Septemtrionalis

~Septemtrionalis Pack: -Latin for 'Northern' Pack

Far to the north is a massive mountain range capped in eternal snow. A maze of trails and passes twist and snake through the range. Many of these paths end in box canyons. Few lead to the outside world. Migrating herds must follow the correct path to get from one grazing land to the other. Numbering in the thousands the herd treks along leaving behind a near barren landscape of trampled soil, dun, and torn grass. Approaching one of the entrances to the mountain maze the herd is forced to crowd together as they pass through the narrow opening. With the walls of the pass closing in on each side claustrophobia begins to set in causing primal fear to quicken their pace. Many spook and bolt down trails that lead to one of two outcomes, either a dead-end or a sheer drop-off. One valley in particular marks the half-way point, and the location of a pass leading to the outside world. Smelling the grass on the wind the herd pours into the valley and fall to grazing. Knee-high grass ripples in the wind, a spring fed lake feeds into a river that runs parallel to the path that acts as an exit to the mountain maze. Lining the valley walls are natural caves, many connected by tunnels formed long ago by water, and the pack that calls this particular pocket home. Standing 220 strong the pack has long since learned to adapt to their environment by storing food in the icy snow and making the best of the annual migrating herds. Working as a team, being related, knowing there is plenty of food for all, the pack makes short work of the ill and the weak leaving the healthy to bolt through the exit pass and onward to their destination.

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That was the Septemtrionalis Pack of old, this is the story of the pack before the Hunters came with their dogs, their weapons, and their fire. Before the pack was nearly exterminated. Those that fled to safety will never forget watching their loved ones cut down, skinned, and pups taken for unknown reasons and to unknown fates.

This is the Spetemtrionalis Pack of today. Weary, yet eager, to return to their home valley they have taken up residence near the openings leading to the valley itself. As they patrol in groups their scent has generated a barrier warning all that they are still in the area and refuse to abandon their home. With the entrances covered a select few are beginning to clean the valley and restore it to its former glory. Our story focuses upon the group of pack members currently living within the valley itself.