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
the houses were being built again

#1
P
07-04-2022, 03:35 AM

Vendrussel rushed through the mountains, she went ahead of @Mordecai and @Harper to inform of her Ford what was happening, and the beginning, what would be a mission. They didn't know who else was taken besides the Priestess, and they didn't know much of how many boars that there were ; except for two. Just as the two Vendrussel and others saw, for all they knew there was far more. But there was a confidence within their numbers they could at least create some sort of opening.

She stopped mid-run, hearing the sounds of the bush rustling.. And the smell of a boar.

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#2
07-04-2022, 10:28 PM
Ah, wretched beasts.

They had stirred the hornet's nest into a frenzy - multiple nests, it appeared - and Grimwald knew too well what that meant. One such pack-woman was running full tilt back toward her home territory, presumably to gather more soldiers for the impending hunt. Gro'Mash had grown too fat, too greedy in his pursuit of their mission, their great cleansing of the land - he did not understand the patience it took to enact such a daunting plan.

He had spoiled it.

Fouled it.

Grimwald set his jaw, and as the wolf stopped in her tracks, he had already made up his mind.

Desperate times - desperate measures.

“Ho, there,” he called, stepping out ominously from his place of concealment. Thick muscles rippled beneath his ugly, scarred coat, and his gnarled tusks spoke of flayed corpses and bloodied victims long past. He was proud of his war-wounds, his badges of victory; he was a decorated General among his kind.

Quietly, he loomed.

“I suspect thou art on thy way to collect reinforcements,” he rumbled from deep within his chest, surprisingly well-spoken given his brutish stature.

The great boar rolled his shoulders, glancing back from whence she had come.

“I would request an audience with thee. It will take but a moment of thy time.”

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#3
07-05-2022, 09:25 PM
She suspected an attack, an ambush of sorts and yet.. There was only one. On the wind Vendrussel couldn't smell another, but she was clear on guard with a prominent scowl upon her face. Words that sounded flowery, elegant and proud and not of hostility that she would expected from the boars who stole another. Her tail flagged in the air, narrowing a blue gaze upon him.

"For what reason?" she barked. There was an urge of attack and demand, but the situation seemed.. Suspicious at the very least ; that for the moment Vendrussel was willing to hear him out. But if all else, others were close enough — that surely if she howled for an attack someone would come forth.

But why would just one boar, approach her?

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#4
07-05-2022, 10:32 PM
Good. He had selected correctly; she stayed her fangs and instead chose to inquire further. It was true, he held the advantage of surprise in this moment, and perhaps it was just shock speaking on her part - but a few minutes was all he needed.

“I will preface this by saying I do not regret my actions,” he stated bluntly, staring scornfully down his snout at the proud she-wolf in front of him. He dwarfed her easily in size and weight, his height at the shoulder alone outpacing her by a measurable amount. Still - he made no move to attack, and instead held a quiet air of retrospection about himself. It was almost like speaking to a scholar, if they had such things in this world.

“I despise thy kind.”

A fire burned dimly behind his glittering eyes. There was a history there, something that flowed far deeper through his veins than mere prejudice; but that was not a story for today, not for her ears. Only one other alive knew of his gruesome past, his sorrowful, blood-soaked beginnings, and he preferred to keep it that way.

“However, we may come to an accord.”

Grimwald eyed her steadily, waiting to see if she would lunge.

“My liege has pushed too far. I am no fool; I know well the wrath of pack-wolves. It is through his folly that we have provoked the ire of so many, and it is likely there will be more casualties than either of us would desire for our respective peoples.”

He stood up a little straighter, then, giving their surroundings a quick-once over to ensure their solitude before he continued.

“There is a way.”

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#5
Paladin
07-05-2022, 10:37 PM
"You are scum." She snarled, her lip rising and stepping toward despite the other showing of no hostility. It angered her, he showed of no regret and only but.. Some sort of realization they had pushed too far ; attacking young, kidnapping others, which one she wondered, dubbed that going too far with their actions? Boars were prey to wolves, although they were not easy meals to nab and she had seen her kind snack on canines who were to arrogant in the challenge.

Vendrussel yet attacked, she listened. It was perhaps a laughable situation, one that the woman remained silent, staring at him.. A gesture for this boar to continue. Was he trying to save his own skin, or of his own kind itself? Most if not all of his deals would be thrown away, for their actions have already gone too far and inflicted wrath. Especially when they would find out later who else was kidnapped.

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#6
07-05-2022, 10:53 PM
She snarled, an ugly sound, one that tickled at memories buried deep within his soul. He responded in kind with a guttural rumble of his own, brow darkening as he all but dared her to throw her life away in that instant.

Yet nothing came of it. His lip curled disdainfully.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, vile creature. I know thy kind.”

But they were not here merely to trade insults. He cleared his throat, wishing to continue as civilly as possible.

“I will show thee the way to where we have held them. More than that - I shall allow thee and thy comrades a chance at our king Gro'Mash himself.”

A stunned silence passed between, and Grimwald looked once more toward the outskirts of their little tête-à-tête as if expecting to be slain at once for uttering such blasphemy aloud. No retribution came - they were still far enough yet from where the others of his ilk set about their foul work - and he returned his gaze toward Vendrussel again, staring levelly into her aqua eyes.

“Thou shalt have thy wolves returned. My liege has succumbed to the madness of power, and he no longer shares our original vision. I request safe passage from the battle once I have delivered him unto thee - and passage for that of my comrade, Thornson.”

He remained motionless, an immovable force in her way.

“Thou dost not have the strength to tear Gro'Mash down, even with thy numbers - but I do.”

Blasphemy. Sacrilege. Impiety. Heresey.

Every word damned him further - but their king had lost his way. His lust for more, his disgraceful display of irreverence for their mission, their sacred hunt, was punishable only by death.

“Otherwise, it will be a battle that all of us shall lose.”

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#7
Paladin
07-05-2022, 11:07 PM (This post was last modified: 07-05-2022, 11:07 PM by Vendrussel.)
So it was! The boar struck a deal, the madness of a king now let his own subjects curse him with a vain. She believed they could take them down ; all of them, but whoever he was did speak of some truth. They would not be without injury, and she fully expected so through any time of war and battle.. It was tempting, and yet the pit in her stomach wished to throw the deal away and to tear him down to where he stood. He was part of them, and he may do the same one day..

This was not something she could decide on her own, Vendrussel thought.

Yet he knew of the location, it would be care faster then sending wolves to scout and find, "I will have to discuss with others." Particularly, to @Harper, and whether she'd be alright with this deal or cast it aside altogether. The dragoness could gather her forces and once the Elysium wolves came, she could take the other aside and tell of this deal that was played.

To know where they are, to destroy the king, but for two to survive that may come in another day... In truth logically it sounded so tempting, but she was torn. It must be why those of high positions has a council.

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#8
07-05-2022, 11:16 PM
Grimwald stared impassively. He could tell the wolf was conflicted - who wouldn't be, looking a deal like that in the face? - but he held his reservations to himself, allowing her a moment to gather her thoughts lest she do something impulsive and regrettable.

He couldn't say the thought hadn't crossed his own mind. Of course he could easily gore her where she stood, putting an end to her fruitless indecision, and that would be one less dog to worry about at the end of the day -

But to incur the wrath of her underlings would be troublesome, and, yes, unwise.

“Make haste, then, wolf, and summon thy companions,” he uttered warningly. “Gro'Mash has grown restless of late, and I do not know how long he shall stay his tusks from thy kin.”

Grimwald offered a last statement.

“Accept my offer, and far fewer shall perish. Do not accept my offer-” he paused, letting the moment hang in the air between them. “And the consequences shall be steep for both sides.”

It was not a threat - it was a certainty.

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#9
Paladin
07-06-2022, 12:43 AM
^^It was a boar.

It was a boar who had taken her sister; a boar who had beaten the shit out of Mordecai, who was supposed to have been Elysium’s greatest warrior. Mordecai, who was Elysium’s only defense mechanism - save for the toxic plants that lay hidden within plain sight (that she would likely have to remove in case one of the children stumbled upon them..) - Mordecai, who finally agreed, not very happily, mind you - to stand down and get some rest.

Harper was a selfish canine; not wishing for him to join her husband in death so soon. Harper would not stand for the loss of another, and with her sister in danger, it was easier for Harper if he got some rest. He needed rest. He needed to be out of the way, and out of danger, so Harper didn’t have to focus on both of them; so that she wouldn’t have to pick one over the other, if it came down to it.

Harper had arranged to meet Vendrussel and her paw-selected army at the beach - and Harper was roughly halfway there, when she picked up Vendrussel’s scent with that of a boar. Ah, so they were trying to capture all of the leaders? Just how long had the wolves been under surveillance for them to know which wolves to take?

Harper arrived with a low growl, unsure what to expect, though she wasn’t expecting a civil conversation. Perhaps Vendrussel had been buying her time - Grimwald was larger than any boar she’d ever seen, and couldn’t help not to take notice of his large tusks, and the condition of them.

Definitely large enough to gut a certain she-wolf and not think twice about it. Perhaps it was wise to buy time. Her eyes narrowed, brows arching with the tilt of her head.

“О каком предложении он говорит?”
^^
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#10
Paladin
07-06-2022, 12:51 AM (This post was last modified: 07-07-2022, 08:55 PM by Vendrussel. Edited 1 time in total.)
Her pride didn't enjoy how this boar steered the conversation and took control. Although her words lacked, and confidence wavered lightly whether what was the right choice ; and she would try and call others. However, thankfully before completely crippled within her thoughts and to hollar at the skies, she appeared. Haste indeed, moments away from meeting at the beach but had been stopped by this.. Enemy, with plans.

"Он упоминает о предательстве своего короля," she started with a low, cold laugh as the two discussed within a different tongue. Her eyes glanced toward him, an assumption that these boars knew not of this other language, "он заключает сделку. Он рассказывает нам о местоположении, даже об открытии, в обмен на свое выживание и безопасность, а также на своего друга." In honesty even Vendrussel has trouble believing of this way.. But she assured the other in a confidence nod that there was no danger at the moment ; they were not in a brawl.

But in a meeting.

"Я собирался узнать ваше мнение. Я чувствую, что мы должны его принять. Но беспокоюсь, не вернется ли он с местью позже."

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#11
Paladin
07-06-2022, 01:42 AM
^^Aha, so this was the reasoning behind a civil conversation with the enemy, but the Divine was a suspicious, paranoid woman who did not believe in those could suddenly have a change of heart or character; to Harper, there wasn’t such thing as turning a new leaf, or whatever it was called when there was suddenly a change of heart.

What was his reasoning? “Это может быть и засада,” Harper would state, though the clever enemy had likely thought of this already, hadn’t she? Of course she had. She was clever.

“It true? You wish to betray alpha pig?”

Harper sat, tilting her head from the left to right, and back again; ears flickering and lips twitching. In other words, her gears were turning. This went on for several moments; Harper was not a master planner when it came to war, battle, or rescue ops, but if the pig spoke true, then he needed to prove it wasn’t an ambush.

“Мы можем заставить его освободить заключенного, чтобы доказать, что он говорит правду. Я не пойду вслепую в засаду, когда подозреваю, что они захватили не только мою сестру. С ним и его маленьким другом можно будет разобраться после того, как мы спасем Невезучих. Because calling them victims when Valelska was one of them simply didn’t sit right with her.
^^
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#12
Paladin
07-06-2022, 02:04 AM
She nodded at such a statement, and clicked her tongue lightly. It was true though, there was a lot that could be true but also not. An ambush? Or perhaps was the boar before them just someone who wanted to rule, and then return with a greater plan? If he had a head on him to communicate and attempt to plague a deal upon Elsyium and Dragonford, then was he smart enough to plan a more thorough vengeance? A blood against their species..

Vendrussel could not see boars the same way after this.

"Ты прав." As she sat by the woman, the dragoness turned to the boar who was there, silent, watching their discussion. He hasn't said anything, not even an inquiry to what they may be, "It is a consideration, but we need verification if you are true to words. Bring us back a prisoner, for good faith of this deal you strike."

They didn't know if he had more, just an attempt of her own ford, and that Valeska was there. She shot a glance at Harper, whether to specify specifically if to get Valeska, for they believed she may be the only one, and only one that he would bring. It was important that she also spoke an opinion during so, that although Vendrussel could take charge ; it was not her wolves on the line, but a sister to another, a leader, and only a friend to some.

The price to pay is on her terms.

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#13
07-06-2022, 03:24 AM
A great, looming shadow of a wolf joined the proceedings in short order. Dark, long of leg, and holding something of a judgmental air, the woman stepped forward grudgingly, casting him a sidelong glance as she did so. She was definitely one of the more impressive examples of her species, though still unlikely to be able to take him on with only one other in assistance - but she certainly looked as if she would like to try.

Still. His hide was far too thick.

They spoke at length for a while, yammering on in some absurd language that only barbarians such as they would understand, and he tried not to look too exasperated while they evidently weighed the pros and cons of accepting his bargain. For heaven's sake - it wasn't that complicated.

If they listened to him, most of them would have a chance at life yet.

If not - it would be a massacre.

Ultimately, the two seemed to reach some sort of agreement, and the wolf who smelled oddly of brine turned at last to give him a hard look and state her conditions.

“Done,” he said simply, throwing the pair a bored look over his shoulder as he made to leave. “Await my return. I will not be more than a few hours.”

---

Two hours later...

---

Whether they stayed or not, some time after his departure but still well before sunset, the horrible, lumbering shadow of Grimwald ambled leisurely into view from afar. Something lay sprawled across his back, dangling limply with each step; as he drew closer, the two women could just make out the shape of a young wolf.

He had been beaten; tortured; made to ingest poisons that would have liquefied his insides had they not already been processed by the deceased ferret from before.

Yet still he breathed, and Grimwald slid him unceremoniously onto the ground with a soft thud.

Archon had been released - as promised.

“Now, tell me -” he started with a severe look, “Do you accept?”

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#14
Paladin
07-07-2022, 08:45 PM
^^You are right, Vendrussel had said, but Harper merely dipped her head; for she knew she was right. Harper was far too paranoid to simply blindly trust anyone — and with good reason.

Harper arched her brows at the look that Vendrussel had given her; while it would have been nice for her sister to have been safely returned, that would have been too easy. It had been the young boy, the one she’d seen at Valeska’s wedding.

He had been beaten, clearly; with several open wounds that needed to be treated to prevent infection, and lord knows what else; he was still alive, drifting in and out of consciousness, either to make the rescue easier, or due to being beaten up - he was dropped with a soft thud, and weakly lifted his head up to look at them, before dropping it back to the ground with the smallest of whimpers.

Stepping forward, Harper moved to inspect him; sniffing along his coat to get a good idea of the other hostages. There was the scent of Northfall and Elysium; both female - Valeska and someone else that Harper hadn’t met before, and lastly, the very strong scent of clover and dandelions.

Hawking.

Her hackles rose; ears flattening, having to hold herself back from tearing into the traitorous boar. She growled, though, a very deep, protective growl as Mother Bear Mode was being activated.

“We accept.”
^^
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#15
Paladin
07-07-2022, 08:53 PM (This post was last modified: 07-07-2022, 08:54 PM by Vendrussel.)
Not scents she recognized anymore, but it seemed some that Harper knew. A boy was delivered, hailing of browns and unusual eyes ; where Harper went over to him and inspected, Vendrussel moved herself into the front in-case the boar attempted anything more during this. Although it was satisfactory, it wasn't someone they were expecting, and didn't know they held a child, but at least one was save above all else. Her tail flickered.

"We will tell our wolves." She said nodding. But for the meanwhile that would mean he, and whoever he wished as well, would be safe for that meanwhile. Although Vendrussel knew that surely a vengeance would be given another day ; she didn't like the factor a boar who participated clearly and shown no remorse was roaming around freely. The only reason he made this deal.. Was simply because the King grew too greedy, and he was within a danger.

Vendrussel wouldn't keep her eyes off of him, at least not until he left.

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#16
07-07-2022, 09:05 PM
He could smell their discomfort almost as clearly as he could see it. The two women were all but gnashing their teeth in a helpless rage, yet they could do nothing.

Nothing.

Not if they wanted to save them all.

“Then it is settled,” Grimwald rumbled. “I will tell thee the way.”

His treachery was sealed.

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