River Keepers

*"We stay close to the life blood of the earth, honoring still our ancient pact. The rivers provide us with everything we need and teach us the value of mobility. Those who seek to pollute our rivers or change their courses will have to answer to us."*

## The River Keepers’ Tale

*In the beginning times, when Gaia’s first-born set about to explore the Earth and find places of their own to care for and protect, the world looked very different than it does today. I’m not talking about the smog-filled skies and concrete cities that spoil so much of the landscape. Instead, I’m referring to more basic aspects of the Earth. Mountains moved, in those early times — getting up and stomping around from one place to another until they found a new horizon to lean against. Rivers ran wherever their passions took them, snaking around hills and valleys or racing in cascades down the sides of the steepest mountains. It was hard to keep up with all the changes and harder still for the Children of Bear to stay with any one place long enough to get to know the territory.*

*After a while, things got out of hand. A few of the oldest Gurahl (and we weren’t very old in those days) got together and decided that all this running around and moving about from place to place had to stop.*

*The rivers proved especially difficult. They were having too much fun dashing and skittering all over the land, running uphill and downhill in a frenzy of pointless activity. All over the world, rivers vied with one another to see who was fastest, biggest, longest, curviest or rockiest. Some rivers tried to grow as large as possible, overflowing their banks to snatch smaller rivers to add to their size. Floods washed over the Earth, drowning many of Gaia’s four-footed creatures, uprooting trees and creating huge morasses of mud and mire where once green fields and flowering meadows held sway.*

*Finally, one Gurahl named Yuliya Finds-the-Way had a revelation. She realized that the rivers’ frantic escapades resulted from a need for attention and the lack of a specific purpose. Yuliya gathered together a group of her closest companions among the Gurahl and explained her plan to them. When she had finished, each of her friends traveled to the current site of one of the great rivers to offer each river the following proposal:*

*“Let us be partners in the world. You need something to give your existence meaning, and I am prepared to give it to you. Choose one path to take through the world, and I will make my home near your banks. I will visit you to bathe in your clear waters and feed from your bounty. I will protect you from those who try to change your course, call down the rain when you need replenishing and sing songs to you of what goes on in the places where you are not. You will be my river, and I will be your keeper. When I return to Gaia’s bosom, others like me will come. I will summon many animals to keep you company. Bears will fish from your banks, and otters will play their games to amuse you. You will not need to exhaust yourself rushing about the world.”*

*Each river agreed to Yuliya’s pact, claiming one part of the world as its own and confining itself to its chosen route. Seeing the bargain that the mighty rivers had made, the smaller rivers clamored to gain their own “keeper.” In time, every river in the world had its own Gurahl (though some Gurahl claimed more than one river) who watched over it and reminded it of how important it was to the surrounding land. From that day on, those Gurahl who chose to honor the agreement between Yuliya and the rivers took the name River Keepers for themselves. This is why you can find River Keepers in so many parts of the world, wherever mighty rivers plow their steady and immutable courses to the sea.*

## Tribal Background

Long ago, River Keepers flourished wherever human tribes or groups of bears gathered along the banks of the great rivers of the world — the Nile, Amazon, Mississippi, Volga and the myriad other waterways. In ancient times, River Keepers served the human populations as shamans and weatherworkers, offering cures for illnesses and wounds, calling the rain to water the land or fill the rivers after a drought and, in times of great need, sacrificing themselves for the people under their care. Among the bears who congregated near the rivers that provided them with rich sources of food, the River Keepers served as leaders and guardians.

Once the most numerous of the Gurahl, the River Keepers’ numbers diminished greatly after the War of Rage. The victorious Garou killed scores of Keepers and drove others from their river homes, leaving the care of the now-abandoned rivers of the Amazon and Nile to the few Bastet who survived. Many of the human tribes who served as Kinfolk of the River Keepers fell to the ravages of the Impergium or became the victims of one of the many wars of human conquest that swept over the lands. The bears who formerly came under the protection of the River Keepers suffered as well, becoming popular prey for human hunters.

Over the centuries, a few River Keepers have come out of hiding whenever they sensed a great need for their presence. Though they seldom came to prominence in human affairs (a result of their desire to remain hidden after the War of Rage), River Keepers sometimes acted as advisors, teachers and spiritual leaders to chieftains, kings and tsars. The brown bear that symbolizes Mother Russia stands as just one of the many tributes to the River Keepers’ efforts to nurture the creatures of the world.

In North America, the River Keepers stayed active longer than they did in many other lands, assisting the Uktena, Wendigo and Croatan in their struggle to drive the creatures of the Wyrm out of the Pure Lands. Even there, however, the River Keepers kept a low profile, fearing to upset their tenuous coexistence with the Garou — particularly the curious Uktena. Like their counterparts elsewhere in the world, many River Keepers in the Pure Lands chose to spend most of their time in hibernation. The coming of the Europeans to the New World and the unleashing of the Storm Eater brought many River Keepers (as well as the other Gurahl tribes) back into the world in the last century. What they saw saddened them, for the new settlers shattered the harmonious accord between human and bear that had previously existed in the Americas. The River Keepers accept their share of the blame for the near extermination of bears in 19th century America.

Today, the River Keepers focus once more on protecting and encouraging the growth of the existing bear population throughout the world. In addition, they work with humans dedicated to cleaning up the pollution that threatens the network of rivers that criss-crosses the Earth. As the Apocalypse grows nearer, the River Keepers have come to recognize that their affinity for the rivers of the world may hold a vital key to turning the tide in Gaia’s favor. The ancient pact that bound them to the care of the world’s rivers (and to the spirits linked to those waterways) might provide the armies of Gaia with unexpected and powerful allies in the final battle.

## Home Territories

Although they once ranged throughout the fertile river valleys of the world, most River Keepers currently reside along the Earth’s more remote waterways. In America, members of this tribe favor Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, but they have made a concerted effort to assert their presence along the shores of the Mississippi, Ohio and other rivers. The European River Keepers have quietly tried to maintain their bonds with the rivers of Europe, but are finding that their Kin cannot freely roam the rivers’ banks as they once did. The rest of the tribe has no hard information about their tribemates in Russia and Siberia, but it is presumed that where the brown bears of Eurasia survive, so do their Gurahl kin. River Keepers can only assume that they still maintain at least a token presence in those lands. In essence, where there are rivers, there are (or should be) River Keepers.

## Culture and Kinfolk

Human Kinfolk of the River Keepers, though few, inhabit many regions throughout the world. Many still hold to the old ways of their tribal ancestors, but a few have adapted to the fast-paced, urban lifestyle of the 20th century. River Keepers come from the Native American populations of North America, the indigenous tribes of South and Central America, the Ket, Evenk and Ostiak peoples of Siberia and the Scandinavian and Baltic populations of Europe. In fact, humans whose bloodlines nourish the River Keepers make up some of the most diverse and vibrant group of Gurahl Kinfolk. Unfortunately, many of them have forgotten their ancient ties to Ursa’s Children due to the long absence of the Gurahl. In some cases, other Changing Breeds have assimilated the River Keepers into their own Kinfolk breeding stock.

While the brown bears that once proliferated throughout Europe, Asia and North America offer the largest population of ursine breeding stock for the River Keepers, other bear species, including the Himalayan (or moon) bear, the sloth bear of India, the Malayan sun bear and the spectacled bear of South America also contribute to the tribe’s diverse bloodlines. On rare occasions, River Keepers have arisen from black bear, grizzly and polar bear stock.

Today, the resurgent River Keepers actively seek to expand their Kinfolk base, concentrating on rebuilding their old tribal stock and assimilating new bloodlines. Many River Keepers, like the brown bears most closely allied with them, exhibit a reluctance to approach most non-Kinfolk humans. Thus, they tend to stay away from heavily populated urban centers. Although they prefer to find new Kinfolk among wildernesslovers and environmental activists, the River Keepers also look for humans with good survival skills and combat-readiness. The War of Rage has taught these Gurahl a valuable lesson. Upholding the ways of peace often necessitates clinging to the knowledge of war.

The culture and customs of the River Keepers reflect many of the traditions of their human wards. The ceremonial exchange of gifts, known among some Native American tribes as “potlatch,” plays an important role in River Keeper society. When members of this tribe come together, an elaborate show of generosity and gift-giving takes place. Gifts take many forms — not all of them tangible. Stories, poems, information or tidbits of news rate as some of the most valuable “gifts” exchanged between River Keepers. Of course, no River Keeper turns down a material present such as a painting, a cleverly carved wood flute or a loaf of fresh-baked bread. The most valuable presents consist of those that celebrate the spiritual side of the Gurahl. The teaching or sharing of Gifts and rites among the River Keepers thus becomes part of the giving process. Often the prolonged exchange of gifts takes on the nature of a contest, with the Gurahl giving the best gift gaining Honor Renown in the process. The River Keepers also share gifts with their human friends or potential mates.

Along with the custom of gifting, River Keepers consider hosting to be a sacred duty. Guests of these Gurahl become an honored part of the “family” for the duration of their visit, receiving the best foods, the best sleeping place and numerous other marks of favor. As they give, however, the River Keepers expect to receive, often becoming cold and aloof when their guests fail to reciprocate in quality if not in kind.

## Tribal Organization

The River Keepers do not maintain a formal tribal structure. Members of the tribe meet with one another informally to exchange information, and they try to have at least one large gathering a year (usually during the Council of Autumn). Most River Keepers travel alone within their self-appointed protectorates, although two or three River Keepers sometimes form a “family group” for extended periods of time. Elders of the tribe serve as advisors and teachers rather than leaders.

## Strengths and Weaknesses

**• Affinity for Water:** All River Keepers enjoy aquatic endeavors such as swimming, boating, rafting or scuba diving. (In game terms, River Keepers automatically have Athletics 1 when it pertains to swimming).

**• Weakness for Fish:** River Keepers find it difficult to pass up the chance to enjoy the bounty of the rivers or lakes. Even seafood restaurants exercise a compelling attraction for these Gurahl, occasionally distracting them from more important matters.

## Appearance

Homid-born River Keepers exhibit the full gamut of human physiotypes, from Native American to Nordic, with a smattering of Hispanic, African and Asian features thrown in for good measure. Although they tend toward stocky, powerful physiques, a few slender, wiry River Keepers do exist. Hair, skin and eye color vary widely, depending on the human parent’s ethnic background. Ursine River Keepers generally resemble the species of their bear parent.