[Semi-Canon] Champions of Gotmark

This rp will be an ongoing series introducing a number of concepts and characters that I consider to be semi-canonical. Concepts and characters include powered individuals in the style of Marvel and DC's heroes and villains, as well as fantasy creatures like werewolves. Consider it as canonical to Eras as you like. Enjoy reading.

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The soft whirr of the Trifan’s engines made Arne thankful that Gotmark’s government wasn’t as cheap as his previous employers. If they had been heading out to the middle of nowhere to investigate something he could only describe as from the realm of fiction, they wouldn’t have been flying in a state of the art aircraft like this one - and they would be doing this with a lot more noise.

He had Prince William to thank, not that he’d ever admit such. He was still, technically, a prisoner of the state, serving out a 14 year sentence for being involved in a certain amount of dodgy business. William had recruited him out of a Geldkreiger prison and he’d been working for the young prince ever since. Rumour said William had been running Gotmark’s entire intelligence apparatus since his early teens, and whilst Arne didn’t entirely believe that, the man who sat across from him certainly had his fingers in a lot of pies.

“Relax, Arne. In all likelihood we’ll find nothing and this will just have been a pleasant test flight for the Trifan.” The Prince spoke easily, as he always did. It wasn’t often that he was phased - or, at least, it wasn’t often that he showed it. “And if it is something, we just have something hunting the wolves of the northern forests. That kind of predator is an issue, especially this close to the border.”

Arne didn’t find himself more relaxed at the Prince’s words, but forced himself to at least not be so tense. He looked around the spacious cabin, and noted that apart from himself and the Prince, everyone, even the pilot, were armed, and heavily enough to repel any wildlife they might come across in this area of the forest.

The pilot indicated they were nearing their destination, a clearing about half a mile away. Arne remembered the briefing he had read - six months, the discovery of a corpse of a dead animal, a large, likely lupine specimen, killed by something likely bigger, stronger and more deadly - a predator of predators it seemed, after several more bodies were reported by forest rangers and locals. This latest call had come in less than six hours ago - and now, with the sun newly risen, they were arriving at its reported location.

The pilot landed and Arne joined the Prince and his three bodyguards as they made their way off the plane. Landing in the snow required special skis to be fitted to the aircraft, but they worked well, despite a lack of previous testing. William had neglected to tell Arne this, but privately had been simmering with nervous excitement, both at the first real use of the Trifan but also at what they might discover.

It didn’t take long to find the corpse, only lightly buried in a fresh snowfall. Just like the others, whatever had killed it hadn’t been gentle. Deep slashes in the body and it was missing part of its skull. The attack had been brutal, and quick, Arne surmised, examining the body at the Prince’s request.

Whilst the soldiers kept on alert for the presence of anyone else in the area, the Prince asked Arne what it was they were dealing with. The older man said nothing for a long time, shocked by what he had just discovered.

The ‘wolf’ corpse had a human leg. Undeniably a human leg, seemingly frozen in mid transformation to… something… Arne turned to the Prince, look on his face confirming what it was he had feared.

Something was hunting the werewolves of Gotmark.

The usually poorly attended pack council meeting of the Blue Sun wolves was full, for the first time in months. The recent attacks on their pack had many scared, and competing voices all had their own take.

“If this carries on we will have to move further into the forest, crossing into the other tribes territory. The Cold Moons may allow us to, but they might be the only ones. If even they refuse us, we will have to fight.”

“The Cold Moons are stronger than we are, but taking on one of the smaller tribes - the Red Sky or White Wind most likely - but I would rather avoid unnecessary conflict.”

“Cold Moon will never give us any usable territory, we should strike the Red Sky now whilst their alpha is new and not established.”

“Attacking anyone at this time would bring the entire assembly down on us, we must go to them to ask for help.”

Ulfr tried to retreat further back into his coat as he stood in the outskirts of the Blue Sun settlement. The cold wind answered by filling up any space he made for himself. Guard duty wasn’t usually a job he was given, but since the attacks started everyone that could stand and fight was rotating in and out. The alpha was leaving nothing to chance.

Except not locking up Ulfr’s cousins, the young wolf reflected, as he saw the three of them emerge from the cluster of buildings that made up the settlement. He could guess where they were going - it was traumvut and even he wanted to go, but the settlement was on lockdown and it was his job to not let them leave.

Ulfr stepped out from his post to block their way and tried not to shake - his cousins were all older, stronger and faster than him - if it came to a fight, he would surely lose. And they knew it, which is why Anja sneered at him as she saw who it was.

“Get out of the way, runt. We’re going out.”

“You know I can’t let you d-do that.” Ulfr grimaced as he stuttered, hoping they didn’t notice. Of course they did.

“Are you really going to stop us, baby cousin?” Vali asked, pacing around him. “Really?”

“We both know the result if we fought, Vali. But we both know that no one is supposed to leave, considering the current crisis.”

“What? A pup and a few drunk idiots got themselves cut up? We’re the new alphas, Ulfr, so move or get moved.”

Ulfr grimaced and stood his ground. “Can’t move. Got orders.”

Off to Ulfr’s side, Asleif rolled her eyes and sprung into action, knocking him sprawling before planting a boot right in his solar plexus. Ulfr’s other cousins joined in, kicking the smaller teen whilst he struggled. After a little while, the struggles stopped, Ulfr’s vision fading to black. A little while after that, Ulfr’s cousins stopped, and walked off down the hill, laughing, into the night.

They were watched - from the top of the hill - by the alpha, an older wolf who just shook his head as they walked slowly down to where Ulfr was coming to. As soon as he realised the alpha was present, Ulfr hastily got to his feet, looking anywhere but at his pack leader.

“Do you know where they’re going, boy?” The grey haired man asked.

“Yes.” Ulfr managed to spit out, inwardly cheering that he didn’t stutter.

“Follow them. Watch them - and watch for those who would harm them.”

Ulfr began to leave, before the alpha placed a hand on his shoulder. “Well done for keeping your post. But please, fight smarter.”

Ulr nodded, and set off after his cousins.

Nafarr wandered across his party, greeting the various groups of party-goers, attending to their needs. The traumvut was the biggest party of the year, and he had learnt pretty quickly that the key to putting on a great party wasn’t the music or the drink or where it was held. It was him.

With a facial expression he could put someone at ease. With just a few words he could turn someone’s night around entirely. And on the off chance you ever had a disagreement with him, pretty soon you were nodding away and agreeing with Nafarr’s every point.

Nafarr hadn’t always known he was an empath. A chance encounter with one whilst visiting his uncle had led him to discovering this fact, and he had kept in touch with Kæja as he explored the limits of his powers. She had only ever met one other empath, and Nafarr hadn’t met one since.

Nafarr had put his powers to good use in becoming one of the premier organisations of the traumvut each year. At age 17 he had become the youngest ever member of the organising committee and two years later he was one of its most popular hosts. This party was put on for young people only, a few days after the main event. Heavily policed by his crew, they made sure things didn’t get too wild - and anyone getting out of hand was quickly and quietly removed.

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"We're late." Asa complained as she dragged Hafual through the forest. The sound of music could be heard nearby and Asa pouted, annoyed that they might've missed some of the musical acts. Asa had managed to get invited as the friend of a friend of a friend of one of the traumvut committee members and really wanted to be there for as long as possible.

"Why couldn't I have just jumped us in?" She asked Hafual, who laughed and shook his head.

"Because the last time you tried to jump two people we ended up in Valland. And you were aiming for Ost." Asa huffed but didn't reply. That episode had been months ago and she was fed up of Hafual bringing it up.

They walked in silence and were almost at the party before Asa said, "Well you could've used your powers and slowed time long enough for us to get here on time."

"It doesn't work that way. Any time I try to stop time I break out in a cold sweat and I dislike that feeling." Hafual explained, "Besides, I'm not sure I could slow time long enough to make up for how late you made us."

"Woah, I'm not the one who redid their make up three times. Don't pretend you didn't wipe that glitter around your eyes off twice." Asa shot back.

Hafual blushed but said nothing. They had thankfully arrived at the celebration, and quickly joined a group of people they knew, mingling with the crowd, just as the party's captivating host saw the newcomers and started to walk over.