The world of Avalon awaits. Howls echo in the shadows, summoning or calling, who could know. Predators lurk within trees, behind mountains, maybe even across borders. The Godless is a lore extensive, original and semi-realistic roleplay forum for wolves and canine-like creatures. We encourage creative freedom and cater for intermediate – advanced roleplayers. Will you survive The Godless?
DATE A new Alphess has been named in the West; Alphess Carinthia of Wacouta Pack
DATE Kalahiri has left a coordinated group of loners in ruins after a bloody battle - claiming both Alpha and Alphess. A new name rises in the night; Alphess Ashaunti.
DATE The great battle for Sardothien's Alphahood took place. Jürgen now claiming the title of Alpha.
[attr="class","sideway"]I. PACK INFORMATION & TRADITIONS
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I. TERRAIN AND WEATHER
Sardothien makes its home East of Avalon. The terrain that makes up Sardothien's pack lands consists of open fields, high mountains, steep valley's, and forests scattered to the wind. Beautiful yet filled with hidden danger. Common prey found in Sardothien are moose, white tailed deer, the occasional elk, rodents of varying species, bison, rams, and waterfowl.
However, the weather is another matter altogether. Winter in Sardothien is fairly mild unless you travel up to mount. slon, there it's colder and dry. Summers are much the same as winter. Mild and warm with some days being muggy, especially near trillium swamp. Unlike other regions in Avalon, Sardothien has the most comfortable climate available.
II. WHAT SARDOTHIEN IS KNOWN FOR
LOYALTY: The wolves of Sardothien understand what camaraderie is in the pack from a very young age. Despite being at each other's throats, the wolves in Sardothien have mutual respect and trust for one another. When times are tough it's nice knowing you have a pack to watch your back and help provide companionship.
ROWDY: Sardothien isn't known for their soft words, elegant phrases, and aristocrat-like behavior. No, instead the wolves of Sardothien have a crude way of approaching matters. Domineering, crude, and blunt make up these wolves' behavior. This isn't to say they are lacking in the speech department, but instead, they don't see the point in hiding behind their words or actions and instead are very forthright.
RUTHLESS: Being a Sardothien wolf is not for the faint of heart. Sardothien is known for its brutality and ruthlessness. The weak, while serving a purpose in the daily functions of the pack, are looked down upon. There is no place for the weak in this pack. All are game.
HONOR-BOUND: Despite their brutality and barbaric ways Sardothien wolves have a strong belief that their promises and words are what binds them. Their word is a guarantee. It's why these wolves don't like making alliances and deals unless it's absolutely necessary. Going back on one's word is seen as cowardly and dishonorable.
STRONG PAIN TOLERANCE: Wolves in Sardothien are exposed to pain at a very young age. Pain is like a constant companion to these wolves - seen as a strength than as something to fear. It makes them very formidable foes in one-on-ones.
GLADIATORS: Growing up in a fighters society, Sardothien wolves are well versed in battle analysis and fighting skill. Even Shamans and healers know how to defend themselves against enemy attacks. Unlike general forms of fighting Sardothien has perfected the art and introduced newer ways of fighting, albeit, they are bloody and gruesome in retrospect. These ways of fighting have been passed down from generation to generation, a closely guarded secret.
III. CEREMONIES AND TRADITIONS
Initiation: When a pup has reached the maturity and age to take on a role in the pack an initiation ceremony is held. Each rank has a different induction ceremony so there's no concrete way to do things. However, generally, a pup going into the warrior class is tasked with fighting another packmate. Healers are tasked to list the repertoire of medicinal herbs and their uses to the Shaman of the pack and hunters are tasked with finding a prey item. The bigger or more dangerous the item, the more impressive.
Those presenting prey will sit in a line with one another before presenting their item to the Alpha. Those who pass will be given their new rank and have the honor to dine with the Alpha. Passing adolescents are also marked by the Alpha with ceremonial war paint, colored to their ranks tier and authority in the pack - staining that wolf's fur color.
Blue is the mark of the warrior class
Purple is the mark of the caregiver class
Green is the mark of the provider class
Red is the mark of the special class
White is the mark of the dishonored (slaves/omegas)
Rite of Passage: Young pups (6+ months) who are ready to become a participant in pack life go through a rite of passage. This rite of passage is a tradition dating so far back even the elders of the pack font know when this tradition started. Pups are given the task a day before the actual ceremony is held to find something they believe the pack would find important. This item is then presented to the Alpha the following day in front of the entire pack. Pups are then required to explain their reasoning as to why they believe the item to be important. Finding this item and explaining their reasoning demonstrates the understanding the pup has of what the pack considers important. It shows how well they've done in their studies with their den-mothers and shows whether or not they are ready to participate in pack life.
Pups are to line up one by one with their items placed neatly in front of their paws. They are to sit and stay seated until called upon by the Alpha to present their items. When called they'll separate from the line and place the item in front of the Alpha to which they then begin explaining their reasoning for their item.
Name Day of the Alpha: This is a special ceremony where the Alpha's newborn litter is presented to the entire pack. With everyone gathered the Alpha and his mate then ask for all the Gods and Goddesses' blessing before they give the pups their names and titles. The pack then is able to congratulate the Alpha pair and celebrate the pack's future security. A large hunt is also organized to praise the pack's prosperity and the female Alpha is gifted with the kill as a symbol of respect and gratitude for providing the next Alpha. This is also a prayer to Freya and Guarus to give the Alpha male strength to protect and provide for his family and give the Alpha female courage and health to care for her pups.
Day of Still Blood: Death comes for us all at some point in our lives. Sardothien honors a deceased pack member by a day of silence and honorary items. I.e an individual's favorite prey item, prized valuables such as rocks and feathers, and family members' blood. It's believed the silence and presence of these items help a deceased pack mate move on peacefully with Yudire's guidance. Without any of these items, it's said the deceased stay; living a life of torment and agony as they watch those around them moving on.
Freya's Joy: this celebration is held at the end of spring when most, if not all, litters of puppies have been born. Generally, it lasts around a week. The festivities are held to praise the she-wolves who gave birth to a new generation and to praise Freya of blessing the pack's women with fertile wombs. Mothers are then presented with prey items as a gift. It's believed by celebrating, the pack wins favor with the Ardor Goddess.
Festival of Blood: A unique festival that pertains only to Sardothien. From the dawn of time, Sardothien wolves have been known as a society of warriors. It is a widely believed tale that they come from a long line of Spartan wolves who settled in the Eastern hemisphere of Avalon. That said the Festival of Blood honors Sardothien ancestry. During this festivity, packmates are pitted against each other in a battle of ultimate supremacy. Young wolves are encouraged to join to make a name for themselves. And while it's unheard of females joining in this festivity, it isn't an uncommon sight to behold a fae fighting against a brute in an act of dominance. This is a time where male virility and dominance are put to the ultimate test and where wit and strength are displayed. The Horned God is often honored during this occasion and is paid tribute to gain favor.
IV. GODS AND GODDESSES
Freya the Ardor Goddess: Sardothien worships Freya on consistent bases. To them, she is an important god. Its believed that by worshipping her she blesses pups in the spring and allows wolves to find mates. Wolves pray to her for healthy pups, finding passion in their lives, and as thanks for the gifts she gives them.
Guarus the Horned God: Another major god the pack worships. He's often prayed to for success in battles, for successful hunts, and giving courage to males to pursue a lover. He's honored and sacred to this warrior clad pack. They believe they fight on his behalf and are blessed by him for their supremacy in battle.
Yudire the Many-Faced God: During the death of a pack member Yudire is believed to help those cross over to the Afterlife. Wolves in Sardothien pray to him for a quick death to end their suffering and carry their spirits home. Apothecaries ask him for advice when treating the sick and injured - especially those on death's door.
Iridis the Three Faced Goddess: The Mother, The Maiden, and Crone is considered a minor god to the Sardothien Pack. However, they still value her for her wisdom. She is prayed to usually by alphas, mothers, and den-mothers alike to bless a fitting punishment for an unruly packmate and pups.
Lady Luck Edema: Lady Luck is considered a false God to the Sardothien Pack. To them, luck has nothing to do with a wolf's success and ability. To them, progression is earned through hard work and persistence. Prayer to a god for luck is heresy and considered blasphemous.
Tsunam the Drowned God: Sardothien doesn't worship the Drowned God simply because there are no real large bodies of water, not to mention the pack hardly swims. Despite this, they acknowledge his existence and respect him as an entity, unlike they do with Lady Luck.
V. SARDOTHIEN PACK RANKS ONLY
Consort: a women in the pack kept for pleasure and company by the pack’s Alpha. They are usually hand-selected by the alpha and actually hold some sway over the leads in classes. This is the highest rank a female can obtain in Sardothien. Consorts often bear the young of an alpha and act as an alphess at times. Their word is the law, second behind the Alpha and Baron. Their word matches that of the heir’s. There is an unlimited amount of wolves who are considered consorts, however, this rank is very easy to lose as it is to gain.
Peacekeepers: the name implies much, however, this rank isn’t what it’s name actually implies. Peacekeepers are the most trusted wolves in Sardothien, patriotic to their packs cause they act as soldiers in the shadows. They take orders directly from the alpha and oftentimes go on special covert missions. These wolves also act as “spies”, keeping an eye on suspicious packmates and then reporting their findings to Jurgen. Peacekeepers are hand-selected by Jurgen and are privy to information that’s not public knowledge. They are the Black Ops in Sardothien. This rank isn’t public knowledge and as such Peacekeepers will keep performing their “public” known ranks. I.e a peacekeeper that was originally a sentinel will keep performing sentinel duties until notified otherwise. There is only 2-3 Peacekeepers within the pack at a time.