[h2][center][color=Brown]Raethel Norvegicus and the Rattus People[/color][/center][/h2]

More years passed.

The Rattus tunnel network grew in size as it spread across the land, the process of tunneling and being able to locate water via means both mundane and magical being refined with practice and experience. Most of the tunnels went south of the River Rattus to form a network that acted as a road system between the city of Firstbarrows and the various fortified towns that it was created to secure the sources of water and fertile growing land on the surface for their own usage. 

North of the River Rattus proved to be bare of water sources... at least on the surface level. Underground there was a river that snaked its way through the soil which they happily claimed but otherwise the area would only have a few observational outposts there in order to watch any comings and goings, but otherwise it wouldn't feel the same kind of construction efforts so the southern towns would. While some of the northern posts were more boring to be assigned to then others, the fact that Pretenders tended to lurk in the region ensured that neglect would be harshly punished. 

[hr]

Raethel's head was bowed in mourning and deep contemplation as they sealed the crypt before them. This was far from the first time that they had personally closed the final door for one of his people in the living world, but this one... this one cut deeper then just about any that came before due to who it was that he was saying goodbye to. The healers said they had done everything they could and he truly did believe them but... 

It was a hollow comfort to know that his third litter of pups would have their mother to look after them. It felt like there was a piece of him missing and the void... the void hurt. It hurt so badly and yet as much as he wanted to scream and rage and cry... he found that he couldn't. 

Despite the personal hardship and tragedy that had befallen him and his family, he was still the First of the Rattus... still the Speaker. He had always been a leading figure among his people, but for the first time in his life could he truly understand the weight of the influence and expectations that those titles imposed upon him in return. He had duties... responsibilities... as much as he wanted to just break down and die he couldn't. 

But even as he gazed at the stone beyond which his beloved and some of his pups would rest... the latter without having the benefit of enjoying life first... a realization dawned on him. He did have responsibilities and duties to his people... but he also had a responsibility to strive to perform that duty to the best of his abilities and right now... right now he couldn't. He was [b][i]not[/i][/b] in a state of mind that would allow him to make proper decisions for the welfare of others. 

Someone else was going to have to take over his duties and responsibilities for a while. At least until the wound had started to heal and he could face them again with the clear head that they required. Who would be a good question through. The first name that came to mind was that of his eldest son, Raethel Jr in order to let him get some first paw experience as Speaker. But the pup was likely also dealing with the loss of his mother and needed time to recover as well.     

The matter of who would be temporally taking over could wait a few moments through. Turning from the stone in order to look over his first and second litter of pups, Raethel could hear the sorrow that was escaping from their lips as sobs... the tears that were pouring down their face and wetting their fur. While his duties as a leading figure of the Rattus people could be passed to another, his duties as a father couldn't... and as he walked in order to hug and comfort the nearest of his little ones, he found that he was okay with that.


[hider=Summary]
More years pass. The Rattus expansion in the Land of Deserts and Hidden Rivers continues. 

Raethel deals with personal tragedy as his wife/mate dies due to medical complications while in labor with their third litter of pups, the pups sadly not surviving either. Reflecting on his needs vs those of being a leader, Raethel decides to allow someone else to look after his duties as Speaker for the time being while he mourns the loss and recovers as a person, as well as being a father for his children born of the first two litters.  
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[hider=Spirit]

Start: 3

+1 for being apart of a post for longer then a line.
+1 for being main character. 

Divine Quest: Claim the Land of Deserts and Hidden Rivers for the Rattus (In progress)
Divine Quest: Discover a new land across the sea (Plus discover the ability to sail on the ocean)
Divine Quest: Create safe passage through the Great Dragon Range so Rattus can explore the other side.
 

End: 5  
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