Lodge of the Hungry Ghosts

Kachi-Kachi, Bone Shadow Ithaeur member of the Lodge of the Hungry Ghosts

The Lodge of the Hungry Ghosts is a lodge of Japanese Bone Shadows. They seek cooperation with spirits rather than trying to dominate them by force.

Overview

The Lodge believe that the balance between Flesh and Shadow cannot be maintained exclusively through force. Instead, they spend long periods of time living among spirits, trying to understand their desires and build trust with them. They do not shirk from violence when violence is necessary, but they endeavor not to be the one to strike the first blow.

Building such trust with spirits is often difficult, and may come at the expense of the trust of other Uratha. Members of the Lodge sacrifice their Harmony in order to spend prolonged periods of time in the Shadow, and may even fight other packs on behalf of a spirit they are trying to intercede with peacefully. Even the Hosts can be integrated into the world's spirit ecology, according to the Lodge, and that should be attempted before resorting to combat.

The lodge's patron spirit is Cha-no-yu, Hot Water Making Tea. The ritual of sharing tea with someone, even an enemy, is an important part of the lodge's practices, and Cha-no-yu is particularly good at helping calm even the Uratha's tempers. Due to their odd reputation, few prospective members seek out the lodge; instead, they choose recruits who seem receptive to their tactics. The initiation takes the form of a long, traditional tea ceremony, during which members of the lodge and associated spirits take the prospective recruit's measure.

Game Mechanics

Prerequisites

Harmony must not be above 7, or below 5; Primal Urge •••; Wisdom ••

Benefits

When drawing Essence from a locus, the werewolf may take one additional point of Essence (provided she succeeded on the roll to draw Essence.) Also, when staring into a reflective surface, a member may take an additional +1 bonus when crossing the Gauntlet.

Rites

Obon Temae (••••): By invoking this rite, a werewolf can force a spirit to sit with her and share a meal, which has been ritually prepared with the werewolf's own flesh or blood. Neither can harm the other until the meal is concluded, and the spirit is compelled to answer certain questions about itself.