Roleplaying

"This place..isn't it wonderful? I mean, it's beautiful! Look all around you. The land, the sky, it is all ours. We are the most noble of all creatures, aren't we? That's what my father told me. We are strong, and no one will ever break us. As long as we stick together."

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This place. I often think back to the days when it was something worth claiming, worth being a part of. We had it all. The land belonged to the wolves, and no one dared to think otherwise.

But now..I hardly recognize anything. What was it we were ever fighting for in the first place? Nobody seems to care. It's as if all that we once held dear never had any value at all. Were we just kidding ourselves all along? Were we no better than any small, solitary creature, blinded by pride and false hope?

I remember when I was a pup. My father used to tell me such stories, about the great battles that our tribe used to fight. They were noble battles for noble causes, and we would march on undefeated at each battles end. I remember how those stories used to make me feel, and how it made my fur stand on end in excitement, as a chill rushed throughout my being. There was no better time to be a wolf, and there was no better tribe to which a wolf might belong.

Now, as I look out across the horizon, I feel reality grip me, as if these images of the past and the stories I was once told are nothing but the remnants of an old dream. There's nothing out there worth fighting for anymore, yet we continue to fight.�

It's useless.

I refuse to become one of them. These old dogs have let themselves become lost, and numb to anything other than their own visions and vain ambitions. They have turned cold. I won't lose hope though, because I refuse to believe that we were never any better than dreamers. I refuse to believe that the good days are dead and gone. There are a small few who truly remember what it used to be like, who long to see those days return. We are few, but together we are stronger than what we have let ourselves become.

I feel my paws hit the cold, wet ground, soaking up the morning dew and turning up the soft earth with each step I take. My heart has been heavy for so long. I savor the soft and gentle breeze as it plays through my fur and I feel a sudden hope envelop me and lift my spirits. The sun is moving on the horizon, and it seems to command my continued efforts, though I have grown so weary. My bones ache from the cold, but my heart is strong. If I can just keep moving, maybe I'll make it somewhere..maybe Lakai won't have to wait too much longer. I suddenly have a good feeling about today. I just have to trust myself.

Willie turned around and blocked a blow from a wolf. He then dodged another blow. Willie finally dodged one more blow and then knocked the wolf towards a tree. The other wolf got up and rushed Willie. Willie shied to the right and allowed the wolf to fall to the ground. "You can't keep rushing into a fight," said Willie. The other wolf stood up and looked at Willie with a growl. "You have to focus on your opponent," said Willie. The other wolf growled again. He then leapt at Willie. Willie sighed and moved out of the way, making the other wolf slam into a tree. "You need more practice," said Willie. He walked off. The other wolf growled and hit the ground with his paw. Willie walked over to the den site and sat down with the other wolves. Willie looked around for Lakai, but she was nowhere to be found. "Where's Lakai?" asked another wolf. "She's probably busy," said Willie. "Yeah right," said another wolf. "She's probably busy fighting imaginary foes," said one wolf. Some of them laughed. Willie stood up and growled. "Leave Lakai alone," he growled. "She's a better fighter than you will ever be," said Willie. "So show some respect, will ya'?" snapped WIllie. The alpha male came in, looking at Willie in awe. The other wolves were quiet. Willie growled and walked over to the end of the den site, a little angered, but level headed. "They don't have the right to talk about her like that," he said. He then looked up at the sky. "Lakai, where are you?" he asked. An eagle passed by, followed by a red-tailed hawk. "Henry!" yelled Willie. The hawk landed. "What's up?" asked the hawk.

The printing of small paws created a trail that went on for about a mile until they stopped next to a lone she-wolf. The sun's rays, so soft and pure, rested on her delicate features and caused her fire red fur to shine resplendently. Her honey colored eyes, she got them from her mother, were tired and sad. They were cast on the plains ahead, yet they seemed to be watching things that weren't really there.

"This place..isn't it wonderful? I mean, it's beautiful! Look all around you.."

A tear slowly slipped down her cheek, glistening in the sunlight, and fell to the ground. These memories played through her head every day. They were distant memories, almost like something from a dream. Try as she might, Lakai just couldn't seem to remember too much. But as she looked out towards the hills, she imagined the scene playing out before her: Two pups wrestling with each other, while their mother looked on and smiled. The larger pup of black and white color grabbed the other pup's ear and nibbled on it playfully. The two pups giggled and toppled over each other, growling and leaping as they romped all around.

"Lakai, we are the mightiest creatures of all!" said one of the pups. The other smiled, her round eyes wide and sparkling. The larger pup looked to the sky, closing his eyes. He let out a small howl, and his sister joined in.

Lakai's concentration was broken. A howl sounded off in the distance, but it was lacking in life or beauty and instead was a flat sort of tone. The ghosts she had been watching disapeared..

Lakai felt her heart ache with nostalgia as the sound echoed through the air. Looking down, Lakai made note that one more step would take her into Moon Fang territory. Her small paws shifted. She almost wanted to leap forward and run for as long as she could. She wanted to follow the trail ahead, allowing it to take her somewhere far away. She fixed her eyes on that trail. But she remembered what happened the last time..

Against the bright yellow of the morning sun is cast the stark black contrast of the wings of crows. Feathers fly and fall and land on the soft earth below, and the almost deafening morning silence is shattered by clamorous barking and the squawking of the crows. They fly just out of reach, but it's not enough to stop an ex-rogue from pursuing, neither would catching one be enough to satiate his crave for action.

Never the less, Bear kept on them. The black feathered varmints flap frantically, circling him and even pecking at him occasionally. Bear's tongue draped over the side of his mouth, a thick, slimmy string of drool flying from off of it as he lets out another piercing bark. The birds continue to fly around him, but as one comes too low, bear fixes his eyes on it, and leaps a good five or six feet in the air, catching it in his mouth. The crows cry out in an uproar of squawking and fly away all together.

This is one of those rare occasions where you can catch Bear actually working this hard. Of course, hunting is never work for Bear. Bent over his prey, his rear in the air and tail wagging, he simply pokes at the bird. Tilting his head, he thinks of what to do with it. He doesn't usually luck out like that and actually catch one, and he wasn't hungry enough to eat it.

Picking up the bird in his mouth, Bear decides to take it back with him. He knows the other wolves are up by now, about their daily routines. He picks up his speed and runs at full speed for Moon Fang terriroty. He had wondered off into another territory, but he wasn't going to let some hostile wolf packs' border keep him from a good morning chase.

That was the thing about Bear. He couldn't care less about the rules of the packs. Being an ex-rogue, he was used to wandering in and out of different territories, and though he usually got into trouble because of it, it never seemed to get the message through his thick skull. He was independent, and followed his nose or his instinct wherever it lead him. He may have been in a pack now, but old habits die hard.

Making it back to his pack's camp, the other wolves stand around and watch as he comes prancing through, his long, lanky legs light as they seem to almost bounce off the ground. One of the wolves growl when they see him, but Bear just passes by unfazed, the bird tucked tightly in his mouth. Ofcourse, he wasn't about to share with them. They didn't like him all too much. Bear was more of a way to stick it to the other packs that the Moon Fang Tribe was able to recruit a rogue and they weren't. Otherwise, he was nothing to them. Bear didn't seem to care too much either way.

"Nothing, just finishing up with training these young wolves," said Willie. "Where have you been the past three months?" he asked. "Searching for a mate," said Henry. "Oh, wow. When do I get to meet the Mrs?" asked Willie, wagging his tail. Henry looked behind him. A female red-tailed hawk flew out of the sky and perched on a branch above them. She smiled at them. "Oh she's beautiful," said Willie. "Yep. You should think about settling down, Will," said Henry. He flew into the air with his mate. Willie's smile went away as he watched them leave. The wolf turned to leave when he heard a howl coming from Moon Fang territory. Willie turned to where the howl came from. "I hope Lakai's not out there again," he said. Willie sighed and stepped back into the den site. The pack was getting ready for a hunt. "Willie," called the alpha male, "I need you to stay here with the babysitters, pups, and help train." "Yes sir," said Willie. He sat down next to a den and watched as the pack talked about. "Why can't I join?"

Bear looked around. The other wolves watched him closely, as if he were some sort of stranger who had just wandered in rather than a member of their pack. Bear paid them no attention. He was focused on something, searching for someone in particular. He lifted his muzzle to the air and started to smell, and immediately his tail started wagging. He trotted off in the direction he was facing, and the other wolves watched him as he went. Bear didn't have to travel too far. He looked ahead of him, and on top of a hill overlooking the entire plain and the border of the Alpha Clan's territory, sat a lone wolf who appeared somber. Bear happily trotted over to the wolf, his tail wagging, causing his body to sway back and forth with the action.

When he made it to where the wolf sat, he dropped the bird he had been carrying at the wolf's feet. "Panda! Look what I caught!" He said, his voice dripping with excitment and pride over his accomplisment. Panda seemed to be lost in thought. Bear tilted his head. He dipped his head down and pushed the bird closer to Panda with his nose. "I brought it for you, since I figure you probably haven't eaten.." He said, his voice a little quieter, and his eyes downcast. He knew this look, and it was one Panda often wore whenever he was thinking about them; about her..

I sat there and watched the rising sun, and absorbing it's warmth, I started to feel revived somehow. There were no words to describe it, but inside, I felt the weight lifting. But yet, a painful memory lingered in the foreground of my mind.

"Lakai.."

I spoke her name, a name so familiar. It was one I used to use so freely. I never thought the sound of it would conjure up such heartache. A million memories flooded my mind all at once. I allowed myself to drift off, become swept away by my thoughts.

An intermittent thumping broke my trance. It was the pounding of paws on the earth, a familiar rythym. Before long, he was at my side again. Drooling, and carrying a bird with the biggest grin on his face, Bear dropped his catch at my feet. I saw him through the corner of my eye, but my mind didn't fully return to me until his loud voice, a sound falling so mercilessly on my tired, worn ears, seemed to bring me back to reality.

I looked at him finally. He seemed to have noticed something about my expression, for his countenance was troubling. I turned to him, and then looked down at the bird. The scent of the crow filled my senses. I let my tail wag as I stood up on all fours. Bear no doubt had skills that ranked far above any other wolf I had ever met, but even for him, catching a crow was an impressive feat. I looked at my friend skeptically, my lips pulling up into a smirk. "Did you really catch that? Or was this just another 'convenient find' from beyond our borders?" I asked him. Of course, I was only teasing him. I'd never doubt Bear's skills for a second.

Looking the bird over, I decided I wasn't quite hungry, and I somehow knew that Bear would rather enjoy his catch himself. I pushed the bird back at Bear. "Thanks, but I'm not really hungry." I told him. I had too much on my mind to really have an appetite.

Padding on the soft, wet ground, it reminded me. How I had lived through all my life alone with my only friend, Nightfeather. I could never remember my family, my past home. And I never wanted to. They had abandoned me, and I was cursed to die for my blind left eye, yet I survived. My disability never really bothered me, I always had my other eye, but the bitter memory of being abandoned would always be there, unhealed.

Soon I arrived at the lake, somewhere I could rest and think for a while. I was still cautious, as the lake was in the territory of the Moon Fang Tribe, a tribe I had been watching some time now. I lifted my muzzle to take in the fresh scent of the sweet grass they had here. The sun then began to rose, and the lake became amber-yellow. Feeling able to finally relax for a moment or two, I stood over the lake and began to hum a tune.

As my humming slowly came to a stop, I decided to take a drink from the lake. Lapping up the water, I felt somewhat-satisfied. Knowing that a wolf might come any second, I began to run to a nearby hill, a place where I usually went to see the morning light.

Lakai was straddling the border, and stared intently at her one paw, which was placed firmly on Moon Tribe Territory. Her eyes were wide and focused, her body stiff with tension. She looked from side to side. No one seemed to be watching. Lakai breathed in heavily, holding the air in her lungs, unable to release it for fear that the subtle sound of breathing would give her away, alerting the others.

She stood there for a few moments, contemplating. This is so silly..she thought to herself Why do I hesitate? Run, Lakai! Run while you still can!. She bit her lip, and lifting her paw, the one on Moon Tribe Territory, she dared to take another step..but a fear gripped her. She looked over her shoulder, casting her gaze upon the trail she had blazed. She was atleast a mile away from her own camp, but she had been gone a while. What if they were looking for her right now? Lakai's heart began to race, as she struggled to make a decision. What if..she thought again. She looked back at her paws. No, I can't. I must stay here or they will..She closed her eyes.

Just then, a large hawk flew over her with a screech, and startled her. Lakai flinched, her ears perking suddenly and her tail standing up in an alarmed fashion. The hawk smiled down at her, as it continued on it's way. Lakai watched it, her eyes wide with shock, but she was able to relax herself just enough to fake a smile in return. The hawk then flew off into the distance, and Lakai just watched it go. As she stood there, she suddenly found herself wishing she could just fly away.

The sun was high in the sky now, and she was beginning to feel like heading back would be a good idea. So taking one last glance at her paws, she slowly pulled them back until she was within her borders again. Always to remain on her borders..it made her long for a life of freedom. Though, she feared she would never know it. She let out a small sigh, and keeping her eyes on the border, she slowly began to back away, and then turned towards home and began following her tracks back that way.

Moon stared up at the sky and looked at the bright day somehow she felt lonely staring up at the sky. Just then she walked in her cave and seen her father. "What do you want now" Moon asked.Just then her father looked down "You are being escorted to the alpha's camp and I wont be coming with you" he said."What why do I have to go to that camp with those wolves who think they have everything" moon said."You are betrothed to the next alpha" he said and Moon feinted. Then she opened her eyes" Why" she asked. "You are like a ghost your fur is white which is rare and in this clan we need stealth along with strength" he said."When am I leaving" she asked. "Now" he said. Just then some guards came and Moon looked at her father as she walked near the guards "Bye" she said. Then she fallowed the guards in a sprint. They would probably arrive at the alphas main camp in thirty minutes.     

The massive brute of a wolf lay in the darkness of his den, turned over on his back with his long legs sticking out here and there. He had slept in late that morning, as he had been up all night thinking about the future. Aaron had just gotten the news the day before, that he was to be betrothed immediately, and while he had been expecting it, the sudden arrangements threw him off gaurd.

A shadow passed over his den, as a wolf passed it, but it quickly retraced it's steps backwards and looked into the den. "Aaron!" The wolf shouted. Aaron jumped in a fright, coming to his feet quickly but clumsily, looking left to right as if he wasn't sure where the call was coming from. He finally fixed his tired eyes on the wolf. The wolf looked him over, appearing displeased. Aaron had had drool dripping from his mouth, and his fur was disheveled. "Aaron, what's wrong with you! Have you forgotten what today is?" The wolf shouted impatiently. This wolf was one of the top ranking wolves in the Shadow Foot Clan, and a family friend of Aaron's.

Aaron shook his head, the drool flying from his face as he did so. He looked at the wolf with more interest this time, and the wolf looked back. Aaron's eyes grew wide as reality hit him. He remembered. "I am to be betrothed!" He yipped nervously, his ears perking and his muscles tensing. "Roy, what time is it!? Are they here? Have I blown it??" Aaron asked in a near panic, as suddenly his nerves started to act up. Roy shook his head, his face stern and serious. "No, not yet. You still have about ten minutes. But you better hurry up!" He concluded, and not giving Aaron a second glance, he ran back out of the den, and the sun light he had been blocking from the mouth of the cave was exposed once again, and stung Aaron's eyes.

Aaron bathed in the stream outside. His wet fur clung to his skin, his muscles exposed and rippling underneath as he quickly ran to where his father said to meet him that morning. His massive paws came to a skidding halt as he finally caught up to them. Everyone was there, including his father. "I'm here..!" Aaron said, his voice low and rumbling, his breathing heavy. His father, Sal, beheld him, smiling. "You're just in time, my son." He said cheerfully. He looked into his son's eyes, and his own were full of joy. He nodded to him. "I'm proud of you son. You are going to make a great Alpha." Aaron looked upon his father, smiling. He nodded back "Thank you father.." He said. "Father, Who is this she-wolf? How--What..What if.." He started rambling as he grasped for the right words.�

Aaron's father silenced him. "Relax, son. You will see. She should be here shortly." He finished. There was such confidence in his father's voice, Aaron noticed. He wished he could be so calm, but the truth was, he had never been so nervous in all his life. A thousand questions and concerns flooded his mind. He knew nothing about this she-wolf! He felt a lump forming in his throat, and his stomach was in knots. He had always known this moment would come. He thought he would be prepared, but now that it was actually happening..he had felt anything but prepared. His muscles tensed. Just down the trail, the pounding of paws on the earth could be heard, and soon, He saw them. Aaron's golden eyes widened, and he swallowed hard, but he stood up straight now and readied himself. Finally, he saw her, and he felt his mind go blank..

Soon I had arrived at the hill. The special place where I almost felt home. Walking up to the edge of the hill made me recall a memory of the past...

"Those tiny lights...what are they?" The young wolf blinked, confused. "These, these are fireflies." A dark eagle landed next to her, staring at the many small lights that surrounded them. "These are a rare sight, Lyra. You may never see this again, so enjoy it while you can." The wolf nodded in response, her eyes wide and bright. "Fireflies..."

I opened my eyes again, to only see the bright sun above the mountains already. Peering below, I saw a few wolves making their way back to the Shadow Foot Clan's camp, which was already filled with many wolves. Something must be happening, either an alpha being betrothed or they're preparing for a battle. Feeling curious, I decided to check it out.

"Hey Lyra!" I turned my head, to see my friend Nightfeather landing next to me. "Where are you heading off to?" I looked at the trail ahead of me. No, I had enough time. "I was going to see what the Shadow Foot Clan was up to, saw them crowd at the camp." The black hawk nodded. "Oh right, heard they had something big going on today." Something big? "I'll go check it out later. Anyway, where have you been yesterday?" "Been trying to hunt, but no luck. Oh, and earlier saw this young she-wolf about to step into Moon Fang territory. Guess she was nice, so I gave her a smile. Smiled back, she did." Lifting my muzzle, I took a snift of Nightfeather. Indeed, there was a small whiff of a she-wolf, from the Alpha Clan. How strange, as the Alpha Clan were usually wary of others. "Well I better go now. Good luck in finding some prey Nightfeather." I then stretched my legs to begin running silently towards the Shadow Foot camp, turning my head for a second to see the black hawk lifting up in the air.

                                                              

Willie sat down next to the den. He looked over at the two babysitters. The pups were playing around them. Willie sighed as two scouts came over to him. "We're ready for our lesson," the two youngsters said. Willie stood up and stretched. He then looked at the two. "Where's your friend Hammy?" he asked. "He said he was tired of being beaten by you," said Nick. "Yeah. You're too much of a bully he says," said Lionel. Willie chuckled. "So the young one thinks I'm hard on him, huh?" thought Willie. "Well let's go find him," he said. The three wolves walked out of the den site and arrived at a clearing. Hammy was attacking a tree. "I'm ready to be a fighter wolf and Willie knows it," said Hammy. "Oh really," said Willie. Hammy turned around with a surprised look. "You three, come at me," said Willie. Nick and Lionel were shocked. They then looked at Hammy. Hammy growled and leapt at Willie. Willie pinned the young wolf to the ground. Nick attacked. Willie slammed him to the ground as well. Lionel leapt at Willie.

Making it back to her clan, Lakai tried not to look like she had been running too long, or else the others might grow suspicious of her. They all knew that Lakai had tried to leave before, so she was always on close watch. She looked from side to side, seeing all the wolves rushing around here and there, not paying her any attention. Lakai let out a small sigh. She was safe, since today, lucky for her, was training day. All the wolves were divided up into groups categorized either according to age or experience.

Lakai joined right in with one of the groups, taking her place in the back of the small crowd to observe. She was often expected to help train other wolves, but her father seemed to be nowhere in sight, and since there seemed to be more than enough wolves helping out that day, Lakai decided to leisurely walk by each group, giving pointers here and there as she moved along.

One group in particular caught her eye. A handful of the pack's youngest fighters in training were gathered by a large tree, all crouching and leaping on the larger wolf in the group. Lakai sat down a short distance away, unable to restrain herself from laughing at the sight. Willie, another one of the pack's trainers, seemed to have taken on more than he bargained for with these pups. She watched as they hung from him, some grabbing at his ears, others trying with all their might to pin him. Lakai watched them closely, impressed at their ferocity and focus. These kids, though they were small, had great skill. 

Takes place on a large seemingly desolate continent. Large wooded areas spread for miles, with large plains scattered here and there. A few bodies of water, but the land is somewhat mistreated due to the constant battling over resources. The continent is divided into respective territories, and borders have been set up to inform each tribe that his roaming space is limited.

We wolves were once a strong kind, standing our ground, but never having to do it alone. We were a family, we were brothers. We faced the very elements together, becoming stronger with each passing season. We were inseperable.

Love

Brotherhood

Family

Honor

These were our virtues, and we used to fight for them. Don't you remember? We were the strongest among creatures, because we stood together.

But our bonds were broken.

Greed..

Power..

Glory..

How did it all happen? When did it start? With the changing of the seasons, it was evident that there was something growing, a dark shadow casting over our lands. There was something sick, a disease taking root, right under our noses..but we couldn't see it. Greed. Pride. Selfishness. Now, brother fights against brother. The tribe has divided into sub tribes, each harboring a certain resentment towards the other.

My family was not the only one to be torn apart. When the new alpha was killed, a horrible accident, many suffered. The alpha left no heirs behind to take the seat of power. The order we once knew had been disrupted. When the position was left open for the new alpha to step up, something happened. We lost all sight of the values and principles we once held on to so tightly, and fought for so valiantly. Fights broke out, fights for power, fights for the ultimate rank.

Overtime, it became impossible for us to cooperate. Our sacred trust was broken, and since no one could agree on an alpha, our tribe split up. Each wolf would choose his own path now, pledging their allegience to their own selfishness. Families would be torn, due to opposing views.

But amongst the chaos and ruin, I have hope. There are still many of us who holdfast to hope, as we look back and remember the way things used to be. Is it possible that the few can reunite the many? I believe so, but it's gonna take all we have.

The original tribe to which the wolves belonged to was known as the Great Pack. This tribe has now been divided into several new tribes, none of which agree with each other:

Alpha Clan

Moon Fang Tribe

Shadow Foot Clan

Sol Clan

Infernoes

Rebel Clan

And then there are many rogues as well who, either due to the inability to pledge alliegence to any of the tribes or for some other reason, live on their own.

The Rules are very simple:

- No controlling others's characters

-Keep it realistic, as in your character is not invincible and thus has physical limitations.

- Keep it PG please! Fighting is obviously going to take place, but I don't want to see anything graphic or disturbing. If you step out of line, I will have no problem removing your character.

-No profanity or disrespectful/offensive language.

- CHECK INTO THE OOC CHAT OFTEN! This way we can discuss certain things together, and I usually will post there. I'd like to see all who join do the same, so we may offer pointers or even help develop ideas. I find the OOC Chat to be very useful

-Odd coloring is allowed, but this is not a fantasy rp, so no powers.

-Romance is allowed, but remember, PG!!! I shouldn't have to remind you.

- You may have as many characters as you can keep up with.

- If you have any questions or concerns or if you feel I left anything out, please message me and let me know. You will find I am very agreeable and easy going for the most part :-)

- MOST IMPORTANTLY...Have fun!!! :-D