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 Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:34 am
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:36 am
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:37 am
 Terrain
The ocean is the most dominating portion of the Outrider's territory. It cuts the land into an almost crescent shape. It is almost always cold, which is a gentle comfort during the summer and a brutal factor during the winter. Ice burgs may drift in from farther out, but rarely do they form in the small bay. The shores are covered with a rough, dirty mud and smooth black stones. During the summer, black and white whales like to rub their bellies against them, making for very amusing moments.
Because the water is salty, not too many wolves choose to den here, although it is the favored place for most of the pack residents. Strolling along the many acres of coast and beach do well for private thinking. Most of the beaches, in width, are small. They connect almost directly to the forest, providing shade and protection from the open.
There is little game here, although some wolves might be able to fish out some salt water fish...
The most benificial purpose of the ocean however, is that it completely protects the Southern Borders.
Images:
x. By Cliffs
The narrow line of cliffs facing the more eastern portion of the pack serve as excellent spots for dens and lookouts. The majority of the rock faces are covered with small green grasses and lazy wildflowers, and most overlook directly at the sea. From here it is possible to see the mountains to the west, and further off into the horizon. It is a popular spot for sentries off duty, and a place to come and think.
Occasionally sea birds make rookeries on the ledges, and their eggs can serve as lovely treats during certain times of the year.
There are two beaches on either side of the territory- the rest of the coast is made up of mostly rocky crevasses. They are known as the Eastern, and Western beach, respectivly. These are not the picturesque tropical beach scenes however- most of the beaches are made up of a thick black mud and sand, and totally littered with round stones. During the winter, the water is usually frozen about three feet out into the ocean, where a slight film of ice bobs at the top.
During the summer time, fish become plentiful- although the best fishing spots are still on the river. Salt water fish can give a change of diet for freshwater wolves. On occasion the shore is even frequented by fur seals during late June. Their pups can make a nice meal, but usually, they're just matters of peculiar novelty.
Images:
x. Beach
x. Coast
x. Shore
To the west, stretches about five miles of thick grassland. Few trees live here, but it is an excellent hunting ground for herd animals. Large groups of elk and deer like to fawn in the protective regions of grass, and it is an excellent place for vole hunting and other small game.
There is little protection in this vacant land, so it is not advised that young wolves visit such a region where hawks have been known to scour. This land connects at some length to Hige's pack, so it's also asked not to go too far for political reasons as well! However, there is still plenty of land for ample exploration.
Most hunting parties during the spring-summer months will come to this area. However in the winter it is an endless stretch of endless snow, and rarely does any creature frequent it.
Two wide rivers cut through the region. The first links the lake with the ocean, and severs the land into two portions. It is a large and flowing river which may flood on occasion, so not many wolves den directly on it's shores. The water is fresh, although towards the very mouth of the river there is brackish water. Two river crossing facilitate the crossing from one side of the pack lands, the first by a series of rocks, and the second by a large sandbar.
Hunting for those wolves who can fish is at it's best here. Salmon swim upstream every year to spawn in the large lake in the north. Because there are few bears in the woods thanks to patrols, the salmon is almost exclusively open to lupine consumption. Even young wolves might find themselves able to catch the wild fish as they leap up small waterfalls to try to get to the land they came from.
The other river connects from the north, and is an offshoot of the large river which slides through Shaoilin. Visitors occasionally come from the south side of the river, and walk around it in a pilgrimage to the south. This top river does not carry salmon, but other types of fish do live here, and it is the frequent watering spot of many game creatures.
Both rivers feed into one large lake, although there are at least three smaller lakes that dot the land. This is the place of destination for most wolves that care not for the ocean. The water is fresh and clean, and during the late summer salmon flood its shores to spawn- if they made the journey up the river. There are plenty of spots for small wooded dens, but like the river, it can occasionally swell during heavy rains or the winter melt.
The lake is too large to freeze over in winter, but ice does swallow it's edges at about ten feet across. All smaller lakes become frozen during the winter season. All of the lakes are surrounded by a thick wood, and allow for protection against the sun and unknown dangers.
Images:
x. Lake
x. Lake
With so much water, it's surprising that there is any room for forest- but despite the overall liquid presence, the forest of the packlands are thick and overwhelm all the bodies of water. Made up mostly of tall pines and spruce, even in the winter they retain some green. The bottom floor of the forest is wild and overgrown- flowers grow beneath the trees and the woods is very rarely made of just a dirt floor. There are bushes which litter the earth from all sides, and during the fall berries blossom and can be nice treats for wolves brave enough to eat them.
The woods are also home to many species of game. Towards the north, there are small groups of moose that roam, although they are rarely hunted by wolves. During the winter Elk and deer move towards the south where some resilient plants may still survive, and hares nest year round beneath the trunks of the old trees. The wood is very old, and it allows for many places to hide.
Images:
x.
Wolves are free to set up dens wherever they wish, although there are two major dens: The winter den, and the summer den. When times are hot, most wolves move to the coast by the cliffs where there is a nice breeze, while pregnant females remain in the safe winter den to raise their young should they care not to find their own den.
During bad weather in the winter, even wolves who normally den alone will oftenly pile into the large cave that serves as the winter den. It is a large cave- but the opening to it is very small, and most wolves must wiggle their way in if they want to come. But the small opening makes for a warm and safe place to sleep, and an excellent birthing den in the summer.
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