History

An Ally in the South, 622/08-10

[ Valgard, Selcouth ]

With the aid of Selcouth’s Leaders and support of their members, Valgard has been given a much needed opportunity to rest and recuperate on the outskirts of the southern borders while they plan their next move.

Yeegla, Luca, and Alastair offer guidance and suggestions to Feykir as to where he could comfortably move his pack permanently, referencing an unclaimed mountainous region located west of Taiga and north of Selcouth.

With a small friendly escort, Selcouth travels with Valgard to the destination many hope would be their new permanent home. Excited to explore their new lands, Feykir sends forth his pack mates to seek out all they can find and report back their findings. The longer they spend in this new and unfamiliar landscape, the more it begins to feel like their long and exhausting journey may be finally coming to an end. Plenty of food and fresh water soothes aching paws, and the knowledge of having an ally so close in the south brings comfort to the weary alpha of Valgard. To the east, however, one can never be too careful.

Arrival of the Howlers, 622/05

[ Valgard, Taiga, Selcouth ]

Signs of unrest travel through the land in the shape of desperate howls and bloody paw prints. 

Strangers.

The survivors of Valgard have escaped the flames, but are now faced with a new challenge: Finding a place to rest and resources that are available even to the weak and injured. They seek help from any and all wolves in this new and strange area, hoping to find the means to recover both mentally and physically. Not an easy task in a world this unforgiving.

But Valgard soon finds they are not the only inhabitants of these lands; two other packs also call this place home: Taiga and Selcouth.

Having spoken to both packs, Valgard quickly discovers Selcouth to be the most relaxed about their presence. Both Taiga and Selcouth tend to keep their distance at first, but at least Selcouth appeares interested.

Encounters become more frequent, and before long, meetings are arranged by the alphas to announce their decisions to their respective packs.

While Selcouth is mostly positive about aiding Valgard, Taiga is much more reserved. With most of the pack’s ranked wolves voting against helping Valgard, at least until their motives were clear and the Howlers offering something valuable in return, Taiga stands neutral to the new pack. They are not hostile to Valgard, nor are they welcoming. Only time will tell.

The Explosion, 622/04

[ Valgard, old territory  ]

"Valgard laughs and dances under the moon, a proud kill marks an opportunity for one of their many beloved feasts. As their paws hit the ground in frisky frolic, catastrophe is about to unfold. With a sudden blast the earth rips open, fire and smoke shoot through the forest, escaping the center of the explosion. Flames engulf the densite and as the wolves of Valgard open their eyes to meet the descruction, they find themselves confronted with a gruesome truth: They are the few lucky ones. Dismembered bodies lie motionless, scattered across what was supposed to be a safe space."

The detonation of a sleeping WWIII bomb destroys Valgard's territory and kills most of their members, especially elders, pups and the weak. The survivors are forced to flee their burning lands with no time for hesitation for mourning. With both their alphas and the heir killed, the pack is lead by Feykir, youngest son of their late leaders.

Selcouth and Taiga are both shaken - quite literally - by a sudden vibration running beneath their paws. Unbeknownst to them, they stem from the detonation in old Valgard territory many miles away. Neither of the two packs know that their rivals were affected as well.

Valgard: The explosion is the most life-changing event in recent Valgard's history. Half their members were killed and many more were left injured. How did this desaster affect your character? And how are they coping with the trauma?

Selcouth/Taiga: Has your character felt the slight earthquake caused by the distant explosion? What did they think of it? Did they brush it off or did they ascribe meaning to it?

"That Spring", 620/03-05

[ Selcouth, Taiga  ]

Water always tends to rise during spring, the wolves got accustomed to that. Taigarians just stay at their uphill den, away from the rising water. Selcouth on the other hand doesn't shy away from the waters, introducing it to the pups and taking on the fishing opportunity.

However, this spring is different. The sudden rise in temperature causes heavy snowmelt in late February, followed by the intense rains in the following month. The water from the lake and rivers begins to rise, it covers so much land even Selcouth has to evacuate their main camp. Disaster strikes the water-bound pack, as Amund, one of the Selcouth leaders, gets caught in the floods and is barely rescued, only to succumb to both injury and sickness the following days. With Runa in charge of the pack, Selcouth has to move into the mountains, "The Trinity'', to avoid further losses. There she passes the leadership to her heirs Yeegla and Luca, as well as Yeegla's mate Alastair, while remaining by their side as a council.

Taiga's densite remains unaffected, but cut off from their hunting grounds, they are forced to sustain the pack off of mice and birds - a lifestyle not worthy of the glamorous Taiga pack! Along with hunger, concern grows within Taiga. Prior to the flood, their alpha had sent a scouting party, but their path home is now flooded. Unbeknownst to their pack at home, the party was already down a member, lost to the raging waters. Mourning their member while navigating the ever-changing flooded landscape, they grow desperate. At the peak of their distress, the group manages to locate a herd of deer, and once it inevitably crosses into Selcouth territory, they make the decision to continue the hunt despite trespassing on their enemy's terrain.

Timing couldn't be worse, however, as the waters begin to recede and the wolves of Selcouth return to their main camp. Inevitably, they catch the scent of the intruders and a decision is made quickly: The three new leaders, Yeegla, Luca and Alastair dispatch to follow the scent. The Taigarians had broken the Truce and especially Yeegla is set of making them pay. She presses forward until the source of the scent is found - three Taigarian wolves. Temperaments grow heated, a fight nearly breaks out, but reminders of the Truce eventually prevent blood from being shed. The Selcouth leaders let the Taigarians go with a stern warning: Should this happen again, they wouldn't be able to retreat a second time.

This season of great loss and divide still sits in the minds of both packs as "That Spring", bringing up anger, distress and helplessness upon remembering.

The Truce remains upright, but it's strained by the happenings of "That Spring". How does your character perceive what happened during this time? Do they take it as one more reason to demonize the opposite pack? Do they have compassion for the other party's situation?

Selcouth: How does your character deal with the loss of their beloved leader Amund? Do they think it could have been prevented? What do they think about the sudden change in leadership during the floods? 

Taiga: What did your character do to help feed the pack? How did they react to being cut off from the rest of the territory, including their hunding grounds? How did they deal with the return of the diplomats as they disclose having lost their youngest member, who was on their first ever patrol?

Valgard's Zenith, 618/08

[ Valgard, old territory  ]

After a harsh winter with scarce prey and low temperatures, lady Ylva of Valgard has earned the pack's utmost respect through her wise reign. Despite being her very first winter as alpha, Ylva's decisions - albeit consulted by her parents - have managed to prevent any members fall victim to the cruel climate. Instead, she even expanded their territory to include a ravine that stands shelter to several smaller species of prey that can feed hungry mouths during the white months. 

As summer sets in, it's no longer just her pack mates' admiration she earns. The surrounding packs and even loners visit Valgard to pay respects to the herbalists and their neutral standing. For the past months the pack has, by Ylva's command, allowed any and all injured wolves onto the territory, providing help as best as they could. Impressed with their herbal knowledge and healing skills, wolves of the area spread news fast and Valgard's reputation grows quickly. New bartering posts are erected and the pack flourishes.

Valgard: Was your character part of Valgard during Ylva's reign? If so, how did they percieve her decisions and ruling? How did your character contribute durng Valgard's prime time and did they ever have doubts about opening the pack to injured/sick wolves?

Loner: Have you heard of Valgard's reputation before their territory got destroyed? If so, how did they receive news from such a distant place? Did they travel to Kynheim as well or was the news delivered otherwise?

The Truce, 613/07-09

[ Taiga, Selcouth ]

Northern lights appear out of nowhere in the midst of summer. Never was an event  like that witnessed before, not in such a time and place [ F3 on the map ]. Taigarians as well as the wolves of Selcouth watch in awe at the rare display, and lead by curiosity dispatch a group of wolves to investigate. Coincidentally both packs' leaders, Amund and Runa of Selcouth and Moia of Taiga, take to the trip personally, which results in a chance meeting at their destination. Both factions are angered by the other's presence, and fueled by past conflict verbal dispute nearly turns violent. By the voices of Selcouth's leaders, however, the situation is deescalated just in time to prevent bloodshed. And after a stern conversation, despite silent disapproval of both packs' members, the leaders eventually announce a truce.

Under the condition that neither pack would get in the other's way or territory, future meetings were to be conducted without hostility. To this day the truce stands, though some members of both packs feel like it shouldn't.

Taiga / Selcouth: How does your character feel about the truce between the packs? Do they agree and feel protected by it? Or do they potentially feel restricted, maybe teaching the other side a lesson would be more suitable?

Floodsam, 604/02

[ Selcouth  ]

The third pup had gone missing, and it was only the second full moon of the year. All three were found inside the territory, but outside of the main camp which they were supposed to stay inside of. "I didn't notice the border..." the first one exclaimed in response to their scolding. A convenient excuse, which the other two mirrored after having been brought back to safety. It almost seemed as though more pups planned to go on little adventures, excuses ready at their sleeve.

Instead of herding the youth like neurotic shepherds, Selcouth's leaders come up with a different idea. Every storm, every heavy rainfall, every thaw brought lots of floodsam with it. Strange items garnished the coasts regularly - why not use it instead of turning a blind eye?

A new custom forms as Scouts and Mentors start to gather unmistakable items and shiny trinkets to place along the main camp's border. No pup would ever get away with pretending not to have noticed the border from now on.

Selcouth: Has your character memories of their first encounter with the main camp's border from their childhood? Do they help keep the custom alive, now that they are older?

Hades' Reign, 572 - 578

[ Valgard, old territory ]

Hades, one of Valgard's most renown herbalists at the time, poisons their alpha and stages a mournful ceremony, during which he appoints himself as their new heaven-sent leader. When the wolves of Valgard eventually find out the truth about his foul play, he's already too powerful to simply overthrow. And for the following six years he proves to the pack just how powerful he really is: No male is allowed to mate except for him, no pups are allowed to be raised except for his. Those who disobey pay the ultimate price. He remains alpha without even coming close to losing a single challenge. At first many wolves try to bring Hades down, but the more members of Valgard are lost during these battles, the fewer attempts are made.

However, not all is  lost. 

After months of whispered preparation, the pack is ready to deliver its final blow. By this time most of the pack consisted of his sons, daughters and mates due to the many years of forbidden mating. Yet, they are still not corrupted by his manipulative act. Eventually, one of his lovers poisons him with the same poison he used six years ago on their previous alpha. She takes his place along with her eldest son "Fir", whom she teaches to be a better leader than his father.

Valgard: Has your character heard stories about Hades and his tyrannical reign? If so, which conclusions did they draw from it?

Tale of two Brothers,  551/04-05

[ Taiga, old territory ]

It was spring, a season full of hope and new beginnings. Taiga was blessed with not one, not two but three healthy litters of pups at the same time - a sign of great prosperity! 

However, a looming shadow haunted the large pack as well: After losing their leader's mate the previous winter, now the alpha herself, Gaia, was growing weak. A state most unfamiliar to those who'd known her during her prime. As the pack now raised the sprouting youth, it also found itself forced to prepare for a feared farewell. After a decade of stable leadership, their alpha was withering away.

Whispers began to appoint one of the chief's sons the alpha position, but even on her deathbed, Gaia remained ominous about her final decision. When she finally called for a gathering, presumably with the intention of unveiling the pack's future, Taiga arrived at her den only to find her cold body. Bewildered silence added to an eerie scene, before a murmur broke from the many blank faces. 

Forward stepped two wolves - both sons of the late alpha. Tense faces awaited their announcement, eager for news concerning the pack's future. The lack of information had caused patience to wear thin, and the tension among the members of the pack was rising.

Who would claim her place?

• First, there was Ronin, the older brother. He was wise beyond his years and the rightful heir to the throne, however his temperament was much softer than the pack called for, and his ever-lasting quarrels with his mother were often witnessed by the pack. Taiga was built on power; it had survived centuries and demaded power in their leaders. A power Ronin lacked.
• On the other hand there was Raban, the younger brother. He fit the image of the strong alpha much better than Ronin, but his qualities of leadership were less than ideal. Despite his poor mental stability, most wolves of Taiga were drawn to him, compelled by his experience in combat and the confident air that surrounded his every step.

Ronin was the first to claim his mother's role. Raban, however, aware of his large following, proposed a joint leadership. Despite the obvious intent behind such a suggestion, Ronin agreed in hopes of uniting the pack and keeping the growing unrest from getting out of control. Unfortunaturaly, no one was satisfied with such a solution, however. The conflict between those who believed Ronin was the rightful alpha and those who backed Raban in his reign, drew cracks into Taiga's perfect exterior. Sparring was used as an excuse for violence and the main camp was left nearly abandoned as both parties retreated to the very fringes of their prior living quarters, putting space between them not only emotionally, but physically. 

It was then, at the peak of their rivalry, that a loyal beta of the previous crown died under mysterious circumstances. Blame was placed even before the body turned cold, and instead of a common mourning, the pack ruptured by its very seams that night. Brothers and sisters, friends and even lovers opposed one another as enemies, and suddenly bloodshed was inevitable. At the break of dawn Ronin retreated, calling to this devotees to follow.

And so they did. 

While the remaining wolves of Taiga recovered to regrow their pack to former glory under Raban's control, the fled wolves settled at a far-away headland, their band soon forming into a proper pack: Selcouth, the Free. Sometimes, when the wind blows in your favor, you can distantly hear the howls of each pack across the water. A bitter reminder of the past.

In Taiga: Raban is referred to as the hero who prevented Taiga's fall by taking over the reign from a weak alpha. Ronin, on the other hand, is talked down upon as a traitor and the weak link of the family. His white pelt is what sprouted the idea of white wolves being untrustworthy. All Taigarians are taught these values at a young age.

In Selcouth: Ronin is referred to as the savior who lead the wolves of Selcouth from death to life. Without Ronin's decision to settle at the headland, the pack would have never adopted its water-bound lifestyle. The wolves of Selcouth are less absolute about placing fault, but they still strongly believe Ronin to have been in the right.

The End,  000/08

[ all of Kynheim ]

War. Destruction. Death. 

There is no gentle way to describe the world war that drove humanity to the brim of extinction. Year 000 marks the moment the bombing stopped. No soldiers were left to fire missles, no targets left to attack.