Vera

Rodwen (Uncle)

Extensive Highvalley Kin

## Application Sheet

Vera was a brown-furred she-wolf with vivid blue eyes. She was a Highvalley noble, a niece to the High King Rodwen. She was a skilled dancer and Meister, close to her cousin Sveta. When the pack left the Domain, she ended up living as a loner, searching for her cousin until her eventual disappearance. Vera was created and RP'd by Arcadiasa.

## Personality

* ***Mature and Poised.*** With the death of her beloved and the betrayal of one of her closest friends, Vera was forced to mature quite early. And in the face of her own disgrace, her inability to protect the one thing she considered her own, she felt the need to hide herself behind a wall of duties, to mask herself from those who she once considered dear.
* ***Guarded and Fiery.*** She is a woman of few personal words, keeping herself guarded and never revealing much about her thoughts or own desires. An act that she believes is necessary to keep her moving forward. A good actor, Vera constantly puts up a facade of the perfect female Highblood, charming and graceful. But, in reality she can be fiery, quick-tempered and ruthless. Her wild charm has been stated to be likable, although she attempts to keep this side hidden.
* ***Ambitious*.** Highvalley’s culture not only demanded it, but the cultured, pedigreed wolves pushed Vera to seize every opportunity to prove she wasn’t just another marriage candidate among the faction. In the wake of losing Laurent, this drive has only increased tenfold. She fears being engaged to another, but knows with the passage of time -- it is inevitable.
* ***Unforgiving*.** After Ragnor fled Highvalley, Vera has felt nothing, but an overwhelming need to chase him down and demand he pay for his crimes. He left her to face the consequence of his actions alone -- the coward.
* ***Altruistic*.** Courageous and righteous she has finds no qualms in standing up for what she feels goes against her beliefs. Her half-blooded status often puts her at odds with the ranking system of Highvalley. The life of squalor is not one Vera wishes upon any wolf. Although she comes off cold to those who know little of her, Vera cares deeply for those of Highvalley and would sacrifice anything for the good of her pack. The cruelty of a few wolves won’t bar Vera from trying to help the many, unless they’ve wronged her loved ones.
* ***Scholarly and Clever.*** From the time she could speak, Vera's mother was intent that this ball of fluff would be studious. And as such forced this young lady to study even though she would rather be outside playing with the other pups. But, as she's grown she's learned that information is a valuable commodity to possess. Often using her cleverness to maneuver her way through court politics or to get herself out of of trouble. Most of the time, she'll go out into the field to observe and analyze all she can. Sometimes because of duty and other times because of her limitless curiosity.
* ***Willful*.** When Vera gets an idea in her head it takes a lot to change her mind. She can be stubborn to a fault if she is stonewalled and might act out of pure pigheadedness.
* ***Resentful*.** Growing up in HighValley has been a challenge for Vera. A relative to the King marks her as Highblood, yet it is her father's blood that stains her lineage. Vera has heard her share of mocking and snide remarks. She has a bit of resentment towards those who only see her as a halfblood or a way to raise their status. She will show all of Highvalley her worth and that she is not just a "halfblood."
* ***Dutiful and Devoted.*** Vera holds her pack and family high above all others and will put herself in the line of fire for those she cares about in order to keep them safe. She is a perfectionist, passionate in whatever work she’s involved in often to the point that leads her to forget to take the time to live and just breathe for a moment.
* ***Anxious*.** Deep down she has a lot of self doubt in regards to her status and duties to HighValley. She has a habit of often focusing on what she could have done better and not on what she's actually accomplished.

## Pre-Group History

Vera's lineage stems from her mother Elysia, daughter of Eadric, and her father a Lowblood named Valion. Vera's mother was a proud wolf among the Highvallian court. She carried herself with confidence and was content with her life and the choices that would stem from being the daughter of the High King. Eventually, she was engaged to another Highblood, Lord Arles, who she regarded as a brother, but did not have special feelings towards. Though he had no feelings towards Elysia he felt scorned she didn't feel more for him.

When Elysia became of age the two were wed and the wolf she once regarded as her childhood friend began to show a different side to his personality. He was vapid, abusive, and obsessed with Elysia, often going into rages when the couple was alone. Many of his tantrums starting because Elysia was not yet carrying his pups. The reality of her situation started to crash around her, but Elysia was prideful and kept up the appearance of a happy couple despite suffering because of it.

As the months passed, a High Guard by the name of Valion, ended up catching her eye one day as he escorted Elysia to the King's court. Valion was stoic, yet kind. His presence calming in light of everything occurring in the young royal's life. One night while Arles raged and tore at Elysia, Valion happened upon them and in order to protect Elysia fought and chased Arles out of Highvalley. It wasn't long after that Vera's parents sought the council's approval to wed since her spouse had fled and disappeared. It was a scandal. The King's daughter marrying a Lowblood, but the two carried on with the ceremony despite the whispers and gossip that would occur.

Vera was born not too long after and the couple continued on in pure bliss until one day Vera had wandered off from the watchful eyes of the Meisters to follow a returned Arles, who was determined to lead her out of Highvalley. It was Elysia who eventually caught Arles attempting to lure the pup away and she charged at him. Determined to end the life of her ex-mate. The two scratched and clawed at one another pushing each other closer and closer to the cliff's edge. The unstable, rocky ground gave way underneath the two fighting wolves and Vera was pulled down with them. She fell into the rapids below, the current carrying her further away from her mother's side. Eventually the young pup washed up on shore barely alive. The Meisters didn't think she would make the night, but the little wolf carried on getting stronger and stronger each day under the hawklike eyes of her parents. A trait of theirs which never left once Vera was fully healed and grown.

The expectations of her family only grew worse as she grew and it was only her time with Sveta, Gwyn, and Ragnor that soothed her on days she felt trapped within her frigid home. Ragnor and her were inseparable some days, his daring demeanor charming and refreshing among the snobbier, purer Highbloods. Vera could never imagine a life without the hulking wolf by her side. Their friendship more valuable than any prize or rank she obtained.

Her days continued peacefully, unshackled, unbound to another as she watched her cousins and the other Highvallians slowly be swept into engagements. Vera was thankful. Thankful none had approached, none had been worthy enough to ask for her, or broker a deal suitable enough for her family. She couldn't imagine a life in a gilded cage. Bound to another only in name and not in love. She ran from that responsibility, attempting to excel in other areas so her marriageable status went unnoticed. The seasons passed and eventually her parents found her a "suitable" match.

She fought and pleaded. Surely they would not deny her the right to find love on her own; just as they did not so long ago.  But, in the end her parent's refused and she was officially engaged to Lord Laurent of Highvalley.

At first Vera refuted any attempt the young lord had in courting her. Only playing up to the public and keeping herself distant when in his presence. There was no way the young female was going to fall in love with someone chosen for her, but with time came affection. And slowly Laurent worked himself into Vera’s heart. Affection blooming when he confessed he cared not for her blood status, nor did he care about her family’s past. It was only her that he admired and cherished. Nothing else mattered…

It was then that Vera knew that somewhere along the way she had fallen in love with her fiance.

With her wedding approaching, Vera didn't see the glances, nor the signs thrown her way of Ragnor's jealousy. She was wrapped in the whimsy; in the excitement that came with planning and preparing for the life she would have with Laurent. With a love she never thought she'd have as a Highblood. She was happy, elated to finally not be alone in a world so frozen.

Unfortunately, that happiness didn't last....

Before the wedding could take place, Ragnor driven to desperation over losing Vera to another challenged Laurent to a Blood Dance.

Ragnor’s rage was unlike anything she had ever thought capable of him. He clawed and tore at Laurent until he was unable to move. She watched horrified as her fiance’s yielding pleas grew desperate. The larger wolf continuing his assault until…she could hear him no longer.

She felt the ice in her throat as she leapt from her seat, desperate to reach Laurent. No...No! He wouldn’t have! Ragnor would never! But, before she could reach the two she was stopped by the High Guard. It’s too dangerous. Do not let her approach the ring.

She didn’t hear any of their warnings. Only the sight of her fallen fiance and Ragnor hovering above him registering. Her voice had trembled and she had shouted, grief overcoming any sense of decorum she usually held in the public eye. You killed him! He yielded to you! Why?! Why?!

In the end she watched the trial, feeling colder than she ever had. Watched as Ragnor's only punishment was a mark to his face. The court politics and relations of the wolves of Altumvalley working in Ragnor's favor. The injustice....She felt betrayed, ashamed that she had let this happen to Laurent. She had been too complacent, too happy...This was her fault.

## Group History

Only, it *wasn't* her fault. Hayes approached her, sometime after the Blood Dance, and when she admitted that she felt like it was her fault, Hayes assured her that she had *never* led Ragnor on, and had been quite happy with Laurent. The only wolf to blame for Ragnor's actions...was Ragnor. Vera appreciated this, it lightened the heavy weight on her shoulders a bit - at least enough to enjoy the evening with Hayes as her escort.

Ragnor approached her, to let her know that she was leaving, to give her "the peace she deserved." Vera thought, viciously, that he was a coward for running, and breathed out just a single word. *Coward.* And then he was gone.

Vera engaged with many of her fellow Highbloods, occasionally spotted with wolves like Arcturus, Ava, and Taibhse. As a Meister, Vera also spent a good deal of time with Sveta. The two often went collecting herbs together, sometimes with a Seeker or Keeper such as Gwyndolyn.

A skilled dancer, Vera often entertained her kin and packmates by dancing for them. She quite enjoyed performing dances. When young pup Yuaei approached her, Vera taught the Havir princess how to dance in the snow and ice.

She remained a quiet, fairly distant presence in Highvalley, performing her duties and keeping quiet, away from the pack's males and any attempts at encouraging love. She escaped being caught in the glacial flood that impacted Highvalley, but she wouldn't escape its aftereffects...because Rodwen fell sick as a result.

And when he died, Vera grieved. Her cousin Vladimir became the new High King, and he told Highvalley that they would move to new hunting grounds. Nobody was entirely sure what to think, but many wolves chose not to follow him. Vera chose to become a loner, to remain in the Domain, and seek out Sveta - her dearest friend, since Gwyn had vanished. Though Sveta hadn't been seen in a while, she was determined to find her cousin.

She desperately searched for Sveta (who, unknown to her, had ended up severely injured due to a fall and in Damasca), and took care of herself as a loner. Eventually, though, she left the Domain (whether to continue searching for Sveta, or to reunite with her Highvalley kin, or any other reason, is unknown). She hasn't returned to the Domain since.

## Trivia

* A dancer since she was a young pup, Vera can be seen springing about the ice and snow.
* She is deeply inspired by her Uncle Rodwen. Finding him to be an unwavering, unreachable entity within Highvalley.
* Vera is not afraid to get her paws dirty to obtain her goals or shield those she cares about.
* She can't wait for the spring when the wildflowers bloom throughout the Greenwood.
* Vera would rather jump off a cliff than allow herself to fall in love again.
* As a Highblood, she has extensive kin in Highvalley. Her first cousins were as follows: Vladimir, Sveta, Ava, Klaus, Nike, Thorn, Gwendolyn, Quilo, Aspen, Alpine, Lycan, Amara, Rholdar, Avalon, Vysariel, and Amalthea...and several NPCs who shall not be listed.

## Quotes

* "Lately, there have been a lot of Lords who have presumed to know me. But, you are the first to say you would have tried to put a stop to it. And for that I’m grateful.” (to Hayes, *Warmth is Gone*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* Arcadiasa's deviantART Gallery