Shakari

Born as the children of the Great Wolf at the beginning of all things, they have served the Broken Sphere as protectors, guardians and tireless defenders down through the Ages. They are a unique race of Wolf creatures who survive by their own code of honour. Once they were Wolves who enjoyed an unparalleled freedom on the planet, they wanted for naught and they spent their time in work and play. But with the coming of darkness their creator so bound them to new forms, to help them battle their enemies and to interact with the races that had begun to populate the Sphere. He chose four forms to give to his children, first the Wolf, second the Anthro Wolf (The Man Wolf) and of course the Terrible Battleform Battleform came next (A towering monster) Finally they assumed the shape of humanoids, be they human or elves. So the power was given, to seamlessly and without pain, transform from one to the other at any time - by will alone. His will...

But these are not savage debased or decadent creatures, they are steeped in ancient history, nobility and honour - following a rigid pack structure that adopts some of the Wolf nature, but mostly that of great figures of Legend, the Knights of King Arthur, the Paladins of Charlemagne, these were all inspirations to me when I set about to change the face of Wolves in Fantasy for ever. Their code is that of protection, duty, honour and self sacrifice. They have an enourmous responsibility to Ashirion and they are bound to the world's fate as much as any of the other races - if not more. The Shakari are immaculate creatures who wear fine clothes when they are in their humanoid form, and usually adopt the same sense of style when in their other forms - all bar the Wolf form.

The sizes of the various forms can be worked out using a very simple method:

A 6 foot human will become a 7 foot Anthro or a 14 foot Battleform. Add 1 foot for Anthro to their base height, and double their base height then add 2 feet for Battleform.

When creating a Shakari the player must remember the following cardinal rules.

#1: This is a guest class, you screw my race up and you will have it taken from you.
#2: The Shakari stick to one mate, they don't screw around, do this and you will suffer from something terrible that happens to any Shakari who might. I'll detail this in the later section.
#3: They are not Werewolves, you play a Shakari like a WOD Werewolf, and it'll be taken off you.
#4: They are extremely hard to play, only seasoned rp'ers should even bother to ask for one.
#5: They have a lot of power, and with it they know - comes a grave responsibility.
#6: They are loyal to those who they follow, and they /never/ take a mate. Their mate is chosen for them by the Great Wolf due to cosmic laws.

So what does make these particular Wolves tick? Well, I've given you a glimpse on the first part of this document. So let's look at a more indepth expose of the guardians of the Broken Sphere.

Shakari forms: Here follow some descriptions of the typical Shakari, taken with the kind permission of Roninwolf.

Wolf

A tick-tocking black tail whispers backwards and forwards in almost intelligent contemplation as this large, almost three feet from paw to shoulder, wolf watches you with emerald green eyes. His fur is as black as the night sky, whiskers of soft white perked forwards in slight curls. Four paws balance his weight with idle motions, neatly trimmed black claws touching the floor. Large and graceful. His furred muzzle has an almost wicked grin upon it as a long sinuous tongue traces a tooth in contemplation.

Humanoid

Luscious pitch-dark hair (into which is tied an emerald green feather) frames a bronze skinned and slightly tanned face, that flows with many expressions falling upon it, clean shaven and tightly jawed - almost heroic in looks. Deep soulful dark emerald eyes reflect the light within, dancing with hidden emotions, while upturned lips mark a twisted sense of humour.

Sweeping in majestic lines around the broad shoulders of the man is a long dark blue cloak, trailing almost to the floor in languid flickers. He stands about six feet three in height, tall and imposing with a deeply regal manner. His body build is that of a well muscled warrior and shows in the form fitting armour he wears.

Long legs trail down into sturdy armoured boots, the colour scheme being dark blue and silver. He is armoured in the traditional armour of the Wolf Knights of Ashirion which consists of a form fitting breastplate and chain and plate armour, running across the arms and the legs. This armour is made from an unknown crystal metal compound that gives of a highly magical aura to any mage's detection spells. Around his neck winks a blue pendant shaped as though it were a styalised wolf head. Finally set across his back is the traditional wolfsword of the Knights, ornate and scabbarded into a fine metal scabbard. The sword bears many icons of wolvish design from the hilt, pommel and guard.

Battleform

A mane of black headfur rushes in dark waves down and over his neck, drawn up from the crown are two constantly moving black furry ears. They pivot and rotate to catch every sound. A pair of deeply scrutinising green eyes flash like emerald from a wolf's head, the muzzle slightly opened and lined with rows and rows of sharp pointed lethal teeth, while an all too lupine tongue rolls with langerous grace back and forth.

Sweeping in majestic lines around the broad shoulders of the Battleformwolf is a long dark blue cloak, trailing almost to the floor in languid flickers. He stands about fourteen feet three in height, tall and imposing with a deeply regal manner. His body build is that of a well muscled warrior and shows in the form fitting armour he wears. Clawed hands flexing in dark plated gauntlets.

Long legs trail down into sturdy armoured boots, the colour scheme being dark blue and silver. He is armoured in the traditional armour of the Wolf Knights of Ashirion which consists of a form fitting breastplate and chain and plate armour, running across the arms and the legs. This armour is made from an unknown crystal metal compound that gives of a highly magical aura to any mage's detection spells. Around his neck winks a blue pendant shaped as though it were a styalised wolf head. Finally set across his back is the traditional wolfsword of the Knights, ornate and scabbarded into a fine metal scabbard. The sword bears many icons of wolvish design from the hilt, pommel and guard.

A black bushy tail waves in thoughtful motions.

Anthro (No longer available to Shakari or Eldrin)

A mane of black headfur rushes in dark waves down and over his neck, drawn up from the crown are two constantly moving black furry ears. They pivot and rotate to catch every sound. A pair of deeply scrutinising green eyes flash like emerald from a wolf's head, the muzzle slightly opened and lined with rows and rows of sharp pointed lethal teeth, while an all too lupine tongue rolls with langerous grace back and forth.

Sweeping in majestic lines around the broad shoulders of the Anthrowolf is a long dark blue cloak, trailing almost to the floor in languid flickers. He stands about seven feet three in height, tall and imposing with a deeply regal manner. His body build is that of a well muscled warrior and shows in the form fitting armour he wears. Clawed hands flexing in dark plated gauntlets.

Long legs trail down into sturdy armoured boots, the colour scheme being dark blue and silver. He is armoured in the traditional armour of the Wolf Knights of Ashirion which consists of a form fitting breastplate and chain and plate armour, running across the arms and the legs. This armour is made from an unknown crystal metal compound that gives of a highly magical aura to any mage's detection spells. Around his neck winks a blue pendant shaped as though it were a styalised wolf head. Finally set across his back is the traditional wolfsword of the Knights, ornate and scabbarded into a fine metal scabbard. The sword bears many icons of wolvish design from the hilt, pommel and guard.

A black bushy tail, waves in soft thoughtful motions.

So now you know what a typical Shakari might look like using the 4 forms, so the first challenge is describing those 4 forms correctly. You might notice that this Shakari has been described with a few key features, these are a pendant and the blade, known as a Wolfsword. They are marks of the Shakari race, and are always carried by those who enter battle. The pendant is a magical device that serves as their Crysmetal Armour. The Wolf Sword is an ornate and very deadly magical sword that the warriors of the Wolf people use.

I will note now, you will hear the Words, Vikari, Shakari and Shakarovar in the Shakari world. Vikari means - changed Wolves, and was invented by the Lord Bronzewolf to cause a rift between pure blooded Shakari and the other Shakari who are perhaps born a little differently. Players are not allowed to be Vikari, for many reasons I'm not going to go into right now.

Shakari means - Of the Wolf, and Lord Shakarovar was the first of the Wolves, roughly that's what his name means. First Wolf being. Sweet eh? well I think so. And he might be listening so we'll move on. MU er, ha ha ha ha. Soooo you want to play a Shakari you've got to know all about them first, go read the news files on my world in depth, especially the history and timeline.

I said before up above that the Shakari were honourable beings who work with a very Knights, Lords and Ladies kind of society. At the top of their pack leadership is the wise, gentle and often quiet Lord Whitewolf. He is the undisputed ruler of the people of Wolfhome, and he rules from Moonsinger Castle. Oddly enough he is also the King of Ashirion, but that is a title that seems to be slowly falling by the Wayside as the years roll on. So any Shakari are loyal to him, want to rock the boat? play a disloyal Shakari - you won't last long I warn you right now. When Whitewolf says jump, you should already be landing. I'm not going to go into every ruler/Lord/combination in the Shakari world, nope, read news movers&shakers, go on you know you want to really.

The same goes for the kinds of organisations in the Shakari lands, read news factions - I hate having to repeat myself, it makes me cranky V^^V

Now you start to see what makes them tick? they're old, and they're immortal. A Shakari doesn't age past a certain point, and they don't get sick/ill/diseased or even a sniffle. They can die from massive wounding in battle, and 10 out of 10 Shadoen said that this was their preferable way to kill one. So remember, Immortal doesn't make you /invulnerable/ other people have made this mistake before.

What about the way a Shakari acts and thinks?

Ok, let's see, you're calm and curteous, but if someone really gets up your nose you're not afraid to use a little intimidation, now and again. Think of a large burly armed and armoured 14ft tall Wolf deciding that he needs you to listen to him, but you're too busy yakking. A Growl should suffice, while shifting to Battleform. Of course bullying is not tolerated, go play a Wolvren if you want to growl/snarl/bully people as a Shakari. They don't do it. The Vikari on the other hand *WEG*

The Lord Whitewolf is the bosswolf, but you also respect the chain of command in any society you're part of. So you'll also defer to the Queen of Ruatha and anyone of higher station than yourself. There are Shakari Knights so there are Shakari commoners, those who really just want to sit back, relax and have a good time. While still protecting the world of Ashirion. Remember, follow a Code of Honour at all times - even if you have to make it up. Bow to the ladies, and the men. Try not to act like a barbarian, and remember - These are not Werewolves, so I don't want to hear any clipped Werewolf speech, even in other forms. They can talk in all of their forms (Remember this)

Another important rule, Shakari are decorously polite, so they won't speak their own tongue before anyone at all, if there's a remote chance the character can't speak the Wolf people's language. Think before you act is the motto of the Good Shakari player. Weigh all the consquences and you'll do just fine.

Shakari are self sacrificing, I mean their Greatest Hero, the Lord Roninwolf charged into the rift after the Void so they could prevent their return/escape. He took with him 2000 of his best men/women who all went like a big angry tide. The Void had a really hard time I can tell you. *snicker*

Shakari LOATHE, DESPISE and will STAMP on anyone who is deemed cruel and shows signs of cruelty. If you're into slavery and that kind of thing. Then prepare for a very big, angry, furry army to come along and knock on your door with Battleform ready warriors. Can we have our ball back? You get my idea? So remember - if you're a Shakari and you find a slaver - they must be punished, if the law calls for their arrest - do it. But don't break a single law in the apprehension, well, try not to. Accidents will happen.

Shakari like to have fun as well as act all mean, moody, dour and angsty. So don't forget they can be wicked party animals and fun for children of all ages. Some Shakari have this wicked pack instinct that means they're going to hug you, squeeze you, and name you George(wolf)

On names, the Shakari take descriptive names like Shadowwolf, Starwolf, Ashenwolf, Hunter, Claw, Darkwolf. They also have names like Onyx, Jade, Crimson, Dream. Check with me if you're not sure of a name for a Shakari - check with me anyways, since i'm the 100 authority on the race.

Oh yeah, and when they talk, their muzzles move in a most cute (Animated like in Cats and Dogs) manner *whispers - don't tell them I said that*

Some Shakari things of Importance.

They never adopt anyone into the pack, that's for the Lord Whitewolf to do. Rule #1 don't go around saying things like, you are my pack brother/sister now. Or I'll pull your Shakari RP approval out from under you like a tonne of lasagne devoured by Wolf himself.

Shakari don't screw everything with a pulse, or anything without. They are very reserved around romantic interests and even friends in public. So no public displays of affection that will turn the stomach. I've seen too much of this from the Cattan and the Felin - I should make a news file on those races clearer in their dealings with romance. A pat on the hand, chivalrous kiss on the cheek - fine, anything else and you're not being true to my vision - behind closed doors however - Aye Caramba!

The Forever - This is the Shakari's chosen mate, and this mate is Chosen by the Great Wolf himself. Which means this, the Shakari are immortal, the Shakari live for a very long time. They are some of the most lonely loves on the Planet. They have a sense when their Forever is near, some are given a special way of determining this. If you're playing a Shakari, you shouldn't be thinking about romance with anyone unless you make it a Forever bond. And once you're bonded to them - that's it, so make sure you like playing with the person in the first place - because if things go sour and you wind up doing something stupid. The following will happen.

Betrayal of the Forever Bond causes instant death to the betrayer. So if you Bond with Whitestar and screw the brains out of Jamina behind her back. Bye, you're dead, trust me - I'll enforce this personally. It's key to my race's vision - never said playing once was going to be a walk in the park. Understand, good, we can move on. Oh before I do, remember betrayal can come in many shapes and forms - so watch how you play.

So now you know a lot more about the Shakari than you did when you first started, still want to play one, right you have to either have impressed me enough to allow it. Or been playing on Ashirion reasonably solid for 6 months. I used to let people just play what they wanted, it's been abused too many times and I got sick of having to do the hard work to make a Shakari to find out, X-Player decides they're leaving 2 days later, cause their friend doesn't like the way that the Wolf runs his world. I'm a hard ass yes, but I'm also fair - you want me to plain speak right? can't get any plainer than this.

The Shakari are a Guest race, if you think you can't do it, wait a while...watch others in action and then apply for one. Welcome to the true guardians of the planet. Listen for the howl.