Why Wolves Howl in the Night

Written by Douglysium

Having trouble sleeping because of noises in the night? Well, let me ask you something, child. Why do you think wolves prowl in the dark? Why do they howl into the night?
Long ago mortals like you and me were at the mercy of Umbra and the night. There was no John, no Yung, no Tekuani, no Appylon to grant us the light or strength of salvation. Every shadow, every noise, every figure, held Umbra and all its nightmarish followers and beasts. It seemed nothing was a match for the god of darkness and soon the world would be swallowed into a cold freezing eternal night as Umbra wallowed out of the sea, carrying the darkness of the ocean depths on its back and spilling it as it went. The squid god only stopped to hide from the light of day. The darkness god grew arrogant and gluttonous with its power and influence while mortals and gods alike were left to cower and pray for mercy the instant the sun fell below the horizon. The god, drunk on pride, confidentially went to battle with Ferventi, for if it managed to beat the mighty wolf god it would only be surpassed by the major gods themselves.
But unfortunately for the dark god, it would quickly realize its error. Even at the apex of its divine strength in the pitch blackness of a starless and moonless winter night it was locked into a stalemate with the wolf god. Not only that, but Ferventi would not flinch, and didn’t back down, in fact he wouldn’t even hesitate. Neither, god budged an inch, even as the cold winter wind bit into the wolf god’s very flesh harder than any apex predator, and then the tiniest of sunlight illuminated the horizon. A mere glimmer of the light was all Ferventi needed. He pushed Umbra ever so slightly so that one of its numerous tentacles touched the warm light of the sun, weakening it just a little bit, and with that Ferventi nearly slew the god and threw it back into the ocean from wince, it came. Upon its defeat, the wolves of the world cried out in victory and many a mortal realized they no longer had to fear the dark, as it could be beaten.
The very next night, before the squid god could even think about launching an attack, the wolves of the world howled in unison once again. A song of victory and triumph over the night and a warning of what would again happen if Umbra dared challenge Ferventi or wreak havoc on the lands of the world. With that, it was forced to lie in wait at the bottom of the ocean, rarely coming to the surface. Whenever it does come to the surface the wolves howl as a reminder of Ferventi’s fury. Forcing it to tread carefully lest it ends up being banished to the ocean once again… or worse.

Historical Basis

Umbra did vie for power at one point and seemed almost unstoppable. Usurping and conquering many minor gods only to have been defeated by Ferventi, who also ripped of one of its arms. Much to Umbra's anger and annoyance.

Cultural Reception

It is a very popular story among the Pack of Ferventi.

In Art

The Cult of Luminarie made a popular stage play loosely based on the myth.