The West River

Aug 18, 20155 min read

Deviation Actions

Published: Aug 18, 2015

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The West River

West

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_{The west river is a vast river that spans from the Tarkot Mountains to the Kesuk Bay where it meets the ocean and joins the sea. Different pieces of the river have different meanings and lore.}

_{It hold many names by many packs. The Yiyąą, the Idjín, the Tįgha, but universally it is know as the west river. All understand that the river is a safe ground. Any tokota may pass through any territory or space so long as they are within ten tail lengths of the river and taking no prey but the fish that swim in it, that is because tokota law states that nobody may own the river, regardless of pack or claim to it, and should any attempt to do so, they lose the right any lands formerly claimed as their own.}
_{To those that live in the Tarkot Mountains, the river is life. The fish found in the river are how they bulk up for the long winter months. If you don't know how to fish in these mountains, then you won't be lasting long. The tokotas honor the river here, it's seen as sacred and to swear on the west river and break your word is an offense punishable by scars or exile. In some cases even death is warranted. The river is always held in the highest regard in these mountains, and to speak ill of it is to outcast yourself.

Unlike in the mountains, way down in the flat lands of the Qammutiq Flats, the river is death. Here it is fast flowing and dangerous, and those few that dare enter it's rapids and survive are considered either blessed or cursed depending on who you might ask. The Ila pack with not go near the river during it's fast flowing months, and very few dare go near it when the waters are slow, and even then it's only when they must to survive. No fish from this river are ever eaten by them, though the lake that it forms are considered acceptable in times of dire need. By some it is said that the river's danger comes from tokotas who drowned in it long before, who cling to those that enter it in an attempt to free themselves from the river's clutches.

In the Iluq Forest, the river has two puposes, it serves as a food source with it's fish, but more importantly the river serves as a guide to any lost in it. It's waters are clear of fog here. If you should find yourself lost in the forest, it's said that the best thing to do is to listen for the sound of the water so the river can guide you home. The waters wind throughout the forest, and most tokotas use it as a landmark to follow so that they can find their way through the most dense and foggy areas. Here the river is seen as a single spirit rather then many, a kind and motherly spirit who feeds and guides lost pups home. Whenever a pup from the Taktuq pack is lost, the river is the one their families ask to bring them home.

Finally, the river comes out in Kesuk Bay. Here it hold one more meaning, spirits coming home. According to the Yakone pack, the river's summer waters are those that died in the year before. Now returning home to visit the new pups of the year and bless them before moving on. Their lore tells that each year after every pup has been born and opened their eyes, the spirits come down from the sky to the mountains. They race down the river under the cover of night and return to see the pack's newest lives. On that night, parents keep their pups awake by the river so that they can be there to greet the spirits and accept what blessings they may bring. The last pup born in each year is consider particularly lucky, for it's their eyes opening that will call the spirits home.

The flow and area around the river can change, sometimes it is a fast and racing, and other times slow and calm, but no matter where you find the river and what pack lives around it, you can be sure that it has a meaning to them.}
_{Region: West}
_{Population (if city): Up to a hundred humans live along the banks.}
_{Climate/weather: Stormy along the estuary, weather varies along river}
_{Significant features/landmarks: It reaches to the top of the Tarkot Mountain and extends through all the lands of the tokos.}
_{Lore: To some the river means death, to others life and still to other's more it is the return of spirits from long before, it really depends on who you ask.}
_{Stories/rumors/warnings (if any): Pack to pack, the rumors and stories vary greatly, some warn that spirits with drag you into it's depths and drown you, others warn that if you speak ill of the river that you may face exile or death, and still others tell you that if you are ever lost, it is the river that you should ask to guide you home.}
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_{written by Rosae-Aurelia}

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