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Post by Red Charge on May 22, 2014 9:26:00 GMT -5
The Packs
The Diamond Dogs are divided unto packs, each pack fighting for survival among other packs. Each pack has a pack Alpha. The majority of packs are self sufficient microcosm of the Diamond Dog species as a whole, employing diggers, warriors and gemtenders to their own ends. However some are more specialized than the rest, some packs specialize in digging or gemtending and instead of having their own warriors, submit themselves as vassals to larger packs in exchange for their services, this often strengthens the position of both packs, as the ruler pack can improve their own diggers and tenders while at the same time being able to allocate more dogs to become warriors and thus be able to guard or conquer more territory.
The packs are divided into territories, the territories are constantly changing, either by conquest or trading. Since Diamond Dog live underground, this usually means that even though they are adjacent to enemy packs, they are protected by the natural barriers of the caves. Diamond Dogs seldom go up top unless they require something specific from the surface.
The Diamond Dog Packs
Amazon Pack
Info: An all-female pack near the South of the territories. The Amazon Pack is surprisingly diverse, with a balanced number of capable warriors, gem tenders, and retrievers. Though not necessarily hostile towards other packs, “unwelcoming” would be a better description.
Territory: Located near the south-end of the Diamond Dog territories.
Alpha: Nailah, a female gnoll.
Blink Dog Pack
Info: A pack located near the western edge of the territories, known for having some of the best diggers and miners. The pack maintains a large supply of gems, which are processed by a their gem tenders. Known for using a unique method of "blinking" between gemstones.
Territory: Towards the west end of the territories.
Alpha: A winter wolf and blood fang named Wolfsbane
Blood Fang Pack
Info: The most feared among all the packs, blood fangs are known for being a nomadic pack of merciless warriors. To pass initiation, pups must kill another pack’s alpha, a griffon/pony captain, or a young adult dragon. Aside from their fierce combat prowess, Blood Fangs are recognizable by the skull tattoos they wear on their faces and gems they sew under their skin. These gems also allow a blood fang to use their magic whilst in battle.
Territory: None, currently in the Zebralands fighting the Ghost Tribe.
Alpha: Unknown
Broken Scale Pack
Info: A medium-sized pack which, after a change of leadership, has begun more actively seeking expansion. The Broken Scale pack is a fairly average pack with no major strengths or weaknesses.
Territory: A medium-sized area to the north-east of the center of the territories. Neutral neighbors with the Gem Cutter pack.
Alpha: King, a malinois.
Gem Cutter Pack
Info: A pack located within a complex network of tunnels and caves. The gem cutters are known for their high quality gem tenders.
Territory: Located to the north-east of the center of the territories. Neutral neighbors with the Broken Scale pack.
Alpha: A female beauceron named Indigo
Gnashing Maw Pack
Info: The second biggest pack in the Diamond Dog territories, located at the southern end and bordering the Zebra territories. The Gnashing Maw pack has integrated a large number of gnolls into their ranks, most of them serving as retrievers with a few of the females acting as warriors. The pack is strong and known for having a low tolerance of its neighbors.
Territory: A large area at the southern end of the territories, bordering the Zebralands. Known to own several valuable gem mines.
Alpha: A half gnoll gem tender named Tarot
Red Mouth Pack
Info: The Red Mouth pack is known for its excellent weapon crafting, and maintains neutral relations with most of the other packs. Their warriors aren’t spectacular but have managed to conquer a pack or two and defend themselves on numerous occasions.
Territory: Medium-sized territory near the Northwest. Neighbors with the Spearhead Pack.
Alpha: Mason, a Kawkazi shepherd
Short Snout Pack
Info: A pack located within the center of the Diamond Dog territories. The term “bark is bigger than their bite” could not be more appropriate. Not well liked for being quick to raise hostilities, but surprisingly resilient against those that have tried to exterminate them.
Territory: Short Snout territory borders the Sword Tip pack’s, near the center of the Diamond Dog territories.
Alpha: A bull terrier named Minos. Exemplifies his pack’s attitude and behaviors.
Silverback Pack
Info: From what was left of the Diamond Dog nation that Silverback created emerged the Silverback Pack. Though nothing compared to what the united Diamond dogs had once been, this pack remains the biggest, best equipped, and most well-trained of all the packs.
Territory: A large section of the Northernmost area of the Diamond Dog territories, bordering Equestria.
Alpha: Warlord Sharp, a massive wolfhound who has united the Diamond Dog packs against Equestria.
Spearhead Pack
Info: Known for being extremely aggressive and distrusting, the Spearhead pack keeps mostly to itself in the Northwest edge of the Diamond Dog territories. They were known to attack dogs from other packs on sight, not needing an excuse other than them being on their territory. This has changed since Sharp's unification of the packs.
Territory: A medium-sized territory adjacent to the base of a mountain. Situated along the Northwest boundary of the territories.
Alpha: Malek, a Doberman and blood bearer
Sword Tip Pack
Info: What once started out as a pack with a small land claim quickly grew in an aggressive campaign to take over nearby territories. Though they’ve scaled back their efforts in recent years, the pack retains a heavy presence within the center of the territories. Known for their skilled warriors and a trading floor acquired from a recently integrated pack.
Territory: A large stretch of underground area in the center of the territories, bordering the short snouts on one side.
Alpha: Ashtar, a Canaan and blood fang
The Castes
Diamond Dogs are divided into three main castes -
Warriors - who are responsible for guarding, policing and fighting for the pack.
Diggers - who are responsible for building, digging, mining and crafting for the pack.
Gemtenders - who are responsible for unlocking the magic in gems, dealing in magic, preserving and passing on knowledge for the pack.
With the great need for warriors for the invasion of Equestria however, many diggers and gemtenders have begun to hybridize into specialized units of combat gemtenders and guerrilla warriors. Combat gemtenders unlock the combat potential for gems, using them much like ponies would use magic. Often gems are used for shielding or elemental magic. Combat diggers often employ guerrilla tactics and are used to ambush and demoralize enemies, their ability to pop up anywhere on the battlefield is what made them a critical part in the conquest of Fillydelphia.
Blood Bearers
With the recent invasion a new type of Diamond Dog caste has been formed, these diamond dogs are usually warriors who undergo a special ritual to become Blood Bearers, these dogs are infused with dragon blood and as such gain limited blood magic abilities. The most notable ability most Blood Bearers have is the ability to set their own blood on fire and gain partial immunity from fire, this can be done even when the blood is separate from their body. Blood Bearers have also been detected as having the ability to change the structure of their blood, hardening it to become a tough armor, or weapon, or making it into a nearly gas-like spray.
Pack Alpha
Pack Alphas are the most prominent members of the pack, whether by merit or by force of arm they are the ruling body of their pack and their word is law. Traditionally an Alpha must be challenged in order to be removed from duty, when challenged an Alpha may respond to the challenge, or decline it and step down. In many packs an Alpha is agreed upon beforehand and when the time comes to replace the old Alpha, the Alpha declines the challenge and passes on the role to his successor. In the more warlike packs, Alphas maintain monthly games, the winner of which is allowed the privilege of challenging them, if they are able to defeat the Alpha, they are allowed to replace them. No Alpha may resume the role once dethroned.
Noble Diamond Dogs
Some Diamond Dog packs have preferred to stay under their dragon masters. Preferring a life of servitude to a dragon master or mistress for the perks involved. These are known as Noble Diamond Dogs. Unlike their feral cousins, they stand more upright and possess much more dexterity with their claws. Regular Diamond Dogs view them with disdain and often use the slur "lap dogs" to signify their contempt towards these packs who chose to remain dragon slaves.
The Blood Fang Pack
Ponies, Griffons, Zebras, Diamond Dogs and Dragons alike know the dreaded name of the Blood Fang Pack. These particular Diamond Dogs were made of the most vicious spirits and they are widely known as the fiercest Diamond Dog pack in the world. Unlike most packs, which are seperated into castes of warriors, workers and gem tenders, the Blood Fang Pack are all warriors.
In order to reach maturity, the Blood Fang pups must pass the warrior rites of their people, primarily, to hunt and kill one of the following: A Zebra Tribal Chief, A Diamond Dog Pack Alpha, A Griffon/Pony Captain or a young adult Dragon. Once this task is accomplished, they earn their place among Blood Fang society by painting their faces to resemble skull. As Blood Fang warriors gain glory in battle and advance in the pack rankings, they also gain more power, in the form of magical gems sewed into their flesh, which they can use as well as any gem tender can. The Blood Fang elite are known far and wide to be walking apocalypses, using their physical strength as well as their gems to wreak havoc.
The Blood Fang are a nomadic pack and have been travelling around the Griffon Kingdom, Zebra Territories and Equestria for a long time until they were finally beaten by Field Marshal Starling in their latest revolt and driven to the Zebra Territories, where they have yet to resurface or cause any more problems. Accoridng to the Field Marshal, the Blood Fang find their greatest challenge in fighting the undead, as an enemy who knows no fear or pain is truly the worthiest one in their eyes.
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