Territories & Claiming

[ISSALYN]

TERRITORIES

• REGIONS: The continent, as we know it for the purpose of this site, has been broken down into 4 regions. Each region encompasses a very large portion of land. Even though it's classified as a region, it is unlikely many animals will ever travel the full realm of any region.
  
• TERRITORIES: Within each region there are 4 territories. These territories have very general boundaries and where you roleplay within them is entirely up to you. You can choose to pick a location near the point on the map, or something far to the edge that is somewhere in between specific points.
  
• DISTANCE: Because the territories themselves are large (roughly the size of an average state), it is very possible that two characters could live within the same territory and never meet one another. This also means that multiple packs/herds can live within a territory and never see each other as well.
  

CLAIMING

• WHO: Only male characters may create a pack or herd (claim territory). Females may obtain control as a result of death of the leading male or through family succession.
  
• RULES: Each pack or herd leader may make some of their own rules. They can choose what rankings are within their pack or herd, how the line of succession is chosen, and even breeding rights within. If you disobey their rules, they may choose to fight you or kick you out.
  
• HOW: To initially claim territory, your character must have at least two others in the proposed pack/herd. Ideally, there should be two females, though one male and one female is acceptable. Fill out the form on the Business board and your pack will be added to the list.
  
• NOT EXCLUSIVE: When you create a pack/herd and claim territory, you do not have exclusive rights to that land. There can be multiple packs/herds within a given territory. Whether you choose to live in peace with them or hunt them down and fight them is entirely up to you.
  
• STEALING: Since the territories are not exclusive, there is very little need for stealing. However, you can fight with another pack/herd in order to drive them away from a specific area or out of the territory entirely. Common reasons for this would be famine, disease, or even jealousy. If you challenge, they can choose to leave willingly and peacefully, or stand up and fight back.
  

POPULATIONS

• FAMINE: Famines can occur when a territory's resources are over used. Territories with low to moderate levels of prey or grazing lands are more apt to face famine than those with higher levels. If 6 or more herds live on an area, the grazing availability will gradually go down until there is a famine. If 6 or more packs live on an area, the prey levels will gradually go down until there is a famine. To resolve famine, packs can choose to move to another territory in search of better land. If they do not, some may die off until the numbers are balanced again.
  
• COMPETITION: There IS competition between species within a territory. If the balance is uneven, it could alter the ecosystem. For example, if the lands are over grazed, there will not be as many resources for small prey animals, which in turn means the predators have less food available. Those predators may then start moving higher up the food chain and could start attacking larger prey (horses) out of desperation.
  
• COOPERATION: There is very little direct cooperation between species. If everything is balanced, they live in harmony, each with plenty of food and resources. However, even during these times it is unlikely for there to be many inter-species relationships. Dogs and foxes rarely join forces, and horses and dogs will rarely form alliances. They may live together in peace, but very little else occurs.