Most of the village has assembled for the depature of the pups about to take their walk. Friends and family run the gamut of emotion, both happy and sad. It is a good time, for the walk is a sign of adulthood, but a dangerous time too on the unforgiving Great Glacier.
The companions stand before the village, even the druidess Allyssa has come. Apparently her mate is on the glacier today and could not be here. Garsh, the village leader, stands before the group a wide smile on his face.
"Today is your first steps into adulthood, into strength. There are many ways to grow, you have chosen the toughest path but one with great rewards. I can not wait to hear your tales upon your return. I am proud of each and every one of you." He shakes the hand of each in turn. He turns to face the villagers, and says "Say your farewells to these pups, when they return they will be wolves."
First Steps
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Vardaen
- Admin
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- Title: Great Old One
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Re: First Steps
Among the pups that are to walk the glacier to become adults is Falrim Hoarfrost, a sage, and seer of the small tribe. He is a large man standing over six feet and weighing in at 200lbs. He woudl look like most youths of the tribe if not for his bleached white hair, and ice blue eyes. There is something in his eyes that causes many to look away from him. His lineage is strange, born with powers in his blood, his oracle mother and shaman father have certain born a cursed youth. However he has spent his entire life working and playing with the other youth of the tribe, and while his blood filled with strange powers, he does his best to remain normal.
He is drapped in heavy furs and hides today, and a pack hides under a elk hide cloak. Thick mittens cover his hands which hold a long staff for taking the winter walk with. He wears a set of shoeshoes, and is ready for the long dangerous travel across the ice. He stands, unshivering, ready to depart. Glancing from side to side he takens in who else will be joining him.
He is drapped in heavy furs and hides today, and a pack hides under a elk hide cloak. Thick mittens cover his hands which hold a long staff for taking the winter walk with. He wears a set of shoeshoes, and is ready for the long dangerous travel across the ice. He stands, unshivering, ready to depart. Glancing from side to side he takens in who else will be joining him.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
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JohnnyWeird
- Level 14 Elite
- Posts: 3779
Re: First Steps
Iluak's smile betrays no fear or doubt as he stands amid his family, whose talk verges on deafening as each tries to be heard. His mother's advice and fussing, his father's gruff wishes of luck, his sisters' teasing and his little brother, Atanarjuat, who must be told again that he can't come on the Walk, not for ten years yet. They are tight-knit kin, and his parents are proud to send the first of their children on the Walk.
Finally Iluak manages to extricate himself. More big than tall, more friendly than handsome, he's well-known among the Frostfangs as a loyal and kind young man. Whenever a task needs doing, whenever an elder needs a strong back or a steady pair of hands, he's the first they look to.
Practically a ball of winter clothes and supplies, he turns back to the assembled, picking a girl a year his junior out of the crowd. He touches his nose and points at her. She giggles, blushing, and her papa gives a wry smile and a knowing look to Iluak's father; if the boy comes back from the Walk, the two men may need to talk about the future.
Iluak gives a nod and a smile to Falrim. The two have known each other for many years, and the pale boy's strangeness has always given Iluak a pang of sympathy. He resolves to himself that neither Falrim nor any other of his companions will fall in the Walk. Those who had seen Iluak fight off boys three years his senior and half again his size know that in the face of such a resolution, even the Glacier may not stand a chance.
Finally Iluak manages to extricate himself. More big than tall, more friendly than handsome, he's well-known among the Frostfangs as a loyal and kind young man. Whenever a task needs doing, whenever an elder needs a strong back or a steady pair of hands, he's the first they look to.
Practically a ball of winter clothes and supplies, he turns back to the assembled, picking a girl a year his junior out of the crowd. He touches his nose and points at her. She giggles, blushing, and her papa gives a wry smile and a knowing look to Iluak's father; if the boy comes back from the Walk, the two men may need to talk about the future.
Iluak gives a nod and a smile to Falrim. The two have known each other for many years, and the pale boy's strangeness has always given Iluak a pang of sympathy. He resolves to himself that neither Falrim nor any other of his companions will fall in the Walk. Those who had seen Iluak fight off boys three years his senior and half again his size know that in the face of such a resolution, even the Glacier may not stand a chance.
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Illeveun
- Level 12
- Posts: 1014
Re: First Steps
Amarok gladly stands with his companions, after saying goodbye to his mother and father, who know the way it is. They wave sadly at him, and Amarok waves back. He is an average sized man, who travels light, knowing that his skills in hunting should pick up the necessary supplies. He is wearing some furs and such, and carries a bow made of darkwood, and some arrows, which he crafted himself.
His long brown hair waves in the wind, and his brown eyes gather in his companions, making sure that they are ready for the Walk. He walks up to Falrim and Iluak, saying, "Nice day to set out, isn't it?"
His long brown hair waves in the wind, and his brown eyes gather in his companions, making sure that they are ready for the Walk. He walks up to Falrim and Iluak, saying, "Nice day to set out, isn't it?"
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JohnnyWeird
- Level 14 Elite
- Posts: 3779
Re: First Steps
"I hope so, Amarok; we won't get another." A lopsided smile. "Still, if the days stay like this a little longer we'll have an easy time of it. Though you'd know it best, Fal." Iluak turns to the young seer. "Any good news for the trip to come?"
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Vardaen
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- Location: Miskatonic University
- Title: Great Old One
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- User Class: Unshackled AI
Re: First Steps
Falrim is silent a moment as the other boys talk to him. He can be strange at times, the curse of his mystical blood no doubt, but he tries his best to fit in. Realizing he's been asked a questions he nods, "Oh yes a beautiful day. Today is a good day to Walk, tomorrow however, the howls of winter will change the course." He slips his hand in under his fur cap and scratches the back of his head, "Sorry. I'm just a bit excited..." he shifts in the snow a bit, "...think about it, no more chores." He smiles trying to be upbeat.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
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JohnnyWeird
- Level 14 Elite
- Posts: 3779
Re: First Steps
"It'll take more than wind to stop us," Iluak chuckles. "No chores is right; it'll be like a vacation!" Beneath his humor, a mild concern begins to stir.
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Illeveun
- Level 12
- Posts: 1014
Re: First Steps
"No chores..." Amarok echos. He is not really convinced that this is a good trade off, but, he'll stay with the facade to help keep up Iluak's spirits. It's more than likely that they will need good morale to survive through this.
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Grimathor
- Level 9
- Posts: 724
Re: First Steps
Garsh steps forward, with the hint of a frown flashing quickly across his facial expression which quickly returns to warm.
"Well friends, it is that time. As it our custom, each cub can make one request of the village. What are your requests?"
"Well friends, it is that time. As it our custom, each cub can make one request of the village. What are your requests?"
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Illeveun
- Level 12
- Posts: 1014
Re: First Steps
Amarok has a thought in the back of his mind, and when it blossoms into the front, he inwardly gasps at the ambition of it. He tries to shake it off, but he can't. He finally speaks his mind, saying, "I...I would like to, when the Walk is over, to...to challenge you for the leadership of the tribe." He is ashamed at saying it, but he knows that it is what he wants, for reasons that he himself can't understand.