Pack

The basic social unit of werewolves; packs may form from a sense of duty or be mandated by elder Garou, or they may emerge out of dependency, self-preservation, or mutual alienation.

Much like their lupine cousins, @Garou are inherently pack creatures. Survival and effectiveness in the @Apocalypse rely on interdependence, and no werewolf thrives alone for long. Packs magnify the strengths of their members while mitigating weaknesses, especially in combat or spiritual endeavors. Traditionally, a “classical” @pack contains one Garou of each @auspice—Ahroun, Philodox, Galliard, Theurge, and Ragabash—so each member can fulfill a complementary role. Modern packs rarely follow this ideal; they adapt to the individuals available, and a single missing auspice or multiple members of one can reshape the group’s dynamics.

Joining a pack is as much about finding a purpose as it is about finding safety. A new member may arrive to fill a tactical void, or simply to supplement a pack already well-equipped for war. Harmony is rare, however: Garou are passionate and violent, prone to clashes fueled by Rage. Even well-intentioned packs can erupt into destructive disputes if egos, ambitions, or grievances collide.

In the modern world, Garou packs often adopt identities that reflect the territories and threats they confront. Urbex packs claim derelict cityscapes, abandoned subways, and marginalized neighborhoods as their hunting grounds, uncovering secrets the human world tries to erase. Occult Investigators focus on paranormal phenomena and spiritual disturbances, combating pollution, exploitation, and unnatural corruption. Nomadic packs—the Open Road—roam vast stretches with vehicles infused with spirit, tracking patterns of Wyrm corruption wherever they appear. Radical Resistance packs act as guerrilla freedom fighters or eco-activists, clashing with oppressive authorities to protect Gaia’s lands. Others, Party Animals, immerse themselves in countercultures and nightlife, confronting predatory forces in places humans ignore.

Packs are not static; their composition, identity, and focus can evolve over time, especially after claiming a caern or forming new alliances. A pack’s collective personality may shift, creating new dynamics and opportunities for cooperation—or conflict.

Individual Garou also navigate identity within the pack. Many adopt new names after their First Change, reflecting their lineage, deeds, or spiritual guidance. These names may evolve as Renown grows, blending human, lupine, and spiritual heritage. In the eyes of the Garou, a name is more than a label—it is a declaration: I am a werewolf. By what name shall the world know me and my friends and family?