Sisters of Selene

Conventions

Matriarchy: The dominant ideological thought of the Sisters is that female wolves are too often subjugated and disadvantaged by other packs. Many of the Sisters believe that female wolves are superior to males, either through their morals or their merit. Others simply believe that this pack should be a safe place for female wolves to live together in peace without worry of aggressive, dominant males. Either way, they all accept a hierarchical system that denies all but the most fitting of male wolves, and necessitates females in virtually all conceivable roles of leadership.

Collectivism: The hoard is gathered and stored collectively, and private property is basically non-existent to those within the clan. Each wolf works their profession to contribute resources to the good of the community and its den. This privilege is typically extended to guests, but not to total outsiders - the Sisters' borders and hoard are both diligently monitored to protect from thieves and invaders.

Priestesshood: The founding wolves are believers in a faith involving a pantheon of deities and the existence of spirits existing as many objects and sensory experiences (such as sounds and smells). This particular offshoot, altered over time and originating from Kubla's early puphood experience in her former pack, focuses on the worship and relationship with a moon goddess, Selene. This belief manifests in omens, sightings of apparitions, traditions of ceremonies, giving thanks, the calling on of blessings and curses, and pack roles devoted to the understanding of the world through a religious lens. Isli was the first and most devoted follower of Selene, and takes the role of Bonespeaker currently (akin to a seer). Not all of the wolves are convinced of the truth of this faith, but it does guide the pack through tough seasons, so most at least pay lip service to it.

Opportunity for a New Life: As part of the Khatun Kubla's commitment to building a flourishing community of many different she-wolves from different backgrounds, a chance to join the pack is offered to some of those who are willing and able to contribute. Wolves may choose to keep their old names, or take on new names thought of by themselves or the wolves around them. As such, there is no strict naming system or rigid tradition - except the convention to not name pups until they are weaned, to avoid close attachment until they are shown to be survivors.

It Takes A Village: Proper puprearing is essential to the Sisters. Khatun Kubla has put forward a vision of a strong community that sustains itself over generations, making it necessary to care for pups and instill in them the proper values. However, there isn't a nuclear family structure by any means - instead, pups are raised communally, with many of them spending barely any more time with their birth parents than any other adult. Education and apprenticeship are done with different wolves each day, with nearly every wolf contributing in some way to early puphood. However, the pack is also realistic with its limits. If there is a deficit in food or time to care for pups, then the pack's close relationship to the Enclave is utilized, and excess pups are given to Lillemor to be adopted by able wolves. There is usually a wolf assigned to help these wolves adjust to living with the Enclave and preparing for adoption - as of now, Tassel deals with the mostly-male pups who are given for adoption.

Pack History

Year 1 Summer - The Sisters of Selene are founded by Kubla and Isli in the Mountains region. Tassel is inducted into the pack, and soon after, Phoenix joins from the Pack of Rabbits. A burrow is made, with Kubla as Khatun (or Queen) of the Sisters directing efforts to stake their territory, expand their hoard, and recruit new wolves for their innovative matriarchal society.

Year 1 Autumn - Tumble, and Jadwi join the clan - Tumble soon fits into the role of Apothecary, as the pack's pre-eminent expert on foraging and medicine-making, while Jadwi and Isli spend their time hunting for the pack. Tassel leads expeditions into the neighboring Grasslands and Deciduous Forest regions.

Year 1 Winter - Many wolves entered into the clan this season, due to the bountiful hoard of the Sisters and the increasing scarcity of prey in the wild. Of particular note is Kallisto (an infertile wolf who served as a scout until she could become pupsitter), Soweli (a mute wolf serving as assistant to Tumble), Asha, Parabellum, Booveau, and Ornlu - the pack's first breeding male, or He-wolf. In addition, Isli names herself as the pack's High Priestess, with Kubla's approval - apparently, the lunar Goddess Selene has granted her privileges of foresight and future-changing, and called her to perform ceremonies both public and private with the bones of fallen prey and scavenge. This does not go without skepticism, but the wolves of the pack either wholeheartedly or begrudgingly accept Isli and her eccentricities.

Year 1 Spring - At the end of spring, a puppy boom begins and pupsitting responsibilities are at a high. In addition, some wolves are adopted - such as Willow, an intersex wolf who fits into a feminine social role; others visit from neighboring packs to be mentored, such as Fernicue from the Pack of Rabbits. To undertake all of the new pupsitting and mentoring needs, new members are brought into the pack - such as the males Garth and Yeti, and the females Rook and Joan. Daughters to the Apothecary Tumble were also born - Hochi and Hanoi.

Year 2 Summer - Notable new pack members are Lula, Moss (mushroom forager), Mist (hunting party leader), Raster, Vector, and many pups from both inside and outside the pack. The Lunar Event occurs without most of the pack knowing - but Moss, an open conduit to the Lunar Dreams, frequently traverses the mysterious plane of existence. These secrets elude the High Priestess, but Lula is privy to Moss' dreaming sessions, and occasionally attempts to make sense of them himself. Another notable event occurs - the biggest inter-pack conflict yet, with a duel between Jadwi and Rook (manipulated by Jadwi's close associate Asha). This duel between a combat-seasoned elder wolf and a domestic pupsitter mysteriously ends in a bout of luck for Rook - where she comes out with relatively mild wounds while completely gouging an eye of Jadwi with her claws. Khatun Kubla admonishes the instigators, and brings Jadwi to her knees as an act of domination - hopefully ensuring this sort of fight will not break out again soon. However, the duel does underline some of the ideological conflicts many of the diverse pack's wolves are experiencing with each other - with many differing opinions on faith, puprearing, breeding, and gender roles, it will be hard to pacify some of the more extreme in the pack.