Big Rock Creek Pack Lore (Read Only)

Big Rock Creek Pack Lore

The history and misadventures of a bunch of wolves in the woods.

Foreword

I will admit, this thread is extremely late, and for the longest time I didn't want to even bother documenting because so much has happened since I joined in November. Better late than never, I suppose. Plus I needed a new writing project to keep my skills sharp as I haven't been practicing. So, without further ado, let's get this show on the road.

The Beginning





Morrow was born into a fairly large pack many miles away from his current territory. He was destined to become the next leader, and would have if it weren’t for the humans invading the forest. They ripped down trees with no regard for the wildlife that used them for shelter. Any wolves in the way were shot dead on sight.

Morrow had managed to escape, but when he turned back his entire pack was gone. Blood was spattered on the ground between lifeless bodies; there was nothing left. No reason for him to stay. So Morrow ran until his legs hurt; until he collapsed and woke up to a black wolf named Tala standing over him.

From then on, with Tala’s help, Morrow formed Big Rock Creek Pack. 

New Faces

Recently two new wolves joined the pack: two males named Fenrir and Kodiak.

Kodiak is shifty with questionable practices, namely sneaking food, but he does care about his pack. He and Vixie immediately fell for each other due to his fondness for the pack's pups and how well he interacts with them.

There's something sad about Fenrir; he seems disconnected and wary of the others, and it's taken a bit of time for him to allow them to get close. Still, he definitely wants to be part of the pack. His appearance is quite interesting, and there's word that he'll be the next breeding male.

Maple is getting even slower in her old age, her joints aching with every movement. It's a wonder she's still willing to go hunting, despite her packmates encouraging her to stay back and let them handle it. Maple simply refuses to lay down and accept defeat, earning her the "stubborn old lady" title. The way she sees it, she vowed to serve the pack til her last breath, which is exactly what she plans to do.

New hunters are being scouted now, as Maple and her hunting party are nearing the end of their career. Fenrir and Kodiak have agreed to fill in any empty spaces despite their warrior status, as warriors are subject to the same responsibilities as hunters when necessary. The pups in the pack aren't old enough to adopt roles yet, so this is definitely one of those cases.

That's all for now. More to come when things change!

Life Goes On

Things are changing in the pack. For starters, Redstone and Max are now mates. They've spent a considerable amount of time together, Red helping Max with herb gathering/mixing and such. Everyone else in the pack knew they were interested in each other, and by the time they declared their courtship they were met with good-natured comments: "It's about time!" "Took you guys long enough!"

In other news, Warren, one of the first chasers, has passed away. He was gravely injured during a hunt when an elk gored him in the chest with its antlers. He made it back to the pack's camp before succumbing to his wounds. Warren will be dearly missed, as he was a friend to all and always open to talk about anything. The search for a new chaser will commence once the pack has had adequate time to mourn.

Brook and Otter are shaping up to be fine young wolves, though Otter is a little more... questionable. While Brook sees everyone as equals and tries to do the right thing, Otter prefers to take the easy way out and often ends up doing more harm than good. Garnet claims that her daughter is just going through a phase, and that she'll grow out of her laziness and bratty behavior. Starfall, Garnet's mother and Otter's grandmother, disagrees, saying she knows when a wolf is set in their ways even at a young age. This has caused a bit of a rift between mother and daughter, and Starfall hopes that Garnet can eventually come to her senses and realize that Otter needs someone to help her change.

"Every pup is like this," Garnet said to her mother one day. "I'm sure I was the same."

Starfall shook her head. "No, child. You were never that bad. Something is wrong with Otter, I can feel it."

"You're not her mother! You don't know anything about her!" Garnet snapped before storming away, leaving Starfall shaking her head after her.

"You'll see some day," the old scout whispered. "But by then, it'll be too late."

Leota’s Litter and Garnet’s Lament

Leota joined the pack a while ago as a hunter and has been adjusting well. Just recently she gave birth to a litter of three, but refused to disclose who the father is. There’s no law saying she has to tell, and Morrow wouldn’t want any wolf to feel uncomfortable, so her secret remains untold. The pups don’t have names yet, as it’s uncertain whether they’ll survive to adolescence. Fenrir seems to be keeping a close eye on them, as he and Leota have become close friends. Perhaps there’s more to it than that...?

In other news, Garnet is expecting pups once more, even as Crow begins to take on a more ethereal appearance and devote his attention to the Dreamlands. It looks as though he comes from the Dreamlands, and he claims he feels more at home with the freedom to phase between worlds. Crow has also regained the ability to shift into his namesake, a form he’s missed dearly since appearing in the waking world. 

Garnet feels as if she needs to have another litter to keep the pack legacy strong, if not to nullify the pain of Otter’s deviance. She’s slowly starting to realize her daughter is different, just like Starfall said. Often she wonders how her son, Rust, is doing in the Lunar Eclipse Pack, and if he’s following a better path. 

Otter approached her mother, a sour look on her face as she took note of her mother’s growing belly. “So I see you’re trying to replace me.” 

The red she-wolf’s eyes widened at her child’s words. “Otter! How could you say such a thing? You can never be replaced. These pups will be brand new, and just think: you’ll have siblings to play with!” Garnet was trying so hard to change her daughter’s perspective. As long as she was still young, there was hope that she wasn’t set in her ways yet.

”I don’t want new siblings,” Otter spat. “I miss Rust... why did you have to send him away?!” She bared her teeth; shiny white canines seemed to glow against her dark pelt. 

Garnet sighed heavily, attempting to rest her chin on Otter’s shoulder, but the young wolf violently pulled away. “Rust left on his own accord,” Garnet explained gently, though she wanted to snarl that she felt hurt. “Please, Otter, I don’t know what else to tell you. I just wish you..” 

“Were more submissive? More goody-goody?” Otter’s golden eyes were smoldering like embers as she paced in a slow circle around her mother. “Perhaps more like you? Well too bad, mother. I am nothing like you and I never will be.” And with that, she turned and fled, vanishing into the tenebrous woods. Garnet looked to the stars, sadness pooling in her chest. She knew now that she couldn’t help her daughter.

No one could.

Some Updates

It's been a minute. Here are some new developments.

- Jay and Amarok are the pack's newest hunters.

- Brook is now a scout. She's adjusting well to her new role.

- A new wolf, Zaniah, was brought into the pack to train under Fleet as a scout.

- Otter and Kodiak had a litter of pups.

- Garnet had her second litter. All pups have been sent to other packs.

Otter isn't exactly doting over her pups. She ignores the pups' needs until they're practically starving, and doesn't like to play with them much. Surprisingly, Kodiak is just as negligent. He'd much rather hunt prey for himself than actually help feed his family. Garnet has taken over the pups' care with the help of the pupsitters, although Otter aggressively denies Garnet the right to raise them. She claims they don't need any more attention than she already gives them, to which Garnet disagrees.



In other news, Morrow has officially declared the next two alphas once he passes. Redstone will take over immediately after, with Vixie following. Most of the pack was pleased with the choices, but others, namely Otter, had something to say.

"Vixie?! Are you serious?" Otter stormed forward, dark brown pelt bristling. "She's a nervous wreck! I mean, look at her! She couldn't even keep her posture when you said her name!"

The fox-like she-wolf narrowed her orange eyes at Otter, straightening herself and stepping close until she was nearly nose-to-nose with her. "It's a shock, but I'm willing and able to take on the responsibility. That's something I can't say about you."

The observing wolves fell silent. Tension hung in the air so thick it could've been sliced with a claw. Otter held Vixie's gaze for what seemed like an eternity, then finally looked away. In wolf language, that meant Vixie had won, and while shame boiled deep inside Otter, she wouldn't forget this.

Chatter resumed as Otter padded away, toward the willow tree burrow where her pups slumbered. She heard pawsteps behind her and turned to see her mate, Kodiak. His icy blue gaze was shadowed. "You okay?" he asked.

"Of course not." She laughed dryly. "But I can't exactly do anything with everyone watching."

Kodiak rested his tail across her back. "You don't have to prove anything, you know. Yeah, it's lame that Morrow didn't choose one of us, but maybe it's not meant to be." He winced as she pulled away, anger flaring up in her eyes.

"This pack is full of mistakes, and Vixie is one of them. I'm going to make sure she never succeeds, and that's a promise." Otter was staring at him full-on now, and quite frankly it was scaring him how intense she looked. "If you help me, love, I promise you a position of the utmost respect and power."

Kodiak blinked and nervously shuffled his paws. "What do you have in mind?"

Otter chuckled. "I'm so glad you asked."





Cold-Hearted

A full moon hovered high above the trees, its light giving everything an ethereal glow. An owl hooted nearby, and critters scurried to and fro through the undergrowth.

Two wolves trekked through the forest, their pawsteps nearly silent. The dark-furred she-wolf in the lead had an ominous air about her, but her companion didn’t seem to notice. She smirked and continued onward, until they reached the edge of a massive ravine. The ground sloped abruptly at their paws, leading down to a smattering of pointed stones that would surely impale anything, or anyone, that fell onto them. 

“Why are we here, again?” the companion wolf asked, her expression puzzled yet fearful at the drop before her.

“Because my mother said there were intruders here,” the dark brown she-wolf replied. She turned and gave her packmate a conspiratorial look. “Vixie, you’re not doubting our Lead Warrior, are you?”

Vixie shook her head almost too quickly; false accusations could cost her the leadership position Morrow had promised, especially if they were against Garnet, his own daughter. “It’s just... I don’t like it here. This place scares me, Otter.”

Otter rolled her amber eyes. “Wuss,” she sneered. “I can’t believe Morrow actually chose you, with an attitude like that.” She sniffed; the “intruders” were nowhere to be found, and she knew that Vixie would soon notice. The clock was ticking.

Vixie bristled, an indignant expression on her face. “Did you bring me here just to insult me?” she growled. “I should have you punished for disrespecting your elders!” 

The loudness of the conversation startled a sleeping crow, who flapped away with a couple irritated caws. All other signs of life in the forest had fallen silent, as if intently watching the scene unfold out on the ravine’s edge. Even the crickets had quieted down, and that was rare during the hot summer nights.

Otter tossed her head back and laughed, a dry sound that made Vixie’s blood run cold. “You’ll never have the chance.” Then she lunged, sinking her teeth into her packmate’s scruff and, using her body weight, swung the other wolf well over the edge. 

Vixie yelped in sheer terror as her body plummeted toward the jagged rocks, and Otter looked away just as she heard a loud thud. Silence followed, and Otter fought the urge to look down; sure she needed to eliminate the competition, but she still didn’t want to see the broken body of a wolf she knew since birth.

It is done, Otter thought as she began the trek home. Now for my next trick...

Forever Scarred



Vixie’s breathing came in ragged gasps. Everything hurt and felt like it was twisted out of place, most notably her jaw. Searing, white-hot pain shot through it every time she tried to open her mouth for more air. Yet, here Vixie was, still alive after being thrown off a cliff.

Slowly, she attempted to pull herself to her paws. Her body was sore as ever, but surprisingly able to move. I can’t believe it. By the gods... I live. 

Now upright, Vixie scanned the area around her, searching for any possible way back to the top. Several pointed stones towered above her, but there were a few whose points were actually little plateaus: the perfect size for a wolf’s paws. Here goes nothing...

———————

When Otter arrived at camp, the pack was gathered beneath Morrow’s rock. His tone was urgent, and each wolf gazed up at him intently. Otter weaved between her packmates and sat next to Kodiak. “What’s going on?” she whispered to her mate.

“Morrow wants to move us to the mountains,” Kodiak replied, rolling his icy blue eyes. “As if that’ll help us hunt better.” 

“The mountains?” Otter echoed. “You mean... we’re finally leaving the forest?” Excitement bubbled up within her. Leaving the pack’s old territory would make it easier for her to eliminate her competition. It was simple enough to say that someone had gotten lost on the way... She glanced at her uncle Redstone, whose brilliant pelt was bristling. You’ll be harder to get rid of, but I’ll make it happen.

“Leaving would be a death sentence!” Redstone shouted. He fixed a smoldering, unblinking glare on his adoptive father. His mate, the pack herbalist, Max, tried to nuzzle him comfortingly, but the beta pulled away. “Max won’t be able to collect nearly enough herbs in the mountains! And have you forgotten that Vixie is still missing? Do you not care?”

Morrow’s grey fur bristled, but he spoke calmly. “I understand your concern, but the mountains offer plenty more than this forest, believe it or not. I’ve sent Fleet and Zaniah to look for Vixie. We shall not leave until they return with Vixie, if not a verdict. I was getting to that before you interrupted, son.” 

Otter laughed inwardly; the journey would be an inconvenience to nobody but Redstone. Oh, the irony. Just to rub salt in the wound, Otter spoke up: “I think it’s a great idea. It’s about time we get a change of scenery.” 

If looks could kill, Otter would’ve been dead where she sat. “Says you,” Redstone spat. “You lazy, good for nothing whelp! You sit here and reap the benefits while everyone else puts in their share of work. You’re hardly a warrior. I’ve not seen you fight a single thing since the day you were born.”

Nervous murmurs rippled through the crowd. Otter and her uncle were now facing off, and no one knew what would happen next. Suddenly, a light brown wolf slipped between them. It was Max’s apprentice, Sora. “Mother, enough,” Sora said quietly. “Fighting amongst ourselves won’t solve anything. I actually agree with Morrow; I think leaving will be good for all of us.”

Otter scoffed at her son. He’d become such a pacifist after taking up an apprenticeship under Max. It wasn’t the kind of energy she needed in her life, especially with such ambitious plans. Still, she forced herself to back off. No need to make herself look suspicious. “You’re right,” she finally conceded, taking a few steps back. “I think we’re all anxious and stressed out by the news. Some more than others.” She finished the last sentence with a pointed look at Redstone, who rolled his eyes and turned away. 

Before anyone could say anything else, two wolves crashed into camp. Fleet and Zaniah had returned, their eyes wild. “Morrow! Vixie’s here! She...” Zaniah barked between pants. She didn’t have a chance to finish before a familiar reddish-brown wolf emerged from the undergrowth. Quiet gasps of shock and horror echoed around Otter as everyone realized who it was.

Vixie’s jaw was grotesquely angled to one side, her teeth sticking up like some kind of legendary monster’s. Her tongue appeared to be uncomfortably positioned between her now crooked canines. The expression she wore was that of sorrow and betrayal, and her amber eyes were zeroed in right on Otter.

“Did you miss me?”

A brief update:

A lot of things have changed, and because life happens, I haven't had much time to add on to the story. I'll go ahead and compile a list of things that have happened (that I can remember.)

- Otter has been chased from the pack. After Vixie returned, the truth behind her disappearance was revealed, and Otter stood on trial before her packmates. Everyone agreed that it was best to chase Otter away, so Morrow ordered her to leave.

- Rosethorn, Shenzi, and Barks Like Thunder have joined as pupsitters.

- After Morrow's passing, Zaniah, a former scout, assumed leadership of the pack. She and her mate, Savvy, have adopted two pups: Dusty and Raine. Zaniah also had a biological son before pup adoption became a thing. His name is Cujo and Savvy considers him her son as well.

- Amarok and Skye adopted Nightrun.

- Garnet and Jay passed away recently.

- Sora has mentioned taking on an apprentice in a couple (Wolvden) years. Zaniah is fully committed to helping him choose one when the time is right.