Overview
Vattarmenn-Vada, the Watchers of Calamity, is a pack of felvargs
dedicated to investigating supernatural disturbances across the land.
These felvargs operate discretely, keeping their organization hidden
from prying eyes. While they will observe whatever calamities are
brought to their attention, their primary purpose is to overthrow the
infamous group known as the Goldbloods. A group who's leader seeks to
become a god.
Introduction
"A great calamity is coming. I feel it in my bones. I smell it in the air. I can sense it, but it is beyond my ability to redirect. Azeem, this is your doing isn't it? I have seen the horrors you leave in your wake."
~ Odalys
Vattarmenn Vada was founded in response to a great threat to Ulfrheim, Helvalla, and Jormungandr alike. Odalys, the pack alpha saw this threat coming in the form of a felvarg by the name of Azeem and his organization, the Goldbloods. What are the Goldbloods you ask? Good question. Some would call them a cult, and perhaps that is the most fitting way to refer to such a vile group. The Goldbloods are a much older organization than Vattarmenn Vada, and only Odalys has any real idea when they might have been founded. Regardless, the Goldbloods have been subtly spreading their influence across the land. Sometimes this influence comes in the form of gangs taking tribute from small towns in exchange for 'protection'. Other times their presence results in catastrophic fluctuations of magic, the affects of which vary. Disappearances, strange creatures roaming the lands, strange storms, plagues... if they were linked to supernatural powers or dark magic, more than likely it was the Goldbloods' doing.
Vattarmenn Vada was formed to counteract this threat.
While our primary purpose is to track down and overthrow Azeem, we also prioritize the safety of those around us. If we hear whispers of wild magics, if we learn of crimes that cannot be solved due to strange circumstances, if somefel comes for us seeking aid where nofel else will give it, we will not turn a blind eye. We will do what we can to ensure the safety of all felvargs, and we will do so from the shadows so our enemy won't see us coming.
Perhaps our efforts will lead us to Azeem, or perhaps our aid will reveal that something or somefel else was responsible for some of the disturbances we investigate. No matter, eventually we will find the root of this evil.
Pack Lore
Most felvargs who seek out this pack have been impacted by the Goodbloods either directly or indirectly. Perhaps you lost a loved one to a mysterious entity that came in the night. Maybe a portal to a twisted plane of existence snatched your pups from their den. Or perhaps you were taken by the Goldbloods themselves. Within the Vattarmenn Vada you will find many who were held captive by Azeem's felvargs. Within his clutches they were forced to fight each other for their survival. Those who survived their time in the coliseum were put through other trials. Most of them were also subjected to experimentation at the paws of Azeem's sorcerers and alchemists.
Whether you were a victim yourself, or the relative of a victim, you are welcome here among the Vattarmenn Vada. Whether you are a warrior who can lend their strength to the military as we raid the enemy's bases, an adept hunter with the skills to stay hidden on scouting missions, or a skilled actor with the confidence to blend into the crowd or risk your life inside enemy walls to gather intel, you are needed.
Even so, we are also aware that not everyfel is cut out for combat. Not everyfel wishes to dirty their paws or risk their lives. Perhaps you have family you don't want to leave behind, or you simply suffered an injury that prevents you from fighting. No matter. If you don't feel safe moving on, you are free to stay here in our base. All we ask is that you find some way to contribute. Perhaps you are a farmer, a weaver, a baker, or a butcher, any profession that can help support our efforts is just as necessary as our soldiers are.
No one will be turned away.
The Factions
The pack is divided into three main factions alongside the general populace.
The Military
Felvargs who join the military often come from martial backgrounds. They are the backbone of the pack, providing strength and support for the two other factions as well as the villagers within the base. The military acts on the information gathered by the felvargs within the Intelligence faction and the scouts. Sometimes this action may just be a raid on a Goldblood base that was discovered. Other times the alphas may lead an all out battle against a Goldblood army, though this has only happened once since the founding of the pack. If the pack receives word that there is a group of beasts or even hostile felvargs attacking a nearby village, the alphas will mobilize the army to defend them.
The Scouts
Those who join the scouts must be fleet of foot and able to hold their own in a fight. These felvargs are, more often than not, the first to enter hostile territory. They work closely with the intelligence faction to determine where the Goldbloods will strike next, or to find out where a hidden base may be located. If the pack receives word of strange happenings nearby or even on a different island, the alphas will send a group of scouts to investigate. Generally, those within this faction are not expected to engage in battle and are encouraged to avoid conflict at all costs. However, such encounters cannot always be avoided, so all members must meet the qualifications in order to join.
Intelligence
This faction is home to both the safest and the most dangerous positions within the pack. Felvargs who join the Intel faction are the eyes and ears of the pack, providing their superiors with information from across all of Ulfrheim, Helvalla, and even Jormungandr. Upon joining this faction, members are evaluated on their ability to blend into a crowd, observe and pick up on subtle body language, the use of code, and even to withstand questioning in case of capture. Depending on qualifications and where each member is comfortable being placed, members of this faction could be asked to infiltrate the Goldbloods organization itself. More commonly however, members are placed in different villages across the lands, and report in if they hear or see anything they think could be connected to the enemy.
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"I will raise up those you've left for dead. I will nurture those you've tossed aside. None shall be left to bleed in the dust. We will see to your downfall, Azeem. Even at the cost of my own life."
~ Odalys
When the time came to begin the raid, Odalys met Jian and his small squadron at the base’s border. Only then was she informed that Inara had yet to return, and that the scouts sent in to extract the spies were assumed dead. With that weight on her shoulders, Odalys and Jian lead their followers into enemy territory— beginning an assault that would mark the largest raid in the history of the Vattamenn Vada.
It was a bloody battle. In spite of having the element of surprise, the Goldblood force within the camp was large and ready for anything. Not to mention they had some warning due to having captured a few of the Scouts mere days before the raid. Some of these Scouts were rescued during assault… others were never found. The spies from the Intelligence faction were found dead, strung up in a cell with signs that they’d been tortured by an Inquisitor. Inara was found with them, a dead Inquisitor laying beside her as she nursed a wound she knew would be fatal.
While very little was recovered from the research facility due to it being set on fire as soon as the Researchers were alerted of the raid, many hostages were rescued from the flames. At least one hundred captive felvargs were found within the Goldbloods base, some of which were counted among the test subjects, others were members of the Goldblood army. Saving them was the pack’s priority, but we were not able to save them all. Still, the fact that we were able to save some was enough.
Much was gained from this raid, but much was lost as well. Whether you are a member of the Military, the Scouts, or Intelligence, or even a former hostage, you feel the loss of one of your own. On the third night after the raid, the Vattamenn Vada will gather together to hold a vigil—and to send off the spirits of those who perished.
__Prompts:
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Intelligence: Unsettling Discoveries__
After the loss of Inara, Odalys has placed Meraud in charge of the Intelligence faction. However, while he accepted for the time being, Meraud doesn’t want this position… at all. He is currently discussing how to choose a permanent head of Intelligence, but for now he’s stuck with the job.
Meanwhile, you and your colleagues uncovered potential clues hidden within some of the documents recovered from the research facility during the raid. A scribble here, a drawing there, some formulas. Much of what you see doesn’t make much sense. However, one thing is clear: there was a secondary lab—and if you are correct, this lab is much larger and likely contains chemicals and potions that could spell doom for entire cities.
Objective:
Depict your felvarg inspecting the recovered documents and reports of the research lab from the raid. Do you bring your findings to Meraud? Do you discuss it further with your colleagues? Or do you keep them to yourself for now.
Bonus prompt:
Meraud is searching for someone to replace him. Are you interested in taking charge of the Intelligence Faction? … more information will be coming soon on the group’s discord channel
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Scouts: Scattered Embers__
While the battle inside of the Goldblood base transpired, many felvargs fled the scene. Many of these now scattered fels were hostages, some slaves, some test subjects, and some potential recruits. Despite being freed, many of them are confused, scared, and distrustful. That said a good many have gone into hiding, and will be difficult to approach. However, it is imperative that the Vada locate these former hostages. The Goldbloods wanted these poor fels for something, and Jian is certain they will want them back. It is up to the Scouts to locate these felvargs and convince them to come to the Vada before the Goldbloods find them. However, just as the hostages were able to escape during the fray, some members of the Goldbloods could have slipped away as well. Jian has given the Scouts an order to track down as many of these escaped felvargs as possible and determine if they are a Goldblood or a hostage.
Objective:
Option 1: Depict your pack member trailing a felvarg who escaped the Goldblood’s base.
Option 2: Depict your pack member attempting to convince a hostage to come to the Vada.
Option 3: Depict your pack member apprehending a felvarg they believe to be a Goldblood.
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Military: What's Left Behind__
The aftermath of battle is an ugly thing, but someone’s got to take care of what’s left behind. As a member of the military this falls to you. Medics need help moving the wounded from the raided base back to the Vada’s camp. Additionally, something must be done with the bodies, Goldblood and comrade alike. Guards have been stationed around the raided base, ensuring that no Goldblood attempts to reenter the territory, and soldiers continue to search through the rubble of what was once the research lab… for bodies and possible survivors, as well as any additional documents or research equipment that could be used by the Intelligence faction.
Objective:
Option 1: Depict your felvarg tending to the wounded, or traveling alongside a stretcher as your comrades carry somefel back to your base.
Option 2: Depict your felvarg standing guard. Do you encounter anyone trying to sneak in?
Option 3: Depict your felvarg moving bodies into piles to either burn them or return them to the Vada’s base.
Option 4: Depict your felvarg searching through the rubble of the research lab. What sorts of things do they find hidden in the debris?
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All pack members: The Vigil__
Three days following the last raid against the Goldbloods, Odalys and some of her colleagues raised a memorial in the center of camp, a large stone carved with the names of the fallen. Torches are lit around the monument, and items belonging to the dead are placed at its base. The sky is clear tonight, and the stars shine brightly overhead. Flames flicker like dancing ghosts, sending embers souring upward to join the stars before winking out.
Who do you mourn for? Will you attend the vigil tonight? How do you handle the grief?
If you are a new member, or someone who was rescued during the raid, how do you spend your time tonight? Do you attend the vigil?
Objective:
Depict your felvarg attending the vigil, or holding a vigil of their own.
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