Athena

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

Elias, Simeon, and Aidan (Stillborn Sons, NPCs)

Hedge (Brother)

Skunk (Maternal Cousin)

Adrian and Alexandro (Nephews)

Elias, Azhoyel, and Brielle (Grandchildren)

## Application Sheet

Athena was a dark gray-blue female with blue eyes. She was the younger sister of Hedge, and served as Lady of Aryn alongside her mate Alcatraz from its first battle against Blutwald, until her death in the Aryn-Vektren War, killed by Mistress Hekate of Vektren. She mothered a great many pups, and shaped Aryn into one of the largest and most successful packs in the Domain. She was created and RP'd by WynBird.

Her children are as follows: Teva, Storm, Raphael, Lazarus, Hawthorn, Killian, Nero, Tzuriel, Imelda, Dyana, Daenerys, and Artemis, and she adopted Riley, Daphne, Aivar, Miriam, and Neka.

## Personality

* ***Confident, Noble, and Outgoing.*** Athena is friendly, but by no means a groveler. She maintains her "alpha's attitude", and always approaches others with the casual confidence of a leader. Aryn's Lady readily involves herself in the affairs of her pack Brothers and Sisters, and is eager to assist them even in menial tasks. She genuinely cares for and goes out of her way to help others, sometimes at the expense of her own day-to-day routine. This casual approach to leadership ensures that she remains closely in touch with her family's needs, both earthly and spiritual. It also means she's always up to date on the latest gossip! She follows her heart, relying on her own instincts above all else. Athena will not hesitate to stand contrary to the crowd, and even seems to enjoy going against the flow. That being said, after so many seasons as Aryn's Lady, Athena has come to hold a deeper respect for their traditions. She chooses to keep to these more than she did in her youth. Athena leads by example and holds both herself and her kin to the same laws and expectations. Athena prefers action over idleness, and with all her years of experience, it takes quite a lot to throw her off balance. She does not like to focus on grim circumstances. She always seems to have a plan. When feeling trapped, she has a tendency to pace and snap. Athena makes neither false promises or idle threats, and will not hesitate to speak her mind. She'll readily challenge others over matters of principle.
* ***Mischievous, Wily, and Facetious.*** Athena knows how to use her surroundings and her enemies to her own advantage. She is a deft tactician and chooses her positions wisely, striking from high ground and thick cover. The she-wolf won't hesitate to fight dirty, and has a talent for turning one's strengths against them. Athena may not strike as hard or as fast as she used to, but she is adept when it comes to the element of surprise and forward planning. The Lady of Aryn does not struggle to keep out of reach of an opponent's claws, fangs, or antlers. With age comes expertise, and she rarely fails her hunts. Though favoring honesty and good-will, Athena is not hesitant to twist the facts when she believes it necessary. In some situations, she can be downright deceitful. If caught red-pawed in a lie, she is likely to simply shrug, remarking that it was worth a shot and sliding into another, better-constructed facade. She knows how to be difficult, and will on occasion deliberately bait those who she dislikes into an argument or fight.
* ***Fiery and Vindictive, but Wizened.*** Possessed of an amply healthy sense of self-worth, Athena is resolute in matters of dignity. She'll lose an eye before turning tail in a fight and is not accustomed to losing. All of Aryn is kin to her, and the Lady would fight to the death on behalf of her Clan's pride and safety. It's generally difficult to find one's self on Athena's list of foes. Those who do, however, will find it difficult or even impossible to reconcile with her. She can be bitterly vindictive and will hold grudges for years - even a lifetime. The she-wolf has a long memory and a deep well of wrath to pull from. As she ages, the contrast between this capacity for loathing and her gentle, grandmotherly demeanor towards kin can be both alarming and unexpected to those who have only seen one side. Athena's vices are tempered among her packmates, as many years of leadership have taught Athena the necessity of compromise. Though her bones are less supple than in seasons past, Lady Athena's mind is keen and her eyes are sharp. She's experienced a lot through the years, and it is difficult to deceive her. She picks up on subtle cues with acute accuracy.
* ***Spiritual and Weathered.*** Athena maintains a belief in the Great Spirit worshiped by her forebears. Her relationship with her God is generally a private, personal one. The Lady's faith suffered considerably with the loss of Old Aryn in her youth, but refounding Aryn has given her purpose again, and brought with it a reawakening within her. The she-wolf has settled an uneasy truce with her past. She has come to accept the uncertainty that faith sometimes demands, and though some old hurts have never healed, Athena is no longer bitter about what has been lost. She feels deeply blessed to be part of Aryn, and treasures her family above all else.

## Pre-Group History

Born in the late spring, Athena was an adventurous pup who grew up without fear or hunger. Most days her biggest concern was how best to prank her siblings. Her family had lived in these mountains for several generations, the pack was both large and well established; their territory was wealthy and relatively clean of competing predators. From birth it was clear that Athena was cut from stronger stuff than her siblings. She was cleverer, stronger, and braver, and more than a little aware of these things. Her father went out of his way to train the young female in the arts of leadership and family, and was the only wolf Athena obeyed without question. She worked hard to fulfill his expectations, even after he succumbed to sickness in his old age.

Athena took her place at the head of the family as soon as she could - winning the title of alpha from her brother the very night of her recognition ceremony- the youngest any wolf had claimed the position in the pack's vast history. She took great pride in her achievement and was a strong, respected leader for several years. The pack continued to be well fed. Conflicts were settled up front, and Athena never favoured a friend over the truth in a disagreement. She led the hunts, patrolled the borders, and made keeping after her family look like simple routine.

She had a mate whom she loved and who loved her. They had one litter of two, both stillborn. The proud she-wolf grieved fiercely for her cubs and would not suffer to try again when her time came. The family, after all, was large and strong, and she felt no obligation to raise pups she was not ready for. Besides which, both her and her mate were young. They had plenty of time left to raise a family.

Life was simple. Easy. Peaceful. As far as Athena was concerned, it was perfect.

Then the drought came. No matter how clever or strong, Athena was powerless to stop the drying of the river or the wilting of the trees or the voracious fires that ate vast stretches of rich forest. There was no way for her to keep the prey from leaving or her pack from going hungry for weeks on end. She was faced with an extremely difficult choice. Abandon the territory and seek a new home, or remain in a land that could no longer support them and pray the rain returned in time. In the end she chose to leave, hoping that before long they would find a place unravaged by the sun to eke out a new life.

Many of her packmates would be lost to her before that time came. Some fell to sickness, others to injuries earned fighting the many other predators whose territories Athena had no choice but to trespass. Unfriendly wolf-packs grieved them worst of all. Healthy, her own pack might've stood a chance in these skirmishes. But her group was starving, exhausted, and frightened. They may as well have been deer.

Late summer turned to fall, and winter struck early. Still her pack wandered without a home or a steady source of food. Soon those following Athena began to question her. One particularly aggressive male rose up to challenge the female, accusing the she-wolf of failing in her task to protect and guide the family. He was drooling and wild-eyed, nearly hysterical. The words soon turned to fighting, but this time Athena had too little strength to evade the larger opponent's attacks. Despite being hopelessly outmatched, she refused to submit. In a blood-crazed fury the male went for her throat. Athena's mate intervened at the cost of gruesome bite to his shoulder, but managed to get a hold on the challenger, breaking the slobbering wolf's hind leg before finally managing to kill him.

Now forced to travel even slower than before, things grew exponentially worse. The alpha-male's wound was badly infected, and he was beginning to grow paranoid and short-tempered, behaviors far removed from his normally quiet and self-assured nature. He began lashing out at everyone for even the most minor offenses, chasing off or attacking anyone who he perceived to have challenged him or Athena. Strain sprouted between the pair, and by the time her mate left her Athena could not see him as the same male whom she'd once loved. Still, she grieved. And as she grieved, her pack grew smaller and smaller until only one remained: herself.

She has wandered since then. Without a family, the she-wolf has found no real motivation. Habit keeps her fighting for life as she travels East after a den-story about all new things beginning there. More than once she's settled for a hard winter or a dry summer with another loner or a small pack. But they aren't her family. They aren't her friends. She's just passing through.

Her spirit is well worn and dimmed, but not broken.

## Group History

Athena arrived in the Domain as a loner, and made the rounds meeting *other* loners. There were *plenty* of loners living in the area she was exploring, many of whom would later join packs. Some interactions were good, and others...not so much. She shared prey with Alcatraz, for instance, but attacked Rikki for stealing food she'd cached. Nahimana told Athena of the lands she planned to build her pack in, and Athena promised to respect those boundaries. She hunted with Skye and Seaver, too.

Aside from loners, several pack wolves crossed paths with Athena. Navindru, of Chandor, escorted her through the territory and shared a bit of information with her, like a true gentleman. Ruebane of Blutwald taught her how to catch fish, and she offered to help him catch a deer.

Athena was irritated when she crossed paths with Renier, who called her "Blue". Other wolves she liked, and continued to see, such as Alcatraz. They shared hunts and shared some of the details of their pasts. She also joined Charaka in a buffalo hunt.

Even though it was midwinter, Athena was approached by an old acquaintance, Felidae. Athena owed Felidae's pack a huge debt, and Felidae was calling that debt in, by bringing one of her great-great-grandchildren - named Riley - to Athena. She asked him to raise her grandson, so he would be safe. She loved her new boy, but was a little concern about the fact that he saw 'ghosts'.

It was hard for a single loner to catch enough prey for herself and her new son, so when she crossed paths with her loner friends, Charaka and Alcatraz, they decided to form a little group, to help one another out during the cold winter. And it was at this moment that the pack of Aryn was re-founded, here, in the Domain.

With a new territory established, and the first members of her pack - Riley, Charaka, and Alcatraz - at her side, Athena set about recruiting new wolves to join them. She recruited Raghaalr, a powerful warrior; Alexandro, her beloved nephew; Seaver, the hunter; and Isolde, a loner who was welcomed to stay as a guest, but didn't wish to join the pack.

Unfortunately, because the pack's numbers were so small, Athena was very paranoid and protective when it came to their borders...and those who didn't respect the boundaries. When a Blutwalder, Bloom, crossed the border in pursuit of prey, Athena took her as a captive. She assembled her little pack to discuss what to do about their prisoner and the threat that the large pack to the south posed. Not everyone agreed on what Athena decided to do with her packmates.

A tense meeting with the alpha of Blutwald - Bloom's mother, Winema - didn't lead to any kind of resolution. An outside perspective - a fox named Joseph - confronted Athena about her paranoia, speaking as a friend and an uninvolved party, but she dismissed Joseph's words.

To beef up Aryn's numbers, Athena invited more and more wolves to the pack. Young male Cassidy, lovely white-furred female Gabitrix, and another young female named Crash. However, Athena had *no idea* that Crash was actually a Blutwalder...and a spy! But that information would be revealed later.

In the meantime, there were plenty of issues revolving around Aryn's internal affairs. A bear attacked Alexandro in the Wispwood, and Athena led the rest of her packmates to the rescue! Navindru came for a visit to lift her spirits, and diplomats from another pack in the area - Vale - came seeking an alliance. These diplomats, Brunhilda and Nyru, created asked Athena to discuss an alliance with *their* alpha, Faust. This assured Athena of security if the tensions with Blutwald got worse.

Unfortunately, while they were gone, Bloom and Crash made an escape attempt. It was foiled, but Athena was outraged when she returned and learned of it. She sent spies to Blutwald to check on the situation (Echo and Varrick) but they didn't infiltrate the way Crash infiltrated Aryn.

Athena was placed under enormous strain by these tensions, and Charaka and Alcatraz were there to help her through it. She was convinced to speak about a truce with Winema and the Blutwalders, but it didn't go well. Rhaegan - a wolf with a grudge against Winema's family - started a full-on-battle between the packs. Athena fought Ramona, Crash's daughter, severely wounding her. Aryn emerged from the battle victorious.

After the war ended, Blutwald disbanded, and Athena could settle into a relative period of peace. She and Alcatraz became mates, and before long, were expecting their first litter. Athena was extremely worried, after the horrors of her first litter, but she managed to have four healthy pups: Teva, Lazarus, Storm, and Raphael.

The pack flourished. Athena welcomed ex-prisoner Bloom into the pack, as well as other wolves, like Tristan and Phen. She bonded with her children, and hoped that, perhaps, Teva would become the next alpha of Aryn, when Athena was ready to step down. She and Alcatraz worked to train Teva in important leadership skills.

Athena's family grew. Charaka and Alexandro brought four young into the pack shortly after Athena had her litter: Kane, Mavis, Huginn, and Muninn. She was very close to Kane, who adored his aunt Athena very much.

Tragic circumstances occurred, and Raphael grew deathly ill. Desperate to save her little son, she went to a neighboring pack with skilled healers: Fellfang. She begged Fable to send Witch-Doctors to her son's aid. Raphael recovered, and the rest of the pups' childhood went smoothly.

Athena's role as a mother and alpha sometimes clashed, when Teva went on her first hunt. Athena watched in horror as her daughter nearly died, and instead, a packmate - Vasilis - took the killing blow. Athena was torn between comforting her daughter and administering pack justice. In the end, she administered scarification as punishment.

The pack continued to thrive. Their skilled Vicars became known around the Domain, and Heylguard sent three envoys - Asterion, Samhradh, and Saphira - to ask their aid with a severe illness ravaging their lands. The Curse of Pajackok was terrible, but, unfortunately, the Arynians didn't know how to heal the sickness, and the envoys moved on, towards Fellfang, with the Arynians' guidance.

Athena became a mother again, when a raven named Raban approached Athena and Raphael as they were out walking. The raven's wolf friend, Alar, had abandoned his pregnant mate, Lilith, and she had been killed by an enemy. The pups were newborns without a mother. Raban begged Athena to take the infant pups under her care in Aryn, and she agreed. She named the pups Aivar, Daphne, and Miriam, and she vowed to raise them as her own.

She also became a birth mother to a second litter of puppies with Alcatraz. It was all males: Tzuriel, Nero, Hawthorn, and Killian. As they grew up, she spent as much time as she could with her children, to mold them into respectable young wolves, and was adored by many of her packmates as well.

Good times in Aryn did not last. Even though it had been several seasons since the war with Blutwald, conflict once again came knocking at Aryn's door, when three wolves from Vektren (Heel, Seraph, and Jerikoh) infiltrated the pack and kidnapped Merrill. Athena believed that they were Blutwald defectors, because when she chased after them with a posse of Arynians, amongst the Vektren defending party was a former Blutwalder, Ruebane.

She comforted her packmates through Merrill's loss, vowing to find a way to get her back. She was strong for the pack as a whole, but Athena also offered private comfort to wolves one-on-one, like Lawson and Raghaalr, and, of course, her kin.

In the midst of the tragedy, Aryn tried to find light. Athena led a marriage ceremony between Kane and Eden, and welcomed their children, Urs and Barin (and adoptive daughter Riga) to the world. She was also still willing to welcome newcomers to the pack, like her son Tzuriel's beloved, Shoshana. She adopted another pup in need, herself - Neka.

With tensions with "Blutwald" (Vektren) growing, Athena went to old allies to ensure their aid, and to check if they had seen Merrill. When speaking to Nyru of Vale, she tried to explain why her son Aivar looked so much like their old tyrant, Alar, leading to some unfortunate truths being revealed to a hiding Aivar.

After searching long and hard for Merrill, Athena, lamentably, called off the search for Merrill. Everyone was grief-stricken, but the pack attempted to move on. Her son Raphael couldn't, however. Nor could Adrian, her nephew, who knew it was Vektren, not Blutwald rebels, who had taken Merrill. He told her that her brother, Hedge, was skulking around, looking for Aryn's weaknesses. She was concerned, and very protective of the pack moving forward.

Still, she and Alcatraz's family grew once more. This time, they welcomed a lovely litter of four girls: Daenerys, Dyana, Artemis, and Imelda. She tried to make sure her daughters had normal upbringings, but it was difficult in the midst of a war. Even though Athena had declared the search for Merrill off, scuffles continued to happen on the borders.

Tensions within the pack rose. Under immense strain, Athena was comforted by packmates like Ragnarok and Lycan, but argued with Aivar, Raphael, and other children who doubted her leadership decisions.

And then...Athena got the worst news of all. Three Arynians - two of them, being her own sons - were taken by Vektren. The news put too much strain on the already stressed alpha, and she suffered a stroke. This would place limitations on her speaking abilities going forward.

Fortunately, Athena did not have to arrange a rescue party. The three taken wolves (Tzuriel, Nero, and Raghaalr) were returned...as was Merrill. Athena wanted to use Merrill as a double agent, and Raphael protested this. The two fought, but Athena was firm in her word as alpha. She was willing to risk Merrill for information on their enemy.

The risk with Merrill would come to bear a heavy cost.

Hekate, leader of Vektren, captured Raphael, and sent Merrill to fetch her parents, and thus lead them into a trap. Merrill fetched Athena, and Athena brought Adrian and Alcatraz along with her, hoping they'd be able to overcome Hekate. Hekate planned for this, and brought backup of her own: Hellion, Nimh, and Janus.

This was the pinnacle of the battle between Aryn and Vektren. Athena threw herself at Hekate, wanting to kill the opposing alpha for threatening her family and trying to kill her packmates. She severely injured Hekate, but in the end...they were overwhelmed.

Athena watched in horror as her beloved Alcatraz was slain, and although she fought valiantly against Hekate, she lost the battle, and was killed.

The pack survived her death, though not without heartache and pain. Raphael took his mother's place as Lord of Aryn, and led them into a bitter Inquisition. Lives were lost, and the pack was broken apart.

But none of that was Athena's fault. She died valiantly, protecting her pack from the Vektreni threat. But more importantly, she died defending her son, an ever-caring mother to the bitter end. She is honored above all other Arynians in the afterlife.

## Trivia

* As a mother, Athena is unquestionably devoted to her offspring, and desires above all to see them protected and cared for. She recognizes them as individuals with unique moods and inclinations, and tailors her parenting methods to each (with mixed result, she may overlook flaws as 'personality' or deal too harshly with traits she deems dangerous to their well-being).
	+ The Lady's duties as Aryn's elected leader means she is often unable to give her pups firsthand attention. Older siblings and packmates help raise Athena's brood collectively. One on one time with her children is rare, but Athena does make opportunities for it between the endless stream of day-to-day business that guiding Aryn entails. That being said, she is unquestionably proud of her family and monitoring their welfare and progress within the pack are integrated into her routine. Should it become apparent one has lost their way and cannot find it again on their own, Athena will quickly intervene. In many ways, she treats the entirety of Aryn as her brood. Her disciplinarian methods often begin with open dialogue, but should diplomacy fail her children are reprimanded according to Aryn law - ex. den-cleaning duty, suspension of task, pilgrimage, lectures from the Vicars.

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* WynBird's deviantART Gallery