•| History & Culture |•

[DaerilS]

Past

First there was a light. Ancient, unwavering, an inferno taller than some redwoods were said to have grown. Then there was a theft. Pyxis born and just as wild as a whirling sunflare, they took off with a piece of the fire, a spark born from the original. The spark wasn't squandered, wasn't extinguished but cradled, cared for, and when it was time, spirited away from Irithyll beyond the Veil into Kells.

The Pyxis born didn't stop immediately. They ventured past Stonehenge, across snow covered valleys and through the pines. They even bridged a frozen lake almost the size of a sea, before finally settling in the cavernous mountains just to the east. The reason the Pyxis stopped here, truthfully, remains a mystery.

There was never any revelation as to why this was done, what motives brought the Pyxis born to commit such acts, or if there were, the reasons were lost to antiquity. Lengthy generations have cast most of the story of the Fire Bringer pack into little more than myth. Traditions are followed with the same dedication while stalwart credence is credited in the long success of the pack, despite the turmoil of the Redwoods. It is said that the first Chief raced into a lightning storm and brought back a flaming torch. Sometimes the story is told that the Sacred Flame was dying, that was why he risked the storm, but no one is certain any of these tales are true. What is certain is that very same fire breaths life into the pack today, warming the hearts and bodies of those who gaze upon the wild light.

Recent Happenings

Within the last few months new silhouettes had been spotted on the horizon. Strangers in no insignificant numbers. The pack treated them as they do all Outsiders, with suspicion and a firm adherence to the pack laws. They were told to stay away from the territory; would drive away those that inevitably trespassed. Several days went by with this uneasy coexistence and awareness of one another, until one night a trio of these outsiders asked for parley, to be tested and accepted into the pack. They were taken to the then Chief, Trial by Fire, and after much deliberation, were given a chance to prove themselves during a probation period.

Another two weeks passed and the trio seemed promising, learning the pack's laws, hunting with them, and genuinely seeming to be putting their hearts into gaining the trust and admiration of their new packmates. When questioned about the others they had been seen with they had confessed they belonged to a group that split, leaving them without firm identity and shelter, making the Fire Bringer's the best option for them. It was that very night that the outsiders attacked.

Several of the older pack members were slaughtered in their sleep, many of the youngsters too, and before the pack knew what was happening, many more of the strangers started appearing throughout the territory, attacking from all angles. Several managed to take down the Chief, and while Catch Fire was fighting off two other Outsiders, witnessed one make off with a branch wreathed in flame. Many of the strangers left once seeing this, and those that remained were killed by the surviving Fire Bringers. The pack was left in shambles, without leadership, without much of what made the pack function as family, as a unit. Catch Fire was forced to step up, desiring to pursue the Outsiders, but unable with such low numbers. He called on his remaining brother to return from self imposed exile to help reform the pack. Now those remaining are piecing together what's left, unable to make up for the tremendous loss, but trying to rise from the ashes and thrive.

 

[DaerilS]

The Sacred Flame

The Sacred Flame is the life of the pack, burning since antiquity, brought directly into Kells from its original source in Irithyll and kept alive by stealing from wild forces that make light across the sky. The Flame is thought to posses and represent a spirit of fire as life giver, life taker, champion of the holy and purifier of pestilence; a particularly favored benefit with the pack living in proximity of the illness decaying the Redwoods. The Sacred Flame at its most fundamental element provides warmth and light for the pack in an otherwise inhospitable environment. The Flame is the conduit which the Augur uses to divine the pack's fortune. What of the future can the flames reveal? What do they have to say of the past? The First tends the fire, the flame a piece of their original home and an old friend.

The Sacred Flame is kept in a wide fire pit at least one wolf length across. It is fed daily, ash removed, never allowed to wane in fervor and the wolves take great care in its health. Every late spring, when the storms are at their height, young males are sent out on a harrowing quest to bring back new flames from the original source. They seek lightning strikes and relay back the new wisps of fire to be absorbed by the Sacred Flame, a symbol that they will give their lives to the fire spirit.

Seers and the First

Seers are a particularly important facet of the pack. The Augur interprets the will of the fire spirit, and is the keeper of the traditions, looking to the past and future to inform them. The Augur is a mouthpiece and holds great respect in the pack, her word almost carrying the same weight as the Chief. A Seer born during a thunderstorm is particularly revered as it’s the storms that bring the fire and birth all that allows the pack to thrive. A pregnant Augur will typically try to induce birth during a storm to increase the chance of such good fortune.

The First allows the pack to exist and is very much their origin story. They brought with them the Flame from their original homeland in Irithyll and have cared for it, and subsequently the pack, for generations. They are highly revered, holy even.

Expectations of Pack Members

The Augur is effectively who the females of the pack look to for instruction. Their jobs are largely in assistance to her while also providing basic care for the pack. Every pack member is expected to lay their life down in defense of the Sacred Flame, other pack members, and pups regardless of rank.
Males likewise look to the Chief. Their tasks overlap with female pack members in that they see to basic needs; food, shelter, pup rearing and teaching, and they too are expected to put the pack before the individual. To see an explanation of various jobs in the pack scroll below.

Rites of Passage

Rites of Passage are an integral part of Fire Bringer culture. For young males who reach their second spring, they are taken into the fields by the Storm Chaser and given the task to reenact the first flame that was stolen from lightning and brought to the caverns. Weeks prior, the young males will be aware of what will be instructed of them, having heard stories from generations prior, and so during regular lessons they will cache long sticks to be used as relay torches. At the first signs of a storm, the adolescents will be bought out to watch the rolling clouds, waiting for their chance. If they're lucky to see a lightning strike, they will perilously get close to the fire, then dash back to each cache to pass the flame onto the virgin kindling and prolong their trek. This is a group effort. All succeed or all fail; the groups that do fail will be given a chance to try again at a later date. So long as one lit torch is brought back to the caverns alive, they will have passed the test. After the new flame is absorbed into the Sacred Fire, the Chief and Apothecary will be waiting to congratulate their success with full fledged membership by adding their paw prints to the Marked Wall.

Females, likewise, experience their own rite of passage at roughly the same age. They are taken before the Sacred Flame where the Augur and the Apothecary explain what is expected of them. Over the month the Apothecary has been mixing a concoction of plant matter that when ingested, induces hallucinations. The young females are instructed to take the potion and are encouraged to stare into the Sacred Flame. Those who are lucky will speak directly with the Fire Spirit, listening to what secrets it graciously offers, others wander deep into the woods, following whispers. The journey is their own and intrinsically unique. Once everyone has returned to the Sacred Flame and any assistance needed is given after their journey, they will be brought before the Marked wall, having passed their test of ascension test. As with the males, the Apothecary waits with a mixture of ash and pigment aside the Augur who proceeds to bite and claw into their left shoulders, mixing the blood into the pigment, and scaring each wolf as a member of the Fire Bringer pack. A paw is placed in the mix then they are instructed to add their paw print to the Marked Wall where their signature will persist through generations.

Mates and Breeding

Breeding practices in the Fire Bringer pack were traditionally strict. Breeding outside of the pack is forbidden. This is lax for now as the pack has suffered a great loss of life and is looking to replenish itself, so for one year, Catch Fire will look the other way if your wolf suddenly comes home with pups on their heels. When the pack is back to a sustainable number restrictions will once more apply. There are few rules regarding who is allowed to become mates as members of the Fire Bringer pack; rank doesn't matter nor does sex. Age is the only restriction. Wolves need to be at least two years of age before they area allowed to take partners or breed. Polyamory is uncommon but accepted. Life-mating is typical and celebrated with a feast if the couple publicly commits to one another. Flings between members do happen. In the past courtship was more restrictive and in order to have offspring, you needed to get the blessing of the Chief, the First(if available) and the Augur. This tradition has fallen out of practice within the most recent generation. If you want to breed your wolf with an Outsider, be aware their partner must either join the Fire Bringer pack or your wolf will be required to leave after the pups are grown. Your wolf will be considered a liability and driven from the territory.

Illnesses

Illnesses caused by the Crystal Cavern have rarely affected the pack as they take great care to reduce any potential outbreak. That being said, they don't actually know what causes the illness and while they have assessed that it is not transmittable and comes from the proximity of the Crystal Caverns, they traditionally have taken harsh measures against those who exhibit symptoms. If you come across Wildlife or another wolf who seems to have been poisoned by this illness, immediately inform Catch Fire or any of the other leadership.

The pack has it's own issues with chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema caused by regular smoke inhalation. While there is ventilation within the caves so that the Sacred Flame's smoke isn't literally smoking out the pack, it is inevitable your wolf will be breathing in some regular amount of smoke. How you want this to affect your wolf is entirely up to you. Some go their whole lives without a problem, some are born with asthma and seem to outgrow it in puphood, while others are affected the entirety of their lives. Although rare, lung cancer has also affected the pack.

Death

When a wolf succumbs to age or is taken before their rightful time, the pack mourns. A ceremony is held honoring the departed's life, and their body is given to the Sacred Flame. To be returned to the fire spirit in death is considered a good death and those unable to be cremated by the flame are thought to become ghosts, woeful and unfortunate, never fully considered dead. The pack takes great care in returning the bodies of their loved ones, even if there is a considerable amount of risk involved. They cover themselves in Ash for up to a month following a death. Patterns drawn using the ash are a mix of both family regalia and individual style, along with something that ties to the departed. The ceremony is lead by the First, Augur, and the Apothecary primarily, with the Chief taking a smaller role.

Cremation of ill creatures and enemies takes place in a lesser cavern farther into the mountains and is overseen by the Apothecary with a blessing performed by the First. The Augur is not present for this ceremony, nor the Chief, as these creatures were not citizens of the pack. During the months the First is beyond the Veil the Apothecary is the sole orchestrator of these ceremonies.

Succession

In past, the succession of the Chief was passed down through his bloodline. Catch Fire had no particular interest in taking charge of the pack, wanting to keep his position as Storm Chaser. But with the death of his father and no other male successor of sufficient age, he took up the mantle. However, he does not intend on keeping this tradition and when the time comes, he'll appoint a new Chief with the guidance of the Augur, regardless of birthright.

Outsiders

Outsiders are looked upon with righteous suspicion. Until proven otherwise, your wolf will be suspected of either being a member of the rival pack, or potentially poisoned by the evils surrounding the Chrystal Cave and will be driven from the territory. It takes a great deal of work to gain the trust of the Fire Bringers. For those who put in the effort comes great rewards. Membership is lax currently to replenish and breath life into the dearly damaged pack. All new members will be required to add their paw prints to the Marked Wall, which consists of a permanent scar on the left or right shoulder when blood is drained via bite by either the Chief or the Augur, which is then mixed with pigment for the paint.

War

War has been seldom seen in the Fire Bringers simply based on their reclusive nature. They've formed few allies and few enemies even after generations.
However, revenge is eminent after the event of these recent attacks and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Catch Fire's first priority is rebuilding the pack, not pursuing retribution, but demands from packmates who've lost family, as he has lost family, are not being ignored. They'll cover themselves in ash the same way they would during a funeral procession, often marking themselves with symbols known to those they've lost.

Wildlife

Bonded wildlife are uncommon but permissible depending on the species, with vultures and crows being the most prevalent. Hare, deer, and raccoons are not allowed as they are considered prey creatures, and in a place food is difficult to come by, the pack cannot be compromised. Wildlife, at least for now, do not have any recognized citizenship other than 'someone not to eat' and have no wildlife exclusive ranks. This may change in the future if there is demand. All wildlife in the pack must be bonded to a wolf. Unbonded familiars are considered outsiders right along with wolves and are equally a potential threat. Bonded cougars and bears are also allowed although less prevalent simply based on the fact these are traditionally solitary creatures whereas birds are more populous due to their social nature.

Solstice

The First and their Warden will leave one week prior to the winter and summer solstices in order to venture back into their rightful plane. This keeps their powers viable, but also extends their life to their natural lengths. They will disappear for the entirety of the opening of the Veil and will start the venture back when it closes, assuming everything goes according to plan. The leave taking is celebrated, the mood hopeful but somber as there are always risks involved with leaving. The day directly after the First leaves the pack observes a day of reflection and mourning, a mildly enforced day of silence. Many younger wolves find this tradition boring but many older wolves appreciate the quiet and the day off from chores. The return home is celebrated with a festival — thanks and gift giving.

Observed Celebrations and Events

As stated above, the Solstices bring with them observed celebrations and days of reflection. Celebrations include births, new members, and ascension tests being completed successfully and are usually celebrated by a hunt, a subsequent feast, storytelling and merriment. Storms, ones where an ascension test is not being conducted, seem to energize the pack. Holidays will be added in the future and as the shop adds new meta and events.