Taghairm Rites are a type of Rite from Werewolf: The Apocalypse. They were first introduced in the Bastet Breed Book and are exclusive to the Bastet.
Overview[]
Bastet aren't social animals as a rule, so when they gather, certain rituals must be observed. These rites create an aura of fellowship and trust - essential ingredients for a gathering of territorial Folk - and keep things proceeding smoothly.
During each taghairm, one Bastet is chosen as the ritespeaker, either by the group or by the host of the gathering. From then on, that person carries the respect and responsibility of her office. Most regular taghairms have permanent ritespeakers; these cats gain additional status with the post. Although the ritespeaker performs most Taghairm Rites in that location, she'll often appoint assistants in case she leaves between gatherings, or to help her perform elaborate rites.
List of Taghairm Rites[]
- Level One[1]
- Caliah - Like the Garou Moot Rite, this ritual opens all taghairms, charging the participants with mystic energy. Unlike the Garou, werecats rarely keep sacred sites. Instead, the Caliah refreshes the Gnosis of all participants and generates a sense of wonder and togetherness. As the ritespeaker chants the histories, rivalries are put aside and quarrels silence. For a few minutes, at least, everyone present is hamaal, one family.
- Festival of Flowers (Gathering for the Departed) - As the Garou Death Rite.
- Taghairm Rite (Moot Rite) - As the Garou Caern Rite.
- Level Two[2]
- Grooming the Newcomer - When a new Bastet enters an existing group, she must be welcomed with this ritual; until then, she's considered naa, an untrustworthy stranger. First, the ritespeaker questions the newcomer, often using Gifts like Sense the Truth and Righteous Gaze; she then asks others whether or not they've heard of the newcomer. Some taghairm groups test new visitors with questions, quests or ordeals to see how worthy they might be. If the examination satisfies the ritespeaker and the host of the gathering, they both welcome the newcome into the group. All attendees rise and greet their new cousin with gestures of affection and offer her gifts of food and drink. From then on, that Bastet is always welcome.
- Hanshii - Some grudges can only be settled by force. To keep the peace, a host might demand that quarreling Bastet enter a ritual combat to decide the issue. All attendees and their allies agree to abide by the decision. The formalities depend on the host's tribe, the grudge and the location of the gathering. The combatants are obliged to follow the host's rules regardless of their tribe. The Balam, Khan and Simba favor death-matches more than the other tribes do; Ceilican and Qualmi prefer tests of wit, while Bagheera and Bubasti respect tests of judgment. The Swara often send both parties questing in the Penumbra, opening a "window" to watch their progress. Pumonca let the elements decide, and sponsor tests by fire or exposure. No use of Gifts or outside assistance is allowed. The rite ensures that both sides play fair; those who cheat are magically marked. As the duel begins, the ritespeaker chants a litany extolling challenge, fairness and honor. From there, she watches what transpires, watching especially for fair play. If someone does cheat, the ritespeaker feels a sharp tingling and calls the contest to a halt. The cheater's skin or fur blazes with a sickly yellow or green light. His punishment depends on the host. If a winner is declared, the dispute is considered over. While this often ends the problem, a few Bastet take their grudge home with them and handle it without witnesses next time....
- Level Three[3]
- Exile - Taghairms are gatherings of trust; if someone breaks that trust, the others throw him out. The rite marks such betrayals, and carries the stigma of shame to other gatherings. A werecat's future companions may judge him by this sign. When the host has declared an Exile, the other cats must vote. If the majority agrees, the ritespeaker begins the ritual. In some cases, the gathering must decide unanimously; in others, the host may simply demand a majority vote. The rite itself involves a revocation of the Grooming ritual, a recitation of the exile's crimes and usually a few choice words. As the ritespekaer spins a cloak of words, the exile's forehead begins to glow; by the end of the rite, the sigil of an oathbreaker appears. As the glow fades, the sigil remains and the other cats chase the offender from their gathering. If they catch him, they'll beat him to a pulp, but leave him alive to remember his shame. The mark fades from view by morning, but remains a part of the exile's soul. Any subsequent Grooming rite reveals the mark; only the forgiveness of the host (a separate rite of the same Rank) or some powerful quest will wash away the mark.
- Level Four[4]
- Festival of Dreams - By inhaling smoke from burning wood and herbs; steam; psychoactive drugs or all three, the collected group enters a vision trance. Depending on the circumstances, they may experience memories of the past, future sight, soul-seeing or simple hallucinations. These complex insights are often consulted for future plans, battles or other tasks which involve the whole taghairm. As the other cats gather in an enclosed circle, the ritespeaker and her assistants begin the fires. Tossing in herbs, wood and stone, they chant, sing and play music as the vision smoke rises. The other Bastet breathe deeply, sharing their essence with each exhalation. As the visions begin, a feeling of peace descends to keep the taghairm from scattering. One by one, the Bastet hit their personal limits and stagger out into fresh aor. The last werecat to remain receives a special vision that only she remembers. As the ritual ends, the smoke clears; the remaining Bastet receives gifts of water and affection from her companions, and is celebrated for the rest of the night.
References[]
- WTA: Werewolf Players Guide, p. 159
- WTA: Bastet, p. 118, 123-125
- WTA/cMET: Laws of the Wild: Changing Breeds 1, p. 206-207
- Rage CCG: Hellcats (Festival of Dreams)
^ Level 1
| Caliah | Bastet | Pg. 123 |
| Caliah | Laws of the Wild: Changing Breeds 1 | Pg. 206 |
| Festival of Flowers | Bastet | Pg. 118 |
| Taghairm Rite | Werewolf Players Guide | Pg. 159 |
^ Level 2
| Grooming the Newcomer | Bastet | Pg. 123 |
| Grooming the Newcomer | Laws of the Wild: Changing Breeds 1 | Pg. 206 |
| Hanshii | Bastet | Pg. 124 |
| Hanshii | Laws of the Wild: Changing Breeds 1 | Pg. 206 |
^ Level 3
| Exile | Bastet | Pg. 124 |
| Exile | Laws of the Wild: Changing Breeds 1 | Pg. 207 |
^ Level 4
| Festival of Dreams | Bastet | Pg. 125 |
| Festival of Dreams | Laws of the Wild: Changing Breeds 1 | Pg. 207 |
| Werewolf: The Apocalypse Rites | |
|---|---|
| Garou and Fera Rites | Accord · Age Role · Ahadi · Astrological · Caern · Dark Umbra · Death · Frontier · Hengeyokai · Minor · Mystic · Punishment · Pure Ones · Renown · Seasonal · Wyld |
| Fifth Edition Garou Rites | Common · Legendary · Social |
| Kinfolk Rites | Accord · Caern · Homestead · Milestones · Minor · Punishment · Renown · Ritual of Sacred Rebirth |
| Unique Fera Rites | Ajaba - Ananasi: First · Triumvirate · Viskr - Bastet: Kuasha · Moon · Need · Taghairm - Corax - Gurahl - Kitsune - Mokolé - Nagah - Nuwisha - Ratkin - Rokea |
| Rites of the Lost Breeds | Apis - Camazotz - Grondr |
| Wyrm-Corrupted Fera Rites | Blood Rituals · Defiler Kings · Buzzards · Histpah |
| Miscellaneous Rites | 7th Generation - Fomori - Miscellaneous Rites |