Roman

Numerous Other Children (NPCs)

Four Stillborn Siblings (NPCs)

## Application Sheet

Roman was the tyrannical, old white-furred alpha of Blutwald. He had numerous children with his 'concubines' and used a cruel, harsh hand in the running of his pack. His children included Miakoda, Ivan, Paxton, Bracket, Mosby, Boone, Davis, and Delu - nearly all of them had different mothers. He contracted rabies, and was killed by Stallion when his mind began to slip. He was created and RP'd by MatrixPotato.

## Personality

* ***Cold and Harsh.*** Just like his outer appearance, Roman is as harsh and cold on the inside. Anger is really the only emotion he knows; however, he has been known to joke here and there, but usually it's very sarcastic and doesn't sound like a joke at all. It's extremely rare for him to say he's pleased by something, and if he ever says it towards you, then it would be deemed as a blessing.
* ***Egotistical, and Hands-On.*** He thinks himself better than any other wolf, and proves it with his strength, wisdom, and will-power. When given the choice between sparing a life or ending it, Roman will always choose to end it. He takes a guilty pleasure in watching others suffer, and will always be present when a member or another wolf is being punished. He also doesn't believe in the alpha sitting back and letting everyone else do things for him. He's always in the middle of everything, barking orders or making sure things are being done right. Roman himself leads the hunting party and is usually the one to lay the final blow on their prey.
* ***Determined and Perfectionistic.*** Roman's expectations are very high. He sets a goal in his mind, and he expects others to follow along and do the best they possibly can, without question. Those who don't meet his standards are often punished.
* ***Charismatic (when he wants to be).*** However, even though he relies on brute strength most of the time, he's also very charismatic. It's easy for him to persuade others into seeing why his way is the best way, and he can be quite charming when he wants to be. Of course, that charming nature never lasts for long and it's almost always faked.
* ***Unromantic.*** As for the common fantasy of 'love', Roman spits at the idea and believes that breeding was meant only for reproductive purposes, nothing more. He never takes pleasure in mating, unless the female has proven herself to be a strong candidate, which in turn would give him strong offspring. His expectations are extra high for his offspring; he expects nothing less than the absolute best from them, and if they're weak, he will kill them immediately. He plays favorites with them often.

## Pre-Group History

It was a dark night on which Roman was born. He was the only surviving pup out of his mother’s litter of five; his brothers and sisters were stillborn. Upon seeing the dead puppies, his mother, Elaine, was too distraught to notice her last pup was still alive. In an attempt to drown her sorrows, she half-heartedly buried the four dead puppies along with Roman. However, she couldn't bear it any longer and fled from the scene, leaving the grave unfinished. With no heat and no sustenance for Roman to gain, he cried and cried, but his noises were muffled by the dirt he lay in.

A couple hours later, his cries had died down, but still just enough for a hungry fox to hear. Before the fox could get near Roman, however, a large gray wolf ambushed and killed it. This wolf, Ritulus, heard the pup and adopted him as his own. He brought the near-dead pup back to his pack and let one of his female’s nurse him back to health.

Once Roman was successfully weaned, and had grown stronger than they imagined, Ritulus gave him his name. Roman. At first, Roman’s childhood days went well. He was allowed to play and follow Ritulus around wherever he went. However, not long after his weaning, Ritulus began to train him in the art of hunting and fighting. The hours they spent practicing were brutal on little Roman, but Ritulus manipulated him into believing that he was nothing without his strength. If he couldn’t be strong, then he should’ve died in the hole he was abandoned in.

Being young and impressionable, Roman took these words to heart. He fought hard every training session, and took the beatings when he lost or cried for a break. Ritulus was merciless with the pup, and it was obvious to the older members that he was using young Roman as a way of preserving his pack. He wanted a ruler who would listen to him in his old age, someone he could give the throne to when he was too old to rule anymore.

By three years old, Roman was a heartless fighting machine. His legs and rump were marred with battle scars from previous practice fights and hunting sessions. It seemed that Ritulus’ plan was going well. Until one day, when a light colored female wandered into the packs territory. She was immediately surrounded and questioned. She told the guards that she merely needed a pack to belong to, but Ritulus demanded she fight one of his guards to prove her worth. By now, Ritulus was beginning to show his age; he’d acquired arthritis and was slowly going blind.

He sent forth Roman, obviously much stronger than the tiny female, to test her strength. When he emerged from the line of guards, the female gasped. She and Roman were nearly identical. The only difference was their eyes. She began pleading with the group, saying that she had to be, no she knew that she was Roman’s mother. This only enraged Roman, who thought that he was abandoned for being weak, and denied being her son. Ritulus ordered her killed and Roman wasted no time. He was full of blood lust and anger and mercilessly slayed the tiny female.

After that incident, a small pang of doubt arose in the very depths of Roman’s mind. Had that really been his mother? She didn’t seem to think he was weak. It didn’t look like she meant to abandon him. Nonetheless, he had been abandoned. When he turned six, he finally gained enough courage to ask Ritulus about the truth. Being old and not one for games or beating around the bush any longer, Ritulus told Roman the simple truth. He had been watching the female for days, waiting until she would give birth, and then capture her and use her as a part of his harem. He would’ve trained all the pups to be guards, but he was only successful with one.

Roman was astonished. He couldn’t believe that Ritulus, the wolf who had raised him, who had been like a father to him, had lied to him his entire life. There were no words that Roman could form to speak the anger that he felt for Ritulus at that moment. He was taught to use actions, not words. And in that moment, he decided to use Ritulus’ game against him. He lunged at the old male and the two fought. Even though Ritulus was old, he was still strong. He bit and scratched and clawed at Romans face, leaving huge gashes and blood everywhere. Eventually though, Romans youth won the battle. The alpha was dead.

After dealing with and speaking with the rest of the pack, Roman ascended the throne and became the alpha of Blutwald. To spite Ritulus further, he continued his ways, but raised the bar. He made each of the laws harsher and began ruling with an iron paw. His mind grew increasingly dark, and the everlasting effect of his training days were there to stay. He reserved himself as a menace until the day he died.

As he grew older, he gained wisdom and also an unusually charming ability to persuade others. He had fought off many intruders and those who wished to steal his rank, however he never lost. But now as he creeps closer and closer to his elder years, certain fears are beginning to grow. He can feel his bones beginning to decay and his eyesight is foggy. Roman’s anxiety grows each time a new threat to his position is uncovered.

As time goes on, Roman's sight quickly becomes foggier and his joints and reflexes grow dimmer and painful, Roman realizes that he needs an heir; one that will continue his legacy, one that is loyal and devoted to him. He had many children, but none meet his standards. With the fear of dying before an heir is chosen, Roman spirals downward and he begins to lash out at others and act irrationally. His old age is not just weakening his body, but his mind as well.

## Group History

Roman's story in the Domain began with highlighting the relationships between the old white alpha and his children. Stories about his interactions with his now-grown children were shared. He brutally worked with Paxton on his fighting skills when the yellow male was only a pup.

His son Ivan was the cause of many problems early on. He wanted to kill Ivan when his mother, Willow, informed him of his son's one blind eye. However, Willow begged him to spare her son's life, insisting that he would be a worthy successor to Roman, despite only having half of his sight. Roman gave up on trying to convince her, and let her keep Ivan alive. Later, when Ivan slaughtered his littermates - all four of them - Roman was outraged...but only because he had acted foolishly and killed four valuable assets to the pack without permission.

Roman's way was one of viciousness and cruelty. Only wolves who were strong enough to fight, and obey his orders to the letter, were permitted in the pack. He was willing to allow several outsiders entry, including Hexa and Stallion (who he had instructed to kill his guard in exchange for a place in Blutwald). Others, like Crash, earned a place in the pack by evading capture by the wolves he sent to kill them. Others were young enough when they joined, they were believed to have been 'trained' as good Blutwalders (one such example was Gypsee).

He ruled the pack with an iron fist, and was suspicious of outside wolves. When he got wind of the pack Kausen in the area, he sent Crash to infiltrate and investigate. Crash returned and informed him of what the pack was doing, and how many wolves were in it, and he decided that they were a threat which would have to be dealt with. He began planning a means of attack, in order to keep his pack safe.

Still, safe as they may have been, according to Roman, the wolves of Blutwald were not all happy. Many wanted to leave, or for another wolf to take over. Stallion won allies, intent on overthrowing Roman someday. Others, like Gypsee, Crash, and Morgan, fled the pack to find a better home. However, some wolves were willing to try discussing the problems with Roman.

They regretted this decision.

Paxton - who Roman called his "most well-trained son" - suggested that Roman ease up, or risk working Blutwald into the ground and killing everyone in the process, Roman lashed out. Paxton challenged Roman to a fight, to get it over with - and Roman shattered his leg and gave him heavy scars. He warned his son that the next time he spoke out would be his last.

Still, Roman could be charming, if he tried. He offered Winema a place in his pack as a healer, because he needed one to tend to his age-related ailments. Winema treated him effectively, earning his trust with ease. She suggested a type of herb that grew far away from the pack, and took some wolves with her as guards: Stallion and Skins. She returned a few days later with the herbs. The herbs would help to treat his ailments, but she warned of him becoming too dependent on them. He was insulted by the suggestion he wasn't strong enough to avoid addiction.

Roman had no suspicions of Winema, nor of Stallion, even as the two grew closer. Ivan was suspicious, however, and warned his father not to trust the gold-and-black male. Roman was outraged that Ivan believed he couldn't detect treacherous behavior himself, and insisted that Stallion was more trustworthy than even *Ivan.* He dismissed his son's warnings.

Winema continued to treat Roman, trying to ease him out of his addiction by introducing new herbs to his daily doses - herbs that would help with the symptoms of withdrawal. However, Roman continued to treat her poorly and scorn her remedies for the discomfort the withdrawal was causing. Winema only wanted his approval, but she didn't seem to be getting it.

Roman wanted to continue to appear young and strong, and would often accompany wolves on patrols of his territory. One day, Roman and Stallion were near the borders when a sickly-looking wolf stumbled across the border. Roman, not wanting Stallion to think him weak, old, or frail, attacked the sick wolf when they didn't respond to his demands. Stallion wondered if this wolf was carrying the foaming-mouth disease Impala had warned him about, and stayed out of the fray. Roman succeeded in killing this wolf, but had gotten bitten in the process.

His death certificate was sealed by this infected bite.

Roman returned to Blutwald. He was just as short-tempered as usual, and relied heavily on Stallion to go about day-to-day running of the pack. When wolves like Ocala came to him proposing tasks they should wish to take, he suggested to them they ask Stallion instead.

Skins, hearing rumors about Roman contracting rabies, approached the alpha one day to question his goals for the pack in the future. Roman was far more interested in the food offering she brought him - he was constantly filled with an incessant hunger, he noticed, and was more bloodthirsty than before.

And he was *determined* that Blutwald would remain the same, even after he had gone: a fearsome pack of powerful wolves.

Roman's mind was slowly eaten away by the rabies. He was experiencing muscle spasms, extreme hunger, continuous anger, and vivid hallucinations. He wasn't in control of his body; he felt restless, and couldn't think straight, so he spent a greater amount of time just wandering near the borders, waiting for someone to trespass, so he could satisfy his bloodlust.

One wolf - Ezra - approached him as he paced the border, and was immediately attacked. The attack was so vicious that his body was completely unrecognizable by the time Roman stepped away, panting, and continued his shambling walk.

Stallion had observed this, and decided this was the time to act. His plan to finally take over Blutwald was at hand. He swiftly rushed out, overpowered Roman, and killed the Blutwald alpha, managing not to get bitten and catch the infection himself.

The tyrant of Blutwald was dead, and a new leader was taking his place.

Ivan and Hexa witnessed the murder, and attacked Stallion in retaliation for the murder of their leader. Stallion managed to overpower them, and sent them away. Although Ivan would continue to seek justice for the assassination of his father, eventually, Stallion's leadership was secure. No son of Roman would rule Blutwald now.

## Trivia

* He'll do whatever it takes to hide the fact that he's growing older. Because of his decaying age, he is now almost completely blind. He can see blurry shapes and can see you clearly if you're standing close enough, but for the most part, he relies on his scent and hearing now.

## Quotes

* "I take into account your power, but learn to use it wisely next time. Do not waste the strength you have on fools." (to young Ivan, *Roman Finds a Suspicious Ivan*)
* *"Yes, he didn't want any unwanted attention. He didn't want his pack to see him as weak or vulnerable. He didn't want anyone to see him like that!"* (his thoughts after being bitten by a rabid wolf, *INFECTED*)

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* MatrixPotato's deviantART Gallery