Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 1:45:11 GMT -5
S T O R M B O U R N E
- SHARKTOOTH ISLAND -
MYTH
NIGHTBANE AND THE LOST SOULS OF SHARKTOOTH ISLAND
Eight seasons prior to year one, a legend was born in the rumors of Somerset. The story of Nightbane and his pack is one that has been twisted and changed with time, though the baseline of the story remains. Those of the Shadepaw pack that escaped the onslaught led by the wolf known as 'Nightbane' and made it back to the main-land passed the story along to the other wolves they encountered. With time, the story spread like wildfire, and remains as a sort of bed time story meant to keep children in their beds at night. Not many believe it to be true.
As the story goes, an island rises from the depths of the seas that surround Somerset on all sides, nestled in the Northwestern waters. This island, known as Sharktooth Island, was thought to be a paradise. A pack, once known as the Shadepaw, sought to make their home there. However, the Shadepaw were not respectful of the land they'd come to claim, nor those native to it's tropics. After causing much distress and unsettling the balance, the myth tells of how a wolf was born from the heart of the island, a means of vengeance for those whom had done wrong. It was he that called forth the other souls of the island, leading them in the dead of night to slaughter all of those whom took the name Shadepaw. The tale continues, sometimes tweaked depending on the region it's told in, but only a few managed to escape the island, only on the mercy that the spread the wolf's warning— The story of Nightbane and the lost souls.
HISTORY
THE LEGEND OF THE STORMBOURNE
Imagination and legends often boast a stretched truth, particularly since there is no evidence of anything supernatural existing in Somerset— that does not however, seem to have stopped certain individuals into weaving stories from rumors to keep their little ones in line. While Nightbane does exist, he is not the wolf depicted in the stories. While his fur is black as night, his form does not shift like the shadows, and crimson hues are actually a red-brown. Nightbane's real name is Atervis, and no one in the pack he leads calls him anything but his real name. Likewise, his pack is called the Stormbourne, and while they have souls, they are not shadows or souls themselves. Three years prior to year one, there were no packs on Sharktooth Island. The wolves that lived there did not harbor ill will toward one another, and territory was shared. They looked after the children of the island, always respectful of elders. It was peaceful.
That peace was ended when the Shadepaw came to the island, lead by a wolf by the name of Kinan. For the time following, Kinan and his loyalists swept across the island, leaving tragedy and blood in their wake. It wasn't until a year of terror persisted that the wolves that had chosen not to align with Kinan gathered in the dead of night to retaliate, under the call of a lone black wolf by the name of Atervis. A pup that Atervis had looked after, Prier, had been murdered the previous spring when she'd accidentally stumbled into the middle of a hunt. Kinan, whom had been present, had made fun of the situation, recounting the event at a later date, claiming he'd said 'Run, pup. Run.'.
A few night later, Atervis's challenging call took to the skies in a clearing that was scattered with the blood and corpses of the Shadepaw's best hunting party. The pack that would come to be known as the Stormbourne took to the shadows of the night, rising up and surrounding the remainder of Kinan's pack. A fight broke out, and the survivors were either hunted down, or chased straight from the island. Since then, Atervis has led the Stormbourne. There has been a curious wolf or two that has made it to the island since, though they wound up enlisting in the pack rather than returning home. With them, they brought knowledge of the stories that are carried through the lands of Somerset, much to the relief of the Stormbourne, as they would prefer to avoid a repeat of the past.
STRUCTURE
THE INNER WORKINGS OF SHARKTOOTH ISLAND
The Stormbourne took their name because of the massive storm that took place on the night they drove the Shadepaw from their lands. The make-up of the group is fairly basic to traditional wolf structure; from the Alpha to the Betas, and the structure below to help build things up. The Stormbourne are a very tight knit pack, and any discontent or tension in the pack is usually resolved by the alpha himself. The alpha is deeply respected and revered, and oversees the pact with high expectations. Because of this, the pack functions well, and peace has returned to Sharktooth Island once again.
The Alpha of the pack oversees the entirely of the pack, and is the final permission needed in order for two wolves to be mated. Additionally, the Mercy answer directly to the Alpha. Traditional of wolves, the Alphess is the Apha's life-mate, and she also acts to oversee a section of the pack, those wolves known as the Shaman, or healers. Despite her ranking, she is not second in command when the Alpha is absent. The Alpha is also the final say in those whom will be selected to join the Mercy.
The second in command that functions in the Alpha's place when he is not able to be present, is the Beta. When Alpha is present, the Beta leads all hunting activity and oversees the Seekers and their responsibilities. The Beta's mate does not inherit any particular position as a member of the commanding ranks, though she does serve as a sort of partner to the Alphess, accompanying her when needed and assisting in anything relating to the Shaman.
In regards to the rest of the pack, there are three groups with specialized tasks that are hand chosen and maintained to ensure that the pack runs smoothly and without fail. The top of these three are the Mercy, and are some of the most revered fighters within the pack, whom the Alpha's most trusted. Most of the Mercy, to date, are those whom served alongside Atervis when Stormbourne ran Shadepaw from it's lands. The Mercy are those wolves that are referred to as 'The Lost Souls' in Nightbane's legend, and they are known to play up the stories surrounding themselves when it comes to fulfilling their responsibilities. They are the enforcers and the elite guard, patrolling the southernmost shores of Sharktooth Island to ensure that all arrivals are met and secured the moment they wash up on Stormbourne lands. The Mercy are directly overseen by the Alpha himself, and are incredibly loyal to him. They are, arguably, also the most feared wolves in Stormbourne, as they will go to whatever means necessary to protect the pack and it's Alpha. The Mercy can only be chosen by the Alpha himself, and are generally selected from the ranks of the Seekers.
Another notable rank within Stormbourne are the Shaman. The Shaman serve as the healers, of sorts, and are often the more wise and cautious of the pack. In regards to the term 'healers', the Shaman look after the pups when the mothers are busy with their own duties, and tend to the ill and injured. Though they can work miracles, there is nothing supernatural about their abilities, and they simply work with what the island provides them. In the absence of an Alpha, the Shaman are overseen by the Beta, though are capable of functioning without someone constantly looking over them. Should the Alpha ever take a mate, she would be in charge of overseeing the Shaman, so that she may update the Alpha on the health concerns of the pack, as well as how the pups are coming along— anything she has learned in her daily activities. Likewise, the Alphess also recommends which wolves show promise to join the ranks of the Shaman, since they interact often with the Civilians of the pack, and are able to see whom would benefit the pack.
The last of the three ranks are the Seekers, or the Hunters. They are led by the Beta, and provide food to the pack as a whole. The Seekers are hand selected by the Beta from the Civilians, most often from a young age, where they are trained to hunt. Those whom excel and show interest in the Mercy, and often recommended by the Beta, though some wolves prefer to remain Seekers. Seekers are the largest of the three groups.
The lowest rank are referred to as the civilians, or more commonly known elsewhere as the Omegas. Stormbourne functions as a family, sticking close and looking out for one another, so teasing and picking on one another is often looked down upon, and the civilians get at least that much respect. Typically, Civilians are crippled or permanently injured wolves, wolves with sickness that will not allow them to work, expecting mothers, or pups. They generally remain close to the pack's dens behind the Skyfalls, and are generally in the company of the Shaman and mates of the Alpha and Beta.
THE WOLVES OF SHARKTOOTH ISLAND
@therootless
MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS
