Territory Map: -coming as soon as Blackfoot finishes it-
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TERRITORYShore,
shallows and islands: The shore is a narrow strip of sand, littered
with rocks, seaweed, and driftwood. When the tide drop, the shallows
becomes a buffet of clams, barnacles, crabs and shellfish. Several
meters from shore are an assortment of small islands and sandbars. How
one accesses these islands is up to them- whether they choose to swim
the shallow waters, or wait for low tide.
Stream: Not only does
this narrow, winding stretch of rushing water, broken by short
waterfalls, provide the pack with drinking water (remember, the ocean is
salty and therefore cannot be drunk from), but in the fall and spring
it provides a feast of spawning salmon. The river is shallow and rocky,
so there is little risk of an adult or even juvenile wolf drowning. But
the current is still strong, and can sweep a young, unsteady wolf of
their paws.
Forests: An expanse of massive firs and pines,
thick undergrowth and ferns, and fallen trees rich with moss. This lush
temperate rainforest gives the pack life- stocked full of moose, small
mammals, birds and deer to be eaten. The undergrowth provides plenty of
cover for a wolf and many places for a den. The forest is at low risk
for forest fires, due to the wet climate. Wolves here need good
navigational sense and agility to maneuver through the trees and plants.
The base of the mountains, where the forest become thick with pines and
rockier, is where the territory ends.
Main Den: In a small
clearing, under a small entrance beneath a dirt ledge, concealed by
thick mosses and ferns, is the packs main home. Despite the rather small
entrance, the inside is surprisingly large- big enough to house more
than a dozen wolves. The dirt walls shelter the inside from the
elements, keeping it cool, dark and dry. At the back of the den is a
hidden exit, accessible only from the inside. It provides a backup
escape route, should it ever be necessary.
Natural Disasters: Due to the wet weather,
the forest is generally safe from forest fires. In the springtime,
seasonal melt can cause landslides, rockfalls and avalanches. Flooding
may also occur near the stream during this time, and sloughs often form
throughout the forest.
Tides: Because tides change over the seasons, we're going to use this handy chart for reference:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]If
somebody who knows a lot about widgets could, I'd love it if they could
set up a mini version of that chart to refer to while RPing. Until
then, you'll have to make do with this.
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CLIMATETemperature:
The average temperature is 0 and above (typically 0 to 20), with
temperatures reaching a high of 20-30 during the warmest summer months
(on rare occasions they may reach 30+, but due to the wet climate this
is uncommon). In the winter, temperatures can drop up to -30 (average is
0 to -20 or -25. Temperature may hit -40 during colder months, but this
isn't too common.)
Weather: The average precipitation is 200-
300 cm per year (about 1. 825cm- 1.216 cm of precipitation a day).
Basically, this means the weather is misty and rainy year-round,
particularly in the springtime. In summertime, there may be a few weeks
of sunshine and heat. In the winter, this precipitation takes the form
of snow (and sleet in the winter/spring time). The pack is sheltered
from wind and heavy snowfalls by the thick trees, however, so the ground
is typically snow free until you get to the less-covered areas.
However, they don't shelter from the rain and mist, so the wolves need
to get used to brushing against damp plants and mosses and spatters of
rain on their fur (hope your wolf is a water fan!)
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PREYMoose:
these massive mammals are common throughout the forest. They are armed
with huge antlers and a powerful kick, and can be extremely aggressive
during the mating and calving seasons. It takes a team of strong wolves
to take down a moose, but one or two can take down a calf (just watch
out for the mother!)
Deer: Sitka, white tailed, black tailed and
mule deer call this forest home. Smaller, faster and more skittish than
moose, they can be hard to catch. Despite their smaller size, it still
takes a group of wolves to take one down. Fawns are an easier meal than
moose calves, as mothers are less likely to trample a wolf.
Bighorn
Sheep: These horned sheep sometimes hang around the base of the
mountains. Males are armed with massive curled horns and sharp hooves,
so beware. Ewes and lambs make an easier meal, but can still can be hard
to catch in the rocky bases of the mountains where they leap easily
from ledge to ledge, while a wolf must scramble up the steep slope.
Small
mammals: Rabbits, mice, squirrels, voles and shrews hide in shrubs and
burrows. Though they aren't a big meal, they'll satisfy a wolf's hunger
for a while.
Otters and beavers: These water-dwellers can be
found in the shallows, resting on the islands and sandbars, or building
dams in the stream. Be careful not to let them make a getaway into the
water, or you'll never catch them.
Seals and Sea lions: These
creatures are a difficult catch. Mostly found resting on the islands or
the shore, wolf must carefully sneak up on these animals- you'll never
be able to catch them. It requires strategy to kill a seal or sea lion.
(Harbour seals and Steller's sea lions are the common species of seal
and sea lions in this area)
Beached Whales: Occasionally, a whale
may wash up on shore and die. An adult beached whale can feed the pack
for months. (Species of whale in this area include humpback, gray,
minke, and orca's. Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbour porpoises,
dall’s porpoises are also found here.)
Fish: Char, trout and
herring can be caught in the ocean. In the spring and autumn, however,
the stream is alive with salmon which provide the pack with an easy
feast.
Birds: Small birds such as marbeled murrelets and sparrows can be hunted here, as well as waterbirds like ducks and gulls.
Other: Octopus and squid may sometimes be left behind by the tide. As well as clams, mussels, crabs, shellfish and barnacles.
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PREDATORSBears:
Though black bears and kermode bear can be chased off more easily and
pose a lesser threat, grizzly bears can be more persistent and are a
tougher battle to fight. Both species occur in the forests, especially
during the salmon run and calving/fawning season. One wolf against an
adult bear is no match, and should turn tail instead.
Mountain
Lions: These big cats can sometimes be found in the forests, but
normally closer to the mountains base. They typically avoid wolves, but
will sometimes steal carcasses, and have been known to feed on
unattended pups.
Coyotes and Foxes: Although they pose a little threat to an adult wolf, they will sometimes prey on pups and steal prey.
Birds
of Prey: Hawks, eagles and owls have been known to make off with pups
and, on very rare occasions, a juvenile or adult wolf. The thick canopy
provides protection from these aerial predators, thankfully.
Humans:
Stories of humans carrying strange sticks that shoot fire have been
told by wolves everywhere, but this is a very, very rare occurrence in
Coastal Shores territory. (B.C's coastal wolves are protected from
hunting. The very rare occurrences of wolves being shot are poachers.)
It is more common to see humans walking around the forests, tearing
through the woods on strange machines (quads and dirt bikes) or floating
through the water in upturned wooden leaves (boats). It is best to
avoid humans, as they can be unpredictable.
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