(Pack)

The Wanderers of the Taiga (or simply The Taiga) are a group of Tokotas who have found a family and a home with each other. Some of them are trying to leave behind their old lives, for any number of personal reasons. Others simply find comfort in the tight-knit cooperation of the pack. All of them have sworn to stand by each other through thick and thin. Together, they travel the wild lands of the north, carving out a life in the wild freedom of the taiga. Their territory includes a massive evergreen forest (main territory), a stretch of frozen plain (good for racing, and some killer sunsets), a few acres of swampy muskeg (best area for getting dirty), one large and very deep lake (VERY cold, think twice before jumping in), and a small bay that feeds into the frigid ocean beyond (very edge of territory, great place to get away for a while).

Currently, the pack leader is Ruv. He is in charge of coordinating hunts and other expeditions, keeping track of everyone, and managing the overall well-being of the pack. He is a lovable, gentle soul, making him a bit of an unusual choice for a leader. But no one else wanted the job, so Ruv assumed the responsibility, fully aware that he was carrying the health and safety of everyone in the pack on his shoulders.

Ruv's second-in-command is New World Noise, AKA Cillian, who is also his mate. They are a loving couple who sees the whole pack as their family. Their devotion to each other has withstood many challenges, and no one in the pack doubts their connection.

Tacticians are the hierarchy level directly below the leaders. They are in charge of keeping order within the pack, organizing hunts and other expeditions, gathering and untangling information, and maintaining the stability of the pack's outside relations. They are led by Michael Burnham, whose quick mind and sharp intuition make her naturally suited for the role. She is the mate of Ash, and they work in close unison between their respective roles.

Guardians are Tokotas assigned to guard the pack's borders and defend against enemies. The Guardians are jointly led by brothers Nephilim and Wayward Son. The brothers keep everyone in line, organize patrols, and make decisions on how to deal with trespassers. Neph's positivity and physical strength work well in combination with Win's cleverness and determination. Their loyalty to their pack is only matched by their loyalty to each other.

Regular pack members take on any number of roles, from hunters and fishers to healers and crafters. Mebh MacTire, a dual hunter and fisher, is currently the youngest and most playful of the pack. She does a lot to keep morale high. Caleb, her partner in hunting as well as the chief explorer of the pack, is one of the more sensible Tokotas. He's often called in to mediate disputes and to weigh in on decisions.

There are currently two non-Tokota members of the group, Memory and Tinshemet. Memory is half human and half Nephilim, making her three parts human and one part angel. She was Ruv's handler before they left for the wild, when her secret was still a secret. But when her heritage was discovered, she chose to flee for her safety, and Ruv came with her. Tinshemet joined the pack later, when she too had to flee for her safety. She is an anthropomorphic European Starling/melanistic Barn Owl hybrid, who fled from an abusive family. Since then, they have traveled together across the vast expanse of the taiga, finding other Tokotas who wandered alone and adopting them into their found family.

The Wanderers of the Taiga are a very close-knit group, and are a family in every way except by blood. Among the pack members, it is understood that secrets shared are secrets kept, and anyone caught spilling them to non-pack members can expect appropriate punishment. Loyalty is everything to this pack, as is basic decency towards others. They will gladly help lost travelers and provide shelter and resources to those who need it, but if they sense a threat, they will quickly move on. They will act aggressively towards a threat only when necessary.

So welcome to The Taiga. Feel free to pay a visit. But don't try anything. There's a bunch of half-wild Tokotas (and a few non-Tokotas) who will make you regret it.

 

Official pack playlist: Wolf by First Aid Kit, Faded by Alan Walker, On My Way by Alan Walker, Heading Home by Alan Walker, Alone by Alan Walker, Tired by Alan Walker, Running With The Wolves by AURORA, Winter Sound by Of Monsters And Men, Your Bones by Of Monsters And Men, Human by Of Monsters And Men, King and Lionheart by Of Monsters And Men.

Timeline