These photos and their captions tell a small story that will likely aid you in beginning the roleplay. I'd advise you read all of this post in particular.


...
This is where we come from. A once lush place slowly returning to dirt and little else. Most of us don't know each other. Some of us have never ventured past our pack, our territory. But here we are, starting our journey together and venturing past this slowly dying wasteland.


...
This lies to the West. A desert more barren than our land, strewn with rocks and rocky hills and little vegetation. Mountains lay in the far distance, hardly visible through the mirage of heat that lies in this direction. There aren't many sources of water, or food for that matter, on this patch of dirt. There's no guarantee one would make it to the other side if they ventured this way either.


...
This lies to the East. The abandoned city-line stretches for miles before it reaches the sea. Most of the buildings are in ruins, but some of the strongest human buildings still remain. To some dogs this is a place of eerie misfortune and ghosts, and to others it bring an easy snack in the fair share of rodents and even some small felines that can be found in the area. It can be dangerous, however, to venture to the higher places of the buildings, and it's best to watch your step anywhere you go here.


...
This is the land to the North. It still has a lush quality to it, more everlasting it seems, than our own. This is the goal, at least for most. The animals and the vegetation here are more plentiful, and the river doesn't run dry. In places it creates small marshes, and there are plains of promise running parallel with the forests. The mountains rise in the distance, but here they seem more inviting, though excitingly dangerous. Here is a place to find and make a home. But there is much standing in the way.

...
All images in this post link to their source.

Day One

It is mid morning
The weather is warm, clear and breezy, with fair clouds
There have been sightings of a grizzly bear near the North-East and coyotes in the West
Most canines are in the low-lying plains, hills, & scrubby forests to the South, though some are/have ventured to the East and West


No Known Packs

No Known Affiliations

No Known Enemies

Misha
[Female][2 yrs. 3 m.][Border Collie]
"Hey! You!" A ceaseless barking erupted near a few bushes, and if one looked closely, a long-furred black and white dog stood there, backed against a tree and fearlessly barking. "Get away from him! Go on!" A few coyotes, one her size and the other two nearly there, were scrapping with a younger and smaller dog than Misha herself. Wanting to help, she'd ventured closer and attempted scaring them off only to be scared off herself. The small dog she wanted so desperately to save was exhausted and almost dead, collapsed near their paws as they chuckled and ignored her.

Another sudden burst of stupidity and bravery led her to drive at the coyotes again, barking and snarling as loud as she could manage. One broke formation for a moment but their leader turned on her and caught her across her muzzle. Screaming in pain, Misha scrambled backwards, kicking and pushing at the canine on top of her. Once she was free, she turned tail and abandoned all hope, bolting back across the grassy field.

It was only when she stumbled over a few rocks and plunged into a shallow stream that the border collie stopped running. Panting heavily and occasionally dripping blood from her nose where the coyote had grabbed her, she lied down in the water and tried to clean the wound. Only managing to whine and drip some blood in to the stream, the crawled over the rocks and lay her head down. It had been only a few sunrises since she'd left her parents and yet the world as she knew it was already so overturned and upside down.


Flynn
[Male][5 yrs. 2 m.][Musterlander/Spaniel]
A low growl shook him from his sleep and even as it faded on his lips it took the large spaniel a second to realize it was his own growl. Hackles rising and fur already puffed up, he lifted himself gingerly from the hiding hole beneath a dying tree and glanced above to the steady-rising sun. Without anything threatening in sight or hearing distance, Flynn calmed himself and glanced about his hidy-hole. A few birds flitted around the branches of his tree but he paid them little mind, merely stretching and wagging his tail a little to incite his brain to wake up.

With a yawn, the dog turned and settled into a steady trot as he moved uphill, tail low. The morning's new scents filled his nose as he meandered along, marking scent trails and trying to think of what he needed to accomplish for the day. Moving North was certainly the main goal, and as his eyes searched the promising landscape in that direction, he felt his chest swell. Sunny would have loved the view, and she would have wanted so badly to join him on his search. The thought made his stomach curl and the dog almost retched on instinct.

Swallowing his sadness and bile, Flynn bitterly turned away from that view and set off to hunt and make amends with his own heart and soul.


Holden
[Male][3 yrs. 5 m.][Fox/Unknown Terrier]
"Here kitty kitty kitty!" The small, wire-haired terrier glared at the feline perched among the rocky rubble. It was one of the only few buildings in this area, and the only one still partially standing. He assumed it was one of the last human settlements before the end of the world sort of happened. But now... well, he was hungry.

When the cat suddenly turned it's head, distracted, he leaped up and scaled over the rocks until his teeth sank into flesh. Claws scrabbled with his shoulders but he clenched harder until he felt it fall limp. Trailing back down over the rocks, he glanced towards where he'd been hiding and waiting on his prey. What a clever kill, he grinned and dragged the cat closer to his body as he settled onto leveled ground.

As he ate, the small terrier eyed the openings to his small building, though they were larger than he was sure they were supposed to be. A few rodents scurried by but a short growl from him had them bolting off. Meat and bone crunched under his teeth as he chewed and swallowed, showing off sharp teeth in use. For such a small dog, he believed he was faring pretty well.


Lana
[Female][1 yr. 3 m.][Irish Wolfhound Mix]
to be determined

REEVER
Male | German Shepherd x Border Collie x Kugsha | 2 Years Old
Mentions: Misha

A cloud of dust billowed into the air around him, staining the whiteness of his coat with dapples of dampened mud and grainy silt. He was intent on pursuing the morsel of prey that had scurried away from him and disappeared down a rather well-used burrow. It was probably owned by something, whether that be a coyote or some small dog. He didn't really care. "I am going to bite you." He snapped into the darkness of the den, spitting dirt from his jaws and blinking it feebly from his eyes. "I am going to bite you and throw you into the air and then eat you! You are not going to die easy for making this such a difficult task for me. Look at my fur! It was so lovely before and you have ruined it. Stupid mouse."

Letting out a huff, the mutt finally abandoned the mouth of the burrow and fell back onto his haunches with a wrinkled nose and drooping ears. He was starving and the loud rumble from his gut confirmed that, but it didn't seem likely he'd have much luck hunting independently. The familiar dryness of thirst wrapped around his tongue and he stood up, setting off towards the nearest scent of fresh water. "Maybe I'll catch a fish. Maybe two." He mumbled to himself, waddling off towards his next destination. It wasn't long until the metallic tinge of blood hit his nostrils and a small, tri-coloured collie came into view, hunched over the bank and allowing a ribbon of crimson to stain the water below her face. Instinctively, he felt the fur along his shoulders stiffen nervously, but a few more glances around revealed that she was indeed alone. Taking a few hesitant steps forward, he nodded his head to her. "Oi!" He called, tilting his head as he quickened his pace to approach her. "Don't tell me a fish did that. That's a bloody good bite you got there. I was planning on fishing here, but if the fish have got teeth that can do that.. nope. Nuh uh. Not a chance." Silence came between them and the smirk fell from Reever's lips, transcending into one of awkward concern. He didn't know the female, but he couldn't just leave her to bleed out in a river, could he?

NORTH
Male | Beauceron | 4 Years Old
Mentions: None

Massive curved fangs scraped flesh from bone, ripping tendrils of meat from a rabbit carcass with a ravenous desire. North hadn't sank his teeth into a good meal in what felt like moons, and he sure as hell wasn't planning on leaving any scraps behind for scavengers. A few black-feathered ravens had fluttered down from their perches in the pine trees, hopping around him and pecking in his direction with the hope of obtaining a few traces. Fuck no. He thought darkly, lowering what was left of his torn and tattered ears and snapping his jaws aggressively in their direction.

North had been solitary for years now, and though at one point the Beauceron missed the company of a pack community, this was what he was accustomed to now. He didn't like sharing his meals, he didn't like involving himself with conversations he didn't care about, and he didn't like establishing bonds with other dogs. There was no point- not in this wasteland now. He'd been approached by strays in the past, most desiring a partnership for the benefits of joint hunting and protection, but his sour temper was enough to leave them wandering away pretty quickly. Abandoning the grubby carcass, he finished his meal with a single swipe of his tongue around his jaws and pushed himself onto his front paws with tensed muscles. Hesitantly, his eyes flickered over the dip in the earth that lay out in front of him, exposing what looked like miles of untouched terrain. Little pinpricks of black danced in the distance, a tell-tale sign of other canines that he dreaded encountering lingering throughout the valley. But not a single soul that will be worth my time.

| Bahat |
Female • 2 Years, 3 Months • Albino Ibizan Hound
Mentions: {Directly} Vall, Ginger, Storm

Pink eyes narrowed as Bahat gazed deeper into the forest, conflicting scents flooding her senses and causing the slender white hound to sneeze. A dainty paw was lifted to rub at her rosy nose before the young leader pushed herself onward, searching the scrubby woodlands for her missing packmates. Anger coursed through her in a heated wave, causing the skin beneath her thin pelt to flush. How did she let this happen? Alpha had left her in charge and this was how she rewarded his trust? Disgruntlement swiftly changed to shame and she quickened her pace, searching the trees desperately.

Bahat had convinced herself she would be able to find her group mates here after a vicious storm three days prior had separated them, the dogs scattering in a panic as torrential rain poured down on them and lightning cracked overhead. Many of her companions had wanted to stay in this pathetic excuse for a forest rather than move on when they had passed through and she had been so sure at least a few of them would have returned. Dread gripped her heart and Bahat suddenly felt ill. Could they have drowned? “What have I done...”

Choking back a whimper, she rested on her haunches for a time, allowing her grief to consume her before drawing in a shaky breath. Rising to her paws moments later, she knew the only thing she could do now was keep going. There was no home for her to go back to and she could either give up or keep moving forward. She chose the latter. Bahat pressed forward with renewed determination, only pausing when the shape of another dog came into sight, her pelt like a starless night in contrast to Bahat’s pure ivory hide. As a light breeze blew under her nose she was certain she detected the scent of two others and slowed to a halt, waiting for the strangers to either approach her or carry on their way.



| Aspen |
Male • 3 Years • Greyhound
Mentions: {Directly} Misha, Reever

Paws glided over the grass in quick bounds, their owner in hot pursuit of a fleeing hare. Aspen gained on the leporid with ease, swerving around his terrified prey to cut off its escape. Teeth met in the hare’s spine, quickly snapping it and ending its struggles. Warm blood filled his mouth and the blue-brindle hound took a moment to savor it before gripping the limp body in his jaws and padding off in search of somewhere quiet to eat. Chocolate colored eyes scanned the field, pleased to find he was still alone. Truly the Greyhound wouldn’t have minded some company, but more often than not the presence of a fellow canine around food usually meant a fight. Prey was getting scarcer these days and no dog wanted to share.

The thought saddened him as he took shelter beneath a low-hanging tree, tearing into the hare without haste. He was about halfway through his meal when savage barks and threatening snarls reached his ears. Aspen’s hackles rose and he scented the air, but he was too far from whatever was causing the ruckus. Bundling the remainder of his hare beneath a nearby bramble bush, he tentatively moved to investigate. The rank stench of coyote filled his nostrils before long and Aspen immediately sprinted in the opposite direction. His height and lean build would have given him an advantage, but one dog against a pack of coyotes was unlikely to win. Whatever they were into, it was their business. Guilt wormed inside him as he put distance between himself and the wild dogs, but he couldn’t bring himself to go back.

As his pace slowed Aspen realized he was rather parched, his mouth slightly ajar as he panted lightly. He headed toward the nearest stream, intent on refreshing himself before returning to retrieve his kill when dog blood became apparent on the wind and Aspen suppressed a whine. Violence grew harder and harder to avoid each day. He proceeded toward the stream with cautious pawsteps, ready to bolt at the first sign of an ambush. As he drew close he found a Collie sprawled across the bank, blood flowing slowly from a gash across her muzzle while another male approached her warily. His ears perked forward to try and catch what the male said as he ventured closer from the other side of the stream. “Is she alright?” He called, doing his best to keep his voice free anxiety. “Do you need help?”



| Drill |
Male • 1 Year, 6 Months • Beauceron
Mentions: {Indirectly} Aero

A howl in the distance caught his attention immediately, broad head rising from where it had once rested against his paws. Large, half-pointed ears flopped to the side and his lips curled in the beginnings of snarl. He tipped his muzzle up, a howl of his own echoing back to the owner of the first, deep and full of challenge. It had been far too long since he had last tasted dog flesh. The thrill of a potential fight energized his limbs and he leaped to his paws, making quick work of loping across the landscape until he arrived at the patch of gravel where the she-dog had once stood.

Bitter disappointment left a bad taste in his mouth when he found the stranger had already gone and he lashed out at one of the tiny gray stones, sending it flying across the field. He considered tracking Aero’s scent to wherever she had wandered off to, but by then the fire inside him had dwindled to embers and was replaced by the intense feeling of hunger gnawing at his belly. Drill might be a proficient fighter, but his hunting skills were poor in comparison. He hadn’t eaten in nearly two days. Begrudgingly turning away from the gravel patch, he skulked through the valley in search of mice.



| Jarek |
Male • 4 Years • Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Mentions: {Directly} Lucifer, Daemon, Holden

Jarek padded through the rubble on silent paws, unseen and unheard by those around him, but perhaps not unscented, though the only smell to touch any stranger’s nose would be a strong fragrance of herbs. A leaf-wrapped parcel dangled from the wolfish canine’s jaws, stuffed full of the healing plants he’d spent the day collecting. As he ventured closer to the crumbling stone building where he kept his stock he tensed as the scents of other dogs came rushing toward him. He had visitors.

More irritated than fearful, he approached the two lingering near the entrance, stopping a few paces behind them and setting his herb bundle down between his paw. “Can I help you?” He asked dryly, leaving enough space between himself and the newcomers in case they turned on him. His eyes squinted as he realized they were looking at something, or rather someone.

Some dog was inside. Making a mess of things. A growl rumbled in his throat and his pelt bristled. “Get the hell out of my den!” He snarled, already imagining the difficult days ahead of washing smeared blood from the walls and getting rid of the cat’s death scent, which would likely cling to the place for weeks.

Misha
[Female][2 yrs. 3 m.][Border Collie]
[mentions: Reever, Aspen]
It was a few moments before Misha began to realize where she was again, pale eyes blinking slowly. The stream gently lapped at her paws and she pressed the pads into the mud there, relishing in the life that spread between them and caressed the earth under the water. Her muzzle stung and she desired to clean it, but the more she tried to clean it, the redder the stream became and the more the cuts on her muzzle stung. She swatted at the water with a low huff just as a rumbling, loud voice became apparent. A moment later, Misha swung around, baring teeth towards a white and brown male pacing towards her. He had a similar coat to hers, though his was longer and more colorful, and he stood quite a few inches taller than her as well.

His friendly words astounded her, and her perked ears froze as she eyed him over. "W-what?" she finally muttered, voice still hinting towards a growl. It'd been a long time since she'd been around any other dogs, especially those not within her family. His curious gaze had her tucking her tail and tensing her legs in preparation for flight.

Neither of them were prepared for the second male, however, and Misha rounded on him with a startled yelp that turned into a growl as she realized she was stuck between them. The only way was forward, into the stream, or behind her and into the steaming plains. The other male, she noted, was a blue-colored brindle dog much slimmer and taller than herself, and even the other male. She eyed the newest addition warily and took a few steps back, glancing at the last bit of blood as it faded away down stream. A fresh drop bloomed on her nose but she ignored it in favor of peering between the two males.

"Who are you guys?" she demanded, tail still mostly tucked. Her immediate instinct and distrust led her to ask her next question. "What do you want?"

.....
Flynn
[Male][5 yrs. 2 m.][Musterlander/Spaniel]
[mentions: Storm, Bahat, Ginger, Vall
A spotted black and white spaniel trotted uphill, tail high among the grass but heart still very low. His eyes seemed solemn, and it wasn't hard to tell, even if you didn't know the brute. The sweet scent of grasses filled his nose, and with his belly not rumbling for once, the long-furred canine collapsed and rolled in the foliage. It ruffled his fur and stuck between his paw pads, making him stand and awkwardly shake out his coat. When he rose fully and reached the height of the hill, he could just see the shape of two dogs, one approaching the other.

For a moment, Flynn seemed blinded by the sunlight, stunned by the pale white dog who stood stock still as another approached. Just for a second, her fur tinted golden in the sunlight and he thought he could see Sunny. Her bright smile made his heart flutter in expectation. And then he could see the differences, the slimmer build, the whiter and shorter fur, and he stilled, watching and waiting to see what the two dogs were doing.

A small, faint scent of two more dogs drifted by and Flynn wrinkled his nose in distaste, hesitantly taking a step back but still curiously and warily gazing at the albino dog in the field below.

.....
Holden
[Male][3 yrs. 5 m.][Fox/Unknown Terrier]
[mentions: Daemon, Lucifer, Jarek]
Small, triangle-shaped ears tilted suddenly forward as the sound of claws clicking over concrete filled them. The rat terrier fell silent at the sound, quickly gulping down the last bit of meat from his meal. Blood stained his paws and muzzle, and he wanted to clean them, but... two noses appeared in an entrance a second after a loud voice boomed, "Who's in there?"

Holden went still, staring at the two pairs of eyes that suddenly met his from across the building. They could fit through the hole if they wanted to, but they stood and watched him. Although he was scared, Holden had learned a lot in his few years, and he swallowed his fright with a low growl.

"I believe that's not your concern," he replied, fur bristling along his spine and short tail wavering as it rose defensively. "And there's nothing left but bones, if that's what you're looking for." He rose and stood stockily over the remainder of his meal, ready to show them what small dogs were made of until another sudden voice entered the building. The scent of herbs hit Holden's nostrils and he exhaled noisily. Who are all of these dogs?! I just wanted a nice meal... Holden took a few steps away while the pair was distracted, unsure if the other dog was with them or not.

The vicious snarl had Holden suddenly on his belly, pressed tightly back against the cement with his brown eyes wide and focused on the male wolfdog. "D-den?" He gulped noisily. "I didn't know!" he yelped back, "I-I'll clean it up! I'm sorry!" The once-confident-against-two-dogs little male watched warily from his spot on a block of cement, fur still bristled but teeth no longer bared. There was no way he'd make it out of this alive. "I-I'll catch you a cat too..?" he attempted.

.....
Lana
[Female][1 yr. 3 m.][Irish Wolfhound Mix]
[mentions: North]
Dark-feathered birds fluttered at the tops of the pine trees nearby and watched the large gray dog from where she sat. The smell of dog and fresh rabbit blood drew the young female closer, her empty belly rumbling. She was strong and she was fast, but the wire-haired dog wasn't used to the weight of her body or the length of her legs yet. Lana wanted so desperately to find companionship, but her size often scared others away before she had a chance to even introduce herself. So she stayed alone and she scavenged.

A dark shape moved in her peripheral and Lana suddenly noticed the large male finishing up his meal and overlooking the plains beneath the hill. Tempted by the smell of food, Lana fell onto her stomach silently and inched closer, attempting to hide her long body behind the thick trunk of a pine. She eyed the dog and his remaining bones warily from afar, too scared to move any closer lest he figure out where she was. The ravens in the tree above her suddenly alighted and she froze, staring them down as they flew out over the horizon.