Wolf is the Patron Spirit of the Cult of Fenris and the tribe that preceded it. Since the Cult's usurpation of the tribe in the Era of Apocalypse, the Garou tend to interact with him most frequently in his aspect as Fenris the Apocalypse-Beast.
(For his counterpart in older editions, see Fenris.)
Overview[]
Many Garou who struggle to accept that mundane hauglosk was the driving factor in the Cult of Fenris' descent into aimless violence and extremism believe that something happened to Wolf that drove his followers mad along with him. One theory is that the Incarna was tricked by an aspect of the Wyrm and now serves as thrall to that spirit, in a similar way to the falls of Bat, Fly, Cockroach[1], and so many other formerly allied spirits. Another theory is that some aspect of the Wyrm actually slew Wolf somehow, and the tribe now unknowingly follows that unknown spirit’s patronage.
All that is certain is that as far as the Garou are concerned, the Wolf that was followed by a respected tribe of the Garou Nation is no more. The spirit's authoritarian and warlike aspect Fenris is ascendant, and will likely remain so unless its entire tribe is either pulled back from the brink, or wiped out.
Fenris' radical bent and unceasing calls for action against the Wyrm draws spirits to him magnetically in much the same way that his followers draw other vicious Garou to themselves. Driven by their own alien form of hauglosk, it is far from unheard of for spirits in areas touched by the Cult to, in times of hardship, swear themselves to Fenris rather than confront the desolation of their home. Especially prominent or successful Fenrir packs may wield entire legions of spirits to further their savage cause.[1]
Favors and Bans[]
As Wolf[]
With how little remains common knowledge of the tribe that the Cult of Fenris once was, their relationship with their Patron Spirit is largely unknown, and the same can thus be said of their Favor and Ban. Both were likely quite different from the ones that the Cult now follows, as it was the Fenrir that brought along the internal culture of bootlicking and enforced obedience as the 'norm' for the tribe.
As Fenris[]
It is unknown what Favor Fenris bestows upon his children in the wake of their usurpation of the tribe. However, renunciates of Fenris sometimes possess a greater-than-average resistance to supernatural fear, which is usually attributed to the great spirit’s patronage and teachings. This instilled bravery and mental fortitude may be an indicator as to the Favor that ongoing Cult members possess.
In addition, given how often he is characterized as putting blind unity and obedience to the cause first and foremost among what he demands from the Fenrir, it is likely that his Ban has to do with questioning authority or refusing to submit to one's "betters".
References[]
- WTA: 5th Edition Core Book, p. 298