Post by BATTY on Jun 12, 2014 22:18:43 GMT -6
Now this is the Law of the Jungle --
as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper,
but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
-Rudyard Kipling
THE MASTERS:
Many dogs in this area believe that humans, called "the masters" once watched over them all and cared for them as if they were their own pups. However, dogs began to Stray away from their masters and fall to greed and laziness.
Legend says, the masters became disgusted with the sin and corruption of their servants and left the Earth by ascending into heaven. Dogs believe that by serving their Pack and living in a certain way, they can join the Masters in this paradise when they die. If a dog doesn't get into paradise, they are cursed to roam the Earth forever as a displaced soul with the Rotties. The Packs believe that this fate befalls all Strays, who choose not to serve any pack. Strays themselves usually reject this superstition, and accuse the Packs of being the ones who are corrupt.
THE ROTTIES:
Dogs believe that the rotties (zombies) are ghouls, put on Earth to remind them of how they have sinned. The rotties do not hunt or harm dogs, they simply shuffle about taking no notice of them at all, but their stench and effect on the environment is torturous. They are reviled by all dog kind.
THE MESSIAH:
When the masters first left, they had not planned to allow any canines into paradise. However, one dog was so pure and loyal that she was able to speak the master's language and convince them to offer forgiveness to the righteous and deserving. This legendary dog was thought to be a female, named Lycearon, or "Lyca". Both a virtuous warrior and a cunning trickster, she opened the doorway to paradise for all dogkind.
Her exact breed is debated over, but generally she is remembered as a German shepherd, husky and other large wolf-like breeds. The Fawnstalker Pack believes she was a wild forest-dweller, and a great hunter, while the Rotstalker Pack believes she lived only in the city and guarded the masters' children from demons while they slept. There are countless legends about her travels and exploits, each more fantastic than the last.
CHAIN OF COMMAND: ALPHA > BETA > SEER > FIGHTERS/PREYFINDERS/DAMS > PROUDFOOTS > TENDERFOOTS > PUPS > OMEGA
Chain of command is very important to the Pack. Dogs who are lower ranked will show submission to those who are higher ranked.
PACK RULES
The Alpha's word is law. The Pack thinks and feels as it's Alpha does.
CUSTOMS & SUPERSTITION.
Submissive behaviors are: asking permission, phrasing things as a question, lowered tails, avoiding direct eye contact, crouching, raised ears, keeping fangs hidden.
Aggressive behaviors are: raising your voice/making demands, raised tails, making direct eye contact, showing fangs, puffing out chest, vocalizations (growling, snarling)
Rolling on ones back and exposing the belly is an extreme way of saying "I am very sorry" or asking for mercy.
Licking under the chin or chest is an extreme gesture of submission.
Touching noses or licking another dog's muzzle is a sign of forgiveness or affection.
PACK RULES
The Alpha's word is law. The Pack thinks and feels as it's Alpha does.
It is considered extremely rude to eat before your turn or steal food. Offenders will often be punished physically or chased away from the kill. Pups and Dams always eat first, even before the Alpha. The Omega always eats last. Adults eat before Tenderfoots.
Any dog may challenge the Alpha for their title, but the loser must be exiled or killed.
Any dog may challenge the Beta for their title, but the loser must be exiled or killed.
Dogs outside the Pack are usually called "Stray" even if their name is known. Upon joining a Pack, they will be called by their real name.
Wasting food is evil.
Being needlessly cruel to prey is not the way of the Dog. Dogs may kill only what they need to feed themselves and the Pack, or to teach their cubs the same.
Being needlessly cruel to prey is not the way of the Dog. Dogs may kill only what they need to feed themselves and the Pack, or to teach their cubs the same.
Pups are treasured above all else. It is considered polite for every member of the Pack to visit a newborn litter and wish the mother well, if they are able.
Seers are usually the only ones allowed in a den while a Dam is giving birth. Even the father must wait outside. The Alpha may interrupt if need be.
Seers must visit the Burial Grounds every half moon to commune with the masters through meditation. At these meetings, they will also share information with the other Seers and discuss the problems individual members of their Pack are facing (though they will not say anything that could jeopardize their Pack's survival.
Seers must visit the Burial Grounds every half moon to commune with the masters through meditation. At these meetings, they will also share information with the other Seers and discuss the problems individual members of their Pack are facing (though they will not say anything that could jeopardize their Pack's survival.
Seers are not allowed to have pups of their own. They must always be available to serve their Pack. They may however, have mates for companionship purposes.
Seers must try to heal any wounded dog they see, even if they are a Stray or from another Pack. Seers do not take sides in Pack conflicts.
Full moons are a time of treaties and peace. The Pack meets at the CRESCENT RIDGE at the full moon to discuss treaties and share news.
Tenderfoots are trained by all able-bodied adults communally. It's normal for there to be some favoritism, with some pairs training together more than others. However, it's frowned upon for Dams to train their own pups.
Tenderfoots must take another dog with them when they leave Camp. They must have an adult with them if they leave Pack territory.
Tenderfoots must take another dog with them when they leave Camp. They must have an adult with them if they leave Pack territory.
Dogs sleep very close together in their dens to symbolize Pack unity, even if they don't typically get along during the day.
Howls are usually initiated by the Alpha except when mourning the dead. The Pack members join in after. Howls are used to call the Pack together or celebrate a special event.
When a close friend or relative has died, the grieving may initiate a howl. It is considered polite for the rest of the Pack to join as a means of expressing sympathy.
Omegas may be given a higher rank if a weaker dog is accepted into the Pack. The Alpha ultimately decides if the Pack needs a new Omega.
Every hunter must make sure the Pack is fed before he hunts for himself.
Dogs may only drink from the Strangewater if there is nothing else. They may only eat the fish that swim in the Strangewater if there is nothing else.
Dogs may only drink from the Strangewater if there is nothing else. They may only eat the fish that swim in the Strangewater if there is nothing else.
CUSTOMS & SUPERSTITION.
One who kills another dog by the light of the full moon will be cursed.
Arranging clean, meat-stripped bones in specific patterns outside of ones den can ward off evil spirits and keep predators away. Bird skulls are especially magical for this purpose, although because they are so delicate, they are hard to clean and preserve.
Dogs markings that are similar to paw prints are said to be lucky, because Lycareon touched them when they were puppies.
Dogs who are more radically mutated are thought to be less pure than those with lighter mutations. This belief differs in intensity from Pack to Pack, and it's a superstition that is dying out as mutations become more common with every passing year.
Felines have no souls. Because of this, they don't feel pity or remorse and therefore can't be trusted.
Legend says that foxes are the product of dogs and cats mating together. They're thought of as witches or magic users.
Omegas are scapegoats. Treating an Omega poorly is a way to repent for the sins of the entire Pack. Though, paradoxically, it is thought to be good luck to share food with an Omega or groom them.
Arranging clean, meat-stripped bones in specific patterns outside of ones den can ward off evil spirits and keep predators away. Bird skulls are especially magical for this purpose, although because they are so delicate, they are hard to clean and preserve.
Dogs markings that are similar to paw prints are said to be lucky, because Lycareon touched them when they were puppies.
Dogs who are more radically mutated are thought to be less pure than those with lighter mutations. This belief differs in intensity from Pack to Pack, and it's a superstition that is dying out as mutations become more common with every passing year.
Felines have no souls. Because of this, they don't feel pity or remorse and therefore can't be trusted.
Legend says that foxes are the product of dogs and cats mating together. They're thought of as witches or magic users.
Omegas are scapegoats. Treating an Omega poorly is a way to repent for the sins of the entire Pack. Though, paradoxically, it is thought to be good luck to share food with an Omega or groom them.
Looking at a rottie for too long is said to be bad luck. Touching one is said to bring a dog closer to death. This superstition still persists, and the rest of the Pack will often demand that a dog wash themselves in a clean river or spend a few days outside of camp if they come in direct contact with a rottie.
