About the Tribes
Each tribe has the same beliefs, as far as "religion" is concerned. They believe that, after a dog dies, their spirit joins their ancestors in the sky -- not as stars, but as part of the northern lights. Stars, rather than being the souls of the deceased, are those of dogs who have yet to walk the earth. When all the stars go out, the end of the world will occur.
These dogs follow a strict set of morals, or Laws. They are:
Kill only when necessary, whether it be dog or prey.
Do not attack a dog that is already downed.
Spare pups, juveniles, elders, and mothers.
It is dishonorable to lie and steal.
Every half moon, there is a truce that must not be broken.
Shamans are to be respected in both packs and may travel freely between them.
Breaking these Laws may result in punishment, exile, or death, depending on the severity of the crime. The Laws may not be added to or taken away; in the tribes' eyes, they are eternal.
Patrols are currently carried out three or four times daily and hunts occur once or twice. Under normal circumstances, patrols are more lenient. Leaders are expected to participate in hunts, patrols, and battles.
Pups are revered and are the most cherished and well-protected members of the pack. They are named after things occurring in nature, usually, and, once they reach one year of age, they receive the name ritual. In this ceremony, the young dog chooses a new name by which they will be remembered by for the rest of their lives.
Shamans are the healers. They commune with the living and the dead, and they have no real side. They exist to serve their tribe members and keep the connection between the mortal dogs and their ancestors and descendents. Shamans are usually smaller dogs.
While intimate relations with opposite tribe members are discouraged, they are not against the Laws and can happen, though the dogs involved are forbidden from participating in battles. They may be socially frowned upon, and they are very rare.
Mothers stay in the camp with their pups until weaning, at which point they begin to ease back into tribal duties. The weaned pups begin training in the camp -- play fighting, practicing hunting skills, tracking -- and at six months begin to join patrols and smaller hunts.
There is no "omega" but the weakest dog has the unofficial position of being the lowest on the totem pole.
Mates of shamans, alphas, and lieutenants do not gain a higher rank, necessarily, but they do move up the social hierarchy and tend to have more say in things than other regular members. While shamans do occasionally take a mate and have pups, it is not too common, since their duties are primarily to uphold the physical and spiritual well-being of both tribes. A mate or pup dead at the paws of the opposite tribe may very well hinder those duties.
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Tribe Rules (Same for Both)
The Shaman is not to be disrespected.
Follow the Laws.
Pups under six months of age are not to leave the denning grounds unless accompanied by one fully-trained adult.
The alpha has the final say in matters brought to them.
Challenges for ranks may only be issued and dueled out under a new moon.
As of right now, there is to be no contact with the opposite tribe.
Mothers and elders eat first with the pups, then the Shaman, alpha, lieutenant, and warriors.
No outside dogs are tolerated.