Uktena

The Uktena belong to one of the three tribes of Garou that came to America across the Bering Land bridge. They believe that open rage and narrow vision will be the downfall of Garou. They also believe that, by coming to understand the Spirit World, they will be able to spread wisdom and allow the Garou to purify the world of the Wyrm’s influence. The Wyrm is seen as a very real spiritual taint that spreads itself all across the world. To the Uktena, the "real" world is not important. They would rather be in the Umbra than walking about on earth. Since the destruction of the Croatan Tribe, the Uktena’s maxim is "Know Thy Enemy." They put their spirits on the line in order to venture into the heart of the Wyrm and discover its foul plans.

The Uktena were once purely Native American, but they have since begun accepting those who are alienated from other tribes. They have incorporated many magical beliefs and cultures into their tribal rites and moots. They are also concerned with fetishes, as they see them as spiritual tools to strengthen themselves as spirit warriors and protectors. They also feel that it is their duty to watch over Wyrm-ridden areas and protect other Garou from the Wyrm’s influence. They will often raid the holdings of mages, Tremere vampires and even Black Furies to recover fetishes they believe should be used in service to Gaia.

The Uktena are secretive among themselves and are often accused of allying with the Wyrm because of their close study of it. This is not the case, however, as the Uktena are probably one of the only tribes that knows enough about the Wyrm to begin seriously harming it. Still, taint by the Wyrm is an ever-present danger, and all Uktena are aware of this fact. It is common practice for all Uktena to undergo the Rite of Cleansing regularly in order to clean themselves of Wyrm-taint.

Totem: Uktena, an ancient water spirit

Initial Willpower: One Trait

Tribe Advantage: Umbral Sight
You can peek into the Umbra from the real world at the cost of a Mental Trait. This also allows you to see others moving within the Umbra.

Tribe Drawback: Umbra Affinity
Your ties to this world are weak. You find it difficult to return here from the Umbra. You must spend a Gnosis Trait in order to leave the Umbra and return to Earth.

Backgrounds: No Restrictions.

Beginning Gifts: Sense Magic, Blur of the Milky Eye

Wolf Form: A smallish, darkly-hued wolf with strange patterns of a lighter and contrasting color on its back and flanks.

Organization: They operate very tightly-organized septs, relying heavily on their own messengers, their spirit-messengers, and the Silent Striders. They perform regular rituals just to renew their connection with the Land. It is rumored they have highly secret septs in carefully hidden places that are still as pure and as untamed as the land was during prehistoric times. They are ruled by a central Lodge that is a collection of elders from all the Uktena-dominated septs, although other Uktena are often invited to attend.

Habitat: The Uktena live as near to their caerns as possible, often building natural-material structures within the Bawn. This means they usually live in the wilderness, but many Uktena caerns are located on the repossessed land of their ancestors.

Protectorate: They are supposed to watch over the disenfranchised and oppressed people of the world; in practice, they only watch over those who could potentially be of use to them as a tribe. They have mingled with and integrated people of Asian, African and European heritage. Many of the younger members of the tribe are wild street gangsters, but these young warriors soon learn respect for their elders in one the Uktena septs and often turn to a path of wisdom. The Uktena protect a version of the Silver Record which has been around since the early days of the Garou, and they refuse to let it fall into anyone else’s hands.

Quote: "You cannot know the power of the Wyrm. Have you seen the fires reflected in its eyes? Have you watched its fangs drool with poison? Have you heard its breathing? Until you have walked with me down that road, you will have to understand that there are some things that you do not wish to know. There are some things which would kill you if you found them out. Beware of what you ask of the spirits..."

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