It was time. The new Armada Warlord made his way to the Obelisk, which sat at the heart of the pack lands. Here was where his Grandfather had always called his meetings, and Basilisk saw no reason to change that tradition. He was too tall to need any sort of stage, but he placed a discreet flat stone beside where he intended to stand, so that he and Hazel could stand on equal footing.

The firepit sat at his back, a healthy flame burning in its depths. He could feel the warmth of it, a much needed respite from the cool evening air. Winter was marching steadily closer, and he held that reminder in his thoughts.

He waited for Hazel to arrive, and after she stood beside him, he raised his head and called for the pack; inviting them to come, and to ask any questions they wished.



"Basilisk Fatalis"

While normally Wynter spent most of her time out in the surrounding woods near where her family kept their tree house, she just so happened to be in the heart of the Col when she heard a howl calling the pack together for a meeting. Her ears flicked with the little twist of longing and disappointment that it wasn't her grandfather's call she was hearing, but she was still very quick to go answer the howl regardless. It wasn't that she held it against Basilisk for taking her grandfather's place–she was going to be just as disappointed no matter who it was. She didn't know her cousin at all really and maybe that didn't really help matters either, but did her best to put on a mostly impassive, pleasant face as she stepped up toward the obelisk. Surprisingly she managed to be the first of the general populace to get here so she just sat herself smack dab in the middle in front of Basilisk, quietly hoping that her parents or siblings showed up soon.

"Wynter Fatalis"

The time since Basilisk had ascended to the rank of Warlord has left Andy in state of confusion; not because of anything that the newest alpha has done but because of the way a few of her littermates had reacted. Part of her continues to wonder where everything went sideways and why Kite and Crux had never tried to seek her out and talk about it. So, when the call for a pack meeting rings through the Col, it is not a surprise to her but she still feels her heart constrict with pain as she knows that Kite will not be there.

Andy had picked out a den for herself and has been busy packing the few things she kept in her old one to move when Basilisk’s summons reaches her ears. Passing off the bundled items to Gemini, she directs her leopards to transport the sparse number of items to her den before moving to answer the call. The obelisk holds so many wonderful memories for the lavender woman and it seems only right that the first official meeting with the new Warlord will take place in its shadow.

Arriving quickly, she spies Basilisk and Hazel and dips her head in respect to them before turning to the area that they will gather. Spying that her niece, Wynter, has already beat her here, the lithe young woman moves to the yearling and gently offers a shoulder bump of greeting as she softly whispers, “If you want any training, let me know. I would love to help you guys!”

Tossing the girl a wink, Andy then slides past Wynter and seats herself somewhere in the middle of seating area and turns her full attention to the Warlord, ready to hear what he has to say.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Since the flood, Zion had become a nervous mess, too scared to really go out and do anything without either her parents or a sibling by her side. Nightmares where a constant thing for the girl and she often frets over the safety of her siblings since several had been caught in the raging waters all those seasons ago. The terrified girl is hanging out in the treehouse that her family claims when a call summons the entire pack into the Col. Fear immediately squeezes her heart, claws at her brain, and roots her paws in place.

Images of the flood waters, hurt wolves, and pouring rain flash to life before her eyes and she is forced to relive every detail of the events as she stands lock in place; a slight tremble rolling across her frame with each flash of perceived lightning that she sees. Time passes as Zion’s heart thunders painfully in her chest and she is uncertain exactly how long she is forced to stand there, trapped in those memories but, when a noise pulls from the past, she is shaking violently. Whimpering, she shakily peers around to make certain that no one had seen her and immediately tries to compose herself.

Only when she has quelled the shaking does Zion strike off for the Col, dreading each moment that brings her closer to it. Tentatively, her paws break the invisible line that separates the forest from the Col and breathes a sigh of relief as she is not struck dead from some random bolt of lightning. With that done, she races to where the new Warlord and a few wolves have gathered and immediately spies her sister, Wynter and eagerly moves to join her. Seating herself beside Wynter, Zion attempts to calm her racing heart while also hoping that her sister doesn’t notice the tremor that shakes her frame every now and then.

Together, they wait for the meeting to start.


"Zion Fatalis"

"Speech"
The Little Slave was perusing the storage room shelves, gathering data for her new job. They didn't have a lot. She will only be able to make a little sense of how much they have and need with a good headcount of the pack and the frequency of supplies coming in. She also needed some charcoal. She couldn't keep track with her writing stone on the walls for very long, the marks would be more permanent than some charcoal. Maybe she could get a nice long piece of leather she could write on too, that way she could keep her system with her.
Hmmm... Food wouldn't last long in this warm cave either, maybe they should dry things to keep them lasting longer... She flicked an ear at the call she had been waiting for but she had to finish this thought first. How dry was this storage area? She looked up to see how high the cave was and wondered if she could make it cooler by having a hole carved higher into the mountain. The hot springs down the corridor might be messing with any preservation techniques. Her desert upbringing and insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowing everything as much as possible had helped her learn about her old pack's food reserves at a very young age. Basilisk was lucky he found her.

Dragons Teeth! He had called the meeting! Hopefully she can hold onto this idea for a while. She bounded out of the storage out into the main room and paused at the entrance of the cave. She could see a pillar where a few wolves were gathering already. She slowly approached the gathering throng, so many voices and murmurs and new people put her on edge. She didn't know where she should sit if everyone had a designated seat or not. Or if her rank had a specific spot. Might as well make the mistake and learn at some point.

The feeling of unfamiliar eyes on her made her skin prickle. She sat within a tails length of the girls already gathered there. She looked up at Basilisk and noted his pretty but strong wife next to him. All the women, even the younger ones, looked stronger and taller than Ignita.

Gossamer kept mostly to herself, unsure how much she should integrate into the Armada since her ultimate intention was to leave. So far there'd been no sign of Vanta and Gossamer was starting to get worried. She knew her sister had a strong urge to wander but she'd thought the younger girl would be back by now. Now the question was should she continue to wait or go out in search of her sister?

Basilisk's call rang out, calling the Armada together for a meeting. She figured the call would come eventually now that the young man was the new leader. She really didn't know what to expect from his rule, but trusted her father's judgement. Gossamer arrived and dipped her head in greeting. So far it was mostly her young family members that had arrived as well as a curious little femme with flame like markings. She approached Basilisk. "I assume father spoke with you, but in case not, I wanted to let you know I plan to be leaving with Vanta to assist her with her Band when the time comes."

Coming in from the east from Mile High Woods, Levi slowed to a walk as he approached the area surrounding the obelisk. The gathering was already larger than he would have liked, many faces he recognised and one he did not. It wasn't hard to work out what this meeting would be about, that there very well might be some discussion about the change in leadership and the drama it had inevitably caused. Levi didn't feel a particular way about it, admittedly, but considering that no one else had thrown themselves at Bas, most seemed to stomach the change well enough.

Moving to sit beside the fire, he pulled out a branch and propped it up on his limb, watching the flame slowly chew away at the furthest end. When Gossamer spoke he glanced over at her. Since when was Vanta doing a thing? He hadn't seen her around in a hot minute, not that he'd really been paying attention, he supposed.

after the events directly following Bas’ transition to power, Spider approaches the meeting place with a hint of apprehension in their step. hopefully this one will prove markedly less…uneventful. still, they know it’s important to allow other members the chance to adjust and air their grievances - but some sense of childish naïveté makes them wish everyone would just get along and stop fighting, already. can’t they see what a great leader Bas will be? Sirius had chosen him for a reason, after all! as Bas and Hazel come into view through the gathering bodies, Spider inclines their head to each in greeting  and goes to find a seat. very professional, very cool. peering around at their packmates, Spider settles and wraps their tail around their paws, hunching slightly against the cold. despite living in the north for most of their childhood, they’re still not entirely adjusted to the climate.

"Speech"

Spider has a male raven companion named Doomsday and a female snake companion named Lady Snakeskin. Assume they are present unless stated otherwise.

Wylan heard the call, and knew he had to attend. He was a little nervous - an emotion he wasn’t totally accustomed to. The last time there had been a gathering everyone had been really sad. Seeing Charlie that way had been an unwelcome shock. Hoping today would be better, he made his way to the Col, and found the meeting point easily enough. It was where the mass of wolves had gathered. He looked first for Charlie, and not seeing his Uncle, he made his way instead to the little girl at the back. He wiggled his wings at her and grinned. “Hi!” he whispered “I’m Wylan” "Speech"

Mortis had kept out of the pack's politics for a while now. Halo, and raising their kids had been his only priority. There was a possibility he would no longer be able to remain on the sidelines. Not with such a large change in the pack. He had heard by now what Kitsune had done, and he wasn’t sure what the rest of the pack’s response would be.

So, somewhat cautiously he made his way into the Col. He passed Wylan, giving his son’s paw a pat on the way past, before settling in beside Wynter and Zion. He placed a discreet wing lightly over Zion, seeing the way her anxieties affected her. He knew this was considered the heart of the pack, but the pack had been through a lot here. Perhaps he could speak to Basilisk about moving the meetings onto the beach.



"Speech"

The call for a meeting. Charlie would leave his tasks to respond to it, wanting to support Basilisk and be there in a timely manner. He was certain he wouldn't see some of his siblings and that weight had brought a frown to his face. He wished they could all just speak, to be on the same page, but… it didn't feel like that could be a reality. For now he had to focus on simply being present for pack events.

He would arrive to find some wolves already gathered. A nod was given to Bas in greeting before he padded up behind Wylan and another girl with a gentle smile on his lips. “Hello you two.” He knew that Wylan seeing him after everything had happened last time hadn't… been the best. And he wanted to reassure the boy everything was fine. He sat, tail curling around his body. His gaze flicked back to Basilisk, hoping that this meeting would go smoother than his father’s departure.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Tethys Fatalis

Winter would be upon them soon, and it was a good thing that the change in leadership had happened before the harshest season set in. It was a good time to make sure the pack had their affairs in order, so Tethys was glad when she heard Basilisk's call ring out through the col. Already she knew his role as Warlord was not being taken well by everyone, though she herself felt quite differently about things. If he was who Sirius had seen fit to rule then she had no reason to think otherwise, lest he give her one.

Though her orange gaze skimmed briefly over the crowd, she didn't see any of her siblings here yet. Sniffing at the air, glad for the warmth that emanated from the fire that had been lit, Tethys found a spot of her own and settled down comfortably, interested in what Basilisk might have to say to them. She just hoped there wouldn't be too many changes taking place.

Rumors had spread, but Silent had not taken them without a grain of salt. She was wondering why the atmosphere of the pack slowly shifted, anticipation evident on the air as she continued to do her duties each day. Paws carried her towards the pack meeting site after the howl rose as a summons. Time was on her side and she made it with a few minutes to spare.

Her dark frame stilled as her emerald green eyes searched for her favorite familiar face. Bronze was noted and she slid around other familiar frames before she settled next to the tall male. Her body melded perfectly into his and she felt his warmth radiate to hers as she smiled up at him endearingly before turning her attention towards the source of the summons. Who knew what news would be delivered at this meeting?

Bronze didn't hesitate to respond to the wolf that called the pack to gather. Change was in the air, that much was evident, from the apparent shift in Armada leadership to winter's slow approach. He couldn't help but be curious what those changes meant for him, if anything. He slowed as he neared the group that had already gathered, quietly acknowledging Basilisk's presence with a nod before finding somewhere to sit. Not long after he arrived so did Silent, gravitating toward him easily. A faint smile touched his lips as he leaned slightly into her, only for a moment before redirecting his focus to the new Warlord, waiting for the meeting to begin.

Art & Code © Rex/Witchdogtor DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

He kept to himself more often than not. Though he was aware of the unrest within the pack. During that whole ordeal when Basilisk took over, Ansem had remained with Grimoire in their part of the caves, listening to Grim's instructions in keeping busy, keep your head down, and to not get involved. Easy enough. Ansem did that anyway, so he kept busy and helped Grimoire brew a new flavor of mead he'd been trying to work on since. But when Basilisk called the pack together, Ansem hesitated. How was this going to go? His grandpa had left, and so had a number of others. He didn't know his...well, he wasn't sure who Basilisk was in relation to him to be honest. He knew he wasn't exactly blood related, but the Fatalis had so many members it was hard to keep track. He sighed heavily, pausing in the stirring of a batch he was working on as he stared into its depths. It wasn't until he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder that he turned to see Grimoire motioning for him to follow.

He had found comfort within the presence of the other, quiet male and hoped that everything would be alright. Honestly, he didn't know if he should stay in the Armada, or leave at this point. What was in store for Armada's future? Leaving his task, he followed the earthen male out to the meeting place, finding that a number of wolves had arrived already, but there were some still not there. His mother had yet to arrive, and he wondered if she was still here or had chosen to skip town. No...she wouldn't do that. He thought. That didn't sound like the sort of thing his mom would do. She was pretty tough, and he only wished that he had that toughness.

He approached the group in silence, balking at the thought of settling among them. While he usually sat with Grim, that would change when he spotted his sister. It had been quite a long while since he had spent any time with his siblings...drawing a deep, quiet breath, he walked over to Tethys and settled down beside her. He offered a weak, half-hearted smile. Though his body language betrayed he was unsure of what was to come.
"Speech!"

Things were changing. For better or for worse, he didn't know yet. When Sirius had stepped down and Basilisk took up the mantle, the earthen male had watched everything unfold from the mouth of his quarters. He didn't care to interfere or join in the unrest. He didn't have anything quite at stake, he was just here to live his life and mind his business. Ansem, on the other hand, seemed rather anxious about the whole thing. But Grimoire understood why. He had a lot of family within the Armada, and when they started going at each others throats (or rather, Basilisk's), Ansem had been nearly driven into a panic at what the future might hold. The pair often spent a lot of time together and worked in silence, but when he noticed Ansem go still, Grim dusted off his paws and touched his shoulder. There was a pack meeting, and regardless of who held power now, they had to attend. He doubted the new alpha would take kindly to anyone ignoring his call. He motioned for Ansem to follow, and together headed to where the others had been gathering. The earthen male quietly made his way to the group, amber gaze watching the younger male from the corner of his eye. Was he going to take his chance and leave now? Or would he stay to see what happened? Whatever he chose, it wouldn't bother him. While he liked Ansem's company well enough, the boy could make his own choices. For now, Grimoire moved to sit at the edge of the group while Ansem went to sit with his sister. "Grimoire

Hazel is regal, controlled, as she takes her place beside Basilisk. There'd be no tip of her hand, here. She couldn't expose any of the nerves, natural as they were. No. Head high as she cast aside her doubts, she steps up to take her place beside Bas. Trying to drive the grim overtones from her resolve. One by one, the pack filters in. Hazel's gaze across them is careful, curious. Taking their seats, filtering in. As Spider joins them, she offers a warm smile. Maybe it's more for herself than anything, but that's alright. The rest closing in, green gaze flicking back to Basilisk. It would be time, soon enough. The picture of resolve, doing what she can to channel Sirius himself in her posture and her presence... it's all she knows how to do, right now. It's enough. "Hazel" & "Basilisk"

Whisper stood at the entrance to the Col for what felt like moments but must have been an age, lightheaded and short of breath, a rock stuck in the back of her throat, or was that her heart? Surely everyone else could hear it, it roared like thunder in the back of her skull, teeth clenched and body cold like the wave of water that had swept through this exact gap in the rocks and swept her away. A tremble swept through her body, and she gasped for air, hair standing in ragged edges along the edges of her burns. Kite wasn't here to save her anymore. Grandpa was gone, and she couldn't even step foot in a whole territory the pack she lived in called home, not easily, and it was the central hub. There was a meeting she had to get to and her feet had fused with the stone that marked the edge of the place she needed to be.

Bile burned the back of her throat as she fought to lift a paw, every step forward feeling like she was trying to move the mountain itself. She had to stop and empty her stomach more than once before she reached the gathering. Hanging at the back of the group, not daring to sit, frenetic energy coursing through her veins, she paced instead like a caged tiger, sharp edges and short-tempered. She hated it. She fucking hated it, and the sooner she could leave this place the better. She did hope Bas wouldn't waffle on.

"speech"

Basilisk let his eyes roam over the wolves that had gathered before him. Taking note of those that showed, and those that didn’t. Their absence here was a statement, and he would not forget it. He leaned a little forward, the towering giant of a creature as he looked at his wolves. “I’ll begin.” He said, having waited long enough for any stragglers. “I am Basilisk Fatalis, the new leader of the Armada. You have known me as Heir for most of my life, and now you will know me as Warlord. With this change in leadership, I’ll be making some changes to the pack. I have adjusted the ranks” he said, and listed out the highlights for them now.

“Those that wish to challenge for a higher rank are encouraged to do so, and may see me after this meeting. The Armada must grow, we need more bodies to compete in this world. Another way to rise in ranks would be to recruit for ones below you. All the way down to Songbird.”
“Two other matters to raise: Are there any here that disagree with this leadership? And the other: I wish to gather a general idea. Who agrees with Raiding in the winter?” He asked. Letting his eyes roam skim across the faces, some more familiar than others.

"Basilisk Fatalis"

Nirah had let himself soak into the background. Though after his mother’s murderur had been killed he’d lacked the previous resolve he’d been using to keep him going. It had bleed into depression but he wasn’t one to express his emotions in that way. There was a bit of shame felt when he showed up late. But, new leader, new chance. This giant of a wolf was their warlord and if it was one thing he couldn’t deny, it was that he owed everything to the Armada. His home, his being. Sirius settled in a favorite place in his heart and if Basilisk was his spawn Nirah had high hopes for him. Not for Nirah himself though.

Carefully as late as he was he approached boldly but with his head in a neutral posturing. He spoke directly to the warlord. "Basilisk, congratulations on taking over the mantle. I apologize for being late and for my lack of involvement in the pack. I’m ready to train and I think raiding in the winter is an excellent idea." he was still an apprentice after all. Yet his claws were itching to get some blood. He wanted to find his drive again. His goals and foremost a purpose in his life past being the broken puppy whose home had been taken from him too young.