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 Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 6:59 pm
Please Keep In Mind! With the coming disaster, some of the below info will change; namely, the pack's location. Nyx and I have decided that the disaster makes their valley home unfit for life, and that the pack sees it as the most devastating of all Untimes. A sign from the gods, even. The pack will be on the move once we get it off the ground, with a plan on the Polum'ya conflicting with Acropolis. This gives both packs some meta drama to rp around.
However, we're posting all of the original information we came up with three years ago because we feel it will give people the full scope of how this pack functions and views their world.   The fire burns brightly in its bed of coals and sticks, licking at the kindling like a starving beast. Soot marks, centuries in the making, stain the ceiling and walls, making the space look dark and sinister. But the warmth of the flames has always filled the wolves that live here with a sense of peace and contentment.
The fire is everything; protection, prosperity, virility, and strength. Its fierce nature has shaped these wolves in untold ways, and to lose the fire would be to lose what they have become.
As you gaze into the flames, you feel yourself falling into their embrace and succumbing to the warmth, the hypnotic way that the fire dances luring you into a sense of calm. And as you watch, the visage of a fiery wolf suddenly stares back at you with eyes of such a brilliant green, you can't look away.
Just as quickly, the visage vanishes, leaving you to wonder if it was real.
A noise makes you turn, and the ethereal wolf stares back at you, very real, and very beautiful. But you sense the two are not the same. As if sensing your confusion, the she-wolf nods her head, emerald green eyes glittering.
"Welcome to the Polum'ya Vataga."
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:01 pm
 Long ago, when the world was young, there was born a wolf destined for greatness. Abandoned as a pup, he fought and struggled to stay alive. Between the elements and mad bears, territorial packs and cruel rogues, he was met with adversity at every turn. With fang and claw, ferocity and cunning, he learned to survive, and eventually, he flourished. As he matured, he was tempered by his trials. Forged in fire, he earned the name Cinead.
Eventually, he grew tired of his wanderings and began to desire a better life. Thus, he sought out companions, others who had experienced many trials. Each was as battle-hardened as he. They formed a pack under their alphas, Cinead and his mate Viera. For many moons they searched until, at last, they found the perfect territory.
Nestled high in the mountains was a lush valley filled with rich hunting grounds. Hidden in the rocky face of one of the surrounding mountains was a deep, many-branched cave, the perfect den for the pack. Such was the beauty of the land that Cinead knew other wolves would covet his new territory, but he was confident that his pack of warriors was strong enough to defend it, and defend it they did. The pack was forced to fight off many would-be intruders and rival packs, but the wolves were strong. They always prevailed.
One night, during the Untime, a fierce storm raged through the valley. Such was its power and intensity that the valley was soon flooded and the pack was trapped in their den. Even if they could somehow brave the swirling floodwater and reach higher ground, they could never make it out with the newborn pups. Cinead could only pray for his pack’s survival as he stood at the mouth of the cave, watching the storm rage. With a deep, booming growl, a spear of lightening struck the oldest tree in the valley, illuminating it and reducing the core to mere ashes, and as suddenly as it had begun, the storm dissipated. His pack was saved.
Knowing that this could only be an act of the gods, Cinead swam to the tree and retrieved a burning branch, bringing it back to the den. He believed that the flame must be a messenger of the gods and swore that the pack would keep it alive eternally, in their honor. The wolves would accept the mercy of the gods and heed their warning, always living by a strict code of honor. Thus, the Polum'ya Vataga came to be.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:02 pm
 Mating
This pack values mating for life, and only mates within the pack. Rogue breedings are extremely frowned upon, and in some circumstances, the female that bears rogue puppies can even be banished from the pack after her young are old enough to live without her. The ultimate decision is the Dhama's.
Once a year, before the summer solstice, the betas will go on a search for interested new blood, challenging them to a trial by fire. This is dependent on the amount of pups born during the previous season, as well as how harsh the winter was on the pack itself. This new blood insures no inbreeding, and when the Solstice festival arrives, single wolves look for potential new mates to court. Though this courting can be done at any time during the year, there is a sense of excitement and vigor during the festival, which some believe leads to more appropriate matches.
Hunting
Hunting is a communal affair, as most wolves enjoy the thrill of the hunt and working as a team to bring down prey, though the Lovacs by far are the best hunters. There are generally two large pack hunts during a week, with smaller individual hunts for smaller prey done at a wolf's own desire in between. The Dhama keeps close attention to the hunting, making sure that the prey animals aren't depleted too quickly in one area. The valley supports a large population of prey beasts, but during an Untime, everything is thrown into chaos and this hunting control becomes extremely important.
During the Solstice, the hunting is left to the Lovacs as the Royalty and Drugos celebrate the Flame and give thanks to the gods for deeming them loyal enough to care for the Flame. Once the main feast is brought back to the festival, the entire pack devotes themselves to celebration and feasting.
War
Living as they do in one of the most fertile mountain valleys of the region, the pack is constantly fighting to keep their home, and have been for centuries. Always they have come out on top, and have driven rival packs back beyond the valley borders. Because of this constant onslaught on their territory, the pups are trained from birth to be warriors. As a result, the Polum'ya Vataga are a supreme fighting unit.
During the festival, a select number of Lovacs are picked or volunteer to patrol the borders while the rest of the pack celebrates. It is integral to keep this constant vigil, because in times past, other packs have tried to take advantage of the distraction the festival provides.
Naming
The setting for this pack can be seen as very Slavic (e.g. – Russian, Transylvanian, Croatian, Armenian, etc.). Names should reflect that, with a harsher sounding theme. Many old families will have established surnames, and it is up to you to decide if your wolf is from an established warrior family, or if it is a newer recruit. Names can be completely made up, but things like "Flower" and "Cicely" are types of names that would generally be frowned upon. Surnames can be either a word made up to mean something, or a mix of real words, like "Emberpaw" or "Jaggedtooth".
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:04 pm
 The pack's territory is a sprawling, fertile mountain valley about 25 miles wide by 50 miles long. The interior is dominated by a thick stand of dark Douglas fir trees peppered with various deposits of glacial boulders. The snowmelt from the mountain forms a river that cuts through the heart of the valley. The mineral deposits left over from the glacier have enriched the valley immensely, leaving it livable even during the cold winter months. There is rarely a shortage of food for predator and prey alike, even during the winter. However, the valley does have a regularly occurring bad year. About every 7 years, the cold dominates and kills off many of the prey animals, thus unbalancing the comfortable lives of the Polum'ya.
The cycle is as follows:
1 year of devastation--> 2 years of recovery--> 4 years of prosperity
The Polum'ya wolves view this cycle almost religiously, because it was during a year of devastation that the life-giving fire came down to them from the heavens. They call that year the Untime, where life is reset and cleansed. The pack is kept warm by the fire, and thus protected in part from the Untime, though the fire does not fill their bellies. However, the prey-animals killed by the cold do.
The pack den sits within one of the surrounding mountains of Bluestone. Centuries of paws have turned the simple paths and caverns into a glorious network of dens, passageways, and ledges. The main chamber, which is the largest cavern, houses the Flame itself, with an angled vent hole in the ceiling to allow the smoke to escape.
Another chamber branching off from this serves as a secondary chamber for a much smaller, but equally protected Flame, a back-up if the main Flame were to ever go out. Other caverns branch off to form personal dens for those mated pairs wishing for privacy, as well as a puppy nursery. However, many wolves simply sleep together in the main chamber. Some caves even have secondary openings out into the cliff-face itself, and each of these has a small ledge to rest on, but none of these other entrances lead back down to the ground.
There is a second exit, far to the back of the main chamber, which leads out to an opening a short ways down the mountain.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:07 pm
Current Events in Two Minutes
Senka, the revered storyteller-in-training, has been gone for quite a while on the traditional quest each of her kind must take in order to receive the title of Kazkar.
While she has been away, the Untime has begun to fall over the valley(this will culminate in the great disaster). The pack is diminished; the land is nearly devoid of life; and everyone’s tempers are at their breaking point.
The alphas are trying to keep things together. However, the Dhraga has grown ill, not only in body, but also in mind, and the Dha has been quietly taking up the mantle of leadership. So, against her mother’s wishes, she sends out the Drugo and Druga to recruit fresh blood. The equinox approaches and the princess smells change on the wind.
Senka returns, bringing a new male called Phobos with her. This causes dissent among the pack. Tradition dictates that only the Drugo and Druga are allowed to choose new pack members.
**When the great disaster strikes, the pack will have to move. The Dhraga dies during this process, leaving the pack in more upheaval. Because of the way the Dha has changed old traditions, some wolves might grow unwilling to follow her rule. There is the potential for a lot of internal strife here, while they deal with external conflict.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:08 pm
  Rank Descriptions
The pack is a matriarchal monarchy, in that rule passes through the female line and the Queen and Princess hold much more power than the King and Prince. The following is a ladder system by rank, and the translations of the titles they use for each rank.
 Dhama - Queen: The decision maker and main protector of the pack. Everything is determined by this female, including the inclusion of new wolves, if someone passes their Fire Ritual, and whether or not a union between two wolves is true or false. The Dhama is always the eldest female cub of the previous Dhama, unless said previous Dhama unexpectedly dies with no female heir. In this rare occassion, a new Dhama is elected from within the pack, and only from a female born within the pack. An outsider will never become Dhama.
Dha - Princess: The Dha is a stressful position. Knowing that she will one day be Queen, the Dha is taught everything about the history of her pack, how to keep it alive, where the best hunting is, and how to utilize the resources of the packland in a sufficient manner. She is also taught to be a warrior as well as a Sargas, and will eventually be able to see what wolves deserve or best fit what position. All of this is taught to her by her mother. She has more say in matters concerning the pack than even her own father, the Khara.
Khara - King: A pleasant and usually pretty figurehead, the Khara really has no say at all about what happens within the pack. At most, he can give advice, and it is up to the Dhama whether that advice is taken or not. He does, however, serve as the Dhama's main protector.
Drugo/Druga - Beta: The Drugo/Druga occupies a special role within the hierarchy aside from being advisers and the strongest warriors. They also serve as the wolves that go out on Search whenever the pack needs new blood. They may only go out on Search when it is decreed by the Dhama, but they are then responsible for bringing males and females alike into the pack from the surrounding lands, to be judged by the Dhama.
Kazkar - Storyteller: The Kazkar is a revered position, held in higher regard than even the Sargas. They are the ones that hold the entire oral history of the pack, as well as all of the information and stories of the lands outside the Valley. Because of the Polum'ya's love of stories, the Kazkar is nearly indispensable and holds just as much importance for safety as the Dha and Dhama.
Kha - Prince: The eldest male child of the current Khara and Dhama, the Kha is a figurehead much like his father. He serves as protector to the Dha until she comes of age, and finds a mate of her own. At that point, her father is replaced as Khara, and the prince is left to his own devices. Many Kha leave the pack out of boredom, and those that don't will usually take mates and settle down to their own families. They are respected as being of the royal line, but that's about it.
Sargas - Fire Keeper: The Sargas serves as the tenders and protectors of the Flame itself. They are in charge of keeping it lit and feeding it so that it stays strong and pure. If the Flame were to ever go out, every Sargas would be shamed and most likely killed for failing their one duty; if the flame dies, so does the pack. That one decree is what makes the position one that is sometimes hard to fill, for a wolf needs a certain sense of duty and trust in himself to want to take such a role.
Lovac - Warrior/Hunter: The Lovac is the main body of the pack. They serve as hunters to provide the pack nourishment, and as protectors in the case of invasion.
Baza - Teacher: The Baza is in essence a pupsitter, or omega. They are protected by others because they usually cannot protect themselves, and tend to have the pack's frustrations taken out on them. However, many of them are also teachers of the puppies they watch over, as pups are raised communally amongst the pack.
Pups: Pups are simply that. They hold no special rank, and are loved equally by everyone. Pups in the Polum'ya are raised communally, but they sleep with their parents at night, to retain the child/parent bond. The Baza and parents together help determine what rank a pup might be best suited for, though ultimately, the decision is the pups when it comes of age. All pups are trained to be warriors starting just before they become teens.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:16 pm
 Dyes and DecorationThese wolves are very fond of adornments such as feathers, dyes, fabric scraps, and bone. Their dyes vary, many wolves opting for the same colors of the Flame that plays such a large role in their lives. However, any dyes are permitted, and the only stipulation with decorations is that they must be viable for battle. Nothing that can impede a wolf's fighting ability is allowed. YouthBecause of their love of adornments, it has become something of a test of skill and bravery for young wolves to go forth and acquire such trinkets from nature, by killing particular animals for their bones, or by stealing them from other wolves or human settlements. Coming of Age CeremonyEvery wolf in the Polum'ya Vataga must have a trial by fire in order to be considered an adult. This normally takes place when pups are growing into adulthood; however, wolves wishing to join the pack must go through the trial as well. The ceremony can vary somewhat from wolf to wolf, but it always involves fire. Some examples are running over hot coals or jumping over roaring flames without getting singed. If a wolf fails, they must wait until the next trial to try again, until they pass. (IC, any pup wishing to be seen as an adult must partake in the trial, which will be done on a roll basis. These will be done once a month by either Ash or Nyx, in a thread dedicated to the trials)Sargas TrialThose wishing to join the Sargas rank must partake in a different trial, which is held in secrecy within the main fire chamber itself. Only those born of the pack are allowed to become a Sargas, but there have been two occasions where an outsider has become a Sargas. (IC, any wolf wishing to become a Sargas must roleplay with someone who owns a current Sargas to act out the trial. A dice roll will occur within the RP by the current Sargas owner, which will determine if the wolf partaking in the trial will pass)FestivalsDuring the summer solstice, the pack holds a ritual celebration in thanks to the gods for granting them the life-giving fire. There is feasting and dancing, as well as a ritual hunt. Only during these times are flings allowed, and only between unmated wolves within the pack. The Dhamas of long ago decreed it acceptable simply because of the riot of emotions and different energies that permeate the air during the festival. Any resulting offspring are raised by the entire pack as usual, but the parents have absolutely no say in their upbringing unless they become a bonded pair.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:17 pm
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:19 pm
Want to join? Just fill out the following form, and post it in this thread! The quote is to let Ash know you posted, since she can be a little flighty at times. The Fire God Protects Me Name of Wolf: Snarl Face McWolfersen
Username: Ashtiel Arykosa
Rank Desired: Bait
Old Blood or New: Old
Small Personality Blurb of Wolf: Gonna Eat Yo Face! With love <3
[quote="Ashtiel Arykosa"][/quote]
[size=16][color=red][b]The Fire God Protects Me[/b][/color][/size]
[color=black][b]Name of Wolf: [/b](please make it link to wolf's image!)
[b]Username: [/b]
[b]Rank Desired: [/b]
[b]Old Blood or New: [/b]
[b]Small Personality Blurb of Wolf: [/b]
[/color] Current Wolves: (We need like everything)Senka - Kazkar(Played by Nyx) ???? - Dha(Played by Ash) Endymion - Sargas(Played by Ash) Kindle - Druga(Played by Kyrieko) Ember - Sargas(Played by Fayth) Viene - Druga/Lovac(Played by Miko) Kamiya - Lovac(Played by Fenshae) Razgo - Sargas(To be Given Away/Renamed) Wolves in the Wings: These wolves are being quested for!
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 11:51 am
The Fire God Protects Me Name of Wolf: Ember
Username: F a y t h - x
Rank Desired: Sargas
Old Blood or New: New
Small Personality Blurb of Wolf: Ember was found as a pup during a small forest fire, raised by natives up until his early teen years when the village burned and he was the soul survivor. Fire has been a prevalent thing in his life - he was even born with a firey coat! Now he is an adult, neither young nor middling in age, but wise, keeps to himself a lot, and is rather quiet. Stoic, some would describe him as. He is more smarts than strength, and tries to keep his past with humans quiet, but the dream catcher around his neck generally gives it away to wolves who are familiar enough with humans to know what it is. Ember holds on to it, desperately believing that it is what keeps all his past nightmares at bay, for when he was a young pup, before the humans gave it to him, he used to suffer horrible night terrors.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 5:51 pm
Woot! First blood >:] Ember is beautiful and would make an awesome pack member. We've got a couple options for you; Ember could be found on Search prior to whatever cataclysm is going to happen, or he can be found after the cataclysm and be taken in while the Polum'ya search for new lands. If you want to do the former, we can do all the fun Fire Trial rps and stuff :]
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 5:57 pm
Hmn, I'm leaning towards after.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 6:01 pm
Works for me. So far, it is tentatively planned that the Polum'ya will find the Acrop lands suitable and try to take them by force. While not an overtly aggressive pack, they want to ensure their own safety and well-being regardless of what it takes to achieve that. Ember joining after the cataclysm will be paramount, because their fire will be in danger and they will need plenty of competent wolves to keep it alive. So, Ember's initiation might also be a little...quick and dirty? XD Given the situation.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 6:43 pm
He prolly likes it that way >,>
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:59 am
Perfect xD Once we know exactly what the disaster is, we shall do some rp. We're hoping to be able to get a few wolves CCed for a pack contest to get the pack off the ground once the shop really gets going again. Right now everything is just so tentative.
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