Tribal Customs
Just like any group, the fox tribes of the forest follow certain customs and traditions that have been in place
for many generations. Even though each tribe's actions may be a bit different, these guidelines have set a
standard for organization and overall function.
for many generations. Even though each tribe's actions may be a bit different, these guidelines have set a
standard for organization and overall function.
Tribe Rankings:
Alpha Pair - The alpha male and his mate. The alpha foxes act as the leaders to the tribe, making each important decision and setting the
other ranks in motion. The alpha male is also the main leader of the Runner rank with the alpha female being the main leader of the Hunter rank. Should either
the Alpha male or female die, the remaining Alpha fills his/her duties and becomes a "lone Alpha".
Beta Pair -Below the Alpha rank lies the Beta pair. They act like the "second in command". Should something happen to the Tribe's leaders, they'd assume
control. Even though the Alphas are the main leaders of the Runner and Hunter ranks, it is up to the Betas to run all the training.
Shamans - Shamans are the Tribe's healers and spiritual leaders. They help cure sickness, fix injuries, and interpret signs from the Great Spirits. There's
usually between 1-3 Shamans per tribe. They're the only rank to wear accessories, which are almost always naturally occurring items. Bones, feathers, shells, special rocks/minerals, and prey animal pelts can all be worn by a Shaman. Human made items, such as ropes and leather straps work as accessories too.
Hunters - Foxes trained specifically for hunting and providing for the tribe. These foxes are known for being quick, able to glide through the thick forest undergrowth with ease. Most Hunters are vixens since they lack the power or size to be trained as efficient Runners. Hunters rarely take part in territory battles, but may be called on when the need for more foxes arises. The Alpha female is the head of this rank and the Beta female is in charge of all training.
Runners - Runners act as the sentry for the Tribe. Trained in the art of battle, the main goal of these foxes is to protect territory boarders and keep out intruders, whether they be rouges or foxes from another tribe. Runners are mostly males, but females can also be trained as Runners. This rank is the only
rank to wear tribal markings made from mixing pigments together, sort of like Native American war paint. The more elaborate a Runners markings, the higher in rank that fox is. The Alpha male is the head of this rank and the Beta male is in charge of all training.
Den Vixens - Vixens expecting kits or with kits 4 moons or younger. These foxes are usually confined to a den to care for the
young and see little action when it comes to battle or hunting.
Kits - Any fox under 4 months old. See "Ranking Ceremony" for info on the placing of kits within tribe ranks.
Note: There's isn't an "elders" rank for most tribes. Foxes simply stay in their rank until they die, though they may be retired from certain duties due to age or injury. Alpha is an exception to this rank and they may "step down" when they feel like they can no longer carry on their duties. In this case, an Alpha Ceremony takes place and the next fox chosen for Alpha takes command.
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other ranks in motion. The alpha male is also the main leader of the Runner rank with the alpha female being the main leader of the Hunter rank. Should either
the Alpha male or female die, the remaining Alpha fills his/her duties and becomes a "lone Alpha".
Beta Pair -Below the Alpha rank lies the Beta pair. They act like the "second in command". Should something happen to the Tribe's leaders, they'd assume
control. Even though the Alphas are the main leaders of the Runner and Hunter ranks, it is up to the Betas to run all the training.
Shamans - Shamans are the Tribe's healers and spiritual leaders. They help cure sickness, fix injuries, and interpret signs from the Great Spirits. There's
usually between 1-3 Shamans per tribe. They're the only rank to wear accessories, which are almost always naturally occurring items. Bones, feathers, shells, special rocks/minerals, and prey animal pelts can all be worn by a Shaman. Human made items, such as ropes and leather straps work as accessories too.
Hunters - Foxes trained specifically for hunting and providing for the tribe. These foxes are known for being quick, able to glide through the thick forest undergrowth with ease. Most Hunters are vixens since they lack the power or size to be trained as efficient Runners. Hunters rarely take part in territory battles, but may be called on when the need for more foxes arises. The Alpha female is the head of this rank and the Beta female is in charge of all training.
Runners - Runners act as the sentry for the Tribe. Trained in the art of battle, the main goal of these foxes is to protect territory boarders and keep out intruders, whether they be rouges or foxes from another tribe. Runners are mostly males, but females can also be trained as Runners. This rank is the only
rank to wear tribal markings made from mixing pigments together, sort of like Native American war paint. The more elaborate a Runners markings, the higher in rank that fox is. The Alpha male is the head of this rank and the Beta male is in charge of all training.
Den Vixens - Vixens expecting kits or with kits 4 moons or younger. These foxes are usually confined to a den to care for the
young and see little action when it comes to battle or hunting.
Kits - Any fox under 4 months old. See "Ranking Ceremony" for info on the placing of kits within tribe ranks.
Note: There's isn't an "elders" rank for most tribes. Foxes simply stay in their rank until they die, though they may be retired from certain duties due to age or injury. Alpha is an exception to this rank and they may "step down" when they feel like they can no longer carry on their duties. In this case, an Alpha Ceremony takes place and the next fox chosen for Alpha takes command.
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Kit Ranking Ceremony
Info coming soon!
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The Guardian Spirits
Foxes within the forest of the tribes believe that everything in the world was created by six spirits:
Much like different spiritual forces were to real world Native American tribes, the fox's Guardian Spirits play an important role to the tribes, especially to the Alpha and Shamans. During different times of a season, the tribes often pay tribute to a certain spirit, thanking them for their protection and generosity. Otter is usually honored during Spring, Bear and Fox during Summer, Bobcat during Autumn, and Coyote and Eagle during Winter.
Special connection to Alphas: Before a chosen heir can become Alpha, they first take part in an ancient tribal ritual that places their "soul" in connection with that of the Guardian Spirits. During the ceremony, the current Alphas, the chosen, and 1-2 Shamans travel to the Tribe's most spiritual spot. (usually a protected clearing with a good view of the sky) The Shamans say a little chant and give the chosen a mixture of crushed plants that cause sleep. While the chosen is in the sleep-like state, it is said that the fox is able to talk with the Spirits. This ritual usually happens during the full moon of either Spring or Autumn, though Spring is more favored.
There has also been instances, usually during times of war, where a chosen fox has met the Guardian Spirits without going through this ritual, though the cases are very rare. This usually means the unexpected death of the current Alpha(s) in the near future and the chosen must be ready to take command quickly.
Special connection to Shamans: Compared to any other rank, Shamans are by far the closest to the Guardian Spirits. It is their job to read signs sent to the tribe by the Spirits (See "Reading the Stars), conduct special ceremonies involving or in honor of one or more Spirits, bless new born kits for a healthy life or dying foxes for safe travel to the afterlife, and bond pairs of foxes as mates.
New tribe Shamans also go through a ritual much like that of a new Alpha where their "soul" is sent to meet the Guardian Spirits, though their ceremony takes place during the full moon of Winter.
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- Bear -Spirit of Earth
- Eagle - Spirit of Sky
- Bobcat - Spirit of Fire
- Otter - Spirit of Water
- Coyote - Spirit of Night
- Fox - Spirit of Day
Much like different spiritual forces were to real world Native American tribes, the fox's Guardian Spirits play an important role to the tribes, especially to the Alpha and Shamans. During different times of a season, the tribes often pay tribute to a certain spirit, thanking them for their protection and generosity. Otter is usually honored during Spring, Bear and Fox during Summer, Bobcat during Autumn, and Coyote and Eagle during Winter.
Special connection to Alphas: Before a chosen heir can become Alpha, they first take part in an ancient tribal ritual that places their "soul" in connection with that of the Guardian Spirits. During the ceremony, the current Alphas, the chosen, and 1-2 Shamans travel to the Tribe's most spiritual spot. (usually a protected clearing with a good view of the sky) The Shamans say a little chant and give the chosen a mixture of crushed plants that cause sleep. While the chosen is in the sleep-like state, it is said that the fox is able to talk with the Spirits. This ritual usually happens during the full moon of either Spring or Autumn, though Spring is more favored.
There has also been instances, usually during times of war, where a chosen fox has met the Guardian Spirits without going through this ritual, though the cases are very rare. This usually means the unexpected death of the current Alpha(s) in the near future and the chosen must be ready to take command quickly.
Special connection to Shamans: Compared to any other rank, Shamans are by far the closest to the Guardian Spirits. It is their job to read signs sent to the tribe by the Spirits (See "Reading the Stars), conduct special ceremonies involving or in honor of one or more Spirits, bless new born kits for a healthy life or dying foxes for safe travel to the afterlife, and bond pairs of foxes as mates.
New tribe Shamans also go through a ritual much like that of a new Alpha where their "soul" is sent to meet the Guardian Spirits, though their ceremony takes place during the full moon of Winter.
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"Reading the Stars"
Info coming soon!