Ghost Council (W5)

Ghost Council
Singular	Ghost
Renown	Wisdom
Patron	Horned Serpent

The Ghost Council is one of the 11 tribes of true Garou in the 5th edition of Werewolf: the Apocalypse.

The werewolves of the Ghost Council are great seekers of mystery, but they are regarded as somewhat secretive by more straightforward Garou, who sometimes misunderstand the tribe’s regard for questions of higher purpose. Among the Ghost Council’s members may be found guides, academics, and even a panoply of religious folk.

(For their counterpart in older editions, see Uktena.)

Overview

To the Ghost Council — or “Ghosts,” individually — the destination or the path might be the objective; what matters most is that the seeker understands why they have undertaken a particular journey and can therefore learn about the Garou’s world. The journey itself is of great import to Ghost Council werewolves, as it represents an opportunity for discovery along the way… as well as a chance to tease out the secrets of the journey’s environment.

At the same time, it’s a chance to find out which paths the other tribes deliberately avoid, and to learn why. For what is a taboo if not a tool a competitor willingly sets aside? Motivating the Ghost Council is a desire, a hunger, a need for knowledge, particularly of a practical and spiritual nature. That practicality often comes to the fore as an ability to affect the world around them. Ghosts collect secrets the better to get results. Whether tricking an unsuspecting spirit into letting them pass unmolested or learning where in his mistress’ apartment the executive hid incriminating documents, werewolves of the Ghost Council look for the boundaries others draw around themselves, the flaws they build into their own armor. They want every option on the table, even the “forbidden” ones, because when you’re in the middle of a goddamn Apocalypse, no option should be “forbidden.”

This philosophy has earned the Ghost Council a reputation as subversives among more traditional Garou — and Ghosts don’t seem to care. “The ends justify the means” usually comes across as a dangerous political doctrine, but for the Ghost Council, finding an answer or opportunity excuses how it’s accomplished. If something comes of maintaining a relationship with a confidant from a fallen tribe or forging pacts with forbidden spirits, the Ghost is satisfied — and validated, in their minds.

Holistically, the discovery of hidden truths requires going to them. Every human society has traditions in this vein, and the Ghost Council has had members among many such traditions and societies. Members of the tribe are often enthusiastic about opportunities to travel for this reason.

Patron Spirit

The Patron Spirit of the Ghost Council is Horned Serpent, no stranger to dark places and hidden truths. Horned Serpent and the Ghost Council are associated with Wisdom. Of all the tribes, the Ghost Council has what is probably the most transactional relationship with its patron, a formal acknowledgement of give-and-take of almost fairytale quality… one that sometimes takes on a sinister cast to some outside the tribe.

Favor

Horned Serpent encourages looking at things from all angles and taking the most advantageous one. A Ghost Council Garou may add one die to Investigation, Occult, or Subterfuge dice pools related to revealing a kept secret.

Ban

Horned Serpent is known for Wisdom, but spirits and Garou alike look askance at the ways she garners knowledge. For a scene in which the Ghost Council werewolf has an opportunity to satisfy their curiosity but doesn’t, they regain only a single point of Willpower at the beginning of the next session, instead of their Composure or Resolve rating.

Gifts

A full list of the Gifts that the Ghost Council can access can be found at Ghost Council Gifts.

Gallery

Some Ghosts

References

• WTA: 5th Edition Core Book, p. 68-69