Druids-Daughters Pack Lore

Just notes at the moment, go to my den page for a preview or come back later~

Pack Rituals

Farewell-Feathers

A token of good fortune. When a youngling leaves to join another pack, they take with them a feather (or flower) that carries the scent of their friends to their new home.

First Hunt

When a pup becomes a yearling, they must complete their first hunt alone or with other unproven yearlings before being allowed to join a hunting pack.

Pack Society

Sunchasers & Nightstalkers

The pack has two hunting clans: the Nightstalkers, who are proud, dignified, stoic and aggressive; and the Sunchasers, who are carefree, easy-going, romantic and friendly wolves. They are rivals, always trying to outdo the others (though the Nightstalkers take the competition much more seriously).

High King

The king is an elected champion who acts as chieftain and arbitrator of disputes. He is the pack's chosen hero who protects the packlands as necessary, not a life-long tyrant; a diplomat, not a dictator. He consults with the Mighty, the Wisewolves, and the Thane to resolve conflicts, but in matters of crisis, his word is final.

The Thanewolf

The thane carries the history and traditions of the pack and advises the king. Gives up their name to be the voice of the ancestors. WIP [Thainwulf has ye olde spellinge because she the pack founder.]

Wisewolves

Experienced scouts and herbalists, elders WIP

The Mighty

Huntleaders, strongest WIP

History

WIP Sacred Forest -> Acorn of Wisdom -> Sacred Grove

OOC: The Druids Wolf Pack was an IRC roleplay pack in the 2000's led by a wolf named Tala. Thainwulf and Kuromori were my RP wolves from long ago. *Reminiscing...* Hence Druids-Daughters

Territory

WIP

First Hunt

Crunch.

“Hshh!”

I shrink back guiltily, lifting my paw off the rustling leaves as Sastrugi's orange eyes glower at me.

“Iris, you'll ruin our first hunt!” the buff-and-black wolf growls anxiously, snuffling at the damp earth.

“Don't boss me around, Sas!” I hiss. “We're the same age, you're not in charge!”

“Quiet! You talk too much! You'll scare off the prey!”

With a whine, Sastrugi vanishes into the shadowy tan tallgrass as I find myself envying his well-camouflaged coat. “What prey...” I grumble. We haven't caught even the whiff of a scent. Quickly grooming an errant tuft of blue-gray fur, I follow with just enough delay to show defiance.

We crest the top of the grassy knoll and climb a boulder to look around. Our pack left the forest, traveled through the fog to these grasslands to prepare for winter – or so our leader says, though I think she might just like the view, because we haven't found prey for miles. Just empty fields and lonely copses of autumn-withered oak. I hop off the rock with a huff and roll in the grass, flopping onto my back to gaze up at the star-strewn sky. I choose a star to wish on. “Good luck in our first hunt,” I whisper hopefully, eyes fixed on the brightest star I can see. “Please–”

“Look!” barks Sastrugi, tail wagging. He peeks over the edge of the rock and whines, “Stop messing around, Iris!” I glare at him and, ascending again, shove his mottled flank so he falls with a yelp.

“What am I looking at?” I tilt my head. The horizon is filled with unremarkable haze.

“Over there! Under that smoke. There's an odd shape.”

Frowning, I squint. There is some sort of strange red structure in the distance. I sniff the wind. The scent of something unknown and – yes, prey, coming from that direction! We lock eyes in unspoken excitement and dash away as silently was we can towards the smell of imminent victory.

We duck under some upright branches crisscrossed with twisted metal strands that I've never seen before, but ignore the oddity as the delicious scent wafts stronger. Staying close, we stalk forward, circling the edge of the field until we near the irresistible aroma coming from inside the red building. Cattle low softly. But there is no way in. We whimper and scratch at the door hungrily.

A short angry bark shouted from above draws our eyes up in shock, to the face of a chittering gray fox. “Run, fool children! You've woken the hounds!” He darts across the rooftop and disappears as a deep growl rumbles within the barn. That sounds like the angriest wolf I've ever heard! “Run, Sas!” I yelp, hightailing it back towards the edge of the field, hounds baying behind us.

The fox scurries along the fence in the same direction. “This way, quick!” We follow the fox as he leaps into a cornfield, running for our lives between the rustling stalks. Finally the fox scurries up a tree in the middle of the field, while we huddle wedged in between its mighty roots panting out clouds of white mist in the chill night air. The far-off baying quiets after a time.

The fox's head pops around the entrance of our hiding-place. “That was close.” He scowls. “You ruined my hunt! We were lucky the barn was locked tonight.”

“Barn?” I perk my ears, squirming out of the cramped bolt-hole. My companion shakes the dirt out of his fur in a most uncouth manner which I try to ignore.

The fox frowns down his long nose at us. “The red house. It's where the human folk keep their prey-beasts. Dangerous, unless you are silent and swift like me,” he puffs.

Sastrugi lowers his ears whimpering, “Sorry for ruining your hunt. Thank you for warning us.”

I wag my tail apologetically. “Yes, we're very sorry Mister Fox. Can we make it up to you?”

“Well... I'm not going back to the chicken-coop tonight, but there is another place I know. I'll tell you if you share your prize.”

We both nod enthusiastically and thump our tails in the dust.

☙

We creep through the golden autumn fields, the first light of dawn painting the horizonline a pale orange-pink. “Before the sun comes up,” the fox whispers, “the pheasants are still asleep.” He points with a claw to the briarscrub in the valley before us. “There. Work together. One of you, rush in – the other, catch!”

Sastrugi meets my brown eyes and we nod solemnly, taking up stalking positions to creep towards the bushes. Slowly, slowly, we creep forward step by silent step, carefully narrowing in on the sleeping birds. I flank the foliage, whole body tense to strike. Sastrugi charges into the briar with a snarl and startled pheasants dart into the air squawking distress as I leap dawnwards–

Crunch!