Moots are meetings, gatherings of Garou and much more. They help to keep the caern close the Umbra and strengthen Garou ties with the spirits of the caern.

​

We are social creatures, and the moot reinforces that. It reminds us of what we are fighting for. It provides a necessary link to our culture and provides us an avenue for celebration. We speak to one another, honour our pasts, and decide on our future actions. Garou who avoid moots are denying our social nature. They do not honour the spirits and give them their due.

 

The Fool

 

We appoint a fool whose job it is to make fun of the Garou Liteny and Garou traditions, and to dispute the word of all Garou who speak. This is done not out of true mockery but to give a voice to the questions we all have had at one time or another, and to help us to strengthen our own resolve in our nature, our history, and our Truth. What the Fool does should not be held as fodder for grudges, violence, or retribution, although sometimes tempers run high. The idea is that someone should be able to say all the things that station, custom, and respect normally disallow. Rank and position sometimes mean that things go unsaid. The Fool's job is to make sure these things *do* get said. The Fool's assertions also give the sept a chance to refute his words, to prove their worthiness. It gives them a chance to show their understanding of their heritage, to argue for the Litany and to defend their own actions. It encourages each member to question and reaffirm his or her loyalty to sept, tribe, tradition, and duty.

 

After the moot is over, the Fool's words are meant to be forgiven and forgotten. Some fear the station of Fool for the resentment of their peers. Others think they should not take the Fool seriously, which means that his or her words do not do as much good as they should. The Fool is meant to be a jester, a Devil's (or Wyrm's) advocate. The Fool tests us in our dedication and our knowledge. The Fool is not a dunce, an idiot, and his or her words are not meaningless. On the contrary, they should be listened to and understood.

 

The opening Howl

All moots start with the howl, led by the Master of the Howl and the Galliards. Usually the Master of the Howl is a Moon Dancer, but not always. It is the Moon Dancer's duty to ensure each part of the moot flows smoothly together. As the air fills with their strange atonal song, the howl is meant to reflect the make-up of the sept, as well as its recent activities and attitudes. Elements of the activities, status, and attitude come in during the final moments of the howl. Recently, there has been included a second howl, a mournful song sung by one throat. It is meant to remind everyone of the dwindling number of wolf kin and echoes the fact that these are the Last Times.

 

During the Opening Howl the Fool is expected to question each assertion made by the howl while the rest of the sept refute his claims. If the sept had a recent victory in combat, the final strains of the howl might have a martial theme to them, usually reflective of the tribal heritage of the sept. If the sept meets to determine the fate of one who has fallen to the Wyrm, the tone may be much more menacing. If the sept has met to honour members recently lost in battle, the howl would take on a more mournful, honourific tone.

 

THe Inner Sky

This part of the moot begins in utter silence. The Caller of the Wyld, usually a Theurge, steps forward, and sometimes with four other helpers address the five directions North, South, East, West, and Within), asking for their aid in the moot. The Caller also calls upon the totem or totems of the caern and the tribe, asking for their presence as well. If there are other spirits strongly associated with the caern, then those may be called on as well. Umbral spirits are the source of the caern's power and strength; thus the Inner Sky must be performed in order to keep the Caern healthy. It is the method by which we renew our ties of respect with our totems and other spirits.

 

At some caerns, we take the part of the totems of the sept, dressing in masks and costumes to reflect the nature of the totem. These performers are usually referred to as the Shining Ones. For the duration of the moot they represent the totem and must be treated with deference and respect. At some caerns, the Shining Ones are given gifts to represent their status for the night.

 

The Cracking of the Bone

As Luna rises to her zenith in the night sky, the Master of the Howl lets out a high keening howl that ends in a jagged, shattering note, thus signaling Cracking the Bone. This is usually the business portion of the moot, presided over by the Philodox who fills the position of Truthcatcher.

 

This is the time when we make known our grievances or concerns, or call for challenges. We petition for judgment, propose or question sept policy, and address personal conduct. It is the duty of the Truthcatcher to ferret out the truth of each matter and render a judgment. Truthcatcher also recognises those who would speak and gives them permission to do so. Speaking out of turn can be cause to remove honour; many septs pass around a bone or speaking stick to remind us of whose turn it is to speak. Some septs recognise rank as speaking order, some do not.

 

Requests for arbitration may be made at this time. Accusations of Litany violations may be made; requests for approval or advice are also welcomed. All parts of this ritual are public. The Truthcatcher may interrupt at any time, demanding clarification or asking questions. While Truthcatcher may solicit the opinions or knowledge of the other Garou present, his or her word on any issue is final. Judgment. and punishment may not be appealed. Some septs use this time to air concerns over the whole state of the Garou nation, rather than concerns about individual members of any sept.

 

Talesinger

The Master of the Howl declares the beginning of the Time of Tales, and the Talesinger rises, leading the Garou in a howl that runs the entire range of the wolf's scale. Then she leads the sept in stories of past and present adventures. In tales of past adventures, we are reminded of what it means to be Garou. In tales of present adventures, we are honoured for our deeds. These stories and songs may be used as a petition for the awarding of renown; although some septs require that only one who was involved in an adventure can properly tell a tale. In other septs, we must petition other Garou to sing our songs on our behalf.

 

In the case where renown is being awarded, the Talesinger calls out for any who would oppose the seeker of renown. To object at this point may be a grave insult which implies that the one seeking Renown is a liar. The challenger may tell his or her own side of the tale. Then the Talesinger asks or a judgment. from the assembly. First, those who support the claimant raise their voices. Next, those who support the challenger raise their voices. From this, the Talesinger decides whether to award Renown.

This part of the moot varies widely from sept to sept, and in particular from tribe to tribe

 

The Wyrm Foe

Some septs choose the Wyrm Foe ahead of time. Others choose him or her at the beginning of the Revel. The Master of the Howl allows his or her gaze to pass over the Garou until he or she locks eyes with the Wyrm Foe. This Garou rises and closes with the Master of the Howl and attempts to stare him /her down as they circle. When the Wyrm Foe has been chosen in advance, this is merely for show; otherwise, the Garou must win the staredown in order to win the title of Wyrm Foe. If s/he fails, another is chosen.

Then there is a cacophony of yelps and howls; the Wyrm Foe must quiet it down with a howl that rises above the din and demands submission. The rest of the sept joins in the howl, and the Wyrm Foe changes to Lupus, followed by the rest of the sept. Then the Revel truly begins. Our energy and passions speed toward their peak; mock battles may erupt throughout the sept, as well as displays of strength and prowess, wild dances and ritual hunts. Once the level of excitement has reached its peak, the Wyrm Foe leads the sept on a run or a hunt near the caern to clear the area of all enemies.