Kinlu

Alpha Kinlu

Adoption Day -- June 25
Adopted for 27 SC, 0 years 3 months old.
Stats 557 / 72 / 172 / 172 / 68 / 73

First Birthday -- July 14
One year, one half month.
Stats 605 / 86 / 175 / 174 / 80 / 90

Level Two -- July 16
One year, one-and-a-half months.
Stats 609 / 86 / 177 / 175 / 80 / 91

Level Three -- July 16
One year, one-and-a-half months.
Stats 615 / 88 / 177 / 175 / 83 / 92

Level Four -- July 17
One year, two months.
Stats 624 / 90 / 177 / 177 / 87 / 93

Level Five -- July 19
One year, three months.
Stats 636 / 93 / 180 / 178 / 91 / 94

Heir Kinlu --> Alpha Kinlu -- July 22
One year, four-and-a-half months.

Level Six -- July 23
One year, five months.
Stats 650 / 97 / 183 / 179 / 95 / 96

Level Seven -- July 25
One year, six months.
Stats 666 / 99 / 184 / 181 / 101 / 101

Level Eight -- July 27
One year, seven months.
Stats 688 / 106 / 185 / 183 / 107 / 107
Significant levelling: all stats are 100+!

Level Nine -- July 30
One year, eight-and-a-half months.
Stats 712 / 115 / 186 / 185 / 112 / 114

Level Ten -- August 6
Two years.
Stats 736 / 118 / 188 / 189 / 120 / 121

Level Eleven -- August 27
Two years, seven-and-a-half months.
Stats 762 / 127 / 191 / 192 / 127 / 125

Level Twelve -- September 14
Three years, two months.
Stats 789 / 135 / 193 / 195 / 131 / 135

Level Thirteen -- September 24
Three years, seven months.
Stats 822 / 139 / 198 / 197 / 143 / 145

Level Fourteen -- October 3
Three years, eleven-and-a-half months.
Stats 858 / 152 / 200 / 201 / 153 / 152

Level Fifteen -- October 7
Four years, one month.
Stats 899 / 165 / 205 / 204 / 165 / 160

Level Sixteen -- November 30
Roughly six years old.
Stats 942 / 171 / 208 / 212 / 177 / 174

~~~
Birth Appearance
Black (6.28%), Monochrome Dark I
Blue eyes
Dark skin
Lusxnei nose
Black claws
Slot 1: Annwn Manicou 42%
Slot 2: Airglow Shaded 59%
Slot 5: Cream Carnage 19%
Slot 7: Honey Bottoms 36%
Slot 8: Gray Blanket Ticking 42%
Slot 10: White Marbled Unders 30%
~~~~~


The young pup looked around excitedly, eyes searching the faces of the lead wolves pouring in. He laid in a pile of pups around his age. Lillemor sat at the base of a large oak, smiling softly and nodding her head in greeting to the visitors.

The lead wolves were very serious. Eyes searching like hunters for prey, they moved swiftly among the bunch. Lillemor was quick to answer their questions. "What is this one's stats? Can I see records on this one's parents? Why does this one have a third eye?" Other lead wolves were quiet. In place of questions, they stared silently at the pups, moving on without so much as a smile. The pup shrunk into himself, hoping to blend in among the pups around him, terrified to be criticized or shunned by the larger dominant wolves.

One lead wolf found him, regardless of his attempt to hide. This lead was an aging male with kind eyes and a slow gait, hindered by his old bones. The pup approached him, still wary, but drawn by his warmth.

The lead reached down to lick the top of the pup's head. "Hello, little one. Your name is Kinlu. I have a big job to give to you. Are you willing to take on the task?"

Kinlu nodded, eager to follow the lead male who had just given him the first name he had ever known. The lead laughed. "Great to see. My name is Faolan, leader of the great Northern Dawn. Please, follow me, Kinlu."

They walked for hours, so long that Faolan offered to carry Kinlu in order to be able to trot through the brush. The air got colder and colder as they approached the Glacier. Faolan climbed a small hill and revealed a large den site to Kinlu. Three caves were dug into the sides of the small hill, and dozens of wolves were bustling in between them. Upon seeing their beloved leader, they paused and smiled at him and the pup in his jaws. Faolan placed Kinlu on the snowy ground. Kinlu lifted a paw to prevent frostbite.

"Friends," Faolan's voice boomed, "I want you to meet Kinlu. When the Great Wolf decides that my time is done leading you, Kinlu will rise as your new leader."

The pack started a howl to welcome their heir. Kinlu was overjoyed. Who knew that he, of all of the pups in the enclave, would be chosen by Faolan to take over his pack? Why him? Kinlu noticed two other aging wolves in the pack, the two eldest pups of the leads. Why not them? He also noticed a strong, powerful stud male, why can't he take the lead? Why not a naturally gifted stalker or hunter among the crowd?

Kinlu couldn't help but notice how bare-bones the pack members were. Was Faolan too eager to grow his family, and was he now struggling to feed all of them in his old age?


~~~~~


Kinlu climbed the hill, paws sinking into the crunchy snow under his paws. The stars were brilliant above his head. The rest of the pack was asleep, as he also felt he should be, but Faolan had urged him to meet him at midnight.

Faolan stood at the top of the hill, meeting Kinlu with his gaze. The lead wolf was aging. He hadn't explored in months. Even when he would go out, he would barely ever find or catch anything. His thin, frail legs wobbled, desperately trying to hold up his body. All of his bones were visible. The male had not been eating much since his mate, Esme, passed away. The eyes that met Kinlu's were cloudy and meek.

"Kinlu," Faolan spoke, his voice surprisingly strong, "it's great to see you. Thank you for meeting me."

"Of course, Faolan." Kinlu lowered himself into a bow. As he rose, a chill ran through him as he realized he now towered over the lead wolf that had adopted him from the enclave. Kinlu's new sense of adulthood was still sinking in.

"I have something very important to share with you, yearling." Faolan wobbled as he lowered himself to his haunches. "My time leading the Northern Dawn is over."

Kinlu raised his eyebrows. "Now? What makes you say that?"

"Look at me, Kinlu. I know how old I am. I cannot protect and serve my packmates the way I used to. Regardless, I can feel my body slowing down. I will die tonight."

"Tonight?!" Kinlu always knew that Faolan would soon pass and he would take his place, but surely that time hadn't already come. The months of his adolescence had flown by. "Faolan, that can't be. I'm not ready to lead. Please, I need more mentoring. You must stay."

Faolan lifted a paw and placed it on Kinlu's. A gentle smile came across his face. "You have grown into a wonderful young wolf, Kinlu. You are ready to lead the Northern Dawn. No lead wolf ever feels ' ready' to lead. I know you will be twice the leader I ever was. I want you to watch over my family and friends and lead them the way they deserve to be led. I know you will."

Tears welled in Kinlu's eyes, a mix of stress and oncoming grief. He nuzzled his head into Faolan's neck. Faolan licked the top of his head reassuringly.

"Besides," Faolan continued, "I have wolves waiting for me."

Suddenly, the sky shifted to colors of beautiful purples and blues. The stars created stunning streaks in the sky. Wolves from the past leapt out from behind the clouds and landed softly on the ground next to Faolan. Their coats were adorned with glittery blue spirals that moved and flittered with the wind. Ikiaq and Troye rested their tails on one another as they moved to stand behind Faolan. Moose landed next to Kinlu, startling him as she came into his view. She bowed her head low and smiled. "It is an honor to see you again, Alpha Kinlu."

Esme wagged her tail at her mate and touched her nose to his, the two wolves bowing their heads into one another. When her nose touched his, the same blue spirals began to spread across Faolan's body, sourcing from his nose.

Once the blue spirals covered Faolan, something miraculous happened. His body regained a healthy weight. Muscle tone returned to his legs, showing off how strong he had been in his youth. The gray hairs left his muzzle and life returned to his eyes. He rose confidently to his feet and led a howl that the other spirit wolves immediately joined in on. After a moment, Kinlu felt the urge to join in. He closed his eyes and savored the bond he shared with his former packmates.

When he opened his eyes, Faolan and the spirit wolves were nowhere to be seen. The sky had returned to its standard deep blue with normal glittery stars. Alpha Kinlu was sitting alone on the top of a hill, a soft breeze running through his fur.


~~~~~


Alpha Kinlu led his pack south. Many of the wolves within were aging, recently retired mentors that were not eager to lift up what they called home and trek to a new one. But Kinlu insisted. "Faolan brought you to a home completely barren of food and life. Your retirements will be very, very short if I keep you there. Your grandpuppies will be thin and frail, unable to hunt for themselves, if I allow our lines to continue in the Glacier." Trusting his promises, they followed. Pupsitters carried pups on their backs, hunters supported the mentors' rickety bodies, and scouts Asbjorn and Niagara flanked Kinlu, clearing brush and forging the path for those who followed.

After days of migration, the Northern Dawn arrived in the Mountains. Kinlu had already scoped out the area while exploring, and had spent his time building the new campground for his pack. The campsite was within a clearing surrounded by thick bushes and oak trees. Positioned about halfway up the mountain, the pack would be able to enjoy beautiful views of the landscape below, paired with the protection of the steep slopes behind the camp. Within were four caves made of dark slate. Small openings led to dug-out nests in the soil, which were sure to keep the inhabitants warm and protected. In the center of the camp was a large boulder, on which Kinlu would be able to gather his wolves for meetings and announcements. Kinlu mounted his stage and turned to his pack. Their excited eyes were scanning the camp. Their fur was quickly forgetting the constant chill of the Glacier and embracing the glow of sunshine.

Kinlu spoke with a smile, his voice confident and proud. "Northern Dawn wolves, welcome to your new home." While pointing to the caves, he continued, "Around you, you will find your new homes. The Alpha Den is for myself and Nala, along with our future pups. Please come grab us whenever we are needed."

"Next to it is Faolan's Nest. This is where you will all reside. It is very large with an extensive selection of nests for you all to claim."

"Around here is Ikiaq's Burrow. This is where nursing mothers and their pups will stay. I've made it extra warm in order to support our youngest hunters and fighters."

"And last is Frostbite's Cave, which will be where you are housed while being treated by Judaeno."


~~~~~


A pupsitter ran up to Kinlu, frantic over losing sight of one of her puppies. The two immediately set out to scope the den site. They searched Ikiaq's Burrow, where the pup was being weaned, Faolan's Nest, where his father slept, and the pile of toys, yet found only a vague scent trail leading downhill. They followed quickly.

To their horror, they found a thin, growling female holding the body of the bloody puppy in her jaws. She smelled foreign. Kinlu charged at the aggressor, inciting chase further downhill. The female dove into a close grouping of pine trees, Kinlu and his pupsitter hot on her trail. They landed in a small den site, occupied by the aggressor, her mate, and two other young female wolves. All of them were excessively thin. It seemed that the male was an inexperienced pack leader, and his lack of skill had led to his ladies starving. The Northern Dawn pup was tonight's dinner.

Blind with rage, Kinlu jumped onto the lead male, growling and nipping at his neck. Panicked, Kinlu's pupsitter sprinted back up the hill to call for help. By the time she returned with scouts and hunters, Kinlu was fighting his way to the top of a dog pile, the three ravenous females having joined in. It seemed that they wanted to add Kinlu to the menu tonight. Asbjorn and Fleet quickly sprung in, with Chester and Unukut right behind. The hunters pulled wolves off of Kinlu while the scouts bit at their muzzles and eyes. Kinlu alone was able to knock the smallest female to the ground and cut a considerable gash into the male's throat. As the tussling died down, the foreign pack scrambled out of the den site, leaving Kinlu alone with his packmates, a dead newborn pup, and a torn ear.

Determined to never allow an incident such as this to happen again, Kinlu set forth plans to divide the Northern Dawn amongst a variety of camps, unified by his leadership and a central base. Each camp was to have at least one hunter and pupsitter. The herbalist would be accessible to all at the main camp. Scouts reside at the main camp to make it easier to directly communicate with and be dispatched by Kinlu.


~~~~~


Tanner, son of Asbjorn, did not get along well with his father. Taking after his mother, Tanner had a romantic personality, and Asbjorn did not take well to his passionate son. He wanted him to grow into a stern, stoic scout just like himself. Nonetheless, he trained up Tanner to be his heir.

One day, Asbjorn discovered that his son was missing from the Scragg Summit den site. Thinking he was perhaps out on a scout and simply forgot to notify his father of his whereabouts, Asbjorn waited patiently for his return, keeping an eye out on the treetops to look for signs of Tanner on his typical scouting trail.

Tanner returned later that evening empty-pawed. Asbjorn trotted up to him, eager to inquire about his scout and discipline him for making his elderly father worry. Instead, Asbjorn's nose quickly picked up the pungent odor of other pack wolves on him. Specifically, he could detect the scent of several Pine Point females, a camp filled with similarly romantic wolves.

Asbjorn firmly disciplined the young bachelor for socializing with females from another camp. He had been hoping Tanner would come to his senses and pair bond with the beautiful June or Nipp, and here he was waltzing into camp smelling sweetly of other ladies. Tanner similarly bit back, saying that he wanted to turn Scragg Summit into a more loving camp, and wanted a romantic bride to help with this.

The two arguing wolves immediately referred to Kinlu. Kinlu, being very dutiful, acknowledged Tanner's affection for Augustine, a female wolf native to Pine Point. To Asbjorn's distaste, Kinlu blessed their pair bond.