NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="seasong" data-source="post: 651603" data-attributes="member: 5137">This is a long one, and wraps up Olgah's tale for a while.Olgah's Tale13 years ago.It took a few months, but the shaman managed to gain the duo's trust. And with time, tamed both sufficiently to bring them into the fold of the Bunahken. The child was named Olgah ("great river") by the shaman, who foresaw great things for her. The wolf was named Beshgah ("great wolf"), primarily because the orcs admired her cunning... with the exception of Agahken.As Olgah learned to speak orc, and became accustomed to the tribe, her cleverness shone through. The shaman adopted her as his own, and began teaching her his ways.9 years ago.Olgah, nearly full grown, had stopped riding the wolf years ago, and was more often seen running through the woods alone, catching hares and making broth for the old bitch. Now Beshgah lay curled into the soft rabbit-hide bed Olgah had made for her on winter nights. Last night, they had not been enough. Beshgah's sleeping form was still and cold.The old shaman held Olgah's head to his shoulder as she wept. He loved her dearly, but she was too weak, to cry so freely at the death of a wolf long since given to winter. Finally, he harshened his features, stiffened his arms, and pushed her away. Glaring into her red-eyed face, he reprimanded her: "Olgah! You know better than this! The wolf was long since given to winter, and waited only her time to go. That she stayed so long is proof of her love of you, the bond between your hearts. Let her go, and give your grief to the mountains. Let them weep rivers for you, while you are needed here, by your people!"Then he softened his tone, "Olgah, our people are called the Bone Ache because we know regret so dearly, and we understand what pain comes with loss. But you are an adult. You will see death many times, but you are needed here. I will not be around forever, either, and then our people will need you more than ever."The young orc took a deep, choked breath and held it. Her eyes dried, slowly, as she pushed her pain down, deep into her bones, and into the mountain beneath her. Beshgah was gone.5 years ago.With dry eyes, Olgah oversaw the burial of the shaman. He had been a good mentor, and had taught her what she needed to know. But part of her wished he'd left her in the forest with Beshgah.When she was done, she was the new shaman, coming of age, and coming into power, in the same year. She looked over her people, her people, and spoke."Before our ancestors, I accept this solemn vow: to care for you when you are wounded, to avenge you when you are dead, and to aid your endeavors when you deserve it. The spirits speak through me and act through me. This is done."Six Months AgoThe people of the Uhkemah tribe looked up and east in the predawn light, but saw nothing. A pack of wolves was howling, despite the early hour, and one or two warbands discussed the feasibility of hunting them down to shut them up.And then the sun crested the mountain, preventing vision, and wolf spirits poured down the mountain into the valley. Five had fur like orc air, and looked particularly savage. One was immense, easily eight feet at the shoulder, and bore a howling orc woman on its back. Her hair was wild, and she bore a spear that shook with ancestral energy.The wolves ripped into the valley, with vicious purpose. Dodging most of the orcs, they targetted the leaders, the chief and shaman, the strongest warbands, the oldest matriarchs, and slaughtered them and their families ruthlessly. The damage done, the wolves faded into the morning mists, only to hound the Uhkemah in hunting for weeks after, until the tribe changed its name to Beshbeg ('wolf-bit'), and fled north until the curse seemed abated.The young orcs who had accompanied Olgah, sacrificed to fuel the spells that had worked her curse, laughed and lolled their tongues at her before running off with their new brethren. They were free now, of her burden. For Olgah, the burden was just beginning.Olgah would gather power to herself. She would journey east and find answers and powerful spirits to aid her. And then, hopefully, the final gengah oht could be achieved. Amalan.</blockquote>

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