Montana Memo

Premise

The Montana Memo is a vlog created by Ryoten, also known as Choking-Hound, about his life as a member of the Pack of Ferventi. The vlog was created when he was 15 years old as a means of updating his family after he left Japan in search of the wolf god, whom Ryoten claims is his father. Initially being small life updates on his progress traveling through Laramidia, over time the vlog gained an audience and became more edited, well put together, and much more educational in nature as Ryoten matured and realized that the series had gained a following of primarily younger individuals.   The series was not officially named until Ryoten joined the Montanan Mountains Pack, a sect of the Pack of Ferventi located in its namesake.  

Structure

Much of the vlog's structure remains the same as it was when it was first started, with each video starting with an initial segment of Ryoten giving updates on his own well being, what he has been doing since the last update, and check ins on his equipment. Oftentimes these segments are also used to talk extensively about the area he currently is and its own unique challenges for survival, local flora and fauna, and weather.   Distinct from the first segment, it is often followed up with an extensive checklist of Ryoten's current supplies an his recommendations and reviews of items he has been using such as tents, clothing, equipment, and camping supplies. Such items are generally rated on their durability, ease of use, weight, and niche. His reviews of such equipment are always said to be his honest thoughts and feelings, generally being incredibly upfront and blunt about products he does not like as well as honest about their use cases. A notable example was in one vlog, he reviewed a supply kit left for him by a viewer at an Idaho trail station containing a new tent, clothing, and cooking supplies that Ryoten did not enjoy. The tent in particular was lambasted for its poor design- "I'd of been more dry if I just slept out in the rain. This thing never shoulda been sold, no offense."   The third part of each vlog is often an update on his duties within the pack as a Caretaker since having joined the Montana sect. Most often, this goes over what he does each day and how his role changes depending on the season, current circumstances, and location, offering a rare insight to outsiders of the pack's daily life. Oftentimes Ryoten will make recommendations of recipes for campers and hikers based on what can be foraged locally due to that he is often one of the first members of his group awake in the mornings, prior to waking up the rest of his group and assisting them in getting ready for the day.   Originally, the fourth segment was a part of the third, but has grown to become its own section of nearly every vlog update: the animals. Since having tamed his horse Haus, they have become a mainstay on his channel with a large amount of its content dedicated to them, as well as fan favorites in their own rights. Ryoten will often make recommendations of equipment and overview how he cares for the pack's animals.  

Entries

     

Reception

Although demigods seeking out their divine parents are not uncommon, the journey of one doing so being recorded, uploaded, and often throughout the entire process on such a personal level by the demigod themself was not, leading to a surge in followers. Its deeply personal nature into the young man's thoughts and feelings, especially from such a young age, was a particular drawing point as was his personal well being, with many viewers in the vlog's early days offering advice, safe shelter locations, and at times supplies to continue Ryoten's journey.   Due to much of the vlog's segments being educational in some manner, it is often praised for its honesty about the dangers of living a nomadic lifestyle in Montana and its challenges. Other members of the pack also have praised it for giving outsiders a truthful look into their daily lives, culture, and routines. That said, many groups heavily criticize Ryoten and his vlog for high amounts of swearing, crass comments, and lack of patience when viewers step over his boundaries. Some also have noted they do not enjoy his vlog series due to Ryoten appearing to play up perceptions of him being vapid, idiotic, or overly enthusiastic. At the same time, to many, this is the appeal of the Montana Memo.   The vlog saw a surge in popularity and infamy online following the capture and collaring of a strange wolf in the Yellowstone Gulf National Park named Choking-Hound, that was later revealed to be Ryoten himself using the Boon of Ferventi- Wolfshape to hunt. Ryoten was heavily criticized by many for not informing park staff of his presence with the boon, as well as hunting without a permit at the time. Others defended him in that park rangers should have checked before tranquilizing him, as there are tells to a person using a boon. Regardless, following the incident, Ryoten and the image of him in wolf form briefly became a meme online, leading to a surge in followers and viewers. Ryoten later rebranded his official channels under the Choking-Hound name, though still denies connection to the wolf.   Another surge in popularity began following Ryoten's announcement that he and his partner would be having a baby in the near future, and the adoption of his son, Orion. During this time, Ryoten took an extended break from his channels and fans eagerly awaited his return, oftentimes watching through old content to speculate on his partner's identity. Due to an arrest, speculation also drove many to his channel, despite his continued break.    

Theories

Due to its long running nature, large following, and personal nature, the Montana Memo has a long history of theorizing from its fans. To a degree, many theories are welcomed by Ryoten himself and he has occasionally commented on such theories. Some in particular, however, are not ones he is willing to divulge information on, those generally being theories prying into the personal lives of his family, loved ones, and children.  

Parentage

The vast majority of theories to do with the vlog concern Ryoten's parentage, with many speculating on whether or not Ferventi is Ryoten's biological father or not. Mainly, the source of many of these theories is due to him having mentioned another man, Hira / Hyira as his father as well. By far, the most popular theory is that Hira may be Ryoten's step father or adoptive father, with him never mentioning a mother at any point, which many explain may be to protect her privacy online.   Other theories to do with his parentage include:

• Ryoten is not Ferventi's son at all, but has been accepted as one as Ferventi himself believes him to be his.

• Ryoten is Ferventi's son, but his mother is Hikaru Vulapin, God of Foxes, due to being from the Red Maple District . (This theory has repeatedly been shot down by Ryoten himself)

• Hira is Ryoten's father and is a transgender man.

• Ryoten is Ferventi's son, but dyes his hair black. (Ryoten has also shot down this theory, stating the only time he dyed his hair, he had actually been bleaching it.)

• Ryoten may be the son of a different member of the pack that had been pretending to be Ferventi.

• Ryoten is actually the son of a different god entirely. Sasakia, God of Butterflies, Ryoma, God of Tuna, and Hikaru are generally the gods chosen in these theories, as they are also Japanese. Ryoten began banning these theories out of irritation stating "...Not all Japanese people know each other, I don't even know Sasaki."

 

Ryoten's Partner

Out of respect to their own wishes, Ryoten's partner is never shown or pointed out in his vlogs, with any direct appearances of them being heavily edited, blurred, or otherwise censored. Generally all audio from them is removed, or has their voice heavily altered as well, as they do not wish to be in the public eye. This has led to much speculation into their identity, despite Ryoten's own wishes that his viewers do not pry into their personal life and leave them alone. Very rarely will he make comment on theories as to who his partner is, oftentimes at most giving a reminder in the comments to leave his partner alone. Those that push in his communities and comments are oftentimes banned or blocked by Ryoten himself, if not lambasted by his followers. In particular, most theories into his partner's identity surround members of the pack with light colored hair, due to his daughter Myrena having silver hair.   Jun

A rare instance of Ryoten commenting into his partner's identity surrounds any speculation that they may be Jun, his mentor. One notable response was a clip of Ryoten bringing the theory up to her herself, with both laughing at the idea, Jun in particular brushing it off due to his age and him being young enough to be her grandson.

  Burke

Some have speculated that Ryoten's partner may be Burke. Both Ryoten and Burke himself have shot down the theory, Burke revealing that he is actually dating another member of the pack, Coriander. Oftentimes in the past when the theory was brought up, Ryoten would brush it off by making comments about Burke's own personal habits that would be 'dealbreakers' to him, such as Burke's snoring, his recipe for Wolfberry Hooch, not having a large enough tent, or 'not wanting to get eaten by Cori'. This is often alongside Burke, who has made similar comments about Ryoten, and that Ryoten's partner would 'wear (Burke) like a fur coat for stealing him away'. Notably, instances of this theory did lead to Ryoten confirming he is bisexual.

  An Outsider

Many have speculated that Ryoten's partner either is or was an outsider to the pack, and may only have joined it later in their life. These theories oftentimes leave room for much more speculation, citing that he has never directly stated they are currently a member of the pack itself. Oftentimes local rangers, members of the Black Coyotes, or Fish and Wildlife staff are pointed to as potentially being his significant other.

  There is no partner

There are multiple different theories surrounding the idea that Ryoten does not have a partner, either being he did at one point and they have since died or broken up, or they never existed to begin with. The latter in particular oftentimes is speculated upon that Ryoten made up a partner due to instances of fans attempting to romance him, and finding it to be an easy excuse that he was not single. Some, who believe Ryoten's partner may be a now deceased member of the pack, will often point to his group's old navigator he was known to be particularly close to. Ryoten himself has shot down all such theories.