Rites of the Wyld

Rites of the Wyld are a type of Rite from Werewolf: The Apocalypse. They were first introduced in Book of the Wyld.

Overview

There are relatively few rites strictly associated with the Wyld itself. After all, the notion of the rite involves a certain formality, which is at odds with what the Wyld stands for. That being said, there are exceptions to every rule.

Wyld rites tend to be passionate, energetic and loud. They may have set starting points, but they generally run until the participants drop from sheer exhaustion. Furthermore, such rituals are not gentle. There is every chance of bloodshed (intentional or otherwise) during the frenzy, and passersby that stumble across this sort of thing are unlikely to get out with all of their limbs intact.

List of Wyld Rites

• Rite of Unsalting the Earth - Level Two - Perhaps the gentlest Wyld rite, this serves to reconsecrate barren ground to the service of life and growth. Originally used to restore cropland salted by the Romans, the rite is used more frequently these days to reclaim lands that have been tainted with pollution or paved over and subsequently abandoned. The rite itself is rather lengthy, beginning with chanting as two Garou stride the perimeter of the area to be affected. One carries a bowl of water, the other a bowl of blood (chicken blood is usually sufficient), and they sprinkle this on the ground as they walk. Ideally, the water and blood will run out as the Garou meet back at their starting point. According to tradition, if they run out beforehand, the rite is doomed to failure. Any other Garou then cross the boundary of blood and water and make a ritual furrow from one end of the field to the other. No tools can be used in this labor, or else the entire effect is spoiled.
• Rite of the Fertile Season - Level Three - Performed on the day the last snow melts, the Rite of the Fertile Season exists to ensure fertility for all things - plants, animals and those humans and Garou indulging in hanky-panky. Kinfolk are welcomed, nay, demanded at the performance of this rite, which generally grows carnal before much time has passed. A bacchanal of wine, carnality and passion, the Rite of the Ferile Season has been described as a party with occasional bits of chanting, and that's fairly close to the truth. The Rite, however, is not outsider-friendly. Anyone accidentally intruding has an equal chance of being swept up in the madness or being torn limb from limb. Resisting the ambiance is a sure way to meet an untimely fate, while giving in to in can have unexpected consequences.

References

• WTA: Book of the Wyld, p. 118