Many werewolf packs shape their territory to suit their tastes. Physically, doing so might involve planting trees where more belong or slaughtering humans that detract from the territory’s worth. Changes to the spirit world in a pack’s territory take much longer to effect — with a few exceptions. The Chosen Ground Rite is one. This ritual allows a pack to infuse the spirit reflection of its territory with the kind of Essence that members prefer, influencing the area’s resonance and hopefully attracting specific sorts of spirits while repelling unwanted ones.
Performing the Rite
The Rite of Chosen Ground is usually performed as the culmination of a pack’s efforts to shape its territory. The rite requires the presence of a locus as the focal point. The actual details of the rite vary greatly between packs, as the particulars depend on the sort of resonance the group attempts to invoke. For example, an effort to bring out the resonance of strength may involve rituals of mock combat, heavy exercise and the erection of standing stones or other large monuments that attest to the power of the builders. Invoking a resonance of fear in an attempt to discourage humans and others from entering the pack’s territory might involve carefully orchestrated (but random-seeming) acts of violence or ritually causing Lunacy in humans. The pack engages in appropriate activity for four hours each night or day, culminating with an hour of elaborate ritual led by the ritemaster.
