Fianna

Tribal Totem

Stag

Strongly based on Celtic and European traditions, they are known among the Garou for their passions for the pleasure of life, their skills and ferocity in battle, and as keepers of the music, stories, and lore of the Garou. A Fianna proverb reminds cubs to believe in three "candles" that illuminate every darkness: Knowledge, Truth and Nature. They are crafters and creators working in the most traditional methods, and their creations are highly prized among the Garou, particularly as Fetishes.

History

According to Tribal legends, the Fianna were born from the union of a passionate Gaillard and Danu, an aspect of Gaia which they see as the mother to both the Fianna and the Tuatha de Danaan. Other stories tell that the original Fianna were part of a Wyrm-corrupted people called the Fir Bolg. From one the Fir Bolg who repented and dedicated himself to the Morrigan, a house within the Fae folk was formed, until they left their home behind to protect their Kin. In turn, they lost their power to return to their homeland and would form the Changing Breeds as they are known. Only the Fianna, they tell, recall their origin accurately.
In ancient times, during the Impergium and the War of Rage, they ruled over humans and even other Fera demanding their due as powerful masters of the land. These ancient Fianna were harsh masters driven by emotions and a tendency to make decisions in heated anger. If their perceived lessers did not show respect and homeage, the Fianna put them to death, and many Fera were slain by Fianna claws. This dark past brought on by pride and strong emotions forever shaped the Tribe. In the generations since that time, the Tribe has since tried to learn from its sins, but the Fianna still fight against the power of their emotions (despite their dark history, the Corax still act as wise advisors and friends to the Fianna).

Organization

The Fianna are organized into different Septs under the leadership of a Righ (or as others call, a Sept Alpha). The Righ is advised by a Council of Song, usually comprised of Galliards and Theurges. Righs are independent, but usually acknowledge warleaders of more powerful septs as their betters. This spiral of leadership continues up to the largest and most important Sept, which is led by the Ard Righ (or Tribal Alpha), nominally the leader of the entire tribe. However, his claim doesn’t carry much weight outside Ireland anymore.
All Righs, with the approval of their Council of Song, select a Taniaste. If the Righ falls, then the Taniaste serves as her successor, if she can pass the tests of the Council of Song. This prevents conflicts within a sept during time of war. Sometimes, the Taniaste of one sept is Righ of a smaller sept.

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.

• Brotherhood of Herne: This camp acts as a rapid reaction force, forming strike teams to Moon Bridge into Caerns that are under attack by the Wyrm and defending places that might fall without their aid. However, they have a reputation for factionalism beyond its core stated purpose, particularly as an "English only" camp. Many, including the Children of Fionn, believe that the camp's primary purpose is extending the British Empire's policy of imperialism into the Tribe.

• Children of Dire: Made up of predominantly Lupus Garou, this camp watches for emanations of Wyrm forces by their effect on the Wyld. By noting changes, they can detect and root out Wyrm influence before it grows strong. Few Homids and no Metis are deemed worthy of running with Dire Wolf long enough to gain membership.

• Grandchildren of Fionn: If there has to be one Camp that is the most famous of the Fianna, it is the Grandchildren of Fionn. Named for Fionn MacCumhail, Kinfolk and Warleader of the human Fianna; this Camp is the most popular to the younger members of the Tribe. They go out seeking adventure and battling the Wyrm wherever they can find it; they travel all around the world seeking glorious, honorable, and wise tales to tell about their exploits. Though in the end, even the mightiest warriors often leave the Camp in favor of a warm fire and a good Kinfolk at their side. Still, with the fame that this Camp often brings to any Garou who truly follows its tenants, it is easy to see why so many youngsters chose to gain their fame within the Ranks of the Grandchildren. These Garou seem to care more about fighting than the reasons why they’re doing it.

• Mother's Fundamentalists: The Fundies are considered the most unpopular Fianna camp, not just to the Tribe itself, but to the rest of the Garou as well. Any time there is a brief reprieve from the Wyrm's onslaught that allows the hottest heads of the Tribe to turn on one another, the numbers of the Fundies seem to swell. They preach a return to Impergium practices: culling the growth of humanity (usually beginning with the Kinfolk of their political enemies). They thrive on conflict even with other Fianna.

• Songkeepers: Of all the Camps of the Fianna, the Songkeepers have the right to claim legacy as the oldest with only the Grandchildren of Fionn who could possibly dispute that claim. They are what everyone thinks of when one speaks of the Fianna; they are the lore masters, the storytellers, and the ones who dedicate themselves to keeping the oral history alive, and not just their own Tribe, but the whole of the Garou Nation. But contrary to the way it sounds; this Camp is not just Galliards. The Theurges seek out and learn Rites, making sure that none are lost as the Apocalypse approaches; and the Philodox preserve the ancient wisdom of past Judgments. There are even Ragabash amongst the numbers of this Camp. The important thing is, the ability to learn and share that knowledge with all Garou, not just the Fianna, it is why the Camp is so well known to the other Tribes.

• Tuatha De Fionn: The Children of Finn are the Camp of the Fianna that has made it their trade to bolster good relations with the fae that are left in the world. They are the diplomats between the two groups of beings that otherwise probably would not get along. If the fae have a problem with Garou, these are the Fianna that they are like to go to; and if the Garou have a problem with the fae, well, more often then not they try to handle it themselves and these are the Fianna that have to pick up the pieces. It’s a hard job, Changelings are a tricky lot; they do not think like humans most of the time and they seem to exist in a world that is very different from the one the Garou know. But if anyone can bridge that gap, it’s the Tuatha De Fionn. Additionally, this camp is responsible for learning about their mutual enemies with the fae who, while not necessarily Wyrm-spawn, are likely to interfere with the Nation.

Tribal Culture

The Fianna continue to build and create as a form of worshipping the Wyld, placing traditional ideals and craftsmanship over more modern inventions and technology of the Weaver. Their adage of "knowledge, truth and nature" places Gaia and the Wyld first, holding nature as one of the most important features in life. The Weaver is a faithless ally and Fianna Galliards collect and tell tales of history to remind other Garou of that fact.
Family ties are incredibly important to the Fianna. Breeds tend to intermingle, but more importantly lineages, brothers and sisters, and the ties formed through a shared childhood are what give a Fianna strength.

Homids

Among the Fianna, the Homids are a fierce and diverse lot, typically loud and boisterous. They usually act before they think and they are prone to a great deal of pride. Arguing and debate are so natural to the Fianna nature that they often become involved in local politics, both mortal and Tribal. Some claim that if there were only two Fianna left in the world, one would take one position on every issue and the other the opposite out of sheer obstinacy.

Lupus

The Fianna have gone to great lengths to promote safehavens, particularly in the British Isles, and their work has been rewarded. Their Lupus are growing in greater numbers and Kinfolk packs have started to be seen. Lupus Fianna are adventurous and physical. Fiercely pack oriented, they occasionally slip away to the wilds to maintain constant guardianship over their relatives among the wolves. However, this makes them not inclined towards verbal communication, and this can make for an awkward inclusion into a homid Tribe of chatty and boisterous debaters.

Metis

The Fianna are particularly hard on Metis believing them to be a walking embodiment of the Tribe's worst feature, an uncontrolled passion of lust. Fianna Metis are seen by their Tribe as a constant reminder of the choice two Garou made to forsake the Litany. Fianna rarely take Metis, even their own, and barely tolerate them in Septs or Packs. Every mistake a Metis makes is mocked and punished; every chance for expulsion is exploited. Metis are not family.

Political Culture

An important part of Fianna culture is "Fostering". A young cub is put under the supervision of an older Fianna, usually a blood relative. The Fianna has to teach the cub everything he knows and how to properly conduct oneself in Garou society.

Tribal Weakness

Low Self-Control: All Willpower rolls are made at +1 difficulty
Backgrounds: No restrictions, but Kinfolk is recommended

Physical Characteristics

The wolf forms of the Fianna inspire equal parts awe and terror. Like the dire wolves of fairy tales, they draw the eye and capture the imagination. They are large with shining red or black fur, and their howls can rend the heart with joy or sadness.