Black Furies:

The Black Furies practice feminism with a vengeance. According to legend, Luna first gathered this cult of warrior women in Ancient Greece. Incarnate as Artemis the Huntress, the goddess appointed she-wolves as the defenders of the Wyld. Since then, the tribe's followers have inspired legends of female heroes. Elders claim that the tribe has been responsible for warrior Amazons, vengeful Maenads, Lysistrata's political revolt, Queen Bodacea's military prowess and even the Norse Valkyries. The tribe accepts only women into its ranks, often recruiting werewolf cubs infuriated by the sexism of other tribes. Their version of gender bias is often called hypocritical, but it is based on a culture that has developed for thousands of years. For most Furies, their driving belief is simple that women are worthy of respect and reverence.

Throughout history, rumor had it that Black Furies birth exclusively to female offspring. In truth, some Furies ceremoniously killed their male children; the rest gave their cubs away. The only exceptions were the metis; for reasons unknown, the Furies have several metis among their ranks.These days, though, the Furies give away male cubs to be raised by other werewolves, but in return, they demand the right to recruit cubs raised by other tribes. The Furies have forced their rivals to treat female cubs with respect, not by intimidation or insults, but by offering an alternative.

 

Contrary to stereotype, they do not demand that their cubs "hate all men." Instead, they give women a chance to voice their beliefs openly... and act on them. No two Furies interpret the tribe's philosophies in quite the same way, but a few cultural standards are constant. The Furies are known for their mystical wisdom, fierce pride and political fervor. Honor is their most prized virtue; if a Black Fury gives her word, she'll go through hell to keep it. Many Furies see themselves as aspects of the Goddess herself, since they share a deeper bond with Gaia than any ordinary man.

 

The tribe undeniably has its own version of discrimination, but this practice is often necessary to explore their deepest tribal mysteries and keeping them secret from the patriarchal societies surrounding them. In Greek myth, Bellerophon, a hero whose mastery of animals allowed him to conquer a mythical beast and travel throughout the world, tamed Pegasus. In the Gaian version of this myth, Pegasus — the Furies' totem — gained a great hatred for the man who had mastered her. Furies retell this legend in their own image, using it as an example of man's need to rein nature and exploit mystical power. Of course, the tribe reveres other totems as well, from Owl and Panther to the Muses and Medusae.

 

However, despite the preconceived notions of other werewolves, not all Furies are radical in their beliefs. A few camps are particularly harsh in their attitudes toward men, but these camps often form their own packs composed entirely of their own followers. Many Furies run with packs that accept other tribes; unfortunately they sometimes find themselves at odds with the most extreme and intolerant elders of their own culture. The battle lines between cliath and elders are clear. While many of the oldest Furies are quite set in their beliefs, young cubs entertain very revolutionary concepts of gender, warfare and Garou society. Not every Black Fury believes in "stomping man's face firmly into the mud," but all members of the tribe are known for their tendency to speak their minds, directly and forcefully, no matter how unpopular or dangerous their ideas may be. In doing so, they risk alienating others within their own tribe and invoking the wrath of the tribal elders. While a "woman who runs with the wolves" may choose to ally herself with anyone she pleases, the elders of her tribe still encourage her to take up Gaian causes shared by her sisters. Thus, the struggle between the old and young continues. In her name, the Furies will avenge any crime against women, insult toward the Goddess or defilement of her creation.

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Tribal Totem: Pegasus

Initial Willpower: 3

Background Restrictions: None. You got a problem with that?

Beginning Gifts: Breath of the Wyld, Heightened Senses, Sense Wyrm

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Thoughts of other tribes:

Bone Gnawers: They're pitiable creatures, but they're also useful to anyone who offers them sympathy... or free food. Just remember to stand upwind from them.

Children of Gaia: I admire anyone who speaks so boldly for what she believes in, especially a cause as admirable as peace.

Fianna: Passionate, artistic and positively pagan in their celebrations — what's not to like? Then again, getting hit on at their parties does get old....

Get of Fenris: Their egos are as bloated as their muscles. If a Get talks too much, the only way to shut him up is to kick his ass.

Glass Walkers: It's good to have contacts in the big city, so most of them are worth knowing. The cities are bad enough without their help.

Red Talons: Best leave them to the wilderness. Their hatred of the human race is offensive, to say the least. Let's just say I don't have much patience for race-hatred, okay?

Shadow Lords: Devious, treacherous, manipulative — you've heard all this before, haven't you? Despite all that, a Lord can give you great insights into your enemies' schemes... and maybe betray what you're thinking to them, if you're not careful.

Silent Striders: Good traveling companions. Of all the other tribes, they're the best allies to have when you're on the move, whether that's in the depths of the Umbra or the heart
of the wilderness.

Silver Fangs: Perhaps they're a bit vain about their past, but every so often, one rises to the occasion and proves he's a hero. Don't count them out just yet.

Uktena: Don't get me wrong. I don't mind having an Uktena tell me what to expect from the Wyrm's minions. I'd just feel safer if I knew how he found out....

Wendigo: They deserve a damn sight better than what they've got. I feel great sorrow for all the bigotry they've faced. If only they regarded us with the same esteem...

Stargazers: I trusted the Stargazers to watch my back. They don't think we're worthy of the same? Their loss.

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