Metis

Metis – Children of Struggle

In classic Werewolf: The Apocalypse lore, @Metis were the unfortunate result of two @Garou conceiving a child. They were born already carrying the mark of the Apocalypse, physically distinct and often malformed, but in 5th edition this concept was removed to allow more narrative flexibility for player relationships. In the world of Ironwood, however, Metis have returned as a homebrewed variant—a tragic and compelling form of Garou with a new origin.

In Ironwood, Metis are Garou who have endured prolonged exposure to Wyrm corruption or influence at a young age, whether through early involvement in battle, contact with tainted spirits or Black Spiral Dancers, or immersion in areas of extreme imbalance. This exposure reshapes both body and spirit, leaving them physically altered in sickly or mutated ways and spiritually scarred. Their crinos forms may be larger, asymmetrical, with horrific bulbous mutations, scars, wounds or limping or exhibit more unusual features; their Rage burns hotter and is more volatile, and their connection to @Gaia and @Patron Spirits is often tumultuous.

In Ironwood Metis are not inherently “children of Garou parents,” but rather survivors of extreme adversity, living reminders of the costs of the @Apocalypse. Their existence is simultaneously feared and revered: they are capable of feats ordinary Garou cannot manage, yet their instability, their mutated appearance and suffering make them social pariahs in some septs.

Within Ironwood, Metis often serve as scouts, shock troops, or spiritual conduits, uniquely suited to confront corrupted areas that would overwhelm normal Garou. They carry the burden of living proof that exposure to the Wyrm leaves marks beyond mere scars, and their lives are defined by struggle, survival, and the constant effort to master their own powers.

Narratively, Metis embody both tragedy and potential: they are shaped by chaos, yet have the opportunity to transcend it, offering packs a mix of danger, strength, and insight unavailable elsewhere. Their path is never easy, but in a world teetering on the brink of collapse, their presence is a testament to the resilience—and the cost—of being Garou. They are able to conceive children. also a difference to the WtA-Versions prior to 5th Edition, where they all were sterile. But it might be more challenging and maybe takes way more time than usual.