Bone Gnawers

Tribal Totem

Mama Rat

The scavengers and survivors of the Garou, the Bone Gnawers are seen by the other tribes as little more than mongrels who sift through the waste of mankind. The Bone Gnawers see themselves as underdogs, waiting to triumph against overconfident foes. They blend into the populace of cities and rural communities working dirty jobs, long hours and occasionally scavenging to survive. Their innate survival instincts lead them to be amongst the first of the Tribes to adapt and now they are reaping the benefits of their hard work. Those willing to get their hands dirty can survive and, like a weed, even flourish.

History

The Bone Gnawers claim to descend from the underdogs of Garou society, their name itself being an insult from the alphas and more noble werewolves in the Garou Tongue. Many of the earliest Bone Gnawers were banned from their own tribes, seeking to redeem themselves by joining the lowliest among them who always fought on the front lines against the minions of the Wyrm. It was only during the Concord that these poor bastards joined and eventually formed the Tribe, but they refused the separation of Garou and humanity, preferring to prowl in their cities instead, far from the houses and influences of the Glass Walkers Walkers. As a result, most of the more feral Garou saw the Bone Gnawers as nothing more than City Wolves, although the Bone Gnawers still avoid the webs of the Weaver as best they can.

Organization

Bone Gnawers are not the wealthiest Tribe, nor the most prestigous, but they are the most populace and widespread. For most of their existence, they have been the omega Tribe of the Garou. Other Tribes claim long and detailed lineages, and laud histories tied to a culture or region. The Bone Gnawers do not care about such distinctions. Their spiritual kin are the oppressed and distitute of the world.
They thrive in cities, disdaining true wilderness for overgrown suburbs, rural backwaters and urban decay. They prosper where others would wither and die. While they do not ignore the Litany, the Gnawers are more than willing to stretch the boundaries of the law where it conflicts with common sense or survival.

Camps

Camps represent special interests within the Tribe, for the most part. Some camps are badges of honor, epitomizing the tenets of Honor, Glory or Wisdom that the Nation prizes so highly. Others are forbidden, secret sects and societies practicing Gifts and Rites that border on blasphemy taught to them by forgotten and often horrific spirits that hide deep in the Umbra.

• Frankweilers: Frankweilers protect culture and its availability to the common man. Many are esteemed as scholars and educators, or great storytellers. The camp lays claim to places where the “common man” can find art and education. Others reach out to communities, watching over people instead of places. Since the Wyrm often exploits the ignorant, suffering, starving, or desperate, the Frankweilers help fight it through prevention, protection, and education

• Hillfolk: Rather than endure scorn and poverty in the big city, Hillfolk have learned to survive in the rural wild. Hillfolk families are even more extensive and territorial than their urban kin. They shun modern technology and mainstream education, both of which they see as an attempt to eradicate of their own unique culture.

• Rat Finks: The Garou of this camp are spies and information gatherers, a network of kinfolk and Garou who work low-end jobs that just so happen to give them access to high-end information. They often act as information brokers with other groups of supernatural creatures.

• The Swarm: This camp focuses on the war-aspect of rat, concentrating on dirty fighting and exploiting every advantage they get over an enemy. The have specialized in urban terrorism, striking against the Wyrm and instantly disappearing. Tribal elders call upon the Swarm when the politics of compromise prove useless, although they publicly disavow the camp’s activities.

• The Man-eaters: This "camp" gains power by breaching the tenet of the Litany that forbids cannibalism of human flesh. The rest of the Tribe is adamantly against this, and will actively seek them out and kill them. They are few today and many of the remaining have allied with the similar Eaters of the Dead camp among the Silent Striders.

Tribal Culture

Freedom and practicality rule above all else when it comes to the Bone Gnawers. They care little for the supposed superiority of Garou and are content to remain in the alleys, gutters, and sewers of man as long as it means they can live on their own terms.
Most Bone Gnawers are extremely savvy when it comes to surviving in the streets of man. No other tribe is as accomplished at urban fighting as the Bone Gnawers, and surprise is considered their primary tactic. Many Bone Gnawers encourage the ideas of their lesser status, as it can be turned into an advantage when their enemies underestimate them.
Although extremely rare, there are septs of rural Bone Gnawers. Usually comprised of Hillfolk, they tend to lead simple lives, but still hold strongly to the ideals of freedom that their urban cousins share.

Homids

A majority of Bone Gnawers are born as Homids and they are used to dealing with Homid society on every level. They don't like to admit it, but many prefer to interact with normal humans when they can as opposed to other Garou in order to escape the scorn and pity they receive among other werewolves. Most Bone Gnawers are fiercely protective of their urban territory and of the populace living in those areas.

Lupus

Bone Gnawer Lupus live in the city masquerading as wild dogs (their forms can pass as domesticated far easier than those of other Garou). Over time, their Lupus population has actually been increasing rather than decreasing like the other Tribes. These wolves usually bother to learn just enough social skills to be mistaken for semi-feral homeless. They mostly keep to themselves and family clusters presenting a gruff face to outsiders.

Metis

Many Garou treat Metis with deep disdain and even hatred. The Bone Gnawers, on the other hand, see Metis as opportunities to gain strength for the Tribe. The Tribe occasionally adopts Metis of any lineage, or even none, who are both powerful and adaptable. Such Metis are even given opportunites within the Tribe, express their opinions and even take leadership positions.

Political Culture

Bone Gnawers tend to be the most democratic of the tribes, often giving everyone an equal voice at a moot. Though renown and rank can be important to Bone Gnawer septs and packs, respect is usually given to the oldest and/or most experienced member of the tribe present. Many Bone Gnawers share their resources with their tribesmen freely, but this is not always consistent, particularly with the Rabble.

Tribal Weakness

Social Outcasts: +1 difficulty to all Social rolls involving other Tribes
Backgrounds: Cannot take Ancestors or Pure Breed. Resources is discouraged and cannot go above 3

Physical Characteristics

Bone Gnawer Lupus form is extremely dog-like and may be mistaken forone of many different breeds. They are always large and unkempt and apeear somewhat feral. Their fur might be mismatched or partial colored, which better supports misidentification.