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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.”