The Howl

== Origin of the Howl ==
The Howl is a tradition dating back to the Long Vigil, to keep the warrior heritage of the Kaldorei alive even when there was no war to fight. It has several purposes: the stories told at a Howl can be memorials to lost friends or family, warnings to young warriors, or shining examples served as inspiration. They can also explain personal conflicts, raised at a Howl before battle so that animosity can be resolved peacefully before warriors shed blood together. Promises made at a Howl are sacred.
The common thread is that all stories are true, somehow personal to the teller, and about deaths or victories that have affected the teller personally. Because of this, a Howl also serves to build bonds and familiarity between those who come: it encourages sharing the personal history most important to you. Telling a tale you had no part in is rude: if you don't wish to share, don't tell a story at all.
Traditional times to Howl include times when new war bands form, or when several war bands join to fight together, or after great battles have taken place and been celebrated. The Lunar Festival, with it's reverence for those who have gone before, is also traditional.
== Rules of the Howl ==
Howls may involve more or less formality, depending on who holds them, but a few rules apply always.
:* No ranks. At a Howl all are equal, and there is no particular distinction in speaking first or last.
:* Interrupting a story with talk is rude. (It also makes chat hard to follow. However, /emoting reactions or even very quiet comments to the story is cool, builds atmosphere and encourages the storyteller ... do that!)
:* Violence is forbidden. If it is unavoidable, the quarrelling parties must leave the fire to fight, or be shamed.
:* Lying at a Howl is shameful. Not telling a story is also unusual but acceptable, especially if there are too many participants to let everyone talk in a reasonable timeframe.
== The short OOC explanation ==
The Howl is a recurring roleplay event created for the Cenarion Guardians but usable by anyone. What you need:
:* A quiet location, preferably with a fire for everyone to sit around.
:* Someone to lead the Howl, i.e. distribute turns and keep things moving along.
:* Every participant brings a story that is 1) true, 2) related to your personal backstory or roleplay, and 3) about death or victory. 5 minutes max (about 10-20 sentences if you pretype it), so everyone gets to have a go.
:* Every story ends in everyone present howling (or screaming, or banging shields, or whatever loud noise suits your char) - when the noise dies, you can ask about or comment on the story, if you want.
Generally whoever called the Howl will also lead it, asking who will howl next, and keeping the peace if necessary. The traditional way to finish stories is, "I howl for <person/people whose story you told>, so that <reason you told the story>." You don't have to use it, but it does make it easier for others to know when to start howling.
== Other notes ==
This is player-made lore, based on the flavour of Kaldorei culture. It has no official lore standing, use it or don't as you like. Discussion and suggestions in the talk-tab are welcome. 
Co-credit for play testing and adding to the original idea belongs to Sarama, Anadurion, Gwenlyn and Almae.
Category:Events