Lore
Mythical/Fantasy Species
A long time ago, when humans were first truly coming "into power", they saw many mythical creatures as threats to their power, and chose to eliminate them. Rebellions sparked up due to it, and they managed to save many of the more humanoid species, but many of the ones that weren't similar to humans were hunted to near extinction before the hunt was called off.
Since then, alliances have been formed, and the surviving populations were able to put up their own kingdoms and mingled alongside humans. The prejudice died out on mass a very long time ago, but some may still hold their views about ancient history, especially as some species never quite bounced back.
The Mission
The mission is to get from side of the forest to the other, and find the missing people. The beast is not a main priority, but it is a primary concern for safety. If they were travelling straight across, it should take a week and a half to two weeks, and so, to allow for a search of the missing people, the group has been given a month as their timeframe to walk into the forest and return.
After that, they are presumed dead. All members are aware of this timeframe.
They are to start their mission by meeting up at a village on the Kithage side of the border, the closest village to the deteriorating paths around the forest, and make a plan before heading in. They are to have packed or purchase any supplies they will need, whether they bring horses is up to them.
The Kingdom of Kithage
The Kingdom of Kithage was a kingdom founded by a group of wolf-shifters that's now got a royal bloodline of primarily lycan-type werewolves, with a few other species married into the family, notably a few elf-looking people, at least one or two from Etraetis. The royal family is large, and multiple generations often end up interacting with each other at gatherings.
In Kithage, the status you were born at means nothing to what you can be in your life, your skills alone define you. The only thing you cannot become on skills alone is royalty, you must be married into the royal family or born there, but even a commoner can become nobility if they achieve enough in their life, and they believe achievements are something to be proud of, more than your blood. Although your species can define the skills you may easily possess, they generally hold little, if any, prejudice against different species. If you have the skills, you have the job, regardless of stereotypes.
The Kingdom of Kithage is known as extremely formidable on the battlefield. They rarely extend their borders, but defend them with such strength that many kingdoms consider them untouchable. Their allies are protected by them and their warriors, and the way most of their warriors get experience other than training is aiding other kingdoms in their battles.
Almost every citizen in the kingdom must serve some time in the military or have some kind of military training, including nobility, whether they got promoted to nobility or were born there. All members of the royal family are commanders of some kind, or lead at least one military expedition throughout their life. After they've retired from that, often they end up going to various parts of the kingdom and helping train their citizens if they aren't a direct heir.
Their symbol is a wolf head, their flag being a deep orange background, and a side-view of a snarling/snapping wolf head. The wolf head is outlined in black, but the head itself is a bright yellow-white color with yellow eyes. Their armor, if they wear it, is typically heavy-duty and strong, although they cater to the needs of all of their citizens.
Their kingdom is based in primarily grasslands and plains. There are a few areas that are hilly, and a few sparse forests, but overall mostly plains.
The Kingdom of Etraetis
The Kingdom if Etraetis was a kingdom founded by a group of dwarves, focused almost entirely on mining, building and blacksmithing. Over the many, many generations, their bloodlines got extremely messy, and now, the royal family looks primarily like elves, although some have additions like horns or wings, with powers that vary greatly from person to person. It is, however, slowly getting closer and closer to purebred elf.
Etraetis values blood and the richness of the kingdom above practically all else. Where you are born is the status you are likely to stay, unless you are nobility becoming a warrior. Their resources are their wealth, and the way they're able to trade and make connections, and they protect it with everything the kingdom has.
In Etraetis, you absolutely must be some form of nobility to be able to become part of their military, which is small but fearsome. For numbers, they primarily rely on aid from their allies, as their own soldiers are trained to stay in the dark, to hide in the forgotten corners and shadows, trained to strike from the dark and disappear as if they were never there.
Their warriors are more like hunters in that aspect, and get sent out to check out any disturbance, and often eliminate whatever they find before returning to the capital. They are trained extremely harshly, and are expected to be as close to perfect at their jobs as one can be.
Their symbol is some kind of arrow, typically made of gold. Their flag is a deep red background, with a gold embroidered arrow pointing upwards, with a light blue diamond tip instead of iron. Their amour is typically light, typically made of leather of some kind, but may have minor changed depending on their soldiers.
Their kingdom is based in a mountainous region, which is why the dwarves originally chose it, and is extremely heavily forested.
The Royals
The Kithage Royals
+ Others Not Mention/Not Directly In Line
King Arete Klassen
57 Years Old
Lycan Werewolf
Noble Heritage
Human: 6'8", burly, muscular, heavily scarred, tanned skin, green eyes, black hair turned grey
Lycan: 10'1", extremely large, heavily scarred, formidable, muscular, green eyes, black fur heavily greyed, wirey fur
Personality: Gruff, short, protective, somewhat harsh
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Shifting Into Lycan
Queen Xhelal Soroush Klassen
43 Years Old
Lycan x Elf [And Others] Hybrid
Royal Bloodline Carrier
'Human': 6'1", pointed ears, defined, lean muscle, yellow eyes, medium skin, golden blonde hair turned white-grey, large light grey horns
Lycan: 9'7", tan-blonde fur turned white-grey, muscular, scarred, yellow eyes, thick fur
Personality: Elegant, protective, extremely intelligent, mildly unpredictable, wildcard
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Shifting Into Lycan
Crown Princess Kasi Sanela Klassen
22 Years Old
Lycan x Elf [And Others] Hyrbid
Crowned Heir
'Human': 6'1", pointed ears, angular and defined features, large grey horns, yellow eyes, black hair, medium skin
Lycan: 9'6", black fur, yellow eyes, mild scarring, muscular, broad, thick fur
Personality: Protective, intelligent, stubborn, kind, compassionate
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Shifting Into Lycan
Prince Mihail Kalyan Klassen
17 Years Old
Lycan x Elf [And Others] Hybrid
Triplet One
'Human': 6'2", pointed ears, angular and defined features, large dark grey horns, green eyes, blonde hair, tanned skin
Lycan: 9'6", blonde fur, large and muscular, wirey fur, green eyes
Personality: Energetic, mischevious, troublemaker, loud, kind
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Shifting Into Lycan
Prince Atreus Sardar Klassen
17 Years Old
Lycan x Elf [And Others] Hybrid
Triplet Two
'Human': 6'2", pointed ears, angular and defined features, large dark grey horns, green eyes, blonde hair, tanned skin
Lycan: 9'6", blonde fur, large and muscular, wirey fur, green eyes
Personality: Energetic, smart, prankster, kind
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Shifting Into Lycan
Prince Arden Zareen Klassen
17 Years Old
Lycan x Elf [And Others] Hybrid
Triplet Three
'Human': 6'2", pointed ears, angular and defined features, large dark grey horns, green eyes, blonde hair, tanned skin
Lycan: 9'6", blonde fur, large and muscular, wirey fur, green eyes
Personality: Energetic, attempted peacekeeper, kind, friendly
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Shifting Into Lycan
Princess Ghaliya Nisa Klassen
15 Years Old
Lycan x Elf [And Others] Hybrid
Wolfless Wings
Appearance: 5'9", pointed ears, angular and defined features, medium skin, lean build, blonde hair, yellow eyes, light grey horns, large light grey feathered wings
Personality: Protective, kind, loving, compassionate, peaceful
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Speed, Enhanced Strength, Flight
Princess Norene Vela Klassen
10 Years Old
Lycan x Elf [And Others] Hybrid
Young Angel
'Human': 4'10", pointed ears, angular features, medium-tan skin, black hair, green eyes, light grey horns
Lycan: 6'1", thin and lanky, black fur, green eyes, thick fur
Powers: Enhanced Senses, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Shifting Into Lycan
The Etraetis Royals
+ Others Not Mentioned/Not Directly In Line
King Levos Eruien
46 Years Old
Elf
The Young King
Appearance: 6'2", pointed ears, angular features, silver hair, blue eyes
Personality: Cold, cunning, articular, persuasive
Powers: Control Over Plants
Queen Daealla Eruien
43 Years Old
Primarily Elf + Others
The Bloodline Carrier
Appearance: 5'11", pointed ears, sharp features, black hair, green eyes, grey ram horns
Personality: Reserved, eerie, opinionaed
Powers: Healing, Water Manipulation
Crown Prince Vaegon Raunaeril Eruien
21 Years Old
Primarily Elf + Others
Crowned Heir
Appearance: 6'1", pointed ears, angular features, black hair, blue eyes, grey ram horns
Personality: Selfless, welcoming, slightly cocky
Powers: Earth Manipulation
Princess Morwen Eruien
19 Years Old
Primarily Elf + Others
The All-Seer
Appearance: 6'0", pointed ears, silver hair, green eyes, sharp features, black ram horns
Personality: Graceful, kind, bold, stubborn
Powers: Physic, Seer
Prince Orym Dakath Eruien
16 Years
Primarily Elf + Others
The Last
Appearance: Pointed ears, silver hair, blue eyes, sharp features
Personality: Rude, strategic, arrogant, tricky
Powers: Enhanced Speed, Stealth Abilities, Air Manipulation