Swamp Wolves

Used to the horrid conditions of the swamp, these werewolves are used to the damp cold temperatures that fluctuate around their home. The territory runs for a thousand miles wide and about four hundred miles from north to south. Typically, a swamp this big would include a bunch of marshes and bogs, along with an unnatural dry-cold climate that rolls in from the eastern White Mountains. While being located in the Deep Waters Region, they are one of five ethnicities of the Moonlight Expanse.
Each swamp wolf is trained from a very young age how to tread lightly, a swamp wolf can walk across a bog without sinking in. As strange as it is, a swamp wolf has lighter mass due to their bones being more hollow, allowing them move with grace amongst the tree. However, they will eventually sink if they go out too far. While swamp wolves are aloof, they don't easily get angered, but when they, they act almost as if they are feral and maneuver swiftly through the trees and across bogs.
Another feature of the swamp wolf is their wolf pelt. Unlike the thick, silky-soft fur of the plain wolves, mountain wolves, or the desert wolves, swamp wolves have short, coarse fur and a unique set of webbing between the toes of their paws that is perfect for swimming in the swampy waters.

Zach Lewis: "Don't walk too far out there, son. We may not be able to drag your corpse out of the muck."

Zane Lewis: "When am I ever as stupid as a leech?"

— Zach and Zane out hunting Itudean Soldiers

Industry, Art, & Clothing

Garments

Materials

A swamp wolf is rarely seen without being covered in leaves, wood, vines, and leather, which are easily accessible given the flora that grows around the area. Each material can be collected by the trees and some fauna, such as rabbits, deer, and the blackwater alligator. Swamp wolves make sure to not overtake in a world where hardships run rampant.

by jeonsango (Pixabay)

Dress Styles

Swamp wolves tend to wear plain camouflage, using various shades of greens and browns, to blend into their surroundings. There are even those who use green paints to cover their skin and hair, especially if they are light-skinned or light-haired. Generally, they appear like swamp druids with dreaded hair.

by Amelia Nite (Hero Forge)

Armor

Swamp wolves don't have to worry about many injuries thanks to the leather armor they wear underneath the leaves. Some even use vines to strap thicker chunks of animal hide to their body.

by Amelia Nite (Hero Forge)

Table of Contents

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by Ilse Gort (ArtofMTG)

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Quick Facts

Parent Ethnicities:

Expansionists

Encompassed Species:

Werewolf

Leader:

Zach Lewis

Leader Rank:

Alpha

Related Organizations:

The Deep Waters Region

Capital:

Shadow Lake Pack

Languages Spoken:

Common
Wolf Terminology

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Naming Traditions

Feminine Names:

Daimusa
Jolene
Lydia
Milan

Masculine Names:

Dean
Viktor
Zach
Zane

Unisex Names:

Dallas
Logan
Peyton
River

Family Names:

Balkin
Decker
Lewis
Tyler

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Political Ideals

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Religion and Spirituality

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Etiquette

Workplace

Swamp wolves are always kept busy, rarely seeing entertainment. In response to this, many swamp wolves has a cold disposition and always know to follow the commands of their boss, even if they are told to jump straight in the middle of the bog. Rules are made to be followed. Swamp wolves of lower ranks are to keep their eyes lowered and never raise their voice to talk back.

Table manners and Meals

Food is always a staple to any wolf, but swamp wolves carry the most notorious meal times. Public meals outside of the family require more grace and tact with not stuffing one's face. They'll use silverware and try to copy the other patrons around them. However, a swamp wolf eating in the presence of their family displays unethical eating habits, such as stuffing one's face, but also being aggressive if another swamp wolf attempts to take the food away for themselves, resulting in bloody fights and sometimes, someone ending up dead. In other words, a swamp wolf tends to each like they'll never eat again.

Communication

Friendships are hard to come by, but for those who have managed to make friends, they greet each other with a bow of their heads and grasp each other's forearm to shake. They may be more relaxed around their friends, but keeping politeness and semi-professionalism is required, as to not give the wrong impression.
Each family is uniqe, yet the head of the family has the authority. One must bow to the head of the family in greeting, who, in return, pats their shoulder. When saying goodbye to family, a swamp wolf must give a hug. The longer the hug, the closer the bond.
Elders are to be respected and any swamp wolf that is not an Elder rank is to remain quiet and always listen. The only time they can retaliate is if being spoken down to.
When in the presence of nobility or the Alpha, keeping the head bowed is important, but the most important part is to never look the Alpha in the eyes. A swamp wolf must also spek clearly and concisely.

Food and Drink

The only source for water is swamp water, which is collected, boiled, and then cooled, where it can then be drinkable. On the other hand, the swamp provides plenty of food, such as deer, alligators, softshell turtles, snapping turtles, otters, coot, rabbits, plethora of fish, and a variety of insects.

Intoxicants

Alcohol is straight-up forbidden. Some swamp wolves will sneak it in, but face a punishment if caught. Any form of essential oils are non-existent in the pack, and are believed to be hallucinogenics. Medicinal drugs can be tolerated, but only if the Pack Doctor agrees to it, which only happens after discussing it with the Alpha first.

Punishments

When a punishment is announced publicly, it is done so by the Alpha, but the Wolf Council is the one to choose the punishment to be doled out. The physical act is either doled out by the Head Warrior werewolf or by the one receiving the punishment, such as when given community service as a punishment.

Criminal Punishments

Legal/Legally Protected:	- Torture - Child abuse
Illegal (But Ignored):	- Libel - Arson - Animal cruelty
Neither Legal, Nor Illegal:	- Burglary - Manslaughter - Being in debt
Punishments for criminals include:	- A public apology - Death by combat - Death by lethal injection of wolfsbane - Public humiliation - Community service

Taboos and Social Attitudes

Socially Accepted Behaviours:	- Fly-tipping - Dishonesty
Major Social Problems:	- Religious hate crime - Littering - Atheism
Major Taboos:	- Drug abuse - LGBTQIA+ - Adultery
Minor Taboos:	- Smoking in public - Allowing an animal to foul in public spaces
Punishments for breaking Major taboos include:	- A short prison sentence - The death sentence
Punishments for breaking Minor taboos include:	- Public humiliation - A small fine - Community service

Traditions

The most common traditions found in the Deep Waters Region is the Walk the Bog, which is used for those reaching the age of 13 years old and proving themselves in their communities, and the Swamp Wolf Memorials, where swamp wolves give lengthy, moving ceremonies for their dead.