Dedicated to serving the High Elk and protecting his apostles, Trieweborne is a colorist pack that values those blessed in "His" light. Wolves who do not fit their values are met with caution or suspicion. The majority of the pack consists of the Deoradhán family, a name adopted by those who follow His path. They live in seclusion and avoid mingling in the affairs of those who do not follow Him.
Life in Trieweborne can be comfortable, so long as one adheres to the pack's culture and expectations set by Him. As long as members contribute in some way and stick to the path left by the High Elk, one has nothing to worry about.
Trieweborne values wolves with pelts similar in coloration to the elk they worship. Those who bear marks of sin or omen are expected to further devote their lives in hopes of regaining the High Elk's favor through future generations.
Wolves are to follow the word of the three kings, who ensure the pack stays on His path. The Duke may have say in religious dealings, though they mostly stand as a guiding beacon to those new or straying from the religion.
Suspicion or known traitorous actions towards the pack and High Elk should be brought to the Duke or Kings attention immediately. Punishment for altering, condemning, or leading others astray from His path range from reteachings to exile and in rare cases, death.
— One is not considered a full member of the pack until they take the Deoradhán name. One can marry in, but typically it is earned through The Elk's Trial. After expressing interest in joining the family, prospective members have two chances to pass the trial and can use one chance a season, excluding winter. Should both attempts end in failure, the member will be banished.
The attempting wolf will locate the elk in the herd with the largest antlers and approach for His judgment. If the apostle is calm or alert it is considered a pass. Agitated elk or causing the approached to run is considered a fail.
Note: The trial is 100% optional and the results are determined via a 1d20 OOC dice roll with odds scaling based on the main coloration of the character's pelt.
Blessed Pelts - 95% chance of acceptance (browns, tans, creams, reds) roll needed: 2+
White Pelts - 60% chance of acceptance roll needed: 8+ (84% probable in 2 tries)
Grey Pelts - 40% chance of acceptance roll needed: 12+ (64% probable in 2 tries)
Black Pelts - 20% chance of acceptance roll needed: 16+ (36% probable in 2 tries)
While optional, abstaining will prevent your character from advancing beyond The Velvet in rank. You are not required to use your second attempt if you fail the first. You can request your trial results in Packs & Groups > Trieweborne >The Elk's Trial (Request)
Characters who marry into the family may be met with disdain as they did nothing to "earn" their place.
Religion
— Only one religion is allowed to practiced in Trieweborne and that is The True Religion. Everyone is expected to learn and practice it. Those who purposely break rules set by the High Elk, practice another form of religion, or attempt to guide others away from His path will be handled with accordingly.
The religion revolves around worship of the High Elk and His apostles. Members are to refrain from hunting elk except during the Wintertide Jubilee and protect elk herds whenever present.
Please read the compendium entry on The True Religion for full details on the pack's culture.
Coloration
— Members of Trieweborne strive for pelts blessed with His light. This means any shade of brown, tan, cream, and red are hailed as holy. Even the smallest stain can ruin a pelt. Stains are marks left by the sins of one's parents and can be removed in future generations with upmost devotion to the High Elk. Giving birth to children with pure pelts is considered forgiveness of the parent's marks/sin.
Wolves whose marks cover the majority or entirety of their pelt are believed to hold the potential to sin themselves and should be observed carefully to ensure their devotion.
White pelts are the most direct acknowledgement of sin, as the child in question is stripped partially or wholly of His light. Many blame misfortunes on the head of a wolf stained white and may spit on their lineage. Banishment is favorable for largely stained individuals, though rehabilitation is encouraged.
Black pelts speak of omen and often result in the individual being shunned. Some believe they represent temptation to lure others away from His light. Not much is known about this coloration, which leads it to breed fear and avoidance.
Grey pelts are the unholy middle of white and black. Treatment varies depending on the shade. Some may try to guide those with grey back to His light, while others avoid them entirely.
Hunting
— All prey is free game except elk, which are to be protected. Elk may be eaten if they meet a natural end or if it is the Wintertide Jubilee. One should only hunt as needed and use every part possible. Thanks should be given to the High Elk after each successful hunt. Wasteful or malicious hunting can result later in marked children or exile.
If a black elk is spotted then the kings are to be notified and all members are to avoid it until it leaves the premises. Black elk are believed to bring misfortune, but sightings are so low they are believed to be myth.
White elk should be hunted immediately. An elk who lost His colors is believed to be tarnished, and left unchecked may infect the whole herd. If left alone too long, it is believed that connection to the High Elk will be severed with time.
Marriage & Children
— Sexuality, gender identity, and abstinence are all perfectly respectable so long as members practice monogamy. To have more than one partner is considered disloyal and heavily shamed within the pack.
One can only take another mate after the previous is considered deceased or exiled. Children resulting from adultery are often viewed as unfit for their own unions and are labeled as bastards.
Those looking to secure their loyalty to one another may seek the Duke or Kings for a Light Union, after which, permission is not required to have offspring.
More can be read about Light Unions and Adultery in the compendium entry on The True Religion.
Ranks
Click rank name for info
The Crowned
* denotes leadership | (#) denotes rank limit King* (3) — Leader of the pack. Always imbalanced to ensure order and no tied decisions. — Non-gendered. Queen (3) — Partner to one of the Kings. Limited due to belief in monogamy. They hold no power in the pack, only a title for status. If their mate no longer holds the title of King, a Queen will likewise be demoted. — Non-gendered. Duke* (1) — Religious head of the pack. Responsible for maintaining and promoting Deoradhán religion, especially amongst the velvet, and that no King tries to stray from the High Elk’s teachings. They will also inform the Kings of traitors or concerning members. Aside from religious dealings, they hold no authority over the pack. Heir (3) — Next in line for King. Each Heir is chosen by the King they will replace. This means promotion depends on the retirement or death of a specific King, not first come first serve. They hold no power unless directed by the Kings in their stead, however, they will work closely with the Kings to learn their roles. Baron (1) — Next in line for Duke. Typically, this is the closest protégé of the current Duke hand-selected to follow in their footsteps. If something befalls the Duke, or they fail to pick a Baron, the Kings may pick one in their place. Like an Heir, the Baron holds no power presently, unless working in the Duke’s absence.
The Burr
Exalted members of the pack Shepherd — Experts in a given skill, or awarded for honorable accomplishments within the pack. If an apostle ever aligns with the pack, they will also be placed here. Roosevelt — Elders or retired members of the pack. Tule — Expectant mothers who are not a part of the crowned. Temporary rank until pups are weaned.
The Beam
Full fledge members of the pack. Skill based ranks require base skill Saber — Those with the skill to protect and feed the pack (hunter/paladin) Ivory — Those highly devoted to the High Elk and work beneath the Duke to spread and maintain the High Elk’s teachings. (visionary) Forester — Those who venture beyond the borders to watch for threats, signs from the High Elk, changes in the world, or potential devout. They are also responsible for misguiding cursed or non-devout wolves away from Trieweborne territory. (adventurer/ecologist) Sawbone — Those with the skill to aid and heal mentally or physically. (medic/counsellor) Bugle — Those with the skill to entertain or mind to pass down history. (entertainer) Trotter — Those who have accepted the Deoradhán name but have yet to show reliable skill or specialize in something that does not fit in any other rank. (skillless/misc skill)
The Velvet
Young and those who have yet to be fully accepted into the family Spike — Young wolves (9mo ~ 2 years) with the Deoradhán name who have yet to show reliable skill. (skillless/misc skill) Grazer — Newcomers and those who have yet to earn the Deoradhán name. (pending The Elk’s Trial or settling in) Surroyal — One of the Kings' children who have yet to enter the adult ranks. At 9 months, a child will enter the ranks depending on what skills they have to offer. Calf — Children who have yet to enter the adult ranks. At 9 months, a child will enter the ranks depending on what skills they have to offer.
Rankings
The Crowned
King | Calhoun Queen | N/A Duke | N/A Heir | N/A Baron | N/A