the Den

There are places within the Shadow that owe nothing to the world of humans, reflect nothing within the world of flesh, echo nothing in the physical realms. These are the Places-which-are-Not, and they know no rules to bind them. Most are linked to some place in the Shadow, but others have no Anchor.

The Den, called Specus by some, is one such as this, a place with no reflection, a place with no past, no future. A place sacred to the Uratha, some of whom claim that Father Wolf slept here, others that Mother Luna gave birth to the First Pack within its walls. Others claim other things of this place – that it was where the decision to strike down Urfarah was made, that it was where Hikaon had made her lair when she agreed to be patron to the Hunters-in-Darkness, that it was where Kamduis discovered some great secret of the Shadow. What is sure is that the Lushar Iduthag hold it a sacred place to all Urdaga, a place where even Anshega may walk peacefully. It is not just a Tur, though any meeting of Uratha within it is considered instinctively to be ungin. It is a place of great peace, which touches the Shadow occasionally but often.

Sometimes this place, the Den, touches the physical realm and creates something dangerous and wonderful – a place where those without a spiritual half can enter the Shadow. It is also taken as a sign to meet for these Touches are rare, happening no more than a few times a decade, and the People will travel for many hundreds of miles to meet in peace, to talk that which needs to talk, to tell that which is needed to be heard, to get to know ones neighbours, brothers, sisters, cousins and rivals.

Within the Den; A Homely Place-Which-Is-Not

With the Den all is warm and welcoming, this is a place of Safety and of Security – for some it will feel like home, for others it will feel welcoming, for still others the very nature of it will make them uncomfortable. The Den is a Glade, a place where the worries of the world sink into a smaller proportion and friendships come to seem more important to travellers within a glade than whatever troubles and disagreements might plague them. Most people within a glade find it almost impossible to fight except in self-defence. If they do come under attack, the terrain and combat always seems to favour the defender over the aggressor.

Many of those who come to the Den bring copies of tales and agreements, leaving them within for future generations to see. Others bring gifts - weapons, armour, clothing, talens, even fetishes and valuable gemstones are left to give honour to the Den.

Obelisk of the First Born

Within the Den that does not exist is a mighty pillar made of the Shadow solid. Each of its eight sides is dedicated to a tribe, bearing its mark and a legend (written in a form of Rune based on the Futhark and the First Tongue), these are:

• Blood Talons: Offer not your throat when you would not accept such submission, for you are above such frailty. Fight and howl with all the glory Fenris-Ur gives you, but break not these words.
• Bone Shadows: Give not too little or too much to our spirit kin, but deliver in kind and equal measure. Bargain and seek with all the wisdom Kamduis-Ur has witnessed, but break not these words.
• Hunters in Darkness: Your ground is your own, your heart, your home- never let it's sanctity be violated. Hunt and guard with all the purity Hikaon-Ur has seen in you, but break not these words.
• Iron Masters: Honour the place that is yours- understand it, protect it, let it grow untainted. Question and learn with all the cunning Sagrim-Ur has asked of you, but break not these words.
• Storm Lords: Your allies are weakened by your faults, and your enemies strengthened- thus let neither witness them. Lead and endure with all the honour Skolis-Ur knows you have, but break not these words.
• Fire Touched: The Truth is the way and the purifying light. Thus, bring the light to the shadows of lies. Preach and live with the fervour Gurim-Ur instills in you, but break not these words.
• Predator Kings: Honour the Hunting Grounds that once were, and treat not with the petty toys of Man. Stalk and prey with the strength Huzuruth-Ur Himself knows, but break not these words.
• Ivory Claws: Strength and dominance breed true. Do not dishonour your fathers by being ruled by those with muddy blood. Lead and teach with the nobility Hathis-Ur acknowledges, but break not these words

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