Grandfather Thunder

Grandfather Thunder looks favorably upon the Shadow Lords and others who strive to keep the Garou Nation strong and out of the hands of the weak, old, corrupt, and incompetent. "Thunder rules with a fist of iron and a voice of silk," is the ancient adage. Thunder is more feared than respected, yet his place amongst the Totems of respect is secure. Thunder fosters patience, ingenuity, subtlety, and strategy within those he chooses--but it is ultimately directed towards the acquisition of power and the downfall of any incapable or undeserving of wielding it. The respect-through-fear aspect often results in few Garou--especially at-risk Garou in positions of power--trusting those who pack under Grandfather Thunder. For it is the nature of the pack to test those in power, as wolves test a herd of deer, to seek out the weak and unguarded and to pull them down so that others more fit for duty may take their place. (If it just so happens that one of Thunder's own is better suited, then that simply speaks to the strength of those who pack under Grandfather.) Obviously, those in power often want to know precisely what Thunder pack is up to. Despite claims of underhandedness, Thunder's children generally usurp power from others via the normal, acceptable means within Garou society: challenges, demonstrating greater skill, or revealing incompetence; however, tipping the scales to favor a challenger often goes hand in hand with the more acceptable means.

---

Background Cost: 5

Boons:

• Knowing Thunder's reputation, most Garou will hesitate to contest with them. (+1 intimidation.)

• Once per week, the pack can invoke Grandfather Thunder's name to summon loud, rumbling thunder for one round. This noise is often used for dramatic effect or to mask loud noises--such as an assassin's bullet, a door breaking down, or a quick and lethal skirmish.

• Once per lunar cycle, the pack can invoke Grandfather Thunder's Wrath. If they are outside and there are are clouds or inclement weather, they may call him to punish a specific target. In the first round, a flash of lightning announces Grandfather's presence. This may, about 1/4 of the time, strike an intended target, causing a level of damage per rank of each packmate present. (GM decision on aggravated or non-aggravated.) In the second round, an intense clap of thunder rolls forward, stunning the target and perhaps knocking them over. Participating packmembers may not engage in combat -- and, indeed, must do nothing other than call the Totem -- during the first round the boon is used. There is a very slight chance -- about 1 in 20, reinforced if there is already intense weather -- that everyone in range of the clap will be stunned.

• The collective pack may call upon 3 extra willpower points each lunar cycle.

Bans:

• Pack members must never show weakness to other Garou, nor divulge known weaknesses of other packmates to those outside of the pack. Pack members must also share known weaknesses of any other Garou outside the pack--even if it is a member of their own tribe, a sept officer, or a superior.

• The pack must work to usurp power from those they feel undeserving, provided they have a replacement in mind who can perform the job better--and preferably someone from within the pack.

• A packmate who becomes disrespected or who fails to intimidate Garou of lesser rank must rectify the situation within one lunar cycle or be publicly and disgracefully ejected from the pack for being too weak to be one of Thunder's children.