#this was originally just a page on my blog but im rearanging some stuff so

[sedge-and-sanctuary]

[map made with inkarnate]

The Territory

The Sanctuary Pack’s territory sits high in the Rocky Mountains, straddling the tree line. Wolves grow up strong and healthy in the high altitude, with unusual lung capacity and paws made tough by the daily scrabble up slopes and over boulders.

Lower Slopes- The Crooked Wood

On the lower slopes of Sanctuary territory grows a stunted sub-alpine forest. The trees here bend and twist in odd directions, shaped by wind and poor soil. The strange trees have given this forest its name: The Crooked Wood.

Though the conditions can be harsh, prey runs thick through the forest, and Sanctuary’s hunters try their teeth against deer, mountain goat, grouse, and- if nothing better presents itself- the fish that sometimes run through the forest’s streams.

The Tuckamore river marks the boundary of the wood. The waters have eroded much of the rock away over the years, and make a steep drop-off at the southern edge of the territory. Where the river bends, and the banks are more shallow, wolves can cross over into the forests beyond, and this stretch of wood beyond the river eventually serves as a burial ground for that pack’s lost members.

Upper Slopes- The Overlook

The upper slopes of the Sanctuary territory consists of rocky tundra, the altitude too high for trees to grow. The soil is poor above the treeline, and the air cold. Only hardy, scrubby plants can survive– but these plants grow nowhere else in Sanctuary, and are vital to the pack’s healers. Even this apparently barren stretch of rock serves its purpose to The Pack.

The wolves of Sanctuary have thoroughly scouted the upper slopes, and the cliffs- while outwardly treacherous- give sure enough footing to a wolf who knows the right paths. If The Pack is ever attacked, they plan to flee into the upper slopes, and let the unfamiliar terrain take care of their enemy for them.

A hidden trail here leads to a cliff-plateau that overlooks the main camp, and all of Sanctuary Territory beyond. The pack has named this outcropping The Overlook, and its surrounding cliffs The Overlook Cliffs.

During their Rites of Passage, young wolves leave painted pawprints on The Overlook rock, to mark their transition into full adult members of The Sanctuary Pack.

The Jawbone

Between these two extremes lies the packs’ main camp. A triangular valley cut out of the upper slopes, the camp is sheltered from wind and weather by its surrounding cliffs. This shelter has allowed the valley to grow into a beautiful alpine meadow, with rich soil and soft heather underfoot. The meadow’s triangular shape has given the camp its name-- The Jawbone-- because it resembles the shape of a wolf’s jaw.

The cliffs have crumbled away in several places, and many of these crevices are big enough to nest in; the wolves at Sanctuary have made an ongoing project of clearing the debris out of these caves in an attempt to clear enough dens for every wolf to shelter inside. 

#wolvden #the sanctuary pack #worldbuilding #this was originally just a page on my blog but im rearanging some stuff so #its a post now. #I think maybe #there's like. some thought that the river by the burial grounds serves as a 'passage' for the dead wolves #& thats why that spot was chosen #I havent given much though to the like. spiritual or religious practices of the pack #but probably there is some superstition surrounding crossing the river #and wolves develop little habits like 'you have to hold your breath while you cross' or something #not sure what to name the river yet. #tempted to call it the tuckamore bcos. thats what I've always heard those twisted type of trees called #but Im kinda wanting to go for a more ~spiritual or mourning feel w it? IDK #plus why would these wolves in british columbia use like. human maritime slang lmao