Nomads
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- 1. The Nomad Family
- 2. Nomad Sects
- 2.1 Exultare
- 2.2 Lambda
- 2.3 Mareck
- 2.4 Evan'ules
- 2.5 The Unspoken
The Nomads are a single unit comprised of various families all marked by special skills. Their culture heavily influenced the Sangi'lak pack.
1. The Nomad Family
- The Exultare are deemed the Nomadic warriors, defending the pack from hostile wolves they may not take kindly to their travelling culture. They also act as escorts for the ambassador families and guards to the family Shepard.
- The Lambda are ruthless tacticians and masters of mental manipulation.
- The Mareck are often referred to as the creationists of the Nomads, their creativity and artistic prowess knows no equal within or outside of the Nomad collective.
- The Evan'ule are the Nomads' superior hunters and scouts. They are keener to other animal's instincts and temperaments and are more likely to befriend other animals that act as their 'guides'.
- The Unspoken info.
Each family has its own Shepard, or 'Head of the Family'. Governing them is the High Shepard; a single lead that takes the Nomads on their journey through the paths of their forebears. The High Shepard is chosen in rotation, the title passing from one family to the next based on the change in season. No Shepard can hold the title of High Shepard twice in any given season, even if the present High Shepard passes on due to illness.
Once the title of High Shepard has been given to a particular family, they are advised to train their successor in their art so that they may assume the role when their time comes again. The rotation that has passed on through countless generations is believed to maintain balance and fairness so that each family lead garners the experience to pass on to their successor. So far this practice has been able to withstand the test of time.
As the name suggests, Nomadic lifestyle differs from the traditional pack structure. As they are known to move from place to place, it is difficult to cross their path unless their routes are known by their familiars. It is customary for Nomads to greet familiars and unknown passers with a gift, be it a trinket or something as significant as food. These gifts are a form of 'trade' bestowed as thanks for the encounter be it to exchange information or a simple greeting of 'hello'.
Trading can extend as far as providing a hunter to a needing pack or clan, or a healer during hard times. The trade often constitutes compensation in the form of privileged residence or temporary reign over the hunting grounds. The Nomads tend to be well verse and skillful, adapting to whatever situation in need of their services.
1.1 History
A year passed that would turn the Collective's hatred toward dogs as a whole. Already they were perceived as lesser beings, as they were known to be subservient to the deceased humans, but became less still in the Nomads eyes following the events of that winter and spring. Due to a scavenging pack of dogs, the Family’s stock of food an rations was nil to support the entire Collective. Consequently the carrying mothers of the Collective could not feed to support the new life growing within them. For the entirety of that season, there were mournful cries and songs of sorrow as little after litter died from malnourishment. The Shepard’s second mate was even victim of this travesty with only one pup out of six surviving to see the light of day; X'yrin Exultare’s Lambda sister Luarno. The Exultare and select Lambda were personally responsible for the capture and torture of the scavenging dogs, leaving them mutilated for their crime, unable to breed offspring that would share such inferior genetics.
1.2 Culture
The Family comes First above all else. This is an indisputable law that must be practiced by all members, even Prospective members. Failure to follow this law is considered a betrayal to the Family as a whole and is viciously dealt with without leniency. While disciplinary action pertaining to rank will be used for smaller violations, greater threats to the pack stability will be dealt with in the form of permanent exile. The Family member is stripped from their rank and their renown is tarnished. They are henceforth considered 'dead' to the Family.
The Nomads are a gestural people that only use verbal communication during lecture and training. Their behavior is less human-civilized as are their gestures to convey a notion or point that lupine voice may not comply with. (ie. Tapping the head - “Understand?”, Pawing at the head- “Don’t understand.”, Extending a paw- “Asking for permission” or “Lead the way.”, Tapping the nose- “Thinking/Have a thought” or “Pay attention.” )
- Dogs and coyotes are perceived as lesser than wolves, and may be met with hostility.
- It is a belief that those who have passed on will watch over all who still walk the path of life and use their long years of experience to guide their families and loved ones.
Courtship/Mating
Dirty Business INFO goes here...
1.3 Beliefs
INFO about Beliefs!
1.4 Lifestyle
Lifestyle INFO
1.5 Territory
Territory INFO
2. Nomad Sects
General information about sects goes here.
2.1 Exultare
By birth |
By adoption |
This is a faction of the Nomadic whole, made up solely of warriors and guards. Not all within the family are related by blood but they look to the other as brother and sister, father and mother. Like the other families, they do not breed into themselves but are betrothed to those like their skill-level, or in rare cases are offered as vessels or donors to familiar packs wolves to cement their positive relations. It is not uncommon for a warrior to go a lifetime without breeding, but the discipline called for such control against the urge is said to be near unbearable.
To abate these urges, they focus on enhancing their strength and sharpening their art of hand-to-hand combat. The Exultare are unique in their style, taking the more defensive posture so that they can divert negative energy into positive, subduing the aggressor and talking down their aggression.
However they are capable of offensive strikes, and there in lies the danger. Seasons of strict discipline on the defensive stance suppresses the more feral nature, making it dangerous when it finally surges forward. Whether it is known to the Exultare or not, constant defense against an attack wears away at them til the inevitable want for release grows. Their lust for battle consumes them, the desire to be the offender is all that drives them and their skill that was used to divert hostile energy becomes one to exhibit it often to limits beyond their control.
An Exultare Shepard is marked by their ability to succumb to this unwavering desire and make peace with it, but retain the civilized part of themselves. Few manage the transition successfully and those that fail usually leave the family of their own volition to seek other means to satisfy their hunger.
Heritage
First Generation
Second Generation
- Veyra Damaichu x Callum Knight (1)
- Veyra Damaichu x Callum Knight (2)
Third Generation
- Unknown Female x Eros Damaichu
- Lust Lykoi x Harlequin Knight
- Isobel x Rohan Damaichu
- Elise Debois x Eros Damaichu
Appearance
info goes here.
Combat
Info goes here.
Temperament
Info goes here.
2.2 Lambda
- Oy'vind Lambda
- X'ies Lambda
- X'uri Lambda?
- Sha Lambda
- Luarno Lambda
General Information
Heritage
First Generation
Appearance
Info goes here.
Combat
Info goes here
Temperament
Info goes here.
2.3 Mareck
Often referred to as the creationists of the Nomads, their creativity and artistic prowess knows no equal within or outside of the Nomad collective. They are the pack's decorators mainly to the Evan'ule and Exultare, the families that display their accomplishments in the form of trophies. They may arrange from hides fashioned into collars or cloaks decorated with found jewels or precious stones, to bone crowns or gauntlets. They are skilled enough to weave grass into trinkets coupled with fragrant flowers and other natural goods. They are known for their dexterity in the Optime forms and their elegance in the Secui and Lupus.
Appearance
Both male and females tend to share the same physical qualities; lean in build and muscle making their movements more fluid and swift. They are often smaller than other Nomads but are never looked down on because of their size. Their bodies are honed to maintain a lithe, toned appearance, almost slender. This is because most Marecks are encouraged to dance at Family gatherings in praise to the Ancestors. But when not in celebration, this is to give them the illusion of 'weakness', though the Family as a whole are anything but
Combat
Marecks are far from the pack's fighters but they are trained to hold their own until help arrives. In all forms they are taught to be swift and agile, used as runners when danger arises to either alert to pack or bring the more able their weaponry. They are known as the fastest runners of the families and take pride in their inability to be caught.
Temperament
They are the most easy-going out of all the families, since they are not under the strain of constant perfection of body or mind. Rather they concentrate on perfecting their art be it singing, crafting, or dancing to bring worth to their brethren. By other packs, they would be referred to as the Omegas, the joy-bringers and the entertainers. But when crossed they can be a harsh or as vile as any other Nomad.
2.4 Evan'ules
Perfectionists in the art of taking down prey. These are the Nomad's superior hunters and scouts. They are second among the Nomads in strength and skill, but stand apart by their short and long range accuracy and precision. They are able to proficiently kill in all forms, sometimes using weapons in the Optime like arrows, spears, and bone knives. To other packs they are mistaken as worthwhile assassins or killers, but lack the desire to pursue such ruthless goals. They live only for the hunt of game to sustain the pack and are the only family that actually pray for the life they take. They are trained to know the seasons when game is fertile and time when new life will be born within the wild herds. They are keener to other animal's instincts and temperaments and are more likely to befriend other animals that act as their 'guides'.
Appearance
These hunters tend to have larger builds among the Nomads, but can vary in size from small and nimble to swift and large. Evan'ules tend to have more earth colored coats in order to blend better with their surroundings. It is rare to find a white coated wolf in the group, but it is known to happen during the winter. The build of the Evan'ule correlates with their roles on the hunts. Large wolves tend to be the ones that deliver the crippling blow to larger prey while smaller bodied wolves are used to herd the prey toward the hidden party.
Combat
Outside of the hunt, these wolves tend to stay away from unnecessary bloodshed and conflict. The second line of defense in case of conflict with another pack, but are none the less formidable. Their training in ranged weapons tends to give them the advantage in a fight but is not relied upon because of their disposition toward harming kin regardless of pack. They are capable hand-to-hand fighters but tend to be more merciful in their attacks. It is only when they are provoked or under extreme duress that they start looking at their enemy as prey and become more ruthless than can be imagined.
Temperament
Evan'ules have a great respect for nature and are the only family that pray after they take a life. These members are often more open to receiving companion animals regardless of their forms. They are patient due to their training and spend a great deal of time learning to converse with their animal companions and others. They offer their lessons to all families and those that reside outside the Nomad collective. Regularly they are active in exchanging this skill to receive either more companions or insight about prey they may not have seen before. Their pride steps from their ability and effectiveness in the hunt as well as their skill in training their companions to assist in their tasks.
2.5 The Unspoken
General Information
Appearance
Info goes here.
Combat
Info goes here.
Temperament
Info goes here.