The meeting hall, built at the base of the largest tree branch, was amazingly large with several long tables that were pushed together, forming a large hexagon where multiple clan members could mingle, move, and still be looking upon each other to promote a community like feel for those present.<br/><br/>The main eating gallery was placed just below the communal circle by a set of long and wide steps. The hall was designed so that once a meeting of the elders or anyone else that wanted to address grievances, pass on their ideas, and announcements were done, they would all flood the deck below to feast. The smells of lavish foods that would impress the most lavish of Kings filled the air as there were pig roasts, deer slabs, rabbit stews, varying choices of fowl, river fish, lamb, Elk, and a wide verity catering to vegetables for digestive aid. They were wolves but they still needed the grasses and vegetation to go along with their need for meat consumption, something that wasn’t known amongst the other races concerning their closed in culture.<br/><br/>The wood tables were draped in purple and green silks probably stitched and made from the spoils of caravans while the floors were covered in forest leafs, straw, and bundles of cut tall grass for those that would partake in their wolf forms as it was free to do so whenever anyone wished.<br/><br/>There was a statue of one of their deities, Greywulf, the patron guide of the wilds, his proud mane and eyes that seemed to look to the heavens made of a polished marble, with a wreath made from lilacs and Elven Orchids, put around his proud neck, and was placed upon a high pedestal as if to watch over the revelers. The large amphitheater arches were joined together by a thick support beam as its spine where low hanging candle chandeliers provided the light inside, lit by erethreal magic after a prayer to goddess, Phariah, the one who was said to have brought the moon-lit prophesies of their changing forms and guided their kind in the darkest of nights. The windows were of a crude glass but running ledges around the ceiling joins connecting to the support walls were over grown with intricate vines to give it a very forest-like decor. It was in these twisted vines that they shared the space with several families of fairies that co-existed with them in the valley; their small light trails could be seen sparkling about as they flew around insuring their structures were in top shape.<br/><br/>When Ylvan was taking this all in, she was re-discovered by Pharrus who promptly made his presence known with a very respectful bow. Pharrus was wearing a white dress shirt, trousers, and black high boots with a low hanging leather belt that holstered a vanguard’s rapier. He gently ran his fingers through his dark hair and scanned the place, noting that most have not arrived yet so he decided to take the time out to explain some things about the Valley’s clans.<br/><br/>“ May I first say Ylvan… Marissa and Portia did wonderful job at picking out something for you to wear --- I hardly recognized you from before!” He said before he caught himself, “ Aaayee….<i>That was somewhat embarrassing</i>… I’m sorry… if I made you uncomfortable. You see --- female wolves are revered here so kindly give me some refrain and room to adjust my otherwise brash behavior…” he said while rubbing his head.<br/><br/>“I don’t expect you to remember everything,” he said with an understanding tone, “So bear with me Ylva --- really we are portioned off within five main groups that basically form the Fjorn Valley. The great hall is for various gatherings and I won’t bore you with the long details as I am sure you are fully aware of pack customs though here is a rundown of the….<i>players per say</i>… to look out for…”<br/><br/><i>There was a total of 5 elders that represented the 5 groups or “ Houses” for those that wanted to keep within the traditions of clan life. There were some that decided to call themselves by what type of group they represented or more traditional means with the most prominent of them to bare the clan house’s name. </i><br/><br/><b><i>The Castaways</i></b><i> represented the group who were wronged out-casts from various packs and societies throughout the kingdom that were given second chances for the supposed infractions or crimes they had committed to become pack less. The members were strictly vetted and those that did not make it, at times, would have an adverse reaction to the trials with deadly consequences. The Castaways happened to be some of the most talented of the community where master fletchers, thieves, Assassins, Striders, scouts, and those who practiced the arts of the shadows often contributed in reconnaissance, raids, and thievery. The pack Elder is Jaeger Altenberg and his mate’s name is Temara Halprin, their origins are unknown as they were both wanderers. </i><br/><br/><b><i>The Hunters </i></b><i>represented the pack members that were clan-less and wandering wild wolves who at some point, wanted to practice and integrate themselves into pack life as their kind were never made to be independent. These members were the hunter and gatherers, not only to keep up the supply of meat, but also providing furs and other valuable resources that came from the animals of the forests. The Hunters produced master archers, pathfinders, seekers, gatherers, and material gathering to include woods, minerals, and resource discovery. The pack leader is Garland Quetar and his mate is Sha’Talshair, an Elven wolf priestess from the High Plains. </i><br/><br/><b><i>The High Tooths </i></b><i>represented those wolves that had left large packs and prominent kingdoms due to political disagreements or from the ashes of fallen leadership due to being conquered or destroyed. This group of wolves was more or less very deeply gripped into traditional pack life with a set hierarchy, ancient rituals, and a clearly defined tree of leadership. The High Tooth’s often clash with the other groups but it has been accepted long ago, after many brawls and some upheaval that they’ve integrated into the free community as scholars, writers, builders, philosophers, teachers, and inventors. The pack leader is Gavin Dorchester and his mate’s name is Cossette De’ Monet, an elegant and one time Duchess of the White Tooth though she refuses to this day to tell what exactly happened to her kingdom.</i><br/><br/><b><i>The Gia Conclave</i></b><i> - represented the more mystic and magic inclined, preserving their connection with nature and the druidic arts. These wolves were magic wielders and would often teach those with the acumen and presence of Gia how to master their spirit energies for the betterment of wolf kind as well as maintaining the spiritual worship of their founding beliefs. This pack was purely matriarchal and most of their powerful sages were female members, being led by Basia NightHowl, the Elder wolf who lives next to the ancient stone ruin, something she believes to be a door rather than a long forgotten Elven tomb. </i><br/><br/><b><i>The Fjornlanders</i></b><i> - Represented by Marrok himself who was the founder of the very valley that they all resided in and those wolves who were originally either wandering within its wilds or sought refuge in its thickets</i><br/><br/>“I know that was a lot,” Pharrus said, “But…. I am sure the names and faces will sink in. I don’t know if you’ll be tested or not this night but I am sure you are prepared as any of our kind would be --- and…once…again… if someone should call for a Stand Off….as I heard how Malia acted earlier…. Well… something tells me you’ll do fine. If you’ll excuse me lady --- I have some other pending duties to attend but…enjoy! Mingle! I’m glad you are here!”<i>As he walked away. </i><br/><br/>There were violins and lyres playing in the background with some songs that Ylvan probably knew and didn’t know with groups singing along while others simply gossiping about the on goings of the valley, particularly her introduction and where she had come from. There was suddenly an outburst that may have startled her when Segred, Jendorah, and Fulcrum had entered the hall and suddenly shouted as If they had seen someone they thought long gone or would never see again.<br/><br/><b>“YLVAN!!!!!”</b>all three of them shouted, they almost lost their footing when they came down and performed a group bear hug, not taking into consideration of the lavish dress that mid-wives had studiously prepared for her to wear.<b>“MY GODS YLVAN!!! WE HEARD THERE WAS A NEW COMMER BUT WE DIDN”T THINK IT WAS REALLY YOU!!!!”</b>they shouted. Segred, Jendorah, and Fulcrum were at best, misfits that wound up banished from the Ever Green for the acts of larceny and other trickery, looked down upon by the Elders at the time but more so because they were caught during a time when the code of their pack had become extremely strict and they happened to be the trio that had been made an example. It was a tough parting as the three were the same age as Ylvan and were great friends if not extremely belligerent and feisty for growing cubs.<br/><br/><i>“You heathens!”</i>yelled a flustered Portia who entered the Hall in a very lovely dark evening gown herself, “Don’t field tackle her when myself and Marissa had done all of that hard work!”<i>As she attempted to peel one of them away from Ylvan. </i>