====== Pack Magic, Ceremonies & Ritual Behavior ======
[[Werewolf Magic & Ritual Behavior]]
=====Challenge & Dominance Fights=====
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]]
* most werewolves died in dominance fights with other wolves201
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #5: [[Silver Borne]]
* an Alpha can be challenged at any time221
* the [[Marrok]] doesn't allow fights for an Alpha position without his consent221
* not even fear of the Marrok can completely control the nature of the pack221
* there is no tradition that dictates dominance fights have to be done in human form229
* it is common though, because it makes the challenge more about skill and strength; when you are armed with fangs and claws, a lucky hit can take out a more skilled opponent229
* traditional for the family of the Alpha to have the equivalent of ringside seats for the fight230
* formality of running the challenge by the Marrok231
* women don't fight in challenge fights231
* the challenger must be within three ranks of the challengee232
* the official code of conduct; says challenge within "three men" of your rank; it does not say that the challenger has to be a man234
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #9: [[Fire Touched]]
* outside Alpha challenges were so unusual as to be almost unheard-of116
* outside challenges usually came from lone wolves too dominant to be welcomed into a pack on their own116
* one Alpha only challenged another when two packs were too close together—or if an Alpha had a personal vendetta against another116
* such battles were supposed to be one-on-one, but, historically speaking, unless an Alpha was utterly useless, his pack would fight for him117
* quite often both Alphas and most of both packs would die in the fight117
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #12: [[Smoke Bitten]]
* at its heart, taking over a pack is simple: kill the Alpha in a challenge105
=====The October Change=====
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]]
* the last full moon of October, all of those who chose to try to become werewolves were allowed to come forward74
* in a formal ceremony they were savaged by [[Bran Cornick]], or by some other wolf who loved them, in the hopes they would rise Changed74
=====Hunting Song=====
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]]
* instinct takes over when a wolf is on the hunt79
*
====The First Hunt====
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]]
* the first hunt should not be interrupted82
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #2: [[Blood Bound]]
* a basic question asked of new werewolves who were ready to go for their first hung; what do you do when you're out hunting and you can't find any tracks or scent? You go to places that will attract your prey224
[[Roses in Winter]]
* no allowances are made for age or gender292
* half the business of the First Hunt is establishing how dominant the wolves are; it gets bloody292
=====Flesh-and-Blood Ceremony=====
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #4: [[Bone Crossed]]
* the Alpha's blood and flesh68
* "From this day forward
* Mine to me and mine. Pack.
* "Yours to you, mine to me.
* Magic burns through, following the path of that bit of flesh; made you pack69
* it was more usual to do it in full pack meeting, but the pack wasn't required; just a bit of the Alpha's flesh and blood and an exchange of vows70
* wolf packs were dictatorships, but when you're dealing with a bunch of Americans brought up on the Bill of Rights, you still had to step a little carefully74
* new members were generally announced as prospective rather than as faits accomplis74
* non-werewolf mates weren't part of the pack, not really; they had status, as the mates of wolves, but they weren't pack; couldn't be made into pack with fifty flesh-and-blood ceremonies—the magic just wouldn't let a human in7474
===== Mating Bonds =====
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #4: [[Bone Crossed]]
* mate bonds, when they settle down, are different for different couples—and being Alpha adds a twist to it as well244
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #5: [[Silver Borne]]
* mating bond is different from a pack bond; it originates in one mate and ends in the other; softer, stronger, and deeper324
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #6: [[River Marked]]
* mating is a lot more permanent than marriage; it's usually if you find your mate he's not going to be someone you need to divorce49
* abuse is almost not possible when two people are connected by a mating bond, and it gives you insight into your mate that allows you to avoid the nastier fights that snowball into cold distance49
* the mating bond is pack magic49
*
===== Pack Bonds =====
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #4: [[Bone Crossed]]
* benefit of the pack bond; feel strong emotion of other pack members; Alpha gets things first161
* the trick is to join with the pack without losing yourself in them—it's instinctive for the werewolves249
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #5: [[Silver Borne]]
* pack existed before ceremonies; magic binds more obviously, more extensively, but not more deeply56
* it is possible of pack being able to influence someone through the bonds36
* with the pack bond it's possible to suck energy from pack members40
* borrowing strength was one of those things that came with a pack bond56
* pack bonds are not so different from thrall magic322
* pack bonds are not built to subdue individuality to the Alpha or enforce behavior of any kind322
* a pack needs all its differences, and they find strength in that322
* when a bond is broken and the wolves can still feel that someone in the packs bonds, its been known to happen when people die336
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #6: [[River Marked]]
* pack bonds could be a nuisance sometimes182
*
======Pack Laws======
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #1: [[Moon Called]]
* strongly discouraged telling anyone other than permanent mates that you were a werewolf134
* werewolves don't have jails; the people who break their laws are either punished physically or killed134
* werewolves take their secrecy very seriously; it's how they've remained undetected for so long141
* disobeying a direct order from the Alpha; penalty is brutal142
* the laws have to be enforced or risk rebellion in a pack145
[[Mercy Thompson Series]] #2: [[Blood Bound]]
* werewolves' trials tend to convene on the spot rather than six months after a crime; they are also over in a matter of hours, sometimes minutes57
* can't convince your pack Alpha you are less trouble to him alive than dead? Too bad57
* pack law; necessarily brutal57