Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2018 3:14:12 GMT -8
Admin Renly , feel free to move this post or tell me where you would rather have it posted.
Real Talk, I spend so much time in my own little worlds that I've mentally created so many different culture things that I just wanted to take the time to jot some down for wolves. Take them or leave them I don't mind, I'll likely keep them specific for characters. I'll use the word 'headcanon' a lot, it basically means that it's my idea and not 'canon' as in officially apart of the site.
World Headcanon;
There are countless traditions and cultures among the wolves all different and usually regional but a single law remains the same.
The Law: Wolves do not hunt other wolves. [meaning, wolves shouldn't kill each other. fighting is allowed but actively trying to kill a rival wolf (accidents aside) is forbidden and considered a huge taboo.]
Culture Headcanon;
songs
I personally LOVE the idea of wolves having songs. Real life research shows wolves howl to communicate with each other long distances and to strengthen pack bonds. My headcanon is that each wolf has a 'personal song' one that is about their life, who their family is and something interesting about themselves. That song is normally sung for fun and at any time perhaps out of boredom or when meeting a new wolf. Another song is a 'pack song' one they sing together and sort of a roll call to get everyone's attention, the alpha/leader of the pack starts and ends it. The final song wolves would sing would be the mourning of a packmate. A song performed at their packmates burial and a song about their life and what killed them, likely sung by the one wolf with the most beautiful voice in the pack. While tricky to put into the roleplay I'm sure something could be figured out, those more poetic could create 'lyrics' for their song and other not so inclined could explain what their song says. Again just something I love and probably will use for Adora.
heritage
Wolves view where a cub come from as important as where the cub is going. Wolves that are known for being cheaters, liars and murderers aren't encouraged to have cubs and any offspring is likely shunned. This goes back to the idea of them having personal songs so wolves know who is related to who and can respond accordingly.
loners/rogues
A wolf living on their own without a pack is considered untrustworthy because they could be hiding some awful past. The longer a wolf has been known to be on their own the harder it is to join a pack, but exceptions can be made and are made all the time depending on the wolf's age and health. It should be noted that young wolves 2-4 do leave their birthpacks all the time to travel and join new ones. (in real-life as well) but a loner that has been alone for 5 years suddenly wanting to join a pack would be a bit alarming.
death, afterlife, gods
when a wolf dies the pack will mourn their fallen member with a song and a proper burial. Tradition states a fallen wolf must be provided with a meal in their grave to ensure they have the energy for the 'The final hunt'
it is considered HIGHLY taboo for a living wolf to speak the name of a wolf they know to be dead. Legend says if a fallen wolf hears their name they will try to run back to their pack to be with them thinking themselves alive again and get stuck in the Land of Mist
'The Final Hunt' is a spiritual concept. When a wolf dies they must hunt a large animal (specific for each region) in the Land of Mist and kill it alone to prove themselves worthy to go to The Land of Summer.
The Land of Mist is limbo/purgatory for wolves, a soggy mist heavy land
The Land of SUmmer is heaven/ideal place to go in the afterlife, an enteral summer.
The Land of Winter is hell/least ideal place to go, a barren cold land, only the cruelest of wolves end up here
Gods, Goddess, and names are unique to each pack and are story based but most packs thank a sun god for fresh prey and the summer months and thank a moon goddess for the hunt and courage to never fear the night
formal introductions, manners, etc
a wolf will introduce themselves as their given name then their parent's names (if parents are living) and finally the pack they belong to (if any). If a parent is dead they will not say their name (see death headcanon)
it is considered impolite to approach an unknown wolf and one is expected to stay at least two wolf lengths away and only approach if agreed upon mutually, via reading each other body language.
it is considered rude to not allow the killer of the prey to eat first.
phrase, language
Sire & Dam, terms used to describe one's mother and father.
birthden, the den a wolf was born in, usually reused each year if possible a special place for any wolf.
"I ran with," a phrase used in reference to their former pack
"I run with" a phrase used to refer to a current pack
I spent some time on this and I'll probably apply these headcanons to Adora and other wolves I create in the future. If you are interested in using it go ahead! If you have your own ideas or want to brainstorm other ones feel free to post below. Same if you have questions ^-^
I hope you enjoyed the read
- Heli
Real Talk, I spend so much time in my own little worlds that I've mentally created so many different culture things that I just wanted to take the time to jot some down for wolves. Take them or leave them I don't mind, I'll likely keep them specific for characters. I'll use the word 'headcanon' a lot, it basically means that it's my idea and not 'canon' as in officially apart of the site.
World Headcanon;
There are countless traditions and cultures among the wolves all different and usually regional but a single law remains the same.
The Law: Wolves do not hunt other wolves. [meaning, wolves shouldn't kill each other. fighting is allowed but actively trying to kill a rival wolf (accidents aside) is forbidden and considered a huge taboo.]
Culture Headcanon;
songs
I personally LOVE the idea of wolves having songs. Real life research shows wolves howl to communicate with each other long distances and to strengthen pack bonds. My headcanon is that each wolf has a 'personal song' one that is about their life, who their family is and something interesting about themselves. That song is normally sung for fun and at any time perhaps out of boredom or when meeting a new wolf. Another song is a 'pack song' one they sing together and sort of a roll call to get everyone's attention, the alpha/leader of the pack starts and ends it. The final song wolves would sing would be the mourning of a packmate. A song performed at their packmates burial and a song about their life and what killed them, likely sung by the one wolf with the most beautiful voice in the pack. While tricky to put into the roleplay I'm sure something could be figured out, those more poetic could create 'lyrics' for their song and other not so inclined could explain what their song says. Again just something I love and probably will use for Adora.
heritage
Wolves view where a cub come from as important as where the cub is going. Wolves that are known for being cheaters, liars and murderers aren't encouraged to have cubs and any offspring is likely shunned. This goes back to the idea of them having personal songs so wolves know who is related to who and can respond accordingly.
loners/rogues
A wolf living on their own without a pack is considered untrustworthy because they could be hiding some awful past. The longer a wolf has been known to be on their own the harder it is to join a pack, but exceptions can be made and are made all the time depending on the wolf's age and health. It should be noted that young wolves 2-4 do leave their birthpacks all the time to travel and join new ones. (in real-life as well) but a loner that has been alone for 5 years suddenly wanting to join a pack would be a bit alarming.
death, afterlife, gods
when a wolf dies the pack will mourn their fallen member with a song and a proper burial. Tradition states a fallen wolf must be provided with a meal in their grave to ensure they have the energy for the 'The final hunt'
it is considered HIGHLY taboo for a living wolf to speak the name of a wolf they know to be dead. Legend says if a fallen wolf hears their name they will try to run back to their pack to be with them thinking themselves alive again and get stuck in the Land of Mist
'The Final Hunt' is a spiritual concept. When a wolf dies they must hunt a large animal (specific for each region) in the Land of Mist and kill it alone to prove themselves worthy to go to The Land of Summer.
The Land of Mist is limbo/purgatory for wolves, a soggy mist heavy land
The Land of SUmmer is heaven/ideal place to go in the afterlife, an enteral summer.
The Land of Winter is hell/least ideal place to go, a barren cold land, only the cruelest of wolves end up here
Gods, Goddess, and names are unique to each pack and are story based but most packs thank a sun god for fresh prey and the summer months and thank a moon goddess for the hunt and courage to never fear the night
formal introductions, manners, etc
a wolf will introduce themselves as their given name then their parent's names (if parents are living) and finally the pack they belong to (if any). If a parent is dead they will not say their name (see death headcanon)
it is considered impolite to approach an unknown wolf and one is expected to stay at least two wolf lengths away and only approach if agreed upon mutually, via reading each other body language.
it is considered rude to not allow the killer of the prey to eat first.
phrase, language
Sire & Dam, terms used to describe one's mother and father.
birthden, the den a wolf was born in, usually reused each year if possible a special place for any wolf.
"I ran with," a phrase used in reference to their former pack
"I run with" a phrase used to refer to a current pack
I spent some time on this and I'll probably apply these headcanons to Adora and other wolves I create in the future. If you are interested in using it go ahead! If you have your own ideas or want to brainstorm other ones feel free to post below. Same if you have questions ^-^
I hope you enjoyed the read
- Heli