The Wolf

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The Wolf is the final obstacle of the Forest Ribbon Trail, Finders that travel the Path must negotiate with it to escape and receive their boon.

Personality

It is cruel and malicious and enjoys hurting other people.

Description

Its appearance depending on its observer, for Avery it looks like an old women with dropping breasts in a red dress<ref>The Wolf appeared, leaning forward out of the mist.  A face twisted by age, as big as Avery’s upper body, pale, with shaggy black hair.  Eight feet tall, with breasts that drooped to the pelvis, held tight against her upper body and stomach by a stained, tight red dress.  Every feature was warped by what could have been arthritis.  Her movements were slow, but made imposing by the way the boards beneath them creaked.  Like one sudden movement from her could plunge them into oblivion. - Excerpt from Stolen Away 2.9</ref>, for Brie it looked like Yalda and for John Stiles a man with a large white beard with a card that could be an ear in the right light.<ref>A man stepped out.  Eight feet tall and ugly, wearing a long coat with many pockets, carrying a cane he didn’t use to walk.  His beard was scraggly and white, and reached his navel.  He wore a top hat with a card in it, and from a distance it looked like a pointed ear.
[...]
[John] spotted the Wolf, and he knew.

She was no older than twelve, wearing a red dress.  Her hair was black, her feet bare, and her skin pale.

Yalda in different colors, holding an electrical wire.

Brie’s Wolf.  Had they chosen one that would be smaller, thinking she wouldn’t be as strong? - Excerpt from One After Another 10.a</ref>

It's appearance is mainly influenced by the Finders who see it.<ref>Again, wording matters. If there is a ‘wolf’ you are not comfortable facing, or a particular ‘wolf’ you would rather face, you could change the phrasing. ‘He’, ‘the old bitch’, ‘the beast’, etc. - Excerpt from [2.3 spoilers] Spell Notes #2</ref>

Abilities and Art

The centerpiece of a path used throughout North America, the wolf is an incredibly strong Other. Many of the common tricks in a Finder's arsenal don't effect it.<ref>A ball bonked off of the side of the Wolf’s head.
[...]
“Do you know how many Finders have crossed my path?  How many had that as one of the first things they learned?  It has never once counted,” the Wolf said. - Excerpt from One After Another 10.a</ref> It is among those exceptionally significant Lost that have been suggested as Architects of the Paths, although this is considered unlikely by modern Finders.<ref>The text Procession into Dream suggests a system of key individuals every Finder will meet in the course of a sufficiently long career, with the dreaded Wolf being the first.  This structural theory suggests that the Dreaming Realm is itself defined by these figures and that the management and system of honors is ultimately shaped by these ‘architects’.  This is the most succinct explanation this author can put forward to address a theory that has been written on hundreds of times, with ever evolving depth.  However, despite the varied writings on the topic, the Architect theory fails one of our most vital tests.  When more information is gathered and more research done into the idea, the answers become more varied and fractured, instead of narrowing to a point.  Even the authors of Procession aren’t sure of the specifics: how many architects are there?  Why have some not met certain architects?  Why have no architects alluded to this power?  What would it serve them?  What of those who don’t begin on the Forest Ribbon Trail?  Answers to these questions by Architect theorists inevitably create more questions. - Whim and Vigor, quoted in Left in the Dust 16.2</ref><ref>The Architect theory suggests that certain prominent Others act as pillars of the Paths and may be the originators of it, but each theorist maintains their own lists and Hazel seems to do the same.  While the theory has been debunked, we do know there are certain Others who take on a certain prominence and tend to revolve around Finders.  The Wolf, the Page of Suns, Jacques, and the Queen of Ends, among others. [...] When discussing the Architect theory of the Paths and the variations on that theory, the Page of Suns often appears. [...] The Page of Suns appears on as many lists of Architects as the Wolf. - 100 Years Lost, excerpted in 16.4 Bonus: 100 Years Lost</ref>

The Wolf displays an uncanny, detailed knowledge of those it encounters. It has immense physical strength, regardless of form. It displayed knowledge of the inner workings of the The Station Promenade's mechanics beyond any human present, and the ability to break the Station's rules regarding timing and movement.^{[citation needed]} The Wolf is capable of providing passage to Finders to different locations as part of a bargain.<ref>At the end of the Path, the Wolf waits.  You will find yourself talking to it.  If you do not step from the Path and take the detour, then you should negotiate with it.  Negotiate to be deposited at your destination, with everything you need, and postpone its time with you.  Tell it that it is to take you back here once you’ve run your errand. - excerpt from Stolen Away 2.8</ref>

The Wolf is aware of the Forest Ribbon Trail detour, but unable to act on that knowledge unless told about it.<ref>“She may have a means of escaping your ‘fun’,” Nicolette said.  “I don’t know what I can do about that, but I was told it was at two o’clock.”

The Wolf turned, looking at one specific part of her clearing.

“Does this get me my revenge?”

“I knew this, because others have escaped this way, but now that I’ve been told, I can do something about it when the time comes.  I’ll need your assistance.” - excerpt from Stolen Away 2.z</ref>

Chronology

Before

Became an introductory threat for North American finders, in doing so it killed many nascent finders.<ref>“She’s kind of an Other with more confirmed Finder kills than the you-know-what, according to our records.” - Excerpt from One After Another 10.1</ref>

Starting out

While Nicolette was observing the forest ribbon trail she spoke with the wolf to try and trap Avery while she was walking the trail.<ref>Stolen Away 2.z</ref> This was largely successful, blocking the detour Avery might have taken and the boon companion letting The Wolf time to accost and torture Avery, if only spiritually. The two were later joined by Miss who kept Avery company and prevented anything truly bad from happening.<ref>Out on a Limb 3.2</ref>

Nicolette later swapped in with Avery as part of negotiated settlement between her and the Trio,<ref>Out on a Limb 3.1</ref> she was later retrieved by a garret finder.<ref>One After Another 10.1</ref>

Coming Home

Appeared on the Station Promenade when Avery and the Garrick Finders were trying to solve the path.<ref>One After Another 10.1</ref>

References

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