Hiraeth has lived a life in the shadows of his father's misfortune. Yet, he's chosen to learn from his father's mistakes, rather than doom himself to repeat them. And while he's at it, he might as well learn some of the actually useful things his father endeavors to teach him, like dressing well (just to the point of vanity, though, of course he'd never cross it) and managing finances (particularly when one has very little). But as much as Hiraeth tries to live in peace, he's always dragged into some sort of odd situation, one way or another...

As much as Hiraeth tries to rise above his father's vanity, something about the desire to see oneself in exceptional condition and fashion must be genetic. The humidity in Sunbeam Grotto deeply disagrees with Hiraeth's mane, and his once simple routine has greatly complicated since the move. On his worst days, Hiraeth slinks about the clan with his head hung low, certain that the compliments of his peers are cruel jests. Maybe he's poisoned by self-obsession, or maybe he's just dramatic.

Since arriving in Sunbeam Grotto, Hiraeth has stumbled into the position of assistant architect; not what he'd expected after making some disdainful comments about their lodging, which apparently enraged their host enough that he called his father - the caves' original architect - down to confront him. Of course, Solstice squared up to the strange Ridgeback, as Hiraeth was forced to defend his words - and the Ridgeback laughed at him. The elder challenged Hiraeth to do a better job with no tools but his own claws - which was impossible, to say the least - and this admission seemed to cement the elderly Ridgeback's opinion of him. From then on, Count and Blight treated Hiraeth and his father like old friends, Count teasing him whenever they crossed paths and Blight occasionally inviting Hiraeth and Solstice to join him and his family for a meal. One thing led to another, with Hiraeth comparing their den (less critically this time) to some similar structures he and his father had encountered on their travels, and Count announced he'd be happy to pass down some tricks he'd learned in his years tunneling through the grotto's rock.

Hiraeth and Count appear a uniquely odd pair to anyone outside their inner circles. They actually work quite well as a team; Hiraeth's education and travel experience supplement Count's brute power and lifetime of knowledge. The newest addition to their team is Saiph, Count's granddaughter with a strong mind and stronger muscles. No longer does Count have to designate orders to a team of builders!

Though the elder is no longer able to work himself, he's able to offer ingenious insights to problems that arrive in their line of work. Meanwhile, Hiraeth keeps careful track of the items necessary for further (stable) expansion of the Grotto, and he and Saiph work together to tunnel precisely where they need to in order to preserve the Grotto's stability and the safety of its residents. Solstice isn't so fond of the idea of his own son doing manual labor, but for Hiraeth nothing quite compares to the feeling of achy muscles after a job well done.

slots wrote: Raven Sylvan Dress Apparel A graceful raven dress. 0 Umbral Yarn Dragonmade A coil of dusky yarn, spun from the silky hair of the Umbral Wolf. It produces a faint howling sound as it unravels. 33 = Umbra Wolf Familiar Umbra wolves are adept at blending into the shadows. The unwary dragon may find itself surrounded by a pack it never saw coming. 2300 in Bamboo Falls Spotted Seal Meat You went yeti-hunting and you came back with a seal. 'A' for effort, though. 70 8 = Coarsefur Yeti Familiar A towering yeti with huge meaty fists. Under its gruesome exterior, there's a heart of gold. Or a thousand digested dragon bones... 2800 in Boreal Wood

tabs wrote: some vendors at churnscar wharf! wildflower combe small subsets of other clans to use as NPCs maybe a designated nursery/classroom...?