VOD: Pantheon

Forms
There are five main forms that the Garou use, either for comfort or battle; the human guise, the primal beast-man, the war-wolf, the dire form, and the true wolf. A Garou typically feels most comfortable in whatever form he was born in. Other shapes feeling slightly more awkward, like a shirt just a bit too big, or too small. Nevertheless, in time all Garou become at least accustomed to their different forms.

Shifting Forms
Shifting forms normally requires expending one simple action, you then may assume any form adjacent to yours, so from Homid form you may turn into Glabro, then from Glabro you could turn into either Homid or Crinos by spending a second simple action. You may choose to spend a point of Rage to speed this process. If you opt to use your Rage to shift, you adopt your new form instantly, without the need to spend an action. You may spend multiple points of Rage to shift multiple steps so by spending two points of Rage while in Homid you would instantly assume Crinos. This process is also affected by the Primal Urge ability.

When knocked unconscious or killed, most werewolves automatically return to their breed form without the need to spend actions. Homid-breed Garou automatically return to Homid form, the same with Lupus-breed Garou shift back to Lupus. The issue is with Ostraka, who do not shift forms when they are knocked unconscious or die, they stay in whatever form they were in at that moment.

Homid - The Human Guise
Garou in their Homid forms are visually and physically indistinguishable from normal humans, though a Garou's behavior may mark them as other. And they must always still contend with the curse.

Form Benefit
There are no bonuses associated with Homid form. Homid-breed characters in this form do not benefit from normal Garou regeneration, but do not take aggravated damage from silver while in this form.

Glabro - The Primal Beast-Man
A Garou in Glabro form is taller and burlier than a normal human, and her face, hands, and shoulders usually show an unnatural abundance of hair. Most Glabro cannot be mistaken for humans unless from a long distance away. In Glabro form the Garou can speak, but not well. Even soft words sounding guttural and harsh.

Form Benefit
A Garou in Glabro is stronger and hardier than a typical human. Gain +2 on all Brawl, Melee, Athletics, and Archery tests and on all physical defensive tests; however, a Garou also suffers a -2 on all social tests as her ability to communicate is severally limited by this form. While in this form a Garou can still make use of human weapons or tools. In this form all claw attacks inflict Lethal damage.

Crinos - The War-Wolf
The living embodiment of Rage combines the most terrible elements of man and wolf. Towering roughly nine feet tall, the slavering Crinos monster features a wolf-like head, gigantic fangs, and horrific claws at the end of long powerful arms; thick skin and bones, covered by heavy fur; and a large wolf tail for balance.

Form Benefit
A Garou in Crinos is the perfect killing machine. A Garou in Crinos form can attempt a bite attack without needing to grapple her opponent first. In addition, gain +4 on all Brawl and Melee tests, and +2 on all Physical defensive tests. A Garou in this form may spend 1 point of Willpower to speak the human tongue somewhat intelligibly, but the words will be gravelly and hard to understand. As such a Garou in Crinos automatically fails all social tests that do not involve Garou, Kin, or Spirits, except for Intimidate, which can be used freely on any target. While in this form, a Garou cannot make use of delicate tools or operate fine mechanisms, in addition most melee weapon's handles are too small for a Garou in Crinos form to use effectively, but shape-shifters often craft special weapons that can fit in a Crinos Garou's hands. In this form all bite and claw attacks inflict lethal damage.

Hispo - The Dire Form
The Hispo form is a monstrously, unnaturally large wolf, reminiscent of dire wolves. Such a massive creature stands nearly five feet high, and at close quarters cannot be mistaken for a normal wolf.

Form Benefit
A Garou in Hispo form can attempt a bite attack without needing to grapple her opponent first. Additionally, gain +3 on all Brawl, +2 on all physical defensive tests, and +1 on all Perception related tests, but suffers a -3 on all social tests. A Garou in this form may spend 1 point of Willpower to speak a word or two of vaguely comprehensible human speech. Further, as the Hispo from does not have opposable digits, it cannot make use of any weapons or operate most tools. In this form all bite and claw attacks inflict lethal damage.

Lupus - The True Wolf
Lupus are visually indistinguishable from normal wolves, but based on the individual's tribe she may appear to be quite distinct.

Form Benefit
A Garou in Lupus form can attempt a bite attack without needing to grapple her opponent first. In addition, she can attempt to recognize others by scent and attempt to track them down further they gain a +1 on any perception related tests based upon smelling or hearing. Further, when spending an action to move, in Lupus form a Garou moves 4 steps with a single action rather than the usual 3. Lupus-breed characters in this form do not benefit from the traditional Garou regeneration; however, they also do not suffer aggravated damage from silver. In this form all bite attacks inflict lethal damage.

Personal Items and Shifting Forms
Garou naturally form a spiritual bond with personal items that have been in close contact with them for a long period of times. Examples include: clothing or small items that are carried in one hand. This bond allows these objects to become part of a werewolf's body when he assumes other forms. In addition, a werewolf automatically bonds with any attuned fetishes he might possess. However, armor lacking the empowerment of a fetish is too inflexible for shapeshifiting; Garou cannot bond with mundane armor or retain it while they shift forms.