Marrok

## Application Sheet

Marrok was a gray-brown male wolf with chocolate-brown eyes. Originally, he was a part of Vale, but when Loki led the pack to new hunting grounds, he chose to become a loner. After living a short time as a loner, Marrok joined his nephew, Balduin, in Chandor. He served his pack loyally for several years, until ultimately losing his life fighting against the Hive. Marrok was designed by Tazihound, and created and RP'd by toywitch.

## Personality

* ***Observant and Quiet.*** Marrok has a seemingly indifferent demeanor. He's much more of an observer than anything else. For Marrok everything has a time and a place; that when it is the right moment to come forward and speak, he will do so. Getting involved just for the sake of getting involved is tedious. He's quiet, but not shy. He's a wolf who prefers to carefully think about what he says and does before speaking or acting and will rarely act on impulse.
* ***Loyal and Wise.*** Although Marrok can seem a little rough around the edges and it will take some time to truly gain his trust, he's a reliable wolf to call "ally". He speaks with wisdom that sometimes seems to go beyond his years, which is what makes him such an excellent teacher to younger wolves.
* ***Blunt, but Honest.*** He can be gruff and can speak bluntly but does not make a habit of deliberately trying to put a wolf down. Though he might not intentionally try to offend a wolf or cause conflict Marrok does not believe in lying for anybodies sake. His strongest belief is that knowledge and truth must reign above all.
* ***Proud and Hardworking, but Judgmental and Closed-off.*** When Marrok says that he will do something you can guarantee that the task will be completed, believing that a wolf without honor and who does not uphold is word is hardly a wolf at all. He takes pride in what he does and doesn't believe in doing anything less than perfect. He likes to claim that doing anything but doing your best is just "*wasting your potential*" and simply being "*unmotivated*". His gruff and judgmental character usually succeeds in keeping other wolves a fair distance away from him emotionally, which suits him just fine. Although he prefers to live within a pack he doesn't chose to do so for the social companionship but mostly for the higher rates of survival and mutual benefits that living within a pack provides. At least this is what he tells himself. Truthfully Marrok longs for true companionship but doesn't know if he'll ever find it. His own family never seemed to quite understand him, so why would other wolves? He's put up a wall around himself to spare himself from the sting of rejection he felt as a juvenile but would enjoy nothing more than finding someone who truly *understood* him.
* ***Respectful of Others' Beliefs.*** He doesn't have any beliefs in any gods, believing only in the living and their capabilities. However - although he would never admit it out loud - Marrok does *want* to believe in something, but thus far in his life there has been nothing that has given him cause to believe in anything other than what he can see right in front of him. The good thing is that because he keeps his personal beliefs to himself. He might not agree with them, but he will respect other wolves belief systems and tries not offend anybody.

## Pre-Group History

Marrok was born into a small pack outside the borders of the domain. He wasn't born into power nor squalor, and lived a relatively comfortable life ever since he was a pup. His parents were not of any real importance as far as rank was concerned, but they were very devoted to their pack and to their family. Marrok as a pup wasn't nearly as indifferent and reserved as he is now as an adult but even when he was young he never really seemed to fit in with his siblings and other wolves his age. He loved them, his family and his pack, but he just had a different way of showing that love. A way that nobody else seemed to understand. Instead of displaying his affection in a way you might expect a wolf to, he would offer advice on how to better themselves; improve hunting and fighting techniques, and offering knowledge he'd learned from pack elders. Marrok just wanted them to excel but they thought of him as a know-it-all. His journey for knowledge continued to cause conflict with his siblings as they grew older. In their eyes Marrok had always thought he was better than the rest of them; and this caused a rift in their little family. One with Marrok on one side and his family on the other side, including his parents. Angry that they didn't understand he was just trying to show that he cared, Marrok decided to focus his attention on himself. As he grew older and continued to excel, he was given the position of being the pack "coordinator" - which meant he was tasked with keeping the pack organized, being involved with political affairs, giving counsel to his pack mates and alphas, and of course the important task of passing on his knowledge to the younger generation. His attention to detail and his no-nonsense attitude meant that he wasn't exactly the most admired wolf in the pack and there were many times where his disconnected disposition was the source of arguments. Even in the worst of times Marrok never showed disrespect to another wolf, and for that despite his attitude he was a respected member of the pack.

He still kept in friendly terms with his family although they were never really able to fully understand or connect with Marrok. When his older brother had a litter of pups Marrok did his duty as uncle and took responsibility of their teachings. He took a particular liking to the youngest of his nephews, Balduin. Even though the pup was the polar opposite to himself, Marrok saw in him the courage and bravery that he had wished his self had possessed, and saw the makings of a fine wolf. If only the pup wasn't so foolish. He was energetic, charismatic, curious and never knew when to stop. All of these traits often led him down a path that had him walking right into trouble, trouble that Marrok usually took upon himself to get the young wolf out of.

They had a strange relationship, and it was hard to see how it worked exactly, but it did somehow. As the pup grew older, although he could be wreckless at times, he grew up into the fine young wolf Marrok knew he would be. He just had to be taught to use his head before acting. Something that they continued to work with even after Balduins teachings were officially over as the two remained close. Some wolves often teased that Balduin had enough heart for the both of them.

 Life in the pack seemed great, but of course nothing is ever truly what it seems to be. Their territory was small and eventually the prey was starting to get more and more scarce with each passing season as the pack continued to grow in size. Then inevitably came the time where the alpha pair decided that in order for the pack to survive, some wolves would need to leave. The fear was that this would break families and, in turn, the whole pack apart if wolves were forced to leave against their will. Some threatened to even challenge the alphas in order to keep their families together. Chaos was growing through the packs fear and hunger, and seeing the turmoil that this brought down on them all, Marrok decided to act. He located wolves that he knew had little or no strong ties to the pack. Young wolves who were already showing signs of wanting to go out and venture the world, wolves that had little or no family in the pack, or who had no rank to try and hold onto. After some careful persuasion he convinced several to volunteer to leave, along with Marrok himself.

His family asked him to stay, but he insisted on leaving. It had been so long since they had been a real family after Marrok disconnected himself as a juvenile. He'd taught many wolves that would be eligible to take his place as pack coordinator - wolves that had families to stay for. He decided that because of this he would do his part to ensure that his family would continue to live comfortably there, in their home. Besides, how could he ask other wolves to leave the pack if he himself was not willing to do the same?

With the alphas gratitude and their blessing, the now nomadic group of wolves left their home to wander the vast wilderness. They did travel together as a unit for some time but eventually, slowly, they disbanded. After that Marrok wandered on his own for quite some time. The thought of returning home did cross his mind, but he was a wolf of his word. He had managed to get by on his own but he had never been a particularly strong wolf and usually this forced him to resort to scavenging for his meals. After months he decided that he wanted to join another pack - even if it was just for the security that it brought. This search eventually led his path to the borders of Vale, where he hopes his knowledge and life experience can aid a pack once again and restore purpose to his life.

Although he does sometimes miss his old life and his family, Marrok doesn't regret the decision that he made. It was the right thing to do, the smart thing to do. He would never regret doing what was right for those he cared about.

## Group History

For a time, Marrok observed the pack of Vale from a distance, trying to determine the best way to approach the pack and ask to join. Eventually, he approached the alpha, Faust, and asked permission to join. Faust was willing to give him a chance (though he would shortly end up stepping down and another alpha, Loki, would take his place). Marrok took the task of a Porter, in order to educate the youth, and held lessons with Vale's youngest: Ambrose, Hera, Zinnia, and Hieronymus.

As time passed, Marrok began to view Vale less as "a place to live" and more as "home" - a family. Even though Faust had departed, he respected Astir Loki and he would do anything for his new family. He began to come out of his shell and be less grumpy. He loved his territory - the richness of the forests and the earth. It was *home.*

His home would be shattered by conspiracy, death, and the eventual decision for Vale to leave the Domain and find new lands to live in. Marrok didn't want to leave the Domain, however, and made the difficult decision to remain behind, as a loner, in Vale's old lands. He was tied to these lands, he felt, and couldn't bring himself to leave. A few remained with him: Nyru, Quinn, and Kyros, as well as a few others. He distanced himself from his old packmates, though, keeping to himself and dealing with the turmoil of his loyalty to his pack and his connection to the Domain.

Marrok tried to keep the borders around Vale's lands secure, but it was difficult for a single wolf to do. He eventually crossed paths with 'trespassers' - unknowing trespassers, such as Makenna of Vektren. He accidentally revealed that *something* had happened to his pack, but didn't reveal that Vale was completely gone from the Domain.

Marrok enjoyed the summer months (though not the heat!) and became more somber than usual when the leaves began to change color. He had been alone for almost a year, loosely connected to the few remaining Valerian loners, and feared the hard hunting that winter would bring, as well as his old injuries to his leg.

*Vale is eternal.* That's what Loki had told Marrok long ago. But was that really the case? Had he lost the eternal Vale that was tied to Loki and his packmates, by remaining in the territory? He grieved his lost pack.

During the harsh winter, Marrok crossed paths with a loner who seemed to recognize him - at first. He called Marrok by the name of Balduin, only realizing upon closer inspection it was a different wolf. Marrok was stunned, and the loner, Nikola, explained that Balduin lived in his old pack of Chandor. He offered to help Nikola catch some prey, and then decided he would travel to Chandor to find Balduin.

He waited, though, until the snow had melted. Then, with one last longing look at Vale's territory, he set off.

On his way to Chandor, Balduin was stunned to see an ex-Valerian - Zinnia! She didn't recognize him at first, but was overjoyed when she *did* recall who he was. She asked about what had become of the Valerians she knew, mostly her family. Marrok explained to her where everyone had gone, to the best of his knowledge, and wished her the best of luck finding whatever, or whoever, she was searching for before parting ways with the young she-wolf.

After years apart, Marrok was finally able to reunite with his nephew. He met Balduin at the border, and the two embraced, delighted to see one another again.

He settled decently into Chandor. He never did end up taking a task, but he was decently respected by his packmates, and he was happy to be a part of his nephew's life (and his nephew's adoptive son Duncan!)

However, things weren't easy. The Hive Wars posed a serious threat, that continued to grow as time progressed. Marrok was determined to protect his packmates when the Hive eventually attacked Chandor's camp, and though he fought valiantly, Marrok would ultimately lose his life fighting the Hive.

Balduin would find him dying and grieve over his body before joining his packmates in the retreat. Marrok would be deeply missed by his packmates, honored for his sacrifice against the Hive.

## Trivia

* Due to an accident he had as a juvenile, during the winter his left back leg tends to stiffen up and become sore - he struggles to hide this.
* Although Marrok isn't especially strong, he is much stronger than he is fast. This is mostly why he didn't succeed as a loner.

## Quotes

* “If Vale turns out to have nothing left for you - and I hope that you find what you’re looking for - you’ll always have friends in Chandor.” (to Zinnia, *Unexpected Reunion*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* toywitch's deviantART Gallery