Everything living dies. Rites of Death honor the departed and reaffirm their connections to the living and the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Garou immerse themselves in these rites to help release their grief and fear.

Related Rites Pages: Rites - Accord - Caern - Mystic - Minor - Punishment - Renown - Seasonal - Tribal

Basic Rites

Gathering for the Departed

Challenge: Static Social vs. 12 Traits, minus one Trait per Rank of the Garou being honored

Number of Ritualists: 1

Description: All too common an occurrence in these last days, this is the funeral rite of the Garou. It varies dramatically from tribe to tribe, although it is usually performed by a Galliard. The Fianna may tell tales of the fallen over a great feast; the Uktena may observe a period of silence while crafting mementos to wear or to place at the grave; the Glass Walkers may hold a very contemporary wake and reception. Any form of ritual that allows the participants to grieve for the slain and celebrate their life is fitting.

Effect: The Garou's spirit moves into the next life. Optionally, succeed on an additional Static Social challenge versus eight Traits for a Storyteller-determined bonus at your own future efforts to reach the fallen Garou through your own Ancestors background.

Duration: The ancestor-contacting bonus is permanent, at Storyteller discretion.

Intermediate Rites

Rite of the Winter Wolf

Required: A silver weapon, preferably a klaive. This ritual is always performed at night.

Challenge: Static Social vs. 12 Traits, minus one Trait per Rank of the Garou being honored

Number of Ritualists: Sept and Pack of the Target

Description: "Suffer Not Thy People to Tend Thy Sickness" -- this tenet of the Litany sees an honorable fulfillment in this ritual. When a Garou is too old, wounded, or tired to fight effectively any longer, they may request this ceremony. Their packmates and septmates gather around as the Galliards sing the songs of their Renown, inviting the protection of the spirits of Gaia to escort the Garou's soul into the next life. With dignity, the Garou walks through the ranks of the assembled, departing to a secluded place to die at their own hand, using the silver weapon. The participants howl a song of mourning, leading into an immediate Gathering for the Departed.

Effect: The Garou dies honorably.

Advanced Rites

Rite of Lasting Glory

Required: A corpse of a garou who died gloriously 

Challenge: Extended challenge, Static Social vs. 12 Traits

Number of Ritualists: 1 plus Pack of the Target

Description: When a friend dies there are many ways to mourn their death. One way is to have a party in the same fashion as the garou who has died would have wanted to celebrate their life.

Effect: For each win is an additional point of honor for the dead garou