Horned Serpent is the Patron Spirit of the Ghost Council tribe of Garou. Some scholars of Umbral esoterica give her the more neutral 'name' of the Principle of Twisting Secrets.[1]
(For her counterpart in older editions, see Uktena.)
Overview[]
The relationship that Horned Serpent has with her followers seems odd and sometimes adversarial to outsider Garou, but the Ghost Council respect the spirit and have little difficulty navigating their dynamic with her. 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, which often takes on a sinister cast to outside perspectives.
Ragabash Ghosts sometimes poke fun at Horned Serpent's seeming mercuriality, highlighting how, just like the Umbra she delves into the depths of, she may illuminate seekers with her favor just as often as she may send those same seekers unwittingly plunging off a cliff.
Aspects[]
As a cultural spirit and not one based directly on concrete things in the physical world, as is the case with animal-spirits, Horned Serpent's guise is flexible depending on who approaches her. Abenaki and Mohawk Garou often know her as Pita-Skog, while those of an Irish background call her the Serpent of Cernunnos. a Scandinavian pack may even view Horned Serpent as masculine (not that any gender is an accurate description of how the Incarna sees herself) under the name Jormungandr. Like with all the cultural Patrons, from Horned Serpent to Gorgon to Griffin, none of these names are false.[1]
Favors and Bans[]
No strangers to dark places and hidden truths, Horned Serpent and her Ghosts are associated with Wisdom.
Favor[]
Horned Serpent encourages looking at things from all angles and taking the most advantageous one. A Ghost 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.
References[]
- WTA: 5th Edition Core Book, p. 69, 231