Christian's Story

"So, you want me to tell you a story? I can tell plenty of stories. I'm a Galliard, after all, that's what I do. But you're new cubs, and some of the stories are only for when you get older. Yeah, ain't that a bitch? You live your whole life being told that one day you'll grow up and be able to do the grown-up things. Well, you're all grown-up now. But from where I'm standing, you're still children. Children learn fast, or so my friend Kjra tells me. I think I know a story that will help you learn fast.

"Once, not so long ago, there was another pack of cubs at this caern. In the end, they called themselves Ravenstorm, though they ran without a name for some time. There was Joseph "Silentstorm," the Shadow Lord Philodox, haunted by the things he could only remember in dreams. There was Samantha "Seeker of the Lost Ones," the Wendigo Theurge, who knew exactly what she was looking for, and got closer to finding it than anyone else has in a long time. There was Krizia "Antivirus," the Glass Walker Galliard, who knew what had to be done, and did it, even though she was a Weaver-tainted girl. There was Freddie "Off Somewhere Else," the Silent Strider Theurge, who never quite fit in, and wouldn't take the support and love his pack offered him. And there was Donovan. Donovan, who was supposed to be full of love for his mother. Donovan, who was supposed to be full of balance. Donovan, who danced the dance from which there is no return.

"Things were promising, in the early days. The Theurges of the city saw many auspicious signs in the formation of this new pack. It was hoped that they would be the ones to help the Garou of the city reach their goals of rebuilding their former strength.

"Ravenstorm's rite of passage was just one part of this. They were sent to retrieve the lost pathstone at one of our former caerns. They were successful, and their excursions there and back opened their eyes to the wonders and horrors of the Triat, and to the constant war that the Wyld must fight for her survival. But they also had their first run in with the minions of the Wyrm, the Black Spiral Dancers, and perhaps it is here that the first seeds of Donovan's downfall were planted. From the Black Spiral Dancers, he took one of their fetishes, a dagger of sorts. The elders proclaimed it free of the Wyrm's taint, but unbeknownst to them, this cleansing was only temporary.

"When Donovan disappeared the first time, his pack thought quickly and tracked him to his mother's house. A bane had manifested in her basement, and the pack dispatched it as quickly as they could. Donovan himself appeared to be unharmed, simply a bit shaken. He returned to the caern with his pack, and things appeared to be settled.

"When Donovan disappeared the second time, he was angry with his pack, and they with him. Disagreements amongst members of a pack are certainly not new. They will happen from time to time, even in the closest of packs. And they are usually resolved without any problems. But not this time. No one is sure where Donovan went that day. All they know is that he returned to the caern before nightfall, left again that night, and returned again shortly after daybreak. Once again, things appeared to be settled.

"When Donovan disappeared the third time, he left his pack a note. I don’t know if his pack kept the note, but they let me see it. Once is all it took me to remember the words he wrote.

"To those I have left behind,
"There comes a time in someone’s life when you have to make a choice, good choice or bad choice, but you have to make it. And I have…as you read this I am no longer a part of Garou society, in the sense that you are. I will probably be banned as Ronin and hunted for my pelt. In my experience the only way to fight the Wyrm is to fight it from the inside. I have walked the spiral….and I have seen the face of the Wyrm…and I have felt for the first time in my life fear and euphoria. Strange sensations to experience at the same time…I still live for Gaia but the Wyrm owns me now. I am his tool…for destruction…and I can’t escape it…the dreams of power…the death…the desecration…I can barely type this, for the insanity that I feel…don’t weep for me…pray to Gaia that I will be able to do what I feel is right and do as much damage as I can…but if you come after me, I will kill you without hesitation…without remorse…I am the Wyrm’s child, I am Black Spiral, I am death……

"This, from the one who was supposed to be full of love for his mother. This, from the one who was supposed to be full of balance. This, from the one who danced the dance from which there is no return.

"Listen up, and listen good, pups. Remember this story as you learn our ways. Carry it with you as you go on your Rite of Passage. Share it with others when the time comes. Never forget this story. And always remember… Donovan is still out there… somewhere…

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