Valkenburg Foundation

The Valkenburg Foundation is a treatment facility for Lunatics, Garou who have suppressed their First Change.

History

Dr. Leopold Valkenburg was a Swiss Stargazer whose First Change came late in life, after he had already obtained his medical degree. He turned his scientific mind to the study of the Garou and their nature. He believed that psychoanalysis, then a new development, could help Lunatics get in touch with their Garou heritage and overcome whatever mental blocks were preventing their Change. In 1913, he began seeing Lunatic patients and attempting to treat them. However, the opposition of local Red Talons and a troubling experience with a Bane lead him to move his practice from Switzerland to America.

Valkenburg set up his facility on a ranch in Wyoming near the Pure Heart Sept, which had been plagued with Lunacy and other health problems. When he had helped as many of his local patients as he could, he began hiring young packs to bring Lunatics from afar to be treated. In the 1930s, Valkeburg was killed by one of his patients, and the foundation was shuttered for the next fifty years. Only in the 1980s did Valkenburg's granddaughter Gretchen decide to re-open the foundation, as the need for its services was greater than ever.

Philosophy

The foundation's approach to treatment is to either help Lunatics achieve the First Change, or make them comfortable in their breed form. This is a controversial goal for some Garou, who look down on Lunatics; they are seen as too cowardly or weak to serve Gaia. However, an untreated Lunatic may threaten the Veil, and many lash out violently and have to be killed. To the foundation, saving Garou lives is a worthy goal in and of itself.

Valkenburg developed a serum that can suppress a Garou's shapechanging ability, locking them forever in their breed form. It take many repeated injections, but eventually their abilities are suppressed. This is a treatment of last resort for patients who cannot achieve control over their powers.

Lupus patients are usually released back into the wilderness near the ranch, which is not technically legal, though Gretchen is lobbying the federal government to change that.

Layout

The foundation is located west of the Black Hills National Forest, where the Pure Heart Sept is located. Only one winding gravel road leads to the property. The largest building houses Homid patients, labs, offices, and Gretchen's living quarters. Other staff live in a separate building. Lupus patients are kept in a large caged area with an attached veterinary clinic. The Pure Heart Sept allows the foundation to utilize their Moon Bridge in order to transport patients.

Patient cells are heavily reinforced to ensure that not even Garou strength can break down the doors, and warding spirits alert the staff of both intruders and escapees.

People

All the current staff are either Garou or Kinfolk fully aware of what kind of patients they're dealing with.

• Gretchen Valkenburg
• Joshua Keating, a Glass Walker psychologist
• Leslie Thomas, a Child of Gaia veterinarian
• Mary Canoe, Child of Gaia nurse
• Johnny, a Bone Gnawer researcher
• Ben Thomas, Chief of Security and Leslie's son
• Victor Helms, Director of Operations, posing as a Glass Walker
• Harry MacReady, Fianna nurse
• Dan Skyseeker, Wendigo nurse
• Lucius, Silent Strider scout
• Kanak-tale, Silent Strider scout

Inmates

• Orson Gravely
• Carney Brothers - Twins, Ragabash Children of Gaia Lunatics, Cousins to Samuel Haight
• Delilah - Female Homid Moon Dancer Stargazer Lunatic
• Kaloo - Lupus Philodox Wendigo Lunatic
• Onke - Female Lupus Ahroun Black Fury
• Joseph - Homid Philodox Silver Fang Lunatic
• Lewis - Homid Silent Strider Lunatic
• Judy Bonaparte - Female Homid Ragabash Glass Walker Lunatic

Cured Lupus

• Red Fur
• Clawless
• Snarl
• Eats-Pinecones

References

• WTA: Werewolf Chronicles Volume 1, p. VF: 13-14, 16-18