Artair

Aoife (Sister, NPC)

Riagain and Raghnailt (Brothers, NPCs)

## Application Sheet

Artair was a brown-furred she-wolf with mossy green-brown eyes. She was born in the pack of Hintertomb, entering the Domain with the pack itself. Her story is just beginning. Artair was designed by whimbrellic, and created and RP'd by chupacabrra.

## Personality

* ***Observant, Protective, Dedicated, Intimidating, Unwavering, Intense, and Dependent.*** Artair, on an outward glance, can come across as a little unapproachable. Combine their strong stature and intense gaze, they are rather intimidating to those that may not know them. They can seem harsh in their entirely unwavering dedication to their pack and their attunement, and in their need to protect those they care for. Since they were young it was all they have ever wanted, and what they wish to dedicate their life to. They watch others like a hawk, wanting to know how to assist them, care for them. They are not entirely unflappable though, and have often struggled with staying still, or working alone. Having always had a strong family bond, they often need another soul beside them to show their full potential.
* ***Playful, Caring, Feisty, Loyal, Open-minded, and Energetic.*** Despite her often intense appearance, Artair was always actually a rather playful, easy going soul. She is ferociously loyal to any of her kin, no matter their circumstance. She is caring, loving, traits quite obviously passed down to her by her parents. The part of them that will always be with her. She has always been incredibly open-minded, as her pack is, to others’ identities and preferences. She believes they are all equally deserving of respect, and while she isn’t perfect, she has always tried her hardest to be respectful to those in authority. Despite her parents' best intentions however, she has always been quite rambunctious, a trait closely shared with her sister. The two were possibly bad influences on each other, always full of energy and their fair share of mischief. And while their parents tried to rein them in, teach them to be good, god-fearing young wolves, spirituality never took the strongest hold on Artair. She thought lightly of the Great Ones, of their control over her and the Tomb at large. This would soon change.
* ***Quiet, Withdrawn, Cynical, Paranoid, Anxious, and Tired.*** Since the collapse, Artair seems to have changed. Withered, some may say. Set her roots deeper, she might say. Less prone to flights of fancy, less feisty, more practical. And while she will behave for all intents and purposes like she is reacting to their current situation with a sense of practicality, she worries. Far more than she ever has. She is more quiet, waiting until she has heard what others have to say before voicing her own opinion, where before she would not have been afraid to make her thoughts known. She finds herself becoming more untrusting, not of her pack, but of the Great Ones. She is more superstitious, doing whatever she can to try to appease the gods, to lessen their grip on her. To right the wrongs of her previous self, her carelessness. Before, while she mostly just enjoyed company, others to bounce off of, now she craves it. Feels as if she will fall apart without it. And she worries. Constantly. She wishes to return to her role, to protect those she loves, but fear of the past, of her failures…they haunt her.

## Pre-Group History

Artair was born to a life full of love. Her parents were kindlings, had been since they were Embers themselves. Destined to be together, they said, and they knew each other better than anyone else. They were both Cores, dedicating their lives to helping and healing. Rionach was the more spiritual of them, coming from a family of Spires, always wanting to learn, to help. And when the brought a small family into the world, they could wanted nothing more than to raise them in their own image. They had dreamed of passing their skills down along the generations, fostering keen healers with open hearts.

Four pups were to come that cool, moonless evening. Two girls first, strong and healthy. Speckled as their father was, with eyes the same green as their mother. Two boys were to follow, almost identical to each other - some even said they came out holding onto each other, as if they couldn’t bare to be apart. They were smaller than their sisters, but perfect none the less. Pregnancy had been hard on Rionach, and labour was no easier, but she was rewarded with the family of her dreams. As they grew, the pups soon started to show their own personalities. Raghnailt and Riagain were gentle and quiet, still playful as all pups are, but very much willing to be coddled and fussed over. Aoife and Artair, on the other hand, acted as if they felt they had to make up for their brothers’ shyness. They were loud from the moment they were born, feisty and fearless. They were often the centre of attention, though not always for the right reasons. Aoife was always the ringleader, with Artair never far from her side. Their brothers’ were the centre of their worlds however, and they always made time for them.

When it came time for their bonding ceremony the four siblings were together, said their vows together, sang together, and walked into their new lives together. And when that in time lead to them choosing their Attunement, they did it together. While living as Embers, the siblings had been often influenced by their parents, trained as much as they could be in the ways of the Cores and the Spires, shown the importance of knowledge and spirituality. All four siblings had always been taught the value of the group as a whole, their vows ‘you are us, we are you’. The Tomb is what mattered, and anything that could be done to help was a blessing. But while the two brothers relished in knowledge of herbs and stories of old, the two sisters had different dreams. While it wasn’t the dream their parents had always had for them, they were supportive. They loved their children unconditionally, and even if they didn’t entirely understand their dreams, they would do whatever it took to allow their children to thrive.

When their Ignition came around, there was no surprise from Riagain and Raghnailt. Crucible of Heart for Riagain, and Soul for Raghnailt. But for Aoife and Artair, it was the Crucible of Talons. All four children passed, a tribute to their parents’ teachers, to the gods, and to themselves, for the four of them were strong. Both sisters became protectors, strong and independent, but never too far from the love of their family. They assisted their brothers still in any way they could, and always made time for their parents while learning and training as best they could. Life seemed easy for a while. Happy. Even with the previous winter feeling siffult, sickness and hunger beginning to run rampant again. They all thought they had gotten over those times, but Artair worked hard to support her family and the Cores she had known her whole life as best she could.

It was the collapse that brought a tragedy to the family. In the chaos and rubble, Artair and their sister tried to gather their family, the Cores and Spires, conscious that they would be needed when the dust settled. Artair took the lead, pushing through falling earth to lead them to safety, but while trying to help an elder towards the rear, Aoife was struck by a boulder. Artair tried to go back for her, rocks and debris falling down upon them. Part of them knew they could reach her, save her. They knew they could have reached the older wolf at least, but something stopped them. They froze. Their heart screamed at them to continue on, to be brave, but their head turned them away. They were scared. Their family needed them. And they were a coward

They all got out safely, if injured. The family spent time tending to the injured that got away, even if they were spread thin. Taking stock. Time to think for a moment. It was clear this was all a message, clear who would now lead them. It was in the whispers of those injured they found, the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. After a day of grief, and another of much discussion, Rionach and Bhreac told their children of their choice to travel, hoping to find more of their kin alive to help. As per their customs, it was their right to choose, but it didn’t stop the heartbreak their children felt. Leaving one’s blood was hard, but the three had to make their own choices. They parents almost demanded it, demanded they be sure on what they wanted. Artair needed little time to deliberate. Back to the tomb. They had to go back. Their brothers weren't as certain, but after some deliberation between all three of them, they decided their skills would be best put to use with their parents. So, after saying their goodbyes, they followed the two older wolves, and Artair took the opposite path. They walked with a few of the healing wounded, following in the direction they had seen the last of their kin leaving. They picked up their trail, and slowly followed their pilgrimage to the lakes, all of them almost silent on their march. Lost and grief stricken. The lakes, however, brought some hope. Their wolkin, the talk of home the new Omen had spoken of. Things were so different, but could they truly settle and be strong once more? Would the secrets of the old Omen surface? His disappearance, his obsession with lands outside their territory?

Time would tell.

For now, Artair keeps close with her kin, observing, unsure. They are aware of the suspicion and uncertainty surrounding Feldspar, but they follow him, believing in the sign from the Great Ones and that he was chosen for a reason. That their kin had to die for a reason. It isn’t a thought they enjoy, but why else would so many be taken from them? Why would Aoife be taken from her?

## Trivia

* Long whiskers run in the family - they are pretty sensitive and if someone happens to brush against them unexpectedly they will usually cause Artair to sneeze.
* Often can be found meditating before sunrise - a new habit picked up since the collapse, an attempt to rid her sleep of dreams of that day.
* There's a small scar and patch of missing fur on their back from being struck by a boulder in the escape from the tunnels.
* Prefers sunrise over sunset, hearing the beginning of a new day, almost as if the world is being born anew.
* Needs a hug.

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* chupacabrra's deviantART Gallery