Tale of the four packs

Listen to me young pups. There will be time for play later. Alas, it is time you heard a story. One that stretches back generation upon generation. This is important, little pups, because it is the story of your families, and their families, and their families. And what happened than still affects you little ones now. So lie down, and listen closely…
This tale started many years ago. Back before the Tall Ones had built their strange colored dens and blackpaths. Back when the small cats were as big as a wolf, with teeth long as your tails. Back when giant Thunderbeasts roamed the valley, with their thick fur and strange snake noses. Back when the valley was covered in snow all year long. In this valley of ancient times, the wolves lived together as one.
The great pack lived peacefully, sharing the endless bounty of Elk and Bison equally, and every wolf roamed freely. They were led by powerful, benevolent leaders, elected by the spirits of nature to serve all wolves justly. However, one leader rose who was none of these things. He was evil, cruel, and killed without mercy.
His evil began to taint the minds of others as well. He forced the wolves, our ancestors, to guard the valley and kill any lone wolf who should approach. He told them to keep food only for themselves, and not to share with the whole pack. Worst of all, he taught them to attack others if they did not agree.
One day, while the cold-hearted leader was away, the pack decided they needed a plan. A plan to rid themselves of his influence, and return to the old ways. On this day they gathered near a magnificent rock shaped as a wolf howling under the light of a full moon.
Calling for their attention, a She-Wolf with brilliant silver fur stood at the bottom of the rock and gave our ancestors her plan. She told the wolves that to rid themselves of their leader, they must outsmart him. Talk him into a situation where he would be helpless, or trick him into leaving. With her she gathered like minded wolves, and they gathered together to lay out their cunning plot.
The second wolf to approach was a sleek White wolf who pounced gracefully onto the lower ledges of the rock. To the wolves, he said we must outrun the cruel leader. Tire him, make him too exhausted to fight. With him he gathered like minded wolves, and they gathered together to lay out their feat of agility.
Next came a large, well muscled wolf, whose pelt was the color of maple leaves in autumn. He said to the pack, let us overpower him. We will be powerful and immovable, and he will be unable to break our endurance.  With him he gathered like minded wolves, and they gathered together to lay out their brutal assault.
After most of the wolves had left, the final wolves were approached by a lean, mangy black wolf with eyes like a raven. To the last wolves, he said the others are fools to confront him. They will only meet defeat and humiliation. What we shall do is wait and watch. We will seemingly stay loyal, only to strike when he doesn't expect.  With him the others gathered, and together they began to lay out their treasonous ambush.
When the sun rose over the valley the next morning, the pack had split up and prepared to unleash their plans upon the leader. The silver she-wolf had gathered her most cunning sisters to bewilder and trick him. The sleek White wolf had brought together his fastest runners to tire and heckle him. The strong Red wolf came with his toughest fighters to overpower and slaughter him. Only the final pack stayed back, waiting for the others to make their move.
When the time was right, all the wolves of the first three packs approached their leaders den, creeping through the mess of bones and corpses.  The silver she-wolf approached the cave first, and with her pack members she spoke soothingly to the leader, to tempt him away from his home into the open. However, they were met with no response.
Second, the white wolf neared with his runners, and they taunted their leader and pranced about mockingly. However, like the pack before they were met with no response.
Finally, the tough red wolf came forth with his fighters. Mustering their courage, they entered the cave. Prepared for a fight, they were met by an empty den shrouded in shadow. At that moment, the leader burst forth from behind the other packs, flanked by the final pack.
If the pack had been following the old ways, they would have defended themselves as one, but their evil leaders influence had finally corrupted them. With howls of bloodlust, the four packs charged into battle. Many lives were lost that day.
The battle lasted for a moon, and many pack members were killed. Pups and she-wolves alike were slaughtered, and the snowy valley was stained red with blood. Finally the packs retreated to lick their wounds, and each fell back to a defensible position. Of the cold hearted leader, he simply vanished one day, as his purpose was complete. He had suceeded in changing a kind, wise pack into warring factions taken by greed and violence.
The packs would have been doomed, if not for the events which would unfold that day.
The treasonous pack had retreated to the bone strewn marsh around their former leaders den to the east. Under the hot sun, they were approached by strange wolves with stars in their fur. When they came closer, the pack realized it was their own pack members who had been struck down in combat. The spirit of their mangy furred leader who had been struck down in battle came forward and told the pack this.
"You have disgraced the spirits of your ancestors"
"And for that you must be punished"
"If you would avoid destruction"
"You must redeem yourselves"
"To do this you must do three things"
"First, you must elect a leader who will lead your pack with benevolence and justice"
"Second, you must claim a portion of the valley as your home"
"And defend it from the other packs"
"Finally, when there is a full moon you must meet in peace at the rock where your plots were "first made"
"And no blood shall be shed"
"Do this for all time, and you may live under the guidance of your ancestors"

And with that, the spirits departed. The pack agreed to these rules, and elected a new leader who would lead them fairly. Further they named their pack after the skull of a huge fallen Thunderbeast that lay in the center of their new home. And thus, the Skull pack was born.


The warrior pack had retreated to the bone rocky crags to the south. Under the evening sky, they were approached by strange wolves with stars in their fur. When they came closer, the pack realized it was their own pack members who had been struck down in combat. The spirit of their red pelted leader who had been struck down in battle came forward and told the pack this.
"You have disgraced the spirits of your ancestors"
"And for that you must be punished"
"If you would avoid destruction"
"You must redeem yourselves"
"To do this you must do three things"
"First, you must elect a leader who will lead your pack with benevolence and justice"
"Second, you must claim a portion of the valley as your home"
"And defend it from the other packs"
"Finally, when there is a full moon you must meet in peace at the rock where your plots were "first made"
"And no blood shall be shed"
"Do this for all time, and you may live under the guidance of your ancestors"

And with that, the spirits departed. The pack agreed to these rules, and elected a new leader who would lead them fairly. Further they named their pack after the red boulders that lay about their new home. And thus, the Bloodrock pack was born.
The agile pack had retreated to the open fields to the north. Under the brilliant sunset, they were approached by strange wolves with stars in their fur. When they came closer, the pack realized it was their own pack members who had been struck down in combat. The spirit of their white furred leader who had been struck down in battle came forward and told the pack this.
"You have disgraced the spirits of your ancestors"
"And for that you must be punished"
"If you would avoid destruction"
"You must redeem yourselves"
"To do this you must do three things"
"First, you must elect a leader who will lead your pack with benevolence and justice"
"Second, you must claim a portion of the valley as your home"
"And defend it from the other packs"
"Finally, when there is a full moon you must meet in peace at the rock where your plots were "first made"
"And no blood shall be shed"
"Do this for all time, and you may live under the guidance of your ancestors"

And with that, the spirits departed. The pack agreed to these rules, and elected a new leader who would lead them fairly. Further they named their pack after the dazzling sunset and powerful gusts that flew high above their new home. And thus, the Crimson Wind pack was born.
The cunning pack had retreated to the flowing river to the west. Under the glowing moon, they were approached by strange wolves with stars in their fur. When they came closer, the pack realized it was their own pack members who had been struck down in combat. The spirit of their silver she-wolf leader who had been struck down in battle came forward and told the pack this.
"You have disgraced the spirits of your ancestors"
"And for that you must be punished"
"If you would avoid destruction"
"You must redeem yourselves"
"To do this you must do three things"
"First, you must elect a leader who will lead your pack with benevolence and justice"
"Second, you must claim a portion of the valley as your home"
"And defend it from the other packs"
"Finally, when there is a full moon you must meet in peace at the rock where your plots were "first made"
"And no blood shall be shed"
"Do this for all time, and you may live under the guidance of your ancestors"

And with that, the spirits departed. The pack agreed to these rules, and elected a new leader who would lead them fairly. Further they named their pack after the beams of light shimmering in the river that ran through their new home. And thus, the Moonlight pack was born.
Now go on young pups, it's time for you to go to bed. Who knows, maybe your star furred ancestors will visit you in your dreams. You may even become the next leader! But that is talk for another day. Close your eyes now little pups, and sleep.