Okay, John is back. Also, John isn't pumped up for any writing. Actually, John isn't feeling well. So John decided to leave his World Cup strategy/tactical posts for a later day. This post is effectively a copy and paste.
Lore: Wolves
Origin:
There are those who say the world is nothing more than a dream, something materialised by slumbering gods. Whether such people are sages or madmen, no one knows. Of all the creatures existing, there are those seen as objects of taboo. For instance, crows are associated with death. Therefore, the sight of one during any wedding ceremony is always seen as an ill omen amounting to divorce or death. Then, there are wolves. Always associated with evils of every kind, be they lesser, greater, or middling, wolves have been the fulcrum of nightmarish tales. From children devoured to maidens ravished, unto even how the world will end, these creatures have been effectively used as a deterrent to the wayward individual. Perhaps in an attempt to mock the self-righteous, there is a common saying amongst sellswords: A wolf knows best every man.
Physique:
An average wolf on fours stands at slightly below the hip level. However, larger ones are known to be at the waist level. A wolf's body weight is more than enough to overpower the average human being, its jaws used for mauling and crushing bones. Wolves tend to hunt in packs ranging from ten to slightly less than twenty, their hunger always seemingly insatiable. Yet, their endurance has always been proven exceptional, to say the least. It is said that the least of any pack can go without food and water for a day or two while the stronger ones can last in this manner for slightly less than a week. Whether this has any grain of truth remains to be seen, for the fear towards wolves knows no bounds.
Mannerism and lone wolves:
Like any beast and bird in the wild, wolves are fiercely territorial. The males do the hunting, but the females are the ones protecting the den. Every pack has three tiers of hierarchy. The leader, also known as the alpha, leads the pack. The alpha is also the only member of the pack given the right to mate and breed. As a result, the alpha male would always guard jealously every female member of the pack. The second tier is known as the beta. The role of a beta wolf serves as what a scholar would call a regent. Yet, it must be stated that the notion of a second-in-command is never existent in any pack. The alpha is the only authority in the pack. The beta's role is to take over the pack leadership in the event where the alpha is either dead or incapacitated (although the latter would always lead to the former). And that includes also the ownership over the females of the pack. The third tier is the gamma. This bottom level of the pack hierarchy refers to the rest of the pack, those who can only afford to follow the leader.
In terms of size, the alpha is always the largest and strongest. The beta will either be of the same size as the omega wolves or somewhere between the two. Either way, the beta is certainly the second strongest. To select a beta, the alpha would always call for a challenge from its own pack. Whichever member answering the call would have to prove itself by wrestling the alpha to the ground. In the event of failure, the challenger would be spared. However, that'd mean losing the right to challenge for the second time.
Lone wolves, on the other hand, are those driven from the pack. Also known as the omega, such a wolf tends to be the survivor of any power struggle where the loser was spared from death. Unlike the selection of the beta where it is the alpha issuing the challenge, an omega is the result of a failed attempt to seize power; an act of its own doing rather than the leader's desire. In any pack, a code of honour is always practised. Strength represents two things: The right of leadership and the right of respect. For any omega, it is always the latter. But because insubordination is never an option, a rebel which has proven itself is forced to leave lest it gets attacked mercilessly by the rest of the pack.
Despite the apparent, lone wolves can easily be dangerous foes as it is even more territorial than its peers. Left with nothing apart from the will to survive, such a beast is capable of putting up a fight more stubborn than many creatures of the forest. As a result, hunters tend to shun wolves whenever they can. For neither dealing with the collective nor the individual is safe in every manner of the word.
How they hunt:
As hunters, wolves are known to be ferocious flankers. Unlike pack felines like lions and sandcats, wolves do not rely on ambush. Instead, they would chase the prey after the alpha makes a howl. Experts in terrain navigation, every pack consists of two units. The first is known as the harrier unit. Always the majority half, the harrier unit is led by both the alpha and beta. The harriers are in charge of starting the chase and going for the kill. The second is known as the flanker unit. While flankers belong to the minority half, the timing of their attack in any hunt is always crucial to success. The flankers are never tasked with killing the prey. Rather, their job is to either scatter or waylay (depending on whether the prey belongs to a group or a solitary one). Since leadership is always absolute in the pack, the flankers are only allowed to cripple the quarry with the harrier unit dealing the killing blow. In fact, scholars have recently started debating whether such an approach was the inspiration for cavalry tactics as we know it now.
Tactics:
Every hunt begins with a howl. This acts like a war horn where the call for battle can be heard by both ally and foe. To maximise the efficiency of this call to hunt, the alpha is always seen standing on the high ground. Once the pack converges below the high ground, the alpha would descend from its perch, the hunt officially commenced.
Initially, both the harriers and flankers will run as a single unit. Should the hunt be in forest terrain, their aim would be to split the flankers from the pack once they get close enough. If it is in open terrain, then the flankers would be given free reign on when to split, the decision made seemingly in unison. If the prey is pursued on rocky ground, the flankers would move ahead as the advance unit.
Habitation and cultural impact:
Although never seen in the south due to its arid climate, wolves can be seen elsewhere. In the Furthest East, they are commonly seen at plains and plateaus. The same goes for those in Slarvea although Slarvean wolves tend to have bulkier physique compared to the athletic build of those in the land of Cinhas. In the Kalaran Empire, they are the least sighted due to civilisation expanding at a fast rate. However, the Imperial Zoo still boast of a wolf or few. In the forests of Teutonia and mountains of Tamuria, there they thrive.
To the Cinhas, wolves are always hated. For they are commonly associated with avarice and political greed, two traits every Cinha detests most in any person. At the same time, Cinha superstitions have a very close association with animals where any form of contact would most likely result in the relevant reaction.
To the Tamurians, they are the symbol of individual strength and collective unity, two traits most appreciated in the Tamurian culture. As a result, Tamurians always leave behind the best portion of every kill for these creatures.
For the Causaceans, wolves are seen as more than just dangerous critters needing to be culled. On one hand, the locals know too well the nightmarish tales, their minds and hearts accepting whatever told by minstrels and boasting bards. Farmers see them as a danger to their livestock and livelihood, a reaction rightfully warranted. Whether they are the main source of the aforementioned tales remains a subject of debate among intellectuals. Due to every farmer's woes, hunters see wolves as a good chance to earn money while avoiding them if no reason for conflict can be found.
At the same time, wolves form an integral part of the Causacean culture. For instance, it is commonly said that Justicar Lleric I, the first ruler of the originally unified Causacea, was nursed by a female wolf which had lost her pups before finally adopted by a farmer's family. During his battles against the invading Tamurians and Sudhlits, he was tasked with commandeering the cavalry, his banner of choice being a howling wolf encircled by an olive wreath. In fact, the consensus among scholars is that even though there is no proof of any supernatural or emotional connection, the strategy employed by the wolves did serve as an inspiration. Justicar Eylia, the only female ruler and fourth monarch of Causacea, was known to have a wolf's nature according to the historian Skopios Tacticus, a trait used to describe a headstrong and unruly personality. Her only son, Crown Prince Loui also inherited such a trait. Unlike his mother whose wolf nature was more of a boon than a hindrance, this became the reason for his untimely death via an accident due to a dare. As a result, her husband, Consort Jak Valdis, had to protect the family via political machinations lest an untimely disaster obliterated the royal lineage. For he perceived this not to be a mere accident, but an insidious attempt by an unseen usurper.
Tactics:
Every hunt begins with a howl. This acts like a war horn where the call for battle can be heard by both ally and foe. To maximise the efficiency of this call to hunt, the alpha is always seen standing on the high ground. Once the pack converges below the high ground, the alpha would descend from its perch, the hunt officially commenced.
Initially, both the harriers and flankers will run as a single unit. Should the hunt be in forest terrain, their aim would be to split the flankers from the pack once they get close enough. If it is in open terrain, then the flankers would be given free reign on when to split, the decision made seemingly in unison. If the prey is pursued on rocky ground, the flankers would move ahead as the advance unit.
Habitation and cultural impact:
Although never seen in the south due to its arid climate, wolves can be seen elsewhere. In the Furthest East, they are commonly seen at plains and plateaus. The same goes for those in Slarvea although Slarvean wolves tend to have bulkier physique compared to the athletic build of those in the land of Cinhas. In the Kalaran Empire, they are the least sighted due to civilisation expanding at a fast rate. However, the Imperial Zoo still boast of a wolf or few. In the forests of Teutonia and mountains of Tamuria, there they thrive.
To the Cinhas, wolves are always hated. For they are commonly associated with avarice and political greed, two traits every Cinha detests most in any person. At the same time, Cinha superstitions have a very close association with animals where any form of contact would most likely result in the relevant reaction.
To the Tamurians, they are the symbol of individual strength and collective unity, two traits most appreciated in the Tamurian culture. As a result, Tamurians always leave behind the best portion of every kill for these creatures.
For the Causaceans, wolves are seen as more than just dangerous critters needing to be culled. On one hand, the locals know too well the nightmarish tales, their minds and hearts accepting whatever told by minstrels and boasting bards. Farmers see them as a danger to their livestock and livelihood, a reaction rightfully warranted. Whether they are the main source of the aforementioned tales remains a subject of debate among intellectuals. Due to every farmer's woes, hunters see wolves as a good chance to earn money while avoiding them if no reason for conflict can be found.
At the same time, wolves form an integral part of the Causacean culture. For instance, it is commonly said that Justicar Lleric I, the first ruler of the originally unified Causacea, was nursed by a female wolf which had lost her pups before finally adopted by a farmer's family. During his battles against the invading Tamurians and Sudhlits, he was tasked with commandeering the cavalry, his banner of choice being a howling wolf encircled by an olive wreath. In fact, the consensus among scholars is that even though there is no proof of any supernatural or emotional connection, the strategy employed by the wolves did serve as an inspiration. Justicar Eylia, the only female ruler and fourth monarch of Causacea, was known to have a wolf's nature according to the historian Skopios Tacticus, a trait used to describe a headstrong and unruly personality. Her only son, Crown Prince Loui also inherited such a trait. Unlike his mother whose wolf nature was more of a boon than a hindrance, this became the reason for his untimely death via an accident due to a dare. As a result, her husband, Consort Jak Valdis, had to protect the family via political machinations lest an untimely disaster obliterated the royal lineage. For he perceived this not to be a mere accident, but an insidious attempt by an unseen usurper.
Quotes related to wolves:
"A wolf knows best every man."
~A common sellsword saying
"The difference between a wolf and a dog lies in one not knowing itself as a selfish coward while the other understands its own reflection."
~Ziron Lapis
"I've dealt with wolves before for the sake of pay. Trust me, Aeravor. You've got a wolf nature. You remind me of someone I used to know. Her name was Eylia."
~Erik Sohren
"There are two ways to tell a person that he's screwed. One is taking an arrow in the knee. The other is entering a she-wolf's den."
~Tristan Aias
"Wrestling with a lone wolf requires two things. The first is having a knife hidden in your boot. The other? Knowing beforehand that the critter would rather die with pride than to be your pet dog."
~Every hunter's advice to a junior
"Not everyone in Teutonia likes wolves. But only an idiot would deny the kind of service they gave us. Remember Justicar Lleric the First?"
~Ser Jon Woodgeist the Young
"To be honest, I don't believe Adine will be raped by a pack of wolves. Then again, there has to be a reason why people believe in this kind of nonsense. I mean the wolves, not my daughter."
~Crocker Tayne
"May you give birth to a pup."
~A common Tamurian greeting to a pregnant woman which is also regarded as a blessing
"Let my followers and their descendants be wolves instead of just being like wolves."
~Gandr de Morte
"Wolves are selfish, greedy, and savage. Traits defining any person alive under the sun and moon."
~Brynhilda
"Tame a dog and you get a servant. Tame a wolf and you get your own death."
~A common Cinha saying
"A dog is either a coward or a loyal servant. As for a wolf, it's either an unpredictable animal or a proud beast serving no master apart from itself."
~Erik Sohren
[x]
Well, John may as well do some random rambling here. Just to fill up some more space. Recently, he saw a trailer or few. For N ages, Japan has never been doing original anime. By that, John refers to anime shows with an original plot. No manga, games, or light novels. Original script for an original anime. Needless to say, John has to thank Anthony for letting him know what is Sirius the Jaeger. And no, Anthony isn't an otter.
Some things noted by John in the trailers together with whatever info he got from the official site.
1. The vampires do sound like some sort of Darwinistic organisation. If this kind of script was done in Hollywood, chances are that it'd be chucked out of the window. By John's guess anyway.
2. The Hyakko Party sounds like some sort of far-left organisation rather than some kind of alt-right KKK. Again if this kind of script was done in Hollywood, chances are that it'd be chucked out of the window. By John's guess anyway.
3. In case anyone was wondering whether Sirius the Jaeger was done by a group of Christians, please be noted that the Japanese never give a damn to whatever red-blue divide happening across the ocean. And besides, Japan is the country with the second least Christian impact. (source of info)
4. Did John spot a Nasu moment? Like how Nasu uses Christianity as a more positive form of inspiration (e.g. the Emiyas), Sirius the Jaeger mentioned the presence of an Ark. In fact, the kanji seemed to indicate this much (i.e. 聖櫃).
5. Anyone noticed a vague visage of a wolf in one of the trailers? Yeah, that blue flame moment. Is that some sort of Sirius?
6. The Jaegers do hunt like a pack of wolves even though Yuliy is the only wolf. Half-werewolf to be exact.
7. Werewolves are Asian, vampires are Europeans. It's like telling John that Abraham was Asian and Charles Darwin was a white. Hopefully, Warner Bros won't pull the plug because of what John said.
8. John's churchmates are known to be somewhat musically inclined towards classical music. The Jaegers use classical musical instrumental cases to hide their weapons. This is getting insane.
9. Yuliy's character seems to reflect that of John's. Okay, that's going way too far.
10. Yuliy is definitely a Russian/Slav. His name leaked it all like a Comey.
11. Dorothea is most likely a Latin American Hispanic rather than an Iberian Hispanic. In other words, everyone can see that she's non-white.
12. Okay, anyone predicting a romance between Yuliy and Naoe Ryoko? This is effectively a romance between two characters from two different worlds, both the outer and inner.
13. Jimmy "not Kimmel" Fallon is partly of Irish heritage. Fallon is an Irish-American Jaeger who enjoys talking. So it's not really that bad for the Democrats. After all, Sirius the Jaeger is meant to be enjoyed.
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