Welcome to Canis Major

a wolf and animal rpg (role-playing game)

Canis is a writing community for play-by-post (forum-based), freeform roleplay set in a fictional dream world in the intrusion fantasy genre. Most characters on Canis are wolves; many play elements are focused around wolves and canids, but the world makes room for a large variety of other animal characters such as dogs, horses, cats, bears, deer, and many, many more.

Our community is focused on flexibility, creativity, and collaboration. That boils down to a few important features:

  • There is no set activity requirement to write
  • The setting and plot are member-created and staff-supported
  • The game is continuously improved to increase fun and decrease stress

Learn more in our Rulebook!

P
Scapegoat


Afternoon Snow
#1
P
Discovery
07-02-2021, 09:41 PM (This post was last modified: 07-12-2021, 04:54 AM by gerra. Edited 2 times in total.)
@Hotaru. Sorry for the wait!

Stark was… doing something. Exploring the area the group ad come across. Though, he was doing it to find a distraction. Stark wasn’t the most social sort, being social with others still made him anxious, even when the wolves that talked to him were nice. It just wasn’t really his thing. So, surrounds were what he kept himself busy with.

As the snow fell and draped over him like a blanket, he sniffed about, nose on the ground. Sometimes he would stop and look up at the strange rock formations that were around. He had seen mountains before, and rocks, but these were interesting. He had never seen anything like these before. They were like massive rocks, higher than they were wide. Usually rocks were round. These were pointy and very jagged. As if they had shot up from the ground one day, going straight up.

Stark found himself staring at them, curious and mesmerized. For the time being his angst was in the background, as he’d found a distraction.

+1 discovery point

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#2
Discovery
Shiroshika
Ecologist
07-02-2021, 10:54 PM (This post was last modified: 10-23-2021, 08:17 AM by Aso. Edited 3 times in total.)
The pale girl had taken quite quickly to the new range. It wasn't the same as her birthplace, but the towering rocks had been far more comfortable than the other places she had crossed. Best of all, the snow had come back. It was almost a wonder how when the grounds below could be so much warmer, but aching paws welcomed the cold and her stomach's hunger was more easily silenced when she could hide amongst the white.

Now that her leg had healed Reiko seemed to hover less more interested in searching the nearby ranges and what reached beyond for any signs of Haruki. Admittedly, she too wanted to venture. This place would never be home without her family...all of her family. Even with the small band of travelers her mother had picked up along the way, her side felt bare without her brother's presence. Though she knew better than to dwell. He would return to them just as her mother did each day.

Today she took another path, one away from where she usually lingered. There was still much to discover amongst the rising peaks, but before she made it far another caught her eye. He stood taller than her, though that wasn't exactly a challenging feat, his pelt pale with tinges of cream and a strike of black. Instinctively, the princess halted before taking a step back. He was a stranger, but there was a part she recognized. The man hadn't been vocal, but she had seen him speak with her mother before...another of their group most likely. He hadn't noticed her yet, or at least she assumed so from the way he gazed upwards.

Had he...noticed something? Hotaru stepped forward slowly, each step light as she flicked her gaze between him and where his gaze landed. Is something the matter?

+1 discovery point

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#3
Discovery
07-04-2021, 09:45 PM (This post was last modified: 07-12-2021, 04:56 AM by gerra. Edited 1 time in total.)
Stark was focused on the mountains way more than he was on his surroundings, so when the sudden voice called out to him, he actually got a little spooked. His body jolted as a first response, and then his head turned to watch the stranger approach. Or, well, not a stranger; she was with the group, following Reiko. Stark wasn’t too sure about her name just yet, and he hadn’t really taken the time to talk to anyone in the group lately. Perhaps it was just groups that made him uncomfortable. Made him wonder if pack life was even for him anymore. In all honestly, being with others had only brought him misery so far. And yet he kept crawling back to find wolves because on the other end not being with anyone made him feel lonely.

For a moment he just stared, almost forgetting she’d spoken to him. ‘’Oh, um. No. Not really.’’ he told her. Nothing was the matter. He was just being Stark, doing Stark things. ‘’I was just looking at the rock formations. Or, well. The mountains. Those- mountain-thingies.’’ The words came out awkwardly; it was clear Stark hadn’t mentally prepared himself for company and his shy and antisocial ass was struggling to find words to speak.

It was so odd for him to no longer feel his usual share of anger or frustration. He used to have that a lot back at home. It drove him, made it easier for him to talk to others. He would just spew the most angry stuff and anyone and no one in particular. But now that anger was gone and the only way for him to respond was with shyness and awkwardness.

Turns out Stark wasn’t social either way.

Oh. Yeah. Words. He had to say something. Awkward silence was awkward, after all.

‘’You uh. You and Reiko family, right?’’

+1 discovery point

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#4
Discovery
Ecologist
07-12-2021, 12:19 AM (This post was last modified: 10-23-2021, 08:17 AM by Aso. Edited 2 times in total.)
Much to her surprise, the man jumped, surprised by her sudden presence. Hotaru expected him to say something, but instead, there was just a heavy silence until he sputtered out...a dump of words. Her gaze skimmed to the jagged rocks and the evergreens that clung desperately to the mountain's sides. Tsukiishi. It wasn't just any mountain now, it would be theirs. Or so her mother had said at least. That one is called Tsukiishi, my mother named it.

Hesitantly she let her gaze drift back to the other, more concerned with his presence than the mountains despite her being the one to initiate conversation. Have you never seen mountains before? She scarcely could remember a time she was not surrounded by them. Had she not been dumped half baked in the desert she might have even assumed that they stretched across every great span of land. And uh...yes. Reiko is my mother.

+2 discovery points

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#5
Discovery
07-12-2021, 11:21 AM (This post was last modified: 07-12-2021, 11:21 AM by StarkSpitfire. Edited 1 time in total.)
The what now? ‘’Tsuuu-kiishi?’’ Stark tried repeating the word. A mountain that was given a name. Stark guessed it was the same idea as the Brotherhood naming the Glen and the Falls. That was all Stark remembered when it came to names of the areas he’d once resided in. everything else was just a blur, hazy and far away. He doubted he would ever recollect those memories, but he wasn’t too bothered about not remembering anything.

Had he never seen mountains before. Stark’s face turned a little uncertain, a sheepish smile. ‘’Seen them, just- never visited any. Or really been as close to any as I am to this one, now.’’ he explained, looking back to the massive rock that pointed straight upwards to the sky. Stark had always admired mountains from afar. Now he found himself staring at one up close. Right in front of one. These ones you could not climb, though. Stark knew that.

It would be far too dangerous to try and reach the top.

Reiko was her mother, though. Stark nodded at the information. ‘’Nice to meet you. Umm. I’m Stark.’’ he said. He had forgotten to introduce himself since he’d been startled by her at first. He was pretty sure she’d heard his name before, perhaps from Reiko, but it was only polite to tell them you’re own name, no? What was her name again? He did remember Reiko mentioning she had a daughter and a son. But he wasn’t really sure with all those Japanese names which name belonged to the female and which one belonged to the male. Stark didn’t know much about their culture and name meanings (not yet, at least).

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#6
Ecologist
07-12-2021, 07:21 PM (This post was last modified: 10-23-2021, 08:17 AM by Aso. Edited 1 time in total.)
Shorter syllable for Tsu, but yes. Tsukiishi. She repeated the word once more for his attempt. So he had seen them. She supposed she could understand his surprise then, mountains were way bigger up close and they already looked huge from afar. Oh, so you've never climbed one before? It can be a bit tricky, but I'm sure you'll get used to the terrain.

Truthfully she climbed mountains with ease and never quite understood how some wolves could be so wobbly, but...well, she had been birthed on a mountain so it was only natural that it felt...natural. Stark. It's nice to meet you I am Hotaru Izuka, but just Hotaru will suffice. For a moment she wondered if he would struggle with her name as well, but in comparison, it was much easier...says the Japanese speaker. If he planned to live here he would probably have to learn a few things considering her family and Izumi all shared a tongue.

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#7
Discovery
07-20-2021, 10:56 AM (This post was last modified: 07-20-2021, 10:56 AM by StarkSpitfire. Edited 1 time in total.)
Tsukiishi. Ah, okay. He was not really used to mountains being named let alone having a name in a foreign language, but in a way it made sense with this being a territory now and with this pack with Japanese speaking wolves having claimed it. Stark clearly had a lot ot learn still when it came to the language, oh boy. ‘’What does Tsukiishi mean?’’ he asked, curious now. Did it have a meaning, or was it simply a name like – for example – Alice was?

‘’Yeah, never really climbed one. Just saw them from afar.’’ Stark repeated, admitting it once more. He wondered, though, were these types of mountains really climbable? Stark didn’t see himself ever climbing one to the top. The foot of the mountain, sure, but everything else? These mountain’s sides and top just looked so… jagged. Honestly with the way these mountains were set up and the way they looked, Stark was amazed that trees were able to grow on them. Another mountain close by even had a small tree sticking out from its side and growing sideways, the leaves and branches reaching for the sky.

Mountains were an interesting sight but this really was something else.

She returned the greeting and introduction, calling herself Hotaru. Stark nodded his head in acknowledgment and perhaps a second greeting. ‘’Alright. Stark’s just fine for me, too. Some used to call me Spitfire for whatever reason.’’ Honestly, he wasn’t even sure why he still included that. Way to make things awkward again, Stark.

‘’Uhhh.’’ Anywayyyy. ‘’Where there mountains like these where you came from?’’

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#8
Ecologist
07-26-2021, 04:26 PM (This post was last modified: 10-23-2021, 08:18 AM by Aso. Edited 1 time in total.)
The pale girl hummed tilting her head, Well, it can mean a couple of things depending on how it's broken up. My mom said the rocks looked unnatural for a mountain so the intention was moon rock. Tsukki can also mean thrust. In this case, the naming still fits with the way the mountain face juts up into the sky.

Of course there were a few other meanings, but these were the most relevant to his question. You've really never climbed a mountain? It was so hard to believe for someone born on one, but even if she wasn't wouldn't he be curious what's at the top?

Well I guess that's going to change now that you live here. You should go to the tops the view is incredible. At night it almost feels like you can touch the sky! Well...climbing in the dark was maybe not the best idea for a new climber but if he went early enough he could just stay the night up there.

Hotaru nodded again lifting her head to the sky as she thought back to the vale she had been born in, Well, the two are very different, but there were some similarities. The mountains I'm from had this vale nestled at the top of the peaks just low enough for trees and flowers to grow. It was really pretty and secure from the mountain walls.

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#9
Discovery
08-18-2021, 06:35 PM (This post was last modified: 08-18-2021, 07:21 PM by StarkSpitfire. Edited 1 time in total.)
Stark was learning a lot of things, especially about Reiko’s and Hotaru’s language and the meaning of the name’s mountain. If that was the name of the mountain and if that was the meaning, then Stark had to admit it fit. He watched the very top and then his eyes scanned over the sharp edges. He wondered how such a mountain could have been created. It certainly was something interesting. Moon rock, though? Hmmmmm.

Had he never climbed a mountain before? ‘’Nope. I never really needed to get up one. Did not consider it.’’ he said, being honest.

Wait, did she really just tell him he should climb this mountain? It looked so unsafe. It looked nothing like the mountains he was used to seeing at a distance. ‘’You- you can climb that one?’’ he asked, with disbelief and shock in his voice. He didn’t really feel comfortable trying to get up there alone. What if he fell and he broke his neck and died?

‘’Ummmm-’’ He would rather not go alone. Maybe he should say that. But saying that would admit weakness. Or was this not considered weakness? Was he being over dramatic again? Did he think too much? He frowned deeply. ‘’Maybe I will climb it but uhhh preferably not alone.’’ There, he’d said it. If she would laugh at him now, he guessed that would be his own fault.

Touching the sky sounded… dangerous. Stark realized he wasn’t really much of an adventurer. He was fine where he was. Here. Safely on the ground.

Very different but with similarities. Interesting thought. Stark could not really picture her description, for he had never seen a mountain like the way she described it. But it also sounded nice, like a pretty place. ‘’It sounds nice.’’ he said, sincerely but with his constant loss for words. Stark wondered if his life had been any different, had he grown up in mountains.

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#10
Ecologist
09-15-2021, 06:54 AM (This post was last modified: 10-23-2021, 08:18 AM by Aso. Edited 1 time in total.)
can maybe wrap up here 1_face_thoughtful sorry for the wait on this response!


The pale girl supposed his excuse fit. She had never left the vale until they ran and if they had been born elsewhere then she probably wouldn't have climbed a mountain either. The shock in his voice confused her as he stared in disbelief at their new home, Well...yes? Mountains look big, but they're not that bad. It's like down here, just more uphill. Or you know the occasional cliff, but so long as you look where you step it's fine.

She flicked an ear as he drew out an "umm", it was clear that he was hesitant to even try, that is if he was willing at all, but the truth would soon come out. I can lead you to where we've been settling if you want. She wasn't exactly an expert yet in navigating the paths, but between scent trails and her own experience it shouldn't be too hard. Of course, she may also not be the help he was looking for. Of course, she didn't know what he had been thinking, but if his wandering mind scares came true she wouldn't be able to carry or drag him somewhere.

It was... Unfortunately, she would never see her home again. Returning meant dealing with what they had left behind and little did she know, but...it probably wasn't even possible to turn back. There was no sense dwelling on it now though, so looking to the rising rock, she'd gesture for Stark to follow, Come on, if we are quick we may make it before nightfall.

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#11
09-28-2021, 06:59 PM
I’m good with fading out here! Sorry for my late response, as well. xD

Well, he supposed mountains were like the ground he was used to but going uphill, but he had to admit the mountains here were quite steep, quite high. He didn’t really knew how he felt about going up there. But he didn’t want her to think he was a coward, so he nodded, followed by a shy and hurried ‘’yeah, okay’’. How hard was it to climb a mountain, anyway…? Also, if she lead him there everything would be fine. ‘’Lead the way, please.’’ The please was added after a moment of silence. After all Stark still wasn’t used to being polite because he had never really been taught to. At least- he had never picked up on it much.

He started following her, up the mountain they would go. Hopefully they would get there before nightfall. Stark tried to walk fast, not wanting to feel like a liability.

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