The Storm Watch are a group of wolves who both worship and study the ocean, they believe they occupy a vital role in the survival of other Tolas wolves and wildlife by warning them of incoming Oceanic dangers. They are both highly religious and highly studious, relying on both the in depth study of the Ocean, shoreline and weather patterns to predict oncoming hurricanes, storms and other Ocean disasters as well as a highly developed religious culture designed to 'appease' the Ocean which they view as a predatory element who will eventually, despite the Storm Watch's best efforts, wipe out all life as they know it.
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:22 am
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Seasonal Information
22 March - 21 June : Spring 22 June - 21 September : Summer 22 September - 21 December : Fall 22 December - 21 March : Winter
Summer Weather: The ocean moderates this region, making the atmosphere moist and temperate. Summers tend to be sunny with the hottest time of year in mid-summer. Thick foliage in the region keeps the region cool throughout even the warmest days. Rain-showers occur every few weeks and the moisture in the forest mean most summer mornings in the midlands begins as fog or mist. Storms will pass through every few weeks, bringing light showers but rarely lightning. If lightning does strike, it will occasionally set fires in the grasslands. About three times a year, small tornadoes will touch down in this area, twisting trees like twigs. Hurricanes rarely reach this far north, though may dissipate into dramatic summer ocean storms with violent winds and pelting rain. Ocean Conditions (Summer) - Ocean temperatures begin to warm until late summer, where they are at their hottest. At this time, the water is akin to a light, cool breeze; it is definitely cooler than the air, but not by a lot. Sharks and large other marine species can be seen off the coast most often during this time, taking advantage of the warmer ocean waters. Dolphins are an extremely common occurrence. Their fins and the fins of many other types marine life can be seen breaking the water in pods while they chase spawning fish species. Mist and fog readily forms over the ocean in the morning, though it burns off by midday. The sky, however, must be watched for storms as this time of year strong summer storms can blow in from the southeast. Hurricanes, though rare, also sometimes occur.
Pack Status/Announcements
Sept 1st 2014 - Thread Creation
JetAlmeara
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:35 am
The Storm Watch have existed in their ocean side home since shortly before the Timekeeper/Sunlord war after, as their creation story says, a great disaster lead to their creation.
Creation Story
The packs lived together fairly amicably but differed rather drastically in their world views, the first pack were lazy and slothful, brightly colored wolves of red's and oranges they spent most of their time lazing around on the beach and swimming in the shallows.When they did hunt these wolves did not bother to take care with their hunting habits driving the herds and shore wildlife away, threw their waste and bones into the Ocean or left them to litter the shore. The second pack were dominated mainly by blues, tans and sea-green coloration, they were a hard working pack who took care with their lands and waste, they respected the land they lived on but the terrible ways of the other pack were hurting them. Hunting was bad, the shoreline was rife with waste bringing scavengers and disease.
The hard working pack spent a great deal of time trying to clean up the shore and manage the herds so that there would be plenty of food for the coming cold season - but it was all to no avail and the pack was considering moving inland away from the lazy careless pack, it was a terrible thought to leave the ocean but the pack would have to do what it must in order to survive.
The night before the pack was supposed to make the move a terrible storm blew in from the ocean. It was the worst storm any in the pack had witnessed, the wind blew so hard that trees were snapped in half, waves crashed against the cliffs and flooded the low lands with a vengeance. The wolves cowered in the darkness and waited for the storm to pass fearing that they would be swept away at any moment.
When finally, after several days, the storm broke and sunlight once more filled the sky the hardworking pack shook their fur and took stock of the situation. The land was broken..but clean, the filth of the lazy pack had been swept away by the storms fury and surprisingly all of the hard working pack had survived. Of the lazy pack only a few stragglers were found, the rest had been swept away.
The hard working pack consulted one another and concluded that the Ocean itself had been terribly angered by the actions of the lazy pack, it had come in the night and brought it's own version of justice. The hard working pack considered going through with their plans of leaving but now, with the filthy pack decimated and the sea returned to its normal placid self well, they were loath to leave their homes - besides the Ocean had spared them and that had to mean it wanted them there.
So the pack stayed, but changes were made, it was obvious that the Ocean required some extra care and the pack would see to it that it was so, the survivors of the lazy pack were cared for but they had sinned against the Ocean and were tainted for life, a crime that they and their descendants were condemned to spend eternity trying to atone for. Thus the Storm Watch was created, devoting themselves to studying and appeasing the Ocean in order to keep it from swallowing Tola's whole in it's terrible anger.
Relationships & History with other Packs
Sunlords - Due to their rumored coloring the Storm Watch believe these wolves to be related to the lazy wolves who offended the ocean in the first place. It is well that they live far away from the Ocean's view otherwise they would surely bring about the end of days Storm. Because of this the Storm Watch make no great attempt to extend their Howl code that far in order to warn these wolves and generally don't think very highly of them even though they haven't had any contact with them as far as anyone can remember (Which is probably a good thing as the mountains would make this difficult anyways).
TimeKeepers - The Storm Watch have a great respect for the Timekeepers because of their studious ways when it comes to time, The Storm Watch consider the Timekeepers the chosen of the land the way they are the chosen of the Ocean. The Storm Watchers are not against handing out information about Ocean conditions or trading sea goods for seasonal information about the land when they get the chance. The two packs were introduced to one another through the Mountain Guard.
Mountain Guard - The Pack has been known to make use of the Guard's services for transgressions which do not directly offend the Ocean (typically these are Temporary Sentences as those who do something bad enough to warrant a life sentence would just be sacrificed). The Storm Watch happily send Signal Wolves and Scouts to fulfill the Bears payment for use of their services. While the work is hard the Pack see this as a good way to further Pack relations. Ranger wolves first made contact with the Mountain Guard many generations ago, they saw in the Guard a way to handle minor transgressions, rules which much be followed in order to keep the Pack running smoothly but whose breaking did not warrant anything so drastic as a sacrifice.
Overseers - The overseers are seen as displaced scholars who did not appease the sky the way they should have - leading to the fateful lightning strike which killed their tree. Their hostile manner towards outsiders however have kept the Storm Watch ambassadors from making contact and the pack doesn't really know much about them.
The Spiritwalkers - Because of the distance between the packs and the mountains The Storm Watch have little knowledge of the Spiritwalkers practices and beliefs, like the Sunlords what they do know is based upon rumors and passed on information gleaned from wanderers. The Storm Watch consider the Spiritwalkers to be deeply misguided as only elements of nature and not wildlife should be worshiped.
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:37 am
Quadrant 1 Spot A
Available Prey: Beaver (most common in winter), deer (very common), duck, elk (common), fish (common), geese, moose (rare), opossum, rabbits or hare, squirrels
Weather
Summer: The ocean moderates this region, making the atmosphere moist and temperate. Summers tend to be sunny with the hottest time of year in mid-summer. Thick foliage in the region keeps the region cool throughout even the warmest days. Rain-showers occur every few weeks and the moisture in the forest mean most summer mornings in the midlands begins as fog or mist. Storms will pass through every few weeks, bringing light showers but rarely lightning. If lightning does strike, it will occasionally set fires in the grasslands. About three times a year, small tornadoes will touch down in this area, twisting trees like twigs. Hurricanes rarely reach this far north, though may dissipate into dramatic summer ocean storms with violent winds and pelting rain.
Fall: Rain clouds form every week as opposed to every few weeks. The cool water on the warm ground often produces steam, and late fall is characterized by thick fogs and mists that make the forests eerie and strange. Sound is distorted, and traveling is often hindered. Sometimes, visibility is so poor that animals have been known to walk into trees and other stationary objects. The weather is relatively mild, comprised of mostly rain with the occasional bout of hail.
Winter: Winters here are relatively cool and mild in temperature, but exceedingly wet. So much rain falls, in fact, that the winding region of the Ofis River often overtops its banks and floods the lowlands. The amount of moisture in the air means that rain is constantly falling, however this moisture also keeps the air from being unbearably frigid. Temperatures may occasionally reach freezing during the night in the winter and every few years a few inches of snow will fall. Gusts of wind are very rare, as are temperatures that fall below freezing.
Spring: Days alternate between thunderstorms bearing rain or hail and sunny days. By this time, the weather is usually pleasant for all: sunny with scattered clouds and a light breeze. Tornadoes usually form once or twice during spring, though they are extremely short lived and may never touch down. Starting mid-spring and extending into late-spring, wildflowers grow in droves in the grasslands and area which was flooded by the winding Ofis River during winter.
Ocean Waters
The ocean here is more violent and colder than in Quadrant 4, which is further south. In addition, the landscape here is comprised of mostly basalt cliffs on the eastern side, making this a more dangerous (and less desireable) place to swim overall.
Summer: Ocean temperatures begin to warm until late summer, where they are at their hottest. At this time, the water is akin to a light, cool breeze; it is definitely cooler than the air, but not by a lot. Sharks and large other marine species can be seen off the coast most often during this time, taking advantage of the warmer ocean waters. Dolphins are an extremely common occurrence. Their fins and the fins of many other types marine life can be seen breaking the water in pods while they chase spawning fish species. Mist and fog readily forms over the ocean in the morning, though it burns off by midday. The sky, however, must be watched for storms as this time of year strong summer storms can blow in from the southeast. Hurricanes, though rare, also sometimes occur.
Fall: Mist and fog readily forms over the ocean in early fall, and may extend the majority of the day. Temperatures in the ocean slowly begin to reduce. Animals with lots of fat or thick coats should have little trouble swimming for long periods of time, though may notice the waters are distinctly colder than those in the south. Wave heights are tall and consistent due to brewing off-shore storms, but these storms never reach mainland. Dolphins and seals can be seen "surfing" these large waves. Seals also like to grace the rocky cliffs that make up the eastern shore, and are often quite vocal.
Winter: Temperatures continue to reduce, but are more or less the same as fall until late winter. During late winter, ocean temperatures at at their coldest. Even an animal with a thick coat cannot be seen in the water for very long. Medium-sized whales that enjoy cooler water, such as the Orca, are most commonly viewed during this time. Seals are still on cliff-forms and rocky beaches, lounging and chattering incessantly. A really lucky shore-animal may glimpse a huge sperm or blue whale in the distance. Sick ones may also beach themselves on the shore. Weather-wise, the occasional strong, winter storms will churn, turning the few beaches leading into the delta rocky. Being in the ocean at this time is hazardous, and strong rip tides have been known to drag even bears out to see who swam in too far.
Spring: Ocean temperatures begin to warm. Though the water is still a little on the cold side for most until late spring, this is a good time to gather many types of shellfish. Like in winter, however, the rip-tides are very strong, and even bears should be wary if they decide to swim into the ocean. Dolphins are a very common occurrence in late spring, and are often seen playing in the entrance to and within the delta.
Landmarks
1. Basalt Tubes and Caves: These are tube-shaped caverns exposed in basalt cliff-sides. Their sizes vary vastly from barely squeezable spaces to huge tunnels that let the light in hundreds of feet back. These relatively smooth ancient, volcanic walkways loop, interconnect, and have no determinable pattern. Several tubes have open lights along their lengths and a few are well lit enough that they can be traveled into for miles. One such tunnel can be safely traveled all the way to quadrant two. It is well marked by human hand-prints in blue paint along its length. a A few skeletons of various species can be found in some of the tunnels--remains of those who ventured too far and could not find their way back out.
2. Huum Chaak Waterfall (Thundering Falls): Though there are many other waterfalls in the region, this is the most impressive. It towers more than 100 feet and spills over as two, large falls. The larger is 1200 feet across and the other is 800.
3. Palude wetland: This is a seasonal wetland that is only full during the few months surrounding heavy rains. Every other time of year, it is dry. The wetland is heavily wooded and trees may end suddenly and enter water in this area. It extends into quandrant 2.
4. Ofis River (Snake River): The most robust moving of body in this region, the Ofis River system is composed of two major parts. In the forested, mountainous regions the water flows over rocks, creating many waterfalls. Several small streams and rivers inflow into it. When it reaches the grassy-land at in the flatter lowlands it begins to twist and coil like the snake its known for and in many places nearly touches itself. Several "oxbow" lakes have been created when the river does breakthrough the rock well enough to join twists. The river floods the flatland every 1-3 years and the soil it winds through is rich. During late spring, vast fields of wildflowers sprout here.
5. Natural Sea Arch: Also made of basalt, this is a natural rock archway which extends out into the ocean. A few shrubs cling to it, and it can be walked out onto to get a good view of the ocean. A few dolphins and killer whales have been known to swim relatively close to the spectacle.
6.Graedende (Weeping) River outlet: This is a small subsection of the river that is not inundated by swampland. It provides a clean source of water and a route for salmon species who are moving upstream from the ocean to spawn. It is a popular site in early summer when the river is at its fullest.
JetAlmeara
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:43 am
Languages
Common Tongue (Telkish): The language spoken in Telk (the old world) is the common tongue in this world. Most wolves are bilingual, and speak common and their regional language. Telk's most dominated inspiration comes from the English language and names and phrases will reflect this.
Agaphene language inspired by Greek, Roman, Italian Examples of Male Names: Damaris, Marcellus, Valerius Examples of Female Names: Alexandra, Gabriella, Torri
All Wolves in the pack speak fluent Agaphene, they consider this the language of the Ocean but unlike most take great pride in sharing it with outsiders. The more who speak the Oceans language the more the Ocean is honored as far as they are concerned,
Names
Names within the Storm watch are normally related to Weather, the ocean, water or Marine life although this is not a hard and fast rule it's pretty commonplace and not following this tradition might have some other wolves in the pack looking at you like your a bit on the weird side (Think the way we sometimes view the strange names celebrities use). A name like Current is much more acceptable then Apple. (These names are normally Telk aka English, based names - Rain,Storm,Current, Blue Water etc, but again if you want to be 'exotic' and looked at a little bit weird feel free to name your wolf and cubs something strange/other language based though please remember that if you use the word 'ocean' in another language the only one who will know that the name means ocean is you OOC, the wolves won't know this and they'll still look at you weirdly. )
The majority of Storm Watch wolves seem to range in the Blue/Sea Green/Teal/Tan's & Browns (Think beach themed colors), some are simply marked, others more complex. The most favored markings are those that elicit a sense of the Ocean...shell patterns, surf & wave patterns, Marine wildlife patterns, even seaweed and coral like markings are considered quite attractive.
Red markings are seen as a flaw though small markings or touches of the color are accepted the wolves sporting such things are unlikely to be considered 'pretty' or attractive, the more red one has the less likely it will be that they will gain any sort of high position in the pack and may even have trouble finding mates. Wolves who are more then 40% red are automatically considered Sacrifices.
Shades of Reddish-Orange are somewhat of a grey area, wolves displaying these shades make the Storm Watch pack nervous and as such they are subjected to a judgement by the Shepard, wolves that are more then 40% of these shades are brought before The Shepard who looks upon them and proclaims them either Orange and safe...or too red and a sacrifice.
Resources
Water - Although the pack lives alongside the Ocean it is a water source that can't be used for drinking water, as such the pack utilizes the closest bend of the Ofis River as it's main source of water although during the winter rainwater pools are closer and easier to make use of.
Food - Being ocean worshipers the Storm Watch Pack tends to make good use of the Ocean's 'gifts' and prefer fish as their main source of food, when fishing is bad however the pack makes do with land based meals ( Beaver (most common in winter), deer (very common), duck, elk (common), geese, moose (rare), opossum, rabbits or hare, squirrels
Special Foods- Beached Aquatic animals, Although this is very rare it has been rumored to happen in the past and the pack believes such animals to be the Ocean's ultimate gift to them and a sign that it it happy with the way the pack has been behaving. When a member of the pack locates such a creature either deceased or still alive the pack gathers for a feast and festival in thanks to the Ocean.
Sacrificial Herb *Permission has been granted for this herb to be official shop lore
Name - Sleeping Pup (Named this as it was supposedly used by parents who needed a break from rowdy pups, something akin to the historic use of rubbing alcohol on a baby's foot to put them to sleep in the old days, before the Storm Watch Pack started putting it towards other uses. Probably not a healthy practice for the pups or good parenting really but it explains how the pack would know of it's effects.) Description - A small green bush with broad flat leaves and tiny white flowers. New leaves are a bright lime green and darken to a deep forest green with age. Growth - Flourishes and flowers in the Palude wetland's during the rainy season. Dies back to stick like bushes with a few scraggly leaves the rest of the year. Because of the die back the only good time to harvest it is during the rainy season (thus the pack would have to harvest and store enough to last them for the rest of the year, they would have to time this harvesting trip well in order to get enough of the older leaves they need before the plant starts to die back.) Medicinal Uses - Works quickly to calm the nervous system and create feelings of euphoria. The herb also has sedative and muscle relaxant effects, the effects are temporary lasting only a couple of hours at most. Preparation - Fully grown (dark green) leaves must be gathered, dried and crushed up to be consumed with a meal or steeped for several days in a small amount of a water in order to be useful.
General Culture
In General
Wolves that are predominately red in color are Sacrifices. Wolves with small red markings, splashes of color are accepted into the pack proper but are generally considered ugly and may have trouble finding mates or gaining rank. Shades of Reddish-Orange are somewhat of a grey area, wolves displaying these shades make the Storm Watch pack nervous and as such they are subjected to a judgement by the Shepard, wolves that are more then 40% of these shades are brought before The Shepard who looks upon them and proclaims them either Orange and safe...or too red and a sacrifice.
Colors, markings and patterns related to the Ocean and the beach are the most favored and sought after. Wolves bearing these markings and colors generally have little trouble rising in rank and have many suitors. Other colors are welcomed into the pack but are not considered exceedingly beautiful or sought after. They are generally looked at as plain or ordinary but otherwise suffer no consequences.
Names within the Storm watch are normally related to Weather, the ocean, water or Marine life although this is not a hard and fast rule it's pretty commonplace and not following this tradition might have some other wolves in the pack looking at you like your a bit on the weird side (Think the way we sometimes view the strange names celebrities use). A name like Current is much more acceptable then Apple. (These names are normally Telk aka English, based names - Rain,Storm,Current, Blue Water etc, but again if you want to be 'exotic' and looked at a little bit weird feel free to name your wolf and cubs something strange/other language based though please remember that if you use the word 'ocean' in another language the only one who will know that the name means ocean is you OOC, the wolves won't know this and they'll still look at you weirdly. )
Crippled wolves (Except those injured by the Ocean) and the Elderly are looked after by the rest of the pack, they are often assigned whatever task they are capable of doing easily in order to avoid making them feel like a burden on the pack. Wolves who produce crippled pups are expected to look after them but are socially encouraged not to breed with each other again as the Ocean was obviously not pleased with the match and punished them with crippled pups. Wolves who are crippled by the ocean however are somewhat ostracized and left to fend for themselves - if one is injured by the ocean but heals it is seen as a sign that you have angered the ocean but since you healed you were forgiven..being permanently crippled by the ocean (loosing a leg to a shark as an extreme example) is a rejection and thus the pack rejects you. Most of these wolves die on the outskirts of Pack territory or throw themselves off the Sea Arch.
Outsiders are welcomed by the Storm Watch, they feel that spreading the news of the Ocean's eventual destruction of everything and the proper way in which to hold it off/survive the ocean's outbursts are very important knowledge to share. As long as outsiders obey pack law's and abide by the Packs religion they are welcome to stay. (as long as they are not red - unless of course you are willing to become a sacrifice, in which case you will likely be highly praised and more then welcome, do you want to have red puppies? You should probably have red puppies...here, go and mingle with our other red wolves yes?)
Inter-Pack Relations
Like many cultures The Storm Watch pack members run the spectrum of individual personalities and beliefs, although all pack members love and feel close to the Ocean - some are more religious and some are more scientific in nature. Once in a while these two belief systems can have differing opinions, members of the Chantry and the Watch do not always agree on the best course of action and sometimes they think the opinions on the other side are bit on the stupid side ...but hey that's just wolf nature right?
The Shepard and the Overseer are well aware of the tensions these disagreements can cause and because they feel that a unified pack is the strongest they go to great lengths to ensure that both sides feel that their opinions are heard and listened too, twice a week the Shepard and The Overseer make themselves available to listen to the rest of the packs concerns and if needed will appoint a group consisting of both Chantry and Watch members whose immediate job is to come up with a suitable compromise for both sides.
When the tensions are especially high the Overseer and the Shepard will organize a friendly get together with games of competition where mixed teams are created from both sides. The games are laid back and sometimes more of a funny and amusing nature then one would think to find in such a typically studious and serious pack...but laughing and playing together releases tension and brings the pack closer.
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:44 am
The Storm Watch adhere to a somewhat apocalyptic religion, although they do not pray to any particular god they worship the Ocean as a predatory element which must be appeased, their efforts to do so however are seen as little more then a delaying tactic as it is believed that despite their best efforts the Ocean's hunger will eventually grow too large for them to sate and the waters will rise up and swallow them all.
Although this end of days storm can not be avoided the pack does seek to help their fellow wolves survive the Oceans smaller bouts of hunger through ritual blood sacrifice and appeasement ceremonies.When these tactics fail they use signal wolves to tell those in the Storms path to seek shelter. They believe that through both respect and understanding the Ocean's final judgement on them can be delayed and so spend a great deal of time both learning about and worshiping the Ocean.
As stated in their Creation Story the Storm Watch believe red wolves to be the descendants of the lazy, wasteful pack which originally brought the Ocean's wrath upon the land, because of this predominately red wolves are used as sacrifices to the Ocean at times when the Ocean seems particularly angry and insatiable. Due to the relatively low number of Red wolves kept in the pack however wolf sacrifices are rare and wildlife is more commonly used. In order to keep some Red wolves on hand pack members are encouraged to breed with the reddest of the Sacrifices when the Chantry deem their numbers are getting too low (OOCly the players would be told this through a 'Current Rumors' section of the pack page, where members can submit rumors about thier wolves which would then be considered common knowledge for RP and where She-ra and I can post things like 'The Chantry are concerned about the number of Sacrifices on hand and are subtly pressuring wolves to think about making more) - resulting pups are then sorted according to coloration, Predominately red are kept as sacrifices, those without red or with only small amounts of red are allowed to be raised as part of the pack proper. Since the point of these breedings are to create more red wolves those wolves with slight splotches of red or small red markings on them are likely the most pressured.
Mating within the pack is somewhat loose, although it is not unheard of for pack members to create lifelong relationships it is not required. Mating to improve your status is quite common, religious minded wolves often trying to woo the Oracles or the Shepard in order to gain more perceived prospects for their pups & Non-religious minded wolves pursuing the Overseer and Sentinels for similar reasons.
When a pack member dies it is customary to return their body to the Ocean, the bodies are blessed and purified by herbs by members of the Chantry before being cast into the Ocean from the Sea Arch. The pack believes in an afterlife and that should one live a good, Ocean fearing life they will be rewarded by living on a paradise island surrounded by calm and welcoming seas in the afterlife.
JetAlmeara
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:45 am
It is unlawful for a member of the Chantry to be involved in any killing that is not related to a religious ceremony or a sacrifice, thus they are banned from hunting. Members of the Chantry are considered 'pure' and as such cannot sully themselves except in the service of appeasing the Ocean by getting blood on their fur. If A Chantry member is sullied then they are sent to become a part of the Watch.
It is unlawful to maliciously injure another Storm Watch wolf, should such an incident occur the perpetrator shall be sent to the Mountain Guard for a time equal to that of their crime - which is typically based on the amount of time the injured wolf will take to recover and the pain and suffering the injury caused. The Overseer determines length of time - should the injury be grievous enough and recovery of the afflicted wolf is not likely then the perpetrator may be labeled as a Dishonored Sacrifice.
It is unlawful to hide or release a Sacrifice, should a Storm Watch wolf be caught doing such a thing the perpetrator will take the Sacrifice's place as stealing from the Ocean is a great offense.
It is unlawful not to relay a warning signal, Signal wolves who neglect their duty shall be send to the Mountain Guard for a length of time determined by the Overseer. The Overseer will take the circumstance into account and the length of time one is sent away will vary according to how serious the signal they neglected to send was. However since this is not an affront to the Ocean itself they will not be sacrificed.
It is unlawful to throw waste products into the ocean, Feeding the ocean the scraps of wolves brings upon it's anger and is disrespectful. Should a wolf be caught doing such a thing then the wolf must atone for throwing scraps by sacrificing something precious to them, a member of it's progeny. If the wolf has no children then the first born of its first litter will be given to the Ocean when it is born.
It is unlawful to mistreat an Honored Sacrifice, doing so sullies the Sacrifice making it unfit for the Ocean and forcing the Pack to release the Sacrifice, escorting it from their territory. Wolves who mistreat Sacrifices have effectively stolen from both the Ocean and the pack and are labeled Dishonored Sacrifices themselves. Mistreating a Dishonored Sacrifice has no consequence.
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:03 am
The Watch
*Note - All members who follow this pathway are required to take a turn hunting to provide for the pack, there is no 'Hunter' type rank, rather it is a duty shared by all rank's of The Watch.
The Overseer (Alpha Lines) The Overseer is the wolf responsible for controlling and guiding 'The Watch' or the non-religious aspect of the packs responsibilities. The Overseer can be a male or a female wolf and is normally the offspring of the previous Overseer - though if none of their offspring prove worthy an Overseer may choose a non-blood Heir from within the pack. The Overseer must be a highly organized wolf with vast knowledge of the Ocean, Oceanic Wildlife & weather patterns, they are responsible for setting the Storm Watch, approving 'studies', ensuring the packs boarder is secure and sending signal wolves when a storm is approaching. Sentinels (Beta or Gamma Lines - Male or Female) Sentinels are responsible for the Storm Watch, organized into shifts by the Overseer, Sentinels spend long hours on the Sea Arch keeping watch on the horizon for signs of an approaching storm. Sentinels also use this natural observation point to keep watch for beached animals along the shoreline and potentially hazardous animals which may threaten the wolves involved in various ocean studies or wolves which may be hunting along the coast or in the shallow waters.Sentinels are expected to know where the pack hunters are located, where the study groups are located as well as all Storm Signs and Ocean Animal Identification - they should be able to identify whales, Sharks, Dolphins etc from one another easily.
Signal Wolf (Any Lines but alpha - Male or Female) Signal wolves work with the Sentinels and Overseer to alert the Tolas Wolves of any approaching danger, Signal wolves are chosen more for their loud voices and fleet footed ways then their pleasant ones, as the Storm Watch believe it is more important for the signals to travel farther then it is for them to sound pretty. Signal Wolves learn a universal howl code which they use to communicate with one another as well as all packs close enough to hear them, The Storm Watch pack has many semi-permanent stations where wolves on duty await a signal to relay. These stations change with the seasons and weather patterns to ensure that the signal is sent out to the best of their ability. While a signal wolf is always on duty on the arch along with a Sentinel,other Signal Wolves are sent out in working pairs to the relay stations so that they might relay signals they receive from the home pack.
If a message needs to be relayed the Sentinel on duty at the Sea Arch alerts the packs Signal wolf on home duty, That wolf howls the signal to alert the home pack and any wanderers nearby.
Upon hearing the signal the wolves in the homepack who are on standby set out to deliver the message to the wolves at the first relay stations. On the way to these stations the wolves stop at periodic checkpoints to re-howl the message (Approximately every 6 miles - the distance a wolf howl can be heard) and alert the locals/wanderers in that area. The first station's are set at about the distance a wolf could travel in a half days run.
Once at the relay station they give the wolves there the message and rest while the stationed wolves take over running and relaying towards the next station and set of fresh wolves. The purpose is to warn as many wolves and locals as possible before the storm catches up to them. Once the storm catches up the wolves hunker down in their stations and stop relaying/running, when the storm passes they return either home or to their stations as duty dictates.
(Think of it like a combination of the pony express and a signal fire/drum code communication line. There will be a map with checkpoints and stations soonish, once I get all the math straight)
Scouts (Rangers & Homeguard) (Any lines but Alpha - Male or Female) Scouts are responsible for ensuring that the pack lands themselves are secure and operate in two groups - members of the Home Guard stay close to home and train in defensive and offensive fighting tactics, they patrol the pack lands, keep tabs on prey animals in the area and are usually the first to encounter any wanderers who might enter the Storm Watch territory.Home Guard Wolves are generally chosen for their strength.
Members of the Rangers travel farther, they are in charge of locating new or better relay stations and locating or keeping tabs on other Wolf Packs. Rangers are trained in stealth, diplomacy and generally chosen for their stamina or swiftness. Rangers are typically the first Storm Watch wolves encountered by outside packs and as such Rangers must be well versed in dealing with a variety of diplomatic situations, being a Ranger can be dangerous as hostile groups can be encountered. A hostile wolf group will not receive an Ambassadors from the Signal Wolves and as such will not be taught the Howl Code.
Scholars (Any lines but alpha - Male or Female) Scholars are generally some of the packs most intelligent wolves, wolves who have a natural thirst for knowledge are generally pushed towards this life path as pups. Scholars are responsible for studying the Ocean, it's inhabitants, it's plant life, the tides, Ocean weather patterns..pretty much anything to do with the ocean is in the realm of a Scholar to study. When a wolf comes up with a suitable thought to pursue such as...does the purple seaweed that washes up on the shore have medicinal properties...they approach the Overseer with their thought, if the Overseer agrees that the study has merit they will be delegated a group of helpers and given the blessing to proceed. Scholars are given pretty free reign when it comes to the actual experiments they decide to use in order to prove or disprove their theory and are expected to have some results to report within a few moon Cycles (months). If no progress is being made on your study then the Overseer may decide to disband the group and assign them to new studies. Older Scholars are expected to spend a great deal of time teaching younger scholars so that information is not lost and also double as the packs healers.
The Chantry
Note * - The Chantry do not hunt, they are forbidden to take a life other then those of sacrifices.
The Shepard (Alpha Lines - Male or Female) The Shepard is a highly religious individual, they are considered the most in tune with the Ocean and it's needs. When it comes to religious ceremonies the Shepard's word is law and not even the Overseer can veto a ceremony. Shepard's carry a heavy burden but also great power, it is the Shepard who chooses what or who, if the ocean demands a wolf, shall be sacrificed and when a sacrifice is required. The Shepard is considered the Packs ultimate form of guidance and is generally the one asked to settle disputes or dispense advice. The more religious minded Scouts/Scholars/Sentinels and Signal wolves might also ask for a blessing of protection before setting out to study/hunt or take on their various duties.
Shepard's are chosen from among the Oracles by the previous Shepard, it is not typically a family inherited position, but can be if one of the Shepard's offspring shows itself to be a promising prospect (or if the Shepard is somewhat corrupt and just chooses their kid because they can).
Oracles (Beta or Gamma Lines - Male or Female) While the Shepard is the Chantry's official leader...its the Oracles who really make sure everything gets done, the Oracles gather ceremonial supplies, ensure that the Pack assembles at the right times, and compile an appropriate religious message for the Shepard to deliver during the Packs weekly Sea Gathering based on the Packs current Status. Some in the Pack are nervous about the Oracles, as they can be seen as spies for the Shepard, gathering information and generally keeping an eye on the Pack to make sure everyone is toeing the line and not doing anything that might anger the ocean. They have been known to object to studies they deem 'unseemly' and so the Scholars have become somewhat adept at avoiding them if they are occupied in a questionable study. The Keepers (Any lines - Male or Female) Keepers are tasked with the duty of taking care of the Sacrifices. It can be a mentally taxing job as those they look after may eventually be called to the Sea Arch and though they are advised not to become attached to those they care for - it inevitably happens. Keepers who mourn for a sacrifice are cared for by other Keepers but kept out of sight from the rest of the pack until they have collected themselves - being sacrificed is supposed to be an honor and thus the Keepers are supposed to be 'happy' for the sacrificed. (Most of the pack tends to pretend they didn't see anything if they stumble across a mourner however)
Because those they look after are on borrowed time so to speak, Keeper's tend to be compassionate individuals who do everything in their power to make sure the Sacrifices lives are as good and fulfilling as they can be.
The Outsiders
Sacrifices (Any lines save alpha, Any land based animal - cause birds can just...fly away)
Although the most commonly sacrificed animals are deer (they are just easier to herd and control) Sacrifices can be any animal which the Keepers can control or herd. The sacrifice of wildlife takes place during certain times of the year, typically one per season, however if The Shepard deduces that the Ocean is angry a sacrifice can be called at any time.
When a sacrifice is called The Shepard visits the herd and chooses the sacrifice they deem suitable for the occasion, the most highly prized sacrifices have red coloration on them, wolves that are predominately red are the most prized sacrifices of all. Because of their value however they are also the safest and are rarely chosen unless a situation is considered very dire. Whatever animal is chosen as the sacrifice is given a 'last meal' this meal is large and lavish and generally dosed with a calming herb to keep them from trying to escape during the ceremony. After the meal they are blessed by the Shepard,led before the pack where they are thanked for their sacrifice and taken to the Sea Arch where they are driven or cast off the edge and into the water below, as it is a large drop most animals are killed upon impact, those that manage to survive are inevitably dashed against the rocks by the swirling current.
Sacrifices are split into two categories, the Honored & The Dishonored. Honored Sacrifices are wild caught animals & Prey Beasts and predominately red wolves. Regular members of the pack are encouraged to breed with the reddest of the Wolf Sacrifices in order to keep a ready stock available in case something terrible happens and such a sacrifice is needed. Although no one knows for sure how these red wolves came to be part of the pack it is completely accepted that they are the descendants of the older pack who angered the Ocean and caused the great tragedy.
Dishonored sacrifices are wolves from the pack whom have committed a terrible crime.Dishonored sacrifices are often sacrificed as soon as possible as committing a crime is seen as angering the Ocean and their sacrifice is the Packs way of apologizing to the ocean for their dishonorable conduct. They are not blessed or thanked for their sacrifice.
JetAlmeara
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JetAlmeara
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:33 am
AIM - JetAlmeara or tembamfalme PM either JetAlmeara or She-ra of Etheria Or Post the Form below. Questions & Answers will be added to the FAQ As necessary
Question Form
[color=cyan][size=18]Hey! I have a question![/size][/color] [b]Question - [/b]
What is your stance on escaping Red Wolves or using this as backstory fodder?
While we don't want people joining up Red Wolves just to have them escape we also don't want to quell good plots or back-stories if someone wants to utilize it to some degree. we love plots, we love interesting back stories and we want to encourage them as much as possible so if someone wants to work with us to create a great escape plot or a sacrifice/keeper love story we are willing to do that...but we'd like for them to work with us on it to make sure it doesn't break the pack. There are consequences to such things obviously
So..we don't want to be quite as strict about the no escape ever no matter what (the Keepers are supposed to be compassionate and we wrote it into the description that friendships and such have happened in the past) but we don't want it to be willy nilly every Red wolf falls in love with a keeper and they ride off into the sunset together either - so if a person approached us with a great plot idea or character building event and is willing to accept pack consequences for it then we'll go for it and we'll let random wandering wolves who happen to be red say they are escaped sacrifices or children of escaped sacrifices if they come up with a good character idea for it as well.
We've decided we don't want to stifle creativity by barring such things from happening, we just want to make sure such things are done well. So permission for such plots and backstories is required but reasonably obtained.
Are you going to make me kill my Sacrifice?
We know very few people are willing to just..kill off a character which is why we made actual wolf sacrifices rather rare, we want people to be able to RP under the threat of death without actually being terrified that we will force them to kill off a loved character..so if a wolf sacrifice is deemed required for a pack meta plot we would ask for volunteers, if no one was willing then we would custom a red wolf myself and maybe contest off the rights to play it in the plot with the understanding that it would indeed be killed and barring my ability to do that then it would likely be an NPC who gets killed off.
So no, we aren't going to force you to kill off characters.
How do you keep the familiar/animal Sacrifices from escaping?
I expect that the pack doesn't keep the deer around 24/7, rather when a sacrifice is needed or scheduled a hunt would take place where a suitable animal or two (in case the Chantry decides that one of them isn't suitable for some reason) would be rounded up and held only as long as necessary for the ceremony to take place, they would be guarded and probably held close to the cliffs to limit any possible escape routes and lower how many guards would be needed to keep them under control. I put them down as being easier to herd and control because I assumed that the wolves would have the hunting tactics for them down already and since they aren't predators (like a lynx) are a bit less dangerous to keep contained.
(This could lead to some interesting familiar RP maybe? With a couple animals rounded up, an NPC sacrificed and maybe the PC character released as unsuitable with an interesting story to tell)
If the wolves don't throw their waste into the sea, what do they do with it?
They bury it!
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:41 am
Original Member
You are welcome to make new Tola's wolves (or blank slate older wolves) into original Storm Watch Members. Please keep the packs color restrictions in mind when choosing a job role. Predominately red wolves are automatically Sacrifices.
[color=indigo][size=18]I Have always been here - you just didn't know until now![/size][/color] [b]Player Name -[/b] [b]Wolf Name & Image - [/b] [b]Rank wanted - [/b] [b]Personality blurb - [/b] [b]History blurb - [/b]
New Member
The Storm Watch welcome wanderers who wish to join them! However please keep the packs color restriction in mind before offering to stay! Predominately red wolves are automatically Sacrifices.
[size=18][color=dodgerblue]I want to stay![/color][/size] [b]Player Name -[/b] [b]Wolf Name & Image - [/b] [b]Rank wanted - [/b] [b]Personality blurb - [/b]
