Shifting Silhouette Pack

- Rankings -

New Lights - The first ranking that a wolf will be granted is as a New Light. Pups will hold this ranking until they become adults, and wolves who have newly entered the pack for one rollover as they decide whether to stay.

Fading Shadows - The second ranking, and most commonly used, is Fading Shadows. This is granted to any adult wolf that has been in the pack for at least one rollover. The name is derived from 'shadow' being the term for packmate in the Shifting Silhouette pack.

Herbalist - This rank is reserved for the herbalist of the pack, who tends to any injuries and illnesses among shadows.

Silhouette - This ranking is bestowed to a wolf who has served the pack significantly and for a great length of time. Only the most skilled wolves can earn this rank, and it is the highest level that a wolf not of leader blood can achieve.

Current Rulers - This rank is reserved for the two rulers of the pack: The female lead and her second in command mate or companion.

Founders - This rank cannot be achieved by any wolf and displays the original founders of the Shifting Silhouette pack, who will forever be commemorated and remembered by their successors

- - -

- Lead Wolves -

A lead wolf will be chosen by her mother, the previous lead, and will choose a mate or companion that will rule along side her.

2021-03-05 - Dim Shade founded the pack. They were moved into the mountains.

2022-11-22 - Silver Dusk, second daughter of Dim Shade, took over leadership of the pack. They remain in the mountains..

- Cervidae & Wapiti -

The wolves of the Shifting Silhouette pack hold beliefs in two Goddesses: sisters, Cervidae and Wapiti.
The pack does not have a strict belief system, and wanderers who are accepted into the pack or even pack-born wolves are not expected to believe in the Goddesses, although it is indisputable that The Sisters must not be mocked or disrespected.

- - -

Cervidae

Cervidae is the Goddess of the night: with a pure black coat and gleaming yellow eyes as bright as the moon in the sky, she scattered stars across the skies to guide silhouettes who previously made their travels under the pitch darkness. Melanistic wolves are believed to be blessed by Cervidae to melt into the darkness of the night with ease, aiding them on hunts.

Much like her sister, Cervidae can be playful and highly compassionate; she cares deeply about the wolves of the pack she watches over, and for her sister. However, the collected she-wolf is less open with this side of her personality than Wapiti. More often she wears a neutral and collected composure, her calm nature bringing a peace with her much like the night that she wanders. Wolves with a more stoic disposition are said to align with Cervidae.

- - -

Wapiti

Wapiti is the Goddess of the day: a pure white coat with pale pink eyes match her spirited and optimistic nature. She brought the gift of warmth and brightness to wolves in the form of the sun, burning high above whenever she is present during the day to watch over her people. Wolves with an albino coat are said to be blessed by Wapiti, given the gift of light to be a mediator among their packmates and ensure bonds are strong.

Wapiti is a bright and bubbly character, matching the daylight that she favours. Forever young in spirit and heart, Wapiti and the brightness of her sun bring warmth to all wolves and help to bond them and bring them together, strengthening the pack as a whole and promising powerful teamwork. Playful and empathetic, romantic wolves are said to align with Wapiti.

- - -

Wolves with a friendly and easygoing disposition are said to have been brought balance by both Goddesses, and are highly respected by the Shifting Silhouette pack.

- - -

Eclipse Festivals

Large celebrations are held during times of eclipse, as it is the time when both sisters, Cervidae and Wapiti, unite in the skies together, bypassing the night and day cycle that they respectively favour to join together as family. It is believed that hunts are most successful and that wolves are protected from sickness and injury during this time, as both Goddesses are watching over each member of the Shifting Silhouette pack.

These celebrations last through the day and night: Throughout the day, energetic competitions are held between packmates: shows of speed and agility in mountain-side races and demonstrations of strength and wit in team-sparring, while hunters set out to bring in as much prey as they can carry with their group in their own contests amongst hunting parties.
Once evening sets in, a more relaxed atmosphere is taken on as the fatigue of the day's events catches up to its participants, and hunters return from their trips. The bountiful loads of food brought in is prepared with delicious herbs into a large feast that is enjoyed by every tired and hungry pack member, as old tales of Wapiti's chaos and playful trickery in her mortal form and Cervidae's great flood from centuries gone by are swapped between friends and family.
It is tradition to end the night with art typically consisting of landscapes, the Goddesses or the eclipse itself decorated onto the bare stone of the mountain's cliffs. Paint made from spared herb mixtures is helpfully supplied by the young adolescents in collaboration with the pups of the pack, who are too young to participate in daylight events with the rest of their packmates; keeping the rowdy crowd of youngsters busy and included in the fun of the festival during the day and aiding in preparation for the upcoming night.