What is a Moot?
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Sept moots are often held every month during the full moon. This meeting is more than a simple voicing of complaints; it often resolves with a raucous celebration that no cliath would dare miss.
This is a way to renew the pact with the spirit linked the Caern. Missing more than one full moon isn't advised. Not completing this rite properly can have dire consequences. Interrupting the rite or ending it early has massive Renown hits.
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The Rules - Read carefully
These steps must all be completed for the Rite of the Moot to be completed. There are also strict rules for the Rite of the Moot. Stepping outside the rules, Garou find themselves losing honor or being ridiculed for it.
The Rite
The Master of the Howl is the only one who must know the actual Rite. This role is normally held by a Galliard, but doesn’t have to be.
Attendance
Only rarely is a moot mandatory. Moots can be small or large, and sometimes not everybody attends. Garou who don't go in for the political structure may decide to prowl the Bawn, guarding the Caern. They may hold their own parties away from the moot's circle. Occasionally entire packs will leave the circle--this happens most often during the Cracking of the Bone…
QUIET!!
The majority of the Rite you should not talk out of turn. Doing so will cause a loss of renown. During the song and story's portion you can speak out of turn, however, Ahroun and Ragabash will hiss, prank, or possibly throw things at a bad storyteller in the Stories and Songs, and the Talesinger's honor depends on a good show. In some Septs (and in some Native American cultures) you can ask questions during a story.
Fool
The Fool questions the Litany, insults the more pretentious Garou, deflates pomp and nettles wherever it will do good. It is considered dishonorable to lose your temper and actually talk back to the fool. Ragabash vie for the "honor of this sacred position."
Do NOT interact with the fool! Do not respond to the Fool’s actions or words. It is the Fool’s job to point out flaws and to incite others to action (even if it means frenzy).
Cracking of the Bone
This portion of the Rite is tightly controlled. Without the bone the garou attending are not permitted to speak. Garou and Kin alike bring their grievances forward. They speak of things that have taken place from moon to moon and judgements are rendered. Talking of any of these grievances after the bone is cracked will cause a loss of honor.
The Steps - A Story
Between the full moons much happened. Much that had to be discussed. The Caern was in need of renewal as was the heart’s and minds of those within the Sept that laid just above and beyond. There has been happiness and anger. Heart ache and battle that burned the souls of Gaia’s Warriors. The Moot is a time to put everything into perspective, to put the past behind and focus on the future. The warriors of Gaia gather creating a feel of anticipation filling the air. Some fidget, some stand stoically, others joke and fuss about one another. But it is apparent they all await…
A tall dark haired woman approaches the circle that the Sept has created with their bodies. She looks between each and then her form shrinks and changes into a beautiful larger red-hued lupus. She cocks her head back and howls! Tonight’s howl was that of celebration and renewed vigor. Though, sometimes this howl is angry and full of scorn. As she howls, the voices quiet around her - soon replaced by a harmony of other wolve’s voices filling the air. All the Garou - from the Alpha to the youngest cub all join in this opening howl. Voices slowly fade off, leaving just her’s just that one lone howl. Which, soon another voice carries beside her’s again. A lupus born howls into a sad tone, mournful - howling a lament for the lost and dying breed of Lupus amongst the Garou Nation.
As the howl dies for the second time. An older man steps forward. A man known to all as the Eldest Theurge, and the Rites Master of the sept - Percy, or by his Eldest rank name: Murder Gran'pa. He stands looking at everyone for a long moment. He breathes in the silence that follows the howl. He breathes in the connection - then he starts the Inner Sky.
INNER SKY
"We have come together, brothers and sisters, in this sacred place of Gaia, to Unify as one Sept instead of disparate parts. I will now call our spirits to attend and witness our coming together." From one cardinal corner to the other - he steps - moving amongst the circle created of bodies. Garou and Kin alike part to let him through - letting him call on the spirits of the East, the South, the West, and the North. As he calls out, the gnosis builds - becomes something that dances across the skin and tingles the senses.
“Eastern Wind, bringer of the dawn of clear air! You who showed us the mirror side, the other side of the Velvet curtain, come to us! We thank you for clear thought and bright light!”
"Southern Wind, bringer of inner rage, gifting us with the ability to strike swiftly at our enemies, come to us! We thank you for your warmth and firey anger!"
"West wind, bringer of rain and healing storms, you who gave us the Changing Ways! Come to us! We thank you for the many shapes you have bestowed upon us."
"Northern wind, bringer of the cold winds of the mountains and stalwart strengths of the pines, you who brought us the Gifts and the Sacred Ways, come to us! We thank you for your wisdom and strength!"
As he comes to the center again he calls out, "Inner Wind, bringer of Blessings from Gaia within us! You who hold our mother's power come to us all!" His words echoing around them as the spirits respond and let their presence known. As the world around them echos with power. As those words and the echoes die off, he starts to call out to the Totem Spirits of the Packs within the Sept. Each in turn making their presence known pressing and moving around the outside of the circle. A thumping of rocks jutting out around it, a jet flying low overhead, a rainbow serpent coiling around the circle, and so on. When he is done with the litany of pack totems he calls to Aisling, the Caern’s own totem, asking her to come. A silver Deer, strong and sleek, makes her presence known and she paces the outside of the circle.
Gran'Pa takes a moment to look at the members of his sept, then to the spirits gathered, pressing in. His eyes twinkle and he throws his head back and bellows, "WITNESS ME!" The Inner Sky is completed; thus begins the renewal of the Caern.
The power of the totems felt by everyone there, each person giving their own sign of recognition. The older man smiles and regards each in turn. And then follows into the Litany. As he starts a young woman, somewhere in her 20s smirks and takes each call - twisting the litany and calling out why it should be allowed; Merdith is known to those of the Sept as one of their Guardians. A Shadow Lord who usually keeps her calm, Ragabash by auspice. The Fool has shown themselves and will continue to do so through the moot. Pressing and teasing, taunting and forcing people to look beyond themselves to see the foolishness of some thoughts.
THE LITANY
"Garou Shall Not Mate With Garou!"
"But when two garou mate, they -always- produce a Garou! Mating a Kin doesn't mean we'll have a warrior. If we had more warriors we could have already won this war!"
"Combat the Wyrm Wherever it Dwells and Where ever it breeds."
"But if we hit the big ones - the little ones will die off on their own! We don't need to attack the smaller banal creatures - plan for the stronger and more glorious kills!"
"Respect the Territory of Another!"
This gains a derisive snort from Merdith’s lips. "If you aren't strong enough to hold it, it's obviously not your territory!"
"Accept an Honorable Surrender."
"If they're in a circle with me, they've already dishonored! There can't be an honorable surrender if they have no honor!"
"Submission to those of Higher Station"
"Unless they're idiots and don't deserve that station to begin with... then fuck them!"
"First Share of the Kill to the Highest Station."
"It's not my fault if the 'kill' wasn't offered first." She air quotes 'kill' "I went into the kitchen and got food. Maybe the Alpha shouldn't be lazy and go get his own food!"
"Respect For Those Beneath Ye For All Are of Gaia."
A sneer crosses the woman’s face, "Why? If they're not strong enough to get my respect? Fuck them."
"THE MOTHERFUCKING VEIL SHALL NOT BE LIFTED!"
She pauses… opens her mouth… shuts it… then stares... ".... uhm.... duh?"
"Do Not Suffer Thy People To Tend Thy Sickness."
"But older 'n dirt people have knowledge. Like you. We should keep you around for a while. I have a lot more to learn - like what hill you walked up both ways. But once we've milked you, we can throw you off the train."
"Ye Shall Not Eat The Flesh of Humans."
She twitches... she says in a damn near perfect valley girl "Ew."
"The leader may be challenged at anytime during peace."
"But if the Alpha fucks up during a time of war, someone should seriously kick his ass."
"The Leader May Not Be Challenged During Wartime."
"Same goes... Who cares if it upsets the balance? I don't. I mean, come on... if a leader sucks at his job - he shouldn't be leader. Ooops... he fell?"
"Ye Shall Take No Action That Causes a Caern to Be Violated."
Merdith sneers and narrows her eyes. "Fuckers, keep that shit off the bawn."
After the Fool speaks… each Garou at the Moot calls out in echo, with conviction, the words of the Litany. Stating, without directly speaking to the Fool, that they follow the Litany and that the Fool is a fool for speaking out, uniting the Garou in one common purpose.
THE CRACKING OF THE BONE
After this is done, another Garou steps forward. A tall dark haired woman, stoic and with a clinched jaw, she is too strong to truly be deemed beautiful, magnetic, intense… yes. She steps before the Alpha and extends her hand. The Alpha, who has been quiet until this point, save for the callbacks, offers her a prepared bone to Tobi.
Tobi takes the bone and walks to the center of the circle, "Now is the time for formal challenges to be acknowledged, for grievances to be aired, to clear the air, and heal our sept. Bring forth your issues now to me so that we may put them to rest and rise again as one."
The bone is passed from Garou, to Tobi, to another Garou. The first to get the bone is the highest of rank, unless the Alpha wishes the bone first - then it goes to him. Tonight, however, no one raises their hand. Not for a long moment. An then a young Cliath raises his hand.
She passes the bone to Bob, who nods lightly. He stands there for a moment, getting his words right. “I call for judgement against Greg, known as Heals the Land, Fostern Theurge of Fenrir, two days past he stepped out of auspice and disrespected the litany by not respecting those beneath him as he peed in my Cheerio’s.” He hands the bone back to Tobi as he finishes.
She takes the bone and looks to Bob, “And how did he step out of auspice?” She offers the bone back.
Bob speaks again, but not until the bone is in his possession. “He says that it was a prank. He is not Ragabash.” And he offers the bone back.
Tobi stands for a moment. “He literally peed in your Cheerio’s?”
He nods once.
Merdith has a little face that says she thinks something smells. She looks between them… but waits for Greg to have his say; Tobi takes the bone and hands it to Greg for him to dispute. “Give us your side.”
Greg takes the bone, he stares at Bob for a moment, annoyed. “I didn’t pee in his Cheerio’s. He, however, has been throwing trash on the bawn non stop for the past month. Even after he’s been told not to and if he is going to, to clean it up.”
Merdith looks between them she blinks a little. “Sounds like it was Bob pissing in Greg’s Wheeties, not the other way around. And eesh, what’s it with peeing in cereal? This, my friends, is why I eat toast.”
Tobi takes the bone back and looks to Greg, then looks around. “Does anyone else have anything to add the claim of peeing in Cheerios?” There’s a moment of pause before Falicity, a Ragabash raises her hand. The bone is passed to her.
“He didn’t pee in them… per say. He… pantomimed it when he was trying to explain how Bob had been pissing on his job as the Keeper of the Land. I mean, I didn’t see any pee.” She handed the bone back and makes a little face.
Merdith smirks. “See? You gotta be specific when you bring this stuff forward. He didn’t -actually- pee…”
Bob looks agitated, he even begins to prowl a little. Like this wasn’t going like he had planned. Greg was usually a hot head who didn’t argue; but when he did it was always detrimental to himself. It wasn’t going to plan at all.
Tobi looks between them then around again. “Anyone else?” There is a long lull and when no one steps up, she speaks again, “There’s no proof to your claim, Bob--” Bob breaks in, without the bone in hand...
“I challenge Greg; I can’t look at Cheerio’s the same way anymore and I want him to admit that what he did was wrong.” Bob looks angry.
Tobi growls, she narrows her eyes on Bob. “No. You spoke out of turn. Whatever is between you two is now moot. Your claim of cheerio’s is now over. However, the issue of you littering and not cleaning up after yourself when asked repeatedly…” She looks around. “Does anyone have anything to add to this?”
Merdith looks at Bob as Tobi growls and snarls. Her eyes widen a little. She bites her lower lip for a moment to keep from outright laughing, then she steps closer to him. She stage whispers, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “I hear there are some shovels that work great for digging holes. I’m sure if you ask Steve he’ll let you borrow his.”
Bob grooowls at Merdith - his wolf shining in his eyes.
As this is happening, Clancy - one of the Guardians and fellow Theurge steps forward, holding his hand out for the bone. Once Tobi hands it to him he looks tp Bob. “He’s been causing issues with the Spirits, tossing trash - flicking his cigarette butts onto the ground, not caring how he treats the bawn. I’ve asked him repeatedly to stop. He just tells me it’s not his job. I out rank him, and I have authority over him in this instance.”
Merdith’s eyes flicker with a bit of malice and she leans back. “Oh, look out, he’s going to snap. Poor boy can’t take it, but sure can dish it out. Someone get me a newspaper! Stat! I’m going to smack this puppy back into his proper place!”
In that instance, as Tobi starts to open her mouth - Bob frenzies. He lunges at Merdith who saw it coming, even goaded it into happening. As he lunges at her, other’s burst into Crinos and grab and grapple him, holding him hard to them - his jaws snap and he snarls at Merdith.
Tobi, during this, stands impassively - watching. She holds the bone in hand, waiting for Bob to wear himself out. Once this is done she speaks clearly. “You have now lost four honor for speaking out of turn at the cracking of the bone, three for frenzying, and in addition to that you have lost four wisdom for not submitting to those of higher station and for disrespecting the spirits of this sept. You will spend the next month cleaning and picking up every piece of trash on this sept. You will start by cleaning everything, until it is all picked up. Once that is complete, no matter how many hours it takes you, you will spend eight hours a day - a full work day for normals - walking the bawn and cleaning it.”
Bob looked exhausted due to the frenzy - but his jaw clenches anyway. He doesn’t argue. He just nods once.
After these two have their disputes settled, others raise their hand to continue this portion of the Rite. Some of the disputes go to the challenge circle, others are settled with simple words. After a long lull in grievances Tobi stands there for a long moment and watches waiting to see if anyone else raises their hand.
Tobi nods one last time and hold up the bone, "With the cracking of this bone no longer will these issues stain our step. No longer will they be spoken of. The punishments will be met, and we will stand united." She puts both hands on the bone and brings it down with force, lifting her knee at the same time, the bone cracks, splits in half sending splinters across the circle, "The bone is cracked. It is time for us to celebrate being a sept!"
STORIES AND SONG
After the bone is cracked, the Eldest Galliard steps forward, the TaleSpinner takes his spot before everyone. Travis offers a kind smile on his weathered face. A Fianna by birth, it showed in the silver of his hair, a Child of Gaia by choice. “Please, everyone join me in a tale. I think, tonight, one of the beginning will help our young ones remember some of the old ways.”
He waits for everyone to sit, then he claims a spot at the front, he speaks with a clear ringing voice, his presence captivating even in his old age.
“This is the tale of The Naming. Of the many Powers we know, one is greater than others, for all other Powers follow in its path. It is called Naming, for it is the division from void to form and it is the basis of Spirit. This is a power that belongs only to Gaia, although others have tried to imitate it many times, but all to terrible effect. Only She can use this Power; all other attempts are shadows of Her intent.
The things of the Wyld are Nameless, miasmic in their unshaped chaos and joyful dance, heedless or life, death and any such concerns. The things of the Weaver are likewise unNamed, but the Weaver has given shape to their raw substance. Gaia takes what these two Triat beings have touched, and Names them for Her purpose. In doing so, she makes the things of this world, from stones and bones, plants and trees to wolves and man, and infuses them with Spirit.
The Wyrm has a Power that is nearly as great, for it is Unnaming. It breaks the bonds of the Spirit and substance and returns such things to the formless Wyld. But the Wyrm is now corrupt, and instead of Unnaming, it attempts to Name on its own, but only creates misshapen beings, for it has not Gaia’s wisdom.
Many tales are told of the original Naming, when Gaia gathered all Her creation to Her tent to accept the Names She would give every creature. Before this time, all beings were free to take whatever form they desired, and no one could tell them apart for sure, for many masks they wore.
It is said that tricksters heeded not the proper decorum, and stood in line many times, receiving many Names from Gaia, and thus allowing them to imitate more powers and shapes than others. Of course, Gaia recognized them right off, but played as if she didn’t know who they were, coming around like children begging for more candy. She knew their curiosity would get them into trouble, and that they would need more than one Name to escape the wrath of those they tricked.
The Changing Breeds each got two Names. One is the Name of Man, and the other that of the beast they favor. Some envied the Changers their double status, but others drew away from them, wisely aware that to be doubly-Named is to be doubly beset with trouble.” He pauses and smiles lightly, watching the curious looks on the younger faces within the crowd.
Travis leans in and speaks within a mock whisper of tone, conspiring with those in front of him, drawing them in further to the story. “If this is so, you say, then how is it with those men who are might in Power unlike the rest of their kind? What of them? The mages knew their own Names, or perhaps it is that their Names know them. This is what gives them their Power.
The Leeches have been Unnamed, losing a part - but not all - of their original Name. And the fey? They are figments given form, fictions born from dream. They are not Named in Gaia’s tent, but in Her dreams. As such they are not always what She intended, but continue to delight Her as wondrous dreams often do for us.”
Travis leans back again and smiles that warm and engaging smile of his as he finished his tale. Soon after younger Gaillard's stepped forward to try their hand at telling stories and so the night continued, as the tales of glory and honor - of wisdom and amusement - fade and the night grows quiet again, there is a call by the Wyrm Foe for a hunt. He gathers those who want to participate into a party, they are given the run down of the plan - and what they’re going to take down.
THE HUNT
The hunting party heads out in lupus with Derek at the lead. They fan out like and start looking for their prey. They leave the bawn at the northern edge and continue out into the wilderness. A couple miles out, they finally hear wet snorting. In front of the hunting pack is a boar standing twenty feet tall. It is covered in bone armor, large tusks dripping thick green fluid. It's squinty eyes are red, glowing dimly in the night. The area reeks of Wyrm, the grass and brush withering where the green ooze drips. Derek throws his head back and lets out an eerie and menacing howl, promising death to the Wyrm Creature, then he leads the charge, attacking.
Derek takes off toward the creature with wild abandon, charging straight towards the animal. He leaps into the air, claws in a flurry as he approaches the boar in the air. As he nears the animal he howls again as his claws begin to tear into the eyes of the beast and he clinches at the neck with his jaw. The boar swings wildly and Derek's wolf form is shaken back and forth, yet he doesn't let go. As the other's approach he gets another series of slashes into the animal's eyes, pulling one of them out. The boar gives another desperate thrashing, attempting to send Derek flying. This time Derek lets go at just the right moment and the boar launches him into the air. Derek goes up, and up but then seems to suddenly shift directions... as if Falling back to the ground is something the spirits allow him to control. He grabs hold of the boar’s neck again, this time of the other side of the animal’s throat. He continues to swipe with all four of his paws.
Rory runs up beside Derek and tears into the Boar, ripping and rending the bone armor out of the beast, leaving it open for the rest of the pack. GG darts in swiftly, growling lowly as she does. She snaps at the beast, harrying it and circling to another position to repeat the tactic. Moments later Laura attacks in crinos, she goes for the head, finishing the blinding of the beast that Derek started. Clawing at the armored skull with one paw she carves great chunks away as she digs for that last eye. The other paw grabs one tusk, holding the head in place for others to finish the kill. In doing so she is gouged across the belly when her grip slips on the bloody tusk.
As everyone else raced in and worked on the hideous creature, Genesis darted in silently, making a leap for the back legs of the beast, aiming to hamstring it. She succeeds at getting her jaws on it, and rips hard, doing damage but getting kicked by the other leg in the process. At least her effort is fruitful as the leg is now useless! Branigan had the same thoughts and he pounces as he gets close enough...chomping at the hamstrings of the beast to hobble it...he gets kicked by the running hooves no less than three times as they go...poor timing for sure...but his efforts are overall profitable as it helps the pack as a whole as he harasses and hobbles the beast eventually, allowing others to move in for the kill.
Ash joins in the fray, taking up a spot alongside GG, blind Theurge apparently able to see well enough at the moment to know what's going on. His lupus form is nothing impressive, but he was enough of a presence to make a difference. He goes in from the opposite side, snapping in at it while GG does and then to move back to circle to another spot.
Khalid snarls as he goes in for the kill. His hispo form is quite ferocious, sleek, and very, very fearsome and intimidating. Strong hind legs send him leaping in as the creature was being overwhelmed, his massive, deadly jaws finding throat. A deeper growl rumbles from the depths of belly as he bites deeper and jerks his head, throating the beast and ripping the area apart, spewing blood, ichor, and whatever other stuff about.
And the Skull Pig has been felled! On the tail end of it's death Aisling walks up to the party. She inclines her head first to Derek and then to Khalid. She breaths onto the body and silver fire leaps onto the pig, lighting it up in purifying flames. The fire streaks across the ground, following and destroying the taint.
Those who were part of the hunt take a moment to acknowledge the Caern Totem and then they turn their heads up to Luna and they howl their victory in one voice. Shortly after howl is picked up by those still at the sept, called back in glory and celebration!
The hero’s of the Hunt return back to the sept proper and the revelry continues - people joke, some will fight in the circle in ways of sparing, others will play music. The revel goes until the wee morning hours. Sometimes even after the sun comes up.
These steps, each emotion - each build up of energy is what completes the rite and allows the gnosis to build. It refreshes the Caern and allows it to flourish and carry on.