo in Toronto, and those that reside within the city, tend towards forested sanctuaries like High Park, or some of the land in Mississauga, Scarborough and even as far out as Acton and Georgetown. A precious few of the Wendigo Theurges, one of which resides in Toronto, know the legends of the white tide. This is why they remain in Toronto instead of abandoning it completely. it is known that the Wendigos and the Verbena have a formal agreement-- though the nature of the agreement is unknown. 2.12.1 Dan Riel "Voice of Love" Offspring of Louis Riel, Daniel has counselled peace from the beginning of his reign as tribe elder. A small, unassuming man, his crinos form is unbeleivably feral. He knows the stories, and beleives that his role is too rally the Wendigo, Stargazers and Uktena for a fight against the darkness on teh umbral plane. There, the white tide will rise up, and vanquish the wyrm. But he fears that no matter what they do, that victory can never be a permanat one--so long as there is doubt in their hearts. And there will always be doubt. 2.13 Uktena The Uktena in Toronto has, surprisingly, seen a large growth over the past few decades. The interbreeding with the dienfranchised has proven to be effective. However, the results are more difficult to control. Josephine DeLaCroix ("Harbinger") claims that the youths, while violent, are going to need that violence for the armegeddon comes. The Uktena in Toronto have occasionally been known to mate with criminals in an attempt to create a stronger, heartier stock. 2.13.1 Josphine DelaCroix "Harbinger" So little is known about her. Ferally attractive in her homid form, she appears as a small sandy-brown wolf, with black ears. She claims to be the one who will heral the coming of the Apocalypse. She has seen it in her visions. 2.14 Lazarites The Lazarites are a small tribe that are not officially recognized by the Grand Moot. However, as the Lazarites are composed almost completely of Metis, they end up gathering a large number of other tribes' unwanted. But there is power within this tribe. While no formal leader has come forward, the Lazarites have thrown themselves in the face of the Wyrm many times in the last 50 years. They have earned the right to remain in Toronto, no matter what any of the elder garou say. Many Lazarites are known to have contacts among the kindred, most especially the Caitiff. Some also suggest that they may also have connections with the Hollow Ones. 2.14.1 Campbell Schmidt "The Unspoken" An enigmatic, yet charismatic young man, who has taken all the Metis each tribe did not wish to support, and formed his own tribe. Campbell runs a streetlink Youth Shelter in downtown Toronto, and "his kids" have caused more urban damage to developers than any other tribe. Little is known about Campbell or his tribe, but he has said that ther eare two ways things can go: The Lazarites will stnad beside the rest ofthe Garou when the Apocalypse comes to Toronto; or the Lazarites will bring het Apocalypse to Toronto. 2.15 White Spirit Dancers This tribe does not officially exist. They have lost the ability to rage. They have turned their backs on Gaia, so many say. Truly, they have learned to embrace their Gnosis. and this, they claim allows them to fight the wyrm on a completely different level. It is beleived that they have develped alliances with the Order of the Dreamspeakers, and possibly even the Clan Tremere. 2.15.1 Ruella DeVille, "Clockwise" She is the dancer who undoes the dance. Thirteen spirals down she can dive, and resurface with another--dancing him clockwise back round the bend. She's never been seen, but she speaks for the White Spirit Dancers.