The Stargazers

The Nomads of a Dying World

The Stargazers are a tribe of spiritual nomads, once a part of the greater Garou Nation but now considered a "Wayward Tribe" by those who remain. While most of their kin departed for Asia to pursue a path of enlightenment, a small, stubborn faction chose to stay behind. In Ironwood, they have made their home at Spiritglass Lake, a small community of caravans and free spirits on two wheels. They are a family, united not by blood but by a shared belief that the war for Gaia is not won with teeth and claws, but with inner peace.

This tribe is a paradox in the world of the Garou. While their kin are consumed by the primal fury of Rage, the Stargazers seek inner balance and clarity. They are deeply reclusive and prefer to observe rather than to intervene, seeing themselves as neutral parties in the conflicts of others. Their wisdom comes not from battle, but from an almost supernatural attunement to the Umbra, the spirit world. They believe that true strength lies in understanding the greater existence, in healing Gaia's spirit from within rather than fighting an unwinnable war on the outside.

This is why they remained. While other tribes see the Apocalypse as a war to be fought, the Stargazers have come to a grim realization: Gaia is already dead. To them, the world is a corpse, and the battle is already lost. Their path is no longer to save the mother, but to follow her sister, Luna. They believe that only by seeking spiritual enlightenment from the moon can they find a way to survive the coming darkness. They are not a tribe of monks in meditation, but a community of free-spirited nomads on bikes and in caravans, traveling a lot and learn about the world, but always seeking a balance between the chaotic world around them and the peace within.

Their fighting style, which is often likened to martial arts, reflects this philosophy. They are not brutish brawlers but precise, methodical fighters, using grace and balance to defeat their enemies. They are also attuned to water, lightning, and radiant damage, a testament to their connection to the spiritual world and the esoteric rites that guide their path. Their rituals and meditations are not just for show; they are a means to harness the spiritual energies of the Umbra to protect themselves and their family.

To the other Garou, the Stargazers are an enigma. Some see them as cowards who ran from the war, while others find their serene attitude unsettling. They are a quiet rebellion against the Rage of the Garou, a testament to the idea that a warrior's spirit can be found in peace as well as in war. They are the nomads of a dying world, riding their bikes toward a future they believe will be guided by the light of the moon, not the screams of a dying world.

How do other Supernaturals see the Stargazers?

Vampires (The Kindred)

Vampires, especially those who adhere to the Masquerade, would view the Stargazers with a mixture of confusion and suspicion.

Vampires see Stargazers as: Bafflingly un-predatory. They are werewolves who don't act like werewolves. The Kindred are accustomed to werewolves as savage, violent monsters—a living, breathing antithesis to their own secretive, political existence. A peaceful werewolf that meditates on cosmic harmony and refuses to engage in all-out war is a complete paradox.

A common perception: A Stargazer might be seen as a rare, solitary Garou, perhaps even a rogue, who is less of a threat than the others. They might be useful for their unique knowledge or their strange attunement to the spirit world, but they are still werewolves, and a vampire's ingrained distrust would never fully fade. The Stargazers' belief that Gaia is dead might even earn a cynical nod of agreement from some of the more ancient Kindred who have witnessed the world's slow decay.

Changelings (The Lost)

Changelings, who are all about personal trauma, identity, and the spiritual "Hedge," would likely have a much more empathetic and understanding view.

Changelings see Stargazers as: Fellow travelers on a spiritual path. The Stargazers' focus on inner balance and a "wayward" path resonates deeply with the Changelings' own struggle to reclaim their humanity and find a place in a world they no longer belong to. The Stargazers' knowledge of the Umbra and their nomadic lifestyle would feel strangely familiar to the Changelings' travels through the spiritual Hedge.

A common perception: A Changeling might see a Stargazer as a kindred spirit, someone who understands what it means to be fundamentally "unbalanced" and to seek healing. Their esoteric knowledge of spirits and inner peace could be a valuable resource for a Changeling looking to mend their fractured soul, or a potential ally against the True Fae.

Mages (The Awakened)

Mages, who are masters of reality and belief, would find the Stargazers fascinating, if a bit simplistic.

Mages see Stargazers as: Intriguing, but limited. A Mage sees the world as a Lie, a reality that can be bent and rewritten through willpower. The Stargazers' deep connection to the spiritual world is a form of magic to them, but it's a "lower" form—one based on a connection to spirits rather than the pure, unadulterated power of the Supernal Realms. Their focus on Rage and balance would be seen as a quaint, mystical system.

A common perception: A Mage might view the Stargazers as a living paradox—creatures of pure Rage who reject their own nature for spiritual enlightenment. They would likely seek them out for their esoteric knowledge of spirits and the Umbra, seeing it as a shortcut to power or a deeper understanding of the world. However, the Stargazers' rejection of traditional Garou society and their embrace of Luna over Gaia would be a subject of intense academic interest. A Mage might respect their wisdom, but ultimately believe their own path of pure Will is superior.

Wraiths (The Restless)

Wraiths are ghosts of the dead, trapped in the Shadowlands, and their perception would be unique and tragic.

Wraiths see Stargazers as: Terrifying and tragic. Wraiths, who are tormented by their own inner "Shadows," would see the Stargazers' struggle with Rage as a parallel to their own. A Stargazer's ability to remain calm and balanced would be seen as a miraculous, almost impossible feat. They might be the only living creatures who truly understand the terror of having a second personality dedicated to your own destruction.

A common perception: A Wraith would likely see the Stargazers' belief that Gaia is dead as the honest truth. To them, the living world is merely a pale reflection of the Shadowlands. They might seek out Stargazers for their knowledge of the spiritual world and their ability to commune with the dead, but they would always be wary, knowing that the Stargazers, too, are haunted by an inner darkness.