Rank in Garou Society

Garou society establishes hierarchy through a system of Renown, a measure of a hero’s deeds and service to her sept. Based on their renown, each werewolf also holds a
certain rank in Garou society, and they are often addressed by their proper title. A werewolf’s instincts and thousands of years of tribal conditioning reinforce the need for a hierarchy. Pack instincts demand it. Every werewolf has his place. Elders rarely need to demonstrate power by abusing their lessers, and their vassals are usually content to serve. Though it may seem abusive and unequal to many modern Garou, the hierarchy does have its roots in merit. The strongest and wisest rise to the to the top, or that is the hope.

Cubs are young men and women thrown into the deep end of the war for Gaia. They've just recently had their First Change, which may be their first traumatic introduction to the world of the Garou. Other werewolves capture cubs and educate them quickly, both protecting them and indoctrinating them into their new role as Gaia's warriors. Cubs must learn quickly, leaving the trappings of their old lives behind in favor of mastering the basic skills of their Auspice. They must submit to the orders of everyone except their fellow cubs. They cannot fully participate in Garou society -- such as challenging, and being challenged -- until they prove themselves in a ritual called a Rite of Passage.

Duties: Cubs have a responsibility to learn all that they can about Garou society, and the role that their auspice plays within it. Additionally, they have their share of chores and tasks to maintain the Caern alongside the ranked Garou around them. Additionally, cubs may be asked to participate in missions or other ventures as seen fit by the Den Parent or higher ranked Garou.

Challenges: Cubs cannot formally challenge other Garou to resolve disputes or make claims on kinfolk, fetishes, or other rights and privileges. However, Cubs cannot be challenged for these things either. Cubs are considered the responsibility of their mentor, usually a Garou of higher rank assigned to the education of new cubs called the Den Parent, or in smaller Caerns, the Garou who has taken responsibility for the cub's education. 

Cliath: Rank One

Cliath are the youngest members in full standing of the Garou Nation. They have fulfilled a Rite of Passage, which proves them worthy of joining the war for Gaia; they are welcomed into the extended family of a tribe. But now their responsibilities truly begin. Higher-ranked Garou expect Cliath to submit to their orders and to the demands of the Litany; Cliath who fail at these tasks can expect harsh judgment. While they are no longer watched by a Den Parent, Cliath must continue to learn, seeking out instruction from the elders of their Auspice and Tribe.

Duties: While a Cliath is no longer under the direct tutelage of a Den Parent or other higher ranked Garou, they are still expected to continue learning, and applying their newfound abilities as a member of a tribe to use in service to their Caern. Cliath are regularly asked to assist in patrolling the perimeter and boundaries of their Caern, assist with general maintenance of the grounds, or even help to keep the spirits present in the Caern appeased when asked. This is the first rank of responsibility for a Garou, and they are watched closely by their peers and elders to see whether they live up to their potential.

Privileges: Once they have fulfilled their Rite of Passage, Cliath have the right to form a pack with other Garou, or to join an existing pack. They may also learn Rank 1 gifts that are taught from their Tribe, Breed, and Auspice gift lists. Additionally, they may seek the counsel of a Philodox or other higher ranked Garou should they feel that they have been wronged in the eyes of the Litany.

Challenges: Now that the Garou has achieved their first rank, they may issue challenges, and be the defender of challenges issued by others. They may challenge up to one rank above themselves, which means that they may issue challenges, or be challenged by fellow Cliath, or Fostern Garou. See the page on Challenges for more detailed information.

Fostern: Rank Two

Fostern Rank is usually considered the minimum to hold true responsibility. Fostern have proved themselves on their own initiative, choosing how to make their mark and earning some Renown to show for it. They have taken risks and overcome challenges that other Cliaths may not have survived, and have behaved in a manner that has not brought them renown loss to remain as Cliath. Fostern are considered fully responsible adults, requiring no indulgence from their elders.

Duties: Fosterns are expected to perform all of the duties that they had before, with the additional responsibilities that come from being a trusted and tested member of their Caern or Sept. At this rank, Fosterns may be expected to take on more active duties for the Caern and outside of it, such as being called upon as an emissary to another Caern, or even traveling great distances to answers calls for aid of other Garou.

Privileges: At this rank, Fosterns are eligible to challenge for the right to hold a Caern position, though at this rank, it is rare that they will be successful in performing, or besting the current holders of, more prestigious and critical positions such as the Warder or Master of the Rite, but other positions are well within their grasp. Additionally, Fosterns may now learn Rank 2 gifts, as well as challenge Cliaths, fellow Fosterns, and Adren in formal challenges.

Adren are the first rank of true leaders among Garou. Few Garou survive this long, but those who do tend to be especially competent, carving out a niche where they are well-known for their service to Gaia.  Those that reach the Rank of Adren have taken on major responsibilities within their sept. They hold most of the positions of consequence, such as Warder, Master of the Rite, and Gatekeeper, among others. Adren are considered to be the future leaders of their tribe and Caern.

Duties: Adren are given heavy burdens of responsibility, as this is the rank where a Garou truly comes into their own as a responsible, vital member of their Caern and tribe. They carry out their roles and duties with distinction and the wisdom of experience. Adren are also expected be role models and examples for younger Garou, and share the wisdom and insights they have earned along the way.

Privileges: Achieving the rank of Adren, while a feat of ingenuity, strength, and sometimes just sheer luck is an accomplishment of its own, it comes with its own privileges as well. Adren can be expected to take on the responsibilities of any of the Caern Positions they successfully challenge for, and will receive the renown from serving well in these positions of responsibility and authority. Adren are also elevated from being able to be formally challenged by Cliath, as they are too high in station to be challenged by the first rank of Garou. Adren can learn Rank 3 gifts, and may challenge Fostern, fellow Adren, and Athro Garou in formal challenges. Additionally,

Athro have risen very high in the hierarchy of the Garou. They are mighty warriors, renowned lorekeepers, wise leaders, notorious tricksters, and famous judges. Werewolves that want a place among this elite group need to demonstrate exceptional skill and intelligence, and those very rare Garou who manage to attain this Rank on the first try are held in awe even by their peers. Athro are typically swept up in some of the most perilous and compelling adventures their tribes and Caern can offer. Silent Strider messengers have been known to travel around the world to summon the right pack of Athro for critical adventures.

Duties: Athro are expected to lead their fellow Garou, and are often times the highest ranked member of their auspice or tribe within a Caern or Sept. Athro also may have opportunities to delegate the lesser issues and trials that a Caern faces to younger packs, serving the dual purpose of ensuring that the younger Garou gain experience and renown of their own, while allowing the Athro to focus their efforts and ability towards the more grave threats or issues that they are needed for. Athro, like Adren, are expected to not only perform their duties and serve as an example to younger Garou, but they may even be called upon by other Caerns and Septs to aid them for extended periods of time.

Privileges: Athro are further elevated from the lesser challenges and squabbles of the younger or less experienced Garou, as they can only be challenged by, or challenge Adren, fellow Athro, or Elders. Athro may also learn Rank 4 gifts, as well as having greater access to the resources that the Caern may be able to provide.

Elders are paragons among werewolves, the leaders of Septs, Tribes, and Caerns. Their long and impressive service to Gaia earns them respect from all the spirits of the Garou Nation. Elders are at the heart of a Sept or Tribe, and they hold the fate of the Garou Nation in their hands. Their decisions guide the Garou. Their deeds are held up as examples for younger werewolves to follow. Their mistakes can cause severe harm to Gaia, the Garou, or the war against the Wyrm. Very few Garou live to accumulate enough renown and impressive deeds to be named an Elder.

Duties: In addition to the duties expected of all Garou of the lesser ranks, Elders are expected to take responsibility for the well-being of all fellow tribe and auspice members of their Caern. Elders are expected to give guidance when it is needed, to rise to the greatest challenges that their Caern faces, and to provide the wisdom and discipline to those beneath them. Elders are expected to prepare the next generation of Garou as well as they can, for when they are gone, it is these younger Garou who will lead the Garou Nation against their enemies long after the Elder is gone.

Privileges: Elders are typically considered to be beyond reproach for their actions, unless they directly violate the Litany or cause severe suffering or misery for other Garou. As such, Elders may only be challenged or judged by the Truthcatcher of their Caern, Athro, or their fellow Elders. Elders are also privy to the most powerful gifts of the Garou, as they gain the ability to learn Rank 5 gifts.