Yossarian

Euphrates (Sister)

Gabbara and Palka (Brothers, NPCs)

Aleanor (Adoptive Mother, NPC)

Erikas (Adoptive Father, NPC)

Rohesia (Adoptive Sister, NPC)

## Application Sheet

Yossarian was a beige-and-black male wolf with piercing yellow eyes. Born outside the Domain, he would enter Vektren (and be joined by his sister Euphrates) during the Hive Wars, where he served as a Scythe. His story is ongoing. Yossarian was designed by fellfey, and created and RP'd by Flug-Bug.

## Personality

Not much can be said about Yossarian from just one look at him. A young wolf of average physicality and nothing but what might actually be stone behind his eyes, he appears as someone with no past, nor future. A being without thought, emotion, or desire. And for Yossarian’s purposes, he doesn’t mind that assumption all that much.

* ***Diligent, Compliant, and Sharp.*** If there is one thing Yossarian desires, it is to appear as capable and trustworthy as possible, which he somehow manages to pull off quite effectively. He is a devoted worker, obsessed with making a good impression and keeping in the good favor of those who hold dominion over his ultimate fate. Not so much out of fear either; he just prefers to be as useful and dependable as possible. Though never a wolf in possession of exceptional talent, Yossarian is far from the type to give up on learning a skill he struggles with, and stubbornly refuses to allow frustration or laziness cloud his desire for good workmanship. Though one shouldn’t assume either that he is completely incapable without prior practice and study. Yossarian has plenty of wit and problem-solving skills to ensure his survival, and his shrewdness is just as much at fault for his continued survival as the generosity he received from his adoptive family.
* ***Generous, Composed, and Gentle.*** Though his standoffish manner may say otherwise, altruism is something that comes quite naturally to Yossarian. If he is in the company of someone he has at least a passing regard for, Zuri will always offer what he has to assist his fellow wolf, be that food, shelter, or action. So long as he isn’t acting at his own expense, of course. Most of all, Yossarian is just a laid back, calm type of wolf. Even if he is inwardly upset or angered, he makes sure to never show it, or let it affect his work output or interactions with others. Public displays of emotion, both positive and negative, have usually led to negative outcomes for Yossarian, so he finds himself better off keeping to a mask.
* ***Dishonest, Troubled, and Cold.*** Dependable as he may seem though, Yossarian’s flaws may not be fatal, but they’re also not easily ignored. A private wolf from birth, he reveals nothing of his personal struggles or anxieties, even to those he claims to trust. This isn’t to say he spins lies outright-more so he diminishes the severity of his experiences to avoid concern or suspicion. Or he just doesn’t speak of his experiences at all. Yossarian can be downright unfriendly without even meaning to be, choosing isolation over integration if he can help it. To be honest, this is just as well for the wolves around him. Yossarian has managed to cultivate somewhat of a poor temper, and has frequent bouts of passive aggression when purposefully annoyed. His voice tends to remain gentle, but his words are quite capable of inflicting hurt when he wishes them too. This is a recently developed quality, though, and due in no small part to Yossarian’s notable anxiety. As non-reactive as he appears to be, Yossarian struggles every day to act normal. With his sister to the wind, and a brand new pack to impress (and survive), one can’t blame him for being a bit unsettled.
* ***Contemptuous and Elegant, but Loyal.*** As one can assume from his calm, quiet nature, Yossarian has a very soft touch in most cases. He doesn’t go out of his way to cause pain or suffering to others if not necessary, though he is certainly capable of it. He also doesn’t go out of his way to be defiant to the will of others either. Yossarian is pliable to a fault, and allows himself to be strung along and pressured into many acts, so long as the one pressuring is trustworthy (or higher on the pecking order). Wanting to subject Yossarian to a bit of hazing can certainly be understandable, given his obsession with appearing calm and dignified. Half the reason he’s so concerned with being perfect is just the fact that he likes to look perfect, and such refinement in a wolf of all creatures can be tiresome. Perhaps that can be overlooked though (eventually), once Yossarian’s true devotion is observed. Though slow to develop it now, there is nothing Zuri won’t do for a wolf he is faithful to, even at great personal expense. Even to the point of ignoring a companion’s shortcomings, or even their foul actions, Zuri’s loyalty is constant, and very nearly unbreakable.

## Pre-Group History

The political landscape of the Harrowood pack was, ironically, a harrowing affair. Coming about after the convergence of two smaller packs-the Darkwoods, whose lands had been destroyed by fire, and the Harrows, who had nearly lost their lands to murderous marauders if not for the assistance of their neighbors-the union was doomed from the start, due to a very clear lack of mutual understanding and respect. The Harrows were peaceful herbalists, who looked down on the rough and tumble Darkwoods as lesser, ignorant beings. And the Darkwoods saw their new hosts as nothing but weak-willed, high-nosed  fools with not a lick of sense between them.

Things were still frosty after one generation, downright sour following the second, and by the time little Yossarian came along, the hastily made united pack was more or less on its last legs of stability.

Yossarian wasn’t expected to survive his infancy. Born of a primarily Darkwood father, and primarily Harrow mother, he retained the sleek legs and slim frame of his dam, against the robust and thick-muscled forms of his littermates. He failed to thrive in those early days, and both his parents resigned themselves to having to bury their pup in the near future. Around the same time, the reigning Harrow alpha, Edred, recognized the waning stability of his pack. Though far from a lover of the Darkwood wolves, he dismayed at the thought of losing such a ready supply of first-line defenders for his people, and despaired over a possible solution. It didn’t help that his son and heir, Erikas, had recently lost his own litter to illness, depleting Harrow morale even more.

Upon learning of Yossarian, a plan quickly took shape, and the young cub was plucked from Pirrisati’s belly to be placed at Aleanor’s, Erikas’ mate. The plan was simple-a Darkwood pup raised by the Harrowood heir would show its people they were still wanted and precious to their Harrow leader, and the little one would take up the space in the pairs’ hearts left behind by their lost children. Certainly, many Darkwoods were less than impressed with the switch, Yossarian’s father Gedymin included. But, little could be done, especially once Erikas attached himself fully to his new charge. Young Yossarian, now affectionately called ‘Zuri’ by his adoptive father, began his life anew, now within the clutches of the Harrows.

Zuri was afforded all the attention and love that he was greatly starved of while with his biological family. Not to say that Gedymin and Pirrisati were uncaring, but the change from two parents stretched thin between four pups, to two parents focused on only one pup was drastic. The young wolf grew bigger and stronger every day, under Erikas and Aleanor’s watchful eyes. Shifting into early adolescence, Zuri was educated fully on the culture and customs of both his Harrow-born adoptive parents, as well as his Darkwood father. Peace and respect towards the life around them was paramount, as well as unity and connection with his current pack and all who came before them. Given Erikas’ attachment to Zuri, many in the pack began assuming the youngling would be named his heir, in lieu of a future pup that may be born between him and Aleanor. If it needed to be said, one camp was far more pleased with the idea than the other.

The young pup flourished regardless, quickly growing from awkward, clumsy cub, to lanky but surprisingly capable adolescent. Erikas quickly set him to work, encouraging him to pursue hunting and tracking training, both to learn useful skills and connect more deeply with his Darkwood brethren. The Darkwoods were suspicious at first of the skinny youngling, but Zuri was quiet, obedient, and eager to learn. His naturally commendable scenting skills were honed and perfected, and he became a terror for the smaller prey items on the territory.

Still, Zuri was remarkably shy, or at least it appeared that way. Past his professional duties for the pack, his only companions were his adoptive parents, Erikas and Aleanor. And  for Edred, this closeness simply could not stand. He’d be damned if a Darkwood, no matter how many Harrows he descended from, was named heir. He began speaking to Aleanor in private, their discussions secret from even Erikas. And as each day passed, Aleanor’s expressions turned more grim and anxious.

A few months later, Aleanor had managed to fall pregnant for a second time. Erikas was ecstatic and hopeful, and quickly chose Zuri to be his mate’s personal attendant. The young wolf was excited to be of use to his adoptive mother, though he began to notice some very odd behavior from her. Aleanor was a watchful and attentive parent already, but she soon began just...staring at Zuri.

As if she did not trust him.

Most of the food Aleanor was brought to eat was hunted by Zuri himself, though she ate very little of what was offered. The young lad kept her constant company, even sharing her nest for her security, which only led to the she-wolf staying awake to watch him most nights. By the time Aleanor was ready to give birth, she was sickly and exhausted, and her mate and adoptive son feared for her wellbeing.

When the birth eventually came, it went as well as expected. Half the litter died the night they were born, and after another faded away just the next day, only one pup remained. Erikas named their daughter Rohesia, and both he and Zuri did their best to comfort the ailing new mother.

The Shift…it was a gradual thing. Aleanor, who even after several months was gravely affected by the loss of her other children, hardly spoke to anyone, least of all her adoptive son. She refused all access to Rohesia outside of Erikas and Edred, even tasking attendants with posting outside her den to keep Zuri away from her. Erikas did his best to soothe Zuri, claiming they could only show her patience and support for the time being, but it was difficult for the young wolf to not feel...unwanted.

So, Zuri turned to his birth family for comfort.

His relationship with Erikas was quickly used against him, as many Darkwoods used him as a designated complaint station. Before long, this unofficial position actually became official, following Edred’s abdication in favor of his son. Erikas leaned on his adoptive son heavily for assistance, as it was becoming more and more apparent the Darkwoods trusted the young wolf over their alpha.

That trust eventually extended even further than being a verified complaint station, as Zuri was given access to the private, nightly meetings held by the Darkwoods. He heard much of what he already did during the day at the meetings, and he would go on to learn, after just one month, that a rebellion against the Harrows was being planned.

Zuri was horrified.  What would rebellion mean for his adoptive family? Did they intend to just depose Erikas, or would they do something worse? The young wolf wasted no time, knowing getting the information to his adoptive father was paramount. He swiftly made his way to the alpha’s den, but was stopped by Aleanor. She was sickly and gaunt, even after months separated from the young wolf who seemed to cause her so much discomfort.

Thinking little of their previously uncomfortable interactions, Zuri immediately revealed the Darkwoods’ plans to his adoptive mother, knowing the information would surely get to Erikas if given to her first. Zuri expected her reaction to be one of worry, where she’d thank him for the information and scamper off to warn her mate.

Instead, Aleanor’s fangs sunk into her adoptive son’s muzzle.

Zuri dislodged himself quickly enough, but soon Aleanor was upon him in earnest, cycling between snapping her teeth at his face and throat, and shouting her disgust and outrage at his presence. She accused him of just trying to get to Rohesia, to kill her just as he’d killed her other pups. Just as his Darkwood ilk were killing the Harrows with their continued presence on the territory.

The she wolf was eventually pulled off of Zuri, by Gedymin of all wolves, and it seemed as if he’d begin the rebellion right there with the alphess’ death. In an instant, Zuri was back on his paws, shooting forward and clasping his jaws on his father’s throat. The young wolf’s only intention was to force his father to disengage and leave Aleanor alone. And he did, freezing in Zuri’s grasp, before lowering slowly to the ground.

When Zuri finally let go, he found that Gedymin wasn’t getting up. Or breathing. Aleanor had run off by then, leaving her adoptive son to be discovered by the various Harrow wolves close to the alphas’ densite. There was fear and apprehension in their eyes, though they did not condemn the young male, nor take him prisoner. Among them, Zuri’s birth mother Pirrisati emerged, and she wordlessly took up beside her estranged son, beckoning him to follow.

The escape was quick, but far from dramatic. Zuri was led out of the campsite, through the territory towards its outermost border. Already, the howls of despair and rage were sounding back at the main densite, and the young wolf knew there was no possibility of him staying there. The patrol eventually came up to Erikas, who offered his last goodbyes to his adoptive son, before introducing him to his and Aleanor’s daughter, Rohesia.

Aleanor, after escaping Gedymin’s grasp, had gone on to inform her mate of their impending doom, and it had become paramount to remove the young she-wolf from the area for her safety. Both alphas would stay behind, refusing to abandon their birth place. But they would not subject their only daughter to the same fate. Erikas gave one last order to Zuri, before he and Rohesia were sent off into the unknown: Keep her safe.

For a few months, the two travelled. Zuri quickly learned that he and his adoptive sister were not very compatible as companions. He was serious and brooding, and consistently suffered nightmares concerning Erikas’ ultimate fate. Rohesia on the other hand seemed completely oblivious to the situation they were in, as if they were just on some impromptu trip into the wilds. Zuri was often run ragged trying to corral the yearling she-wolf, and quickly began struggling to feed the both of them.

Eventually, Yossarian stooped to stealing food, sniffing out and consuming the buried morsels of other predators in the lands they passed through. He’d never subject Rohesia to such scavenging-really, it was only so he could stay strong enough to look after her. And that was justifiable, right?

Apparently not, as on one single occasion during his nightly scrounging, Yossarian was too distracted to notice another wolf following him. Upon spotting her brother digging up a hidden rabbit carcass left by a lynx, Rohesia immediately confronted the older wolf, condemning him for his cruelty to the other beings around them. She claimed that they should just return home, if he couldn’t properly look after the both of them on their trip. And besides, it was getting rather long, and she missed her parents.

To say Yossarian was annoyed by those words would be an understatement. Enraged, the young wolf blew up at the juvenile, revealing their true plight in gorey detail. How he was a murderer who had killed his biological father. How her parents had stayed behind to brave the Darkwood rebellion with the rest of the Harrows, and were probably dead by now. How there was no longer a home to return to, if both of them wished to keep breathing.

By the end of it, Rohesia had fled into the tree line, leaving Yossarian to suffer immediate shame and self-hatred. Look what he’d done? Only a few months had passed, and he had already failed Erikas’ last order to him. For the rest of the night, he wallowed in self-pity, ignoring the dried out carcass he’d dug up for extra discomfort. Once the morning came, the young wolf had realized that giving up had never been an option for him. Rohesia was so young and fragile, and her father - Yossarian’s father - had trusted him to keep her safe.

He followed the scent she’d left behind from the night before. Followed whatever tracks he could spot in the earth. He was fortunate that neither led back the way they’d come from, though that may have just been due to Rohesia’s lack of wayfinding skills. Days passed, then weeks. Then one month, and then another.

The young wolf continued on his search, determined to either find his younger sister, or die trying.

Yossarian tries his best, though Rohesia remains elusive, even to his keen nose. He had come to fear the worst over hope for the best, but even as he fears, perseverance continues to burn in his heart. Eventually, Yossarian decides going it alone is futile. He requires more eyes and ears who know what they’re looking for. The prospect of joining a pack was not one he was fond of, but at this point, he had little other choice.

The journey to the Domain was long and dangerous, and he might have travelled far longer than he needed to for his purposes. But, Yossarian knew better than any how far Rohesia might follow her wandering, and he eventually arrived at the guarded barrier separating him from a mysterious, dark swamp. There were wolves in these lands, that he was certain of, and he hoped only to prostrate himself before them, and earn a place among them.

And perhaps, with time...they may be willing to pay him back in the procurement of his wayward sister.

## Trivia

* He uses his full name exclusively in the company of Vektreni, while the nickname ‘Zuri’ has been repurposed into an alias  for strangers. He prefers not to be referred to by it in the presence of the pack, but new nicknames made up by his packmates are encouraged.
* Already generally avoidant of non-professional interaction, he is extremely uncomfortable around younger female wolves, as they remind him of his little sister, Rohesia.
* His favorite food is rabbit, and their ears are his favorite part.

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* Flug-Bug's deviantART Gallery