Shardae

Sheffield (Paternal Grandfather)

Hira (Paternal Grandmother, NPC)

Fia (Aunt, NPC)

Oruz, Ragnor, and Durzin (Uncles)

Six Siblings (NPCs)

Extensive Highvalley Kin

## Application Sheet

Shardae was a gray-and-light-orange she-wolf who served as a Gamma Steward in Highvalley. She was the granddaughter of Altumvalley's king Sheffield, and thus, a niece Oruz, Ragnor, Durzin, and Queen Fia (NPC). Fia was the mate of High King Rodwen, and when she died, Shardae was betrothed to her widower. The two never became mates, however, as Rodwen died of sickness when Shardae was coming of age. She left with her pack when Vladimir led Highvalley away from the Domain, and she hasn't been seen since. She was designed by Tazihound, and created and RP'd by data-bull.

## Personality

* ***Demure and Composed.*** Above all, Shardae is a lady; learning proper manners as soon as she could walk, the young she-wolf has been molded to suit her grandmother's wishes. Not speaking unless spoken to, those who don't understand her situation might perceive her as cold or aloof. Though difficult to tell, due to her sheltered upbringing she is uneasy around strangers. She won't go out of her way to avoid them because that would be rude, however she is less likely to even make eye contact with unknowns than she is with her packmates.
* ***Devoted but Insecure.*** As a general rule Shardae doesn't try to draw attention to herself. This is both her personal preference and, according to Hira's teachings, proper etiquette for a modest female. Very few emotions tend to show on Shardae's face; among those only positive expressions, gentle smiles and soft laughter for instance, are ever seen by the public, though she's also prone to wearing a neutral stare. Of course she does feel negatively at times, but compared to the hardships faced by those around her, Shardae has decided her own feelings are irrelevant. She knows that she'll never understand completely the world she lives in, or the invisible evils she's been protected from; it's because of this that she decided to support those who make her own way of life possible. To her, pushing her problems onto them would only make her more of a burden. For Shardae even her existence has been for the sake of Highvalley. Her birth was only to facilitate the continuation of her bloodline, her upbringing to shape a proper wife who'd attract a proper husband. She has never questioned her path in life, and she doesn't plan on doing so in the future. The pack is her home and her family has treated her well; so far as she is concerned, they have earned her loyalty for life.
* ***Determined.*** She blindly follows the path set before her by the will of others, believing that doing so will bring happiness to her and those she loves. A sheltered upbringing has blinded her to the conflict raging both outside of, and within, Highvalley. While she believes she can perceive the nuances of her packmates, she remains blind to the darker side, whether on purpose or not. In addition, she has no will to kill, and the art of doing so absolutely terrifies her. She refuses to believe that wolves would hurt each other, and faints at the sight of blood. As a result, she has never hunted for herself, nor does she know how to. High valley is a pack formed from years of tradition and pride; Shardae is the result of years of hard work and dedication, traits that she has always held in high regard. She sees her origins as honorable, and is happy to call herself a member of Highvalley.
* ***Supportive and Considerate.*** When it comes down to it, Shardae has immense shoes to fill. She looked up to High Queen Fia, idolized her as an ideal she-wolf. Though they hadn't spent much time together over the course of Shardae's short life, she saw the alphess every day through the influence she had within the pack. It was obvious she wasn't the only one who saw something great in the High Queen; she was like a mother to them all, a warm guiding light, even to the High King. Though she may act maturely, Shardae is still young and she knows too little about the world to make changes happen.
* ***Perceptive, but Naive.*** A quick mind and sharp eyes lend themselves to Shardae's more observant side. Young and naive she may be, but she sees more than she's given credit for; at the same time, she sees more than one with her level of experience can comprehend. Her juvenile ego shuts out unwanted information and she worries about this, however she realizes some things just aren't meant for her eyes. Respectful of Highvalley's strict hierarchy, Shardae understands that it is necessary to keep order. She would never knowingly violate the laws of the pack, both for this reason and how disappointed she knows her family would be. To fall from their graces is, for her, unthinkable. Having spent her entire life concealing her true thoughts and hiding her own desires away, Shardae has built a wall around her heart. Not even her parents know what kind of wolf lies beneath their manufactured facade; they pushed what could've been away, buried it deep within her. Though she may seem to reach out to a select few, it's unclear whether anyone could ever reach the real her hidden beneath.

## Pre-Group History

Shardae's father was Second Prince Kellem, litter-mate to First Prince Oruz of Altumvalley. A wolf of weaker constitution, he struggled to keep up with his larger siblings, especially the first prince; becoming a target of constant bullying by his elder brother, Kellem sought refuge in Queen Hira, his mother. Though she greatly favored Oruz, the she-wolf showed Kellem enough kindness that he was able to withstand the torment. Mostly average by all accounts, when the prodigal son abandoned Altumvalley the king and queen were at a loss, left with four sons all unprepared to inherit. War broke out among the Western packs, claiming the lives of three. It was amidst the chaos when a strange she-wolf arrived.

Hailing from a pack which had fled west, Rafaela sought refuge within the Altumvalley. When it was decided Altumvalley would be absorbed with the union of Highvalley's High King Rodwen and Altumvalley First Princess Fia, Kellem was more than a little concerned about their uncertain future. During the merging of the two packs, Rafaela was assigned to Kellem as his personal steward. They became close over time, and as Kellem's health declined she was the only wolf who truly cared about him. Kellem proposed to her not long after, and soon enough she was pregnant with their pups.

Thankfully, Kellem and Rafaela were treated well in the newly formed Highvalley; Kellem was regarded as a Highblood, and given the same treatment afforded to the existing nobility. Not long after the birth of the pack's first royal litter, they too were blessed with their own. Seven beautiful pups were brought into the world, a number unheard of in Highvalley. Shardae was one among them; of the females, she exhibited the most of her mother's prominent foreign features.

At grandmother Hira's insistence responsibility for the litter's education was handed over to her; Kellem didn't have the will to oppose her, and Rafaela wasn't the rearing type. Hira taught her charges according to Highvalley and Altumvalley shared customs; her grandsons were taught honor and discipline while her granddaughters received lessons in composure and modesty. All were given strict guidance in etiquette as determined by their sex.

Raised in the shadow of her aunts and uncles, Shardae took naturally to the submissive, loyal role she was given. She admired those above her, especially High Queen Fia. To the young she-wolf the Queen represented the pinnacle of what any she-wolf should strive to become: unquestionably loyal, an icon of feminitity, and pure both heart and soul. Though only able to meet her face-to-face a handful of times, Shardae could feel the strength of Fia's love for Highvalley through everyone alphaess touched.

She didn't stand out much as a pup; as the offspring of Altumvalley's second prince not much was expected of her personally. Shardae was to be married off when the time came to secure power for the pack and further integrate her family tree with that of Highvalley, that's all there was to it.

It came as an unparalleled shock when the High Queen passed on. Her second pregnancy had ended disastrously, taking both her life and that of her unborn litter. The kingdom was shaken, and the High King was broken. Before the pack could be given time to mourn it was determined that the alliance between Highvalley and Altumvalley would be null and void without an Altum Queen on the throne. As the head of Altumvalley bloodline, Former King Sheffield had to choose another of his progeny to succeed Fia. They currently stand at a crossroad; the renewal of the bond can make or break the pack.

Meanwhile, Shardae took to the Steward task at Hira's request; it was meant to shape her into the ideal caretaker, and force her to learn how to hunt.

## Group History

Shardae was chosen to be the Steward assigned to Tilika and her pups, upon their arrival in Highvalley. Shardae admired Tilika - though she no longer was the Queen of her pack, she still held herself with regal grace and silent power, much like former Queen Fia. Tilika had no need for a Steward - she was used to taking care of her small family herself - but she asked, instead, for Shardae to become her pups' governess. Shardae would tend to the pups when Tilika needed to go hunt. This was a relief, as Shardae couldn't yet hunt, though young Mohawk and Yuaei were a handful! Of course...her job description changed greatly upon the assassination of Tilika by Vektren. She fell into the role of near-full-time caretaker, relying on Angus to protect the pups.

Uncertain of how to perform her task as a Steward, however, she sought the help of fellow Steward Muirgen, who assured her that she wouldn't let Shardae fail. They could work together when needed.

Shardae was chosen by her grandfather Sheffield to renew the link between Altumvalley and Highvalley. High King Rodwen was mortified at the prospect of being wed to Shardae, due to her age and how soon after Fia's death it was. Eventually, he agreed, though only if the wedding was postponed until she had the chance to mature.

When the Arynian group of wolves approached Highvalley for a diplomatic meeting, Shardae approached one of the younger wolves, who seemed to need some company: Aivar. She and Aivar discussed their roles in their respective packs - and received some comfort in knowing that they weren't as alone as they felt. Later, Aivar would return, after discovering that he was actually the son of Alar and Lilith, not Athena and Alcatraz. She assured him that knowing his birth parents' identities didn't change who he was.

She was excellent at comforting her packmates - particularly her charges, Mohawk and Yuaei. Now full-grown, Mohawk was still extremely close to his former governess. He and Shardae comforted one another in the face of their impending arranged marriages: Shardae to Rodwen, and Mohawk to his daughter Nike.

Then, Highvalley was stricken by a massive flood. Shardae was severely injured in her rear legs, but, fortunately, she was rescued by Joseline. She apologized profusely for her 'rudeness' in asking for water, and aid, and Joseline assured her that she was not being rude. Shardae felt a great deal of fear for her family, and returned to learn that many had been lost - whether washed away or killed. Some would be found in the following weeks, but others would never return.

She set back to work diligently, trying her best to serve the pack, to prepare for her impending role as High Queen. But after the flood, things were just never quite the same. Mohawk and Yuaei left the pack. The long-lost Robin returned, and Shardae was delighted to see the young she-wolf. As a youth, Shardae had often kept Thallo company as he waited for Robin's return, and the two had grown close. Shardae caught Robin up on what all had transpired in the pack while she was away.

Rodwen fell ill. Vladimir took control of the pack while Rodwen fought the sickness, but ultimately, Shardae's betrothed would succumb to his illness. After that, High King Vladimir led Highvalley from their ancestral homeland, to seek better hunting grounds where the massive pack could be supported. Shardae left with them, and they have not been seen since.

## Trivia

* Of all her littermates, Shardae was the one who inherited her mother's exotic features the most.
* She got the scarring on her legs during the Glacial Flood.
* Many Highvallians were unhappy with Shardae's arranged marriage to Rodwen, none so much as his eldest children, Sveta and Vladimir. Fortunately for all parties involved, Shardae and Rodwen never actually sealed their marriage, remaining only as fiancees until his death.

## Quotes

* “I believe that affection and love, are born from duty. It is the shared dedication to a marriage and the bond that is formed which allows love to blossom. But emotions are unpredictable, and love comes in many forms. Simply wishing to protect her, to put her needs before your own, is more than enough.” (discussing their betrothals with Mohawk, *You Will Be Queen*)
* “It sounds… wonderful, Aivar. I would love to [visit Aryn], but it’s an impossible dream for someone like me. Don’t misunderstand please, I’m no prisoner here. It’s the opposite really. I love my pack, flawed though it may be. I couldn’t leave; my heart would ache too much.” (to Aivar, *Aivar x Shardae RP1*)
* “I only hope that I can be all my pack needs. To meet their expectations… And my own.” (from *Aivar x Shardae RP1*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* data-bull's deviantART Gallery