[OOC] About the Pack

[Seaki]

 

[Seaki]

History

The Tangambili started off small, like any other pack. They were a small collection of dogs from a few different packs that had fallen apart in the changing world. The Eldest dog claimed them to be brought together by the winds, and spoke it wisely. She spoke of her travels, of the wind that carried her to her destinations, and they all began to believe her tales as much as she did. They traveled up the mountains where they could hear the wind singing to them, hoping to hear what was leading them - the gods and goddesses that brought them all together.

As time moved on, the dogs fell into their roles, leading or hunting. Some would gather or craft things to make their journey easier, and their system began to solidify as they moved up and up, higher into the mountains. Curiously, special dogs began to hear whispers of the Gods - these special dogs are highly regarded, raised up and praised as being able to hear the Gods talking, small whispers against the wind of past, present - and even future - events. They first started as small hums, getting louder as they traveled higher - or so said the dogs they now dubbed Whisperers.

The pack settled into a high peak where the wind would whistle through the rocks, and on nights where the Gods could see them best - the night of the full moon - their would sing songs and praises into the heaven, hoping for the wind to carry their voices to the gods.

The mountain became their home, a place of hope and a place of change.

 

[Seaki]

Appearence and Species

There's no real color requirement and all dogs and their companions are accepted. Most dogs do develop thick coats due to the snow and the frigid air, but not all of them. Some are made pelts by the Artisans to keep them warm during the nights and furs for their dens.

Wild Dogs are the only Regular SoA allowed in the pack permanently. The Pack does accept refugees for a short time until they can find their standing. Familiars are allowed in as companions, however.

Companions/Familiars

The most common familiar will be the Klipspringer - they're useful in mountainous terrain and can navigate it easily as well as carry heavier items. They are viewed as friends and not prey. Avians and Snakes are mostly the companions of Guards and Sentries as they can get a better view of surrounding areas or get into smaller spaces. Companions generally aid the Dogs in whatever job they have - normally matched based on personality and their ability to do the job as well. Other familiars are allowed if they do not pose a threat.

Other prey familiars are seen as food for the most part, and other familiars are driven away.

Note: Familiars are a big part of the pack. Companions and Dogs do not always have to belong to the same person (so lone Klips, Avians, Snakes, etc can join and they can be matched to someone). However, there will likely be contests and events for familiars in the future.

Religion

A majority of the pack worships the winds - they don't know if there is a god or a force of nature, but they believe all gods whisper among the winds and tell secrets to those who can hear them, and those pack members are known as Whisperers. They're highly regarded in the pack and bless festivals and ceremonies before they begin and warn if something bad is going to happen. They're taken extremely seriously within the pack (while there are seers in other ranks, only those with the rank of Whisperer can Bless.)

During the full moon, the pack sings to the gods through the night, joining their voices with the wind to carry any messages they want to be heard by the gods. They are either lead by the Alpha or a Whisperer. Any others beginning the prayer is seen as a high honor.

Worship is not an extreme part of the pack's lives. They understand that the gods are present and try to appease them, but it depends on the Dog or Familiar on how far they will sink into their religion.

Mates/Flings/Surrogates/etc.

Mates: Mates are a sacred thing, and not all dogs find someone they're compatible with, and others find more than one. The pack allows multiple mates of either gender, but a binding will not occur if any member of a mate group disagrees.
Flings: Flings are viewed as bringing new life into the pack, but Adolescent flings are strongly discouraged.
Surrogates: Sometimes a mate group is made up of males. Surrogates may be brought in from the outside of the pack, but will never be forced to stay.

Ceremonies and Festivals

Equinox: The first day of what is considered to be the warm season. There's a week-long festival of feasts and merriment that ends with the pack cleaning and tidying the pack lands as much as they can. Many pups are birthed during this time.
Solstice: The first day of the cold season. It's celebrated with a week-long festival. There's a large feast to prepare for the colder weather and new furs are provided for the pack by the Aristans with items collected by Gatherers and Hunters.

Rain/Snow Dance Ceremony: These two celebrate the first rain and snow of the season (equinox and solstice respectively). The first rain is seen as new life in the pack, and the now symbolizes an eventual rebirth - much like a phoenix's ashes.

Full Moon Song: Every full moon, the pack sings their messages to the wind - it can be any message their decide, as it is effectively a personal prayer. It is done so the pack feels more united. The howls often mix with the winds and are carried off, presumably to the Gods and Goddesses.

Joining Ceremony: A Marriage between two or more members of the pack. It is a joyous event for a pack member to find a mate. The event is blessed by a Whisperer and the Artisan will make a special trinket to bind those marrying with a physical mark. The whole pack is usually involved unless the marrying couple decides otherwise and a small feast occurs.

Naming Ceremony: This does not take place often and only occurs when an heir is named. The Alpha will pass a treasured trinket on to the heir (The Heirloom) and the ceremony concludes with a small feast.
Passing of the Crown: which is more of a proverbial crown. The Alpha will step down publicly and the Heir will take their place. It's a short ceremony, generally followed by mingling so the pack can get to know their new Alpha. In the case of the Alpha's death, the "crown" will be passed through the Alpha's Consort. If there is no named heir, the Whisperers will come to a consensus on the new Alpha.

Items

Furs: coats, legwarmers, and hoods are often made by the artisans to keep the pack members warm. Larger furs are often used to insulate dens for added warmth during the night.
Baskets: Usually with the aid of an Avian, artisans can weave baskets for gatherers to bring things home with. This makes bringing back their findings easier. Klipspringers will sometimes also carry baskets if their dog is a gatherer.
Random Trinkets: Gatherers will often bring back things they might find useful (string, feathers, gems/rocks, etc.) for Artisans to make them nice things with. A meaningful trinket can often be used in joining ceremonies and it is seen as a high honor to the Artisan.

Other items are up to the Artisan.

Heir/ess

The Heir is someone really special and are usually decided by the Alpha with consultation with a Whisperer or a group of them. That said, it does not always fall down a bloodline. For that reason, there are never any princes or princesses within the pack and children of the alpha are raised as such.

Raising Pups

There are no nannies in the pack - and for good reason. The parents of the pups are expected to take care of their children if possible, but not without help. The entire pack shares in the duty of imparting knowledge and wisdom onto pups, as well as keeping them out of trouble. No knows everything, but everyone knows something - so learning from everyone gives the pups a well rounded education.

As pups mature into adolescence, they can decide on the job they like and are given a mentor. A mentor is tasked with teaching specifics. From here, the young Apprentices will either gain their full title in adulthood, or become a journeyman to complete their education.

Most dogs will get their companion during their apprenticeship, but it's not uncommon for it to happen earlier or later in life.