Clan Loup Garou ~ Some History

[Arwen Loup Garou]

Here's a little history on the Loup Garou and their clan, or pack.

Like most wolves, the werewolves of the Loup Garou clan are not lone wolves, but travel instead as a pack. They're not your average werewolves either. The Loup Garou, a French term for werewolf, are a clan of gypsies. By now the clan has grown to staggering numbers, though in the beginning there were only a few. Those born into the clan are born as werewolves, and are taught to shift forms at a young age by the elders within the clan. They're steeping in magick, and use certain rituals as rights of passage. When those of the Loup Garou clan die, they become part of the munin, the spirits of the Loup Garou ancestors. The munin plays an integral role in the lives of the Loup Garou. They can cross the boundaries between this world and the next, some say they live between the worlds. They can aid young wolves in times of trouble, increase one's strength and stamina, promote healing, and even can come forth to exact vengeance in the name of all Loup Garou.

The Loup Garou's travel all over the world, their caravan known as Luna Garou to all outsiders. They worship the cycles of the moon, and all things in nature. Every member of the pack is like family, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, nieces and nephews. There have been in the past, other lone wolves who've come to join the clan, and through ritual, became Loup Garou in more than just name. The moon holds no sway over when the Loup Garou shift, though most change forms to the wolf during the full moon as tradition dictates. They can communicate telepathically with any other being, but with other Loup Garou it's completely natural as they have no human voice in wolf form. They hold respect, loyalty, and values of honor in high regard. Once you're Loup Garou, you're always Loup Garou.

Some wolves leave before they come of age. Though none of the pack are fond of this, they will not venture to stop one from venturing out into the world for their own experiences. If one of the Loup Garou is kept away from the pack from infancy, they will not shift forms until puberty. The magick of the Loup Garou, and their control of the wolf part of themselves is legendary. They can shift with ease, at will, without pain. However, those that were not raised within the pack, will suffer great pain the first few times they shift.

The Loup Garou are reverent of all other animals, including humans. They hunt in the wild, and do not harm humans unless they are threatened. If a human hunter comes after the Loup Garou, he will not escape with his life. The Loup Garou do not change or infect others with lycanthropy, unless one is to be mated with someone outside of the pack. Again, there are rituals that go along with much ceremony to induct a new Loup Garou. Simply put, it's a variation of the initiation rights that all Loup Garou go through upon reaching puberty.

Like other packs or clans, the Loup Garou have a hierarchy. Arwen & Stryker's Grandmother is often looked to as the wise woman of the pack, though she is not the Alpha. Midian & Synge's Father, Cole is the Alpha, or head, of the Loup Garou. He is kind and just, and wields his position with strength and grace. The Loup Garou have heightened senses in either form, hearing and smell being much keener than the average human. Sight is also stronger, though in wolf form, these abilities increase tenfold. They also have incredible strength and speed, in either form, but like their senses, it increases as they shift. They can heal even the worst of injuries through shifting, though it would not save them from a mortal wound without the munin's aid. The munin have even been known to adjust one's shifting pattern, creating the beast that is more monster than wolf or man alone. Walking upright, the beast resembles what popular culture often depicts as werewolves. This shape is not a natural form for the Loup Garou, but an extreme advantage if they are fighting a losing battle with an especially powerful foe.

Once a Loup Garou hits adolesence, they age slower, giving them the illusion of hardly aging at all by the time they're technically middle aged. Most Loup Garou look roughly in their 20's, until well past their golden years. The Loup Garou can easily live to be hundreds of years old.

((More will be added later.))

[Cole Loup Garou]

Here's a bit more info on the Loup Garou's:

Seeing as a wolf cannot speak with human vocal chords once they change, the Loup Garou are able to communicate telepathically when they are wolves. By opening their minds to another being (shifter or not), they are able to both send and receive mental messages. This ability works both ways once your mind has been connected to a Loup Garou's. If you've befriended one of the pack, they will hear your call when you send for them. Though it will not work over huge distances for most of the Loup Garou, very few of the elders and the Alpha are able to communicate in this manner long range.

If a Loup Garou is pregnant, it is possible to carry to term while shifting. However, the process must be done using magick, or the child could be in danger. A wolf body is not made to carry a human baby, therefore, both beings must change simultaneously to survive. As the mother shifts, so does the unborn Loup Garou inside her, so the result is a wolf carrying a wolf pup. Likewise, the same ritual is repeated upon shifting back from wolf to human. This hinders a Loup Garou's ability to shift at will, as they must use the proper precautions to ensure survival of the child. But it can, and has, been done.

The Loup Garou's originally formed their clan in the late 1600's, in a desolate region near Transylvania. A gypsy clan was attacked by wolves imbued with magick, each of them turned by the next full moon. Using their rituals did nothing to prevent the change, but it managed to give them some control over their new powers. In time, during their wanderings, more werewolves came to them, seeking control of their own lives and a return to a peaceful existance. As the pack grew and traveled throughout Europe, they formally took the name "Loup Garou" as a surname. Though in the beginning, few were blood related, they were a family now under the same name. Some chose mates within the clan, others finding true love outside the pack. There were even those rare humans who made the choice to join us along with their mate. Becoming a Loup Garou was no longer a matter of being bitten or scratched by another werewolf, but instead the process became steeped in magick. As centuries passed, the process became nearly forgotten by all but the elders. The clan was self sufficient, and growing rapidly. A leader was chosen, and from then on the Alpha line was continued. Each new leader the first born son of the last, and so on.

Shifters that are not wolves, and not Loup Garou have, in times long gone by, joined the Loup Garou. Once a woman from the America's ventured to find the Loup Garou, eager to join their pack. She was a shifter, her form that of a great bird. With their magick and ceremonies, the birdwoman was Loup Garou in more than name alone. She had the ability to shift on command and heal herself as she shifted, like other Loup Garou. She is legend now, in the lore of the Loup Garou, as none before or since have ventured to join the Loup Garou. However, it is possible for shifters that are not originally of the clan to become pack if the desire is strong enough, and the Alpha deems it amicable for all parties involved.

[Cole Loup Garou]

Every Loup Garou is given an amulet in the form of a crystal necklace on a silver chain. Arwen & Stryker's Grandmother has taken the task of creating these amulets for the entire clan. Each crystal and chain are magickally enhanced, imbued to warn and protect it's wearer. They can glow, tingle, or vibrate when danger is near, magicks are being worked (either by Loup Garou or another), and so forth. Each stone is compatable with it's owner, and reacts differently to them. (Meaning you can give your necklace it's own characteristics in RP.)

When Arwen left the Luna in search of Stryker, then Lyra, her Grandmother gave her 13 necklaces to bestow upon those who befriended her. These gifts would give the wearers protection by all Loup Garou, making them friends of the pack.

Loup Garou recieve their amulets upon birth, unless one is inducted into the pack. Then, they receive it upon their initiation rite. The amulets are indestructable, stone and chain both are protected from breaking. They're never taken off, even when the wearer shifts. The enchanted chains allow them to remain with the wearer, regardless of their form.


Here's a list of the current Loup Garou (including those that plan to become Loup Garou later), and their amulets:
Aimlyn's amulet is Smokey Quartz.
Angel's amulet is Angelite.
Arwen & Stryker both wear Amethyst.
Arya's amulet is Emerald.
Cole's amulet is Hematite.
Devin's amulet is Moonstone.
Halo's amulet is clear Quartz.
Lucy's amulet is Bloodstone.
Mick's amulet is Rose Quartz.
Midian's amulet is Flourite.
Morgyn's amulet is Moonstone.
Nicholai's amulet is Lapis Lazuli.
Sasha's amulet is Sapphire
Silvia's amulet is Obsidian.
Synge's amulet is Citrine.
Syren's amulet is Aquamarine.
Taysha's amulet is Sunstone.

Aalaria's amulet, a token of her as an ally to the Loup Garou, is Tiger's Eye.
Kami's amulet is Jade.
Ursa's amulet is Onyx.

[Cole Loup Garou]

Loup Garou Pack Heirarchy: (Those names with *'s, in yellow are open characters. Empty slots are also open for character development. Names in blue are taken chars.)

Alpha (leader, Alpha's are also sometimes known as Ulfric): Cole
Lupa (Alpha's mate): Syren
Duke (Second in command & Healer): Mick
Freki (usually an Alpha's second in command, however, for the Loup Garou's it is 3rd, Geri being 4th): Devin, Halo
Geri (Alpha's 4th officer in command): Vita
Bolverk (Alpha's Enforcer): Nicholai
Oba (Clan medicine woman & wise woman, and elder.): *Nyta (Arwen & Stryker's Grandmother)
Fenrir (challenger to the Alpha):
Freyja (independant Lupa, or previous Alpha's widow, a female warrior): Lita
Erato (pack's female guide, helps new weres with control): Timber
Eros (pack's male guide, helps new weres with control): Xander


~Taken from various mythos, including the Anita Blake version of pack structure.~

[Stryker Loup Garou]

Howl for me?

Outward communication with each other in their wolf form consists of growls, barks, yips and snarls, vocalizing to others when not speaking with their telepathy ability. Howling together usually symbolizes a family tie, unity and strength coming in through one voice, together. It brings them closer as a family and a pack, and strengthens ties. It does not have to happen on a full moon, despite popular belief, but anytime they are together in their wolf forms as a clan. The elders studied their wolf counterparts after the initial bite, information passed down through the times so the clan would always know about the history of the Loup Garou clan.

Spellbound

Certain rituals are held in certain times, though some don't need a specific time. One ritual that is held, not every wolf and their mate needs to go through something like this, its kind of life what humans go through when they get married, except a whole lot different. Generally, when a wolf and their mate are bonded through the deepest magick, they know they are right for each other, soul mates. It's around the three full moons, the first night they journey together, talking or in silence and speaking with their mind to each other, getting comfortable and learning what they need to know and to get ready for the actual theme itself. The second night, which is rumored to be the strongest full moon, is when the two speak from the heart, be joined by the hand and with the blessing of the Alpha and the Lupa, they are joined in more ways than one. A feast is next, and the third night is when they hunt, together, to complete their three nights. Not all wolves go through this, some don't need too, and not going through is does not make a difference. Some just find it a bit more, official sis, please check it out, I lost half of my original thoughts on this so please edit or whatever

The Munin is all around, and where the Munin rests, its an otherworld that the clan rarely enter. Because it exists on a different plane than earth, it saps the energy of any living creature to enter the realms, though not by the clan's choosing. Angel lives around the Munins main place, where clan members can go using a specific ritual, to ask for advice or anything of the sort. It's not forbidden to do so, but the clan are warned of such acts, and its not to be taken lightly. Doing this seems to be more personal, even though there are ways to contact the Munin without going through such depths. Generally the werewolf calling would utter words such as "Munin, it is I, Stryker, formerly known as Lyra. As a child of the Loup Garou, my ancestors, my blood, I hereby call you, to ask for guidance in a time like this." Since Stryker is calling, she utters her name. Candles each in North, South, East and West along with a salt circle and burning sage. It's best to keep your mind clear and focused.

Angels own place seems to be a resting portal between here and there, her spirit resides(though its a solid form when entering yourself) with marble stone lining around and parchment and candles littering everywhere. To awaken her, one must be in trouble with pure evil, since her bargain was to help the clan against evil if she gave up her resting life. While she can go between earth and the Munin, the others cannot, for the sheer energy and mental strain can be devastating. While the Loup Garou age longer and live for many years, magick seeps their blood, they do know their limits and respect their situation.

[Ryan]

Hey, I find the topic of the Loup Garou very, very interesting, and really cool. I've been trying to research them, and not much has come up, so this has really helped me. Are these based off true stories/tales, or are they kinda just a game? Like, are these actual people or characters in a game? Thank you, this has really helped me get to know about the Loup Garou, and some of their history, and traditions.

[lee]

8-)im looking for a loup garou clan member