Del Cenere Gang Territory

Territory Claim

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Palisade
Del Cenere Gang's off-board outpost is an estimated 16 miles from Portland and operates as its own trade post. Long-term aNPCs will be moved here.

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  1.   1.  Endemic Life
    1.   1.1  Flora
    2.   1.2  Fauna
  2.   2.  Subterritories
    1.   2.1  El Tramo
    2.   2.2  Tall Tree
    3.   2.3  Trailside
    4.   2.4  La Caída

➵ Del Cenere's Ganglands and Territory Claim
Settlement Quick Links : Charmingtown, The Parish, Irving?

Del Cenere's sprawling claim lays its stake inland from the shifting and frequently compromised coasts, and positions itself beyond a cradle of mountains and bottlenecks in the hopes that this more secluded territory can provide the Gang with succor and protection from more densely wolf-populated packs.

From the inclines of the Burnt Church Mountains to the lowland floodplains of the Canaan Bog, the territory hosts large swathes of Acadian-esque forests, riparian lowland woods, wide-open meadows, and wildflower-speckled floodplains. Much of this range possesses uneven terrain, be that rolling hills, cliff faces, bluffs - each which gutter out into mellow valley lows between the next shift of terrain. While seasons have ravaged the territory through its history, three luperci settlements remain and continue to prosper within Del Cenere: The Parish, Irving, and the bustling trade hub of Charmingtown.

For more information regarding Del Cenere's semi-open border, as well as the nature in which they mark their territories, please see our Guidelines and Culture pages.

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Maps by Despi

1.  Endemic Life

1.1  Flora

  • There are 2,090 observed plant species within the province of New Brunswick. The following lists are not indicative of every available plant within this area. For more information on other forage-able or cultivated plants, see our garden page.
Flora Overview...
» Grasses and Groundcovers

1.2  Fauna

  • There are 4,843 observed animal and insect species within the province of New Brunswick. The following lists are not indicative of every animal which can be spotted in this area. If you are seeking information as to domesticated or otherwise "owned" animals, please see our communal and privately-owned animals pages.
Fauna Overview...

2.  Subterritories

The following information is purely meant to lay out geological points of interest and any shifts in biome climate within these sub-territories, and will not relay information involving Luperci settlements. Click on images in order to be taken to their sources.

2.1  El Tramo

El Tramo Subterritories (Hide)

El Tramo consists of the Westernmost portions of Del Cenere's territory.

The western border's locality is comprised of wetlands, beach, and rolling hills sloping upwards into the rounded clifftop bluffs that edge the Northern point of Moosehead Lake, and is swaddled in woodland broken up by stretches of grasses and sedges. Prey animals are, arguably, most bountiful here, where Del Cenere's settlement population thins and grows quieter. Due to its more secluded nature (as traversal through Tall Tree to reach El Tramo can prove difficult in inclimate weather), the Luperci settlement in El Tramo has a handful of its own amenities, like communal stabling and pastures for livestock. The Parish's All-Saints Church has transformed its old belltower into a rookery of sorts, and minor storage can be utilized in the chapel itself. Tierra Amplia provides a sizable amount of Del Cenere's winter-time fodder.

See the section below for relevant image inspiration, relevant biomes, and information pertaining to sections of El Tramo's subterritory!

El Tramo Subterritory Map
Canaan Bog

Del Cenere lays claim to a Northeastern Section of the Canaan Bog. This sweeping lowland area is host to poor drainage, and results in a delicate marsh and prime wetland territory. The rolling hills peter out into low, densely wooded riparian islands surrounded by waters of deceptive depth, frequently disguised by dense, reedy grasses that spring from waterlogged, muddy banks. Beaver dams can be found here on ocassion, and moose frequently can be found in this area, browsing on spruce and wading through waters which make them difficult to get to. (Hide Subsection)

Canaan Bog (cont'd.)

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

  • Biome: Wetland
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

The ground surface of the bog is spongy in texture, and swaths of slowly decaying plant matter create thick mats of peat that can be dense enough to walk on in certain areas. Trees that grow the closest to the waterlogged edges of the water, most often, grow in dwarfed 'dwarfed' due to the nutrient-poor soil; however, they indicate solid landmass islands which slope up and out of the marsh. Specialized softwoods, spruce, and tamarack trees grow here without trouble, along with other specialized riparian plants which can tolerate the poor growing conditions.

The bog is ombrotrophic - with no 'springs', groundwater, or water flow feeding into, or out of, its boundaries. All of the water here, alongside nutrients, are provided by rainfall. A marsh - colloquially referred to as Broke-Leg Marsh - was fed originally from overflow from the Canaan bog, however, flooding in 2022 and seismic unrest later in the year seems to have subtly shaped the land, and the overflow marsh has all but dried up in its entirety, cutting off the bog from other water sources.

Tierras Brumosas

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Named by Pablo in Territory Contest (2023)

  • Biome: Wetland
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

Similar the bog, the fen's earth is soft and marshy, and comprised much of the same slow-decaying floating mats of peat. However, the fen is smaller in scope, and seems to be far more lush, generally introducing greenery very early on in spring. It's apparently a favored spot for beavers with its slow moving waters that encompass a stretch of land between the Canaan Bog and Moosehead Lake's shore, and the flow and directions are often liable to change as beaver ponds are dammed up periodically. It stands as its own self-contained ecosystem of marsh-specialized plants; hummocks of moss interspersed with pitcher plants are lined with sedges, and short, dense stands of willow crop up to choke out other softwoods along slivers of banks. While groundwater provides year-round moisture to the lush fen, it swells in spring months with run-off from snow and rainfall, though it shrinks considerably without the added moisture in the later parts of the year.

After the destruction of the Broke-Leg Marsh, it would seem that some of the water source was supplmented by the fen and its stable temperature groundwater. In latter months before the freeze, the fen can look as though it is steaming as the ambient temperatures drops before, ultimately, sub-zero temperatures freeze over waterways.

Pradera de Arcadia

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Named by Mandi in Territory Contest (2023)

  • Biome: Wetland
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

An understated wetland, the meadow between bog, fen, and lake stretches and lines the grassland of Tierra Amplia and edges the foothills and lightly wooded knolls building towards the bluffs. Its presence succeeded that of the Marsh's dispersal, pockets of low-lying earth no longer fully fed by groundwater or overflow permitting only brief instances of shallow pools in times of precipitation. These petite bodies of water may not be immediately apparent as they're masked by tall sedges, shrubs, and other non-woody plants which dominate the meadows, their dense growth working to stabilize the soil and make traversal here at least moderately more easy. The thick foliage and vegetation make this area a favorite for game like rabbits and deer in the early spring as the meadow explodes with growth, where they hide their vulnerable young in the condensed greenery and marshy shrubs. Springtime also yields pops of color in the form of water-loving wildflowers, providing a food source for pollinators in a critical start of the season.

Given time, this meadow may succeed to forest as it dries.

The Saddleback

Elevations along The Saddleback vary from mellow swells of foothills, to swaths of flat grassland - this stretch of territory's expanse encompasses the area between the bluffs down to the Canaan Bog, with the highest points of these hills edging the outer claim of Del Cenere's Northwestern borders. The climate varies between meadow fields, grasses and dry forage, to sparse stands of trees and temperate woodland with thick growth of ferns and mossy stones. At the southern portion of this area, north of the Bog and leading Moosehead Lake's shore, there is a sandy, gravely swath of land emptying into the body of water as remnant of the 2022 flooding which cleared a path of destruction in its wake. (Hide Subsection)

Tierra Amplia

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

  • Biome: Grassland
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

Stretching along the inclining slope from the banks of Moosehead Lake up towards the bluffs, Tierra Amplia is an ample grassland interspersed with pockets of trees and shrubs lined at its back with gentle hillocks to cradle it. This expanse of shielded grassland makes for ideal free-roaming forage for livestock, and most evenings tends to draw crepuscular prey out to graze in the summer months; Deer frequent the area but generally stick close to the treelines for quick egress routes from danger. Mid-year, the grasses grow tall and green, creating a sea of waving color that undulates with the weather.

A pasture's fence cordons off a portion of the Tierra Amplia closest towards the bluffs.

Hunter's Ascent

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Named by Viktory System in Territory Contest (2023)

  • Biome: Grassland / Woodland
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

Elevation climbs to the north of the bog in the rolling motion of foothills which ripple the landscape. From stony-faced ledges to gentle sloped hillocks, these nondescript hills amble up towards the bluffs and slope down into the bowl of the lake's basin and continue far beyond pack borders. The hills are interspersed with swaths of grassland and woodland both sparse and dense, making it a prime territory for trapping and hunting for the number of prey animals that frequent this more secluded landscape and are drawn to the tall grasses in spring to reproduce and the protection the groves provide come summer.

Bear Weald

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Named by Pablo in Territory Contest (2023)

  • Biome: Woodland
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

Woodlands cradle the Northwestern border of Del Cenere's territory and shroud the bluffs. This sparse forest is primarly comprised of evergreen and coniferous trees, though the lower stretches which thin around the Bluffs adopt more deciduous plants. Maples vein through the woods and provide bright, showy pops of crimson and gold through fall, and flow freely with sap in the late winter and early spring.

Ground cover grows thick throughout this portion of forest. Wildberries can be commonly found here through ferns and brambles, and are a draw in summertime to opportunistic foragers and wildlife alike. Given the high concentration of cover through the woods, there's bountiful prey - though it may also draw in predators, especially come springtime.

Sweetwater Bluffs

The rounded bluffs which surround the top most point of Moosehead Lake provide this portion of territory with ample privacy and protection from some of the worst of the elements that temperamental seasons have to offer. Wintertime, however, brings with it high snow drifts that butt up against the rocky ledges of terrain. High precipitation in springtime makes for thick, green foliage for much of the rest of the year. One of Del Cenere's main traversal trails edges through the bluffs to reach The Parish, and peters out on a downward slope to the shore of Moosehead Lake. (Hide Subsection)

Silverado Field

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

  • Biome: Grassland / Woodland
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

Silverado Field is sandwiched between either shelf of the bluffs - between the offshoot, higher ledges that culminate in the Beartooth, and the ones which line Moosehead Lake. Seasonal weather patterns tend to funnel cloud cover and early morning mists against these mild slopes and subtle basins of relatively even ground, coated in sparse woodland and meadow grasses that grow early in the year. Once spring is in full swing, the fields and groves burst to life in color with a litany of wildflowers and blooms which attract all manner of pollinators and birds.

Given the importance of wildflower seeds in burial rights, much of the supply is generally derived from Silverado Fields, once the plants mature in Summer and Autumn.

Bluffs

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

The vistas and bluffs responsible for this subsection of territory's names are stony and stalwart, and veined with the subtle mineral color shifts of passing ages exposed by weather erosion.These monolith faces of stone range from overt to subtle, poking out on upward slopes or carving chunks from landscape, though their gentler rolling nature compared to the sharper cliffs they combine with along the Eastern shore of the lake, they are easier to access. The bluffs are lined with trees and grassland alike, and can provide excellent views to those seeking to hike their inclines.

Between either shelf, Del Cenere has a quiet settlement and residency barrio of The Parish, as well as communally accessible stables. A strip of stony beach separates the lower shelf from touching Moosehead Lake directly, and allows for accessiblity to quality fishing and viewing of the waterfall which spills out of Tall Tree's riverway.

El Tramo Points of Interest

  • See above as to locations for these landmarks.

Image courtesy of pxhere.com

Cascada de Fuego | Named by Despi in Territory Contest (2023)

The springtime thaw of 2023 brought with it a change to the Northernmost point of Moosehead Lake. High volume of snowmelt and subtle shifts in the environment following a series of earthquakes in the years prior shook up the waterways veining through Tall Tree, culminating in their convergance, and, subsequently, a higher pressure and waterflow cascading towards the basin of the lakebed.

Once referred to as the Three Sisters due to the series of falls initially being broken into a trio, the warming temperatures and higher volume of water eroded away parts of the cliff face which divided the falls, resulting in a rockslide which tumbled down to the lake and beach below. As a result of this, the falls, too, have converged into one powerful one which falls in tiers down the crumbled bluff. Traversal around the waterfall is dangerous and ill advised during springtime thaws and the resulting swell of water which swallows the entirety of the crevice carved through the stones - however, in drier summertime and autumn months, the lessened waterflow exposes hiking and climbing trail opportunities which hug the feature.

Summertime sunsets set the waterfall alight as rays of the dwindling sunlight catch the mist cast off from the falls, giving it a fire-like appearance at the first spillway.

Image courtesy of pxhere.com

The Beartooth

Woodland thins around the highest point of the upper shelf of the bluffs, and up the gentle slope of grasses lies the Beartooth.

The dark stones here are jagged, and a handful of spires peter out into the woodlands along eastern edges, and the pointed motions and shape from the ground gives the appearance of the stone feature's namesake, like a great molar poking from the earth. The Beartooth is most stunning in autumn and winter, where the rock stands in stark contrast with gold grasses or a white quilt of snow. While dense forest and sparse woodlands can obscure most visuals of the ground from the top of the Beartooth, the hike up the mellow incline at its back provides breathtaking views over a sizable swath of El Tramo and the lake itself, as well as Moosehead Lake's Eastern shores and cliffs.

Hiking the Beartooth is ill advised in inclimate weather and snowy conditions, where slick mud, ice, and deep snow are most prevalent due to its open exposure to the elements. Generally, horseback riders are only permitted near its base and never on the trail to its peak, due to safety concerns.

One of The Parish's barrio quarters is named after this landmark, and it can be spotted through the trees from its rows of housing.

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2.2  Tall Tree

Tall Tree Subterritories (Hide)

Tall Tree consists of the Northernmost portions of Del Cenere's territory.

The northern border is a broad stretch of thick forest and rolling, uneven landscape ranging from foothills to sparse, short cliff-like ledges, and is generally known for its maze-like trees and difficult traversal, especially in winter months. Hunting and trapping can prove fruitful throughout Tall Tree, though due to the density of foliage, it can be equally difficult and hard to achieve - however, given the plentiful nesting opportunities and close proximity to more open hunting ranges for small animals, corvids and birds of prey are a commonality in this subterritory, providing opportunity for burgeoning falconers to study or capture new companions. Large prey animals like moose traverse some of the deeper section of the forest and frequent riparian zones, and while not as common, beaver ponds may spring up on ocassion along quieter stretches of the converged riverway which cuts through the woodland.

Much of Del Cenere's firewood and lumber are sourced from Tall Tree.

See the section below for relevant image inspiration, relevant biomes, and information pertaining to sections of Tall Tree's subterritory!

One-o'-Wait

Decrepit and long-gone roadsigns once labeled this stretch of black, cracked and desecated asphalt as "108", before they ultimately gave way over years of seismic unrest and harsh weather conditions. This abandoned old roadway's namesake has been altered on colloquial tongue as Del Cenerens have sought to hasten the term, dropping from "Ol' One-Oh-Eight" to "One-o'-Wait" (often pronounced as a single word) over the years. The bridge which used to act as one of the sole safe (if far out of the way) access points to El Tramo around the Gang's foundation has since collapsed after 2020, though the ease of traversability still makes the road a popular point to scout out the border. Trees here are thick, and tall - and all but swallow sounds of the surrounding forest as the forest buffers the noise. (Hide Subsection)

The Lane

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Where One-O'-Wait refers to the forested and dimpled terrain surrounding the old backroads highway, the Lane itself refers to the asphalt which carves its path through the densely packed forest which surrounds, with its high trees and fertile ground choked by brambles and ferns. The Lane, ultimately, is a favored trail to traverse - while old potholes and cracks through the surface are present, the weeds sprouting therein are largely inconsequential, and its preferable to whatever thorns breach the ditches. Pionero are advised to trim and cut back any larger encroaching plants here to keep the road safer.

Despite its convenience, however, there is undeniably an unsettling quality to the trail - it's eerily quiet and feels cut-off from the world at large, and most prey tend to avoid the open air save for quick and fleeting passes while crossing. The only exception seem to be animals too large to be bothered with most threats, like moose.

Poco Sueño

What had started as a crevice of indeterminable depth, Poco Sueño is now used in reference for a section of riparian forest that runs perpendicular to the One-o'-Wait. Earthquakes in 2020 fractured this portion of the forest and pried the lanscape open, where it subsequently flooded with groundwater. What was once a tumultuous stretch have land has since calmed considerably as normalcy returns to the woods. Trees which had been toppled at this time have given way to thick, lush growth of groundcovers, mosses, and saplings. Fast growing trees have quickly taken to soaking up their place in the sun while opportunity persists. (Hide Subsection)

Arroyo Pálido

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Named by Pablo in Territory Contest (2023)

The scar that Poco Sueño's division had left has begun to heal and calm, and a gentle gully has taken the place of the fissure in the earth. As years persist, the groundwater has begun to dwindle, what was once a narrow, but fast moving river has slowed to a crawl and has dried and been reduced to a mellow, mineral-rich brook. The soil of the gully is loamy and fertile, and algae, mosses, sedges, and other low-growing greenery has taken off through dappled sunlight through relatively freshly regrown forest.

The brook traverses rippling hillocks and empties into the river carving through Tall Tree.

The Tangle

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

  • Biome: Wetland Forest
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • None!

The Tangle is located south of the gully, and is host to sweeping basins, ambling foothills, and immensely dense foliage. The subtle funnel shape of the landscape as a whole helps to capture moisture and low-lying seasonal fog which helps to feed into shallow pockets and vernal pools which pock the forest. The earth here is soft and marshy, and remains moist for most of the year, which provides a great deal of amphibians with fertile breeding ground. Often regarded as one of the first heralds of thaw, Spring Peepers are among some of the first to emerge, and while they can be found through most of Tall Tree, they are found in the highest abundance within The Tangle.

While the moisture here never truly dissipates, late summer months with low precipitation help to curb the wetland forest from conceding to outright marsh.

The Old Growth

The Old Growth, named for the dense forest with its tall and mature trees, is a large swath of Acadian forest blanketing the Northern part of Del Cenere's territory. The trees here comprise veined mixtures of softwood and hardwood like hemlock, fir, maple, birch, beech trees, ironwood, ashes, and pine. Stands of Sugar Maple are popular draws in the late winter and early spring for their sap, and provide dramatic shows of color as the seasons shift towards fall. Spruce grows in the pockets of this hilly, uneven landscape, only made drastically moreso by the large and intertwining tangle of root systems. Much of the ground here is overgrown with thickets of well-adapted ferns and other such plants suited to darkness. Blankets of early blooming wildflowers tend to take off come spring, attempting to take advantage of the sunlight before it inevitably is swallowed by leafed-out trees. (Hide Subsection)

Árboles Altos

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Árboles Altos consists of the wooded territory, and comprises much of the Old Growth of Del Cenere. There is consistent, year-round cover in the forest - Summertimes have deciduous plants leaf out and bloom, Autumn brings with it flashes of gold, red, and copper, where as evergreens provide deep, rich greens with winter. The terrain of Árboles Altos is uneven, and difficult to traverse in inclimate weather, making it a challenge to travel between The Parish and the settlements of Trailside without taking diversions along longer time-consuming routes and trails.

The forest is host to abundant prey that can navigate the thick underbrush and take advantage of the dense treestands for cover. Deer tend to migrate their young from El Tramo into the more mature woods, foxes dig out burrows and take advantage of the abundance of voles, shrews, and other small animals, and Spring and Summer months are host to raucous morning choruses of birds. Outside of La Caída, Árboles Altos is the only other area where elusive bobcats seem to frequent, generally deeper into the more untouched portions of the forest where they can avoid Luperci activity.

Rococo Rapids

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Named by Polymorph in Territory Contest (2023)

Separate bodies of water once pocked the Old Growth - springs and ground wells, spidering creeks and riverways, ponds, and pools - More of these features burst from the earth in times of seismic unrest over the years, and swelled with winter run-off, though, as these wounds have matured, the pressurized flows from groundwaters have lessened, and now merely seasonal shifts seem to be driving the fattening of waterways. These bodies, washed out by tumultuous events and carved out from their original pockets, have since converged into a singular, stronger river which oxbows and splits only to re-converge on the other side of banks, and alters with the seasons. Birch trees have sprouted up where older trees have since fallen along the eroded, loamy banks, seizing the opportunity for light and the abundant running water.

The river, ultimately, culminates in the waterfall which spills over a collapsed cliff face in El Tramo, and empties into Moosehead Lake.

Cliffs

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

  • Biome: Forest / Rocky Beach
  • Notable Landmarks:
    • Lover's Leap
    • Ojo del Diablo

The Eastern most edges of the shelf which comprises much of El Tramo's lower bluffs sharpens and grows more sheer and uneven in appearance on this side of Moosehead Lake's point. While these cliffs, for the most part, are stable, they still provide a very present danger in height and unpredictability. Time, of course, has blunted much of the cliff's severity; erosion and elements have eaten away at most of the danger, and there are plenty of slopes which snake downwards from their heights down to the shore of the lake, edged and lined with boulders and low-crawling growth from plants which can tolerate the damp conditions of mist from the waterfalls and eagerly partake of the unearthed nutrients of upturned earth. The shore here is rocky, ranging from tumbled stones to jagged and rough boulders, testament to the power of nature that shaped the landscape here.

Fishing along the shores here is generally quite fruitful year round, and plenty of water-loving plants are available for forage. Stones and rocks provide plenty of hiding spaces in the water for invasive crayfish.

Tall Tree Points of Interest

  • See above as to locations for these landmarks.

Image courtesy of pxhere.com

Ringo Station | Named by Westy in Territory Contest (2023)

Despite the subtle shifting of the landscape around it, an old, abandoned gas station has long since stood the test of time. Shelter from the surrounding Acadian forest has helped to keep much of the wear of age off of the building's old bones - though, the windows have long since shattered and remnants of a bygone era pock the interior of the structure in rot and ruin, and vermin have since crawled their way indoors to make a home of what was otherwise forgotten. The pavement and concrete here are cracked and overgrown with vining weeds and sparse, sturdy grasses, creating a patchwork of greenery to cut through the ominous drab of the One-o'-Wait's asphalt and its own no longer utilized sidewalk. The pumps which once sat outfront have long since gone missing.

While not a popular venture to visit, and in dire need of a clean up, the station is a convenient resting place when traversing further-flung trails through Tall Tree, and the old stretched arm of repair garages shelters weary scouts from inclimate storms.

The station sits relatively close to Del Cenere's border, and aside from providing shelter itself, is a quick break point en route to a small check-in campspot for Pionero seeking to maintain the territory's claim.

Image courtesy of pxhere.com

The Devil's Kettle

The Devil's Kettle has inevitably changed alongside much of the rest of the web of delicate subterranian features that spiderwebbed through Tall Tree. While there was a time in which the water (which flowed at a higher volume) once vanished into a mysterious pit, never to see light again, the fracturing and subsequent healing of Poco Sueño have shed light upon what was once complete mystery. What was once considered a river has been reduced to a stream fed by ground wells, and while it still plummets down over the faces of jagged rocks and sharp features into the basin of The Tangle, the question of its whereabouts thereafter is no longer so vague. Surrounded by forest wetland pocked with vernal pools, the Devil's Kettle is still a place of calm, even if the echoing of its roar has been dulled to a low whimper.

It is now much safer to traverse around the landmark, as the creek rarely swells to dangerous proportion - however, the slick, moss-covered rocks of the area may still prove dangerous for individuals not paying attention to their footing.

Image courtesy of pxhere.com

The Angel Oak

A great, sprawling red oak of awe-inspiring proportion takes up a large area atop a hillside. Commanding of its space, this tree has largely made growth of anything but the sturdiest of shade-tolerant plants beneath it difficult, and the tangle of its great root system are evidence of the nutrients it so commands of the soil. This tree is grand, and large - peculiar in its scope - and with the quiet of the forest cropped up around it, it has become something of a focal point for religious meditation and a target destination for those seeking questions to the metaphysical qualities of life. As such, the tree is frequently decorated with prayer ties and other baubles, marked by the Ashen as though sacred in its own right.

This, of course, is undeniably a mother tree - and while it has pushed competition out to the ends of its far-reaching boughs, it doubtlessly feeds the underground network of the forest all the same; the Angel Oak does not send out fresh green shoots off of its own roots often. Just outside of its perimeter, however, a few trees which have been uprooted, damaged, or fallen have not died as they often do - instead, they have continued growing from their new, horizontal perspective, evidently still being fed off of the grand oak and permitted to thrive in otherwise unfavorable conditions.

Image courtesy of pxhere.com

The Widowfall Well

Named partly in warning, the Widowfall Well is a small series of pooling waters fed off of a split from the river carving through Tall Tree. The waters are cool, shallow, slow-crawling and inviting, and while the ominous name is less prevalent now than throughout seasons where earthquakes persisted, it's still an important reminder to keep an eye on the trees of the forest for any larger branches which may have become dislodged and broken, hanging freely and held back only by the arms of other trees. Wind funnels through some of the terrain of this area between hills, and, at times may be strong enough to dislodge these sizable branches.

Water levels of the ponds may swell with snowmelt come Spring, but otherwise they have a tendency to shrink in drier Summer months as the creek which feeds them constricts alongside the river. The well is generally and indicator as to the seasonal shifts as temperatures cool, as its the first body of water to freeze come late Autumn and Winter.

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2.3  Trailside

Trailside Subterritories (Hide)

Trailside is a largely landlocked swath of Del Cenere's territory, comprising the Valley between Tall Tree and the Burnt Church Mountains of La Caída. It touches on Del Cenere's Southern Border, where Charmingtown lies.

The sprawling valley of Trailside edges the mountains and stretches almost to the Northeastern border, but falls short, and is predominantly grassland with sparse woodland scattered throughout. A large section of the Eastern shore of Moosehead Lake falls within this subterritory. Trailside is the most populated of Del Cenere's claim, possessing the settlements of Charmingtown and Irving?, and the high level of stored resource, livestock, communal gathering buildings, and general trade access make for a general hub of much of the Gang's activity.

Charmingtown possesses a 'friendly' border which welcomes in merchants, travelers, and traders, though limitations apply on those of higher wolf content.

See the section below for relevant image inspiration, relevant biomes, and information pertaining to sections of Trailside's subterritory!

Debouille Reserve

Comprising the entirety of the valley between the rolling hills of Tall Tree and the Burnt Church Mountains, the Debouille Reserve encompasses a long stretch of predominantly open, even land. Host to ample grassland, sparse woodlands, and gentle foothills sloping downwards towards the Eastern banks of Moosehead Lake, this portion of territory is densely populated by the majority of Del Cenere and for good reason - settlements either provide a sheltered, chokehold point to monitor (as with Charmingtown), or are situated far enough away from the bank's edge to be protected from much of the risks of flooding, while still providing ample space and grazing for the Gang's livestock. (Hide Subsection)

La Vega

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

  • Biome: Grassland
  • Notable Landmarks:

This large swath of grassland and meadow is well-known in Del Cenere, and is home to one of the coyotes' predominant settlements: Irving. Home to a popular barrio, the Gang's largest tool and dry-goods storage, and its Gardens for cultivated plants, the area is well situated for protection whilst still providing more than enough for the denizens companion livestock animals.

The valley is largely open, pocked with a handful of stubborn stands of slim trees like birch where the valley dips lowest, but otherwise has been completely overtaken by plain-like grassland. In Spring, grasses sprout, only to age to deep waves of verdant and lush green come Summer, then dies back to amber in Autumn. A downside, however, to the region, comes in the seasonal changes; Springtime winds funnel along unimpeded through this stretch and rain pools along trails and pockets of lowland grasses, Summertime sun can prove intense without cover, and thick blankets of Winter snow transform the valley into an almost barren looking scape wherever trees don't provide cover.

Carrera de Alces River

Images courtesy of pxhere.com

Named by Owl in Territory Contest (2023)

Originating and fed from sources within La Caída, seismic unrest late in the year of 2022 resulted in the disruption and displacement of water, resulting in the burgeoning growth of a riverway carving through the lowest points of the Debouille Reserve's valley. The river swells in times of year where snowmelt and precipitation are highest, though is subject to the thinning, bottlenecking, and oxbowing of shrinkage as dry months and sun exposure temper its flow. For the most part, this river is safest in the valley - the current slows to a crawl and regularly flattens out to shallow and wide stretches which can be crossed on foot.

The water, thanks to being fed from mountain springs and the hot spring further East, is very mineral rich. Given time, it's very likely that riparian-adapted plants will sprout up along the banks with vigor.

The river empties out into Moosehead Lake, tumbling down a mild decline which causes the water to pick up speed en route to its destination.

El Montículo

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The foothills, hillocks and knolls which climb from Moosehead Lake's banks and graduate into the Burnt Church Mountains are colloquially referred to as El Montículo. These hills range from peppered patches of grassland to sparse woodland. The area is generally lush year round thanks to an even dispersal of deciduous and coniferous coverage, and is largely sheltered thanks to the mountain range framing it. The landscape is host to a number of old buildings of varying wear - mostly remnants of mining ventures, on top of a small abandoned settlement which has been largely co-opted and refurbished by Del Cenere to function as a trade hub, called Charmingtown.

As such, the comparatively petite area of El Montículo is the most popular locality in the Ganglands, hosting a partly-open border to invite in commerce of unaffiliated parties or other packs alike.

Trailside Points of Interest

  • See above as to locations for these landmarks.

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The Spillway

North of Charmingtown and just due south of where Ojo del Diablo used to stand, and on the Eastern bank of Moosehead Lake, the river that ambles through the valley empties out here. Waters pick up speed as the knolls slope downwards into the uneven banks of the lake. The mouth is wide, yet shallow, and prone to much of the shrink and growth of the seasons as the river's body is. As such, mature luperci may be able to cross during calmer summer seasons without too much risk of injury - however, it's ill advised to cross The Spillway during runoff, heavy rain, and to exercise caution regardless of the season due to unpredictable and at times strong currents that tumble over slippery stones of the riverbed.

The Spillway is popular during Summer as a gathering spot, when the water is calmest and provides a cool current to dip toes into. Mineral-rich water feeds underwater plant growth just around the mouth of the waterway, making it for a prime fishing spot in warmer months.

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Junto al Lago

Junto al Lago stretches the Eastern banks of Moosehead Lake from the South of The Spillway clear down to Charmingtown. While there are mild inclines outside the banks, Junto al Lago is largely accessible and is recognized as such - where was much of the rest of the lake's Northern sections are lined by cliffs, bluffs, or otherwise rocky terrain. While exceptionally heavy winters and rainy seasons may result in the climbing of water level, and may swallow up a large portion of Junto al Lago, much of the time the banks are mild and agreeable. The beaches are sandiest here, though are still host to pebbles and stones, and the land juts up around the edges of Junto al Lago where stands of trees stubbornly hold the ground fast from continued erosion.

Junto al Lago frequently hosts the Gang's bonfires, and as such, random rings of stones line the sands, and ash and soot bleed from the pits in smudges of gray as water rises and pulls the remains of fires back into the belly of the lake.

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The Drunk Barrel

A large, gutted, and abandoned building of industrial purpose from a bygone era stands starkly amongst the higher inclines of El Montículo, East out of Charmingtown. Tunnels carve their way into some of the mountainsides, popping out at random in the immediate vicinity, though many of these have collapsed with the ravages of time.

Due to its private locality, its protected and sheltered position, and the nigh hidden nature of the Drunk Barrel, it's not a place that experiences frequent visitation; the tall, brutalistic building of stone, concrete, and metal bones hosts no windows, however, the construction of it almost swallows outside noise, making it eerily quiet, and vaulted ceilings (where they remain) create a clapping echo of activity within, compounding the solitude. Old rusted bars and storage gates and rooms, however, have made for excellent holding cells - and, as such, punished or imprisoned individuals get to look forward to an unsettling, restless evening in the very bowels of the Drunk Barrel with precious little than the damp and the silence to keep them company.

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Isla de los Ojos

Situated just off the banks of Moosehead Lake alongside Charmingtown lies a small, heavily forested island. While it's mostly only accessible by boat, low lake levels early in the year open up iced over, yet shallow-watered pathways that may allow passage to the lake island. There's little to find here - most wildlife is small and inconsequential, however, every so often curious minds are drawn to examine the isle's predominant draw: A large, sprawling, and abandoned stone manor and once resplendant property.

It has long since fallen into disrepair. Rumor has it the mansion is haunted - and traversing the massively overgrown courtyard frequently has been described as eerie, where accounts seem to refer to individuals feeling "watched" with no one else around. Tales tell of moaning wails through the halls at night that keep adventurous Ashen from getting any semblance of a restful sleep.

Perhaps its haunted - or, maybe, it might just be the wind.

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2.4  La Caída

La Caída Subterritories (Hide)

La Caída is predominantly uneven mountain passes at the Southeastern portion of Del Cenere's territory claim, and comprised predominantly of the Burnth Church Mountain's ambling, rocky range.

The difficulty in traversal of the Burnt Church Mountains at these junctures provides percieved protection from Southern pack neighbors and other groups which would see to do Del Cenere harm, and as such, the trails which can easily pass through the ranges here are monitored with some frequency, oftentimes with provision camps set up for the Gang's scouts and pioneros. While La Caída is considered harder to venture, it is host to plenty of small game hunting opportunity and deer habitat, and has plenty of breathtaking vistas and places to explore. Continued seismic activity has altered the landscape somewhat, however - groundsprings which were once accessible and were considered delicate ecosystems have fallen victim to landslides, the Clergy's Claim mine has been sealed over by stone, and cave systems have been wiped out from earthquakes and thaw.

See the section below for relevant image inspiration, relevant biomes, and information pertaining to sections of La Caída's subterritory!

Burnt Church Mountains

Whilst less impressive in both size and scope than their Southeastern counterparts, the Halcyon, the Burnt Church Mountains are nonetheless an awe-inspiring frame along the Southern border of Del Cenere. The lower upland sweeps of foothills ripple outward and help to shape much of the territory, and the funneled shape along Moosehead Lake provides a cradle which directs trade traffic towards the the hub of Charmingtown, and otherwise assists in warding off all but the hardiest interlopers from the border due to rugged (and at times, unpredictable) terrain. (Hide Subsection)

Burnt Church Mountains (cont'd.)

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While plenty of the Burnt Church Mountains are ancient and blunted, great tors and sheer granite cliffs gouge upwards through the earth. The elevation of the range is not particularly grand - yet difficult trails and thinner oxygen in higher climes can still prove, ultimately, challenging. Rather than combat the natural movement of the landscape, much of Del Cenere's trails through the mountains are narrow, inconspicuous, and follow the slopes, twists, and curves of the earth.

Both deciduous and coniferous evergreens grow in abundance, and provide year round shows of color with the changing seasons. Del Cenere does not often harvest wood from these forests, due to the difficulty with hauling wood back towards settlements.

Pious Canyon

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  • Biome: Alpine Forest / Alpine Meadow
  • Notable Landmarks:

A great furrow weaves its way through the mountain range near the Eastern border of Del Cenere, otherwise creasing the range. While diminutive and trivial in the grand scope of the mountains, the Canyon makes up for its otherwise unimpressive nature in unusual rock features, like great spires and broad, sheer faces of stone dropping into the higher-elevation valley at its bed. As the canyon narrows and gutters out on its Southwestern bend, the trail to survey this area terminates at a check-in campsite.

Pious Canyon is largely inaccessible throughout Winter months, due to danger involving snow and ice, and is also off-limits in early Spring months as the thaw takes hold, due to concerns involving potential rock slides.

Deadwood

Named for a burn scar of unknown origin, the lands of Deadwood have been slow to recover after a not insignificant level of fire damage. Poor drainage in lowland areas have finally given way into renewed life, though water still remains, fed from groundwell aquifers. Beavers have returned to the region, creating ponds which have ultimately assisted the area to re-stabilize. Old, dead trees are still standing, though many larger ones have begun to fall and give way to fresh forest, riparian woodland, and meadow. Where landslides were once commonplace, the more greenery returns, their frequency has lessened. (Hide Subsection)

El Fénix

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The tall foothills of El Fénix help to frame and hide away the once-damaged landscape of Deadwood's burn scar, and the land has given way to fresh, young forest. The stands of saplings here grow in thick with their youth - much of the plantlife here jockeys for its place, though in due time, the largest will doubtlessly thin out the undergrowth, and normalcy can return to the locality. The river which frames Trailside originates from mineral-rich springs.

Prey has returned to this area in abundance to take advantage of the fresh growth, though larger animals are a somewhat rarer sight.

La Caída Points of Interest

  • See above as to locations for these landmarks.

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Tungsten Mountain Hot Spring

The innocuous hot springs sprout up in a neck of forested canyon, situated between tors of mountain faces and rocky foothills. Named for the closeness of its proximity to the mountain structure which shares its name, which is visible through the treeline, the hot springs offers mineral-rich respite and theurapeutic rest, linked often to the perception of both physical and spiritual healing power. The spring itself, thanks to sulfur compounds, carries a subtly acrid and eggy smell - though, thankfully, due to the somewhat shallower, spread-out depth and slow bubbling feed, it is not particularly strong. Water spills its way from the springs and feeds into the river which cuts through Trailside.

Del Cenere has put forth efforts to 'refine' the hot springs from indistinct into a more relaxing series of wading pools and spillways by stacking rocks to help dam some of the flow in early 2023, and has built the Yampah Lodge to provide respite.

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Tungsten Mountain

Named for its pale, silvery color and the staunch silhouette that it cuts, Tungsten Mountain bears similar appearance to mineral it was so named for. The large feature tends to be a distinctive landmark for its size, altitude, and visibility, and is a focal point which provides a pivot point between the Debouille Reserve's outer reach and the arching curve of Pious Canyon.

The sheer size is deceptive - the mountain appears closer than it really is, purely on the aspect of perception of scale, and reaching the mountain's face itself can prove incredibly difficult, as its base is littered with bygone years of rockfall.

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The Cairn

The Southern Border is a difficult point to access in Del Cenere, given the tricky nature of traversing highly variable trails that climb, drop, bottleneck and twist through the Burnt Church Mountains. The Cairn itself may not be grand in size, nor scope, comparatively to the rest of the mountain passes, however, the large structure, comprised of stacked boulders from one of the tors above, provides a visually distinctive landmark to navigate by. Settled for an age, sediment which has built up over time on the boulder's top have begun to grow grass and plantlife of their very own, paying testament to how long the structure has been there.

Due South of its presence is a nearby campsite to offer Pionero respite before continuing on their passage to maintain Del Cenere's borders.

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The Clergy

As the Pious Canyon gutters and narrows on its turn venturing back Westward, the cliffsides, scored with mineral colors of ages past, grow jagged with wind erosion. Spires and towers of stone - referred to as the Clergy, all of which vary in height and width alike, break up the shape of the canyon's edges and rival the pines for their shape, beauty, and age.

The trails around here are narrow and hug the edges of the canyon. An abandoned mine shaft once called the Clergy's Claim has since collapsed with seismic unrest late into 2022, and the stone pillars themselves may pose risk during unpredictable weather shifts between Winter and Spring, dropping and shedding stones like winter coats. For much of the rest of the year, however, they are stable.

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Category: Del Cenere Gang