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Beartooth Grove’s territory is located deep in the woods just under the mountains. The pack stays in a thinned-out area that exposes the very grove the pack was named after. Beartooth Grove’s main camp resides within an abandoned gully that already has a few dens carved out. It’s thought the gully was once owned by a previous pack, abandoned sometime before the Beartooths moved in.

Pack Dynamics

Behavior and Customs

» Events, Rituals, and Celebrations

» Major Events: Naming Ceremony – Pups of Beartooth Grove are only named after surviving their second moon alive. This is to prevent grief over a named puppy who may never make it to the Wolf Cluster. This ceremony is also meant for wolves who don’t have a name that fits the pack’s theme.

Wolves of Beartooth Grove are named after things found in nature, primarily plants. However, it wouldn’t be unusual to find wolves named after other animals (such as Beaver or Moose) or even land formations (Canyon or Hill).

Yearling Evaluation – As soon as a wolf becomes a yearling, they have four months to complete their Yearling Evaluation. This is pivotal for Beartooth Grove, to see how well they’ve been teaching their young, and the participants, who will learn how privileged they are to have the protection of the pack.

The Yearling Evaluation tests a young wolf’s ability to survive in the wild without their pack in a (partially) protected environment. Participants are taken away from the territory’s main cap and left to fend for themselves for three days. The sunrise on the fourth day announces the end of the test.

Participants must use the skills they’ve learned during training and (hopefully) practiced. Collaborating with peers isn’t illegal but could be frowned upon. Participants will also be chased down by The Hunters, two of Beartooth Grove’s strongest and fastest wolves. Their job is to antagonize the participants and keep them on their toes. If participants get caught twice, they’re out.

Beartooth Initiation – In order for wolves to officially become Beartooth Grove pack members, they must complete their Final Evaluation and Oath. For Wolves who are new to the pack, they will be given a suitable name first.

Final Evaluation – The Final Evaluation changes based on whether or not the wolf has completed their Yearling Evaluation.

The Run – The Run is similar to the Yearling Evaluation with the exception that it occurs over one day rather than three. The Hunter (in this case only the fastest of Beartooth Grove) will actively chase down the participants until they cross the finish line. Those that get caught fail the test.

The Bounty Hunter – The Bounty Hunter is an evaluation where a wolf must do a “bounty” on any animal larger than a deer. Participants have a little over two weeks to finish the bounty, but the longer it takes, the more scrutinized they are.

Beartooth Oath –

Soul Name Ceremony – Once a wolf has completed their Initiation and Oath to Beartooth Grove, they’ll receive their Soul Name. A wolf’s soul name is their official Beartooth Grove name plus the pack’s name as their surname. For instance, Sycamore Beartooth.

End of Year Celebration –

Retirement Ceremony –

» Minor Events: N/A

» Pack Behavior & Beliefs

» Behavior: Esteemed traditionalists, the Beartooth Grove Pack has a very strict set of beliefs, ceremonies, and hierarchy that they all adhere to in the name of their celestial deities and, of course, the inherent nature of a wolf.

Generally speaking, Beartooth Grove is hostile towards all outsiders. They’re more “bite first, questions later” type of wolves due to their history. Only once an outsider is subdued do they finally allow them to talk. However, even the smallest signs of disrespect—especially towards an Alpha—may be considered punishment worthy.

Even when outsiders are permitted within Beartooth Grove territory as “Feigned Dispersals,” they must still prove their way into the pack. This process may take up to two seasons; thus, many dispersals only join Beartooth Grove out of desperation.

» Beliefs: Beartooth Grove believes in the celestial bodies as deities in the form of Protectors and Souls. Father Sun “Valde”, Mother Moon “Nitor”, and the Sacred Stars are the most important. Valde is the general protector of life but Nitor is the one who offers guidance. Without Valde and Nitor, there would be no world for animals, especially the wolves, to live in.

The pack has rituals surrounding Valde and Nitor. At the beginning of every moon, their first kill is dedicated to Valde as an offering. Compared to the end of the moon, when the pack must howl together to deliver that moon’s stories to Nitor.

The Sacred Stars / The Sacred are the ancestors of every living creature, with the Wolf Cluster being the most important to Beartooth Grove. Denying the existence of these celestial bodies is considered blasphemous, to the same degree of disrespecting an Alpha.

A Sacred Star essentially refers to a soul. A wolf receives their Soul Name upon completion of their rites, proving they’re worthy of receiving said name. Their Soul Name is a combination of their given name and their pack’s origin (of which can be rescinded). Only wolves with Soul Names become Sacred Stars upon death, joining their family’s cluster once their time has arrived. It’s unknown what happens to those without a Soul Name and often not dwelled upon.

Hierarchy & Pack Laws

» Pack Hierarchy

» Pack Ranks:

Alpha: The formal title for the dominant male and female. The primary breeders and leaders of Beartooth Grove. Their rank can be challenged for but the result will always end in exile or death.

Dominant Female: Expected to rear the next generation and keep her offspring inline, especially her daughters. Holds more power than the dominant male as she ultimately determines the pack’s fate through her litters. A mate that does not meet her expectations will be ousted.
Dominant Male: Expected to be the next generation’s teacher. Although his mate will discipline the pack herself, he will be the first to enact punishment and ensure Beartooth Grove’s laws are followed. Must be devoted to Beartooth Grove but above all else, his mate.

Beta: The formal title of the second most dominant wolves. Considered the “deputies” of Beartooth Grove, they’re in charge if the Alphas are absent. There’s a maximum of two Betas; however, there are constant challenges for the position.

Delta: The formal title for the third most dominant wolves in Beartooth Grove, the ‘bosses’ of their daily tasks. They are highly skilled and are tasked with training other wolves and ensuring each pack member has been doing their job.

Subordinate: The average members of the pack. Subordinates are split into three categories which determines their social standing until they rank up further.

Natal: Offspring of the Alphas.

Kin: Related to the Alphas (brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.).

Foreign: Unrelated wolves.

Omega: The formal title for the lowest ranking wolf in the pack. This rank is a mark of punishment and humiliation. The Omega serves their purpose as the pack’s punching bag to destress on and its errand-wolf.

Dispersal: Wolves with no formal alignment to Beartooth Grove. Treated with hostility until captured and questioned.

Feigned: Dispersals who are formally permitted on Beartooth Grove’s territory and are in the process of becoming a formal member.

Banished: Dispersals who have been banished from Beartooth Grove’s main camp but still permitted on its outskirts due to being too weak or too old to survive by themself.

Exiled: Wolves who have been banned from Beartooth Grove. They will be grievously mauled or even killed for appearing on Beartooth Grove’s territory.

» Pack Laws

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