KOOMU-IN

By Chris Gunning ([email protected])

Prelude

So pup you had your first run in with a leech. Humph, those scars look pretty deep. They got you good... Yes, I know it was "they." Few leeches have the courage to face a Garou by themselves. They invariably gang up on one of our kind. You got out of it better than most. Do not looked so surprised, though the Furies nor the Get will not admit it, we Lords know better. The leeches are very dangerous and have killed many of our kind, from every one of the tribes. The Talons may proclaim to be the greatest leech hunters, but if you are feeling lucky ask one how many of their kin has died at the fangs of a leech. They will not be so proud of it then. In fact, it would be best to run at that time.

Ahhh, I catch myself rambling. Now to bigger and better things. I see your humiliation and moreover, I see the anger seething inside of you. You want revenge against those abominations. Well, keep that rage bottled up for just a bit longer and let me summon some of my friends in a group called the koomu-in. They will be sympathetic to your plight... and your need.

Background

The Koomu-in (pronounced koo moo een) is a multi-tribal camp of vampire hunters. The Koomu-in has existed for over 300 years in Japan. originally the Koomu-in was a camp of Hakken Shadow Lords who had run into the "Pale Ones." The Vampires were consolidating control within a number of the cities in Japan. Before this time the leech threat was fairly minor. Leeches were a small group and vastly over powered by the local Garou. After initial contact with European powers and European kindred the local kindred started moving to take control of many of the instituions of the Shogunates. The Hakken were too involved with other matters to divert their attention to the slow and steady usurption of their power. By the time time matters were seen for what they were, the "Pale Ones" had garnered enough power to be more than a match for the Hakken. The war had been lost and the hakken had not known they were even fighting a battle. Vampire propagation began to rise and soon the leeches were everywhere, firmly entrenched in the cities.

At this time a small contingent of the Hakken who had lost something to the Vampires banded together for the simple cause of revenge. The leech gaijin had shown that they refused to fight honorably, instead attacking from the shadows and in disproprtionate numbers. They fought like cowards and the Garou who sought revenge vowed that the leeches had given up their right to be treated by Bushido. The gathered Garou did not want to disgrace the Hakken as a whole and so instead disavowed themselves from the Hakken. They gathered together and formed the Koomu-in, the servants of the public.

Initially they were declared Ronin by their hakken brethren. Yet, soon the hakken saw the need for the Koomu-in and the service they were providing. Though they did not treat their quarry honorably they still continued to show proper piety and respect to other garou and the world as a whole. The Hakken turned the other way on the doings of the Koomu-in.

The Koomu-in remained a very small camp up until about 100 years ago. With the easier access to transportation and communication, and an increased attention the Japanese were paying to the world, a few Garou, most notably Stargazers and Children of Gaia, became aware of the Koomu-in. With awareness came sympathy and soon thereafter the first non-ShadowLord was allowed into the ranks of the Koomu-in.

After WWII the Koomu-in became more and more diverse. The US occupation led to better relations with the Garou of the US and in 1951 the first Koomu-in uchi (home) was created in San Francisco. The Koomu-in has since spread to other cities. Uchis exist in Dallas, London, Beijing, Morocco, and Tel Aviv.

Current Practices

The Koomu-in has begun taking on a more metropolitan outlook lately. With the new Uichis the Koomu-in, though still small, has become more effective in their attacks and in gathering information on their foes. Currently a number of tribes are represented in the Koomu-in, beyond the ShadowLords. Though there is some commonality to all Koomu-in. The Koomu-in will not accept those Garou blinded by their anger, nor will the Koomu-in accept a Garou who cannot prove he has lost something dear to him to the leeches. A delicate balance must be struck. On one side are anger and rage. On the other side are contemplation and planning.

The Koomu-in have recently begun to utilize more of their time to gaining more and more information on their foes. The easy access to communications, and the relative numbers of leeches is making this job that much easier. Each member of the Koomu-in is expected to hold a good base of knowledge on the Vampires. Their physiology and mentality are of extreme importance. As is a knowledge of Kindred politics. Each memeber is also expected to have a specialization, be it the Camarilla, the Giovanni, or blood magic. This specialization helps keep the information flowing as each member gains more and more information on their specialization. This specialization also helps cut down on the vast sea of knowldge that the leeches represent.

To enter the Koomu-in one must petition a Uichi. The uichi spends a year reviewing the applicant and her cause against the leeches. Any number of tests are preformed by the Uichi, most without the applicants knowledge. As a final test the Uichi has a Koomu-in go through all the steps of a hunt. If she is successful and goes through the correct process, then the applicant becomes a Koomu-in.

Incidentally, no Garou less than Rank 2 is allowed into the Koomu-in. They are seen as too impetuous for addmittance. Also, Philodox are rarely accepted. In the Koomu-in there is no need to discuss or mediate. There is to be no truce, no cease fire, only execution.

The Attack

The Koomu-in is a group that takes its job very seriously. Planning and the utilization of all available resources is expected when a Koomu-in goes on a hunt. A Koomu-in is also expected to bring along at least another Garou on the hunt; usually this garou is another Koomu-in. It is not uncommon for whole packs to follow a Koomu-in on a hunt. The Koomu-in know the leeches are very cautious and are not easy to just randomly kill. Instead months of preparation is done. The prey leech is investigated. Things like nightly habits, resting place during the day, allies, enemies, disciplines, and anything else pertinet in gained. Meathods for the attack include using the Umbra and mystical Rites, in fact anything that will help and put the prey off balance. The plan of attack is then proposed to the eldest Koomu-in in the Uichi (called the Senpai) and if it is approved (or as is often the case, modified then approved)the attack begins. The hunter is expected to kill or be killed. The Koomu-in is expected to be a remorseless slayer.

Koomu-in stereotypes

Shadow Lords: They are what the Koomu-in began with, and what it is today. Numerous Bringers of Light and Hakken fill our ranks and bring final death to those deserving. They know the value of surprise, of the shadows, of bringing all to bear. The Shadow Lords have led, and will always lead the Koomu-in. Any other tribe would not be the ruthless leaders, as well as rational warriors the Koomu-in needs.

Children of Gaia: Many are too caring to be Koomu-in. There is however, a significant minority that sees all humanity as their ward, and will not tolerate the Wyrm, in the guise of a leech, hurt humanity. It is these warriors who seek to protect that make some of the most effective Koomu-in. They know anger, yet their tribal teechings have shown them how to manipulate that anger, and it is that manipulation that separates a Koomu-in from a regular Garou.

Stargazers: They more than any other tribe knows the balance the Koomu-in seeks. They have taught us much in these few years, and have killed many of our opponents with more than just fang and claw. I am thankful for their mentorship and insights. I only wish more sought out the Koomu-in's ranks.

Silent Striders: A few Harbringers and Bitter Hexers are part of the Koomu-in. They are a great boon as we seek more and more information on the leeches. It is interesting how they seek our aid to eliminate the Setites from their homeland. I, for one, am all too willing to aid a Strider Koomu-in in their quest.

Bone Gnawers: The Gnawers are another boon to our information networks. They have an ability to gain information that no one else can come across. If only they achieved the balance easier, Buddha knows there are many that have cause against the leeches. If you ever run across their ronin, their 'Hood, watch him carefully. There may be a Koomu-in there hidden behind all that anger.

Get of Fenris and Red Talons: They can only rarely find the balance. I have never met one that would serve well in the Koomu-in.

Black Furies: They are too diverse of a lot to group together. Many can find the balance and have cause. Take them individually.

Silver Fangs: Their egos and rivalry with the Lords too often gets in the way of the duty of a Koomu-in. Still, many a Silver Fang fleeing Russia has begun the road as an applicant. Few passed.

Uktena: They rarely seek the Koomu-in. I would gladly accept one, for they hold knowledge that I have never heard even rumors of.

Wendigo: Their anger can often be directed. I know of a few Wendigo who serve the Koomu-in well. You must be careful, though. They harbor a hatred deeper than yours and mine, and so must be monitored constantly.

Fianna: They are another diverse lot. They have little control in many matters and so would not serve the Koomu-in well. There are exceptions though.

Glass Walkers: They walk a dark path shoulder to shoulder with the leeches. There are those within the tribe who stalk the vampires on their own turf, and some of them have sought the Koomu-in. Their expertise was readily accepted.

A Koomu-in Lectures

Your plan is well thought through, there will be some modifacation however. Still, the plan is innovative. I approve, and with your permission I will assign those who will aid your hunt.