ID: HC28, White Strife, Krov Volka
Markers: Massive size, pitch black coat. Bright yellow eyes. Cross-shaped scar over right eye.
Breed: 62.5% Coyote, 25% Arctic Wolf, and 12.5% Gray Wolf
Gender: Female
Parents: HB6 (Kahvi) EA3 (Honey)
Birth:Summer of 2008

Summary

HC28 was a coyowolf easily recognized by her size and commanding presence. She was a born leader, who paired her natural strength and fearless determination with remarkable constraint and determination. A fiercely loyal pack member, 28 could often been seen responding to threats not only to her family, but to other packs she had formed bonds with, being quick to show her fangs and put a stop to conflicts, often without bloodshed. In fact, 28 is not known to have killed any canines prior to her capture by humans, and instead had a curious and effective penchant for subduing antagonists by sequestering them for long periods away from their packs before releasing them relatively unharmed.

She appeared to have an especially close bond to her daughter XD93 (Astra), as well as her father HB6 (Kahvi), and in general seemed to enjoy the companionship of her extended family. I believe this quality is what allowed 28 to be such an effective leader through her early years, and earned her the loyalty of not only her family members, but other packs throughout the Valley.

28’s success in the wild is only overshadowed by her unfortunate penchant not only to in hunt in urban areas, but to actively and systematically seek out and damage property and attack humans. This has led her to becoming one of, if not the most, sought after bounties in the Valley, and potentially led to her capture in the years after 2012.

Though I find it hard to reconcile this behavior, I have to appreciate HC28 for what she was. A remarkable wild animal who consistently put her life on the line to protect her family and her home, facing down adversaries both big and small. In her later life, this dedication transcended nearly a decade of time, allowing 28 to be welcomed back into the wild by family she’d been separated from for nearly seven years.

Overview 2009

HC28 was born into a larger litter of ten, sometime in the summer of 2008 in the Sedge Creek territory. Taking strongly after her grandsire W1012 (Vicious), 28 is far larger than either of her parents, and easily the largest in her litter with the exception of her sister, HC29, who is of similar size. Her coat is pitch black, and offset by stunningly yellow eyes. Though some coyote features can be teased out by a well-trained eye, 28 looks remarkably like a pure-blooded wolf of unusual size.

Data on her first few months is scarce, but she is believed to have spent most of her time in the territory, forming close bonds with her father and other members of the pack. She produced a litter sometime during her first year, with a field report suggesting a staggering eleven pups being born. Perhaps due to her young age, five of them were stillborn, or died shortly after birth. Six were later confirmed to have at least survived the first few months; XD93 (Astra), XD94 (Chanamene), XD95 (Morgan), XD96 (Orion), XD97 (Sirius), XD98 (Snow Angel), XD99 (Volki). Later genetic testing revealed XB85 (James) to be the sire of the litter, though he wasn’t spotted with Nightshade and likely wasn’t bonded mate to her.

The first recorded observation of her was indeed within the Sedge Creek territory, where she was seen interacting with a Mongolian mare. The two seemed relatively at ease in each other’s presence, and remained so when a second mare joined the first. Her father HB6 (Kavhi), W750 (Saydin), and injured half-brother HC38 (Razorblade) were also noted at the scene.

Early in the winter of 2009, 28 was spotted among a massive grouping of animals heading towards the Prairie Falls territory. The grouping appeared to be headed by her father HB6 (Kahvi), consisting of their pack and numerous others, made of a conglomeration of different species. Thought it was difficult to pinpoint how many creatures, at least three of 28’s siblings were present with her and their father; HC21 (Kalanchoe), HC9 (Allum), and half-brother HC37 (Paragon).

The cause for this impressive march appears to have been spurred by the lead stallion (Soulbane) of the Prairie Falls herd. Shortly after HB6 initiated an attack on the stallion, W535 (White Feathers) was observed leading her megapack into the fray, where she was immediately set upon and killed by 28’s father. 28 was observed confronting an Arabian stallion (Comet) during this skirmish, showing heightened aggression towards the horse but making no move to attack. Remarkably, no other deaths occurred, with only a mare being visibly wounded before the gathering of animals broke away and left the scene.

Not long after this, another curious incident was captured in the Sedge Creek territory, starting when hybrid female XE27 (Shena) strayed across the border and was trailed by the alpha W750 (Saydin). After a hostile confrontation with the interloper, 28 arrived and expressed dominance and mild aggression towards the stranger, and was joined by packmates W798 (Failure), D526 (Aushwitz), HC38 (Razorblade). I was certain that XE27 would be torn apart at this point, but W1038 (Plague), a newcomer to the pack, brazenly threatened 28 and HC38 in an attempt to protect XE27.

28 responded to this with a show of force, raising her hackles and signaling a readiness to attack her subordinate, but her father arrived and immediately set upon 1038 himself, quickly putting him in his place. 28 continued to intimidate the new male and interloper, and lashed at her half-sister HC37 (Paragon) when she got too close. W750 (Saydin) took this time to turn her aggression on 28, perhaps feeling threatened by her larger size and brazen behavior. This squabble escalated when 28 refused to back down, and HB6 (Kahvi) stepped in with bared fangs against his mate. After a brief, physical fight, W750 left.

In the spring of 2009, tracks belonging to 28, W798 (Failure), and 28’s daughter XD93 (Astra) were found entering the business district of Atroe City. Security footage showed a harrowing scene of the trio tactically stalking and attacking four teenage girls, killing three of them with such efficiency that I believe the attack was purposeful, and not a random incident.

What caused such a blood frenzy in this trio I cannot say, but it had a profound effect upon Nightshade. She was seen entering Naffie’s grocery store in pursuit of the fourth girl, but unable to reach her, Nightshade proceeded to attack shelving and supplies, inadvertently killing several customers when one of the heavy metal racks collapsed in domino effect against others. One woman was dragged to the ground by the coywolf, suffering fatal injuries in the process. Perhaps the most remarkable and terrifying aspect of this brutal assault was 28’s decision to grab the mother’s young son. Unlike with the other humans, security footage shows the coywolf expressing caution and care while grabbing the child, with no blood at the scene to suggest he was injured.

A large-scale hunting party was sent out following this massacre, and though over eighteen wolves and numerous feral dogs were found and hunted down, Nightshade and her family were not among them. Their tracks were lost shortly after leaving the city, and the abducted boy was believed to have perished.

Remarkably, only two weeks later, the boy was confirmed to be alive when muddy footprints and a scrap of clothing were found in the barn at 45 Speary. Pawprints and fur confirmed that 28, XD93 (Astra), XD97 (Sirius), XD96 (Orion), XD98 (Snow Angel), and W798 (Failure) were with him. Thought I can only speculate on their reasons for being there, based on 28’s earlier behavior and high levels of aggression, it seems likely that they were there to hunt. Regardless of their motives, three horses were killed by smoke inhalation when a fire broke out, possibly started by the child, and the deaths were officially attributed to the wolves.

In summer of 2009, Nightshade was seen on a trailcam stalking after XE27 (Shena) in the Sedge Creek territory, with field work suggesting she often trailed the smaller female. The relationship appears to be a hostile one, and it’s my belief that XE27 is being forcefully imprisoned in the pack. The pack’s beta female, G17 (Karitania) was similarly observed following XE27 and Nightshade during this time, and though she was seen acting aggressively towards 27, she didn’t appear overtly friendly towards Nightshade either. It worth noting that the W750 (Saydin) continues to show aggression and dominance towards 28 as well.

In mid summer of the same year, 28 was seen traveling with her father, following W750 (Saydin) and numerous other packmates to the Toklat Canyon territory. She was observed harassing the horses, keeping several at bay and away from her alpha while a brief skirmish ensued. The confrontation ended as quickly as it began, with W750 calling her pack back and returning in the direction of the Sedge Creek territory. 28, however, remained behind, and was joined by several of her siblings and offspring, as well as members of the Manahcob Downs pack. Together, she led the group and confronted Aydan, ultimately driving her and her herd out of the territory.

A few days later, 28 was seen again entering Atro City, this time caught on two security cameras moving along densely landscaped walkways on the edge of the business district. She was observed traveling with W798 (Failure), her daughter XD93 (Astra), and most curiously, the boy that she had abducted at Naffie’s grocery store. While the event itself wasn’t caught on camera, this excursion by 28 led to the horrific deaths of nine people, including several children, attending a barbecue. During the confrontation, 28 was injured by one of the victims, receiving a deep series of lacerations near her right eye.

Effort was made to trap and exterminate 28 following this incident, but in the weeks after the massacre, 28 and her pack remained elusive. It wasn’t until checking camera traps in late July that 28 resurfaced, this time back in the outskirts of her father’s pack in the Sedge Creek territory, escorting her mother, EA3 (Honey), and several of her half-siblings from the land after her father (Kahvi) was slain by his mate, W750 (Saydin). It was also during this time that her injuries from the massacre in Atro City were seen to be healed, giving 28 a distinct cross of white fur above her right eye, and earning her the name ‘White Strife’ by local hunters.

White Strife was documented back in the Toklat Canyon territory a few hours later with her mother (Honey), daughter XD93 (Astra), half-siblings HC37 (Paragon), HC56 (Kobalt), HC23 (Lazer), and several others. Interestingly, she was seen again with the previously lone male W798 (Failure) who was observed attentively grooming a distraught 28. It’s my believe that the pair had bonded as mates by this time.

Efforts by local hunters were again made to hunt down Strife, but the hybrid was savvy, and escaped detection until being briefly recorded in Atro City two weeks later. Remarkably, fur and DNA collected at the site revealed that Strife had been traveling not just with her loyal daughter XD93 (Astra), but had three previously unknown offspring accompanying her (HD1 Shiv), HD2 Sniper, and HD3 Tison), later confirmed to be sired by W798 (Failure). Her mate, along with a grandson XD102 (Thief), and several other relatives were also noted in her presence at the time.

The small family group was observed interacting with the Shadow Lurkers, where Strife displayed deferential behavior towards the group’s alpha, D71 (Lyckos), who responded with amicable body language in turn. The meaning of the interaction is unclear, but it’s close timing with the loss of Strife’s father, and the killing of the Shadow Lurker’s Doberman female, D806 (Sasha) suggests the alpha female was making efforts to shore up alliances.

Following this, Strife kept her traveling discrete, which likely spared her and her pack’s lives as the hunt for the Toklat Canyon pack continued during this time. Fresh signs of her presence were found during field studies in the Toklat region, but the cunning wolfess wasn’t officially spotted again until two months later, during a brief altercation with the small alpha male XB1 (Ankh) in the Lost Valley region. Strife was accompanied by her eldest daughter XD93 (Astra) and granduncle HA9 (Rowan) when she aggressively postured before an equally temperamental XB1. The reason for the altercation wasn’t clear, but the confrontation concluded without bloodshed, and Strife departed from the area with her family.

A few weeks later, a group of hunters chanced upon White Strife. An account of the event by one of the hunters follows:

‘The Toklat Canyon is inhabited by several wolves and a horse, all coexisting peacefully. While this pack is known for its high level of aggression - its leaders having killed many humans - they are abnormally placid today. The alpha female, a black coyote-wolf hybrid whom we have named "Krov Volka," seems somewhat anxious and frequently paces around the edge of the territory. She has noticed us, and while she has shown a small amount of aggression, she has not made an attempt to attack us.

Shortly after making this entry, Strife reportedly rushed the hunters, and was assisted by several of her packmates. Minor injuries were reported during the attack, but thankfully no fatalities. White Strife, along with her daughter XD93 (Astra), mother AE3 (Honey), and half-siblings HC 31 (Tazer), and HC23 (Lazer) were all successfully captured and taken to the hunter’s lodge on Tears of Dew island.

Within hours of their capture, Strife’s mate appeared to lead their remaining pack to the island to reunite with Strife. Though the number of animals present was not entirely known, later analysis of fur and prints at the scene conclusively puts Strife’s offspring, HD1 (Shiv), HD2 (Sniper), HD3 (Tison), along with canines HB12 (Lux), HB16 (Foyle), HC54 (Auri), HC56 (Kobalt), XD102 (Thief), HC29 (Psychotic) at the island, along with several horses. Showing a keen level of intelligence, the locking mechanisms of the cages were targeted and damaged badly enough that Strife and her packmates were able to escape confinement.

It was believed that Strife bred with one of the hunters’ hounds, D324 (Zhenya) during her brief time on the island, as she was later reported to having given birth to three offspring XD107 (Bruin), XD108 (Epsilon), and XD109 (Vodka). For nearly two months after this incident, the pack once against disappeared from radar and remained elusive. It was late fall by the time Strife reappeared, this time at Orca Bay. Curiously, she was found in attendance with several other known alphas in the Valley, including D71 (Lyckos), W875 (Devil May Cry), XB1 (Ankh), and several others. Of note, W750 (Saydin) was also observed at this gathering, and although most of the canines appeared at ease in each others presence, Strife showed restrained aggression towards her father’s former mate.

2010

Occasional signs of Strife would appear during field studies, with a den site excavation finding that she and her mate W798 (Failure) had a successful second litter of puppies in the spring of 2010, resulting in four known offspring; HD8 (Alaya), HD9 (Alik), HD10 (Aykay), and HD11 (Sturmgewehr). It also seemed to confirm that Strife had moved her family into a new territory, taking claim of the marshy Manahcob Downs.

A trail cam in the prairie was next to pick up Strife’s whereabouts later that summer, offering insight into a dramatic incident involving XC11 (Crucifix). Following what appeared to be a chance encounter, the two broke into a violent fight that ended with Strife pinning down a wounded and exhausted XC11. Strife’s sister, HC28 (Nightshade), arrived shortly thereafter, and appeared to aid her sister in herding 11 back towards their territory.

What all happened with 11 while in in Strife’s territory is unclear, but a chance placement of a den cam revealed that, at least for some time, he was forced into a small den in the heart of their land. Several pack mates, including W798 (Failure) and HC29 (Psychotic) remained aggressive towards the alpha, forcing him to remain in the den for some time. Though I can only speculate this was some form of dominance or powerplay against a rival pack, 11 was contained this way for a remarkable six months before escaping.

2011

Strife’s whereabouts were difficult to discern in the following months, but field work suggested the female’s leadership in the Manahcob Downs pack had amicably shifted at some point. It’s not clear if she was still the leader of the pack as a whole, but appeared to at least have a commanding presence among a subgroup of packmates within the band.

A single trail cam managed to catch the coywolf in mid June, where she was seen along side HA9 (Rowan) welcoming the return of her great aunt, HA11 (Vale).

Later in the fall of 2011, Strife was seen amongst the Shadow Lurkers pack after a stray canine X158 (Shetani) was found in their territory. Strife appeared not only to join the pack in displaying aggression to the outsider, but took initiative in attempting to intimidate the solo wolf, perhaps in defense of her half-brother HC56 (Kobalt) and other relatives in the pack.

2012

In mid 2012, Strife was spotted responding to a distressed XA81 (Tainted) who returned to the territory after purportedly been set on fire and badly burned after an encounter with humans. It was at this time that I can confirm that Strife did appear to be in leadership role of a segment of the mega pack, including a number of horses.

Strife was again seen a few months later in September, responding to the incursion of two wolves WB28 (Magadan) and W927 (White Love) in the Sonnet Forest territory. Of dozens of animals that converged on the interlopers, Strife was attended by her daughter XD93 (Astra) and several relatives whom previous field work suggested she was leading. In the ensuing conflict, WB28 and XD93 retreated from the territory, but Strife was one of many who aggressively pursued the pair.

Two camera traps caught the interlopers being chased across the Valley, where they were ultimately cornered at the Ruins. As I’d witnessed in previous sightings with Strife, the coywolf appeared to be not only comfortable around the zebra (Greyfell) and the clan that resided amongst the Ruins, but actively accepted by the group as she continued to harass the pair with aggressive posturing, and appeared to take lead in cornering them in a nearby temple. What happened inside the structure isn’t known, but I would speculate they were sequestered there for some time as a form of retribution for crossing into claimed territory, or perhaps some other transgression that happened out of sight of camera traps. What is known is that WB28 (Magadan) and XD93 (White Love) survived the incident and were both spotted two months later, steering clear of areas known to be traveled by Strife and her family.

Strife herself was next seen in Atroe City a month later, accompanied by E17 (Amari). The pair showed signs of distress, and later field work in the area confirmed the presence of blood belonging to Strife’s closest daughter, XD93 (Astra), who was believed to have had a run-in with local hunters earlier in the day.

The coyowolf appeared to frequent the city for a short time following this sighting, and was again spotted a month later at the Unknown Corral, this time accompanied by XB186 (Rampage), D646 (Technopunk) and interestingly, a feral mare and two cervids that seemed unphased in the predators’ space. Though no damage was reported, the behavior of Strife and the accompanying canines strongly suggested they were searching for prey.

It's my belief that during this excursion, or perhaps sometime shortly after, Strife was captured by dogfighters in the city. Though I only have word of mouth to go by, a large coyowolf baring her trademark scar was rumored to be circulating in the fights.

2019

It was to my immense surprise that I spotted Strife seven years later while on a chance outing in her old territorial grounds in the Manahcob Downs. The new scars she bore strongly suggested the rumors of her in the fighting circuit were true, as I doubt such a family-bonded alpha would have remained away from her territory and pack of her own volition. Despite her bloody notoriety, I couldn’t help but feel some level of peace at seeing her returned to her home. At the same time, the once confident young alpha I’d tracked for years appeared subdued and defeated, returning home with a hobbled gait and low weight. Whatever had happened to her in the past seven years, it’s clear that it had taken a toll on the coyowolf.

I observed her quietly for some time, watching her move nearly beyond my range of view before she stopped to howl, perhaps in an attempt to reconnect with lost family. One of her great uncles, XB77 (Tahiya) was quick to respond, followed by a younger, unknown female (Athana). The reunion between the three appeared amicable, with no signs of aggression or dominance posturing. They group spent some time together before moving off.

A short while later, I heard a brief chorus of howls to the south of the territory, which I believed to be those of XB77, Strife, and likely HA11 (Vale). A survey of the Bog the following morning found a series of entangled prints, with DNA confirming Strife and her uncle had reunited with her great-aunt, HA11. Unfortunately, this would be the last time I would