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ROHK'IN AROUND THE CHRISTMASS TREE
#reindeerrohk
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Username: SpartanAmethystRohktan Name: TokloGender: FemaleClass: Warrior turned MagiAge: Young AdultPartner: Alasie Yuka Tootega══════════════════════
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Personality:Brave ✦
Excitable ✦
Nomadic ✦
Sleepy ✦
Social ✦
Sure-footedBio:Toklo was born on the frigid tundra early one spring, well before the snow stopped and the ground had thawed. She was part of a large litter of five warriors, the first born to her parent's legacy. Colored similar to her father, she resembled the caribou that roamed the wild tundra, but with the swirling dark patterns that made her mother's coat so desirable. Her white underbelly was a fluke from a previous generation, hidden in one of her parents' genetic code, and was the only one of her litter to inherit her father's horns. That last attribute was definitely a rarity, mind you, and because before her it had only been limited to the males of his line, they assumed that she was actually a he. That's why she was given a male name as a cub, as it was only after Toklo opened her eyes and earned her voice that they discovered she was in fact female.
Born into nature, Toklo and her family lived on the same property as an Inuit family, and their parents partnered with the humans in raising livestock and farming the land. The husband partnered with the Toklo's father Nayiq, and they herded the reindeer and tended the ox, ensuring the animals stayed fed and protected. The mother partnered with Toklo's mother Aanuq, and together they protected the homestead, farmed crops, and raised the children. The humans had three children of their own, all who were slated to partner with three of the five cubs. Even from a young age, Toklo and the humans' eldest daughter Alasie bonded very quickly, and they became inseparable. Though Alasie was easily the hardest working and most responsible of her own siblings, both girls were wild and adventurous spirits, always looking to the horizon and wondering what might lay beyond it. Alasie had dreams of becoming a great explorer, of travelling the world and seeing what awaited her discovery beyond their icy, barren home. Though she adored her family and her reindeer, she found herself always wanting more.
It was amazing to see how very similar Alasie and Toklo were, even before they knew each other. From the moment her eyes opened, Toklo seemed to have no fear of the outside world, and constantly tried to find ways to escape her mother's watchful gaze so that she could go out and explore. Alasie, already a teenager, began to take her on long walks through the forest and fields as soon as the young cub's thick winter coat fully grew in, talking to her and imprinting on her as much as possible. The young cub grew quickly as soon as summer hit, and by the time winter was due to return, Toklo had become a stunning adult Rohk, ready to take on the world. When it came time it came to migrate the herds north into the protected valley, Nayiq and the human father did not have to do it alone; Toklo and Alasie were there to help, and neither dad could have been more proud.
Finally, this past year was the one both girls had long looked forward to: Alasie was turning eighteen, and Toklo was finally ready to be considered a full adult. This was the year they planned to start their adventure, to set off on their own and see where fate would guide them. Alasie's middle brother was now old enough to take over her responsibilities, and a new baby was being welcomed into the family. Aanuq was pregnant again as well with her and Nayiq's second litter of cubs, and Toklo knew her two younger siblings would be around to help, so neither would be leaving their family in need. This was their time to explore and make their full transition into independence, and they planned to return home in the future stronger and wiser.
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It was difficult at first, most definitely; the duo had gone from having a fairly easy life with resources readily available, to being completely self sufficient. Thankfully, though, their parents had taught them well; they foraged and hunted, found and built shelters, used furs as cloaks and bones as tools and arrowheads when supplies ran low. Though they could have bartered for modern tools at any time, or even sold extra wares to have money, Tok and Alasie had decided very early on that they wanted to live as their ancestors did. They traveled village to village and town to town, meeting people, learning about different customs and cultures, and celebrating the diversity that survived even their frigid northern lands. From the Aurora Borealis to natural hot springs, they'd seen it all.
Well, almost all of it.
In passing, Toklo had heard another Rohktan talking about a set of ruins to the North, encased in ice. It was said that a vicious drake guarded an immense throne room of treasure, devouring anyone that dare even step inside. She didn't believe in dragons, as they had been all hunted to extinction thousands of years ago; there was no way one could have survived for so long with no sightings or signs, even way up here in the frozen North. It would have died in days without a consistent heat source, like the long-dried up magma caverns of legend; the only thing even remotely usable would be the hot springs, and they don't get near hot enough for a full grown dragon. So with a renewed bounce in her step, she quickly ran to their room in the Inn, where they had been staying for the festival that had just ended. Alasie had to calm the Rohktan down multiple times, as the deer-marked female was talking too fast and bouncing on her hind legs, gushing about everything she'd heard. When the Inuit girl was finally able to understand what the hell Toklo was speaking of, she seemed rather hesitant, which actually surprised the female Rohk. It actually took a little convincing, but eventually Alasie relented and agreed, but asked they not stay there long. It was essentially uncharted territory, and she wasn't sure of the dangers it might bring. When asked to elaborate, as everywhere they'd explored up until now had been uncharted territory for them as well, Alasie dodged the question rather tactfully and started helping Toklo pack up and get ready to bed down for the evening. Again, Toklo thought this was extremely strange for her partner, but they had been planning on leaving the village tomorrow anyways, so the feline just let it go, and decided not to press any further.
Overnight, the weather had taken a nasty turn, but not bad enough to delay their departure. The wind had strengthened, cold biting at their noses as they tried to climb the narrow mountain pass. At that moment, even Toklo was beginning to rethink this addition to their exodus, if only to delay the trip and wait for better weather. But by the time the sun had reached its noontime position behind the thick clouds, the duo had managed to reach the trail's peak and descend the other side of the mountain. It had been their hope that maybe the coming storm would be only on that side of the range, and that here it would be clear and easy sailing. How wrong they were.
On this side, the winds were now behind them, pushing them down the mountainside. The cliffs were steeper here, the footpaths more narrow, and the rocks more jagged. In the end, all Toklo could do was center her weight backwards against the weight of their gear and use her legs like a sled. She managed to keel the "sliding fall" under control, and in no time they were on solid ground again. Heads down, they pressed on into the cold, struggling to make as much ground up as they could before night fell. And, right at sunset, the crumbling towers and ice-covered walls of an ancient castle broke the skyline and cast a dark shadow on the fields below it. As they got closer, the two began to notice something strange: mushrooms grew on top of what looked to be a broken cobblestone path in small patches, melting the snow around them and making strange patterns in the ice. They glowed a soft green with the fading sun, and both human and Rohk looked at each other with intense curiosity. These must be the ruins, they agreed, and if nothing else, it would be their shelter for the night.
Both creatures crept in as quietly and carefully as possible into the cold, stone structure, looking around in amazement at all of the grand architecture and vaulted ceilings, carved into what was probably thousands of years old stone. To their surprise - and Alasie's dismay - lit lanterns lined the corridors, burning beacons against the building snowstorm outside. But these were far different than either of them had ever seen; the flames that licked the walls and stones were a vibrant emerald, and though they produced the same warmth as a normal fire, they didn't burn. Alasie found that by accident, picking up a torch to carry with them when the flame seemingly puffed at her, flicking across her hand unexpectedly. It had been like running warm water over your hand; not scalding, but warm and welcoming. "Someone lives here," the young Inuit girl murmured uneasily, looking to her companion. "I'm not sure about this."
"Just a little farther, Alasie! This place is awesome," Toklo replied, and the girl relented. All of this history and exploration was pretty cool, so she stepped forward into the corridor, the deer-marked Rohk hot on her heels.
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It was nearly an hour later of endless stone corridors and locked wooden doors that the duo found themselves reaching the center of the maze-like castle. They'd assumed that the deeper they'd go into the structure, the colder it would be; surprisingly, it was quite the opposite. Alasie had long ago peeled off her thick outer coat, and the ice crystallines had melted from Toklo's antlers. It was quite warm even despite the rampant blizzard outside, and they both very much appreciated this reprieve. They definitely wouldn't be returning out tonight.
Turning down one last hallway, all of a sudden they were met with the castle's courtyard, and what lay there shocked them both into stillness. The garden there was green and lush, filled with plants and flowers in a myriad of vibrant colors, many of which neither being had ever seen before. And there, in the center of the courtyard was a tiny wyrm, white form curled under its own wings as it slept. It was nestled next to the skeletal remains of a much larger dragon, and sadness struck both Alasie and Toklo like an arrow to the heart. Before either could make a move or even speak, the softest voice came from a shadowy part of the grove, causing both of them to jump. Please do not hurt him, it whispered to them, as if afraid to wake the tiny dragon. He is the last of his kind, he means no harm.
So lost in awe of the creature once thought extinct, Alasie couldn't even formulate the words to reassure the hidden stranger. "We won't," Toklo spoke in her stead, green eyes scanning the foliage for the person speaking.
His name is Asfaroth, the voice echoed in the enclosed courtyard, and the softest rustle of flowers gave away her location. From between the leaves stepped forward a wood nymph, her emerald glowing form wispy and faded with age. Son of Rynnel and Alhani, youngest of his clutch, last of his line. He is truly alone in this world, she murmured as she looked down to the sleeping drake sadly, and Alasie took a subconscious step forward. I'm sure you've been drawn here by the prospect of treasure in this castle, of gold and gems lost with the fall of a kingdom, but I can assure you, there is nothing such as that here. The nymph looked up to the two, her movements the embodiment of elegance and grace. I am Sinope, the first and last reigning Queen of this kingdom, before it fell to the hands of Winter. We came in hopes of finding a place among your people, Alasie, as fisherman of the snow.
"You... you know my name? How?"
I am a wood nymph. While not native to these parts, I can still hear nature's song. The ice rang of your arrival long before you appeared in my castle, the snowlizards chanted of danger from an approaching Rohktan. There was no doubt you were coming here, she said, staring into the Inuit girl's eyes and making her uncomfortable. I know not why you came to this place, but I say again, there are no riches here, no treasure to be found, save for this small courtyard filled with flowers. This was my pride and joy, and even in my waning years, my magic keeps the flowers safe from the cold.
"Waning years?" Toklo suddenly asked. "Wood nymphs can die?"
Sinope regarded the Rohk with a fond smile. Yes, young one; though we live very long lives, we are not immortal. We rise and fall with the sun, just like all mortal creatures. My time is nearing, too, and though I'd like to return to my birthplace to live out my days, I cannot leave Asfaroth. He will surely perish without my magic to keep him warm, or my plants to keep his prey fed. So I remain here in the hopes that he will grow before my time is up.
"I will care for him," Alasie suddenly blurted, and both Toklo and Sinope looked at her in shock.
"You? Daughter of the Inuit, tribe of the Dragon Hunters, would deny your own culture to care for this orphaned wyrmling?" Sinope questioned, unease and skepticism lacing her feminine voice.
"It was my tribe that killed his family, wasn't it?" She asked, and Toklo could see the sadness and guilt on her partner's face. Sinope nodded solemnly, and the duo felt the full weight of that affirmation. "Then it is my responsibility to care for him; if my family killed his kin, then I'll make sure he grows to touch the skies, and maybe we can change the world." Suddenly there seemed to be a spark of hope in Sinope's eyes, and the room seemed to grow even warmer.
"But what about her magic?" Toklo asked, turning to Alasie. "Without her here, the garden will be overtaken by snow and ice."
You are Rohktan, are you not? Even if one is not born with magic, they can be gifted it. Magic is always in a Rohktan's blood, is just depends on if it is strong enough for them to use. Raising her hands, small orbs of green light began to form around her, tiny tendrils extending behind them like jellyfish floating in midair. Though it is only part of my powers, it will be far more than what is needed to keep this den alive. Suddenly the glowing orbs moved from Sinope, floating across the distance between them to dance around the deer-marked Rohk. Within my powers, I've imbued all of the knowledge that you'll ever need for him: his past, his personality, and his needs. Help your partner understand him, until he finds his Voice. Then you will truly understand what it means to be allied with dragons. In the next moment, Sinope was gone, like she'd never even existed.
There was a long moment of silence before Toklo took the first step forward, breaking that invisible barrier between the outside world and this out of place paradise. They descended quietly, terrified to wake the young dragon from his slumber, but now that this was her new charge, Alasie felt the intense need to be near to him. She slowly sat in the soft grass next to the huge wyrmling, and gently placed a hand on his furred head. There was an instant bond, and her heart filled with affection when he seemed to cuddle closer to her side. Toklo looked down upon her partner and new companion and smiled; never in her wildest dreams did this coming of age adventure turn into a rescue mission. But that's what was fun about an adventure: You never knew where it would lead you next.
Slowly the Rohktan laid down beside them, curled carefully around Asfaloth, and allowing Alasie to lay on her forepaws. They slept curled together that night, warm and safe in their hidden castle in the snow. 
