#529881
#b4603c
#529881
#b4603c
Located in Morðfjall
Morðfjall
A mountain rises up through fog and mist, its true height masked by a thick, towering forest along its base. At a glance, Morðfjall seems like an impenetrable fortress. While home to many features that make it appealing, its most outstanding hallmark is a shorn-off rock wall—the remnants of a rockslide from centuries ago—that remains a pitfall for the unenlightened and unaware.
HRAFNSVAKTIN
Drawn to Mordfjall by the call of the Wilds, Solpallur, Stjörnuáti, and their siblings originate from the far reaches of the North, hailing from the pack known as Stormhaven Keep. Started by descendants of the legendary Tartok, Stormhaven is a derivative of the matriarchal-led branch of wolves. While some of Tartok’s original traditions have remained, others have been modified or forgotten altogether.
Hrafnsvaktin translates to Raven's Watch, named for the large unkindness (group) of ravens that roost in the forest at the base of the mountain. In joining Hrafnsvaktin, wolves will be given a chance at a new beginning, the sins of their past lives forgotten in exchange for their utmost loyalty, and given new names to go by within the bounds of the Watch. Territorial and protective of their own, the members of Hrafnsvaktin do not divulge much to outsiders unless they feel they are worthy in some way.
Over time, some pack members may develop a bond with another known as a sál binda, or soulbind. Not dissimilar to the aokkatti of Tartok, wolves that have developed the sál binda with another will be forever attached, no matter what. It is uncommon for them to bind with more than one wolf but not entirely unheard of.
The leaders — Stjörnuáti and Rökkvi — are focused on being natural, supportive leaders instead of flaunting their rank in front of others. As such, displays and “shows” of dominance among the pack means little. If a wolf proves disruptive to the synergy of the Watch, or threatens to disrupt the balance of their little world, the leaders have no issues exiling a member. If this should happen, the to-be-exiled pack member can petition for a new judgement, in which they will be given a task to complete so that they may prove their loyalty once and for all. If they do not complete this task, the character will be effectively dead to the pack as a whole.
There are no tiers to the ranks, using just a simple structure of leaders (forystan), subordinates (víkjandi), and pups (elskan). A wolf’s rank is their primary/chosen trade and a member’s position within the pack is determined by their contribution and activity. If a wolf feels they are not correctly ranked, they may challenge the wolf above them.
All puppies in the pack, whether born or taken in, are raised by the collective. Víkjandi and Forystan alike will bear the responsibility of teaching and guiding the young basic skills and, as they age, taking them on as apprentices in whatever trades they wish to pursue. From a young age, pups will be taught to respect nature and make use of anything provided to them.
Pack Lore:
- Stormhaven Keep and Rivenspire Peak are Nordic/Icelandic clans (or branches) of Tartok (territorial wolves led by Siku). Hedonistic and somewhat feral, the clans generally don't adhere to "moral" standards, sticking to what is best for the pack as a whole, no matter what that may be.
- Their culture has some inherent differences from Tartok, which will be gathered and noted here with a *.
- Clans are generally small, with usually no more than 10-15 adults. *
- It is not unusual for pups to grow up and set out on their own, but at the same time, they will commonly remain with their natal clan or move to a sister clan.
- Seers and Star-Readers are valued and often sought out for advice.*
- Most, if not all wolves, are taught to fight, hunt, and guard as they are some of the most basic rules of survival in the far north.
- Clans are generally small, with usually no more than 10-15 adults. *
- Stormhaven and Rivenspire are sister clans located near one another. The clans split to spread their claim and hold the mountain range together against outsiders. The leaders’ opinions carry equal weight and, when they can not agree upon something, they seek the advice of a Seer and/or an Elder.
- At one year of age, wolves will partake in a Seiðr ritual in which they will consume either a mushroom (Fly Agaric) or a flower (Stinking Henbane) to enter a trance to experience a vision about their future and where The Call (hringja) will take them. Their vision will also give the clan member a name, though it is up to the player if their character goes by this name full time.
- Sometimes, a clan member will need the assistance of a Seer to interpret their vision, and whether it will have them stay with the clan or venture out on their own and whether they answer The Call in the present or in the future.
- It is up to the individual wolf whether they follow their hringja or not. If the wolf does not agree with what threads the Norns (Fates) have woven for them, they may choose to break from their fate and forge their own path. This decision is usually met with varying reception from their clan, from supporting it to denouncing the örlagabrot (fate breaker).
- Sometimes, a clan member will need the assistance of a Seer to interpret their vision, and whether it will have them stay with the clan or venture out on their own and whether they answer The Call in the present or in the future.
- Their culture has some inherent differences from Tartok, which will be gathered and noted here with a *.
- Wolves from Stormhaven/Rivenspire have a handful of natal languages that they are taught a mix of: Icelandic, Old Norse, and Inupiaq/Atkan Aleut (because of Tartok origins). It is up to adopters what languages their SHK/RSP wolf knows, and whether they know the common tongue well/some/at all.
- Children are often numbered until they earn their first of many names.
- Numbers in Inupiaq: Atuaserk, Malrok, Pingasut, Sitamat, etc
- Numbers in Icelandic: Einn, Tveir, þrír, Fjórir, etc
- They are encouraged to take on training young, often becoming apprentices to those they wish to study under
- Numbers in Inupiaq: Atuaserk, Malrok, Pingasut, Sitamat, etc