W O L F ' S B L U F F

Wolf's Bluff sits in the icy center of Frigid Expanse, and is shielded somewhat from the harsh elements of the region by the Chillspine Mountains, which stand in a half-circle at the town's back like silent sentries. That being said, life in this village is still bitterly cold, and so the town itself is built with a primary goal in mind of being able to weather the bone-chilling climate. This village is somewhat small, and its structures are composed of stone and dark, hardy wood to brace staunchly against the howling wind and snow. Mining is Wolf's Bluff's most lucrative business, and makes the village a considerable amount of coin, considering the other resources of the Frigid Expanse can be somewhat paltry. Much like the wintry weather, the people of this arctic village are somewhat cold and harsh, especially towards unfamiliar faces. It takes much to thaw the frozen heart of this town, but with time and persistence, anyone willing to settle down here will find that smiles come more easily through the passing seasons, and that the warmth that pools from within each doorway is more inviting. The only tarnish that darkens what hard-earned pleasantries this village has to offer is the criminal activity that occurs here, which with Hollowfang Retreat -- a hub for crooks and lawbreakers of all sorts -- being nearby, it exists in a considerable amount.

Wolf's Bluff is a relatively new village, having taken root when miners discovered how rich in ores and gemstones the Chillspine Mountains are and developing from a settlement into a town as animals flocked to the area to find their fortunes. Dakota is the current Chieftain, mentored by their respected retired chieftain Çakim, and leads the town with a forward-thinking resolve.

size: small
symbol: wolf
colors: gray & blue
population: ~500
crime rate: very high

♫ playlist: link

WHAT WOLF'S BLUFF IS KNOWN FOR

Criminal Activity

Due to its unwelcoming environment, many Kingdom guards avoid Wolf's Bluff. This makes criminal activity thrive here quite easily, especially due to the Hollowfang Retreat hideout that lay not too far. This makes Wolf's Bluff a great place to get into the darker side of life and/or find a way to make dirty money.

Mining

The mountains that encircle Wolf's Bluff may seem bleak and frigid on the outside, but within its cold heart lies a tapped oasis of ores, minerals and generally lucrative substances that the miners of the village have learned to extract and process for the use of the rest of the kingdom -- for a pretty penny, of course.

Rugged Living

Wolf's Bluff is known for being a hardy way of life, calling to those who either are naturally born into it and adapted or those who seek its cold embrace for the work and environment the region provides. For one who learns the art of navigating the frigid north, Wolf's Bluff can prove to be a hidden treasure.

TRADITIONS & HOLIDAYS

holidays with * beside them are roleplay events and their scheduled time can be found here!

Keahi's Blessing

Each year on the Winter Solstice, the beasts of Wolf’s Bluff gather to celebrate the longest night and the return of the sun. In the ten days leading up to the event, villagers drag logs to a large pit in front of Hoarfrost Hall, stacking them into a towering bonfire. While each family traditionally contributes a log, smaller offerings like gnawed bones or bits of wood are also common.

Before the bonfire is lit, a group of beasts journeys to the Shrine of Keahi - each carrying a torch dipped in pine sap. If even one torch survives the trip, it is handed to the Chieftain, who gives a speech wishing for good weather, bountiful economy and thanking Keahi for protecting the village from the bitter cold.

The bonfire is then set ablaze, first with the surviving torch and then with the village’s offerings. As the fire roars, a festival erupts - food, drink, music and dancing fill the air, while stalls sell trinkets and goods. The celebration lasts until the bonfire burns out, which can take several days.

The Heartstone

Generations ago, a catastrophic collapse trapped a group of miners underground in the bluff. They survived by following an unseen glimmer in the dark - some say phosphorescent crystals, while others claim it was an act of the god - that led them to water and edible cave roots. When they were rescued, they emerged carrying a crystal from the very cave they had survived in they dubbed the Heartstone.

Since that day, each year after the first major freeze in the dead of winter when the mines are most rigid and stable, the Heartstone is recycled and replaced. Old stones are buried at the base of the mountains, returning it to the earth. A chosen group enters the mines - typically an elder miner and selected youth - to retrieve a new one for the village.

Once returned to the village, it is carried to the great hall to be put on display for all to see - marking it as a reminder and protector of the village and its hardworking residents.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Architecture & Housing

Wolf's Bluff houses and buildings are built with a very strong focus on insulation and warmth. The buildings are stone and often lined with furs, feathers or hay on the inside to keep the warmth in and the cold out. The rooves are often built at angles so snow cannot perch upon them and cause a cave in or cool off the building on the interior. To discourage theft and mischief, there are often spikes or black pikes with flags at the tips, waving in the wind, to set the aesthetic (though some are from criminal raids and stuck there.)
Houses are usually townhouse style or apartment style where multiple families will live in the same building, unless one happens to be wealthy enough to purchase one of the few individual homes.
When beasts grow old enough to strike out on their own, they rarely do-instead they remain in the same home they grew up in, and tend to their parents and grandparents as grey fur outnumbers the rest. This doesn’t stop them from finding their own lives of course, as they find a trade, a mate, a family of their own, until the cycle ends and begins again with their deaths.

Bonus Info

When one is ready to learn a new skill, they will seek out someone experienced in the field of their choosing, and offer them a pawmade gift in exchange for their knowledge. If the mentor accepts the two are bound together until the student becomes proficient at their craft, where at that point the student can choose to stay and master it, or move on to different things
If a pup buries his baby teeth somewhere no one can find it, his adult teeth will grow bigger than his peers. However, if some else finds the teeth, their teeth will grow larger instead. This is, of course, a myth started by parents trying to get five seconds of peace.
In Wolf’s Bluff, important writing may be done by carving into bone rather than parchment or paper, with two primary methods. One follows the Nevriande language, while the other depicts a scene or memory, often for special occasions. This tradition began due to scarcity, as leather and paper were more valuable for clothing than for writing. Bone gnawing is also central to the village's rituals, like writing wishes for the new year on bones thrown into Keahi’s bonfire or carving names as romantic gestures.

WOLF'S BLUFF HIERARCHY

ranks with ☆ beside them are high ranks and must be approved by staff before creation!

VILLAGE CHIEFTAIN

Chieftain Dakota

The village Chieftain is entrusted by the Kingdom to oversee and maintain their village, keeping an eye on those who live there and ensuring that all of their needs are met. They are unable to create laws or punish large crimes against the Kingdom, but they do have a sense of independence and are given the authority to make smaller local decisions that are in the best interest of their home. The Chieftain works closely with the heads of each rank to form a sort of council that has the village's best interests in mind.

RESIDENTS
Residents in Wolf's Bluff make up the body of the village, from the youngest child to the strongest of the guard. When it comes to the Kingdom's villages, most of the hierarchy is identical except, save for small additions or tweaks depending on a village's unique trade specializations. Ranks are often chosen based on personal preference, or based on one's mental / physical prowess. Ranks are broad, and characters can choose to specialize in one particular niche of their rank or have broad knowledge of its entirety. When it comes to villages, the heads of the ranks all form a council to aid the chief in decision making and discussions. Any ranks that are exclusive to certain locations will be paired with an asterisk (*).

PROWESS TIER
☆ head: Çakim Arkto

GUARD

unlimited

Guards are those dedicated to defending their home, often keeping watch of a certain area they are posted in and making sure things remain safe and peaceful.

SCOUT

unlimited

Scouts are those who patrol the streets or areas around their region to ensure that there is no questionable or sketchy behavior afoot.

HUNTER

unlimited

Hunters are those tasked with feeding and providing provisions for their home. They can choose to either hunt, set traps or gather wild foods and foliage. They can hunt independently or in groups.

WRANGLER*

unlimited

Wranglers are those who tend and ensure that the livestock and cattle of the village are taken care of and protected. They often herd them, feed, water, protect and train them to assist workers when needed.

PRODUCTION TIER
☆ head: none.

MINER*

Miners make up the majority of Wolf's Bluff workers. Hard-working and strong, they know the mines and often spend their days chiseling away at ores and minerals. They dig routes through the mountains, as well.

BLACKSMITH

Blacksmiths are skilled craftsmen who focus their trade on working with ore and metals to pound them into workable sheets and substances. They make tools, nails, and other practical supplies.

ARTISAN

Artisans are crafters who are tasked with creating various crafts, apparel and other such things. Usually artisans can focus on a specific niche or be a jack-of-all-trades and make whatever is needed of them.

PROFICIENCY TIER
☆ head: none

COURIER

Couriers are tasked with sending and receiving parcels, letters and packages to and from their destination. Either tasked with official or casual messages, they usually travel quite often to complete their duties.

MEDIC

Medics follow the more medicinal and healing path of work. Often making salves, treating patients or healing the common cold, they care for the people and ensure everyone is healthy and cared for.

CLERIC

Clerics are those who chose to follow a more religious line of work, acting as those who dedicate themselves to their chosen religion and guide others who are interested or give spiritual advice as needed.

MENTOR

Mentors dedicate their work to helping apprentices train and pick their own line of work in the future. They are usually knowledgeable in most lines of work and either teach or set up learning opportunities for their apprentices.

APPRENTICE

Apprentices are those training to find their career via a mentor, usually teens who are seeking their future job and calling. The length of their training depends on their path. Their graduation is decided upon once their mentor believes they're ready.

RESIDENT

Residents are those who live in their village and either work at their own small business in the village or simply just reside there. This includes retired workers and also just those who are unable to work physically or mentally. This includes the elderly & children, as well.

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