Cockroach

Cockroach is a totem spirit of Wisdom. He is the tribal totem of the Glass Walkers, who consider him a totem of the modern age.

Overview[]

Cockroach is more Weaver-aligned than other tribal totems, which is expressed by the affinity of his packs to Gifts that manipulate technology. To be sure, Cockroach is quick, hardy, and persistent. Cockroach's pack has the ability to enter the Umbra and view data stored on media or streaming through data cables.

In one of the optional scenarios presented in Apocalypse, Cockroach is trapped by a ritual to force him to join the Corporate Spirit of Pentex, which leads the Glass Walkers to the Wyrm. This (or a similar occurrence) appears to have been the case in 5th edition as well, as Cockroach is stated to have fallen to the Wyrm as of the Era of Apocalypse (possibly as early as the 1960s instead), forcing the Garou to 'put down' Cockroach and the Glass Walkers to accept Spider as their new Patron Spirit. However, as of 2023, Cockroach has begun to realize the sheer depravity of the Wyrm ascendant, and has begun offering his Gifts of digital protection to pragmatic Bone Gnawers in the hopes of switching sides once again.^{[Note 1]}^[1]

Background Cost: 7

Traits[]

Individual: Chosen of Cockroach subtract two from all difficulties involving computers, electricity, and applied science. They can also perceive the contents of data streams in the Umbra, watching along with a YouTube video or listening in on a cellphone call with a successful Gnosis roll (difficulty 6).

Pack: Cockroach’s packs gain three dice that apply to any roll to activate a Gift that affects technology.

Ban[]

A Pack who has adopted him as a totem must not kill cockroaches.

Trivia[]

WAIT, COCKROACH DOES WHAT?

Yes, cockroach spirits will teach Gifts to Samsa, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the totem Cockroach is the spirit courts’ great survivor. He intends to exist even if the Wyrm wins. Long after the Wyrm’s minions turn on themselves and devour each other, Cockroach plans to survive with his brood. The Samsa may prove useful in this regard. Secondly, Cockroach is curious about these new creations. The Samsa stink of corruption, but Cockroach knows his children adapt to survive almost anything. Samsa definitely aren’t his, but he’s intently watching their survival strategies. Either way, Cockroach is investing in the possible future. The Samsa are deeply paranoid, broken, and loathed even by other Wyrm creatures. Cockroach intends to be the only one Samsa can trust. One day, they may even betray the Wyrm and fight for Gaia. If the Samsa prove to be more trouble than they’re worth, he can always call on the Glass Walkers to destroy the mockery breed. Until then, he refuses to discuss the issue with the Garou, has cockroach spirits teach the Samsa Gifts, and plans as only the greatest survivor can.

References[]

↑ WTA: The Book of Hungry Names

WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse Rulebook, p. 265
WTA: Umbra: The Velvet Shadow, p. 57, 60. 118
WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse Revised Edition, p. 296 (Cost: 6)
WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 375
WTA: W20 Book of the Wyrm, p. 171
WTA: Tribebook: Glass Walkers
WTA: The Apocalypse, p. 152
WTA: Apocalypse
WTWW: Werewolf: The Wild West Rulebook, p. 286-287 (Cost: 6)
cMET: Laws of the Wyld West, p. 270 (Cost: 5)
DAW: Dark Ages: Werewolf Rulebook, p. 230 (Cost: 6)

↑ Although the following sentiment holds true for all general lore statements based on The Book of Hungry Names, it should be noted here especially (what with the importance of the lore of an entire tribal Patron) that information from The Book of Hungry Names that does not solely concern its own plot and setting should be taken with a grain of salt. In addition to the in-universe reason of most of the lore being conveyed through characters with a very limited understanding of the wider World of Darkness, The Book of Hungry Names was written in the process of Werewolf: The Apocalypse 5th Edition's redrafting period, where numerous major aspects of the setting and lore would have been altered while Kyle Marquis (who is also a third-party individual not directly affiliated with Paradox Interactive) was in the middle of writing the game. As a result, although measures will be taken to only present setting information from The Book of Hungry Names if and only if no other more credible source contradicts it, readers should nevertheless approach any information on this wiki whose sole source is that game, especially on this page, with a degree of skepticism.

[2] WTA: The Book of Hungry Names

[1] Although the following sentiment holds true for all general lore statements based on The Book of Hungry Names, it should be noted here especially (what with the importance of the lore of an entire tribal Patron) that information from The Book of Hungry Names that does not solely concern its own plot and setting should be taken with a grain of salt. In addition to the in-universe reason of most of the lore being conveyed through characters with a very limited understanding of the wider World of Darkness, The Book of Hungry Names was written in the process of Werewolf: The Apocalypse 5th Edition's redrafting period, where numerous major aspects of the setting and lore would have been altered while Kyle Marquis (who is also a third-party individual not directly affiliated with Paradox Interactive) was in the middle of writing the game. As a result, although measures will be taken to only present setting information from The Book of Hungry Names if and only if no other more credible source contradicts it, readers should nevertheless approach any information on this wiki whose sole source is that game, especially on this page, with a degree of skepticism.

[Note 1]

[1]