Váli

Theme song: Goodbye

Accompanied by the two warriors who sniffed you out, you are led to the heart of The Village. Dens are dug here and there against the rocky walls of a hillside, sheltered from the mountains' wind. A few wolves go about their business, occasionally giving you cautious looks. However, your attention is quickly drawn to a group of other wolves gathered in front of you. You hear barking, growling, and whining from the middle of the mob. You can see snow powder flying all around, along with tufts of fur, making your ears drop as your stomach flips with dread.
As the warriors bring you closer, you can finally see the confrontation. Two males are engaged in a fierce battle. The younger one, although tough, is clearly no match for the massive dark-brown wolf.
He is pinned to the ground by his throat, the weight of the larger adult trapping him in place, and he struggles to free himself.
The wolves around you are getting more agitated, the excitement of the fight is at its peak, and you are sure to witness a kill. Whether you'll be next in line is unclear.
But as you brace yourself for the sinister crack of a neck-breaking, laughter erupts.
Startled, you open your eyes previously closed. The yearling is on his feet, alive and kicking, gently nudged by the taller one. The atmosphere has changed; laughter and cheers fly everywhere, and you don't know what's happening.
You watch as the crowd disperses noisily, and the large male notices you for the first time.

"Oh. I didn't realize we had a visitor."

He approaches, and you feel ridiculously small all of a sudden.

"Apologies for that odd welcome; I imagine it must have been quite a sight."

His tail is slightly raised with a natural dominance, and his bearing is firm and poised. He speaks with a thick accent that you cannot identify. You will learn later that all the native wolves here share more or less the same accent.

"My name is Váli, I am the Jarl of Ravengarde Tribe. It is unusual to receive visitors in these parts. May I ask who I am addressing?"

Birth Pack: N/A
Father: N/A
Role: Jarl
Relationships:

Váli was born into a prominent pack led by his father. Although they lived peacefully alongside other nearby clans, occasional conflicts erupted over territory or resources. But one night, as Váli lay nestled against his mother's warm fur, the tranquility of their den was disrupted by the distant sounds of growls and snarls. His father leaped to his feet, his instincts honed from years of protecting his family. He called, rallying his pack. Váli's ears perked up as he listened to the chaos unfolding outside. His mother pushed him further into the den, her snarls warning of danger outside. Shadows flickered in the darkness, and she let out a pained yelp as something lunged at her from the shadows, dragging her outside. Váli buried his head in his paws, trying to block out the gruesome sound of bones cracking under pressure.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly as Váli waited anxiously. The noises outside grew fainter, replaced by the pained cries of his kin. Váli's heart sank, knowing that something terrible had befallen their pack.

Finally, when the stillness became unbearable, Váli dared to venture out from the depths of the den. He emerged into a scene of devastation and sorrow. The once vibrant clearing was now stained with blood, and lifeless bodies lay scattered across the ground. His father, the strong and noble leader, laid lifeless amidst the wreckage. He cautiously approached his mother's body, tears welling up in his eyes as he nuzzled her lifeless form.
He saw familiar faces among the fallen, his friends and mentors who had taught him important skills for survival. Now, they were gone, leaving him all alone in a world that suddenly seemed much darker.

Unable to process the magnitude of what had happened, Váli stumbled away from the carnage and into the surrounding forest. He ran until exhaustion overtook him, collapsing at the base of a tree.

For days, Váli remained there in a daze, frozen by the loss of his family and pack. Eventually, hunger drove him to hunt for food, and slowly, he began to adapt to living on his own.

But, as fate would have it, he stumbled upon the Ravengarde Tribe. The wolves there were welcoming enough, and Váli knew he had found a place where he could start anew - a place where he could lay his burdens down and finally make peace with his grief.