cz44fi H3H

cz44fi #H3H

f&.dbM “The Skywalkers are a reflection of Earth Guides in many ways, yet their interests lie on the other side of a mirrored pool. Their lore is that of the vast array of spirits.

Many Crescent Moons are among the Skywalkers, but they are not alone in their fascination with the lands beyond and the creatures that live there. Many No Moons and Moon Dancers have delved into the long paths and brought back unheard-of knowledge. Any auspice may undertake a vision quest into the Umbra, of course. Often, spirits like to talk, and one clever enough to win their favor gains much in return. Perhaps the most important task the Skywalkersnow face is puzzling out the riddle of Anthelios.”

“What’s that?” asked Erishka, hoping to learn more than Cows-the-Gator told.

Wind-in-the-Spruce shook his head worriedly. “NO one knows exactly. It appears as a red star in the horizon of the spirit world, but certain prophecies seem to tell that its coming marks the approach of the End Times, the last days of this world. I feel in my heart that the Skywalkers may be the best ones to tell us if this is so. Yet I fear that they may stray too far and let loose a scourge that is unforeseen. It has happened before, in their searches of the spirit world, that something follows them home. Then, the rest of us have to battle it unto death - either it perishes, or we do.” &fM %de!

“A similar problem follows those we call Bane Tenders.

As their name implies, they watch over the powerful spawn of Grandfather Serpent, which we Uktena have bound into the earth for safekeeping.”

“I heard something like this before,” said Erishka slowly, “but I don’t understand why we.. . ”

“We did it to protect the Pure Lands, and we would do so again if the need arose,” replied the lupus, sharply. “Only the strongest and bravest join the Bane Tenders, for it is a difficult task to spend all your waking moments remaining vigilant. The members of this camp also seek out the darkest lore of Grandfather Serpent’s forces, believing that knowledge of a thing gives strength to fight it.” He shrugged. ‘‘I am not so sure. There is the thinnest of lines between understanding and becoming. Some have crossed that line, though fortunately, other Uktena are careful to.. . ah.. . test the Bane Tenders from time to time. Naturally, they resent this and believe they are unappreciated. Perhaps that is true.

Certainly once an Uktena becomes a Bane Tender, his life and sanity are shortened, for they see things of the darkness we cannot begin to imagine. If a Bane Tender comes to us, we tend to take their words seriously. Better to be a bit paranoid than caught unawares.” cz44fi #H3H “You know of the Triat, of course, the three forces of Wyrm, Weaver and Wyld that exert great influence over Gaia and all that exists. Consider this - that if the Bane Tenders seek to learn the secrets of the Wyrm and how to Llkfenn control it, there are likewise groups who do the same with the Weaver and the Wyld.”

“Those werewolves who fully embrace the chaos, turmoil and disorder of Grandmother Smoke we name Children of the Wyld, or sometimes simply Wyld Children.

Many go beyond trying to merely understand the Wyld’s primal forces and seek to become one with its madness. This is not as foolhardy as it sounds! Some Wyld Children believe that by joining this force, they can heal the rifts in the Triat.

Others think that Grandmother Smoke needs to be saved from its own reckless ways, and an alliance with the spirits that serve the Wyld will achieve this goal.”

“That’s more or less what I know of the Triat; things are out of balance, and the Wyld’s forces are doing more harm than good,” Erishka agreed.

“True, true,” nodded Wind-in-the-Spruce. “But the situation is much more complex than that. We werewolves are protectors of the Wyld, as I have said. Yet in some ways, it is a mindless ally. The Wyld Children may disagree with me, but I believe that Grandmother Smoke is not so selfaware. It is reacting to events, not necessarily creating them.

Even the plagues and earthquakes that come from its vastness are responses to the pain it feels. It must be difficult to serve a power that is heedless of the bedlam it spawns. Still, the Children of the Wyld possess some of the deepest knowledge and understanding of the spirits and the lands beyond of any Uktena, because they have been to hidden realms of Grandmother Smoke and heard many of its stories and secrets.”

W0kWdb.

“Grandfather Spider’s followers among the Uktena take the name Web Walkers, possibly adopted from the Glass Walkers, whom they tend to treat as close allies.

While not all are urban, many Web Walkers do choose to live in or close to large cities. They revel in technology, but still treat it as a servant rather than their master. Why are they drawn to the Weaver? I think for many of the same reasons other Uktena feel the connection to the Wyld or, dare I say it, the Wyrm. Some seek understanding, others seek healing.”

“Not to mention that with all the humans living in cities, there may be a connection with Kin,” added Erishka.

“Yes, you are exactly right!” the lupus replied, with an admiring nod. “These Web Walkers have indeed located lost Kin for us among the city dwellers, and perhaps, an unknown cub here and there. Also, with Grandfather Spider’s aid, the Web Walkers are sometimes able to sniff out the worst Wyrm infestations in the city. But their most important task remains gathering information and lore on the Weaver itself. What better place than the cities for this task? I admit, my understanding of technology is limited since I did not grow up with it. But Web Walkers I have met tell me of wonders they have seen in the city Umbrascapes. It is tempting to visit and see what they have discovered.”

Gk&bff.PJ The moon was high overhead by this time, but Windin-the-Spruce gave a long cry before speaking again. “I mourn again for Middle Brother who is lost. There is a group among us and among Younger Brother, Wendigo, who make their sacred duty the preservation of the Croatan’s memory.

Not only do they purify the lands in remembrance of those who died, they also seek to find any stories and songs that remain of Middle Brother.”

“Any link to the Ghost Dance taught by Wovoka back in the late 1800s?” asked Erishka. “I mean, the whole point of that ritual was to purify and revitalize the land that Wyrmbringers had corrupted, right?”

“I am not sure those who first performed the Ghost Dance would use quite the same words,” replied Wind-in-theSpruce with a grim smile, “but yes, the tradition comes from the same roots. It was originally a rite of our Paiute Kin, but the Ghost Dance has become a powerful symbol for all descended from the Pure Ones. The Uktena Ghost Dancers, like those long-dead victims of the Indian Wars, believe that making the land whole and clean is far more important than sounding the drums ofwar, as Little Brother does.” He sighed.

“For many years now, Uktena Ghost Dancers have preserved this ceremony and the stories of those who have fallen to protect it. I hope that the more bloodthirsty members among the Wendigo do not sway the newest initiates into altering what has long stood for peace into a cry for war.” & o i “Less troubled are a group of Uktena simply called the Scouts. They are almost exactly what their name implies - seekers of information and knowledge who in ages past roamed ahead of the packs and brought back wisdom and learning about new places in both the waking lands and the Umbra. Now, they often act as messengers, and most are highly respected for their willingness to keep us connected, now that we Uktena are scattered so far and wide. Some serve the Medicine Workers as heralds to the spirits. Others see to the needs of the lonely Bane Tenders.” ‘‘I think the Scouts must have a pretty good deal going!” said the girl. “I mean, I’ve learned a lot just from visiting a handful of different septs.”

“Perhaps,” the lupus smiled. “However, not a few werewolves scorn the Scouts for their wanderings, suggesting that without a permanent pack or sept, they are not following their natures. Some Scouts have sidestepped this problem by forming questing packs.”

“What are those?” asked Erishka.

“One of the legends of the End Times is that more and more packs will undertake difficult quests,” replied Windin-the-Spruce. “Some Scouts have started working together to uncover lost spirits and long-forgotten lore. A few I’ve heard are even seeking totem spirits that have vanished to the deepest Umbra or elsewhere. I wish them well, for it is a daunting task.” 24&m “But not all of the Scouts have had such honorable intentions over time,” continued the lupus, a sad note in his voice. “A branch of the Scouts, calling themselves the Raiders, takes the mission of gathering information too far. I have no doubt their original intentions were good, but now.. . They seek out lost fetishes, talens and any items of power they can find. For the well being of the tribe?No, to hoard in their septs and the secret places of the earth. I imagine no one alive today could envision the hidden shrines and treasure troves the Raiders have built over the years. The worst part is thisthey say they destroy anything that is Wyrm-infested, but is this still true?Since they reveal nothing, not even to the Medicine Workers, we have little reason to trust them.”

“They sound, well, kind of creepy,” Erishka muttered.

“They are that, indeed,” agreed Wind-in-the-Spruce.

“And some stories even accuse them of killing those who ask too many questions or go searching for their hidden shrines.

Instead of sharing knowledge and helping all the Uktena prepare to face the dangers, they distrust everyone and suffocate the tribe with their dark secrets. They are why some other tribes find all Uktena ‘creepy,’ as you say.”

P&bffMM “Another group is unsettling, but I believe their intentions are more noble than the Raiders. They call themselves Path Dancers, and although not clear to outsiders, they seem to have a personal link with the Great Uktena. The Path Dancers are known as commanding mystics who use Gifts and rituals unfamiliar to all other Uktena. They are very selective about who they choose to join their circle. A prospective member must pass some sort of initiation, and if the werewolf fails, she cannot recall any memories of her time with the Path Dancers.”

“Sounds sort of like mind control or something,” said Erishka. “So how are these folks a benefit if they’re so mysterious?”

“It is true that their ways may seem threatening to outsiders; a few say they dabble with Grandfather Serpent, but I do not believe this is true. Rather, I think Uktena may have blessed them in a way we outsiders cannot understand.

I imagine them as unique, but they are still our brethren.” &Z&&&&(BmarZ& “Alas, I cannot say the same for the last group whose story I must speak. They were called the Society of the Bitter Frost, and it is a certainty that they have fallen into darkness.”

“Why?” asked the girl. “What on earth could make werewolves, any of us, turn to the Wyrm?”

“Hatred was part of the reason. Many of us bear no love for the Wyrmbringers and Wyrmcomers, but those of the Bitter Frost let their hate consume them. They struck out and slaughtered human and Garou alike. But there is another reason, a secret of the Moon Dancers I will share with you. Long ago, those who danced the Black Spiral came to the Uktena. We were dark of mind in those days, for both our human and wolf Kin had been slaughtered in great numbers. Our lands were being taken and corrupted, and we could do nothing against the weapons and sheer numbers of Wyrmbringers that came to our lands. The Spirals spoke with our Lawgivers and offered us another path. Many of the Uktena listened and learned, but it was a clever trick. Once we had heard what the Black Spirals had to say, we slaughtered them all. Never did we once consider taking their offer; we only listened to gain the weapon of knowledge to use against their kind. Or so we Moon Dancers thought.

“We were wrong, it seems, for some among the Bitter Frost did accept what was offered, as they envied the power Grandfather Serpent gave the Black Spirals. It took many years for this story to be told in full. But threads of the tale became clearer with time. At first, we heard only rumors, that members of the Society of the Bitter Frost had slain Wyrmcomers, not in the distant past, but here in the later days. Then, some of the Earth Guides began to speak in moots, declaring that those of the Bitter Frost smelled tainted and foul. Last, many of us saw the worst among them using tools of Grandfather Serpent. The proof was too strong, and at our last great moot, the elders declared the Society to be outcasts.” He bent his head. “Asad path for any of us to follow in these dark times.” Neither of them said anything for a time, but then Wind-in-the-Spruce stretched and shrank in quick motion.

“Now,” said the lupus, standing before her again on four legs, “we return to the bawn. You have heard my tales, and I have shared a secret with you. But now, you must pass my test.

Which camp am I, and why?” He wore a grin, but beneath it, his teeth glinted sharp and white.

Erishka grinned in kind. “I’d been wondering that, to tell you the truth. But I think I know the answer. You’re a damn good teacher, and you seem to know an awful lot of information. At first, I thought you might be a Scout, but then I started thinking about how beautifully you speak. It’s not just a Galliard thing, either; your voice comes from understanding how people - and werewolves, apparently think. Only an Earth Guide could do so well. And you weren’t afraid to be critical of them, either, with all that stuff about looking for new paths. So, that’s my guess.’’ Wind-in-the-Spruce threw back his head and let out a quick, joyful howl.

“Although I am sometimes considered a knowledgeable and wise Songkeeper, my voice is just one among many.

Other Uktena have quite a different take on all the camps and secret societies. Hear now the views of others I have heard expressed in my travels.”

Some say we’re too arrogant and too tied to the past, heedless of thefuture. Wen, I cancounter thateasily enough. Ifitwasn’tforus keeping our links with ancestors and old ways strong, we’d not have aclue about afew importantrites, suchas, oh, how some ofthe worst of Grandfather Serpent’s brood were banished. The o h s should think on that next time they’re tempted to criticize how we do things.

Luisa Santos, Earth Guide The world has many realities, andwe are among those whohave seen Gaia’s face in countless places and times. Our d i e s are the spirits, and among all the Uktena, we revel in our own dual souls.

Michael Hawk, Skywalker It’s a thankless and lonely job, but someone has to do it. Don’t bohbecomingoneofusifyoucan’tha~theiso lation... andthe fear in people’s eyes when we come around.

Kafele Brightstone, Bane Tender Yes, the Wyld possesses much fury, but it is also beautijd in its danger. Doesn’t acomingstormmake yourfur stand on end? Respect the Wyld, and recognize its rage within you.

Crash of Thunder, Wyld Child The cities are the way of the future. Like it or not, that’s where we’ll make our final stand in the Apocalypse. Any werewolves who purposely ignore the constantly growing urban sprawl are a bunch of fools.

Carla Codex, Web Walker Our long-dead friends and Kin found a remarkable bond in the Ghost Dance. By remembering them, we create even closer ties with their descendents.

Tolikna, Ghost Dancer Sure, Idelivermessages, butthepony expressis lunggone. I’m Julita Lauros, Scout What are you talking about? There’s no such thing as a secret cache of ancient artifacts anywhere on this earth - or in any other realm, for that matter. You’ve been listening to too many peyote-induced Moon Dancer tales.

Iwone Sharpspear, Raider By our own laws , I can’t tell you our purpose. But I can say that Uktena guides us in our mission, as he does all our tribe.

Trustme whenlsayitis best youdon’t knowanymore than this.

-Jon Nakai, Path Dancer We are hated because we did what was both necessary and difficult. To end the Wynncomer and Wynnbringer scourge, we needed the power to enforce our will. We were clever enough to know where to find it. more of an ambassador at large than a werewolf postal service.

Neronss, Society of the Bitter Frost “These are the voices of others among us, many accounted wise in their way. You have listened well, and must makeup your own mind which path you will follow,” Wind-in-the-Spruce remarked. “Come, then, young Lawgiver. No need to teach you more lessons for now.”

Erishka gave the Amtrak car a dubious look, but Jolon seemed to think it was a better bet than riding the bus across four-fifths of the country. At least it was less crowded, and no one sang half-drunken songs or threw apples or did any of the crazy stuff she’d seen on the buses.

Erishka’s Notebook . ..and the train dumped us out at yet another forlornlookingplace, this time in the desert country of Arizona. I thought CO/@QM2M The Uktena, through acquiring Kin from various cultures over the years, have a number of names and vernacular words which may be unfamiliar to other tribes, and most mix and match the words in their speech. These include: First People, Pure Ones: Humans who first settled Turtle Island, and their descendents Ghost: A restless spirit or a wraith Grandfather Serpent The Wyrm Grandfather Spider: The Weaver Grandmother Smoke: The Wyld (Note that the “gender” of the Triat may vary depending on where the speaker learned the old tales).

Great Mother: Gaia Haole, washishu, belagaana: Outsiders, usually those of European ancestry. Although these terms come from various human languages, the Uktena have adopted their use as well Nunnehi: Faeries native to the Americas, but also a catchall term for fae Moondancer: Galliard Peacemaker, Peaceleader, Lawgiver, Kumu: Philodox Shaman, Medicine Worker, Kahuna: Theurge, but also a term of respect for mages who work with the Uktena Trickster, Questioner: Ragabash Turtle Island: North and Central America Warleader, Warrior, Ali’i: Ahroun Witches: Mages, particularly those who are motivated by greed and thirst for power Wyrmcomer: European werewolves who came to America, and their descendents Wyrmbringer: Human European colonists and their descendents we’dnever reach the sept, but finally, about aday later, we did.

I’d never met the Dine‘ before, but they made us welcome.

Tonight, I’ve been invited to join one of the packs as they make a journey into the spirit lands. I’m eager to see what this phce looks like on the other side. Jolon said he’s meeting with some of the Kinfolk while I’m gone. *?zs??&&M “Hold still, dammit!” snapped Rosie, as she snipped a suture. “Or else I’ll give you enough painkillers to knock even you on your ass.”

JoshCreekgrumbled, but stoppedsquirming long enough for his wife to finish her work. Erishka suppressed a grin. For Kin, Rosie was gutsy and outspoken, and Erishka liked that.

She was an interesting contrast to her husband, a huge man who seemed remarkably quiet and contemplative for a Warrior. Rosie hadn’t batted an eye when the pack had stumbled into the couple’s modest ranch house. She’d just gotten her bag from the kitchen and set to work. Erishka imagined this wasn’t the first time bloodied werewolves had crossed the threshold. The large bedroom where they rested had a couple of spare pallets in addition to the two beds.

“It doesn’t hurt,” answered Josh, sulkily, “but I need to talk to Threepaws and the others, let ’em know what happened.”

“NO need,” said another woman, resting on a pallet nearby. She was pale despite her olive-toned skin, almost fragile looking with her damp dark hair hanging in her face, but much more alive than when the pack had returned from their hunt. “I asked one of the water spirits to carry a message for us. Threepaws knows where we are, and that the sept is safe now.” Ellen had been the one who discovered the Spirals trailing their pack in the Umbra, and she’d borne the brunt of their first assault. Her pack leader, Josh, along with Erishka and a metis New Moon called Natesa had managed to kill the enemy, though not without plenty of wounds.

Rosie had checked everyone out, taken care of the worst injuries and then let the Great Mother do the rest.

“Okay,” said Rosie, giving them all a last once over.

“Today, you rest. Doctor’s orders! I’ll get Beth to bring up some food.” Josh nodded for all of them, and Rosie left the bedroom after a last stern look.

Ellen waited a few moments, then rose and shut the door. Sitting cross-legged, she emptied five small piles of cornmeal, in colors of white, black, green, red and yellow onto the wood floor.

“The setting sun in the west reminds us of the heat of an ember,” the Theurge intoned. “It cuts through the heart of our enemies with one sure stroke. We hear the death cries of our foes and rejoice for our victory.” Ellen traced a symbol in the white meal.

“Is she doing a sand painting?” Erishka whispered to Natesa, who was in human form, watching quietly. The Philodox tried not to stare at the metis’ solid white left eye that seemed not to move in its socket.

The New Moon shook her head. “No, that is a ritual of our human cousins, one most dear to them. This is the Changer way. It is similar, but different. Besides, most of Ellen’s ancestors came from Vietnam. They don’t do Indian rituals there, you know.” Erishka accepted that news in silence, as the Theurge spoke again.

“Roadrunner lent me his cunning this past night. If not for his keen eyes and quick wits that guided me, I would not have seen the danger to our caern. I thank our totem for showing me the enemy in the darkness, for putting fire in my heart to carry on our fight.” Ellen traced another symbol, this time in the red meal, and bowed deeply.

Josh knelt beside Ellen, and traced a sign in the yellow meal. “I give my thanks to Bear, the totem of my wife’s clan, for her skills in healing. Thanks to her, we are strong again, ready to fight our enemies and discover new secrets. Bear is wise and steady. He sees balance in the paths of the earth and gifts us with this understanding.”

Slowly, Natesa limped over to the piles of meal, though she didn’t touch anything. “Lizard and Coyote the Trickster are brothers, though they tear at eachother’s healing wounds.

When the dark ones assaulted us, it was the Homed Lizard who inspired me to fight, even as my blood spilled hot in the spirit lands. I thank Lizard for guiding my hand this night.”

Erishka instinctively knew it was her turn, and she said the first thing that came to mind. “Turkey helped me begin this quest for wisdom and secrets. So, um, I thank that totem for opening a path before my feet.”

Ellen nodded, and then carefully swept the meal into a large pile. Wktena and the others have all given us their wisdom. There was pain in our discovery, but insight seldom comes without a price. We found an enemy that was hidden.

That was worth the injury to our flesh.” She scooped up the cornmeal and deftly placed it in a blue leather pouch at her waist. Erishka palpably felt a cool wind stir in the room, but it vanished almost as soon as it appeared. The Crescent Moon nodded again, seemingly pleased. Josh saw the puzzled look on their visitor’s face.

“Spirits like to be remembered and named,” he explained “as well as given honor through the process of chiminage. While Uktena, the One Who Unlocks Secrets, is the totem of our tribe, we’ve got a number of other allies, too. Roadrunner is our sept totem, but a lot of us have personal totems. Rosie’s family reveres Bear, who is aprotector and healer of great strength, and I honor the guardian of her people. Frog is a symbol of renewal and change, as he moves from tadpole to full-grown adult. Lizard is renowned as a knower of secrets, and all four of these totems have connections to water, a link to Uktena. Either they live in the water, or they use water for catching fish to eat or to replenish their bodies. Roadrunner is clever enough to find water even in the desert cactus.”

“The list of spirits we recognize and love is long,” Ellen added. “I can’t name them all, of course, but I will mention a few more you should know. Hummingbird is tiny, but valiant despite her size. She defends her territory as fiercely as any large mammal. Dragonfly shows us which paths to follow and is highly honored by the Scouts as a totem that aids messengers. Uktena who live much further south have told me about Parrot, who is a friend of both sun and rain. And the numbers of ancestor spirits we have is uncountable.”

“At some of our most special moots, the strongest Medicine Workers among us welcome certain of the ancestor spirits to tell stories through their living bodies,” Josh interjected. “It’s almost indescribable to watch! Sometimes a female spirit speaks in a male body, and vice versa.” ‘‘It’s a rare occurrence,” agreed Ellen, “though a joyous one. In this way, some of us have been able to discover legends that have long been lost. Alas, the times when these spirits come among us have grown few, and I can’t understand why.”

Lckfenw Her brow furrowed for a bit, then she gave the Half Moon a hopeful smile. “But tell me about Turkey, Erishka. You seem to have some sort of special bond with him.”

Erishka related the story of finding the talen in the museum, and after a brief hesitation, added the part about the troubling dreams she’d had after her First Change. “So, I’m not sure why I got the task, but I think I did right by freeing the spirit,” she finished. “Here, look at the beard feather fetish.” She pulled it out of her bag and handed it to the Theurge. “One of the Glass Hand folks bound the spirit for me, in honor of my visit. It’s kind of a lie detector. They said it was a good thing for a Half-Moon to have.”

Erishka nodded and totem?“ she asked. “I’ve h “Great Uktena a deer, and on his forehead lies a g ulun’suti, that shines like a diamond or a ruby. Most say he is red, but some say white or blue or maybe some other color.”

“Many say he has wings when he needs them,”said Josh.

“Some people say Great Uktena has a head-and maybe even legs - like a mountain lion, and that he has straight horns and not antlers,” added the No Moon. ‘‘I don’t know about that,” Ellensaid with a slight shrug.

“Could be that Uktena was playing a trick on one of us.”

Erishka piped up. ‘The folks in Florida told me the Water-Cougar was a servant of Uktena. Maybe that’s where the confusion comes from.”

Ellen nodded gravely at this. “However he looks, Great Uktena is an angry spirit, though he does not see fit to tell us why.

Some say it is because of an ancient treachery. An elder told me that in the time before the People, Uktena served the Wyrm of