Uktena

*"We were not given eyes, ears, and a mins so we could stay blind, deaf, and ignorant. You don't like what you see -- but that is exactly why we must look on it."*

In the days before the Europeans reached the Americas, the Uktena acted as the wise Older Brother of the three tribes of Pure Ones. Where Wendigo focused on war and the hunt, and the Croatan were more sociable, the Uktena gathered mystical lore to themselves. They settled across the Americas, favoring more southern lands where the rivers they cherish were plentiful.

When the arrival of the Europeans changed everything, and their Kin were much reduced in number, the Uktena chose to adapt. They began to interact with humans of many other cultures, favoring those who kept old animistic traditions or those who had suffered oppression much as the Pure Ones had. Many Uktena bear the blood of former slaves, or people driven from their lands, or immigrants who were shoved into filthy ghettos.

But although the Uktena have learned new hope from their embrace of outside cultures (excepting, of course, the Europeans’), a river of dark bitterness still runs through their hearts. They ally with the rest of the tribes, but keep secrets to themselves. They haven’t forgotten any of the insults and injuries they’ve suffered. And they don’t trust nearly as much as they let on. They still use the word “Wyrmcomer” to describe the Europeans, even if they don’t do it to their cousins’ faces. When there’s a need to cooperate, they’ll do so — but if there’s an opportunity to discreetly settle a particularly painful vendetta, they may find it hard to resist

Despite the old wounds between the Uktena and most of the other tribes, they are valuable members of the Garou Nation. They have spent millennia communing with spirits to learn obscure occult secrets, bartering quietly with lone members of other supernatural communities (such as the Corax, Nuwisha, and Qualmi), and devising rites unknown even to the Wendigo. The Uktena have mastered more occult mysteries than any other tribe, giving them a notable edge where the mystical side of the war is concerned. However, not all of the secrets they’ve learned are safe.

The Uktena don’t shy away from dealing with things darker and more twisted than Gaian spirits. They have a long history of dealing with ***true*** horrors. In their explorations, ancient Uktena uncovered a number of powerful Banes lying dormant below the earth’s surface. They enacted mighty rites to keep these monstrous Wyrm-spirits bound, and for generations the Uktena have maintained the tradition of “Bane Tenders” to watch over these blasphemous sites. Over the ages, the tribe learned more of the Wyrm’s evil than any Gaian Garou should perhaps know.

Yet this knowledge is very useful. The Uktena are masters at discovering Wyrm taint, no matter how subtly hidden. They know the weaknesses of Banes that few other scholars can even name. The tribe’s Theurges are virtually unparalleled, and even their No Moons and Full Moons have a canny knack for understanding the hidden corners of the Umbra. Curiosity is praised as a virtue among the tribe — the cub with the most potential is one who’s hungry to learn. Lupus members are encouraged to ask as many questions as they want to, and as a result learn at an accelerated pace. Their metis are typically held to a harsh standard, yet sometimes even overtake their homid and lupus brethren in mastery of the occult. They have never known a world without mysticism.

These are dark times, and the Uktena’s knowledge of evil offers a constant window to temptation. Garou of every tribe can fall to the Wyrm, and when an Uktena gives in to the whispers from under the earth, he becomes one of the most cunning and dangerous of all the fallen. Other tribes who suspect the extent of the Uktena’s lore cannot help but dread the thought that they may weaken as a group. But while the Uktena have strength and purpose, they continue to strike at the Wyrm using methods and approaches few others could master. They know it well, after all. They know its allure and strength,— but also its tricks, its taboos, and its weaknesses.

## History

The Uktena were one of the original tribes, or Pure Ones, who were the first to settle North America. Of the Pure Ones, they were known as "Older Brother". Legends tell that the early Uktena had traveled before to the Pure Lands after they were called by Gaia, and later returned to bring their brother-tribes, the Croatan and Wendigo, with them to defend the land.

### Early History

Early in the history of the tribe, they had another Totem, Skyhawk. At some unspecified point during the settlement of the Pure Lands, their Totem vanished and "Older Brother" won the allegiance of Uktena instead, after whom they renamed themselves. The Uktena traveled farthest south, eventually settling in territories in southern North America, Central America, and parts of northern South America. Conflicts between the native Fera and the werewolves, and the lack of South American wolves hindered the Uktena to settle farther south. The Uktena used their mystical knowledge to bind numerous creatures of the Beast-of-War that roamed the lands and put them to sleep beneath special Caerns, eliminating threats that the Garou could not destroy outright.

The Uktena took numerous mortal nations under their wing, teaching them about Gaia and the spirits. Some of their people, however, turned that knowledge against their teachers, using their new-found power to rule over their nations and sometimes even turning against their Garou benefactors. Others fell prey to the temptations of the Wyrm. The Uktena tried to warn their Brothers tribe that the Wyrm continued to manifest not only as monsters, but the Wendigo refused to listen. The Croatan overreacted to the betrayal of their mortal peoples with brutal vengeance, destroying the entire Adena culture in retaliation for a small number falling to the Wyrm's deceptions. So, the Uktena distrusted the other tribes's judgment and took it upon themselves to police the Pure Lands of growing Wyrm-Taint, only calling upon their Brothers when the danger became too grave.

### Dark Ages

The Uktena were driven from many of their Central American holdings during the time of the Aztec Empire. The Aztec worshipped a coven of Wyrm entities headed by Huitzilopochtli, who demanded blood sacrifices from the population.

The Uktena continued to fight the Wyrm creatures that were spawned by such hellholes, categorizing numerous new monstrosities like Heart Eaters.

### Victorian Age

When the Wyrmbringers arrived, the Uktena foresaw it. Due to misunderstandings and racism, battle erupted between the European Garou and the Pure Tribes. Since the European Garou did not bind Banes, they believed the holy sites of the Uktena tainted and the Tribe corrupted by the Wyrm. In these battles, numerous Banes were unintentionally freed and eventually, the wrath of the Eurasian Garou turned against the other Native American Fera, whom they saw as complicit. It took the genocide of the bat-shifters to persuade the Shadow Lords to end their part in the bloodshed, but the damage was already done. The suffering and spiritual chaos, as well as the massacre of a loyal Changing Breed out of blind paranoia and prejudice, had strengthened an aspect of the Triatic Wyrm, the Eater-of-Souls, who nearly manifested in the material world. The Croatan took it upon themselves to drive it back, using lore from the Uktena to devise a ritual to banish it. This ritual required the sacrifice of the entirety of their Tribe.

The death of Middle Brother shook the Uktena and the fragile unity between the remaining Pure Tribes. The Wendigo accused the Uktena of having left the Croatan to their demise and of dishonoring their memory by taking their Caerns, while the Uktena saw themselves responsible for the Croatan's decision and sought to preserve their Caerns from the Wyrmbringers. Falling into reclusiveness and searching for the secrets of their lost Brother to preserve them, the Uktena became increasingly obsessed with secrets and turned their attention from their human nations and Kinfolk. It was only when the Storm Eater manifested that they again joined the other Tribes and even convinced the Wendigo to participate in the rite to binding the entity.

The nations that the Uktena had once called Kin were in ruins, the tribe themselves scattered and removed into reservations, their children losing their heritage. Seeing few other choices, the Uktena chose to interbred with people from outside the Native American demographic after the Great Council of 1819. They chose to interbreed with and protect similarly oppressed people: First African slaves, then people of Polynesian descent and even from far away places like New Zealand and Hokkaido. Only European cultures were not to be welcomed. The Wendigo saw this as a betrayal of their heritage and shunned these new Uktena.

### Modern Nights

The Uktena have found themselves vindicated. Interest and pride in the cultures of their Kinfolk, that once were so severely persecuted, has arisen among the people. The Uktena begin to involve themselves more closely with their Kinfolk's problems, working to make ensure that they are aware of the threats of Weaver and the Wyrm these days. Some fight back by using these connections, establishing National parks for their wolf Kin and fighting for civil rights and land rights for their human relations.

Voices within the Tribe call for a closer cooperation with the European Tribes, since the Garou Nation divided cannot triumph against the Wyrm, who seems to grow more powerful every night as the Red Star blazes in the sky. In 2002, another Great Council was called to discuss these omens and prepare for the Apocalypse.

## Appearance

Uktena Pure Breed often manifests as reddish-black fur, and many have a distinct resemblance to red wolves. The tribe is a peculiar mishmash of Native American and various dispossessed ethnicities, and many members have a penchant for occult trinkets from a wide range of traditions.

## Kinfolk and Territory

The Uktena bred with native peoples throughout the Americas, and have brought many other oppressed ethnic groups under their wing. They favor secluded territories, often places that have a bad reputation in local folklore. Many of these places have earned that reputation with ancient horrors bound beneath the land and kept there only by the Uktena’s vigilance.

## Tribal Totem

The Uktena is a Native American river spirit resembling a horned serpent with a few pumalike features. Like many water-spirits, it is sometimes tempestuous and sometimes nurturing. Uktena has many water and snake-spirits in its brood, including Feathered Serpents, Sea Serpents and serpentine dragons of Asia.

## Character Creation

Uktena value high Mental Attributes, the better to perceive and master their many spiritual advantages. Occult is quite common among the tribe, and Uktena tend to learn rites and pick up fetishes whenever they can.

**Initial Willpower:** 3

**Beginning Gifts:** Sense Magic, Sense Wyrm, Shroud, Spirit of the Lizard, Spirit Speech

## Organization

The Uktena have a loose organization. Moots are held between different Septs in order to avoid becoming isolated, while tribal Councils are held to discuss matters that affect the Tribe as a whole. During Councils, only Garou of the rank of Elder will speak, although any Uktena can attend. Every season, a Great Council is held that gathers the Elders of the entire Tribe to discuss the state of things in the world and how they could affect the Tribe.

## Camps

Uktena camps tend to be groups of like-minded tribe-members who bind themselves together in search of certain secrets. Each camp has a particular focus and seeks a specific kind of knowledge. Some wish to explore only the secrets of the material world; others look to the spirit lands or even places that should remain hidden.

### Bane Tenders

A dedicated group of powerful Medicine Workers, this camp demonstrates a fanatical devotion to keeping what’s left of the Pure Lands pure. Most have little time for being involved with a sept or pack; they spend all their time focused on their charges: the Great Banes bound into Umbral prisons by the Uktena who first came to the Pure Lands.

### Earth Guides

The Earth Guides preserve the traditions of Native American — and now other — peoples, learning the dances and stories, arts and crafts, rituals, and beliefs of whatever human stock they come from, and making certain the old ways are not lost or forgotten. Their focus is not solely upon human traditions, however. Some dedicate themselves to learning and preserving the songs and ways of the wolf from the lupus-Kin, or even (when permitted) those of other of Gaia’s Changers.

### Path Dancers

Probably the most secretive society of the Uktena, the Dancers supposedly practice magics unknown to other Garou, although their true secrets are revealed only to those deemed worthy to join their numbers.

### Scouts

The Scouts have served the tribes as messengers and explorers since the Uktena came to the Pure Lands. In the past they acted as go-betweens for Umbral spirits and the shamans among their Kinfolk, appearing as “spirit-wolves” with otherworldly wisdom. Today, they act as messengers between the scattered septs of the tribe and keep contact with Uktena who have joined mixed septs, as well as visiting solitary Bane Tenders to help tend their needs and bring news of their vigils back to the rest of the tribe

#### Raiders (Sub-Camp)

A splinter faction of the Scouts, the Raiders specialize in conducting raids against the minions of the Wyrm and Weaver in order to recover stores of magic which have fallen into the possession of Leeches, witches, and other Wyrm-kind.

### Skywalkers

Skywalkers explore the Deep Umbra, combing the far reaches for spirit allies and for powerful spirits to bind into fetishes. Skywalkers see their travels across the Gauntlet as vision quests undertaken for understanding and for power to defeat the Wyrm. In addition, they search for signs of the spirits of their lost Croatan brothers.

### Web Walkers

Close allies with the Glass Walkers, Web Walkers revel in technology, but treat it as a servant rather than their master. Some seek understanding from their connection to the Weaver; others seek healing or a reconnection with city-dwelling kin who might otherwise be lost to the tribe.

### Wyld Children

Uktena who forsake their tribe and packs to heed the call of the Wyld, members of this camp wander far into the most remote spots of the world, engaging in private vision quests and inner journeys in order to grow closer to Gaia. They rarely emerge from their secret places, but sometimes will attend a Great Council to deliver some obscure message or warning.

One last Camp is reviled within the Tribe and seen as Wyrm-Tainted:

### Society of Bitter Frost

The Bitter Frost has given up on peaceful and cooperative measures. They want it all — the recovery of stolen Uktena caerns, powerful fetishes, knowledge, and power — even if that means using the Wyrm’s tools to augment their own, or slaying European Garou to reclaim Uktena items of power.

## Uktena Caerns

* Sept of the Seven Clans (Big Cove Hollow, Qualla Boundary, North Carolina)
* Spirit Stone Caern (Russia)
* Sept of the White Water (Goat Island at Niagara Falls, shared ownership with the Fianna)
* The Roadrunner Sept (Arizona)
* Sept of the Glass Hand (Bryson City, North Carolina)
* Barnmbirr Caern (Wolfe Creek Meteroite Crater, Austrailian Outback)
* Roaring Mountain Caern (Roaring Mountain, Yellowstone National Park)
* Sept of the Blackwaters (Small Island in Blackwater River, Florida)
* Sept of the Council Rock (Near Nanih Waiya, Mississippi)
* Sept of the Cypress Heart (Cypress grove in the deep Bayou of Lousiana)
* Sept of Deep Waters (inside Mammoth Cave, Kentucky)
* Sept of the Fallen Ones (Mesa overlooking Chaco Canyon, New Mexico)
* Sept of the Father of Waters (cliff overlookinf the confluence of the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers)
* Sept of the Green Stone (Meeman-Shelby State Park, Tennessee)
* Sept of Heart' Blood (cavern in the mountains of Western North Carolina)
* Sept of Jupiter (Temple of Fanum, Chicago, Illinois)
* Sept of the Moon Cast Down (pine forest in Northern Mississippi)
* Sept of the Nurturing Mother (near Hot Springs, Tennessee)
* Sept of the Rippling Flame (valley in the Muddy Mountains, Nevada)
* Sept of the Proud Warrior (The Mojave, near Joshua Tree and the salt flats)
* Sept of the Sacred Smoke (Oconee National Forest, Georgia)
* Sept of the Sheltering Laurel (west of Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina)
* Sept of the Sheltering Spirit (sea cave on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island, California)
* Sept of Spider's Wisdom (spire in Canyon de Chelley, Najavo Nation, Arizona)
* Sept of Story Rock (Grand Canyon)
* Sept of the Sunrise Birds (Everglades National Park, Florida)
* Undine Falls Caern (Undine Falls, Yellowstone National Park)
* Sept of the Split Sun (Sierra de las Minas, Guatemala)
* Sept of the Still Waters (Attakapas Wildlife Management Area, and surrounding territory)

## Tribal Culture

The Uktena have a reputation for taking in refugees, particularly those who have had their homes and lands conquered and taken from them. While the majority of pure-bred members are Native American, there a fair number of Uktena who come from a mix of races and cultures that have had their numbers decimated and their old ways were in danger of being lost forever.

While gifted in many spiritual practices, including the art of prophecy and visions, the Uktena are best known as hunters of the Wyrm and its Bane servants. While there is little argument that the Uktena are second to none when it comes to their abilities, it comes at a price. The Uktena have access to many ancient dark practices because of their broad culture, and while some have proven beneficial to the tribe, many others are probably best left undisturbed. While many seek the skills of the Uktena as hunters of the Wyrm, others distrust their dark abilities and fear the tribe may corrupt itself, or that it already has.

### Political Culture

Ever since the Europeans invasion of North America and the sacrifice of the Croatan, the Uktena remain markedly bitter towards the European tribes of Garou. Their closest ally is the Wendigo tribe, but even "Younger Brother" has begun to wonder how far the Uktena will carry their dark practices.

In addition to the Litany, the Uktena observe an additional tenet: "Seek Knowledge Wherever You May". Most of this knowledge is directed at the Wyrm and the location of hidden Wyrm-Beasts so that the Uktena may stand watch over them. To this end, the Tribe is willing to cooperate with other supernaturals. Their occasional contacts include other Fera, Dreamspeakers, Nunnehi, and even a rare Tremere that believes he can outwit the Lupine. At times Uktena have even pretended to listen to overtures from Wyrmspawn such as Black Spiral Dancers, but only to steal their secrets before killing them.

### Religious Culture

Uktena are essentially required to engage in occult and spiritual practices. While many direct these abilities against the Wyrm, others may find their talents in prophecy or in discovering lost lores.

The Uktena revere the Triat as the Three Grandfathers: Grandfather Smoke, the Wyld; Grandfather Spider, the Weaver; and Grandfather Serpent, the Wyrm. The exact stories about the disharmony between them vary from Caern to Caern, often reflecting tribal stories of their human kin in the area. Unlike some of the other Tribes, the Uktena recognize that the Wyrm is not evil in itself. Great Uktena was once a servant of the Wyrm of Balance and the Uktena seek a way to defeat the Serpent through cunning, not mere brute force.

## Sterotypes of Other Tribes

### Black Furies

They keep all manner of interesting old traditions that would no doubt be quite useful, if we could simply convince them to share.

### Bone Gnawers

Rat’s children know more than they pretend to. Not that much more, but enough.

### Children of Gaia

They’ve achieved some real power in healing and purification. They could probably achieve much more if they weren’t so… tentative about other arts.

### Fianna

We’ll look after our own lore, thank you. That way we know it’s in trusted hands.

### Get of Fenris

Fools who think if they are strong enough, they won’t have to bother to learn anything.

### Glass Walkers

A little too specialized to be healthy, but there’s no denying they know tricks we can only guess at.

### Red Talons

They can’t indulge their bloodlust all the time. When you catch them in their quiet moments, you can learn some interesting things.

### Shadow Lords

Nothing quite gets their attention and respect like reminding them you may know more than they do.

### Silent Striders

They must have seen so much in their wandering. I wish they’d share more of their experiences.

### Silver Fangs

Subtly remind them of the wrongs we’ve endured, and encourage them to be good kings. They may not be competent enough to manage it, but at least they won’t be malicious.

### Stargazers

I respect your insight, cousin, but do you really think that if you don’t pay any attention to the world, it won’t pay any attention to you?

### Wendigo

So angry, Younger Brother. If you were anyone else I would fear for you — but you remember the proper ways for now.