Author Topic: The Obscura Railroad (Open) (Read 3757 times)

Keinai · « **on:** October 25, 2015, 09:59:29 PM »

It never occurs to you where you find yourself.
The sun never warms our hides and the sky often weeps for our existence. You pad hurriedly down a stretch of abandoned rails; lichens and old pitch cling to the rough bleeding flesh of your paws. The early mist of arriving rain already clinging to your prickling pelt- hairs standing like quills in response to your fear. This is when you see a slick black form like floating tar coming in your direction, sprinting down the rail southbound, as you face the north. "Be quiet, my dear. We've been waiting a long time for you. Follow me and live in brotherhood and comfort. Fear yourself no more." She whispers, parted lips suddenly just inches from your own maw. You are lost, hungry and somehow deeply anticipated by the single most peculiar race in this region.
What's your response?

Hierarchy

Alphess(1/1)~ Arcanum
Alpha(0/1)~ Jacob
Mothers(Unlim.)~ Maylien
Fathers(Unlim.)~ Cecil
Thetess(0/1)~
Theta(1/1)~ Warden
Deltas(0/4)~
The Children(Unlim.)~
Thieves(Unlim.)~ Ko
Grimes(Unlim.)~

Explanations

Note: Though there is zero power struggle, females are put on a higher pedestal than males for they are believed to be the more complicated, therefore more valuable sex of the two, for mystery is cherished in the customs.

Spoiler for Hidden:

Alphess(1)~ The female leader of Obscura, oversees major actions. Her main role is to keep the electricity flowing and advertise fertility with celebrations in spring and joy with each birth.

Alpha(1)~ Being the strength of Obscura, it is the alpha's role to maintain a strong heart, representing control and ambition, along with providing and example of what both compassion and violence looks like. As any male, the alpha is also sworn to protect the alphess's heart and physical perfection, as she is untouched by any other...a virgin until her happy wed.

Mothers(Unlim.)~ Those who have reigned, or have bore more than six offspring (still or living). Generally, the mothers are older members who display proud feminism and they often are the main informers of Obscura, teaching all the younger members about . The mothers also are the females with the strongest maternal instincts, therefore whelps may also nurse from the mothers- nursing is a powerful ritual, being the source of nutrition and life.

Fathers(Unlim.)~ The fathers are also generally older members. They show how to nicely combine pride with modesty, strength with empathy, and how to love one's self as well as how to stay humble. Usually war heroes, fathers may also be ex alphas. Fathers are also the main story tellers, teaching of constellations.

Thetess(1)~ The thetess leads hunting parties, prayers for kills along with helping define battle strategies. The thetess plays the role as would our idea of Artemis, with the fathers' advisory.

Theta(1)~ Like Apollo, the theta leads all acts of violence with guidance from the fathers. Any battle, brawl, war, scrap or even an argument is managed and ultimately ruled by the theta.

Deltas(4)~ The deltas provide help and assistance to the thetas and alphas. They are the worker bees, though their main job is usually maintaining the health of the mothers and fathers, as both alphas and both thetas are generally younger than the mothers and fathers therefore more independent. They also may take on children as apprentices.

The Children(Unlim.)~ The children are the life blood of Obscura, being the most numerous members. They carry out daily tasks with little disturbance, displaying happiness, obedience and comfort.

Thieves(Unlim.)~ The thieves are still welcomed, believe it or not...but live under separate conditions on the territorial outskirts. Thieves though have a very important job, but are low ranking because they can be quickly replaced, and there is always a long line for the position, as rogues seek such a place. Many new members not of Obscura blood are placed here, but eventually move up if they prove their worth. Thieves are like guards, maintaining the territory and stealing from other territories, other creatures and humans. Thieves also help maintain the general habitat, weeding out foreign plants and spreading floral seeds. Thieves are generally the most artistic, yet the most unreliable and least sociable.

Grimes(Unlim.)~ Being the lowest ranking members, Grimes are frowned upon even by thieves. Grimes are of the shadiest and cruelest members- two qualities of which are not desirable oddities. Usually put to this rank as punishment, grimes can work their way up the ladder again over time...but are typically unwanted for their filthy, cruel and crass nature...however, they do serve a purpose. In turn for their services such as dung, scraps and pest management, grimes will always be guaranteed equal food and shelter.

Mandatory Rules and Regulations

Spoiler for Hidden:

Other Threads

Spoiler for Hidden:

{IMPORTANT: ALL FUTURE CHARACTER SUBMISSIONS MUST GO ONTO THE COMPANION THREAD. ANY FORM POSTED HERE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL IT IS MOVED TO THE APPROPRIATE THREAD.}

Keinai · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2015, 11:11:00 PM »

A thick white blanket lay just level with a silken form's waist, the eerie moisture taunting her sensitive hide. Silver eyes glimmered so bright it put the dew drops along the steel rails to utter shame as she stood on the tracks- leaning forward slightly and peering ahead, waiting. Arcanum hoped to rally her troops after last night's annual monsoon that always scattered the members- putting the mothers and fathers in a daze as the children ran about in a panic...the others lost to indecision as each of them wandered about aimlessly through the storm. The alphess knew that many had probably died, as she stared alone into oblivion and fear with daring eyes. The violent rains always thinned out the Obscura, but it never hurt her too deeply, for a level head was her only weapon. Arcanum raised her ebony head to the murky sky and pinned her single ear against her thin skull. She let out a solemn howl, beckoning any survivors back north.

Tina · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2015, 12:23:15 AM »

"Come on, that was the alphess. Where almost there." Warden said helping Maylien forward. Maylien was shivering and nearly hypothermic from the rain. Warden did his best to help her stay warm and keep moving.
"W-warden, I am s-so cold."

Keinai · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2015, 01:13:42 AM »

Hypnotic, mesmerizing..haunting, just a few tantalizing words flowing through Ko's thoughts as he stood overlooking the swollen and raging river below. The soothing sound of water rushing forward and the subtle beauty of knowing it was always moving, ever alive, and forever magnificent eased his aching mind and put to ease the wicked and darker ideas that plagued his psyche. The single-hued wolf was a flicker of flames, the moonlight dancing off the his pitch, mist covered pelt. He drew away from the majestic and swirling waters below as his alphess' call rang through his auditory senses. Immediately the dark colored brute whirled away from his taunting view and his heavy paws pounded the ground, causing mud and muck to fling up against his thighs. He slowed his pace as he arrived at the tracks and trotted along the well known path until he spotted his fellow wolf up ahead. Cranium dipped in respect before he lowered his rump to the soaked earth and waited for the others to return.

Tina · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2015, 01:33:39 AM »

"There she is, come on."
Maylien and Warden soon came into sight.
"Alphess, we need some help. Maylien is shivering uncontrollably and I fear for her and the child." Warden said as Maylien hugged him closely.

Keinai · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2015, 01:49:35 AM »

The dame turned to face the couple who had just appeared out of the haze. She gazed at the theta, internally relieved that he had made it out of the storm, as it would takes moons to train a rouge or a whelp to fulfill his position. However, she showed no sign of external emotion. "The camp is flooded, there is no where to take her so that she may rest comfortably." The ebony dame slid into a graceful canter before performing a sharp turn, never once letting a paw off the rotting wooden boards holding the steel off the granite. Sprinting northbound, the alphess expressed no thrill or glee as many canines would upon running, with their jaws hanging wide and a rolling tongue. No, the alphess kept her expression blank as the trio approached the tunnel-like entrance, littered with branches, blood and leaves leading up to the moss curtain concealing the camp. "Home again." She announced quietly, once arrived. "Set Maylien down on the driest land you can find. If any deltas are still alive, they will tend to her."

Tina · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2015, 02:09:15 AM »

"Come on right here that's it." Warden help his mate into a dry spot and made it as comfortable as he could.
"Please don't leave me." Maylien whimpered and Warden looked to the alphess for direction.

Jacob Hail · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2015, 02:07:02 PM »

Ten sets of paws padded across the soggy and marshy ground, Jacob's leading them as they headed eastward. After the monsoon the Obsure were left scattered, their members either dead or wondering aimlessly through the woods were Jacob had found and collected a few. It certainly wasnt much, just a mother whom he carried on his back with her five children tailing behind, followed by three theives and a grime coming up the back. All this was better then nothing though. But even with managing to save a few members the fox found his worry to be placed else where, his mind going to the alphess. He had lost her in the midst of the heavy rain and panic, trying his best to keep track of her while maintaining order, but it all ending up becoming to much. For Obscure customs, it was his job as Alpha to make sure she stayed safe, and as his time as Alpha, he had done that without failure. He prayed that his record maintained true.

Soon his worried would be put to ease though as he heard Arcanums howl echo above the trees, shifting his path to head north. "Just a little further, not to much longer now." He said, turning back to reassure the others. "We are almost home."

Keinai · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2015, 02:18:56 PM »

As though a storm were brewing behind Arcanum's orbs, lighting flickered in her gaze as she counted the heads Jacob had brought back with him as they returned to the camp behind her. "How is it that my favorite monster always survives our Mother's frightful rains?" She asked, mocking her own stature by acting coy, as though she had no faith in her Alpha. Arcanum winked, an invitation to her own little party of indifference on the devastating situation. Stress of death never reared its ugly, pathetic head in times like this for her. "We'd best rally rouges into taking positions. I expect that my beautiful den is now in disarray and all those perfectly-thorned roses fallen in the mud..." Suggested the alphess, not caring to wait for any other stragglers, for her howl was heard far and wide and they'd be back at camp within hours.

"Mmm, yes. A mess." the alphess commented as she sloshed though the mud of the camp, though it were little more than a set of words to dismiss any frustration, as though she were telling off a fly. With her plume high and flicking rhythmically above her rump, Arcanum moved through the small sight, counting the soggy bodies strewn on the cavern floors. "I'm not sure why they fled here instead of higher ground. We all know that the dens fill up." She added, nodding her head to the nine corpses; all four of the deltas, two mothers and three children. "It seems one of our grimes have survived, along with another mother. It's a shame more thieves weren't killed...they always ate too much. Oh bother." She stated again, knowing well the damaging extent of this year's rains. "It's been a while since we've been this separated. I hope my fathers are alright." Arcanum then made her way for her own elaborate lair, with stalactite crystals hanging sparkling from the ceiling and flow stone covering the floor along with soaked furs and crimson petals. "My beautiful roses..."

Without hesitation Ko rose back up to his paws and offered the alphess a lopsided grin, a mere flash of his pearly whites, before his jaws parted to speak, "Aye m'lady, the lord of death much prefers to keep such beasts as myself out of his own territory. I believe he might fear us too much or what we may do to him," he added with a malevolent sneer. The thief gave his damp pelt a shake, causing a flash of sparkle as the moonlight caught the droplets of moisture that he flung into the air. His jaws closed in finality, as he was a brute of little words, though his tongue was as venomous as any serpent's saliva.

Jacob Hail · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2015, 04:33:15 PM »

"It will take more then a slight drizzle to take me out of this excistance, perhaps Mother should use swords instead of rain next time." Jacob replied to Arcanum after she spoke, setting the mother on his back down onto a dry spot of ground. "I was going to ask if you were ok, but I can see your sense of humor is still intact, so I can only assume the rest of you is also." The corner of his mouth raised into a slight smirk, a rare sight to behold coming from him, before dropping it back down into his blank expression. Gliding a paw along his fur, he flicked water from his coat, discarding it to to the floor as he followed after the alphess and listened as she inspected the den. In his opinion this was a horrible location to live. It flooded out in the rainy season, was on low fround, and very prone to attackers. But he never said anything, it wasnt his decision to make nor did he want it to be. "Ah but if we did not have theives then who shall take the place of the lost Deltas? The gods provide rhyme and reason for everything." He stated as they reached the alphess's lair. But he went no further then the opening of it, doing so out of respect of not being invited it. The alpha simply stood with his arms crossed, glancing over at the theif Ko as he began to speak before shifting his gaze to look around the room.

Cecilia Peromi · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:38:08 PM »

Cecil was calm, but nervous at the same time. The monsoon season was always hard. Not everyone would make it, Cecil knew that. He saw the children in their panic. "It's all right everyone! Just stay close to me!" He called, a few children were already huddled close to him. The group surrounding him got bigger, Cecil tried to stretch his arm around the pack. Then he heard the howl of Arcanum. "Listen children, it's the call of our Alphess".

Tina · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:51:45 PM »

Warden stayed with Maylien, making sure she stayed warm and helping her dry off.
"How are you feeling?" Warden asked putting his top on her to help keep her warm.
"Better, thank you." Maylien said and hugged him closely. The two sat there and waited. This has not been the first monsoon they've survived and if their luck keeps up it won't be their last.

Keinai · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2015, 09:05:40 PM »

As the remaining Obscura hummed along, Arcanum's sharp ear settled sideways on her head, while the other half ear had only stopped twitching, thus, the alphess relaxed furthermore. "I have always had faith in that quality you bear...you're adaptable." She complimented with a beaming flash of her neatly cleaned fangs, cocking her head to the left as if she were trying to be adorable...when really, she was still hiding the fact that she still listened for the many missing fathers. A hint of concern lay virtually nonexistent behind the vibrant silver beam of her eyes like two moons. "I'm proud, Jacob." She added, this time her tone soft. "You remind me of..." Arcanum shut her lips and looked at the blackening sky, as if she hadn't even started the sentence. Leaning over so that her shoulder touched the alpha's for a moment long enough to exchange warmth, she stood up and loped into the woods without another word, leaving her theta and alpha behind without instruction.

Ko as usual functioned much like a machine, setting about the gruesome tasks of removing the dead from the dens as if he was born to do so. He somber expression remained as lifeless as those of the ignorant fools that had failed to save themselves. A smirk twisted his maw, Just proves my theories on how some wolves cannot function without a leader..., and a snort of disgust sprang from his nares. Golden optics flicked to the last remaining corpse, that of a bloated young whelp, it's pelt strikingly resembling his own. A flashback of memory sent a stabbing pain of regret burning in his gut, a dark lonely night where he had taken what he had desired in a flurry of violence. Gingerly he grasped the pup's soggy fur, and pushing aside his guilt carried the whelp down the stairs and laid it upon a bed of leaves. He loped farther down the territory, his inner thoughts spinning dangerously close to erupting into violence, before his ears pricked at Jacob and Arcanum's voices. "I will do a quick scout mission," grumbled the thief perhaps a bit too savagely. Ko turned and disappeared into the brush, hoping upon everything he could lay waste to a pathetic rouge.

Cecilia Peromi · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2015, 11:43:21 PM »

The gathering around Cecil had become a small crowd of energetic children. Their little minds racing, trying to figure out the situation. "When will the rain stop?" a wolf pup asked. Cecil was used answering the children's questions, they seemed to believe that he alone had all the answers, but he didn't. "Oh, i'm afraid the rain won't stop for several days, but don't worry, me and all of the other mothers and fathers will keep you safe, I promise." This was the kind of thing Cecil hated, there was no way to guarantee that all of the children would survive. All he could do was try his absolute best to keep them safe. That was his job after all.

Keinai · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2015, 11:57:35 PM »

The alphess heard the quiet scuffles of paws as she padded down the gentle slope, and a multitude of questions that could only be slipping from a child's tongue. More children? She quickened her pace, then saw a pale figure just a few paces away. Cecil, surrounded by plenty of the wiggling whelps. A sort of hissing left Arcanum's lips in laughter as she tossed her head up and back, then shaking it... observing the amusing spectacle. She evenly stepped up to Cecil, dipping her head in respect for the older Obscura member. "Seems you have quite some activity on your paws," she chuffed, before straightening her posture and returning to her normal, polite yet brief way of speaking. "Only one mother has survived... I'm afraid that you are the only father I've come across," she disclosed to him, a tinge of grief behind her bark.

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Author Topic: The Obscura Railroad (Open) (Read 3757 times)

Keinai

The Obscura Railroad (Open)

Keinai

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Tina

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Keinai

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Tina

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Keinai

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Tina

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Jacob Hail

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Keinai

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Jacob Hail

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Cecilia Peromi

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Tina

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Keinai

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Cecilia Peromi

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Keinai

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