The Summer Bonfire
Pack seasonal event, open to current pack guests
10-05-2023, 03:33 PM
Midsummer had reached Auster, and with it came long hot days and warm, pleasant evenings. That meant it was once again time for the Hallows' annual bonfire festival. Every year as this time drew near, Artorias would begin to gather up deadwood and driftwood from the nearby beach and pile it out on the plains, set over a patch of sand and dirt to prevent over-burning into the plains. The rest of the Hallows would contribute to the pile of kindling as they could over time, and once the middle of summer had come, the pile was quite sizable and ready to go. Artorias worked on soaking some of the lower parts of the pile in flammable oil as the late afternoon drifted into early evening, the day still light but quickly turning into sunset. It was almost time to begin.
As he set to preparing the bonfire, Artorias reflected on the past year and the changes that they had all been through. His newest litter, the growth of the Hallows, their friends and family who had come and gone, including his eldest son. Artorias' heart ached when he thought of Zephyrus and silently prayed that wherever his adopted child was, he was safe and healthy and would one day find his way back home. Tossing the last of the oil onto the dry wood, the Aegis stepped back and admired the unlit bonfire. This year's would be a good one. With a small smile, he then looked down at the birch branch he had at his paws—a switch pulled from the tree his adoptive mother rested beneath. He had placed a branch upon the bonfire every year since her passing as a token of remembrance. The bonfire was as much a time to celebrate another year passed with loved ones as it was a chance to pay homage to those that had been lost along the way.
Picking up the birch branch in his teeth, Artorias carefully laid the offering to his mother's memory atop the pile of kindling, swallowing hard to keep the emotion welling up in his heart from spilling forth. No matter how many years passed, the memories never stopped feeling so bittersweet. Taking his place before the bonfire while Argent brought up a piece of flint and steel, Art lifted his head and called for the rest of the Hallows to gather for their yearly celebration. Food and drink had been laid out in a massive open picnic for everyone to enjoy, ranging from cooked and raw meats to honeyed berries and fresh wines, as well as some rock sugar candies from nearby Ethne for the pups to savor. Then he waited, waited for the rest of his family—blood and bond—to arrive, to offer their own mementos as they chose, and to celebrate together as a pack and a family.
10-05-2023, 04:08 PM
Mother and Father had told Clove and her siblings of the bonfire festival that was held every summer. And since then, Clove had been waiting for the day of the festival, riddled with anticipation and excitement. It was a chance to see all the wolves in the pack, get to know her family better, and moreover, explore another land that belonged to their kingdom. That was almost the most exciting part for her. As each hot, long summer day crawled by, Clove wondered more often when her parents would announce the day of the festival. And finally, towards the middle of the summer season, the day was confirmed.
The morning of the event, Clove made sure to sleep in as long as she could. She wanted to be able to stay awake in the evening, to enjoy the party for as long as she could. After a late breakfast, Clove went to work on perfecting her appearance. She took a long sudsy bath and had someone help her comb out her pelt to perfection. Once it was pristine, soft, and smelt like rose petals and peonies, she crept into her parent’s chambers where Briar had some beautiful jewelry stashed. She had already gotten permission to pick something out to wear for the special event. And so, the young Carpathius took her time inspecting each piece of jewelry, until she finally settled on a gold chain necklace embellished with a fiery stone that resembled her father’s eye color. Pulling it over her head, she took a moment to admire herself in the mirror. It was so nice getting dressed up.
Waiting for sunset was almost unbearable for her, given how excited she was. And the moment the sun started to fall behind the neighboring mountain range and her father gave the signal, Clove couldn’t wait any longer. Traveling alone to the starlit plains was liberating, and made her feel like a real explorer! Even if it was her parent’s territory. She didn’t exactly know where she was going, but her father’s scent led the way. After some time, she finally saw him in the clearing, standing in front of a massive pile of dry wood. Around him were miscellaneous setups of food, drink, and treats! As she walked past it all, she was tempted to grab a quick bite… but she wanted to say hello to Daddy first.
Picking up a nearby stick, Clove walked before her father and added it to the pile as her contribution. She turned to him then, wanting to rub against his leg affectionally. “Hi, Daddy! I’m so excited!” She exclaimed with a giggle. “I’m gonna eat SO much candy!” She toddled off then, knowing a lot more wolves would be showing up to say hello… and that candy was calling her name.
![](https://i.imgur.com/fRYy5v4.png)
Mercury
Commander
Master Fighter (240)
Master Intellectual (240)
Weaponsmaster
Professor
age
5 Years
5 Years
gender
Male
Male
gems
0
0
player
Seadragoness
Seadragoness
![Samhain 2022](/images/awards/events/Samhain.png)
10-05-2023, 08:12 PM
![[Image: dg62nk4-76f92f5f-869b-474b-8882-b89098d6...nlMae_v5_o]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/740ee9a0-4bd5-4423-997f-d7fcdb1799c8/dg62nk4-76f92f5f-869b-474b-8882-b89098d6138c.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzc0MGVlOWEwLTRiZDUtNDQyMy05OTdmLWQ3ZmNkYjE3OTljOFwvZGc2Mm5rNC03NmY5MmY1Zi04NjliLTQ3NGItODg4Mi1iODkwOThkNjEzOGMucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.LEH3HM5e-Nk89G_zrO5Pvt8VYG-Dx73BwnlMae_v5_o)
Ciaran
Vanguard
Master Fighter (242)
Advanced Navigator (60)
age
2 Years
2 Years
gender
Male
Male
gems
0
0
player
Seadragoness
Seadragoness
![Samhain 2022](/images/awards/events/Samhain.png)
10-05-2023, 08:16 PM
The call for the festival distracted Kea from his sword exercises. It was often that he could be food in the training room, Windrunner in his grasp. He knew he had a long, long way to go before he would be anywhere near his fathers level of experience. He carefully sheathed his sword, and brushed hay off his paws, before turning and trotting out to the beautiful pack plains, where the bonfire was being held.
Already there was a blossoming growth of orange that marked his way, and it wasn’t long before he was there. He nodded his head to his Father, the Commander, and grinned at Clove. “I’ll sneak you some candy” He promised her.
10-07-2023, 08:02 PM
Bowen had been missing from action lately. A nasty sickness had consumed her, leaving the fae full of snot and gunk. It wasn't anything serious, but it was enough to keep her holed up in her room, away from everyone else, lest she infect them too. The bonfire though... she wouldn't miss it for the world.
As the bonfire was always held in the same place, Bowen took up her normal post atop a small rise at the edge of the circle of firelight. It would keep her away from the rest of the pack, but she'd also still get to participate a bit. Bishop bounced around next to her, a little rag in his beak in case she needed to wipe her nose or sneeze. Rather than let him continue to fuss over her, Bowen scooped the raven in against her chest and gave his ebony head a little lick. He settled into the warmth of his lady's chest and together they watched the flickering light of the fire. As they did so... she remembered those that were gone, but not forgotten. Even the bad ones.
![[Image: gSBkYSG.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/gSBkYSG.gif)
![[Image: 2cnsALh.png]](https://i.imgur.com/2cnsALh.png)
10-07-2023, 08:19 PM
This was a time for remembering those that were lost, but Dusk could only remember one whose presence she wanted to be in once more. Sitri had been handsome, funny, interesting, a perfect gentleman. She couldn't wait to see him again. Ah, but it couldn't be today. Now that darkness had fallen, the walking shadow melded with that darkness, making her way towards the blazing fire. Whisper was in her tail as always, just in case. The blades glinted like stars in the firelight and Dusk admired them for a moment before moving to her father's side.
The young woman gave Artorias a nuzzle, sliding her muzzle under his chin before sitting beside him just as she had done last year. There were vast differences though. Last year she'd been a roly poly thing that tripped over her own paws. This year, she was almost a woman grown. Dusk had grown into her legs and her puppy fat had melted away. She had the beautiful bone structure of her mother's face as well as the antlers atop her head. Her tail was long and luxurious and the black had given way to smoke grey in certain places. Though her coloring was simple, Dusk had grown to be quite breathtaking.
Fire opal eyes narrowed behind heavy lids as she looked towards the fire. She thought of a grandmother that she'd never met but knew anyway. They'd been told stories of Resin from the time they were born. She'd even met the grey and black woman in her dreams more than once. Her grandmother Zee was gone as well, though Dusk didn't have as much of a connection with her. A paw rose and pressed against her chest as she offered silent words to two grandmother's that were gone.
![[Image: WlfCSL1.png]](https://i.imgur.com/WlfCSL1.png)
10-07-2023, 08:33 PM
SO... Siduri had no idea where she was. Trouble was her middle name and it sure as hell had a way of finding her. She'd been following a badger, practicing her stalking and tracking, but when the badger went underground and the girl was alone, she uttered a very unladylike exclamation. It was getting dark and she could turn around or find some place to hunker down for the night, but a howl drifted to her on the wind and the girl could see light up ahead. Oooh.
In time, Sid was close. Very close. She hopped over the border. Didn't touch it, didn't cross it, right? No one wants to step in pee anyway. Little by little, the pale girl crept closer, peeking her head up from the long grass of the plains. Quiet, quiet, quiet, the girl was. Her multicolored eyes came upon a big bonfire and a bunch of wolves sitting around it. They were mostly quiet and she had no idea what was going on, so she decided to ask.
Sliding up beside one big black and blue wolf, Sid sat tall, staring straight ahead. She waited for a moment to see if he would acknowledge her, but perhaps she was too quiet. Eventually, the girl whispered, "Oi, oi. What're we doin'?" Small enough that she shouldn't have been away from her family, Siduri looked up to the man with bright, tri-ringed eyes, waiting for him to answer.
Ember Carpathius
Head Scholar
Master Fighter (295)
Master Intellectual (330)
Knight
Professor
age
1 Year
1 Year
gender
Female
Female
gems
72
72
player
Joe
Joe
![Pride - Bisexual](/images/awards/pride/bisexual.png)
10-08-2023, 08:00 PM
The bonfire festival was finally here! From the moment she had heard about the Hallows' special summer event, Ember was practically bursting at the seams with excitement! Any time anything special happened around the pack, she was all for it, wanting to witness and be a part of al the major events. Plus it was something new and fun to break up the constant day-in and day-out of her usual routine. Ember was a bit of a restless child, already eyeing the borders of the pack and wondering what more could be out there after her field trip with Ciaran. Ember had spent some time crafting a little wolf figurine out of sticks and twine with her mother's guidance as an offering to the gods and was just putting the finishing touches of a little strip of orange ribbon around the figurine when her father's call boomed out around the lands. Ember sprang to her paws in an excited flurry and snatched up her totem before rushing out of Hearthstone to go join the party.
The fire had not beet lit yet when she arrived, taking note of the rest of her family that had already gathered. Clove and Dusk sidling up alongside their father with Ciaran close by, Commander Mercury also nearby as well, keeping an eye on everyone, and aunt Bowen sitting atop a hill a little bit off. Ember lifted her tiny paw and gave a wave to Bowen, wondering why she was keeping to herself, but then the ADHD attentiveness of being a child kicked in and she once more went toward her gathering family. "Hi Clo! Wow, you look so pretty!" she greeted her smaller sister, noticing the jewelry she'd worn specially for this occasion. Ember rested the figurine on the pile of wood, then bounced back to go greet her elder siblings. She bumped her forehead gently against Dusk's ankle, then against Kea's before ultimately going to take her place by their father as well. She understood the importance of this festival, but it still surprised her how solemn everyone was in the preamble of the fire lighting. Wasn't this still supposed to be a fun festival?
As Ember maneuvered her way around her giant sire, she went to go seat herself on his opposite side—only to find another pup already there! The girl was snow white with rainbow streaks across her fur, and she was definitely not someone Ember recognized around the pack. With her head cocked in bewildered confusion and brows furrowed, she studied the strange girl who nearly matched her in size like she was some foreign creature. "Who the heck are you?" she voiced her thoughts aloud, looking up to her dad for an answer as well.
Gavroche II
Herbalist
Expert Fighter (160)
Advanced Healer (85)
age
1 Year
1 Year
gender
Male
Male
gems
96
96
player
Beau-tifullyWritten
Beau-tifullyWritten
10-09-2023, 10:42 PM