Pre-1930's
It's hard to have a detailed history for any Bone Gnawer lineage. With the Nash family, lineage however is important. Regardless of whether you are a Nash by birth or by adoption, you are remembered. Thusly the line of Nash is told through tales spun at the campfire, as such accuracy is questionable. Still, there are a few tales that remain the same throughout time.
Owen Byrne is considered the originator of the Nash line. A Bone Gnawer hailing from Ireland, he came over to the U.S with a wave of hopeful immigrants between 1822 and 1830, the exact date of his arrival is unclear as somehow he was able to dodge proper immigration procedure and remained undocumented for entirety of his life. Unable to deal with the overbearing hustle and mass of people in New York, he quickly left and traveled west, eventually settling in Arkansas and claiming a territory for himself in the Ozarks.
Though a mostly solitary wolf, he did join the local Caern of the Green Wood. Still, despite being part of this Caern he was packless. Whether it was from being particular about those he joined up with, or looked down upon for various reasons, the actual reason is a mystery. During his time there, Owen (now Owen Nash) fell in love with a local woman and started a family. The Nash family. Fathering three cubs with his mate, he turned his sights on expanding his family quickly.
Actively, he began to seek out those Bone Gnawers without Caerns, packs or folks to rely on. Pulling them into the family with promises of safety and security. All they had to do, was be loyal to him. Many of the other unrelated wolves discarded Nash as a eccentric, if not useful wolf to have around. It's also rumored he was particularly vicious in a fight. He was quick, efficient and more importantly ruthless. Fighting every fight, no matter if it was a simple challenge or a battle with the Wyrm as if his life depended on it. Despite his proclivities in battle he knew when to hold back his claws and never lost himself enough to slay a fellow Caern member. He was feared though with some saying it was only a matter of time before he was struck down for his near rabid ways.
During Owen's time the family prospered, and quickly became known for adopting their patriarchs style of combat. The Nash family grew to seven Garou and six Kinfolk and it quickly became clear...they needed to expand. Nash, now an elderly wolf, which was a rarity among the Garou, sent out his blood born sons and his daughter further west. One son claiming a home in Oklahoma, not far from Arkansas, A daughter near Albuquerque and the final Son in Arizona, settling in with The Sept of the Story Rock.
Nash soon passed away after his last battle with the Wyrm, dying of injuries sustained, surrounded by adopted Kin and his mate.
California
Bettsy Nash, a female Garou and natural born Nash was peculiar for a Nash. Unlike her other kin who eschewed civilization. Bettsy took to enjoying the sights, sounds and opportunities of the city. So when she was tasked, as were most blood-Nash, to go out and start her own line of Nash's, she turned her sights on California. Taking with her a selection of Garou and Kinfolk. She had heard of the opportunities the state provided and after the trials of the dust bowl for many of her kin and the Great Depression, it was a easy and logical choice to make. Not quite enamored with civilization enough to live in L.A proper, she claimed land just outside the city and she and the family she had brought with her quickly set up and became known for their warm, inviting and most importantly safe community. She herself lacked the fighting and killing instinct her family was known for, while able to hold her own in a fight, she preferred to focus on spiritual and physical health. Her sect of the family reflected this. Adopting a reputation as healers and folks who could provide counsel. If you needed healing or someone to get advice from, you went to the Nash's. Less secular, more inviting. The Nash's in L.A were either loved or respected, though still thought odd.
They flourished for a while but the encroaching city threatened them, the family tried to encourage push back against the city, most desperate to keep a boundary between them and society, but Bettsy refused, and in her easy going, good humored way was content to just exist and provide aid to others. After a while though the numbers of disillusioned Nash's grew as the city streets began to overwhelm their territory. Slowly the family dwindled back East, heading to old Hunting grounds, setting up new families away from L.A and Nash's, in L.A were a thing of the past. It is unclear how Bettsy Nash passed away or what happened to the few lone Nash's still trying to make it a go. What is clear is that by the twentieth first century, not one Nash remained in California.
Valentine Nash
From one of those families who had left California, Valentine Nash was born. He was of the Bettsy line of Nash's and predictably, took to medicine and healing when it was time for him to choose a path of service. Also predictably, the stories of the California Nash's and the loyalty he felt for his direct ancestors drove him. He was a particularly joy filled child. Rarely did he show tears, always giggling or smiling. He was blessed it was said, with a unflappable disposition. It was also noticed he had a particular mental fortitude about him and...a deep seated, rarely seen viciousness. Like Nash of old, when he fought, he fought with fervor, though unlike Nash of old, he did so with that calm, infuriating smile. Rarely was he bullied by other children and often, even when he lost, it was felt to the victor that somehow, Valentine still had come out on top.
Valentine grew into an adult, his childhood disposition staying with him. Because of his dedication to service to the family and his skillful ways, he was chosen to teach the next line of Nash Kinfolk and would begin to travel around the Nash U.S territories training young Kinfolk in survival, often setting out with groups of five or more for extended trips into the wilderness. It isn't clear what happened to Valentine in the Appalachian mountains, all that is known is the Kin under his care were lost and he was gravely injured. Stories have been told, but they are surely, too fantastic too believe. After that incident, where others might blame themselves or fall into depression, Valentine Nash was instead renewed with a sense of purpose. Despite grievously harmed, whatever had happened spurred him to rebuild Bettsy's legacy and he moved to California, calling on all Nashes willing to join him.
Defining Features and Opinions
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- Nash Kinfolk tend to take on support roles, less focused on pure combat prowess.
- Nash Kinfolk are almost fanatically loyal to Garou, but among Nash Garou are given a level of leeway when it comes to how vocal they can be about issues.
- Nash Garou are fiercely protective of their Kin and take special pride in being a 'Nash'.
- Nash Garou come from any tribe, but must be a Bone Gnawer upon adoption unless they were Born a Nash
- Nash Kinfolk frequently have Reputation: Bone Gnawer.
- Nash's tend to adopt southern accents of varying degree's regardless of where they originate from. Whether naturally or an adoption, this is almost universal.
- Nash's tend to be the oddballs, cast-offs and weirdo's even among Bone Gnawers.
- Nash's are usually down to earth country folk. Bordering on Hillfolk types. There are exceptions of course.
- Natural born Nash are considered as close as a Bone Gnawer can get to being a pure-blood for some. While there's a special pride that comes with this, it doesn't make their voice any more important or valued than other family members.
View on Metis
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Historically, the Nash family has had an abnormal number of Metis members when compared to other families of Kin and Garou. However, it must be noted there has not been one documented case of a naturally born Nash who was born a Metis. Due to the nature of how Nash's recruit, the alone, packless. Metis are often pulled into the family and shown the support and care they would lack elsewhere while the Nash's hold firm to the Litany. The rumors of cousins' marrying and mating is less of a rumor and more of a fact in the past history of the family, but never (at least as far as is provable) between Garou.
Regardless, Metis are respected members of the family. Shown the same respect and care as any other Garou, for all are equal in the eyes of Mama Rat.
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