Administrative Policies

Rev. 1/1/09, unless marked differently

ORGANIZATION

Rev. 3/30/12

All TGN organizational positions can be removed in two ways. They can either resign or a successful Board proposal of "No Confidence" will both achieve that end.

The Executive Officer

Rev. 1/9/12

The Executive Officer (EXO) is an elected position that oversees the daily workings of The Garou Nation. The EXO moderates listserves; arbitrates and investigates inter-chronicle disputes; and organizes, reports and maintains proper communications between Tribal Moderators, the National ST, STs and the Board to ensure storyteller needs are conveyed to the TMs. The EXO is also responsible for the selection of the Archivist and National Storyteller positions.

While the EXO does not vote in normal Board votes, in the event one closes with a tie, the EXO makes the final decision from the tied options. The EXO does vote in all Tribal Moderator elections, but in the event the EXO's vote creates a tie, the EXO vote is ignored. When no candidates run for a TM position, the EXO may simply appoint someone to the position after elections have concluded.

The EXO may make any proposal to the Board for vote, with the exception of plot related votes. The EXO may not be the voting Storyteller from any chronicle or a Tribal Moderator, and his proposals may not be seconded by any chronicle the EXO is a storyteller for.

Archivist

Rev. 1/9/12

The Archivist is considered a member of the EXO’s staff.
In the first week of January, applications are gathered by the EXO, from which the EXO chooses the one they believe to be the best applicant. They are then presented to the Board and are ratified via majority vote.

The Archivist’s duties include the following:

• Collecting TM reports in April, August and December, and making them available to any chronicle staff that requests them. They are also kept indefinitely in our archives.
• Collecting ST Reports in March, July, and November and making relevant sections available to any chronicle staff or TM that requests them. They are also kept indefinitely in our archives.
• Keep a complete record of all R&U PCs in the Org both Active and Inactive.
• Act as an arbiter in some cases when the EXO is unavailable or potentially biased.
• Compile and maintain a TGN timeline of significant events.
• Compile a detailed list of claimed chronicle territory, claimed TM territory and all canon territories not in conflict with current TGN chronicles.
• Maintain a record of official usage of gray zones (territories not claimed by existing chronicles)

National Storyteller

Rev. 1/9/12

The National Storyteller (NST) is the lead ST on all approved national plots (including those that begin as TM plots), is Head Storyteller at Board approved National Event Games and acts as a secondary arbiter when the EXO cannot provide an unbiased arbitration in disputes. The NST must have one year experience as a TGN storyteller, and may not currently be an ST in any chronicle or a current TM. The NST is selected from applications collected by the EXO, and the Board votes to ratify the selected individual after a one week discussion period.

National plot must be approved by the Board before entering play. The NST cannot make or second proposals, but is encouraged to have an Appointed Board ST propose their plot ideas for them. The NST will be added to the Board list by the EXO during National Plot proposals, and removed once the vote closes. The NST will develop a flexible timeline fleshed-out with plot points and possible NPC's that would be needed, possible resolutions and outcomes, and begin coordinating the plot with other STs and appropriate TMs.

General responsibilities for the NST are:

• Plot Coordination: The NST maintains plot-centered communication between chronicles, STs, TMs and involved PCs. This includes giving periodic updates to the STs and ensuring important plot points are run either by the NST, TMs or STs of the org.
• Plot Facilitation: The NST facilitates national plot investigation/discussion on national lists. To help in these responsibilities, the NST is on the ST list, the TM list and may be added or removed by the EXO from other lists as needed.
• HST for National Event Games: The NST will be the Head Storyteller for National Event Games. Typically, the NST will head a staff made up of STs from multiple different chronicles to run the event.
• Secondary Arbitrator: The NST cannot be from the same chronicle as the EXO or Archivist at the time of appointment so that, in the event the EXO is unable to provide unbiased arbitration, alternative arbiter exist.
• Answer and Report to STs: The NST ultimately answers to the STs of The Garou Nation, but retains authority over the National Plots in similar fashion to TMs retaining tribal genre authority.

Tribal Moderators

Rev. 1/17/12

A Tribal Moderators (TM) is an elected position that oversees a specific Tribe and its overall genre. The Purelander TM oversees both the Uktena and the Wendigo. The R&U TM oversees Fera, Stargazers and all other characters covered by Bylaw 9. Each of the other 10 Gaian tribes have their own TM.

TM responsibilities include the following:

• Keeping the history of their tribe.
• Representing tribal NPCs on their own listserve. They may only post on other listserves with the permission of the person who oversees that listserve. They may also represent said NPCs in person at game with that chronicle's permission.
• Managing Unique characters belonging to the tribe. They will also maintain Unique septs belonging to the tribe.
• Moderating their tribe's listserve.
• Running appropriate tribal Rites and traditions as well as limited storylines that are within the tribe itself or within a chronicle's boundaries if asked by the STs.
• Reporting their tribe's status to the Archivist three times yearly as outlined in the Reporting Requirements section.
• Maintaining the tribe's camps and overseeing PC induction into any camp.
• Maintain a small collection of NPCs to be represented on the lists or loaned to chronicles for temporary use. The majority of these NPCs should remain constant from year to year.
• Maintaining the tribal genre packet. Any changes to this MUST be presented to the TM Listserve so that the STs may examine it. If there are any objections to it, it must be voted upon to be instituted.

TMs are also beholden to the following:

• May not run plot that would cease being a limited storyline and fall into National Plot guidelines.
• TMs may not play a PC that belongs to the tribe they oversee or play a PC that benefits from the holding of the TM position.
• Any major changes to genre, such as overhauling tribal leadership (referring to structure, not the individuals in those positions), creating or eliminating camps, major totem changes or anything similar, must be propped by the EXO for discussion by the Board. If any objections remain, it must go to vote. It is not allowed to be instituted until the discussion period ends with no objections or it successfully passes in a vote.
• TMs have authority when it comes to their tribe's genre. If they feel that a chronicle is straying too far from the tribal genre, they will work with those STs to reconcile the issue. If reconciliation is not possible, the TM can request that the EXO put forth a disciplinary proposal against the offending chronicle. This will allow the TGN Board to examine the dispute and rule upon it.
• Canon Legends, even though they may be of the TM's tribe are covered by the systems described in Bylaw 10.

Player Reps

Rev. 6/07/10

The Player Rep is a TGN national position created to give the players in the organization a voice in the governing structure of TGN. They are responsible for monitoring the TGN Board list, participating in the discussions there and sharing the overall opinions and concerns of their chronicle's player base. When new Proposals are made and preparing to be voted upon, the Player Rep should share the information with interested players at their own chronicle, and share the feedback received to help the Storytellers make more informed decisions. When National Plots are proposed, the Player Reps do not share that information with their player base, and instead, comment and discuss the Proposal based on how they believe their player base would feel.

Player Reps also provide a checks and balance to the voting system by using the "Player Rep" voting option in Polls on the Board list. This allows Player Reps to see how their chronicle is voting, and to make sure their Storyteller staff is taking into account their player base's opinions.

Organization Level Discipline Policy

Rev. 1/9/12

In keeping with the founding precepts of the organization, The Garou Nation does not have the authority to discipline individual players or storytellers. TGN does, however, reserve the right to discipline, up to removal from the organization, entire member chronicles under certain grievous conditions. Such instances include, but are not limited to: violation of Bylaws, acts against the best interests of the organization, or straying too far from accepted genre to continue being compatible with the other chronicles.

1. Organization Level Disciplinary Policy Initial Warning: When a chronicle first commits an action that is deemed objectionable by another chronicle, the Storyteller staff of the offended chronicle may contact the EXO to have the situation addressed. The EXO will confer with the offending chronicle and attempt to resolve the issue. The outcome of the situation will be made known to the offended chronicle. If, after the EXO's intervention, the offending chronicle is unable, does not, or refuses to correct the problem in a reasonable length of time, the EXO or any Board Member may nominate the chronicle to receive a disciplinary strike.
2. 1st Strike: 1st Strike: All disciplinary strikes require one week discussion followed by a majority vote of the TGN Board. Each alleged infraction being cited will receive its own, individual vote. If any infraction point passes, the final strike issued will list all infractions which passed their vote as the reasons for the single strike. If zero infractions pass, no strike is incurred. The 1st Strike issued to a chronicle gives the offending chronicle 6 games to correct the infraction to the acceptance of the Board. If the matter is resolved in that time, the chronicle simply maintains this strike for a duration of 6 months, beginning that chronicle's first game following the issue's resolution. The strike is automatically removed after the 6 months if there are no other problems with the chronicle during that period. If the offense is not resolved in 6 games, or another issue arises during the 6 month period, the EXO or another member of the Board may propose a second strike.
3. 2nd Strike: When a 2nd Strike is given, the chronicle has 3 games to fix the infraction to the satisfaction of the Board. If the matter is resolved in that time, the chronicle must maintain non-problematic play for 6 months, after which the 2nd Strike is automatically removed. If matters are not resolved in that time, or the chronicle continues to have issues, a 3rd Strike may be proposed by the EXO or another member of the Board.
4. 3rd Strike: Upon receiving a 3rd Strike, the chronicle is expelled from TGN. The chronicle may reapply for membership after 1 year.

• Record of Strikes: TGN will maintain a database of all strikes proposed or given to chronicles. The information kept will include the date of the proposal, the vote results and the reason the strike was requested, issued or removed. This database will be used to identify repeat offenders and offenses, as a resource for chronicles to help identify strike-worthy violations, and as a reference for consideration when expelled chronicles reapply for membership.

• Arbitration: When an issues arises between 2 or more chronicles/TM's/officers, any involved may call for Arbitration on the issue. During this process both sides will state their issues and opinions and attempt to come to a compromise or agreement on the issue. If both sides are unable to do so within a 2 week time period beginning with the initial request, then the Arbitrator will take into account both sides and make a decision which may not contradict existing TGN Bylaws or policies. If both sides agree to the arbiters decision, it shall be considered binding, requiring both parties, and the Arbiter to submit the decision and the agreements to the EXOwho will post the results to the Board list. If either side violates the agreement they shall immediately be proposed for a Strike by the EXO. If either side disagrees with the Arbiter's decision then the situation will immediately proceed to Step 2 of the Disciplinary Policy.

Votes

Rev. 11/20/19

At minimum, the Board must adhere to the following procedure:

1. The EXO or a voting, Appointed Storyteller from a chronicle must post to the Board List the proposal, written as clearly and succinctly as they are able. The subject line must read, "Proposal: (Name of Proposal)." The body of the post should include a short explanation of the proposal's intent, followed by the proposal itself.
2. The proposal must then be "Seconded" for it to be considered. This may be done by a different chronicle's voting Appointed Storyteller, or by the EXO, unless the EXO is on the proposing chronicle's ST staff. Proposals made by the EXO may not be seconded by any chronicle the EXO is a storyteller for.
3. The proposal will be open for discussion on the Board List for one week's time.
4. At the end of that week, the proposing chronicle has the option to make changes to the proposal based on feedback received. They may do so, and repost a final draft of the proposal within one week, which would procede directly to voting with no further required discussion period. If no feedback is given, or if alterations are not made, it then procedes to the polls for voting.
5. The EXO will create a single poll for each proposal, sighting the original proposal's message number on the Board List if space does not allow for the entire proposal text to be posted in the poll. The EXO will create four choices: "Pass," "Fail," "Abstain," and "Player Rep." The "Player Rep" choice is to allow Player Reps on the Board list to view how their STs are voting. If the original proposal contained appropriate, alternate choices, those options be used instead of "Pass" and "Fail."
6. The voting poll will be open for one week, after which time the EXO will close the vote, and announce the final decision.

To be considered Legitimate the Proposal must fit into one or more of these categories:

1. Addition of a bylaw, that does not directly conflict with existing bylaws.
2. Addition of a new administrative policy not covered by existing policies or bylaws.
3. Changes to or removal of existing bylaws.
4. Changes to or removal of existing administrative policies.
5. Enforcement of existing bylaws, or administrative policies. (examples: strikes, national plot, r&u votes)
6. Changes to national cannon such as printed source materials, new camps, extinction of camps or named npcs and locations.

Results of all votes done by the board will be determined by the option receiving the greatest number of votes, except changes to the Core 10 Bylaws and Legend Rank approvals, which need a two-thirds majority of total chronicles who have voting privileges in the org to pass. In the event of a tie, the EXO makes the final decision from the tied options. If a chronicle with voting privileges fails to vote in three or more votes during a single year, the EXO may propose that chronicle receive Disciplinary Strikes for each vote missed beginning with the third vote, up to and including removal from the organization. Finally, during National Plot votes, the EXO will ensure the National Storyteller is temporarily on the Board List to participate in the discussion and removed after the poll closes.

Should those in attendance at the national meeting wish to pass a motion which requires a vote, they may do so under the following guidelines.

1. Voting will occur via a verbal count

1. Should the HST of a Chronicle not be in attendance, any duly appointed representative of that Chronicle may cast their vote.
2. In the event of a tie, the EXO will cast the deciding vote, as per administrative policy.
3. Results of votes will be posted in the minutes chronicling the meeting.

2. Should a Chronicle fail to appoint any representative, thereby missing the meeting, alternate procedures will be used.

1. A poll will be created, open for two (2) days after the meeting.
2. In the event of a tie, the EXO will cast the deciding vote, as per administrative policy.

Elections

Rev. 2/13/11

Elections begin with the Executive Officer position in November, and are followed by the Tribal Moderators in December and the NST and Archivist in January.

Executive Officer (EXO) applications are accepted beginning November 1st, and ending November 7. These are collected and compiled by the current EXO, who posts all applications to the Website and OOC list on November 10th for a one week discussion period. Voting begins November 17th and ends November 24th, with the new EXO taking office on November 25th.

There will be a one week transition, during which time the departing EXO will work with the newly elected EXO to accept and compile applications for Tribal Moderators (TM), posting them to the Website and OOC list on December 1st for a one week discussion period. Voting begins December 8th and ends December 15th, with the new TM's taking office December 16th. There will be a two week transition period, during which time the departing TM's will work with the newly elected TM's to ensure a smooth transition between staffs by Jan 1st.

From January 1 through January 7th, the EXO will take applications for the NST and Archivist positions. By January 10th, the EXO will propose to the Board his/her selection for both positions from received applicants, which does not need seconded. The Board will then have one week to discuss the selections before a vote to ratify the choices occurs. The NST, Archivist and EXO must all be from different chronicles at the time of appointment. If the Board does not approve a candidate, the EXO will repeat the process, selecting a second candidate from the applications already received. If no agreeable selection exists, the EXO may reopen application acceptance for no longer than one week.

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REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

ST Reports

ST Reports are due no later than March 1st, July 1st, and November 1st. Reminders will be posted to the ST and Board lists Two Weeks in advance. Failure of any chronicle to submit the required information on time will allow the Archivist to request Arbitration with the offending Chronicle. Should Arbitration fail, the process may proceed to strike. While any member(s) of the staff may create and submit the report, the report must be CC’d to the HST to be considered valid. Reports are to be submitted to moc.liamg|tsivihcra.ngt#moc.liamg|tsivihcra.ngt.

The ST Reports must contain, at a minimum, the following information:

General Information - to be shared with STs and TMs

• Name of the Chronicle
• Listing of Staff (HST, Board Rep, other STs, Player Rep). Include email addresses for each staff member, and who your preferred point of contact for your staff is.
• List PC characters. Include: Character Name, Rank, Breed, Tribe, and Auspice (or equivalents for R/U). Include camp if appropriate. List if Active or Inactive

ST-Relevant information

• Number of games held since last report?
• Average attendance (calculated based only on your home player-base)?
• Detail any plots that directly affect other chronicles, or the org as a whole.
• Have you been involved in any cross-chronicle plot? With which games? Resolved or Ongoing?
• List any characters transferred to another Chronicle - Including Character Name, Rank, Breed, Tribe, Auspice, and Chronicle transferred to?
• Detail any usage of area outside your chronicle’s claimed area.
• Summarize the use of any Canon realms, except Tribal Homelands.

TM-Relevant Information

• Summarize the use of any named characters from the books, Canon locations, or borrowed TMNPCs.
• Summarize any Tribe-specific plots that are ongoing or have been completed since the last report. This includes plots that may have long-term effects on tribal spirits in your area.
• Detail anything characters have done in downtimes for tribal concerns. For example: if a character continually sets aside time to “do anything the tribe needs” or is always completing quests for their tribal totem. Might also include renown earnings from tribal-specific doings.
• Summarize any use of the the Tribal Homeland realms.

Optional Information

• Summarize any major or interesting plot points you wish to share.
• Are there any specific TMs you have had inadequate communication with?
• Are there any specific TMs you have had excellent communication with?
• Anything else we should know?

TM Reports

TM Reports are due no later than April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st. Reminders will be posted to the TM list Two Weeks in advance. Failure of any TM to submit the required information on time will allow the Archivist to request Arbitration with the offending TM. Should Arbitration fail, the Archivist may request a Vote of No Confidence to remove the TM from position. Reports are to be submitted to moc.liamg|tsivihcra.ngt#moc.liamg|tsivihcra.ngt.

The TM Reports must contain, at a minimum, the following information:

• TM Position
• Your Name
• How many PC characters are currently active in your tribe?
• Summarize the use of any Tribal characters listed in the books, Canon locations, or loaned-out TMNPCs.
• Summarize the use of any Canon realms, or Tribal Homelands.
• Summarize ongoing Tribal plots as well as plots completed since last report. Include Tribal Rites when appropriate.
• Have you been involved in any Chronicle plot? With which games? Resolved or Ongoing?
• List any characters who you have approved to join a camp since last report. Include which camp.
• Detail any changes to Tribal leadership positions (including camp leaders) since last report. Include whether PC or NPC.
• Detail any chances to Tribal function or structure (including tribal positions or camps created or made defunct, gifts or rites created, etc.).
• Provide a link to most recent version of the tribe packet. When was it last updated?

Optional Information

• Are there any specific Chronicles you have had inadequate communication with?
• Are there any specific Chronicles you have had excellent communication with?
• Anything else we should know?

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CHRONICLES

Admissions

Garou Chronicles wishing to join The Garou Nation must comply with the following procedure:

• 1. The Chronicle must complete the Admissions Application, and submit it to the Executive Officer (EXO). The EXO will then post the Application to the Board of Storytellers, and place one Storyteller from the applying chronicle on the Board list, for review and discussion. At this time, the applying chronicle must be willing to mesh their story, plots and view of genre with the existing Garou Nation organization.
• 2. Following discussion, the Board will vote to welcome the chronicle as a Probationary Chronicle. Probationary Chronicles remain as such for three months. During this time, the Probationary Chronicle may interact on The Board, Storyteller, IC and OOC listserves and with other chronicles, but will not have a vote on the Board.
• 3. After three months, the Probationary Chronicle receives full membership automatically, unless the EXO or any member of the Board voices an objection. If an objection is raised, the Probationary Chronicle must remain probationary for a second three month period, and address any issues that were raised during the objection. After the end of the second three month probation period, the Probationary Chronicle receives full membership automatically, unless the EXO or any member of the Board voices an objection. If an objection is raised, the Probationary Chronicle must resubmit an updated application, and is subject to a vote for admission. If the vote fails, the chronicle is no longer a part of The Nation, and must wait six months to reapply. If the vote passes, the chronicle receives full membership.
• 4. One week prior to the end of the first (and second, if applicable) Probationary Period, the Probationary Chronicle must submit a full ST Report to the Board for review. The Archivist will post a reminder one week in advance of this due date.

Chronicle Territory

All TGN chronicles hold a loose, geographic territory that they control. This territory is the environment surrounding the chronicle that the Storytelling staff commonly uses for their plots. This territory belongs to the chronicle that claims it. No other chronicle may run plots in or affecting another chronicle's territory without that chronicle's permission.

In some instances, TM's hold territory over small, specific areas that are intrinsically important to their tribe. A database of territories and their boundaries will be kept by TGN. Chronicle Storytellers wishing to run plot within TM territories may do so by notifying the TM overseeing the area and requesting information from the TM to help maintain TGN consistency of genre. The TM holds this territory on behalf of TGN, and answers to its Storytellers, Board of Directors and EXO in this regard.

Chronicles and TM's will keep the TGN Archivist updated on territorial boundaries. Any disputes over territories between chronicles or TM's will be first addressed with the Archivist. If no resolution can be found, it will be brought to the TGN Storyteller listserve and moderated by the EXO.

Chronicle Hiatus

In the event a chronicle does not hold a game for 3 months with a minimum physical attendance of 5 players, the chronicle is considered to be on hiatus to preserve an atmosphere of fair play within the organization. Chronicle Hiatus results in the following effects:

• Chronicle: A chronicle on hiatus is considered to be inactive both in and out of character. The chronicle may not vote in any TGN Board vote, though they may continue to express their opinions during discussions. All NPC's of the chronicle are considered to be on hiatus, and are subject to the same rules as PC's on hiatus.
• Storytellers: Storytellers of a chronicle on hiatus may continue to act on TGN lists as storytellers, continuing to monitor lists such as the ST list and Board list. Storytellers may alter local plots to help give IC reasons for the hiatus, but may not drastically altar their chronicle in ways that would negatively affect the story and genre of TGN upon return. If the Storytellers have PC's based in their own hiatused game, those characters and all of their participation and interactions as players on lists or at other games are subject to the same hiatus rules as other players in their chronicle. Finally, Storytellers of a hiatused game may not deny character transfers to non-hiatused chronicles unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as disciplinary issues, approved by the EXO.
• Players: PC's registered with a chronicle on hiatus are considered to be inactive until the first home game after their home chronicle returns to play. During hiatus, the PC may not interact with TGN in any capacity. This includes posting as that PC on any TGN list and interacting with any TGN NPC or PC while their chronicle is on hiatus. If players wish to continue interaction with TGN, they may request a transfer of their character to another chronicle.

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STORYTELLING AND ROLE-PLAYING

Camps

No PC may enter play as a member of a Tribal Camp. Joining a camp must always occur through role play involving the Tribal Moderator of the Tribe in question.

Lists

Rev. 2/13/11

The Board listserve consists of the Executive Officer, the Archivist, and one appointed Storyteller and one Player Representative from each chronicle. During the discussion and voting of National Plot or genre changes, the National Storyteller will be added by the EXO until the poll closes. The Board list is for discussing administrative issues, votes, rules changes and additions, and inter-chronicle coordination and communication. It is not for discussions of plot, with the exception of National Plot being proposed for vote.

The Storyteller (ST) listserve consists of the Executive Officer, the Archivist, the National Storyteller and all STs from Garou Nation Chronicles. This list is for the discussion of plots, notifications and discussions of rare creatures, and coordination of genre, plots, character interactions and tribal interactions between chronicles.

The Tribal Moderator listserve consists of the Executive Officer (EXO), the National Storyteller, the Archivist, at least one ST from each Garou Nation Chronicle and the Tribal Moderators. This list is to help the EXO coordinate the Moderators, compile history, prepare reports and discuss unique character usage. It also where TMs and STs may discuss tribal genre and any related issues.

List Behavioral Policy

The TGN lists will have the following policy in regards to harassing, offensive, or vulgar behavior (as defined by the list moderator):

• The first occurrence of such behavior will be given a public warning on the list on which it occurred, this is given as a "benefit of the doubt" warning to have the behavior corrected voluntarily by the offender.
• The second occurrence of such behavior will be also be given a public warning on the list on which it occurred, to be followed by the offender being put on moderated posting for a period of one month. This means that the list moderator will read all posts by the offender before they are posted publicly. If the behavior continues, the list moderator has full rights to refuse the public posting of the posts as well as move onto a third level occurrence.
• If, after the moderation period expires, the behavior continues, the offender will be removed from the list on which the offences occurred for a period of three months, or longer as determined by the list moderator.

Ability Usage on Lists

Rev. 6/07/10

In emails sent over any National Listserve, an OOC note may be made to announce the expenditure of some Abilities in the same email in which it is being used for.

• Politics or Garou Lore may be used to ensure all deed names and titles are correct
• Academics may be used for grammar and spelling
• Etiquette may be used for fixing grammar, spelling, word choice (tone) and appropriate honorifics like "rhya" or "yuf." Etiquette may not be used to unsend a missent message, or edit the contents of another message, unless there have been no responses to the message in any forum and a reasonably short amount of time has passed since it was sent

As list moderator, the EXO will make all final determinations and execute any exceptions to these guidelines.

Plot Types

Rev. 1/17/12

Definition of Plots within TGN

In the interest of increasing the immersion and scope of plot lines within TGN, the following definitions describe the different types of plot lines that are broader in scope than a single chronicle. It should also be known that any plot may progress in size and scope, and reach a level higher than originally intended. Therefore, any Cooperative plot that expands to a Regional level, requires a notification to the Board list prior to the plot expanding into the region. Any Regional or Tribal plot, that expands to the National level, requires a proposal to the Board list, and a passing vote before expanding into a National Plot. Cooperative, Regional, and Tribal plots require notification before entering play, while National plot requires a proposal and passing vote by the Board before entering play. All National, Regional, Tribal, and Cooperating plot lines will be recorded by the Archivist. The Lead or Head Storyteller for these plot lines will be responsible for regularly updating the board on the status of the plot.

National Plot

National Plot is a storyline that has been proposed and passed by the Board of Storytellers. National Plot is defined as any storyline that will have positive or negative effects on existing white wolf source material, TGN history or continuity that may already differ from Canon source material, Spirits of Incarna level strength or greater (Tribal Totems, Celestines) or geographical changes in or to an existing games chronicle territory. This also includes any plot line that will have involved more than one third of total TGN chronicles. National plot must be proposed on the Board list and must be seconded and receive a passing vote before entering play. National plot proposals must include at a minimum the following information. The Head Storyteller for the plot line, at least 2 Assistant storytellers for the plot line, neither of which may be from the same chronicle as the Head storyteller, a rough outline of the plot, the scope of the plot, the potential consequences both positive and negative that the storyline may have on the involved chronicles, as well as the organization as a whole.

Regional Plot

Regional plot is any plot or storyline run that includes multiple chronicles within the same geographical region but still totaling less than one third of TGN chronicles. Regional plot lines must be notified to the Storyteller list prior to entering play. Notification must include at a minimum: Which chronicles are involved, a Lead Storyteller for the plot line, at least one supporting storyteller for the plot line who may not be from the same chronicle as the Head Storyteller for the plot, a rough outline of the plot, the scope of the plot, and the potential consequences of the plot both positive and negative, that the storyline may have on the involved chronicles. These plot lines may not involve any elements covered under the National plot policy. If a chronicle has an objection to the plot line they may do so on the TGN board list. If the objection is seconded it will require a passing vote for the plot line to be run.

Tribal Plot

Tribal plot is any plot or storyline that is run within a specific tribe. Tribal plot may include multiple cooperating chronicles within TGN but should be limited to have impact only on the specific tribe. While Garou are pack creatures and some portions may leak to packmates and allies, the focus of any tribal plot should remain solely on the tribe in which it is being run. Tribal plot should be notified on the Tribal Moderator list before entering play. If a chronicle has an objection to the Tribal plot line, they may do so on the Tribal Moderator list. If the objection is seconded, the discussion period will continue on the tribal moderator list, and the vote itself will be conducted on the Board list, where it will require a passing vote to enter play. This does not include normal interaction with tribal NPC's, Storyteller requested scenes or TM reactions to player initiated actions over the tribal list. This also does not include tribal moots or seasonal rites being run by Tribal Moderators. Tribal plot notifications should include at minimum: a rough outline of the plot, the scope of the plot, and the potential consequences of the plot both positive and negative that the storyline will have on tribal genre, chronicles, or tribal PC's. The TM of the tribe is considered the Lead Storyteller for any tribal plot.

Cooperative plot

Any plot involving two or more chronicles or cooperative storytelling lasting fewer than three months must be notified to the Storyteller list serve prior to entering play, a cooperative plot that evolved from the existing plot lines of chronicles must be notified before the chronicles involved decide to merge the plot lines. The notification must include at a minimum: A Lead Storyteller who will be the point of contact and final call on issues regarding the plot. At least 1 Supporting Storyteller from each chronicle involved in running the plot, which chronicles are involved, a rough outline of the plot, the scope of the plot and the potential consequences of the plot both positive and negative the plot may have on the involved chronicles. These plot lines may not involve any elements covered under the national plot policy. If a chronicle objects to the plot line they may do so on the TGN board list, if the objection is seconded it will require a passing vote for the plot line to continue.

The Rite of Renunciation

Garou seldom feel the need for this rite, but it's very important on the occasions when it matters at all. With this rite, a Garou gives up her auspice and joins another. It must be performed during the phase of the moon she wants to adopt. The usual form of this rite calls for pouring water from a silver basin exposed to moonlight over the supplicant, symbolically washing away the old life. The Rite of Renunciation allows the Garou to give up her current auspice and station to claim another. She must adopt a new name, and give up all but three permanent Renown Traits, thereby starting over at Rank 1; Any and all traits and tempers that are above Rank 1 trait maximums are removed from the character's sheet, with experience point refunds at the Storytellers' discretion. She doesn't lose the Gifts she knows, but cannot learn any more from the list for the old auspice; At the end of the Rite of Renunciation she may ask a spirit to teach her the first Gift suitable to her new Auspice.

Renunciation is sometimes assigned as punishment for crimes that don't quite warrant death. It's also sometimes a way of coping with grief, when a Garou wishes to continue living but can't deal with a series of horrible losses and feels a new identity would help isolate the old pain. Sometimes an internal sense of failure motivates the flight to a new identity. Sometimes the Garou simply realizes that what she does best isn't what her auspice does best. As far as the Garou Nation is concerned, She has been given a second chance. Other garou, with the exception of pack mates (although they must still use her new name), should treat her as a new person, having met her for the first time.

While it is acceptable for the Garou to acknowledge who she was, it is not acceptable to claim the deeds from the previous life, including those concerning human society. This ritual is intended to be a way to rise above past failures, and should not be undertaken lightly. It is not a "get out of jail free" card, and to use it as such is scandalous and opens the Garou to being punished as such, and sometimes earns punishment for the original crime. TGN characters who have undergone this ritual should have it noted, along with the previous identity's name and auspice, in the "Notes" section of their character sheet. Also, TGN does not use the following statement from the table top core rulebook on page 185: "Only when a Garou again attains her previous rank may she reestablish old friendships."

Stargazers

The Stargazer tribe has been allowed to return to the Garou Nation, having sworn fealty to the Silver Fang King of the Nation Jonas Albrecht. Stargazer characters are still considered to be Rare. It is recommended that chronicles require new Stargazer PC's to take the following Flaw at character creation:

Probationary Nation Member (2 points): Until proving his worth to his local sept alpha, the Stargazer is two traits down on all Social challenges with other Garou belonging to the Garou Nation. This does not apply against other Stargazers. Upon proving their worth to their local sept alpha, per the declaration made at the Concolation, the player may buy off the Flaw.

Athros and Elders

Rev. 5/15/12

Roleplaying and Storytelling Admin Policy: Rank challenges: Any characters wishing to challenge for the rank of Athro or Elder must do so through a pc based in another chronicle from the one in which their pc is based, or through an npc devised by their TM (Or another tribes TM) with the permission & approval of their chronicle staff.