Grandia
Welcome to the Moonlit Bog
Swampland in its nature is known for being largely inhabitable; at absolute minimum, it can be completely miserable to be in for any length of time. Stagnant water, buzzing biting creatures, decay around every corner. While it was true not many chose to make their homes in such an unpleasant surrounding, should a traveler find themselves wandering in it for too long they'd learn that there were many secrets hiding in its damp corners. One such secret lay within one of the largest trees of the swamp, a grand black willow with various effigies and gemstones hanging from its many branches. Its roots wove through the waterloggedsoil beneath, stone arranged into caves throughout the hidden clearing.
Approaching the tree required passing many various caves hidden within the peat of the grounds, murmurs echoing through the branches and flashes of eyes shining out from the shadows as a visitor approached the central home. It was easy to tell they watched in preparation should their specialties be needed, but they did not approach unless aggression seemed possible. Beneath the large willow was a cave entwined between stone and root, almost imperceptible if one didn't pay close enough attention.
Orange, slitted eyes peer out from between the tangled roots at the mouth of the cave, tilting slightly in curiosity. A gravely feminine voice reverberates out from the shadows, "Why, hello there stranger. Not many visitors come out to our bog here." She emerges, a green mist circling her feet as green and orange fur shines in the moonlight. Cobwebs hang off of her as she circles the pack's visitor, a shawl gifted by the creatures of the swamp. "What brings you into the mire of Grandia? Looking for medicines? Potions? …" she pauses as she lowers her voice conspiratorially, lifting an eyebrow in amusement, "Spells, perhaps?"
The teeth stringed around her neck clack together as she brushes against her guest, moving past them to the roots, waving a paw over the gnarled branches as a glow reflected from them into her eyes. "Whatever it may be, we welcome you to negotiate. We can accommodate nearly any ask─for a price, of course. Do not worry, I wouldn't dream of asking for anything you'd miss too terribly, but we could not offer our services just out of good will."
The wolf sits, back arched to show her full height. "I am the Queen Valdis, and I have led this pack since the beginning." She doesn't specify what the "beginning" is, but the implication lies heavily in the air that it is far longer than expected for a pack of wolves. Still, despite the unease her words give off, there is no malice in her tone. It had a genuine well meaning impression, her eyes softening at the corner in a sincere smile. "Come and walk with me, see the treasures the swamp holds for those willing to search for it." Valdis turns to lead their pack's visitor through their home, her shadow seeming to not quite line up with her steps in the timing it should. While the Grandia pack was noticeably glad to help strangers that visited, they were not ones to be taken advantage of.
The Grandia Heartwillow
Grandia Luminaries
Nestled in the very core of the gnarled roots of the large swamp willow, is the head cave of Grandia.
A large strange human metal weapon marks the entrance of Granasaber Temple.
Within, the head members of the pack reside, keeping order in the pack and providing aid to all members. Any decision of importance is made in these hall-like dens, together with the members of the Watch and those touched by Fae.
☙Aurore, Protector of the Swamp❧
☙Ryudo, the Geohound❧
☙Mystic Minnaloushe the Cat❧
Fae-touched Blood
In the easternmost section of the snaking roots are another cluster of hidden caves, glowing foliage lighting the way in the darkened pathways.
The smell of magic is strong here, lanterns holding moonlight that flickered off the eyes of the wolves inside.
Wolves that rested here had mutations in their blood, but this did not mark them as cursed within Grandia.
No, in the depths of Valmar's Moon, wolves were revered for their magical nature.
Council's Aerie
The hanging branches of the willows brush against the top of a tall outcropping of stone to the Northwest. Vines that hung from those branches twisted between the boulders, creating a blanket of green with the moss over the dark gray of the stone. It was apparent the stone had not begun it's existence here but rather, collected over time by the wolves of this pack.
The stone had various outcroppings of dens, Mirumu Watch being where some of the wisest of the pack called home--Herbalist, Mentors, the Scouts--all able to keep a protective eye out for the rest of the pack.
Nesting of Bloodlines
In the roots between the heart of the tree and the watchful eyes of Mirumu are the coziest of dens in the cave of Nanan Nursery. Here, the legacy of Grandia are kept safe , allowing them to survive while they train and play.
Nursemaids of the Swamp
Connected to the youngling cave is a slightly larger one, emerging more from the roots of the Heartwillow. Here wolves that have grown with a more nurturing heart keep the pups safe, the Ghoss Nanny Center a refuge of learning and safety for the pups to come and go.
The Hunters
The base of the Watch continues to the south, roots of the plant life intertwining with the heavy earth. It stretches farther than any other segment of dens, wrapping slightly around the south to the east, providing something of a barrier around the revered Heartwillow tree.
Here rest the hunters at Garlan Hideaway, a large network of smaller dens where groups of wolves lie their heads together in the safety of their team, able to jump to protect at a moments notice.
Confidants of the Swamp
The key to a strong pack is various perspectives, and Valdis takes great pleasure in admitting wolves encountered while travelling to Grandia's ranks so that they can share what they know. North of the Nanny Center lies the Carbo Thicket. Heavy stones emerge fully from the roots of the Heartwillow, surrounded by thick patches of bushes thick with various berries and herbs.
The dens here have the greatest variety of any other in this pocket of the swamp, showing the various personalities of the wolves that come from lands beyond.
Imparting Swampland Wisdom
Just as Grandia seeks gaining various perspectives from befriended wolves, they hope to help others by doing the same. As such, southeast of the heart of roots are another network of dens that house the Heim Raising Shelter.
Here wolves with the itch to travel the lands and perhaps find a new pack to stay and learn from are raised, learning what they can of Grandia's ways so that they can teach new methods to new packs.
Rehoming in the Roots
Connected to the Shelter is another outcropping of smaller dens within smaller trees under the boughs of the Heartwillow. Here in the Agear Adoption Center are more pups of the swamp that learned what they could of the world and of Grandia. The ones here, however, are often touched with the slightest magic that causes them to not leave Grandia's ranks without a cost...
Current Projects
➼Breed a Moonloss Glass-eye; WIP here...
➼Otherwise idk yet I just want swamp wolves
Wolf Footnote Key
➼Bear Food:
Enclave Quest fodder, to be put on the TC for 20sc once weaned. If interested, feel free to reach out in advance!
➼Enclave:
Prettier pups I [personally] think are better than just being fodder. Will be dropped off for adoption when weaned. If interested, feel free to reach out in advance!
➼Offspring/Descendant of [Title]:
Indicator of which past dignitary the wolf is related to, or what alternative lineage they may have.
~~The Blade, Ryudo
~~The Wings, Millenia
~~The Storms, Kaladin
~~The Thicket, wild wolves with no Swamp lineage
~~The Outlanders, wolves from beyond the swamp whose genes were borrowed
~~The Highlanders, the mysterious travelling-wolves that rarely spread their genes
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