Deep Roots: Beginnings

Heya! This thread is a way for me to keep track of my progress and occasionally expand on pack lore. If you have any questions, please PM me! Don't post here. I'd like to keep this neat and tidy, if I can. I play by some self-imposed rules for the sake of challenge and story.

Lead Wolf
All lead wolves in Deep Roots descend from Eos or Pekelo, the original founding wolves.

Beta
The lead wolf's mate.

Herbalist
The herbalist is generally a celibate wolf, breeding only once toward the end of their lifetime (after 5 years of age). The next herbalist may be one of their offspring, or a pup that shows potential.

Hunters and Scouts
Have no limit on breeding, except what is stated below. Wolves must be above certain stats for offspring to remain in the pack. (I have not determined the minimum on stats).

• Wolves breed in early-mid Winter to have pups in Spring
• Friendly and Stoic personalities
• Inbreeding is prohibited
• NBWs have no minimum requirement for stats

Founding Wolves
Founder Eos, Beta Pekelo

Generation 2
Hyron, Beta Stellaria

Generation 3
Nefeli, Beta Nefertari

Generation 4
Ukumkani, Beta Corrigan

Generation 5
Nalani, Beta Akoni

Generation 6
Akamu, No Beta

Generation 7
Asayu, Beta Treyus

Generation 8
Anuhea, Beta Iridu

Generation 9
Coulter, Beta Eilir

Deep Roots
The Beginning

She was alone. The pack she'd known as a welp was no more, though they yet lived. She could not go back. She could not face them again. She could not. Would not. And she could not keep the name they had given her as a child, for it no longer fit; she was not Acantha. She was not the fickle thorn in her pack's side any longer. She was Eos; she was beginning.

Pekelo was not unlike her. Maddened with his own suffering, he initially attacked Eos, but her poise and gentleness swayed his heart, and she pulled him from his darkness. He vowed, unspoken, to follow this strange, quiet she-wolf to the ends of the earth. His paws would go wherever she might lead him.

"May the Raven's Wings light your path."

Updated: 1-3-24

September 25–October 5

10 days

The pack is slowly but surely growing under Eos's care. That does not mean it is perfect, but there seems to be a sort of rhythm forming. The hunters are becoming more proficient and work together well as a team. Pekelo's observant senses choose the trails, while Skelu, Raalu, and Kalek chased prey down. Iris, the oldest of the hunters, brings the prey down more often than not.

A young woman called Rean joined the pack early on. She is a little morose, rarely smiles, and tends to have a darker view on things, but she is also eager to help and puts her knowledge in herbalism to good use as the pack's Herbalist.

There are four pups in the pack…

…there were four pups in the pack.

One of Rean's sons choked on a small bone. In spite of everyone's best efforts, the child did not recover. He is the first young wolf to die under Eos's reign. She masks her own insecurities for the sake of the child's mourning mother.

October 6–19

24 days

The pack has grown and moved. From the deciduous woodlands, to the coniferous forests, and finally, Deep Roots has found its home on the taiga. The winter is bitter there, but the trees are tall, the forests deep, and Eos senses a deep spiritual side the forest here. She feels connected, and, for the first time since she left her old pack, she truly feels at peace with the earth under her paws.

The pack is filling out. Fifteen adults might call the expanding territory home. Two pups from beyond the pack have grown up, and Eos has birthed her second litter. It is mid-winter. Not ideal pup-bearing conditions…

Adonis is the largest pup in the litter. He doesn't move much until he's hungry… at which point he is more than capable of pushing his brothers aside. His brother, Epimetheus is content to huddle with his siblings. The smallest pup is struggling, and Eos questions if the child will live. Still, the pack will do its best. She will do her best.

Pekelo watches his mate closely, provides all he can alongside his hunting lead.

October 20

25 Days

Eos reached level 11.

Spring has arrived. The season of rebirth and new life brings hope and joy to Eos's heart, even if it does not show on her face. Her pack is thriving, and her children are growing. That does not mean there have not been tragic losses during the winter.

Rean has become a skilled herbalist, proficient in her trade. She rarely needs to ask after remedies, and her guesses are correct.

The scouts continue to explore the surrounding terrain and make sure the pack remains safe from outside threats.

October 27

32 Days

Setting a new requirement for breeding females other than the lead wolf: they must have a minimum of 300 stats before they may be bred. I'm still tossing around the idea of not allowing wolves to breed during late fall / early winter, both for lore and practical purposes.

Customized wolves:

• Haashi
• Iris
• Aphrodite
  
  
  

[LORE]

The pack is thriving. Eos gave birth to four pups during the winter. All of them survived the harsh conditions, bring Eos a sense of hope and purpose as her children grow before her eyes. They will doubtless become powerful members of the pack when they are done training.

December 2

68 Days

It's hard to believe it's been three years since Eos founded Deep Roots. Her children help hunt now, and Pekelo has become an accomplished Tracker. Not all of the wolves who began their journey with Deep Roots have remained. Raalu moved on when he felt the time was right, along with a couple young females.

Rean is training up one of her daughters to take her place as Herbalist. The girl, Deinde, has a keen eye. She's quick to pick up on the personalities and traits of her packmates… a good trait to have in someone who will one day be healing those same wolves.

Somnus is the pup both leaders have their eyes on. He is bright and imaginative, with simple, ingenious ways to move the pack forward and keep it safe. His potential to lead the pack into the future is high, and it hasn't been missed by either of his parents.

December 15

81 Days

How long did it take for them to make it official? The whole pack knew, of course. Pekelo only ever had eyes for Eos. It was always her pups he loved best, always her he followed and hunted for, always. Then why did she seem so surprised when Pekelo, quiet, patient Pekelo, approached her with a simple suggestion. "We are as one, are we not?"

"As we've always been."

"But we have never said so." And thus Pekelo approached the wolf he'd followed all his adult life. "So I tell you now: I am yours. Let us howl it to the stars, until they carry it to the dark side of the moon. Let it be known our love will be as unending as their light, that I shall reflect always your love as the moon on the water. Will you make it so?"

She stood still, eye bright in the dark.

Pekelo, patient, waited.

…finally she approached him, nuzzling deep into his fur, smile tender. "It will be so."

Pekelo and Eos are the first bonded mates of Deep Roots. They will not be the last, as their sons, Somnus and Epimetheus have their sights set on lovely she-wolves of their own. With their parents as fine examples, the boys will treat any wolf they take as their life-mates well.

January 20

117 Days

Eos and Pekelo are getting on in years. Eos is still a capable leader and Pekelo still hunts, but the next generation is actively being prepared for the time when their leaders are gone, for the time when the next leader steps up. Eos's son is almost ready. She has raised him well—at least she hopes—and he will be a fitting replacement.

She never imagined how her pack would thrive. She always hoped, of course, but it is beyond Eos's wildest dreams. She, the outcast, now well-loved alpha.

March 6, 2021

163 Days

When Eos finally laid down her head, her pack surrounding her, it was with a tranquil smile. Her mate of many years, Pekelo, passed before her, and she knows somewhere deep within she will see him again. She does not fear death, and she is content in her son's ability to lead. Hyron will make a fine leader.

It is not long after Eos's passing that a strange, new female appears in the pack: Stellia. Her glistening pelt is the color of dreams, and her eyes flash pale blue. Hyron will not be alone on his journey leading the pack into the second generation.