The Wolves of Wapiti Run Lore and Daily Journal {read only}

Welcome to the Run, stranger . . .

The sound of a fluttering wings overhead signals the hurried flight of a robin. A small river bubbles nearby, separating the maples and oaks from the hemlock and spruce. Every so often, a peeper on the bank would let out it's high pitched croak. In the distance, through the thick undergrowth, hemlock stands, and massive oaks and maples, an eerie bugle of an elk peals through the air. The trees themselves seem to whisper as a breeze ruffles your fur and there's a feeling of peace and tranquility within these hills. This is the territory of the Wapiti Run Wolves, where a unity lies between the Wolves and the Elk Herd of the Hemlock Shade Forest. 

The Alpha, Dioute, raised the pack from the ground up, with a basis in respect to the world around them. He grew up mostly alone, but had shared territory as an adolescent with an Elk Herd. They showed him kindness and in exchange for his peace, offered the same to him and his future kin. Now, in a symbiotic relationship, Dioute upholds the peace of the shared land and shares herbs and news with the Elk Herd. The Elk offer their shed antlers to the wolves, as a sort of decoration - or nutritional chew toys for puppies. 

Dioute's pack runs under a direct lineage. His sons, Pocono and Conoco, are the two scouts of the pack, dictating them as Betas. His eldest adopted daughters, Kinzua and Tionesta, are the Beta hunters, in charge of assigning permanent patrols by observing wolves' dispositions. Most of the wolves within Wapiti Run weren't born there; in fact, most of the wolves were outcasts from other packs that Dioute and his sons came upon. He has a staunch belief in helping others; perhaps it is his biggest downfall. There is also not as many male wolves - Wapiti Run has become a haven for young she-wolves with pups or expecting pups. 

Descriptors

Founders - Wolves that were among the first in the Pack

Foundlings - Wolves that were brought in from outside the Pack

Native-born - Wolves born at Wapiti Run

Allies

The Shenandoah Pack

The Elk of Hemlock Shade Forest

The Territory

The territory of Wapiti Run is considered to be part of the Allegheny Plateau of the Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania. 

Wapiti Run - Wapiti Run is a blanket term for a widespread territory that consists of deciduous forests full of mainly maple and oak, several hemlock stands, a large winding river, and fields, meadows and farmland. The wolves are centered mostly in the deciduous forests, hidden away in a corner near Buck Lick Creek. The stream itself feeds into Wapiti Run, the name of the winding river that connects all the different fauna and flora of the region. 

Hemlock Shade Forest - On the opposite banks of Wapiti Run and Buck Lick Creek lies the vast expanse of Hemlock Shade Forest. This is a thick swath of hemlock trees, which, with a lack of undergrowth, leaves the elk with plenty of room to move about. Their forest is surrounded by fields and meadows, where they spend most of their time eating. It is within the hemlocks that they raise their young safely under the trees. 

The Camp

Antler Ridge - A small section under a rock overhang is home to the betas. It is at the top of a small rocky ridge, which overlooks the rest of the camp. Dioute and his betas live here. As they all work as a sort of council, they stay near the Alpha and his second. The name of the hollow comes from the Elk sheds that are given to them as gifts, which they use to decorate their camp with. 

Black Cherry Hollow - The main part of camp is surrounded by old black cherry trees. The crowns form a well woven canopy, where sunlight can dapple the ground while still keeping most precipitation out. Ferns and blackberry bushes line the undergrowth, keeping the outer edges safe. The ground is soft with leaf litter and grass, providing a wide area where the wolves can lie together to sleep. The wolves that sleep here are mainly hunters and any visitors to the territory. 

Fern Bed Creek - There's a smaller section of the camp where the pupsitters, mothers, and pups all sleep for warmer protection from elements and keep very young pups safe from predators. Bucklick Creek is on the edge of camp, edged with hemlocks and soft carpet moss. Up the hill from it, there's a tunnel that leads into a warm cave where the newborns are kept. The young puppies like to play in the ferns and moss by the creek, which also is shallow enough for them to splash in. 

Great Oak Down - On the edge of camp, a massive windstorm pulled over one of the forest's largest oaks. As a result, the roots were upturned and created a deep rut in the ground that was perfect for wolves that wanted to retire from their duties. This den was reinforced with branches and leaves and made cozy for the older wolves who made their dens here. Most of those that stay here take on the role of mentor, to teach the young pups of the Pack. 

Mourning Dove Ravine - Finally, the puppies that have weaned and the adolescents of the pack stay in their own place in camp. Dioute did this to encourage them to learn to live on their own, as well as learn to trust the wolves they will grow up with. Living together builds these relationships and allows the Pack to run smoother once they have chosen and settled into their roles as adults. The ravine is below Antler Ridge and it is named for the way that mourning dove pairs love to sit in the low branches near it, cooing their songs and keeping the young paws on a schedule (so they don't oversleep!). 

Imagery Examples :

PACK MEMBERS

Saved Space for art and other creations

By Ember #13315

Events Journal

**Reminder - none of these events happen over an amount of days, but months. These events coincide with seasons and months that pass**

November 9th, 2020

- Dioute and Appalachia continue to dote on their young new daughter, Kia, but today she has reached 2 1/2 months old and to Kia's delight, she was able to move into the Mourning Dove Ravine with the other young pups and adolescents. 

- Buckaloon woke up with painful cystitis, but was quickly cured by Appalachia. He rests now in camp, while his mate Towa has been hovering near him out of concern. 

- Winter is well underway and prey has been rather difficult to find, as has any sort of entertainment or fun. Wolves are working tirelessly to keep mouths fed and pups well-taken care of in the cruel weather. 

November 10th, 2020

- Juni also seemed to find herself with cystitis, which was easily cured by Appalachia and her quick healing skills. 

- Tukome, son of Towa and Buckaloon, has reached the age where he has moved to the Mourning Dove Ravine. He is joined by Tionesta's daughter, Mwimen, and both have had great fun in joining so many other pups. 

- Winter rages on, but prey has become at least slightly easier and they've made sure to keep hunting as often as energy will allow. 

November 11th - skipped notes for lack of activity 

November 12th, 2020

- Winter persists

- Not much else to report. 

November 13th, 2020

- First day of spring in the second year of Wapiti Run

- Tiadag has reached full adulthood. Ahela and Quippa will be following shortly. 

- It is hoped that prey will come a little easier with the arrival of thaw and warmer weather. Pups continue to flourish, wolves are well-fed, and health has remained in good favor. 

November 14th, nothing important happened. 

November 15th, 2020

- It is revealed that Sinnema has had a puppy with a wolf within the Pack. Some suspect it is with the bachelor Pyma, but she has neither confirmed nor denied this. She has named her son Ilua. 

- Ahela and Quippa have reached adulthood and now are expected to soon be chosen for a new hunting patrol, organized by Kinzua and Tionesta. 

November 16th, 2020

- Spring is on its last legs, as summer will soon take over. It grows warmer and prey is easier to catch. 

- Wapiti Run continues to prosper. Their ally bonds are still strong with the Shenandoah Pack, though young Susquehanna has been particularly difficult to control lately, in his moody adolescent years. 

November 17th, 2020

- Relations with the Shenandoah Pack grow stronger as Pack members intermingle during trips to the Mountains to the South. Dioute is optimistic about his alliance with Tanana and it seems he is not the only one - others within the pack have become fond of those from Shenandoah. 

- Prey is still prolific and there is a lot of optimism in the Pack, as many wolves are expectant of puppies soon. Sutha and Nittany hope to finally have their first pup, while Mokin and Maxon are also expecting.