Hayseed Goldheart

Hopeful Heir
After Gold's death, the threads holding Dawnrise together were tenuous and strained. Samson tried his best, but he was quite old when he took up the Leadership role. To help the aging Samson, the trio of the Redmask Sisters - Autumn, Fir, and Ember - took up position as an Advisor Council for Samson to lean on and to take over if "anything bad happened". The Redmask Sisters, however, were also quite elderly and at the end of their lives, too, so they all knew these ideas were nothing more than stop-gap measures to stymie the inevitable growing gap in Dawnrise.

Triticum - the closest wolf to Samson (and she was his mate) - tried her best to help Samson and the Redmask Sisters keep Dawnrise together while she raised the depressed puppy that Penny unfortunately left behind.

Things were looking grim. But they all knew they just needed to hold out a little bit longer...

The Redmask Sister Council, Samson, and Triticum all talked about the future of Dawnrise. It was unanimous that no wolf seemed fit to take up the mantle of Dawnrise's Leader - so in-spite of the odds and how it looked, Triticum quietly agreed that her future puppy would have to be set-up to become the next Leader. Samson - though quite old and tired now - consoled the exhausted Triticum. Triticum had Samson convince the Redmask Sisters that if this had to be, then things would have to be done her way - she knew what the loss of Penny and the great responsibility left behind had done to Dusty, she did not want to bring it upon her puppy.

Months later, after the discussion with Samson and the Redmask Council...

Triticum gave birth to a puppy! Due to the stress Triti was under, it was unfortunately only a single puppy - a little golden girl who looked much like her father. Samson was so proud and pleased to see the fragile little one - he wished strongly he could play with her, but knew he was blessed to just live long enough to see her. Because Samson was born with such a strange name and could not pass down a vocal legacy well (much like Penny), he told Triticum to name the puppy whatever she wanted - much like her own name, she chose Hayseed.

Samson passed shortly after the birth. Triti was heartbroken, but she knew it was coming and knew she had to stay strong for her puppy...

Triti spent a lot of time raising both Dusty and Hayseed, side-by-side. Although they were cousins, they were raised more like siblings, and sometimes Triti couldn't help but note the small resemblance to Penny and Samson sometimes.

Although Hayseed's birth and life was a little atypical for most wolves, Hayseed would never have noticed or even realized. She grew up quite happy and healthy - always excited, energetic, and confident! Many were amazed at the happy and sunny energy that a puppy with such a sad start exuded.

Perhaps the only downside is that Dusty and Triticum might protect her too much - Hayseed sometimes erroneously thinks she can take on the world with one paw tied behind her back and tells other wolves as much, too, sometimes.

Outside of her boastfulness, she is actually quite friendly and optimistic, much like Gold used to be. Hayseed always tries to use her best judgment and help wolves as much as possible - she's learned that helping others leads to happiness and she just likes making everyone happy!

As the new Leader of Dawnrise, Hayseed acknowledges (though maybe isn't quite as aware) how heavy the responsibility of a Pack is. Triticum, although her mother, is still the main Advisor of Dawnrise and thus plans to help Hayseed as much as possible. Dusty has also made a small sworn promise to himself that he'll help his little cousin as much as possible, in spite of his duty of aiming to become Dawnrise's best Stalker.

Noon Sunfur is also Hayseed's constant companion. They have both been together since they've been young - and in-spite of his clownishness (or maybe even because of it), Hayseed still finds his advice valuable. He always seems to know just the thing to do to lift her spirits.

Additional information:

Changelog:
Aging Crystal used to age 1/2mo sooner for ideal Leadership role timing (500 SC)

Possible look?