Werewolf: Beyond the Gauntlet

 One of the most exciting aspects of the Werewolf: the Apocalypse cosmology is the Umbra, or spirit world. Separated from the polluted physical world by the Gauntlet, a wall of sorts that arose once the Wyrm became corrupted, the Umbra is the soul of Gaia. It's a place of mystery, wonder, and horror for the Werewolves (or Garou, to use their own name for themselves). It also provides a link to the Tribes' ancestors and to various realms that allow Storytellers and players to explore aspects of the game in more depth. As such, I'd argue it's a vital part of the game and without it Werewolf wouldn't be as interesting or as relevant to the world today. 

The Triat

Before I go any further, I feel I need to discuss the Triat. This consists of three spirits, each of represents part of creation and destruction. The Wyld, a whirling chaos, is primal and creates energy. The Weaver, usually seen as a huge spider, shapes that energy into material things. The Wyrm destroys them, to keep the universe balanced. In a perfect system, there would be equilibrium, but it's been a long time since the World of Darkness knew anything even resembling balance. I

Old tales say that the Weaver gained sentience and made moves to capture the Wyrm in her webs to stop it destroying her creations. This drove the Wyrm mad, and created the mess where it's now not only destroying things that have come to the ends of their lives or existences; it wants to destroy everything. 

The Penumbra

Within the Umbra, there are many realms and in a strange way it reaches out beyond the physical aspect of Gaia. Most Werewolves only know the nearest aspect, or "Penumbra", which creates a reflection of the physical world. Here there are spirit cities, choked with the Weaver's spiderwebs and the many Weaver spirits that seek out those who would disrupt the webs. Neon glows through the choking silk - which is as strong as steel beams - and the Wyrm's corrupting influence. These "scabs" are sickening and scream out for help, but it would take a strong pack to free them from these hideous influences. In addition, it's divided into different Domains, dependent on which power has claimed it. Hellholes, Blights and Webs for example, are areas dominated by the Weaver and Wyrm and reflect their influence. In contrast, Glens are inhabited the spirits of Wyld and suffused with Gaian manifestations. In addition, in Werewolf 20th Anniversary Edition at least, there's mention of Trods (page 315), or Faerie roads that the Fianna Tribe find significant. 

These areas contrast with the spaces outside human control, which are idyllic and beautiful, invoking the sublime. The Garou often dwell in the more beautiful, natural, areas of the world and the game can create an element of urban versus rural where Werewolves who choose to dwell in cities are seen as dangerous. It often creates quite a stark comparison, but I feel it can often brush over places that sit in between - small towns and villages, farmland, and so on seems to get overlooked. It's one of those things that betrays the more American aspects of the game's set up, if only because in the UK, if the Garou lived far away from cities they'd be restrained to only a few parts of the British Isles. 

One reason for the focus on the Penumbra is that the Wyrm's corruption is focused on the material world. It wants humans to help it ruin things, and often uses them as its eyes, ears, and hands. The deeper Umbra is still dangerous, and the Wyrm, and bane spirits, are still very dangerous, but there's also more variety. 

Garou access the Umbra through reflective surfaces, be that a mirror or a pool of water. The size of the mirror doesn't matter, a compact in a woman's purse or a puddle works as well as an immense dance studio's mirror or a lake. This requirement can be circumvented through some Gifts (which we discussed last time) or a Fetish like an Umbral Key. In addition, Caerns, centres of spiritual power, often puncture the Gauntlet to some extent. They're few and far between in the modern world but despite the werewolves diminishing power, they're still important and serve a strong purpose for the Garou Nation. 

The Near Umbra

Beyond the Penumbra, lies the Near Umbra which is most often reached by Moon Bridge, originating from a Garou Caern (I suppose the easiest way to describe it is akin to travelling by the Star Gate from that TV series), but sometimes a pack may find a path that leads from the Penumbra to the Near Umbra. Physically, the Near Umbra is a swirling haze where man realms drift bathed by Luna's light. Thirteen realms drift through the haze, each of which has its own rules. These are the Abyss, the Aetherial Realm, The Arcadia Gateway (which appears to be Faerie), The Atrocity Realm, The Battleground, The CyberRealm, Erebus, Flux, The Legendary Realm, Pangaea, Scar, Summer Country, and Wolfhome. They range from horrific places, Scar and The Atrocity Realm in particular are harrowing places recalling the worst parts of human history, as does The Legendary Realm a large part of which recreates the Impergium - the period of Garou history that saw them cull humans to keep numbers down and which probably accounts for humanity's antipathy towards them. Other realms, such as Erebus and Wolfhome are realms designed to teach lessons - Erebus allows Garou to purge their souls of wrong doing through suffering, while in Wolfhome they must navigate entirely in Lupus form, often pursued across pristine wilderness by helicopter riding hunters. 

The Near Umbra also contains Malfeas, the Wyrm's domain, a rent in the fabric of reality that leads to the mad Triat member's home - which is a mixture of a Hieronymus Bosch painting and the worst photos and footage of atrocities you can imagine. Here the Wyrm's servants dwell , their slaves labour and misery abound. It's a deeply unpleasant place. 

The Deep Umbra

Finally, we have the Deep Umbra, which sits beyond the Near Umbra and is separated from it by The Membrane, which acts a little like the Gauntlet - but is far more difficult to cross. Here reality breaks down, and the Umbra becomes nigh on unnavigable. The Deep Umbra is the home of the Weaver, Wyld, and Wyrm, and appears to reflect those that travel there, shaping the experience to reflect their identities. 

Next week, we'll turn our attention to surviving the Umbra, how to travel it, the sorts of challenges you'll find there, and the battles to be fought there. We may also dip into how to convey the Umbra through good storytelling. 

What’s your favourite story or encounter involving the Umbra? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear how the spirit world has shaped your games!"