A major part of communicating with spirits is an understanding of chiminage. Chiminage is the offering made by a shapeshifter, or a rare spiritually-aware human, when requesting a spirit’s favor or blessing. Chiminage is the means by which she shows proper respect to a spirit and how highly she values its blessings. It’s possible that chiminage, representing the notion that sacrifice and cooperation benefit the world as a whole, is an inherent aspect of Gaia Herself.

Almost every spirit innately understands the concept of chiminage and expects it when dealing with petitioners. The exceptions are almost always those Wyld spirits whose chaotic natures don’t allow for upholding agreements and pacts. Even then, however, the right offering can get their attention and possibly their assistance. Chiminage is almost a language of its own, and wise Garou who speak it well can forge the sorts of agreements that once led to Incarna offering patronage to the tribes of the Garou Nation.

Understanding how and when to offer chiminage is practically a basic survival skill in the Umbra. Requesting a spirit’s aid and failing to offer a favor of equal or greater magnitude is the equivalent of telling the spirit that its assistance means so little it’s not worth paying for. If the spirit has an easygoing nature and the shapeshifter is having a very good day, the spirit might simply refuse to help. Spirits with an aggressive or proud nature, not to mention spirits of war or predatory creatures, are likely to respond with direct and sudden violence.

Chiminage can — and often is — the best way to make amends to a spirit that has been offended or wronged in some way. A shapeshifter who hasn’t stepped on any toes can also use chiminage to earn a good reputation with a given spirit or brood, which might lead to an increase in Renown. Word of such generosity travels fast among spirits and maintaining a good reputation is its own reward. Black Spiral Dancers known for dealing fairly with Banes actually disgust some Gaian spirits less than they otherwise would. Sometimes a spirit performing a favor for a shapeshifter goes a little above and beyond, possibly leaving him owing it a little something extra. In turn, he is expected to offer a favor in thanks, and thus begins a long-standing cycle of spirit and shapeshifter maintaining ties of mutual cooperation by continuously one-upping each other on favors.

Chiminage can take a number of different forms. The most common is a quest on the spirit’s behalf, often to improve the spirit’s purview or station in some way. Some spirits simply want the Garou to socially promote its abilities and generosity so everyone knows they can also deal with it.