Portal
Introduction
Raj (singular), or Rajnaruk (plural) is the dominant species of the Whitefall and Salt and Ash universe. They are large, powerful and magical wolves based on Dire Wolves, but they are very different to a regular modern wolf. They are divided by eight known sub-species that differs in culture, fur color and pattern, and habitat. They will still growl, howl, wag their tails and have similar body-language and expressions, similar to modern wolves, but in many ways they are similar to humans. They are intelligent and smart, being able to craft items and tame Familiars to help them and are very human-like in several aspects. Even if they are so widespread and dominant they co-exist with other sentinent creatures, such as saber cats and foxes.
Info
Raj are large wolves that are roughly the size of a bear. They have survived many natural disasters and plagues and are widespread as the dominant sentinent species in Velost Helshire. They are usually respectful and honorable, but this changes between each species. They are very religious, and atheists is rare and shunned if one appears. They are incredibly powerful and magical, and they are sturdy and can survive a lot more than regular wolves and animals could.
The Raj are a rather brutal and proud specie, however this depends on each invidual. In some cultures murder within the Noble families are normal, while in others it's different.
They live in communities where follow their leader, known as a Jarl or leader. A Jarl is born from a Nobleborn family, a bloodline that has existed for as long as anyone can remember, while leaders are usually chosen. While all Raj have magic, only Nobleborns have elemental magic, which is what gives them the Nobleborn status. Each Jarl control the lands the species live on in their Capitols. If one makes an enemy with one Jarl, they may be safe if they escape to another Territory and are on good terms with the other species. Beneath each Jarl serves (often several) Lords and Ladies in smaller cities who help run things, and they will often swear allegiance to the Jarl. There are no king, and each Jarl serves to their own. Fights and war has occoured throughout history for more land or resources, while most Jarls has been at peace it all changed when the Impious War began with the son of one of the most powerful Jarls in the land, which made hostility and mistrust rise between all the different species. It's not uncommon to see in a lot of wolf towns foxes, sobels or other carnivores mingling and helping the wolves for protection.
Death
Death is very common throughout the species due to the harsh and unforgiving land, and they will grieve the fallen with a short prayer or a ritual. They are also known in general to not touch the dead, due to belief that it will disturb the dead. In truth, the rumour came about a long time later a plague twindled the population down and the plague spread from the dead to the living upon touch. Since then it became legend and a belief, and in general only family members will touch the dead of their family, or High Priests.
Each culture buries and treats their dead their own special ways.
Religion
They believe in a varity of religions, folklore, fairytales and myths. While for some it is not an insult to say "oh my gods" in some cultures it is very inappropriate and could even be punishable.
The Raj are a rather brutal and proud specie, however this depends on each invidual. In some cultures murder within the Noble families are normal, while in others it's different.
They live in communities where follow their leader, known as a Jarl or leader. A Jarl is born from a Nobleborn family, a bloodline that has existed for as long as anyone can remember, while leaders are usually chosen. While all Raj have magic, only Nobleborns have elemental magic, which is what gives them the Nobleborn status. Each Jarl control the lands the species live on in their Capitols. If one makes an enemy with one Jarl, they may be safe if they escape to another Territory and are on good terms with the other species. Beneath each Jarl serves (often several) Lords and Ladies in smaller cities who help run things, and they will often swear allegiance to the Jarl. There are no king, and each Jarl serves to their own. Fights and war has occoured throughout history for more land or resources, while most Jarls has been at peace it all changed when the Impious War began with the son of one of the most powerful Jarls in the land, which made hostility and mistrust rise between all the different species. It's not uncommon to see in a lot of wolf towns foxes, sobels or other carnivores mingling and helping the wolves for protection.
Death
Death is very common throughout the species due to the harsh and unforgiving land, and they will grieve the fallen with a short prayer or a ritual. They are also known in general to not touch the dead, due to belief that it will disturb the dead. In truth, the rumour came about a long time later a plague twindled the population down and the plague spread from the dead to the living upon touch. Since then it became legend and a belief, and in general only family members will touch the dead of their family, or High Priests.
Each culture buries and treats their dead their own special ways.
Religion
They believe in a varity of religions, folklore, fairytales and myths. While for some it is not an insult to say "oh my gods" in some cultures it is very inappropriate and could even be punishable.
Early Age
They are considered young adults at the age of 16, but can inherit roles and titles as early as birth. They are born with dark fur and short tails, blind and deaf for the first three months of their lifetime. After they open their eyes they will be naturally curious and want to explore, and up to the age of 1 year old they will be wobbly and unsteady but will try to explore and are very curious. They can also begin to form words but no proper sentence. During the first year of their growth they are at great risk of dying to various reasons. Survival rate for Raj is quite low, and it is not unusual there are stillborns or complications during birth.
After they pass one year, they will grow rapidly but it is shown that they will not remember much up until 2 years of age unless something traumatic happened. They keep growing and developing slow up to the age of 4 years old. Parents are usually very watchful of them up to the age of 5, and after this they can even start to go outside and start to work or prepare for their future ranks and jobs (hunters will start to join hunts, and servants will join their parents to help serve). At the age of 7 they will suddenly experience a sudden growth burst. They will grow fast and rapidly, and often look very skinny malnourished as they grow into their teenage-years. They will be much more mature and aware of their world, customs and what they will grow up to become and what rank they are in, and parents will not watch as closely as they used to. Some parents will mentor their children, while other will send them off to mentors or scholars to learn to write and read. At the age between 10 and 12 puberty begins and they are fully physically mature at the age of 16. Most stay with their parents to continue their legacy, while some decide to leave when the parents stop taking care of them or have a second litter.
Nobleborn
Nobleborns grow up the same way an average Raj would. The only difference is their magical blood that will start to show early on. A Nobleborn can and might use their elemental powers to benefit themselves to secure survival for their kind. Their magic will act on its own if the individual is in danger or is in need of something to benefit their health. The Nobleborns naturally have better chances of survival.
Mating
Mating occurs mostly late fall or early winter. Pregnancy lasts for 7 months, and it is not uncommon that survival for the youngsters are small, depending on the status of the family. They are driven by instinct, and it is common to have children and pups for Raj. Arranged marriages are very common between powerful Families, Tribes and Houses to forge powerful alliances or to gain status.
Most common is it to have one child each pregnancy, twins are not uncommon but not common, but happens mostly through genetics. More than twins is very rare.
After they pass one year, they will grow rapidly but it is shown that they will not remember much up until 2 years of age unless something traumatic happened. They keep growing and developing slow up to the age of 4 years old. Parents are usually very watchful of them up to the age of 5, and after this they can even start to go outside and start to work or prepare for their future ranks and jobs (hunters will start to join hunts, and servants will join their parents to help serve). At the age of 7 they will suddenly experience a sudden growth burst. They will grow fast and rapidly, and often look very skinny malnourished as they grow into their teenage-years. They will be much more mature and aware of their world, customs and what they will grow up to become and what rank they are in, and parents will not watch as closely as they used to. Some parents will mentor their children, while other will send them off to mentors or scholars to learn to write and read. At the age between 10 and 12 puberty begins and they are fully physically mature at the age of 16. Most stay with their parents to continue their legacy, while some decide to leave when the parents stop taking care of them or have a second litter.
Nobleborn
Nobleborns grow up the same way an average Raj would. The only difference is their magical blood that will start to show early on. A Nobleborn can and might use their elemental powers to benefit themselves to secure survival for their kind. Their magic will act on its own if the individual is in danger or is in need of something to benefit their health. The Nobleborns naturally have better chances of survival.
Mating
Mating occurs mostly late fall or early winter. Pregnancy lasts for 7 months, and it is not uncommon that survival for the youngsters are small, depending on the status of the family. They are driven by instinct, and it is common to have children and pups for Raj. Arranged marriages are very common between powerful Families, Tribes and Houses to forge powerful alliances or to gain status.
Most common is it to have one child each pregnancy, twins are not uncommon but not common, but happens mostly through genetics. More than twins is very rare.
Senses
Vocalization
The Raj speaks Mawor, which roughly translates to "jaw-noise", which is their widespread language but each species has their own dialects. They have a large vocalization that includes brumms, chuffs, growls, snarls, deep-growls, bellows, howling, barking, whining, whimpering and various cries. They mostly use speech in everyday conversations, but will also use sounds to make their points or to show off. They will for example have a growling sound coming from their throats if they threaten someone, or whines if they are afraid. The brums and chuffs are used for their young ones to communicate safety and a way to express care and comfort as well as contentment. They will never stop brumming or chuffing as they grow older, and it is also been recorded that they brumm before they die of old age.
Senses
The Rajnaruk has a good sense of hearing and smell, and can see in colors. While they rather use their eyes and brain in most situations, they will also use their sense of smell to find prey or tracks. They have, however, rather poor night-vision and their eyes takes some time to adjust to the dark.
Body Language
They will express themselves often with natural body language. Puffing their fur out like a cat when frightened, growl when threatened, wag their tail happy and give each other licks to show affection. They are however more personal and don't appreciate when other wolves gets too close to them.
Eye contact is considered rude if a lower class looks into the eyes of a higher status Raj. In many cases and depending on circumstances, it can also be seen as a challenge amongst the higher classes and as a bold move and they might be bitten or pinned.
The Raj speaks Mawor, which roughly translates to "jaw-noise", which is their widespread language but each species has their own dialects. They have a large vocalization that includes brumms, chuffs, growls, snarls, deep-growls, bellows, howling, barking, whining, whimpering and various cries. They mostly use speech in everyday conversations, but will also use sounds to make their points or to show off. They will for example have a growling sound coming from their throats if they threaten someone, or whines if they are afraid. The brums and chuffs are used for their young ones to communicate safety and a way to express care and comfort as well as contentment. They will never stop brumming or chuffing as they grow older, and it is also been recorded that they brumm before they die of old age.
Senses
The Rajnaruk has a good sense of hearing and smell, and can see in colors. While they rather use their eyes and brain in most situations, they will also use their sense of smell to find prey or tracks. They have, however, rather poor night-vision and their eyes takes some time to adjust to the dark.
Body Language
They will express themselves often with natural body language. Puffing their fur out like a cat when frightened, growl when threatened, wag their tail happy and give each other licks to show affection. They are however more personal and don't appreciate when other wolves gets too close to them.
Eye contact is considered rude if a lower class looks into the eyes of a higher status Raj. In many cases and depending on circumstances, it can also be seen as a challenge amongst the higher classes and as a bold move and they might be bitten or pinned.