Identity }
Dag's full name is pronounced '
I-or-dag-nyre', and was given the title
'The Fortress' in recognition of the guardianship he gives to and inspires in others. He is a symbol of unyielding strength of will and exhibits an impenetrable, one-pointed focus to rise above any situation. The emblem of victory - the Peregrine Falcon - still remains with him from his first and very old title of 'Wings of Peregrine'.
The Fortress }
Voice - Deep bass; an equal balance of gentility and authoritative power associated with a voice of moral substance and leadership. Feral vocalizations are rare from him, though he is known to produce brontidal rumbles and has an extraordinarily low, growling bellow.
Scent - His scent is very gustatory - likened to the smoulder of a warm, damp bonfire in the middle of open fields; burnt soil of old forests long gone.
Build - Based on an old-world ice giant
Eucladoceros species; the first species of deer genus to have highly evolved antlers yet is a primitive mass of strong bone and muscle. His body type is a visually solid domination with a dense muscular structure most noticeable around his barrel-chest and shoulders, reinforcing the relatively short, strong neck that bares the weight of a heavy square skull - resembling more bull than deer - and its gargantuan artillery; both of which being the most prominent indication of his skeletal bulk. Being top-heavy, his posture is almost restricted to one position when still. A long body means legs are stationed far apart to accommodate and spread the weight, and his head is always held high in balance giving him a kingly air, which is also reflected in his fluid and powerful gait. At full speed, there is very little that can stop his bulldozer momentum.
Antlers - Fortress by design. Supernumerary, elongated branched-antlers where the beam has grown outward behind him, tines growing upward; his outer primary tines are the largest and grow into long forward-facing pincers. There are 12 tines per pedical and are split into four sets, all of which together are specifically designed to interlock with any antler type. Central clusters suited to single beam pronged deer, outer and brow tines designed for the larger supernumerary or palmated antlers such as Irish Elk. They are incredibly thick, astonishingly heavy, and an impenetrable defense that cannot be breached.
Visual - His coat is made up of dense, varying shades of grey that give him an overall arsenic colouration, but his mane and face are the most striking; dirty white for the most part with a carnelian-red pattern draped around the contours of his beady-eyed, frill-cheeked face. The white of his mane continues only half-way under his stomach, and ends in a point with a very thin separating line of charcoal.
There is also an enormous patch-scar that tears through the left side of his neck which is coupled with the nick in his ear on the same side. This was given to him by the Spring Wolf in 2010*.
Conqueror - Being the placid giant he is, Dag never lowers his antlers without reason; rarely has his combat been seen within the peaceful confines of the forest. However, heed the warning of his scar. Events leading up to his present existence shed further light on this war-hardened battler. There is something prehistoric and almost predatory about his combat - the misfortune of colliding with such a monolith is simply an all-sensory deluge.
Antediluvian }
Iaurdagnire's story has become that of Endless Forest legend, starting in 2009 and ending in 2013. His story involves the Forest, the Gods, and the spiritual embodiment of the Seasons whom he served with perpetual lives as a God-given duty. Dag wanted to escape, and continually fought for a life and death that was his to dictate; to cease to be a higher power's fuel for intellectual evolution. But in learning about his place in the world and a way to put an end to his duties, he became even more lost. Ultimately, Dag's story is an exploration of purpose and morality in all forms, and almost entirely community driven. The community has been involved in each section in some way, and these are referred to as "Season Events" by those who have participated; the events were designed for everyone to enjoy, regardless of the story.
Background art by J!n
Core }
Ravenflight - The Queen His love and greatest treasure; indescribably bound to her like no other. Their history had long ran parallel, and although their paths crossed only rarely in bygone years, they were connected by a deep empathy for their respective trials and desire for freedom. Behind closed doors they each played a part in helping each other fulfill a purpose in order to escape, and then found themselves lost without it. When Dag returned to the forest, Ravenflight tried to help him re-adjust through her understanding of what it is like to feel truly detached from the world around you. As they spent more time together, Dag increasingly began to dote on her and fell very deeply in love. Captivated by her in every way. Ravenflight has given him a new purpose, and Dag is utterly devoted to her continued happiness. Adores and is enchanted by everything she is.
Cry - The Ace Guardian; a source of security; life indebted to. Dag has known Cry for a long time, and upon his return was healed by him (
see 'War Drum' Act V). Displays an affectionate "big brother" attitude towards the small white stag when around him.
Ephiré - The Jack An unspoken natural affinity; indebted to. The two giants have much in common with the way they cope with the world around them, and it is this understanding that lead Ephiré to become the catalyst in Dag's journey (
see 'Catalyst' story arc Act I-III). Has a profound trust in him and admires him greatly. He is also the only deer within the forest to have witnessed the full brunt of Dag's combat.
Virgil/The Red - Part of the Fortress' strong foundations. One of his oldest friends of a different world to his own, wild and unrestricted. At the time of his trials, Dag thought of Virgil's existence as "real", moreso than his own and one he wanted to achieve. Events between then and now strongly effected Dag, but their friendship remains strong and has been rebuilt. [to be re-written]
I thought I already was
Kaoori >>>> Dag snorted
Dag snorted with laughter. This particular snort could have been a first for him, well; it was different enough to make him sneeze almost immediately after.
"Look! Your antics make me do involuntary and ghastly things, Mischief." He laughs again,
"Well of course I don't expect you to be bouncing around like a fawn when you come to term." The laughing stops, and he suddenly cocks his head to look at her,
"I don't think I can quite remember you being pregnant with Takeshi... Tch, aren't I useless! How is he, anyway?"
Snow - I thought you were as well, haha. And you also nabbed page 26! <3
Lol, at least I am now. And
Kaoori brightened some more
.
Waarhijd smiled/laughed shyly
--
Haha me too. 8D
Aurora offered another happy
"Thank you, Dag. I really appreciate it..."
A moment of silence. Another blow of the wind. Aurora took her time to ponder about what Dag said. Rather unlikely for her - every so often, she would reply right away. Whatever came to mind. But this time? This time she pondered. There was more of a philosoph in her than one may expect on the first look.
"You're right, I think. Worrying never brought any happiness. Heh, how could it. Or wisdom. Dwelling in the past is static. It's done. We can't change it. But the future we can change. Yes, you are right. We can be thankful for people telling us about our flaws. And thus helping us to make ourselves... nicer. Better. Hm."
Another breeze on the wind lets the loose leaves rustle.
"I'd always prefer to do things on my own cost. What right do I have to take from others? To do things on their cost? None. We are all on our way of being happy... and never, never I should get in the way of it..."
Her voice became slightly firmer in the end. But gently. Like a friend explaining someone something. Something done. Something that just -is- how it is. What an adult, wise tune for such a young doe. Nevetheless the kind, the benevolent sound of her voice never faded.
A whisper.
"... never ..."
And to think I couldn't
♥
Panda quite enjoyed visiting Dag tonight; she doesn't see him often because she feels shy around large crowds when looking for attention (as any child does)- and when it comes to Dag, he's a crowd attractant (:
It was a generally peaceful sit, and Pan and I thank you for it :b
"Daggy is vurry warm, yessum."
The way Panda speaks is so
The magnet I made him swallow is both a blessing and a curse it seems ;D
And you're welcome - it was nice to sit with you too (:
"Mwahaha. Fear me, silly
Lol, Snow had fun playing all high and mighty. >)
I remember that screenshot.
Epic screenshot edit is epic.
Sao & Azura - (; I'll be
-
I'll reply to rps soon, promise. ♥
Oh, Sir Dag..
Happy anniversary, love birds
Dag and Oseaan are so cute &hearts
:<
HOTSTUFF COMING THROUGH
You'll also have to excuse my intense lagging, the weather change is playing havoc with my TEFness and uh, I've got six windows open in an attempt to see how many clones I can get *giggles* My laptop isn't fabulous either, I'm fully expecting an explosion soon! :B Was great to see ya though aoiduad HAAAWT ♥
Bahaha was so cool to see
---
Kaoori >>>>
"I suppose not."Dag chuckled along in agreement, "But I am glad he's doing well; I've missed teasing him. I do hope he'll be around when his new sibling is here."
Calinka >>>>
Dag said nothing through the silence, and remained still and collected as she continued to eloquently put together her thoughts. He liked that, being able to nudge and guide someone with only saying very little.
She was very clever.
"What will be will be." He said quietly and with confidence, "We have no way of knowing if what we do in the present changes the future; we do not have the foresight to be shown it. At point 'A', it is impossible to prove or disprove the inevitability of getting to point 'B'."
His eyes half-closed, as if he were concentrating on something. But it was more of a trance than anything, always looking forward; the giant could be sat silently for hours if he were allowed to.
"All you can do is walk, and step over a log when you come across it. Step, hop, leap... Trip, hm-hm. Still gets you to point 'B'."
Tipping his head back, he stretched his neck and let a content rumbling growl rattle his throat.
"So why worry?" He flashed a toothy smile, "Take care of the moment and do what you feel is right; that's all the future asks."
=/ &hearts ...
&hearts ...
I hear you.. ... ...make
...
...make them bring you back, Sir Dag...
..please..
"I... I would have been a
And now, I already can't see you anymore... you seem to have vanished as well, left me as well?
I-it's okay I...
It was nothing against you...
It's my fault... and I d-don't want to a-...
W-what am I doing, speaking to myself.
I'm... I'm s-sorry..."
(You don't have to answer this x'3)
Kaoori flopped to the ground,
Autumn had come. And she had better return him.
She shifted, kicking out a hind leg as her growing belly made it difficult to lie in the position she was in. Kaoori was at a loss of what to do. She heard his voice once, but not again.
Kaoori wanted her friend back desperately.
Let the
Kaooriiiii <3
"I... I never intended to be
"I... n-never feared the consequences of protecting others. But I wasn't ever helping nevertheless..." was he? All his wounds were the proof for it. He has tried to help someone dear to him, and has failed... like always.
"I'm... I'm afraid of failing again Sir Dag..." he whispered.
An ear caught the faint
Sir Dag? Sir Dag, where are you? I hear you.. if you're not in the tree, where are you? How can I bring you back? What do I have to do?
She stood up, looking all around, walking in circles around the tree.
"What about you Dag... where
"Hm.."
Kaoori sat by the tree, the
Sir Dag.. do you need to eat in this form? Do you have food? I can't see.. I can't see if you're hungry, or thirsty. I can't see you, but I promise, I'll come visit, even if I know you are here. I promise I will help you return.
(( Okay, it seems Dag's and
"I am so sorry, Dag. I didn't do anything to help. Or to be there. I was just gone when you... vanished. Forgive me. I will get out of my way to bring you back. I'd anything. Anything. Those leaves must fall, Autumn must take up her duty again. You can do it, Dag. I believe in you. I will help you. I promise."
The little piebald sat with her head hung low next to the tree Dag was said to have disappeared. Her legs were neatly tucked under her belly, she made a wild mix of black and white in the red, brown and yelllow colors of autumn. The azure oceans of her eyes were gone. Instead, darker lines ran through the fur of her face.
Crystal-like, pure, thick tears fell down. Sobbing sounds.
"I mean it, Dag. I mean it. I musn't ever be so passive again. Not ever."
A figure stepped toward the
The Monarch was silent for a long time. He closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh autumn air.
"What I wouldn't give to have you back with us."
There was an emptiness to his tone of voice, masking the true sorrow that burdened him.
"Your absence has been felt. But I know you will find your way back to us, just as you did before."
A pause.
I wish I had been closer to you, my friend. There is so much I want to ask you.. so much I could learn from you. Much has happened since your departure.. none of it good, as you may well imagine. You are this forest's stronghold, and now that you aren't here, I realize how much it depended on your indescribable strength."
Esll tilted his head to the fiery canopy above, fixing his eyes on a gap in the branches, revealing the blue, cloudless sky above.
"Brother, lend me your strength. Grant me the wisdom to right my wrongs, in a way that will please the ones I love. I know what I must do, but can it be done? If only I could speak with you. Tell you everything. I know you would find the solution."
"Come back to us, Iuardagnire."
The stag got up and with one final look at the tree, walked away.
- - -
I don't expect a reply to this. I just felt like writing to Dag. c: ♥
I should be banned from even
I should be banned from even doing this kind of thing.
x
"Why do you hide, Daggy? Come
Curious about Dag's predicament as always (:
Tracking.
♥ You're all so
You're all so patient. I like that.
Revtheyr, after a long
"I have been gone long, living in the world of humans. I have forgotten how much I missed this place. Believe me when I say I am looking forward to seeing you again... Perhaps you might grace me with a story, when you are able? I apologize for being gone so long - and hope you are not too cross with me..."
There was that ever familiar
I should have known you were watching...
She shifts her weight, absentmindedly playing with a small leaf on the ground. She sighs deeply before continuing.
I'm a champion sitter; though I'm sure you're well aware of that. Nnn...I just can't leave a friend behind. I don't like knowing that someone's stuck, and I can't do jack squat about it for the time being. I suppose just staying here is the only thing I can do.
"Stubborn to a fault," was the best way to describe the Snowflake, and she bumps the tree with the side of her helm - a gesture that the large stag would certainly know.
She's not gonna win. I'll tear her throat out before she gets the chance.
Considering that something like that was virtually impossible, it was a rather empty threat.
But she would do anything for a few moments of complete confidence.
ello :3
Rev -> ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT.
Azura -> DUDE where the eff have you been, I have funny pokemon images and you're not around to suffer through them. XD ♥ ilureally.
Okami -> ello there ;D
I was sick with a stomach bug
I'm fine now though.
ILU 2 AND ALL OF YOUR FREAKY POKEMON PICTURES.
&hearts
(No subject)
It's so adorable, I love how
Vomiting in 3... 2... 1...
♥
Azura and Arri -> I'd still like to rp with you, but perhaps we could start over? Dag is back now so I'm finding them difficult to reply to xD'
Sure~ Revtheyr yawned a bit
Revtheyr yawned a bit as he passed by sleeping stags and does. It was a lazy day, and not much was going on... so Rev figured it might be a good time to catch up with old friends. Hoping, of course, that old enemies didn't choose that moment to show up as well.
He made his way inward toward the forest, and paused when he saw a welcome and familiar face among the trees.
Taking off in an exuberant bound, the little stag leaped and skipped all the way up to Dag, and made a deep, characteristically polite bow... before nuzzling the heck out of him.
"Dag! I'm so happy to see you! I've been gone a long time... I know, but... Can you forgive me? Please?"
He pulled back just for a moment, and then continued to nuzzle up and down the big stag's body - as if he couldn't get enough of the affection.
Ah sure, I don't mind at
...
I need to think of something to say now.
8'D
"Rev!" Dag barked as he came
"It has been a long time, and I'm glad to see you're well. Forgive you for returning? Hm-hm, you haven't changed; you were always so polite to a fault!" He couldn't help by smile and enjoy so much attention from his old - but not forgotten - friend.
"Little brother?" The hart
"Thank you so much for the time tonight."
The young stag continued
"I missed you so much, Dag... All the things that have happened to me..."
He trailed off, and put his head against Dag's massive chest. His eyes closed in contentment as he pretty much snuggled with the other stag. Being careful of his horn and antlers, he made sure to give Dag every bit the warmest welcome he could... since he had left and... well... abandoned everyone for a long, long time. But he was back now, and more than happy to be by Dag's side again.
"Cell and I have had another child... You're a godfather again! His name is Lyric, and oh, but he's a bundle of energy... He was born humanform, so... too young to come into the forest yet - but when.. when the time comes, do you want to meet him? Perhaps tell him of the Forest in one of your wonderful stories?"
Dag smiled contently and let
"I've missed you too, Rev. But I knew you would come back some day."
When he spoke of another fawn - child, even - his body tensed a little. He knew very little about humans, understandably as they were alien to his forest home.
"I would like that... I don't think I even met your children prior to-"
The stag trailed off, having no way to finish. He didn't know what happened to the four, and he wondered if Rev knew, either. Dag was also godfather to Phoenix and Altair, Garth and Saiyko's son and daughter. It saddened him that he hardly ever saw them, either.
"Lyric... What an unusual name. I like it."
Continuing to nuzzle, Rev
"Shall I dance for you, storyteller? In celebration of my return and the change of seasons? I could do a small performance, only for you."
He withdrew a few feet, and pranced in place as he waited for an answer, performing rapid weight-changes from two feet to two feet, making him look sort of like he was marching in place.
"Hm?" Dag cocked his head and
Dag cocked his head and raised a brow, a wide smile appearing when Rev got up to "march" in front of him.
"Hm-hm, you know what I would really like? I'd like you to be the storyteller!"
He nodded eagerly. Goodness knows what Rev had been up to all this time - he certainly had no clue! Maybe it would give an insight to what humans do, too. One thing he remembered from meeting Rev as a human before was human-mouths... They look strange, that's for sure. What did humans eat? It looked like eating pine-cones would be unpleasant which such soft lips and small teeth.
"I like hearing other deer's stories, and I think yours will be the most unique. Do you think you could tell me one of your adventures?"
XD <3
-----
Random question for anyone who cares to read: I find having 4 songs on Dag's biography quite bothersome for some reason. If I were to keep just one - or maybe two - which should I keep?