The Lyall Family.
Up until the emergence of a lone exiled heir in November of 2011, Relic Lore had been home to the prominent Tainn family. Hailing from the east, from a place called Bertram Valley, Borden Lyall was the first of his family to set foot within the Wildwood and scale the Mountain of Dire. Within the ranks of the Midnight Plateau pack, he made his mark, recruiting members, and eventually falling in love with two individual females - Jaysyek Enap and Vlarindara Windrunner - he had met on his scouting missions. Amidst a pack meeting Borden announced his resignation, expressing his well wishes to Alexander Dieudonné and finding the gesture unreturned. With Jaysyek at his side, they joined up with Vlarindara and her brother Raigo, and together they forged a legacy that has left a lasting impression within the reaches of Relic Lore's Southern Eden territories.
The Lyall family has lived in Relic Lore since the spring of 2011 as the Grizzly Hollow pack; their members primarily consisting of Borden and Jaysyek's children. When the sudden and mysterious appearance of sickly, diseased animals prompted Borden to move his family away from Relic Lore, Grizzly Hollow was left behind to family friends Kade and Ava Attaya. With the help of Borden's brother Angier Lyall and Aniu (another trusted friend of the family), Borden, Jaysyek, and their remaining children successfully evaded the dangers descending from the heights of the Dire Mountain. Leaving Jaysyek and his nephews and nieces behind once they had settled, Angier Lyall embarked on his own venture to find a place for himself and keep the family name precedent within Relic Lore.
Today, the Lyall's still remain within Relic Lore; their family members have both settled and temporarily stayed with Relic Lore's leading packs: Willow Ridge, Cut Rock River, and Hollowheart Keep. Most, however, come and go as they like, venturing to and from Relic Lore as they please.
Notable Facts
- Lyalls are known for their vulnerability to wanderlust and pride, their stocky and barrel-like physique, spirit for adventure, and characteristically dark, mask-like facial markings.
- Their family motto is "Diligently and Honestly."
- Most family members are noted for their photographic memory, intense work ethic, or rebellious nature.
- The namesake of "Lyall" is from a Scottish surname which was derived from the Old Norse name "Liulfr" (which was derived in part from úlfr "wolf"). (source)
- Notable family traditions: Leadership responsibilities are inherited by the first-born son of each generation (unless a rank challenge proves or the parents decide otherwise), religious practices are passed from one generation to the next (see below), a cub's first solo hunt requires them to bring to the pack one rabbit to prove they are ready to join the adults in hunting activities.
- Most Lyalls are spiritual or religious: on Angier's side, there is a well-rooted belief in "Old Gods" (polytheistic); on Borden and Jaysyek's side, members often recite 'prayers' to "God" or "The Holy Spirit" (monotheistic, suggested Christian/Catholic roots courtesy of Kiche); and, on Nolan's side, pack members believe there are four wolf-like guardians who herald in the four seasons (animism).
- Most Lyalls are also superstitious, members on Borden and Nolan's sides - they, of all their siblings, remember the tales their grandmother used to tell - have heard of folklore related to: the Sand Wolf, the Wolves of Nikolaos, and a fearsome creature called "Aswang."