Places

Level Five Caern Rite This is a variation of the Rite of Caern Building that links two parts of the spirit world rather than the physical and spirit worlds. It also draws the attention of spirits but these will not necessarily be minions of the Wyrm. The Storyteller decides if these onlookers have hostile intentions or are merely curious.

This rite is simultaneously performed on both sides of the Membrane. Ritemasters must find ways of synchronizing their steps. Some use Gifts to link skilled drummers who beat the time on both sides, others experiment with time­ piece fetishes that keep time with each other no matter the distance between them.

An object of value — the anchor — is ritually divided in two. The rite’s magic cleanly breaks the anchor regardless of how difficult it would normally be to cleave. Many rite­ masters favor Pathstones (W20, p207) but any object they value will work.

If the rite succeeds, an Anchorhead opens between the anchors — both appear whole again. Close examination reveals the restored half is ghost-like and unreal. If either one is destroyed, the Anchorhead instantly collapses. Small Realms start to form around the mouths of the new Anchor­ head; within a few hours they develop a theme according to the natures and subconscious desires of the ritemasters.

System

Each ritemaster makes an extended Wits + Rituals roll, difficulty 8. Each roll takes one hour performing the rite. Storytellers may modify the difficulty depending on steps taken by the ritemasters to synchronize their actions.

Each ritemaster requires five successes. If one ritemaster gains the required successes before the other she must continue her ritual — and rolling the dice — until the other ritemaster succeeds. If at any time either ritemaster botches, not only does the rite fail, but his half of the anchor becomes spiritually disrupted and no longer suitable to form an Anchorhead.

The Storyteller should detail Anchorheads as elaborately as the chronicle requires. Frequently-visited Anchorheads, or those that are focal points of a chronicle, should be evoc­ ative and encourage characters to engage with their theme. The Storyteller should also describe key personalities found tending to the Anchorhead, and the attitude they hold to their visitors. The following examples demonstrate how widely Anchorheads and their keepers can differ, while still all being essential tools to the Garou nation.