The world, once again, begins to tremble. It happens slowly at first, then all at once. The frozen ground shudders under the strain of the quaking, shattering the quiet of the north with echoing cracks and booms that fill the air with each subsequent tremor. The series of earthquakes causes the frozen ground to splinter, cracks appearing in the ice and branching out as far as the eye can see. Shards of ice erupt into the air, mixing with clouds of dirt and snow and obscuring the vision of everyone nearby.

When the visibility begins to return, a gaping crevasse beneath the surface of the ship's hull is revealed. Cold rushes up from the deep depths, carrying with it an eerie, unnatural hum- something from deep below. The sound is rhythmic, almost enchanting in its repetition, but this much is obvious- there is certain danger lurking deep beneath the ice.

Danger is imminent! Posting in this thread can cause minor or moderate injuries, up to minor/moderate maims, or other bad, temporary effects to characters. Only one character per player; characters involved in the deeper shimmering shore exploration threads cannot attend.

He was... angry. It wasn't an emotion he felt often. Shame, embarrassment, worry - they were all familiar friends - but for once he was so shamed and so embarrassed that it had turned to prickly, uncomfortable anger. How could he return home after venturing to the continent with no news, no answers, no prey? A few stories of his failures during his time away and nothing else to show for it. Katsu couldn't. He wouldn't. He had to do something impressive or noteworthy before he went home or he'd never sleep a night again in his life.

The fiery-maned wolf stalked back and forth across the deck of the ship. He had decided to lay low here for a moment and get his bearings after the failed hunts, both so close to completion, foiled at the last minute by some strange, unpredictable intervention. Both animals, seemingly so close to death, had been suffused with a preternatural strength and escaped at the last moment. Strange, strange, strange. His mind raced as he stood at the prow of the vessel.

That was when he felt the ground begin to move.

Kat grunted and braced himself, leaning against the wall of the ship as it rocked beneath him like it was sailing a rough sea once more. Ice creaked, groaned, and shattered. Dirt and dust erupted from the earth and showered his already blood-soaked fur with grit. He was covered in the viscera of two hunts and now coated in grime, cutting a ghastly figure against the tundra. Once the earth had ceased its rocking, he shook himself off and descended the deck towards the ground on wobbling legs. What he saw when he hit the tundra elicited a soft noise: of shock, of interest, of fear. His eyes widened at the tunnel exposed beneath the hull of the ship, a strange and alluring sound emitting from its depths. Perhaps this was a story he could bring home.

Glancing around for company and finding none yet - but surely more would come, tempted by the eerie phenomena rocking the land - he approached the cave mouth. He tested the ground for firmness as he went and found it to hold steady. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Katsu entered the frigid cave mouth, each further exhale misting in front of his face. Keep your wits about you. This is the story you will tell when you return home.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

If he was going to be traveling out to where the nasty infected animals were, he should probably bring more than just a raven or two of his mothers, but where was the fun in that? He’d been to this boat before anyway, and he was growing up… He might not be a year yet, but he was already bigger than some of his siblings and certainly capable of taking care of himself! Well, that’s what he liked to think anyway.

As he approached the shore the ship was beached on, although still a ways out, the shaking of the ground was unmistakable. Dracun braced as the ground roared, gritting his teeth in mild annoyance but his ominous eyes read nothing but curiosity. What was going on? Did it have anything to do with the ship? Dracun waited for the world to stop rattling before closing the distance between himself and the ship just in time to see another descend into the cave. He tilted his head briefly and looked around, for any other signs of strange happenings and when he found nothing of immediate interest, he followed the unknown man into the cave.

He’d never seen anything like it and the only time he felt the world shake so strongly had been when those spires erected themselves. Was this all connected? It had to be. Approaching the other now, but while still a few paces away, Dracun let out a soft sound to announce his presence before speaking. ”This is new, yes? Wasn’t here the last time I came to the ship,” he said as he looked around and came to stand next to the stranger.

Speech ─ Think

─ by Skelle !

Ririka had finally escaped the paws of the beast that had taken her. She fled without looking back, racing across the earth as if the hounds of hell themselves were after her. Her heart beating wildly in her chest, until a gaping crevice in the ice calls to her. She dove inside, and finally took a moment to take stock. She had made it, she had made it.

She gave herself a short moment, and then started to move again. Encountering two other wolves as she did so. The once brave, adventurous girl flinched at the sight of them. Could either of them be there on behalf of her monster?


"Speech"

Rumor spread fast as wildfire through the land. First the underground tunnels in Auster, then the spires in Boreas that soon led the reveal of sickly animals. Not just sick, but really sicker. Sicker than he had ever seen an animal be before. Even if he hadn't participated in the hunts, he watched from the shadows. His heterochromatic eyes near unblinking as animals were pried open to reveal worms, rocks, bones, and dirt. Various stages of death and decay sweeping over their body. Scald would have believed it could send shivers down his spine if the ground itself hadn't began to tremble. Leaning firmly against a tree as the ground continued to quake and dust obscured his vision, Scald waited. He waited until the snow and ice and dust cleared to reveal the large crevasse now below the ship's hull. He waited more, against that tree, to see who would approach. Brave souls curious to where it led. Part of him screamed to leave, but the other part of him told him he needed to figure it out too. Stepping forward, Scald made his way to the large opening. His eyes sweep over the others gathered, a silent nod in their directions. "It appeared suddenly. It is new," he speaks in fluid, accented tones that are holding back what he truly feels. Fear. With a clearing of his throat, he continues deeper. Always looking, observing, seeing the formation for what it truly was. A trap. Scald Fallen

table coding by bunni ♥

Speech // thought // Serbian

The tales were told and the most intriguing of them all was the setting to the newly hobbled three legged woman. Her tail a cascade as she wandered over the snows toward the ship. Others were around, she paid them no heed at the time and went on exploring the keening structure for every room and long lost trinket. She was deep in the belly of the metal beast when the world began to sway and crumble. Surprised she was still alive she scrambled her way back to the tundra, just as a familiar scent caught her attention! Scald!

He headed down the newly formed tunnel she knew had not been there when she ascended the ship not hours before.

“Scald!” She called, her tail high in joy at seeing him. Oh to adventure with him now! What delight!!

He was speaking to strangers and she could scent their fear, anxiety even rippling off him in waves. She pressed her lithe form against his shoulder and nosed the fur of his ear in greeting before she turned her attention to the new tunnel. Excitement!

A strange noise deep within bid them to discover.
“Let’s see what this is about!” She said with a chiming giggle, trailing her waterfall tail under Scalds chin as she pressed onward. Ignoring any mention of her missing foreleg.

Beat, old and tired, followed his paws north, coming upon a group of wolves moving towards an old shipwreck that he'd visited in his youth. He'd slept through the explosion that he heard the others talk about. It was something you did when you were old. His old teal and purple eyes did see the gaping hold beneath the wreck, however. Padding forward, the wiry old man peered down into the hole. "It's definitely new," he replied, agreeing with the colorful brute. Beat's dark nose quivered as he scented the cold, musty air drifting up from the tunnel. Then, without further ado, he stepped into the tunnel and began moving down underground. The ground thrummed beneath his paws and there was an odd sound emanating from deep within. Reckless to press on, but what did he have to lose? "Beat"

Ravana crouched low to the ground, her wide lilac eyes narrowed as she waited for the ice and snow and metal to settle. Chaos, the shuddering, breaking beneath her paws; it was as if the world itself was cracking open just to entertain her. Or this ship at least. Her heart quickened at the sight of the gaping crevasse, the dark abyss below, chilling and irresistible. Wow…

As the mist of ice and dirt began to settle, she noticed, faintly, the presence of strangers gathered around, their bodies tense and their eyes fixed on the black pit. But what caught her attention next was not them—it was a voice, familiar, slicing through the echoes.

Turning sharply, she spotted Dracun among the strangers. A slow, curious smile crept over her muzzle as she padded closer to him, her footsteps light, half hoping to sneak up on him. She tilted her head, her voice a murmur only for him, "Isn’t it pretty?" Ravana took a step closer, her fascination with both Dracun and the strangers momentarily sidetracked by the rhythmic hum seeping up from the depths below. The sound was hauntingly beautiful, calling to her in a language she barely understood, and she wondered if Dracun could feel it too.


"Ravana Seraphim Saxe"

Rhazien knew of the earthquakes occurring in the South and Auster- tremors strong enough to swallow a beach whole, trapping wolves in an abyss of subterranean labyrinths. A crimson sky had persisted for weeks now, and a new domain appeared overnight in the South, boasting strange, spear pillars with markings etched into them. The events were ominous no doubt- perhaps, even foreboding. As if the world around them was about to evolve into an environment unfit for life.

But for the majority of the season, the Northern region had been spared from the ethereal occurrences in the South- but that didn’t last long. Sources informed him of diseased herds running ramped around the hull of the S.S. Antiox- an ancient landmark directly above the Spare Pines. Which was worrisome, for obvious reasons. Morbidly curious, and protective of the kingdom they’d built, Rhazien set out that morning, searching for answers.

He’d just left the Sparse Pines, and entered the tundra when the tremors started. They were subtle at first- a faint hum of thunder rolling in the far distance. But then, a deep, rumbling growl resonated from the earth, shaking the silence of the frozen world. The ground heaved beneath the weight of centuries-old ice, the tundra groaning and splitting, ice fissures tearing open, sending waves of snow cascading down from the towering ship. Shards of ice erupted into the air, clouding the area's visibility. Rhazien braces himself, leaping across fissures and dark plumes of powdery dust, until he finds himself standing in front of the ship's hull.

Other wolves were congregating inside of the ship's hull- and two of them, were pups from The Syndicate. Dracun and Ravana. Rhazien doesn’t hesitate- he enters the hull with a sense of purpose, gravitating to the pups until he is looming beside them. The instinct to protect them is visceral- or, perhaps, he is simply possessive over The Syndicate’s next generation of prodigies. Especially Ravana. "Dracun, Ravana.” He hums, moving in closer, his stance widening, as he angles his body toward the pups. Asserting himself as their protector. His gaze shifts to the gathering crowd, and he assesses them, one by one, focusing on details others might miss. Searching for any indications of danger.

"Speech"

The earthquakes continued. The earth roiled beneath their paws before falling still. It was like something underneath the ground was agitated and becoming more and more active. Coran had headed north when stories of prey animals acting strangely reached his ears. While he found nothing to explain the going on's yet, he felt compelled to keep looking. As he explored he came upon a large human cave. Below it the ground had fractured and split revealing a cave entrance. As he ventured in he came upon a group of wolves already exploring the freezing caverns. "Glad to see I'm not alone in this exploration. I wonder if this cave has always been here and the earthquakes now open it to us? I wish I knew what was causing the quakes."

Staying in the North seemed to make the most sense for now. Sedna had run into Víðarr and decided to stay in the same general vicinity. Something was off on a more global scale, but it didn't stop her from holding a soft spot for the old viking...

Not that she could talk, she was no spring chicken herself anymore. The cold wasn't the kindest to her joints but after the hunt she had stuck around, keeping half an eye on the prey animals in this area to try and get to the bottom of their affliction. It hadn't been maggots to crawl from the wounds of the downed but fully formed worms, and the stomachs of many of the animals were filled with dirt. When the earth seemed to shudder again, the cracking of ice ringing out across the field like a chiming bell, she made her way towards the ship, where others were already gathering.

Less interested in the appearance, and more captivated by the musical sound that came up from the earth, she forged on, ears turned forward and toes splayed to try and give her some purchase on the icy ground. The risk of future quakes was high, but the crevasse seemed sturdy enough... for now.

"speech"

Ezekiel was out exploring the land near the steel ship, inspecting any prey he comes upon thanks to some disturbing reports as of late. The bleak expanse of ice and snow is devoid of any life when an eerie tingle races along his spine; right before the earth begins to quake. Paws brace as he lowers his center of gravity and rides out the wave of bone rattling shaking while sounds spilt the air, making it seem as if the earth is breaking apart from the inside.

That eerie feeling becomes a lead weight of horror.

Cracks spiderweb their way out across the ice, reaching their thin tendrils out to where his white gloved paws hold fast to the ground. In the distance, he can barely make out the dot that marks the spot where the ancient metal skeleton lays beached when suddenly, a plume of dirt and snow shoots into the air and obscures the area. The rumbling subsides and Zeke releases his death grip on the icy ground while his sharp duel-toned eyes lock onto the area that is now hidden from view and he knows that he must inspect it.

Charging toward the cloud of debris, he notices several dots all having the similar idea and converging on the unknown. Having been further off, Ezekiel arrives after many wolves have already gathered and he notices Dracun and Ravana being watched over by Rhazien. A rhythmic sound is emanating from a new crevasse that opened and the soft groans of the fractured ice make him feel uneasy about staying out on it for too long.

Paying the other strangers no mind, he moves to join Rhazien and the pups, ears pinning back and head lowering slightly in a show of submission for the older man as he comes to stand with the little group. Softly he says, “Rhazien. What the fuck happened here?” Warily he keeps his eyes on the other strangers ready to intervene if they try to mess with any one of them.


"Ezekiel Saxe"

Enyo prowled through the frozen landscape, her massive frame moving with a silent, ominous grace as she investigated the area around the ship. The bitter chill of the north was nothing compared to the simmering heat of her frustration. Their hunt had been a failure. She seethed inwardly, silently cursing the insolence and recklessness of the others. Had they simply followed her lead, the musk ox would have been trapped, studied, and properly disposed of. Instead, it had escaped, leaving her with nothing but the bitter aftertaste of failure.

There was a strange hum that rumbled through the ground, a haunting sound that seemed to echo from some unseen depths, and it piqued her curiosity despite herself. As she scanned the landscape, she noticed the other wolves gathering near the wrecked ship. A few familiar faces stood out in the group. Katsuro, with his fiery mane. Some others. She would pad closer, recognizing the pup.

The scent of Syndicate was thick in the air, and her sharp gaze shifted between the wolves, noting their presence. It seemed that brute Flare wasn't here so she had no reason to expect any drama. Besides, there were bigger issues at hand.

Yet, beneath the surface, Enyo felt an unsettling sensation gnawing at her. Her body was restless. It was as if her instincts were trying to warn her of something lurking just beyond her reach. She dismissed the feeling, her pride unwilling to admit any vulnerability. Perhaps it was her estrus cycle, but she wasn’t about to entertain the thought, especially not here, among Syndicate wolves and other strangers.

Ignoring the discomfort, she approached the gathered group with her head held high, her posture exuding confidence and authority. Her eyes swept over them, taking in the tension and curiosity reflected in their stances as they peered into the icy depths of the newly formed crevasse. The hum seemed to call from below, a haunting melody.

"Seems the earth itself is restless," she observed, her thick, velvety voice breaking the silence as she addressed no one in particular.

But as she looked down into the gaping maw of the crevasse, the unsettling feeling within her grew stronger, almost like a warning. The hum was louder here, almost palpable, vibrating through her bones. Whatever lurked below was unnatural. And though she would never admit it aloud, it made her uneasy.

Turning her attention back to the others, Enyo narrowed her eyes, masking her unease with a commanding stare. “Whatever lies beneath,” she murmured,"it’s no friend to us. This was where I saw the musk ox scratching."



"SPEECH"

Epimethius had followed Enyo, he had been disappointed in how the hunt had turned out. He wished he had done better, and wished the others would have listened. Let Enyo plan more, instead of rushing into it. He shook his head as he trailed up to her right, silent as he looked over the group gathered. Noting the familiar fire-colored wolf that had rushed into the fight. He did not hold grudges, and would simply shrug his shoulders as he looked over the rest of the group. There was a rancid scent that hung heavily on the air, a pack he did not recognize, but the scent wafted heavily in this space. He had come by it here and there but never took notice, until now. His eyes followed the scent as he took in the cluster, they weren't threatening in themselves but still. It made him slightly uncomfortable being around so many wolves from the same place, this wasn't a place that demanded you be respectful, peaceful, or at the least tolerable of one another. He listened as everyone spoke, catching the tail end of the conversation. He waited, flicking his ears to Enyo and listening to her as he continued scouting out the situation. The ground had shook and then a cavern had opened, which he concluded wasn't the strangest of things. It was rather normal for glaciers to be cut open, and it could be entirely too dangerous as well. His gaze cut back to the group after he assessed the cave as not being too big a threat. Right now at least. He took a step closer to Enyo, not quite brushing against her but close enough to whisper to her, "Are we to go inside the cave, Enyo? I will follow if you do." It was a silent way for him to show his loyalty to her, to show her that he was dedicated, and willing to do whatever the beast told him to. And that he would support her in any endeavors she found meaningful, no matter the danger or possible cost. "Talk"

She lurked around the ship after the failed hunt. Despite their efforts, the musk ox had managed to escape their grasp. Maybe it was whatever the beast had been sick with that made it stronger than usual, that not even a group of wolves had been able to bring it down. It had escaped the grip of her teeth and ran bleeding across the tundra, leaving her with no answers. Nevertheless, it wasn't the first hunt she had failed before. So she let the experience go and took to exploring the ship while she was here. It wasn't long before a strange, unsettling feeling settled over them. More upon her companions as opposed to herself. It started with Umbra suddenly going still and her fur bristling, then Nox doing the same. Seymour refused to land anywhere near the ship, and instead remained circling in the sky above them as if trying to get as far above whatever was happening. Next thing she knew, the ground shook, snow and ice and dirt obscuring their vision as the ground rocked the boat, and a strange sound could be heard. She gripped the ground as she braced herself, and when it was done, she looked around to see what all had changed. In a panic, Umbra and Nox had fled, and Medusa followed close behind only to find several gathered at the hull of the ship. What she was was something new. Something that she hadn't seen before, obviously. There was an opening in the hull, a vibration in the air, a strange humming that seemingly reverberated throughout her body. She spotted Enyo among the group, as well as Rhazien! Her ears twitched at the words that spilled into the air, but it wouldn't deter her from rocking up and sticking her head into the new opening. "Medusa has never seen this before! Something is down there!" She exclaimed. Turning her head back to those that seemed wary, she considered staying with them, or going in to investigate. Of course, the latter was the most appealing. She slipped inside, making her way further in as curiosity drew her forward. "Speech"

Things were only getting stranger. Víðarr is living for it, breathing for it. Confused by it all, but hell, it's the most alive he's felt in a long time. Though he's unaware of the fog that clouds his mind, feeling like... everything is normal again. Normal. Fragmented memories. Crashing together and coursing beneath the surface.

The ice quaking beneath his feet, Víðarr isn't the only one who's taken notice. Creeping closer, taking in the group assembled before them. Picking up a light jog, he falls into step with Sedna. The shadow remains silent, taking in the strange scene before them. Something beneath the surface was unsettled, and Víðarr needed to know what.

It was hard to ignore all of this, even from the safety of Elysium the world had changed. And though she knew full well it would be safer to remain home and watch from afar, she couldn't help herself. Damira had to know. She ventured forth, the red of the sky seeped into the northern snow the ground groaning under paw. Something had shifted, what was once hidden was now revealed for all to see- to witness. And a crowd had already started to gather, a sense of lingering uncertainty had settled among them. What now?

Well, Damira was no leader, but like everyone else she did want to know more.

Her mismatched eyes scanned the crowd, there was no one familiar here, but her twitching nose recognised wolves from all walks of life and packs had gathered here. She'd no doubt be able to tag along with at least one group, she'd be foolish to try and do this alone.

The group gathers, some in awe, some wary. Many made their own observations, finding comradery in the others present. The earth was indeed restless, but there was more.

It was hungry.

The ground below them falters, cracks in its surface appearing as the wolves find their paws slipping from the rumble below them. The wolves find themselves slipping, falling, tumbling downwards. Beat's right shoulder finds an ice shard, slicing a long cut across it. Ezekiel's inner right back leg pulls awkwardly, the tendon stretching painfully.

Eventually, the movement stops, and the wolves find themselves underground. There is a soft blue cast of light from above. There is a thrumming, not unlike a heartbeat, ringing through the cave walls. A shadow passes overhead, then vanishes. It reappears to the side of the wolves. Another side. It surrounds them, observing from every angle. Then it bursts forth.

A blue, oxygen deprived looking creature erupts from the ground. Four crystalline shards open to reveal an eyeless, shard filled mouth that opens in a cross-like pattern. It lets out a cloudy breath as its smaller, spiked legs drag it upwards, towering above the wolves. It waits, the ice covered petals twitching in anticipation, or perhaps its listening... waiting... for you

Ravana’s paws clawed at the edge, but gravity claimed her, sending her spiraling into the unknown. Perhaps just as she had wanted. Around her, a pained yelp, a strained grunt—sounds that echoed off ice and rock met her ears. When the movement ceased, she found herself underground, surrounded by blue light from above. She picked herself off the ground, shaking out her coat as she scanned around her. Her ears twitched at the rhythmic thrumming, lilac eyes wide with curiosity and apprehension.

A shadow flitted overhead, then vanished. It reappeared on the periphery, circling, calculating. Until it burst forth from the ground. The creature was a monstrous sight—ice-covered petals that seemed to be... listening—waiting—for any sound, any movement.

Ravana’s breath hitched, her eyes darting to Dracun and then to Rhazien, trying to find them to gauge their reactions. Was this a fight? Were they going to kill it? The girl let her lips crack into what seemed to be a laugh held back in the recesses of her throat, barely contained thrill gleaming in her eyes and radiating off her young body. But she wouldn’t wait. Surely no one else would, not when it was waiting. The girl kicked a rock, sending it careening into a wall—hoping the noise would distract the creature with no apparent eyes as she lunged for its base with her teeth and claws.

"Ravana Seraphim Saxe"

Wolves continued to congregate and Beat paid them little mind. He was already moving into the mouth of the tunnel when the ground began to give way. Claws attempted to find any sort of purchase on the slope beneath him, but the ice was too much. The black and white brute spun and twisted, sliding down the slope until he collided hard with the ground. During his plummet, he'd struck a chunk of ice and sliced open his shoulder. Blood poured down his slender shoulder and the brute grimaced. There was no time to deal with it, however. The earth soon began to rumble again. Erupting from below, a massive, hulking, obscenely ugly worm pushed upwards. Could a worm even live in such a climate? Apparently so. Beat's head lowered and he inspected the worm as it hovered in the air. Why wasn't it coming for them? It had no eyes...so perhaps it could only hear them? Quietly lifting a nearby rock in one paw, Beat threw it past the worm with all of his strength, seeking to have it clatter into the tunnel on the opposite side. A test to see if the beat truly could only track by sound. "Beat"