VANGUARD

By Honorah O'Neill (hconeill@cc.owu.edu)

Description

This is sect of Garou composed of those who believe the Apocalypse is inevitable. They also believe that the way things are going now, the Garou will lose miserably and the only Garou left will be Black Spiral Dancers. This view would seem to make these Garou prone to Harano and Wyrm corruption, yet it seems to have made them stronger.

Rather than sacrificing their lives in a gargantuan and currently hopeless struggle with the Wyrm, members of the Vanguard are content to tread softly and wait for opportunities to present themselves. They believe that the only way any of them will survive the Apocalypse is to rely on their wits and to build a solid powerbase.

Consequently, the Vaguard knows the location of many inactive Caerns but does not reactivate them so as not to bring them to the attention of the Wyrm. These caerns tend to have several members of the Vanguard guarding them and securing the territory around them in ever widening circles. The purpose of this is to create hidden strongholds for the coming Apocalypse.

Also on the Vanguard's agenda is establishing good relations with the other supernaturals. They believe that the Garou, despite what some would like to believe, are doomed to failure if they try to stand alone. Consequently, areas under Vanguard control have few if any outbreaks of fighting between the supernaturals. They have a tendency to ignore the Kindred and leave them be so long as they do not interfere. The Mages are sometimes sought as allies but the Vanguard is rather leery of the Technocracy. Their best relations are with the Bete whom they actively seek as allies and accept as equals. Often these Bete, after they have been contacted, may become members of the Vanguard themselves. The Vanguard also seeks alliances with Changelings but often has trouble dealing with them.

What attracts many Garou to the Vanguard is the disregard of custom. Most of the Litany is thrown out as being too confining and outdated. It is believed that every helper is needed if the world is to be kept from the Wyrm. Metis and Ronin are freely accepted as equals to other members and so it much appeals to them. Kinfolk are also accepted as equal members but are generally given noncombat positions since there are better fighters to be had. Also in many noncombat positions, but where great wisdom is required, are Elders who have either lost the wolf or have grown too frail to take active part in the war anymore.

In order to increase its ranks the Vanguard searches out Lost Cubs and Lunatics and initiates them into its philosophies. Even some Skindancers are known to be associated with the Vanguard, though they are carefully watched to make sure they keep their eyes on the right prey, Black Spirals, not other Vanguard members.

Also, once the Vanguard controls an area it will slowly start to break down the Veil in that area in an attempt to bring normal humans into its ranks. There are some few places where the Vanguard is in complete control of the town and these places often seem to be Utopian paradises where the humans live in harmony with themselves and nature. This in turn attracts other Garou who are then either converted to members of the Vanguard or slowly driven away by the inhabitants.

The purpose behind this is to create pockets that the Wyrm cannot touch. If the war is lost, at least there will be some untainted places left from which the Garou and their allies can try to retake the world. It is for this that are called the Vanguard, since they will be the ones left as the rear guard to try and rebuild the world after the end.

This movement is open to all tribes, auspices, and breeds but is most favored by Theurges, Ragabashes, Metis, Lunatics, Lost Cubs, Ronin, and the elderly. The Children of Gaia, Silent Striders and Stargazers are the most likely tribes to be found in it, as are their Kinfolk.