STORM RIDERS by Tim Layne (hunterx@wwd.net) Description The tribe of Storm Riders is seen as a splinter group of the Shadow Lords with lesser ambition. Any Garou who believes this is wrong. The Storm Riders are really a band of Werewolves who follow the ways of the storm. They are in many ways, like a thunrstorm: unpredictable, beautiful, and dangerous. They serve Gaia loyally, and see their ancestors as a vital part of their future. A stereotypical Storm Rider is the underestimated warrior, the one who only goes as far as he does because he has no choice. The tribe is usually very close, except in times of war, when meetings are too difficult to stage. They are divided into two main groups. The Claps, and the Bolts. The Claps make up the ruling section of the Storm Rider;, they are the Theurges, and the Philodox of the tribe. The Bolts are the warriors and defenders of the Storm Rider;, they are the Ahroun. The Galliard and the Ragabash can be found in either group, although the Ragabash are more commonly found in the Claps, the Galliard in the Bolts. Hailing from North America, there are many diffrent Ethnic and Racial people found in the tribe. Many are Native American, however they are nowhere near equal in number to the Uktena and the Wendigo. Lately, they have begun a bit more selective breeding, but this is only because they are trying to fix a wrong from the past. Many generations ago, the Storm Riders traveled extensively with the Fianna, Get of Fenris, and White Howlers. During wartime, they allied themselves with the Get, and adopted many wartime traditions of the vikings. One of which was the pillaging of villages, and the raping of the women within. This severly diluted the bloodline, as they were once conquerers of high caliber. They were among the British people to travel to Africa and India, and they again practised their traditions. This also helped to dilute the blood. It was not until the late 1700's that they discovered their mistake, and they have now begun to do their best to clean the blood. They learned a great deal from the Stargazers, and also the Silver Fangs. They began taking corrective measures then, and fast. Now, they are returning to their former glory. Tribal Totem THE STORMFATHER Totem of Respect Background Cost: 5 Wise, quiet, but quick to avenge an insult, the Stormfather is the totem of the Storm Riders. He is Grandfather Thunder's brother, but that is where the similarities end. The Stormfather is honest and forthright, and always keeps his word. He chooses packs that have a noble or important mission. The Stormfather's packs may call upon 2 additional Gnosis points per story, and he gives his children access to +1 Stamina, +3 Survival, and an additional point of Honor and Wisdom. The difficulty for all past life rolls are reduced by 2 for children of the Stormfather. Storm Riders look favorably upon his children, but Wendigo do not. They will avoid and even hamper any attempts to acheve the goal of The Stormfather's children's goal. `Additionally, any Shadow Lords with this totem lose 1 point of Glory and Honor. Ban: The Stormfather will ask that his children will spend at least 4 hours meditating in the rain per month. If it is a dry spell, he will understand. Inital Willpower 3 Backgrounds They must have at least a 2 in Past Life, and they can never increase their Pure Breed beyond 3. Beginning Gifts Sense Wyrm, Static. Physical In wolf form, they are average size, resembling Timber Wolves. In Crinos, they are large, imposing, scary, and pure grey, or shades of grey. Territory Storm Riders once used to dwell in area of high precipitation, but due to urban expansion, they are moving into cities. A good deal can be found in Portland Oregon, and Seattle Washington. Protectorate All are of Gaia, so all deserve protection. Quote "Behold, a pale wolf, and the man who he is, is death, and the Apocalypse follows with him." Gifts Sense Wyrm (Level One) - As the Level One Metis Gift. Static (Level One) - The garou may cause an area of static to form all around her. This will disrupt any kind of tracking done by radio, etc. It may also be used as a sort of shield. System: This power is much like an innate ability. It can be turned on and off at will. If it is used as a shield, then any projectile attacks get a +2 to difficulty to hit. It should be known that while this is in effect, the Garou is immune to all forms of electricity. Clap of Thunder (Level Two) - As the Level Two Shadow Lords Gift. Thunderball (Level Two) - The Garou can toss a tennis ball sized ball of electricity, and any kind of complex machine it hits will automatically shut down. It may cause some systems to overload and explode. It will also stun any living thing it hits. System: The Garou rolls Stamina+Throwing to hit. If successful, then the number of successes are converted into damage dice. This is not aggravated damage. Humans will be knocked unconscious for a number of turns equal to the damage rolled, vampires for half that, and a -2 to dice pool the other half. Summon the Storm (Level Three) - The Garou can control the weather to an extent. He may amplify the weather at the present, though he may not outright change it. Thus, one could make it rain harder or lighter, but they could not make it quit and go away. System: The Garou spends 1 gnosis and rolls Manipulation+Survival. Each success allows him to alter one aspect of the weather. Wrath of Gaia (Level Three) - As the Level Three Silvar Fangs Gift. Rage of the Storm (Level Four) - The Garou calls forth the fury of the storm, making the weather highly volatile, and very strong. System: The Garou spends 2 gnosis points. After that, the weather becomes very windy, with gusts up to 60 mph; there is heavy rain, and perhaps other forms of precipitation, and the clouds become thick, black, and abundant. The Garou may use the winds as the Wendigo gifts Call the breeze, Cutting wind, and Chill of the early frost. Thunderbolt (Level Four) - The Garou may cast a lightning bolt; one with such great power that nothing can withstand it. System: Treat same as Thunderball, but the damage is Aggravated, and just about anything non-living thing is blasted to pieces. Also, for damage, add the number of successes to 4 to see how many damage dice. Boltform (Level Five) - The Garou may transform themself into a lightning bolt. She may travel as fast as 300 mph. System: The Garou spends 2 gnosis and 1 willpower. Then she must roll Stamina+Primal Urge to shift. She may attack this way, causing 8 dice of aggravated damage. She will have no limbs and is nothing more than a lightning bolt. Invoke the Spirit of the Storm (Level Five) - As the Level Five Wendigo Gift.