Game on hold

Game will be canceled, until I can find a venue that will suit its needs. My house has become unavailable for use due to a shift in my girlfriend's schedule. There are other things that I have been putting off as well and I will be taking this time to attend to them.

Thank you for for playing. I will reach out again when things have been sorted out on my end.

Item of Interest: The Crystal Skull

Description: Roughly the size of a human skull, it originally appeared in the Lindley Park graveyard glowing green (evil things do that, it’s in all the fiction) as though the light came from within. After considerable effort on the part of Michael M, the skull was cleansed of taint and the glow subsided. 

 The skull now appears made from quartz, with some kind of metallic veins in the interior. The taint has slowly reasserted itself over the weeks. The skull has a hungry malevolent feel to it, and causes the temperature around it to lower by a few degrees occasionally. Incoherent whispers can briefly be heard at these times.

 The skull was last seen in the possession of Michael S.

Updates concerning game

Here is the list, but I would like to let everyone know that these changes are not set in stone and are up for discussion. This is just a consolidation of my thoughts surrounding these changes, and me trying to not just surprise everyone at the last minute.

1. The main rulebook will not be released January 2016. I apparently misread the notifications when I got the beta slice. The release I read about was for the kickstarter to fund the production of the full book. Likely the full book won't be released until January 2017.
2. I will be running the werewolf game monthly instead of bi-weekly. This was already happening anyway, and this will slow the pace of the werewolf game. We may still have two sessions a month, but the second will be to finish up the single game session if we run over on time. The last adventure ended early, and we honestly could have continued that session into two. I just didn't think about it at the time. 
3. Anyone may gather players for extra sessions with these characters (or others) in this setting. I don't consider this my game so much as I am the guy who facilitates the continuation of the game. Even with us limited to the Gallatin valley there is a wealth of material for us to explore and I would not limit your exploration of said material. You will not screw up game or plot by doing this, so long as you don't blow up the Gallatin valley. Any other ripples can and will be incorporated into game as necessary. Try to find time to let me know what happened so I can do the incorporation, or hand it off for someone else to brainstorm around. This is more of an FYI for you guys in case I had not made this clear before.
4. I will be writing the rules that have not been written. In other words, the rules that have been left out of the beta slice will be given temporary definition by myself. Some will be clear from their first incarnation and others may go through revisions before we have the final book. Mostly I don't want to have to say you guys can't do something because we don't have the rules for it. Especially considering that we'll have a new president before the complete book. I will accept suggestions.

Game day 9/18 library

The pack decided to go to the Bozeman library, and see if the active caern was okay. The position of a library, city park, and graveyard in such proximity to each other creates a spiritually powerful place.

 This late in the night it seemed deserted save for some of the lights where the cleaning crew was in the building. The park appeared empty as well, but felt like something was about to happen. It was as if the entire area held its breath in anticipation.

 Snorkey climbed the bat habitat while the rest of the group slowly milled about in the night air. Lucky for Snorkey, the bats weren’t in and he was able to see into the graveyard. Looking over the hedge Snorkey noticed movement in the graveyard. Six figures were digging up graves and pulling bodies out of the holes.

 Meanwhile the Michaels eyed the spirit world to take measure of the emotional overlay. They learned that the spirits of pain and regret were out of balance. They seemed to be aggressive towards the other spirits in the area. If left unchecked the feelings of pain and regret would taint the whole area.

 Ilva sniffed out where the figures were roughly in the graveyard, while Michael S separated the group into attack waves. Ilva and Snorky were on point, with Michael S and Adien as their immediate backup. The rest were to watch the perimeter.

 Ilva and Snorky crept up on the figures in the graveyard, but an errant can was knocked over. The warned figures weren't fast enough to dodge away from Ilva and Snorky's assault. However our intrepid heroes quickly discovered that the figures seemed to be reanimated corpses, or zombies. Only two of the figures reacted with intelligence. One of which tried to cloud the minds of everyone so it could disappear. 

 The group overcame the zombies with Ilva landing the final blow. Michael M, Josh, and Aiden stayed to cleanse the area. Snorky led the rest deeper into the graveyard where they found a crystal skull. The skull had veins of a grey mineral running through it and glowed green. 

 Through the extended effort of the group, led by Michael M, they quieted the skull. The spirits quieted in the area as the green light faded.  After this Michael S decided that the group should focus on acquiring their pack totem, before hunting the banes that had gone to ground. The pack agreed to come back on the night of the lunar eclipse.

Game day 9/19 pond

The Bozeman pond

 A long howl broke across the city today. A howl few of the residents recognized for what it was. A call to the people, the wolves among the sheep.

It was a call to form a new pack, and a chance to fight back. To fight against the corruption that would destroy the valley. The valley even the sheep call the last best place. 

You are the few who returned the howl and promised to come to the pond. A leader will be chosen and a new chance for renown amongst your peers shall be revealed. The chance to help so many is rarely available, but these are strange times for all.

When you get to the pond you can sense the others wolves nearby, thankfully there doesn't seem to be any sheep close by. Despite it being warm elsewhere in the city, a chill breeze blows off of the pond. Small ripples move across the surface leading toward a Garou taking a picture of the pond.

Good evening, I am Net Singer. Born with two legs under the gibbous moon, adren of the glass walkers, and witness to the events of today. Who exactly are each of you?

•  Ilva Lupus Ahroun Get of Fenris
• Snorky Homid Ragabash Shadowlord
• Aiden Homid Galliard Fianna
• John Homid Philodox Get of Fenris 
• Michael M. Homid Theurge Fianna 
• Josh Homid Ragabash Bone Gnawer
• Michael S. Homid Theurge Fianna 

 The task set before this pack is to watch over the sensitive places of the city. With virtually all of the rest of the people focused on Three Forks it is a daunting task, but vital for keeping the valley healthy. Tonight you will choose a leader, who wants it?

 Michael S and Ilva stepped forward to compete. After a moment John respectfully came forward and announced that the pack would devise the challenge. The pack was given privacy to devise their challenge, while Ilva and Michael S talked.

 Ilva had her own ideas about what was necessary for a leader. She wanted to be sure that whomever was going to lead the pack would fight well enough to protect them. She and Michael S ended up fighting. The combat seemed to be mutually agreed upon, and Ilva proved herself the more able of the two, as a combatant. 

 The pack seemed less accepting of them fighting however. Snorky specifically chastised Ilva for the contest, but it was Josh who originally called attention to the fight. After everyone calming down, it was suggested that the pack move to the spirit realm to avoid stray eyes.

 Once there the pack separated the challengers and tested them. A choice was put forth, if each of them came upon a wyrm-tunnel what would they do? Michael S gave the answer that best suited the pack and was chosen as leader.

 The sound of water dripping directs everyone’s attention to the pond. A large black horse comes out of the pond. It shakes off briefly and moves slowly towards the group. Aiden called out a warning about the kelpie. Everyone stood quietly as the horse moved between all of them. After stopping in front of the last wolf, the kelpie wandered back into the water.

Rules Expansion and Clarification v1.2

Since the Beta rules are not complete yet these are some of the rules we have implemented to fill in the gaps.

1. Spending an simple action to shift forms only moves you one form from your current form. Homid to Glabro to Crinos to Hispo to Lupus, it works this way in reverse as well. You may also choose to spend standard actions shifting forms.
2. Homid and Lupus breeds may always revert to their natural forms with a simple action spend.
3. Gnosis is regained by meditating at a rate of one per hour, or one per ten minutes if in a caern. It is assumed you will start each session with full gnosis.
4. Downtime actions are reduced by one per session above and beyond what you would normally have, based on rank, and are not required. It is assumed your characters are busy patrolling the city, but you can spend some downtime on self improvement, crafting, or investigation. The dark nights are over, downtime actions are back to normal. 
5. Renown rewards are suspended until the full book is out. After I have acquired a copy we will do a recounting of what has happened in game and you can claim your renown at that point. We may run scenes following this accounting for rank progression. The idea is that at the sept moot you can recount your deeds to all, and they will agree on how much renown each player has earned.
6. XP will be given out in chunks instead of slowly over each game session. This may only happen once every three months. It also simplifies bookkeeping. If the group needs abilities or anything else to progress through a storyline a chunk of XP will be handed out to the group. So instead of 2 or 3 a session, after several sessions I may just say everyone add 15 to your characters.
7. A tank kills werewolves. Regardless of the mechanical limits of the rule system, some damage is just to much for a living organism to survive. If the National Guard is called out, they are a serious threat, behave accordingly please.
8. If a werewolf is in the lupus form they may spend their simple and standard action to move nine steps instead of the standard six steps. This is to reflect wolves being faster then humans. All the extra legs and stuff.
9. Staredowns are initiated by two characters squaring off for dominance. Each player uses their Social + Intimidation or Leadership pool and tests. Loser goes up one rage, winner stays the same, and in a tie both gain one rage. First to concede or frenzy loses. 

Setting Document: Putting out the Fires v1.1

Theme: Chaos

    Whether you are from the Gallatin Valley, or are a recent transplant, you have heard the stories. Homes being burned down in brand new construction sites. The death rate tripling in the last few years. The disfigured subterranean creatures that live in the caves and sewers under the valley. Lastly, there's the rumor of a great serpent under the valley, that was defeated by the Three River’s Pack and the trapper Pierre LeBlanc over a century ago. Some say it will awaken again and the humans have started dreaming of it.  

Mood: Mysterious

Why are more people dying even as more of them are carrying firearms? Why have the dead begun to rise? Why was the Southgate Asylum shut down? Why are the inhabitants of Belgrade becoming more violent? 

Scope: Bozeman area and its Penumbra 

Most of the Three Rivers Sept are concentrating their efforts around Three Forks, near the Headwaters Caern. With the many losses in the apocalypse war there aren’t enough Garou to protect the caerns of that area and the west side of the valley. You all have been requested to keep watch over this side of the valley, until the threat has subsided.

Setting: Traditionalists or Concordance of Stars 

While many of the traditionalists stay to the east side of the valley it is not uncommon for them to be around Bozeman. Whether they are watching for minions of the Wyrm, or limiting the influence of the Weaver, some traditionalists still maintain and visit the caerns in the area. This group still harbors the ancient grudge against the Weaver. Many of the Silver Fangs, Get of Fenris, and Fianna fall into this group.

On the other side of the coin, the Concordance of Stars maintains and watches over Bozeman and Belgrade in greater numbers. Most urban caerns fall under their control and they are both prideful and protective of them. This group is also more interested in working with the Weaver to bring it into harmony with the Wyld. Most of the Glass Walkers, Shadowlords, and Bone Gnawers fall into this group.

Chronicle Teaser:

You are the remnants of old packs, recent transplants, or new Garou asked to watch over this part of the valley. You may resent being left as the rearguard, or be excited to prove your worth. In either case, it has been made clear that those of higher rank can't maintain the city right now. While maintaining the city and its surrounding area is a challenge for several packs, just two have been left behind.

Your group is one of those two and it is your honor to help in this difficult time. There are a few other Garou in the city, but they are mostly here to record each packs' deeds. The packs are also encouraged to stay on different sides of the city. This is to ensure that each pack learns the ins and outs of their part of the city quickly. Each pack is to pick a leader (some packs pick a leader for war and a leader for peace) how you do this is up to you.

Setting specific mechanics:

Tribes: All in the Beta slice.

Breeds: Metis is restricted to one player and the rest are encouraged to make them feel as barely tolerated as reflects your tribe. 

Initial XP: 60 This is to represent being experienced Garou. You are not required to spend all of this right away. 

Initial rank: Limited to 2

Gifts: Limited to rank 3 at start. Handled per pages 67-68

Storyteller notes:

With this being a beta version I will probably be making quick rule calls for things not covered in the book. I will try to be consistent with these calls, but once the full book is released they may change anyway. Any input on this kind of thing is welcome during breaks in between scenes, or via email.

I plan to run at least one werewolf pack, but may expand to two after a while. If this happens, I plan to run the packs on separate days. You may hear about each other, but will probably not interact with each other. The exception to this will be through downtime actions (DTAs), it is requested that the packs keep their interaction to a minimum.

This game takes place in the Gallatin Valley as we generally know it. Some of the locations have been borrowed from the Tri-Cities setting, but not all. The population is the same, plus more wolves.