Britorias Pup Adopts

It's the final countdown!
Artorias and Briar are going for one last run as parents! These pups will be joining the prestigious family of the Hallows and already have a lot of siblings and extended family eager to meet them. We hope these characters will be a fun, engaging, and exciting opportunity for anyone wanting to join the Carpathius family! This means an extraordinary amount to both Shelby and I, as we are both working hard to make this bloodline a prominent and permanent one in Ardent history.

ACTIVITY - As these pups will be a part of a large and highly active family, we ask that players be as enthusiastic about playing them as we are to play with them. Shelby and I would like to avoid reclaiming pups as much as we can. We very much want these pups to be your characters and belong to you, and we hope that you feel as invested in their character growth as we are in them. Ultimately, these pups are very important to us, and we want to set what we would like to see in terms of activity for them.

We would like the pups to be posted regularly. We understand activity and muse fluctuates a lot, so we don't want to set a hard number of posts and make these pups feel like work. If a player goes MIA for a month or two, Shelby or I will reach out via Discord to make sure everything's good. If the pup goes a total of 3 months of inactivity, they will be reclaimed.

These pups may not be set inactive. Setting these characters inactive is grounds for immediate reclaiming. Again, the Carpathians are an active family and we'd like these pups to be involved in the family also.

Pups are expected to attend every mandatory Hallows thread and Carpathius family thread. This rule doesn't apply for characters who are not present to attend, such as training with another pack, off on a quest, etc.

Pups are expected to attain Expert level in at least one of their skills by 1 year old and Master by two years old. This is not a hard reclaiming activity requirement, but we would like these pups to be working on their skills as they'll be a crucial part of the Hallows.

The only exception to the reclaiming rules are if Shelby and I approve an OOC reason for inactivity. This means things like site absences, IRL life events, random acts of malice by the gods, etc. We ask that players be communicative and open with us so we can work with you if activity is of any concern.

PERSONALITY/ALIGNMENT - We encourage players to create exciting, unique, and colorful personalities for their pups! Artorias and Briar are experienced nurturing and loving parents, encouraging their children to pursue their passions, so any combination of skills, interests, hobbies, etc. is allowed. As these pups will be raised in the benevolent Hallows by Good aligned parents, character alignment can range anywhere in the Good and Neutral categories. Neutral and Chaotic Evil characters will not be accepted. Artorias and Briar would not tolerate this type of behavior and would send the child off for rehabilitation or put the pup down if they were a danger, and that doesn't make for good RP. We may consider a Lawful Evil alignment if you can clearly, effectively, and convincingly explain in your application how the pup would develop this alignment.

INHERITED TRAITS - Artorias' father remains unknown, and his mother Tamsyn consists of simple blacks and whites. Artorias has a black, gray, and dark blue coat. Briar, being a Fatalis, comes from a line of browns, blues, blacks, and silvers. Artorias' eyes are amber orange with gold flecks and Briar's are turquoise. Artorias is a full dire at 45" and Briar is large at 38". We encourage designs to call back to these heritages as much as possible, but we encourage everyone to be creative with what you create! We will be offering some premade designs to pick from, but you are also welcome to create your own!

MUTATIONS - These pups are going to be spoiled for choice when it comes to genetic gifts! Inheritance mutations include stronger jaws and teeth, denser fur, enhanced eyesight, small antlers, cat claws, and longer tail fur. Other mutations found in their bloodlines include an assortment of horns, bear paws, saber fangs, longer fur, and bone spurs. Outside of the family, there are dozens of mutations you could pick from! While mutations are a benefit to the characters, not having any mutations will not hurt your application chances!

FAMILY AND PACK The Carpathians are a highly family-oriented and affectionate family, and they will be doted on by their largely present family. Artorias and Briar are going to be very hands-on parents, wanting to be involved in every aspect of their children's lives. Although they are not brand new parents, expect them to still be highly vigilant and present with their precious little loaves. They will be surrounded by their siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. The Fatalises, while living far away, will also want to be involved too. These kids are gonna have a LOT of characters wanting to be in their lives! Expect many family threads!

The pups will be growing up in the Hallows and will be required to remain in the pack until they turn two years old. Once they turn two, while Artorias and Briar would love for their children to stay and help strengthen the pack, they will be free to leave and seek their own paths if they choose. While in the pack, they will be free to choose what paths they wish to take, whether they want to be warriors like their father, diplomats like their mother, or something else entirely! Ambition is highly encouraged by Artorias and Briar who want nothing but the best for their little loves.

TERRITORY PERMISSIONS - Shelby and I understand that the core of RPing is interacting with other players. Since we know you'll want to play with other characters outside of the Hallows or go to other lands for skill threads, we are allowing some liberties for the pups to roam. The pups are required to stay within Hallows lands until they are 2 seasons old unless accompanied by Artorias or Briar or one of their family members within that thread. After that, the pups will be permitted to roam to and thread in any neighboring territories so long as it is assumed that they are being supervised either by their parents, an extended family member, or one of their parents' companions. Artorias and Briar must be permitted to enter the pups’ threads at any point while they are under 1 year old. Artorias has two ravens and a silver cross fox and Briar has a gold cross fox and a prairie falcon that can accompany the pups on adventures. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to hit us up and ask us for anything!

CARPATHIUS LORE - Just like their elder siblings, the pups will all be expected to learn about their heritage and adopt the Carpathian family culture/customs. This includes being able to speak and understand Carpathian (Romanian). You are free to use Romanian inspiration in their backgrounds and interests, as well as use Romanian names for them if you're so inclined. They are also welcome to learn and adopt Fatalis family culture and traditions as taught by Briar.

PLOTS - I strongly believe in unrestricted creative writing and freedom in character development. Therefore we will not be imposing restrictions on your characters for what you would like to plot so long as it makes sense IC. The only hard restrictions we'll be placing is a bar on any sexual threads or plots until these characters turn a year and half old. This is for the pups' and players' benefits from feedback we've received. As the pups' father, I would prefer if they didn't get involved in a bunch of maims, but I'm not going to penalize anyone for what they want to plot. Just remember that IC actions have IC consequences. Otherwise have fun with your babies!

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND REPRODUCTION - Artorias and Briar will love their children and support them, no matter who they love. However, attempts for incestuous breeding or reckless breeding with multiple partners will be severely frowned upon. Artorias will not tolerate reproducing with impunity and will punish his own children according to Hallows law if they break these tenets.

INHERITANCE BENEFITS - As the children of Artorias and Briar, the pups are entitled to:

50% off height up to 38", then 25% off height up to 45"

25% off full abnormal color for Artorias' blue fur

25% off odd colored markings for Briar's turquoise markings

DEADLINE - The important part. The pups are due October 14th and playable October 28th. Applications for pups will be closed on October 13th.

We will be looking for AT MOST four applicants to play Artorias and Briar's newest children. All extra pup passes will be paid for by myself, so all you have to cover is what's required for the pups themselves. If there's any more pertinent information that needs to be added, I'll edit this post and notify all applicants! If you have any questions or if something is unclear, please don't hesitate to reach out to us on Discord, we'd be happy to give you some help! Thank you, and best of luck!

Application Form:

Code:

<b>Out-of-Character Name</b>:
<b>Character's Name</b>:
<b>Gender:</b>
<b>Adult Height</b>:
<b>Size:</b>
<b>Build:</b>
<b>Alignment</b>:
<b>Appearance</b>: 150 words or a visual reference
<b>Personality</b>: 150 words
<b>Planned Skills</b>: (Optional)
<b>Mutations</b>: (List any potential mutations you may want here)(Optional)
<b>Possible Plots/Plans/Ideas</b>: (Optional)

<b>Writing Sample</b>: (If you are someone we have played with before, you can skip this section. If you are a newer member of Ardent or haven't played with us yet, please give a short writing sample of your character doing anything that gives us an idea of who they are)

Here's a small selection of premade designs to browse through! More may be added in a bit c:

more or less done, will eventually be rewritten as he ages to account for ic development.

Out-of-Character Name: skelle
Character's Name: Othello Constantin Carpathius
Gender: male
Adult Height: 45" if i can swing it, otherwise as tall as I can afford
Size: Dire, or XL
Build: Balanced
Alignment: he a good boy yes him is (neutral good)

Appearance: see above reference; i'll write the appearance if i get him!

Personality: highly intelligent & socially inept softie
- studious, loyal, helpful, selfless, honest, humble, kind, responsible
- overworked, who's his therapist?, loner, awkward, doesn't know how to say no

Right from birth, Othello isn't like the other puppies. Instead of roughhousing, he prefers to explore and study and learn. Most of his time will be spent studying in his youth, when he isn't helping out around the pack or attending other lessons his parents have arranged. His questions will be unending, his curiosity knowing no bounds however despite his apparent lack of social skills. He either comes on too strong with questions he shouldn't be asking or stammers over his words because although he reads about anything he can get his paws on, he is unable to hold a conversation that isn't about something he's learned or hyperfocused on.

As he ages, his primary focus will be on making sure the pack stays mentally healthy even if his own wanes in the process. He is no doctor as flesh wounds make him woozy, however, he's very good at listening and offering educated advice. He cares deeply for not only his family, but the entire pack as well. So much so that he puts everything else before himself and struggles to take breaks or worry about his own mental health. It's to be expected of course, but without his own therapist to talk to (either as well versed in the topic as he or just someone willing to listen), Othello clearly struggles when he's left alone with his thoughts.

Planned Skills: Intellect and Healing
Mutations: we'll see, but if so, briars horns but black.
Possible Plots/Plans/Ideas: Pack Counselor/Therapist and Librarian, wears reading glasses. Fitness coach or field medic & professor specialties.

Out-of-Character Name: Lolaf
Character's Name: Ash Luiza Carpathius
Gender: Female
Adult Height: 37"
Size: Large
Build: Light
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Appearance:

- 37"
- Light Build
- Feminine and soft apperance.

Personality: Ash's looks belies her true nature. While she's hardly malicious Ash does have a propensity for chaos and mischief. As a child that means somehow crawling into places she shouldn't be, or egging on her siblings' bad ideas. Not that she doesn't also have her own bad ideas, she's just interested in doing whatever seems fun to her and doesn't tend to think too long or hard about the consequences. Unfortunately that tendency to jump first and look second will stick around, though she won't be unaware of the consequences she just thinks she can handle them. And somehow she'll still keeps getting into places she shouldn't.

Ash is unsurprisingly pretty friendly, though she's not naive, she's aware there are less than savoury individuals out there she simply has a "kill them with kindness" attitude, convinced that with enough effort and time anyone can be befriended and swayed from a darker path. Or maybe that's just what she tells herself to help justify the fact she defaults to trying to befriend everyone she sees.

Conversely Ash will be somewhat flakey, she doesn't handle the pressure of responsibility well and will often try to dodge it if possible. Need a good laugh or someone to cheer you up Ash is your gal but the moment anything has real stakes she crumbles. Unfortunately this even can extend to her social life, as she's a great friend to have fun with but not one to have deep conversations or connections.

Planned Skills: Intellect and Navigation (Chaotic and Scout specialties)
Mutations: None (as of right now)
Possible Plots/Plans/Ideas: Local troublemaker with a heart of gold. Get up to mischief as a kid and probably be the source of most of her parent's headaches. Aim for Explorer and/or Wayfinder rank. Go out, explore, make friends with anyone she bumps into. I imagine she'll probably struggle to balance pragmatism vs. being too familiar when it comes to others outside the pack. I'd love some sort of plot to help her realize sometimes to protect what's precious to you you can't run away, could be romantic or otherwise.

Out-of-Character Name: NachoMumma
Character's Name: Manon
Gender: Female
Adult Height: I like the agility boost for going down to 22" but if Halloween is nice to me (hahaha) I might bump her up to dire.
Size: TBC
Build: balanced
Alignment: neutral good
Appearance: (will probably edit the eyes to be slightly closer to orange)

Personality: Manon – Of the Sea

Manon is the sea incarnate—wild and unpredictable, yet capable of a quiet, breathtaking calm. The ocean calls to her, its endless depths mirroring her own nature. She can be as still as a glassy surface, her soul soft with empathy and understanding, but when roused, she becomes a storm. Powerful. Unrelenting. Her moods shift like the tides, and when she acts, it is with raw, untamed force, driven by an unwavering sense of right and wrong.

She has the heart of a tempest—compassionate, yet fierce. Manon doesn’t help others for recognition; she does it because she feels it in her bones, like the pull of the moon on the tides. She understands the balance between serenity and fury, softness and strength, and she wields both with deadly grace. Her kindness soothes even the harshest souls, like waves smoothing jagged stones over time. But when it comes to defending those she cares for, she is as unstoppable as the ocean in a storm—devastating and fierce, with a loyalty that cuts like a blade.

Manon’s world is one of shifting currents. There are moments when she is as tranquil as the sea on a windless day, a quiet refuge for those who seek her out. Yet beneath that calm exterior is a force of nature, ready to rise and crash against anyone who dares to threaten her or those she loves. She believes in the good within people, not with blind naivety, but with the relentless persistence of the waves, eroding away the darkness until only light remains. Her strength lies not in her power to destroy, but in her power to heal—to reshape the world, as the sea reshapes the shore, one wave at a time.

Planned Skills: Fighting and Healing
Mutations: undecided but probably something not outwardly obvious so I don't have to edit lines for art.
Possible Plots/Plans/Ideas: Go with the flow, get her skills up and see where she takes me.

--

Out-of-Character Name: Xarae
Character's Name: Ionela (Nellie)
Gender: Female
Adult Height: 22"
Size: Extra Small
Build: Light
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Appearance:

Personality: big feelings, smol gorl - addictive personality - flower child - attention hungry - clumsy - future wine aunt

From a young age, Nellie will feel a little lost in the crowd of her siblings. It will be difficult to find her footing as an individual amongst the taller and more refined older Carpathians, so she will rely on a child's tricks: whining, explosive outbursts, wriggling and dancing on her paws. She will succumb easily to both the highs and lows of her emotions, allowing them to rule her actions without much thought - for far too long than is acceptable or cute. Ionela will soak up individualized attention from family members like a sponge, relishing in being doted on and instructed. Her heart is in the right place and she always strives to please, but to a point where she can drive herself a bit mad trying to be exactly what she thinks someone else is looking for.

As she grows and her bones develop, it will become clear that something is a little... different. The girl who was always light on her feet will now complain of aches and pains beyond those of a typical growth spurt. During a particularly devastating accident (maybe around her first birthday), Nellie will badly break a bone and the healer treating her will discover that the inside of her bones contains cavities and spaces like that of a bird's. She will be treated with some kind of pain medication and will become somewhat dependent on it. How this is played out/discovered is totally up to discussion, would love for it to be an ongoing family plot. She will continue to struggle with the aches/pains as her mutation develops, probably from about ~9 months to 1.5 years.

Nellie will become interested in all manner of different flowers, berries, honey and brewing processes. Long term, I'd like to see her develop a few wines or meads that are unique to the family/the Hallows and take on a bit of a sommelier role. At her heart, Ionela is an addict with a heart of gold, unable to get out of her own way.

Planned Skills: Nav and Int
Mutations: Agility Mutation - Hollow Bones (Skeletal pneumaticity)
Will be using the agility elixir on this account to have this develop IC from birth, most notable at ages ~9 months - 1 year
Possible Plots/Plans/Ideas: Ongoing addiction, delicate bones as a child leading to several small and maybe a handful of catastrophic injuries before her bones settle, future Hallows sommelier

Out-of-Character Name: Bunneeee
Character's Name: Ioan (pronounced Yaw-an/yawn, tho the Romanian pronunciation is Ee-wan)
If this is too close to Xarae (bc man I don't fucking read apparently), Ewan is a good substitute!
Gender: Male
Adult Height: 30"
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Alignment: Neutral Good
Appearance:
Base coat of black-blue, similar to that of a raven. In the brightest of lights, it will be easier to see the sheen of blue on the ends of his hairs. While in the darkest of nights, he will appear solid black. While it might seem that he is close to spitting image of Artorias, the lighter markings on him are actually shaded a beige closer to that of Briar's lightest tan. This beige will encompass the bottom of his tail, a slim section of his belly and chest, most of his back legs, his front paws, and the better half of his muzzle. What will be a clear indicator that he is Artorias' son is the matching v-shaped marks on his front legs and similar lines beneath his eyes of vibrant orange with flecks of gold. Ioan's build will be similar to a coyote where is shorter, slimmer, and doesn't host a lot of noticeable muscle tone.
Personality:
Ioan is small in stature and also in personality. Being the smallest of the Carpathian boys may not matter in the eyes of his parents, but it will be a deep rooted insecurity as he ages. If he's not large, strong, and good at fighting, than what good will he be to the Hallows? Because of this insecurity, Ioan will lean into his intellectual skills. With help from others, he will learn to read at a young age. Pilfering the library and anyone's mind if they allow it. Filing away any and all information that he can so that one day, maybe he will be put to good use for something.

When it comes to himself, he will be easily scared and run from any sort of violence. Preferring to take the pacifist route at all times, Ioan will some day find that when it comes to those he loves, he will do whatever it takes. While willing to throw himself to the demons and monsters of the real world, he will always sacrifice himself first. And that part of him will show in more than just dire circumstances. Ioan will do whatever he's asked. Diligent, hardworking, and punctual, he prefers to be well put together and sophisticated. But not in a bratty, know-it-all, self absorbed way, more humble, eager, and polite.

Most days, one will find Ioan roaming the halls, tucked away in the library, or resting in one of the garden's many nooks. As he spends most of his time learning, reading, and practicing the art of patience, Ioan will be unflappable around others. It will be hard to anger him or elicit a strong emotion. He likes to keep himself tucked away so that others can't find any sort of weakness about him.
Planned Skills: Intellect / Hunting? Healing?
Mutations: N/A
Possible Plots/Plans/Ideas: I fly by the seat of my pants so asking what I have planned for characters is moot. d:
I swear I will keep him remotely out of trouble until he is at least two years old.

Thank you everyone for your interest and applications! Shelby and I were both blown away by your creativity and you guys did not make this easy for us! We've scrutinized the apps and made our final decision! The winners of the pups are:

Skelle with Othello
Nacho with Manon
Xarae with Ionela
Bunni with Ioan

Congratulations to our winners, and again thank you all so much for your interest and creative work! Winners, please make sure you have your pups' profiles completed and in Approval by OCTOBER 28 AT THE LATEST! Welcome to the family!