Post by Tameh on Jan 2, 2013 16:00:39 GMT -6
The Philodox
Half Moon
Keeper of the Ways
Other Names:Mother (Black Furies), Forseti (Get of Fenris), The Traveling Moon (Red Talons), Lantern (Stargazers), Lawgiver or Peacemaker (Uktena), Mediwiwin (Wendigo)
ROLE OF THE PHILODOX
The Philodox is the judge and mediator of Garou society. It is they who settle disagreements, decide guilt and innocence, meet out punishments. While the Theurge knows the wisdom of spirits, and the Ragabash knows the wisdom of the fool, the Philodox knows the wisdom of the law.
It is the duty of a Half-Moon to uphold the laws of Garou society. They know the Litany inside and out and can recite it by heart. While some Garou may question or even shirk certain Litany laws for being “outdated” or “stupid”, the Philodox understand why such laws exist and why they have been kept to this day. It is the Half-Moon’s job to remember the Litany at all times and remind others when a law may about to be broken. A Philodox’s pack mates regularly look to him for advice on how to act in accordance with the Litany, and he is always glad to give it.
Philodox are expected to be impartial when mediating, especially if someone in the dispute is a pack mate. A Philodox can have no biases. He must be fair and objective, or his words mean nothing. A Half-Moon’s honor is in his word. If she show favoritism in her judgments and it becomes known, her honor is shot and no one will trust her judgments for a long time to come. There is a reason most pack alphas are Philodox, for they show they have the wisdom to lead (except in times of war, when the Ahroun usually take over). Honor is the most important aspect of Garou life to Philodox. Not just their own honor, but that of every other Garou around him. It is his duty to help the other werewolves to maintain their honor, both by example and advice. A Philodox is often the exemplar of the honorable Garou. This is why the other Auspices know they can trust his word and judgment, for they know he always acts with honor. His word is law.
That is the ideal, however. In these dark final days, disillusionment affects many a Half-Moon, making them wonder “what’s the point?” Corruption can also find it’s way into a Philodox’s heart, leading him to make judgments that lead to his own personal gain. When those who work to maintain everyone’s honor have lost theirs, what is to be done? Who watches the watchers? The Philodox are not the infallible mediators they once were, but the other Garou know that. So while the Philodox’s word is usually listened to, it is always with a grain of salt.
Among the tribes, Philodox gain the most importance among the Children of Gaia, Shadow Lords, Silver Fangs and Stargazers. The Children and the Stargazers both seek the peace and balance of the Half-Moon, while the Lords and Fangs tend to see the honor and power the Philodox has in the Garou Nation as highly favorable. The Glass Walkers also place greater importance on the Half-Moon, for a Garou in balance can get along more easily among humans, and a keen judge makes an excellent businessman.
PSYCHOLOGY OF THE PHILODOX
The Auspice of the Half-Moon neatly represents the nature of the Philodox. They are creatures of duality, more so than other Garou. Man and wolf, flesh and spirit, rage and honor. Everything is in balance for the Philodox. Their Rage is usually in the middle ground, compared to other Auspices. And they work hard to maintain their sense of balance. A Philodox who is emotionally or spiritually out of balance is not of any use to anyone.
A Half-Moon wants to help others maintain honor. They have an instinctive urge to settle arguments, to keep their pack mates in as much balance as possible. They are the “den mothers” of their packs, making sure all runs smoothly. When a pack mate has a problem, it is the Philodox who responds to that need first.
It is a tough road the lawgiver walks, a tightrope he must constantly make his way over. Keeping one’s honor in the face of the modern era is difficult at best, and even harder when your honor is your livelihood. A Philodox wants to be trustworthy (or at least perceived as such). She knows no one will come to her with their problems if they cannot trust her. A dishonorable Philodox is a lonely Philodox.
ROLE-PLAYING TIPS
Remember to be impartial and fair to everyone. Your character’s personal feelings towards a certain Garou should be irrelevant when his duty is at hand. Be fair to all. Do nothing that allows someone to accuse you of showing favor to one side or the other (or at least do nothing obvious, if you insist on being corrupt).
Know the Litany. Read it over, study it, understand it. Learn the point behind each law, and how each law is generally upheld. Learn your tribe’s views on the laws. it will give you a handle on how your tribe expects you to uphold the Litany. This also goes for the sept’s laws and decrees. A Philodox should be aware of all such regulations the sept elders lay down, and be prepared to see that they are being followed. The sept leaders expect you to do so. Stat wise, Philodox are usually primary in Mental Attributes. They need to be Wise and Knowledgeable and Observant to do their duty accurately. Social Attributes help as well, for Persuasive, Charismatic and Eloquent get your word heard and obeyed more easily.
In Abilities, Law is important. It demonstrates your understanding of not just human laws, but more importantly, Garou laws. A Specialization in the Litany is always a wise choice. Rituals is necessary, for Philodox know the majority of the Rites of Punishment and Accord. Empathy and Politics help a Half-Moon to understand the people he adjudicates to and to be aware of underlying political influences in any situation. Enigmas helps you to figure out a mystery, while Expression and Etiquette helps you to make your judgments all the more eloquently (and thus be more memorable).
In their Traits, a Philodox almost always has her Rage under control. She lives in balance, and thus her Willpower and Gnosis should be at least equal to her Rage, if not higher.
Backgrounds are of great use to Philodox. Rites gets you those Punishment and Accord Rites you need. Ancestors gives you the wisdom of your ancestor-spirits (hey, they’re the ones that set the precedents!), and Pure Breed empowers your judgments with the aura of greatness. Allies and Contacts presents an information network when you need to go digging for the truth. There is no one Breed that makes a superior Philodox. All Breeds can have the wisdom necessary to make solid judgments, and all understand the importance of the law. Admittedly, Lupus may have trouble with more human concepts, and Homids may allow politics and favoritism to creep in, and the Metis have a hard time getting respect no matter what their Auspice is, but none is better than another for the role of a Half-Moon.
When it comes to Renown, obviously Honor is the most important. Philodox start out with 3 Traits of it and require large amounts to advance in Rank. Wisdom is also important, for a Half-Moon must be wise as well as trustworthy. Glory has less importance, though like all Garou, it cannot be ignored.
