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werewolf_magic_ritual_behavior

Pack Magic, Ceremonies & Ritual Behavior

Challenge & Dominance Fights

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

  • most werewolves died in dominance fights with other wolves201

Mercy Thompson Series #5: Silver Borne

  • an Alpha can be challenged at any time221
  • the Marrok doesn't allow fights for an Alpha position without his consent221
  • not even fear of the Marrok can completely control the nature of the pack221
  • there is no tradition that dictates dominance fights have to be done in human form229
  • it is common though, because it makes the challenge more about skill and strength; when you are armed with fangs and claws, a lucky hit can take out a more skilled opponent229
  • traditional for the family of the Alpha to have the equivalent of ringside seats for the fight230
  • formality of running the challenge by the Marrok231
  • women don't fight in challenge fights231
  • the challenger must be within three ranks of the challengee232
  • the official code of conduct; says challenge within “three men” of your rank; it does not say that the challenger has to be a man234

Mercy Thompson Series #9: Fire Touched

  • outside Alpha challenges were so unusual as to be almost unheard-of116
  • outside challenges usually came from lone wolves too dominant to be welcomed into a pack on their own116
  • one Alpha only challenged another when two packs were too close together—or if an Alpha had a personal vendetta against another116
  • such battles were supposed to be one-on-one, but, historically speaking, unless an Alpha was utterly useless, his pack would fight for him117
  • quite often both Alphas and most of both packs would die in the fight117

Mercy Thompson Series #12: Smoke Bitten

  • at its heart, taking over a pack is simple: kill the Alpha in a challenge105

The October Change

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

  • the last full moon of October, all of those who chose to try to become werewolves were allowed to come forward74
  • in a formal ceremony they were savaged by Bran Cornick, or by some other wolf who loved them, in the hopes they would rise Changed74

Hunting Song

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

  • instinct takes over when a wolf is on the hunt79

The First Hunt

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

  • the first hunt should not be interrupted82

Mercy Thompson Series #2: Blood Bound

  • a basic question asked of new werewolves who were ready to go for their first hung; what do you do when you're out hunting and you can't find any tracks or scent? You go to places that will attract your prey224

Roses in Winter

  • no allowances are made for age or gender292
  • half the business of the First Hunt is establishing how dominant the wolves are; it gets bloody292

Flesh-and-Blood Ceremony

Mercy Thompson Series #4: Bone Crossed

  • the Alpha's blood and flesh68
    • “From this day forward
    • Mine to me and mine. Pack.
    • “Yours to you, mine to me.
  • Magic burns through, following the path of that bit of flesh; made you pack69
  • it was more usual to do it in full pack meeting, but the pack wasn't required; just a bit of the Alpha's flesh and blood and an exchange of vows70
  • wolf packs were dictatorships, but when you're dealing with a bunch of Americans brought up on the Bill of Rights, you still had to step a little carefully74
  • new members were generally announced as prospective rather than as faits accomplis74
  • non-werewolf mates weren't part of the pack, not really; they had status, as the mates of wolves, but they weren't pack; couldn't be made into pack with fifty flesh-and-blood ceremonies—the magic just wouldn't let a human in7474

Mating Bonds

Mercy Thompson Series #4: Bone Crossed

  • mate bonds, when they settle down, are different for different couples—and being Alpha adds a twist to it as well244

Mercy Thompson Series #5: Silver Borne

  • mating bond is different from a pack bond; it originates in one mate and ends in the other; softer, stronger, and deeper324

Mercy Thompson Series #6: River Marked

  • mating is a lot more permanent than marriage; it's usually if you find your mate he's not going to be someone you need to divorce49
  • abuse is almost not possible when two people are connected by a mating bond, and it gives you insight into your mate that allows you to avoid the nastier fights that snowball into cold distance49
  • the mating bond is pack magic49

Pack Bonds

Mercy Thompson Series #4: Bone Crossed

  • benefit of the pack bond; feel strong emotion of other pack members; Alpha gets things first161
  • the trick is to join with the pack without losing yourself in them—it's instinctive for the werewolves249

Mercy Thompson Series #5: Silver Borne

  • pack existed before ceremonies; magic binds more obviously, more extensively, but not more deeply56
  • it is possible of pack being able to influence someone through the bonds36
  • with the pack bond it's possible to suck energy from pack members40
  • borrowing strength was one of those things that came with a pack bond56
  • pack bonds are not so different from thrall magic322
  • pack bonds are not built to subdue individuality to the Alpha or enforce behavior of any kind322
  • a pack needs all its differences, and they find strength in that322
  • when a bond is broken and the wolves can still feel that someone in the packs bonds, its been known to happen when people die336

Mercy Thompson Series #6: River Marked

  • pack bonds could be a nuisance sometimes182

Pack Laws

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

  • strongly discouraged telling anyone other than permanent mates that you were a werewolf134
  • werewolves don't have jails; the people who break their laws are either punished physically or killed134
  • werewolves take their secrecy very seriously; it's how they've remained undetected for so long141
  • disobeying a direct order from the Alpha; penalty is brutal142
  • the laws have to be enforced or risk rebellion in a pack145

Mercy Thompson Series #2: Blood Bound

  • werewolves' trials tend to convene on the spot rather than six months after a crime; they are also over in a matter of hours, sometimes minutes57
  • can't convince your pack Alpha you are less trouble to him alive than dead? Too bad57
  • pack law; necessarily brutal57
werewolf_magic_ritual_behavior.txt · Last modified: 2021/08/15 20:40 by linda