Pine Grove [Lore] (WIP)
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Pine Grove [Lore] (WIP)
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Posted 2020-10-16 21:04:12 (edited)
Nestled deep within the forest north of the river is a growing pack of wolves under the name Pine Grove. Founded by Aspen and Zephyr, Pine Grove is a welcoming group, home to warriors and outcasts alike. Its dens are located in the hollow spaces beneath the roots of large trees, protecting the wolves within from the elements and various forest dwellers ready to pick a fight. Though many wolves come and go, others make the Grove their permanent home, happily following orders of the Council and current leader Aspen. Everyone is well taken care of, and invited to forget the troubles of their past. Who knows what troubles may be in the Grove's future, however... |
 ᗷᒪᑌE #348 |
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Posted 2020-10-21 02:47:58 (edited)
Year 1 Aspen and Zephyr arrive in the Deciduous Forest after a long journey south of the Tundra. After their lives are saved by the mysterious Tala, they are found by Satsuki, who helps them adjust to the new land and prepare for pack life. An older wolf, Sol, is found not long after, and joins Pine Grove as their first scout. Aspen decides to be the pack's breeding male as they get settled, and more wolves begin to join. Sol is shifted from scouting to herbalism. As the pack grows, they move slightly north to the Coniferous Forest. At the end of the year, Aspen makes the journey back to the Tundra alone, only to find his birth pack completely gone. Year 2 Miracle appears, claiming to be an oracle who is destined to live in Pine Grove. She prophesizes many things; chief among them that "a darkness will befall Pine Grove". Sol, the oldest wolf in the pack, retires from herbalism and gives up the title to his apprentice, Tag. Vyx joins the pack, professing a skill with finances that will have the pack rolling in cones for years to come. As the year turns chill and dark, Hallow arrives. She would appear to be the darkness Miracle spoke of, and has no intentions of leaving. Despite her grim appearance, however, she seems friendly, and is tentatively allowed to stay (as if she could be dissuaded). She gives birth to a small litter, and when one of the puppies must be saved from sure death by a 'blessing' that is more of a curse, Sol performs one last act of mysticism by saving him from an unfortunate fate. In the winter, Sol finally passes on, and a long overnight vigil is held in his name. Luna, an ethereal young puppy, arrives the next day, claiming to be an envoy from the Dreamlands. Year 3 The pack moves to the Taiga, with assurances from Aspen that they do not intend to return to the Tundra from whence he came. In the fall, Hallow's son Poe joins the Council. Despite his strange birth and odd appearance, he is revealed to be a master planner and strategist, as well as having quite the aptitude for mysticism. When food grows scarce, the Council comes to the difficult decision to move the pack again, back to the Deciduous Forest where food was always plentiful. Poe suggests alternating homes depending on the time of year, but no one wants to move so often. Year 4 Early in the year, one of the scouts finds a puppy in the desert. He's old enough to be weaned, but barely surviving, and the scout helps him get some food before bringing him back to the pack. His name is Arcade, and though he is largely made up of warm colors, Luna assures the others that he is touched by the Dreamlands. Arcade proves himself to be a confident young male with lots of energy and drive, and as he grows, plans are made for Aspen to finally put down the mantle of breeding male. When the day comes that the title is passed on to Arcade, Aspen is left realizing there's not much left for him to do before he retires from leadership. He ventures north again, to visit the lands from whence he came, and there is still no signs of the family he left behind. He finally comes to terms with them being gone for good, and with that, comes to a decision long in the making. Upon arriving back to Pine Grove, Aspen asks his long-time friend and advisor, Zephyr, to enter a pair bond with him. They only have so much time left, and he wants to make the most of it. Zephyr joyously agrees, and he and Aspen begin a happy, comfortable life together, closer than they've ever allowed themselves to be before. Year 5 It is largely a quiet year. The pack shifts, changes, grows; puppies blossom into adults; Aspen and Zephyr are unabashedly affectionate with one another. All is as it should be. Yet, as the weeks and months pass by, and as season changes to season, Aspen begins to consider the fact that he will soon have to choose a successor. Zephyr and Aspen adopt an orphan pup, Dune, but the boy proves himself to not be leader material early on, too combative and aggressive for Aspen to be comfortable promising the pack to him. There is time for Dune to change, but as he grows, it seems unlikely. There are close calls with food in the winter, but the hunters manage to bring back enough to keep everyone fed. Year 6 The year is largely a quiet one, up until spring begins anew, signaling the end of a full 12-moon cycle for the pack since its inception. When Hallow becomes pregnant again, Miracle announces to the pack that they will soon fall under the cover of night. She is unable to explain further, but Aspen is certain that it has something to do with Hallow's pregnancy. She has shaped the fate of the clan before, with Poe, and something new is coming that may be even stronger. According to Hallow, the father of the new litter is a Dreamlands Envoy, like Luna. This explains the prophecy, in part; night is certainly related. Does the rest mean that one of the children will be Aspen's successor? When the litter is born, it's plain to see that two of them are marked by night, but when their eyes open it becomes apparent that one of them is Lunar-touched. The little male is named Mythos, and while Aspen is unsure of handing the pack off to a child of Hallow, it's obvious from the start that the pup has great power and is far more connected to the Dreamlands than Arcade. Luna confirms as much, assuring Aspen that Mythos will have access to the Lunar world once per year, a highly desirable quality in a leader. Year 7 Mythos flourishes under the careful care of his mother, older brother, and the pack's pupsitters as word slowly spreads among the adults that he may become the next lead. Aspen can feel his time running short. His limbs ache from use, he can't hunt or explore like he used to, and his once stark face is now peppered with silver and white in places where it had been black. He spends most of his time with Zephyr, planning for the inevitable. Death is a fact of life; Aspen isn't afraid of it. What he fears is that his pack will be lost without him, especially with Mythos not quite old enough yet to take over in his stead. He has to make a risky decision: appoint a temporary leader before his death, or train Mythos himself and put him at the pack's helm as an adolescent. He confers with his Council, and while most of them prefer the first option, the two loudest voices in the room object: Hallow and Luna. Both wolves assert that Mythos has what it takes to succeed Aspen even as an adolescent; Hallow may be blinded by motherhood, but Luna knows the boy's power. Miracle eventually speaks up in support, claiming she sees no ills befalling the pack even with a leader so young. Trusting the three of them, Aspen sets out to train the young male personally. In the winter, Satsuki dies, and not long after, Zephyr. Aspen mourns the loss of his bond mate and knows his own time is drawing down to months, to weeks, to days. Mythos will just barely age into adulthood in time. |
ᗷᒪᑌE #348 |