Philyra
Sentinel
Posts : 100
Join date : 2012-01-11
Age : 28
 |  Subject: Philyra || Daughter of Tethys  Wed Jan 11, 2012 11:18 pm | |
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Name ||| Philyra
Origin ||| The origin of Philyra is Greek. The name belonged to two significant characters in Greek mythology. The first was an Oceanid, the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. She had a son named Chiron, whose father was the titan Cronus. The story goes that when she gave birth to her son, she was so disgusted by how he looked that she abandoned him at birth. This Philyra was also the goddess of perfume, writing, healing, beauty and paper. She was known for teaching humanity to make paper. The second Philyra in Greek mythology was married to Nauplius and had many children, one of whom was Palamedes. In this second myth, she is also known as Klymene or Hesione.
Translation ||| "lover of music"
Nicknames ||| Phil, Phils, Philly Cheese Steak, Lyra, Lyric
Age ||| 3 Years and 9 Months
Gender ||| Female
Rank ||| Sentinel
Species ||| Gray Wolf
Height ||| 26" at the shoulder
Weight ||| 75 Pounds
Build ||| Philyra has a very thin lithe build. Her legs are long with sinewy muscle. She inherited slightly broader shoulders from her father, though not to give her any significant strength or muscle. Most of her body resembles that of her mother. Her mother was quite petite, something always of amusement to the small pack considering her multiple massive sons. Philyra is quite petite, though is full grown. She has no self-consciousness relating to her size. She rationalizes that she has advantages over the larger specimen of her kind. She definately has a body for speed, agility and stealth over endurance or strength.
Overcoat Coloring ||| Her overall color is predominately a mixture of tan, beige and creamy browns. However, at a closer look different shades of gray can be seen mixed in with these predominate colors. These grays get slightly darker to an almost ashy gray on patches of her back, mostly around her shoulders and coming down her sides. The rest is more of a dark silver, a subtle color that blends well with the tans. In the winter, the gray can become more prominent as her fur thickens. From far away, it can also appear darker, dominating most of her back and just slightly down her sides.
Underbelly ||| Her underbelly colors fade to a light tan and then to a cream as she nears her legs. Though there are still hints of gray in her coloring, her underbelly is mostly creams and off white shades tinged with tans and browns. It intermixes with light browns and some patches of the overcoat coloring. The coloring gets distinctively lighter as it proceeds down the body, legs and to the paws. The lower half of her face is a mixture of near whites and creams as well.
Facial Features ||| Her entire muzzle is a white/cream color, but for her two places. She has a strange ebony black/brown patch of fur right under her nose and over her lips, around her chin. She also has a light tan muzzle stripe, though at her eyes it becomes a darker more grayish brown. The top half of her face is also noticeably gray-ish in coloring.
Eye Color ||| Her eyes are a dark golden yellow with subtle amber. Depending on the light, they can appear more one color or the other.
Distinctive Markings ||| Her most distinctive features are her muzzle stripe and the patch on her chin.
Personality ||| The number one word used to described Philyra would be graceful. Her movements are very careful and fluid, like a dance. Some have even told her she learned to move from the rivers. Philyra is prideful and will protect whatever power or position she has viciously. She has a certain majestic air about her and behaves like a queen not in a snobbish or haughty manner, but in the cool radiance of power and grace. She is known for being incredibly serene. She is calm, but not in the guarded way of those who refuse to portray emotion. It is more that nothing ruffles her. She sees her tranquility as the physical strength she doesn't have. If she shows no anxiety or anger, what is there to be used against her? Her serenity gives her a wise outlook, one that she uses in her decision making. She is said to be wise beyond her years, though experience has given her that. On a more negative side, Philyra is incredibly suspicious. Though she wont visibly seem suspicious, she rarely trusts others. This isn't because of some horrid betrayal in her past, nor an anti-social nature. She simply doesn't trust easily. Personal questions make her nervous and she will often evade them. And for reasons she doesn't discuss, the sight or thought of pups makes her mournful.
Likes ||| Philyra enjoys a proximity to running water, ranging from streams to larger rivers. However, she will also accept lakes when running water isnt available. She finds that the sound and unchanging nature of water is calming to her and assists her in gathering her thoughts. She enjoys solitary time in which to wander and can often lapse into silence, though is by no means anti-social by nature. She rather enjoys listening to the hum of conversation in a lively pack. She loves sitting in patches of sun to nap and can often be found curled with her tail tightly around her paws.
Dislikes ||| She highly dislikes aggressive wolves and those who cannot control themselves. She prides herself on her control and doesnt expect the same of everyone, but looks negatively on those with quick start tempers. She dislikes being asked personal questions and will share information about herself if and when she pleases. For reasons unknown to her, heights make her incredibly skittish.
Strengths ||| Philyra is physically quite strong in terms of speed, agility and stealth. Her small lean body is streamlined and her lack of bulky muscle allows her to move faster. In a similar fashion, her longer legs allow for quick maneuvers. Her size also makes her paw steps much quieter, due to a lack of weight being repeatedly slammed against the ground. In terms of psychologically, Philyra's greatest strength is her self-control. She has a very calm serene nature and an almost non-existent temper which allows her too assess situations in order to make the best decisions.
Weaknesses ||| Physically, Philyra is incredibly weak. Her small size doesnt allow for muscle mass. In comparison to the average male wolf, she is nearly half their size. This can be incredibly detrimental to her, especially in cases of fights, challenges, or hunting big game. She also gets cold very easily. On the psychological side, she is very untrusting. Despite her serene demeanor, she is very suspicious of others. She doesnt let this show, but it can be difficult when she attempts to join packs or foster relationships. She is also quiet, though not shy, which can make conversation difficult.
Mother ||| Tethys (Living)
Father ||| Ouranos (Deceased)
Sisters ||| None
Brothers ||| Nicodemus (Elder, Living); Sarpedon (Elder, Living); Orestes (Littermate, Living, Pictured Middle Above)
Mate ||| Palamedes (Living)
Pups ||| Thalassa (Daughter, Living); Calista (Daughter, Living); Taryn (Daughter, Living)
Crushes ||| None
Enemies ||| None
Friends ||| Orestes, Palamedes
History ||| Philyra was born in the mountains west of the current Hemlock Creek Pack territory. She, along with her brother Orestes, was the sixth litter of Ouranos and Tethys. Ouranos and Tethys had met as two-year old dispersals six years prior. They had mated and with their first litter, began a pack of their own. Sarpedon, Orestes and Philyra's elder brother, was the only remaining pup of their first litter and himself now six years old. When Sarpedon's brothers had dispersed, as many young often do, Sarpedon had stayed behind. He had never had the wandering spirit and was content to stay. A litter came and passed after Sarpedon, then another. All the pups would disperse when their time came, among much anticipation and sadness. Sarpedon grew accustomed to being the caretaker and was fond of all his young siblings that chewed his tail and sat on his back. He was now three years old, an adult in his own right.
Tethys and Ouranos' fourth litter consisted of two young males. They grew just as every previous litter had, rambunctiously and eager for exploration. But of those two, only one would disperse. Nicodemus, like his elder brother Sarpedon before him, had no desire to wander the expansive forests and hills in search of a mate to call his own. He was perfectly happy to make his home with his parents and elder brother. Ouranos and Tethys were now five years old, getting on in years. Ouranos' fur was beginning to be streaked with silver, but he retained his pride and strong appearance. Litter number five came and went as had those before that. Yet in all these five litters, and as Tethys reached her sixth year, never had she borne and raised a living daughter. She loved each of her sons dearly, but yearned for a daughter.
Tethys turned seven as she prepared to give birth to her sixth litter. She and Ouranos knew that this would be their last, that their age was catching up with them and soon it would be time to step down. Sarpedon, now five years old, and Nicodemus, now two years old, awaited this litter anxiously. Similarly to Tethys and Ouranos, they knew this would be the final litter. There was much tension in the pack as Tethys went into seclusion, the birthing den she had used for six years. Ouranos, Sarpedon and Nicodemus faithfully brought their matriarch food. Whimpering and lingering outside the den despite her tired but forceful barks and snarls. But Ouranos knew his mate well and kept just far enough to give Tethys room, yet still strain his ears for any tell-tale squeaks.
Philyra and Orestes were born a midst much joy. Tethys guarded her daughter fiercely, constantly checking and fussing over small Philyra. She was small, even as a pup. Her appearance made her seem feeble, so breakable. And as fiercely protective as Tethys was, Orestes was more. Orestes never left his sister's side, even in the days spent crawling on the earthen den floor. Wherever she went, he went first to check the way was safe. When they emerged from the den to greet their family, it was Orestes who went cautiously forward, lifting his little lip into a snarl and growling fiercely at his father and elder brothers. It took convincing and much laughter for Orestes to allow little Philyra out of the den. When she did come, she wasn't hesitant or cowering. At a permission bark from her brother, Philyra came barreling out of the den. She tripped quickly over her own paws, tumbling into Orestes and knocking the both of them down.
From the moment of their introduction, Orestes and Philyra were beloved. Philyra was coddled, the darling of the pack and her brother was the future, the young protector. They went everywhere together - Orestes often bringing back sticks or feathers from his woodland adventures for his sister to enjoy. Tethys and Ouranos were loathe to let Philyra wander into the surrounding trees for fear of what lay in wait for their little daughter, their only daughter. So Philyra and Orestes grew, growing into their puppy features and wrestling with their elder brothers when Tethys and Ouranos grew too tired. They were each oblivious of the growing silver muzzles of their parents, their slow movements. Sarpedon and Nicodemus now did the hunting, their parents lacked the agility and strength to bring down the larger game. Nicodemus and Sarpedon watched their parents anxiously. Unbeknownst to the pups, now nearing a year old, Ouranos and Tethys were growing near their time.
Ouranos died on a warm summer morning. Orestes and Philyra were sleeping at the edge of the small clearing they made home. They were wrapped around each other, cuddled in each other's warmth. Sarpedon was nearby, with Nicodemus a short distance away. Tethys and Ouranos slept in the center. Tethys raised her head, blinking her eyes against the bright summer rays. She stretched her jaws in a yawn, moving to nudge Ouranos gently with her head. When her muzzle touched his fur, she recoiled with a yelp. His fur was cold to the touch. She scrambled to her paws, whining quietly. She nudged him in vain. During the night, known by none, Ouranos' chest had simply failed to rise and fall. He died quietly, wrapped around his mate. The pack mourned Ouranos' passing, Tethys was never the same.
The pack moved on, leaving Ouranos but honoring his memory. Tethys found herself forgetting what she should have known, then became reclusive. She stepped down, and Sarpedon took her place as dominant male of their small pack. Orestes and Philyra weren't sure why or how, but they woke one morning and knew that their time had come to depart. They bade goodbye to their brothers, to Tethys who only blinked at them with confusion in her gaze. Her eyes were too full of memories to take in any more. Philyra and Orestes left together, but eventually they too split apart. Orestes knew he could not protect his sister forever, and that she would live a life independent of him.
Philyra was two before she encountered another dispersal. Palamedes came from miles north, in a place where he claimed winter turned the whole land white. Philyra had seen light snow falls, but never storms like he described. The two paired, settling near mountains that rose like guardians around the territory they claimed as theirs. Philyra became pregnant with her first litter, much to Palamedes' joy. She would awake to fresh mice he had found for her and they spent hours picking names for the lives that stirred inside her. They hunted and howled and rejoiced in the life they would share. Yet their howls would attract a presence, one alien to the two wolves. Within their territory lurked humans dressed in outdoor gear, armed with cameras, notebooks and tape recorders. The researchers had been tracking Palamedes, having identified him as a prime specimen to gather information.
They came in the night, armed with anesthetized darts. Their clumsy movements awoke the pair, Philyra now heavily pregnant. Palamedes snarled, his hackles raising, but the humans just kept on coming. There was a click and a whoosh and something hit Palamedes' shoulder. He stumbled, a bright dart sticking in his fur. His eyes widened with terror as he shouted for Philyra to run. She did. She sprint away, lumbering due to her pregnancy. She looked over her shoulder to see Palamedes take a single step, stumble, and fall unmoving to the ground. The humans emerged from the trees, only prompting her to sprint faster. She left her territory far behind, guilt chewing at her. She had abandoned him. Unknown to Philyra, the humans had not harmed Palamedes. They had tranquilized and tagged him, for research and so they could track his movements. Palamedes awoke some time later, alone but perfectly alive and well. But Philyra was already long gone, taking their future with her.
Philyra had no idea where to go, and only knew of one place she could turn to for help. Increasingly pregnant and exhaustion weighing on her paws, she made the trek back to her birth pack. She arrived on shaking legs, emaciated and near ready to give birth. She was hustled into a den by a female she didn't recognize where she fell immediately into a deep sleep. She spent the next weeks in that den, letting her instincts guide her. Food was left, though none approached or attempted to speak with her. She gave birth to three healthy daughters. She named them Thalassa, Calista and Taryn - names she had chosen with Palamedes so long ago.
When she finally emerged from the den, accompanied by her three young squeaking daughters, she was greeted by Nicodemus, Sarpedon and a female she didnt recognize. Her brothers introduced the female as Calypso, Nicodemus' mate. The brothers informed Philyra that Tethys had passed peacefully away, and Nicodemus regretfully told Philyra that Calypso had not conceived a litter. Philyra watched her daughters, only just old enough to have opened their eyes. She turned her face away. Everything about them spoke of Palamedes, who she mourned despite the fact that he was alive and well and mourning her. Philyra took Nicodemus aside, begging that he care for her daughters as his own, that he let Calypso know the love of motherhood. The next morning she was gone, and Calypso adopted her pups as she had wished. In weeks, memories of Philyra had vanished in the pups mind, only the faintest of stirrings.
Philyra left once more to make her way, having learned of joy and sorrow and love. She found solace in running water, and closure in serenity. She wandered far, until coming upon Hemlock Creek Pack where she now resides.
Last edited by Philyra on Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:16 pm; edited 6 times in total | |
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