Werewolf: The Forsaken

Werewolf: the Forsaken is a role-playing game set in the new World of Darkness created by White Wolf Game Studio. It is the successor to Werewolf: The Apocalypse, the "game of savage horror" from the original World of Darkness line of games. As in Werewolf: the Apocalypse, the game builds a great deal on myths and popular culture to create a unique take on the werewolf, though there are many differences between the two games. The anti-modernist and anti-intellectual slant of the original game has been de-emphasized in favor of a more personal sort of horror.

Characters

Players portray Uratha, werewolves whose duty is to protect the world from creatures of the spirit realms. Any human with Uratha heritage may undergo the First Change at some time in their life, becoming a werewolf, though what triggers the change is unknown. Each character has an auspice or role, and most join a tribe. Unlike traditional werewolves, Uratha may change at any time into various forms between man and wolf, though they do find this easier when the phase of the moon matches their auspice.

Uratha are fierce territorial predators who feel the compulsion to hunt. Many have trouble containing their aggression, hindering their ability to live normal human lives. Like wolves, the Uratha form packs in order to hunt more efficiently and better guard their territory.

Uratha are also spiritual creatures, able to channel spirit energy, which they call Essence, to make use of supernatural powers called gifts to aid them in their hunts. They also possess an instinctive (if rudimentary) understanding of the First Tongue, the language spoken by their ancestors and spirits (possibly also the original language of all humans). Many Uratha learn to speak the First Tongue fluently.

Auspices

Each Uratha has an auspice, a traditional role in Uratha society, tied to one of five phases of the moon. Luna decides each Uratha's auspice, based on their personality and abilities; accordingly, an Uratha will go through the First Change during the corresponding moon phase. (Most of these auspices differ from those of Werewolf: The Apocalypse in subtle but important ways.) The five auspices have names in the First Tongue:

• Rahu (The Full Moon, The Warrior) – warriors of all kinds from brawlers to seasoned commanders.
• Cahalith (The Gibbous Moon, The Visionary) – seers, storytellers and lorekeepers.
• Elodoth (The Half Moon, The Walker Between) – diplomats to the spirit courts, judges and arbiters.
• Ithaeur (The Crescent Moon, The Spirit Master) – occultists and keepers of spirit lore and rituals.
• Irraka (The New Moon, The Stalker) – scouts, spies and trackers.

Tribes

Tribes are groups of Uratha who have chosen to follow the teachings of one of the totems, five powerful wolf spirits who were among the original children of Father Wolf. (Most of these tribes have partial or direct analogies in the tribes from Werewolf: The Apocalypse.) Each promotes a certain attitude to or agenda behind the hunt. The five tribes, with First Tongue names in parentheses, are:

• Blood Talons (Suthar Anzuth) – the tribe of Fenris Wolf, who promotes the warrior and wolf aspects of the Uratha.
• Bone Shadows (Hirfathra Hissu) – occultists who seek to restore relations with the Spirit Courts with the guidance of their patron, Death Wolf.
• Hunters in Darkness (Meninna) – protectors of loci, the spiritual centres of the world. Black Wolf is their totem.
• Iron Masters (Farsil Luhal) – this tribe, following the teachings of Red Wolf, are closer to humanity, keeping up with technology and taking cities for their territory.
• Storm Lords (Iminir) – the tribe of Winter Wolf seeks to lead all Uratha through strength and noble example.

Forms

Every Uratha may change at will into five distinct forms. The forms, named in the First Tongue, are:

• Hishu — human form. An Uratha appears to be a normal, if very fit and healthy, human. An unconscious or dead werewolf returns to this form.
• Dalu — near-human form. The Uratha is slightly bigger, hairier and stronger.
• Gauru – wolf-man or war form. Half-human, half-wolf, Gauru form Uratha are generally 8 to 9 feet tall and much heavier and stronger than any human. In this form a werewolf's blood-lust rises to the surface and is much harder to control. Uratha can only channel the power of the Gauru form for a limited time, and generally only take this form to kill.
• Urshul – near-wolf form. An Uratha in this form is a huge wolf 3 to 5 feet high at the shoulder.
• Urhan – wolf form. The Uratha is indistinguishable from a normal wolf, though different Uratha resemble different breeds or species of wolf.

Backstory

Long ago the world was a paradise known as Pangea, where the spirit and material worlds mingled freely. Balance was kept by Father Wolf, a being of great power who patrolled the borders between the worlds. Luna, spirit of the moon, was impressed by his strength and wisdom and, in her human form, took him as her lover. From their union the Uratha were born: part spirit, part man, and part wolf.

As the years went by, some of Father Wolf's children saw that he had become weak, and to prevent him failing in his duties rose against him and killed him, intending to take his place. The death of Father Wolf also raised a barrier between the worlds, making it impossible for any being to cross except at certain places. Luna, stricken with grief, cursed all Uratha, though those who participated in Father Wolf's death later swore an oath to her to carry on Father Wolf's tasks, regaining some of her favour – but costing them the emnity of the spirit world. These Uratha became known as the Forsaken.

(This is the only origin presented in Werewolf: the Forsaken. While it is stated that other stories exist (all with the common element of a paradise destroyed by the ancestors of the Forsaken), the book (and presumably most Uratha) consider this the truth. Other accounts of Uratha and Forsaken origin will be found in Lore of the Forsaken.)

Release date

Werewolf: the Forsaken was released on March 14th, 2005.

External links

White Wolf Publishing, Inc.