Logfile from GarouMU.

Center of the Caern
This is the central point of the 30-meter-wide clearing. The ground is a mixture of dark, rich, muddy soil mixed with clay, though there is an occasional patch of grass. At the center rests a large white boulder, immovable even by the strongest crinos. The boulder is shot through with streaks of quartz that produces scintillating colors when light strikes it just right. It is, for lack of a wholly adequate word, beautiful.
Around you, twenty yards in every direction, stretches the caern. To the southeast, a waterfall plummets over the edge of the chasm into a small pool in the caern; nearby, to the southwest, steam comes from cracks in the ground, perhaps some of the same water. Northwest, a rocky spar juts out of the ground at a low angle, showing a sloping but smooth top. The chasm walls narrow a bit to the northeast, causing some of the mist to swirl in that area.
Contents:
Seeker, Alicia (Guards-Flame), Jamethon (Fights-For-Hope), Touch Deer (Cries-No-More), Yi (Runs-the-Gauntlet), Eamon (Ever-Grinning), Wrong Way, Helen (Cycle-Breaker), Olga (Fat-Ripper), Stacey (Walks-Middle), Aubrey (Sheeaghan), Cole (Howls-For-Glory), Brom (Forath-Ripper), Kevin (Power-Up), Dwight (Stands-in-rain), Kenneth (Dagger's-Edge), Clemency (Fire-Burns), Jervis (Iron-Eyes), Isaac (Innocence), Andy (Recalls-Scars), Tamara (Spider-Eyes), Reggie (Rags), Jacinta (Pierces-the-Ice), Horace (Untangler), Basil (Long-Wind), Aaron (Mad-Dog), Bug, Kieran (Smart-Bomb), Maggie (Ladder-Climb), Tabitha,
Obvious exits:
Rock Slab Windy Spot WaterFall Steam Vents

Currently the moon is in the waxing Full Moon phase (92% full).

Tamara slips into the Caern for the first time, somewhat uncertain as she looks this way and that.

Walks-Middle makes her way down the narrow trail into the Caern, heading toward the center. Seeing Tamara, the young wolf gives a good natured chuff of greeting.

Spider-Eyes lifts her head quickly, oversized ears flopping almost comically as she does so. Hello, she greets in return, tail giving a slow wag.

Walks-Middle heads toward the other wolf, tongue lolling out in excitement. Moot is tonight! she says, tail wagging. It is a good night.

Perhaps. Spider-Eyes does not appear all that certain, ears laying back and tail held out stiffly behind her. Nerves, most likely.

Walks-Middle cocks her head to the side. It /is/ tonight, she says, confused by the 'perhaps'. Are you not well? She circles around the Metis, sniffing.

Spider-Eyes's lips twitch, as she is circled by the other wolf. I am fine. I am uncertain about something that may happen. Tamara sits down on her haunches and scratches at her side. Hard to explain in this form.

Walks-Middle comes back around to sit down in front of Tamara. This one understands. About Circle-Keeper? She huffs and glances around. This one is a bit uncertain, too, but happy to see others.

Spider-Eyes turns her head around to chew on her shoulder, then easily flows into her birth form. ~Yes and no. I was told by Alicia-Rhya to talk with Kenneth. I did as I was told. Both do not like Circle-Keeper. I feel as if what happened is being used to get to Circle Keeper. I don't like it. I have no hard feelings toward the Guardian. What he did was not exactly Honorable and losing so badly to a Mule is /very/ humiliating. If Alicia-Rhya really has such hard feelings toward the Guardian, she could simply tell the story to the Sept.~ The Strider jesters toward the center of the Caern in general. ~Circle Keeper humiliation would stay for him for at least a moon's full turning in that case.~

There's a sound of rustling at the edge of the treeline, and it's a moment before Cole makes his appearance, sporting a new outfit. There's a source of some sort of light at his chest, putting out a warm glow and providing guidance in the tangled undergrowth.

Walks-Middle takes a step back as Spider-Eyes shifts, then she flows into her Crinos form as well. ~Ah, I see what you mean. Yes, I agree that many are biased against him. It is his short temper and... wolf-like thinking that they do not understand. This could just have been the mistake that will prove... difficult for him. I am sorry that you were placed in this position.~

Spider-Eyes snorts and gives her head a shake, near-floppy ears slapping lightly against her skull. ~I am very uncomfortable with it.~

Walks-Middle tilts her chin upward. ~Then have you voiced these concerns? Have you said that you feel things are being dealt with unfairly? On the other hand, there is a Philodox involved. Perhaps he does deserve the judgement given him.~ She glances over as Cole enters the Caern and nods. ~Greetings, Howls-for-Glory.~

Dagger's-Edge appears on the cliff edge of the caern, headed at a groundeating trot towards the center alone. Looking out from his path, he scents the wind for the scents of the others gathered.

Cole moves down to the gathered group of Garou, stopping at a respectful distance. "Evening, everyone," he says, with a nod toward Walks-Middle.

Isaac trundles down the steep slope and into the caern. In his teeth he carries the black cowboy hat, holding it with some reverence and care. When he reaches the center, he places the cap on the ground before him, a forepaw resting gently on the curved surface.

Spider-Eyes runs a clawed hand over her four eyes. ~I do not know. Even for a Philodox, he has such a strong opinion of the Guardian already.~ It is about that moment that the Strider notices Dagger's-Edge, says a polite goodbye to Walks-Middle and makes her way over to the Philodox. ~Dagger's-Edge, may I speak with you for a moment?~

Cole howls long and loud.

From Center of the Caern, Cole can be heard to howl, ~Warriors of the Hidden Walk! Gather! For tonight, under Luna's gaze, we moot!~

Cole shifts up into crinos as he steps back from the group once more. The glowing necklace stays on his chest while the clothing disappears. A long, resonant howl escapes him, summoning the Sept.

Dagger's-Edge gazes over as he is addressed, chuffing once. Speak, the Shadow Lord rumbles.

Walks-Middle watches as Spider-Eyes approaches the Shadow Lord and nods approvingly. She turns to see who else has entered, nodding toward Isaac, but her greeting is cut short by the howl.

Touch Deer walks into the crowd gathered, finally back in his normal attire (buckskin, fringe, you know the deal). Lupus noses easily pick up traces of city scents on the man as he strides towards Bug.

Bug slips out of the trees in lupus, practically hugging the ground with how low she's slinking. Her ears are laid completely back, and her nose seems to be working overtime. Only when she's fairly close to Cole does she shift, hesitantly, into crinos. Even then, she remains crouched and mostly flattened.

Basil steps out of the woods with a slow, slightly bent over gait, walking towards the gathering of Garou with an expression that shows he's not really happy to be there. Standing a ways away from them, he picks a spot that seems the least crowded and has a seat.

As the howl echoes about the mountains, a large figure marches out of the deep forest, his descent cautious down the steep trail. Reggie loses his footing once as a rock breaks off under his weight, and finds himself pedalling his legs down into the caern quicker than he'd like. He brings himself up to a halt at the end of the slope, panting from the effort, then walks, quite slowly, the last few feet to the center, offering shoulder thumps and hand slaps to people nearly randomly.

Spider-Eyes crouches down to the wolf's level, scratching behind one ear as she does so. ~I only came to you about Circle Keeper, because Alicia-Rhya told me to. I was not asking for you to pass a judgment on him. I have no further argument with him. But, you are a Philodox and I will abide by any decision you make.~

Walks-Middle nods to people as they enter, especially noting Touch Deer as he walks toward Bug. She stands aloof now, though, crossing her arms, waiting.

Howls-For-Glory extinguishes the light that emenates from the fetish, turning to look at Bug as she arrives. ~Little-Spinner. Good. It would not do to be late to your first moot!~

Two figures come in from the east, one the angular erect rage-vessel of Clemency, alongside her the less formal but equally noble-looking Jervis. The two Fangs, though they arrive together, don't seem to be making light conversation, or any at all, and Clemency at least seems sunk deep in her own thoughts.

Two figures come in from the east, one the angular erect rage-vessel of Clemency, alongside her the less formal but equally noble-looking Jervis. The two Fangs, though they arrive together, don't seem to be making light conversation, or any at all, and Clemency at least seems sunk deep in her own thoughts. Mother's Tongue it may be, but Bug is making it almost a lupine whine at the moment. ~There are lots of Garou here.~ As if to punctuate this, she flicks a swift, fearful look toward the rest of the gathering. So preoccupied is she, that she doesn't notice Touch Deer's approach.

Jacinta and Untangler are fashionably in time. They come from the east, through the swirling winds; the Ahroun walks carefully, intently, rifle slung over her shoulder and long staff in her hands, carefully balanced. She's showing, but not as much as one might expect. Untangler walks before her like a blocker shielding a quarterback: he watches the gathering with a slight, subdued nervousness, and his head whips lazily around. The two members of Ridgeline find themselves a spot on the eastern curve of the circle and quickly make it their own.

Touch Deer tosses Cole a hello-nod, then looks up to the Crinos Bug. "Have you been practicing what I taught you?"

By the waterfall, Jamethon stands silent and stoic before the waterfall, staring intently into the waters, as he seems to do at the beginning of all moots in which he'll be performing the opening of the inner sky. In his left hand, resting on the ground, is his familiar Chimeric spear.

Olga is late in coming. Glabro and beastly-looking, face grey and ugly as a long-used firepit, she stomps to the edge of the circle without greeting or nod, rips her blanket from the bag which bobs against her back, and dumps herself down on it without ceremony or pleasure. Only then do her eyes wander the crowd, vague but searching.

Howls-For-Glory growls in a semblance of a chuckle. ~That's what a moot is.~ He returns Touch Deer's nod with a heavy movement of his head. ~Touch Deer-rhya.~

Dagger's-Edge bears himself somewhat neutrally, but his lupine body language doesn't lie. You did not ask me to, but Guards-Flame chose me for a reason. Circle Keeper will get a reaction for his action. The philodox doesn't exactly look pleased towards the Strider metis either.

Kevin is also late, and flustered-looking as he arrives, ushering along with him the cub Tabitha. He wipes sweat from his brow as he finds a suitable spot for the two to claim, and murmurs some gentle words of instruction and encouragement to Tabitha.

Bug replies obediently, ~Every morning and every night.~ She looks uncertainly towards Cole, and rather than answering him, hunches down even further against the ground.

Wrong Way makes her way down into the caern some moments after Olga, nose low as though following the other's scent. She stumbles once during her descent, but catches herself as though with practice. Shaking out her ruff, she closes the distance to where the Gnawer Elder rests.

Jacinta turns her gaze more fully at the lupus shaped Shadow Lord, eyes narrow, mouth tight.

Walks-Middle continues to stand apart, arms still crossed. She seems to take notice of Kevin's entrance, though, and nods toward him.

Ladder-Climber comes trailing threw the woods, leaping eagerly around the rocks and dips on the way. When she arrives she spots Poe and padders over. Long day huh? she woofs at the boy, and before he can respond, she spots Kevin and Tabitha and meanders towards them.

Olga looks down at Wrong Way and a shallow look of surprise and greeting momentarily banish the scowl she'd been wearing. "Hey," she greets her with rough Glabro drawl, welcoming enough but distracted. She turns back to the circle, scanning again.

Basil stares blankly at some path of ground near the center of it all, folding his legs up under him. He sit there without paying attention to much at all save for the occasional glance at a pair of heavy gloves he's wearing.

"Good, we'll meet soon for more training." Touch Deer slaps Cole on the shoulder and turns around, scans the crowd, and now strides right over to Jacinta. "Hey."

Making her way down into the caern, Yi travels down the valley path and reaches the center. The Gnawer ragabash spots her tribemates, and travels over to them. On her way, she dips her head towards a few faces, Fights-For-Hope, the Caller, the Fool...

No-Fuss arrives in his usual seeming quiet, neatly picking his way down the borders of the caern and weaving through the gathered. He takes up position by the other present Silver Fangs however quite deliberately not immediately aside Jervis.

Isaac licks his nose and then uses it to nudge the hat, not quite managing to lift it onto his head. He emits a small, but sharp whine, ears pulling forward and then back in consternation.

Spider-Eyes sighs heavily, looking away and down. ~I did not come here to cause trouble. It just does not feel quite right to have Alicia-Rhya go to you and have Circle Keeper possibly punished, when I have no further argument with him.~ The large Crinos lifts and lowers her shoulders in a massive and frustrated shrug. ~Thankyou for your time,~ she adds, turning and walking away from the Philodox.

Clemency, glancing round the assembled garou, sees one in particular and nudges Jervis beside her, drawing the Fang elder's attention to Isaac's presence as though she's pleasantly surprised by it.

Howls-For-Glory looks down to Bug. ~You will be fine. Stay here for the moment.~ He moves a short distance from the gathered groups, seeking a slight rise. ~We begin,~ he declares enthusiasticlly, mouth aimed toward the sky as he lets out a long, low howl.

Walks-Middle tilts her head as she notices Isaac and walks over to him, kneeling down. ~May I help you, Innocence?~ she asks, gesturing toward the hat.

Bug sinks even further as Howls-For-Glory moves away; clearly she's not pleased to suddenly be left on her own. However, she takes this opportunity to peer at the other Garou with blatant, wide-eyed curiosity.

Wrong Way sits back on her haunches, rising up as though a begging dog, then slowly grows in size and bulk, lifting upward into Crinos. Her ruined leg tucked close to her chest, she reaches skyward with the right and turns her head up to loose a howl that joins with Cole's in eerie disharmony.

Isaac opens his jaws to answer Stacey, but the howl interrupts him and he shifts upward into Crinos to join the howl himself. With one ham-hand, he takes the hat and places it over one ear, as it is far too small to cover both.

Walks-Middle grins at Isaac and then turns away, tilting back her head to join in the howl.

Dagger's-Edge only dips his muzzle to the Strider, and takes up a spot in his own counsel. Jacinta's gaze towards him is returned, but not kept. The opening howl comes just in time, as the Shadow Lord arches his muzzle skyward, shifting to Hispo and howling loudly with the others.

Olga joins Wrong Way slowly, lumbering up into Crinos and tilting her head, adding a gruff and throaty howl to the gathering sound. It starts out lacklustre but as she keeps going it gains some fervour and passion, full of strain and difficulty, angry and almost sad, though it's presented in simple tones and without any skill or grace.

Spider-Eyes closes all four eyes, ears hanging loosely as she belts out a howl loud enough to wake the dead, only to have it blend in with the voices of the other Garou.

Yi looks up at the sky when the howls rise, and she too shifts to the Crinos to join her voice with the gathered Garou.

Jacinta crosses her arms over her chest, staff held tight in the crook of her elbow. Her nostrils flare and brows pull downward. Clearly, she is unhappy. As the howls fill the air, she can contain herself no longer, and despite remaining in Homid, releases a sound as close to howl as a homid can manage.

The howl dies out after a long moment as Howls for Glory lowers his head and turns his gaze on those assembled. His eyes linger for a time on Jervis before moving on, in particular.

Aubrey comes into the caern, a little late, but the Fianna has been busier than ever. She pauses, looking around before making her way towards Clemency, waving towards the Fang. She shifts into warform, howling like everyone else.

Clemency gives Isaac a warm smile across the crowd as a precursor to shifting up to crinos herself and letting fly with a loud, echoing howl that mixes in with others'.

Bug gives up on any pretense--she flattens herself completely as all of the howls begin, ears slicked back, eyes wide. The metis cub doesn't howl. She whines quietly.

No-Fuss simply shifts up, rising to crinos and letting his own voice be heard, unloading his lungs in harmony with the gathered.

Untangler looks up at Jacinta, with a sympathetic whine, sad that his Alpha can't join in with the others. As he bulks into Hispo though he lets out a belt he hopes will be loud enough for two - or two and a half - completely lacking in style but making up for it with wide-eyed exuberance.

Touch Deer shifts, bursting into Crinos. The scarred Wendigo unleashes himself into a howl.

Kevin prompts Tabitha to join him in crinos and to howl along with all the rest, showing her the way by letting rip with a good strong noise. Making his way up to Dagger's-Edge's side, Forath-Ripper looks agitated upon the surface, claws flexing in and out. In his hands, he carries a large, picked clean white bone. He lifts his voice to howl along with the others.

Ladder-Climber looks back and forth uneasily. Then, deciding adding her voice can't hurt, she lets out a lang call, flowing upwards into crinos as she does so.

Bug's neckfur bristles. The next noise she makes is some sort of strange hybrid between a yip and a growl--strained, as if she were trying to muffle it.

Reggie shifts to Glabro, the wolfskins so poorly put together as his homid garment now tightening on his larger form, and the Uktena adds his howl to fortify the Howl.

Howls-For-Glory listens to the howls of his fellows before pulling himself to his full height and clearing his throat with a loud rumble. He settles into the role of the Caller seamlessly, calling out the tenets with vigor. ~Combat the Wyrm wherever it dwells and whenever it breeds!~

Yi stands beside her two tribemates, in crinos. As the howls fill the air, the ragabash keeps a weathereye out for her packmates.

Jervis smirks, and swells, still grinning, up to war form, rising in height like a cobra slithering skyward from its hole. ~Combat the Wyrm,~ he says, voice sibilant, rasping, ~_Wherever_ it breeds?~ He turns to face the congregation directly. ~Friends! The Enemy has infiltrated, molested and found bedding in all the most remote of places. And those places, He simply does not consider worthy of his attention just yet. If you think War is winnable, then you are simply a bigger Fool than I or any other No-Moon will attempt to play. Is it not right that we should choose our battles? Abandon the wastes, the scab-where even fear to tread? Why must we dirty our hands with these unclean places, to no possible end but a death so quick it is hardly even worth a song? These places we cannot fight on own terms of tradition and honor? Must we stoop to this? This horrible, rigged coin toss ,between a effete blaze of false glory, or slinking in His shadow, stabbing at it when we can, however we can like vultures? Risking our own corruption and dishonor in the process? No help to the helpless, that is our way; that is Gaia's way. And she herself is not exempt!~"

Fire-Burns says, ~Eloquent,~ Fire-Burns retorts loudly to her tribemate nearby her, ~but wrong.~~

Cries-No-More points at the Fool. "You would make our mission into a calculation of losses and gains, when our very Mother's life is at stake."

Bug's ears prick as the Calling begins. Her lips peel away from her teeth, and she gives a somewhat confused snarl. ~You must fight the Wyrm.~

Jacinta calls out, her homid throat rasping on the words and eventually softening to English, ~If we let Wyrm~"have his hold, he will make himself strong in those places, and stronger still will he come to the places Grandmother holds still sacred!"

Basil glances over towards Jervis, then at his gloves, resting one hand on top of the other in front of him.

Rags snarls, foam flecks flying. ~We are sent by Gaia to fight for her!~

Walks-Middle growls. ~Who are we to judge when or why? We must fight the Wyrm wherever we find it, Fool, lest its footholds become strongholds.~

Sheeaghan crosses her muscled arms cross her chest, tilting her head, and looks towards the fool. The crescent-moon snorts and slowly progresses her way towards her cub, Bug, and stands near her.

Untangler answers with eager disgust, just parroting the words of Jacinta but in the High Tongue completely, ~We have to fight it everywhere or else it'll spread! We have to!~

Ladder-Climber cocks her head to the side, ~Fighting the Wyrm is like fighting poverty, you can't win, but if you don't fight, you loose everything.~ She'll give this game a shot.

Bug looks toward Sheeaghan as she arrives, venturing a cautious sniff before she deems it safe to ease a little further into a standing position, rather than her flattened crouch. She repeats, somewhat more confidently, ~You must fight the Wyrm!~

Isaac growls deep in his throat, ears turning backward so that the hat almost falls from his head. ~We have to fight the bad things. If we leave them alone, they could win easier.~

By the steam vents, With an explosive hiss, a blast of superheated steam tumbles aside a few rocks and billows into the air. Where it meets the cooler mist to the northeast, masses of fog expand outwards into the Caern before they dissipate slowly into the air.

Wrong Way reaches down with her muzzle to chew at the fur on her gnarled wrist. Ears turn backward to show her displeasure, but she says nothing aloud to contradict the fool.

Snarling in response, Runner blasts her reply out. ~Leave the fight, and the fight will come to you! There will be no running away once the whole of Gaia has been corrupted.~

Rags points a clawed hand in the direction of the steam vent, and with a yell, he exclaims, ~Gaia herself protests this fool! She calls us to fight!~

Power-Up seems a little taken aback by the sudden geophysical outburst, and anything he was about to say goes unspoken.

No-Fuss grumbles momentarily, and finally fires back at the fool. ~Idiot! You call to fight a fire by going against the tongues of heat when even a child knows that to extinguish a blaze you must attack it at its very root!~

Wrong Way's teeth show as her lips pull back and ears turn outward in response to the 'sign' from Gaia.

Howls-For-Glory runs through the tenets, growing more agitated with each of the Fool's arguments. Finally, with his eyes narrowed dangerously in answer, he throws down the last tenet as if in challenge. ~Ye shall take no action that allows a Caern to be violated!~

Iron-Eyes grins ferally, looking pleased at the outcry against him, almost proud. ~The Caern is all. The Caern dies, so as do we?~ His tone lowers, and he shakes his head. ~Not so, Friends. We are not bound by these places. They serve _us_, not the other way around. These foul, embittered places we cling to across the Earth, those Caerns that teeter on the brink of dissolution, close to the scab, in the Wyrm's very belly? They are trapped in the belly of a horrible machine, wrought of humanity, of steel, concreteand this machine is bleeding to death. Let the enemy and it's unwitting consorts have them! Let the malefic fires the humans have allowed to catch _consume them_! We don't need them, nor these lost causes, any more than we would refuse to cull a hopelessly inept or useless cub. To allow our laws to extend only to our own is hypocrisy. With us fallen, so shall fall _all_ Caerns. Only a "Fool" would not choose to withdraw if it warranted."

Looking a little sheepish at being late, Helen ambles down to the caern quietly with Alicia by her side.

Cries-No-More screams, hairless, scarred talons pointed to the Fool. ~You are insane! The fool has lost his mind!~

All through the calling, Jacinta has grown more tense, more aggitated. This speech by the fool is almost more than she can stand, however, and she turns her back on him entirely.

Isaac says, ~The Caern is a special place to Gaia. And Gaia made us. And if we let her special places get hurt then we get hurt, too!~

With each called tenet, Bug seems to have become more and more comfortable with the idea of the current ritual. She lifts her chin, far higher than one might expect given her usual stance, and bares her teeth. ~The Caern is Mother, and we must protect her. If we give pieces of her to the Wyrm, we are only helping him!~

~Why would you have our homes destroyed?! Our only sanctuary against the Wyrm and the Weaver!~ Spider-Eyes snarls. ~You would leave us all lost, homeless and wandering.~

~If I did not know you to be such a complete and utter fool,~ snarls Fire-Burns, ~I would fight you here and now for that statement, in the heart of the Caern which all but you hold dear and which you so despise.~

Rags' voice raises into a hoarse shriek, as he starts, ~How can you--arrrrrrgh!~, and ends in a wordless scream.

~You better pray that the revel kills me tonight, Fool! For I plan on ripping your limbs off and shoving them right back up your ass!~ Forath-Ripper screams in rage as his fur stands puffed out.

Dagger's-Edge growls low, ears flicking forward at the Fool's rebuttal. Only the loser withdraws from a war.

Wrong Way, quiet through most of the calling, lifts her jaw at this. Her voice is quiet, for a Crinos, but her word carries the weight of the intensity with which it is spoken. ~Never.~

Howls-For-Glory simply growls rather than any articulate response to the Fool's claims, and steps down. He moves his way towards Bug and (as things would have it) the newly-arrived Kieran. ~Yes, Little-Spinner. You are right.~

Seeker quietly enters the caern and makes his way toward the center, sitting with the Guardians. He listens to the calling, but makes no respose for now.

Eamon likewise appears when no one is looking and settles in with his pack.

Fat-Ripper seems to have refound her fury all at once at this last statement of the Fool: her arms topple sloppily down so that she stands on all fours and she cries out frantically, ~The Caern _is_ Gaia!~

Basil bows his head somewhat further, now watching the the ground between his folded legs. He cracks a brief smile, one that is quickly withdrawn less he be clawed to death.

Power-Up has been trying to listen tolerantly, perhaps because as another new-moon he can sympathise with Jervis's position. However, at this last statement, he throws his head back and laughs, pointing at the Silver Fang as though at some marvellously funny comedy, and nudging Tabitha in the ribs as though to emphasise the wit of the situation. ~Oh, that's a good one,~ he manages to snort.

Walks-Middle snarls, enraged by the Fool's words. ~You are a Fool, a Fool! Such action would doom us to lose.~

Bug swivels her ears forward, and lowers herself back down into a protective crouch as Cole returns. She looks terribly pleased with herself at his agreement.

No-Fuss shivers once and gives the fool a cold, hateful look perhaps too effective for its own good. After a long, challenging glare is given the young Fang snorts, and spits at his feet.

Runner keeps silent on the last tenet, but her expression towards the Fool tells all of what she thinks of the logic presented. Her eyes sweep towards Basil, watching him to the end of the Calling.

Sheeaghan's neck hairs bristle. ~You, of little faith!~ she roars.

~Home is home. If home dies, you die.~ Ladder-Climber states, as if that answers everything. Noticing Brom at his outburst, she edges her way around the circle to come near him.

Amid the screams, snarls, and various retorts, Cries-No-More's head swivels to point at Basil, and the Wendigo regards him with narrowed eyes.

As the rebuttal of the fool winds down, Jamethon moves closer to the water's edge.

Power-Up's eyes too come to rest on the huddled Basil, and he shifts uneasily as he watches.

Iron-Eyes chuckles, as if he's the audience of one, the rest the players. ~Good...good...~ the crinos mutters, almost inaudible amidst the clamoring mob. Jamethon speaks quietly to the waters before him, seemingly lost to all those around him. When it is time, suddenly his head snaps up and he turns around. Lifting arms to the sky, spear pointing out over the horizon of the Caern's edge James bursts to Crinos. Fights-For-Hope calls out the mother's tongue powerfully and filled with emotion those who know the Gatekeeper, rarely hear from him... if ever. ~Great lady of mirror, truth, lies, the percieved and the known, the understood and the belief. Mother of our land and whisperer in our ears. Chimera! I call you to us. We call you to us! Reveal your power and know that we serve Gaia through your guidance! Connect with us and be one with the hearts of the Hidden Walk. We call you!~ He raises his arms higher up and begins to howl a calling to the Lady Chimera.

Unthinking, Isaac joins in with Jamethon's howl. ~Mirror Lady!~

Bug gives a sudden alarmed hunch of her shoulders at this shift in focus. She turns her head toward Howls-For-Glory, looking confused and uneasy.

Eamon grins and gives Iron-Eyes a thumbs-up for his Fool-ing.

Basil doesn't seem to notice Touch Deer looking at him, his face having returned to it's static state. He glances up when he hears Jamethon's words, pondering what he should do, listening to those around him.

Fat-Ripper's been worked up into a good lather and now she barely has keep quiet for a second, still howling out, changing only tenor as fury is replaced by reverence.

Howls-For-Glory gives Bug a tug on the scruff of her neck in reassurance, and adds his voice once Jamethon starts the howl. Exultant and energized, the Galliard pours his all into it.

Wrong Way, as well, joins in the howl, entreating the spirit to join them. As before, hers is an eerie howl.

Cries-No-More drops forward, coming to rest on all four of his powerful Crinos limbs. His neck cranes, and he screams a summoning howl out to the winds.

Tilting her head upwards, the Child of Gaia Galliard lets loose her own powerful vocals to the sky as she calls for the Caern's totem to make her appearance. Her song is beautiful and strong, not a bit of waver in its tenor.

Walks-Middle once again tilts back her head to let out a loud, long howl.

Bug opens her mouth once, closes it, and opens it again. Only then does she half-rise out of her crouch, joining in with a very raspy, clearly unpracticed howl that gradually becomes stronger the longer it goes.

All enthusiasm now Ladder-Climber throws back her head and howls long and clear.

Jacinta seems to wilt as she turns her focus to the waterfall. Much of the tension and anger from earlier melt away. By no means is it gone, merely pushed farther below the surface.

Power-Up's howl starts off a little uncertain, the Glass Walker's eyes still on Basil for a spell, but it gains strength as others join in, and more so still as he looks away from Basil and over to Brom.

Iron-Eyes joins in the howl as well, adding his own prideful, if naturally resonanceless and shrill lupine voice to the choir.

A sound is heard in the back of the Fianna Theurge's throat, slowly growing louder as Sheeaghan bursts into song. She pours out her emotion and devotion towards her home, towards her mother, the earth.

Cycle-Breaker, having shifted into Crinos, joins the other Garou in a howl of her own, as loud as she possibly can.

Crossing over to a spot behind Basil, Yi takes up the howl to entreat Chimera to come. Everything she has, she pours into this particular howl. The Gnawer ragabash seems particularly keen on getting a successful result tonight.

No-Fuss rolls his shoulders and again fills his lungs. Holding for a moment before releasing a howl that starts far in the back of his throat and changes tone as it seems to reach his teeth before dwindling away.

Fire-Burns looks scornfully at Jervis before she finally snorts once more and lets her own summoning howl join in with the other Silver Fangs' and the other sept members'.

As before, Spider-Eyes joins in the. Howl rising toward the sky, proud, and strong.

Seeker shifts to crinos and lifts his voice in a low, raspy howl that can barely be heard over the others. Eamon's howl is loud, boisterous and melodic, rising to the stars.

Fat-Ripper pants now from the exertion of berating the fool, and he seems quite proud of himself as he trots up to Jacinta, pressing his fur against her leg. The howling though completely distracts him and in a second it's as if he's forgotten, howling mindlessly at the sky.

Dagger's-Edge rumbles deep as the Garou howl into the sky. Instinct wins out over will, and the Shadow Lord contributes his own melody to the cacophony.

Basil senses the Bone Gnawer behind him and glances off at Yi, then rises up into the form of Crinos, belting out the loudest howl that he can, casting his head back and his muzzle towards the night sky. When the howl trails off, he swiftly shifts back to Glabro and goes back to looking at his lap.

As the howls of the Sept's members build, many seeming tendrils of dense yet otherworldly water lift from the pool behind the Gatekeeper. As they move into better view, they reflect back thickly the light that strikes like ropes of mercury. They climb like charmed snakes high into the air before tilting down and, at an angle, come to the level of the Gathered Garou to 'pour' around them. Curling through legs, under arms, around bodies... then as the howl moves on, through random Garou. Soon, though energized by the Lady's presence, the Gatekeeper starts to calm the howl and the tendrils settle down towards the Caern's floor and disipate into a thick foggy mist that remains until the revel much later on in the evening is concluded. When the howl is done Fights-For-Hope looks once more over the Garou and calls out, ~The Inner Sky is open! Let us moot knowing that Chimera is with us!~

Power-Up, to whom this spectacle is new, seems awestruck. Tabitha by his side is forgotten, so too are the other garou for a moment as he watches the supernatural unfolding of events.

Cries-No-More pumps his huge, scarred Crinos fist in the air a few short moments. Then he gazes about, a grin on his lupine countenance, a clear liveness in his eyes.

Howls-For-Glory's howl cuts off into a mangled cheer as Chimera makes her presence known. A yip of sheer excitement leaves the Fianna Galliard, and he tosses his fist into the air.

Bug's hesitant howl is interrupted by the arrival of Chimera. She stares, jaw partially open, at the threads of water, though she makes no move to bolt away from them when they come near.

Ladder-Climber's howl end in a yap of surprise as Chimera appears. Settling down on her haunches, she watches.

Making his way towards the center of the Caern, Forath-Ripper holds a large curved bone high over his head, claws digging into the hard structure. He has a set look of determination and confidence about his posture and features amidst the quiet storm of rage that brews beneath the surface. ~Hidden Walk Brothers and Sisters!~ He roars out. ~Now is the time that new faces are brought before us, news will be passed around, and challenges both old and new will be spoken. I hold in my claws the spine of one of the boars which plagued our bawn and was rent asunder by the swift and mighty claws of our strong family. Those without the bone, shall not speak, and those that do, may only speak in the Garou's tongue, unless you are physically unable to, or still too new to know it. Respect the old ways and traditions of our people! For now, those who have come to make introductions, please step forward!~ With that, he cracks the bone hard with a loud grunt, splitting it in half, showering the ground with white splinters.

Wrong Way had been watching the Caller of the Wyld with a palpable tension and air of fear releases it all in a jubilant howl, snapping at the air with her jaws in a bite of triumph at the end. Her good hand reaches out toward Olga, lips pulled back in a fierce, feral grin.

Iron-Eyes looks at the materialization, and, for a moment, looks reverant as his ever-present grin fades, stern look growing about his warform's face.

Fire-Burns's howl doesn't die away like some garou's at Chimera's appearance; instead it mutates into an excited, frenzied burst of yipping and celebration.

No-Fuss lets his howl die away and turns his attention to the water, opening one palm to greet it before it disperses.

At some point, a man named Dwight slipped in and joined the Garou. Now the new Lord steps forward and takes the bones. Crowds rub him the wrong way, even for a moot, and his rage is on him bad. No fanfare for his introduction. ~Big moon of the Shadow Lords. Cliath. Called Stands-in-the-rain. From Cypress Rising, from Broken Chain, from Blind Bluff, from a whole hell lot of places. I'm here to kill things.~ That done, he tosses the bones back at Brom, shifting down and coming to stand beside the Truthcatcher and Dagger's-Edge.

Fat-Ripper is so caught up in the howl and Chimera's manifestation that she almost doesn't realize the significance of it, lost in feelings of satisfaction and triumph. It's only when Wrong Way's hand reaches her that she seems to snap out of it: her fur all stands on end, her tail slaps, and she takes the hand in a fierce communicative grip.

As Dwight returns the bones to the Truthcatcher, Kevin catches Brom's eye and nods slightly. Then he gives Tabitha a small nudge. Realizing that it's probably her turn, Tabitha slowly steps forward so that she is visible. Her body language is as tense as ever as she reaches up to shove her penny-colored hair behind her ears and away from her face. She stands ramrod straight, too on edge to slouch or shuffle. When she speaks, it's in a clear but deep and husky voice; "Tabitha Snow. Ex-Lost Cub and now a Glass Walker Galliard." With her fate sealed, the cub takes a step back into obscurity once more. Kevin thumps her on the back gently, as though pleased with her performance.

Runner too, looks exuberant at the appearance of Chimera. This joy continues to run its course as the Cracking proceeds, only toned down a few notches as the newcomers step up and introduce themselves.

Jacinta's gaze rests on Dwight for a while after he returns to his place. She almost misses Tabitha's introduction as she follows the Shadow Lord with her eyes, but manages to catch the end of it.

Fat-Ripper has now largely settled down, though there's still an energy about her. She watches the people going up and down, but pays particular and close attention to the new cub, eyes hard.

Yrk. If Bug could manage to melt into the soil, she would do it, but as melting does not occur, the metis cub instead slinks down toward the center on all fours, with her extra pair of arms quite visible, but tucked along her sides so as not to get in the way. She takes a deep breath, and seems to quail slightly, turning her gaze groundward. ~I am Bug.~ Her voice is barely loud enough to carry to Crinos ears. ~Sometimes called Little Spinner. I am Fianna Galliard Metis Cub.~ That said, she turns and swiftly retreats toward Cole.

Walks-Middle turns to listen to the introductions, folding her arms across her chest and once more looking aloof. She does give a small smile to Bug, though. Even in her Crinos form, Fire-Burns' grin of approval to Bug is plainly a happy one and not a threatening one, no matter how many of her pointed teeth it reveals.

Howls-For-Glory listens intently to the introductions, scowling as Dwight makes his introduction and simply nodding as Tabitha. And then, he's giving Kieran a shove toward center stage, holding the bone. Kieran's rusty-furred and smaller than average Crinos form makes its way into position, and he takes a slightly akward half bow, his speech slightly stilted but full of undeniable enthusiasm: ~I am Kieran! Kieran O'Connor, No-Moon cub of Fianna Trobe.~ He pauses. ~... Tribe! I am very happy to be here!~ And it looks like he is from his stance and manner, as he strides haphazardly off to the side.

Dagger's-Edge is keenly aware of his new tribemate as Dwight introduces himself, and his hackles raise as the ahroun gets closer. However, the Shadow Lord philodox points his gaze elsewhere, towards the other newcomers, and watches them in silence. Only Bug seems to elicit a stronger reaction from the halfmoon - a snort, and that's all.

As Untangler watches Bug proceed to give her introduction his paws scrape at the dirt underneath him and all his fur quivers, and he sniffs delicately at the air, taking in her scent. It's not fear in his posture, but rather disgust, letting out quite a vocal sort of Ew!

Howls-For-Glory gives Bug an encouraging chuff, and Kieran as well, once he returns. He keeps his spot near to the two cubs of his tribe.

Isaac watches Bug, his huge shoulders rising up toward the sides of his head. Like Horace, he shows his non-verbal 'ew'.

Spider-Eyes walks toward the center of the Caern, accepts the bones with a nod of her head and then turns to face the gathered Garou in all her hideous glory. With four eyes, two of which look like they belong in the body of a formor, bat-like ears, and a horrific underbite, the Metis is truly something to behold. The Silent Strider spreads her arms, one bone in each hand. ~I am Tamra Spider-Eyes, Cliath and Ahourn of the Silent Striders. I have completed my Chiminage and fought beside the warriors of this Sept. I give you my thanks, for accepting me into this most Honored of Caerns.~ Introduction complete, Spider-Eyes steps down and hands the bones back to Forath-Ripper, returning to her previous position.

Iron-Eyes sidles his way off to the side inconspicuously, paying only glancing attention to the introductions.

Equally disgusted, at this Metis Untangler actually backs up, moving until his side finds Jacinta's legs, and there he stays. Her careful introduction draws no more from him than stares and a wrinkled nose.

Power-Up stolidly neither welcomes nor disparages the passage of the two metis, though he does give Kieran a quick wink.

Seeker nods to Spider-eyes, then glares at Untangler.

Jacinta's fingers seek Untangler's fur, the second Metis causing her some disquiet she did not show at the first.

Walks-Middle nods and gives an encouraging, toothless smile to Spider-Eyes.

Ladder-Climber lopes forward and looks around the circle curiously. ~Maggie Adams, Climbs-The-Ladder-Slowly Rotagar cub of the Get of Fenris.~ She announces, and for a moment pauses to sniff the air and then shuffles back towards Brom.

No-Fuss simply shows great restraint to not completely thumbs-up Spider-Eyes.

At a nod from Runner, Aaron also makes his way up to the Truthcatcher and takes the bones. A shift up to crinos later, he introduces himself. ~Mad-Dog, fullmoon, Bone Gnawer cub.~ The ahroun returns the bones after, and beats it back to his spot beside Yi.

From the rock outcropping, Taking the bones from Spider-Eyes, Forath-Ripper waits a few more minutes as his eyes glance about to all those are gathered, waiting patiently. ~There is no one else? No new faces?~ He calls out in a rumble, then dips his head in a slight nod. ~Now is the time where we share information and bring news to the Sept for others to share and partake in.~ With that, he holds out the bones once more, ears flickering upwards as his muzzle splits into a crinos toothy grin.

Eamon goes over and ruffles Bug's headfur affectionately. ~Good job, kiddo.~

From afar, to the Caern, Forath-Ripper slaps head. "Change that to Aaron not Spider Eyes.

The old, burn-scarred Wendigo, Cries-No-More, ascends the mound and takes the bone. None of the newcomers elicited much of a reaction from him, and he begins to announce matters to the Sept in a straightforward tone. ~First. There was a battle against the smog Bane at the highway. Many came to the fight, but Jamethon Fights-For-Hope ended the battle with one powerful Command to the bane. Wisdom and Glory to him! Second. The Great Hunt failed, but the Thing in that Blight that we fought still lives, and still needs to be destroyed. I'm asking every Sept member to stand ready for when we fight it again, and it won't be long: preparations are underway to destroy it. Third. I and Jamethon, and a few others, are forming a new pack. We will be seeking a Totem of Wisdom. If you have any interest in this seek one of us, or Reggie, or Stacey. Lastly, but not least in importance: A disease the humans name Rabies has spread to our wolf kin. I'm doing all I can, but I need every member of the Sept to try and root out the kin that are sick but whose Rabies is 'incubating.' Asleep. I want the Crescents especially to try and form a plan to prevent the loss of many, many wolf kin at Wolf Woods. See me if you want to help or have questions.~ He hands the bone back, and strides back towards Jacinta to take her side.

Bug flinches slightly under Eamon's touch, but she doesn't pull away. Now that her small part in the Moot is over, she settles back, ears pricked in undisguised interest.

Sheeaghan frowns a little towards Eamon, nearly cringing, although the Theurge remains with her attention on the news from the others.

Jacinta listes to Touch Deer, nodding slowly to herself, and allowing him a small, welcoming grin as he returns.

Fat-Ripper listens to what Cries-No-More says with careful interest and eyes that have hardened in the space between introductions and news. She doesn't display much beyond attention. Slowly her form shrivels up into Glabro, ugly-faced and no longer leaking emotion.

Howls-For-Glory growls. Though none of Touch Deer's announcements are news to him, the news about the disease elicits a shudder from the Cliath. He remains silent, though, hunkering down near to the Fianna cubs.

Ladder-Climber whines softly at the announcement of rabies in the area.

Wrong Way's ears twitch at what the Wendigo has to say and she licks her muzzle before sinking down onto three legs.

Power-Up returns to Glabro as he listens up, leaning against the low branch of a tree and translating Touch Deer's news for Tabitha. He responds with pride, interest and sorrow where appropriate, in roughly that order.

By the waterfall, Jamethon stands tall as he is praised, a feral grin forming on his face. A nod is given to the speaker and he starts moving on towards the center.

Taking the bones from Forath-Ripper, Guards-The-Flame strides towards the circle of Garou, holding the shattered bone high. ~Brothers and Sisters of the Hidden Walk, I wish to commend on you a job well done in helping take down the Smog Bane that has been eluding our claws for far too long, as well as the extra effort in to ridding the fomori boars from our Bawn. I take this time to honor Kills-Wisely of the Wendigo and No Fuss No Muss of the Silver Fangs who both took great battle scars in their victory. I also wish to recognize Spider-Eyes of the Silent Strider's, for she single handedly destroyed two of them on her own after leading them away from the group to split their offense.~ Here, the Child of Gaia pauses for a moment, then rumbles out in her throat. ~I also wish to let the Sept know that I am relinquishing my title of Grounds Keeper after the longest time, for I do believe and feel that there are others who stand among us now that can uphold the position just as honorably. I took the position at the time when there was no other and I enjoyed every moment of my Bawn tending and Spirit delegations.~ With a second pause, lets that bit of information sink in, before going on with. ~During the Elder Moon, we have resolved issues on the current situation in the Scab, and that Seeker Rhya and I, will be seeking out all the packs to help contribute to restoring the imbalance.~ With a tilt of her head, she hands them back to the Half Moon.

Jacinta's brows rise, face seeming to broaden with surprise, as she listens to Alicia's announcements.

Cries-No-More suddenly moves right back towards the Truthcather again, hands out to receive the bone, expectant.

Dagger's-Edge looks towards Cries-No-More with his announcements, rumbling in thought. The Groundskeeper's retirement, and following announcement, grabs a sliver more. He looks towards his packmates, passing an expressive quirk of his ears.

From the rock outcropping, Forath-Ripper watches the Wendigo approach once more and lets out a frustrated grunt, before handing them back over to the Fostern.

Howls-For-Glory rumbles an approving sound as the current heroes of the Sept are given their dues. He quiets down and listens to the rest of the news with surprising calm.

Walks-Middle grins at the accounting of the battles, glancing over at Spider-Eyes. She then looks back at her Elder, surprised by Alicia's announcement of retirement.

Cries-No-More steps back to to the mound's summit and turns around. ~I claim the position of Groundskeeper. If anyone challenges me for it, speak now, or find me with one moon.~ He hands the bones back once again, and strides down, stepping over to Jacinta's side yet again.

Jacinta's eyebrows again rise, the look of surprise even more severe.

From the rock outcropping, ~Actually, you can challenge him for it after we get past the news.~ Forath-Ripper corrects the Fostern with a loud snarl, looking to keep the Moot in order as he holds the stones out once more. ~Next?~

Fights-For-Hope at first nods to the relenquishing of Groundskeeper, obviously agreeing with the decision. Then as he arrives near to Cries-No-More the Wendigo goes and claims the position and the Get Gatekeeper is left with a look of curiousity on his face.

Walks-Middle blinks at Cries-No-More's second announcement, but then nods to herself.

Sheeaghan steps up in front of her audience and begins speaking fluidly in mother's tongue. ~Fairy-Spirit, Theurge Fianna.~ she quickly introduces herself to those who don't already know her. ~I have two quick announcements. As many of you notice, I am no longer pregnant. My son was born on the second of the month. My brother and his mate are helping me to take care of him. I ask Gaia for her to gift my son, which will be determined at the end of the month. I invite you all to attend his baptism. As for the second announcement, I would like to take up the position of caretaker at the farmhouse. If any feel that I am unqualified for this position, please talk with me after the moot, otherwise, I also request permission from the elders to assist teaching your cubs while they are residents at the farmhouse. Thank you.~ Once the Theurge is finished, she passes the bones to the next person in line.

Kills-Wisely looks approvingly over at the fellow Wendigo ahroun's decision.

Fire-Burns seems to approve of Cries-No-More's offering up of himself, if not of the fostern's sense of timing.

Olga watches the cedeing and adopting of positions with an interest that is by appearances at least haphazard. Aubrey's announcement, though, makes her lean in and watch the woman, curiously. She waits carefully for her news and then cracks out a congratulatory grin at it, before leaning back against her blanket.

Iron-Eyes listens as one would in church--one sitting in the back pew, closest to the door.

Power-Up remains too busy translating for Tabitha to be able to show very much response, positive or negative, to this string of annoincements.

Walks-Middle walks up to take the bones. Her expression set and grim. ~Walks-the-Middle-Road, Ahroun Child of Gaia,~ she says for the benefit of newcomers, as she turns to face the gathered Garou, looking out at them as if daring to call her wrong as she continues. ~It ought to be known,~ she says, her voice tense, a bit pained, yet determined, ~that the lost cub Hope, who we had taken into our tribe, has been returned to Gaia by my hand. There was no other way.~ She then hands the bones back to Forath and steps back into the crowd.

Cries-No-More weaves his way amid the crowd over to Walks-the-Middle after she descents, to lay his Crinos hand on her back and nod silently to her. Fire-Burns moves to join Walks-Middle as she steps down from the spotlight, and stands close by her, on the other side from the Wendigo.

Isaac tries to pull his hat further onto his head but is thwarted by the small size. Disgruntled, he gives up.

Howls-For-Glory's posture slumps slightly as he hears the latest bit of news, and a low whine escapes him. ~That is good. She is at peace, now.~

Bug, who has been listening to this with rapt interest, suddenly turns her ears back at Stacey's news. She whimpers quietly, and takes a step backward before sinking down.

Olga's congratulatory grin quickly dissolves into an ugly grimace. She looks at Stacey for a couple seconds, full of sympathy and distaste, and then looks down at her knees, no longer apparently fully listening.

Eamon's mouth drops open slightly, then he sighs and shakes his head, frowning.

From the rock outcropping, After taking the bones from Walks the Middle Road, Forath-Ripper waits once more patiently as he glances about the rumblings of the Garou, then once more holds the bones up high. ~Now that news has been shared, we bring forth the challenges of the past moons and discuss those who have succeeded, failed, or those that are new.~

Dagger's-Edge does look up as Walks-Middle takes the bones, and for the briefest of moments, looks like he's concerned about the things that are going on. A low rumble later, the Shadow Lord sits with a lash of his tail.

The Power-In-The-Darkness translation service slips a few gears at Stacey's news, and the Glass Walker looks very taken aback for several seconds. Walks-Middle glances up at Cries and Fire as they step up to her side, silently thankful for the support.

Fights-For-Hope steps up and takes the proper position. He first seeks out a certain Gnawer from the crowd and points his spear towards her. ~I, Fights-For-Hope of the Fenrir was challenged by Three-Blades of the Bone Gnawers. It was a challenge for a Fenrir. Her task was difficult, her opponents strong...~ He seeks out a certain Wendigo now, ~And determined.~ The Get looks over the Caern, ~I tell you that despite this, she has succeeded! With glory, wisdom, and honor now she is Runs-The-Gauntlet! Fostern of the Hidden Walk!~

Howls-For-Glory lets out a congratulatory howl, his eyes alight in unalloyed pleasure. ~Runs-The-Gauntlet!~

Fire-Burns raises a fist and lets a loud howl ring through the caern in acknowledgement of this success.

Bug remains crouched and lowered, to all appearances no longer quite so intent on the news being passed around.

From the rock outcropping, Taking the bones back from Fights for Hope, Forath-Ripper shoots a quick look over to Howls for Glory for his disruption, but his voice stays quiet. He holds the bones out once more patient and quiet, rumbling in his throat.

Runner draws herself up and crosses to the Truthcatcher, clawed hand asking for the bones. ~To those who came to my Fostern challenge, I thank you. To Rips-the-Face-off-the-Forath, Kills-Wisely, Iron-Eyes, Untangler and even young Poker, I say to you all that you all gave me more trouble than any of the Wyrm's minions could throw at me. Indeed, the Wyrm has much to fear from us. And to Fights-For-Hope, I thank for the challenge,~ the Gnawer ragabash rumbles. ~No longer am I Three-Blades, but Runs-the-Gauntlet. Runner, if you want. It is I who honor you all, of the Hidden Walk.~ She sweeps herself low, bowing deep with ears tilted back. ~But...~ the Ragabash rumbles, not finished.

Untangler cringes beneath Fights-for-Hope's attention, his shame evident in his fur and his ears, though slightly muted by time.

Jacinta's expression is mixed, pleased for Yi, but clearly unhappy about something else.

~But even though you have heard of my success in crossing the caern, there is one here I have not heard from yet. And it is her decision that the Garou Traditions say we must follow. The Master of the Challenge, Faerie-Blood. She may have given her approval, but she is not here. And that, my brothers and sisters, is not right.~ Here, the Gnawer's displeasure begins to show. ~Does it seem strange that our master of the formal tradition of challenge is not here? Or have we all grown relaxed about her lack of appearances. Her packmates - have they seen her?~ The Gnawer ragabash looks to her tribe's elder, pointedly. ~Her tribemates - do they know where she is?~ She gazes over the crowd, towards the members of the Fianna, a growl rising. ~Has she abandoned her duties as the Master of the Challenge, who is to be present at every moot to oversee our gatherings and make sure we do not tear each other to pieces? Or worse, has she abandoned her duties to this Sept, to the Hidden Walk?~ The ragabash swings one end of the cracked bone into the air, howling out. ~This is a disgrace to our honor, to our duties! A fostern is to be the example of a leader. One the cliaths and cubs can look to for guidance and wisdom. A Master of the Challenge is looked to by all, the most fair and balanced of judges! But where do we look now, Hidden Walk? And without the Challenge Master, who will be the judge of those who wish to test themselves against their peers?~ Runner glares about, pinning those she sees immediately with somewhat accusing stares.

~I do not say that I do not respect Faerie-Blood, but this is too long and too far. A leader does not lead from behind! She has run away from her duties long enough, Hidden Walk. So tonight I will call for just one thing besides the Wyrm's Blood. I call for the choosing of a new Master of the Challenge! Are there those that agree? Are there those who care to step forward and claim it?~ She turns back to the Truthcatcher, and with a sharp dip of her muzzle, returns the bones.

Jacinta takes a step, a single step, forward from where she stands. She otherwise remains silent, and does not interrupt, but her head tips downward in a sharp nod of agreement with the newly Fostern Gnawer.

Iron-Eyes' attention suddenly seems piqued; or, rather: existent. He looks up, stoic and watchful as we waits for the response.

Cries-No-More speaks up, voice loud enough to carry to the entirety of the Moot. ~She speaks truth. We need a new Master of the Challenge.~

Fire-Burns looks very keen at this development. She doesn't speak, nor does her body language betray a positive or negative response -- just the intense interest.

Olga slaps rough Glabro hands together at first at the announcement of Yi's accession, but the ensuing question makes her hands still as if frozen. When Yi looks to her her eyes go livid, she nearly gets to her feet, her breath comes a bit sharper. She only stops when the bones are handed back, mid-way, frozen there like a picture except for her great lungs which still heave.

Fights-For-Hope gnashes his teeth in fierce agreement with the new Fostern. He looks over at Brom with the same fierce expression, a knowing and telling look.

Howls-For-Glory seems not to notice Forath Ripper's look, or at least makes no sign if he does. He lets out a heavy breath, lowering his muzzle. He says nothing about his tribemate's absence, but looks torn.

Walks-Middle listens with interest to Runner's words, nodding sharply with approval at several points. She agrees.

Spider-Eyes scratches at the scar that mars one of her shoulders, as she studies the gathering with those strange eyes of hers. She offers no opinion, feeling that she is far to new to the Sept.

From the rock outcropping, Taking the bones from Gauntlet-Runner, Forath-Ripper rumbles a bit in his throat, then begins to speak. ~I am forced to agree with the Bone Gnawer and I myself have grown frustrated. Three moots straight now -I- have played the role of Truth Catcher and I have served the position well with honor. I now give challenge to the current Master!~ He speaks loudly, gripping the bone upwards, holding it high. ~I may be a Get of Fenrir, but I am a Half Moon and I can say this with great confidence that I /will/ do this role and positon just. If anyone has a problem with it.~ He drops the bones right there at his feet, then holds his hands out.

Cycle-Breaker looks to Olga, the other member of Griphus. If she wasn't in crinos form she'd surely look distressed. In any case, she has nothing to say--no agreement or disagreement. Just silence.

Power-Up puts his fingers in his mouth and makes a whistle of evident approval to Forath-Ripper.

Cries-No-More's eyes sweep the crowd, as countless Garou have before him, through the ages, when challenges have been issued and challengers called out.

It /almost/ looks like an apology, the gaze Runner sends back to Fat-Ripper. When the Gnawer ragabash returns to her tribe's gathered, she does so confidently. The newmoon looks upon the commotion she's stirred, rumbling to herself.

Jacinta's face grows tight and she steps back to where she was a moment ago.

Bug sinks right down into lupus and plants her nose between her forepaws.

Ladder-Climber grins with excitement. Although she doesn't quite understand what the position being filled is, she obviously approves of Brom's choice of it.

If it's an apology it's one Olga doesn't accept: she returns it with fury, as if the attack on her packmate were an attack on herself. Still though she doesn't get up, she stares at the bones avidly, like they're something that's going to lunge at her, something that's going to be used to bludgeon her over the head, something disquieting and terrifying. Rather than make any answer she shifts into Lupus, slowly, with a sense of disgust and fury, and lopes off away from the Caern, leaving even her bag behind.

Dagger's-Edge glances around, and then gets up from his position to step forward. He turns to face Brom, rumbling before shifting up to Crinos. ~If no one else challenges you, Forath-Ripper, then I will. Make what you want with it.~

Reggie listens attentively to the various announcements, showing varied reactions, such as bright interest at Cries-No-More's, quiet consideration at Stacey's, and calculated speculation at Forath-Ripper's.

Iron-Eyes grins softly, but does not otherwise react at all.

Power-Up's pleasure drops away from his face in a moment as he sees a second of his packmates go up against the first of them, and he chews his lip in worriment.

From the rock outcropping, Eyes of fury land upon the Shadow Lord as Forath-Ripper glares back evenly. ~You? Who just got back from being Ostracised for lack of judgement and wisdom?~ He barks at his pack mate, all business now. If there is any love between them, there is not a hint of proof of it now. ~Punishment handed down by the Sept Alpha herself? You feel that /you/ can make wise and sound decisions in regarding our people?~ He snorts.

Walks-Middle looks with surprise between Forath and Dagger's-Edge. She then crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing and lips curling into a snarl at Forath's response.

Cries-No-More trains his acute senses onto the pair that have both spoken up for Master of the Challenge. He is their audience as they briefly contest their right to the position.

Undeterred, Dagger's-Edge faces the Truthcatcher. ~That which I have done in the past, is past. I have served my punishment for it,~ he growls tightly, keeping himself in check. ~But I have seen how others see you. And I, at least, am not afraid of you. Maybe you will win, and maybe you won't. But whatever the outcome, know that you did not go without a fight.~

From the rock outcropping, ~I accept your challenge, soon as both of us hear back from the current Master of the Challenge, that is, if she /does/ step forward to defend her title.~ Forath Ripper says with a snarl on his face, eyes locking with the Shadow Lord for a moment, before picking up the bones once more. ~For now, we continue with the Moot.~ All business, not a twitch of emotion.

Basil raises his head for the first time in a while, glancing across the assembled Garou, then looking over towards Brom. He's more interested with Dagger's Edge, however, and studies the Shadow Lord with a small smile.

Dagger's-Edge accepts this decision, for the briefest of moments baring his teeth at the Get before retracting in shape to the lupus, and position to where he was before.

Fat-Ripper disappears into the trees, rough brown blotch disappearing beneath the black of the distant canopy.

Runner glances after the Gnawer elder, ears splaying to either side. Shaking herself from head to toe, the newmoon rattles out a low growl and moves to stand over the bag the theurge left. Her attention divides, but slowly, surely, coalesces back to the moot.

Power-Up grows back to crinos and comes striding forward, swelling beyond his normal size even in the war-form. ~I was once Long-Climb-Ahead, I was once a cub,~ he says once the hubbub of the previous challenge has died down a little. ~Neither of these applies to me any longer. I have passed into adulthood. My Rite of Passage is complete. I am now Cliath of the Glass Walkers, and my deedname now is Power-in-the-Darkness. And now~, he adds with a glance to Brom and Kenneth, ~furthermore, I run with the pack of Requiem under the Greatest of Wolves.~ He stands there a couple of moments longer, basking in the attention of the moot, before he saunters back to his starting position.

Iron-Eyes grimaces a little, not _too_ obvious at what.

From the rock outcropping, Upon taking the bones back from Power-Up, Forath Ripper rumbles in his throat and speaks once more. ~ This now ends the challenges part of the Moot. I thank you for speaking respectfully and treating the rite with honor.~ He nods his head slowly, then plants the bones down and starts for the center.

Walks-Middle stops snarling to give a proud smile and nod to Power-Up.

Howls-For-Glory shifts, growing restless. He pushes himself up from between the cubs as the Fenrir and the Shadow Lord jostle for the position. When Forath-Ripper speaks, a bit of that tension leaks away. The Fianna makes his way toward the rocky slab, looking down on those gathered.

Bug remains with her head between her paws, even as Howls-For-Glory leaves again. Her tail is tucked tightly against her body.

From the rock outcropping, Howls-For-Glory casts his gaze over those gathered. He draws himself tall and begins, voice rising to start the story. ~Tonight, I tell you a tale of valor, wisdom and cunning! But we do not need to look to the far past or distant lands for this, no. Tonight, I speak of the Hidden Walk, and the warriors who call it home! Only ten moons past, we faced a spirit so powerful that it rivaled the Lady herself, a danger to our very heart and soul! There are those of you gathered here tonight who know that which I speak of. I was lucky enough to have the honor of fighting alongside them. Let those who fought that night make themselves known, so others may recognize them!~ His eyes go to the survivors of the Wyld spirits attack on that October night.

Cries-No-More nods agreeably with Power Up's pronouncement, and now looks to the Talesinger, features drawing into tight attention.

Basil looks back to the material of his leather gloves when Kevin speaks, picking at a loose thread with his long glabro form nails.

Dagger's-Edge now seems intent on keeping himself present, attention-wise, at moot. With the beginnings of the storytelling, he slips down to lay on his belly. His head remains raised, watching.

Jacinta's face shows surprise once again this evening and she takes a step forward, back straight and face proud.

Runner too, looks surprised at the telling of this story. Pleasantly so, although she makes no real move forward. Her eyes do travel to those she remembers on that night, however.

Rags jerks up his head as a story starts, and he looks from side to side, searching for whoever might step forward, before he manages to perform arithmetic and subtract ten. He steps forward, eyes now searching for members of Ridgeline.

Kevin returns to glabro once more, and sits by Tabitha, preparing to translate Cole's words once more for the new Walker cub.

Shifting down into the Lupus form, Forath Ripper flops down next to Dagger's Edge and gives him a stray look, then leans over and bumps his muzzle to his shoulder. No hard feelings.

Untangler was having a hard enough time following the back and forth banter of challenges and successes, and Howls-for-Glory's story as well confuses him, he splays his ears at first, he whines out uncertainly. When the Galliard looks specifically at him his uncertainty only intensifies. It's only after a second's thought, and after Jacinta steps forward, that he realizes the subject of this story is in part at least himself, and then he pounces proudly forward, ears high, though still slightly wary.

Dagger's-Edge eyes his Get packmate sidelong, only rumbling wordlessly in reply. His attention remains on the storyteller.

Rocking back on her haunches, Ladder-Climber shifts down into homid and waits for the story to begin, shooting Tabitha a grin.

Walks-Middle glances once more towards Dagger's-Edge, then looks at Howls-for-Glory, curious about the story.

From the rock outcropping, After a time, Howls for Glory continues. ~It was the Galliards moon that night, and the Caern lay peaceful under Lunas gaze. But all was not right! There was a feeling of power on the air, of something vast and ancient beyond reckoning! Like moths to the flame, we gathered, sensing in some way what was to come. Many where there, when I arrived, including Guards Flame-rhya, of the children, and Rifthealer and Flood of Flame as well. Rags Torn to Rags of the Uktena, Of the Wendigo, Pierces Ice-rhya and Untangler were present. Faerie Blood-rhya and I were among the Fianna gathered. Of the Fenrir, only Bloods Bane found his way there that night. There were others, yes, some of whom are no longer with us. Endures Pain of the Silver Fangs and White Bear of the Glass Walkers number amongst that group! We had not long to wait! The vents cracked open, widening, the flow of steam cutting off cleanly! A spire of sand, taller than any two Garou in the warform, shot from the vents! In moments, a body had formed from that sand, a beast that walked on four legs or two, with the mouth of a shark and a single eye!~ The Fianna flings out his arm towards the steam vents, as if the creature were waiting there to be seen.

Cries-No-More crosses his arms, then grips his shoulders tightly and bares his teeth towards the storyteller, even as he lowers onto his haunces and gets ready for the story's main action.

Guards-Flame tilts her head up a bit at the sound of her name and flicks her ears, chuffing out happily.

Untangler's toes splay against the clay of the caern, his tail goes from a high beat to a low hang. Concern enters his frame and a low growl tumbles out of his throat, but still there's a sense of play about his actions, like he's playing it out all over again but this time for kicks. All the same gestures are slightly awkward.

Jacinta glances at her packmate, and then off to the west where the others may be.

Runner's lips peel back, her memory conjuring the image of the Time spirit again. And all too well, it seems, as the ragabash hunches somewhat uncomfortably before shaking off the feeling.

Walks-Middle glances up at Fire-Burns, and then settles onto the ground, listening intently to Cole's retelling.

Rags looks about, seeing how many eyes are on the storyteller versus on the Wendigo and Uktena, then, with a pleased expression, turns back to listen to the Fianna. He squints one eye closed, popping the other eye open, and, with mouth open wide like a shark, staggers about, steps slow as in quicksand, as he imitates the sand beast.

Untangler gives a start as Rags adopts the image of the beast, only not as pretty. He hesitates a second before engaging the fearsome monster, paws startling the ground, circling but neither attacking or retreating, keeping uncertain guard.

From the rock outcropping, Continuing, the Fianna turns once more to face his audience. ~This creature was not of the Wyrm, and yet it came uninvited to our sanctuary and would not respond to our Theurges! Clearly, it could not be left to roam free over our home! Though it had not attacked us, we shadowed its movements. It came to the trees cut down years past in the Wyrm Dancers attack. With a swing of its powerful arms, it sprayed sand across the stumps, and full grown trees took their place! Anything touched by the sand was aged either forwards or back! At last, the spirit had revealed itself for what it was: A spirit of the Wyld! Dangerous, yes, but not malicious! There are those who said it should be left alone, to do what it would! Who amongst you agrees? Should we have abandoned our home to the whims of the servitor of the Wyld?!~ Howls for Glory pauses, leaning forward intently to listen to the reactions. His eyes move to the reenactment of the fight, approval showing on his features.

For her part, Jacinta adopts the manner of her missing Uktena packmate, hefting her staff as though it were Circle Keeper's great spear. She pauses in mid step, arm cocked back as though to throw, and shouts up to the storyteller, "NO! Wyld is chaos! Change uncontrolled! The Caern once lay dead because of the whims of the Wyld!"

Wrong Way rolls onto her side, ears alert, though she adds nothing to the replies.

Rags moves with deliberate slowness, advancing perhaps an inch on Untangler. His open eye regards the aforementioned trees, and he swings his arms towards them, his hands opening to throw invisible sand at them.

Cries-No-More steps forward, crouching, eyes on the storyteller. ~No.~

Untangler doesn't give his opinion in words but his fur bristles, and he radiates just how intensely, obscenely weird and unnatural he feels this creature (Reggie) is. Then he's ducking away again, making faux-charges and then tumbling back.

Dagger's-Edge opens his jaws as well, but just to lick at a long fang in his chops. The philodox continues to listen, partly interested in the ending of the story.

Walks-Middle watches the story acted out in fascination, delighted by the interaction.

Isaac shouts out a great, ~NO!~ even as he turns to watch the pantomime.

From the rock outcropping, Howls-For-Glory raises his hand, clenched in a fist in silent salute to those who answered. ~We did not leave our home undefended! We trailed the beast, and our Theurges crossed through the Shadow, to learn what they might. It was a tense time, waiting for them to return as the thing continued to alter the very grip of time upon parts of the Caern. Amongst the warriors, I wanted nothing more than to end the threat, to lash out. But we could not without good reason. And then the seers returned, bearing the information that the creature was without rhyme or reason, and rivaled the Lady in power. We could not let this beast roam our lands any longer! We attacked! The battle was fierce, and howls rang through the night as claws tore into the sandy hide of the beast. All to no avail! Every wound inflicted upon the thing was recovered in an instant. Even when the wisest among us seized upon the idea of using water to dissolve its form, the thing reversed time as if it had never happened! We were angering it, though. Now, it started to attack, hammering mighty blows against our warriors. Some, those who had angered it most, it grabbed, absorbing them into itself! I was amongst this number, and here I lose the thread of the battle. Inside the beast.words fail to describe. Falling and floating at once, light and dark. Any of the others here who shared this experience, speak up, and tell of what you felt and saw!~

Guards-Flame perks up and howls. ~ I saw the monster devour Lures-The-Beast of the Black Furies into its body! She attacked it with all her might and valor but still, it did not stop!~

Runner watches both the pantomime and storyteller, switching back and forth like she were using the mental 'jump' button on her mind's remote.

"We saw darkness, nothing, the void at the end of the world," Jacinta shouts while pretending to lunge, staff now left behind. "And yet it was fullness, change, colors that swirled and grew and shrank at once!"

Untangler attacks! With intense false fury he leaps at Rags-Torn-to-Rags, threatening to tear him to more rags still with ferocious teeth and claws. His running leap is well-executed and he hits the Uktena with full force, though despite his getting to speed the small Lupus does little against his monstrous Crinos adversary and he thumps painlessly against his hairy hide, sprawling out on the ground as he falls limply to the ground.

Cries-No-More grunts, unhappy yet attentive as the story is told by the audience. ~Chaos.~

Rags advances, at a glacial pace, seemingly unaffected by Untangler's faux-attacks, until Untangler's leap. The jolt stops him. With a wheeze, he turns his open eye to Untangler, and imitates the 'mightly blows' with a slap of his hand against Untangler's side. With another movement, he grabs hold of Untangler.

From the rock outcropping, Howls-For-Glorys words tumble out faster as the conclusion of the story draws closer. He looks to Rags and Untangler, watching their pantomime while seeing things as they really were. ~Then, I was returned to the world, as a child of no more than a years age! I now know what it is like to look upon a giants world and be helpless! Those who remained behind had managed to fight the beast to a standstill, though it had reached the heart of the Hidden Walk. There, the beast fell apart, falling in a tide of sand upon the broken crystal. Others dug for their lost brothers and sisters, searching frantically for those who had not yet returned. It was a cause for much regret, in a few moments. For, just as we dared to hope the worst was over, the sand exploded outward, scouring skin and muscle from bones of those nearby. I was saved from death by the quick actions of Guards Flame-rhya, shielded from the blast that would have easily killed a child. As some semblance of order returned, we found ourselves changed, those of us who had been sucked in! Time had been kind to some, such as myself, and unkind to others! Those who could still fight remained to guard the Caern that night, while the fallen were taken to be healed. Our home was safe once again, the crystal restored to wholeness, and many of our number changed forever! To this day, many of us bear the changes wrought upon us, badges of this battle as surely as any Ahroun proudly bears his scars. Honor them, as you would the Ahroun, for many have sacrificed years from their lives or have been made far younger than they were! And if there is only one lesson you learn from this tale, I would have it be that you must trust your fellow warriors! They are the only allies we can truly count upon when it is time for battle, when even the Wyld may turn against us! Let us howl to Gaia, mother of us all, as one, unified!~ The Galliard tosses back his head and lets out a resonant howl, ending his tale.

Tilting her head upwards, Guards-The-Flame leaps to her feet and belts out a long howl of glory and pride for her brothers and sisters. Her chest swells, simply roaring out as she arches her back. ~I am glad to have saved your life brother! For if I did not, we would not have heard such a great story!~ Rags, with a hold still on Untangler, makes an unscripted clasp of a free hand to his chest, as he looks towards the sky with a striken expression. Releasing Untangler, he shoots his arms out to the skies, and crumbles to the ground.

Jacinta turns from her final mock-attack, and gives a cheer for the victory against the sand beast, and the telling of the tale itself.

Walks-Middle grins at the end of the performance given by Reggie, and then stands to her feet, lifting her voice into a victorious howl to join the others.

Cries-No-More grinds his teetch and reaches to the sky, victorious.

Runner, caught in the story's telling, roars out wildly in approval. ~Hail to the Guardians, to the Garou, to Gaia!~ She howls out with Guards-Flame, harmonizing.

Fights-For-Hope joins in calling to those victorious.

Rags' defeat makes Untangler shoot up like an overwound jack-in-the-box, all full of pride and satisfaction, at his role and at the Uktena's defeat. He bounces against him just one more before running off, quick-pawed, in a little circuit around the enacters of the tail and its teller, before retaking his place by Jacinta, short of breath and terribly pleased.

Basil shifts up to Crinos once more and joins in with the howling, then fades back down into Glabro, leaning over a bit on his knees.

Bug remains both silent and fairly unresponsive to the end of the story, apart from a brief lifting of her ears.

Maggie claps her hands as the story ends, a huge grin on her face.

From the rock outcropping, Howls-For-Glory stays on the slab, listening to the reactions and giving a lupine, toothy smile. ~I wish to thank the two valiant defenders who slew the beast again tonight, and the beast himself!~ In an excess of high spirits, the Galliard makes his way down to the group and rejoins the small knot of Fianna.

Kevin has been listening and watching raptly. He exhales a subconsciously held breath as the tale concludes.

Dagger's-Edge rumbles as the howls float up again, but this time the philodox stays silent. He simply watches, ears flicking every so often.

From the rock outcropping, The Fang cub, Andy (No-Fuss) takes up position at the apparent storytelling spot and clears his throat. ~I am No Fuss, No Muss, Galliard of the Silver Fangs.~ The introduction mostly for those who have not seen him or could guess by the big honking fresh scar across his chest, displaced rib, and general fur coloration. ~Many things have been said tonight, but the words I bring you are not of the near past. A tale who's lesson I learned first hand recently, but the true teachings remaining unspoken throughout. I apologize for not being near as entertaining as my compatriot, but this is not a story of joy. Six long years ago, banes of the power plant escaped its limits and overran the city. Their attacks were all simultaneous and the entire Sept rose at once to fight it. This is a tale of five of those Garou who were the last line of defense at the sole crossing point of the Columbia into the nearby town and ultimately the caern grounds itself. Seeker, Traces-the-Line, Hope, Brigid, and Shrau-bak. It was hold the line at the bridge with their lives or allow the Wyrm a foothold on this ground.~

Fire-Burns sees her tribe's cub make a move and listens with redoubled intentness. Her eyes meet his and linger a few moments, meaningfully, encouragingly.

Guards-Flame settles herself once again and throws her ears forward to listen to the cub's tale.

Rags straightens up, leaning on an elbow, both eyes open to look about the audience, his attitude of being pleased. He drags himself back upwards, then collapses back to the ground in another fit of 'dying'. It takes him a while to realize a new story's begun, and he pulls himself around on the ground to regard this new storyteller.

Seeker sits up and listens as No-Fuss begins to tell his story.

From the rock outcropping, The cub is quick to continue, his voice ringing more of pain and business than hilarity and comedic entertainment still. ~The group was met by a small cluster of rather powerful banes, four reminiscent of caterpillars and two made entirely of green fire. Given the odds against them, a defensive stand was made. Star Eyed and Seeker were the first to charge, and all four caterpillar banes attacked at once with lashing tongues like living blades. Seeker was successful in wounding one and took a gash to his arm for the effort. Star Eyed was dealt similar wounds across her chest and leg, but also managed to wound one of the banes. Shrau-bak succeeded in creating water over one of the fire banes however to little effect, and was in return badly burned by the bane.~

Howls-For-Glory turns to face No-Fuss as he speaks, offering an encouraging nod to his fellow Galliard and former student. He leans forward, eager to catch all the details.

Runner sweeps her gaze to the next storyteller, this tale new to her. Raptly, the ragabash pays close attention when the city is mentioned.

Walks-Middle looks with interest as No-Fuss starts his story, although her eyes now just slightly at the mention of someone named Hope.

From the rock outcropping, The cub would rise to his feet were he not already standing. His voice growing louder, clearer, and ringing opposed to the more muted tone he kept at first. He paces back and forth, fists made at injury, punches at any minor victory, and alive as if he were re-experiencing his own recent battle. ~In the second attack Shrau-bak was deeply wounded, nearly opened by a gash that crossed most of her body and brought her to the ground. Hope however managed to get past the caterpillar banes, attacking the fire banes frontally. It was only too late that it came to be known that the banes were comprised entirely of balefire. Warning lost she drove both banes off the bridge and into the river below with her body at the price of her own life. Though she was a friend of the river it was too late when she reached the safety of its waters. May we all hope our own deaths bring even half the honor of hers. Seeker, at the sight of his fallen tribemate exploded in fury and tore into the nearest bane. The other three retreated at the very sight and the others were able to help Shrau-bak to safety. Seeker remained behind to cover the retreat of the wounded and was swarmed immediately by the remaining banes. Gaia's blessing, Gaia's curse, is what saved his life that night. A rush of the pure rage that makes us Garou at the cost of his sight, permanantly so on one side, and from there the battle was over. The banes dared not continue further than the bridge, and the Garou returned home to heal.~

Guards-Flame continues to listen with nervous energy building as she leans forward, jaws parted, ears twitching. She glances to Seeker now and then, before letting her eyes refocus once more on the cub.

Cries-No-More grins, wryly, and focuses on the Warder as the story concludes.

Fire-Burns stands erect and proud as she listens to No-Fuss retell the tale of several years ago. Once or twice she glances at Seeker himself, but apart from that her attention remains on Andy.

Howls-For-Glory looks down at the ground, a moment of silence from the Galliard in memory of the fallen.

Bug turns her ears forward--she's listening, but her eyes are still gazing at the ground between her paws.

Untangler takes a while to calm down and to shift his moods to that of this new story. He doesn't seem to know how to take it, his mood shifts awkwardly. It's only when enough glances at the Ahroun let him know that the Seeker he knows and the Seeker of the story are the same that he listens with more avid interest, ears pricking forward and sloppy eyes turning up.

Rags remains squatting on the ground, listening attentively. As the attacks are described, he flexes his claws and rakes the air, looking for all the part like he wishes he was there now.

From the rock outcropping, The Fang pauses a moment, glancing around and stepping out of formality and news mode. Hard emotion fades from his voice again and he returns to a lower tone like a philodox handing down an unfortunate judgement. ~This is where our scars come from, defending our home, defending Gaia. And this is why we wear them with such pride, every mark carries a story, and the stories are make us who we are. The wisdom gained however by those involved far obscures the glory that battle trophies bring. Let you not get too caught up in the fame of the battle you fight that you forget the battle itself. Near all of us have been guilty of it, all the Glory and all the fame you could ever care for mean nothing when you are dead on the ground because your head grew larger than your claws could defend. Some of those who fought this battle are still with us today and still fighting, for a very good reason. To those who spend all their time posing and posturing may Gaia guard your grave, because the Wyrm would have you no other way. A lesson that gave me this scar, but nearly took from me my life.~ No Fuss, Galliard born on the darker waning phase of the gibbous moon it would seem, falls silent and returns from the proverbial spotlight to step away and filter away from sight.

Guards-Flame nods her head slowly, letting her eyes trail over to Seeker once more, before howling out. ~Good fight Warder Rhya! The cub spoke well of your glory!~

Howls-For-Glory is silent for a moment, and then lets loose a howl. It's not the exuberant thing of earlier, but he still pays homage to both the Silver Fang and the lesson he gave. He meets No-Fuss' eyes and simply nods.

Fire-Burns raises one clawed crinos hand, then snaps it back across her chest in a gesture of impressed respect, as Andy leaves his rocky pulpit and returns to the garou congregation. ~Well spoken, my cub, soon to be cub no more,~ she congratulates him.

Dagger's-Edge listens attentively once more, keeping track of the characters. When the Warder's role is explained, the Shadow Lord looks over too. Gradually, at the story's end, the philodox growls deeply.

Jacinta gives a small nod at the Silver Fang's story, and then looks around to see if another Galliard will take the stage.

Rags' attack of air slows gradually to a stop, and a furrow appears in his deeply scarred brow, as he works through the moral of the story. He glances surreptiously about him, and sees the approval of Guards-Flame, Fire-Burns, and Howls-for-Glory, before he starts nodding with great vigor towards the Fang cub.

This more subtle and difficult moral is perhaps lost on Untangler; he listens quietly but makes no sign of understanding or appreciation, though no sign of disrespect is made either. He listens and he watches. Unlike his elder he doesn't look up towards the next story, and that's the only sign that perhaps it may have had some impact after all.

No-Fuss simply nods once to Fire-Burns as he rejoins the gathered, eyes down for the time being. As if awaiting judgement himself.

Seeker listens to the end of the story and nods at the cub, satisfied in his telling. He nods to Guards-Flame as well. ~Agreed, a well-told story.~

Tilting her head upwards, Guards-The-Flame calls out. ~A story well told deserves a reward! No Fuss No Muss, if there is no argument from your Elder, I have been satisfied by my challenge to you and thus, you now walk among us as Cliath and adult!~

Guards-Flame starts to trot forward towards the Silver Fang Galliard, chuffing to him. ~And if there is no further argument, you now walk among us as Recalls-The-Scars, for you have reminded us of wisdom in the heat of glory.~

Iron-Eyes smiles, softly.

Howls-For-Glory tosses up his fist once more. ~May I be the first to welcome Recalls-The-Scars to the Nation!~ Grey eyes alight, the Galliard howls once more, a laugh mingled in with the gesture.

Fire-Burns smiles, not softly at all. She smiles toothily and lets out a noise that's a cross between a whoop and a howl, and does a little jig on the spot from happiness for Recalls-The-Scars.

Walks-Middle grins and nods to the Fang. ~Welcome and well done, Recalls-the-Scars.~

Jacinta turns and stalks her way to the edge of the caern, taking up her staff as she goes.

Seeker says, ~Welcome to the ranks of the Garou, Recalls-the-Scars.~

Rags clambers to his feet, roaring in celebration. ~A new Garou is born today.~

No-Fuss takes a short breath and finally looks up. A sly glance is tossed side to side and he howls with his Galliard-ing instructor of lore. Afterward nodding to the welcomers, ~After all that, I'm glad you would still have me.~

Dagger's-Edge lifts his head again, followed by the rest of his body to his paws. He turns to a side, restless now, rumbling dark and tense.

Basil seems to grow tenser for a minute or so, digging his elongated nails into the material of his gloves, but he doesn't say or do anything more than that.

Fire-Burns swings a light punch at Recalls-The-Scars, one deliberately aimed to miss. ~Away with false modesty. You have succeeded in your task before the eyes of your whole sept. Be proud. You are a Silver Fang.~

Untangler immediately follows Jacinta, ratcheting to her feet and loping off after his Wendigo elder. He looks back at the gathering once but otherwise keeps silent and self-absorbed, until he's caught up with her again.

Iron-Eyes slowly makes his way back into the darkness from whence he came, soundless back to the Fang's new home.

Rags strides up to the new Fang Cliath, delivering a slap with his open hands, claws held open and not slicing flesh, onto Recalls' shoulder. ~Good for you!~. He glances about the others in the caern, and his glance stops briefly on Basil, his air of light surprise and expectation, then he moves on.

Basil rises up to his feet, and walks back into the woods shortly before the revel, heading back to the farmhouse.

The new Fang cliath just grins to Rags and nods. ~Thank you. A day I thought might never come.~

Howling congratulations, the newest fostern Gnawer lets her cheer fade off into a rolling rumble. She looks to Basil. Runner picks up the bag Olga left behind, and shifts down to take it back with her. "I'm heading to the Odeon. Basil... Don't let anything bad happen to the farmhouse, hm?" she calls after the cub. "I will be there shortly."

Basil doesn't respond or give any sign of acknowledgement to Yi as he disappears into the sticks, his body posture a bit more slumped over than it usually is.

Cycle-Breaker shifts down into lupus, having been silent and observing the majority of the moot, and trudges off.