The power to command others skillfully is an aptitude many desire but few possess. To sway another’s will requires courage and strength of mind, as well as a modicum of subtlety. Spirit teachers typically bestow these powers on Uratha (or on a lineage of werewolves) to whom they owe gratitude. Storm Lords and Rahu have affinity for Dominance; Elodoth and pack leaders often learn these Gifts as well. Teachers of Dominance Gifts are usually ancestor-spirits, girt with appropriate symbols of authority and command. Werewolves cannot use Dominance Gifts on targets who possess more dots in the same tribal primary Renown. A Storm Lord with Honor 3 (the primary Renown of the tribe) cannot use one of these Gifts on another of the Forsaken with Honor 4 or 5. That intended subject can be another Lord or simply a werewolf of another tribe with a higher Honor Renown.
Dominance Gifts do not function against other supernatural entities; they are Gifts that allow werewolves to establish dominance among themselves and their relatives. A werewolf can use a Dominance Gift only against other werewolves, the wolf-blooded, or ordinary humans.
Gift List
Warning Growl (•)
This Gift is the simplest of the secrets of Dominance, lending supernatural power to the sort of growl an alpha wolf uses to warn off a potential rival. The werewolf using this Gift growls deeply and loudly while focusing his gaze on a particular target, striking sudden doubt into her heart and affecting her ability to face her opponent. The target must be able to hear the growl to be affected.
Luna’s Dictum (••)
With this Gift, the werewolf is able to articulate a command of no more than a few words and compel obedience. Some werewolves choose to speak these words in a soft, subtle whisper. Others prefer bellowing orders. This Gift cannot harm those who hear it, either directly or indirectly; it simply conveys a brief impulse to surrender to the werewolf’s authority.
Voice of Command (•••)
At this level of Dominance, the werewolf learns to voice more complex and subtle decrees, in a tone that demands attention and respect. A thread of anger runs through the werewolf’s words, making everyone in earshot take notice of his declarations.
When activated, this Gift affects up to three targets, each of whom contests the roll separately. The player suffers a –1 penalty on the activation roll for each intended target after the first. Therefore, some subjects might obey while others resist.
Break the Defiant (••••)
A werewolf with this level of power is able to project a force of presence that strips away a target’s desire to resist. The werewolf snarls in a tone full of menace, chilling the target to the marrow.
Tug the Soul’s Strings (•••••)
With this level of mastery, a werewolf understands genuine coercion, forcing others to do things even against their will. While the affected person doesn’t harm himself, the werewolf calling upon this Gift can incite her to perform deeds that defy her identity and to cause harm to others, even if the target is normally harmless and gentle.
