The wolves of Stonehaven are a cynical breed, rarely descending the mountain stronghold that shields them from the evils that lay beyond. They view their territory as a sanctuary and covet their borders fiercely. As a result, the western reaches remain closed off to the outside world, and no wolf is allowed in or out without the Vajda's consent.
Haveners are isolationists first and foremost. The pack's founding members deliberately chose to settle in the remote reaches of the Tyluman Mountains to distance themselves from other factions whose ideologies threaten their way of life.
For the most part, the western clan is secretive and standoffish when dealing with the outside world. They defend their borders fiercely, determined to preserve their sanctuary within. Stonehaven are not forthcoming with new developments nor are they keen to ask for aid. Typically, they are much too proud to accept help from outsiders and are loath to be in another faction's debt. They are much more receptive to trade and barter.
Visitors approaching Stonehaven territory:
Under no circumstances would a Stonehavener be encouraged to let an outsider into the territory. The only exception is the discovery and subsequent adoption of orphaned pups.
If an outsider arrives seeking an audience with the Vajda, they simply have to wait at the border, preferably under gaurd, while a sentry relays the message. From there, the Vajda will decide whether or not they will entertain an audience.
Dealing with tresspassers:
Stonehaven has renounced Tundes' policy of peace and are instructed to respond to tresspassers with force. Even if the outsider has not crossed the threshold, they are to be confronted for simply loitering too close to the border. To Stonehaven, outsiders are always too close for comfort, and regarded with distrust.
This expectation encompasses every individual within the faction for all Haveners are trained for combat, and are thus expected to use those skills to defend the territory regardless of their place in the pack's hierarchy.
Even the more scholarly trades such as acolytes and menders are expected to drive away foreign scouts. Null are no exception, and must ensure the borders are respected while they are aiding their superiors in the field. Keepers make up the bulk of Stonehaven's defenses, and patrols walk the boundaries in shifts both during the day and at night to keep an eye out for potential threats.
Stonehaven's territory is vast, and while it is certainly possible for a tresspasser to slip through their defenses, it is highly unlikely that they would make it to Sanctum. The mountain passages are a challenge for even the most experienced scouts, and it takes a great deal of skill and familiarity to navigate the treacherous terrain. Without an experienced Havener to act as their guide, a tresspasser may find themselves in grave peril.
A Paw in Both Worlds:
Unfortunate as it may be for wolves with family beyond the western foothills, Stonehaven demands absolute loyalty from its members even at the expense of blood relations. Allegiance to the cause comes before else--even loved ones who reside in sister clans.
Perhaps to compensate for the loss of kin during the divide, Stonehaven has formed a close-knit, familial soceity. If a wolf cannot leave their past behind and embrace their found family, then perhaps they are better suited for a life with those they left behind.
No wolf may leave the bounds of Stonehaven territory without first receiving the Vajda's blessing to do so. Expeditions into the freelands should have a purpose, not simply for the sake of adventure or other flights of fancy. The only excursions permitted are those that benefit the pack, and every envoy is expected to report to the Vajda upon their return to deliver their findings.
Rank determines whether or note a wolf may venture beyond the territory with the Vajda's consent.
Higher ranking individuals may be chosen for special assignments in the freelands or to bring messages to their sister clans.
Accomplished Seconds may be allowed to join their mentors on these rare events, but only if they are deemed capable.
Rankless wolves (Null, graybacks, and wolflings) are not allowed to leave the territory much less Sanctum and its grounds. To take a pup beyond the borders would be considered an act of negligence, and the wolf responsible would be punished accordingly. Likewise, graybacks, Null, and foundlings would be reprimanded for venturing outside the territory, and after repeated offenses, may even face exile.
Some trades are more likely to be given permission to travel abroad than others.
Keepers:
Most of Stonehaven's population is made up of keepers, and that is for good reason. They are the pack's first line of defense against outside threats, and are kept hard at work patrolling the borders, guarding Sanctum, protecting envoys, and participating in organized raids. Only high ranking keepers may serve as sentries for their traveling packmates or be chosen to watch over suspicious visitors.
Under no circumstance should keepers leave their post without receiving a direct order from their Archs or Vajda. Their efforts are to be focused on protecting the pack and guarding their realm from its enemies.
To abandon one's post is to weaken the pack's defenses, leaving Stonehaven vulnerable to attack or infiltration. Such blatant disregard for the pack's safety and security is not tolerated and consequences for abandoning one's post are severe.
Pathfinders:
While the work of a pathfinder certainly entails traveling across vast distances, they are meant to do so within the bounds of Stonehaven's territory. They are trained specifically to navigate the Tyluman Mountains, as their purpose is to chart safe passage through treacherous mountain terrain and serve as guides for their packmates. They ofen work alongside other trades, especially menders and acolytes when their responsibilities call them beyond the main trails.
Pathfinders are not messanger nor are they ambassadors, but rather wayfinders and hunters for Stonehaven. As such, they rarely if ever venture beyond the borders.
Menders:
Unless foraging for herbs, menders typically remain in Sanctum where they tend to the ill and injured.
While most herbs can be found in the lowlands of Stonehaven's territory, they may occasionally be granted permission to journey abroad in search of particular herbs and remedies.
While pathfinders typically escort foraging menders within the borders, it is the keepers who follow them into the freelands to provide protection.
Acolytes:
Knowledge seekers first and foremost, it is not uncommon for acolytes to search for answers beyond the boundaries of Stonehaven's territory. Still, they must receive the Vajda's blessing before doing so and report any significant findings upon their return.
Only high-ranking individuals will be granted permission to leave the territory, however, and even their requests may be denied should the season or political climate prove too dangerous to accomodate their expedition.
The Afflicted
Wolves with magical prowess are not permitted to leave the territory unless they have mastered their abilities and been granted the rank of Prime. It is very rare that an afflicted is given permission to leave the confines of the territory, and usually it is under direct order of the Vajda.
There are times when an afflicted's magic might prove useful in the field, and as a result, loyal and trustworthy Primes are sometimes given specialized assignments that take them beyond the borders.
The Vajda & Valonqar
Unless the circumstances deem it absolutely necessary, the Vajda and the Archs that make up their council do not leave the territory. Their purpose is to lead and govern the pack, and therefore, they should remain at its heart. In the event that they must depart from the territory on a diplomatic venture, a proxy must be appointed in their stead to maintain order.
As Stonehaven's greatest adversary, the presence of Kolwolves is not to be tolerated. They are to be attacked on sight, even in the freelands, and it is forbidden to fraternize with them. While it is not impossible for a Kolwolf to defect and join the ranks of Stonehaven, it would be extremely difficult to earn the pack's trust. Even more difficult to get a Havener to steady their fangs long enough to hear them out.
Taika, though not treated with quite as much vitriol as the Kol, is kept at an arm's length. They rejected Stonehaven's way of life during the great divide and do not condone Haven's proclivity for violence anymore than Stonehaven admires their reverence for magic and mysticism. The west wishes no ill will on their southermost sister clan, but they have surrendered any residual loyalties they might have had for their former packmates when they settled in the Teeth.
Their relationship with Skydas is much more complicated, and Stonehaven offers the cliffsiders no such ambivalence. Bad blood between its leaders has created fissures where there was once fractures, leaving the political climate between Skydas and Stonehaven in a state of ruin. No longer entertaining eastern emissaries at their borders, keepers have been instructed to greet them with hostility. Even so, Haveners are discouraged from using lethal force against their sister clan, and should only strive to drive Skydans away.
That is not to say that they will refuse to offer aid in their time of need. They may not like being in another faction's debt, but they have no qualms with another pack being beholden to them.
When approached by diplomates in need of help, it is always in a Haveners best interest to send word to the Vajda so the council can deliberate on an appropriate course of action. Aid is not given freely, but rather sparingly, and the leaders of Stonehaven must ensure there will be no ramifications to their involvement. For smaller, more immediate crisis, Haveners may lend a helping paw so long as doing so does not put the pack at risk.
Players hoping to transfer their characters to Stonehaven from another pack must first check the Foreign Relations Status to ensure that the political climate between the two packs is viable for migration. The more negative the relationship Stonehaven has with the pack, the less likely they are to accept wolves from it. While it is still possible for wolves to transfer from a pack marked as hostile, approval would be highly situational and therefore difficult to achieve. For all transfers, players should take great care to ensure their character’s motivations are fleshed out in a way that is reasonable and logical.
Hopeful foundlings almost always need to provide something substantial—whether it’s intel, magical ability (to be cleansed or weaponized), or some other desirable offering to show good faith.
All pack transfers must be officiated in-game with a canon submission (RP preferred).
Once accepted, foundlings are assigned an escort. This wolf is high-ranking and must have good standing with the pack. Escorts are responsible for showing foundlings the way, serving as their guide while they adjust to Stonehaven’s culture. Like all other pairings, players may request a certain character to be their foundling's escort, but the decision is ultimately made IC by the alpha.
Wolves should be careful when sponsoring foundlings, for the foundling’s failures are reflected upon the wolf who served as their escort. Should a foundling prove themselves to be a danger to Stonehaven, it is the one responsible for their indoctrination who shoulders the blame and suffers the consequences.
Foundlings are required to complete 3 canon pieces that go towards them earning the pack's trust. Once completed, they may choose a trade and begin contributing as a fully fledged member of Stonehaven soceity.
Remember that, like Null, Foundlings have 6 months to gain a rank, so make sure to submit those 3 pieces and purchase your rank up before the 6 month (2 season) period is up! This also applies to transfers written into the backstories of new characters!