The Sacrifice - Plot & Personality Contest Starts - Now Ends - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th
Wet Sand - Interview with a Wolf Starts - Now Ends - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th
Ocean Waters - Create a Game Starts - Now Ends - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th Rising Storm- Create a Study Starts - Now Ends - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th Rough Waters- Color a Pack Prize Starts - Now Ends - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 10:12 am
The Sacrifice A Personality & Plot Contest Starts - Now Ends - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th
Long ago when you were just a pup, too young to fully grasp what was happening, a debate was waged over your future. Your mother, bless her maternal soul, tried to argue for your safety, a sacrifice herself she attempted to secure a better future for you - her only questionable pup. Your hide, she argued, was too orange tinted to be considered for sacrifice...but The Shepard, Anemone, disagreed and your beautiful sunset hues were deemed worthy of the sea's embrace.
So...a sacrifice you are and will always be in the eyes of the pack. Growing up you have likely been told this tale - either by your mother or by those who knew her and it has undoubtedly shaped who you are and who you shall become in ways that you yourself might not even know yet....
Rules 1 - You may enter for as many wolves as you want but you may only win one out of the five we are giving away. 2 - This wolf must be ranked as a Sacrifice 3 - The form below must be filled out in it's entirety for your entry to count.
OOC Info Sacrifice FAQ & Info
General Sacrifice Info 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.
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.
Naming Info
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 Form
[size=18][b][color=red]Sacrificial Wolf[/color][/b][/size] [b]Player Name -[/b]
[b]Wolf Name -[/b]
[b]Gender - [/b]
[b]Brief Personality -[/b]
[b]Plot Ideas - [/b]
[b]What does your wolf think about being a Sacrifice? Are they honored to be helping the wolves of Tola's keep the Ocean at bay or are they bitter about being denied another life? - [/b]
[b]What happened to your sacrifice mother? (Feel free to say she was sacrificed or that she's still alive - and yes this option leaves it open to have her costumed later on - or maybe she died of natural causes, up to you! - [/b]
[b]Who is your father? (Another sacrifice? A regular pack member?) - [/b]
Wet Sand Interview with a Wolf Start - Now End -11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th Although your hide lacks the favored blues of the ocean you are none the less a wolf thought lovely, you reflect the shifting sands of the beach and like those grains of sands you are an individual with your own thoughts, your own mannerisms...and we kind of want to get to know you!
Rules 1 - You may enter for as many wolves as you want but you can only win one of the five we are giving away. 2 - This wolf may follow either religious or non-religious path and as a beta may hold any rank but The Shepard and The Overseer 3 - Fill out the form from the perspective of your wolf, imagine they are doing an interview about the pack Icly & feel free to add in your wolves actions and behave as your wolf would truly behave - the reporter is a bit of a jerk after all. You may assume whatever you'd like about the rumors mentioned and if they are true or false, they are more to show your wolfs personality then actual canon rumor - also Jet might have been on a sugar high when she came up with them..
[b]What is your name?[/b] [b]What position do you hold within your pack?[/b] [b]Are you happy with that position?[/b] [b]Tell me about your parents...did/do you get along with them?[/b] [b]What is your greatest fear?[/b] [b]What makes you happy?[/b] [b]What is your deepest darkest secret?[/b] [b]Is there anything you wish you could change about your life or pack?[/b]
[b]So I heard your pack thinks that the Ocean is going to kill everyone someday, I mean no offense...that seems a bit far-fetched..do you really believe that?[/b]
[b]Do you think your pack would be better off focusing on learning about the ocean or appeasing the ocean? It seems like these different approaches might clash from time to time...[/b]
[b]Whats with the whole 'throwing wolves off a cliff' thing, isn't that a little melodramatic? Couldn't you just feed the sharks squirrels or something? [/b]
[b]Is it true your Shepard drinks seawater until she hallucinates to feel closer to the ocean?[/b]
[b]Have you ever tried Sleeping Pup? I've heard that it makes wolves euphoric...I bet it would be great for a full moon party![/b]
[b]There are rumors that your Overseer has a secret red mistress beyond the pack lands and that his most trusted rangers set up meetings, could there be any truth to this rumor?[/b]
Ocean Waters Create a Game Contest Start - Now End - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th Your shifting shades of blue are lovely and within the pack they are held quite dear...of course this wonderful hide also comes with a bit of responsibility, surely a wolf as favored by the ocean as yourself is a creative beast...and if your not - well, you should probably go and ask the ocean for a bit of advice because someone has seen fit to make you the Gamesmaster for the upcoming Pack fun day. Don't look so freaked out..it's supposed to be an honor!
Rules 1 - You may enter for as many wolves as you like but may only win one of the 5 we are giving away. 2 - This wolf may follow either a religious or non-religious path and choose any rank but Shepard and Overseer. 3 - FIll out the form completely..and have fun? It is a game contest after all....your duty should you choose to accept it is to create a fun wolf game the pack can play during one of their pack morale fun days. You are free to create any sort of game you want, a game of chance, a race/relay, a scavenger hunt..whatever you want! There are no limits on the type of game as long as it can be fairly played in some manner on Gaia in an In character fashion. (IE - A sea shell toss could ICly represent a dice roll, or the Dice roll could be completely OOC and reflect an IC Success or Failure, use your Imaginaaation!)
OOC Info Check out this thread for any other info you might need! 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.
The Form
[size=18][color=dodgerblue]It's Game Time![/color][/size]
[b]Name of your Game :[/b] [b]Game Description:[/b] (A brief blurb about it) [b]How to Play :[/b] (Please include any dice rolls that need to be made by players, size of teams, basic rules..any other IC info that might be required) [b]Can the Pack use your game in an upcoming Pack fun day?[/b]
Storm Rising Create a Study Contest Start - Now End - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th
Pale with a hint of darker hues and white surf your hide seems to bring about the idea of a rising storm, it is much admired but don't let it go to your head! With such a thought provoking hide you must be a wise and smart wolf and the Overseer has tasked you with a duty, a recent study group has failed to show any significant progress and is being disbanded - the pack can't have bored Scholars wandering about, can you imagine how much trouble they would cause? Create a new study and rise or fall by its success...
Rules 1 - You may enter for as many wolves as you want but only win one of the 6 we are giving away 2 - This wolf may follow either a religious or non-religious path and take up any rank but Shepard or Overseer. 3 - Fill out the form completely, there is no limit on the type of study you can come up with - it can be as outlandish/crazy or serious as you want as long as it can be realistically played out in character (I mean much as we would love too I don't think wolves can study putting laser beams on sharks, sorry!) Please keep your pitch In character, pretend you are a wolf actually approaching the Overseer with this idea! (He's a pretty good guy, he probably won't bite..probably)
OOC Info Please see this thread for any other info you may need 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 Form
[size=18][color=cadetblue]I have an Idea...[/color][/size] [b]Pitch your Idea to the Overseer : [/b](Include the basic idea behind the study - what you are looking for, what your goal is, how much help you will need, materials ..whatever you think is important)
Rough Water Color a Pack Prize Contest Start - Now End - 11:59 PM PST, Sat Sept 20th
Your hide is swirling with the colors of the ocean, rough, wild and untamed you are what some in the pack probably consider a heart throb. Everyone knows that the best time to look for sea shells is after a storm and so you have decided to do just that, somewhere out there on the beach is the perfect shell and you must find it! It is imperative as it will be the main prize in the upcoming pack games and both the Shepard and the Overseer are depending on you.
Rules 1 - You may enter for as many wolves as you like but only win one of the 5 we are giving away. 2 - This wolf may follow either a religious or non-religious path and take up any rank but Shepard or Overseer. 3 - You may color one of the provided seashells or draw one of your own, seashells can be any color (We have wolves with purple and pink hides, we aren't going to hold you to natural colored shells) Please fill in the form completely!
OOC Info The Storm Watch love the ocean, it's only fitting that they would spend time decorating their dens with shells, driftwood and other sea related things, the wolves use shells as prizes in their games, as tokens of affection and sometimes just as nifty collections.(Really we just thought it would be fun to give out little graphics for their journal pages when they win IC contest's/games and didn't want to color them all ourselves >.<)
Last reserved post just in case. Contests and such will appear here soon!
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:27 am
Open!
JetAlmeara
Eloquent Raider
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She-Ra of Etheria
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:31 am
*ninja steals first post*
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:06 am
This looks amazing.
*schemes to enter for ALL THE WOLVES and will be back later to make that happen*
fenshae
Beloved Codger
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In Good Faith
Dapper Entrepreneur
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:27 am
JetAlmeara
owo I was curious if there is a method for preferences? >w< For example, if I'd like the chance to win in each contest, but want the wolf from the create a study contest most? (I also understand each person may only win one. 3nodding )
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:44 am
OooOOOooo... much contest, very interest! *will be back later after class!*
Stormy Hound
Greedy Werewolf
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Huroggmeten
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:07 am
It's Game Time!
Name of your Game : Honoring Homeland Game Description: The game was designed to honor the history of the pack, a teaching-game to ensure that all remembered the great storm that had wrecked havoc on their beloved ocean and inspired them to greater organization (thus uniting in response to natural disaster)- even in the midst of play. The intention is neither to make fun nor to make light of those events, rather to bring the pack together by reminding them of why they set up the Storm Watch in the first place and the consequences of being idle or allowing duties to remain untended while fighting... and let everyone blow off some steam in the process. heart How to Play :(Please include any dice rolls that need to be made by players, size of teams, basic rules..any other IC info that might be required) The setting of the game is along the water's edge, near the sand and the waves, preferably during a shift in the tides so that the waters are surging or receding. Each team of five wolves (four for the seasons, one for the time that flows through them all) takes an initial position along the beach, and any 'leftover' wolves if the gathering is not divisible by 5 shall serve as mediators and observe the events, trotting up and down the beach and weaving in and out of each team- thus playing a little themselves, while ensuring that everything remains fair. The waves are the storm, the air is the rushing wind, and each wolf is a sentinel of Homeland for their little portion of beach. Each team is given a live crustacean to 'guard' as a symbol of their Homeland, preferably one that does not burrow too quickly so that it is not lost immediately (The crustaceans can be gathered by the game moderators while the teams are splitting up evenly, ensuring that a mixture of genders and ranks is spread throughout each). The youngest member ("Spring") is in charge of watching the Homeland, dodging around it and ensuring that it stays within the field of play. The rest of the team take turns defending (building up sand embankments around their Homeland, which must be ever-shifting and changing if Spring can't keep Homeland within the first shelter) and protecting (Standing or laying in the way of the waves, using themselves as shields- though not too long lest they get too chilled!-, and any skills they have to protect their Homeland. The game ends when either the Homeland makes it back to the sea (considered a technical failure, and yet still a good omen since the creature used as a symbol belongs in the sea) or the sun sets (the game is typically started at high noon, with everyone rested and fed). The team(s) still active at dusk are considered the winners, having with-held the 'storm' the longest, and are honored at the next gathering by serving as the initial member ("Time") of each team- if there are more than five teams total, the other team starters are considered "Winter" and are chosen as the eldest members of the pack with "Time" being the highest-ranking team member. Time is a constant, yet begins and ends each game as the teaching stories are shared between members and each wolf tackles the game in their own way (maybe they splash around in the waves to try and send droplets back into the ocean, snapping at the eb and flow or digging non-stop to send a flurry of sand up towards to block the coming 'storm'? Helping out 'Spring' and showing them how to better block the live creature, if the poor pup seems confused? etc.) Thus is Homeland honored in the individuals' unique way.
Breakdown: 1. (IC play with some OOC monitoring of team numbers and individuals' attributes) Pack breaks up into teams of five, representing the four seasons plus time that holds them all together.
Oldest wolf = "Winter" Youngest = "Spring" Wolf of age to bear offspring, who has yet to bear their first litter or father one = "Summer" Wolf already a mother/father = "Fall" Most honored/revered member = "Time"
Any remaining members are used as sentinels for the game, the initial task of which is to find crustaceans for each team to serve as symbols of their Homeland. If there are no wolves to serve as Summer or Fall in an odd team, the designation goes by how many siblings they have (the one with the most younger siblings is Fall).
2. (IC play with OOC rolling) Each team is assigned a task that changes throughout the game (even the youngest can 'tap out' and become a defender if they exhaust themselves chasing after Homeland), the starting tasks being based on their rank within the team:
"Winter" = Guide (generally oversee things within their team, unlike the 'extra wolves' that oversee the entire game, acting where they see fit and as they are able, helping the younger members figure out the best strategy to win or helping out whoever of the team is struggling as they see fit). ROLLING: There is no rolling for this team member, unless they dodge in and start helping out a specific role in which case they take on that role's rolling responsibilities. There can be multiple individuals rolling for the same role, in which case their rolls are combined to determine the success of the task (i.e. you can mix Spring's roll for catching the crustacean with Winter's roll for the crustacean's ability to dodge/escape, but both rolls must be clearly labelled in order to combine). This would allow gameplay to move faster, but please note that there is no roll combining for roles that only have 1 number to randomize (i.e. Winter's roll can't build with either of the defenders'). Winter may also Pass on a round, choosing not to roll for any role and instead posting something along the lines of their old wolfie needed a break. xd This might be useful if the game is moving too quickly or someone needs to take a break OOCly.
"Spring" = First Protector of the Homeland (Chase the crustacean around and prevent it from entering the water; it is considered unfair to hold the crustacean in one's mouth, and likewise sitting on the crustacean or otherwise immobilizing it is considered to be in bad taste- it is a game of herding the little creature, not overpowering it!) ROLLING: 2 rolls (random number 1-10), back to back and never ending until the game itself ends, one for the pup's ability to corral Homeland and one for the crustacean's evasiveness in response to that try. An even = Success, an odd = Failure, and the number is the steps forward (1-3), back (4-6), left (7-8 ) or right (9-10) that "Spring" or "Homeland" move. The rolls are combined to determine the new position. For example, "Spring" rolls a 3 and "Homeland" rolls a 9, that means that "Spring" moves forward towards the crustacean 3 spaces and "Homeland" moves 9 spaces to the right, the rolls and direction are combined so the pair moves 6 spaces to the right. Directions combine as follows: 1 Forward + 1 Back = no movement, 1 Left + 1 Right = no movement, 1 Forward or back + 1 Direction (Left or Right) = no movement, and the remainder of the higher number is the final direction the pair moves. The initial position of Homeland is 40 paces straight back away from the sea, with Homeland always trying to move towards the sea and Spring always trying to prevent that. (So left/right don't do much aside from stall the game, forward for "Spring" means away from the sea for "Homeland", and forward for "Homeland" means towards the sea).
"Summer" = Defender on Land (builds sand forts around the crustacean as much as possbile- again, must allow at least one route of escape, can't completely encircle the team). ROLLING: A simple dice roll (1, 10-sided dice), where evens = building up the sand embankment and odds = the ocean tore it down. Build Up (1-3), Tear Down (4-6), expand left (7-8 ) or expand right (9-10).
"Fall" = Defender in Sea (uses their body as a shield when the waves arrive, snaps at the waves or flails with their tail to send spray droplets flying back into the ocean, etc.) ROLLING: A simple dice roll (1, 10-sided dice), where evens = blocking the sea and odds = the ocean made it around the wolves' body/snap/flail/etc. Blocking the Sea (1-3), the Sea flows around You (4-6), the ocean spray is directed left (7-8 ) or the ocean spray is directed right (9-10).
"Time" = flows throughout them all, spending no more than 10 breaths on a task before moving on to the next (Generally it is understood that each wolf will have to monitor their own breathing speed, and may loose track of this in the spirit of the game, so one of the moderating wolves' task is to watch Time's ribcage for > 10 inhales/exhales). ROLLING: Switches between tasks, 5 breaths = 1 roll. So, Time can roll twice for the season of their choice before moving on (thus completing 1 full round of rolling for "Spring" or 1 defensive move for "Summer" or "Fall").
The moderating wolves are in charge of rolling for the sun's movement through the sky, random number 1-100 with a roll of 1 through 50 meaning 1 arc and 50 through 100 meaning 2 arcs. After 10 arcs, the sun has set. The moderating wolf is allowed to roll after EACH MEMBER of EVERY TEAM has completed 1 round of rolling for their task. (I.e. "Spring" has rolled a random number 1-10 twice, "Summer" and "Fall" have each rolled a random number 1-10 once, and both "Winter" and "Time" have completed the rolls for whichever team member they have chosen to help for that round).
Note that the roles of Winter and Time are not truly redundant, because whereas Winter allows the wolf to pace themselves in aiding their team, the role of Time requires a very active and fast-paced movement that would be (generally) detrimental to the health of an older wolf. Winter is also the only team member allowed to "pass" on a round (i.e. not roll, and just post something along the lines of their wolf taking a breather/rest/break). Roles can be changed with the mutual agreement of both parties, after each wolf has completed 3 rounds of their Starting rolling tasks with accompanying IC RPed gameplay.
Rules: 1. No interfering with other teams' play. This is a task internal to each team, and any wolves found to be attempting to interfere with another teams' ability to win or play will be placed on time-out for a full round of play (everyone rolling once). Second offenders are removed from the game, and one of the Moderators will take over that wolf's last rank. The wolf is allowed to watch or run WITH A REMAINING MODERATOR (i.e. they can't wreak havoc across the entire game, but the moderator's task expands to keep watch of that former player. The idea of this is that wolf learns something from the mod while still being involved and not feeling isolated. xd) 2. Although switching rolls is allowed and even encouraged, each wolf (player/owner) must complete 3 full rounds of their initial rank's Rolls before moving on. For "Spring", this would mean rolling once for themselves and once for "Homeland" 3 times each before moving on. 3. "Homeland" making it back to the sea = that team 'looses' but Homeland has returned to its home so there's no dishonor in it, or the sun setting = end of play. 4. Rolls are completed sequentially as follows: First Winter rolls as designated for the person they're helping that round or passes, then Spring rolls twice, then Summer rolls once, then Fall rolls once, then Time rolls as designated for the person they're helping that round, then the moderator rolls for the sun after EACH team has finished their rolls for all 5 team members. 5. HAVE FUN!
Can the Pack use your game in an upcoming Pack fun day? Yes! heart
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:23 am
Roman Foi
JetAlmeara
owo I was curious if there is a method for preferences? >w< For example, if I'd like the chance to win in each contest, but want the wolf from the create a study contest most? (I also understand each person may only win one. 3nodding )
You can tack on a Pref list to your contest entries if you'd like and we'll take it into consideration if we're torn between one or more of your entries to win.
