Wolves of River Twine Holt
(Return to the River Twine Holt website.)
(article by Fey M., Holly H. & Whitney W. - first posted 04/10/07, updated 11/24/10)
(Note: images below are taken from Monty Sloan's Wolf Photography website, and are used with permission; images from other sources are noted in the entry.)
The River Twine tribe's wolfpack is descended from wolves who came with Wolfsister when she led her group back to the area to settle. These wolves have at least some elf-blood in them, and although they are always primarily wolfish in outlook and behavior, the occasional "throwback" is born who is still wolf-shaped but who has a greater affinity for the elves than for the wolf-pack.
These partially elf-blooded wolves are more wolf than not, with the same appearance and behaviors as natural wolves. Their kinship and empathic bonds with the elves leads to a cooperative arrangement – but the wolves also tend to regard the elves as "odd" wolves. Elves are smaller and weaker, and have many strange un-wolflike behaviors. The wolves tolerate this and even respect and defer in some cases to the elves' behavioral choices; but in other cases the wolves simply treat the elves according to wolf norms.
Breeding, Pack Size, and Mortality
Bonding with elves, and Communication
In-Play Concerns, How to go about replacing wolf-friends
Contents
RTH 2509 Wolf Pack
(photos used by permission of Monty Sloan/Wolf Park; other photos as noted.)
The individual rankings of wolves within the pack is something that is in regular flux. A high ranking wolf will always lord it over a mid- or low-ranking wolf, but among high, mid, and low ranked wolves, it is often difficult for even the elves to tell what a linear hierarchy might be from day to day or week to week. What’s more important to understand are the roles played within the pack. The River Twine wolf pack usually numbers between 30 and 40 wolves at a time -- so not all of them will play the role of primary hunters. Some wolves perform more of a “guardian” role by ranging the territory, and the lowest play a “home guard/babysitter” role as the primary guardians of the Holt proper.
It is important for club members to understand that a wolf’s role within the pack does not always match their rider’s role within the tribe. Wolves do not exist at a rider’s beck and call. A wolf who is high-ranked, but who’s rider is not primarily a hunter, will generally be away hunting while his/her elf friend is back at the Holt fishing or crafting. Likewise, some of our tribe’s primary elven hunters can find themselves bonded with low-ranking wolves who are only grudgingly tolerated by their high ranked packmates. Elves who are bonded to mid-ranked wolves may find their wolf-friends off for days at a time, patrolling the woods and borders of the Holt’s territory with other mid-ranked wolves.
Alpha Pair (the Chief and Chieftess-wolf)
The Alphas are the leading male and female of the pack. The Alphas are the only breeding pair in the pack. The current Alpha wolves of the pack are:
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Wasp (born RTH 2484/bonded to Blacksnake). Alpha male. Aggressive, crafty, a brawler when necessary (and smart enough not for it to be necessary). Littermate of Icemane.. |
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Whirl (born RTH 2489/bonded to Windburn). Alpha female. Pushy, opinionated, stubborn, thick-headed. An extremely fast wolf, she lives up to name often, dashing from place to place. Littermate of Longtooth, Mooncrier and Thief. |
Beta Wolves
Beta wolves are the top ranked wolves within the Pack beneath the Alphas. These are individual wolves who are the likely heirs to the Alphas (but until the dust settles, don’t place your bets!)
Note: beta-ranked wolves listed in alphabetical order, not by hierarchal ranking
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Halfmoon (born RTH 2490/bonded to Evervale). Beta male Halfmoon has always been an ambitious and determined wolf. . As he matured, he challenged every wolf higher than him as soon as he felt he was strong enough. Now, he and Icestalker continually fight for the Beta position. Littermate of Bonetrail and Briarfoot. |
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Starlight (RTH 2486/bonded to Kestrel). Beta female. A regal wolf, with a strong sense of self and of her place in the world. Benign as long as you show throat, but will wallop any lower-ranked wolf who shows a hint of challenge. Littermate of Bristlepelt. |
High-Ranked Wolves
The high-ranked wolves are the primary hunters of the pack. They run at the front of the pack; after the Alphas and Betas they pick the choicest parts of a kill, and they are the most likely to become Alpha (after a previous Alpha's death, or through challenge). High ranked wolves are generally the most mature and intelligent hunters. Young wolves usually have some learning to do and must spend some time to spend in lower ranking positions before joining the high ranked hunters.
Note: high-ranked wolves listed in alphabetical order, not by hierarchal ranking
| artwork pending | Beauty (RTH 2485/bonded to Notch). High-ranked male. Grizzled, big, ugly and powerful animal. Very scarred from a number of close scrapes: has only a stub of a tail, no left eye (empty socket covered with eye patch), most of his right ear is ragged and missing; left ear has torn tendons and is floppy. Overgrown left incisor tooth. Roguish old cuss, with a taste for brawls and a love for chasing anything that moves. Beauty is a clever, cunning wolf; has an ugly temper and gets very vicious when pissed. Reckless, but good-natured otherwise. Friendly to most elves, but those he dislikes have scars to show for it. Has a special "relationship" with Quick Fang – where his rider adores teasing Quick Fang and getting her to chase him, Beauty simply sees her as another wolf, one who's a threat to his own place in the pack. Will routinely shove her around when the chance arises, equally quick to show his teeth and bite. Only the fact that Quick Fang's own wolf-friend is higher in rank and returns the animosity keeps any semblance of peace. Littermate of Duskgreeter. |
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Duskgreeter (RTH 2485/bonded to Farscout). High-ranked male. A keen hunter and clever fighter, is friendly toward elven hunters and will allow them to ride him during a hunt, if their own wolf-friends are not present. Particularly friendly with True Edge, although it’s not a true wolf-bond. Littermate of Beauty. |
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Growler (RTH 2488/bonded to Quick Fang). High-ranked male. Growler lives up to his name – he vocalizes a lot, often in a deep-throated, guttural moan that he uses to get attention, than as an actual growl. Not overly serious, except when it comes to hunting; otherwise he's playful and thinks his elf-bond can be too serious. He hates bees, and slap-tails annoy him to no end. Because of Quick Fang's deep resentment towards quillrats, Growler has developed one for them too; he also growls whenever Chicory, Notch, or Starskimmer come within his vicinity. Littermate of Sleuth, Soot and Weasel. |
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Longtooth (RTH 2489/bonded to One-Leg). High-ranked male. An aggressive, temperamental and ambitious wolf who is always quick to chastise animals of lower rank as well as snatch opportunities to rise in the social order. He’s also generally willing to carry riders other than his own during a hunt – just so long as you ask respectfully. Littermate of Mooncrier, Thief and Whirl, and is still close to Mooncrier; has supported her remaining with the pack until she finally bonded with Honey. |
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Mooncrier (RTH 2489/bonded to Honey). High-ranked female. A stubborn, determined creature, tends to be aloof, is reluctant to allow any elf to ride her. Closest to her littermate Longtooth, and used to depend in part on his support to remain with the River Twine pack; also littermate of Thief and Whirl. |
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Muddypaws (RTH 2498/bonded to Crackle). High-ranked male. Muddypaws is canny and sophisticated, the kind of wolf who'd find a way to get the meat out without springing the trap, but he is usually too occupied with being either a worrying guardian or a long-suffering toy for that intelligence to show much. He hates baths almost as much as Crackle does. Littermate of Tenor. |
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Patchface (RTH 2496/unbonded) High-ranked male. Named for the odd scattering of brown in his gray fur. Incredibly stupid and, to compensate, lightning-quick. Has grown massive upon reaching his full size, and is making up for past insults by bullying all his new underlings. |
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Silverbite (RTH 2492/bonded to Nightstorm) High-ranked female. Aloof but devoted to her elf-bond. A bit of a diva. Littermate of Charm and Lightjaw. |
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Thief (RTH 2489/bonded to Thornbow). High-ranked male. Thief is aggressive when it comes to moving in rank, loves stealing fish from the fisher traps, and fears the sound of storms. His wide-set eyes give him a permanently confused look that he uses to the best of his ability, notably more scheming and cunning than his bond. Littermates of Longtooth, Mooncrier and Whirl. |
Mid-Ranked Wolves
While they sometimes join the hunt, wolves of the middle rank tend to be guards of the territory. They also enjoy the company of gatherers, trappers and those that scout. To them it shows the tribe contributing to the protection of the territories (and the elves have protection while doing their duties).
Note: mid-ranked wolves listed in alphabetical order, not by hierarchal ranking.
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Autumnleaf (RTH 2493/bonded to Fadestar) Mid-ranked female. A particularly reddish coat marks her out; beautiful, glossy and very sneaky, but a bit of a loner, thus not higher in rank. Despises fighting and has never been ridden, as she always escapes when anyone tries. |
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Bonetrail (RTH 2490/bonded to Pathmark) Mid-ranked male. An average wolf – comfortable with his position in the pack and has just enough ambition to keep it for now, doesn't have the drive to rise any further. Likes his creature comforts – ample food, a good scratch on the butt, and a patch of warm sunlight to snooze in. Littermate of Brairfoot and Halfmoon. |
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Briarfoot (RTH 2490/bonded to Foxtail) Mid-ranked female. Curious to a fault, Briarfoot always seems to be getting her snout into trouble! Any noise or smell is worth investigating! A fearless climber (into both trees and dens), and has an eternally puppyish attitude. Very socially involved, often jumps into elvish matters by adding her voice (in yips and yowls) to Foxtail's when her rider is arguing a point. Littermate of Bonetrail and Halfmoon. |
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Bristlepelt (RTH 2486/bonded to Rainpace). Mid-ranked female. Bristlepelt is gray-white with a thick bushy tail giving her her name. Very mellow around elves, calmly authoritative in the wolf pack, and a devout howler at the moon. Littermate of Starlight. |
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Browncoat (RTH 2500/bonded to Newt). Mid-ranked male. Browncoat has matured into an average-sized wolf with obvious intelligence and cunning. |
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Icemane (born RTH 2484/bonded to Suddendusk). Mid-ranked female. More cunning than she is strong, Icemane is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to advance her standing in the pack. Fully grown, however, she knows she is not going to get bigger or stronger, and is more or less content with her rank, but she still keeps her eyes out for weaknesses in others that she can exploit. She is good at stalking and harrying, but poor at outright attacking. She earned her name for her fur. Littermate of Wasp. |
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Lightjaw (RTH 2492/bonded to Greenweave) Mid-ranked female. Has a very light mouth when taking food or items. Loves to swim. Littermate of Charm and Silverbite. |
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Murkfur (RTH 2499/unbonded) Mid-ranked male. Dark in coloring and spirit, a mean, runty thing who survived only because he would do literally anything for food. Feels incredibly self-important when ridden, and can prove to be a pest when trying to encourage a walking elf to get on his back. |
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Peakrunner (RTH 2494/bonded to Goldspice) Mid-ranked male. Peakrunner is calm and well-tempered, but a very fast runner, also very vocal, even when he is sleeping. |
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Rambler (RTH 2501/Lonshot) Mid-ranked female. A wolf born outside the pack, Rambler has worked her way in. She is a calm, calculating wolf, always on the look out for something that will give her an advantage. She fiercely guards her own place in the pack but is quick to submit to the higher ranks. |
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Redbrush (RTH 2501/bonded to Brightwood). Mid-ranked female. Littermate of Rooter. From the moments she opened her eyes, Redbrush has proven to be an aloof, self-confident, and determined young she-wolf who is likely to rise among the hierarchy of the pack as she matures. Named for her unusually reddish color. (Bond pending) |
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Sleuth (RTH 2488/bonded to Chicory). Mid-ranked female. Mischievous, clever, good runner, prefers to patrol the pack's territory, over spending time lazing by the ponds her elf-friend frequents; has learned not to snap up scurrying or hopping things because then her elf-friend will sulk. Loves to snap at and chase Preservers. Littermate of Growler, Soot and Weasel. |
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Slychase (RTH 2497/bonded to Snowfall) Mid-ranked male. Slychase is a clever, sometimes overenthusiastic young wolf who is quickly distracted. He is determined to chase things – bugs, small game, weapons thrown/shot. As a result, the high-ranked wolves will not allow him to join his rider during pack hunts. Instead, he might make a place for himself someday in the ranks of the mid-ranked wolves. He enjoys his connection with Snowfall, but if he is not needed he can be away from his elf bond for several days without being missed. Littermate of Splash. |
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Splash (RTH 2497/bonded to Otter). Mid-ranked female. Splash is a very playful wolf. She enjoys chasing small game, but not necessarily catching it. But she is a water-loving wolfie and is an excellent match for Otter. She has even learned to catch fish on her own in shallow waters by snatching them with her teeth. Splash likes to patrol the banks of the rivers and streams that Otter plays in but gets thoroughly annoyed by slap-tails because they scare the fish away, and antagonize her. Littermate of Slychase. |
Low-Ranked Wolves
Low ranked wolves are the guardians of the denning area and protectors of any young pups. These are the wolves who are the daily guardians of the Holt proper.
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Crowsong (RTH 2504 out of Charm/bonded to Cloudfern) Low-ranked male. Litter mate of Thumper. An eager and determined wolf, Crowsong is always ready to get in the thick of things. If he can do it with an elf on his back, so much the better. |
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Flea (RTH 2500/bonded to Copper). Low-ranked female. Not gifted with the burden of intelligence, Flea is an easy-going creature who loves her comforts. What she lacks in brains she makes up for in speed and endurance. Littermate of Browncoat and Flysnap. |
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Fumble (RTH 2505/Dreamflight) Low-ranked female. (Picture (c) Oliver Matla, Lupinity!, Click here to see original image; used with permission.) |
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Pounce (RTH 2503/unbonded) Low-ranked female. Pounce is scrappy, happy, and eager. She loves to play rough-and-tumble with other wolves her rank. Very gentle with elf cubs. |
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Sky (RTH 2483/bonded to Willow) Low-ranked female. Clever and almost contemplative, usually found sitting in shaded places and staring, thinking deep thoughts known only to her. A delicate mount, and happy to carry cubs just learning to ride. |
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Sunsoak (RTH 2505/unbonded) Low-ranked male. Littermate of Fumble. Sunsoak is a sweet-tempered, lazy wolf who enjoys nothing better than a long snooze in the sun and a thorough
scratching. |
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Tenor(RTH 2498/bonded to Starskimmer). Low-ranked male. Particularly cowardly, likes to cubsit and is always eager to join in a howl. Littermate of Muddypaws. |
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Thumper (RTH 2504 out of Charm/bonded to Windsong) Low-ranked female. Littermate of Crowsong. Thumper is an energetic wolf with a care-free, almost reckless attitude. She thumps the ground with her tail a lot, thus earning her name. |
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Windswift (RTH 2506/unbonded) Low-ranked female. A fast runner, Windswift is a terror to the rabbits and other small animals. She will eat anything, including stray leathers left unattended. She is quite affectionate and is always looking for attention from the elves. |
Omega Wolves
The omega wolves are the lowest-ranked of the low. They are often the babysitters and are the ones who teach the pups skills and social behaviors. Because they are lowest ranked they eat last (or not at all during lean times) and have no rights. Since they rely on the goodwill of the pack, they also tend to initiate playing.
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Charm (RTH 2492/bonded to True Edge). Omega-ranked female. Charm doesn’t mind being omega very much. Though she doesn't like being harassed by the rest of the pack, she seems to be undisturbed by it at most times. She acts more dainty then timid around other pack members. Like all wolves she likes her bond but generally only seeks him out besides the hunt, after having been put in her place and knowing it's probably better to stay away for a while. She's just a sweetheart who is just a little bit dense. Littermate of Lightjaw and Silverbite. |
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Rooter (RTH 2501/bonded to Beetle). Omega-ranked female. Littermate of Redbrush. A throwback, Rooter enjoys the company of elves more than other wolves, and has proven herself a sharper mind at wolf-sending than is common. Rooter's not fearless, but she is quick and active. She is also unusually clever and curious. |
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Weasel (RTH 2488/bonded to Moss). Omega-ranked male. Named for his fondness of stoats as snack food as well as his sly, crafty temperament, Weasel is a throwback; greatly prefers the company of elves to that of the Pack. Not that it seems to bother him; he much prefers stealing dreamberries from Moss (or pretty much whatever he fancies from anyone else who isn't paying attention). Littermate of Growler, Sleuth and Soot. |
Cubs and Yearlings
Roly-poly pups are generally considered rankless, but after their first winter, they are considered yearlings – and begin to risk being chased out of the pack. Yearlings who fail to bond to an elf-friend by the beginning of their second winter seldom remain with the pack. Unless they prove unusually clever or remarkably good as a hunter, these young wolves are driven out of the Holt by their elders, and the ones who are the most ambitious leave on their own to carve their own way in the world, outside of the Holt’s territory.
YEARLINGS (2508 litter):
| picture pending | (RTH 2508) Female cub. |
| picture pending | (RTH 2508) Male cub. |
CUBS (2509 litter):
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Softjoy (RTH 2509/bonded to Rill) Female cub. Littermate of Longhowl. Soft Joy is very active and enjoys playing with anyone available. She is possessive toward Rill but may wander off when she thinks she isn't getting enough attention. |
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Longhowl (RTH 2509/bonded to Cinder) Male cub. Littermate of Softjoy. A quiet pup, but playful and unafraid, Longhowl is much like his elf-friend. However, even as a young pup, Longhowl shows enough aggression to give the impression that, when the time comes, he's going to start moving his way up the pack. |
| picture pending | (RTH 2508) Female cub. |
Deceased Members of the Pack
IN-PLAY CONCERNS / HOW TO GO ABOUT REPLACING WOLF-FRIENDS
(this section is repeated in the Membership FAQ portion of the Wiki)
Although the wolves of the River Twine pack are significantly more long-lived than their natural cousins, they do have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Life for wolves is a dangerous thing, and wolves can die at any age from injury, starvation or illness. Most elves can expect to have *at least* four wolf-friends each century. In-play, this means that it won’t be unusual for characters to lose wolf-friends, and then have to forge new bonds.
The passing of a wolf-friend is an event due some respect, as is the experience of a new bonding. (And we hope you’ll memorialize both the loss and the new bond for your elf with fic or art!) Members who own characters with elderly wolves may also find themselves asked by the Council to have an old wolf pass on, in order to keep some balance in the pack.
To select a new wolf-friend for your elf, you have three choices:
a) select one of the currently available pups (pups are available on a first-come/first-serve basis)
b) select one of the available unbonded adult wolves described in the article above (note – when considering the adult wolf of your choice, consider why the mature wolf would be attracted to your elf as a bond-friend – many of these mature wolves are personalities in their own right, and a bond relationship is a two-way street!)
c) if there are no currently available pups, and none of the existing unbonded adults appeal to you, then put your name on a waiting list for the pick of next year’s litter!
Mature wolves will have some limited personality & physical description already determined for them, but members are free to create the personalities and descriptions for new pups, within the following guidelines:
- Pups can be bonded with at any point once they’ve physically begun to be weaned by the alpha female of the pack (pups are approximately six weeks of age at this point). Breeding season for the alpha male & female is normally late in the first month of the year; pups are born approximately 63 days later, early in the fourth month; pups would then be beginning to be weaned in mid-month of the fifth month. Additionally, wolves take at least a year to become full-grown; elf children might sneak rides on their wolf-bonds before a wolf is a full year of age, but this is frowned on, as it can cause damage to a wolf’s joints, causing future disability.
- We expect wolves to be “normal” looking: natural grey-wolf coloring is preferred with its natural range of color phasing allowed. Some allowance made for EQ-comics-style coloring (i.e. more solid coat colors). Please no wacky coloring/patterns. Albino wolves are extremely rare (no more than one at a time in the pack) and will be expected to have associated health issues: bonded albinos will always be omegas within the pack, and unless bonded as pups will be chased out of the pack at an early age.
- Wolves don't have the same range of eye colors as the elves. Eyes will be in a yellow/amber range, except for albino blue or pink. (While cubs, wolf eye colors will sometimes go through subtle color variations while the eyes change from the baby blue-grey color to adult gold.)
- You can submit drawn or painted artwork to represent your wolf. Otherwise, wolf photo portraits will be used to represent each wolf-friend. Please choose a snapshot from Monty Sloan's site (we have his permission to use his photos on our website as representational of our fictional pack). Please don't submit reference photos or art from anywhere else, without written permission of the photographer or artist. (If you have another reference pic you prefer, talk to one of our artists about creating a piece of art from it.)
- Throwback wolves are very rare, and will be limited to only two in-play within the pack at any time. (Our current throwbacks are Moss’s Weasel and Beetle’s Rooter.)
If at any time you intend to replace your character’s wolf-friend with a new one, email your wishes to the Council. (Understand that we do hope you’ll be creating fic or art to represent this important time of passage in your character’s life!) Additionally, every year in-play, the Council will look at the existing wolf pack and, taking into account the individual ages and temperaments of pack members, will shift the hierarchy accordingly. If you have any particular wishes for your character’s wolf-friend in term of increasing or deceasing their pack rank, please communicate this with the Council!
Additionally: once you determine you will replace an existing wolf-friend with a new one, you are asked to update your elf's CIS form with relevant information ASAP; please keep information regarding the old wolf under the "additional wolves" section of the CIS, for continuity purposes. We would also recommend posting a note to the message board regarding the new wolf friend, alerting other artists and authors to the date of the planned change.
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