World Building - Howl of the Blood
Volčeks (volk chovek or “wolf human”) is the name of the race of half-humans, half-wolves. They are coexisting with human beings on the continent Aestrin. Humans address them only as Volk, but Volčeks don’t consider this name an offense, even though they do prefer their original title.
Volčeks most prominent features are animal ears and tail. They are shorter and more slender than humans, but even their average woman is far stronger than any average human man. Their skin tone varies from warm beige to almond. Volchek hair colour is as diverse as human but often accompanied with grey or black undertones. Their eye colour is always yellow, golden or light amber.
Each clan is guided by ača and ai, the most prominent and sensible members of one clan. They are judges and advisers, they decide about clan’s migrations, interactions with outsiders and other major issues. Ača and ai are chosen by voting among 10 eldest, 5 most skilled and 5 wisest Volčeks in one clan every nine years.
Women and children are the most numerous in each clan. Women are also, in most cases, related by blood, while adult men are not. When boys reach adulthood (around the age of 16) they are given two choices: they can leave and seek out another clan willing to admit them as their members. If they choose to stay within their birth clan, they become guardians and undergo celibacy. Women don’t have to change their clan. Both sexes are allowed to leave whenever they like (which is called the Wandering) and nobody is allowed to stop them or question them about their travels.
Depending on the clan’s ača and ai’s decision, interactions with humans may vary from complete avoidance to connections in the name of trade.
Clashes between clans are rare but they do happen. Two clans can also merge into one but that hardly ever occurs.
Volčeks don’t have gender roles: both men and women engage in household jobs, caretaking, farming, hunting, trading and war duties if and when necessary. They are free to choose their partners and bond (have sex) with whomever they like but only if that person is an adult or at least same age (if both partners are still considered children); and if bonding is consensual.
Soul bonding is considered a very serious matter; very few couples decide to undergo this ritual. The reason for this is that when you soul bond to a man or a woman, you become completely devoted and committed to them - in life and death. If your “other soul”, as they call their partners, dies, the living partner has to abstain from bonding for the rest of his or hers life. Reason for this is because widowers are considered soulless and shouldn’t reproduce.
Children born in the same clan call each other brothers and sisters. They are all educated equally and after a while, ai determines what their strongest abilities are. They are given names on their third birthday after a certain distinguishable trait they show.
If you have any questions about my OC’s or story, I would be more than happy to answer. Thank you for reading!
