Wendigo:

 

As proud as any Silver Fang and almost as bitter as the Red Talons, the Wendigo consider themselves the purest of the Pure Ones, and the Garou least tainted by the Wyrm. According to their philosophy, the European werewolves have been touched by the Wyrm, the Croatan sacrificed themselves, and the Uktena have degraded themselves with the blood of the Wyrmbringers- the European invaders. The tribe takes its name from its totem, the great cannibal spirit of winter. Wendigo has taught his tribe the power that lies in harnessing the ice storm, its strength and implacability. As quiet as falling snow, fast as the winter wind, the Wendigo are masters of their woodland domain. No prey can elude them — on two legs or four. They engage in a covert war against the Wyrmbringer, focusing on those who seek actively to defile their lands and Kinfolk and steal away their culture. 

 

But don't all Garou of European stock bear some share of the blame ultimately? Doesn't their mere presence invite the Wyrm? Wendigo war parties can be found far from their lands, even into the heart of cities — wherever corruption can be traced. The tribe's relations with other Garou are tenuous. While they are on good terms with the Silent Striders and Red Talons, and they respect the Black Furies, they have little but suspicion for the other tribes. After centuries of bitter struggle, they have come to loathe the Get of Fenris, Fianna and Shadow Lords. Wendigo may ally with the Europeans to accomplish short-term goals, but they remain aloof on the whole. Trust is a difficult thing for the tribes to earn. The Wendigo been given too many empty promises.

 

The Wendigo are a deeply traditional, deeply spiritual tribe that takes great pains to make sure that no hint of corruption taints its rituals. Wendigo hold their rites at sites too sacred for spectators, and any European Garou who tried to spy on their moots would never be seen again. Tribe members purify themselves ritually before hunts or battle. Wendigo seek spiritual aid to solve all manner of problems. Many packs quest through the spirit world looking for some sign of their brother tribe, the Croatan. The goal of the Wendigo is to secure the lands that they now hold. What happens beyond that is a question that occupies many councils. 

 

Some elders, particularly the Half Moons, wish to open the Wyrmbringer's eyes to the old traditions so that they may leave the cities, return to nature and live in harmony with the spirits and the earth. Others, including many Ahroun, have set for themselves the equally impossible task of driving the invaders from the Pure Lands or to wash the Wyrm taint from the earth with the Wyrmbringer's blood. Although most Wendigo consider this last view a pipe dream, frustration has brought more and more to this way of thinking. 

 

An alliance with likeminded Red Talons may not be long in coming. Although they are not the bookkeepers the Silver Fangs are, Wendigo are very picky about with whom they breed. They maintain exclusively Native American bloodlines, preferably from those who hold the old beliefs, and they breed only with wolves who live free and haven't forgotten the ways of the wild trapped in a zoo. They teach their Kin the old ways, although such teachings are easily drowned out in these days by the seductive promises of modern commercial society.

 

Tribal Totem: Wendigo

 

Initial Willpower: 4

 

Background Restrictions: Wendigo may not buy Contacts or Resources.

 

Beginning Gifts: Call the Breeze, Camouflage, Resist Pain

 

Thoughts on other tribes:
 

Black Furies: These women are brave, but they have lost the true path.
 

Bone Gnawers: A Garou that gladly lives in filth is no Garou. Still, they are better than others.
 

Children of Gaia: Their promises were sweet, but they did not stop their cousins from drawing our blood. The Children know how to love, but they have not yet learned when to hate.
 

Fianna: Sweet-voiced Wyrmcomers that remember their own glory but forget the death they brought to our people. Now they wonder at our anger.
 

Get of Fenris: They respect no agreement, no territory, nothing except strength in battle. There is no honor in them. The only thing they may be trusted to do is to draw their silver blades at a moment's notice.
 

Glass Walkers: They have forgotten the land, and it is dead beneath their feet. They are like spiders spinning their webs inside a skull.
 

Red Talons: We know their outrage, but to forsake a part of themselves lessens them.
 

Shadow Lords: The Stormcrows embrace the worst attributes of the Wyrmbringers: greed, treachery, casual cruelty and selfishness. They take everything and deserve nothing.
 

Silent Striders: They have not done us wrong. We respect them, but we pity them too. None should live without their people close at hand.
 

Silver Fangs: These "kings" were born across the sea, yet they claim to know what is right for all wolf-changers. But their spirits are sick — if they can not help themselves, how can they know our path?
 

Uktena: Older Brother no longer walks a good path. The Uktena mate with mongrels and search the dark places for secrets that will bring them no peace. We must bring them back before they step into the Horned Serpent's maw.
 

Stargazers: There is much wisdom in the Stargazers. We could trust them, even though we could not always understand them. I hope their decision is a good one.