ooc: Full Moon Festival for the Risen and Eclipse Empires! This is the festival to celebrate the healers. Healers will be encouraged to share knowledge, form herb-hunting parties and hold lessons for each other. Pyralis will also be dragging in a wounded NPC for practice. For those holding lessons feel free to bring in your own NPC's or injured prey animals or whatever you'd like to use for instruction.

Ashiel will be looking to form a hunting party or two or more to provide food for the festival depending on interest. If there are any bored fighters you're also free to participate in spars (preferably non-judged) and have the healers tend to your wounds.

Thanks everyone! Due Date:  April 26

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Bright and glowing the first full moon of spring hung in the sky, a giant, luminous disc that spilled its light all over the garden. Moonlight reflected in the puddles from the afternoon's rain showers and Ashiel nimbly danced around them to keep himself as dry as possible for now. He hadn't been sure on the best place to hold the festival and it was likely Eclipse and Risen could take turns hosting the festivals in the future but for this first festival Ashiel felt it appropriate to hold it in a neutral territory abundantly flowing with useful herbs. Pyralis had mentioned the garden she'd fled into when she and a mortal man were being chased by a bear and it was a sight. The garden was brimming with numerous plants, none of which made any sense to him but he knew Malleus was a trained healer.

Leaping atop a rickety stone wall, tail flailing for balance Ashiel lifted his head in a powerful howl. It echoed from his throat into the sky as he summoned the Eclipse and Risen Empires together for a joyous celebration. Grinning he waited as Griff danced in the sky above him, equally excited.

"Talk"

OOC: Everyone in the Empire who has healing or hunting as a skill is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to participate. Participation isn't mandatory but Malleus will be paying attention to who shows and who does not.

With a spring in his step Malleus padded towards the meeting place. The location was perfect. The God's Garden lived up to its name. It was a herbalist's paradise and Malleus could think of no better place to host the Full Moon Festival. When Ashiel's howl reached his ears Malleus immediately tipped back his head and joined in. Their voices rang for miles; if there was anyone out there who doubted the unity of the Abraxas, the sound of both alphas calling the celebration to order would crush that doubt. They may have been two Empires, but they were one in blood and commitment. Malleus was quite pleased with what was in store for this year's festival. He'd invited Jouko, an innovative young healer he'd had the privilege or running into a couple of times, to come teach. The first lesson Jouko had taught him had been a wild one full of insects and hair mats. He could only imagine what the young healer might teach this time, although if he recycled that first lesson Malleus wouldn't be disappointed. It was one he thought some of the other Abraxas healers might appreciate. Reaching Ashiel, Malleus dipped his head in greeting to him. "I don't believe we could have asked for a better night."

The howls of the Abraxas alphas did not go unheard. Kasdeya made her way to the garden with one of Ana's kids in tow. The almost yearling wanted to go, but was afraid of getting in trouble if she left on her own. So Kas volunteered to babysit, especially considering the fact that Ana was missing, much like Amon. Had she gone with him? Who else was still around? Honestly, she thought they were all closr enough to each other that there would be more communication among them, but maybe she was wrong.

Arriving first after the two alphas surprised her, especially since she was usually not the first to arrive. She nodded to each nephew in turn, a smile curling her lips. "Beautiful night for a festival if I do say so myself," She crooned. "And I hope you don't mind, Mally. I brought little Ghost with me to enjoy the festivities."

The Ambassador was quick to arrive at the source of the call, though seemingly not quite quick enough as she was the second member to arrive after the two alphas. Padding onto the scene, Razi settled herself nearer to Ashiel with a light nod to the group. It was a beautiful night for a festival.

Leaning against the rickety wall, Razi waited to see how many others would show up to participate in the event. It seemed like their numbers weren't as great as they ought to be, and that was a bit troubling. Was it due to Amon's absence that some had run off? Hm, if that was the case, then maybe they needed to begin showing the family that they would not be allowed to let their loyalty and activity be dependent on her brother's leadership. Her ears flicked side to side as she listened for more approaching paw-steps. After a bit she heard the familiar heavy paw-falls of one of her pack mates that she had yet to truly meet one-on-one.

It was with fresh new paint made of the blood of a recent kill that Czernobog would enter the gathering shortly after the ebony and golden woman he recognized as a high-ranking Abraxas. "Greetings, Ashiel, Malleus." he said as he came to sit in the thick of the group. He knew Malleus only by name from the last multi-pack meeting, though maybe it would be good to get to know him and others from the Risen Empire at some point. He was hardly a social creature, but he also wasn't foolish. The more he knew about the rest of the family the better.

He was interested to see what this would be all about, all he really knew was that there'd be healing and hunting. Czernobog was inclined to keep himself focused on the hunting part since herbs made no sense to him.

He'd been surprised to find himself invited to the event, but the opportunity to both busy himself with a rushed preparation for the event and be granted a chance to discuss healing-related topics with other healers was too good to ever pass up. Besides, so far he did enjoy hanging around Malleus so there was no reason not to attend the festivities.

He entered with a rather large deerskin tied messily up into a bundle, promising visual aides aplenty for the many topics he might cover, and surely some unique items would be in the mix since it just wouldn't do to disappoint after his last unique lesson. Inserting himself carefully into the group and dropping the makeshift pack with a loud thump he turned to Malleus with an easy-going grin. "Glad I made it. Wouldn't do to show up late."

With the full moon spilling light across her dark shoulders, Pyralis headed toward the garden where the Full Moon Festival was to be held. She was moving slower than usual as she was hauling a wounded mortal with her. She leaned forward and nipped at his heels. "C'mon, man, move it!" The man, about her age, turned and snarled at her. "A'hm movin', a'hm movin'! Your fault for mauling muh leg like that. That was fightin' dirty!" Pyralis chuckled and pranced into the gathering with her tail held high. She'd been wanting to work more on her fighting skills when she'd gotten into a fight with the mortal man. He was large and sturdy and built more like a bull than a wolf but his lack of speed and limited flexibility had proven his downfall. "Hello everyone! Ashiel, Malleus. I'd like you to meet Billy, a man I just sparred and beat dramatically!" "Now it weren't-" "Just completely destroyed." "Excuse me, I-" "Didn't have a prayer." She grinned and shot the man a vicious look and he fell silent. "He'll need treatment if anyone wants to practice." Above her Alkali let out a call and landed next to Pyralis who wagged her tail in greeting. It had been awhile since she'd seen her companion and she gently nuzzled the bird for a moment before taking her seat. "Talk" "Billy" Think

Aranea would perk to the sound of her newfound alpha, Ashiel. But would question the sound of the mixed man within their howls. She wouldn't hesitate though since she was after all here to pay off her life debt. But she would act nothing like it, at least since Asharya hadn't returned. Only then could she know her true place in the pack and in the Abraxas family. She would arrive among the Giants, keeping her head low but ears erect as she didn't want to seem weak and fragile. She was putting her past behind her and trying to look forward to a new age. She would sit beside them and try to act calm, normal. Like she belonged there. She watched as they all greeted each other, most knowing the others where as the only wolf she knew was Ashiel. Remaining silent she would see what the gathering was about, only eyeing as a woman would push an injured man into them. She looked around seeing who would step forward, because she sure didn't feel comfortable enough to be the first. Walk "Talk" Think

Agria would hear the call of the two high wolves, her own and another who she could tell was related. She knew Kaine had a wide spread family, unlike herself. It would be difficult for her to get to know even one... How could she try to remember all of them? She would trek her way in the darkness, the full moon almost feeling like it was giving her life like the sun. And she wouldn't be disappointed when she arrived to the cluster of wolves. Well, only one of them was quite tiny. Although she shrunk amongst the wolves, this woman had to be the tiniest creature she had ever seen. Oh well, she would look to Malleus and sit down between the other empire members. All but one of course, but she would pay mind to them. The others weren't standing high on heels, so she saw no need to get all jumpy. She was confident, felt like she was one of them, but sure didn't know a single one other than the one encounter with Malleus for her acceptance. Walk "Talk" Think

ooc: Sorry for the wait guys! Replies do May 11 if you have anything to add. Otherwise feel free to start new healing related threads! I'll get the hunt thread going later today. Jouko is free to take Billy for healing practice if he wishes. The char is an NPC so you guys can do whatever you want with him.

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Ashiel nodded his agreement as Malleus joined him. "Indeed, it's a perfect night." He took it as a favorable sign from the fallen god that they were doing well and this festival would be blessed. Ashiel hoped the healers would all be able to get something out of it. One by one the members began to trickle in. When it seemed they'd all arrived he turned to Malleus for a second before stepping forward. "Thank you all for coming and welcome to the Full Moon Festival. It is on this night, the first full moon of spring that we bring our healers together for a set of lessons and tasks to appreciate and sharpen their skills. Typically, this festival would be held by the highest ranked healers in our packs but as this is the first festival for many of us we will also be holding a hunt. Any fighters who wish to practice may do so and have their wounds tended to by the healers."

Ashiel felt himself wishing his uncle was present. He still wasn't confident enough to talk on the mythology behind the festival and opted to let it pass by this time unless Malleus wished to elaborate. "I also encourage you to get to know one another. Now then, those wishing to participate in the hunt feel free to follow me. Malleus is it alright if I turn the healing over to you?"

"Talk"

She had been far on the other side of bent canyon, the eastern part, looking to do some hunting. She was in fact on a trail when Ash's faint call came from the north made her ears perk and her teal eyes look in that direction. He was calling together both the Eclipse and the Risen Empires and she knew it was important and that she needed to attend. Dropping all her efforts she turned towards the West and began in a full out sprint, covering distance as quickly as she could. When she reached the border of the forest she made a sharp turn towards the North and headed towards the garden where the festival was being held. The young female was built for the running so the distance didn't bother her much at all, but this distance did in fact make her rather late. When she arrived she trotted into the back of the group just as Ash began to explain what was going on. She caught her breath as she listened to his words taking in what the call here was exactly for. At the mention of a hunt her tail wagged and she grinned to herself, she would still get the opportunity to hunt tonight. He ended as quickly as he began and she would fallow him to the hunt. "Speech" & 'Think'

Czern watched the others arrive one by one and assemble in a reasonably sized group. There were more from the Eclipse than the Risen empire, something he found odd but since it wasn't a mandatory event Czern figured others apparently had things to busy themselves with at this time that didn't include the festival. Not the option he'd have chosen, but he was keen on making a reasonably good impression not just to his alpha but the others who were likely to be there.

Once Ashiel explained more of the festival and got things rolling, the large dark man would listen with interest. He wasn't much for healing himself, though he knew a few of the most common plants out of necessity. The healing stuff would best be left to the others, though. At the mention of the hunt Czernobog would visibly perk up. Now that was more his speed, no doubt the shadowy, feral looking man would find himself in his element there. When Ashiel depart Czern trailed after him and the female who was also a member of the Eclipse.