[Y'all have no idea how nervous I am xD]

Aurielle Adravendi

She drew in a deep breath as she trotted across the Plains, pace brisk and decisive. This was the day to announce things, and she centered herself as she leapt with a lithe grace to the boulder, turning and howling for Valhalla, long and loud. It held a note of fire, and challenge, and as she let the call end and echo across the plains and to the Moor, she lowered her haunches to the frozen stone. Soon. Her back was straight, relaxed elegance mixing with a poised stillness. Her tail flicked, pooling the long hair of her tail in a glowing swathe around her paws as she watched the plains, watching to see who’d answer the call the fastest. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He was hanging the last strips of venison from a kill over a fire to dry, when the call came, and his ears perked. Once the last strip was hanging, he left Enito to keep watch on the fire and meat, and bounded toward the call. As the new Sentinel, he needed to be there first, to show that promoting him was the right move. He winced to himself as he thought of all the things he still had to do and hadn’t done yet, and as he slid to a stop at the boulder, looking up at the Spirit, he vowed that he would get the patrol groups set up, and hold a few fight and hunting lessons. But even better, he knew what she was calling the pack for. It was in her voice, a challenge to the pack to rise and meet. So he sat at the base of the boulder for now, until she made the promotion completely official to the pack. Once it was official, he’s take his place at her right and behind. His eyes scanned the plains, watching for the rest of the pack. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Dómari had just finished a large meal and was settling down to relax before the evening patrol. His fox companions curled up next to him in the den, eager to share in a bit of warmth as the frigid northern wind continued to bear down on the land. He had been just about to fall asleep when he heard Aurielle's call. It was a summons and he knew instinctively that warriors should attend this meeting. Yawning he stretched then got to his feet, darting out of the den and hurrying to the source of the call with his companions trailing along after him. He arrived to see Cairo already there and he gave the younger man a quick nod before taking his seat. "Speech"

Káti examined the holly berries he had gathered. If he was going to use these as an astringent he would need to dry the berries and then grind them into a powder. Well, the air this winter was plenty dry enough though the cold wasn't the most conducive to drying. He'd have to make do. Káti set out the berries to dry, carefully hanging the fronds that held the berries from the ceiling in one part of his den. It was then he heard Aurielle calling. It sounded serious and seemed aimed at the warriors in particular. He shot Lína a look before scrambling out of the den. He loped swiftly across the snow and arrived at the small gathering. He quickly took a seat and looked to Aurielle, concern evident on his face. "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Regulus Anatolii Adravendi

He padded across the plains, already on his way to the boulder. He knew already what the plans were, and so he’d started out just behind Aurielle when she left to call the pack. He knew he wouldn’t be fighting in the raid she planned. He was old, and his place would be guarding the healers, or tucked away guarding the pups . He accepted the step down from battle. He knew he’d have it too hard and risk contributing to a loss. He came upon Ardyn on the way, and the two made their way to the meeting together. When they reached the dirt clearing in the tall grass, Ardyn parted ways and headed to the boulder to take a seat nearby, and Regulus took a spot near the newest fellow, casting both him and Domari a grin, adding another to Cairo and his daughter. He was relaxed, unconcerned, and he waited to hear her speak.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn had been busy braiding cordage for snares and other projects when his mother sang for the pack. Oh! That was today? He dropped the cordage and bolted for the meeting boulder, tail whipping into a wagging torch as Lyr clucked and croaked, gliding after the boy. Regulus came upon them, and Ardyn slowed to escort his grandfather the rest of the way, eyes bright and tongue lolling in excitement. He would be involved in the raid, fighting in the thick of it, and the excitement of it all burned in his belly and veins. He wanted to lead the charge, but he knew his mother would likely have him hang back a bit until he found a good opponent. Of his siblings, he was most certain Coran and Aoife would be keenest to join in. As he padded to sit near his mother’s place on the boulder, he looked around at those gathered so far, waving a long-toed paw to Kati and Domari, tail tapping the ground. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The stallion had been digging up tubers with his hard, sharp hooves, grazing before he went on patrol. However, plans changed, and he lifted his horned head as Aurielle’s howl reached his ears. He wasn’t certain what she was planning, but there was a certain fire to her call that even a horse could understand. He wheeled on his hocks and trotted toward the call. There were already a few gathered, and as Isolde and Wangui settled on his wide back, Taliesyn dipped his head to those gathered, a hoof resting as he stood hip-shot, ears perked as he watched the Spirit to see what she was planning. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Paladin 'Knight' Ancora

He’d been well aware of the coming raid, and he’d been busy concocting salves, sinew sutures, pain relief and anti-coagulants well ahead of time in preparation. He didn’t expect a bloody repeat of the defense against Talis’ attack on Celestial, but while neighbors, their only real interaction with Aerie had been Eligos, and not everyone in his pack might be as level-headed as the black and gold Abraxas man. He set the latest jar of salve down as Aurielle headed out, and spent a few minutes tidying up his work station before he headed out, trotting briskly toward the gathering boulder, tail swaying calmly at his hocks. As he took a seat he glanced over those gathered, nodding to the stallion and noting Kati with a smile. “Kati? I’m Paladin. If you’d like to make some salves and the like later, seek me out at the Ravine in the hillock over yonder.” His black-teared features were friendly and he nodded again to the man before turning his attention to Aurielle.

Rhaegara had been patrolling on the wall when the words rang out over the plains, her eyes instantly snapping to the direction from whence the familiar voice came. She hopped off the wall, Carlys in pursuit as they both made a run for it, though it appeared that they were not the first to arrive. What had made her most curious was the fire, the challenge in her voice that made Rhaegara wonder just why the Spirit was calling them together. Many were there by the time she arrived, and she found her place amongst the crowd, curious eyes gazing up at her as the former Princessa maintained her silence. She wore a hungry look in her eyes. She was hungry to prove herself, hungry to answer whatever challenge the Spirit had brought before them, and her feathered friend shared that same ambition as well. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Drachen was putting a few finishing touches in his new den that he had spend the last day or so making, after his arrival to his new home and pack. His den was large and spacious, set slightly away from the other dens but close enough to come to the defense of others should the need arise. Enzi watched him curiously from her perch, a large thick branch that he a pulled in just for her to roost upon, much to the raptor's delight. It didn't sit right with him that the raptor would be out in the cold and possibly wet weather when he was tucked nicely inside the dry and warmth of his den. The male was in the middle of moving dirt from the entrance of his den and compacting the loose earth down when he heard Aurielle howl for the pack, her voice holding a challenge to it was made the obsidian fur on his neck rise. Quickly Drachen shook the dirt from his pelt and with a yip to Enzi he turned and trotted towards the summons, his raptor's shadow circling above him. He still wasn't too familiar with the layout of everything but the strong scent of gathering wolves was enough to lead him in the right direction and soon he arrived at the gathering.

He gave the Spirit a nod of respect once he saw her perched on the boulder over looking the pack and he moved swiftly and quietly to sit at the back of the group where he did not cause a distraction. Curiously, Drachen's oceanic blue eyes scanned those that had gathered, casting a friendly smile towards Ardyn once he had spotted the coal male. He then tried to hide his surprise at the large glowing horse that stood amongst them, the stallion's presence obviously accepted by the pack, telling him that he didn't need to be concerned about it. He blinked and shook his fur to settle himself before he turned his black and tan face towards the Spirit and waited patiently for the meeting to begin, curious as to what would cause the fire in her voice.

"Speech" Aslaug wasnt the first this time, how could she if she was delivering the lastest kill of hers? A small doe was being pulled by her, far and Aslaug had to take her time as it wasnt exactly light weighed as it seemed. But well when she heard the how from her alpha cousin, she speeded up her rhythm, and soon as she placed her hunt on the food stocks, she quickly ran to the meeting. Calmly she arrived seeing some of her packmates already there. Smiling she took a seat in silence trying to not disrespect other's personal space. And like that she just waited for the gathering to start.

Art by CloudyNight

Tonights the night

It had been some time since she had heard a meeting call. Liz had been going through her stores of dried herbs, luckily the west was perfect for keeping them safe from the frost. However, the healer heeded the call. Benjamin sat between her shoulder blades, the bird fluffing up his feathers while he preened himself. It didn't take long for her to reach the gathering of wolves, her tail wagged reckognizing Aurielle and Aslaug. She may not have gotten to know many in the pack yet but she knew she was trying her best.

Taking a seat a bit farther away from the others her attention was sweeped onto Aurielle. Liz dipped her head in greeting with a smile on her face. Her tail curled around her hind quarters. Meetings were important and serious matters, at least that was what she had been raised to believe. Elizabeth let her attention soak in so she could concentrate.

MADE BY MINNIE of BTN

Caelia was hardly fond of the intense winter that had settled upon the west. She had no doubt that other lands were faring much differently than here, but still - that didn't mean she had to view the turbulent weather with any kind of fondness. Already she found herself longing for spring's arrival, and she hoped the change in season eventually might bring some kind of change. Stirring things up a bit was precisely what she needed. Though.. perhaps things were about to get more interesting anyway? She heard Aurielle's call and felt herself stiffen slightly at the prospect of a meeting. Whatever she was about to announce was no doubt going to be exciting - the Spirit's tone told her that much - and Caelia's interest was immediately piqued. Quickening her pace, she made her way across the plains. Her pale sea-green gaze swept over the group. Most were at least vaguely familiar save for one, and her gaze lingered on the newest member for a long moment, unblinking before she found a seat and waited for the others to arrive. Mostly she looked forward to seeing her siblings, and she adjusted her posture slightly as she reclined and looked around for them expectantly.

Coran had been trotting along the pack border, imagining the day it would be one of his jobs to do so and hopefully that day would be soon.  Coran and Ardyn together had managed to take down a cougar so that should mean he would be fine for patrolling, right?  Coran dreamed of adventure, danger, suspense, and mysteries to solve.  He had gone on trips out past their borders before with mom or grandpa but only a few locations.  It was a wide world with many new places and wolves to meet. At his mom’s howl, he froze listening for a moment and with a big grin went charging to the howl.  Once there he saw many familiar faces but he also saw a horse with a horn on its forehead.  Coran had heard about the new member, after all it's hard not to hear news about some equine joining a pack of wolves.  He still needed to meet with it at some point in a less formal setting.  Knowing of someone wasn’t the same as knowing them, and hadn’t he just been imagining meeting new wolves?  Not that it was a wolf but if the horse was living with wolves it kind of counted?   Spotting Ardyn he galloped his way over to sit near his brother even as he turned his attention eagerly on their mom.  The tail twitched a few times with pleased expectation before he stilled it to aim for a more formally correct look.   Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Not being the most attentive of parents - hers was definitely a sink-or-swim approach to sending her children out into the world - after she was fairly certain they would be capable of finding their way back to the den she had let them have free rein of the pack lands and, now that they were large enough they could get there and back for meals, she didn't particularly care if they wandered outside the borders either. But while her parenting style was unconventional at best she wasn't completely inattentive to her children, and once they were old enough she'd moved their den closer to the wall, not far inside it in fact, so that their father could visit them whenever he wanted without causing trouble with Aurielle. And she'd carefully constructed a level, sandy area to begin teaching them to be warriors, because that was, when it came down to it, the most important knowledge she could possibly pass on to them to protect them from a world she knew was dark and cruel and would eventually kill everyone and everything they loved and, eventually, they too would succumb to the inevitability of death.

Justice had been in a bit of an existential crisis over it, actually.

When she could get them to hold still for it, she was also training them to stand sentry duty, which even a pup could do well enough simce it just involved alerting the pack to danger. The problem was getting them to hold still and pay attention that long...

But with her little rats either off exploring or learning to be sentries, Justice had taken up patrols again. Sometimes with one or more ofnthem tagging along at her heels, which was ok since they were learning to patrol too, sometimes alone. She was far from being back in her best fighting shale, but she was getting there.

When Aurielle's call reached her, she stopped a moment to listen and consider, and finally decided she should probably round up the munchkins. While the call had a sort of eagerness to it that spoke of being more than just a meeting, it was also a meeting for the whole pack and it would be a good opportunity for the brats. So lifting up her own mangled, scarred face she added a short howl onto the end of Aurielle's call, specifically for her children. The meaning of the howl fell somewhere in the vacinity of "assemble, ye roaches" and if they were wise they'd make tracks for the meeting immediately.

She made her own way there to flop down on her haunches in the back of the group to better keep and eye out for the littles showing up.

Red heard the call for the meeting, but was in the middle of shaping a piece of wet leather to the shape he wanted, and he needed to finish it now or it would dry out before he could get to it and he'd have to wait for it to soften all over again and basically start over. By the time he'd finished and it had dried enough to keep its shape he knew he was cutting it close to being late so he hurried towards the meeting place to join the pack, watching his mate with a faint smile. She was particularly fiery today wasn't she? A fine thing to greet your tired eyes when you finally resurface after a day of hard work.

Viviane had been working on restoring part of her mother's den that had fallen into disrepair with many of her siblings gone now. This time of year was hard - it had been winter when they watched their mother's decline that had led to her death. It made for a sad, introspective time for Viviane, for while she loved her siblings she often felt a little lonely this time of year. Oh, she took care not to show it becaise she knew it would hurt them to see her gloomy - her, of all people, gloomy - but she felt sad and weary and very much like she'd never really moved past puphood to be a functioning and useful adult member of the pack. And now, running late to the first meeting Aurielle had called in a while, disheveled and covered in dirt, certainly didn't change that impression for her. Did manage to stop running as she came up to the group long enough that she wasn't panting as she took her place in the pack, sending Cairo and Caelia both a sunny smile to cover her internal distress.

Aoife was outside packlamds, and with her short legs that meant a lot longer run to answer it. Tay had already flown ahead so that if she was late the little swift could fill her in on whatever she missed. S
It seemed that luck was with her this time, though, or she was getting faster, because she was able to slam to a tumbling halt near her brothers and roll into an attentive sitting position well before her kother started the meeting, and Tay flitted over to take her customary perch on Aoife's quilled mohawk. Aoife grinned, a little smugly, at her brothers. Bet they didn't think she'd make it in time because she was still so little compared to them. Well, someday they'd see that size and penises didn't count for everything, and maybe then they'd stop fussing over her

Fidelias took his new job as Honorary Sentry very seriously, so when the call came from Aurielle for a meeting while he was sitting solemnly atop the rock wall he hesitated to abandon his post - and only partly because he didn't like the idea of being around that many people. But his mother's voice rose up right after, and he tucked his bobbed tail down tight. Well, that was that, he didn't have a choice. With a quiet sigh he picked his way down the ramp to the ground, then trotted slowly toward the meeting rock. Luckily Justice was sitting at the back of the group, so he didn't have to go up in with everyone to find her, and was able to sit close to her, not touching, but really close, and just sit there looking at his paws, waiting to get it over with so he could go back to honorary sentry duty.

[OOC, since this is my first time doing a raid meeting post, this may be a bit all over the place. For any late comers (Kaija, Arne, though I heard Nacho has an internet outage in progress so she's cleared, Baine) You have one last chance to slip in while Aurielle's talking, maybe in time to hear of the raid, etc. I've NPC'd Amory and Lee for now, but players will be chosen soon.

Next Deadline will be for the wolves who will be joining the raid, and that deadline ends at the 22nd of this month. If they're all posted before then... Um... I guess we start the raid itself?]

Aurielle Adravendi

Cairo was the first to arrive, and Aurielle nodded to the newly minted Sentinel with a smile. She knew he was still struggling a bit with having been promoted so much sooner than he must have expected. Today, he would be officially introduced as the Sentinel of Valhalla. Next were Domari and Kati, and she smiled at the two men, eyes roving over Domari. He’d been somewhat quiet lately, subdued, and it had been good to see him at the test and now here. Her father and her son arrived, and she gave them a nod, eyeing her son’s excitement. He, of course, knew what was going on, and her father’s calm attentiveness was a steadying breath for the nerves that twisted under her own pelt. After failing to initiate their planned practice raid on Lirim, this time, it was really going to happen. Taliesyn, Paladin, who greeted Kati. She smiled faintly, hoping the two healers would be able to work well together. Rhaegara, Drachen, and Aslaug were next, and Aurielle slanted a light grin at Drachen. He was unlikely to be involved in the direct fighting, but she hoped to see him helping in some way at the healer’s camp, or guarding the young and elderly. Elizabeth, and then Caelia. Her eyes rested on Caelia, studying her. The woman seemed to have lost some of her steam and determination, and Aurielle hoped that when Cairo tested his sister, he’d rekindle that steady drive Caelia had shown early on. A faint smirk touched her lips as Coran arrived with a bound and took a place by his brother. A flutter of wings caught her eye, and she recognized Aoife’s songbird and raised a brow point at the bird in a questioning way. Red was next, and she locked eyes with him for a warm heartbeat, a smile touching her lips, head tilting as she silently asked him why he wasn’t up by the boulder where she could admire him more closely. Viviane’s arrival – and appearance – drew her eye and she studied the woman. As far as she was aware, Cairo still slept in his part of the den Gwenevere had dug in preparation for their births, and yet, though Viv put on a face, the lack of self care was evident. Aoife barreled into the gathering to roll to a stop by her brothers, and Fidelias joined his mother where the woman sat. Aurielle waited for several minutes, eyes scanning the plains intently. Amory and Lee would be along in a bit, But Arne and Kaija were not with their mother, and – more worryingly – Baine’s pale frame hadn’t joined the group. Aurielle was aware that her aunt had ventured from the borders more often recently, but missing a pack meeting… Her eyes flicked to her father’s, who was also casting a glance over the gathered faces and beyond, a faint frown puckering his brow. For several long minutes she waited, until it was clear the stragglers were not going to make it before she began speaking. And so, she began, casting a long look over the faces before her as she flashed a faintly toothy smile at the pack. “Thank you for gathering here today. I have much to announce, as it has been far too long since out last gathering, and for that, I wish to apologize.” Her long-haired tail flicked with its natural elegance as she cast her eyes over Justice and her own children, and the newcomers to the pack. “Firstly, I would like to officially announce the union of myself and Red, and his rise to Heart of Valhalla, and officially announce births of our first litter of children, whom most of you have likely already met at some point, due to how long it’s already been. They Are Ardyn, Coran, Amorielle, Laoise, and Aoife.” It was as she announced her two middle daughters that she spotted the girls slipping in and taking a seat beside their brothers and sister. (OoC: Powerplaying as they have not been chosen yet, however, we will be choosing the new players very soon) She cast them a brief smile, and a nod of approval at showing up before she turned to Justice, though still addressed the pack as a whole, “As well, Justice has brought into the world a litter of three. They are Kaija, Arne, and Fidelias.” Her eyes swept the faces again, in case she missed the first two sneaking in, but really, those particular children would have been hard to miss, as exuberant as they could be. Her eyes sombered, and she drew in a breath as she spoke on, “And, regrettably, I must announce deaths, and wolves gone missing, or still missing. As all of you will be aware by now, those who have not recently joined this year or the year before, we.. lost my mother. Those of you who have grown up here will remember that she and my twin brother were taken by slavers when Aramis and I were very young. My Father, Regulus, instated me once I was old enough to lead, and retrieved them, wiping out the slavers with our allies the Nomads at his side. My mother and brother were returned to us.” She drew in a short, steadying breath, and pushed on. “We got my mother’s body back, and a brief glimmer of the mother I – and those who remember her from before – knew and loved. And then the light went out. Her body was still there, but it was only a shell. The trials and hells the slavers put her and my twin through were too much for her, and she wasted away for seasons… Aramis recovered, but he has since vanished. And now, Solveiga Derus-Adravendi walks in Somnium now. And I truly hope she’s well there.” The pack, and Red, had been her balm, her distraction. She swallowed, loosening her throat as she faced the fresher, rawer pain of loss, eyes searching again for the pale, albino frame of her aunt as she announced, voice tinged with a raggedness around the edges of it’s carrying strength, “And this year, we lost one who had so much more to give, enjoy, and see of this world. He leaves behind his mother, Baine, my Aunt. His name was Nolan, and he was a pure, genuine soul, eager to learn and work hard, always with a smile or a kind word. “His loss was, I am told, an accident. He fell from the cliffs of Waterfall Peak in the North, and he is laid to rest there at the foot, for any who wish to leave their respects or say their own goodbyes. His presence was – and is – a light that will be missed deeply in Valhalla, and in the world as a whole.” Her sharp ears caught a brief hitch in Cairo’s breathing, and she let herself fall silent for several breaths to regain her own balance. Her eyes drifted over the pack once more, as she spoke again, “Valhalla, though suffering its losses, has seen a growth in numbers, and not just because of our children. Over the past years and more, there have been those who joined Valhalla’s ranks. Among them there were Daelos, Ochre, and their daughters Elba and Aslaug. While the former three have gone on their own paths, Aslaug has remained, and stands among the ranks of our hunters. Among us also now stand Kati, Taliesyn, Rhaegara, and Drachen, who have joined our ranks. I welcome you, all four of you.” Her eyes dropped to Cairo, and she called, “Cairo, join me here, please.” As the man leapt to the boulder and sat beside her, looking visibly nervous, proud, and still a little stunned, she announced, “The wolf before you has proven himself worthy – beyond worthy – to take a place of high prestige and honor. He has worked himself to the bones, challenged himself and sought to better himself at every turn, through loss, hardship, and triumph. He stands before you as the next Sentinel of Valhalla. Before him stood Justice Ancora, who served Valhalla well.” She flashed a ghost of a wink to the woman, knowing she’d chafed at the responsibility, and likely that was how her three pups had been founded. [OOC: Bear with me, going to speak from an outside perspective rather than make you all read through tremendous amounts of monologue. She will be detailed, tell everyone about everything and leave nothing out that is news that has transpired since my last pack meeting. *Cough* And now, as I’m not quite certain how to Segway this into a meeting, whether any characters uninvolved have to leave and she announces raid target/resource target, or not…. Here we go. X.x Gods help me]. She spent much of the next several minutes announcing planned Circles, the openings of the Scrivener’s, Smiths, and other various crafting Circles, eyes flicking to Red, knowing he, as a crafting minded sort, would enjoy these additions, and Aoife? Her lips twitched as she glanced down at her daughter’s quill mo-hawked head. And then, to the meat of the meeting, the real excitement. Her tail flagged as she rang out to the pack, “Some of you will remember our plans to exchange raids with Lirim. However, Lirim is no more. I’m afraid it has fallen and I have been unable to glean any explanation. However, though we missed out on raiding then, we will not be left standing idle this winter.” Her eyes lit with a spark of challenge once more as she gazed at the warriors of Valhalla, announcing clearly, “In A week and a half’s time, we will be raiding Aerie, our neighbors.” She let the words drop like a bomb in the pack, pausing long enough for them to absorb the news and the information. Of course, some already knew, whether by her sharing the details, or by simple virtue of living with her where it was impossible to miss discussions. Then she continued, “This raid, however, is merely for practice, and Aerie’s alpha, Eligos and I arranged it, back during the Spring festival. Our one resource that we will be raiding for is a flag, and there will be no maiming permitted. But one day, perhaps even soon, we will raid in earnest. Our numbers have grown, and should we grow too far, we run the risk of weakening our resources. And so, we must expand. This is the first step in seasoning ourselves to war on the offensive.” Her gradated sapphire into sky gaze regarded each of her wolves, searching to see if they were on board, before she called out, “Any questions or suggestions?” A soft hum from Cairo told her he wanted to speak, and so she nodded to the man, giving the Sentinel the floor for his own announcement. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think