S C O R C H E D


A terrible fire raged, leaving nothing in its wake beyond soot and ash. The people have gone, either perishing amongst the flames or escaping before the worst of it engulfed the city. While the humans might have fled, those they left behind remained. Dogs watched, filled with horror, as their homes burned and their beloved owners abandoned them. Once the blaze finally subsided, they were left with nothing.

Many terrible months came to pass. Dogs who once prided themselves on their civility turned savage, fighting one another for whatever resources they could find. Things might have continued on like this if not for the formation of the packs. Two leaders rose and before long others flocked around them. They offered organization and protection. They gave their followers something to believe in.

The Fallen Ashes Pack chose to reclaim their city, living near scorched, ruined buildings, and defending their territory jealousy, for their resources are few. The Red Willow Pack calls the large park at the city's edge home. Their territory is smaller, no doubt, but more giving as they carve out a future for themselves among nature.

These packs have never known peace, at one another's throats since they began. Tensions are higher than ever after a pup from Red Willow goes missing and a murder is committed within Fallen Ashes territory that no dog within the pack stakes claim to, the scent of a stranger lingering on the deceased's pelt. Are the packs truly to blame, or is there another force lingering in the shadows, waiting to destroy them all?

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ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ ɪɴғᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ

What started the fire?
A massive wildfire spread across the countryside six months ago, the cause being a flash of lightning striking an old, rotting tree and setting it ablaze. Nothing could deter the growing flames and eventually, they reached the city. An evacuation notice was issued at nearly the last minute and most people left in a hurry, leaving pets and their belongings behind in the rush.

Where did the dogs that survived hide to stay alive?
Many perished, but those who survived fled to the park or parts of the city the flames hadn't yet touched. Just as all hope seemed lost dark clouds covered the sky and delivered life-saving rain. The fire had, at last, been tamed, but the damage done to the city was so severe it was considered a lost cause by the government. Any progress toward rebuilding will be slow if done at all.

Were any buildings left standing?
A small portion near the city's eastern edge was spared. For the most part, this is where the Fallen Ashes Pack resides.

Did the burnt corpses attract things like buzzards, rats, or other scavengers besides the dogs?
Indeed, during the first few months, there was what seemed an endless amount of carnage. Foxes and coyotes came to feast alongside rats and vultures on anything edible left on the deceased, particularly desperate dogs moved to cannibalism. Once the packs established themselves they both had their own methods of cleaning up their territory. Red Willow buried the dead and made it clear to the wild ones they must either join them or leave. Foxes being mostly solitary and coyotes oft not to fraternize outside their own kind all reluctantly chose to depart. Fallen Ashes were less polite, discarding carcasses outside the city with little place to bury them and killing anything that refused to leave their land.

What causes the packs to war against each other?
Resources is the main factor here. Each pack guards what they have fervently, and perhaps also desires that which they do not possess. The grass is always greener on the other side, as they say. Conflicting beliefs also lead to a holier than thou attitude from both sides, each thinking themselves the superior canines.

What is the surrounding area like?
The fire came from the west, leaving nothing beyond scorched countryside and suburbs in its wake. To the east is a vast wilderness, a massive mountain range rising in the distance and the only thing cutting through the trees being a winding highway. The wild ones roam here, and the dogs are cautioned never to set paw outside the city. They may be on their own, but they were never meant to live out among the wolves.

Opinions on hybrids and wild canines?
Wolves, foxes, and coyotes, often dubbed 'the wild ones' tend to be viewed with a certain amount of scrutiny. Some of the dogs of Red Willow may be more willing to look beyond the belief that wild canines are vicious savages who can never be trusted, but for many, it is difficult to unlearn past prejudices. Hybrids tend to be treated with scorn and disdain by both domestic and wild canids.

Thanks go to my dear friend Zesha (#15997) for asking all the important questions.

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Ⓡⓤⓛⓔⓢ & Ⓖⓤⓘⓓⓔⓛⓘⓝⓔⓢ

• All LioDen rules apply.

• Practice proper roleplay etiquette. No godmodding, powerplay, etc.

• Realistic designs only, please. No sparkle dogs.

• Avoid using wolfspeak.

• I'll allow two wolfdogs and one coydog. Make certain to check before listing your character as such because you will be asked to change them if the limit has been met. Only one hybrid may be in Fallen Ashes and none can have a position above a subordinate/hunter/fighter. Understand that your character may be subject to ridicule and will have a lot to prove.

• At the current time, no wild canines are allowed. This may change in the future.

• I'm looking for literate roleplayers who enjoy creating complex characters and are capable of writing at least two full paragraphs per character.

• All mature content must either fade to black or be taken off-site. Mild violence and innuendo should be fine so long as you are mindful not to overdo it and respect the boundaries of your fellow roleplayers.

• You may use photo references for your characters, but you must link back to the picture's original source. Tinypic, Pinterest, Photobucket and other photo sharing sites generally do not count as a proper reference. If you use artwork it must either be your own or something that was specifically made for you. Art theft will not be tolerated.

• Keep 1x1 limited. As a general rule, wait for at least two-three people to respond after you before replying again. If it's been a day or so with no activity you are free to post again.

• Your own characters can't be involved with each other in anything beyond a friend/familial relationship. If you want your character to have a romantic partner take the time to bond and connect with other characters through roleplay.

• Please be active. I understand real life has to come before a roleplay, but I'd appreciate being kept informed if anything comes up that would prevent you from replying.

• You may have up to 4 characters to start with.

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Ⓞⓣⓗⓔⓡ Ⓣⓗⓡⓔⓐⓓⓢ

OOC Thread

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