Relationship with People

Wild boars rarely came in contact with people, typically appearing as a dangerous curiosity. Living in the forests they avoided the cities, the fields were the closest they would go. Wild boars were a symbol of environmental health and cleanliness, and were often looked on with awe when they did appear in the brush.

Domestic boars were well respected by mankind, often finding roles as working animals to plow fields, haul goods, protect their owners, and sometimes even working as service animals.

Relationship with Other Species

Boars have a reputation for being dangerously impulsive. Large predators are the most likely to experience this, as the boars will eagerly charge anything they view as a threat. Coyotes and large cats were the most likely to experience a boar attack. For the rest of the animal kingdom, it could be difficult to earn a boar's respect, but once earned, they can easily work alongside the boars. They were known to have traded with the rats regularly.

The Ghouled Tusks

Wild boars carried many stories of bizarre, alien beings. Similar to themselves, but all too different. Their fur was slick and thin, like molding leaves. Their eyes bulged from their skulls, and their mouths were completely smooth, devoid of teeth. Those unfortunate enough to encounter a ghoul may have been taken by it, spirited away never to be seen again. Even living boars swore by stories of relatives dead or missing when they roam too far from home.

One was most likely to encounter a ghoul when they left the comfort and safety of home. For this reason, almost all wild boars stayed in their redwood homeland. It was a true rarity to see a boar make it all the way to the city.

The Redwood Atrium

Notable Factions: Rovers, Glory Hunters, Artists, Domesticated Boars

Rovers

Most boars lived in large bands with friends and family, travelling through the deep woods they called home. A popular bonding activity was the careful planning of a trip through a dangerous part of the woods, even if they never planned to actually go. Games of strategy were often played with any materials nearby, natural items like nuts and sticks being used to represent those traveling in the party.

These groups could be a rag tag bunch, often breaking up and trading members with other roving bands in pursuit of better group synergy. Rovers tended to share the reputation of the Glory Hunters. Some became bitter over the hunt's impact on their reputation, but it was undeniable that they, in defense of their band, may prove just as ruthless.

Rovers rarely left the woodland for long, claiming to feel exposed in the open plains and cramped in the depths of the city.

Glory Hunters

These boars were dedicated to the art of taking down dangerous beasts. Some likened themselves to the ancient protectors of the forest, and took it as a personal quest to remove all threats from their land. Some foolish ones would even take on larger predators like a coyote, though they would rarely win such a battle. Their goal was to have the greatest kill record to their name, the most beasts slain, to have killed the largest predator. Boars from this faction often carried a trophy item from what they considered to have been their greatest kill.

Glory Hunters were never born into the business. Piglets were handed off to Rover bands to be raised, only to return if they themselves decided to seek glory.

Glory Hunters used to have poor relationships with the other species, having earned their reputation for excessive slaughter and pointless killing. Rabbits tell tales of a single Glory Hunter who took it on himself to wipe out an entire warren for clout. Rats warn each other of boars who choose to face an army. Even cats are wary of the boar's wild tendency to attack when confronted. Coyotes are the only ones who could face down a boar thanks to their similar size and strength, though it was known that both may come to a deadly end in the fight.

Coyote Runs - The dream of any Glory Hunter, coyote runs were impossible to plan and hazardous to attempt. First, you had to find a coyote that was running. Second, you had to make sure it was not interested in eating you. Coyotes were the greatest hunters of the forest, an inspiration to any glory hunter, and to run alongside one like a hunting partner is as honorable as it is dangerous. One needed years of experience to read the canine's intentions clearly. Many young glory hunters lost their lives attempting to run with a coyote that had no intention of letting them follow.

Miracle Hunts - The stuff of legends, these hunts took place when a totally unique creature graced the land of the Glory Hunters. These creatures were often associated with mankind's architecture, and were believed to be drawn to the magitech within. They were the closest thing to warped before the Fracture struck, and any Glory Hunter would gladly give their life for the chance to put their name to the death of such a beast.

A Glory Hunter who survives a Miracle Hunt and claimed the life of the beast would almost always retire afterwards, believing no hunt could surpass that one. They became the teachers of the next generation, passing on hunting techniques and stories to new members of the faction. These retired hunters were humorously referred to as Miracle Workers, though the joke tended to come with an underscore of true respect and affection.

Artists

Many boars would consider themselves to be artists in some form or another. Many turned to carving as a way to wear down their ever-growing tusks to a manageable size. Some boars would find themselves particularly dedicated to the craft, becoming permanent residents of the Redwood Atrium. They were devoted to their work, often wearing their tusks so thin that they had to make deals with coyotes to have man's scrap metal fitted onto them. These artists would frequently trade their creations in exchange for food and tools. Boar carvings could be found throughout the land as they slowly made their way through the merchants.

Domesticated Boars

Before the Fracture, languages were simpler. The creatures of the world couldn't make as many sounds as they can now. As a result, Pre-Fracture names tend to be made of common words and titles. Some chose to change to adapt these names to match their Post-Fracture abilities and personalities. Names containing words and titles come with a nostalgic, traditional connotation. Names containing unique sounds come across as more modern and exotic. More information about general naming conventions is available here.

Roving Band Names

The names of boars in the wild all share a single similarity, regardless of faction.  They inherit names from their predecessor.  

Each name is a phrase.  'Running under the brush' or 'Gazing at the bright sky'.  Young boars start their name with the last word in the phrase from their parents.  Males typically use their father's word, and females typically use their mother's.  Some may use both words or the opposite gender as well, depending on who they take after the most.  In this way, a boar's lineage tells a story.  Pre-Fracture, when someone asked about your family, it was common to speak of them together, in verse.  

In casual conversation, most boars chose a single word of their name to go by.  If a family member was in the area, they would specifically use the last word in their name to avoid confusion.

Changing the first or last word in one's name was a major taboo in boar culture.  It meant breaking the Family Verse, not only abandoning those who raised you, but also denying your history.  To abandon your Family Verse is to hide the truth of your past.  Those who held no family verse were widely considered untrustworthy and shameful.   Altering the verse at any stage is taboo.  Those with an unfamiliar verse may be treated with suspicion, as those they speak to may suspect them of altering the verse to hide their lineage.

It is not possible to deny offspring their Family Verse.  There is no concept of disowning a family member in boar culture.  The Verse is history, and one cannot keep them from claiming it.

Lineages naturally grow longer over time.  To be able to recite a lengthy Family Verse is a point of honor.  It means nobody in your family history has abandoned the verse.  Clearly, you must come from a long line of proud, honest boars.  Shorter verses, while less impressive, will still be respected if recited accurately. 

When a boar is named by its parents, they may choose to pay homage to their ancestors by having the youngest generation's names include callbacks to older names.  This can also increase the poetic nature of some family verses, and in some cases, can even make the family history sound like a single, coherent story.

Riverside that Still Stands
His family verse goes as such:

Follows the Right Path
Path to the Morning Light
Light of the First Leaf
Leaf of the Great Oak
Oak by the Riverside
Riverside that Still Stands

Among friends, he goes by 'Riverside' or 'River'.  Amongst family, he goes by 'Still Stands'. 

He prides himself on the natural history of his family verse, and may know the exact Oak and Riverside being referred to.

Enemies of the Twisted Blade

Her family verse goes as such:
Balance of the Stable Arc
Arc of Mankind
Mankind Building The Tower
Tower Over the New Bridge
Bridge Between Uncommon Enemies
Enemies of the Twisted Blade

Her family history is clearly tied to Mankind.  Generations ago, boars of her lineage lived near a city and watched it grow.  They named their children after the changes they saw around them, creating an oral history of the land.  Even if she doesn't live near the city herself, she may know a great deal about the history of it.

Among friends, she goes by 'Emy', as the name 'Enemy' caused a...misunderstanding a while back.  Among family, she goes by 'The Blade'

Pride of the Endless Reach
Pride was separated from her family as a young piglet.  Since she didn't have a chance to learn the full verse, she typically quotes the verse of the family that adopted her:

Out of the Quiet Place
Place of Reflection
Reflection in a Still Pond
Pond by the Birdsong
Birdsong Echoing Down the Valley
Pride of the Endless Reach

Other boars, however, take note of the way her name doesn't fit into the line.  Her adoptive parents are often met with sympathy and praise for taking on another boar's offspring.  Pride, however, is met is distrust and scorn.  The natural reaction of a boar hearing a name out-of-place.  Sometimes, she wonders if it would be better to quote the broken pieces of verse she does know from her bloodline.  Even if she explains her adoptive circumstances, at best she is met with pity.  

Still, she wouldn't spurn her new Verse for anything.  She chooses to show loyalty to her new family.  Perhaps in a few generations, her name will be nothing more than an interesting story in a long, rich history.

Socially, she can choose to go by Pride or Reach in any situation as it won't cause confusion in her family.  She prefers to go by Pride, and uses that name more frequently.

Glory Hunter Names

Glory Hunters share a naming structure with the Roving Bands, as none were truly born a Glory Hunter.  Though some may choose to change the way their name is phrased, any good Glory Hunter keeps their original first and last name.  

Trickery of the Beast in the Woods
Rocks that hold the Hillside Steady
Steady on her Hooves
Hooves of Strength and Virtue
Virtue in the Face of Trickery
Trickery in the Woods -> Trickery of the Beast in the Woods

When she became a Glory Hunter, Trickery decided she wanted her name to reflect that.  In keeping the first and last words of her name in tact, she retains respect in the eyes of her community.  It also makes for a good conversation starter when meeting new boars.

Both before and after changing her name, she goes by Trickery, or Wood.

Artist Names

Like Glory Hunters, Artists also use the Roving Band name structure.  They are, however, notorious for putting an abstract, poetic twist on the phrasing of their names.  

NAME
Moonbeam Lights the Leaves
Leaves Falling from Above
Above the World Below
Below an Unknown Place -> Below, Oh, in the Depths of a Deep and Unknown Place

A true creative spirit, this boar frequently goes by Depth around their close friends.  Though they prefer this name, they often go by Below or Lacey in public.  Being heard using a middle name can be very, very embarrassing around the wrong boar.  Perhaps someday, they'll build up the courage to change the family name entirely!  Oh, just think of the story it could tell with just a little bit of rework!

But what would their mother think if she heard?  What would their father say of their next art display?  Changing your own name like this is seen as whimsical, if a bit silly, but changing your family verse to match would be considered...unseemly.

The fear of disapproval keeps her from making any moves as long as her family is alive.  Still, once they pass on...they wouldn't mind becoming more of a song, would they?

Domestic Boar Names