Grandfather Thunder is a totem of Respect, strongly associated with the Shadow Lords tribe, of which he is the Patron Spirit. He is a powerful storm-spirit that demands a clear hierarchy. The Hakken also honor Grandfather Thunder, however they refer to it by the name Naru-Kami.[1][2] Other names for the primordial storm-spirit include Taranis, Donner, Tlaloc, and the Emperor of Night.[3]
Overview[]
Garou glyph for Grandfather Thunder
Grandfather Thunder looks favorably upon the Shadow Lords and others who strive to keep the Garou Nation strong and out of the hands of the weak, old, corrupt, and incompetent. "Thunder rules with a fist of iron and a voice of silk", is the ancient adage. Thunder is more feared than respected, yet his place amongst the Totems of respect is secure.
Thunder fosters patience, ingenuity, subtlety, and strategy within those he chooses—but it is ultimately directed towards the acquisition of power and the downfall of any incapable or undeserving of wielding it. The respect-through-fear aspect often results in few Garou - especially at-risk Garou in positions of power - trusting those who pack under Grandfather Thunder. For it is the nature of the pack to test those in power, as wolves test a herd of deer, to seek out the weak and unguarded and to pull them down so that others more fit for duty may take their place. If it just so happens that one of Thunder's own is better suited, then that simply speaks to the strength of those who pack under Grandfather.
Obviously, those in power often want to know precisely what Thunder pack is up to. Despite claims of underhandedness, Thunder's children generally usurp power from others via the normal, acceptable means within Garou society: challenges, demonstrating greater skill, or revealing incompetence; however, tipping the scales to favor a challenger often goes hand in hand with the more acceptable means.
The most famous spirits of Grandfather Thunder's brood are the Stormcrows, which are inextricably linked to the Shadow Lords. Grandfather Thunder has also dominated other spirits that others would find difficult to control, such as spirits of night and pain.
Traits & Ban[]
- Background Cost: 7
Traits[]
Thunder's packs can call upon five extra Willpower points per story, and they gain three dice to Etiquette. All pack members can also gain two extra Intimidation dice when they invoke Thunder. Many Shadow Lords see little difference between respect and fear. Each pack member also gains one point of Honor Renown. Shadow Lords will follow the pack's activities with keen interest.
Ban[]
Grandfather Thunder commands his children to give their peers and their rivals no more respect than they deserve.
Favors and Bans[]
In Werewolf 5th Edition, Grandfather Thunder is the Patron Spirit of the Shadow Lords, rather than their totem. Thunder drives the meek into their dens and announces the arrival of vengeful storms. Thunder is often distant, but always fearsome. At other times, Thunder is the furious herald of action and change. Thus, Shadow Lords maintain that a calculated feint sets up a mighty strike. Thunder and the Shadow Lords are associated with (largely their own) Glory.[4]
Favor[]
Thunder can provoke great fear in those to whom he announces his presence, and the Shadow Lords can seemingly summon his mien to act similarly. A Shadow Lord can add a dice to Animal Ken, Intimidation, or Subterfuge dice pools relating to threats or the exploitation of weakness.
Ban[]
Thunder shows no more deference or respect than has been earned, and the Shadow Lords follow suit. If a Shadow Lord suffers defeat in a conflict to any Garou of lesser Total Renown, they may recover only a single Willpower at the start of the next session, instead of their Composure or Resolve rating.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ WTA: Hengeyokai: Shapeshifters of the East, p. 62, 65
- ↑ WTA/cMET: Hengeyokai: Way of the Beast Courts, p. 52, 128
- ↑ WTA: The Book of Hungry Names
- ↑ WTA: 5th Edition Core Book, p. 77
- WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse Rulebook, p. 263
- WTA: Umbra: The Velvet Shadow, p. 120
- WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse Second Edition
- WTWW: Werewolf: The Wild West Rulebook, p. 285
- cMET: Laws of the Wyld West, p. 266 (Cost: 5)
- DAW: Dark Ages: Werewolf Rulebook, p. 228
- WTA: Ratkin, p. 68
- WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse Revised Edition, p. 294
- WTA/cMET: Laws of the Wild: Changing Breeds 3, p. 202 (Ratkin)
- WTA: Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 95, 373
- GarouMUSH Wiki