Vivarium - Westmoor Wakes

[TT] what you give me to work with

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:24:28 -0400

At long last, Tianlong’s tour through Mythris begins! This will be Stop #1 of the journey and takes place on 6/12.

Tagging those currently traveling with Tianlong so everyone knows who may be present for this part of the procession: Lanyi (& others!)

There is no pressure or requirement to respond to this thread! Anyone who would like to reply is more than welcome to do so. Please note somewhere in your post whether your character is skippable so the thread can move along smoothly.

Members are also more than welcome to start their own side threads in non-claimed territories around this same time frame! Whether your character is exploring, hunting, resting, socializing, wandering off from the main procession, or simply having a little moment of their own, feel free to use this general tour window as an opportunity for extra threads. Please use the prefix TT (Tianlong Tour) in the title

The conditions were ripe for Tianlong to travel. Fortune had been favorable to the dynasty, between the brightening of the world and the conception of the Emperor's next litter – days of celebration, for both the newly wedded pair and that the Imperial Emperor would soon have his heir, led to the decision that their momentum must not cease. They must not become complacent, so close to the cusp of true prosperity.

The sheer potentiality of a long-lasting peace drove Tianlong forward, intent on grasping it for themselves.

There was another faction, not too far from where the Dynasty had celebrated Satriya’s wedding – and it would behoove Tianlong to better know their neighbors. The brief moment that Yue had believed another nation could span the entirety of the continent was the moment that the Empress realized she did not know enough about the lands around her.

What’s more, is that the Empress could not forget how one of her own healers had recently returned home, full to bursting with the pups from unknown origins. It was a personal failing that stung deeply. That was her divine purpose – to offer her shield to those within her domain – and this, she had not achieved.

Furthermore, there was no realm that Yue would bring life into this world, and allow it to be snuffed out due to her own misinformation. So, upon the order from the emperor, the group at the wedding fractured into two groups.

One returned to the eastern jungles, and the other moved forward, intent on securing their fortune through awareness and open-mindedness.

After a matter of days, the scent borders of another’s domain manifested before them. Yue, quietly noting that this was the first time she had approached another nation aside from Satriya and Tianlong itself (both for the reasons of weddings, one of them being her own), approached with such aplomb and affinity for diplomacy that left no question, she wished to be the one to call.

So she did, but not before glancing backwards at those who were with her, steadying them with a deep breath of her own.

Here, they approached the unknown.

and here, they trusted that the ancestors would protect their path.

༻❁༺

ASHES TO ASHES, DUST TO DUST

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:56:54 -0400

The tunnel had not ended. It had swallowed her.

For what felt like an entire day, perhaps longer or shorter because time is fake, Fairytale had wandered through twisting stone corridors that seemed to breathe around her. Every step echoed too loudly. Every shadow lingered a second too long. The air had been cold enough to creep beneath her skin and settle into her bones, and more than once she could have sworn she'd heard something moving behind her.

But every time she turned—

Nothing.

Just darkness, then, at last, the tunnel had opened and somehow, that was worse.

The Rose Bride stood at the edge of a vast lake, midnight-blue fur stirred by a breeze that smelled of old water and older things. Before her sat an island wrapped in dense, silvery fog. Rising from its center was a tree so enormous that it seemed less like a living thing and more like a piece of the sky driven into the earth.

Its branches vanished into the heavens. Its roots looked capable of swallowing kingdoms. For a long while, Fairytale simply stared, then her ears slowly lowered.

...Absolutely the fuck not. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. The place felt wrong. Not dangerous in the way a predator was dangerous. Not violent. Not immediate.

Worse.

It felt familiar.

Like an old nightmare remembered only in pieces. Like standing on the edge of something ancient and realizing it has already noticed you. The fog drifted across the water in slow, deliberate curls. It reminded her of another place entirely. A little town with smiling faces and rotten teeth beneath the surface.

A place where bad things hid in sewers.

A place where children disappeared.

A place where something waited in the dark and wore a clown's grin. Fairytale's face twisted. Nope. A beat. Nuh-uh. Another. This is giving me some real Derry, Maine energy and I don't appreciate it. She remained exactly where she was.

The tree stood motionless. The island waited. The fog rolled softly over the water. And then—

The wind changed. A strange sensation curled through her chest.

An urge.

A pull.

As though the island itself were beckoning her forward. As though the great tree wished to hear her secrets. As though something upon that shore was waiting patiently for her to step closer.

Fairytale stared at it. The island stared back.

...You know, in horror movies, this is the exact moment the stupid white woman walks toward the cursed thing.

Silence. Her tail flicked once, ...Unfortunately, I am the stupid white woman in the Dogworld Horror Picture Show...and I'm not even fuckin' white. With the sort of deep, resigned sigh one gives before making a terrible life choice, the vampire princess took a cautious step toward the water…Then another, and another.

The fog seemed to thicken. The laughter of distant birds—or perhaps something pretending to be birds—echoed across the lake. Fairytale's ears twitched.

...If I get eaten by an ancient tree god, I'm gonna be SO fuckin’ annoyed. C'mon Fairytale. You can Final Girl this bitch. Just look around and go. Just look around and go. Just look-

seven shields

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:34:07 -0400

air is mist. air hangs thick with white. clouds roll and light cuts itself into shadow, filtering down though twisting branches.

black stalks on black limbs. black boles on black earth.

and all between, the creeping pale tendrils, hands of ivory which might take one's breath.

above the canopy, daylight still persists. but here in the hollow's center, night has already fallen.

the trees bend closer and closer and closer, and when they waver aside, what light persists gives illumination to scattered pieces of bone: a hyoid process, a tooth, an antler snapped. sections of spine, hooves dusty and half buried. a proud elk took final breaths here and their body has been disturbed by mice and by wind but by nothing else.

until you.

: tracking experience! your pup may choose to avoid the bones, turn around and find a different path, or take one of the bones along. the larger the bone prize, the greater the slowdown penalty per square of travel by map! no posting order <3

〔❁〕I wish that this would go away

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:17:12 -0400

❁

The group of them set off by early morning, trudging through the swamps and trees of westmoor for clearer ground. Soon enough, the shores that marked the end of the lands would reveal itself through an exit of thick foliage and tree trunks. Izumi breathed in the smell of seasalt as gentle waves crashed and receded from the white sands. Turning her muzzle over her shoulder, she’d becon them to follow her toward the low tide path leading to the Island.

The first thing to hit her was the strong smell of wisteria, a sweet yet gentle perfume against her twitching nose – yes, she was home again. A smile crossed her lips as she closed her eyes, taking in the fresh seabreeze that hit her while approaching the shores.

Turning over her shoulder, the empress checked with and .

”We should start by scouting over the lands, first. We haven’t occupied the island in a while now – there's no way it’s been barren for long…”

〔❁〕I will be a new girl

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:43:18 -0400

❁

In some form or another, Izumi missed this place.

No, she did not miss the shrouded mists that covered the swamps overhead, nor the clouds of mosquitoes that swarmed whoever came close to a body of water. Westmoor wakes had never been her favorite place, but it was the memory of it that she missed; especially what lied beyond it – just by their shores. With a flex of her digits to feel the wet, muddy soil beneath her paws, the empress knew she was home once again.

Long limbs continued to carry the crane bird south, her lilac gaze wandering around the biome and taking in every bit of land she can capture with her within her memory. She knew the path from where she walked, the path towards the beach that led home. This was the second time she was heading towards the Island since coming back, only now with a new found determination in her heart.

However, the sound of approaching pawsteps made her stop in her tracks, and the crane's head would shift in the direction of whom had bid her company...

halo

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:44:56 -0400

South they had walked, and now, west.

Days pass. Tatsaaye's pawpads crack with the march, but she knows better than to falter, even if there is pain. She licks them clean of blood when she sleeps and dips them in the cold stream. Even if she could complain and be listened to, she would not.

She will not shame Mother this way.

Deer pass side by side through the woods- calves growing into their hooves, not the caribou she knows but not so different from sunclan children taking the first uneasy steps on their paws. They stick together too, and are strong.

Even now Tatsaaye' is not so far away from the Saatsine, very careful to avoid pack-scent as she sniffs around the river for a drink. There are always eyes nearby, but she refuses to need to be rescued.

The morning was warm, but now the sky is choked with dark cloud. Wind murmurs slowly through the trees- green-leafed oak and maple and birch- and mixes with the burble of swift water. Somewhere in the far distance, a quiet rumble of thunder. Head bent to the river, Tatsaaye' listens for the rustle of leaves.

Usually there is nothing. Now- something moves.

Her ears perk, nostrils flaring. Sparse fur bristles on a child's barely-grown hackles. There is no predator-scent on the wind- but something dark and bristly eases itself along the opposite bank, fur studded colorfully with blacks and whites.

Storm-girl stares, intrigued, licking water from her lip.

The Wyld

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:48:44 -0400

Mistveil was beautiful in a way that still felt strange to Melanthe.

Low clouds drifted lazily across the mountain slopes, wrapping the peaks in pale veils of mist that shifted and danced with every passing breeze. Far below, the great lake gathered the waters of distant glaciers, feeding countless streams and waterfalls that spilled down the mountainside. The air always carried the scent of cold water and stone, while ribbons of fog curled through the forests and valleys like wandering spirits.

It was not home, but it was becoming familiar and perhaps that was enough. The den Jaxxon had helped her find felt different now than it had weeks ago. Lived in. Loved.

The old furs had long since been replaced or cleaned. Every scrap of forgotten prey had been carried away. Dead leaves, loose debris, and anything that might invite the taint of the wyrm removed one piece at a time whenever she had gathered enough strength after the birth.

Now the den belonged to them, to her family.

Melanthe lay comfortably near the rear of the den, her long frame curled loosely around the space while yellow-green eyes followed the movements of her children. A soft smile rested upon her muzzle as she watched them tumble and wrestle with one another.

Indra, the runt of the three, carried much of his father's silver and charcoal coloring. Kailu followed close behind, darker in appearance and carrying more of Melanthe's own blacks through his coat. Then there was Tinesi, her daughter, who stayed close by to her regardless of how much her brothers had begged her to join them.

They were healthy. Strong. Alive. Every time she looked at them, gratitude settled quietly inside her chest. The Garou lowered her head slightly, watching as one pup pounced clumsily upon another while tiny growls echoed through the den.

A soft laugh escaped her.

You know, she began gently, her voice warm with amusement, when I was a pup, my elders would tell stories whenever we became too energetic.

Her tail flicked lazily against the den floor. Stories about Gaia. About Luna and the Triat we sore to protect. Her gaze drifted briefly toward the den entrance where pale mountain light filtered through the mist. About the great spirits that helped keep the world in balance. Her ears perked slightly as she looked back toward her children.

The Wyld, The Weaver and The Wyrm. A smile tugged gently at the corners of her muzzle. Would any of you like to hear a story? You three can pick which one I tell today.

Melanthe settled more comfortably against the den floor as she spoke, watching her pups with quiet affection. There had once been a time when she feared these stories would die with her. Now, as she watched her children grow beneath the mountains of Mistveil, she realized they did not have to.

The stories would live on.

Just as they would.

I can tell you about how Luna and Gaia made the Garou. About how The Wyld, The Weaver and The Wyrm were made…or I can tell you a story about your father. Who even though he’s no longer with us, loves you all very much.

The last one hurt for her to say.

For and ! But anyone in Jakten is allowed to come visit for story time. <3 I imagine the pups are 3 weeks old!

Mr Backwards.

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:17:42 -0400

Slick. Heat. Hum.

Dew clung to his fur like a second skin, a truly rancid flavor of company he sought to rid himself as soon as possible. Kaloula concluded some time ago that finer conditions would be found in northward, anywhere but farther south, at least.

However, no amount of discomfort could quell curioisity — rooted in the thin scent of claimed territory. No. Territory being claimed. This fact in particular delighted him and encouraged him to trot... right over the attempt at establishment.

A Bond Forged

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:17:15 -0400

The patrol seemed to be normal, apart from being outside of Jakten's lands. He was the kind of wolf to not take chances at the border alone. His mind thought that patrols like these would be even more beneficial in every way. Not having any packs that was close to the border made this plan even more important in his eyes, so anyone he would find would either be just passing through, or trying to get into Jakten intently.

The day seemed to be quiet and normal, that was, until the faint scent of another wolf crossed his nose. Clear as day that it was someone alone, as well as not being someone in Jakten's ranks. Hjalmar closed the gap, the scent of the other getting stronger by the minute. Before he knew it, it was in an opening. There was no way to hide where he was, as he looked towards the wolf in the distance.

[PE] Feather Quest 1: Hollowed Hideaways

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:42:37 -0400

ATTN:

and any other Saastine adults tagging along. This is the first of many opportunities for caribou pups to earn a feather in one of Ice Raven’s sacred colors (red and white). Accompanying adults are free to cameo and post in the thread as supervising, but the game is specifically for the pups.

Dated IC for June 20th. I will post starting the second round on June 25th.

It is an uneasy feeling, to no longer feel the drum of caribou hooves through the earth. And yet, it is a route Caan himself scouted. A task set upon him by his father, there was much to prove in this expedition. This time, he does not walk this route alone.

The Sun Clan’s pups hike the trail with him. Aiman, Iglux̂, Fa'liya, and Yaalk’ali attended the procession. The extra eyes welcome, for any threat to approach the Saastine on this path, the consquences would be catastrophic. Future hunters from each of the three litters blessed by the spirits. The children of Iglux̂, Meleys, and Nutuyikruk. The eldest pups had the benefit of finding their legs already, having been born before the return of spring. The youngest, having just weaned, would struggle, but it is for their benefit that this march has been arranged to prepare them.

For this was not the Long March, but rather a precursor. A departure from the endless path paved by the hooves of caribou. Kinder, this march would be, but the pups must not be complacent. They had to prepare for the real thing.

So it was away from the Saastine’s great herd that Caan led his party. Southwards, where broad-leafed deciduous trees thinned with the presence of densely packed pines. The forest floor, once strewn with leaf litter, is now blanketed by fallen needles and ferns. Light scarcely broke through the tightly woven canopy, leaving a dappled mosaic across the earth before them.

Moisture hung in the air, leaving the shadowed path cool as the seasons changed, welcoming warmer weather to these southern regions.

It is the sight of the dried riverbed that slowed Caan’s pace as he altered the direction of the procession. Following the riverbed to a moss covered boulder, Caan paused by a log, nose pausing over scratches marred into the bark. Satisfied that they were his own, Caan turned and addressed the pups.

Rules

Click here to view the feather quest rules

There will be three paths presented to you. In your first post, please declare which path your pup will take. Please also roll 1D20 (no modifiers). You can do so in the Vivarium Discord under: General > Bot Channel. Please ping me in there, I'm also happy to help you roll.

At the end of each path is a hidden feather (red or white, finder's choice). Your pup will find the stash by rolling a 15 or higher.

I will post starting the second round on June 20th. This is of course OOC, allowing players time to hop in. In the second round I will describe more features of each path and where the feather is stashed on each one.

Wait... What if two pups on the same path both see the stash? That can be decided in character, be by it words or sharp little puppy teeth. Grow your skills and sort out your hierarchy, children. There will also be more opportunities to get a feather!

Adults may semi-supervise the pups and ensure they are safe on these quest paths, but no help from the grown ups in finding the feather.

Much of your life will be spent on the Long March. There you will stand with kin and clanmate. There you will stand with caribou. You will never be alone at such times.

Caan's eyes would pass over the children, assessing for strain, for exhaustion. This trial allows mercy to those struggling, but how could it be prevented?

There will be times in your life where you may step away from the March. Ice Raven will guide you back, always. But you must be able to stand on your own in such times.

Caan would crouch, lowering himself to the level of the children. His eyes would guide them to look ahead.

You will each choose one of the paths before you. You may walk the same path as others, or walk alone. A prize from Ice Raven sits at the end of each path. Find it, if you can. Do not fret if you cannot. There will be more chances.

To walk the first path, look to the fallen pine. Upon the log are three scratches scored into the bark. They will point you to your next marker, also marked by scratches.

To walk the second path, find your courage and step into the shadowed gully. Dark it may be, but find where my feet have walked the ground prior. The mark of my paws will be there to guide you.

To walk the third path, stand upon the flat rock and look inward. Use your ears, listen for riverspeak. A small creek will accompany you on your path.

Caan would rise to his paws and step to the side.

Choose now. Raise your voice if you find danger. We will never be far.

You take my breath away, and darling i'd suffocate if it meant looking at you.

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:20:32 -0400

You're here for a reason but you don't know why
3-1-3 OC

Speech Emotional Actions Thoughts

Khyan stretched and rose from the shaded spot where he had been resting, his dark fur still a little rumpled from sleep. The forest of Jakten felt peaceful around him as he began to wander, paws quiet on the soft earth.

A familiar sound soon reached his ears—low growls and soft whines coming from a small clearing ahead. Curious, he crept closer and peered through the ferns. There was Amon, with a sleek she-wolf whose fur shimmered a striking blue. They were mating, Amon hovering over hers as he moved. The sight made Khyan's ears flick back and his cheeks warm beneath his fur. He knew what mating looked like, of course, but seeing it so openly—and with someone like the blue-furred female—stirred an unexpected flutter in his chest. He watched for a short while, heart beating faster, a mix of curiosity and embarrassment keeping him hidden.

When the moment passed and the pair settled, Khyan slipped away quietly, mind racing with questions he didn't quite know how to voice.

He found Idalie resting somewhere warm and cozy, somewhere private, kind of, and he curiously watched her for a moment before approaching her fully.

Khyan sat beside her, close, hip pressing against her side gently as he leaned down to lick a stripe up the back of her head before nibbling at her ears.

His ears flicked nervously as he spoke, his voice quieter than intended.
I… I saw something while I was walking, he began, glancing away. Amon was with a woman — one with blue fur. They were… mating. I didn’t mean to watch, but I kind of… stayed there for a little while. His ears lowered, cheeks warm beneath his fur. It made me curious about… things.

He'd seen Ma and Vasili do the same thing, more, intense, less reserved and out in the open without care, and he'd watched for a few seconds before following in his siblings paths of getting the HELL outta there.

All the noises teasing me, It has my sight completely.

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:37 -0400

Skill:

Bruce awoke that morning to a bright sunny day outside the den and a plush body beside him. The child nestled into the warm fur for a while, dozing on and off, in and out of slumber he snored and made gurgling noises in his sleep. He was quite cute at this age if you asked him, but what did he know he was only a baby.

Finally after hours of sleep, he finally woke. Energized and ready for the day he leapt to his paws and scurried towards the mouth, when he reached it the boy looked around. He was surrounded by large gray things, the air smelled crisp and fresh. Sweet and spicy at the same time, he sneezed a few times. His head rearing back and flinging forward to shake violently each time, after about three or four of these he finally relaxed and sighed.

He snorted and sniffled a little, wiping his nose with his paw, and began to toddle around in front of the opening of the cavern they stayed in. He sniffed at the plush green below his feet, twicthed his ears in the winds, shook a penta colored head, and attempted to waddle around in discovery of the outside world.

No need for a gender reveal, they already knew I was him

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:01:58 -0400

CECIL IN: No need for a gender reveal, they already knew I was him

SKILL: None

And so he says,

Scrabbling with fat splayed legs, the infant was off.

Freedom. Freeeeedommm! Nose tilted down and he pressed his chest on the floor of Jakten’s nursery, kicking up his wobbly hind legs, and with another push on all four he was up. Wide stomps and swaying skips brought him away from the rest of his siblings, nose instinctively working to find where he was when all else was blurry. A whimper and he tipped over in the direction he had thrust his snout, rolling onto his back and squirming. AaaaAA! He needed attention NOW. Or he was going to DIE. HELP HIM, HELP HIM! Wuuaaa!

Cecil was often in this sort of situation, he realized. Stuck somewhere because he had rolled over and was not at all agile enough to get back on his paws. Kicking and flailing, he expected somebody else to fix this for him, as was usual. Ewwp..!

ALL CODING AND CHARACTER ART ON THIS PROFILE ARE DONE BY MYSELF UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.

Protege

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:17:42 -0400

For <333

For once, Ulfhild wasn't shadowing her mother.
The Princess instead decided to explore the high slopes and peaks of Jakten's home all on her own, making her way through the mountain trails and crags with practiced expertise.

The pale Vakker eventually made her way down, the steady roar of the waterfall gradually increasing until she felt it reverberating in her chest.
Ulfhild tilted her head to look up, and up, and up-!
She could only scarcely see the slight shadows of the yawning opening in the side of the crags from where the water came...

"Wow." Ulfhild muttered to herself in awe, a grin spreading across her face.

Support Your Local Sheriff

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:53:01 -0400

Maybe ? 👀 Can be forward dated if needed!

Nate walked the beach looking for anything useful carried in by the tide. It seemed relics from the old life washed up now and then in addition to wolves. While he idly found amusement in the idea of uncovering buried treasure or the wreck of a ship, his main focus was more practical. Food — crabs or mollusks in the tide pools, eggs under sand. He kept an eye out too for tools or trade goods that might benefit the traders and crafters among Walosi: sturdy bones, shiny shells, kelp for cordage.

He'd been moderately successful. A thick strand of seaweed roped over his shoulders like the collar of a carriage horse. In a rough skin roll he carried a modest collection of oysters and an octopus (with the welt of a suction cup on his nose for the trouble), and the jawbone of a seal.

It was plenty to return to the rest with, but he found himself drawn to wavegazing. Nate sat in the sand close enough for waves to lap his toes now and then, watching the gulls wheel and dive in deep water after some distant shoal.