[OOC] About the Pack

[Seaki]

All packs start somewhere, but where this pack’s true start was, no one truly knows. Though as all packs start, they begin with a group. A small group of dogs with shared interests and ideas and a shared religion, carrying them across the lands. As the group grew, so did their ideas and beliefs. The group stuck together, sharing their culture with one another as they travelled on well-worn paths, and some not so worn. Together, they wander as long as the wind sweeps across the lands.

In the recent past, the Matriarch Symr stepped down, leaving the pack to her daughter Aeolus. As the pack transitioned into new leadership, there was unrest, and the pack remained stationary as they settled into the new dynamics. They continue along their path to the next destination.





The Aérastouvíos is a nomadic pack. They travel along similar lines for each cycle, though new paths, alliances, and areas are found constantly. They, in particular, follow the direction of the wind. The Goddess (of the wind) is said to guide them. While there are few that can read the wind, it is required for the Matriarch to be able to read them before she steps into the role. Other Wind Readers act as council, aiding the matriarch as she leads the pack.

The Wind Readers, called Rous, are made up of four dogs and must have their Ousía just as the leader must have hers, before she becomes the Matriach. The Ousía are always Avians, being connected to the wind as a part of their whole existence, they are more connected to the wind than dogs are.

Avians (called Ousía) hold a special place in the pack - they are seen as the physical manifestation of a dog’s Soul - their very essence. While it is not unusual for for a dog to not have an Ousía. It can mean the pair simply have not found each other yet - OOCly, sometimes birds are hard to come by, so there’s a freedom in that. Those that attempt to bond with other creatures that are not avians are regarded with suspicion and may be moved out of the pack - likely left with an Allied pack of the dog's chosing/. The Matriach and Wind Readers must always have Avians to even come into the role. Seers are rumored to be able to see through the eyes of their Ousía and are revered within the pack. Though there is no official rank for Seers, they are often cared for very well and treated as children of the Wind Goddess.

Feathers take in important role in the pride as well. Feathers come from the Ousía and symbolize the bond between the dog and the Ousía. Artisans are often commissioned to make a charm for the bonds to wear. That is the only time an Artisan may use feathers in a craft. Feathers from an Ousía can only be given to a life-mate or children of the dog. Feathers are used in ceremonies and are a sign of great importance. They often show family history. Children get feathers, usually from their mother, though both parents may bestow the children with feathers. Adopted pups are often gifted feathers as well.

Life Mates are often a quiet affair between the members of a dog’s close (or chosen) family, though they may invite more. In the ceremony, the dogs will exchange a feather of their Ousía, symbolizing that their souls are combined. This ceremony isn’t performed particularly often, as it is viewed as completely serious and binding for the duration of a dog’s life. Widows are expected not to re-marry, but there is no stigma on breeding. The pack is Matriarchal, so the male will always leave his family and belong to the female's. In the case of same-gendered mates, they would belong to either the higher-ranking mate's family, or decided among the mates.

The pack is particular about birth and the process revolving around it. When a member becomes pregnant, they are assigned one or more healers and are guarded more closely by the entire pack. Depending on the situation, the pack usually stays in the same location until the birth of the pups. Sometimes, mothers are left in trusted packs or prides until the pups are old enough to travel. When the pups are old enough to travel with the pack, a ceremony is held to welcome them, often on a calm, breezy day.

When any member returns to the pack from a journey, they are greeted usually by close friends and family, and usually the leader. Reconnecting with the pack is important, and re-establishes the bonds between the members. Most often, Mothers, Liaisons, Pathfinders, and Sentries are at the receiving end of this affection, though anyone who leaves the pack and returns will be greeted this way. Reconnecting is a way for a pack to bond collectively. Mothers and pups are often celebrated the most, as new life is brought to the pack.

Most often, it is pathfinders that leave the pack. They are charged with finding new routes, seeing as the wind kind of travels everywhere. They can seek new paths by following a direction of the wind that the main pack is not traveling. They will, in turn, speak with a wind reader after they reconnect with the pack. The pair often collaborates with leader to expand the travel area of the pack as they follow new routes to expand their trade lines and food sources.

The pack, as they travel, will trade items that are made by artisans, or even food and information, for safe passage, shelter, and other such valuables. Trade is an important part of the pack's culture, and expands constantly as the pack grows and explores new areas.  

[Seaki]

Lailapás | Matriarch (m. Hurricane) The leader of the pack is very important. She is always female, and leads the pack from place to place, though with guidance of the Wind Readers. They are generally the buffer between the pack and the rest of the world, and can make ultimate decisions regarding where the pack will travel and when.

Sifoúnas | Consort (m. Tornado) The Consort is chosen by the leader and only their preferences apply to this rank! The leader may never take on a consort in her lifetime. Consorts are the Leader's lifemate and is as respected within the pack as the leader is. If no heir is named and there is a consort, the Consort will lead the pack until an heir is named or the consort has a daughter.

Ánemos | Heir (m. Air) The heir is the chosen daughter of the leader, and always passes down through females. The daughter is often chosen with the aid of the Wind Readers.

Rous | Wind Reader (m. Air Current) There are four Rous in the pack, one for each of the winds (north, south, east, and west). They serve as advisers to the Matriarch and ensure the pack is staying on a steady path. They help make the decision of which way to go. If they happen to be split equally in which way to turn, the Matriarch makes the final call.
== Requirements: Avian Companion (Ousía), RP with the Pack Leader

Kataigída | Captain (m. Thunderstorm) The leader of all the defense forces of the pack. They organize patrols and train new defense forces. With the pack constantly on the move, it is important that they can defend themselves in hostile territory. They take the final walk to make sure the pack is secure in rest locations.

Défteri | Guardian (m. Second Wind) The leader of all the officers in the pack. They make the final decision if any minor scuffle happens in the pack and act as a judge. Anything more major may go up to the matriarch for a final say.

Anapnoí | Matron (m. Breath) The most skilled healer in the pack. They oversee any injuries or important births that happen within the pack.

Thýella | Lead Hunter (m. Gale) This dog leads the hunting group that has split off from the main pack to hunt. As the hunters grow in numbers, more Lead Hunters will be required to maintain them.

Alakarga | Master Artisan (m. Jay) Any particularly skilled artisan may take this rank. They are the only ones allowed to make ceremonial adornments/

Trikymía | Soldier (m. Storm) Soldiers protect the pack from external conflict. Since the pack in constantly on the move, his rank is especially important. They keep watch in more dangerous lands, and are the first line of defense when it comes to the overall protection of the pack. They may rank up to Captain of their own platoon, but only if there is a need for one. If there is no captain, the pack-leader takes on this role. They are often paired with sentries to make their jobs easier.

Iérax | Sentry (m. Hawk) Sentries keep watch over the pack, and alert the rest of the pack to danger. When danger approaches, they are the ones to travel to the other guard posts and inform them, and the rest of the pack, of any approaching dangers. Sentries also may scout a few hours (or days) ahead of the pack to make sure everything is safe.

Terétisma | Liaison (m. Chirp) Liasons also travel ahead of the pack, usually with a sentry or a guard. They absolutely have to be good with pack and pride relations, as an abrasive attitude may cause a war. Their are multiple liaisons for dealings with different packs or prides.

Gýpas | Officer (m. Vulture) Officers, unlike Soldiers, take care of the inner workings of the pack. As the pack grows, so do concerns within the pack. Officers make sure the pack is safe from within by discouraging crime. Depending on the officer, they might also solve small civil disputes or act as a 3rd party negotiator within the pack.

Eispnéo | Healer (m. Inhale) Healers are pretty self explanatory! They take care of any wounds both major and minor. They also make sure each pack member is healthy, especially cubs. A Healer will stay close to a pregnant mother to make sure the birth goes smoothly and will remain with a denning female when she prepares for birth.

Ripí | Hunter (m. Gust) Default Rank. Hunters seek food for the pack, often splitting away from the main pack for a hunt before returning with the food.

Taós | Artisan (m. Peafowl) These members create the amazing things that the traders bargain with. They also make jewelry and adornments for the pack. Only highly skilled artisans are allowed to make the Feather Jewelry of a bonded pair.

Floísvos | Trader (m. Roaring) These members are very important to the pack. Often times their trades will allow safe passage through packs, whether they are trading raw material, items that the artisans made, or things they bartered before.

Esneme | Elder (m. Yawn) Older members of the pack. These members don't have a specific job, but they can keep up with the pack still, and can pass down their knowledge to the younger generation of the pack.

Tacheía | Messenger (m. Swift) Messengers mostly only relay messages between the main pack and the members that trail further from the group. Occasionally, they are sent ahead to new rest locations or packs to get in contact with members that remained in those locations for a time.

Thoryvódis | Pathfinder (m. Windy) Pathfinders travel far away from the pack - they follow a separate wind current. These members actively seek out new rest locations, new members, and new packs or prides that they may not have come across yet. After a time, they return to the pack with the information or members.

Fteró | Storyteller (m. Feather) While not often, some story-tellers will leave the pack to collect stories. They tell stories to all of the pack. It helps to pass the time as the pack moved along to their next destination.

Ávra | Nanny (m. Breeze) Nannies remain with pregnant mothers who cannot move from a location while their pups are young. They aid in rearing the pups until their old enough to travel, as well as telling stories of the pack to teach the new pups the way of their home-pack.

Aéras | Adolescent (m. wind) adolescent members of the pack. At this age, they will gain a mentor in the rank they wish to become as adults.

Aeráki | Youth (m. breeze) new pups of the pack

Akómi | Provisionary (m. stillness) A new member that isn't quite trusted yet. All joining members will have this rank until they RP once within the 'pack lands' or in the pack's subforum.