Fiberwire Homes
Bridging the Difference
While the Get of Fenris command the hinterlands of North Ostrobothnia, urban Garou live in the thriving city of Oulu itself. The city has long prided itself on blending the old with the new. City parks create bucolic beauty alongside new and improved satellite towers. Helping to maintain both are the two urban Tribes of Garou, Glass Walkers and Bone Gnawers. Meanwhile, Ratkin scamper through back alleys and snow-melting sewers and lift their noses to the salty spray of the Bothnian Bay.
Rules
The Garou keep up the Litany and especially the Veil in Oulu. The Ratkin have their own rules that they observe with a practical King keeping the peace between Viking-styled Ronin pirates and the Gamine black rats that have long and famously dwelled in this region of the world.
Sept of Ahto's Tears
In Finnish mythology, Ahto is the god of the sea, sharing influence with other deities over weather and storms, and seen as a great “father figure” among the gods (like Poseidon in Greece and Rome). Rain and snowfall is thus seen as his tears shed for the pain Gaia suffers. It’s a suffering that urban Garou are not blind to, but instead seek to mitigate with endurance and cunning. While Bone Gnawers render aid to the tormented, impoverished, and suffering in the city’s frozen corners, the Glass Walkers help construct, finance, and tap into fiberwire and wireless networks alike. Taking advantage of Oulu’s status as a “living lab”, the Walkers’ hi-tech genius pays off dividends here.
Location
The Sept of Ahto’s Tears focuses on a city park in the north-of-city-centre district, Myllytulli. The park is called Ainolan Puisto, and it includes a series of islands on the delta of the River Oulu. Those islands stay connected through pedestrian bridges and partially drowned eskers. Small brooks and waterways lace the series. Thickets of woodlands occupy all of the park’s isles, especially the larger six.
Bawn
The Garou claim all of the Hupisaaret Islands as their territory, but willingly and happily (if carefully) share with the general public who, after all, fund its maintenance.
Caern
The caern is located on Lasaretinsaari, the northernmost island. Amidst the natural tree growth, a wishing well was built. It is kept from the public by the elevation of a surrounding ridge and thicker overgrowth, which prevents wandering trespass. At least one Guardian is on duty at all times. The well is not actually filled with coins of any sort. Special, wooden coin-like tokens (talens, essentially) are awarded by the Ritemaster to members of the Sept to redeem for Gnosis and the Totem’s blessings. The Caern is a rare site of Fortune, a Level 3 site. The Totem is East Wind, who counsels patience and introspection.
Other Landmarks
The Pathstone lies in the bottom of the well. On Pakolansaari Island, the historical Northern Ostrobothnian Museum stands. On Kiikkusaari Island, a large greenhouse set-up exists that once serviced a botanical garden park (which was moved). City Farmers are involved with the greenhouse, helping “green up” the city as much as the climate may ever permit.
Tribal Structure
Bone Gnawers and Glass Walkers both dominate and share power. However, the Glass Walkers have long deferred leadership to the Gnawers, preferring the pursuit of their various pet projects unhindered in exchange. Other Garou may find their way here and all are welcome. More than one Fenrir exiled from the Blood of the Bear Sept finds his or her way here.
Guardians
At least one Garou Guardian stands on duty by the wishing well at all times, even during the harshest of winter storms. (The Sept provides a “community-owned” winter weather coat fetish that keeps the wearer warm even in a blizzard. It’s still an unpleasant job but reliable Guardians earn ample Honor, so it’s a competitively desired role.) The East Wind also provides deterrence, “blowing” intruders and trespassers off course, causing them to become lost in the maze of waterways and snow-littered bridges.
Warren of Salted Earth
Whereas the urban Garou have at least a somewhat altruistic bent towards Oulu, the Ratkin do what they always do: survive. They do not go out of their way to punish or slay humans, as the city has thus far done admirably well in keeping its population to a dull roar. Instead, survival is the primary concern. Because of its location, Oulu’s ports have long provided harbor to pirates, since the age of Viking raiders and beyond. Today, Ratkin Ronin occasionally make berth here. Ratkin of the Gamine Plague have already long dwelled in the area. They burrow into the marshy and grassy dunes and shroves of conifer trees near the Kempeleenlahti Bay (which opens into the larger Bothnian Bay). With the city at their immediate back, plenty of resources are on hand as well as ready escape in the Ronins’ small “civilian” crafts (typically large motorboats).
Special Events
Special events are annual (or more frequent) holidays or special ritual days that the main group or groups observe as a whole community. Attendance and participation are often expected of all members, and sometimes required.
Finnish Cup
Like most of the world, the Garou of Oulu follow football. They take special pride in the national championships, which decides which teams go to the Scandinavian regionals, and from there to the World Cup. The Finnish Cup’s date varies but usually falls in the end of the season, which is in September.
“We are all connected to each other and must start acting like it.”
-- Mother Riikka, Sept Leader of Ahto’s Tears
