Post by Kiva on Nov 2, 2015 11:08:16 GMT -5
OTHALA
D E S C R I P T I O N
"Pray to the moon when she is round
Luck with you will then abound
What you seek for shall be found
On the sea or on the ground."
Othala is a very peaceful pack, one that works to align themselves with nature through ritual and symbol so that they may bring balance to their world. From listening to the songs of the wind, being thankful for the sun's glorious light, enjoying the feeling of smooth water around their coats, or praying to the moon, there is no part of nature they take for granted. They use the healing powers of herbs for their remedies, they thank the gods after each successful hunt, and pray for a victorious fight before each battle. Othala believes that the older a wolf is; the more wisdom they hold within so it is with respectful eyes that they look upon their elders. The elders are often sought out for advice and the pack’s pups often gather around them for stories both new and old.
Spirits and the afterlife are something Othala strongly believes in. They know that every living thing, from tree to wolf, has a soul and that there are times when the physical body dies before the soul is ready to cross over to the Summerland. When that happens, they believe that the spirit will continue to roam the earth until they either accept their fate or finish what it is they set out to do, whichever may come first. All spirits are believed to be either good or bad with very few walking the fine line of neutral. Whenever a wolf is worried about an evil spirit, they can be seen doing various tasks in sets of three. Normally, they will circle three times as they believe that to tread the circle thrice about keeps unwelcomes spirits out. Once a spirit does cross over, Othala believes that they are sent to the Summerland, a place where souls can regenerate before they reincarnate into a new body.
Another thing Othala believes in is divination. They believe divination is usually a trait of women and is passed in the female bloodline from mother to daughter though in rare circumstances, males may also be blessed with the gift. They believe it is a gift that allows certain wolves insight into the future. The visions seen and prophecies uttered by those with the gift, though often cryptic and filled with symbolism, are taken very seriously. Though there are several ways one might go about calling on their gift, the most common ways are through Dreams and through Scrying, or gazing into pools of water or flames of fire. Those blessed with the ability are held to much respect but to prove to the pack that you have been blessed with this gift, you must have three separate omens come true and only then can one become an Aine or Bel.
Every month, all the members of Othala come together for an important ceremony or gathering. Though the Aesirs may call the pack together for meetings at other times throughout the year, these are the most important gatherings with each one having a different spiritual or social meaning behind it. Feasts are usually put together by the ullrs for all the pack to enjoy. Some of the ceremonies will also feature key parts from the Einherjars and the Bailighs as well as the Aines, Bels, and Sinsears. Some of these ceremonies involving the exchanging of gifts which may be anything from a fresh kill to picked flowers. All of the ceremonies take place under the full moon and all will end with the pack howling in unison to the moon.
The last thing that makes Othala, Othala is the stunning crescent mark that runs through it. For generations upon generations, it was passed down that the crescent mark that the Aesir bears along with her daughter was a gift from the gods and that at least one wolf from every other litter of her blood line would be born with the mark and to this day, Kiva has been unable to prove that story wrong.R U L E S:An Ye harm None Do What Ye Will
(Othala's "Golden Rule", as long as members follow the few rules set in stone by the Aesirs, it is believed they should be allowed to do as they please as long as they do no harm to one another)
1.) Fairly Take and Fairly Give- Stealing and cheating others out of what they have are not options in this pack. Members are to fairly earn what they get and, if they see someone in need of help and have the means to help them, they are expected to fairly give. As a pack unit and family, each member is to look out for not only themselves but all those around them as well. If a wolf is caught stealing for the first time, they will be made to give back what they stole as well as apologize. The second time a wolf is caught stolen, they will again be made to give back what they stole and apologize but, they will also become a Jotun until they can prove to the pack that they can be trusted.
2.) Honor the Old Ones in Deed and Name- Elders and higher ranked wolves are to be respected at all times. It is believed that the older you are, the more wisdom you bestow and the elder wolves are usually the ones sought out for advice. Unless it is an extreme case, disrespect is most often followed by a verbal reprimand from one of the Aesirs.
3.) Finding a mate and producing offspring is allowed with the Aesirs' permission, though the answer given will almost always be yes. When it comes time for the pack's pups, the pack as a whole is responsible for looking out for them. However, once the pups are old enough to be away from their mothers, it will be the babysitters who mainly look out for them so that their mothers can continue on their with their pack duties. It is also to be made clear that while all pups will be treated fairly, the alpha's are still to be first in line to be taken care of.
4.) Discipline is another important part of Othala. The higher ranked wolves will not demand much but when they do, they are to be obeyed, especially when it is the Aesirs giving the orders. If an order is given by a wolf other than the Aesirs and you do not agree with it, you are to seek out one of the Aesirs and express your concerns so they can be debated with the higher ranking wolves and taken care of.C E R E M O N I E S:
January 15th- Thurseblot
-A minor feast may be held on this day though it is more a time for the pack to gather together and see how things are holding up through the winter so far. If there is anything that needs to be done like gathering more food, this is when the pack will bound together to make sure things get done.
February 14th- Valisblot
-A celebration of love, including finding possible mates and dancing under the full moon. This is the time for wolves coming of age to step forward and make thrmselves known to the pack so suitors may begin to get to know them.
March 21st- Ostara
-This feast is to celebrate the coming of spring and the leaving of winter. Ullrs bring food for the pack to feast upon and Einherjars entertain the pack by showing off their skills in sparing tournaments. This is a very joyous occasion.
April 22nd- Thrimilci
-This is a feast and a ceremony to honor the young coming into the world and starting their lives as the next generation of Othala. Both the new pups and the expecting mothers are showered with praise and some mothers chose to hold off on naming their young until this ceremony.
May 30th- Einherjar
-This ceremony is to celebrate and honor Othala's Einherjars. It is customary for wolves to bring gifts to the Einherjars to show their appreciation and gratitude for keeping the pack safe. This is also when the An- Einherjar informs the pack of important things that have happened over the past year.
June 21st- Litha
-This feast is special in that it is when Othala opens its lands to all of its allies for a big celebration of peace and power. The Ullrs bring a large bounty of food and gatherers will usually bring various colored flowers to litter the ground with.
July 31st- Lithasblot
-A feast in honor of the coming of fall and the leaving of summer. It is a time of praise and gratitude for the bountiful season that was and it is the one festival when Jotuns are offered small amounts of food, often things such as rabbits or squirrels.
August 18th- Lughnassadh
-This ritual has a more somber tone than all the ones before it as it is a time to prepare for the colder months and to make sure that everything the pack needs to thrive is in order. The gatherers will bring medicinal supplies to pack away and the hunters will bring food to store.
September 21st- Mabon
-More of a meeting than a feast, this is the time for all wolves of Othala to come together and discuss with the pack what their goals and wishes are for themselves and for the pack. Though some Ullur may bring food, it is not as required as the rest of the gatherings.
October 31st- Samhain
-Though this is a very somber ceremony, it is also very important. A grand feast should be held courtesy of all Ullr. This is a time for Aines and Bels to show their talents and tell of the omens to come, both good and bad and both for individuals and the pack. It is also a time for the Sinsear to tell stories and the history of the past. This is the day when spirits are believed to be at their strongest.
November 20th- Winternights
-This is the day that marks the beginning the winter season. It is the first group hunt of the winter and at the same time as the hunt, the Einherjar patrol the borders to make sure everything is secure. Before the feast begins, there is a moment of silence to honor and remember the pack's ancestors. After the feast concludes, whatever is left over is added to the stash that was started on Lughnassadh.
December 21st- Yule
-A joyous celebration in honor of days growing longer and nights becoming shorter. It is a time for feasting and giving gifts. It is customary for Othala members to exchange gifts with one another be it food, flowers, or anything else thought appropriate.
H I S T O R Y
Othala was started when four wolves, Eidus, Kiva, Sasha, and Rain stumbled upon one another in Zaor Forest in the Oriens. Kiva and her daughter Sasha had just washed onto the shore and collapsed into a deep sleep after a long, several mile-long swim from their old home with Kairos territories to what would become their new home. Eidus was the first to find them and though he knew nothing about them, something within him told them to help him and thankfully, he listened to that voice. He went out of his way to find and kill a young deer before dragging it back to the sleeping wolves and leaving it just a few feet away. After that, he spent the rest of the night standing guard over them and chasing away any scavengers that tried to come after his kill. Finally, he took to hiding behind some trees, waiting for the two females to awake from their well needed slumber.
The next to show up was the soft spoken Rain and though she was unaware of the hidden male not more than a yard away, she crept up to the mother and daughter and tried to usher them to wake up. Sasha was the first one to wake up, telling Rain that she was not who she expected to see but before she could say who it was she did expect to see, she spotted the deer laying nearby and gave into her hunger, sprinting over to it and tearing into it. Once Kiva finally woke up, she instantly snarled as the hair on her back stood on end. She didn’t know who the female was or what she wanted but once she saw her daughter was safe, she relaxed and apologized for her behavior.
After relaxing and reassessing the situation, the silver female spotted the male wolf and perked her ears in curiosity. She knew it was him who had killed the deer for if it had been the female, she would have said something about it. She asked both of the wolves who they were and thanked them for looking after her and her daughter despite the fact they didn’t know them. After that, she tried to get the two wolves to eat, sitting stubbornly on her haunches and trying not to budge until she knew they had both gotten their fill of the meal. But, when they both declined her offer, saying she and her daughter needed it more than they did, she knew she didn’t have the strength to keep arguing and with a defeated sigh and a nod, she moved to join her daughter.
After both wolves finished eating, the four wolves began talking about who everyone was and what would come of them now that they had found each other. After some debate, it was decided that the best and safest way to go would be to start a pack and it was agreed upon unanimously that Kiva would be the alpha. Sasha, too young to be in any real rank would be a subordinate. Rain would be the beta of the pack and Eidus would be the Shaman. The next thing that had to be decided upon was the name which would become Othala. The final thing they decided on was where to call home but no debate was needed as all the wolves knew that since it was completely surrounded by mountains and the oceans, the Oriens was the way to go.
B A S I C S
Members: Kiva Eidus Rain Sasha Annabelle
Lands: Oriens
Alliances: None
Founding Member(s):Kiva, Eidus, Rain, Sasha
Aesirs: These are Othala's alphas and are the highest ranking wolves within the hierarchy. They are to be respected and obeyed by all wolves within the pack. If there is a problem within the pack, these are the wolves who should be sought out so that they may address and fix whatever the issue may be. The Aesirs are the only wolves who can call pack meetings together unless a certain wolf has permission from them to do so themselves.
Heir of Aesir: The wolves within this rank will always be one of the Aesirs offspring and their mate. They have all the responsibilities as the betas but with the added duty of learning all that the Aesirs do and how to one day take their place. A wolf must be at least one year of age in order to be placed within this rank but, they do not have control over the pack until they reach full maturity at age two. If they are of the right age, and the Aesirs need to leave for any amount of time, it is them who will step up and become Othala's temporary leaders.
Vanir: The Vanirs are second in command to the Aesirs and are on equal grounds with the Heir of Aesir. If the Heirs are still too young, the Vanirs are the ones who will become Othala's temporary leaders while the alpha's are away. The Vanirs can do everything an Aesir can except for call pack meetings without the Aesirs permission, make new rules, or punish a wolf who has broken a rule. They can, however, get permission to call meetings, bring the idea of a new rule up to the Aesirs, and bring a wolf found guilty of breaking the rules to an Aesir.
Sinsear: Those these wolves hold no power over the pack, they are held with high respect. They are the pack's elders, at least six years of age, and are believe to have much knowledge and wisdom. They are the ones sought out for advice or for things like storytelling and history.
Spiritual Ranks
Gothy/Gythya: These wolves is very important to the pack in that they are the ones to help organize and lead all spiritual ceremonies and gatherings. Though they may or may not have the power of divinity, they have been found to have a very high spiritual connection and a deep and thorough knowledge of all spiritual matters. They are also the ones to act as a counter part to the Aesirs, making sure that both sides of an argument or debate are heard and thought through. The Gothy is the male and the Gythya is the female.
Aine/Bel: The Aines and Bels are the Shamans of Othala. These are the wolves that have proven their Divinity ability and are the ones sought out when one has a question or concern regarding the future. These wolves may also seek out certain wolves should they believe they have a message the wolf needs to hear. The Gothy and Gythya may also ask these wolves to help in spiritual ceremonies. The Aine are the females and the Bels are the males.
Warriors and Guides
An-Einherjar: The sole wolf with the responsibility of leading all wolves with a guard, spy, or warrior title. Only one male wolf will ever be awarded with this title as to prevent disputes and arguments over battles and tactics. Should this wolf feel that it is absolutely necessary to go to battle with a specific pack or wolf, he is required to bring his plan and reasons up to the Aesir and only after receiving their blessing can he continue to go through with his plans.
Gardail: These are the wolves who stand guard over the higher ranking wolves and make sure that no harm come to them. If the numbers allow for it, each higher ranking wolf will be paired with at least one Gardail who's only job is to make sure that no harm comes to that whom he is protecting. However, if the numbers are low, the Gardails will only be paired with the Aesir and the Heir. Gardails should be able to stand post at all times somewhere near the wolves they are paired with unless dismissed by that wolf or the Aesirs.
Einherjar: These are the warriors of the pack and though they are most always male, in rare circumstances, a female may be awarded with the title as well. They are to obey the An-Einherjar in all battle related aspects and are to always remain fit and ready to fight. If a wolf with this title is believed to be unfit by the An-Einherjar, they will be moved back down to subordinate until they prove they are capable of proficiently carrying out their duties.
Spiaire: These wolves are the ones whose primary job is border control and making sure no other packs or foreign wolves are anywhere near Othala territory. They should always be on the look out and upon sensing anything out of the ordinary should report immediately to the An-Einherjar. Each Spiaire will be given a certain area to control and, unless told to do so by the An-Einherjar, should not go outside of their area while working.
Hunters and Gatherers
An Ullr: Annabelle
An Ullr: Annabelle
An Ullr: This is the wolf who leads all hunting parties and is in charge of all the hunters below them. They are the ones in charge of making sure the pack always has enough food to suffice even in the winter months. They should know what parts of the lands hold what prey and should be willing to help novice hunters get better. Even though only wolf is given this position, if there is another wolf with equal talent that can work well with the first An Ullr, they too may be given the position.
Ullr: These are the hunters of Othala whose main task is to go out and catch as much prey as they can for the pack. Though it is perfectly fine for the Ullr to hunt alone, they are to listen to An-Ullr whenever they call together a group hunt. Ullr and An-Ullr can be both male or female as long as they show skill and interest in hunting.
Cneasai: These are the healers of the pack whose job is to make sure that all members remain strong and healthy. They are to have a vast knowledge of herbs and their uses and should be able to know what to do in most, if not all, cases when a wolf falls ills.
Bailigh: The Bailigh are the wolves who help gather supplies for the Cneasai. They should have a general knowledge for herbs and other vairous materials that the Cneasai may ask them to retrieve. They should also be willing to find what is asked of them no matter where they may have to look.
Subordinate Ranks
Kin: Sasha
Kin: Sasha
Leanbh: Wolves over a year of age that have not shown enough skill to be placed in a higher rank may be placed into this rank. Their job is to watch over all the pups of the pack and make sure they remain safe and sound during the day when their parents are off doing their various tasks. They are the ones held responsible anytime something happens to a pup.
Kin: From the time a wolf is born to the time they are given a different rank, they are given the title of Kin. They are expected to help with the pack and to learn whatever rank they may want to be put in. After they reach a year of age, they are the second to last to eat followed by the Jotun as they aren't seen to be as important within the pack as all the higher ranking wolves.
Jotun: These are the lowest ranking wolves within Othala. They have either proven to be dishonest and undeserving of a higher rank by breaking rules repeatedly, have failed in a challenge against the Aesir and must be watched over, or are an outsider who has shown they mean harm to Othala. They eat last and do not have to be respected by higher ranking wolves.