Seekers of the Luminara

Wolf Song

Listen to him,
and you can hear all of nature sigh,
A journey is not taken on a whim,
Follow the amber gold in his eye

The truth he's never known
Man thinks he can decide
when nature has overgrown,
his unkempt pride

Get lost in the howling,
As it climbs so many bars,
Give chase to the pack that's prowling,
As they follow their prey into the stars
~Natalie Miller

Icy winds rake angrily through the last vestiges of barren trees. You shiver, looking up at the last tendrils of sunlight that are clawing their way over the horizon as if determined to still warm the earth. The bitter cold forces you from this frozen wasteland to find shelter, but from what you can see of the tundra, only miles of icy fields lay before you. Still, you press on, for you know what waits behind you…

You break out into a run, desperate to cover more ground and warm your muscles in the only way that you can. After a few hours you notice a glint of gold that interrupts the monotonous white. Instinctively, you head towards it. As you approach you notice that it is sunlight dancing between trees that have not shed their foliage. You turn your head, and a spread of stars twinkles behind you. You look ahead again, and it is clearly daylight. You close your eyes and shake your entire body, ridding your pelt of stubborn ice crystals. When you open your eyes again, this strange forest still beckons you with the promise of warmth.

The forest is a dazzling array of color and movement; leaves and grasses are not merely green but glow with hues of red, blue and purple. The animals are different too – adorned with different patterns and shades than any that you've seen before. The forest feels almost magical, and you realize that in the short time you've been here, your past memories are already starting to fade. Alarmed, you spin around, eyes darting, searching for the way out. You swiftly realize you aren't alone. A sweet scent envelops your body; there are others of your kind nearby. Before long, you get a glimpse of a strange female.

She stands before you, warily curious, adorned by a necklace made of smoky quartz. Her proud tail, slightly lifted and her confident gaze, betray that she is the Alpha Female. Her eyes shine with the glow of the moon and her coat is a soft white with gray, brown and lilac hues. She pauses, waiting for your next move, and you can tell she is ready to defend her clan if you prove to be a threat. You lower yourself into a respectful bow, and she mirrors your gesture.

"Welcome to the enchanted forest. We are the ones who dreamed, sought out and found the dancing light. I am Telani, daughter of Nylah and Nevayu, and fourth Queen of the Seekers of the Luminara Tribe."

An enchanted forest in the middle of the tundra...

The Seekers of the Luminara is led equally by the Alpha Male and Female, and does not value either males or females above the other. Males are usually hunters or scouts, while females tend to the new generations of pups. The wolves of the tribe are fiercely loyal to their mates and do not mate with outsiders. New blood is brought in when newcomers join the pack, which happens frequently, and many lineages go back to the founding members of the pack. Friendly and romantic personalities thrive here while aggressive and stoic wolves will find it harder to fit in. Each wolf has a unique story and Nylah encourages you to mingle among them. She points out a number of landmarks:

• Ancestral Spirits - The grandest caves, surrounded by lush fields and bordered by the great river. Where those who have received the moon Goddess Zulae's highest blessing - immortal life, reside


• Ancient Grove - This is where the elders, scouts and herbalist live. These wolves have the longest lineages in the pack and were there since the beginning


• Cavern of Whelping - Where the majority of the females spend. It is an ideal cave for giving birth safely and the surrounding meadow is a perfect place for young wolves to grow


• Claw Haven - Where the fierce male hunters live. It is an ideal place to hone one's skills in hunting or battling


• Roots That Grow Deep - Where the adolescents that have decided to stay with their birth pack grow and train together


• Wandering Souls - Where wolves that decide to disperse from their birth pack gather to prepare themselves for the great journey