Description:
Ulver Swiftclaw appears human when not shifted. He stands 6’8" tall with a heavy muscular build. Ulver has a wild appearance with long, unkept hair that flows behind him like a mane. His skin is a tanned bronze color with golden-brown eyes. He has sharp, wolf-like features. He wears minimal armor aside from a pair of bracers that emit a green energy. He typically wears rugged leather trousers and boots that help him navigate treacherous terrain in his human form. A wolf-pelt mantle rests on his shoulders. He also keeps each silver necklace from his fallen shifter brethren on his neck.
When shifted, Ulver is menacing and imposing. His silver fur glows beneath the full moon. Glowing green eyes pierce through the darkness, the last thing most of his enemies see. When he enters his rage, claws extend and his fangs enlarge giving him an even more fearsome appearance. In recent adventures with The Order of the Owlbear, in the Dreamscape, Ulver felt most comfortable in his true wolf form.
Bio:
Early Childhood
Deep in the twisted forests of Great Tear, The, a howling wind blows through the trees. Distant rumbles shake the ground as the storm approaches. Ulvrik raises his nose to the sky, breathing deep to gather information provided by the winds.
“They’ve caught our trail. We have to keep moving.”
Ulvrik helps a shaking Gildra to her feet. Even in her shifted form she struggles to stand, the toll of childbirth on her body. Another flash of light, followed closely by a crash of thunder echoes through the forest. Ulver starts to cry as Gildra clutches him with what little strength she has left. She is able to sooth her baby and calm his cries, even in the violent storm. The baying of the hounds grows louder as the hunters approach. Another flash of lightning reveals a small cave nearby.
“Cosima is watching over us.” says Ulvrik as he helps Gildra and their new baby to the cave.
Time slows to a crawl as the hunting party moves past the cave. Whipping winds and rain make it nearly impossible for them to track their prey. Ulvrik silently praises Cosima yet again. This would not be the last time Ulver and his parents would have to evade hunters. Natural-born shifters like them were constantly on the run. Branded as “feral” by society and hunted like animals. Without proper guidance, many shifters never learn to control their abilities and live like wild beasts in the Tear. That was until Galificor found them.
Galificor was a savior to many shifters. An alpha to lead the pack. He took them in and showed them how to control their shifter abilities, even master them in combat. The shifters became devoted to Galificor, including Ulver’s parents. Over the years, Ulver watched his parents lose themselves and become Galificor’s servants. They would do anything he asked without question. This devastated Ulver, especially the loss of his mother. She still lives, but the loving woman he knew is no longer there.
Lost & Found
Ulver played along for a while. Even though it felt wrong, he still tried to fit in with the Rune-Skar clan to make his parents happy. Despite his efforts to stay detached, he became close friends with a few members of the Rune-Skar clan. On the eve of his initiation, everything changed for Ulver. Galificor and the Rune-Skar embrace their shifter curse. When a werewolf is ready, they must undergo the initiation ceremony. Always following his own path, Ulver refused the ceremony and was exiled from the Rune-Skar and branded a traitor.
Ulver wandered Great Tear, The alone for nearly a year. He considers this to be the darkest time of his life. Constantly on the run, struggling to eat, unsure of what the future would bring. But, through these struggles, he learned to survive. Ulver learned to trust his instincts and abilities during his time alone. It did not take long for him to become proficient at hunting and survival. However, as he spent more and more time in his wolf form, Ulver started to lose touch with his human side. Just as the beast was about to take over completely, Ur-Braka entered his life.
Ur-Braka, a fellow shifter, found Ulver and brought him back from the darkness. She had also fled the Unchained and had history with Galificor. She gave Ulver purpose and helped him master his own abilities. He would become fiercely loyal to Ur-Braka, willing to die for her. More and more shifters joined their new pack. This growing alliance eventually led to the creation of the Silver Circle. A faction within the Arboreal Alliance who wanted to create a safe haven for fellow shifters, bring balance back to the wilds of Mercadia, and keep people like Galificor in check. Ulver is one of the founding members of the Silver Circle and one of Ur-Braka’s most trusted council members.
Swiftclaw
As the Silver Circle grew, so did its need for leadership. It was decided to split the Circle into specialized groups called Howlpacks, led by an alpha. Ulver was chosen to lead one of these packs. His pack, the Swiftclaw Pack, would specialize in scouting and intel gathering. Ulver was given the name “Swiftclaw” by his comrades early on, a perfect name for his pack. Being a member of the Swiftclaw Pack was one of the most dangerous positions within the Silver Circle. Ulver allows only the most elite hunters and scouts to join his pack. Most of his pack had already proven themselves in other positions within the Silver Circle and gained Ulver’s trust.
Ulver has spent the last 10 years serving the Silver Circle. He feels at home here and considers them his true family, even though his parents still live. He has made many friends, and lost many as well. Losing members of his pack has taken a toll on Ulver over the years. Even though they knew the risks, it never gets any easier. He keeps a silver trinket from every comrade who has died under his watch. Vowing never to let their memory fade away. His personal hatred for Galificor has only grown stronger since he left. Too many shifters have died by his hand.
New Beginnings
One cold winter day, council was in session among the various packs of the Silver Circle. Among them was Ulver, sitting casually in his carved wooden seat. He despised council meetings, but attended them nonetheless. Little did he realize that his life was about to change forever when a Fey creature known as Kelebrimayrus sought council with the Circle. Reluctantly, they listen to his request. He seeks a guide to navigate Great Tear, The in an effort to find Galificor and warn him of the Winter Queens plans. Ulver volunteers to guide this creature, seeking any opportunity to find Galificor.
Ulver was introduced to the Order of the Owlbear by Kelebrimayrus. After introductions and preparations, they set out for Great Tear, The and on a quest that would change them all forever. After fighting the forces of chaos in Limbo, attending the Moot in Rune-Skar territory, and infiltrating a lab of the Biomancer’s Syndicate, Ulver and the Order of the Owlbear were defeated. They did not die however, their souls entered the Dreamscape while their physical bodies remained trapped in the Material Plane.
In this place between life and death, the Order of the Owlbear met an ancient being named Silaren. They were sent on a journey to acquire the Dreamweavers Needle from The Raven Queen in order to escape and return to their physical bodies. This quest would prove to be extremely difficult, testing the Orders resolve. After acquiring the Needle, they entered a place called the Well of Lost Souls to gain more power. Power that Silaren said was necessary to leave and defeat Vita Offertor. After numerous hardships and trials, the Order regained control of their bodies and defeated Vita.
Upon returning to the Silver Circle after being away for six months, Ulver started to realize that retuning to his old life would be impossible. Lukka Silverfang had taken control of the Swiftclaw pack, bringing in new members. Ulver had prepared Lukka Silverfang for this moment, and knew that he is ready to lead the pack. Feeling so out of place among his own kind hit Ulver hard, he knew what must be done. His time with the Order of the Owlbear had changed him forever. Ulver gave Ur-Braka the pendants of his fallen comrades and walked away from the Silver Circle, following his own path.