About the Emerald Forest

[Emerald Master]

History of Emerald Forest

The wilderness was first explored in the early to mid-1800s during the Colorado Gold Rush. When the Pikes Peak Gold Rush began, much of the wildlife were either hunted or run off as Nomads made the area home for the Forty-Niners. Meanwhile, wolves moved off or became the use of various things during this time period including sledding, Nomad pets, dog fights, orphaned and raised in captivity,  and other circumstances. When the Gold Rush ended in the 1890, life seemed to return to the forest along with her beloved Wolves. One pack, the Rising Spirits Pack, had managed to remain in the Emerald Forest during the Gold Rush but their numbers had dwindled to only one remained. Nomads hunted and captured this one wolf and kept her in captivity before Seven and several others escaped from captivity and fled back to the safety of the Emerald Forest. Known by the Nomads as Seven, the she wolf made it her purpose to protect and provide for the pack the best she could. Having lost a few years from being a captive, Seven and others must find her bearings whilst building a new pack she called the Rising Spirits pack.

[Emerald Master]

Fauna

DUN'IR(doo-n-ear) (elk) Dun'ir are a large deer-like animal that is found in forests and rarely seen in open areas of the Emerald Forest. These animals are considered large prey and use their hooves and antlers when they are attacking or defending themselves.  They are one of the main signs of Migration and Seekers of the pack often watch their behaviors when Migration nears to inform the Harbinger that the pack needs to move. They are a main food source and carcasses are often buried to savor for Frost Season. UR'O - ur-oh (bear) Ur'o is a brown bear native to the Emerald Forest. Many can be seen at Moose Creek or Grizzly Flats. One of the most notable of the bears is Pandora, a she-bear who has claimed the Old Dig but allows for passerby's and use of the den in times of need. Bears are territorial creatures and roam pretty much anywhere. They are a large predator and should be given care and caution to any who come across them. RUF'KA roof-kuh (bobcat) Rufk'a meaning bobcat to those of the Emerald Forest are catlike creatures. They live in the northern part of the Emerald Forest and rarely venture to the south. Ruf'ka are medium predators who travel alone and rarely ever in groups. Their cat-like reflexes and witty thinking make them a challenging encounter. An old Ruf'ka by the name of Mogley makes his home somewhere in the frost woodland of Chrystal pine Slopes. His vigor towards many keep him alone and secluded, just the way he likes it. LUF'KA loof-kuh (Lynx) Luf'ka haven't been seen in a while. While their presence is known, the last known sighting of a Luf'ka was near The Tear. Not much is known about them. Lufka are medium predators and should be handled in the similar fashion as the Ruf'ka. To those who know of the Luf'ka, they are a sister to the Ruf'ka. MA'TEK ma-tech (moose) A moose, Ma'tek are the largest prey species of Emerald Forest. To the Rising Spirits pack, these animals are sacred. The packs of the Emerald Forest hunted these large prey animals in their large numbers. Seven has decreed these animals off limits on account that their memory has served well to those who returned to the Emerald forest after their capture from the Nomads. The wisest of the Ma'tek is an old cow named Gertrude. She keeps to the Creaking Woods, deep enough and protected by her herd. An audience with Ma'tek Gertrude requires the presence of a Harbinger to keep the peace. SIRKAT sir-kat (trout) A large fish that swims in streams from the river. Sirkat have colorful scales that reflect in the water. A small prey animal, hey're harder to spot when the sun isn't showing. When food is scarce trout are a good source of food. When pups are learning to hunt, trout are a good practice under adult supervision. Sirkat eggs are a good protein for the week who can no longer hunt or are unfit to hunt temporarily. MAR'U mar-you (hare) Mar'u are a large species of rabbit native to the Emerald Forest. They look similar to a hare and live in Burrows. They are common in open Grasslands of Seekers Lure but are also found in Grizzly Flats and Creaking Woods. Mar'u are a small prey animal and are enough for a personal meal. Yearlings will hunt these creatures for practice in their Novice Seeker rank. MORUK mar-ook (wild dog or domesticated) Moruk is a name The Rising Spirits pack gave to the wild dogs that stray into and around their territory. Seven doesn't allow Moruk to join the pack. She remembers that the Moruk are very much part of the reason for many who are captured and released by Nomads. These animals are considered small predators. It is imperative that these animals are kept away from North Star den. These animals are rarely alone. Accompanied by a nomad or in a mongrel pack, they are dangerous. They guard Seekers Lure, making the area a tough place to hunt. They are also a belief to be the Messengers of Skinners. TALU t-uh-lue (livestock, cows, horses, sheep) When prey are scarce, the pack will turn hesitantly towards Seekers Lure where Talu graze. Talu can stray into Earth Tender Fields and uncommonly into Creaking Woods. While Talu can feed a few pack members at a time, the pack is also risking their saftey being so close to Earth Tenders who, according to pack history transform into Skinners when their food is being taken from them. It is not just wolves Earth Tenders don't like; Mar'u and Ur'o sometimes venture here. Talu are a medium prey and should be hunted with caution to Nomads more than the animals themselves.

[Emerald Master]

FLORA

Dewy Berries Black in color, Dewy Berries are found on bushes throughout the Emerald Forest, but more commonly in Creaking Woods. They are black in color on a thorny bush and have a red center when the stem should be after they are picked. Dewy berries are not edible for Yearlings. The citric juices can cause harm to a pups digestive system. An adult wolf can handle the berries better due to their stronger immunity systems. If a pup digests a Dewy berry, her or she must be fed by regurgitation to make food easier on their weaker digestive system. Dewy Berry sickness clears after 3 days RP time. Emerald Root A chewy root that grows up and out of the ground in spirals in shallow water. Commonly found at the edges of Moose Creek, this root is at remedy for sore teeth and gums and a good gnaw for pups. The taste of this root is watery but also tastes like fish. This root is a medium green in color with a dark green stripe that can be thought of as black under water. The roots also bloom green bulbs that are soft to the touch in Root season hence the name Root season as these bulbs on bloom in that season. Younger pups need to be supervised when gnawing Emerald root to prevent chocking and accidental suffocation. Cotton Only grown in Earth Tender Fields, cotton is a fluffy, soft, white substance that is used to help with open wounds. The material, once wadded together, serves as a blood stopped and can be quite effective to the Guardians and Seekers who may be injured from their professions, not to mention puppy mischief. These plants plants are prickly on their stems and should be handled with care. Sweetwater While water is...water, there is a mysterious liquid in the Wellsprings known to the Rising Spirits pack as Sweetwater. It is a gooey substance, silvery and shiny that coats the walls in a flowing way that reminds the pack of a flowing stream. This substance is sticky often used to hold things together such as leaves and cotton. Sweetwater is most abundant in Cinder season and hardens up in Frost season. The substance is bitter to the taste when its hard but sweet in liquid form.   Silver-tongue Sickness Silver-tongue Sickness is a consequence of ingesting too much Sweetwater. It turn the consumers tongue silver and causes them to be unable to taste the things they eat. Silver-Tongue doesn't cure on its own. The consumer must see an Herbalist to have the silver dissolved by swishing Dewy Berries and water in the mouth twice a day for five rp days. The water helps spread the acidic berry juice in the mouth over the tongue and then the consumer spits it out. Because the water deludes the acidic property of the berries, the ailment takes five rp days to completely clean the tongue. The affects of of Solver-Tongue sickness may also cause speech difficulty and trouble chewing food. Sever cases will have the consumer being fed by regurgitation to ensure the patient is kept in good health. Ebonthorn Ebonthorn is a tree that grows in Creaking woods. These trees do not bear leaves. Often mistaken for dead trees or trees burnt by fire, these trees are covered in a very dark shade of brown that looks black from a distance. Ebonthorn trees don't bare any foliage on them but their bark is soft and used to make bedding in the pack den. When the wind blows the bendable bark groans, letting off the eerie sounds that give Creaking forest its name. Wild Flare Wild Flare a bright red flowers that line cliffsides of Glizzly Flats and The Tear. This flower blooms in summer and maintains it's soft petals even after a few hours of being picked. While it is able to picked by its stem, the petals are toxic to wolves and causes rash and itching, vomiting and in severe cases, death. Herbalists must feed mashed Cinder flower seeds to the consumer three times a day to push out the illness. Wolves heal with two weeks of rest and care. Wild Flare are deadly to pups. Cinder Flowers Cinder Flowers are a wild flower that blooms seeds rather than petals. Looking like a green green bulb with a yellow and orange center, the flower grows seeds that drop during Harvest season. These seeds are dark brown with deep indents. They can be mushed into a paste to cure Wild Flare. Cinder Flowers only bloom in Harvest season which means many herbalists pick the seeds to have an abundance to cure the dealiest illness-Wild Flare. Azure Pine The Azure pine is a pine tree that spandex throughout the Emerald Forest. Taller that Ebonthorns, these trees weather many elements and provide cover from harsh weather. From a distance they look blue. Azure Pine drop pine needles in the Harvest season that are a deep green in color and gathered by Herbalists to use as an ailment for fevers when the consumer ingests them. Lavender A plant that grows in meadows. Lavender is used to aid in helping cure and prevent Mange and help the consumer have a deeper sleep. Lavender grows near Moose Creek and Earth Tender Fields. Patches of them also grow in Rotting Burrows and near the Jaw.

[Emerald Master]

NOMAD ECOUNTERS

Talu Riders Nomads who often ride Talu (horses or ponies) along trails of the Emerald Forest. Some Talu are packed with various items on their backs. Others carry Nomads through the forest. Talu Riders travel distances a lot quicker than Nomads on two legs. Skinners sometimes become talu riders and avoiding them becomes more difficult. Talu Riders often travel in groups. Some camp at Rotting Burrows while others travel north to the Abandoned Wellsprings. Earther Tenders Earth Tenders are not all bad. They grow some of the herbs Herbalists use in their medicines. More often that not, they are seen caring for the earth and praising it in Harvest season and working in in Root season. They raise Talu. The wolves have understood that the alternate food source spawned by Earth Tenders. When predators try to eat them, they are angry and "transform" into Skinners. Seven respects the Earth Tenders and tries not to send any of the pack their unless she needs to. Frost Riders Accompanied by Mor'uk, Frost Riders and often seen at the Wellsprings and Chrystal Pine Slopes. They travel by Mor'uk pulling large wodden contraptions across the land. They begin to arrive as Talu Riders at the end of Harvest season and trade Talu for the wooden sleds. The Mor'uk are trained to alarm the Frost Riders if wolves are near, or any creature for that matter. Frost Riders often guarded by Skinners and should be avoided when possible. Frost Riders are also known to become Skinners if they find their pack of Mor'uk are in danger, or if they themselves feel threatened. Skinners Skinners are a crude type of Nomad who carry various tools such as metal tubes and long wooden sticks to defend themselves. Skinners are mostly common in Harvest season when they travel in groups and hunt the Emerald Forest with Mor'uk in tow or scouting ahead. Mor'uk alert a Skinner when wolves or any animal are nearby. Some even give chase. Seven has decreed that the Mor'uk are to be avoided or put down to ensure the safety of the pack. Skinners are not unaccustomed to taking wolves and other animals captive, let alone setting traps. Nomad Pup Nomad pups often stray from Nomad Territories into the forest. While many don't appear to be a threat, some do follow suit in becoming Skinners. Some become Earth Tenders. Seven doesn't trust Nomads pups. She doesn't want to anger the Nomads. She only wishes to run them out of her territory.

[Emerald Master]

Moose Tracks Terminology

Moose Tracks has its own verbiage for many different things. While we may be in modern-day Colorado, wolves here wouldn't associate certain things to be called by what we humans call them. Here is a list of that verbiage that should be used in the roleplay. If your character has a history of living with Humans, you may have your character use different words within reason. Nomad - Refers to all humans in general. Nomad pup - A young human Earth Breaker - A miner of riches. To wolves, they are described as those who harm, or break earth and take it with them when they leave. Frost Rider - A musher or sled dog rider. The name wolves refer to when describing dog sleds the ride down the mountains. Earth Tender - A farmer. To wolves, they are seen as the ones who keep a stock of Food with them all year, making them a source of food when prey is scarce. Sometimes, they turn into Skinners and wolves tend to avoid them for a time. Skinners - Known as Hunters, Skinners come and go from the forest more commonly during Leaf Fall season. Sometimes, Skinners are believed to be feared as all creatures do.   Mongrel Wars - A term that describes the dog fights some wolves may have been victim to when captured by Nomads. Harvest Season - fall season Frost Season - winter season Cinder Season - summer season Root Season - spring season The Emerald Forest - Wolves refer to White River Wilderness as The Emerald Forest. The Rising Spirits Pack - Wolves refer to themselves as Rising Spirits Pack. Humans may address the pack as White River Pack.