Werewolf: The Forsaken

The Hunt Continues
Werewolf: The Forsaken Daily
Posted: 2005-01-07

FRIDAY 1/7

Speaking In Tongues: This week we look at the First Tongue, the language of werewolves and spirits.

MONDAY JANUARY 3 UPDATE

The First Tongue is the ancient language spoken by all spirits — and, as legend would have it, by all mortals before the fall of Pangaea. Most werewolves have a remedial, instinctive understanding of the First Tongue and can learn greater fluency from any werewolf who knows the tongue or any spirit that agrees to teach. Although the First Tongue dialect that werewolves speak is not quite the same as the spirits' dialect — it is adapted by necessity to their mouths and throats — it is close enough that spirits and werewolves can easily understand one another.

A First Tongue Lexicon (Part 1):

Hisil: The Shadow Realm, the spiritual reflection of the physical world.

Uratha (oo-RAH-thah): Werewolves.

Uremehir: The First Tongue

Urfarah: Father Wolf

TUESDAY JANUARY 4 UPDATE

The First Tongue is available to werewolves in all five of their forms, but to differing degrees. In human form, their mouths cannot clearly form the more challenging growls or subvocalizations, so enunciation isn't perfect. In the near -human and wolf-man forms, First Tongue speech is much easier. In the near-wolf form, the Uratha can't use human speech at all but can use First Tongue with limited facility. Finally, in wolf form, Uratha can use the First Tongue somewhat. (Anything more complex than “Follow me” or “Danger ahead” requires a successful Manipulation + Expression roll.)

Lexicon (Part 2):

Hishu (hih-shoo): The human form of a werewolf.

Dalu (dah-loo): The humanlike, yet animalistic form of a werewolf.

Gauru (guh-roo): The half-human, half-wolf war form of a werewolf, which carries with it the burden of Rage.

Urshul (ur-shool): The bestial wolf-like form of a werewolf.

Urhan (ur-hahn): The wolf form.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5 UPDATE

Many Uratha see the First Tongue as primarily a convenience for communicating across forms, but werewolves truly utilize it in negotiations with the denizens of the Shadow Realm. The First Tongue is the native tongue of all spirits, so any form of spirit communication (and certainly any diplomacy) takes place in the First Tongue. All werewolves understand enough to figure out whether a spirit is asking a question, making a threat or pleading for mercy, but actual discussion requires greater fluency. At least one dot in the Language Merit (First Tongue) is required.

Lexicon (Part 3):

Cahalunim (kuh-hall-oo-nim): The choir of Lunes tied to the gibbous moon; patron spirits of the Cahalith. Also, the Fertile Choir.

Elunim (ell-oo-nim): The choir of Lunes tied to the half moon; patron spirits of the Elodoth. Also, the Cloven Choir.

Irralunim (ir-rah-loo-nim): The choir of Lunes tied to the new moon; patron spirits of the Irraka. Also, the Moonless or Silent Choir.

Ithalunim (ih-thah-loo-nim): The choir of Lunes tied to the crescent moon; patron spirits of the Ithaeur. Also, the Oracle Choir.

Ralunim (rah-loo-nim): The choir of Lunes tied to the full moon; patron spirits of the Rahu. Also, the Fury Choir.

zur: Chiminage, an offering made to a spirit in order to curry its good will or appease its anger.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6 UPDATE

The First Tongue can become a language of power in the right hands (or mouth). Uratha ritualists and those of great power can use the First Tongue to harm their enemies or command spirits and man. Here's an example:

Word of Quiet (Death ••••) — One of the greater secrets of the Bone Shadows is the Word of Quiet, a complicated word in the First Tongue that bears great power. The sound was allegedly spoken by the first Incarna of Death, and a portion of that great spirit's authority lingers in these twisted syllables. When spoken, the word tugs at the hearts of all living beings that hear it, brushing them with the stillness of the grave. Yet, the word's true power comes when it is spoken against the undead, for it compels them to lie down in their graves and rest again.

Cost: 1 Willpower

Dice Pool: Presence + Occult + Honor – subject's Stamina (or Resistance)

Action: Instant

All living creatures within a radius of (10 x the user's Presence) yards, suffer one point of bashing damage. All undead creatures such as ghosts and vampires in the same range (and within the same realm as the speaker) suffer one point of lethal damage per success. If multiple undead creatures are present, the highest Stamina (or Resistance in the case of ghosts) among them is subtracted from the werewolf's pool.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 UPDATE

Yesterday, we saw the power of one aspect of the First Tongue. Here, it shows up in a more complex rite:

Banish Spirit (Rite ••) — This brute-force rite returns a wayward spirit from the physical world to the spirit world. Being shoved through the Gauntlet can be damaging to spirits, who resent having this rite used on them. Most spirits would prefer to leave of their own volition, perhaps after being plied with chiminage or the promise of favors. The pain this ritual inflicts on a wayward spirit makes it a good stick to have around, however, if the carrot of chiminage proves insufficient.

Performing the Rite: The targeted spirit must be bound with the Bind Spirit rite, or its host must be physically prevented from moving more than a yard or two in any direction. The ritualist approaches the bound spirit and performs a brief snarl of exile and refusal, complete with similar gestures. The ritualist then slowly circles the bound spirit counterclockwise and sprinkles it with salt water from each of the four cardinal directions. The key of the ritual is the five-time repetition of the First Tongue phrase, "I banish you from this realm," Galer za da sar. The ritualist doesn't have to repeat the phrase five times in a row. He may sprinkle it throughout the performance, but the ritual isn't complete until the phrase is said for a fifth time.

Dice Pool: Harmony versus the subject's Power

Action: Contested and extended (10 successes; each roll requires a minute's time)

The first competitor to accumulate the required successes wins, either to be banished to the spirit world or to refuse to go. If the spirit wins, no attempt to banish it can be made again by any werewolf for 24 hours.

Next Week: What's Your Moon, Baby? — We look at the five auspices of the Uratha.