The half moon reflects the dualties of Garou natures: wolf and Human, flesh and spirit, fury and wisdom, darkness and light. The Philodox is counselor, mediator and lawkeeper of the pack. Just as the Ragabash lives for laughter, the Philodox is born with the wisdom and desire to judge fairly the actions of her people, be those actions bright or ugly. She can't help but try to solve every dispute that falls in her path; such is the role Luna has destined for her. In times of peace, the ranking Philodox is often the leader of the pack. In times of war, she may well give over this mantle to the ranking Galliard or Ahroun. A wise Half Moon bears no grudge and understands that stepping down in such situations is likely for the best. Among the ultra-competitive werewolves, this behavior exemplifies her natural desire for balance and order more than any other.
The Philodox often takes the role of alpha in her pack, although it's more common for Ahroun to lead in times of war. Whether she gains a leadership position or not, she's expected to remain impartial where her packmates are concerned; it's a poor Half Moon who favors one packmate over another. The Philodox also has the responsibility to keep the laws of the Garou in mind -- if a packmate is straying dangerously close to violating the Litany, the Philodox should be the first one to notice and warn him against going any further. This responsibility extends even beyond the pack; a good Philodox is concerned with the honor of each and every werewolf she meets. Of course, it's all too easy for such a Half Moons to become quickly disillusioned in these desperate times...
Initial Rage: 3
Gifts
Resist Pain (Level One): Through force of will, the Philodox is able to ignore the pain of his wounds and continue acting normally. A Bear-spirit teaches this Gift.
Scent of the True Form (Level One): This Gift allows the Garou to determine the true nature of a person. This information is conveyed as an olfactory sensation -- it is actually a scent of the target's natural form. Any spirit servant of Gaia can teach this Gift.
Truth of Gaia (Level One): As judges of the Litany, Philodox have the ability to sense whether others have spoken truth or falsehood. A Gaffling of Falcon teaches this Gift.
Call to Duty (Level Two): Any spirit the Philodox knows by name is a potential servitor. With this Gift, the werewolf can summon and command any spirit she knows by name. Only one command is possible at a time, and the spirit departs after fulfilling the one request. An Incarna avatar teaches this Gift.
King of the Beasts (Level Two): The Philodox's authority extends even into the realm of beasts, such that he can command the loyalty of any specific animal. If successful, the animal follows his commands willingly and unconditionally. This Gift only works on one animal at a time within 100 feet of the werewolf and does not attract animals to the Garou. The closer the animal in question is to the Garou, as in relationship-wise, the easier it is to control them. A Sibling will be alot easier to control than a hostile creature, for example. A Lion- or Falcon-spirit teaches this Gift.
Strength of Purpose (Level Two): Some Garou feel so strongly about their place in the pack, the tribe and the world that they can draw on this resolve in times of need. The Philodox can pull new resolve from his deepest reserves, restoring his Willpower. A Wolf-spirit teaches this Gift.
Sense Balance (Level Three): As the arbitrators of the Garou Nation, the Philodox have developed an attunement with the precarious forces that balance the world and the individual alike. This Gift allows the user to detect an overabundance of any of the prime forces of the universe, whether Wyrm, Wyld or Weaver. It can point out a Bane manifestation at an industrial plant or mental instability in a packmate. A Cat-spirit teaches a friendly Garou this Gift in exchange for a warm fire and a promise not to chase her kin.
Weak Arm (Level Three): Philodox are masters of judgement, and this trait extends even into the fields of battle. By watching an opponent's fighting style, the werewolf can evaluate his strengths and weaknesses. Snake- and Wind-spirits teach this Gift.
Wisdom of the Ancient Ways (Level Three): All werewolves have an innate connection to their anscestors, a form of racial unconsciou accessible through intense meditation. The Philodox can tap into these deep memories to remember ancient facts and lore. An Ancestor-spirit teaches this Gift.
Roll Over (Level Four): The Philodox can call upon her power to radiate a commanding presence that compels others to submit to her. Should she succeed in a test of wills, she dominates her foe, which causes humans to fall to their knees and wolves to roll on their backs. The victim will make no actions other than submission unless in direct danger. Either a Lion-or a Wolf-spirit teaches this Gift.
Scent of Beyond (Level Four): The werewolf can bring all his senses to bear on one spot with which he is familiar (even an Umbral site), no matter how far away that spot is. The Philodox senses the site from a point of view as if he were standing in the middle of the area being scanned. A Bird-spirit teaches this Gift.
Take the True Form (Level Four): The Philodox with this power can force a Garou into her breed form. This Gift is especially useful to abate a frenzy, prevent damage from silver or take a combative advantage. A Wolf-spirit teaches a worthy Philodox the workings of this Gift.
Geas (Level Five): This Gift places its target under a geas, a sacred oath to obey the Philodox's bidding. The geas cannot make the targets act contrary to their basic instincts (such as self-preservation). Therefore, she could send a group on a quest, but she could not make its members attack and try to kill each other -- unless they were psychotics or werewolves without pack bonds. An Incarna avatar teaches this Gift.
Wall of Granite (Level Five): Philodox have a stronger relationship with the elementals of the earth than do other werewolves, for just as the earth upholds those upon it, the Philodox uphold their people's ways. While in contact with earth or rock, the Philodox can invoke a wall to protect himself. This wall will move with the Garou, defending him from all angles. Earth elementals teach this Gift.
Philodox