Ulric

Ulric's former mate was known for her ice-cold demeanor. Though she was not unkind, she could be emotionally distant, even to him. Still, he cared greatly for her and they had several children together. Ulric was not exactly emotional himself, though he would admit later that his primary emotion - rage - was likely enough to drive his family away from him. Though he was never violent towards them, he was deemed unstable in his obsession to touch the lightning and his lack of attention to his children and mate did not help. In the end, he was cast out of his own tribe, though he would find later that a new male had stepped up to take control of the tribe, and apparently, his mate almost immediately replaced him. Ulric attempted to fight back, but was soundly defeated. Not even his children had forgiven him.

He had only one ally - Whitebark, who chose to follow his closest friend through thick and thin - and primarily, to their homeland - the Highland Scrub. Ulric, of course, had become single-minded in his purpose to reach the lightning and gain its power. When they climbed to the top of the mesa, he was nearly killed - but the effects on him were permanent. Whitebark had no idea how to nurse his friend back to health, and was given no choice but to venture out and find someone.

Fortunately, he brought back a novice herbalist - it was all he could manage. Known as Poppy, she did the best she could and was able to nurse him back to health. Ulric had learned his lesson, though he was stronger now as a result, and decided the mesa would become their home. Thanks to Whitebark's incredible genius, they were able to hollow it out in such a way as to keep it structurally sound. Poppy chose to remain with them and the three started their own clan.

About two years of having no takers, Whitebark realized that Poppy and Ulric were more or less circling one another, but neither was willing to make a move. He began to actively push them together. Ulric resisted this for a long time, to the point where he began to push the other two away. He had convinced himself that his mate would come looking for him, and he almost couldn't let go of her. When Poppy finally approached him, on her own, the two began a very rocky courtship. A year later, three new eggs were added to the clan. Ulric has made it his priority to manage the clan as well as look after his offspring - and any that are born in the future.