Ardent Wolf RPG - AerieAerie
The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
Aerie is a close-knit pack of mercenaries and traders, wolves who have pledged their faith and loyalty to the core Abraxas. Those who so pledge become Abraxas “cousins” as capable of rising through the ranks as those blood Abraxas, and as far as Eligos is concerned are considered likely to be chosen by the Fallen God to be elevated with their "cousins" when the time comes for them to join their god. There are seven Paths that the wolves of Aerie can follow to rise - the Path of Fang, the Path of Antler, the Path of Leaf, the Path of Earth, the Path of Sun, the Path of Moon, and the Path of Shadows. Each Path contributes equally to the wellbeing of the pack and its ascendence. Additionally, there are four Alula, the subleaders beneath the rule of the alpha and his second. When the pack’s numbers allow for it, each Alula will choose from among the seven Paths to gather a Region, a group that they are obliged to lead and take care of in times of both peace and war, reporting on them to the leadership. Each Region and it’s Alula is named for a direction - the Alula of the North leads the Region of the North, the Alula of the South leads the Region of the South, and so on. In times that the pack is smaller and more manageable, the leadership rules directly over much or all of the pack, with only one or two Alula, or none, leading Regions. One Alula is chosen from among them to act as heir to the pack, though is otherwise no more powerful.
PLEASE VIEW THE PACK INVENTORY AND THE PACK LOCATIONS FOR LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ITEMS AND LOCATIONS IN THE PACK LANDS
General Rules
- Above all else, Loyalty - Once you have joined the pack, nothing is more important than Aerie and your brothers and sisters in it. Nothing CAN be more important. By putting the pack first, you insure the survival of the pack. This is why mating with outsiders is frowned on, mating with wolves from other packs forbidden entirely, and why all offspring of Aerie wolves must be raised in Aerie to the age of a year before they may make their own decision about whether to stay or leave the pack. Having divided loyalties puts the pack in great risk.
- Respect - Show your brothers and sisters in the pack respect, no matter who they are. If you don’t like them, be respectful anyway. We are gentlemen (and women), and gentlemen (and women) do not treat each other in an impolite manner. Showing a disrespectful attitude towards your packmates will not be tolerated.
- Religion - Obviously while the Abraxas focus on … well, Abraxas… other gods fallen and otherwise have always been a part of their lore, and other lesser gods are acknowledged, and their worship is acceptable as long as it does not take precedence over Abraxas. Those who do not believe are expected to refrain from snarky commentary on it.
- Be Cautious - Outsiders are not to be trusted. Pack members are expected to show restraint and caution around anyone who does not already belong to Aerie.
- Be Watchful - Wolves showing up on the borders uninvited, for any reason, will be treated politely but with suspicion unless vouched for by a pack member. Anyone without a recommendation will need to be tested thoroughly before being allowed in the pack. Active recruitment of trustworthy individuals will be the preferred method of bringing new blood into Aerie, though.
- Silence and Secrecy - Anyone caught giving outsiders, even allies, insider information about the pack without permission will be treated harshly. It’s one thing to give a watered-down overview of what the pack provides to potential clients or vague information to potential members, but no one needs to know how many members the pack has, what the level of training is, defenses, or where they keep the tradegoods, nor do they need to know the names of the other pack members. If there is some question about whether the information is acceptable to disseminate, ask the Tiercel or Sarcel.
- Ferocity and Ruthlessness - all Aerie wolves are expected to turn themselves wholeheartedly to the defense of the pack and their interests, particularly in defense of the pack itself. All outside wolves are expected to respect the borders regardless of status or intent. No Aerie wolf is to bring an outside wolf passed the borders without the express permission of a tier 1 or 2 wolf. If the borders are breached it is the responsibility of all Aerie wolves regardless of rank to sound an alarm. Mantles and Accipiters (and any other lower ranked wolves so inclined) are expected to seek to maim perpetrators with an easily visible scar that will mark them as an enemy of Aerie - a deep and terrible scar from the corner of their muzzle to the base of their ear... One strike against Aerie, one side scarred. Two strikes, two scars. Three strikes... That does not bear considering. Those of a high enough rank to force-claim are expected to do so unless the situation warrants otherwise.
- Honor - It may not seem that way to enemies of the pack, but wolves of Aerie are expected to hold themselves to a high standard. Polite, efficient, the wolves of Aerie must show the world a gentlemanly veneer despite the less-than-savory nature of some of their ventures. There are some rules of honor they are expected to uphold - for instance, harming children for any reason is strongly discouraged, and even threatening them in a “what a nice child, wouldn’t it be a shame if they had an accident” cliche villain trope is frowned on. Until necessary, you should treat others in a polite, mannerly way.
- Restraint - Unnecessarily evil behavior that puts Aerie at risk for retaliation - such as rape, and unauthorized killing (except in self defense) or torture, will not be tolerated and will be repaid in a manner relative to the crime. While there may be some blurred and gray areas, doing harm just for fun, thoughtlessly, and for no reason is unacceptable. Sexual relations of any sort with an underaged wolf (including yearlings) will be severely punished and the wolf immediately removed from the pack. Not only does behavior such as that put your fellow Aerie wolves at risk, it is against Aerie’s core principles.
- Obedience - this is pretty self explanatory. Obey orders from the Tiercel and his commanders. Show up to meetings and training without delay. Follow the rules.
- Self improvement and Education - Aerie wolves are strongly encouraged, even expected, to seek to improve themselves constantly through training and education. Training for your rank is considered mandatory, but do not pass up the opportunity to learn simply because it doesn’t seem relevant to your rank. You never know when that new knowledge will come in handy. Pass on your own knowledge to your packmates so that they can share in your successes and strengthen the pack as a whole. Journeyman and master ranks are required to take an apprentice when the opportunity arises, and masters are encouraged to take journeyman on for additional training as well.
- Contribute - If you have nothing or are not willing to contribute to the wellbeing of your brothers and sisters in the pack, find someplace else to lay your head. Even if all you bring to the table is loyalty and a willingness to lend a paw however you are able, that’s still something. If you join and then refuse to do anything, expect to be indentured until you’ve worked off your debt before being kicked out of the pack.
- Ransom and Servitude - Wolves may occasionally be held for ransom until their friends or family pay it. If they refuse to or can’t pay the debt, the kidnapped wolf will be indentured to the pack until they can pay off the debt themselves. Other situations may lead to wolves being indentured as well, and the price for their freedom depends greatly on why they were indentured to begin with. (See OOC rules for more information on getting out of servitude)
Customs
- The Full Moon Festival — (Spring: Healing) This festival will take place on the during the night of the first Full Moon of the spring season, once the petals and leaves have emerged. Healers from within the pack and other interested parties will be able to gather together for a string of lessons and tasks led by Tier 1-3 members. (Skill Festival)
- The Rising Sun Festival — (Summer: Fighting) This Festival will take place throughout the morning on the longest day of summer. Soldiers will be roused before dawn for a marathon of tasks, spars, and mock battles. Warriors from across the land will be invited to the tourney to pit their skills, and worthy competitors may very well be offered places of rank for a good show. (Skill & Recruitment Festival)
- The Land's Bounty Festival — (Autumn: Hunting)This festival takes place after the first frost of the season. With plants and herbs beginning to wither and die, healers will be encouraged to range far and wide to gather what resources the pack yet needs for the winter. Hunters will mass together to provide a feast for those in the Empire and any willing to join their ranks. (Skill & Recruitment Festival)
- The Starlit Race — (Winter: Scouting) This gathering is meant for the navigators, spies, and scouts of the pack. During the new moon closest to the winter solstice, they will be given a challenge by a ranking member of the pack that must be completed before the sun rises the following day. This may be a mission or strategy, a riddle, a quest to find an item of sorts, or something else entirely. Each year the challenge will change.
Bi-Annual Meetings
- Vernal Gathering: Transition of Winter to Spring // A trade festival centered around meats/furs/other non-perishable items such as jewelry and items that have lasted through the colder months. It is considered a chance for the Empire to show of it's wealth and power, and it is expected the members put on a good show. Violence is not permitted at this festival.
- Autumnal Gathering: Transition of Summer to Autumn // A trade festival centered around the exchange of herbs and intelligence. Finer goods and exotic items such as alcohol, metalwork, tinder supplies, etc are more likely to be on display. The purpose of this festival is for the Abraxas to gather information and parry wits with members from other lands and perhaps enemy packs as well. Violence is not permitted at this festival.
Pack History
Relations
Ranks
Sarcel
Aerie’s second in command. As this rank represents a close bond and immense trust it is unlikely to ever be filled, but if it is the Sarcel will hold nearly all the same power as the Tiercel, answerable only to him.
Tiercel
Aerie’s primary alpha. His is the final say in all pack matters.
Alula Ascendents
The heir to the pack, but otherwise equal in rank and power to the other three Alula. In the event that the Tiercel is killed or otherwise incapacitated, the pack passes first to the Alula Ascendent, or if they are likewise unavailable or abdicate, it would pass to the other three Alula in order of seniority.
Alulas
You could call these three wolves betas, though in actuality they are somewhat closer to what might be ambassadors. They are experienced and wise wolves who act as subleaders, each with their own Region personally drawn from among the seven Paths, and can be trusted to represent Legion to the rest of the world. Their judgement has been deemed sound, and so they are trusted to know when it is safe to open their borders to new members, what information is safe to share with outsiders, and to carry sensitive messages from the Tiercel. Not necessarily the best in their field of study, they must instead have proven to be among the most cunning, trustworthy, and loyal of the pack, and the most capable leaders. These wolves will be nearly equal to the Sarcel, though they may not promote anyone past Tier 3, nor may they punish a pack member in a permanent manner (major maims or removal from the pack) without consulting the Tiercel.
Malar
Malar (unlimited) - These wolves have proven themselves experts in healing. Although proficient in all forms of healing, many masters prefer to hone their expertise in one or two specialties. In addition to mentoring apprentices, specialists may choose to bring up a journeyman who has an interest in their field. The Malar with the most experience and leadership ability is chosen as the senior Malar and is expected to be the liaison between the Tiercel and all the healers. They will also be expected to make certain that all healers keep up on their responsibilities, and might find themselves called upon to advise the Tiercel on which healers might be suitable for advancement in rank.
Yarak
These woodswise wolves have proven themselves experts in hunting and tracking. Although expertly knowledgeable in most forms of prey or tracking techniques, many masters prefer to hone their expertise in one or two specialties, such as plains hunting, or tracking other wolves. In addition to mentoring apprentices, specialists may choose to bring up a journeyman who has an interest in their field. The Yarak with the most experience and leadership ability is chosen as the senior Yarak and is expected to be the liaison between the Tiercel and all the followers of the Path of Antlers. They will also be expected to make certain that all hunters keep up on their responsibilities, and might find themselves called upon to advise the Tiercel on which hunters might be suitable for advancement in rank.
Mantle
These wolves are the most elite among the fighters. They have proven themselves in battle countless times and hold the wisdom and cunning of experienced warriors. These are the wolves who will be chosen for the most important of tasks - as guards for precious lives or cargo, or as assassins. Although all are expert fighters, some may choose to specialize, whether as bodyguard or assassin, and in addition to mentoring apprentices some specialists may choose to bring up a journeyman who has an interest in their field. The Mantle with the most experience and leadership ability is chosen as the senior Mantle and is expected to be the liaison between the Tiercel and all the followers of the Path of Fangs. They will also be expected to make certain that all warriors keep up on their responsibilities, and might find themselves called upon to advise the Tiercel on which warriors might be suitable for advancement in rank.
Remiges
Master ambassadors.
Hallux
Spymaster, master thief, master saboteur.
Rufter
Master crafter.
Retrices
Master priests.
Accipiters
(Path of Fang) These wolves are warriors, proven in battle to show competence in their field. They have shown themselves capable of choosing their own path in training without the supervision of a mentor. Some may wish to train in a more specialized path and seek out the guidance of a master in the field, but journeyman are considered full warriors. Accipiters are expected to continue to train their skills by attending regular spar sessions among the pack as well as journeying to the battlefield to test themselves against strangers. They are also expected to assist Buteos at need.
Buteos
(Path of Antler) These wolves are hunters and trackers, proven in the field to show competence. They have shown themselves capable of hunting or tracking on their own without the supervision of a mentor. Some may wish to train in a more specialized path and seek out the guidance of a Yarak for specialized training, but Buteo are considered to be fully capable hunters on their own merits. When tracking wolves or other dangerous predators, buteos are expected to work together with at least one accipiter or mantle for protection. They are expected to participate in group hunts regularly to supply the pack with large game, but are also to hunt smaller game on their own to provide for those who cannot hunt for themselves.
Kestrels
(Path of Leaf) These wolves are the pack’s healers, proven to show competence. They have shown themselves capable of treating patients on their own without the supervision of a mentor and understanding how to properly harvest and store herbs and herbal remedies. Some may wish to train in a more specialized path and seek out the guidance of a Malar for specialized training, but Kestrels are considered to be fully capable healers on their own merits. Kestrels are expected to participate in healer meetings as continuation training, and to assist in keeping the pack herbal cache full as well as their own stocks.
Harriers
(Path of Sun) These wolves are the pack’s intellectuals, who have proven themselves knowledgeable in such pursuits as record-keeping and negotiation. They are trusted to negotiate minor disputes, and are expected to keep the pack’s records, including memorizing bloodlines and keeping a history of the pack and the terms of their various contracts, and recalling them when requested. Though they are not yet trusted with negotiating a pack contract on their own, they may be called on to assist Remiges in doing so, and acting as courier for important information or artifacts. They are expected to attend regular debriefings with other harriers and the Remiges to share information among one another.
Tytos
(Path of the Moon) These wolves are the pack’s religious core, wolves who have chosen to dedicate their lives to the study of Abraxas and the other gods and spirits of the world. Tytos have proven themselves able to provide religious and social counseling to their pack members without the supervision of a mentor. They are often called upon to lead minor religious ceremonies, with the Moon’s Creances providing any minor assistance required. They are expected to continue to expand their knowledge in regular Path meetings, to attend religious ceremonies as often as possible, and to watch over the spiritual and emotional needs of Aerie’s wolves.
Broadwings
(Path of Earth) Broadwings are the members of the Path of Earth who have shown themselves to be competent crafters and traders. They are trusted to craft and market their wares without the supervision of a mentor, having proven that their work is consistently good quality and that they are capable of judging the worth of tradegoods. They are expected to craft or procure tradegoods with regularity, and to provide tradegoods to be traded to support the pack as well as goods for their own use.
Strix
(Path of Shadows) These wolves are those who have proven themselves competent to undertake sneakier sorts of jobs such as spying, stealing, or sabotage, and no longer require the supervision of a mentor. They are expected to be consistently gathering information, between scouting and speaking to loners and other pack wolves, and reporting back to the Hallux. Strix must be competent navigators by day or night, and should be knowledgeable in basic weather patterns to assist them in long scouting trips. They must be shown to be capable of keeping the pack’s secrets when spying, and have shown themselves to be sneaky enough to perform acts of sabotage or thievery at need, as well as being generally capable of escaping bad situations on their own.
Haggards
Unranked adult. These are wolves who have not shown interest in or the ability to follow any particular Path, whether through simple disinterest or infirmity. They are expected to make themselves useful to the pack in some way regardless and to better themselves however they can. Wolves who remain in this rank through disinterest for too long will be strongly considered to be candidates for indenture or expulsion unless they make themselves very useful here. In times of prosperity, this is also a rank for the domestics - those whose specialization is in the raising and socialization of young pups up to the age of apprenticeship, whether it’s as nursemaids, teachers, babysitters, or mothers, though in less prosperous times those domestics are expected to contribute in other ways.
Creance
All apprentices regardless of which Path they belong to will be ranked the same, and if their Path needs to be known, they would be referred to by their mentor's name and rank. For example: "Kestrel Arlo's Creance" or "Broadwing Siv's Creance". Creance can be any age, and a joining wolf interested in a specific Path who cannot prove their competence in that Path’s field to the satisfaction of both the Tiercel and the masters will be placed here.
Eyas
Unapprenticed pup (under 1 year).
Lures
This rank is for the wolves that have not earned the trust of Aerie - wolves that have given the Tiercel reason to be wary or who are only part of the pack temporarily. Lures are assigned to a pack member to watch them, and are not to be given any pack secrets or allowed to wander the pack lands unsupervised. Once they have proven themselves to be trustworthy they will be allowed to become full members of the pack and be moved to a new rank.
Quarry
Indentured servant, held for labor until they earn the balance they owe to the pack. They are to be treated with the knowledge that while they are servants now, they are more than capable of earning their freedom or having their debt forgiven so it would be unwise to mistreat them more than absolutely necessary. Quarry that do not make any effort towards resolving their debt may find themselves being tendered to the pack as slaves to repay that debt.
Bowets
These are pups who are being fostered in Aerie for a time. They will be fed and train alongside Aerie's pups as an part of a Contract with their parents and/or a pack.
Mutes
A wolf formerly of Aerie who has broken the pack's rules and will serve the pack as less than an indentured servant. Although they are unable to earn their freedom or leave the pack, they are given the chance to prove that they can learn their lesson and be pardoned of their crime. This is the lesser of the major punishments that can be earned - better this than being maimed and turned out as an enemy of the pack.
Bechin
Prisoner held for blackmail or ransom.
Varvel
This rank indicates captives who, unlike indentured servants, are outright owned by the pack as slaves. They may be marked by dye or, in the case of particularly difficult slaves, tattoos or scarification to show them at a glance as belonging to Aerie.