Northern Pack

## History

Not much is known about Northern packs early history. It is speculated that during the Rearrangement the pack was formed at the same time as the other packs, and prior to this the grey wolves used to be in small groups. The said event, however, didn’t affect the Northern pack much when it came to settling down to one specific habitat.

After the Rearrangement, the Northern pack first stayed as one whole pack. But as the population grew larger during the years, it became harder to govern and keep order. The leader at the time and some elders tried to find a solution to the problem. They came up with few options, which one of them was for the pack to spread around the Northern Mountains so the members wouldn't be clumped together. This, however, was rejected as a new problem arose with it. The leader then came up with an idea of dividing the pack into smaller packs and then spreading across the territory. The elders agreed with it. After the decision was made, the divide was implemented and done just in few months. For the next eight decades, the pack lived relatively conflict free, as the leaders were able to present pleasing compromises. Howbeit, the conflicts started to increase and become worse during the 25th leaders reign, but they were sill considered to be mild cases - causing for them to not being taken seriously and then dealt with. Because of this, the pack suffered from one of the most dreadful events. However, this was surpassed by even more of a tragic event several years later.

### Government

Northern pack has a monarchy, meaning that a leader is head of the territory and pack for life or until abdication. The power is inherited from one generation to the next. Both males and females can become leaders, since the Northern pack doesn't have gender rules.

As being divided into three smaller packs, each of them governs different tasks, as well as has its own overseer that's called Sápmi. The sápmi is always below the leader, but are still usually high ranked. The leader is still the head of all the packs. Sápmis only supervises, keeps the packs in line and assists the leader, while the leader rules, takes care of the laws and protects.

1st pack: largest and most powerful, governs political and religious issues, 40+ members.

2nd pack: second largest, governs military and hunting, 30 members.

3rd pack (inactive): smallest, used to govern safety, 15-20 membered.

Occasionally, the pack elders may attend conclaves and even participate with politics, as well as with religious politics — deciding with and/or for the leader. But, this is an uncommon act, and the leader makes the most decisions.

## Culture

### Lifestyle

Grey wolves live in big caves and holes that are dug deep into the ground.

Grey wolves mate for life. They can choose their mates on their own, as long as they're the same rank (few exceptions exists). If they are unhappy with the one, they are free to separate without giving any specific reason for it. Grey wolves believe that with the right mate they'll have a better chance of surviving in the mountains, as well as having strong offsprings to better the pack. And so they tend to be careful while picking, and may even get to know the opposite party better before becoming officially mates.

Northern pack also have few traditions of their own. One of them being a rite, in which the leader and sápmis test the adolescents (at the age of 1 year) in a test called "the test of endurance". In it, they are sent even higher up in the mountains where the weather is even more aggressive, and see whether these wolves will endure the harsh weather and temperature or not. It will last as long as until the participants are called back. If the young wolf loses, he/she shall have their memorial and reward of braveness. They can deny doing the test if they are allowed so, but the consequences are them being treated poorly. There are other two tests belonging to the same rite, called "test of strength & strategy" and "test of loyalty". If the young wolf passes all three tests, he/she shall gain a right to pursue a greater position, and a right to join another pack if they so wish to.

Another active tradition they practise is the Kuovsâkkâsah [flames of the passed souls]. During this, all of the members will hold a night dedicated to the wolves who have passed away by praying and being completely silent. Grey wolves believe that the northern lights that are seen in the night sky, are the souls of the deceased, hence the name. These deceased wolves used to be great warriors, leaders and healers in life, and upon their death they were taken in by the Moon as a reward. This tradition is celebrated 2 times. The 1st time is during the coldest night in mid winter (late january, early february) and the 2nd time is during the fall (late september).

### Religion

Northern pack practices Creed of The Heavenly Mánnu, aka worshiping The Moon. Grey wolves believe that The Moon is the one true god, the creator to all life, and who gives them the strength to endure the harsh weather high up in the mountains — being in Mànnus favor out of the four species. They also believe that the reason why their home territory is all snowy/white is due to their god having blessed the area, making their faith stronger compared to the others. This is why the grey wolves don't desire to leave their territory, as they want to stay as close as possible to their god. Northern pack has always practiced Mánnu, even before the Rearrangement but pretented to practise Máivi along with others. They despise the idea of worshiping, let alone respecting The Sun. Grey wolves believe The Sun being a cursed deity that got corrupted by its own envy.

### Pack law

Breaking pack law will cause the guilty party to get outcasted or banished, either temporarily or permanently depending on the crime. Northern pack is known to be stringent about its laws. The law includes neglect, assault, breaking of customs and traditions, and murder.

### Burial

Northern pack's burial ceremonies differ slightly from the other pack's ceremonies. Instead of burying the dead in the ground, leaving them at the place where they last stood or something else, the grey wolves bury the dead under rocks and snow. With the ones of important positions — leaders, sápmis, commanders, healers — they are put inside icy caves that are called "Bassemánnu or Caves of the Bassemánnu [caves of the holy Moon]". These caves are considered sacred, as they are "blessed" by the Moon. Grey wolves believe that since the caves are blessed, that is how these wolves get to be taken in by the deity.

When a wolf dies, the grey wolves hold a ritual during midnight. After the ritual, the wolf is then moved to a different place — separate, where the dead are placed in. Wolves of not-as-important positions have their burial ground in a valley slightly further up in the mountains.

## External relations

While known for staying in their territory and not interacting much with the other packs, they've still been able to form alliances with one another and keep them up.

### Eastern Pack

Grey wolves have the strongest and closest alliance with the timber wolves.

### Western Pack

Although valley wolves are also known to keep to themselves, they allegedly have formed an alliance. Their relations, however, are still mostly unexplored.

### Southern Pack

Before the Rearrangement, grey wolves and red wolves used to have somewhat good relations with one another. But after the 13th leaders ascend, the relations fell apart. From that point on, the relations became worse as the years went by.

## The leaders of the Northern Pack, THE K'EYOSH

21 unknown leaders

22nd leader, Roaku

23rd leader, Nili

24th leader, Nalu

25th unnamed leader

26th leader, Nulai (4 year reign; 415 - 419 MC) : defended and fought against hostile outcasts & renewed the alliance between the Eastern pack.

27th leader, Rhanak (3 year reign; 419 - 422 MC) : allowed outsiders to travel to the Northern Mountains.

28th leader, Ranua (5 1/2 year reign; 422 - 428 MC) : lent soldiers during the attack in the Eastern pack & got rid of the archaic laws.

30th leader, Riki

## Known members

* Asha
* Fuji
* Ituk
* Laniu (1st/2nd)
* Navia
* Vania
* Yarik
* Yuli
* Yma
* Utek
* Nutani
* Tobo
* Enjuk
* Enakai
* Fane
* Ilaya
* Kila
* Rea
* Tayik (formerly)

### Others

* Namaa
* Kilai
* Lobo
* Ulu

## Trivia

* This pack is the only one whose leaders' names start with certain letters; "R" with males, and "N" with females.
* Grey wolves are also the ones who uses their native tongue the most.