Kynheim

Selcouth

Theme: [ Carousel ] by Evgeny Grinko

Many generations ago, the wolves of Selcouth used to be part of Taiga. A dispute between the two heirs tore the pack apart and forced one of the two opposing parties to leave. Injured from the bloody dispute, the chased ex-Taigarians eventually settled at the coast of their current territory to recover, but never left as the lands offered everything they needed. It's said they raised their pups and trained their young in the shores near today's main camp, leading to their unique lifestyle: a pack of fishers.

The wolves of Selcouth are free spirits, not absent of hierarchy but much less strictly organized than other packs. Their territory is unproportionally large, which stems from a never lacking supply of food and therefore more spare time to ensure well-marked borders as well as a tightly scouted landscape.

Although they are less skilled in on-land combat than the average wolf, their creativity, solving skills and social adaptability make them not to be underestimated. They are not religious, but encourage a spiritual bond with nature.

Selcouth and Taiga

Enemies. Despite a truce being in place, they are not to be trusted. Avoid interactions.

Selcouth and Valgard

Allies. A fresh yet unstable alliance, but with much promise.

Selcouth and Outsiders

Outsiders are mostly welcome to reside within the territory for recovery or resting, as long they leave once back on their paws. If they wish to stay they have to undergo a couple of trials to prove they can adopt Selcouth's unusual way of living. The limiting factor for joining Selcouth is seldomly mistrust, but more often a lack of adaptability.

Den Site & Main Camp
Selcouth's densite lies right beneath the tip of a stranded, abandoned ship. Due to this relatively unprotected position of the dens, they scout the borders of the main camp extremely regularly. In contrast to the pack borders, the border of the main camp is marked not traditionally by scent marks but by scattering floodsam. This behavior sprouted from a series of careless pups venturing further out into the territory, having claimed to have missed the borders. Since then the pack has adopted the habit of visually placing stranded items - often washed up from the sunken city north of the territory - along the fringes of the main camp.

Rogue Forest

The forest in the south-western borders of the territory are the most common route for unsuspecting wolves to stumble into Selcouth land, hence the name "Rogue Forest". So-called "Markers" (see below) usually aim their routes through here first, making sure no odd occurances are to be found in these dense woods.

The Trinity

The Trinity is a set of three mountains called "The Oldest", "The Mediator" and "The Youngest" in reference to their size. In Winter or during particularly heavy rainfalls, the pack retreats to dens at the foot of "The Mediator" for shelter. Due to the shere size of the territory, only experienced members are allowed to venture further east. Tasked wolves without these "exploration rights" are expected to remain within the western half of the territory.

The Old Railway

Once a means of fast travel to the now sunken city, the Old Railway has long been abandoned and is mostly overgrown. Here and there the broad metal bars lie naked though, and they attract curious younglings as well as fascinated pack members quite frequently. If followed long enough, the rails lead through a hillside towards what's known as "The Far Rest".

The Far Rest

The ruins of an old stone cottage are a popular target for young lovebirds to bring their significant others to. A small pond with a broken water mill makes for an interesting site to explore and attracts a wide variety of birds and other local fauna. Due to its distance to the main camp it's not all too frequently visited, but it's an appreciated landmark for the pack nonetheless.

It's important to note that only those with "exploration rights" are allowed to visit the Far Rest.

Exploration Rights

Selcouth has a very loose defintion of Hierarchy. There are no rigid ranks, just tasked and untasked wolves. Even the leaders blend into the pack as members, not alphas. However, there is a privilege only experienced members are granted: Exploration rights. These rights are reserved for members who have proven to be reliable. The reason behind this is the sheer size of the territory. When traveling to the far east of Selcouth lands, inexperienced members may get lost or not make their way back home in a timely manner. Therefore they are only allowed to venture to the Trinity, not further east.

Exploration Rights are purchased much like a rank in other packs. See "Shop" for more info.

customs & Traditions

Fishing

Selcouth prides itself in their open-mindedness and creativity, partially reflected in their ways as fishers. They can be just as stubborn as any other pack though when it comes to strangers [see Initiation Rite below]. Honing their skills over the course of generations, Selcouth members are expected to enjoy the water, or at the very least don't mind its presence. Although the leaders emphasize the importance of all tasks, the seals and herons [ see Tasks ] tend to be the pride of the pack.

Sleeping Sets

The wolves of Selcouth only retreat to dug-out dens during the winter months to avoid getting cold and wet, but whenever the ground is not freezing, the pack sleeps in large closely huddled up groups at the beach. They encourage sleeping in direct contact with one another, almost in a pile as some may jokingly call it. These sleeping groups are casually named "sets" and to not be part of a set for several nights in a row is usually taken as a sign of discomfort and may cause concern within the pack.

Initiation Rite

Selcouth's water-focused way of living isn't for everyone - a fact they are aware of and embrace. To join the pack each of the leaders requests the newcomer to complete a trial. Trials usually involve fishing, navigating along the coast or swimming. However, they can also include scouting, hunting or retrieving an item from the maze that is the stranded ship.

Each trial is judged by all of the leaders, and especially waterbound trials are a common entertainment for the rest of the pack to watch as well.

Water Dance

The wolves of Selcouth value their intimate connection with earth and water, particularly the latter. One way they show appreciation for their unique lifestyle is the dancing in the shallows under the full moon. During each month's brightest night, all wolves gather at the shore next to their den ship to celebrate life. Dancing in the moon's and stars' reflection is an adored tradition and it's said that whoever stays dry during a full moon will have bad luck until the next. Some wolves of Selcouth connect to this ritual spiritually whereas others don't, but regardless of beliefs, the Water Dance brings all members of the pack together.

Ranks & Tasks

Leaders

Uniquely to this pack there can be up to four leaders. In the past it usually was a pair of siblings with their respective mates. They are responsible for decisions on territory, hunting/fishing grounds and diplomatic interactions, but in everyday life they blend into the rest of the pack.

Tasked

Selcouth only divides into tasked and untasked members. All tasked wolves are on the same hierarchical level as one another. The more experienced are expected to teach the less experienced, that way unhealthy competition is kept to a minimum.

Exploration Rights

If a tasked wolf has proven to be responsible and trust-worthy, they can gain exploration rights that allow them to acces the very east of the territory.

Untasked

The untasked wolves are usually quickly assigned a task depending on the skillset they show during their first weeks within the pack. Pups are assigned a task by one year of age or shortly before that. Elders will remain tasked even when they retire from their duties, they instead become "Mentors" (see below). Untasked wolves are not allowed to travel the territory freely and instead need a tasked wolf to accompany them if they desire to visit the far east.

Fishers

As the main force of the pack, Fishers are the heart and soul of Selcouth. Every wolf of this task has their own favorite technique, but when it comes to group hunts there's a clear division of tasks:

Fishers skilled enough to participate in bigger group hunts are divided into Seals and Herons.

Seals

Seals are positioned in the water, waiting for fish to swim past, only to move all of a sudden to scare them into the direction of the shore.

Seals need an exceptionally good sense of movement, good coordination and strength to move quickly even when submerged in water.

Herons

Herons wait in the shallows to strike and kill the fish that Seals drive towards them. Once killed they usually throw them to shore. Herons need great focus and the ability to stand perfectly still for long periods of time. They mustn't be bothered by outside influences and shouldn't get distracted from their task easily.

Scouts ("Markers")

Due to the extensive territory, it's a tough job to keep all the borders freshly marked. So-called "Markers" are responsible for regular patrols along the borders and through the terrain to make sure trespassers know they're on pack grounds.

Formally known as Scouts, these intact adults (young adult or above) with a good balance between speed and endurance. They don't have to be male - females mark their territory as well!

Mentors [ 6+ years old ]

Mentors are particularly skilled in teaching others, so much that they specialize in passing down knowledge and skills. Therefore they are expected to always stay on top of their game, stay sharp and capable.

Elders who retire from their duties due to old age or ailments automatically become Mentors. They teach both adults and pups.

to become a mentor, your wolf needs to have exploration rights

Regular Duties

Daily:
- solo, pair or group fishing

- scouting the territory borders

- marking borders ( intact adults only, mainly the "Marker's" duty )

- teaching one another whatever skill they are good at

- cleaning the main camp from old fish bones and other waste

Weekly:

- collecting human-made items and scattering them along the main camp borders

- check the different coastal segments for best fishing location

- check for migrating herds ( and predators that may follow into the territory )

According to Demand:
- supervising youngsters

- teaching and training with juveniles

- reporting scouting outcomes to the leaders

- changing the "Sleeping Set's" nesting if wet

Stereotypes

These don't have to be true, but are commonly accepted as facts by most wolves.

THEY ABOUT OTHERS

Taiga is stuck in its traditionalist ways, blind to progress. They are not to be trusted as long as they don't show a bit of openness.
Every individual is their own master, especially loners. Don't judge by past affiliation.
Loners are strong, but alone. They don't pose a threat unless met one-on-one.

OTHERS ABOUT THEM