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The story, at its root, is a simple one. There are the Hunters, and there are the Hunted. Such has it been and such will it always be.

But this story does not end there, and much of it as yet remains unknown.

This is beyond predator and prey, beyond merely the Hunters and the Hunted. It is a story about good and evil, and the war between the damned and the blessed.

It is a war without end.

I ended up writing more for the Hunter than the Hunted, but that's only because I zoned out and got brief towards the end.

The Hunters
Horses:
Though one might be inclined to underestimate the horses, due to the fact that they lack the claws and fangs of their canine counterparts, they are not to be taken for granted. Their sheer size gives them power, and their intelligence is unrivaled among the Hunters. As such, they are often they are often designated to be the leaders in group situations, because they are typically the most fitted to such roles. However, they tend towards extreme arrogance, and look upon both types of dogs (and occasionally each other) as being beneath their hooves, so to speak. Horses are the closest Hunters come to having a ruling or noble class.
Mastiffs:
Overall, the most impressive of the Hunters, at least so far as looks are concerned...no one can beat them when it comes to intimidation (or drooling, for that matter). While not as large as a horse, for a dog they're huge. Heavily built, they're sturdy and strong, rivaling horses when it comes to sheer physical power. Due to their size and build, they're the slowest of the Hunters, but their fighting power more than makes up for it. Once caught by a mastiff, very few could stand a chance. However, they're not very intelligent (think: dumb brute).
Hounds:
They aren't small by any means, but they aren't going to win any size or strength contests. These aren't meant to impress or overpower...they're meant to outrun and outsmart. Just below the horses in overall intelligence, but far above the mastiffs in the same, their cunning is unrivaled. If a plan is needed, no matter how short the notice, a hound can come up with one. They lack the arrogance of the horses and the bluster of the mastiffs, preferring instead to keep quiet and thereby escape notice. They are vain and a bit conceited, but quietly so, aside from the occasional insult (which the mastiffs rarely understand, anyway). They've got speed on their side, and can have someone down before they even know what hit them. They don't get along well with others, even of their own kind, nor do they like to work together.


The Hunted
Deer:
Regal and well-mannered, deer have their speed and intelligence going for them. They don't think as well in the heat of the moment, but they are very intelligent. Deer rarely fight, preferring to rely on other tactics, such as leading an enemy astray, using their speed and light steps to their advantage. When cornered, though, their hooves (and antlers, in the case of stags) can do some serious damage. Very self-important, but still well-intentioned...sometimes timid. The nobles, if you will, of the Hunted.
Boars:
The brutes of the Hunted, caution is required when dealing with them. So far as strength goes, boars are the most dangerous of this group. Their tusks are something to be avoided at all costs. On top of it, they're powerhouses, and on occasion a berserker has been known to turn up. Boars are quick to anger, aggressive, and not very bright at all.
Foxes:
Swift, cunning, even a little devious sometimes. These are the least well-off in a fight if it comes to one, but they still know how to use their fangs. Their small size, quick minds, and quicker reflexes make sure it rarely comes to that, though. They're loners, don't play well with others, and serve mostly as spies and strategists.

As you can see, there are parallells in the two groups: horses and deer, mastiffs and boars, hounds and foxes.

NPCs:
I, and perhaps a few others of my choosing, will also be involved...as the gods, among other things. Don't ask me if you can be an NPC, please.
They are only seen when the wish to be seen, and only by whom they wish to see them. They can and do see and interact with one another, though they don't necessarily get along.

Deer: The White Hind (to be played by: Safaia)

• The Hind acts as a sort of messenger, appearing in dreams to give advice, inspiration, or even a warning. She often heralds good fortune, and may literally lead followers to it.

Boar: The Golden-Bristled

• A warrior god, he rarely appears in dreams, and never to anyone but a Boar. Swift to anger, demands absolute devotion from his followers. Those he favors highly, he will bestow with the gift of the berserker. Otherwise, he will goad his followers into action if he feels they are slacking.

Fox: The Bronze Fox of Theumessos (to be played by: Angmar)

• A master of escape and deception, he may appear to followers in dreams to assist them somehow (his advice, however, may be cryptic and two-sided), or they may catch a glimpse of his tail 'rounding a corner, showing them the way out.

Horse: The Grey of Macha (to be played by: Meepfur)

• A god of warrior honor, devotion to cause, and revenge. He will appear to spur on his followers, or even to chastise them. Can sometimes be seen in the midst of a battle, though he, like the other gods, is forbidden from actually participating.

Mastiff: The Black Shuck

• Will sometimes appear to his followers (though he has been known to appear to other Hunters) as a warning of something dire about to occur. If a follower earns his favor, he may lead them to a 'gift' of sorts. Never speaks.

Hound: The White Hound of Lugh (to be played by: Elocyn)

• Info for the Lugh-hound coming soon (as in, when I stop being lazy).

Your role:
[I'll make this more detailed, less vague, etc. later.]
Like I said, humans have nothing to do with this war...so even though you may roleplay yourself a bit, you're not going to be human. For the moment, we'll call you a Fairy Guardian. Said Guardians are bound to a temple, of which there are two...one for the Hunters, and one for the Hunted. The primary role of a Guardian is to prevent any harm from coming to the object before its Beast manifests. Thus, they are tied to a single room in the temple, where the objects lie. While you'll guard 'your' object for as long as it remains in the room, there's a catch: even when the Beast manifests and then becomes tangible, they have no idea you're there. They can't see you, hear you, or anything else. The Beasts know that something protects the objects, but they assume it's some sort of holy protection and leave it at that. Once a Beast becomes tangible, they often choose to remove their object from the room and take it elsewhere. You will remain in the room with the other Fairy Guardians (with whom you can interact), and the object will be beyond your protection.

Roleplay:
RP is absolutely necessary for these pets (they are not journal-based, though). First, with you as their fairy guardian. Then as they manifest and become aware of things, and finally as they live, makes friends and enemies, fight, and go about other such business. If you are inactive for a prolonged period of time (say, a month or two) without giving me any warning or reason, and you don't respond to my PMs, your pet will be taken away and go to someone who will RP with it.
Non-RP pets will probably be available through flatsale and auction, but they'll most likely be few and far between, at least until there are a good number of RP ones out. Pet trades will be exempt from necessary roleplay, but it's obviously encouraged. Those sold through non-RP flatsales may not be roleplayed, in order to prevent people from using them to get out of the writing-required RP flatsales.

• 7/10: More detailed info about flatsale procedure up.
  
• 7/4: Info for all gods but the Lugh-hound posted.
  
• 7/4: Lineart contest over. Nivanya won!
  
• 7/4: Updated the RP info a little bit (the 'Your Role' section).
  
• 6/29: Map preview posted (further down).
  
• 6/29: Gods added to NPC list.
  
• 6/28: Thread began.
  

The Siira Sepulchery - Meep co-owns with Elocyn.
Sinbound: The Ferrus - Meep is a colorist there.
Tyr'aniya - Meep is also a colorist here.

None, currently.

Ninaus - Winterfalcon ((*louses*))
Tarot Story - Saeru