Tartok
Both a bloodline and a culture founded by Siku Tartok. When she clashed with her sister Nanuq Kesuk of Shearwater Bay, Siku departed from her sister's claim and forged her own path: eventually leading to the creation of a more bestial culture, wherein wolves were welcomed to appease their baser instincts. The culture is heavily influenced by Inuit traditions. The packs work more like a militia wherever they lay their claim: the matriarch at the helm, and her children serving as her soldiers. They typically shun spiritualism in their pursuit of things more tangible.
History
Seahawk Valley to Teekon Wilds
Within the Seahawk Valley, upon the coast, there lived a pack of highly spiritual wolves within the pack of Shearwater Bay. Its leaders Nutaaq Kesuk and Nauja Kesuk held an extremely strong faith that was further influenced by the houngan Koios Iqniq. Their children, Nanuq Kesuk and Siku Kesuk were strongly involved in this vodun-based culture, although it was Nanuq who was more deeply entrenched. She bonded with the houngan and when the time came that the leadership was at its end, Nanuq and Koios stepped up to take the role. Together they brought the next generation to life within Shearwater Bay: Jinx Kesuk, Kaskae Kesuk, Vex Kesuk, and Arktos Kesuk. These children were taught of the duality between the faith's main deities, made to participate in various rituals, and together made Shearwater Bay stronger.
While all of this was happening, Siku as the loyal sister. She had once found the faith appealing but as she matured her opinion began to shift, until she broke away completely. This caused a rift between the sisters that led to a confrontation, and Siku left. Her time bettering herself physically led to a connection with another like-minded wolf, Kilgharrah, who became her mate and the father to her first litter. The first branch of the family began upon Arktayok Peak within the Seahawk Valley when the pair conceived a litter of three: Atausiq, Malruk, and Pingasut; the following year, there were four more: Atausiq, Malrok, Pingasut, and Sisamat.
As these children grew and developed their skills, they either caught Siku's eye or they did not, as she had high standards for each of them, which mostly went unmet. Of her first children only the names Tonraq Tartok and Tonravik Tartok are known in the oral history. It is known that Siku took different mates over the course of her life in accordance to the traditions she set, seeking only the strongest men to father her children. Her second mate was a man named Aves with whom she had four more children. Her last mate was Skull who gave her four more.
From there the legend splits across the bloodline. Some tales include the exploits of Tonravik, who went on to create her own branch with her mate Iqniq Tartok, and their children Anuniaq Tartok & Kaertok Tartok, of Sawtooth Spire. Another speaks of Aariak Tartok who, along with his brother Kingumut Tartok, was born in to the life after his mother Quilak Tartok was brought in to the fold by Siku herself, who considered Quilak a sister. There is also Kaniq Tartok the only son of one Atuun Tartok, who was the matriarch of her own branch.
Naming
Children are number-named until they are weaned.
- Atuaserk
- Malrok
- Pingasut
- Sitamat
Once weaned, they are given one or more names in their native tongue based on their personality and perception by their parents and the rest of the pack.
Surnames
- Anneriwok
- Given to yearlings, as well as pledged outsiders prior to them proving themselves.
- Tartok
- Given to Anneriwok around two years old, and to outsiders if they prove loyal.
Terms
- Aokkatti
- a title given to blood-bond between wolves who've decided to be each other's "battle buddy"; this commitment is for life
- Sangilak
- a title given to individuals that are successful in combat; survivors of war, or older warriors who wish to take on Anneriwok for tutelage.
- Issumatar
- typically the title for the matriarch of a Tartok claim. Sometimes refers directly to the progenitor of the Tartok culture, Siku.
