Hart Wardens

Hart Wardens
Singular	Hart Warden
Renown	Glory
Patron	Stag

The Hart Wardens are one of the 11 tribes of true Garou in the 5th edition of Werewolf: the Apocalypse.

The Hart Wardens are the keepers and stewards of nature, whether hallowing the pristine “undiscovered” places in the world or cultivating someplace particularly important to them toward a more structured purpose, such as a farm or orchard. It might be a sprawling country estate, a tarnished river valley that needs to be revived, or even a hidden bit of green space in the CBD in New Orleans, but the Hart Wardens are there, coaxing the promise they can out of their pack’s bit of creation.

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

Overview

If the Garou have one foot each in the worlds of flesh and spirit, the Hart Wardens have one foot each in the modern world and a world of their own mythmaking. They are greatly passionate about what they find and nurture, and any gathering of Hart Wardens will soon turn to celebrations of history (and no few tall tales…) as regards their own tribe and the Garou in general.

The Hart Wardens dedicate themselves to an individual region, purpose, or even person and tend it to the full extent of their ability. To them, the world is a bounty to be cultivated and shared, and at the same time protected against those who would abuse it or exploit it to place themselves above others. They honor a curious blend of old ways and modern ones, exalting hierarchy, but one built upon obligations owed as opposed to wealth hoarded. For the truly deserving, fortune will follow duty.

And so today the Hart Wardens build tiny personal holdings and great caerns alike and tend them. The tribe seeks those places dear to Gaia that have fallen and takes them back from plunderers. They sing songs and embellish stories to remember great deeds, showing great pride in their role as wardens among the werewolves. And woe betide any who would dispossess a Hart Wardens or a member of their pack, for the Hart Wardens are loyal to Gaia, to Stag, to their duty, and to their fellows — fiercely loyal.

Hart Warden septs

The following septs are known to contain a disproportionate amount of Hart Wardens, though their continued status as Garou means that most of these septs also possess a fair number of members of other tribes:

• Sept of the Water's Birth

Patron Spirit

The Patron Spirit of the Hart Wardens is Stag, who introduced all the Garou to the ways of nature and particularly favored the Hart Wardens. Stag and the Hart Wardens are associated with Glory, and they especially revere their galliards, who can stoke those fires of Glory in the singing of their legend or recitation of their deeds.

Favor

Stag is looked to by many as the father of the forest, with great sway over beasts and even flora. Hart Wardens may add a die to any dice pool involving survival, non-hostile interactions with animals, and nature-related crafts.

Ban

Stag observes long-standing traditions of hospitality. If harm comes to someone while under a Hart Warden’s hospitality, the Hart Wardens may regain only a single Willpower at the start of the next session, instead of their Composure or Resolve rating.

Gifts

For a full list of Gifts that joining the Hart Wardens gives a Garou access to, see Hart Warden Gifts.

Gallery

Some Hart Wardens

References

• WTA: 5th Edition Core Book, p. 72-73