[PLOT THREAD] Fiamma Eterna -The Guiding Light - Recruiting

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Art by: Elf Princess Flannery
The Legend

It’s told that when horses first came to the Kawanii lands that a few brave souls had to step up and take the risk to explore the area. However, this risk was fruitful and as these horses roamed about to find necessities the other herd members began to seek them out. They would ask the horses to guide them to the river or to certain food areas. And soon this became normal; these horses were in charge of travel and leadership of groups from one place to another.

The legend of the herd goes on to say that as the larger herd settled in, the few that stepped up where given appointed jobs. As the demand became greater for those that could take the others out from the area they settled into the small group was forced into recruiting. Once recruiting began the small group had to move away from the main herd to avoid distraction to train the new comers. As more horses joined more problems arose, it wasn’t helpful to have everyone walking the same paths they had to branch out now that there were more of them, to new areas. This brought new challenges, meeting the other ‘locals’ already living on the land.

Eventually the group became its own being; they took care of themselves and no longer milled about the larger herd unless needed. The first members started to find that they were impaired at night, some horses would go missing and they couldn’t do much about it. They needed a light, something that would let them stand out in the darkness. They went on a voyage to find such a light. It took many days and night to reach the base of the mountain and it was by sheer happenstance that they were in the area when the light set and a glow emitted from a small cave. Cautiously entering into the cave they found a flame… But it wasn’t just any flame. Whatever it was sat on a small stone in the middle of water that rippled over the base… But the flame never went out. Many more days where spent with the flame while they tried to figure out how to capture it, no matter how many torches they lit the flame never went out, but the flame’s colors changed for each horse. With such a find the group decided that they would have to relocate to protect this flame…

Fiamma Eterna was created on that last night.


OOC: Please keep in mind that the Soquili lands are not magical. The Eternal Flame is a belief it's not anything supernatural/magical.

 

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Rules

Art by: JetAlmeara

- Fiamma Eterna members are neutral no matter what.
- Fighting is not allowed, self defense is acceptable.
- Only those with Lanterns are allowed to walk The Ways as a member of the herd.
-------------- * Lanterns are not required on certs for horses that already exist or come from breedings. However it would be preferred but given the limitation of custom item slots it's not required. - Custom in horses are required to have lanterns on certs.
- Respect for all members no matter what role they play.


Herd Traditions
- Each new moon the herd has a feast.
- Each Solstice the herd gathers to offer prayer to the Eternal Flame for it's light.
- The night before the new constellations come the Herd gathers with their Flames to guide them to the sky.
- The Lantern Ceremony - Details explained further down
- The Flame's Food Taboo - It's a great grievance to feed your flame a different Food/item. It changes the color of your Flame and you become tainted. This means you have to be purified by the Seer and loose your lantern for 6 new moons before you'd be able to even ask to enter the cave again and receive your Lantern and new flame; assuming that you're granted this request.

The Herd members believe that if your flame changes color that you've become tainted. Your Flame as well as your heart are no longer pure. This is what led you to feed your 'sacred flame' another type of food in the first place. It's important that you are well stocked with the food supply that your flame requires.

Colors of the flames as mentioned hold deep meaning to the lantern holders. They were guided to the food/item that creates this color however the horses are unknowing that the items have some kind of compound on that that create the colors. They believe that the White Flame granted them this color.

- Purification - If you become tainted you will loose your Lantern for 6 new moons -at least-. The Seer will determine if you can go to the Cave for another Ceremony. While you loose your lantern you are confined to the Herd, you do tasks around the living area and anything else asked of you. It's suppose to teach you responsibility.


Breeding/Baskets Traditions
Breeding outside the herd isn't exactly encouraged but rules have been set in place.

- If a horse mates with an outsider they are asked to either have the mate join the herd.
OR
- If the mate chooses not too, one of the baskets is to come back with the herd member. (They are still welcome to visit with their mate, however there herd duties generally take up much of their time.
- Any gifted baskets will be cared for appropriately.  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

The Eternal Flame
The belief

Manifestation of the lost souls that have lost their lives without a guiding light.

The flame that burned so brightly in the moist cave, the flame that defied the logic of how it could even be lit was a mystery for the herd members. For a long time no one knew what to really think about it except that it was destined, fated from the powers above to be found by these horses.

The Legend goes on to say that, before the 'founding horses of the Kawanii lands' came to the land, others had come and lost their lives in the darkness. They wondered the land as lost souls... Until something profound happened. Those few horses stepped up for the good of many and risked their lives. That sentiment pulled those lost souls together, allow them to be free from wondering lost by helping those that came after them. And they created this white flame.

Due to having lost the knowledge lost by the Wise Ones when they passed, no members of the herd know the true source of the Flame, and can thus only go by what legends were passed down. Whether or not the legends are truth and the flame really is caused by spirits, or if there is a more earthly reason for the flame does not matter to the members of Fiamma Eterna: All they know is that the flame is, and that they have faith.

Because of the legend of the White Flame, the members of the herd believe that their lantern's light attract not only the lost living but also lost souls and guide them to the other side. No one truly knows where this legend came from leaving them to their faith once again.

Art by: Elf Princess Flannery

 

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

The Lanterns

Art By Elf Princess Flannery

OOC Note: I was first considering having Lantern/Flame colors belong to a certain rank and there would be expectations to be met. However I wanted everyone to feel happy with what they choose for a color, be it for looks/aesthetics, or a meaning, nor do I want someone to think that just because the lantern color isn't the same as the rank's they can't be part of it. I don't want people to feel limited by that.

Flame/Lantern colors need to have a special meaning to that horse. And even if more then one horse has that color doesn't mean it's the same meaning or feeling.

The Lantern Ceremony

Foals are kept at the Herd location, they are taught/trained/raised for this herd. When they become an adult ( Aka when your horse goes from foal to Adult stage ) they go through The Lantern Ceremony.

During this Ceremony there is a special dinner that occurs, the Herbalist will give the horse coming of age an herb to eat. This herdopens the horse's mind and make them 'inviting to the spirits'. The Seer along with Lutra escort the horse to the foot of the path and let the horse go forth with a lantern that they have chosen.

What happens inside if the cave is different for every horse. When they look into the flame some see something, ( No, they can't see the future, but the flame could bring forgotten memories back ) some feel something, others hear something, they believe this is a result of the spirits. The experience is very personal and most horses won't share what they saw, felt or heard. ( The reason this happens is because of the herb they've eaten before going in. )

At the end, the horse chooses 'food' for the flame. They take a part of the flame into the lantern and that's when everything happens. They look down and they'll see that they have a colored flame, granted to them by the Eternal Flame. And they'll understand the meaning of the color and how it's important to them.

The experience can last a few minutes to a couple hours. -Very- rare occasions it will last a day or longer. When the horse exits from the cave with their flame, the celebration begins. Lutra allows the Seer, to come forward she will then gave the nod of approval that the horse has been graced by the flame, if it's been granted. Lutra then comes forward to welcome the horse into Adulthood.


- It is taboo to use a different 'food' for your flame after your initial Lantern Ceremony. ( Please see traditions for further explanation. )

- The Flame's food - This is a substance that can burn, something like bark or two leg fabric. There's an array of them inside of the cave for the Lantern Ceremony. The idea is that after you have your spiritual encounter with the Flame you'll know what you need to feed your flame to keep it burning. These items have something about them that when they burn create colors, hence the colored flames.  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

The Ranks

Art by Fitzroyal

Wise Ones - They are now all deceased. This the rank achieved by the leaders. They are very respected, much like elders. In this position they work behind the scenes, the Leaders will go to them for advice and receive knowledge.

Leaders - The successor to the Wise Ones. There is currently only one Leader, Lutra. When the herd was first created there were multiple leaders, when they felt they offered all they could for the herd they searched for members to pass their knowledge too and found one member, Lutra.

Alpha Female - This is Lutra's mate. She will run everything internally for the herd. She might have to rule over herd disputes or do storm planning.

Protector(s) - Those that patrol the area and make sure no one dangerous is trying to do harm to the herd. They're the muscle for the herd but only in defense.

Adviser - This position is held by an ageless horse. He came to being when the Eternal Flame was discovered. He knows more then he lets on or is really willing to tell. He worked closely with the Wise Ones.

Lantern Holders - These are the horses that walk the paths of the lands to find lost horses, guide horses or two leggers from one place to another. Even find lost souls bringing them to the White Flame. They hold no prejudice toward any breed. They are impartial and there to help.

Ambassadors - These are the horses that keep peace between Fiamma Eterna and the other Herds. They travel to other herds to for check ins and to see if there is anything Fiamma Eterna can aid them with. They are the main defense in keep peace and The Herd as a neutral party.

Shaman/Healer - A horse(s) that knows healing magic or able to use all natural remedies. They will sometimes get sent to another herd if a horse is very sick or injured and that herd doesn't have the ability to care for the horse on their own.

Herbalist - They could be considered a shaman/Healers asistant but they do have their own station in make sure The Herd is well stocked with all the herbs needed. This includes but not limited to, the Shaman/Healer's supply and herbs for the ceremony and even for the food. This can become more defined if someone wishes to do so.


Have an idea for a rank/position that's not currently listed?

[b]Your name:[/b]
[b]What is the Rank?:[/b]
[b]What do they do?:[/b]
[b]How is it beneficial to The Herd?:[/b]

 

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Members and ranks/positions

Wise Ones
- Deceased

Leader


Alpha Female
- Lutra's mate


Protector(s)
- None Yet


Advisor



Lantern Holders




Ambassadors


Seer



Shaman/Healer
- None Yet

Herbalist
- None Yet

Trainees / Apprentices


Protector or Lantern Holder / Lantern Holder


Lantern Holder


Undecided

 

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

F.A.Q

1. Does my horse have to have a Lantern on it's cert?
- No, the only time a horse is required to have a Lantern on it's cert is when it's custom-ed in. Though it would be nice at some point if you're able to get the item added later.

2. Can my horse do anything outside/without the herd?
- Yes! I've tried my best to design the herd in such a way that you're not limited to -only- The Herd. When your horse isn't available, there are plenty of other members to keep things running smoothly.  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

How to Join

For existing horses

[b][size=18][color=red]I was lost but now I'm found![/color][/size][/b]

[b]Username:[/b]
[b]Horses name:[/b]
[b]Horse cert:[/b] [img]Insert here[/img]
[b]The rank they wish to hold:[/b]
[b]Why do they deserve this rank?:[/b]


[quote="LunaRei_SilverBlood"][/quote]

For Baskets/Foals
- Have a basket/foal that popped and you decided you wanted them to join? Use this form. Unless the foal is brought to the herd as a foal ( Ie, a parent brought it or the foal found it's own way ) It's assumed the foal arrived as a basket.

[b][color=red][size=18]I'm looking for a home![/size][/color][/b]

[b]Username:[/b]
[b]Cert:[/b] [img]Insert here[/img]
[b]Hoped Rank:[/b]




[quote="LunaRei_SilverBlood"][/quote]

Want to Custom In?

[b][color=red][size=18]I have a Dream![/size][/color][/b]


[b]Username:[/b]
[b]Horse name:[/b]
[b]General appearance or Ref image:[/b]
[b]Hoped Rank:[/b]
[b]General Bio:[/b]
[b]Plot Ideas:[/b]



[quote="LunaRei_SilverBlood"][/quote]

 

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Reserved  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Reserved  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Reserved  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Aaand I think that's it for post reserving ^^  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Okay~ And we're generally open ^^

Stilling getting things put together behind the scenes and such~  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

Things are slowly starting to pull together.

Once I get everything posted / finalized, I'm planning to Uta to look everything over for approval.

Just need few more forms and some information.  

[LunaRei_SilverBlood]

And we're live!