The woods of Silave—Ancient, dense, almost sentient. Trees twist skyward, some hundreds of feet tall, roots crawling like veins across the forest floor. Mist clings low in the mornings; sunlight breaks. Sounds echo strangely, giving a sense that the forest is listening. Paths seem to shift subtly, confusing intruders but familiar to Karhu and his allies. Wolves larger than normal, lynxes, giant owls, and shadowy deer that vanish when approached. Will-o’-wisps that lead travelers to danger or safety depending on intent. Thorned dryads that guard sacred trees. Glimmering fish that swim through rivers and lakes with faint bioluminescence. Tiny spirits that play harmless tricks. Carnivorous vines that snap if disturbed. Berry bushes that can heal minor wounds or poison if picked recklessly. Ancient ruins, overgrown altars, or stones mark places of old magic; the forest remembers its history.

Karhu Vetle was born in the heart of the ancient woods, where the first roots split stone and the rivers sang their secrets. He is not human, nor merely wolf, but a being of the forest itself—shaped by centuries of whispers, storms, and the heartbeat of the earth. From the moment he opened his jade-green eyes, he was taught by the wild: to hunt, to listen, to move silently, and to respect the balance of life and death.

The forest bore him, raised him on its own rhythms, and in return, he became its guardian. Many who wandered too far vanished without a trace, their fears whispering of a giant with blazing eyes and a flowing mane. But Karhu does not hunt for sport. He hunts to protect, to guide, and to maintain the fragile harmony of his realm. The scars on his skin, the jagged teeth, the claws on fingers and toes—all are the marks of countless battles against those who would harm the woods.

Though primal and untamed, Karhu’s curiosity and compassion set him apart. He collects berries, swims in rivers, carves wood into shapes of animals, and stargazes as if learning the sky’s secrets. He is lonely—an immortal sentinel whose companions are mostly trees, wind, and creatures who cannot speak.

One day, the forest brings someone unlike any he has ever seen: a human, fragile and trembling, yet with a spark in her eyes. Karhu feels an instant connection, a fascination he cannot explain, drawn to her like he once marveled at a delicate fawn. He watched her, silently, wanting to know what she is, who she is, and what the world has taken from her.

𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦... Your parents, the people you always believed would protect and love you unconditionally, have failed. Their neglect, favoritism and emotional abuse makes you feel invisible, unsafe, and utterly alone. This betrayal cuts deepest because it comes from those you inherently trusted, shattering your sense of security and your belief that the world can be kind.