Before Soren Svajone landed on the island shores, it had another name - Almos. Wolves have existed for centuries on the island, long before Svajone claimed ownership of the land and was slaughtered for his efforts, and with those centuries comes a wealth of myths and superstitions passed down through generations of island wolves. Most, if not all of these superstitions are not exclusive to any one faction but the interpretation of them may differ from wolf to wolf. Some may not even believe in them at all, but with magic stirring on the island once more.
Remember that not every wolf will know every superstition. Wolves raised from more traditional forward thinking families may not have been taught the same superstitions or beliefs and wolves raised from families who still value the past and the ancient history of the island. Wolves of certain ages, backgrounds or tasks might know more than others. That’s not to say you can’t learn them all! Go out there and meet some other characters and ask them to spin you a story!
If you have any ideas for superstitions, leave a comment in the Suggestion Journal.
Wolves of Svajone believe that there were three Elders - Khepera, Raat, and Tume - who first rose to unite and lead the wolves of the island in one harmonious pack. These three wolves were believed to be the only wolves who could communicate with the humans. Despite disagreements over the correct way of life for a wolf, all can agree that the Elders are to thank for the fact that they are even alive today to see the sun rise, and so they are greatly respected. Over time, the number three has become synonymous with good fortune, and most wolves will consider seeing something gathered in three as a good omen - whether it be in flesh or in dreams.
It is believed that the owl is a messenger of death, and as such, being visited by one is considered a terrible omen. Their mystique is amplified as they are rarely seen, and always approach in total silence. If one passes in the sky and a wolf spots it despite the silent flight, death might be nearby. If one lands close to a wolf, one might believe that wolf is marked for death. It is considered a great crime to kill an owl, because a wolf cannot cheat death by delivering the same.
Many believe that drinking directly from water that reflects moonlight will bring bad luck and envelope the drinker in a black shroud. It could make them less sound of mind or more susceptible to doubt or manipulation. Bathing in the moon-reflected water, however, can bring good fortune and good health, and is believed to help focus the mind.
Svajone has been known as ‘the dreaming isle’ for good reason - sleep and dreams hold a great weight in the island history. Some ancient soothseers would have their visions in dreams, and it is thought that even now, a wolf of no notable magical ability can see hints of futures in dreams. As such, waking a sleeping wolf should always be a slow and gentle occurrence. The wolves believe that waking a sleeping wolf suddenly is extremely dangerous and that doing so could separate the soul clean from the body.
A relatively new superstition, first founded in Tundes, is that sleeping facing south will trouble your sleep with nightmares. This is because the Kol occupy Northern areas of the island, and to sleep with your back facing them is to allow the Kol and their demons to sneak up on you.
Wolves born with some kind of physical disability or unique biological mutation are believed to have given part of their own life to a sibling in the womb, and allowed them to live where they may otherwise have died. Everything from blindness to albinism will fall under this superstition. As a result, wolves with a physical disability or unique appearance are sometimes favoured, even if the wolf themselves does not grow up to be as caring and selfless as the superstition suggests. Of course, this does always depend on the family. Some Kol, perhaps, would believe that the sickly sibling would be better off dead so that the other could remain at full health.
The life of a wolf depends on their blood, and as such, it is very important in a great number of ancient stories and superstitions. It is thought that drinking the blood of another wolf will help you to destroy your enemies. However, such a practise is thought of as deeply evil, and has not been practised in any living memory. Elsewhere, legends tell of a certain magic that allowed a wolf to use blood to track animals or other wolves across any glen or mountain.
When a wolf dies, it is thought that if you sleep beside their body the night of their death, you will be able to convene with them one final time in a dream - and be able to say a final farewell.
The wolves have passed down a rhyme through the ages, though little is known of the origins of it, or if it bears any truth.
One for knowledge, a secret long hidden
Two for love, be it true love or forbidden
Three for new life, creation of a soul
Four for death or loss, a fracture of a whole
Five for protection, a shield from spirits dark
And six for blessed hope, a way to light a spark