Morrow’s Peak Pack

The pack was founded by Birch under the name of the Mossbark Pack. Birch had fled her homeland after an unidentifiable catastrophe destroyed her homeland and scattered her birth pack. She met a few wolves she grew to trust who had also been displaced, and they settled in the grasslands. She fell in love with one of these wolves, Sycamore, and they were expecting a litter of pups. They had two; Sapphire and Flint. However, resources were low, so they gave Flint to the fabled enclave bear, and kept their first born Sapphire.

Sapphire soon forgot of their brother's existence, and was highly motivated to train as the heir to the pack.

Soon, Birch had dreams of the lunar lands, and saw the threats it brought. It made her stronger, but she knew this threat was larger than their pack. This threat may have had a part in her homeland's destruction. However, she saw the beauty in this lunar land, that it wasn't all bad.

As Birch had these dreams, Sapphire had dreams of her own. Dreams of a god without a name, a shadow figure and a sky of crimson. As a yearling, she became more distant from her parents, doing missions for her god while out scouting. She even changed her name to Nessus, the home of her god. She also began to change physically, her fur becoming unnatural, her eyes having a subtle glow. Soon, outsiders began to flood to the territory, hearing of Nessus and her strange dreams. They claim to have connections to other planes, also changing their names in honor of their gods. Their gods seemed to have conflicting view, but they could all agree they were stronger together.

Over the years, Nessus became convinced of looming outside threats- a 'coming storm' as her god put it. She knew that she needed to lead- that her mother wouldn't have what it takes. So she took it into her owns hands.

After her mother's death, the 'coming storm' made itself clear- in the form of the events collectively known as The Cataclysm. This only strengthened Nessus's resolve, and most of the packs loyalty to her and her rule.

A few months into her reign, she decided they needed to move into a more defensible position, leading the pack into an open territory within the coniferous forest. They settled right up near the edge of the mountains, having guard shifts that watch out over the horizon from cliff tops above. Dens were made in caves along the mountain side, beneath tree roots- pretty much anywhere they could be found. It wasn't the most comfortable at first, but they made it work, the population booming. In these times, the pack name was changed- Morrow's Peak, inspired by the mountain peak in the distance that seemed to shimmer in the night.

Nessus met the love of her life, Shadowfell, in these times. No one thought it would last, but it lasted up until their death. In the last years of Shadowfell's life, everything seemed relatively peaceful. Guard shifts were becoming less common, hunting was plentiful, and they always had a stockpile of herbs that would last them months. It was then when Shadowfell produced their son, heir apparent of the Morrow's Peak Pack, Postulate. During this time, they moved their pack to a territory with less competition; the tundra.

However, the reign of Nessus's family came to an abrupt end as their god sent in an outsider to be the new Queen; Allura Valyrian. Allura killed Nessus (or so she thought) and took the throne for herself. Since then, her family has ruled. The first born of each heir is to become the next monarch, and they become betrothed to an outsider of their god's choosing. Since then, they have moved their pack to the glacier, taking up residence in caverns nearby a hidden volcano, providing access to much-needed warmth and closer places of worship.

But everything took a new turn when As'est rose to power; she was the last born of Aurora, Allura's heir, however she was a stillborn. She was buried and her family had grieved and moved on. But the pack's deity revived her, taking the form of an albino snake and raising her. She grew faster than she ever should have, and came back to the pack, stealing the throne from her eldest sister Aegira. There was a bit of contention, but the whispers of the snake reassured the royal family that this is what must happen. Since then, As'est has changed the laws that the heir to the throne is the child of the monarch's choice, not just the first born, so that the fittest may rule.

MP & WW

1. The word of the monarch and the Champion is law. Anything not covered in these laws are up to their discretion.

2. All houses must declare an heir of their bloodline.

3. Outsiders may only join the pack or mate within the pack at the discretion of the monarch and the Champion (and in the case of mating, the pack wolf's family).

4. Lunar magicks are forbidden without the express consent of the monarch and the Champion.

5. The penalty for treason is death or exile. To aid those exiled is considered treasonous as well.

6. Territory borders are to always be respected, unless in times of war.

7. All allies of the Morrow's Peak Pack must state this intent in writing; otherwise the alliance is futile.

8. All deities worshipped must be approved by the monarch, the Oracle, and the Champion.

9. Treat those in the pack as sacred; all others can be expendable.

Pact Magick

Most wolves who harness magic within this pack have it from a pact with an extraplanar being (or beings). The most common of these beings are devils, as the second Queen of this pack Nessus established a connection with them that has lingered.

This magic has minimum consequences for the user (other than those brought on by the pact, of course). Physically, the magic isn't straining, but often the magic is limited due to the terms of the deal. The monarchs of this pack have a close connection to the most powerful of devils, and therefore possess more powerful magic and enhanced physical and mental prowess.

Occasionally, these pacts grant immortal life. However, this is always conditional, as the life must be spent in varying degrees of servitude.

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Druidic Magick

Druids are significantly rarer in this pack, especially since they moved from their forested homelands. However, a few druids remain who harness their powers from the natural world, no matter how corrupted by the cataclysm. They occasionally congregate with other druids in the south, making sure to keep the true intentions of their pack a secret.

The Empyreans, the house of physicians, are the most powerful wielders. However, the newer founded House Beowulf also possess these magicks.

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Wild Magick

Wild magick is the rarest form of magic within this pack, with the only wielders being related to Earthsky of the Pack of Rabbits. This magic inherently has more drawbacks, as it is not of this plane and no being is granting it. Wolves that possess this act as a conduit, and the power of it is limited by how much arcana is available nearby.

However, these limitations can sometimes be overcome when one leans into the natural instability of this magic. This can allow for more powerful spells to be cast, but it always comes at the risk of seemingly random, unintended consequences (or surprise benefits).

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Lunar Magick

The use of lunar powers outside of the lunar realm is strictly forbidden without express consent from the ruling monarch. Lunar creatures are seen as a threat and are treated as such. Wolves within this pack are allowed to have lunar influences or distant origins, as long as they pledge their loyalty to the Morrow's Peak Pack and the royal family. Betraying this pledge is considered treason, for which the penalty is death.

Hierarchy

- Monarch- The leading wolf of the pack, traditionally the queen. All decisions are ultimately made by them. Typically they are a wolf with the highest physical and magical power among the pack.

- Nobility- Families in the pack with notable political power. They provide advice to the monarch, but their advice isn't always taken, however they typically handle different aspects of pack life semi-independently. New noble families can be formed with the approval of the monarch.

- High Constable- Leader of any war efforts, commander of the armies. The title is passed down to the heir of the noble house currently in control of this sector, unless they are deemed unfit.

- Court Physician- In charge of the health of the pack and its armies. Traditionally, they are members of House Empyrean.

- Hunters and Scouts- The majority of the pack, wolves without any notable power or responsibilities. Make up the general infantry of the army in times of war.

- Professors- Older wolves who have decided to pass their knowledge down to the next generations. assist the pupsitters with pup training, and act as mentors for the apprentices. never forced to fight in wars, however many end up volunteering anyways.

- Pupsitters- Those that take care of and train the young. Have the least political say but are always respected by their higher ups. Will not be recruited into the army unless there is dire need.

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Houses

- Valyrian: descendents of Queen Allura; children of hers that would take over leadership in case of her untimely death.

- Kalama: descendents of Kalama, influential stalker and lead of the Flame's End hunting party.

- Arborea: descendents of Arborea, the longest standing member of the pack. Due to lucky (or unlucky) circumstances, she was given a chance to live a second life.

- Brumalis: Descendents of Lux and Mercury Brumalis, those who show incredible strength in combat and strategy. They are the second family to have the head hold the title of High Constable.

- Patronus: descendents of Ser Gélida, first High Constable of the Morrow's Peak Pack. However, they have since been demoted to knights.

- Empyrean: descendents of Lord Empyrean, the first proper court physician. One heir must be chosen to be the next physician. If no relatives are the family remain, an unrelated wolf with take over the family name.

- Otso: descendents of Faeles Otso, outcasted son of a noble from a distant kingdom.

- ARTEMYS: Descendents of Lady Artemys. Members of this family possess or carry genetic mutations that allow for an inherent connection to the Astral Plane, and magic connected to it. Carriers of this mutation have enhanced magical abilities, but cannot see into the Astral Plane. Wolves that possess this mutation can be 'adopted' into this family with the approval of the head of the house and the monarch.

- Grackle: Those descended from Grackle Kalama. The first offshoot of the Kalama house; will officially earn house status after Grackle's death.

- Voljia: Descendants of Pheyil, an outsider who quickly gained respect within the pack. Most of those within the family have warm-tinted pelts.

- Vikaeu: Descendents of Lord Vikeau. A family with strong bodies and minds, and an affinity for mystical predictions.

- Specus: Descendents of Blatta and Mutus Specus. Only the Champion knows their true intentions.

- Melos: Refugees from a far off kingdom who quickly gained respect.

Previous families:

- Sylvasidus: "Wild Skies", descendents of Adon (bastard child of Allura and granddaughter of Nessus) and Earthsky (of the Pack of Rabbits). This family came to an end after the New Plague.