DUST RIDERS

By JW McCormack (bela229559@aol.com)

Description

"No one ever scorned me like you did, boy. I been searchin' way too hard not to take my time watchin' you sweat. Ain't no pleasure in it. Ain't what's right. But it's sure as hell how this thing has to end."
-- The Saint of Killers, Preacher # 23

Many are the dirges sung for the Croatan, who sacrificed themselves to destroy the Eater-of-Souls, but nearly no living Garou care to remember the tribe called the Dust Riders. Born into a heritage of disgrace, they wander the savage west, the descendents of those Croatan who refused the call to sacrifice. Searching for redemption, they shun packs, travelling alone, strangers in a strange land. The savage west is less than forgiving of their cowardice however, and their totem, Turtle, deserted them to the harsh desert winds long ago. Fortunately though, the "tribe" displays an uncanny knack for survival, living among outlaws and outcasts, taking jobs as bounty hunters, or living in Spanish missions, praying for Gaia's mercy.

Despite their reputation as cowards, the Dust Riders, or Strangers to Gaia, as some call them, have learned their lesson and are not likely to back down from a fight. Of all their forms they prefer the Homid, the natural state of their majority, since they no longer believe themselves Garou. They have, in many ways, forsaken the Wyld for the Weaver, preferring six-shooters and Bowie knives to claws and teeth. Most tribes shun them, considering them worthless Ronin, but none of their enemies are so great as those Pure Ones who remember their sin. The Uktena whisper curses to their name and the Wendigo hunt them without mercy, considering them worse than even the European tribes. Indeed, the Strangers seem to belong nowhere, unwanted among the white man and hunted by the natives and their kinfolk, who consider them Wyrm-tainted. This is partly a result of recent developments within the tribe.

While the lessons of Turtle have been long forgotten by the Dust Riders, rumors have surfaced of a mysterious totem called Salamander, who has welcomed the Strangers and who teaches them survival in the harsh climate. Already, many Dust Riders eager to belong somewhere have embraced Salamander. This strange totem is completely unknown to other Garou, who wryly note that those Dust Riders who follow Salamander readily register to the gift Sense Wyrm. Based on this evidence, it would appear that the totem is a fraud and a servant of the Wyrm, but the scorned Dust Riders defend Salamander's name with a fervor that would startle a Get of Fenris.

Destiny

The Dust Riders thoroughly disappear by the close of the nineteenth century, recalled only by those Galliards who remember their treachery and their pain. Some whisper that they were all betrayed by Salamander and led like lambs to the slaughter or were all hunted down by the Wendigo, while other maintain that they still lurk in the deserts of New Mexico. Still others tell tales of seeing them at large among the servants of the Wyrm, horribly changed. Whatever their destiny may be, they remain a reminder to those who would refuse Gaia's summons.

Tribal Totem

Salamander

Initial Willpower

2

Backgrounds

Dust Riders may not buy Resources or Contacts and their only kinfolk tend to be ragtag scoundrels and outlaws. Nor may they have any contacts or allies among the Garou.

Beginning gifts

Jam Gun, Sense the Sinner

Physical

In their wolf forms, the Dust Riders are usually gray or brown coats and are medium in size. Their human stock is, oddly enough, largely made up of half-white, half-Indian males, but still includes many full-blooded native Americans.

Territory

None. They wander from town to town, leaving little or no traces.

Protectorate

If they can be considered to have any, it is those outcasts who society shuns: lepers, immigrants, "half-breeds", homosexuals, and the occasional sociopath.

Quote

"Now I may have done some things I ain't too proud of, white man, and I reckon you 'ave too. But if yer gonna insult me, it may be that we're better off settlin' this outside. You catch my drift?"

Dust Riders Tribe Gifts

"Sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn't."
-- Old Lodge Skins, Little Big Man

Sense the Sinner (Level 1)

Jam Gun (Level 1) -- As the Homid gift.

Fool the Mind's Eye (Level 2)

Magic Bullet (Level 2)

Man With No Name (Level 2) -- As the Ragabash gift.

Dust Storm (Level 2) -- As the Wendigo Gift.

Lizard Crawl (Level 3)

Sky Running (Level 3) - As the Wendigo Gift, but leaves a trail of dust rather than flame.

Say Hello to my Little Friend (Level 4) Call the Four Brothers (Level 4) -- As the Uktena Gift.

Shane! (Level 5)

Dry Rot (Level 5)