Joey

Joey was a part of the Hangdogs tribe in Denver, CO (or Dog Town). When he was old enough, his tribe began to train him in the art of medicine. Over the years it became clear that he was a rather talented doctor- both for humans and dogs.   Joey was about 14 when the Legion came for the first time. The Hangdogs met a group of Frumentarii, who, in exchange for weapons, chems, and food, were allowed to stay for a few days. Joey, then called by his given name, Jáhani, had actually met these men and tended to the wounds of one of them, though he had trouble communicating with them. Eventually these Frumentarii offered an alliance with the Legion, but the Hangdog elders refused and asked the men to leave.   Less than 6 months later the Legion arrived again, this time with many men instead of a few. Legate Lanius offered one more time for them to surrender, but the tribe once more refused. The Legate promptly launched what would become a five year campaign to take Denver. Their supply line upkeep and ability to get reinforcements were already made difficult, though the Hangdogs did not help in either regard.   Most children were kept out of the fighting for the majority of the conflict, but Jáhani was tasked with tending to the wounds of his tribe members. Under normal circumstances he would have been able to undergo a rite of passage to become a fully-fledged healer or shaman, but with the fighting, his tribe could not spare the time to hold the ceremony. After all, the conflict was taking its toll on the tribe itself. Being the only major faction in Denver, they were not used to large scale conflict, especially not the Legion. Still, they did not go quietly.   Eventually, the tribe's days were numbered. And when the Legate began to burn their dog companions on pyres, the tribe knew they could not fight any longer. Many were encouraged to evacuate the city, Jáhani included, though as far as he knows, only he made it out. Taking the closest English translation of his given name, Joey, he made his way across Kansas and into central Missouri. Along the way he met Moon, a puppy abandoned by her pack, and was very small and sick. He healed her, and they have been travelling together with various caravans since.