Behind the Lantern
Kyomei is the eldest son of the Theran line, a family of those entrusted with the secret of Otherworld: a vast world parallel to ours, filled with clans of the living and spirits of the dead. The Therans have been given the task of being Shepherds, the herders of Otherworld. With their lanterns, they ferry the dead from Otherworld into their own plane. Kyomei has had his lantern for five years now and has served his family well.
In Otherworld, there are no humanoids. Most walk on four legs, and if they walk on two, they are avian. Kyomei, and the rest of the Therans, are wolves. Kyomei is a large navy wolf, with claws and eyes of molten gold. His younger brother, Sorenko, is a gray wolf, and has yet to obtain his lantern.
Therans are born with two names: their birth name, which is the name they use in Otherworld, and their common name, which is an abbreviation of their birth name that they use on our plane. It is taboo to speak one's birthname outside of Otherworld. No one knows why, but it is something that no one dares try.