When a Garou mates with another Garou and a child is born, the result is a Metis - a sterile, deformed Garou born in Crinos form.  In these last days, when so many Garou are dying and not many are born among the lupus or homids, it is very tempting for some of the remaining Garou to consider producing another Garou this way. Still, the fact that metis are born disfigured is proof enough for most Garou that such offspring are somehow tainted by the Wyrm.

But moreso than their genetics, metis are considered the cursed of Gaia because of the sin that causes their births - their parents' mating was and is proscribed by the Litany, and is considered a perversion amongst the Garou.  That sin is a stigma that usually follows metis for the rest of their lives, as they live in constant punishment for crimes in which they played no part.  They are a living reminder of the temptations that Garou face on a daily basis, and are reviled for it.  Naturally, metis' relationships with their parents tend to be strained by guilt and blame, fostering very little if any love.  Relationships with other Garou are typically marked by wilful ignorance, harassment, and abuse on the part of the other Garou, who only tolerate the metis because they are valuable to the Sept.  Because of this dysfunctional upbringing, many metis grow up hostile and cruel, which only seems to reinforce the negative stereotypes.  Those who do not are tragic figures indeed.

Despite their stigma, metis usually grow up fully aware of their Garou heritage, and have the unmistakable proof of their natural Crinos form that they are Garou from they day they are born. This headstart in the world of Garou is a powerful thing, because metis do not have to go through the traumatic First Change as homids or lupus do, and they often begin learning Gifts even before they show signs of changing. Metis sometimes take their first trips into the Umbra as children, as it is a simple thing for them to step sideways even before they first learn to walk. It is a good thing that a metis has Garou parents; not many human parents could handle a toddler whose natural form is a growling Crinos. Garou mothers usually assume Crinos form in order to give birth to a metis, but the birth is always difficult and dangerous.

Metis endure more scrutiny than the other breeds and those metis caught violating of the Litany are shown little latitude.  And when Renown is to be awarded for deeds done, metis are held to a stricter definition than the other breeds.  Any respect for metis most likely comes from their packs, who bear witness to and benefit most from their (often unrecognized) contributions. Also, due to their almost guaranteed omega status, metis form easy relationships with the Sept Kinfolk.

Despite their unprivileged birth and status, metis as a whole are a remarkably, though passively, proud breed and have among them various philosophies and legends that reveal an oppressed hope. Many believe that a metis lived amongst the lepers in Capernaum, who was cured of her deformity by the blessing of Jesus' touch. Still more believe in a prophecy that reveals that the Garou last standing at the end of the Apocalypse will be a metis in whose fate the entire Garou Nation will rest. Metis also have a number of traditions of celebration among them, the most common one being the Feast of Rohan, who was the child of Ahroun and Philodox (the original Garou of the First Pack). At the feast, the tale of the Rohan's life is recounted as each metis brings something to the feast in recognition that all Garou are needed. Those rare homid or lupus Garou who have shown the metis some measure of respect - public or otherwise - are sometimes invited.

Metis are, by nature, infertile and have at least one disfigurement that is always physically detrimental. This deformity follows them in some fashion regardless of the form they assume. Metis enjoy the major benefits of each form and have perhaps the best understanding of the value each form has to what it means to be Garou. In homid form, metis are able to make comfortable use of their higher reasoning capabilities, though they often carry over some measure of speech impediment which can make interacting with humans difficult and cause them to be misperceived as mentally impaired. There tends to be a bit of distaste among metis for their own homid form, but it is by far the most socially acceptable one and thus it is more commonly used.  In lupus form, the metis appreciate the clarity of purpose, sharpened senses, though they usually do not find the social acceptance many of them (perhaps not so) subconsciously desire.

Were the Veil not threatened by their natural form, metis would almost always choose to exist in their native crinos form. They, like most Garou, simply feel more at ease in it. Moreover, the metis tend to be stronger in crinos form than the other breeds, giving them distinct natural battle advantages.

Attitudes towards other breeds:

Homid: When homids aren't insinuating, insulting, or abusing the metis and call themselves friends, they still flinch when touched and change the subject when personal matters are discussed.  Metis don't hold out much hope that the situation will ever change, but continue to push the "breeders" for acceptance.

Lupus:  Metis who have not become so self-absorbed as to be on the edge of Harano generally appreciate and find sympathy for the lupus, who are now outnumbered by metis in most areas.  The basic directness of lupus - the fact that a lupus will tell a metis he doesn't like him to his face, while a homid would just stare or look the other way - is much easier for metis to deal with.