werewolf_magic_ritual_behavior
Table of Contents
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
- 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