Shoshana

## Application Sheet

Shoshana was a dark-brown she-wolf with green eyes. She was a Gamma Courser in Aryn, after spending her early life in Dawnguard and Chandor (as a Brother). She was the mate of Tzuriel, and father of his children: Azhoyel, Elias, and Brielle. She and Brielle went missing during Aryn's bloody Inquisition. She was created and RP'd by Flufferooni.

## Personality

* ***Inquisitive***. Shoshana strives to understand and comprehend everything that she stumbles upon, seeking to gain the best understanding of things, hoping it might help her settle the innumerable doubts that yell in her mind. Her curiosity and inquisitive nature can sometimes push her into trouble, or even eaves-dropping depending on the importance of the subject; it is truly instinctive and irrational, like a insisting pull forcing her to nose around even in matters where she is not needed. But her small size and gentle paws usually keep her from getting caught!
* ***Selfless***. Taught about kindness and devotion for those you love at a young age, the female's thoughts and preoccupations revolve entirely around those surrounding her, rarely focusing on herself; it sometimes gets to the point where she will entirely forget about what she wanted. This trait also makes her an easy target for manipulation and distortion.
* ***Caring***. Those she holds dear or seems like a good person will receive her love; that is a strong quality that the pup learnt from religion and one of the few that stuck to her firmly, even after her parent's death. It's not strange for Shoshana to run up to a fellow packmate or friend simply for an embrace, or to ask about their day.
* ***Anxious***. The incredible amount of questions and doubts in her mind cloud her objectiveness and can make her extremely anxious, to the point where she won't be able to stay still for too long or will suffer from insomnia; it is normal for others to mistake this with a simple case of restlessness.
* ***Impulsive***. Rationally, Shoshana understands everything she does and why she does it; but somethings she cannot control at all, her instinctive impulses. One clear example of what some might call 'lack of self control' is her bubbling anger and easy loss of temper. The she-wolf is very emotion-driven, and will normally make decisions based on her instincts, rarely stopping to analyze; unless she has managed to remain cool headed, which is a truly rare thing in Shoshana.
* ***Passionate***. When a strong feeling settles in her, Shoshana can get very passionate about it, flaring up with fangs and growls or smiles and even tears of joy. Everything she feels tends to be extremely powerful, with very few intermediate emotions; she is either enraged or calm or ecstatic.
* ***Vengeful***. It is hard for her to forget painful events, and even harder to forgive others; she holds grudges tightly and can sometimes go to the extreme of growing thirsty for vengeance, a trait that carries a lot of negativity, and Shoshana is aware. The pup quietly hopes for it to go away with time, seeing how she is victim to her impulses and cannot control this aspect of her personality either.

## Pre-Group History

Isor and Devorah were a pair of wolves who lived near the mountains, to the south of Dawnguard territory; they enjoyed their lives in a small pack consisting of no more than seven wolves. The former was calm and passive, highly rational and thoughtful; while the female was highly impulsive but stronger than her mate. Devorah had given birth to a litter of three dead pups and only one living during the past winter, and their child had grown healthy, despite the health complications that had haunted the litter within the mother's womb. From an early age, Shoshana (named after her reddish fur markings) was taught about the existence of a larger set of beings, more powerful and wise than any other creature; the gods. Her parents never mentioned their names, but stuck to the simplest concepts instead, teaching the young female about morality and kindness. They rarely mentioned the presence of darkness, violence and evil, hoping it might protect their happy daughter from any fearful thoughts; a big mistake, considering that naiveness would later bring Shoshana a lot of disturbing questions and bad situations. The environment surrounding Shoshana was full of love and gentle wolves, her loving parents and a warm place to sleep and call a home; her mother taught her how to hunt, while her father would take the time to teach her about the gods. It was a nice life.

Until they were wrongly accused of plotting against their leader; Shoshana watched the wolves tower over her parents and herself, menacing and savage in her eyes. That was an image she would never forget, that of seeing known faces distort into snarls and fangs, into monsters. That was the first brush the young she-wolf had with violence, being chased out of their home by those who they had once called friends, partners. For several days they travelled along the ridge of the mountain, hunting down passing birds and drinking water at whatever streams they could find; it was a harsh journey, but the spring weather made it easier to cope with. Yet, a stone had settled upon the chests of the family of three; they had been betrayed for a reason that surpassed their knowledge, and even though Isor and Devorah tried to keep their grief and disappointment hidden, Shoshana saw right through them.

Eventually, they reached a stream at the edge of a small cave amongst trees; the sight gave them hope and a new place to rest, one which might become a permanent den if things went well. The feeling of stability flooded them, and Shoshana saw light invade her parent's gazes once more. Several days passed with the wolves sleeping inside the cave and living off the river, tranquil and strengthened; until the unseen owner of their new den returned. A feral bear, who had been away hunting had returned to find strangers in its home at night; enraged and confused, the animal attacked them. But Isor and Devorah defended their pup with fangs and claws, working as a team to end the huge creature; that was the second contact Shoshana had with violence and darkness, the glowing eyes of the bear, it's frothing jaws and slicing paws, wrath oozing from it as it charged for her parents. And all she could do was once again watch the scene develop before her, oblivious on how to fight, unsure of what to do. Both wolves fought their way out of the cave, making space for Shoshana to escape unharmed; but as the pup saw the opportunity to dash past the turmoil, her mother collapsed on the cave ground, bloodied and wounded. The sight was mortifying, all blood and the stench of flesh, her loving mother agonizing on the ground. Isor, who was alarmed and desperate to save his offspring past any limit, ignored the grief that attacked his heart, and sprinting towards Shoshana grasped her by the scruff to leave the cave, leaving Devorah's lifeless body behind as well as the raging bear.

The male ran until his paws were broken by the friction, until he reached a vast clearing of trees, sheltered by the shade and the thick undergrowth; he set Shoshana down and with slouched shoulders fell onto his panting side with a dry thud, eyes lost in a dark void of pain, both emotional and physical. Only then did the young pup realize how wounded her father also was, with an open gash along his flank and stomach, claw markings under his eyes and his tail torn off almost completely; between the chaos of yelps and growls, Shoshana had not distinguished her father's howl of agony when his extremity had been torn off by the vicious jaws of the bear. Isor knew very well his death was imminent; but determined to give the young female a chance at life and make his mate's death count, the male rose to shaky paws once more, nudging the pup to keep moving. He used his nose until he felt the strong yet stale aroma of wolves surround them, and then with a caring embrace and words of encouragement, bid farewell to Shoshana, dragging his disgraced form away to die alone, without explaining anything; all in the blind hop of the female being accepted into a pack, of his daughter having the possibility to live before dying of starvation or something worse. Isor didn't share his fear of death with his daughter and preferred to leave her to her void of questions which would never have an answer. He did indeed die, lonely under the cover of a thick oak tree, after hours of torturing pain and grief.

Shoshana was overwhelmed by confusion; anger hummed its violent words in her ear, reminding her of how the gods, almighty and benevolent, had let her parents die, of how her own father had left her behind for reasons she could not comprehend. Pain stabbed at her small chest in the form of loss, alone in an unknown world. She felt betrayed, by those she had so firmly believed in, by the ones she had loved the most. She waited on her own for a couple of days, refusing to eat or drink water, refusing to carry on with her life now that everything she had ever deposited hope in was gone and broken; her devotion to the gods wavered with doubt and resentment, and for once the pup felt self-pity.

Upon her arrival to Dawnguard, she was quickly taken under the wing and tutelage of Inanna, a she-wolf who's motherly nature warmed Shoshana's hardening heart. The teachings from the pack made sense in the pup's head, particularly when she remembered the attitude of the bear, a wraith, an evil spirit; the teachings of morality and kindness her parents had once shared with her were also reflected in Dawnguard's beliefs, when she heard about achieving Oneness. But the mention of Onatah, the goddess that was meant to watch over wolves born in Winter, like Shoshana herself, made her fur bristle and her blood bubble with rage. Onatah took the form of a bear. Her parents, her most valued treasure and strongest love had been stripped from her by a bear; the pup could not comprehend how the gods had allowed something so infuriating to happen, how her guardian had let that develop. Shoshana's unwavering devotion, comprehension and love for the gods began to weaken, even turning into pure anger towards some deities. Yet, the pup is young and can still be shown the light; there are lots of things the youngster needs to understand. She hopes to become a Channing or Randi someday, eager to meet new people and explore as well as help and please her pack.

## Group History

An earthquake rattled the territory, and scared Shoshana *profusely*. What was worse, was that the territory was utterly destroyed by floods. Still, it intrigued her - what caused the earth to shake so violently? Did wolves in other packs know? She wanted to explore and meet new packs - when she was big enough, that is!

This little she-wolf quickly made an impact on her new packmates, finding a great friend in Samhradh, a bubbly golden she-wolf! The two played games together. She learned that Tiberius was a friendly face, too. Other grown-ups were less enthusiastic to hang out with a child, like Greystoke and Asterion (though he quickly found a way to entertain them both, by teaching her some hunting and defensive techniques!) Although she had Inanna, Shoshana was took on a second caretaker figure, a familiar face - Ivichi! Ivichi had been part of her birth pack! Shoshana was delighted, and the two spent a great deal of time together, Ivichi acting like an older brother for the little she-wolf.

Dawnguard and Heyl had been living in a new temporary territory together until the floodwaters receded, but it was taking a long time. Shoshana *did* get to know some of the Heyl wolves, however, including a pup her age named Saphira, a juvenile named Robin, and two adults, Ronelle and Eryk. The youngsters eagerly played, but Eryk quickly put things to a stop, especially when arguments arose, explaining that these lands were dangerous, and led the pups back to their respective packs.

Indeed, strange things were happening - elk were dying en masse. Ivichi didn't like what that might mean, and he told Shoshana that they should leave, perhaps go to Chandor, due to this and the revelation that Heyl and Dawnguard were going to stay here, and merge into Heylguard. Shoshana agreed, willing to go anywhere with him, unwilling to be separated ever again.

They departed Dawnguard early, before anyone could see them, wanting to keep their departure a secret. At first, the journey pleased Shoshana, who amused herself by catching mice and chasing animals. Unfortunately, she and Ivichi crossed paths with an angry bear. Fortunately, they evaded the bear without getting hurt, and Shoshana feared that the bear was actually Onatah: a Dawnguardian spirit. The one who'd taken her mother. Was it attacking them for abandoning their pack? Shoshana didn't know.

Shoshana and Ivichi made it safely to Chandor, regardless, and were welcomed by Alpha Nadia. Sho immediately wanted to meet her new packmates, and look at taking a task. She'd decided on becoming a Brother, the equivalent of an Emissary, which had been the task of her new friend, Impala, when she lived in Kausen. The Beta instantly felt a connection to Sho because of this revelation.

It was a few months later when Shoshana, surprised, saw some of the Heylguardians visiting her new pack! It was Samhradh, Asterion, and Saphira, looking for medical aid from the neighboring pack. None of the healers, like Jaci and Mona, knew what this strange sickness was, however, and Nadia suggested that they check if Aryn's Vicars had any answers. Shoshana was delighted to see Samhradh, but her old packmates weren't able to stay long. They were on a mission to save the pack.

Though Shoshana became a Brother, she trained to be able to defend herself (and others) in an emergency, which was very helpful when an aggressive loner attacked her packmate Geoffrey! Shoshana was able to fend the loner off, thankfully. She also got *very* lucky when she and Impala were attacked by a rabid loner, and both managed to get out unscathed. Shoshana was brave, braver than most wolves her age, and Impala was impressed.

Shoshana had traveled near the borders in the Charyn Mountains, and she met a wolf from Aryn named Tzuriel. Tzuri was kind and she liked him a lot. He spoke to her of the One, and his faith, and the ways of his pack, Aryn. Shoshana was fascinated, and for the first time, wondered if maybe faith, genuine faith in the gods, wasn't a bad thing. On top of that, Tzuriel noted that Aryn was at war, against what they believed to be Blutwald renegades (though these were actually Vektren wolves). Shoshana wondered if she'd be able to help, if she joined Tzuriel in Aryn. She wanted to be near him. Eventually she approached Nadia to ask permission to leave Chandor and join the neighboring pack. Nadia was disappointed to lose her packmate, but didn't stand in her way, wishing her luck in Aryn.

Athena didn't support Tzuriel's secret meetings with Sho, but agreed to give the young she-wolf a chance in Aryn, in spite of the complications of her arrival and the recent trickery of Vektren. Shoshana decided that she would train as a Courser now that she was in Aryn. While she trained to improve her hunting skills, she met new packmates like Teia and Raghaalr. There was a lot to learn, but Shoshana was determined. And she was falling in love with Tzuriel. Before he left for Fellfang on an ambassadorial mission, he pulled her aside and told her of his own feelings, and asked her to be his mate. Shoshana agreed.

It wasn't an easy relationship. All relationships, after all, have problems. Tzuriel was haunted by demons, and Shoshana was haunted by memories of bears - bears seemed to follow her everywhere in her dreams, and kill those she loved. The pair fought when they had nightmares, becoming short-tempered with one another, but always reconciling.

Eventually, they decided to start a family of their own. Shoshana and Tzuriel welcomed three young lives into the world: Azhoyel, Elias, and Brielle. They absolutely doted on their children, and for a short time, everything was right with the world, even as a war raged beyond the den's walls. Sho welcomed Kane and Barin's visit to the pups, and the pups loved meeting their packmates.

But then Azhoyel disappeared. Nobody knew what became of him. Shoshana was *heartbroken.* Why had she lost her son? What did the gods want of her? Or, *God*, if the One was real? She grieved, offered support by Athena, who had lost her first litter of children. She grieved, and Tzuriel tried to speak to her of faith, and spirit, and the knowledge that someday they would see their son again. Shoshana desperately tried to cling to this faith, to any faith, and promised to try and move forward with Azhoyel with them in spirit. It wasn't easy, but she would try.

Slowly, one day at a time, Shoshana returned to her duties, recovering a bit more will to continue each day. They were still at war with Vektren, though, and war does not let the weary rest. Tzuriel was out patrolling with Dyana, Nero, and Raghaalr, and they chased a Vektreni away from the territory, not realizing it was a trap. The patrol were ambushed by a Vektreni patrol, composed of the Mistress of Vektren herself, Hekate, and her packmates, and they stole Shoshana's mate away, as well as Raghaalr and Nero.

It was after this that the truth came out. Raphael and Adrian had been keeping secret the true identity of their enemy for so long, letting the pack believe it was Blutwald renegades when, in fact, it was Vektren, spurred to war with Aryn because Adrian had ruined their deal with the alpha of Vale, Renier. They'd been cost access to good food and power because of him, so they'd stolen his daughter, Merrill, and now were continuing a bloody battle with Aryn. Shoshana, upon hearing this, turned on Adrian. She blamed him for everything that had happened, for the loss of her mate, and he could say nothing that would make it better.

She was disgusted with him. She prayed to the One to bring her husband home safely, while her daughter Brielle traveled to Chandor to beg for help, bringing back Tieru the Elk Totem (a healer). Shoshana approached Tieru upon her arrival and thanked her profusely for coming to Aryn's aid, in the dire and dangerous circumstances.

It was several months, but Tzuriel would be returned to her. Shoshana was so relieved to see he was alive, but then she realized how horrifically he had been treated. He had been blinded by the Vektreni, had been beaten and starved and scarred. He was terrified when Shoshana and Amara had found him, but Shoshana tried to remain strong for him, and helped him to get back to Aryn.

His recovery would be long and immensely difficult, but with Brielle helping him, and Shoshana's constant reassurance and love, he was able to become more than a shadow of his former self. He was becoming something...closer to how he used to be.

More tragedies piled onto Aryn, and Shoshana could only watch. Athena and Alcatraz were killed. Raphael became Lord of Aryn and instituted an Inquisition, challenging anyone who questioned his authority or that he deemed a threat. Shoshana was outraged that Brielle was being so outspoken against him, and she and Tzuriel explained to her daughter how dangerous it was. They couldn't *lose her.* Brielle promised to be more careful.

Shoshana scolded Tzuriel when he went too close to the borders, again, getting caught off-guard while patrolling with Amara, Ragnarok, Leviathan, Jaeger, and Catalaya. Ivar, Ghislaine, and Vieste of Vektren attacked Tzuri's patrol, but fortunately, there were no *major* injuries. Tzuriel was scolded by his wife for getting so close to the border, but she was honestly just relieved he was okay.

Raphael's paranoia reached Tzuriel and his son Elias. The two had to flee, taking up refuge in the mountains ringing Aryn territory. During this time, Shoshana and Brielle left Aryn, possibly to search for them, or to flee Raphael themselves. Whatever the case, both went missing while Tzuriel was gone, and haven't been seen since.

## Trivia

* Shoshana's relationship with higher beings has always been strained. Entering Dawnguard, she was an atheist, but she questioned the existence of an evil spirit in the bear Onatah, and later, was converted to Aryn's faith in the One. Even then, though, she questioned the One's goodness, because of all of the tragedies that struck her family.
* It is believed, but not confirmed, that Tzuriel left Aryn after the Inquisition to find his mate and daughter, and we hope they have been reunited.

## Quotes

* "I thought maybe, acting as a diplomat of sorts seemed like a good way to honor his words, and try to stick to them as well." (telling Impala why she became a Brother, *In the Face of Death*)
* "You did this - you *broke* my family!" (to Adrian, *Broken*)
* "But it is important we do not allow our fear to cloud our judgement. You managed to see through it, to reach into your core values, and you made the free decision to come here, asking for nothing in return; you owe me nothing." (to Tieru, *Speaking from the Heart*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* Flufferooni's deviantART Gallery