Post by Heika on Jun 24, 2016 3:07:56 GMT -5
LORE
AND SO, IT BEGINS...
While the first wolves are said to have begun their journey in the lands to the east of the Island, it is often whispered among the elders that only the smartest, strongest, and most determined were able to make their way to the shores of Sharktooth Island. The first to have completed that treacherous journey were Lupe and Rannock, a mated pair. Supposedly, their love for each other kept them strong, even during the darkest of times, and it was only because of their steadfast devotion that they made it to the Island. So, when they first stood on that sandy beach and took in the paradise before them, there was no question that their future laid in each other. Accepting any wolf strong enough to swim across the channel, they created the beginnings of the Sharktooth pack, and lived on the Island until the end of their days.
Over time, Lupe and Rannock grew to become myths, passed down through each generation through a series of stories. Rannock, the male, is considered the god of death, and resides on land in the shadows. He watches the pack, and comes for the wolves when it is their time. He does not intervene otherwise. But, despite his fearsome teeth and intimidating build, he plucks of souls of each dying wolf from their body as gently as a mother would her newborn pup, and releases them into the stars.
Meanwhile, Lupe, the she-wolf, is considered the goddess of life and resides in the light of day. She is seen as a maternal figure, and the pack believes that she guards the Island when she is pleased, and sends harsh weather and storms when she is not. When wolves first fall pregnant, they say a prayer to Lupe for a strong litter, and several times have named their pups in her honor. Also, wolves look to Lupe for guidance during trying times, and may even leave her a piece of prey as offering if they are desperate enough.
HISTORY
For as long as anyone could remember, the Sharktooth pack has always been led by the Faures. But, in recent history, Laevis Faure ruled the land. A fair leader, he was ever vigilant in regards to the pack's safety, and was regarded as a father figure to all. Despite his many responsibilities, Laevis always made time for his daughter, Aia, as well as the other pups in the pack. Whether this was because the loss of his mate weighed heavily on his heart or because he simply had a soft spot for pups, no one ever knew for certain. Regardless, he treated them as though they were his own, and taught them to value their pack mates from a young age. Under his tutelage, an entire generation of wolves grew up in a tightly knit family, and, as Aia came of age, Laevis slipped away in the middle of the night. Paddling into the channel, he never looked back. Aia had grown up strong and he couldn't have been prouder; his job was done.
Immediately, Aia wore her new role like a second skin. There was no question that she was alpha material, and, after a few seasons under her command, the results spoke for themselves. The pack was healthy, lively, and wanted for nothing. All was good, and Aia thought she was content until a strange wolf washed up on Purgatory Reef. A dangerous stretch of ocean, Aia's council considered his survival a miracle in itself. When he woke, they learned that his name was Baye, and that he was looking for a new home.
However, the Sharktooth pack was wavy of outsiders, since they were few and far between. As a result, Aia decided that Baye would be placed on a probation period of one month, as was the standard procedure. If during that time he managed to earn their trust, he would be permitted to join the pack as an omega. If he failed, they would drive him from the Island.
As the pack alpha, Aia took it upon herself to monitor Baye as closely as possible. It was her responsibility to protect the pack from harm, and Baye would be considered a threat, she decided, until he proved otherwise. But, the longer she spent with him, the more she found herself prey to an unknown emotion until that moment. Whenever he spoke, she hung onto his every word, and even his dumbest antics were enough to draw laughter from her lips. Aia was absolutely enraptured with him, and she finally realized that she had fallen in love. And, if the way he spent nearly every waking moment by her side was any indication, then he felt the same way too. When the month was over, Aia accepted Baye as the newest member of the pack, not as an omega, but as a fellow alpha.
While the council was doubtful at first — they had expected Aia to choose a mate of high standing within the pack — they could do nothing but concede in the face of the couple's honest and unrelenting romance. Locked in a blissful whirlwind of passion, Aia and Baye made up for each other's faults as naturally as though that was their purpose in life all along. When Aia was too stern, Baye taught her the necessity of fluidity and compassion. And, when Baye loved freedom and adventure, Aia showed him that settling down with the right wolf did not have to mean imprisonment. They were willing to do anything for each other, and the couple couldn't have been happier than when Aia fell pregnant with their first litter. But, as per usual, nothing good could last forever.
Tragedy struck the night Aia went into labor. The delivery was difficult, and the first two pups of the litter were stillborns. The knowledge that her children were dead before their lives even began crippled AIa, and she had barely enough strength to give birth to her only living pup, Iiona, before passing away. Baye, wrought with grief, swore to her that he would never take another mate, and that he would raise their daughter to be as good an alpha as Aia was.
Making true on that promise, Baye relented much of the leadership of the pack to the council in interest of spending time with Iiona. He taught her a variety of lessons, including how to hunt, the lore of the Island, and what traits dictated a good leader. Although he was never quite the same after Aia's death, Baye treasured Iiona, and dedicated his life to her. But, without his mate, Baye slowly withered away; his pelt lost its glossy sheen and his body shrunk until he was nothing but skin and bones. And, shortly after Iiona came of age to accept the position as pack alpha, Rannock led Baye away, finally reuniting him with Aia in the afterlife.
Since then, Iiona leads the Sharktooth pack, although whether or not she can live up to the legacy of her ancestors is still a question that only be answered in time.
MECHANICS
Because the Sharktooth pack lives mostly in isolation from the mainland, they have been able to develop their own lore and pack mechanics. While they are still led by an alpha or alpha pair, the alphas are advised by a council. On the council are the lead hunter, lead fisher, lead guard, and shaman. Together, they tell the alphas about the conditions of the Island, and what they think would be the best course of action. While everything is ultimately up to the alphas to decide, they will take the council's reports into consideration.
Unique to the Sharktooth Island, fishers take advantage of the ocean's abundant supply of seafood to feed the pack. These wolves spend most of their days swimming in the shallows, and take to the water like it's second nature. They know all about the dangers of the ocean, and often boast that they could make the swim across the channel without any issues. But, very few of them have ever actually even considered it, despite all young, foolhardy fishers daring their friends to do so.
The shaman is generally a figurehead. They relay messages from the pack to Lupe and Rannock, and are present at every funeral and every birth. They are the spiritualist and healer all in one, and have some sway over the pack's decisions as they are the main link between the wolves and their gods. Also, when the pack accepts new members or when apprentices come of age, the shaman oversees an initiation ceremony on Lovers' Peak presenting them to Lupe and Rannock for approval.
The guards in the Sharktooth pack are interesting in that they are not chosen only for their fighting abilities. Because the channel isolates Sharktooth Island from the mainland, and most of the other wolf packs as well, there are actually very little threats that the pack require guards in order to defeat. As a result, the guards on Sharktooth Island are prized more for their keen eyesight, sharp hearing, and reliable sense of smell. It is their job to watch over the fishers and hunters, keeping an eye out for alligators and sharks.
When new pups are born in the pack, they live under the protection and guidance of their parents as well as the den sitter. Then, when they reach six months old, they become apprentices, and are formally recognized by the pack. Usually, the alphas decide which path the apprentices follow, but they are also encouraged to speak their minds on what they wish to become. They are apprenticed for another six months, and, when they are one year old, they are acknowledged as adults and leave their apprenticeship behind.
It is assumed that when the pack's alphas die, their direct descendants pick up their role. But, if it so happens that the next-in-line to assume the throne is unable to do so — reasons may include being too young, not currently residing at Sharktooth Island, etc. — then the council is to make decisions as a group. If the alpha-to-be is simply too young, then the council will act as temporary leaders of the pack. However, if there is no certain successor, then the Council will nominate someone to assume the position.
RANKS
LEADERSHIP
Alphas
Iiona Faure
∟ played by Heika
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Council
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∟ Lead Hunter
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∟ Lead Fisher
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∟ Lead Guard
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∟ Shaman
SPECIALISTS
Hunters
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Fishers
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Warriors
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Den Sitter
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Shaman
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OTHERS
Pups
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Apprentices
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UNDERLINGS
Omegas
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OUTSIDERS
Allies
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Enemies
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Males → 0
Females → 1
JOINING
To join, please reply to this thread using the following template:
[b]Name:[b]
[b]Age:[b]
[b]Rank Wanted:[b] Anything that is a leadership role must be role-played. Alpha position is not open to request. Please take a careful look at the pack's structure before deciding on your role! Wolves under 6 months old must join as a pup. Wolves between the ages of 6 months and 1 year are apprentices.
[b]Second Choice:[b]
[b]Mates/Pups:[b]
[b]Link to Bio:[b]
[b]Roleplay Sample:[b] If applying for a leadership role, please include a 250 word role-play sample. Otherwise, ignore this portion of the application.
