Lupern

Lupern, also known as the great Wolf Spirit, is revered by many hunting parties. Lupern is a spiritual representation of leadership and the force of personality that comes with it. Dedicated to brotherhood and loyalty, he is the inseparable bond between hunters, keeping people together in the face of impossible odds and reminding his followers that they need never fight alone. Lupern considers his followers his kin and affectionately refers to them as his pack. He is revered as a masculine spirit, and many hunters call him their brother or 'The Alpha' when they ask for his blessing. As the spirit of kinship and the embodiment of all wolves, Lupern is said to also represent ferocity and strength in numbers.   The Wolf Spirit also teaches diplomacy and rewards those who show ferocity only as a last resort to protect their loved ones. However, Lupern's ferocious ire is unrestricted only when drawn towards the undead; more specifically the vampiric variety, and many of Luperns' chosen have been mortal enemies of vampires for hundreds of years.

Depiction

More often than not, Lupern is depicted as a massive, white dire wolf. Most interpretations of his visage portray him as the leader of a wolf pack; a massive alpha wolf accompanied by three smaller wolves. Small shrines to Luppern; usually a series of wooden totems; are always depicted surrounding a larger shrine, representing the pack and its alpha watching over them.

Tenets of Faith

Salvation may be found through brotherhood in the pack. Strive to maintain law order in the pack. Obey your leaders, as loyalty to one's pack is all that is required of you. However, one must lead with wisdom, not through fear, force, or threats. Cultivate lasting loyalties from the pack instead through mutual trust and an inspirational presence. Think not treacherous thoughts, for they undermine the strength of the tribe. Stand ever alert against corruption.   The Wolf Spirit's teachings appeal to those who find themselves on the edge of their community, facing outward and looking for threats. This attracts fighters of all sorts, as well as nobility and officials who believe in a strong defense.   In times of dire need, turn to the moon, and Lupern will be your true guide.   Lead through loyalty. The clergy of Lupern teaches self-discipline, responsibility, and obedience to just and wise authority. Obey your masters with alert judgment and anticipation. Likewise, set a good example for those who follow you. Lead not through force or fear, for neither cultivate lasting loyalties. Instead, inspire your pack through great feats and great works that create enduring bonds of trust. Disloyalty to the pack is condemnable.   Lead through brotherhood. Creating trust and a strong kinship with the pack is paramount to success. Challenges that may otherwise seem insurmountable can be overcome with the strength of the pack behind you. Every member of the pack must have their defined role and station in the hierarchy. Make use of their skills, for together each member of the pack contributes to its continued survival. A pack member that fails in their duties must always be taught to do better. A pack member that ignores their duties is to be left behind.   Seek out the enemies of Lupern and tear them asunder. Lupern teaches his followers that the undead are an abominable blight on the natural order. As the silver moon waxes and wanes, so too does life, and this order must be protected. Through this teaching, the Wolf Spirit and Raven Spirit share similar goals.   To Lupern, the most reviled of all undead creatures are Vampires who revere the blood moon and can summon shadowy, black wolves to do their bidding; what Lupern sees as a corruption of his fundamental aspects. He commands his most loyal Wildspeakers to seek out vampiric beings and tear them limb from limb with sharpened claws and savage teeth.

Followers of Lupern

Lupern is perhaps one of the most widely revered wild spirit, second-most only to Borr. Lupern's followers are primarily small groups of hunters who look to wolves to inspire their tactics during a hunt out in the wilderness. Hunters of Lupern will often have close and inseparable bonds with one another, and the leader of any given hunting party will typically wear the hide of a wolf; this is seen to be an omen of Lupern's protection over the chosen 'pack' leader.   Followers of Lupern are said to be incredibly charismatic diplomats, able to resolve any dispute that arises in a tribe. Many of his followers work with those of Otrig to settle arguments and solve conflicts with their combined wisdom and charisma.   While there is no central church of Lupern, most of his clerics will organize themselves around small, tight-knit 'packs' of around twenty to thirty people, with a head priest acting as a pack Alpha. If the pack alpha has a lover or wife, she is denoted as the Luna; the alpha female and ranks above the Beta. A lesser priest second only to the high priest well be denoted as the 'Beta'. If the pack alpha has a lover or wife, she is denoted as the Luna; the alpha female and ranks above the Beta. Ranked below the Beta is the third in command: the Gamma. Fighters and skirmishers of the pack are the Pack Warriors, while apprentices to the priesthood are Omegas.   Clerics of Lupern indulge in hunting only when necessary for the survival of the pack. They drive the hunt to make it as direct and swift as possible to prey and predator alike, and try to ensure that a quiet finale takes place during the night and away from a settled area. Despite this, some common folk are mistrustful of Lupernian clerics for their bestial ties; the more devoted one is to Lupern, the more one may adopt wolfen tendancies, such as a heightened sense of smell or better vision in the dark.   Renowned followers of Lupern include Haiden Shawn, Hans Van Richter, and Rathgar Whitefang, who is the current leader of the Hunter's Keep.