Early morning mists block the line of sight beyond 5 metres, but as the morning mist disappears and you make your way deeper into the valley, bordered on either side by foreboding cliff faces, you lay eyes upon Imladris.
Imladris, or Rivendell as it's known by those which don't call it home, is the area which lifts the soul. It is set deep within a lush green valley, boarded on either side by the central mountains. Coming up from the lowlands, looking to the right the cliff isn't as serve in gradient, the slopes make for easier climbing. However past Imladris is the Rockslide falls, here the mountain forests grow thick and twisted, the roots of the trees is the only thing that keeps the soil in place, as below the thin layer of soil are loose sheets of rock, which provide the area with it's forsaken name.
Imladris exists because Soquili will always believe the can conquer all, but really mother nature is the true ruler. Imladris and it's resident herd members provide a sanctuary for those who have been fool hardy enough, in the attempts of adventure, to attempt to climb the Rockslide falls and failed. The herd members are some of the best healers in the area and provide months of healing knowledge to bring Soquili back to their hooves. They also provide shelter to those travelling to and from the Uunule Noyi desert.
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:18 am
junglerunner
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junglerunner
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:18 am
Please see the map above for the basic area Imladris covers, the central dark brown area is the heart of the herd lands and the outstretching orange area is the general reach of the herds influence. They are a condensed herd due to the environment, the mountains and the Rockslide falls prevent the herd moving further north and they roam just far enough south to have a good grazing area in the winter when the more northern areas of the herd's range is blanketed in snow. Due to the close proximity to the O-da-ly Pass many outsiders pass through and around Imladris, the herd therefore are rather tolerant of 'outsiders', as long as they bring the herd no harm. In fact one of the main functions of the herd lands is to provide shelter to travellers in the area.
The North: To the northern stretches Imladris are the Rockslide falls, the falls themselves are higher up the mountain side and are not part of the herd's territory. Please find a description of the Rockslide falls here. The northern reaches of the herds land are rarely ventured into on a frequent basis, the land is steep and is the beginning of the forest which blankets the higher mountain sides. Herd members are found in the area on simple patrols, they also look out of travellers which are in need of aid after coming down from the Rockslide falls. Food which can be gathered in the area are edible mushrooms, though they are most commonly harvested in the autumn time when they are most bountiful.
The East: The eastern slopes are far less severe than the northern and western, and give rise to open meadow land which creep up the rising slopes for many a mile before meeting with the steep cliff side which craves out the whole valley. Early spring time the grass becomes lush and edible, however late spring and through into summer, the meadows bloom in to a range of meadow flowers, most of which however are inedible in large quantities to Soquili. Reference pictures: Dandelions, Eastern slopes and meadows, Wild flowers and More wild flowers.
The Western and Central areas: The western side of the herds land is totally dominated by the sheer cliff face. There are no paths to be found to reach the higher levels of the mountains here, and if for whatever reason Soquili want to venture to the top of the western cliffs they must trek around from the north. There are three large though slender waterfalls which tumble down from the top of the large cliffs, not down into large pools, but through time they have carved themselves a waterway through the rock and tunnelled down through to pour out half a mile way from the base of the cliff where the waters roll out into a cool clear river. The central area is much like the eastern slopes, they are lush and green though in the summer are covered in a blanket of wild meadow flowers. Soquili tend to graze in the summer in the southern regions for this reason. Reference pictures: Bottom of the waterfall, One of the three waterfalls, One of the three waterfalls, The valley and two of the waterfalls, The river and Two of the waterfalls and the valley floor.
The Southern areas: In the summer the herd tend to migraine a little further south where the density of meadow flowers aren’t so great. The valley opens up here and gently descends to the lowlands beyond. The area of herd land doesn't stretch as far as the plains, but simply down into the lowland forest. The forest here isn't solely populated by evergreen furs like those in the northern region, the woodlands aren't so dense and allow for some smaller plant life to flourish on the forest floor. Areas also open up into glades providing ample grazing for the herd members. I autumn the herd once again moves further north to make the most of the mushroom harvest and the meadow grass which has now gone to seed. Only in the winter do they once again venture south to escape the cold of the snow.
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:19 am
Relationships and Love.
Generally members of the herd will life mate or take a life partner, they generally don’t regard a series of flings with multiple partners as the most rewarding relationship. That being said in long term relationships desire soon ceases and the mind turns to other things. The union of love is indeed to them a great delight and joy, and the ‘days of foals’, as they call them, remain in their memory as the most merry in life; but they have many other powers of the body and of the mind which their nature urges them to fulfil. Thus, although forever bound to the other partner they don’t stick to one another physically at all times, it is not unusual to travel apart in search of fulfilment of the mind or body, each Soquili remains an individual having gifts of mind and body which may differ from their partner.
The Father Name and the Chosen Name.
Foals are given a first name which is the fathers right to devise and they announce this name to the family/herd. It is known the the Soquili’s father name, it remains unaltered, and it’s not allowed to be amended or altered by the foal in later life for whatever reason. But every foal has the right to name themselves. The first ceremony, the announcement of the father-name is called Essecarme ‘name-making’. Later another follows a ceremony called the Esssecilme ‘name-choosing’; this is a private and intimate ceremony where only close family is present, this time the foal announces his chosen name to those present. The foals choice in name is meant to be an expression of the personal characteristic. Both names are known as true names, not nicknames, the father name is public and the chosen name is private. Their chosen names is regarded as part of their personal property which they can share or lend with kindred and friends, but should not be taken without leave. The use of a chosen name, except by members of the herd, is a token of closest intimacy and love. It is therefore presumptuous or insulting to use it without permission.
Vegetarianism and Kalona:
Herd members do NOT eat meat/flesh under any circumstance. Whilst the herd welcomes all Soquili including Kalona and mutants, to travel through their territory or come to be healed they will not tolerate herd members eating flesh. Any visiting Kalona or meat eaters staying in the herds territory for a prolonged period of time due to healing requirements must hunt and feed outside the herds territory. If unable to make it outside of the herds territory due to a broken limb etc the Soquili must eat a vegetarian diet whilst staying with the herd.
Those members of the herd who have Kalona blood in them must not eat meat either, the herd doesn’t discriminate against meat eaters but their (herd members) beliefs must be that they see eating flesh as an unnecessary action. The herd focuses on healing and learning, taking others lives including that of other creatures for any other means than for protection is frowned upon. Kalona magic is also not to be practiced within the herds territory, it is see as dark and often barbaric and against their (herd members) general beliefs.
junglerunner
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junglerunner
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:23 am
Healers.
Mares tend to be the healers and stallions tend to be warriors, hunters and/or guards. The herd deemed that the dealing of death, even when lawful or under necessity, diminishes the power of healing, and that the virtue of the mare in this matter was due rather to their abstaining from hunting or war/fighting than to an special power that went with being a mare. Indeed in dire straits or desperate defence, mares fight valiantly. Many stallions are also great healers and skilled in the lore of living bodies, though such stallions abstained from hunting, and will only fight in defence at the greatest need.
Besides abstaining from violence, the healers in the herd have numerous roles and fractions. Healers are trained by all to begin with, then at a point where their general knowledge of healing has been achieved they must choose which healing path they wish to follow. They are then apprenticed to a master in one of the following classes:
Herb-lore: These healers are masters of knowing which plants and natural resources can be used to make balms and tonics. They can identify the illnesses in sicken Soquili and know the best treatment to provide them with.
Physiotherapy: The mountains in the area and namely Rockslide Falls, means a lot of adventures in the area tend to end up with anything from sprains to large breaks. Most Soquili can heal from a sprain though it does take time, an experienced physio’ can aid this process. A full break usually means death for a Soquili, they are flight animals after all. However the herd lands are not as big as some others and this means they can be guarded well so in this peaceful and secure environment Soquili can rest as required and then slowly with the aid of a physio’ gain the use of their limb again.
Natural: Not that the other two branches are unnatural but they need to be learnt. Uni/Angeni and Kirin healing are a natural ability and can’t be learnt by others. This healing is broad and various from each individual with these bloodlines. Some have tricks they are happy to teach to others to channel their natural healing, some mediate to find more focus whilst others believe their ‘powers’ come from external sources in nature and help others to find how theirs can be best put to use. It’s a board and explainable subject but those with natural healing abilities may focus all their training to it, though some others also practice physio’ or herb-lore blustered by their own natural abilities.
Guards:
As stated under healers guards generally tend to be male, though it isn’t limited to males only however if a Soquili takes the role of a guard they give up their right to practice as a healer and all their time and devotion goes into guarding the herds territory and honing their personal skills as a warrior. There are two main responsibilities of becoming a guard which are protectors of the herds boundaries and peacekeepers. The herd itself if neutral in nature and avoids war/battle at all costs though they will protect their home. They are also an open herd who openly allow non-herd members to pass through the territory due to the herds location and also because they may be seeking the herds healers aid and rest in the small sanctuary they have formed here. It is the guards duties to keep the peace if any friction should occur with non-herd members as well as herd members.
Herd Member/General:
I can’t list every possible role within the herd though here are some ideas of general member roles: (Individual members roles will be listed in their spoiler information, see below for list of herd members.)
If a member of the herd doesn’t focus upon healing or guarding there are still vital roles within the herd that need to be fore filled. The herd is close to the O-da-ly Pass and the Badieh trade route, a few members trade with the dessert trades for luxury products such as fabrics for scarfs and decoration, metals and semi precious stones for jewellery etc they trade foods not found in the dessert; mushrooms from the autumn harvests, woodland fruits or meadow flowers for decoration. They may also exchange containers with the traders for the cool clear spring waters from Imladris.
Gardeners; some herd members may grow commonly used herbs for the healers to save time with natural foraging.
Foragers and seed collectors: Not all herbs can be grown in the herds territory and some herd members travel the wider world search for herbs and also bring back seeds to be tested to see if they can be cultivated in the herds soil.
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:28 am
Personality in short: Bright and full of life, she is the polar opposite to her mate Alastair. She finds joy in the smallest of things and has a natural ability to cheer up those around her with just her presence. Adores singing and dancing and when she isn’t working hard or doing the latter she loves simply bathing in the cool spring waters, takes a lot to keep all that hair clean after all.
Role within the herd: She is the Mare of Imaldris, the ‘head’ or ‘leader’ of the herd. She is also a master of natural healing with some knowledge of both physiotherapy and herb-lore.
Personality in short: Dior is a proud stallion who is rather aloof at times. He is not easy to get on with because of this, he is also rather pragmatic and you’ll never find him doing something without some degree of logic beneath it. He is his fathers son through and through, though he does soften when around his mother and underneath his cool exterior lays a golden heart.
Role within the herd: A guard. He is also ‘heir’ to the herd, he will lead one day and is tutored in the art of diplomacy; he is an apt peacekeeper.
Personality in short: She's pretty misunderstood, from her lackluster expressions, failure to ever smile, and general lack of interest in others. Tending to keep to herself, most would say she was antisocial. While she does not mind the company of others, she simply hasn't had the chance to socialize with others, or find all that much interesting, finding plenty of company with plants and nature. Like her mom, she enjoys singing, and takes after the family trade of healing. When it comes to healing, she's very dutiful, and driven to provide the best care, even if she's not so great with bedside mannerisms. Regardless of her social obstacles, she's graceful, disciplined, and holds a great deal of hobbies and interests most wouldn't expect.
Role within the herd: Healer, focusing on mastering Herb-Lore. Also a natural healer with some knowledge of physio'.
Personality in short: Cenuvaihen embraces each day and tries to find a silver lining in each cloud. He is proud of the fact that he is different than the rest of the soquili in the herd of Imladris; he loves that he shares the appearance of a creature of the night, for when the stars are shining, he feels the most alive. Cen is wily and wry, similar to the foxes that live in the woods. His mind is like a sponge when it comes to information and he can’t seem to get enough of it, always wanting to know more about each story or lesson that was being told or taught. Family is important to him, he would cross oceans, scale mountains, fly to the heavens for the ones he loved. Cenuvaihen believes the truth should rule above all else, he does not take kindly to lies and deception. Above all, he has a big heart and cares for all those he meets; he desires every kind creature to find happiness.
Role within the herd: Healer Apprentice and I guess part time gardener + forager -- I would like for him to learn all sort of healing practices (he just likes knowing things and helping others). He knows some herb lore and physio, and since he is half uni he could probably do some natural, but it would not be as strong as if he was a full uni-angeni. I know I am asking for him to be a lot of things, but I really wanted him to have his own garden in which he used the herbs for his medicines and he would also travel to find more herbs to add to his garden to increase the amount of remedies he could use to aid the Imladris.
How To Join and The Form. After reading all the herd information and you have a Soquili you feel fits into the herd please complete the form below and post into the thread. You are welcome to quote me to get a response quicker.
[color=#e2ac73][size=20][align=center]I would like to call this home.[/size][/align]
