Root Hollow Pack Lore

Introduction

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Heya! First off this is read only, please. ^u^ I'm very new to writing, and I've never done any writings on a forum so if things are wonky that's probably why. I'll figure things out as I go. With that out of the way, I hope you enjoy reading what I put here!

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Contents:

Introduction

Hierarchy

The Territory

Current Pack Members

Past Pack Members

Stories, Scenarios, and Other Writings

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Hierarchy 

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Monarchs and the Advisor

At the top of the pack sit the queen and king. Only one has the final say in pack decisions, but the voice of the other is always taken into strong consideration. However, there may be only a queen or king if the current ruler chooses not to take a mate. Alongside the monarch/s is the advisor, the wolf tasked with considering all sides of an issue and finding the best solution for all. The ruler's mate and/or advisor always has the role of a scout.

The leading monarch appoints lead hunters and royal pupsitters, as well as addressing all complaints and issues the pack has.

Princes, Princesses, and other Family

Below the rulers are direct family of the royalty; siblings, parents, and children. Adult members of this group have great influence in pack decisions. Cousins, nieces, and nephews may also be in this group, but hold less influence.

Elders and Herbalists

Wolves too old to do the hard labor of most jobs often retire and take on the Elder title. They are looked to as a source of wisdom and are often consulted in major decisions. The Herbalists are heralded as gifts from the forest, naturally able to use various plants to heal any pack member's ailments. While they do naturally have this ability, they must train in order to strengthen their skill.

Lead Hunters and Royal Pupsitters

This group consists of trusted wolves who have proven their skill. Lead hunters are the hunting packs' commanders. Royal pupsitters are responsible for the royal pups when neither parent can be there to care for and teach them.

Lead hunters will choose and train the rest of their hunting pack. Royal pupsitters train aspiring young wolves to be pupsitters themselves, and typically take on an apprentice as they near retirement.

Hunters, Pupsitters, and Scouts

These wolves could be considered the backbone of the pack. Scouts have the difficult job of navigating unknown terrain, hunters do the physically demanding job of feeding the pack, and the pupsitters have to constantly deal with the rambunctious puppies of ever-busy packmates.

Travellers and Seekers

At the bottom we have wolves who are only visiting or otherwise temporarily staying with the pack and wolves from the pack seeking a new pack. Seekers are not treated negatively in any way, it's natural for Root Hollow wolves to search out their own place in the world if they feel it isn't here.

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While there is a clear hierarchy, every wolf is treated with dignity and respect. Root Hollow Pack is founded on firm beliefs that every wolf contributes to the survival of all. 

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The Territory

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Deep in the deciduous forests, a steep valley is carved into the detritus covered earth, cutting a deep gash through the undergrowth and leaving near vertical walls with densely packed protruding roots. This is the Root Hollow, and where the Root Hollow Pack calls home. The wolves of this pack learn from birth how to navigate up through the winding roots to scale the walls, a skill that proves very useful in escaping or warding off potential enemies. Dug out from the walls, about halfway up, are four large dens arranged in a diamond shape.

Den of Leaves

The highest den is known as the Den of Leaves, and houses the hunters, scouts, and pupsitters. Inside, the den is littered with bedding and toys, likely from the energetic pups, as well as food scraps from the last meal and various supplies suited for travel. Overall it looks very lived in, and while a bit messy, quite cozy.

Den of Branches and Den of Flowers

The next den is the Den of Branches. Here, the lead hunters and royal pupsitters stay. Not as messy as the first den, but still has bedding and toys strewn about. Across from this den is the Den of Flowers. Enders and Herbalists live within this aromatic den. Various herbs used in medicines are neatly organized into piles along the back wall, providing a flowery scent to the den.

Den of Roots

Lastly, closest to the ground is the den of Roots. The royalty occupy this den. There isn't much inside this den, a few toys and neatly placed bedding fill most of the space.some travelling supplies are piled in one spot against the wall, and small, leaf wrapped bundles lay beside them.

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Current Pack Members

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Ruling Monarchs

Queen Toadstool and King Inkcap

Advisor

N/A

Royal Family

N/A

Lead Hunters

Woodland Hunt Lead- Aspen

Royal Pupsitters

Snowdrop

Elders

N/A

Herbalist

Camellia

Hunters

Woodland Hunting Pack - Poppy, Sorrel, Adenium, Larkspur

Pupsitters

N/A

Scouts

Clove

Current Litters

Queen Toadstool x King Inkcap - Princess Amanita

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Past Pack Members

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Deceased

Princess Agaric (2mo)

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Stories, Scenarios, and Other Writings

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Den Page

As you come to the edge of a valley in the forest, a peculiar looking reddish and pale green wolf smoothly climbs the steep valley wall, using the protruding branches as a path. "Hello, stranger. Welcome to the territory of Root Hollow. I am Toadstool, the queen of this pack. I trust you aren't here with malicious intentions?" She looks at you with slight suspicion, but smiles nonetheless. After assuring her you mean no harm (or lying about your reason for being here) she leads you down the way she came.

While you try your best not to go tumbling down the root bound wall, she tells you about each den as you pass them. "First we have the Den of Leaves. This den houses the hunters, the scouts, and the pupsitters. They all do a wonderful job keeping us all safe and fed." As you pass in front of the den, you look inside and see a few wolves of the pack staring at you.

"Next, is the Den of Branches. Lead hunters, and our royal pupsitter live here. Their jobs are a bit more difficult and so they have more respect, but all wolves are vital to our pack and are treated as such. Our elders often offer help wherever they're able." Looking in this den, you see a couple pups climbing all over and equally playful adult wolf.

"Beside the Den of Branches is the Den of Flowers. I'm sure you could smell the herbs in here from a mile away. Those herbs belong to our herbalist, but the elders live here too. It's best to keep them close to medicines, they aren't as strong as they used to be. They'd probably prove me wrong if they heard me saying so, though," she laughs softly as you continue. Aside from the strong smelling herbs, you don't see anything in this den.

"Here is the Den of Roots. This is where our king, myself, our pups, and other direct family live. I'm sure you find it odd that the royalty has the lowest den. The reasoning is because while we are the ones in charge, we can't keep everything in order if we're far from our pack." You look into this den as well. It is certainly smaller, but more surprising is that it isn't lavishly decorated or even more comfortable looking. Aside from being smaller, it's exactly the same as the others.

"Now down here is the Streambed. We have various small dens for travelers and those wishing to depart from our pack. Most of our pack is typically gathered down here, as our hoard is also here. All the toys, food, and everything else is stored in that big den over there," She points her nose to the den in question. This den isn't really a den, but it contains heaps of many different things, all sorted into categories. You can see wolves taking and leaving things, and a hunting party bringing coming back from a hunt. "Of course, we all have our own belongings, but the hoard is for everyone."

"All of our commerce takes place down here as well, so have a look around and enjoy your stay." At that, she turns and walks off, leaving you to take in the sights and smells of hunters trading extra food, scouts trading trinkets they found while exploring, and many other wolves trading many other goods.

A few minutes pass before she's back. Dropping a small bundle of food in front of you, she tells you, "A gift for a new friend. If you ever need a safe haven, we're here. Our walls provide security most territories don't have. Should anyone challenge us here, they'd be at a great disadvantage. We know how to quickly and accurately scale these walls, and will not hesitate to incorporate it into combat." 

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New Life and First Death

(Toadstool's Perspective)

She had her first litter with Inkcap, her king, very soon after they decided to become mates. They had two female pups at the end of winter, one dark and one pale green. These new additions were named Agaric and Amanita.

Due to the harsh winter conditions, their chances weren't the best, but the pack persevered. Unfortunately, near their second month, Agaric passed due to infection of an injury she hid from the pack, not wanting to trouble them. Her death greatly affected the entire pack, still very small at this point, but Toadstool most of all.

The queen became very lethargic and sullen for the next few weeks, and very protective over Amanita. Every little bump or insect bite prompted a visit to the herbalist. Eventually, she began to calm down, but will likely never fully get over her pup's death. 

(Inkcap's Perspective)

Shortly after becoming king, Inkcap had his first litter with Toadstool. It was just two little girls, Agaric and Amanita, so how hard could it be to take care of them? Sure the pack was still small, but there was the ever dedicated queen, and a helpful pupsitter to keep them healthy. Right?

Sadly, an unseen injury caused a lethal infection in Agaric, and she didnt make it to even her second month. Shaken by this, and partially blaming himself for not being there, Inkcap stayed much closer to Root Hollow territory in the next few weeks.

He hated that he hadn't taken the time he should've to spend time the pups and build a bond with them, so he also started to spend more time with Amanita. There was no making up for lost time, but he didn't want to lose more.

(Amanita's Perspective)

Upon being born at the end of winter, Amanita and her sister Agaric felt the harsh cold before before any warmth. They quickly nuzzled into their mother, nursing and soaking in her body heat. For the next month, this is how they spent much of their time, snuggling and nursing, but when Toadstool was away, they snuggled and played with the pupsitter.

Eventually, Agaric started to play less, only telling her sister "I just don't wanna," before going and laying next to their mother or pupsitter, whoever happened to be there. Unknown to everyone but herself, Agaric was hurt, and unknown to even herself, she was only getting worse.

Before their second month, Agaric passed. Amanita, still young an unaware of death, was simply confused why her sister wasn't there. Her pack tried to gently help her realize what happened, and once she did, she tried to deny it was real. Without her sister, who could she play with? There were no other pups, and everyone was always busy. Even the pupsitter left after being too overcome with grief and self-blame.

To her surprise, her parents started paying much more attention to her, and a new pupsitter even came to live in the pack. Amanita was still sad over the loss of her sister, but quickly recovering.

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