Many have entered the Dead Forest, but very few have returned alive. Monsters run wild in this place, a necromancer dwells deep within the forest, and the inhabitants of the villages that border this forest have stopped venturing beyond the tree line. They live in fear of the things that lurk in the shadows of the dead trees. Undead creatures, and dead creatures stalk in these places but the most feared is the creature that sometimes steals into the villages on nights of the full moon to slaughter those it can get it's claws into.

Beware the Vargulf.

Vargulf - a werewolf who has gone mad; who has begun to kill its prey without eating it.

---------- Post added 05-20-2013 at 02:03 PM ----------

He lay curled up at the base of one of the dead trees. Not too deep in the forest but not to far from the edge of the tree line either. It was a cold day, the wind blew almost constantly and he shivered, hugging himself tighter. He had been an elf once, now he wasn't sure what he was, who he was. He didn't even know his own name anymore, or how long he had been here, but he did know the nightmares he kept having would probably never stop. He knew they probably weren't even really nightmares. Blood covered his face, his hands, other places of his body, but it wasn't his. It was never his. The taste of it on his tongue made him gag slightly, but he was used to it by now. It happened often. Not every night, but too often to be random occurrence. His hair covered him, offering his body some bit of warmth, insulation from the biting wind. He couldn't remember when the last time he had worn clothes had been. Years probably. Years since he had been here, years since the nightmares began. His eyes were red and half wild, he was more a feral creature now than an elf anyway, and this was his home now. He had accepted that truth a while ago. He only wished he could remember the events that had led to the nightmares, led to him being in this place, but such memories, if they existed at all eluded him rather deftly.

Rea

Name: Chantrea Vidar
Apparent Age: Early twenties
Eye Description/Color: One eye is blue, one eye is green. Both are vivid in color, have slit pupils and glow in the dark.
Hair Description/Color: Shaggy and black, it falls to about her shoulders.
Skin tone/Color: Pale cream
Height: 5'11
Build: Hourglass curves but the slim, powerful muscles of a female kickboxer.
Scars/Tattoos: Multiple claw scars over her back and a claw mark over her chest. She also has a bite scar on her right shoulder.
Peircings: Ears
Inhuman Features: Her eyes
Clothing Style: She tends to dress in simple black clothing under a hooded cloak. She seems to prefer natural materials such as furs, leathers, and feathers. Feathers are often her only decoration, not seeming to particularly like metal jewelry. She often has no particular decoration save for a few feathers in her hair, however, and instead focus on practicality. All around she seems a little rough around the edges.

A hooded woman walked through the forest with confidence, the snowy white owl on her shoulder curling closer to her hood. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she reassured the creature gently. She seemed unbothered by the darkness or the atmosphere. Then again, even the most insensitive could tell the polytherian ranger was not quite human, so perhaps that was why. Her mismatched eyes, one blue and one green, glowed faintly from beneath her hood to reveal her nature as their slitted pupils gathered all light to cut through the darkness. She was an Alpha female few were foolish enough to question, most therians instinctively submitting even if her scent revealed very little about her. She smelled faintly of night flowers... and the grave itself.

Perhaps it was this scent or the simple overwhelming feeling of her aura but most of the creepy crawlies of the forest seemed to be avoiding her as she strolled calmly through. It was only as she scented blood that she paused. One hand removed her bow from her back, the other soon finding its string. She pulled back, energy sparking over the line as an arrow of energy formed. The crackling green energy was focused from the air to form a wood arrow with a strange green tip. She would crouch and move slowly, her footsteps silent as a cats. She soon spotted the redhead, causing her to sniff the air just as a wolf might while she read of his aura what she could. Therian... wolf... weakened but the blood was not his.... chaotic beast. She made a soft sound but slowly put away her bow. She stepped out into the open, her owl flying to a tree branch as it watched the two.

"You may want to wash that, you never know what predators it would call." She said quietly, though her tones sounded more like a command then a tree suggestion. She sounded like what she was, one who was not often in the company of others and had little care for politeness. She had been the last of her forest tribe because of the strength she carried herself with even as a child, not because she had a silver tongue. She stood at the treeline, however, cautious enough it seemed. She knew many therians found her aura calming, if intimidating. Generally the beast within was smart enough to take one look at her own strange beast and not challenge her.... but there were always the foolish ones here and there who would ignore their beasts instinct. His own beast was weakened by the chaos.... but if the chaos belonged to his own heart, his own will an attack was not out of the question. He could always be suicidal, after all, it wouldn't be the first time.

He shivered again, something was approaching, though he couldn't rightly say how he knew. He just felt it, but he was unafraid, nothing in this place had bothered him before. Sure he had seen some of the monsters that lurked in the shadows, but none ever seemed inclined to bother him, so far. He lifted his head, to watch for whatever was approaching him. A woman. He stared at her, studied her. Something was strange about her presence, but he couldn't tell what it was. He could tell it was affecting him somehow, on the inside. The words she had spoken as if they were a command and he felt rather compelled to obey them. He didn't move though.

As far as he could tell he was the most dangerous thing in this forest, even if he couldn't remember doing anything violent. Gods but those nightmares. He shook his head slightly. "...Predators...won't approach...me.." The words were spoken slowly, carefully, as if he were remembering how to pronounce each one before they left his lips. How long had it been since he'd actually spoken to anyone? Like many things, he couldn't remember. The redhead kept a cautious eye on her, he didn't want to attack her or harm her in anyway, but he wasn't sure she felt the same way towards him.

"I would not be so sure. Besides, blood does get so sticky." She responded, her tone almost amused. Those glowing eyes shifted beneath her hood, showing a clear tilt of her head. The force of her beast would seem to reach over him, velvet wings and soft fur against his very soul, urging him to stay still, to stay calm. She stood a moment longer with those arms crossed as it did so as if it took little effort, appearing rather bored by the whole thing in all honesty. Slowly she untangled from her position, reaching beneath her cloak to find an extra water skin. One never knew what would happen so she always tried to carry a few of the essentials. She showed it to him before approaching and promptly dumping the water over him. She whispered a soft spell as she did so, the water becoming warm for it so it would be pleasant to his skin. She then tossed him a cloth, one that would clean him easily before dropping the now half empty water skin next to him in case he needed more.

She turned away from him without another word, whistling softly. A ghostly horse would flicker into sight at the treeline, it's eyes glowing much as hers did. It had been earlier invisible, and judging by it's ethereal aura it did so of it's own power. On it's back were several supplies and extra furs. She prepared them and sold them for money, satisfying her own inner beast with the meat. She would retrieve a large blanket from the many strapped to it's back, likely something related to a bear. She would return to him with it over her shoulder and should he clean himself as she....... suggested she would drop it over his pale shivering form. It appeared despite her gruff nature it was generally out of kindness.

He wasn't certain, but he hadn't been attacked before. Still that didn't mean she was wrong, he was silent not wanting to argue with her or accidentally say something that might start a fight between him and her. She seemed stronger, and something inside of him, perhaps his own beast, wanted to be submissive. She was an alpha, it would seem. At least to him. Then an odd feeling came over him, as if something warm were wrapping around his very spirit, his soul. He didn't really understand it, but he could feel it, and a calmness did settle over him rather easily. Perhaps too easily. Without that calmness though, he would have jumped up, darted away when she poured the water over him. Instead of running he only hugged himself tighter, watching her with wary eyes.

When she tossed the cloth at him, he stared at it curiously for a few moments. It seemed he was trying to figure out what the cloth was for, then uncertainly he used it to clean himself up. Starting with his face, he wiped at the water she had poured on him, and the blood on his skin. When he was done, his body was met with a large fur being dropped over him. A soft sound left his lips and a different kind of shiver ran over his body as he grabbed the fur and held it tight against his body. Curling into it somewhat. It was soft, and warm. He inhaled deeply and nuzzled his face against it for a few moments. Seeming rather content and distracted by this new item.

The woman said nothing as he curled up in the warm fur, it's quality good or she wouldn't' have bothered to carry it to sell. Still she didn't have a problem giving one up to someone who needed it instead of some rich man in the next town. She seemed to have already dismissed the gift, however, and possibly the Vargulf himself. She was instead looking over the clearing as if debating it's use as a base camp. It was near a river yet far enough away they likely wouldn't get any traffic heading for it... a lot of trees her powers over plants and animals could make use of for a good defense..... yes it would work. She nodded to herself before she moved to the most tree protected end.

She began to make a simple lean-to structure for herself and the owl who wasn't much for rain. Once she had the structure constructed the horse would lay next to it easily. The owl finally flew from it's perch to sit instead on the saddle of the undead creation. She would lay a fur in the structure, simple but warm. Finished she would nod and begin making herself a simple meal with some dried meat, preferring raw but not caring to hunt yet. She glanced towards the other therian, her pupils reflecting silver in the light now and then.

He clutched the fur tightly, holding it close against his skin. It was so warm, it reminded him of something. His body tensed as an image from his nightmares flashed through his mind. His own body covered in blood and warm supple fur, the fur of a wolf. The body of a monstrous wolf. He shivered and clutched the fur around him tighter. He was a monster he knew that, but surely he was only killing animals, not people, his nightmares couldn't all be completely true, could they? He shook his head for a moment, as if he could shake the images away, it seemed to work, the images faded.

He moved, reaching for the water skin she had dropped next to him, certain there was still water in it, not caring if it was hot or cold or even clean water. He picked up that half empty water skin and brought it to his lips, he poured it down his throat eagerly. Greedily. Drinking all that was left in it before he let the water skin fall back to the ground. He felt a little better now, a little stronger, slowly he got to his feet. Keeping that fur held tight around his body, he stood there for a few moments, just watching her as she built a shelter, his red eyed gaze shifting over her horse and then owl for a few moments. He studied them carefully before his attention returned to the woman. Slowly he inched towards her, rather uncertainly.

"Hungry?" She asked him simply as he approached, not really seeming to mind if he did or didn't come next to her it seemed. She had already looked away from him, more interested in her food. She was spreading an herb mixture onto slices of bread then putting the dried meat in between them. The herb mixture was a simple thing but had a pleasant flavor, as well as having a slightly calming effect that made it easier to keep a person relaxed similar to tea but without making one sleepy. She had created it once to deal with the full moons, now she mainly used it for the flavor. Still if he said he was indeed hungry she would create a second sandwich and hand it over before continuing to eat her own. She asked him no other questions, not about the blood or anything else. No, instead she gazed out into the woods, as if looking at something very far away.

He was hungry, he felt as if he hadn't eaten anything in days, but that wasn't true, he had eaten a deer a day or two ago. He had managed to kill it with his bare hands, like some kind of wild beast. Another shiver. Was he truly the monster his nightmares told him he was? He crept closer to her, moving cautiously. Like a wary animal approaching someone they were unsure about. What was her intentions? Why was she in this place, and why had she given her this fur? Cleaned him off and offered him food now? He couldn't remember his last interaction with another person, but somehow all this seemed a little strange. "...hungry.." He spoke the word as confirmation to her question, as she gazed out into the woods and he stepped a little bit closer, he leaned forward slightly. Sniffing at her. The way a cautious animal tries to get a person's scent without getting too close to them.

"Well take this, then." She said simply as she held the sandwich out to him. She briefly turned those mismatched eyes to him, just watching him patiently. She understood his wariness..... he didn't seem too mentally focused. She wondered absently if he even knew what he was. It wasn't often that one remembered such things clearly..... especially not when a young therian like he was. She shrugged to herself, still holding out the sandwich while eating her own without any real concern. To her it was just another travel, just another hunting trip, and he just another oddity on the way. He was hardly the first scared, lost looking individual she'd run into.

He leaned back just slightly when she held the sandwich out to him, watching her carefully. Then he leaned in, to sniff at it for a moment before he reached out to take it quickly from her hand. As if she might snatch it back at the last moment, he had no reason to think she would, but instinct told him to take it quickly. He held the fur tightly around him with one hand, stepping back a few steps, the sandwich in his other hand. He sniffed it a few times before he began to eat it quickly, watching her with wary eyes as he devoured the sandwich. He seemed to relax a little bit as he ate, the food made him feel a little better, and a little calmer. He kept his eyes on her, though he seemed to be just slightly less wary, for now.

A soft chuckle similar to the one her owl had prompted escaped her lips and she shook her head. She muttered 'skittish aren't you?' but didn't seem to really expect a reply. No she was simply finishing her food and once done putting away the supplies. She saw no reason to push him just yet, he would settle down in time. She nodded as she finished and retrieved the water skin she'd tossed at him earlier. She hooked it back to her horse, deciding to refill it a little later. Her owl hooted at her then, it's big gold eyes wide. She merely shrugged in response, as if understanding it's speech. Honestly she did, being as skilled a ranger as she was.

He licked at his fingers, the sandwich had been good. So very good. He licked at his fingers until there was no more lingering flavor left on them. When she muttered those words, he just shrugged slightly at her. He kept his eyes on her as she moved to retrieve the water skin and return it to it's proper place. He took a few steps as if to follow her or move closer to her, then the owl hooted and he stopped. His eyes turning to the avian creature to stare at it warily. His body had tensed slightly. Of course a bird couldn't frighten him, he was far bigger than a bird, the horse seemed a little scary, only because he was sure he had never seen one like it before. Though the undead horses in this forest were far more intimidating, he shivered and did move to be closer to the woman. "...Monsters in the woods.." The words were spoken quietly, spoken as a fact and maybe even a warning.

"I would know, by most account's I'd be one of them at the moment." was her rather flippant response as she glanced over to smile towards him, though it was likely hard to see because of her hood. She tilted her head a moment again, as if simply thinking. He really did not seem to know, to not understand at all what he was. She sighed, patting her owl on the head before she stood fully and put a hand on her hip. She finally spoke quietly, her tone a little less commanding then before. It was her attempt at gentleness which she rarely showed anyone.

" Then again, you should already sense that. Had any strange dreams lately?" She inquired, knowing his answer would confirm her suspicions or dismiss them. She was not usually the kind to teach others anything but if it came to that.... it would be relatively easy to show him the ropes. He seemed to know he was a wolf, yet not know however and that would contain certain difficulties in and off itself. Pity, she'd expected a more relaxing trip...

He peered at her a bit when she said that. Shaking his head slightly. As far as he could tell she wasn't a monster, at least not like the ones in the woods. He couldn't be sure though, maybe she was a monster. He was sure that he was one. So very sure of it. He shivered at her question, clutching the fur tighter around his body. "...nightmares....for so long...so many nightmares.." He frowned deeply, biting his bottom lip for a moment. "..Not every night..." His body had tensed slightly. How would she know about his dreams? Why had she even asked him a question about his dreams. He stared at her.

"A lot near the full moon... something about turning into something wolf like and clawed kinda like this I imagine?" She said quietly as she lifted one hand. She pulled off her glove with her free hand so her flesh was exposed. Soon it was shifting, transforming to that of some strange unknown beast. It's claws were more like a cat's then a wolves with it's curved tips and the glistening white fur was strange and bright. Each muscle could be seen beneath the fur, taunt and powerful. Her fingers became even longer and bonier, more like claws themselves then paws. Only the slight shudder of her breath indicated it was painful before she began shifting her hand back into it's human guise.

"You are like me young pup, I can smell it on you. A moon cursed wolf child, a therian." She stated bluntly, not being one to hold back much. She watched him, curious at his response if any. Would he accept it or keep fighting it? It was impossible to say, people being what they were. Still, the sooner he accepted it the better... At least he'd chosen a good spot to learn about such things. A place where most could defend themselves.

His chest tightened a bit, his body tensed even more. A fear crept into his eyes as she spoke and shifted her hand. Familiar yet different. An image flashed through his mind at the sight of her shifted hand and he stepped backwards a few steps. Moon cursed. Therian? That was a word he clearly didn't recognize, what did it mean? It was different than what the people screamed at him in his nightmares. Werewolf. Monster. Demon. There was a man in his nightmares sometimes, always the same man, he couldn't kill that man the way he killed others in those nightmares. That man always called him Vargulf. Disappointment. Failure. A noise left his lips, sounding like a snarl as he shook his head violently, the fur dropped from his body as he reached up to grip his head with both hands. "....Vargulf.." The word slipped passed his lips as he stood there with his hands on the sides of his head. Trying to force away the images of his nightmares.

"Vargulf. A wolf lost to his fury, a werewolf that is more force of nature then person anymore. Yes, that is likely what you are when you turn but you can change that pup. As long as you're alive anyway you can change, especially if you stay near me or some other Alpha." She responded quietly after watching him passively for a moment. She reached over, placing her bare hand onto the top of his head in a gentle pat. It was a simple gesture, a way any dominant would have likely comforted. Someone more on the same level or someone more intimately involved might have licked she supposed...

She said nothing more, however, simply keeping her hand on his head in the simple gesture. She curled her inner beast around his once again, more strongly know with the physical contact. Be comfortable, have faith, trust me and it will get better. The inner beast seemed in that moment, likely far more gentle then the woman who controlled it. Her face showed no expression and she stood as tall as she could. Still, it was a simple promise offered. Packs did it all the time, trust the alpha and be safe.

He shrank back the slightest bit when she reached out to put her hand on his head, but he let her. He had only moved a little bit, not really moving out of her reach and slowly he lowered his own hands from the sides of his head. He licked his lips slightly to moisten them. It was a simple gesture, that pat on his head, but it was an oddly comforting gesture. He relaxed the slightest bit, and then a part of her was wrapping around him again, like before, and he relaxed fully. Welcoming that odd embrace. Trust. Safe. Trust didn't come so very easily, but it was hard not to trust her when so far she had done nothing to give him a reason to distrust her. Her words had confirmed it for him though. He was a werewolf. A beast, a monster and he had most likely killed those people instead of just animals. He had been covered in human blood.

"....I am....the monster in the woods?" It was a question, but the way he spoke it, as if he almost didn't want to hear the answer. He knew there were other monsters in the woods, that wasn't the point. He moved, pulling away from her hand and stepping backwards a few steps until he tripped on the fur he had dropped moments ago. He landed hard on the ground on his rump, and frowned so deeply. "A man...the man...in my nightmares calls me a failure..a disappointment and Vargulf." His speech seemed to be getting a little better, no long stringing his words far apart or speaking them so slowly. He was staring up at her, expectantly, as if she held all the answers to his past, present and future.

"Everybody's got a little monster in them..... though that man sounds like a worse kind then you. There are those who try to use the therian curse that creates werebeasts including werewolves for their own ends and power, sounds like one got a hold of you. I wouldn't know for sure though pup, i'm no seer." She said with a soft chuckle. She shook her head and flipped the loose part of the fur over him. She turned then, heading back to sit on the bit of fur rug still sticking out from the lean too. She leaned on one arm, just watching him. He would decide if he wanted her comfort or not. She wasn't particularly curious about this man he mentioned, she'd met the type enough to feel she already knew him anyway. Then there was this man before her, a lost little lamb in wolf's clothing as far as she was concerned. Oh well, she had been asked to hunt several beasties unique to this forest so would be here a while collecting hides.

He grabbed the fur she flipped over him, wrapping it tightly around his body before he stood again. He fumbled with the fur for a few moments, managing to finally somehow tie it around himself so he was all covered and it wouldn't fall off of him once he let go of it. Then slowly he moved towards her, he sat down a small distance from her. Not very close, yet not very far away either. He sat there, seeming uncertain how close or how far he should keep himself from her. She was the alpha, she was the leader, he and the beast within had already accepted that, but he had no idea how he was supposed to be around her. Did that mean they were a pack now? It was confusing. "...Therian is a werewolf? Vargulf is a crazy werewolf?" He was frowning deeply again. "I'm not crazy am I?" Though perhaps he was, he couldn't remember anything about himself before this forest and those nightmares.

Arlyn danced through the trees with a smile. He was in his male form now, though he was still rather feminine. Wildly colored hair flashed behind him as the shapeshifter left behind the people who had been chasing the little girl who'd stolen their meat pies. They were tucked safely away in his bag, but now the shapeshifter looked nothing like the one he'd been before. It would take a while for the people to realize that they were chasing the wrong person, then again they were afraid of walking in the forest.

The amethyst haired man slowed, still smiling, when he noticed the pair standing by one of the larger trees in the middle of the forest. He tugged the flowing material of his cream skirt into place, and then tugged at the more form fitting leather covering his chest. "Oh, hello! I wasn't expecting to come across anyone else in the forest. Most people avoid it. Would either of you like some meat pie?" Well this was one problem solved. He'd stolen too many pies, and hadn't been sure what to do with the extra.

Without waiting for an answer, he pulled some out quickly and placed two of them before the pair with a bright smile.

"No, just a little lost. As to the rest, werewolves are therians yes, but therians can be other animals then werewolves. Werejaguars, werewolves, werebats, werecats, and werehyienas are the more common breeds but there are more. " She responded with a shrug, watching as he neared her. She noted his confusion and simply nodded with a quick welcoming smile, simply giving him permission to come as close as he wanted. He seemed good on the instinct part, that would make things easier. She tilted her head to the side then, watching him a moment. Her attention was quickly distracted, however, by a violet haired man. She noted he smelled off but returned his smile for a moment. She nodded, her instincts not bothering her so she figured the pies were safe. Still, he didn't look the type to go running around dark forests.

"Thank you stranger. Do you go around giving away pies often?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. It was a strange thing to do to her, even if it was something she'd do seeing hungry people..... if she happened to be eating anyway. She wondered absently if the man had any extra clothing to offer the man at her side. Of course she could make some from her hides but it would be quicker to just borrow some... if he could be trusted. She reserved judgement for now, at least until she figured out why the person did not smell quite familiar.

Alryn shrugged, glancing at the lean to and all the furs. Well then, this person certainly seemed like she was all set up, but her companion on the other hand ... Too little clothes on such a well formed body. The woman wasn't half bad either. Golden eyes turned this way and that as Alryn licked his lips lightly. This was going to be fun, if he managed to gain the strangers's trust.

"When I have extra. There's no use for them going to waste, now is there?" Turning to the man, he offered a kind smile. "Do you want something other then furs to wear? I'm sure to have something that fits." Explaining why, on the other hand, was the furthest thing from Alryn's mind. It could lead to trouble, letting people know that he was a shapeshifter, of the kind that could turn into anyone upon sight. Well anyone that looked humanoid enough.

He was fully relaxed near her. She was the alpha, trust her. Stay safe. He was chewing his bottom lip as she spoke. There were different kinds of werecreatures, but he was certain he was a wolf. His nightmares said as much. He shivered lightly. He could feel it, someone was approaching, but they felt different than the woman with him. They were not a therian, but they were something. They seemed human enough. Instinct told him to be wary of strangers, he was still wary of this female too. He shifted slightly, unconsciously moving a little closer towards the woman. Seeking safety from her, when the feminine male approached and laid a meat pie down before him. He did lean towards it, sniffing at the air around it experimentally, as if the scents on the air could tell him if such a thing was dangerous to eat. It smelled rather delicious, so he shifted his attention to the one that had brought the pies and watched him warily. Then the male was speaking to him, the Vargulf looked uncertain at the question. Clothes? Did he really even need such things? When had he even last worn something like that? He was silent, and only sat there looking uncertain and a little confused. Clothes would only get ruined, besides he was a monster, monsters didn't need clothes.