                                    ANKOU

   By Randy D'Amore

   Once, there where the White Howlers. A strong, pure tribe of noble
   Garou. Clean and pure, they fought the Wyrm. But the Wyrm won. In the
   Wyrm's infinite corruption, the White Howlers became the Black Spiral
   Dancers. Powerful, deadly, and insanely loyal to their master.

   But the Wyrm was not satisfied with the disgusting beasts he had
   created. So, on thoughts that they believed their own, a pack of the
   Black Spiral Dancers left thier Tribe. Never to be seen again.

   The pack traveled across the face of Europe, ariving deep in the in
   the land that would be France in years to come. In this realm, they
   hunted. Seeking power.

   When they came across it, it was in the form of a vampire. Caitiff,
   and a Diabolist as well. The pack was quick and strong, capturing the
   vampire and imprisoning him. The vampire, a weak willed fool, pleaded
   for his unlife. It was agreed that if he would Embrace the entire
   pack, then he would be allowed to survive. Of course, the Black Spiral
   Dancers killed him. After the Embrace of course.

   These abominations roamed the land for many centuries, becoming
   powerful and tainted beyond belief. They had also created a small
   following.

   Selecting and kidnapping young Black Spiral Dancers, of metis birth,
   the Pack had created a strong following of Abominations. These Metis,
   having never known any better, all believed themselves to be serving
   the purpose of the Wyrm. Which they where. Their numbers where small,
   but powerful.

   When the Inquisition raged across Europe, the Pack, having taken on
   the name of the Ankou, fled to Russia. Moving deep into the dark land.

   What happened to them in that land is unknown, even to them. But when
   they emerged after the Inquisition, thier numbers had swelled
   dramatically. The original members of the pack, the founders of the
   Ankou, looked upon their Dark Tribe. Seeing that the powers of
   vampirism need be learned, they sought out the Sabbat.

   The Sabbat, seeing the immense power this group held, quickly took
   them in as one of the Sabbat Clans.

   The Ankou have been among the Sabbat for some time now. Hundreds of
   years actually. In this time they have learned complete mastery over
   their Vampiric abilities. Making them a very powerful group.

   The Ankou decided that a city was needed, and planned an attack on
   London. The Veil and the Masquerade would be shattered, the hideous
   clan would run through the streets, massacring the kine and kindred
   alike. In this, they would be able to break thier ties to the Sabbat,
   and serve toe Wyrm more fully.

   The force that the Ankou did not expect, was the resistance of Garou.
   Both the Glass Walkers and Bone Gnawers learned of thier plan, and
   went about stopping it. The Ankou where attacked en masse outside of
   London, far from where any kine eyes could witness the battle. At the
   end of the battle, hundreds of Garou littered the burnt ground, their
   dead bodies reeking of Wyrm taint. The Ankou had destroyed nearly 200
   of Europes Garou. The Ankou themselves however, had also suffered
   greatly. With no where near enough survivors left to conquer london,
   they returned to the Sabbat.

   Within a few years, the Sabbat had carefully manipulated the Ankou,
   taking complete control of the Dark Tribe, and regulating thier use
   carefully.

   Now that the Sabbat has control of them, they are used in only dire
   situations. Used to kill and to kill again, the Ankou have all been
   warped even farther than before.

   The Ankou now sit and wait, hoping for a time when they will be
   powerful enough to take London. Although New Orleans has also fallen
   under their dreaded attentions.

   Many Ankou have taken to studying the forbidden arts. Satanism are
   demon worship are important among the Ankou Theurges, although this
   secret is kept carefully hidden.

   Nickname: Pit Bulls.

   Appearence: Some Ankou are attractive, but this is a rarity. Most are
   hideously ugly, with an average appearence of 1. Black mangy hair, and
   yellow-red eyes are common. In all forms. Their human forms are hairy
   and muscular. Crinos forms being huge (10'-11') and powerful. Wolf
   forms tend to look like dire wolves, only black and putrid.

   Haven: Ankou are watched carefully by the packs they travel with, and
   are kept in the communal haven.

   Background: All are stolen metis from other Garou tribes, while once
   exclusivley of Black Spiral Dancer stock, Glass Walkers and Bone
   Gnawers are also a favorite to work the Change on.

   Character creation: Physical are primary, with mental and social tying
   in close behind. Talents are primary, followed by skills and
   knowledges.

   Disciplines: Potence, Fortitude, (Dark) Thamaturgy.

   Weakness: All Ankou have at least two derangements. They also have no
   starting point in appearance.

   Organization: The Ankou are kept on a tight leash by the Sabbat. It is
   allowed that only one Ankou may travel with a pack at any time, and
   then only with Nomadic Packs. Of course, this is a bit ignored during
   crusades.

   The Ankou also have a secret connection link of Theurges and
   Philodoxes. Those that know of this link, are all infernalists and
   powerful. Player characters should not be able to know about this link
   yet. Having to find it for themselves.

   Preferred paths: Most Ankou either follow the path of Death and the
   Soul, or are Infernalists pretending to be on the Path of Death and
   the Soul.

   Starting willpower: 3

   Starting bacgrounds: 1. No Resources, Past Life, Fetish, Contacts, or
   Retainers.

   Common Wyrm Totems: Totems of power and cunning are highly respected.

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