Snow spirits/Yuki Onna herd interest

[AislingJuno]

-- Long ago in a land far away Yuki Onna roamed wintry landscapes. Other soq thought they were legends in the guise of mysterious mares with pale coats and with long beautiful raven hair. Local soq however knew the legends were true and often gave small gifts to the snow maidens. For the maidens could inspire great terror in the hearts of others--

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Information on the Basic Yuki-onna Myth can be found here or here  

[AislingJuno]

Basic Information

---These Snow spirit soq seldom let themselves be viewed by other soq but many had predatory cold weather animal characteristics like fox, wolf, polar bear, ermine, snow leopard while a few rare members had gentler natures and had characteristics from the snowy hares and white seals. While seldom seem many snow spirits will often play guides during snow storms and will help others travel through snowy landscapes and mountain terrains. Sometimes they will lead other soq to harm if offense is given or if a soq is of fire nature as elemental fire soq have caused them great harm in the past---  

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History

Snow Spirits History
*According to herd legends the very first Yuki-onna was created when a mare wandered away from her herd and met her end in a snowstorm. The snow then gifted her with a new life and she was reborn as a Yuki-Onna.

*In the beginning the herd was made up of only females for the herd then called themselves Yuki Onna only gave birth of females. Male partners were selected from other types of yōkai soq but with time other yōkai soq became rarer and the few available unions produced soq with diminished Yuki-onna abilities over ice and snow. Feeling the need to continue their lines females found mates and partners with soq expressing winter animal traits. These mating produced foals of both genders and the dynamics of the herd slowly changed. With the diminishing of powers herd members started referring to themselves as snow spirits. However if a soq born within the herd displays a physical manifestation of wind or ice the herd refers to that soq as a Yuki-onna.

* Fire oriented soq have always been enemies to the snow spirits. Perhaps given the opposing powers these soq were destined to always oppose each other. Small battles between the snow spirits/yuki-onna and a fire tribe to the south over lowland territories continued hostilities. Till one day the snow spirits were viscously attacked by the southern fire tribe. Most of the herd was wiped out and only a few members were lucky enough to escape with their lives.  

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The herd resides in a section of the Eastern Mountains. Their unique physical state allows them to handle the high altitude as they have can handle the low oxygen levels and harsh cold.Many snow spirits have paws that allow them easily travel the snowy grand. Few travel the eastern mountain range which gives the snow spirits the privacy the desire. Most soq would find the mountain range inhospitable but for snow spirits the cold terrain is home.

--For more details on the eastern landscape  

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Herd laws and ideals
*The elder council: The herd is led by a leader but also by a council of elders. Each leader represents an aspect of herd life; Head shaman, head healer, head bard, head artist, head scout, head hunter, head caregiver. The herd leader is typically a snow spirit soq with a small control over water, ice or wind. ( Snow spirit Soq that have a manifestation of power are referred to as the title of Yuki-Onna). The leader of a herd has the power to make most herd judgments but she or he’s ruling can be overruled by a council vote if the council has four members who oppose the leader’s judgment. If the leader has to leave the herd to travel outside of herd lands a member of the council can be elected as a temporary leader.

* Elusive: Snow spirits are a rather secretive bunch. They have always been cut away from most of the soq lands and their culture is vastly different from many herds. They will sometimes interact with soq that are traveling through herd land but you never know what their reaction will be. Sometimes snow spirits will help guide travelers through the mountain range and will show them the deep caverns where the travelers can find protection from the snow. Other times Snow spirits will try to outwit travelers and take away all their possessions while other times they will lead the unwary to dangerous locations. Sometimes they will lead a traveling soq to their death, most of the time it is because the traveling soq showed disowner or was a fire elemental.

*Nature: For the most part snow spirits are grey natured. Herd members don’t see the world the way other soq view it. Snow spirits often have traits of animals from when their ancestors breed with animal-based soq. Most animal traits found in Snow Spirits are traits from predators; wolf, bear, fox but a few snow spirits have nonpredator traits from snowy swans or hares. Many snow spirits have traits from other types of yōkai,
Some snow spirits have a cruel nature and will gleefully harm other non herd soq. This behavior is not encouraged or discouraged by the council but it’s understood that snow spirits can be good, grey natured or slightly evil.

*Foals are precious: Snow spirits have never had a large population and birth rates have declined dramatically. When a foal is born it is showered by love by the whole herd. To a foal any female or male herd member who is not of the same generation is called auntie or uncle. Foals regard any other foal as a cousin. That is because all snow spirits who have grown up in the same herd see each other as family and are probably distantly related. If a snow spirit parent purposely harms their foal they will be shunned by the herd and their offspring will be taken and raised by another herd member. If an outside herd partner of a snow spirit purposely harms a foal they will be killed by the herd. Accidents do happen and the council of elders is usually called on to make judgments regarding each case. That is not to say that foals are not reprimanded they are and things like biting a foal to keep them in line are perfectly ok it’s the signs of abuse towards a foal that is not ok.

Also if a parent is deemed too verbally abusive and controlling the council of elders may step in and ask another mare or stallion to raise the foal.

Nonrelated foals are generally regarded as equally precious. Snow spirits will not harm foals traveling within their territory and will generally ignore the parents of the foals. Even fire elemental foals will be left in peace.


*Breeding: Snow spirits cannot breed with other snow spirit herd members as they are related. Other herds of soq with traces of Yuki-Onna blood do exist but they are rare and they are often sought out. Other types of yōkai soq are often prized as flings or mates. Water and wind Ulun'suti are often adopted into the herd as potential mates because of their elemental powers. Walker and purewalkers are sometimes used as a fling because yuki-onna sees their feral personality as a wild type of beauty that could be passed down to their foals. However other for breeding purposes walkers are not tolerated. Snow spirit could have a relationship with any type of soq except fire elemental soq because of the past.
Many snow spirits in the past have only breed through flings but with the death of the old herd and the move to the eastern mountains many herd traditions are changing.
Some herd territory to the south includes land held at a lower elevation where mates who cannot handle the lower oxygen and the cold can reside. Those mates that can handle the cold will often live in caves with other herd members.  

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Physical attributes:

*coat: The hair of a snow spirit born into the herd is longer then the coat of most soq. They also more hair follicles and some can appear shaggy. Their coats keep them warm and toasty throughout the year.

*Diet: Snow spirits tend to be Omnivores. They are larger then the average soq and because of their large body high protein diets are encouraged. Snow spirits also tend to have longer canine teeth that helps them break up meat.
In the winter landscape plant life can be at times scarce. During these times Snow spirits will travel to lower elevations to bulk up on vegetation and easy prey.

*Physical limitations: Snow spirits are being of ice/snow and are unable to handle heat. Typically Snow spirits can choose to travel throughout the soq lands but they usual limit their travels to only happen during the late autumn, winter or early spring months. Often they will try to travel near rivers if they must travel in the warmer months but the heat will severely weaken them. Traveling to the desert lands could easily kill them so they avoid entering desert territory.  

[AislingJuno]

Most Snow Spirits are of yuki onna blood and the blood of northern animal soq. Herd members identify with an animal and build alters to honor the animal. These alters are hidden away and only those who honor the same animal can be told the location of the alter . Family members often will have one alter they share. Herd members will also seek to gain a fam of their sacred animal.

Currant Sacred Animals.

The wolf sacred animal for: Xue Fang
Xue Fang's





The Arctic Fox sacred animal for: Kukiko,Miyuki,Ransetsu,Fuyuka, and Fubuki
Kukiko's fam

Fubuki's fam

Miyuki's fam




Some of the sacred animals that belonged to members of the old herd who's lines were killed by the fire tribe.
-new members can choose to adopt a sacred animal off this list if they desire but as of now no snow spirits currently honor these animals.



 

[AislingJuno]

- As of now the herd has no totem. I would like the herd owners to pick out an idea.  

[AislingJuno]

Head shaman, To be decided
Head healer; Miyuki
Head bard, To be decided
Head artist, Fubuki
Head scout, To be decided
Head hunter, Kukiko
Head caregiver.To be decided

-Leadership may change in each category if the head of that category steps down or those they represent ask the council to vote on the head of their groups removal and at least four members of the council vote for that head to be ousted . The herd leader can also step in a overrule a removal and can ask the council to vote on the removal of a member but the herd leader cannot dismiss a head without the councils input.  

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Name; Xue Fang- meaning Fragrant Snow.
Temper:intrinsic
Owner: AislingJuno
animal line: Wolf
Current Snow spirits leader. Xue Fang a mix of civility and a wild feral nature that is more apparent when he is alone or in battle. Xue Fang hold a lot of anger towards elemental fire soq for killing most of the old herd. He was a young warrior during that time and his memories of the attack are vivid and unpleasant. Xue Fang's mother was the old herd leader and his older sister was training to take over from their mother but both were killed by the fire elemental herd from the south. Xue Fang's demeanor is very kind and authoritative towards his family members. Towards the young he often try's to act like a teacher and share the old traditions of the original herd.

Name: Kukiko- meaning Child of the snow
Temper: untamed
Owner:AislingJuno
animal line: Arctic Fox
Eldest Sister

Kukiko nature is more like the Yuki Onna from the past. Fierce with a feral quality. She has become a strong hunter and seeks to protect her sister and her cousin at all cost. Out of her sisters she's the one most likely to lead lost soq astray and to take offense from non herd members. Often she will spends weeks alone traveling in the herds territory taking stock of the wildlife and making sure the herd is safe.

Name:Miyuki- meaning deep snow/beautiful snow/beautiful happiness
Temper: mender
Owner: AislingJuno & Sareibear
animal line: Arctic Fox
Second born
Miyuki the 2nd born is the healer of the family. Miyuki often wonders through the snowy landscapes looking for herbs or she can be found wondering through the lowlands. Her pale complexion and graceful movement have lead many herds to mistake her as a ghost. She feels an attachment toward the moon and can sometimes be found dancing through the mountains or forests in praise of Tsukuyomi the moon god of her herds ancient stories. Miyuki is often soft spoken but harm her patients or family and she becomes extremely fierce. Often the task of playing family peacekeeper falls to Miyuki because of her nature and her need to fix and resolve situations.

Name: 蘭雪 Ransetsu- meaning Snow Orchid
Temper:Melancholy
Owner: Kamiki
Third born
Ransetsu is a very quiet, introverted mare. She's not meek; she walks with her head up and her body ready for fight or flight if the situation calls for it, but she spends most of her waking hours in her own head; deep in thought and observing the would would her careful and calculated. She doesn't talk much, but when she does her voice is deep and soft like velvet; low and quiet and comforting. She has a special fondness for flowers, which are a rare commodity in her snowy home. She knows how to dry them carefully in the icy winds and preserve them; turning them into bows and trinkets she will sometimes trade with those who show interest. But she's not a very effective sales person due to her introverted nature, so often she will just leave them in her travels for someone else to find.

Name: Fuyuka- meaning Japanese fuyu (冬), meaning "winter", and ka (花) meaning "flower".
Temper:Watchful
Owner:Twitchapher the 3rd
Fourth born
Fuyuka likes to be in the know. She likes to know what's going on in the herd, what moves through their lands, and who wishes to join the herd. She's pretty cold towards newcomers, only showing her softer side to her family and those close to her. She very loyal to her family and herd, willing to risk her life for them.

Name: Fubuki
Temper:Indifferent
Owner:~Twilight...Angel~
Fifth born
Though she can seem terribly cold and distant, she isn't a bad Soquili. She never falters or gives ways to passion or over emotions if she can help it, though there are times that no one can help such a thing. Often she can see two sides of the same coin, never taking either side over the other, but rather trying to explain each option to both. This kind of thing frustrates most, but she would rather not choose sides when it's more logical to simply help others understand each side of the same problem.
There are times, even for her, that she can be upset. This takes a lot of effort on the part of the other, but she becomes fierce when irritated. Often using her logic and strategy to take the other down. Such things are not something she takes innate pleasure in, but when it's needed, it's needed.  

[AislingJuno]

-None at the moment  

[AislingJuno]

-Mates of the herd are the mates that are not adopted into the clan. This could be because they could not handle living in the mountains and do not want to live in the lowland territory ruled by the herd. Other reasons could also include a mate that only travels by or a mate that belongs to another herd. These outside mates are sworn to secrecy about the herd and if they tell tales of the herds existence they are hunted down and killed by herd members. The exceptions are other yōkai themed soq already know of the herds existence and are not sworn to secrecy.

-No mates exist at the moment  

[AislingJuno]

-None at the moment  

[AislingJuno]

-None at the moment  

[AislingJuno]

Q: So I see both snow spirit and Yuki Onna used throughout the page what is the difference?
A: The old herd is a decedent of yuki Onna soq. Throughout the years however fewer foals born into the herd who had abilities over ice,water, air. Now the tittle of Yuki Onna is only given to soq with a small control over the elements. The herd itself calls themselves snow spirits or decedents of Yuki Onna.
Q:*I have no soq with yuki onna blood but could I enter one of my soq into the herd.
A: Yes you can.
1)Soq with winter animal traits are automatically allowed into the herd. Soq with Animal traits have been allowed in since the old herd existed in the far away lands.
2)Ulun'suti with the elements of Air or Water. Ulun'suti with fire element or fire heritage are driven off if their foals or if adults killed.
3) White, blue ,grey- winter colored soq are allowed
4) If you have a valid reason why your soq has to be a member because of a certain plot idea.
5) Any mates of any of the herd members

3) Abandoned foals or baskets found on herd land are temporarily allowed. They are kept in the lowlands or if deemed physically strong the caves. When the foal reaches the teenage years the council will decide if the teenager is strong enough to stay with the herd.

4) Other soq are tested. For three weeks they have to survive the snowy mountain landscape by themselves.

Q: I have a elemental fire soq. Could my soq be enemies of the herd?
A: Yes! Fire soq have always been enemies and if you want your fire soq maimed by a herd member just ask and a rp will be set up.

Q: Is it possible to custom into the herd?
A: Yes it is. However if your seeking to custom in a snow spirit with yuki onna blood you should consider a few things. Most snow spirits have animal blood so winter animal traits are common but not a necessity-Most born snow spirits have paws . Just because you have a snow spirit doesn't necessarily mean your soq has control of the elements most do not have any control but do have a high resistance to cold and are severally weak against warm weather.

Q: Snow Spirits act as guides in the snowy landscape. Could one of the herd members guide my soq through the landscape?
A: Yes they could act as guides. Things to consider
1) Snow spirits tend to be a secretive group and your soq might hear them but might not see them . If a snow spirit does talk to them they might ask for a small gift or swear your soq to secrecy about their existence.
2) Not all snow spirits are friendly to travelers - They are decedents of Yuki Onna so they might enjoy seeing your soq come to harm or enjoy hurting your soq.