Welcome to Gaia! ::

Blue, imma PM you with ideas, but i need a bit more thought... emotion_c8

I'll step up. I haven't ran anything around here for a long time, but I did run one of the first ever wild dog packs, and I'd love to help do so again.

I like the idea of the balance, but I'm going to suggest that as others have said, it is all inclusive, and that there are no colour restrictions.

However I do have an idea which I think is kinda nifty.

I like the idea of the pack being into herblore/magic and nature etc, with a heavy basis and foundation of knowledge and teaching.

There could be two clans or groups of workers, if you will, within the whole unit. There are no low ranks, no slaves.

One unit teach and learn magic by the day and find strength in the sun, and the other, by night and the moon.

This allows them to be on their guard and protective, and also as a pack they tend to strive to learn as much as they can about all forms of magic and strength, and nature. This could have been provoked early on by a midnight attack when the pride was still small? Hence why they feel they need to have more of a system and to protect and learn by the night?

They have to choose either or, and are dedicated to study or teach/perform their job during these periods. They must be somewhat of a specialist of the other creatures of the night, the weather, the moon/stars/sun etc. Think of it as their work hours, for a couple of hours a day/night, as it would be with a huntress or a scout. This should not create a split in the pack, as the others can visit/learn from the other workers whenever they want to.

At dawn, they can hold a daily brief/meal where they switch over?

They are normally guided towards the balance of their coat. IE, a dark pelt would be asked to study by the night, and the lighter pelts by the day. It is still their choice.

The exception to this is creatures that have a 50/50 split in their pelt or heterochromia. They are seen to be balanced, and are allowed to study and teach whenever they wish. Most however, still choose a specific routine, as it suits them?

The pack works together as a unit, but also emphasizes the idea of travel, in order to gather information and to collect herbs etc. They can have a rotation system for this?

I would see the pack as generally hardworking, friendly, wise and accepting

The "balanced" siblings could start off by practising herblore, and telling simple stories, and then progress after a possible trigger (attack, word of moonlight magic, etc) to learn by the night. When they realise they obviously cannot do both, they split half and half, by choice, and the balanced can do weave in and out of the routine, if they wish. As more dogs join, etc, they are split into groups.

I'm thinking all the ranks are very similar position-wise, and there is less of a leadership but more of a general interest and union between everyone. There could be overseers to see to any mischeif and that the routine works well?

Just a few ideas but I got a little excited about it x3.

This could be an interesting concept to draw from, for different "clans." Each of the siblings could head a sort of "career path." Seven sects for government, healers, historians/scholars, warriors, artisans, traders, and hunters.

By splitting I meant not equally, and as some of them are considered "balanced" they can flit between anyways :3

But yeah, let me know anyone if you have any feedback n__n

Yes they could! Either just the "balanced" or anyone, or maybe games/contests to see who swaps? They could have a bigggggg partay!

I would like to present the pack idea that Drani and I have been working on together. It needs some development of pack traditions and celebrations, but that could potentially develop with the storyline of the pack as they were rp'd.






The Perfect

These are WDs of two colors that are visually balanced in quantity. What colors or patterns they have are irrelevant, merely that the two colors are of equal amount to each other. They are considered the most balanced of all, and are held in high esteem. The royalty are always Perfect, with the most balanced of the royal family chosen to rule. The other Perfect are the priests, soothsayers, and are considered the most in tune with the spirit world.

Ranks:
King/Queen - one, of royal blood
Royalty - the perfectly balanced of royal blood
Priests - speak for the gods
Soothsayers - speak for the spirits


The Balanced

Those blessed with being Balanced have two colors only on their hide. Those two colors are not in equal amounts, as the Perfect have, but the amounts matter little. Colors and patterns are inconsequential. These, while not capable of hearing the spirits, are given the responsibility of hearing nature. They tend to the world, keep it in balance, and ensure that all will thrive. They are considered to have much honor in the pack.

Ranks:
Hunters - feed the pack, keep the herd numbers in balance
Herbalists - tend gardens, remove harmful plants, keep plants in balance



The Harmonized

Some are not wholly in balance, their coats scattered with pieces of the world that prevent them from hearing spirits or nature call. Their coats bear three or more colors, which allow them to understand the needs of others, as varied as they are. They listen, not to nature or to spirits, but to other creatures. They tend the pack, comfort its woes, and defend its people.

Ranks:
Warriors - See to the safety of the pack
Medics - See to the injuries and illnesses of the pack
Caretakers - See to the care of the puppies.



The Talismans (and Imbalanced)

Those who sadly bear only one color on their coat are considered Imbalanced, unable to benefit the world properly. These are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. They are taken before The Perfect, who will consult with the spirits and gods. If the Imbalanced individual is deemed worthy, they are provided with a talisman, which will provide them with the balance they need in order to be useful. Not all Imbalanced become Talismans, though. Those who do not are banished from the pack's lands.

Ranks:
Talisman - protected but only trusted with the most menial and simple tasks. They are allowed to serve or assist any other rank in this capacity.



Breeding:

Cross-class breeding is encouraged! Even the ruler can take a Balanced or Harmonized mate. (This would not change their class, but the royal consort probably would have a rank all their own.)

Please note, Talismans are not allowed to breed. If they would rather breed than remain in the pack, they have the option of removing their talisman and leaving the pride as an Imbalanced.


Growing Up

Pups stay with their mothers, and are cared for by the Caretakers.

As juves, they move to their class and begin learning the skills their class is suited for. They would be grouped together with other youngsters their age and class for this. (School!)

Adolescents should have chosen a rank, and be apprentice to someone of that rank.

Adults obviously would have their rank and class established.


Government

Besides the single ruler, there would be a council to help determine things. They would address pack matters, alliances, anything that comes up. This council would be made up of the ruler and one from each rank. Since this beings with the seven siblings, they would be called the First Seven, even though later years would yield the group as eight, including the ruler. He or she would be considered separate from the First Seven council.


Morals

This pack would not perceive evil or good as desirable or undesirable. Such things simply exist, and are accepted in the pack. So long as balance prevails, characters can be as good or as evil as they can get away with, without upsetting the ways of the pack.


History

The seven siblings were raised by their not-quite-motherly parent, adoring her every whim and nuance. She left them as adolescents, but the siblings banded together, vowing to honor her perfectly balanced pelt and spirit-touched ways. The more they discussed it, the more they became convinced she was actually a goddess, making them each god-touched themselves.

Feeling that it was their duty to spread this idea, they separated, each vowing to find a mate to bring back to swell the ranks of those striving for balance. They also attempted to pick up others drawn by the idea of keeping the world together via the idea of balance. When they came back together, each had something they believed they were best at, and the ranks fell into place. As the true First Seven, they appointed the brown/cream sister as the most Perfect, and she became their first Ruler, with the other siblings making up the council.


OOC Info:

Single-colored WDs would be OOCly decided by their owner as to whether they would remain Imbalanced or become Talismans. Those single colored who wish to join could assume they were accepted by the Perfect and allowed to have a talisman. Those born into the pack would have a choice, whether to take their puppy elsewhere or accept a talisman. Anyone with a Talisman WD would be allowed to leave at any point without repercussion, aside from the inability to return.

I like Drani and Tal's idea, and whilst they share some similarities with the one I've had, I'm gonna write up some suggestions if you don't mind, and then we could even try and merge them all together?

I liked the idea of the sun/moon, and those that travel and keep guard at night/day etc. I think we're all pretty certain that the idea of balance should come into it somewhere, and the pelt colouration.

I think Drani and Tals idea is awesome, but maybe it places too much emphasis on royalty given by pelt colour? I like the idea of different segregating ideas or clans that have different ideals for pelt colours, but I'm unsure whether hierachy should come into it.

A few extra thoughts:

Leadership:
1. Seven equal
----------The 'heads' of each family who form a group of spokespeople who come together with any issues/news to share with the other families for advice or aid or celebration. This position can then be passed down to a noteworthy individual at any given time [not necessarily due to death/sickness/old age]
2. One leader with six supporters
----------if this option perhaps have an elected leader, sort of like a politician type figure. It would be easier for both plot [in the cases where RPers go MIA] if the leader was not hereditary or fixed so that, if someone can no longer run the pack, their character can be stepped down for another to be elected. Perhaps to be viewed more as a 'spokesperson' type figure who helps co-ordinate ideas.

Pelt colours
Agree entirely that this should not be restricted in any way. I do however, love the idea of the talismans. Maybe this could be incorporated into the concept in a different way? Not to do with colours but perhaps as a symbol for the family they are in. The profession they excel at. Or even just as little good luck charms / charms to connect with spirits / tokens to give to a loved one (sons/daughters/mate/friends etc..). That is, of course, only if this isn't going to be use in a separate concept idea. Could be made of the giver's fur as a way of offering protection by letting the receiver that they are not 'alone' or some such thing.

Families
I've said it before but just to reiterate. LOVE this idea a lot. It's a very unique idea and I think it would be great for each family to be known for a different thing that, alone might make them vulnerable, but together make them strong. Just randomly listing some specialisms:
- Stealth
- Hunting
- Medicine (such as dealing with wounds/aiding with the care of the elderly/midwifery)
- Music/Celebrations
- Sentries (communicate with barks etc... if danger / something interesting has been spotted)
- Religious ceremonies
- Crafting
- Guard
- Scouts
- Trackers
- Spirit Keepers (sort of like a 'witch' type rank)
- etc...etc...

Can I just say, the option of begin adopted into a family is really nice, too. Adopting a rogue into a family or being able to switch from one family to the next without having to do so by 'marriage' or some other restriction would be a real advantage.

Themes
I do like the sun and moon theme but agree that it has been done before and it would be best to go for a unique selling point with this. I think the family aspect is a really good one and should be a good focus point. Perhaps the group of seven siblings could form the 'overarching' family above the other family groups as a sort of neutral party.

Terrain
Also thinking that maybe this group should live in a habitat like a forest area that opens out onto an expansive plains?