Bitter Rage

Bitter Rages are minor Banes that specifically target supernatural creatures who can succumb to frenzy — most often the Garou, but sometimes also vampires and other creatures.

Overview

Bitter Rages exist for the sole purpose of driving Garou mad. They feed on Rage, and in turn they fuel that Rage, pushing their prey into frenzies of ever-increasing proportions. In many ways, they are the spiritual equivalent of rabies. While these Banes prefer to target Garou and other Changing Breeds, they can also affect humans and even animals who come too close to Wyrm-infested areas. Even creatures which normally don't possess Rage gain the powers of spiritual anger when ridden by these Banes, including the ability to regenerate and to frenzy.

Bitter Rages are something of an exception among Banes; they are in the minority that do not permanently possess hosts and turn them into fomori. They can be driven out, although it's a difficult task. Once in possession of a host, the Bane fuels the target's Rage constantly, increasing it above the normal maximum into inanity. The pain of possession grows from the equivalent of a minor headache to gut-wrenching sensory overload, where even a whisper seems like a jet engine and moonlight burns the eyes. Victims inevitably succumb to a frenzy that can't be stopped as long as the victim is conscious. Only complete exhaustion slows these wretches down, and then only until they've recovered enough to start attacking everything on sight again. Bitter Rages are only vulnerable in the Umbra, and are notorious for running away as soon as they are located.

Image

In the Umbra, these Banes appear as red clouds slashed by black bolts of lightning and constantly moving in patterns. In the Realm, the Bitter Rage are only seen after they have infested a hapless Garou or human.

Character Sheet

Bitter Rage 1st Ed
Charms	Airt Sense, Reform, Possession, Raging (Raging allows a Bitter Rage to increase its victim's Rage by one for every point of Power spent. The Bitter Rage will also use the victim's own Gnosis to fuel this Rage, pulling the victim further and further away from Gaia.)
Rage/P'o	Rage: 8
Gnosis/Hun	Gnosis: 6
Willpower	8
Essence/Power/Chi	Power: 60

Bitter Rage 2nd Ed
Charms	Airt Sense, Possession, Raging*, Reform Raging - Each Power Point that the Bitter Rage spends increases its target's Rage. In the case of creatures who normally cannot Rage, the cost is two Power Points. The increase is usually gradual and occurs over a number of days, but a Bitter Rage can forces the issue of it so desires, and send any possessed target into an instant frenzy.
Rage/P'o	Rage: 8
Gnosis/Hun	Gnosis: 6
Willpower	8
Essence/Power/Chi	Power: 60

References

• WTA: Book of the Wyrm First Edition, p. 103-104
• WTA: Book of the Wyrm Second Edition, p. 118
• WTA/cMET: Mind's Eye Theatre: Book of the Wyrm, p. 128
• WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse 5th Edition, p. 245-246