It is really too bad that people are so judgemental and make decisions based on those judgements even though they are totally off base.  Sometimes things are not at all what they seem.  Many people can and are injured by incorrect judgements.  I only hope that those who are so quick to judge others are not themselves judged so harshly and with only partial evidence. 

[...]

It is amazing how quickly your whole life can change over one stupid thing happening.  I know now that there is a reason for everything.  I am just not always sure what that reason may be for any given circumstance. 

Ah, initiation.

A time honored tradition, to be sure. As a freshman college student, I see initiation everywhere. Fraternaties are the first to pop up, sports teams following up close behind. 

What about a Belegarth initiation?

 For the most part, the Gauntlet is an impractical means of breaking someone in. It's very nature is one of "violence" (I usequotes, because technically speaking- it is violent). You can't really have a new football player get bodyslammed by every member of the team in such quick succession- the results wouldn't really be all that great.

 But Belegarth is a different beast. The very nature of the sport is one of simulated "violence". So, it naturally follows that initiation take the form of the Gauntlet. 

I won't lie- it sounds intimidating, especially for a guy (the warning cry was "Grab the boys, boys!"). But, in reality, it's quite appropriate for what we do. 

 As a novice taking that slow walk down the beating row, I realized that this was my realm, that these were the people with which I would be fighting with. There was no real hatred or malice in thier faces and eyes- but one of welcome. The fact that they bellow your name as you walk down is a major boost too. 

It's really a good way to be initiated, to be sure. There is symbolism mixed with a healthy dose of meaning. Bashing through the shields at the end is a fitting end for the walk, not to mention a fitting symbol of transititioning from a total newbie to a somewhat newbie. At the very least, we're members of a realm.

 I have to say, a realm beltflag isn't all that much. It's a piece of simple black fabric with red trim and a Wolfpack of the High Plains insignia on it. But for someone who has fought for the last six or so weeks with the pack, learning the customs and the culture, learning as much as one can, it's a big deal.

I've always valued loyalty and unity, and to be accepted puts one in a state of welcome indebtedness. By the group accepting you, you owe something to the group to represent it, to work with it, to be a part of it. It may seem like natural due course- but it always stands out when one person doesn't due his/her part of being part of the realm. It's quite appropriate that the Wolfpack's motto is that "The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the wolf is the strength of the pack". A realm draws it's strength through it's members- unity through strength and strength through unity (and as always, England prevails!- sorry, had to throw that in there). 

I may be a new person, I may not know all of Wolfpacks intricacies, but dammit, this is my realm now. I will gladly bellow "WOOT WOOT" when someone calls "Wooollllfpack!". I will gladly step up with my weapons and fight with my realm when it comes time to. I will gladly take my shots if it means that my realm prevails (both in real life and BeleLife). 

It's basic sociological fact that symbols draw people together under a common ideal or a theory. The flag draws people together as a member of that nation-state. A chaos star or a falcon's shillouette draws together people as a member of House Hellhammer or the Brotherhood of the Falcon.

Now, it's red wolf's head on a black field that draws together the members of the Wolfpack of the High Plains.

 Wolfpack! WOOT WOOT!

[...]