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Wolf Specifics:
Being as the "base creature" type played in Paragon is that of a grey wolf that has been enhanced by the elements; each wolf will have similar body, age, and even personality specifics that do not change "en masse" from element to element. One could play either a very scrawny fire wolf or a very buff fire wolf, and so on for each element type. It is truly up to the player; however, all must stay within the listed specifics listed below!
Dimensions: (height, weight, composition)
It is possible to have slightly smaller or slightly larger specimens, however, deviations may not exceed a minimum of 24 inches or a maximum of 40 inches. Wolves may be of any composition: short, tall, stocky, scrawny, etc.
Adult Specifics: For wolves aged 8 months and up!
Height: 0.6–0.9 meters (26–34 in) at the shoulder
Weight: 32–62 kilograms (70–135 lbs) Length: 1.3–2 meters (4.5-6.5 feet) nose to tail tip Pup Specifics:
Pups are role-played anywhere from newborn - 8 months. However, pups cannot be role-played without having either a natural parent (newborns up to 2 months REQUIRE a natural, milk-producing parent) or a foster parent to assume their care taking. Wolves under 8 months are not considered pack members, rather, subordinates of their guardians. Without a guardian or a parent, a pup would die on it's own.
Newborn - Weight is only 1 lb, no colors show on coat yet, and cannot leave the den. 1 week - Eyes open, can crawl about for short distances but not walk on their own yet. Still nursing, very faint colors start to show. 2-7 weeks - Now can get up and walk around unsteadily, for distances that become longer and longer with practice. Exploring on their own is still not possible, as they lack the agility to properly get away if they are attacked. 2 months - Can now leave the den and begin to explore on their own, however must stay in their territory as they do not have memory to get back to their dens quite yet. They are still dependent on adults to get them sustenance, however, they are weaned from nursing. Generally, they eat regurgitated foods as they still have milk teeth. Bold coat colors are now showing and adult fur has started to replace the puppy "down" on the coat, as well as the elemental charms beginning to surface at the first time at this age. "Abandoned" pups, or pups that have no parents and are to be adopted by another member of a pack, can be no younger than this, otherwise they would not survive without a milk producing mother! 4 months - Are now able to leave the den and explore other territories, as they now remember the way back to their den without fail. All milk teeth by now have been replaced with adult teeth and the chewing and tearing of non-reguritated foods is possible. Puppies at this age now begin to be able to hunt small game; mice, small fish, baby rabbits and the like. 6 months - Pups can accompany and aid on hunts, as they now know how to hunt. As well, their appearances and sizes now become closer to adult like, making it difficult to distinguish a pup from an adult wolf. 8 months - Now that pups can hunt game on their own and feed themselves, they are considered an adult and must be accepted as a full member into the pack by requesting such of the Alphas. (This does not require being role-played, but you must tell your Alpha at least oocly so they can place you correctly in the pack base!) Wolf Color Information:
In Paragon, there are three distinctions for colors of a wolf, which are listed on each wolf's element page:
~Main colors are the base coat colors and must be at least 75% of the total color of the wolf. Main colors can be intermixed over the pelt, so long as the "sum" of the main colors equals the 75%, there is no issue with this.~Sub colors are splotches, ear/tail/nose tips, socks, blazes, lines, fur tipping, etc. These colors can only be at most 25% of the body color, considered to be overlaid on the base coat and more than one sub color can be used so long as the total does not add up to more than 25% of the pelt coloration. ~Highlight colors are gray, black, and white for all wolves. These are perhaps a singular tail tip, foot sock, face marking, body marking or some other small part of your wolf that is no more than 10% of a coat coloration. ~Eye colors are only the ones stated; however a wolf may have heterochromatic eyes; which is when each eye is a different color. A wolf *can* be blind (with the exception of a Feolan), or scarred, which will change eyes to a cloudy white/greyish color. However, then you must be realistically role-playing the blindness! Additional Information:
~1.5 years is considered sexual maturity for the wolves of Paragon. Breeding cannot happen prior to this age for both parents!
~Wolves can live up to 13 years in the wild, however this is rare, as usually they tend to become too old to continue to catch game and the like on their own after about 9-10 years and will slowly waste away without another wolf aiding it somehow. It is possible to role-play an older wolf, but be aware that you'll be near toothless and weak. Hierarchy: Alphas: (often one female and one male) "The alpha wolves are not necessarily the strongest, the fastest, or the smartest. High rank has more to do with attitude and confidence than size or strength. Dominance also does not favor gender - either the alpha male or the alpha female may be the overall "leader of the pack"." (Frequently Asked Questions About Wolves. Wolf Park http://www.wolfpark.org/ )
Alphas are the leaders of the pack, Chosen in this way by their Celestial, thus what they say is law. They have the ability to lead their pack in whichever way they see fit. They are also the "paragon" of their particular element; and on their own lands and on the unclaimed lands will show prowess over another wolf of a lower rank; even of a different element. Since they are always in their element; they are so hard-core they bring the elements with them. On their own territory, their power is undisputed. Alphas can do things that would be the paramount of power over their element; entire trees moving and twisting in the forest in groups or using wind to toss a couple of full grown wolves through the air! It is never wise to challenge the Alpha of a territory; however, Alphas must be sure only to use their charms in dire need; not for facetious reasons! In the Unclaimed Territories, with the aid of their focus, only another alpha can challenge their power. However, when an alpha steps onto a claimed territory, they are no more powerful than that pack's beta.
Alphas ALSO are responsible for filling any 'roles' that are not assigned via having a Beta to fill them. For example; if a pack only has two 'Beta' wolves in it; the Alpha fills the other three roles themselves and trains Omega apprentices until they are suited to rise up in rank! There IS both an in-game and out of character reason for wolves not rising up in rank too quickly at times! For example, one cannot have an entire wolf pack of betas with no omegas! ~ Admin note Betas:
5 wolves, each with a 'pack role' Pack roles are assigned to the wolf based on their skills and relationship to the Alphas. Thusly, the roles are given by the Alphas, not chosen by the wolf.
Elemental power wise, on their own lands, they are second only to their alpha. Whereas an alpha can sustain their powers for quite a long time and control multiple things at once, Betas can only do a few things at once, and get more weary with work. When they step into the Unclaimed Territories, their powers diminish accordingly, though they still have enough elemental control to easily fend off an omega. When they enter another pack's domain, they are only as powerful as their omegas. Beta wolves are chosen by virtue of their relationship to the pack's Alpha and their skills. (Out of character-wise, Betas are chosen by player role-playing and involvement!) Omegas: 13 (or more) wolves, the enmasse 'group', most often will be chosen as responsible for aiding in puppy-rearing and other tasks for the Alphas and Betas such as providing entertainment, forming hunting groups, etc. They serve as Apprentices to the Beta 'roles' so that they may assist in said roles if needed or asked to by the Alpha.
As far as elemental power, Omegas are the weaker wolves of the group. They have minor control over their element, meaning they can only perform one charm at a time, and not sustain for very long, which manifests best when on their own pack lands, meaning an Omega still can fend off wolves of another element on their own lands. When an omega walks the Unclaimed Territories, their elemental power is further diminished, and competes only with other omegas. Omegas on other pack lands are basically no more than wolves of a different color; almost detached from their focus, they can barely manifest any elemental charm. Puppies: Puppies are not considered pack members, and thus under care of the adults. When they turn 8 months of age, they can be accepted into the pack as adult wolves. Puppies are required to have adult guardians that care for them.
Pack Roles:
The pack roles all encompass a "primary" element. This does not mean that said pack role has to deal with that particular element; it is merely a good way to look at how the energies of the role work!
Heyoka: The Heyoka exists in the realm of Spirit. Heyoka are contrarian by nature, not to simply be contradictive but to offer guidance and often to portray the other side of the story. They are the wolves with the most contact with their Celestial, and can often read the signs of the Celestials better than any other wolf. They also can "see" spirits of the dead when and if they return to the surface of Paragon, able to communicate with them, and in some cases of weak Heyoka, be posessed by them. Hunter: The Hunter embodies the element of Earth. A Hunter aids the pack by hunting and foraging for food, and knowing the lay of the land so as to lead others through it if need be. Warrior: The Warrior rests in Fire. A Warrior seeks first and foremost to strike back against any that would threaten the sanctity of the packlands, especially the Alpha and pups. The Warrior presses forward in the face of adversity and attempts to keep the pack expanding if there is a need for the pack to expand. Counselor: The Counselor represents the watery, emotional elements of the pack. A Counselor maintains the pack's integrity by offering gentle reminders and advice on how to proceed. Sage: The Sage is Air. Cold, calculating logic that presents the pack alphas, betas and members with choices and likely outcomes. Sages are the voice of reason, the balance that will often show through when there is too much emotional conflict on a situation. Mateships:
Wolves within a pack can become mates whenever they wish, no permission needed. In fact, the Alphas generally encourage packs becoming close in such a way, as it says a lot for the togetherness of a pack. However, inter-elemental mateships are not looked upon well.
Quote by Spectral Starlight of the Spiorad: "It is not a matter of being fair or not. The Celestials and more importantly, the elements, do not think in such ways. If one is truly aligned with their element, they will not have feelings for any that are out of sync with their element. To do so would be jarring to one's own mind and sensibilities. We are born into our elements in this way, as one with the element we live within. It is not a matter of just color, nor location. I am still aligned with spirit even though I sit here talking to you."
Suffice to say, it generally will seem to the Alphas and the Celestials that you are turning your back on your element if you find love outside of your pack. As this is very rare, it is not something that is recommended, or welcomed by the pack Alpha, and can have severe consequences for the character! Alphas that are very vigilant may find out about the relationship oftentimes prior to the wolves choosing to reveal said connection.
Thus, there are only two options for those that try to break convention:
Breeding:
The elements allow for the wolves to become mated and breed at any time of the year. There are guidelines for doing so, however:
Breeding Age is 1.5 years, which both wolves must attain to breed! Permission must be gained from the Alpha(s) of one's pack to have pups, otherwise they could face death. Gestation period is 45 days. Litter Size is no more than 2-3 puppies, as often the elements are unstable and cause death in the womb. Elemental Traits begin to show at two months of age and pups will need to be taught by their parents on how to work with said traits. Inter-Elemental Breeding is NOT allowed by the Celestials and wolves will gain severe consequences for attempting this. | ||
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