Wood Rot and Fen Mire were born along the outskirts of the redwoods. The siblings never got the chance to know their parents, who would come to abandon the entire litter within weeks of having them; leaving the lot to die. And most of them did.
Yet Wood Rot, Fen Mire, and Silver Tongue, their eldest brother, somehow managed to survive. Over time it became apparent that Silver Tongue was the favorite of their beloved sister Fen Mire, the one they felt strongly inclined to protect. Because of this, jealousy found its way into Wood Rot's heart and as they matured, Wood Rot became more and more difficult. He challenged the direction of his older brother at every turn, and the result of this antagonistic behavior was resentment and open violence. One scuffle after the other wore the boys down until eventually Wood Rot snapped. An argument escalated to the point of no return, and in the end Silver Tongue was killed.
Wood Rot, horrified by his own actions, became far less vocal and, instead, resorted to repressing his emotions entirely. Fen Mire, with a broken heart and scorn to fuel her, found a way to forgive Wood Rot through a promise of life-long torture. Going so far as to force her brother to wear their brother's pelt. They likely would have parted ways if not for the emotional tools to do so, opting to remain bitter, broken, but together. Wood Rot accepted his fate, continuing on as a guardian to the princess-like persona Fen Mire adopted.
They traveled together for several months after that, turning a year together, until Fen Mire met with a large berserker male named Grim. She left Wood Rot without a goodbye, knowing what it would do, and this of course caused the dire wolf to go mad with guilt.
Calamity, although by no means perfect, was raised with her family in a relatively normal way; at least in comparison. She is merely a girl crying out for attention, and has found that the most rewarding experience is the one she gets from destruction. Stumbling across Wood Rot was an accident. She was nearly chased away by the vulture he kept, but that only encouraged her to stick around more. She wanted to consume his weak state like a meal. She wanted to see if he could hurt any more than he already was. She wanted to play with him like a toy, and get as much out of it as she could; just because it was fun. And when she was quite satisfied with her work, she left.
Pregnant. Unbeknownst to her.
She gave birth to those puppies out in the open, cursing all the faces she had ever come to meet. She left the youth where they fell, having resolved to abandon them the moment the contractions began; decidedly not a mother and choosing to forget that the whole ordeal had ever happened in the first place.
And that's where this character's story begins.
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 3:22 pm
Immediate Family
[ Nobody's Fool - The Grandfather (Owned by Zaikt) ] | [ Amaranth - The Grandmother (Owned by Bittersweet Candies) ] [ Lightning Bug - The Aunt (Owned by The MoshMonster) ] | [ Glow Worm - The Aunt (Owned by Bittersweet Candies) ] | [ Nightshade - The Uncle (Owned by Zaikt) ]
[ Wood Rot - The Delusional Father (Owned by me!) ] Gruff, introverted, loyal to a fault, and absolutely a creature of habit, Wood Rot enjoys his rituals and does not adapt well to big changes. After murdering his own brother and being forced to wear his pelt, trauma has changed him. He was incredibly possessive over Fen Mire while she was around, one part an infatuation with her, one part the fear of abandonment, one part a need to protect the meek thing he believed her to be, and another to keep her from spilling his secret; so not having her has been taxing. When he met Calamity he was already unhinged and paranoid, in the thick of his guilt and grief. While he did not necessarily find comfort in Calamity, he tolerated having her around because she was a lot like his sister.
[ Calamity - The Capricious Mother (Owned by me) ] She is a nefarious mischief maker, huge bully, and terrible mother. Her wants may change from mood to mood, but when she really settles on something she will go after it relentlessly; even if the world burns as a result. An incessant narcissist. She creates chaos and turmoil wherever she goes, for the sake of creating it, and thrives off of the squirming of others. She takes 'commit to the bit' to the extreme. So long as she is entertained she is happy. Manipulating Wood Rot was a curiously delightful mistake and if it weren't for the threat of dying, she would have torn into her belly and rid of the puppies from the start. Alas. Abandoning them was a far worse fate.
[ Fen Mire - The Aunt (Owned by ME!) ] The power hungry aunt who plays the part of submissive alpha incredibly well. She is charming, quick as a whip, and manipulative, but her inexperience with life often lends to the reveal of her own cards; not that either of the males she has surrounded herself with have ever let on. A selfish female who only cares for the things and the beings that will lead to her status elevation. After finding Grim and abandoning Wood Rot, she had children of her own (also through manipulation) and has been living the good life with her big, beautiful, omen-bound berserker boyfriend. She's certain he will be king one day and she will rule as his queen. Like, it's gonna happen.
[ Abyss Walker - The Aunt (Owned by Pandorus Sphinx)] Calamity's twin sister. She will take Made in Abyss (and potentially this male if you opt for it!), claiming they are her own and daring anyone to argue against it. She lives in the Vileblood pack with her mate, Spellbound. Check in with Pandorus Sphinx for more info!
[ Skullcap - The Twin Brother (Owned by Felyn) ] No info yet!
[ Made in Abyss - The Sister (Owned by Pandorus Sphinx) ] No info yet!
Special Mentions
[ Spellbound - The Uncle (mated to Abyss Walker and owned by Pandorus Sphinx) ] The adopted father to whichever of Calamity's pups end up with Abyss! You can check in with Pandorus Sphinx for more info!
[ Beast Eater - The Possessive (companion to Wood Rot and owned by me!) ] A dominant, possessive, protective, and loyal vulture to the weak, broken, or otherwise, Beast Eater would be the mother of all beings if only she could. Her strong desire to play a maternal role stems from her inability to have children and is a means of coping with that challenging reality. But it manifests itself in an unhealthy way, in that she covets as opposed to nurtures. During this trying period for Wood Rot, she has become aggressively protective. She does her best to warp his impression of the sister who left him, as well as the world at large, to which Wood Rot as seemed mildly receptive to. He at the very least allows her company more often than not. Calamity wormed her way into their lives without welcome, much to Beast Eater's dismay, and has since created more damage as a result. Beast Eater hates Calamity, and would destroy her at the first chance she got.
[ Red Death - The Cousin (Owned by Pandorus Sphinx)] No info yet!
[ Leviathan - The Cousin (Owned by me!) ] No concrete info yet. She is dark and mysterious though, and enjoys hearing about folk lores and tales which pertain to the sea.
Shia bean Vice Captain
Prophet
Offline
Shia bean Vice Captain
Prophet
Offline
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 3:41 pm
Enter to Win!
You are entering to win this boy! The contest is to backlog/recount how this character came to be and where he is now! Choose one of the options below and fill out the form!
Option one: Pandorus Sphinx's character, Abyss Walker, will come across the puppy shortly after he is born, recognize the scent on him/feel called to nurse after recently giving birth herself, and raise him as her own. Literally. He will know Abyss Walker as his 'biological mother', Spellbound as their 'father', and likely be told that Calamity is his aunt. If she is even brought up at all. He will be raised alongside Leviathan and Red Death, the twins from Abyss and Spellbound's first litter and his true cousins, and learn the ways of the Vilebloods before being free to decide his own fate. He would also be raised along side Made in Abyss!
Option two: Essentially choose your own adventure, sorting out who found him, where they went, etc. In choosing this option, the 'mother/father' figure for your character found only this pup. They might have smelled 'others', but they would be no where in sight.
Things to remember/Rules: - You may only enter once and only for yourself! - Follow all shop + Gaia ToS and rules. This includes naming rules per the shop standard. - Do you best to keep your entry authentic! Do not copy other entries. Similarities might be inevitable, but keep it within reason. - Your character was found as a new born, only a couple of hours to a day (or two) old. Ideally, they will need a nursing mother, although some females are capable of doing this even without having given birth recently. - Your character was found on the cusp of the redwoods and the forest, abandoned out in the open to be found by anyone or thing. You do not have to limit your character's 'parent' to wolf alone! - Your character will grow up without knowing Wood Rot or Calamity. If you ever want to plot a meeting, however, I am always down! - After your win, you are not required to plot, RP, or engage with the family if you do not want to!
The Form
[align=center][size=24][b][ This Family Is Messed Up ][/b][/size][/align] [list][size=11][b]Wolf Name[/b]: (What will be his name?) [b]Who raised him and how did it go?[/b]: (Put option 1 or 2. If option 2, elaborate!) [b]Is he still with his family or has he moved on?: [/b] (If he stayed, why? If he has moved on, where to?) [b]What's one memorable thing he has done since becoming an adult?[/b]: (Has he killed another wolf? Saved a tribe? Loved and lost?) [b]What is one trait he might inherit from his parents?:[/b] ([i]Might [/i]being the operative word! This is for potential character development more than a requirement! Maybe he grew out of it, maybe it was a big 'what-if' that never came to be.)
[b]Three words to describe this wolf's character[/b]: [/list][/size]
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 8:14 pm
[ This Family Is Messed Up ]
Wolf Name: Fell Star (which probably inspired his dye choice more than his "mother's" did) Who raised him and how did it go?: Option 1 Is he still with his family or has he moved on?: Stayed. The Vileblood doctrine appeals to him insofar as the rank of Crow that he's aiming for: the ability to kill a bounty legally makes things easier. Whether Fell Star's obsession with this post-kill high makes him waver in his duty is another thing. (aka potential drama) This also somewhat depends on if his twin is around, and if not whether Fell Star is aware of his existence - he's a self-centered creature and would ultimately tug at his "lesser reflection" to stay where he can be abused for amusementprotected watched. What's one memorable thing he has done since becoming an adult?: Spirits only know how Fell Star, well, felled an adult mother bear - as a teen. Perhaps it was the fact that it happened at night, a time he prefers personally as well as part of growing up in the dark hive that is the Vilebloods. Perhaps it was because Fell Star had, upon learning how good it felt to feel the bear cub's lifeblood trickle out between his teeth after months of inner numbness, had obsessively tracked, stalked, and learned about this particular mother. Had watched her mourn and swear vengeance and fed and slept. Had learned everything there was to know about her - and then took away her life for the thrill of it. Fell Star didn't come away without injuries, of course, but for the first time ever, he had been found smiling. The pain was a wonderful accentuation to the burst of endorphins the kill had given him. What is one trait he might inherit from his parents?: A mixture of Wood Rot's "loyal to a fault" and Calamity's "commit to the bit": it's possible one day Fell Star's chase for the high will be supplanted by devotion to something else - or someone else. And to have that level of obsession thrust upon anyone would be a dangerous protection indeed. Perhaps if he does gain this trait, it will become tinged by his mother's own mercurial moods - intense spikes of highs and lows and niche interests or compulsions that plague him.
OR it's possible that Fell Star suffers the same curse as his father of latching onto someone that is toxic to him. (Though considering he himself is not a healthy individual, well...) The difference here, however, would be that Fell Star would seek to be in control of the individual rather than the other way around.
Three words to describe this wolf's character: Dominating, Charismatic, Psychopathic
Wolf Name: Runs with Ravens (or "Krokka" to his family) Who raised him and how did it go?: Option 2. The helpless newborn puppy was first come upon by, thankfully not a predator, but a family of ravens scouting for new territory within the forest's furthest boundaries. Whether they felt sympathy for the crying little scrap of fur, or were simply bored and as capricious as corvids are said to be, it little matters: father, mother, and an aunt stayed to keep the puppy warm and safe beneath their wide mantled wings and hot little bodies, while an uncle and three raven siblings all scattered, keen to locate carrion that might attract a rogue female capable of nursing the puppy. It took some time, and a great deal of wingwork, but ultimately a skinny little female Dire who had recently lost her litter to disease was found, and bribed with fresher subsistence than what a rogue typically has access to. She remained on that boundary, fed with strips of meat stolen from kills made within the forest, nursing a puppy that was not hers and would never be hers—at three weeks, the bond that had formed was sufficient enough to induce the little rogue to attempt to carry the puppy away in the night, while the ravens slept. A cunning plan, to be sure, but one that backfired: she had not accounted for a raven with insomnia, and the uncle raised the whole flock with his screams. The rogue was set upon with wings and claws, savagely pecked about the head and face, until finally she was forced to drop the pup and flee. After that night, the puppy was fed as is traditional for raven chicks: several times a day, by all adults, with a partially digested meat slurry regurgitated straight into his happily gaping little mouth. Once he was able to chew, he then followed his wingéd family happily to 'their' kills—primarily those made by bigger predators, who had vacated the premises some time before. Is he still with his family or has he moved on?: Stayed. Now an adult, Krokka takes part in his family's councils, negotiating for more territory and establishing boundaries. To soften the other corvids whose lands Krokka's family encroaches upon, he has been known to even run down the large prey they could not hope to hunt, going so far as to rip open the tough hide that protects the softest, most delectable entrails. For this ability alone he would have earned himself a high perch in the councils; however, Krokka is also possessed of a keen intellect and curiously unreadable mien—no one knows quite what he's thinking, and he prefers it that way. But his father has begun to make noises as to how Krokka should consider perhaps meeting his own kind now and then, find himself a mate to have chicks with—err, puppies, he means puppies—and while Krokka is not exactly a fan of the notion, he supposes it's not fully outside the realm of plausibility that he should do so. You know, if the opportunity arises. What's one memorable thing he has done since becoming an adult?: Even the ravens and crows of the forest are not without enemies, and this was made brutally apparent to a younger Krokka when one of his siblings, a raven brother named Nok, was taken by a falcon one day while out scouting the borders. Krokka never quite got over it—sometimes he dreams about it, about the sharp silhouette of a falcon overhead, the explosion of black feathers Nok had become when it struck ... and so, when Krokka had grown and was overseeing some fledglings practicing the difficult art of flight, the moment he saw that sharp silhouette once more appear, gliding across the meadowland towards the trees—heart stopped. hackles rose. and with a rising snarling ROAR like the end of everything, the wolf LEAPT—and came back to earth, four paws solidly connecting with the ground, closing his mouth to crunch all the small, brittle bones within the abdomen of a giant eagle. It flapped its massive wings, screamed at him, tried to tear at his face and chest with its wickedly curved beak, as it could no longer move its legs; Krokka simply bit down harder. At last, the wolf's teeth met, and Krokka felt something deep within the eagle's body burst. He dropped the bloody, thrashing mess, licking the blood off his lips and nose, relishing the taste. The fledglings, meanwhile, had watched the entire display with awe, and were eager to tell the rest of the flock, urging that Krokka should take the surname Eagle-killer, in spite of the fact that corvids normally do not have surnames. He's almost embarrassed now, given the big deal his family makes about the achievement ... but sometimes—sometimes!—he does introduce himself not as Runs with Ravens, but rather as Krokka Eagle-killer, because let's face it: it sounds amazing. What is one trait he might inherit from his parents?: I believe there'd be a couple, actually! From his father, Krokka would inherit that scary sense of utmost loyalty and ultimate devotion—he will protect any creature he considers part of his family, whether wolf or raven, with an intensity that is almost frightening. The subject, or subjects, of his unswerving devotion will find themselves supported and defended, even to Krokka's own detriment. Similarly, from not just his biological mother but the corvid culture he's been brought up in, Krokka would have a ... problematic sense of humor, often mocking others or stirring up trouble between them, all because it was too quiet, you guys. Naturally, wolves not being as fond of mischief-making as ravens, Krokka may face something of an uphill battle gaining respect from his wolven peers.
Three words to describe this wolf's character: Devoted • Capricious • Brazen
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 8:31 am
[ This Family Is Messed Up ]
Wolf Name: Bulrush Who raised him and how did it go?: Option 2. He was discovered by a Scout from the Swamp Lurkers, Harpy, who claims to this day she had debated between eating him and saving them. In a rare show of pity, she took the young pup back to the Swamplurkers where he was adopted by a very enthusiastic new couple, Broomsedge and She Whispers of Winter Whimsies. Named after Broomsedge's family theme, he was raised as one of their own and considered to be a gift from the spirits (Harpy still rolls her eyes every time she hears such tales). Is he still with his family or has he moved on?: He has stayed with his new family, though is intent on taking his spiritual quest so that he is free to move around the swamplands without his 'babysitter' Harpy (she would like this to happen as well). What's one memorable thing he has done since becoming an adult?: His 'coming of age' tale that he will never be able to share with another soul. As a personal test he went on a solo hunt through the swamplands, though he was not after a typical prey. He was after something alike himself, marked in white by the blessing of the spirits. After all, what better way to prove himself as blessed by these spirits than to best another like himself? It is an unspoken tabboo within the Swamplurkers to harm another creature with white markings - to admit to killing one would bring the wrath of the Shrine Keepers and Alpha down upon his head. But he did it, killing a young deer with mottled white over it's red-tinted coat. No punishment has come for him from the spirits, and Bulrush is convinced that none ever will. What is one trait he might inherit from his parents?: He carries a similar trait to his mother, where he is incredibly goal-driven and focused on a particular thing at a time. Whether it is within his reach or not he will do nearly anything to get it.
Three words to describe this wolf's character: Spoiled (considering his mothers doted on him...), Driven, Loyal
Krysin
Tipsy Senshi
Offline
Shia bean Vice Captain
Prophet
Offline
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 7:16 pm
This is now closed! <3
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:53 am
Thank you all for joining! I had a marvelous time reading over your entries and sitting with it all, as you guys did not make it easy for me. BUT after much deliberation, I've chosen the winner:
Pundexter
[ This Family Is Messed Up ]
Wolf Name: Runs with Ravens (or "Krokka" to his family) Who raised him and how did it go?: Option 2. The helpless newborn puppy was first come upon by, thankfully not a predator, but a family of ravens scouting for new territory within the forest's furthest boundaries. Whether they felt sympathy for the crying little scrap of fur, or were simply bored and as capricious as corvids are said to be, it little matters: father, mother, and an aunt stayed to keep the puppy warm and safe beneath their wide mantled wings and hot little bodies, while an uncle and three raven siblings all scattered, keen to locate carrion that might attract a rogue female capable of nursing the puppy. It took some time, and a great deal of wingwork, but ultimately a skinny little female Dire who had recently lost her litter to disease was found, and bribed with fresher subsistence than what a rogue typically has access to. She remained on that boundary, fed with strips of meat stolen from kills made within the forest, nursing a puppy that was not hers and would never be hers—at three weeks, the bond that had formed was sufficient enough to induce the little rogue to attempt to carry the puppy away in the night, while the ravens slept. A cunning plan, to be sure, but one that backfired: she had not accounted for a raven with insomnia, and the uncle raised the whole flock with his screams. The rogue was set upon with wings and claws, savagely pecked about the head and face, until finally she was forced to drop the pup and flee. After that night, the puppy was fed as is traditional for raven chicks: several times a day, by all adults, with a partially digested meat slurry regurgitated straight into his happily gaping little mouth. Once he was able to chew, he then followed his wingéd family happily to 'their' kills—primarily those made by bigger predators, who had vacated the premises some time before. Is he still with his family or has he moved on?: Stayed. Now an adult, Krokka takes part in his family's councils, negotiating for more territory and establishing boundaries. To soften the other corvids whose lands Krokka's family encroaches upon, he has been known to even run down the large prey they could not hope to hunt, going so far as to rip open the tough hide that protects the softest, most delectable entrails. For this ability alone he would have earned himself a high perch in the councils; however, Krokka is also possessed of a keen intellect and curiously unreadable mien—no one knows quite what he's thinking, and he prefers it that way. But his father has begun to make noises as to how Krokka should consider perhaps meeting his own kind now and then, find himself a mate to have chicks with—err, puppies, he means puppies—and while Krokka is not exactly a fan of the notion, he supposes it's not fully outside the realm of plausibility that he should do so. You know, if the opportunity arises. What's one memorable thing he has done since becoming an adult?: Even the ravens and crows of the forest are not without enemies, and this was made brutally apparent to a younger Krokka when one of his siblings, a raven brother named Nok, was taken by a falcon one day while out scouting the borders. Krokka never quite got over it—sometimes he dreams about it, about the sharp silhouette of a falcon overhead, the explosion of black feathers Nok had become when it struck ... and so, when Krokka had grown and was overseeing some fledglings practicing the difficult art of flight, the moment he saw that sharp silhouette once more appear, gliding across the meadowland towards the trees—heart stopped. hackles rose. and with a rising snarling ROAR like the end of everything, the wolf LEAPT—and came back to earth, four paws solidly connecting with the ground, closing his mouth to crunch all the small, brittle bones within the abdomen of a giant eagle. It flapped its massive wings, screamed at him, tried to tear at his face and chest with its wickedly curved beak, as it could no longer move its legs; Krokka simply bit down harder. At last, the wolf's teeth met, and Krokka felt something deep within the eagle's body burst. He dropped the bloody, thrashing mess, licking the blood off his lips and nose, relishing the taste. The fledglings, meanwhile, had watched the entire display with awe, and were eager to tell the rest of the flock, urging that Krokka should take the surname Eagle-killer, in spite of the fact that corvids normally do not have surnames. He's almost embarrassed now, given the big deal his family makes about the achievement ... but sometimes—sometimes!—he does introduce himself not as Runs with Ravens, but rather as Krokka Eagle-killer, because let's face it: it sounds amazing. What is one trait he might inherit from his parents?: I believe there'd be a couple, actually! From his father, Krokka would inherit that scary sense of utmost loyalty and ultimate devotion—he will protect any creature he considers part of his family, whether wolf or raven, with an intensity that is almost frightening. The subject, or subjects, of his unswerving devotion will find themselves supported and defended, even to Krokka's own detriment. Similarly, from not just his biological mother but the corvid culture he's been brought up in, Krokka would have a ... problematic sense of humor, often mocking others or stirring up trouble between them, all because it was too quiet, you guys. Naturally, wolves not being as fond of mischief-making as ravens, Krokka may face something of an uphill battle gaining respect from his wolven peers.
Three words to describe this wolf's character: Devoted • Capricious • Brazen
Krokka Eagle-Killer, funnily enough, seems to be normal all things considering and I love him already. Your entry was both grounded in enough reality to pass while still being fun and whimsical -- as is the way of Kells! Knowing that he had to be raised by ravens to experience a decent childhood is hilarious to me. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your entry and I look forward to the adventures this boy sets out on!
Congratulations!
And once again, thank you all for participating! heart
