Yfir
09-08-2014, 04:37 PM
As you probably already know, since Katja stated it outright IC, Katja has left Ebony and is working toward building her own pack. I'm working toward the gems and posts I need to do this but she's going to need followers. If anyone thinks they have a character who might be interested in a viking pack, on the dark side of neutral, post here and Tea will put up a post for them to meet Katja!
09-09-2014, 08:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-11-2014, 08:10 PM by Tealah.)
Now that I have more time and don't have to cut my post short, let's go into a little more detail here. The pack will be called "Yfir" pronounced ee-fur, which means "above" in old norse. Although not an evil pack, they will be nonetheless war-centric and a lot of their rules center around that. Loyalty to the pack will expected above all other things. It will likely remain a small pack and will revolve around a three-pronged system - the warriors, the healers, and the freefolk, the freefolk (karls and huskarls) being the base upon which the rest build and consists of the families, the infirm, and the esteemed elderly.
Rather than an army, this pack is a tribal settlement on the edge of a vast wilderness with enemies all around - always ready to fight or to raid for their survival but rarely involving themselves in full scale wars. They have few allies but those few will be considered part of a larger tribe, one of yet apart from Yfir. Fostering youths to allies, or taking in allied youths to foster, will be an accepted practice, as will arranged marriages among allied packs. Despite this, allied packs may still be considered fair game for small-scale attacks and raids to promote and display the skills and training of each pack's warriors.
Yfir wolves will be required to behave honorably among those not of Yfir so as to not bring shame and danger to their packmates. Rape, torture, murder - except in the case of war these will not be tolerated even among non-packmates and will be punished. However, Yfir will not allow another pack - even an allied pack - to punish its members and will close ranks around the accused even as far as going to war for it. It is a matter of honor and pride. Yfir does not submit to other packs' punishments.
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These are the general laws of Yfir, to be edited as needed.
Rather than an army, this pack is a tribal settlement on the edge of a vast wilderness with enemies all around - always ready to fight or to raid for their survival but rarely involving themselves in full scale wars. They have few allies but those few will be considered part of a larger tribe, one of yet apart from Yfir. Fostering youths to allies, or taking in allied youths to foster, will be an accepted practice, as will arranged marriages among allied packs. Despite this, allied packs may still be considered fair game for small-scale attacks and raids to promote and display the skills and training of each pack's warriors.
Yfir wolves will be required to behave honorably among those not of Yfir so as to not bring shame and danger to their packmates. Rape, torture, murder - except in the case of war these will not be tolerated even among non-packmates and will be punished. However, Yfir will not allow another pack - even an allied pack - to punish its members and will close ranks around the accused even as far as going to war for it. It is a matter of honor and pride. Yfir does not submit to other packs' punishments.
___________
These are the general laws of Yfir, to be edited as needed.
Yfir is a fully neutral pack, being neither fully good, nor evil. It is a home and a haven, a refuge for those in need, and a family, but to those who would seek its destruction it is blood and death. Yfir's word is unbreakable, and those who betray them will be treated harshly. Those who trespass against the pack will be repaid in kind, whether it be an eye for an eye or a life for a life. Full scale war is not sought out but Yfir will not shy from it to protect their own, nor will they hesitate to do what they need to survive.
1. Loyalty and Trust - the bonds between Yfir members are tighter even than the bonds of blood. Yfir wolves are expected to be loyal to one another as well as to the pack, and such vows are not easily dissolved. Each wolf must be able to trust in the protection of their fellows, and must be trusted to always be there to support the pack. Yfir is not a temporary home, but if you are in need it will never let you down.
2. Valor - to protect your fellow Yfir wolves without fear or holding back is the ultimate honor and privilege of each Yfir warrior, and to fight with all their knowledge and courage to heal their fellow packmates the privilege of each Yfir medic. To back down from such a challenge is a betrayal of the bonds of friendship and pack. To hold back is cowardly and unacceptable behavior as it could result in the injury or death of a packmate, and will be punished by demotions, shunnings, and other such public shames.
3. Honor - To act without honor is to bring shame and chaos to the Yfir pack. Dishonorable behavior such as the maiming or death of innocents will be repaid in kind. Rape will be punished by maim. However, Yfir will not allow another pack to pass judgement and punishment upon Yfir wolves - Yfir and Yfir alone will punish their own.
4. Strength - Yfir wolves will be expected to train hard in their chosen field, whether it be the path of tooth and claw, or herbs and mind. They will train to the utmost of their potential. As a lack of effort in practice could result in injury or death of a packmate when the skills are needed most, slacking will be punishable by demotions and public shaming and if necessary removal from the pack.
5. Pride without Arrogance - Yfir wolves will display their pride in their pack at all times. Yfir is strong and any wolf can count themselves lucky to be a part of it, and that is the attitude expected to be shown at all times. Denigration and speaking badly of the pack and it's members to outsiders will be considered a betrayal of trust and will be punished accordingly. Pride, however, is not arrogance. Arrogance leads to mistakes.
6. Obedience - although questioning and independence of thought is encouraged, the failure to act decisively and swiftly when given orders could result in the injuries or deaths of Yfir packmates. Obey immediately, ask questions later. Failure to do so will result in punishment. The alpha's word is law, but even alphas must willingly listen to their followers.
7. Family - Yfir is a family... complicated but closely joined. Mates from outside of the pack are not allowed. If a mate is taken from outside the pack the mate must also join Yfir, for Yfir loyalties cannot be split between a mate and the pack. Permission must be obtained from an alpha before children will be allowed from a pairing. A lack of control that results in pregnancy without permission will be punished through severe demotions and shaming of the parents. Children of Yfir wolves are expected to grow up within Yfir. Parents are responsible for the very early training of their children to the age of six months when the pups will be fostered to other Yfir members to continue their training.8. Community - once every season the pack will be called together in a meeting, a thing where the alpha may make announcements, assignments for the coming season, and promotions. The pack will be given the opportunity to publicly voice complaints, concerns, ideas, and desires. Justice is often given at the things and any pack member can request a hearing before the assembled Yfir.
9. Slaves - Slavery is allowable under Ebony law but even thralls have their rights as members of the pack, no matter how subservient they are. The murder, rape, and maim of prisoners is severely punished, and unnecessary beatings are strongly discouraged. Murder is likewise unacceptable for slaves, and rape is highly discouraged in part due to the possibility of pups. Pups of slaves will also be slaves, but must be cared for by the pack and given medical care, as will any slave crippled or sickened. Maims and unnecessary beatings of slaves are discouraged. Slaves can barter with the alphas for their own freedom to either leave the pack or join as a full member.
2. Valor - to protect your fellow Yfir wolves without fear or holding back is the ultimate honor and privilege of each Yfir warrior, and to fight with all their knowledge and courage to heal their fellow packmates the privilege of each Yfir medic. To back down from such a challenge is a betrayal of the bonds of friendship and pack. To hold back is cowardly and unacceptable behavior as it could result in the injury or death of a packmate, and will be punished by demotions, shunnings, and other such public shames.
3. Honor - To act without honor is to bring shame and chaos to the Yfir pack. Dishonorable behavior such as the maiming or death of innocents will be repaid in kind. Rape will be punished by maim. However, Yfir will not allow another pack to pass judgement and punishment upon Yfir wolves - Yfir and Yfir alone will punish their own.
4. Strength - Yfir wolves will be expected to train hard in their chosen field, whether it be the path of tooth and claw, or herbs and mind. They will train to the utmost of their potential. As a lack of effort in practice could result in injury or death of a packmate when the skills are needed most, slacking will be punishable by demotions and public shaming and if necessary removal from the pack.
5. Pride without Arrogance - Yfir wolves will display their pride in their pack at all times. Yfir is strong and any wolf can count themselves lucky to be a part of it, and that is the attitude expected to be shown at all times. Denigration and speaking badly of the pack and it's members to outsiders will be considered a betrayal of trust and will be punished accordingly. Pride, however, is not arrogance. Arrogance leads to mistakes.
6. Obedience - although questioning and independence of thought is encouraged, the failure to act decisively and swiftly when given orders could result in the injuries or deaths of Yfir packmates. Obey immediately, ask questions later. Failure to do so will result in punishment. The alpha's word is law, but even alphas must willingly listen to their followers.
7. Family - Yfir is a family... complicated but closely joined. Mates from outside of the pack are not allowed. If a mate is taken from outside the pack the mate must also join Yfir, for Yfir loyalties cannot be split between a mate and the pack. Permission must be obtained from an alpha before children will be allowed from a pairing. A lack of control that results in pregnancy without permission will be punished through severe demotions and shaming of the parents. Children of Yfir wolves are expected to grow up within Yfir. Parents are responsible for the very early training of their children to the age of six months when the pups will be fostered to other Yfir members to continue their training.8. Community - once every season the pack will be called together in a meeting, a thing where the alpha may make announcements, assignments for the coming season, and promotions. The pack will be given the opportunity to publicly voice complaints, concerns, ideas, and desires. Justice is often given at the things and any pack member can request a hearing before the assembled Yfir.
9. Slaves - Slavery is allowable under Ebony law but even thralls have their rights as members of the pack, no matter how subservient they are. The murder, rape, and maim of prisoners is severely punished, and unnecessary beatings are strongly discouraged. Murder is likewise unacceptable for slaves, and rape is highly discouraged in part due to the possibility of pups. Pups of slaves will also be slaves, but must be cared for by the pack and given medical care, as will any slave crippled or sickened. Maims and unnecessary beatings of slaves are discouraged. Slaves can barter with the alphas for their own freedom to either leave the pack or join as a full member.
