Items

Willpower

8, Rage: 7, Gnosis: 9, Essence: 24

Charms: Armor, Blast*, Tracking

* Cerberus’ Blast spews forth the same molten silver that flows through the Realm. This inflicts aggravated damage to werewolves in any form, and to other creatures vulnerable to silver in applicable forms. It causes lethal damage to other targets. The liquid metal causes agony to Garou but cannot kill its target nor render her unconscious. At the Story­ teller’s discretion it may give the target a moment of clarity to consider her actions and break off her attack. Cerberus has long experience of this effect and recognizes it instantly. If this occurs he will give the victim a chance to cease and apologize.

Roleplaying Notes: Cerberus may be related to the classic hound of Greek and Roman mythology, or he may have taken the name and appearance from those myths. Cerberus has never confirmed either way but finds tales from this period inter­ esting and enjoys discussing them, if the right opportunity arises.

Cerberus has no desire to fight but takes his gatekeeper duty seriously. He is considered in his tone and will answer genuine questions a potential penitent may have. He is not an expert on the pu­ rification rituals and will refer these questions to the Brood, if he allows the supplicant entry to the Realm. If he is forced into conflict he tries to end the fight quickly, and preferably without loss of life.

soft voices that carry in the stillness. The cold light of the pools exaggerates the quiet intimidation of the brood by obscuring the movements and stance of the silver Crinos, and rendering the black caretakers almost shadowlike and invisible.

The Brood members stand beside the swirling pools of molten silver. They are willing to somberly discuss the needs of the visitors and make recommendations for penance, but they will not be drawn on how long the cleansing will take. Each werewolf’s punishment is his own; the Realm and her conscience decides when she is whole, not the Brood.

The Brood marks a Garou requesting punishment by using a talon to carve a sigil into her flesh. She is then invited to step into the pool of silver. The Brood respects those who voluntarily enter their torment, but they will

assist reluctant penitents. From the first touch of the silver the Garou’s flesh burns and every nerve ignites in agony. She thrashes about and may instinctively shift between forms in an attempt to climb out of the pool, but there is no escape from punishment. The waters swiftly drag her downwards and into one of the nightmarish black tunnels that snakes its way through the rock.

Within the rock is a labyrinthine mass of slick-walled caves that twist through a seemingly infinite layer of deep black shale. Through these caves the mercury-like rivers of molten silver flow and ultimately spill out to a dizzyingly high waterfall that tumbles into a vast lake at the nadir of the realm. Within the lake other Garou thrash about in agony, sentenced to suffer in the liquid metal until their spirits are cleansed of taint and sin. The currents move the werewolves towards the vast island at the center of the lake, where more Brood wait patiently for sufferers to emerge exhausted and pure.

A black fortress dominates the central island, standing high above the shoreline. It is carved from the same dark shale that makes up the rest of the realm. Silver-flaming braziers cast a strange, cool light not unlike Luna’s own moonlight upon the walls of the fortress. Deep within its walls dwells the Incarna Charyss, who oversees all the cleansings that occur in her realm.

Visitors sometimes come to Erebus to entreat with Charyss or the lesser residents of her Realm. These em­ issaries, if permitted entry by Cerberus, may descend the cliff via rough-hewn stairs in the cliff face. More of the Brood waits with rafts at the bottom of the rock to carry these guests across the lake. These rafts are sturdier than they appear; the rise and fall of the silvery water does not rock them and the splashing of the liquid does not wet the occupants. It is difficult to accidentally fall from the raft but it can happen, particularly if the rider harbors guilt and sin that would be better treated in the waters than above them.

Charyss and her servants understand that physical suf­ fering is only part of the journey to healing. Contemplation, repentance and acceptance are key lessons that need to be learned. The burning torment of the silver liquid is a visible and confronting element of purification, but is only part of the healing process. Unknown to most visitors to Erebus, Charyss’ Brood does more than police the waters. Other servants work behind the scenes, directly interacting with the Garou’s tortured psyche to aid healing.

Hidden deep within Charyss’ fortress are the halls of the Harrowers and Castigators. The sigil carved onto the Garou creates a mystical link with the silver mirrors that line their walls. The laws of Erebus give access to a werewolf’s body, mind and soul while she is submerged in the silver waters,