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Werewolf: The Apocalypse 1e Tribebooks #13
Wendigo Tribebook
At long, long last, Wendigo Tribebook is here! Now players and Storytellers alike can learn the secrets and ways of the purest of the Pure Ones. Learn the special battle techniques of these fierce warriors, or listen to their tales of winter magic. This Tribebook closes out the series in fighting form.
72 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
24 people want to read
About the author
Bill Bridges
125 books57 followersBill Bridges is a writer and game designer, most known for developing White Wolf’s World of Darkness setting and the Fading Suns science-fiction universe.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 21, 2023
This tribebook, dedicated to the mighty "little brother," was originally published for the first edition of the game, but both players and storytellers will find it easily adaptable to the revised system.
As another reviewer pointed out, this book occasionally seems rushed, which makes sense from a marketing perspective. The game was already extremely popular, and White Wolf was working on a new edition. To keep the line of supplements going, this product had to be produced relatively quickly.
However, the end product, in my opinion, is exceptionally well done. The comic that introduces the tribebook stands out as one of the best, beautifully illustrated by the talented Ron Spencer. It offers readers a true treat by providing a glimpse into the Wendigo as they are, delving into their beliefs, their struggles due to disconnecting from old traditions, and other important themes that are further developed in the book.
One of the notable strengths of this work is the more three-dimensional portrayal of the Wendigo and Native Americans. In previous books describing this tribe, they sometimes appeared as awkward caricatures drawn by an overly zealous activist advocating for Native American rights, rather than authentic representations of Natives. In this book, the Wendigo are depicted as infinitely wiser. They do experience rage, but this rage is both powerful and just. They don't forget their own responsibilities and mistakes, and they recognize that the true enemy is the followers of the horned serpent.
The respect for the spirits and manitous, the ways to connect with them, and how to appease them aren't solely the domain of Theurges; it's a duty shared by everyone. The way this is translated into game terms is surprisingly effective. The tribe's cautious and suspicious demeanor towards other Garou is also well explored and should be considered in any gaming group. After reading this, all Wendigo players will find themselves more connected to and representative of Native American culture.
The book also delves into fascinating topics such as revelations about the coming of the Eater-of-Souls and the sacrifice of the Croatan. The history of the Grandmother is presented from a slightly different perspective, with the journey through the Bering Strait (or perhaps from the spirit world), the battle against the horned serpent, the land's purification, and the arrival of the wasichu—all recounted through the wisdom of the manitous. Additionally, it provides insight into some intriguing Croatan gifts: wyld sight, turtle shell, call earth spirit, hand of the earth lords, and resolute vow. New Wendigo gifts are introduced for players to learn as well, including Salmon Swim, Last Stand, and Wsitiplaju's bow.
From a gaming perspective, one of the most interesting features is the introduction of new rites and the importance of purification for the Wendigo tribe. The tribal weakness varies with the seasons and even turns into a mighty advantage during winter.
The book also introduces various camps with distinct perspectives, including the warpath, the ghost dance, the sacred hoop, and Gluskap's - Myeengun's lodges. Notably, the book discusses the manitous, interesting totems, and some extremely powerful ones, such as Skaia/Salmon, Kiunik/Otter, Igaluk/hunter, Wakinyan Tanka/thunderbird, the winter manitous, great wendigo, Whiskey Jack, and Peyote.
Fetishes take the spotlight, emphasizing interaction with spirits and including items like Spirit snare, echo maker, ghost canoe, stone bow, and the mighty ghost shirt. Natural fetishes such as tobacco or sage facilitate interactions with the manitous.
The book features famous NPCs, as is customary, offering brief but engaging half-page descriptions of intriguing characters and their notable achievements, including Myeengun, Shogecka Hunter-moon, Mask Maker, Evan Heals-the-Past, John Blackfeather, Shadow Walker, and Red Cloud.
In summary, this tribebook is a highly valuable read for any Wendigo player or for anyone interested in delving into the traditions and history of the "three brothers" Uktena, Croatan, and Wendigo. It provides an in-depth exploration of the tribe, its culture, and its place within the larger world of the game.
As another reviewer pointed out, this book occasionally seems rushed, which makes sense from a marketing perspective. The game was already extremely popular, and White Wolf was working on a new edition. To keep the line of supplements going, this product had to be produced relatively quickly.
However, the end product, in my opinion, is exceptionally well done. The comic that introduces the tribebook stands out as one of the best, beautifully illustrated by the talented Ron Spencer. It offers readers a true treat by providing a glimpse into the Wendigo as they are, delving into their beliefs, their struggles due to disconnecting from old traditions, and other important themes that are further developed in the book.
One of the notable strengths of this work is the more three-dimensional portrayal of the Wendigo and Native Americans. In previous books describing this tribe, they sometimes appeared as awkward caricatures drawn by an overly zealous activist advocating for Native American rights, rather than authentic representations of Natives. In this book, the Wendigo are depicted as infinitely wiser. They do experience rage, but this rage is both powerful and just. They don't forget their own responsibilities and mistakes, and they recognize that the true enemy is the followers of the horned serpent.
The respect for the spirits and manitous, the ways to connect with them, and how to appease them aren't solely the domain of Theurges; it's a duty shared by everyone. The way this is translated into game terms is surprisingly effective. The tribe's cautious and suspicious demeanor towards other Garou is also well explored and should be considered in any gaming group. After reading this, all Wendigo players will find themselves more connected to and representative of Native American culture.
The book also delves into fascinating topics such as revelations about the coming of the Eater-of-Souls and the sacrifice of the Croatan. The history of the Grandmother is presented from a slightly different perspective, with the journey through the Bering Strait (or perhaps from the spirit world), the battle against the horned serpent, the land's purification, and the arrival of the wasichu—all recounted through the wisdom of the manitous. Additionally, it provides insight into some intriguing Croatan gifts: wyld sight, turtle shell, call earth spirit, hand of the earth lords, and resolute vow. New Wendigo gifts are introduced for players to learn as well, including Salmon Swim, Last Stand, and Wsitiplaju's bow.
From a gaming perspective, one of the most interesting features is the introduction of new rites and the importance of purification for the Wendigo tribe. The tribal weakness varies with the seasons and even turns into a mighty advantage during winter.
The book also introduces various camps with distinct perspectives, including the warpath, the ghost dance, the sacred hoop, and Gluskap's - Myeengun's lodges. Notably, the book discusses the manitous, interesting totems, and some extremely powerful ones, such as Skaia/Salmon, Kiunik/Otter, Igaluk/hunter, Wakinyan Tanka/thunderbird, the winter manitous, great wendigo, Whiskey Jack, and Peyote.
Fetishes take the spotlight, emphasizing interaction with spirits and including items like Spirit snare, echo maker, ghost canoe, stone bow, and the mighty ghost shirt. Natural fetishes such as tobacco or sage facilitate interactions with the manitous.
The book features famous NPCs, as is customary, offering brief but engaging half-page descriptions of intriguing characters and their notable achievements, including Myeengun, Shogecka Hunter-moon, Mask Maker, Evan Heals-the-Past, John Blackfeather, Shadow Walker, and Red Cloud.
In summary, this tribebook is a highly valuable read for any Wendigo player or for anyone interested in delving into the traditions and history of the "three brothers" Uktena, Croatan, and Wendigo. It provides an in-depth exploration of the tribe, its culture, and its place within the larger world of the game.
June 1, 2019
Basic Concept: A deep dive into the Wendigo tribe of werewolves for White Wolf's World of Darkness.
White Wolf is fantastic at creating flavor material for the different elements of their games. The mistrustful, Native American Wendigo are given their moment to shine in this book. It is a lot of flavor about playing different factions or auspices within the tribe and important figures to know, as well as some more mechanical aspects like important rites, fetishes, and gifts.
White Wolf is fantastic at creating flavor material for the different elements of their games. The mistrustful, Native American Wendigo are given their moment to shine in this book. It is a lot of flavor about playing different factions or auspices within the tribe and important figures to know, as well as some more mechanical aspects like important rites, fetishes, and gifts.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews