Raphael

Lazarus, Tzuriel, Nero, Killian, and Hawthorn (Brothers)

Teva, Storm, Daenerys, Dyana, Imelda, and Artemis (Sisters)

Riley, Aivar, Miriam, Daphne, and Neka (Adoptive Siblings)

Elias and Azhoyel (Nephews)

Brielle (Niece)

Hedge (Uncle)

## Application Sheet

Raphael was a dark brown male wolf with pale sky-colored eyes. He was born in Aryn, to alphas Athena and Alcatraz. Originally trained as a Vicar, Raphael became Lord of Aryn after his parents' deaths in the war with Vektren. A paranoid leader, he led Aryn through its Inquisition and ultimately setting fire to the Old Rowan. Repentant for his actions, and presumed dead by his packmates, Raphael fled the Domain, never to be seen again.

His siblings were as follows: Tzuriel, Killian, Hawthorn, Nero, Artemis, Imelda, Dyana, and Daenerys. His adoptive siblings were Riley, Miriam, Aivar, Daphne, and Neka.

## Personality

* ***Contemplative and Imaginative.*** Thoughtful and curious, he likes to take his time working out a problem. After a childhood spent unable to roughhouse, or even run for much of a stretch, Raphael grew accustomed to daydreaming and philosophizing in order to pass the time. Raph never cries, and when yelled at or handled too roughly instead grows very quiet. He will retreat into himself, wide-eyed, thoughts a mystery to all others. Raphael no longer sees wonder in the world, but danger at every turn.
	+ His ability to empathize with many different viewpoints once made him a natural at solving disputes and promoting harmony between his family. Now he tends to avoid conflict and strangers - but reluctant to involve himself. Though not seen as of late, Cricket is a dedicated loremaster - his entire demeanor will blossom when provided a safe chance to spin a tale, a passion which brings life to Raphael's stories. In the past his ability to empathize made him an excellent unifier - but now he is fearful of the darkness inside all wolves - most especially inside himself.
* ***Spiritual*.** Raph has always felt a special connection to the One, and finds solace in the Great Spirit's promises. He sees his spiritual father's hand in everything. Raph continues to practice as a Vicar, seeking comfort in the One, a task he is still able to perform even now, frail and mostly blind. He has a passable knowledge of herbs, but his true talent is found in his grasp of the spiritual aspects of the practice. He has left on what he expects to be a lifelong pilgrimage to atone for his wrongdoing.
* ***Family-Oriented.*** Family means everything to Raph. It is built into Aryn's culture, bred into him. He sees all of his Arynian packmate's as connected through the One and was utterly devoted to them. However much he loves them, however, Raphael always set apart from the rest of his pack. His sickly childhood barred him a normal wolf's upbringing, and the secrets he kept for Adrian preceding the war with Vektren further alienated Raph from his kin for a time. What he witnessed of his parent's murder and Merrill's betrayal only furthered Raphael's conviction that no one can truly understand him, made even worse by the events of the Inquisition where he now feels his *own* treachery has permanently separated him from his kin. He is quiet and cautious in his friendships, and opens up to only a few.
* ***Noble and Hopeful.*** Born behind the rest, Raphael knows what it means to be stuck in last place, and can easily empathize with others. He is eager to help and maintains a strong moral compass. Adulthood made Raphael more assertive to the point of hubris, and though he now severely lacks confidence, when his values are challenged, Cricket may still show an uncharacteristic fierceness. A wolf who seemed destined for mediocrity tasted Lordship, and fell hard upon fear and division. He no longer seeks any sort of rank or recognition, preferring to remain nameless and unknown in his travels. Never one to lie down and give up, Raphael chooses the optimistic route and always believes there is a way out, no matter how dark the circumstance. He has to.
* ***Withdrawn and Dejected.*** Cricket learned early on how to mask his true self from others. This habit of hiding his own distress and doubts has often caused him to suffer unduly and refuse the very kind of help he so selflessly offers to others. As Aryn's Lord, Raph turned this mask to a different purpose - showing his packmates unshakable strength and fortitude in the face of adversity. Now, it serves as an enigmatic shield to the wolf he used to be.
	+ He feels he has a great deal to make up for, and has been jaded by treacheries both acted out and felt. He feels guilty for surviving where his parents did not, for failing to honor their memory, and for fleeing the wrath of his packmates - though the latter was urged upon him by his own brother, and if the One is displeased, They have yet to smite Raphael. Living blind and alone till the end of his days - surely soon - seems fitting enough punishment.

## Pre-Group History

Born in late fall to the Lord and Lady of Aryn, Raphael came into the world small and fragile. Last born, and a runt besides, it took him much to long to draw his first breath despite his mother's fevered washing. She feared he was dead, and even when the tiny cub managed to give his first quiet squeak, Athena worried he would not last the night. He has surprised everyone by making it this far, though frequently ill and still much too thin. It seems Raphael possesses the will to endure, but that may not be enough.

## Group History

It was a long winter for baby Raphael, who contracted pneumonia so severe, his family didn't think he would survive. Athena, desperate for help, went to Fellfang to find one of their Witch-Doctors, and Winema was the one to save her son (a rather interesting turn of events, considering the hostilities of the Aryn-Blutwald War).

As Raphael began to grow up, he met a lot of his packmates, who were greatly pleased to see him out and about. He quite literally bumped into Valencia, hung out with a friend Seven, listened to stories from Hani, and met new packmate Clover! Even after he was a young adult, he remained close with his three siblings, and was also very close to his cousin Kane, and he would find an undying friend in Eden as well.

He became known in the pack for his compassionate and empathetic nature - his friend Seven would work with him to heal an injured mountain lion in their territory! Raphael also tended to Teva after the tragedy of her hunt gone wrong, trying to offer her some advice and comfort.

The young Vicar would play an interesting role in the fate of Alar and Lilith's pups. He would work with the white raven Raban to convince Athena to take the orphaned infants into Aryn. She agreed and brought the three pups to Aryn as her own - Aivar, Miriam, and Daphne.

Adrian would find and adopt a pup, too - Merrill. Raphael would grow very close to Merrill, telling her stories of faith and overcoming trials. He cared immensely for her, and was utterly devastated when three wolves from Vektren (Seraph, Heel, and Jerikoh) infiltrated the pack and stole her away. He searched desperately for Merrill, with the rest of his pack, but couldn't find her. Aivar offered comfort, and vowed to help Raphael find her.

Raphael learned that the wolves who stole Merrill were not Blutwald wolves, like Athena and the pack had been led to believe, but Vektreni. Adrian told him to keep Vektren's identity a secret from the rest of the pack. He withdrew into himself and his grief, but managed to attend Kane and Eden's wedding and continue his healing duties, tended to Ragnarok and Amara's wounds.

While grief-stricken, Raphael was plagued by nightmares of fire, and darkness. He consulted with the Grand Vicar Teia, and she took careful note of this, but tried to give him some reassurance. Worse than the nightmares, though, was the increasing divide he felt between himself and his family, particularly his brothers and friends. Seven wanted to comfort him, but he snapped at her.

Even through the war, life continued, and Raphael's brother Tzuriel had a litter of three pups: Azhoyel, Elias, and Brielle. Elias was uncannily attuned to the One and faith, and went to Raphael to inform him that whatever *sin* he was trying to atone for - the One had forgiven him long ago. Raphael scoffed at this; what did a *pup* know?

Raphael continued to lash out at his family, at Dyana and Aivar especially. Eventually, though, he realized that he needed to be gentler, when Elias's brother Azhoyel vanished. He was believed dead by some, but not Elias - the young male simply knew in his soul that Azhoyel and he would not see one another again, for a long time. Perhaps never again, in life.

But then...a miracle! Merrill was returned to them. Raphael dedicated a great deal of time to tending to her, offering her comfort and reassurance. To step up and protect her and his family, Raphael sought lessons from Raghaalr (though they didn't go well).

Still, Merrill's return meant that the truth about Raphael and Adrian's deceit (about who their enemy was) came out. Raphael solemnly accepted the punishment inflicted upon him by his mother - scarification. His sister Dyana offered some comfort after it.

Raphael's connection with Athena would be further strained when they were together, and she had a stroke. She told him not to share the news with anyone, and kept the truth of her condition private, causing more strain between Raphael and Aivar, and Adrian, too. Raphael tried to help his mother with her recovery, *and* help Merrill overcome her demons, too. He attended the wedding of Riga and Ragnarok, but in his heart, he was filled with anger at his mother. Keeping Merrill around and expecting Vektren to come reclaim her - treating her as a kind of 'bait' - meant someone could get hurt, and Athena wasn't listening to his concerns.

She should have. Raphael and Merrill were alone when they were ambushed by Hekate, who told Merrill to fetch Athena and bring her, alone, or she would kill Raphael. Merrill did so, but brought Adrian and Alcatraz, too. Hekate anticipated this, and brought backup of her own - Hellion, Janus, and Nimh. There was a vicious fight, which Raphael could not contribute to. He could only watch in horror as Hekate killed his mother, and Nimh killed his father.

Horrified by the assassinations of his parents, Raphael rallied his packmates to charge on Vektren and take back their alphas' hearts. Raphael, Storm, Urs, Hera, and Aivar found the party with the hearts and fought them viciously. Ultimately, Urs would recover Alcatraz's heart and return to the camp, flanked by escorts Aivar and Hera. Raphael and Storm, however, had unfinished business - their mother's heart.

Raphael and Storm chased down Hekate, who held their mother's heart. While they managed to catch up, Hekate was viciously protected by her son Hellion - who killed Storm in the ensuing fight, and the Vektreni managed to escape with Athena's heart.

In the immediate aftermath of the battle, Athena's heart was made a hasty offering. Merrill was returned to the fold. However - assuming she had been cowed by Vektren's gods proved a mistake on Hekate's part. One of two significant errors in judgment, as it would turn out. Merrill attempted to flee. And, overcome by guilt at the suffering they'd wrought, Hellion chose to help her escape Vektren's life of servitude. Not only that - he would also give her Athena's heart, and return to Vektren afterward carrying two decoy hearts which he claimed to be Athena's and Merrill's. As the Scion, heir apparent to Hekate's title, no one would dare question him.

And Merrill would be free.

In what might have been considered the One's mercy, she managed to catch up with Raphael as he limped home alone. Raphael could not welcome her back into Aryn, the string of her initial treachery too great. But he accepted the heart, and sentenced her to a life of exile rather than death. Her whereabouts now are no longer known. Raphael never told the pack of this meeting.

Raphael was now the Lord of Aryn.

His mission, as Lord of Aryn, was to secure his pack from threats both outside and within. Taking Aivar as his right-hand man (*Fangh'aryn*), Raphael set in motion the wheels of the Inquisition. Distrust was sown deep within the pack, with Raphael only trusting a few select wolves - and fewer as time dragged on. He appointed Kane, Lawson, and Eden as the elite wolves of his circle, granting them the titles of Almaraq (elite warden), Raei (elite courser) and Kashaf (elite ranger). Other wolves who appeared to prove themselves worthy of Raphael's trust were named as Kana'im - informants. Several of these wolves would ultimately stand against Raphael when his actions against his fellow Arynians grew harsher.

Punishments became severe. Scarification, even exile. Raphael saw enemies everywhere. Some of his inquisitors fell into the same straits. Others began to fear the pack was cannibalizing itself - a dissent which could not be spoken aloud for fear of harsh retaliation. More than that, it was increasingly difficult to know who could be trusted. Master Tzuriel was accused of treachery, leading him and his son, Elias, to flee into the maze of cliffs and caverns in High Country and escape judgment.

It was into this hornet's nest that Cassandra, a niece of Athena and cousin to Raphael, returned. A frequent visitor throughout her childhood, Cass came to Aryn seeking kinship and sanctuary. Accepted in on the basis of bloodline, she soon realized that the pack was much different now than it had been in her younger years. Unable to believe this was the One's plan, she tried to persuade Raphael to loosen his hold and heal, in tandem with Mother Teia, to no avail. Their appeals fell on more and more hostile ears, as Raph could only interpret their concern as the sound of dissent, and his inquisitors whispered of danger at every turn.

Finally, Mother Teia confronted Raphael openly and demanded he cease his crusade. He'd gone too far, she insisted - he was a danger to even himself. Passive in her encouragement before, Teia refused now to be dissuaded. He accused her of treachery, too, and had her taken into custody. After a hasty trial, the Grand Vicar was sentenced to death. This became the tipping point - the pack split. Teia's flock, including Cassandra, fortified themselves at the Old Rowan and refused to give her up, while Raphael and those who still followed him pulled back into the Grazelands. Aryn was torn in two.

The Deceiver's claws dug deep. Raphael paced through the night, stewing in hatred and fear as a vicious storm blew through - as if the heavens themselves sat in uproar. A lightning strike set the Grazelands ablaze, and in this he saw his chance to root out the traitors once and for all - Trial by Fire. Surely flame could cleanse the land of impurity where he could not. Surely this was the will of the One, not the Deceiver.

Carrying a burning branch across the plain, Raphael returned to the Old Rowan as close as he dared, igniting the woodland around it and staying to watch his enemies flee. But the fire spread out of control, consuming the densite. Raphael found himself trapped. Lost in a sea of painful heat and choking smoke and the cries of Brothers and Sisters attempting to flee.

By the time the flames dissipated, the Old Rowan was a charred ruin, unfit to live in, and a large swath of the territory turned to black roots.

Eden searched desperately for Raphael during the fire, causing severe damage to her lungs, while other packmates searched for him once the flames had died down. There was no sign of Raphael, and it was widely assumed that he was dead - killed by the fire he'd brought to Aryn.

What the pack did *not* know, however, was that Raphael was very much alive. The only wolves privy to this information were Tzuriel and Elias, who found Raph in the ashes of the territory and vowed to keep his survival a secret. Half-blind and severely burned, Raphael took on the alias of Pilgrim and slowly left the Domain, believing that living the rest of his life blind and alone is the punishment dealt by the One for his terrible decisions.

He can only hope that he will be welcomed into the Song when his feet can no longer walk the earth.

## Trivia

* Raphael got the nickname "Cricket" from his parents.
	+ Eden named her daughter Cricket after Raphael.
* He sneezes a lot.
* Raphael was given a scar on his lower lip by his mother, Athena - scarification as punishment for (and a reminder of) the damage of keeping secrets from his packmates. He had kept secret the involvement of Vektren in Merrill's kidnapping, promoting the idea that Blutwald renegades were responsible.

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* WynBird's deviantART Gallery