Wolves of Kalma Lore [ READ ONLY - don't post ]

Contents
i. Intro
ii. Short Summaries
iii. Dynasty
iv. Lore Posts
v. Discussion
vi. Dynasty Images
vii. Gallery
viii. Monster CompendiumHTML by Lila #225. Do not remove credit

Lore
Kalma is a pack of wolves, blessed by the Goddess of Death and Decay herself, to rid the world of hidden terrific monsters. The current leader, Louhenmurtama seems to have mysterious connections to the Goddess herself. No one is quite sure what it is. All they know is that the connection has made him stronger than an average wolf. In fact, it has given him magical abilities.

And Louhenmurtama is able to share is abilities by gifting his pack members a new name. A name that will bring it's owner new powers so they could succeed in their goal of hunting down the monsters that have somehow escaped from the Goddess. If no one stops the monsters, there will be nothing left.

If a wolf wants to join Kalma, they're required to accept the new name gifted by the leader. Pups who are born into the pack will be given temporary names until they are old enough to choose if they want to stay, or do they want to leave. And if they choose the latter option, they are not welcomed back.

But the ones who stay are given a new name, a name that is either a combination of the parent's names. In a case that one parent is an outsider, they are given a mixed name. Part of their pack-parent and part random name, chosen by Louhenmurtama.

Their quest has piqued the interest of other deities.

One of them being the Goddess of the Sun herself, Päivätär. She formed a wolf out of gold and silver to keep eye on the pack. 

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Short Summaries

( Skip these if you want to avoid potential spoilers. )

Louhenmurtama, a confident and serious leader of the pack. Not much is known about him. Even his own mate, Tuhkanpeittämä isn't quite sure what he is or where he came from. All they do know that he is not from these lands. He has a clear accent and sometimes speaks in a language the pack can't understand - despite being given names in that said language. But the names he gives hold strange power that leaves a lasting effect on the wolves.

After accepting Louhenmurtama into her life, she took a new name; Tuhkanpeittämä. She was given that name by her mate, to always remember the day when they first met in the ash-covered forest. She originates from a long-gone pack in the mountains, continuing her father's legacy as a scout in her new pack. She has an excellent sense of smell which allows her to track down the monsters the pack seeks.

Varjotassu had heard of Kalma needing wolves, so she had decided to ask them to join herself. Her request was accepted and she was given a new name. The name gave her an ability to disappear into the shadows, allowing Varjotassu to spy the monsters closeby without getting noticed.

An old friend of Varjotassu, Talvisielu joined at the same time as her. She isn't a warrior by any means but her talent lies with herbalism. And now, with her new name, Talvisielu can grow herbs even in the harshest winters. She can also revive new plants with her breath.

Hentoaskel and Hentosydän are wolves connected by their long shared past. They see each other as siblings even if they don't share blood. The younger sister is a swift and silent huntress, while the older one shares her heart and love with everyone who needs little "TLC".

Auringonsurma is the eyes of the Sun Goddess, formed by her gold and silver into the shape of a wolf to keep eyes on the pack. Her motives are not quite clear yet, but Louhenmurtama couldn't pass the chance to have a powerful creature like her on the pack.

Hyinen Yö joined Kalma during a cold night, getting her name from that night as well. She is meek and aloof, and prefers to take care of the pups and the weak over fighting. 

A strange messenger of the Spirit of the Fall, Ruskaselkä warned how Kultaturkki was going to fall as his master had told him. 

Hiekkamyrsky had lived most of her life in the Desert and she knew it like the back of her paws. It was there where she met Louhenmurtama and the others, who were in a mission. Hiekkamyrksy was actually the wolf who ended up saving the day by destroying the eye of the (sand) storm. After the whole deal, she decided to tag along and join the pack. 

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Dynasty

Kultaturkki was one of the first wolves to join Kalma's ranks. On his good days, he was a skilled and reliable hunter. During his golden days, he spent his days telling tales to pups about his youth.

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Lore post links?
Prologue
Spring: From the Ashes & Journey
Summer: The Dust Devil, Down to DuskHTML by Lila #225. Do not remove credit

Prologue: Silence
After a fire had decimated the Golden Forest, a wolf covered in ashes scouted the familiar paths. The forest was silent. The only sounds that echoed in her ears were her own breathing and footsteps. She couldn't even hear a single bird singing in the distance, which was unusual for the springtime. Spring was always filled with the noises of birds and other animals. But now... The forest was silent.

Why was she even here? She knew that there was nothing here. There couldn't be anything here besides destruction. And yet, she trotted forwards, her tail swishing behind her as she continued her trip. She looked up at the old oak tree, a hint of sadness in her gray eyes as the tree stood there. Barren. Cold. Dead. Silent

She closed her eyes s a memory surfaced. Her father, the first scout of her former pack had taken her to the tree. He had told her about an old and wise owl who called the tree home. He had told her how the tree and the owl had survived several strong storms and harsh winters. And how the tree would still stand there when she was old and had her own pups.

It was the first time her father had been wrong about something. The wolf sighed and lowered her head to pay respect for the fallen soldier. She stood silent in front of the tree, until her peace was broken by a horrific low growl. 

The wolf almost jumped out of her hide as she turned toward the sound. Which she ended up immediately regretting. In front of her stood a beast-like she had never seen before. She couldn't even begin to describe how it looked like. It had several vaguely familiar shapes she had seen on other animals, but she couldn't quite place them right. It looked like a monster bear, but also at the same time, it looked like an elk. And a bobcat too. 

Frozen in fear and confusion, she just stared at the many eyes of the beast. Awaiting for her own end.

However, before the creature had a chance to attack her - two long tendrils of smoke formed on both of her sides. Another took a vaguely humanoid shape and another took a shape of a wolf and together they attacked the creature. The beast bellowed as it just disintegrated in front of her.

Her legs shook as darkness started to creep closer, but before it could fully take her, she could see the dark and smoky wolf approach her. A confident grin on his face as he glanced at his humanoid company.HTML by Lila #225. Do not remove credit

Spring - From the AshesA week had passed since Tuhkanpeittämä had accepted her new name. It sounded strange and foreign. It had sounds she hadn't heard before. But it was her name and it felt right. It felt just right. It felt like she had been a given something she had been always missing without even realizing it.

Along with the name came newfound powers and knowledge. Her senses had strengthened and now she could see and hear things that weren't there before. Roars of the monsters far beyond and smaller odd beings in the corners of her vision. According to Louhenmurtama, the monsters had taken the land and none of them even knew about it.

One thing he had not revealed yet, was who that humanoid creature had been. All he had said, was that she was important. 

The duo settled down in the Deciduous Forest, making an old cave their temporary home. They would travel around the lands a lot. They would go where their help is needed and never stay in one place for a long time. But for now, their mission was to keep their eyes open and find more wolves to join their pack. Soon enough, their duo grew into a quintet. 

First was dubbed Varjotassu, another wolf with a dark hide and paws. She had heard their howls for help and had approached them herself. Along with her, she had brought her old acquaintance. She wasn't the strongest one, but Talvisielu knew a lot about herbalism. Her skills would be needed, and the gray wolf decided to join their quest on a whim.

And the next day on her scouting trip, Tuhkanpettämä came across a lone and experienced golden hunter. She sensed he could be a great help for them, they could use good hunters. Not only to find food but also to fight. Luckily it didn't take a lot convincing to get Kultaturkki to join them as well. 

While Louhenmurtama shared stories of his previous adventures in the land beyond the great ocean. 

Something arose in the desert.

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Spring - Journey
Two more wolves had joined the ranks of Kalma, two siblings, not by blood but by the deep bond they shared. And to honour the shared past between the two sisters, Louhenmurtama gave them names to show their bond. The younger one with a pale coat became known as Hentoaskel, for her talent to move swiftly but silently. And the older caring and fair sister became Hentosydän, from her undying love and care for the other wolves in need.

The spring-time had been quiet and uneventful mostly. Kalma had mostly run into smaller and lesser monsters that had been easy to deal with. It gave Louhenmurtama time to train his new troops, and also bond with his new pack. But this peace, unfortunately, wouldn't last forever.

During her scouting in Prairie, Varjotassu had heard distressed cries and howls coming from the Desert. She had immediately turned back and reported her findings to the pack. And the very same day, Louhenmurtama along with the two scouts set their journey to the Desert. It would take some time to reach the lands, but they had no time to waste. 

Halfway across the Prairie, the trio stumbled upon a wolf with a shining fur. Louhenmurtama sensed there was something special about her, she wasn't just a regular wolf. Or, not a wolf at all.

She was like him. 

She had noticed the similarities too. She knew what Louhenmurtama was and what his pack was all about as well. It was a little strange, but she didn't want to question the decisions made her.
The wolf revealed her name to be Auringonsurma, the eyes of the Sun and the Goddess who ruled it. And she had been sent to watch over the newly formed pack and make sure that darkness wouldn't fall upon them.

With a little hesitation, Louhenmurtama did accept her help.

As the night fell over Deciduous Forest, the four wolves who stayed behind huddled together for warmth. The summer was just around the corner, but the late spring nights were cold. A lone adolescent wolf appeared from behind the bushes, carefully asking for help. Her old pack had chased her away and she was starving. 

Immediately, Hentosydän got up and shared some of their stored food with the young one, telling her how she could stay with them if she wanted to. Their leader was going to be gone for a while, but Hentosydän was sure he would allow her to join the pack. The others agreed with her statement.

Louhenmurtama was a kind leader and they could use to have more wolves in their ranks. HTML by Lila #225. Do not remove credit

Summer - The Dust Devil
Louhenmurtama alongside the two scouts and Auringonsurma stood on the border between Prairie and Desert. The sun was already up and the three dark coloured wolves knew this was going to be a harsh journey. But none of them voiced their concerns, they knew the risks. Heatstroke was the least of their worries. Unaffected by the heat, Auringonsurma just trotted forwards - Louhenmurtama, Tuhkanpeittämä and Varjotassu quickly catching up with her. 

"Where is it?" Varjotassu asked, turning to their leader.
"Deeper in the Desert." Louhenmurtama answered, looking into the distance.
"We should try to find an oasis first, to rest and drink." Tuhkanpeittämä suggested. They all were a little tired from their almost non-stop journey from the Deciduous forest. And her suggestion was met with approving nods. Louhenmurtama wanted to find it as soon as possible, but the she-wolf was right.
Auringonsurma looked up to the sun, her eyes unaffected by the bright light as she asked for advice from her Goddess. Her lips soon curled into a smile.
"I know where to find water." she claimed, before taking the lead.

Back in the Deciduous Forest, the pack looked at him, baffled by his words. The male wolf just looked at them, repeating his words again:

"He will fall."

The confusion spread more across them as they just stared each other and the blueish wolf with a red overcoat. They felt uneasy. This stranger wasn't showing any aggression, but his sudden arrival and words created a heavy atmosphere that lingered over them. The air felt like it did just before a thunderstorm, unpredictable and dangerous. 

"Who is he?" the adolescent asked, impatient. This was just starting to get annoying. 

"The Spirit told me... It can't be avoided. He will fall..."

The stranger repeated again, finally locking his eyes with the orange eyes of Kultaturkki. 

The wolves rested around the small oasis, sitting in a shadow of a rock to cool down. But the heat didn't seem to bother Auringonsurma, and she just kept basking in the harsh midday sun. Their peaceful break however was interrupted by howling winds that appeared out of nowhere. 

"It's here!" Louhenmurtama yelled, squinting his eyes as sand started to blow around them. He felt it clearly, and it was stronger than he had thought. 
"I can't see anything..!" Tuhkanpeittämä gasped, huddling closer to the male to feel safe. She looked around, amidst the blowing sand she could see several wolfish shapes. Dancing around them, laughing and mocking them with high pitched voices. The sun wolf growled, biting on the air as she tried to catch one of them, but it was no use.

"Don't bother with them!" Louhenmurtama pointed, his voice rising over the howling beasts as he started to tell about the devil they were facing. It belonged in a group of surprisingly small critters who could affect their environment in great ways, this particular one was called "Dust Devil", and this one was a strong one too. To defeat it, they would need to find the centre of the storm and destroy its eye.

"Well.. That's easier said than-" Varjotassu was interrupted by a figure who approached them. 
"What are you doing here?" she winced, "You should find shelter!" 
"I could say the same to you." Auringonsurma grumbled, eyeing the stranger warily.
"I am on my way to the shelter, I just took a detour to make sure no one would stay here. This isn't a safe place to stay." the stranger explained, seemingly unfazed by the sandstorm.
"Wait.." Louhenmurtama mumbled, taking steps closer to the wolf to look her deep into her eyes for a good moment.
"Yes... You can do it. Sandstorm, Hiekkamyrsky - go." 

She, Hiekkamyrsky could feel a spark ignite inside of her, it opened her senses and filled her with knowledge. She nodded firmly, turning around and running off. She didn't think, she just ran, she ran where her instincts told her to go. Dodging the attacks of the sand minions with ease, creating a movement that looked like Hiekkamyrksy was just dancing. The wind howled harder, trying to stop her by any means it could. 
Determined, Hiekkamyrsky pushed forwards until she broke through the threshold into the eye of the storm. Everything was calm and still, it felt like the time was stopped. The only thing that moved inside the circular area was a small eye in the dead centre of it. 

With slow steps, Hiekkamyrsky walked in front of it. For a moment the two creatures just stared at each other in the dead silence, before it was broken by a loud pop.

And the sandstorm immediately subsided.

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Summer - Down to Dusk
In disbelief, the returned party stood around a corpse of their former packmate. His golden fur stained in crimson. Louhenmurtama couldn't help but just stare at Kultaturkki as his two scouts consoled the others who had been there when the monster attacked. Kultaturkki had fought bravely against it, attacking it again and again so the rest would be safe.

Unfortunately, it only had been enough to drive out the monster and leave the brave warrior to succumb to his own wounds. 

If only they had been here faster.

Louhenmurtama growled, lowering his head and closing his eyes for a moment before his head rose up once more. Towards the bright moon above as he let out a sorrowful howl. And one by one, each and everyone joined in to show their respects for the death. Including their two new friends Auringonsurma and Hiekkamyrsky, the young adolescent and the messenger who had predicted Kultaturkki's fall. 

A week had passed since the death of their friend. Louhenmurtama had decided to move their pack to the Coniferous Forest, to avoid being surprised by it again. He was still tired from the journey to the Desert and he couldn't afford the incident repeating itself again.

He had indeed allowed the adolescent to join, naming her Hyinen Yö, as she had arrived on a cold night. The other wolf, a mysterious messenger of the fall was named Ruskaselkä. Louhenmurtama wasn't sure if he could trust him, but... if the spirit sent him here, it must be important. A worrying statement, but the seasonal spirits worked in mysterious ways. 

Fortunately, the summer wasn't just only bad news for Kalma. As it turns out, not only was Tuhkanpeittämä with pups. But Hiekkamyrsky as well. And it meant they would have pups born into their pack, these pups would grow stronger than their parents as they would be blessed with a name from birth. He, however, would need to think carefully about the names.

Until then, Louhenmurtama knew he would need to find more wolves to join their ranks. So they could track down the fiend and avenge Kultaturkki. 

But he knew the golden wolf could never be replaced.

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