Tribe (WTF)

A Tribe is a group of Uratha who follow one of the totems, powerful wolf spirits who were among the original children of Father Wolf, also known as the Firstborn. Each promotes a certain attitude to or agenda behind the hunt.

While packs are the primary social unit among werewolves, tribes are the most widespread unit of broader organisation. Membership in a tribe denotes membership among either the Pure or the Forsaken, and the majority of werewolves join one. The Forsaken do count some Ghost Wolves, Uratha who belong to no tribe, among their number, but they are seen as deliberately distancing themselves from Uratha society and they suffer considerable stigma for their iconoclasm.

Despite this, the ideals and beliefs of each totem are fairly broad, allowing for great variety in their followers, and consequently an Uratha will often not feel closely tied to all members of her tribe. Some, however, join Lodges, groups within Forsaken society for Uratha with very specific agendas. Most lodges are sub-groups within particular tribes, though some transcend tribe boundaries. Members must usually pass some form of strict initiation, but membership provides benefits which help the Uratha fulfil the lodge's goals. This generally includes easier access to additional Gifts, but may also be anything from bonuses to traits to patronage from a spirit in addition to the Uratha's tribal totem.

There are eight tribes: three among the Pure, and five among the Forsaken. The Bale Hounds are not a tribe, as they do not share a single common patron, and in any case do not follow the teachings of a totem. It is said there may be other Firstborn than the eight followed by the known tribes, though it is unknown if they have followers of their own.

The Pure Tribes
The Pure Tribes, with their First Tongue names in parentheses, are:


 * Fire-Touched (Izidakh) - fanatical followers of Rabid Wolf, the spiritual leaders of the Pure, who hold that all Forsaken are irrevocably evil and that their taint may only be cleansed by fire.
 * Ivory Claws (Tzuumfin) - obsessed with purity, the followers of Silver Wolf are cold and calculating planners and schemers. Only those of the purest bloodlines are allowed to join.
 * Predator Kings (Ninna Farakh) - these savage hunters hate the Forsaken not for killing Father Wolf, but for losing them the hunter's paradise of Pangaea. Like their patron Dire Wolf (the oldest Firstborn), they live for the hunt above all else.

The Tribes of the Moon
The Forsaken have five tribes, known as the Tribes of the Moon:


 * 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, embrace change and new ideas. They 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.