The Boundaries

The Pack

There are several Packs spread far apart around the world. At the moment recruitment is only open for one, but there is room for more packs in the future. The pack is ruled by an Alpha, who is the legal owner of all land and assets that is owned by the pack. He is subject to Pack Law however, and as such is kept from embezzlement or selling the land for personal gain. Pack law can be fickle, and there are several old ceremonies and rituals that are under law. Only the laws that apply to the Alpha are not within his/her direction to change. Those laws would be subject to a vote. Most Pack's have experienced a decrease in numbers. This is partially due to a low success rate in breeding and partially because of the prejudice that most 'pure's' hold towards the turned. Pack's favor 'pure' wolves, and typically do not allow the turned in their ranks or on their territory. If a bitten is found trespassing, it is expected that they will at best be run off, and at worst be killed. This stems from an ancient belief that the bloodlines must be kept pure, and that the exiled are nothing but volatile, uncontrollable and unteachable monsters. From time to time a human has been allowed to know of the pack, each situation differing from the other. Turning humans has always been expressly against Pack Law. Typically pure females were expected to breed with human males to prevent incestual pups. After becoming pregnant they were expected to leave the man and return to the pack. Due to these Breeding policies in the past, most pack members are not related.

Hierarchy

There is a hierarchy in the pack, similar to that of natural wolves. There is an Alpha and a Beta, but there are no further tiers. The Alpha may have two guardians to defend him from other packs and to prevent him from being killed. In the past that has been a method for one pack to overthrow another. The other members will feel an instinctive need to listen to the orders of the Alpha and Beta, but to an extent. There are no mind control abilities to force members to listen to the orders of the Alpha. It is the duty of that Alpha to discipline accordingly to ensure obedience within the ranks. The Beta and Alpha are not chosen by birth but by traditional battle in Wolf Form.

Pack Law

The following are some basics of some of the Pack Laws, these are the rules that would be taught to members from a very young age, and new members would be taught almost immediately. These laws are subject to change by the Alpha. Obviously for plot purposes none of these are set in stone, and in the event that it is to be determined by the Alpha, it would obviously depend on the circumstance. Mostly these laws are here just to give you a basic feel for the way the Pack works - or how it used to work. The laws regarding the Exiled are obviously subject to change as the game continues pack by pack. These are strictly a guideline for most packs.

• On the night of the Choosing Ceremony on no condition is any wolf, pack member or not, to attempt to fight either the challenger or the Alpha/Beta. Punishable by death.
• All members are supposed to attend the Choosing Ceremony unless with explicit orders from the current Alpha. Punishment is the choice of Alpha.
• No member is to disobey a direct order from the Alpha/Beta. Punishment determined by Alpha.
• The only member who can supercede the Beta's orders is the Alpha. Punishment determined by Alpha.
• No member is to turn/bite a human. Punishable by death.
• No member is to associate or otherwise fraternize with the Exiled. Punishable by exile.

Packs

• The Ahki Pack

The Wolves

The Pure

The pure are exactly that. Born what they are. The only way you can have a baby werewolf is through the mother. The gene is carried on the X chromosome, which means that only mothers can pass the trait on to their offspring. Pup's are raised by the pack community, and grow as a normal child would. Their changes first begin typically around puberty, though some can be as late as 18 before they first change. Typically they have been well prepared for this, as they are usually raised knowing what they will become. After their first change, their aging slows significantly and will do so for the rest of their life. The Pure are rairly not pack members, although on occasion it does happen. If a Bitten has a baby, the baby is considered a Pure.

The Exiled

The Exiled can be either pure's who were exiled from their old pack for some reason - abandoning it counts as exiled too. They can also be the bitten. The bitten are often victims of violent wolf attacks, who a month later found themselves howling at the moon. Given the circumstance, they have a tendency to be unpredictable. Allowed no where, often hunted by hunters, they are drifters. The bitten, are turned werewolves who are otherwise not allowed to join a pack. Mostly they are an underground society, and in the past there have been no leaders or real guidance for the turned. The turned typically have a harder time controlling their tempers, they don't usually have control of their changes. They are viewed as volatile, and have a hard time fitting in to society. Think outlaws. A lot of exiled make a living through criminal activity, and werebars typically have a distinct 'biker' feel. This is more because of the lack of guidance they've been given from the ones who turned them, rather than lack of skill. They also don't have as good of senses. The one benefit they have over the pures is that their allergy to silver is not as sensitive. They have formed small communities to try and deal with their changes together (were's no matter turned or born are instinctually social), but these communities lack a leader. There are also werebars in the boundaries, these places tend to be rowdy and rough, as typically only the turned frequent them. Recently there have been rumors in these unsteady underground communities of a leader who has raised himself from the bitten. Promises of taking over the pures land and pack have been whispered in the dark corners of werebars. The only thing that is for sure about this mysterious leader, is that he is undoubtedly cruel, and more than willing to sacrifice any of his members for his cause.

Physiology

Pure

Being Pure, the born have the following traits different from the turned.

• Better Control over Their Change - Please note that this can be taught to the turned, but none of them would have had anyone to teach them.
• Less Likely to Change when Under Emotional Duress
• Typically has a Stronger Sense of Smell, Hearing, Strength, Etc.
• Their Scent is Stronger; More Wolf than Human all the Time
• Extreme Allergy to Silver. Initial Contact will Cause Hives, Extended Contact will Result in Blisters and then Anaphylactic Shock
• Injuries Caused by Silver are Significantly Slower Healing
• Despite having stronger senses, this does not mean that a pure would undoubtedly beat one of the bitten in a fight.
• The Pure are not Physically Stronger than the Exiled

Exiled

Being exiled, the bitten have the following traits different from the pures.

• Less Control over Their Changes
• More Likely to Change Under Emotional Duress
• Significantly Better Senses Than a Human, not as Good as a Pure
• Scent Typically has More Human - Even When in Wolf Form
• Mild Allergy to Silver. Initial Contact may not Bother them At all, Extended Contact will Result in a rash, hives, and eventually blisters. In extreme cases may cause Anaphylactic Shock, But this would be Days of Exposure.
• Injuries Caused by Silver still have Slower Healing - Though not as Slow as Pures.

All Wolves

All Wolves, regardless of pure or bitten, have the following traits.

• Wolves Appear as Abnormally Large Wolves
• Wolves can Change Whenever they Want, but MUST Change During the Full Moon
• Changes Typically are Painful, and Can Take up to Ten to Fifteen Minutes. This is subject to how often the wolf changes, and whether or not they fight the change.
• Wolves Change Under Extreme Emotional Duress as a Defense Mechanism
• Wolves Age Slower than Humans do. About 1 year for Every 4 Human Years. Changes and Slower Aging Begins Around Puberty
• Wolves do Not Usually Get Sick (Unless by Supernatural Means), and Heal Very Quickly
• Partial Changes (Like Hand into Claw) are Determined Case by Case
• All wolves are Faster, Stronger and have Better Senses than Humans

Wolf Death

Wolves, despite their miraculous healing, will die from fatal trauma. Wolves will die if:

• Shot in the Head
• Freezing to Death
• Burned Alive
• Silver Injuries
• Head cut off
• Drowning/Suffocation

Important Notes

• A one post per week commitment is expected. This is of course, subject to exceptions (ie. real life emergencies etc.) and if notice is given.
• If there has been no post and no response for ten days, your character may be subject to being retired. This will try to be saved for you in case you come back, but if it happens often your character may be killed off.
• 2-3 paragraph posts are expected. Of course, more is welcome, but less than that will be frowned upon.
• Please use the post tag provided. The Time tag especially, as not every thread and every scene is on the same day at the same time.
• If you have any Questions, please contact a GM.
• If you have any issues or problems (especially involving another player), please leave it out of the OOC chat. Basic courtesy applies, and if required contact a GM.
• Players are allowed to make up to two characters - may be upped to three depending on how many players we gain.