Territory (Havir)

The territory. WIP

## Landmarks

### Main Den

* The den site is reasonably clear of undergrowth and trees compared to the rest of the forest, particularly the forest directly around the den site. This is because Havir wolves are “gardeners”. That means if they see a new tree or bush growing in the main den site they will dig it up and bring it to the outskirts of the main den site and dig a hole where they put the plant and replant it. This over the generations has created a protective thicket of bushes and undergrowth around the camp as well as many trees. They may also put the bushes or undergrowth around the Healer’s clearing if necessary. This makes the Den Site a bit brighter than other parts of the forest, since there are less trees and less shade.
* The Healer's den is made up of an earthen den (can be used to house wolves), a stone cave (often used for herb storage or housing a few wolves), and a private clearing partially blocked by undergrowth (wolves may also sleep in this sheltered, private clearing if they please).
* The Alpha's den and the High Priest's den, both particularly well structured dens, were believed to have been set up for them by the Gods.
* There is a nursery dug into the side of the cliff between thick tree roots that lace through the side of the earthy cliff. It is slightly elevated on the cliff wall to protect against flooding and slopes upward into one large main nursery chamber that could house up to two or three families. There is a small emergency exit in the back of the nursery, well hidden against a rock and thickly covered by undergrowth and (in the snowy times) snow. This is the warmest and most protected den, so mothers (and their mates if they wish) may choose to move into the nursery with their puppies (although they may also choose to stay in their own den). When there is room, elders are allowed to sleep within. The sick are never allowed inside, in fear that the sickness will linger in the den. Otherwise it is a public den.
* The Alpha will howl from the top of his rock den to rally Havir; the pack gathers in the Main Clearing.

* **Havirian Dens**
	+ Dens can be dug into the side of the earthy cliffs or can be made from the large rocks or bushes scattered throughout the main den site, but wolves may prefer to sleep outside under the light of Ademache’s moon. More often than not, wolves sleep outside during the full moon. Some may even sleep on top of rocks if the wind is not too bad.
	+ Most Havirian dens are in or around the main den site. It is not unheard of (though never encouraged) for a wolf to have their main den elsewhere in the territory. However, having multiple dens, particularly if those other dens are to be used for more efficient patrolling and hunting purposes, is very acceptable and even common.
	+ Some wolves have personal shrines in their den, either devoted to one God that they feel a special connection with or just for general worship (shrines tend to look similarly to smaller versions of the Local Shrine. This means that there is often some sort of centerpiece (anything from a bear tooth, bone, feather, pretty shell or stone, or even a branch that caught the eye of your wolf) with other things such as Prayer Sticks or Tokens or anything your wolf feels is adequate to honor the Gods. It is not uncommon either for a wolf to mark the wall above the shrine with clawmarks, mud, smashed berries, or blood. These marks are believes to help channel the God's energy and good favor toward the shrine, in the same way that the chewed Prayer Sticks do.
	+ Mates tend to share dens, and in fact anyone can share dens whenever they want to even if only as friends. It is not uncommon when it is rainy or cold for several wolves to shelter in a single den to keep warm or even just to enjoy each other's company.

#### Landmarks (Heartlands)

* ***Adezevah's Cradle*.** Rocky, often steep conifer forest that makes up most of the western territory. It is the heart of the territory and the main dwelling of the wolves of Havir.
	+ **The Main Den.** The place where Havir lives as a pack.
	+ **Training Clearing.** Located very close to the Main Den Site, the training clearing is the most common place for wolves of Havir to train. This large clearing is trodden bare by generation upon generation of Havirians. Due to its large, open size and soft covering grass (blooming with flowers in the spring), the Training Clearing is also a common place for Havir to gather as a pack to bond, play, and enjoy each other's company as a pack.
	+ **Swollen River.** Largest river in Havir both in length and size, located to the east of the Main Den Site. It is known to flood in the spring.
	+ **Swift River.** Second largest river in Havir, located to the west of the Main Den Site. It is fast moving, and often treacherous. Some parts do not freeze in the winter. The Swollen River feeds into the Swift River.
	+ **The Snake.** A narrow, winding river. It feeds into the Swift River.
* ***Lonesome Fells.*** Mountain range located in the center of Havir's territory, and thought as very sacred. It is full of paths and tunnels leading to hidden places, many well known to the Havirians and others only known to few. It is not uncommon for wolves to stumble upon an ancient shrine made by a Havirian of long ago. Some Havirians even find their own retreat within the mountains where they can feel their personal relationship to the Gods grow closer. But beware, this is a large range and it is easy to get lost if one is not careful!
	+ **Ademache’s Landing.** the most sacred place in Havir. It is a cave located at the very top of the highest mountain. A hole in the ceiling lets moonlight fall into the cavern and onto a seemingly bottomless spring. This cave is not allowed to be seen by anyone other than Priests of the Gamma rank or higher and the Alpha himself. It is difficult to get to, being so high in the Lonesome Fells, but it is believed that the Gods will grant whoever is worthy a safe visit.
	+ **Crystal Stream-** This little stream is known for its cold, glittering water. It is the coldest water in Havir, fed by mountain springs and snowmelt, and many believe it is the most delicious and refreshing. This stream travels from the Barrier Mountains through the Pacific Valley and Lonesome Fells, and finally feeds into the Swollen River.
* ***Pacific Valley.*** The valley between the Lonesome Fells and the Barrier Mountains. Known for its fair weather, gently rolling green hills, and fields of soft grass and flowers. Often full of prey.
	+ **Crystal Stream.** This little stream is known for its cold, glittering water. It is the coldest water in Havir, fed by mountain springs and snowmelt, and many believe it is the most delicious and refreshing. This stream travels from the Barrier Mountains through the Pacific Valley and Lonesome Fells, and finally feeds into the Swollen River.

#### Landmarks (Border Regions)

* ***SeaSpires.*** The northern mountain range of Havir between Adezevah's Cradle and the sea.
	+ **Cavern of Ademalik.** A very sacred location. It is a cavern partially open to the outside air and it overlooks the ocean in a spectacular view. It is a cavern that is difficult to get to, but traveling to it is required for any pair that hopes to be married in the eyes of the Gods. They spend their first night as mates in the Cavern under the watch of Ademalik, the God of marriage and love, before returning to the pack as husband and wife.
	+ **The Beach.** A few miles of beach west of the mouth of the Swift River. All shores west of this few miles is all rocky coast.
	+ **Moon Cave.** A cave by the seashore with an entrance only revealed during low tide. Inside is watery cavern where the light filters through the usually underwater entrance and lights up the water, giving the entire cavern a watery blue-green glow. After wading or swimming down the cave, a tunnel, lined with crystals, leads deeper into the rocky earth to an inner cavern lit by the soft glow of glow worms and covered in a milky substance known as Moon Milk (calcium carbonate deposits). Moon Milk is gathered by Healers for it is believed to be a cure-all (it is most used to reduce severe fevers, but can also be used to stop bleeding and assist in stomach aches). A Healer who wishes to become a Gamma must journey to the Moon Cave to collect Moon Milk and meditate in the sacred sea cave for 12 hours (until the tide lowers again and they can exit the cave).
	+ **The Altar Stone.** This is the place on the ocean coast perched on a great sea cliff where Havir puts to rest its fallen members. The bodies of loved ones are put onto the stone and the pack gathers around to pray before they are dropped over the cliff and into the ocean below where the current will take their body through the Gates of Paradise (the setting/rising sun).
	+ **Island of Avalon.** An island off the coast of Havir, accessible at low tide by strong swimmers but very dangerous to reach during high tide, believed to be sacred. Wolves may go here to meditate or enjoy the beautiful view.
* ***Western Peaks*.** The western mountain range of Havir.
	+ ***Local Shrine.*** located at the base of a low mountain in the south Western Peaks. It is decorated inside with lines and piles of sand dollars gathered from the Beach. Pretty rocks, shells, driftwood, and other interesting things are also lined in the shrine, for these unique treasures are thought to be worthy tributes to the Gods. Sand Dollars, especially, are viewed as very special. A large purple gem deposit (Amethyst) is the central feature of the shrine, the crystals embedded in rock at the back of the cave, and in the right light it glows and gives the cave a lovely purple light. An empty turtle shell is in the center of the shine, and when new items are brought into the shrine they are dropped into the shell first, and if they do not break they are seen as proper tributes to the Gods. Only upon the next visit to the shrine can the items be taken from the shell and placed in other parts of the shrine to add to the piles or items. The turtle shell can be used for other rituals as well.
* ***Barrier Mountains.*** Mountains to the south that cut Havir off from the rest of the lands and packs that reside to the south.
	+ **Stash Cave.** tucked away at the base of a mountain in a Barrier Mountains, it is a deep rock cave in the side of a cliff. It is deep and very cold within, even in the summer. Materials such as feathers and cotton and non perishable items can be saved for safe keeping (During winter or other colder months, food may be stored here if snow is brought down to cover it in.)
* ***The Marsh*.** Salt marsh area between the mouth of the Great River and the Swift River.
	+ **Great River.** Makes up the eastern border of Havir. Very large river, generally gently flowing and very brackish.
	+ **Adetunji’s Clutch.** An infamous deadly current located in several places near the mouth of both the Great River and the Swift River. Occasionally a wolf going for a swim is taken out to sea by the current (a riptide).
	+ **Forest of Colors.** A largely deciduous forest, and rather warm compared to the rest of the territory due to its comparatively lower elevation. This lovely forest displays flowers in the spring, deep green in the summer, brilliant fall foliage in the autumn, and a snowy wonderland in the winter.
* ***The Black Forest.*** Conifer forest to the southeast border. Highly patrolled due to the comparatively high frequency of intruders from this side of the territory. It is the only true border, the rest being blocked by mountains, river, and sea.
	+ **Mirror Stream.** A small, slow moving stream, dark in color and very reflective of the trees that line its banks.