The Alpine Clearing
In the very centre, of the dense coniferous forest woodlands, a serene forest clearing opens up beneath the redwoods and spruces, their dark branches casting long shadows across the ground. Soft rays of sunlight filter through the gaps in the foliage, dappling the moss-covered earth and the vibrant green ferns that sway gently in the cool breeze. At the far edge of the clearing, a small stream murmurs as it weaves between smooth stones, its water glimmering with the light. The clearing, though peaceful, hums with the quiet presence of the Woodsorrel Meadows Pack—wolves who thrive amidst both the coniferous forests and the surrounding mountains, forests, and meadows…
^To one side, nestled against the protective base of an ancient redwood tree, is the herbalist's den. The redwood's hollowed-out opening is lined with fragrant herbs. Inside, the scent of dried herbs and fresh pine fills the air, mingling with the faint, comforting aroma of crushed leaves and sweet soil. The floor is lined with soft moss, a bed for resting after long hours of foraging and preparing remedies. Hanging from the low branches that stretch through the den's entrance are bundles of medicinal plants—mullein, boneset, sorrel, St. John's wort, yarrow, and sage—swaying gently in the breeze. The walls are adorned with neatly arranged roots, berries, and leaves, each sorted carefully to identify their uses. In one corner, a shallow stone bowl filled with water sits next to a collection of smooth, river-worn stones used for grinding herbs into pastes and powders. It is a home of quiet order, where every leaf and petal has its purpose, and the herbalist tends to both the pack's health and the forest's natural balance.
^Located close by, the dens of the scouts and traveler wolves are spread out in a loose circle, each dug into the soft, silty ground or tucked beneath the thick roots of trees, providing both comfort and protection. Each den is subtly personalized—some with woven boughs and leaves, others marked by stones or carved symbols to denote their inhabitants. The air smells of hemlock, damp clay, and the sweet, subtle scent of wildflowers that dot the edges of the clearing; an immersive reminder of the pack's deep connection to the land they roam, guard, and defend.
