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

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 founding 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 on four main roles, overlooked by Beta roles. The four roles are hunter, scout, pupsitter, and mentor. While there is an Alpha and Alpha-Mate, a council of these four roles help make important decisions and help young wolves decide where their talents lie. 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 :

Antler Ridge Betas

Alpha / Alpha-Mate

Nanoak (F) and Saunee (M)

Herbalist

Ahke (M) - (Kdago)

Head Scouts

Kdago (F) - (Ahke) and Allegewi (M)

Lead Hunters

Ayu (M) and Thao (M)

Head Pupsitter

Saunee - Breeding Male

Black Cherry Hollow

Juni (F)

Queone (F)

Ata (F)

Lusitah (M)

Buckaloon (M) - Towa (F)

Quippa (F)

Tiadag (F)

Mesho (F)

Kia (F)

Analomink (F) - (Gohko)

Apelishak (F)

Tukome (M) - Mwimen (F)

Ilau (M) - Pahka (F)

Kweti (M) - Nushemak (F)

Alax (M)  -  Siske (F)

Eho (M) - Nehenute (F)

Pucketa (M)

Chautauqua (F)

Ntalan (F) - (Opanke)

Tsiyae (M) - Neyoti (F)

Genessee (M) - Sahi (F)

Tentay (F)

Kishu (F)

Opequon (M) - Ahela (F)

Inkwe (M)

Chitanesu (F)

Conemaugh (M)

Cheague (M)

Muncy (M)

Kenakaw (F) - (Opalani)

Nisco (F)

Youghio (M)

Kiolao (M)

Great Oak Down

Pocono (M) - Owa (F)

Conoco (M) - (Tikaani - Shenandoah)

Kinzua (F)

Sioto (F)

Quehanna (F)

Sissewa (F) - (Aqissiaq - Shenandoah)

Moshan (F)

Mokin (F) - Maxon (M)

Kittaning (F)

Pyma (M) - Sinnema (F)

Tionesta (F)

Mourning Dove Ravine

Ame

Tio

Ixi

Wisah

Fern Bed Creek

Xkikene (F)

Maxka (F)

Honing (F)

Gohko (M) - (Analomink)

Sipo (M)

Dawako (M)

Opanke (M) - (Ntalan)

Seshem (F)

Opalani (M) - (Kenakaw)

Odaiyo (M)

Ahas (M)

Onengo (M)

Root Tangle Nursery

Dynamic Den based on who is having puppies currently