[mulder]

:Form:

^ By me. X

I. Name

Asphodel
AHS-foh-dehl
II. Breedable

Perhaps.
III. How We Met

Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
Won't do me no good washing in the river
Can't no preacher man save my soul
xxxxx •

Just keep heading east, you'll be safe there.
The voice of my grandfather reverberated through my head, filling me to the brim with anger and despair. I'd been accused of a bad thing, and now I was running instead of testifying, which made it even worse. Because I ran, it only gave 'em more of a reason to believe it was me, and if I was caught-
Well, I didn't wanna think about what'd happen if I was caught.
"I gotta keep goin'. I'm gonna make it," I muttered, breaking into a full-on run.

After seven days on foot, I reached the Forsaken Swamplands, as my people called it. I was starving, dehydrated, and just near 'bout to collapse from exhaustion. An instinct in the back of my head warned me that I shouldn't enter this "cursed" place, yet I knew it was the only place that my tribe wouldn't enter. Fighting the lessons that I'd been taught all my life, I crossed into wetlands. Rumor said that there be a monster here, one that polluted the land wherever his hooves touched, and wore the skeletons of his victims. A shiver danced past my spine in pure fear. I honestly never thought that I'd ever come to this place, yet here I was, with nothing but the clothes on my back. Leaving me fully exposed to the Swamp Beast.
I lay awake for what seemed to be hours, my eyelids heavy. My body was going to pass out, but the pure essence of fear kept me from doing that. The rustling, chittering and howling of the bog had pushed me over the edge, terror coming off of me in waves. I had to rest soon, or it would get the best of me, I knew it.
"The monster isn't real. You'll be safe."
My words became the lullaby that finally pulled me to sleep.

A peculiar sloshing whispered at the back of my dreams, slowly growing louder and deeper, and soon I could actually feel it on my face. "Whassat?" I mutter, eventually regaining consciousness, but not opening my eyes just yet. The sloshing had stopped, therefore proving that it was in my head. Wait a second. A hot gust of wind grazed my cheek, causing me to bolt upright with a start. "Dear sky over Eldemore," I swear angrily, finally opening my eyes a crack. Bright, golden eyes shone on my coal black ones, startling me to the point of screeching like a child. The skull, the feathers, the everything.. No, it couldn't be. It must've still been a dream, right? But it was all too real..
Regaining my train of thought, I realized that I was standing face to face with the Swamp Monster. My breathing became shallow, panic flooding into my veins. This is it, I thought. I'm going to die today. Scanning my surroundings for a slight chance to escape, I realized that it had me cornered. Cursing myself for being as stupid as to sleep in the hollow of a tree, a sliver of courage gained rein of my mind. Go on, fight it! Instinct urged me, but wisdom told me otherwise. If it wanted to kill you, why didn't it kill you as soon as it saw you?
I stopped for a moment, and the monster - no, Elkrin, I realized now that he was up close - eyed me curiously. "What are you?" The whisper trails out of my lips and carries to the beast's ears, earning me a small nicker-like sound. We continued to study each other for a while, circling one another like a pair of dogs, judging if the other was trustworthy or not. Thoughts were exchanged, and we soon came to feasible terms.

As it turned out, all the Elkrin was merely looking for herbs, where I happened to have been resting on. A quick pluck! and he was to be on his way, but for some reason, he didn't leave. He merely stared at me for a while. The tension from earlier was rising once again, bubbling like a stew, and making me uncomfortable. Clearing my throat, I looked the Elkrin in the eyes and said, "You know, I bet you were wonderin' why I wound up here in the first place. Well, I'll have you know, I happen to be so poor, I had to sell my truck for gas money." Might as well tell a cheesy joke, eh?
He stared at me for a while, amber eyes shimmering in the dimmed light of the bayou. Drawing in a deep breath, the Elkrin bore his teeth-
And laughed. Or, what seemed to be a laugh. Pushing my coal-black hair off of my face, a small grin slid its way onto my face, and soon, I was chortling away alongside the beast I used to fear. It was a true laugh, one that made your sides ache and tears sluice down your cheeks, a pure unbridled joy that I hadn't felt in a long time. This Elkrin was more friendly than he was accredited, and that's when I realized it; he and I weren't all that different. Both hated because of things we didn't do, rumors spread just to burn down any reputation we might have had. Though to be honest, he was much more innocent than I. His only intentions are to help, to cure sickness and help others, while all I did was hurt people. How typical.
A low breath and a nudge interrupted my thoughts, pulling me away from my train of thought. "Ah, hello there." I gave a quick grin to my companion, stomped a hoof in reply. Small ripples vibrated across a nearby puddle, causing the tadpoles and minnows to swim away frantically. "Wha- what's the matter?" I asked, hastily scrambling to my feet. Had I upset him somehow?
The Elkrin merely shook his head and stomped once more. Continuing to pound the topsoil, he stared at me expectantly, as if he wanted me to do something. My eyes quickly alternate from his hoof to the ground, until a faint glow catches my attention. "For the love of.." I rise, exposing the little flower behind me to the sunlight, to let the Elkrin pick for his herb stash. The stag merely stood there, a glow in his eyes. That is me. I am-
"Asphodel?"
That was his name! If he told me my name, that means he trusted me!
But how did he tell me? "You don't..You..Talked to me? But only Elkrin and their bonded riders can communicate!"
Sudden realization hit me, as my knowledge of Elkrin came back. Once you bonded with an Elkrin, it told you its name through some sort of telepathy, a special communication between the two. It was the link that held the two together through thick and thin, but it didn't happen to people like me, and especially not this fast.
"Why?" My lips quivered as I spoke, a mixture of disbelief, joy and confusion.
Child, the Elkrin's baritone voice echoed through the depths of my messed-up head, you are different. You have experienced my pain as no other has, I have realized. Though it may be early, we are one in the same, and therefore, I deem you my forever partner, my rider.
Shaking my head, tears surface in my eyes. "I'm a loner, I can't have friends or family!" I protested, though my heart had found solace in Asphodel's words. "I only hurt those I love."
A period of silence filled the air of the swamp, broken only by the sounds of animals, accompanied by the wind whipping the foliage about. Soon, the alleviating voice of the Elkrin broke my thoughts once more.

Then, dear Aradia, I'm willing to take the risk.

Centuries Past..
"Kristina, follow me!" A boy calls to his friend, who trailed behind like a lost puppy. "No! What if it's not true, and we're just going to get hurt? Brennan, have some sense!"
Rolling his eyes, Brennan grabs his accomplice's hand and drags her further along. "You know that it'll keep plaguing you until you actually do it. Hurry up."
Finally complying, she dashes beside him and takes her place behind a nearby willow tree, awaiting the Spirit of the Bayou. "Now, what are we doing again?" Kristina's hushed whisper drifts in the silence, halted by the other teen's reply. "Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, someone from our old lineage and their Elkrin died here, their spirits haunting this place until they take their revenge on those who did them wrong. Pretty cool, huh? Now all we have to do is sit tight and-"
He was interrupted by the low neigh of the fabled Shaman Elkrin and his rider, Aradia Shadow-Dancer. Alighting upon the bayou waters, they cascade toward a dull shine in the murky darkness of midnight. The Asphodel, the symbolism of their friendship still grew there years after the pair had left this mortal plane, forever holding a place on this earth for them.

xxxxx •
Miles and miles in my bare feet
Still can't lay me down to sleep
If I die before I wake
I know the Lord my soul won't take

I'm a dead man walking
I'm a dead man walking

Keep walking and running and running for miles
Keep walking and running and running for miles
Keep walking and running and running for miles
{1603/2000}

Lyrics © The Civil Wars, Barton Hollow

[TheTravelingWriter]

Dropping out due to lack of time.

[Oddly Shaded]

:Form:

Name:

Drilking
Pronouced as one word with 2 sylables - drill - king

Breedable:

(Yes/No)

Short Story:

(Give a short story describing a tale of this Elkrin's adventures or how he met you. Limit is 2000 words and you may have up to two images.)

I will be writing the story when i get home from school.

I have been reading some of the forms, and there are so many people who I think deserve him more than I. Good luck guys!

[Crocodile-God]

W.I.P. Wanna try out for this awesome Elkrin >3

:Form:

Name:

Siafu (see-ah-foo)

Breedable:

possibly

Short Story:

WIP

[Manx]

Name:

Errapel
Meaning "divine healer"

Breedable:

Yes

Art:

(Here)

Short Story:

The lone stag shifted his hooves, gleaming yellow eyes fixated on the softly glowing lanterns of the village below. He raised his head and his forlorn bellow cut through the quiet moonless night. Moments later it was answered by a woman’s scream, erupting from the village. Figures sprang into action below, rushing to the source of the commotion. The woman in question was huddled over the limp figure of her husband, crying with grief and despair. One man who had rushed to aid the woman’s side froze now, a prickling sensation creeping up his spine. He cast his eyes up to the nearby hill, but the creature had slipped back into the shadows of the night…

~~~~~

“Morning, Adara!”

“Good morning, Leo,” Adara greeted, turning to give the messenger a warm smile.

“Got something for you,” Leo responded, raising an eyebrow as he slapped a letter into the palm of her hand. “It’s from a friend of yours.”

Adara quickly glanced at the name elegantly written on the letter’s cover, a smile creeping across her face. “Thank you Leo.”

He gave a quick nod before striding away, and Adara took this moment to slip the letter from its envelope.

Dear Adara,
There have been some strange, unexplained happenings on the safari plains of the Sabal. I've only heard rumors so far, but it's certainly worth taking a look at. I'd go myself, but Damaris has just come up lame, and she's sure to have a fit if I leave. So, I immediately thought of you. Let me know how it goes.

Best of luck,
-Sahana Silas

P.S- Be sure to listen to the local legends. They often have more merit to them then they are credited with.

Adara carefully stroked the letter's cover, thoughtfully regarding the words.

[Kirbylover901]

Dropping out for the little Celt male. He's still very pretty though <3

[Melonbread]

Name:

Vladimir

Vlad for short

Vladimir has many meanings, but most of the time it means "powerful ruler". Vladimir is powerful in his own right, but is not much of a ruler. His parents gave him this name hoping that he would achieve greatness.

Breedable:

Yes, but this will be a mate carefully chosen

Short Story:

Vladimir speaks in this color

So, you want to hear my story? Very well. However, I will leave out the details of my journey, as I'm sure you have experiences like that a plenty. I shall tell you why I am here in the first place, agreed? Good. Now listen well, and don't make me repeat myself. Please do not speak when I am speaking.




I was born near the edge of the Ash Moors, in a dark swampy pine forest. The ground was ever wet, and the ancient trees were draped with moss and lichen. The water was very clear, but the bottoms of the lakes and ponds were muddy. Sunlight hardly ever penetrated the thick canopy. It was a perfect place to call home. I was born into a small herd of 7, including 3 young fawns. I was the youngest of them all, but I was also the calmest. Or rather, you could say lazy. The days were passed peacefully; no human ever bothered us, as we lived too deep in this "Dark Forest" to venture. I knew nothing of the humans, and my parents tried to teach me. There were several runes here, as they seem very widespread. As I grew, I learned about healing, the various herbs, and any rituals that could be performed. I also became very good friends with a young female named Alaria. She was just a couple months older than I was. My life seemed perfect, and I was content.

However, all these good times never last, not for anybody. I learned the hard way that the only thing that never changed was change itself. I was away gathering yarrow, a plant that had many, many healing properties. I spotted a clump of the common plant just ahead, its white flowers bobbing in the slight breeze. I bit it off; cautious to leave some behind to spread its seeds. I turned and trotted happily in the direction where my herd was, with not a care in the world. Suddenly, a groaning, whimpering sound drifted to me on the wind. A harsh, sickening scent filled my nose. It was a mixed smell; I could pick out the strong stench of blood and death. There was also another smell, a smell that I had never smelled before.

I arrived at the clearing where my herd was. I dropped the yarrow in horror. The adults were nowhere to be seen, and the 2 older fawns were jumbled, broken, and oozing blood in a corner. And in the middle of the clearing, in the middle of a narrow shaft of sunlight, Alaria laid, head twisted at an unnatural angle, eyes wide open in terror, legs splayed as if she were running. She had several deep wounds, and had already lost her last breath. The breath that I had heard on the wind. Something large had been here, and it had obviously either killed or captured the adults. And it might come back. I carefully went and retrieved the yarrow, and used it to stop the blood. Then, I dragged the bodies to a cave, and hid them deep inside.

I took to wandering, exploring the forest, and grieving in silence. I found myself wandering farther and farther each day, seeing things I had never seen before. I protected the bodies of the fallen fawns with my life, even using my just budded horns. I kept the crows away, and they only dared to come when I was out. After a few months had passed, all that were left of my friends were 3 piles of bleached bones, with not even a scrap of flesh on them. I stared at these piles one morning, and I grew sad and cold. Then, remembering my parents' teachings, I took the skull of my close friend Alaria, placed feathers carefully on it, lining the top edge and the side of the upper jaw, and wore it on my head like a mask. Then, I buried the bones and Alaria's lower jawbone under the trees, where I believe they are to this day.

* * *

I disappeared from the Dark forest soon after, and took to the life of collecting wisdom and journeying across the land. I stopped for a long time in the Celtlands, for the people and the land itself fascinated me. The Celtlands were filled with magic and mystery, warmth and loyalty, and most of all nature. I was confused when the people chased me away when I tried to approach them one night, and ever since I have tried to watch from a distance. However, there was an herb growing near a town, and it was rumoured to be a king of healing herbs. So, one night, I crept towards the town. However, before I could get to the town, I was spotted and chased away, with many shouts of "It will curse us! Stay away demon!"

Even though I failed the first try, I tried, and tried, and tried again, finally able to snatch 3 plants from the clump. I was chased out of the town of course, and I never returned again. I had what I wanted, so I continued my journey.


* * *

It seemed that nobody liked me, everybody screaming on sight. I often left a trail of fire in my wake, as the people insisted on burning the "cursed plants and land". The plants will grow back better when they sprout I guess, but it still made me unhappy, and I tried to hide my tracks as carefully as possible. I had grown very wary of people, but you may find me very persistent in healing and collecting.

I spent my days gathering plants and collecting wisdom, healing those in need, and gathering quite an impressive store of jokes and riddles as well. I had journeyed across what felt like all of Eldemore, and I was currently near the east coast of the beautiful land, after coming back from the Oriental Isles. It was a fair and happy place, full of bright sunlight and well cared for trees. It boasted plentiful and delicious fruits, and an impressive array of healing plants. It was a good place to maybe settle down for a while. The sunlight didn't suit me much, but I could still find some swamps, although they had a little more sunlight and people than I would have liked.

This swamp was a close to a village, a couple of hours of walking through merry green fields and you were there. This worried me, but the villagers seemed to be less fond of visiting the swamp now that I was here. I had grown out of my young days, but I still had a while left. I had gotten a tail decoration that seemed to be made of the spine of some sort of small animal, but it looked like it had lived on the ground. The village had odd rituals, and I often watched from a distance.

The villagers were the same as them all, but they seemed happy to keep a distance. I took this chance to start brewing some medicines, and store them away. I did have to go through some difficulty to steal a wooden bowl and some vials, but I got them. Like I said before, this area of land was plentiful, and herbs grew very well. I had no trouble finding ingredients. I had some rituals to perform as well, and to do a little magic training. I wanted to be very, very, very good at working with my magic.




I stayed there for a long time, just waiting for fate to catch up to me, and wait for my life to come whirling by. I was fine even with growing old and dying in my swamp, and I was at peace. I had some feelings nagging at me in the back of my head, but I worried naught, for everything would reveal itself, even if I had to wait beyond death.



Now, I know that my journey was not over yet. My current rider came, and she wasn't afraid. Her name was Adia. She asked me questions, and told jokes, and gave me riddles. She came to visit me every day, and help me. She is the only one in this world, it seems, that knows how I feel. She came to me for help, as a person very close to her was sick. After I helped her, and healed this person, she told me that the villagers had seen me, and they wanted to take my life. I fled, and the girl came with me, and we have been together ever since.

[SukarettoYanagi]

:Form:

Name:

Rouxge

Breedable:

I would say yes, but as a general rule, shaman and healers usually do not breed. So I will have to decline this and say no, as much as I'd like to be able to breed my Elkrin if I am lucky wnough to breed him.

Short Story:

(Give a short story describing a tale of this Elkrin's adventures or how he met you. Limit is 2000 words and you may have up to two images.)
The swift patter of hooves pounded in my ears. I had to escape. I just had to! My own heard were persuing me, but why? There was a small fire that had chased us away from here. I was the youngest male, so it was only natural for them to blame me. Now I ran from them, breathing hard and fast as a ran through my bayou home. Mud and water stretched up my long legs, my face not yet adorned with the skull of a fallen heard memeber. Leaping nimbly over tuskots of swamp grass and fallen logs, I was out running them.

There was a large crack as one of my hooves kicked a dead tree, sending it down into the path of my perscutors. I grinned at them as they all haulted to a stop, the tree too large to leap over and the mud too thick around the other side of it. I'd won this round, but now I was without a home. Without a family. I was dead to them now. No matter what.

Years had passed since that day, and I'd met a lovly doe. We raised a fawn together, we laughed together. We loved each other. Finally, a sad day arrived and my long-time mate had died. It was a sickness I could not cure. My greif was strong, but my will to move on stronger still. I adorned my face with her skull, just as my old heard once did. Once more I was alone in this world. With no one to turn to for comfort. I'd grown old in those years that passed. Wise, too. I knew the bayou like my own hoof now, though none of that mattered anymore.

I took shelter that night under a tree, only to be woken hours later by a strangly familiar smell. Smoke! There was a fire some where in the swamp. I big one too, by the amount of smoke that filled that area. I got up as quickly as I could in my old age and turned away from the tree, the light of the fire reaching my eyes now. I fled, just as I had done when my herd was after me. I was afriad and tired now, unable to leap over the tusscots of grass and logs now.

I froze, panting. I was near the edge of the bayou now. Human folk lived there. I didn't like humans, but nor did I like fire. It was one or the other. Without another moment's hesitation, I charged forward, leaving the flame behind as I broke through the trees.

[Twisted_Swallow]

withdraw

[pecan]

:Form:

Name: Ghost

Breedable: Well, yes.

Short Story: I carefully picked my way through the swamp, cringing as the muddy water sucked and slapped at my hooves. For once I was grateful that my skull-mask helped to mask the revolting smell of rotting...things. I dared not to think of what might be decomposing in this gloomy place. My ears pricked as the strong, rich scent of a herb--I forgot the name of it--drifted under my skull-mask and into my nose. I peered in the direction of the aroma. There! A tuft of thick, bloated leaves stuck out in the water. I trotted towards it with much difficulty and used the point of my hoof to scrape at the sticky mud around the plant. It came free, bobbing in the water for a second before i snatched it up. This herb was precious--it cured almost every disease. I forced my way out of the swamp and lifted my head to scent the air, wishing I could take the skull-mask off for once.

But I couldn't. It was customary for Shaman Elkrins to don their deceased family member's skull with dignity and honor, showing everlasting loyalty by never taking off the skull. The skull I wore was my mother's. It stank of rotton flesh, though the stench was less strong now. It dulled my senses of smell, and I hated it for that. How was I going to differentiate poisonous plants from safe ones with an awful sense of smell? I shook my head, clearing the unfaithful thoughts from my mind. Picking up the herbs, I slowly made my way to the forest on the other side of the bayou.

The bushes rustled. I tensed as two humans, one male, one female, stepped out. Oh no. They thought us Shaman Elkrins were trouble, and we in turn thought of them as nuisances. The male one was tightly holding on to a smooth wooden stick with a sharp silver point at the end. My heart started palpitating as I backed away, dipping my head in defeat. I was no match for these pesky humans though I was a full-grown stag. Best to make peace than make trouble. The male swept the female behind him with a sweep of his arm. His lips curled back in a menacing snarl as he edged towards me. "Monster," he spat, waving the stick-thing at me. I knew enough human for that one, and flinched. I knew my features, coupled with my skull-mask, were freaky enough, but I was not monstrous. The cheek of him!

The air whistled as the stick-thing sped towards me. The female screamed in horror. I ducked just in time and now bared my teeth. Stupid human! Suddenly, there was a blur of colour. I felt a weight on my back and legs wrapped around my body. I fought the urge to tip the female human off but instead nudged her off my back. What the male had said earlier made fire flare through my veins. I rushed over to where the stick-thing lay and trampled it into many pieces. The male screamed in fury and charged like a raging bull towards me. There was something small and silver in his hand. The girl shrieked at me, flailing her arms for me to run. I couldn't. I stayed there, rooted to the spot, eyes wide and unblinking. Then all went black.

Now, the female human and I live in a glade in the forest. Herbs and food are abundant here. I have learned that her name is Rain. She is my Rider, and the only person not scared away by my appearance. She saved me from my wounds when the male attacked me, and I am forever indebted to her for that, and for giving up her life in her village just to have my friendship. She is just as good as I am in healing, maybe even better. For once, I felt the warmth of friendship.

What, you want to know my name? It is simple, nothing more, nothing less. I am Ghost.