Iqaluit, Canada

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  1.   1.  Description
    1.   1.1  Fauna
  2.   2.  Culture
    1.   2.1  Species
    2.   2.2  Lifestyle
    3.   2.3  Structure
    4.   2.4  Religion
    5.   2.5  History
  3.   3.  References

Territory Statistics

StatusOPEN ?
CreatorRaze
Name Meaning"place of fish"
Name OriginInuktitut
DenonymIqalummiut
Primary SpeciesBaffin Island Wolf, Dog
Luperci DominantYes
Population~40

1.  Description

The Luperci settlement of Iqaluit is located about a mile from the human-made city of the same name, residing in a former territorial park. Protected by a mountain range, it rests on an inlet of Frobisher Bay, on the southeast part of Baffin Island.

Iqaluit has a tundra climate typical of the Arctic region, although it is well outside the Arctic Circle. The region features very long, cold winters and brief summers that are too cool to permit the growth of trees.

1.1  Fauna

Due to Baffin Island's climate, animal and plant species are adapted to the cold tundra environment -- and many are merely summer visitors. Barren-ground caribou, arctic hares, and lemmings are common year-round prey for the Iqalummiut. Arctic foxes are also commonly found in the area, and occasionally a polar bear will wander too close -- though these are often chased away by the Iqalummiut. Common bird species include the snowy owl, rock ptarmigan, snow bunting, Canada goose, and ivory gull.

Equally important to the Iqalummiut are the aquatic species. The arctic char that swims Iqaluit's river granted Iqaluit its name. Ringed seals can be found year-round, while summer visitors include walruses, harp seals, beluga whales -- and the impressive bowhead whale.

2.  Culture

If your area has a particular culture specific to the area, you include it here. Again, general details will do just fine; there's no need to get really detailed here unless you want to--totally up to you. For 'Souls, one might say that there are many different packs with individual personality, but in general the canines of 'Souls are middling in their level of civilization; for the most part, everyone is just fine in their four-legged forms, but they are also generally not averse to canines who wear clothes or use human tools.

2.1  Species

Wolfdogs are the predominant species of Iqaluit -- specifically hybrids of the Baffin Island Wolf and a hardy sled dog landrace, whose breeds have historically included the Canadian Eskimo, Siberian Husky, Seppala Siberian Sleddog, and other hardy, spitz-type breeds.

Generations of interbreeding mean that families of purebred wolves or dogs are uncommon, but it isn't unheard of for outsiders of neighboring wolf subspecies to join the community. These include the Arctic, Hudson Bay, and Eastern Timber Wolf.

Luperci

All individuals in Iqaluit are Luperci due to the genetic nature of the virus. Four-legged lifestyles are common, however, and shifting tends to be personal preference. Many Luperci prefer their Lupus or Secui forms to hunt or pull sleds, while others enjoy fishing with spears or bolas in their Optime form.

2.2  Lifestyle

Language

The primary languages of Iqaluit are Inuktitut (specifically the South Baffin dialect) and English, the latter absorbed into the culture from traders and migrants. Most inhabitants are fluent in both, though Inuktitut is preferred for cultural greetings and nouns.

Residence

During warmer portions of the year, most Iqalummiut sleep outside; their thick coats and tendency to slumber in communal heaps keep them warm. Qarmat are the most common permanent constructions for single families, built with whalebone frames and stone foundations, overlaid with waterproofed skins and sometimes snow or sod. Tents made of hide are also common for individuals.

Igloos are used only for temporary means -- which might involve small snow huts built during overnight huts, or large "halls" of compacted snow erected for special occasions, such as feasts.

Technology

Iqalummiut technology is on-par with most North American Luperci cultures -- that is to say, what most humans would think of as "tribal." While hunting on four legs is common, it's equally common to see Luperci using weapons such as knives, bolas, spears, and harpoons. Tools are constructed to craft things, whether small pieces of pretty scrimshaw or larger objects like traditional kayaks used for transport and fishing. Animal products such as sealskin, caribou hide, antler, bone, fat and oil, and baleen are invaluable.

Practices

This section is intended for any particular beliefs your canines may have -- note that this section is separate and different from religion. For example, in Sobiratsya, canines practice piercing "rituals" wherein a canine considered to be turning into an adult is given an eyebrow piercing.

2.3  Structure

Alpha/beta/gamma? King/queen? Remember, Luperci don't tend to form complex government organizations -- their structures are simple, reflecting that of their ancestral packs.

Law

If there is a dominant system of government—e.g., a monarchy, or a pack-like structure with alphas, betas, etc—you can describe it here. Remember that extremely large groups of Luperci are usually split into smaller sects of canines -- e.g., a structure with a few packs or families banded together under a common name, like Sobiratsya.

Relations

How do canines regard outsiders? Are they a cohesive, tightly-knit group or are they a quarrelsome group, prone to outbursts of disobedience or even "mutiny?

2.4  Religion

If there is a dominant religion in your culture, you can describe it here. Consider their landscape (e.g., the Kiev wolves worshiping the river around their territory.) Describe their general belief system here -- what are the cornerstones of their beliefs? Do your religions follow a particular written text?

Creation Legends

Are there any myths widely believed by the populations there regarding the creation of Luperci, the creation of wolves, the creation of that particular society? These are sometimes better to include than a detailed history—they're generally brief, fantastical, and easy to remember, and thus easy to pass from character to characters.

Deities

Are your characters monotheistic or polytheistic? Do they have minor god(s), if they're polytheistic? What about saints/spirits/angels/demons?

Symbols

Are any symbols pervasive in your religion (e.g., Christian cross, Star of David, etc). Think about what these things mean for your characters, and how these symbols are represented in your culture (e.g., perhaps residents get tattoos or markings in the shape of the symbols).

Religious Order

Are there priests, priestesses, shaman, religious leaders? How do they enforce the religious code, if there is one?

Practices

Do your canines have any particular practices, rituals, or pervasive beliefs? Perhaps the canines from your area are exceptionally superstitious. Ceremonies and the like can be listed here.

Ceremonies

If your canines celebrate particular holidays or religious observances, describe them here. This space can also be used for the description of rituals and the like.

2.5  History

If there was a massive war or other large scale occurrence here, you may include it here, however, please keep in mind that these events don't have a lot of meaning for characters who did not originate from the place during that time. A generalized summary is much better.

3.  References

  • References are awesome!
Category: Raze