Uktena Genre Packet

by Michael Dietz

Objective – The purpose of this packet is to create a baseline for the One World by Night
Community and the Garou Genre. While some of the information found within will be
summarized from Garou resources, our purpose is to apply that information to the larger
organization as a whole. This packet is not intended to serve as house rules for gifts, rites,
or chronicle oriented story. Instead, it is to define and provide a consistent environment
for the Garou Nation.

TRIBAL HISTORY
What follows is a brief overview of the Uktena Tribe and their role as a tribe in OwbN
history. It should be noted that this is a brief overview, mostly from a third edition point
of view, and the Tribebooks (both 3rd and 2nd edition) should be seen for further inquiry.

Amara Darkmoon, (Elder, Theurge, Homid, Uktena, Skywalker) is an elderly Native

American woman (Dine) whose very presence eminates spiritual power. She is the Alpha
of the Sept of the Burning Sands in the Black Sands of Nevada. She is both a widow and
a Grandmother, and while she has given birth to many children, only one is known to be
Garou. Her Sept was the site of the Grand Concolation in May 2002. At this
Concolation, amonst other notable topics, the Red Star, the leaving of the Star Gazers and
the Litany violations of “The Chairman” Medici (Elder, Philodox, Homid, Glasswalker)
were discussed.

As a medical doctor, Amara later agreed to remove a cortex bomb placed in a Garou’s
head by Medici. Medici took this opportunity to explode the bomb from afar and
permanently blind Amara. The two have had only enmity for each other since. Another
enemy of note of Amara’s is Christian, (Elder, Theurge, Lupus, Shadowlord, -Later
punished via Satire Rite, Winter Wolf, and secretly Renunciation to Malakai “Lost Cries”,
Galliard, Lupus, Shadowlord) who attempted to assassinate Amara months after she
brought him up on charges.

Currently Amara remains as the eldest theurge of the Uktena tribe. In addition to her
duties as Alpha of the Burning Sands, she also mentors several of the Nation’s most
potent mystics. There was some amount of rumor that she was a Bane Tender, but this
was clarified at the Beltaine celebration (2004) when Jonathon “Quells-the-River”
Blackfeather, (Elder, Philodox, Lupus, Uktena, Earth Guide) confronted her during an
Ancestors Ceremony. Truth be told, she would have made an excellent Bane Tender, but
the Earth Guides of her Sept had other plans for her.

Rends, (Adren, Theurge, Uktena, Lupus, Sky Walker) was a member of the Sept of the
Flying Rose in Chicago. He served the Sept well with his mystical talent and umbral
knowledge. At a Sept moot he cracked the bone before a challenge could be resolved
between Baits-the-Hook (now Elder, Ragabash, Metis, Silverfang) and Julie Darkfire
(Elder, Ahroun, Shadowlord, Homid). He was later killed without challenge by Julie and
her kinfolk, Ki Jon.
Blackfeather is of note mostly due to his, and his cousin’s, (Last Rites, Athro, Theurge,
Homid, Uktena) aspirations to slay the Fianna Ghoul Ossian. Unfortunately, his untimely
death at the Sept of the Flying Rose prevented that. Before his death, he successfully
participated in an Ancestor Ceremony with some of the Nation’s other Uktena and has
gained Uktena’s favor in his mission. He is also known as spear heading the call for the
Philodox of the Nation to agree that there is no other appropriate punishment for the
violation of a Caern besides death.

TRIBAL STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP

For the most part the Uktena tribe is exceedingly loosely organized. They highest level
of organization occurs four times a year at the turning of the seasons. Elders gather in a
Great Council to discuss matters that affect the tribe as a whole. The reality is it is very
rare that much is accomplished at these councils, but it is a good opportunity for the
higher ranks to trade secrets and the lower ranks to gain a few. The most recent
accomplishment of the Great Council was the reluctant admittance of other
disenfranchised ethnic groups into the tribe.

CAMPS
Earth Guides – This camp is dedicated to preserving the culture and traditions of the first
people. They are often in conflict with the Bane Tenders.

This camp is appropriate for NPCs and PC characters

Skywalkers – This camp focuses as much upon the Umbra and its mysteries, as the Earth
Guides focus on the Tellurian and its history. Currently they focus on the mystery that is
the Red Star, Anthelios.

This camp is appropriate for NPCs and PCs. It might be most appropriate for PCs who
travel, or do not attend game very often, as Skywalkers travel frequently.

Bane Tenders – This camp are somewhat of a dark secret of the Uktena tribe. They exist
solely to tend the banes that are too powerful to be slain directly. Some of these banes lie
directly beneath current Septs “owned” by the Wyrmcomer tribes. They spend ALL of
their time watching over their charges. They age and wither long before their times,
mostly due to the Wyrm energies they must endure during their vigil.

This camp is restricted for Player Characters as full fledged banetenders. Due to the
nature of the camp, players cannot feasibly sit on a bane, and deal with that, and still
interact with a local Sept, or the Nation. It is perfectly acceptable for a rising Uktena to
work TOWARDS retiring as a banetender, though it is requested to speak with the Garou
Coordinator for communication purposes.

The Children of the Wyld – Seekers of the Wyld’s erratic and dangerous wisdom, the
Children rarely spend time with the rest of the tribe. When they do attend gatherings they
are listened to carefully, if with some degree of wariness, for whatever wisdom they have
gleaned.

This camp is appropriate for PC and NPC characters.

Web Walkers – Somewhat of a parallel to the Children with slightly less stigma, these
Uktena spend time in the cities and indeed consider the Glass Walker tribe as close allies.

This camp is appropriate for PC and NPC characters.

Ghost Dancers – This group has members in the Wendigo tribe as well and serves to
make the land whole and clean as it once was. They are, however, slightly less blood
thirsty than their Wendigo counterparts, though just as dedicated.

This camp is appropriate for PC and NPC characters.

Scouts – Acting as messengers and intelligence gatherers, the Scouts often go on ahead of
packs to get a first look at the enemy. Sometimes they see to the needs of the Bane
Tenders and there are rumors of Scouts who search the Umbra for lost Totem Spirits.

This camp is appropriate for PC and NPC characters.

Raiders – This group is similar to the Scouts in that they go on ahead, but are more
sinister in that they seek to raid the Wyrm’s fortresses for its dark arsenals. Some say
they destroy what they find, others say they hoard it away in hidden caches for later use
and study.

This camp is appropriate for PC and NPC characters.

Path Dancers – This highly exclusive group seeks power beyond that given by Gaia and
are rumored to practice Hedge Magic. You are chosen by the Path Dancers, not the other
way around.

It is suggested that Storytellers considering allowing their player characters to join this
camp read the first edition tribe book. The Purelander / Uktena TN will gladly assist. In
the first edition write up, the initiation into the path dancers was very secretive, and
actually (mechincally) cost the player xp to be a part of the camp to represent the pact
that the character needed to make. This is, of course, a suggestion.

Society of the Bitter Frost – Outcasts amongst the Uktena for rumors of accepting the
Wyrm’s gifts in order to empower themselves against the Wyrmcomers and their
defilement of the Pure Lands. They have been known to slay Wyrmcomer Garou.

This camp is not suggested for PC characters, and storytellers should consider the affect
this society will have on your chronicle.
FAMOUS NAMES
Most of the Tribebook’s Named characters have not come into play in OwbN history.
Aside from those mentioned in the history, very few high ranking PC’s exist currently.

Names all PC Uktena should know:

1. Amara Darkmoon – Elder Uktena Theurge Homid.

2. Johnathan Blackfeather – Elder Uktena Philodox Lupus
3. Last Rites –Athro Uktena Theurge Homid
4.