Uratha

The Uratha are werewolves, creatures of flesh and spirit whose duty is to protect the world from creatures of the Shadow. A small number are known as the Forsaken; the majority are members of the Pure Tribes.

History
Long ago the world was a paradise known as Pangaea, where the spirit and material worlds mingled freely. Balance was kept by Father Wolf, a being of great power who patrolled the borders between the worlds. Luna, spirit of the moon, was impressed by his strength and wisdom and, in her human form, took him as her lover. From their union the Uratha were born: part spirit and part flesh, part man and part wolf.

As the years went by, some of Father Wolf's children saw that he had become weak, and to prevent him failing in his duties rose against him and killed him, intending to take his place. The death of Father Wolf also raised a barrier between the worlds, making it impossible for any being to cross except at certain places. Luna, stricken with grief, cursed all Uratha, though those who participated in Father Wolf's death later swore an oath to her to carry on Father Wolf's tasks, regaining some of her favor - but costing them the enmity of the spirit world. These Uratha became known as the Forsaken.

Nature
Any human with Uratha heritage may undergo the First Change at some time in their life, becoming a werewolf, though what triggers the change is unknown. Each Uratha has an auspice or role, and most join a tribe. Unlike the werewolves of folk tales and superstitiion, Uratha may change at any time into various forms between man and wolf, though they do find this easier when the phase of the moon matches their auspice.

Uratha are fierce territorial predators who feel the compulsion to hunt. Many have trouble containing their aggression, hindering their ability to live normal human lives. Like wolves, the Uratha form packs in order to hunt more efficiently and better guard their territory.

Uratha are also spiritual creatures, able to channel spirit energy, which they call Essence, to make use of supernatural powers called gifts to aid them in their hunts. They also possess an instinctive (if rudimentary) understanding of the First Tongue, the language spoken by their ancestors and still used by spirits (it is possibly also the original language of all humans). Many Uratha learn to speak the First Tongue fluently.

Auspices
Each Uratha (at least among the Forsaken) has an auspice, a traditional role in Uratha society, tied to one of five phases of the moon. Luna decides each Uratha's auspice, based on their personality and abilities; accordingly, an Uratha will go through the First Change during the corresponding moon phase. (Most of these auspices differ from those of Werewolf: The Apocalypse in subtle but important ways.) The five auspices have names in the First Tongue:


 * Rahu (The Full Moon, The Warrior) - warriors of all kinds from brawlers to seasoned commanders.
 * Cahalith (The Gibbous Moon, The Visionary) - seers, storytellers and lorekeepers.
 * Elodoth (The Half Moon, The Walker Between) - diplomats to the spirit courts, judges and arbiters.
 * Ithaeur (The Crescent Moon, The Spirit Master) - occultists and keepers of spirit lore and rituals.
 * Irraka (The New Moon, The Stalker) - scouts, spies and trackers.

Tribes
Tribes are groups of Uratha who have chosen to follow the teachings of one of the totems, powerful wolf spirits who were among the original children of Father Wolf, also known as the [Firstborn]]. (Most of these tribes have partial or direct analogies in the tribes from Werewolf: The Apocalypse.) Each promotes a certain attitude to or agenda behind the hunt.

The Forsaken have five tribes, known as the Tribes of the Moon. They are (First Tongue names in parentheses):


 * 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.

There are also the three "Pure Tribes";.


 * 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.

Forms
Every Uratha may change at will into five distinct forms. The forms, named in the First Tongue, are:


 * Hishu — human form. An Uratha appears to be a normal, if very fit and healthy, human. An unconscious or dead werewolf returns to this form.
 * Dalu — near-human form. The Uratha is slightly bigger, hairier and stronger.
 * Gauru - wolf-man or war form. Half-human, half-wolf, Gauru form Uratha are generally 8 to 9 feet tall and much heavier and stronger than any human. In this form a werewolf's blood-lust rises to the surface and is much harder to control. Uratha can only channel the power of the Gauru form for a limited time, and generally only take this form to kill.
 * Urshul - near-wolf form. An Uratha in this form is a huge wolf 3 to 5 feet high at the shoulder.
 * Urhan - wolf form. The Uratha is indistinguishable from a normal wolf, though different Uratha resemble different breeds or species of wolf.