====== Pack Magic, Ceremonies & Ritual Behavior ====== [[Werewolf Magic & Ritual Behavior]] =====Challenge & Dominance Fights===== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]] * most werewolves died in dominance fights with other wolves201 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #5: [[Silver Borne]] * an Alpha can be challenged at any time221 * the [[Marrok]] doesn't allow fights for an Alpha position without his consent221 * not even fear of the Marrok can completely control the nature of the pack221 * there is no tradition that dictates dominance fights have to be done in human form229 * it is common though, because it makes the challenge more about skill and strength; when you are armed with fangs and claws, a lucky hit can take out a more skilled opponent229 * traditional for the family of the Alpha to have the equivalent of ringside seats for the fight230 * formality of running the challenge by the Marrok231 * women don't fight in challenge fights231 * the challenger must be within three ranks of the challengee232 * the official code of conduct; says challenge within "three men" of your rank; it does not say that the challenger has to be a man234 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #9: [[Fire Touched]] * outside Alpha challenges were so unusual as to be almost unheard-of116 * outside challenges usually came from lone wolves too dominant to be welcomed into a pack on their own116 * one Alpha only challenged another when two packs were too close together—or if an Alpha had a personal vendetta against another116 * such battles were supposed to be one-on-one, but, historically speaking, unless an Alpha was utterly useless, his pack would fight for him117 * quite often both Alphas and most of both packs would die in the fight117 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #12: [[Smoke Bitten]] * at its heart, taking over a pack is simple: kill the Alpha in a challenge105 =====The October Change===== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]] * the last full moon of October, all of those who chose to try to become werewolves were allowed to come forward74 * in a formal ceremony they were savaged by [[Bran Cornick]], or by some other wolf who loved them, in the hopes they would rise Changed74 =====Hunting Song===== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]] * instinct takes over when a wolf is on the hunt79 * ====The First Hunt==== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]] * the first hunt should not be interrupted82 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #2: [[Blood Bound]] * a basic question asked of new werewolves who were ready to go for their first hung; what do you do when you're out hunting and you can't find any tracks or scent? You go to places that will attract your prey224 [[Roses in Winter]] * no allowances are made for age or gender292 * half the business of the First Hunt is establishing how dominant the wolves are; it gets bloody292 =====Flesh-and-Blood Ceremony===== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #4: [[Bone Crossed]] * the Alpha's blood and flesh68 * "From this day forward * Mine to me and mine. Pack. * "Yours to you, mine to me. * Magic burns through, following the path of that bit of flesh; made you pack69 * it was more usual to do it in full pack meeting, but the pack wasn't required; just a bit of the Alpha's flesh and blood and an exchange of vows70 * wolf packs were dictatorships, but when you're dealing with a bunch of Americans brought up on the Bill of Rights, you still had to step a little carefully74 * new members were generally announced as prospective rather than as faits accomplis74 * non-werewolf mates weren't part of the pack, not really; they had status, as the mates of wolves, but they weren't pack; couldn't be made into pack with fifty flesh-and-blood ceremonies—the magic just wouldn't let a human in7474 ===== Mating Bonds ===== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #4: [[Bone Crossed]] * mate bonds, when they settle down, are different for different couples—and being Alpha adds a twist to it as well244 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #5: [[Silver Borne]] * mating bond is different from a pack bond; it originates in one mate and ends in the other; softer, stronger, and deeper324 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #6: [[River Marked]] * mating is a lot more permanent than marriage; it's usually if you find your mate he's not going to be someone you need to divorce49 * abuse is almost not possible when two people are connected by a mating bond, and it gives you insight into your mate that allows you to avoid the nastier fights that snowball into cold distance49 * the mating bond is pack magic49 * ===== Pack Bonds ===== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #4: [[Bone Crossed]] * benefit of the pack bond; feel strong emotion of other pack members; Alpha gets things first161 * the trick is to join with the pack without losing yourself in them—it's instinctive for the werewolves249 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #5: [[Silver Borne]] * pack existed before ceremonies; magic binds more obviously, more extensively, but not more deeply56 * it is possible of pack being able to influence someone through the bonds36 * with the pack bond it's possible to suck energy from pack members40 * borrowing strength was one of those things that came with a pack bond56 * pack bonds are not so different from thrall magic322 * pack bonds are not built to subdue individuality to the Alpha or enforce behavior of any kind322 * a pack needs all its differences, and they find strength in that322 * when a bond is broken and the wolves can still feel that someone in the packs bonds, its been known to happen when people die336 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #6: [[River Marked]] * pack bonds could be a nuisance sometimes182 * ======Pack Laws====== [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]] * strongly discouraged telling anyone other than permanent mates that you were a werewolf134 * werewolves don't have jails; the people who break their laws are either punished physically or killed134 * werewolves take their secrecy very seriously; it's how they've remained undetected for so long141 * disobeying a direct order from the Alpha; penalty is brutal142 * the laws have to be enforced or risk rebellion in a pack145 [[Mercy Thompson Series]] #2: [[Blood Bound]] * werewolves' trials tend to convene on the spot rather than six months after a crime; they are also over in a matter of hours, sometimes minutes57 * can't convince your pack Alpha you are less trouble to him alive than dead? Too bad57 * pack law; necessarily brutal57