WIP- Northwind Pack Lore

Let North Wind Howl

The Northwind pack was born from a group of exiles, wolves forced to flee for their lives after a failed coup. Their leader, Mistkeeper, chose her sister and her conscience over generations of tradition, and was stripped of her former name for it. Now, the group (also joined by an eccentric herbalist, his awkward son, and concerned younger brother) struggles to survive on their own, and build something better than what they were fleeing.

Please, do not post in this thread- feel free to message me if you have any thoughts on my lore, or any other concerns or questions!

Current Pack Members:

Leader: Mistkeeper

Second: Skyseeker

Healer: Rainhealer

Hunters: Nightchaser, Hawkrunner, Aspensearcher, Dawnstriker

Scouts: Ryestalker

Pupsitters: Beechminder, Blizzardsinger

Pups: Sand, Sparrow, Kestrel, Finch, Thrush, Ashes

Naming/Ranks:

The Northwind traditions are borrowed from a culture that has since been assimilated into a larger force, and would have been lost, if not for Beechminder and his family (who are from a pack which used to keep these traditions). With no other culture, and having turned their backs on their home packs, Mistkeeper and her wolves adopted these traditions, giving them new life. 

Pups are given names by their mothers soon after their birth, usually related to their physical appearance. These names are related to objects and phenomena found in nature, such as plants, rocks, weather patterns, and other animals. 

This will form the first part of their name, and the name they are often known as within the pack. The second part of their name is given after the pups survive their first cycle of seasons, and is given by the pack leader. These portions are descriptive of the wolf’s personality, skills, or role within the pack, and is seen as a rite of passage to adulthood. In Mistkeeper’s group, this was also done when a lone wolf decided to join the pack permanently, and also served as a mark of acceptance by the other members. 

Most names are self descriptive: one with the name -chaser or :-runner tends to be quick and agile on their feet, while a -caller or -singer may have a unique howl. There are a couple of these, however, which are reserved for certain roles within the pack:

-keeper is perhaps the most prominent, and is only given to the current lead wolf. It represents that wolf’s duty to the pack, and how they are charged with not just their interests, but the interest and safety of those who chose to follow them. 

-healer is relatively simple: The herbalist or the shaman of the group, who is tasked with caring for the injuries and illnesses the pack members encounter. Some chose to take on a more religious view of the world, while others (like Rain) focus more on medicinal plants, and their effects. The exact roles and power this position holds can vary from pack to pack, and the individual healers as well. 

-minder is a special term, and is given to those who are viewed as teachers, and who foster the next generation of the pack. While many wolves may spend some time as a pupsitter, a -minder thrives on watching and teaching pups, and sharing their wisdom with those who are willing to learn. A -minder will often be seen as the leader of the pupsitters in larger packs, and tends to direct the activity in regards to their training, and teaching them pack dynamics and morals. 

Role/Ranks:

Keeper: As stated before, the Keeper is the lead wolf of the pack, and could be considered the heart of it as well. While they lead the pack, they are also bound to it, and their success is determined by the pack’s success. While other wolves can come and go, the Keeper always stays, and is both empowered by their role, and limited by it. Keepers are respected and followed, but can also be challenged, in the case where a lead wolf is believed to be acting against the interests of the pack. In this case, the Keeper and the challenger must fight for the role, but this fight needs to happen with all the pack present, so that the victor is clearly seen. Even then, winning the fight does not guarantee the challenger power- the other members of the pack may choose to follow the old Keeper, and not submit to the challenger. When this happens, the pack may split up, or the challenger may now find themselves as a lone wolf, as the other members leave to follow the original Keeper into exile. The Keeper commands the pack, but their true power comes from those below them, and their willingness to follow them.

Current Keeper: Mistkeeper

Second: This is the wolf just below the Keeper, and often serves in a “beta” role. They help the Keeper run the pack on a daily basis, and are often in charge of the hunting parties, focusing on making sure the pack’s basic needs are met. The second is often seen as the “heir”, or the wolf who will take over the pack if the Keeper retires or dies. It is believed that a future Keeper needs to serve as second for some time before assuming the lead role, so that they understand the ins and outs of their pack before taking full control of it. 

Current Second: Skyseeker

Roles after this are considered to be equal in rank within the pack, except where noted.

Healer: The pack’s healer. Some chose to take on a more religious view of the world, while others (like Rain) focus more on medicinal plants, and their effects. The exact roles and power this position holds can vary from pack to pack, and the individual healers as well.

Current healer: Rainhealer

Suffix: healer

Hunters: Wolves charged with hunting and providing food for the pack, and at times providing protection with the scouts. Tend to work in groups of five, with further positions within these groups (standard stalker, chaser, and finisher). 

• Head Hunter: A wolf who tends to lead the hunting group (or groups), and is considered particularly knowledgeable of hunting techniques and locations. This leader tends to emerge naturally from the hunters, and while not considered to have a formally high rank, is still respected. 

Current Head Hunter: Nightchaser, after Skyseeker takes a more active role as Second. 

Hunters: Nightchaser, Dawnstriker, Aspensearcher, and Hawkrunner- Skyseeker also serves as a stalker.

Example suffixes: chaser, seeker, stalker, runner, striker, holder, searcher, hunter, etc

Scouts: Wolves who tend to patrol the edge’s of the pack territory, and beyond. They often serve as a front line defense for the pack, noticing any potential dangers or issues that need to be addressed. They can be away from the pack for days at a time, and are expected to be swift, strong, and smart, to deal with whatever trouble they encounter

Current Scouts: Just Ryestalker for now, but Sand will be one once he ages up. 

Suffix examples: roamer, seeker, runner, caller, singer, etc

Pupsitters: Those charged with caring for the pups of the pack, and teaching them all they need to survive. While considered equal in rank to the other roles, this is sometimes filled by older wolves, or younger ones who have not chosen a permanent role. Due to this, some wolves can come in and out of this role, although permanent pupsitters are considered to be a vital part of pack life, due to their skills and care with young pups. 

- Head Minder: This would be considered a “leader” for the pupsitters, and always holds the suffix of “minder”. While many wolves may spend some time as a pupsitter, a -minder thrives on watching and teaching pups, and sharing their wisdom with those who are willing to learn. A -minder will often be seen as the leader of the pupsitters in larger packs, and tends to direct the activity in regards to their training, and teaching them pack dynamics and morals. They are also seen as storytellers and historians, and focus on making sure the pack’s history and legends are remembered. 

Head minder: Beechminder

Pupsitters: Beechminder, Blizzardsinger, and Sparrow once she ages up (future herbalist, so she can build stats).