Post by Evergreen on Feb 7, 2014 18:46:29 GMT -5
The Clergy
Here for all your spiritual needs
Pope
(male or **rarely** a female. Leads the entire pack as the sole alpha.)
Bishop
(male or rarely a female. The Pope's second in command and right hand.)
Priests
Deacons
Chancellor
(only male. In charge of keeping monthly pack records; e.x. pups born, deaths from natural causes, members killed, number of times attacked, etc.)
Monks
(only male. Must be virgins; if not 'fixed' already, they are castrated by one of the Priests to insure that they cannot have pups. Devote their entire lives to prayer and studying scripture.)
Nuns
(only female. Must be virgins. Devote their entire lives to prayer and studying scripture.)
The Everyday Members
Strength in numbers
Providers
(male or female. unlimited. Bring back food for the pack.)
News Carriers
(male or female. only five. Peaceful. Fast runners. Carry news between packs)
Menders
(male or female. up to six. Canines gifted with knowing how to heal the wounded using natural remedies.)
Crusaders
(male or female. unlimited. guard the pack from invaders and patrol the pack's borders daily then report any news back. Two guards are always posted at night to watch for danger.)
Catechumens
(male or female. unlimited. recently accepted adult canines or young canines that are both born into or invited into the pack who are learning the ways and traditions of the pack)
The Shielded
Must be protected
Youth
(male or female. unlimited. Canines a year old and younger.)
Elders
(male or female. unlimited. Canines 8 years old and older.)
The Invisible
Not to be respected by the pack
Sinners
(male or female. unlimited. Canines who have done sinful deeds within or outside of the pack and are awaiting their branding and exile.
::Rules to Abide By::
- You can be friends with canines in other packs, mates outside of this pack are not allowed
- Polygamy is not to be tolerated by males or females
- Harsh treatment of a pack member is not allowed
- Obey the orders given to you
- Always help a canine in need, even if they are not from your pack
- Bring food to the elders and nursing females
- No fighting within camp; take it outside
- The Sinners can be used as 'personal assistants' until they are branded and exiled.
- Report any known sinners to one of the Priests
- Confessions are confidential, unless murder, rape, or incest is confessed
- Killing and then sacrificing whole animals is considered by Moya to be a sin; sacrificing non-living/inanimate things/replaceable animal parts (rocks, already dead animals, plants, antlers, teeth, fur, shells, shed skin, etc.) will be allowed, but outside of camp at the Marble Alter
- Openly criticizing one’s religion that is not your own results in a good lecture from one of the Clergy members or from Moya herself. The first time, one is let off with a lengthy lecture and a warning. Second offense, a harsh beating. Third offense, one is branded and exiled
- Fasting* is not enforced upon the pack every Friday and during Lent, but Moya encourages it among her pack’s members (Canines a year of age and younger, nursing females, the sick, and elders are exempt from Fasting)
- Nuns and Monks may NOT have mates
::What we celebrate::
Because Moya is a Roman Catholic, the pack will celebrate various saint feast days and holidays within the Church. The timing of the holidays follows the IRL (in real life) calendar.
The Feast Day of Saint Roch (patron saint of dogs)- August 17th. This is a day purely for socializing, eating, telling stories, or playing games. At one point, Moya (or usually one of the Priests) will summon the entire pack together and tell the story of Saint Roch. No chores or training is to happen on this day.
Christmas Eve- December 24th. This day is most commonly looked forward to by the Youth of Mair; as they know that they will be waking up the next morning to presents left by Saint Nick (called Santa Paws by the non-religious/non-Christian canines within the pack). The adult dogs typically go out and gather things to leave in the little shallow bowls that the Youth dug in the earth outside of the nursery. The gifts may include a cool rock, a pretty bird feather, a nice animal pelt, or a special trinket/piece of jewelry foraged by Techa.
Christmas Day- December 25th. A day of swapping gifts, singing, socializing, and eating. Canines of Mair are encouraged to attend Mass*** in the Meánlann Chamber. No chores or training is to be done on this day.
The Feast Day of Saint Valentine (Valentine's Day)- February 14th. A very minor celebration for the canines of Mair. Adults give gifts to their crush or mate and life goes on as normal.
Ash Wednesday-
Lent- From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Canines are encouraged to give up a bad habit or to take on a good habit. Pack members are obligated to abstain** on Fridays during this time.
The Feast Day of Saint Patrick (Saint Patrick's Day)- This is a big day for Moya and any other canines of Irish blood.
Good Friday- A day of obligated fasting, silence, contemplation, and prayer that is the Friday before Easter Sunday. No chores or training is to be done on this day.
Easter Sunday-
::What are these words that you speak?::
Fast* = Abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance. For Mair Canines, this means meat. They can however, eat fish. Fasting means that one typically only eats at one time during the entire day (usually a morning meal and that's it).
Abstain** = Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something. Unlike in fasting, one may eat as often as they wish during the day. For Mair Canines, this means giving up meat. They can however, eat fish.
Mass*** = A celebration of the Christian Eucharist or Holy Communion, especially in the Roman Catholic Church. It's basically a church service. Because of a canine's lack of thumbs and not knowing how to bake/cook, there is no bread or wine during these services.
