I am running my campaign through the Rising Shadow modules and as part of it, one of them is most likely going to challenge the current pack Alpha for control of the pack. He is a Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan) so this should be perfect. Also, as part of this, I plan to have the pack split, so some can go form a goodly pack under a cleric of Selune. There are some story implications to this later, which don't need discussion here. To help the characters, they will find a book with excerpts as shown below. Any thoughts/comments on this would be appreciated.
The Customs of the Lycanthropes of Caer Moray
The High Hunt – In tribute to Malar, the pack can perform the High Hunt (also called the Wild Hunt). High Hunts were required to be held four times per year, one for each season. They were organized and run by a Huntmaster or Huntmistress. This sporting event consisted of a predetermined "mark," usually a human male, being equipped with non-magical weapons, armor, or other items, then set loose, usually in woodlands with a guarded boundary. The participants of the hunt (armed only with ceremonial daggers, their natural weapons (if any), or a pair of Claws of Malar and adorned with trophies from creatures that they had previously slain) had to then find and kill the mark before the following sunrise.
The Pack Hierarchy – The leader of the pack (male or female) is known as the Alpha. Normally this is a male, and most often a werewolf, but the packs on Caer Moray have been known to have female Alphas, and have (rarely) had an Alpha that was not a wolf. The second in command is known as the Beta, and this can also be either a male or female, and the position can be held by any lycan. The mate of the Alpha is known as the Luna. While the Luna must be a lycan, it is rare that the luna is male.
The Rite of Challenge – Any lycan can challenge for the rank of Alpha. The battle can be to the death, but death is not required. Rarely do current Alphas ever show mercy if they defeat the challenger, and rarely do the challengers ever allow the defeated Alpha to live, as both consider the other their main competitor.
Splitting the Pack – Lycan packs are rarely harmonious, especially in mixed lycan societies, or if the pack grows large enough to begin to strip the resources of the area in which they live. In this case, the pack often splits, with a new alpha chosen. The current and new Alphas may agree on how to divide the pack, or can fight until one yields, with the victor choosing how the new pack will be formed and if they continue to live in the current area.
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I am running my campaign through the Rising Shadow modules and as part of it, one of them is most likely going to challenge the current pack Alpha for control of the pack. He is a Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan) so this should be perfect. Also, as part of this, I plan to have the pack split, so some can go form a goodly pack under a cleric of Selune. There are some story implications to this later, which don't need discussion here. To help the characters, they will find a book with excerpts as shown below. Any thoughts/comments on this would be appreciated.
The Customs of the Lycanthropes of Caer Moray
The High Hunt – In tribute to Malar, the pack can perform the High Hunt (also called the Wild Hunt). High Hunts were required to be held four times per year, one for each season. They were organized and run by a Huntmaster or Huntmistress. This sporting event consisted of a predetermined "mark," usually a human male, being equipped with non-magical weapons, armor, or other items, then set loose, usually in woodlands with a guarded boundary. The participants of the hunt (armed only with ceremonial daggers, their natural weapons (if any), or a pair of Claws of Malar and adorned with trophies from creatures that they had previously slain) had to then find and kill the mark before the following sunrise.
The Pack Hierarchy – The leader of the pack (male or female) is known as the Alpha. Normally this is a male, and most often a werewolf, but the packs on Caer Moray have been known to have female Alphas, and have (rarely) had an Alpha that was not a wolf. The second in command is known as the Beta, and this can also be either a male or female, and the position can be held by any lycan. The mate of the Alpha is known as the Luna. While the Luna must be a lycan, it is rare that the luna is male.
The Rite of Challenge – Any lycan can challenge for the rank of Alpha. The battle can be to the death, but death is not required. Rarely do current Alphas ever show mercy if they defeat the challenger, and rarely do the challengers ever allow the defeated Alpha to live, as both consider the other their main competitor.
Splitting the Pack – Lycan packs are rarely harmonious, especially in mixed lycan societies, or if the pack grows large enough to begin to strip the resources of the area in which they live. In this case, the pack often splits, with a new alpha chosen. The current and new Alphas may agree on how to divide the pack, or can fight until one yields, with the victor choosing how the new pack will be formed and if they continue to live in the current area.