Post by Toksyc on Mar 2, 2006 17:32:35 GMT -5
The Clan is divided into six smaller clans based off animal traits the founder had. Most of the clan members share these traits. The clans are within a new miles of eachother - keeping safe from the vicious Chicotah wolves, but also respecting the other creatures by staying in their own lands instead of spreading out. Each clan has it's own laws, but every clan share similar ones. They each have their own personality and type of person.
Coming of Age
On every person of every clan is a patch of their guardian animal. It is given to them when they come of age - and usually that is anywhere from 7-10 years old. A "festival" of sorts happens at Coming of Age rituals. All clan members will gather into a certain village decided the week earlier in a meeting. For about two days they will prepare for the ceremony. Women are hard at work making new clothing and gathering certain herbs for the men to cook with. The men, in the mean time, work on preparing the feast. They gather the roots and vegitables from the woods and forest. The largest prey they can find is sliced up and cooked differently. Paint is mixed for markings, and ink is prepared for tattoos. Most usually the patch of animal pelt is taken from a recently deceased guardian. The members will take the dangerous trek out into the Aryian forest to look. Almost always there is a recent dead. After taking the body back they skin it. A patch is taken for the ritual, or patches if it's several from the same clan. The rest of the pelt is saved for clothing.
Then the meat is either eaten, or placed around their boarders for the feral animals to eat. Bones are taken and used for tools. Organs such as bladders are saved for carrying pouches.
Every child , which is most usually one from each clan then must go through his or her ritual.
For boys - it's the test of manhood. They must go hunt on their own, but work together at the same time. Their challenge is to find a male deer - but not a buck. One still fairly young and less dangerous.
For girls - The test of womanhood. She, too, must venture into dangerous lands - but these are the mountains. She will have to find a certain plant that boosts fertility, though if taken in the wrong amount can cause death. It tests their courage, strength, and how far they will go to become a woman.
During this time parents often mourn and worry. They anxiously await their children to return by nightfall. It is common for many of them to be hurt, but rarely are any killed. If the children pass their tests, then they are given a custom tattoo of their clan upon their upper arm, proving they are ready for adulthood. This happens at least every year, or every other year.
Sexual Maturity
Just like any other animal, the humans also mature and get ready to reproduce. Most usually this happens a year or two after their coming of age. The boys begin to flirt with the girls and change physically. They become stronger and gain a little bodily hair. The humans of this era and "breed" had no need for a hairy body, so they weren't a hairy people. The penis also enlarges slightly by this age.
Girls begin to look at the boys differently. They start to eye them up, looking for certain traits they like most. They start to bleed - their period (which happens much less than girls today). At first a lot of the girls are scared about this, but their mothers explain it is a good thing. That soon they'll be mothers too. They start to gain breasts to feed their young with, and their bodies start to shape to be able to bear the children.
By their teenage years, boys have chosen their mates and begin their life together by building their own home together. Children will usually come a year after this. Couples are not always happy ones, but once chosen, it is law by clan elders never to leave. The only way either can leave is if one dies, unable to produce children, or if the man is abusive to his woman - but that is rare.
Other
Otter clan: Pelt patch
Deer clan: Pelt patch
Bear clan: Fang
Raven clan: Woven feather patch.
Sabre: Fang
Wolf: Pelt patch
Every clan has a guardian. Their animals lives in, or around their village as their friend and advisor.
Otter Clan
Otter clan members originally were set up by the large lake that the Wolfbane river empties into. However, since the Otters are a curious clan, many of their children would often get too close to the waters and end up drowning. So they moved east and traded spots with the Bear clan.
The Otter clan is known for their curiosity more than anything. They are investigators and seek the unknown. In return, many of them are killed for poking their noses into something too deep. Otters are also known for experimenting. They often think of new things and go through the trial and error process. Not all the things that succeed the trial and error are ever used, though. Most times they experiment just to do so - just to see what will happen.
Clan members stick to small families. Parents, and then one or two children. Never any more than that. Because of this the Otters are the smallest of the clans, but one of the most intelligent.
At Clan meetings the Otters are most usually quite quiet until a topic of interest comes about.
They aren't the best hunters - but they're great gatherers. Winter usually doesn't hit them very hard since they gather so many herbs, berries, roots, and various edible plants during time of prey. What they do hunt is often made into a jerky-like snack and stored.
Deer Clan
Deer clan members are timid. Often a bit paranoid. They are very aware of their surroundings. Deers are usually built slender and agile, able to run from danger more swiftly than any other clan. They are wise and often think of the "plan B" to hunting tatics. Like otters in meetings, they don't speak up much, but do moreso than the otters. Deer are best with cooking. Many times they are the ones called on in ceremonies to prepare the spices. They don't hunt very well, and winter hits them the hardest. During the winter, Deer Clan will join with Otter to survive. They keep their population low so it's easier to feed. So often only certain people are allowed to have children during certain years.
Bear Clan
The warriors of the clans. The Bears are fearless and strong. Even the women are large and have quite the attitude. Next to the Wolf clan, they're some of the best hunters. It is the Bear clan that will defend others against the Chicotah wolves, or other animals that cross their territory out for blood. Bears are outspoken and blunt. They aren't afraid to show who is in control. They are rational thinkers, sometimes acting before they actually think about what they're doing. At the clan meetings, Bear does most of the talking. Their familiest are large - three or four children to every other family. Bear clan members compete quite often in strength - men trying to prove they're stronger than the other. They spar the most and look for challenges.
Raven Clan
Witty. Smart, and highly alert. They are inventors and tool makers. Ravens have mroe tools than any other clan which makes work on them much easier. Because of this, Ravens have more time to relax and discover new things. One of the more happier clans, but very secluded. They like their privacy and don't much care to interact with the other clans. Ravens aren't the best hunters, but they do well enough to survive winter. They scavange off kills from other animals a lot, and collect a number of berries and seeds. Ravens are not afraid to show off their intelligance at meetings. They are the plot makers of every plan. They are the main help in resolving problems. Other clans usually ask the Ravens to be scouts since superb eyesight has been passed down in their blood. Ravens and Otters work together discovering and inventing things. It is their mixture that makes the many humans of modern times.
Sabre Clan
Positioned on the lower level of the mountains, though high enough to see for miles Sabres are the lookouts. They're much like the Bears, only with a lot more pride and sarcasm. They can be vicious, but brave. A Sabre will gladly step up to a challenge and stare it in the eyes. Their population is a medium size, and winter will hit them hard, but they bear through it.
Wolf Clan
Protectors and hunters. The loyal, nobel law of the lands. Wolves hold the clans together and make sure they don't fight amongst eachother. They provide wisdom and lead them in times of trouble. The Wolf clan population is the largest. Being great hunters - they never go hungry. Wolves have the highest number of elders in their clan and listen more often than talk during meetings held within their village. Once meetings are over, the Wolf leader adds his own input and ideas as well as councils with the others. Every clan depends on Wolf clan, without them, they would live in chaos. Wolf clan is happy. Couples are well chosen and rarely ever leave eachother. It is a rumor that sometimes members of hte Wolf Clan will take their day-old children into the woods and ask the wolves to look after them for a few days. After those days, they will go back and retrieve their child - healthy with bitch's milk, and with the knowledge of the wolf now imprinted in their developing minds.
Coming of Age
On every person of every clan is a patch of their guardian animal. It is given to them when they come of age - and usually that is anywhere from 7-10 years old. A "festival" of sorts happens at Coming of Age rituals. All clan members will gather into a certain village decided the week earlier in a meeting. For about two days they will prepare for the ceremony. Women are hard at work making new clothing and gathering certain herbs for the men to cook with. The men, in the mean time, work on preparing the feast. They gather the roots and vegitables from the woods and forest. The largest prey they can find is sliced up and cooked differently. Paint is mixed for markings, and ink is prepared for tattoos. Most usually the patch of animal pelt is taken from a recently deceased guardian. The members will take the dangerous trek out into the Aryian forest to look. Almost always there is a recent dead. After taking the body back they skin it. A patch is taken for the ritual, or patches if it's several from the same clan. The rest of the pelt is saved for clothing.
Then the meat is either eaten, or placed around their boarders for the feral animals to eat. Bones are taken and used for tools. Organs such as bladders are saved for carrying pouches.
Every child , which is most usually one from each clan then must go through his or her ritual.
For boys - it's the test of manhood. They must go hunt on their own, but work together at the same time. Their challenge is to find a male deer - but not a buck. One still fairly young and less dangerous.
For girls - The test of womanhood. She, too, must venture into dangerous lands - but these are the mountains. She will have to find a certain plant that boosts fertility, though if taken in the wrong amount can cause death. It tests their courage, strength, and how far they will go to become a woman.
During this time parents often mourn and worry. They anxiously await their children to return by nightfall. It is common for many of them to be hurt, but rarely are any killed. If the children pass their tests, then they are given a custom tattoo of their clan upon their upper arm, proving they are ready for adulthood. This happens at least every year, or every other year.
Sexual Maturity
Just like any other animal, the humans also mature and get ready to reproduce. Most usually this happens a year or two after their coming of age. The boys begin to flirt with the girls and change physically. They become stronger and gain a little bodily hair. The humans of this era and "breed" had no need for a hairy body, so they weren't a hairy people. The penis also enlarges slightly by this age.
Girls begin to look at the boys differently. They start to eye them up, looking for certain traits they like most. They start to bleed - their period (which happens much less than girls today). At first a lot of the girls are scared about this, but their mothers explain it is a good thing. That soon they'll be mothers too. They start to gain breasts to feed their young with, and their bodies start to shape to be able to bear the children.
By their teenage years, boys have chosen their mates and begin their life together by building their own home together. Children will usually come a year after this. Couples are not always happy ones, but once chosen, it is law by clan elders never to leave. The only way either can leave is if one dies, unable to produce children, or if the man is abusive to his woman - but that is rare.
Other
Otter clan: Pelt patch
Deer clan: Pelt patch
Bear clan: Fang
Raven clan: Woven feather patch.
Sabre: Fang
Wolf: Pelt patch
Every clan has a guardian. Their animals lives in, or around their village as their friend and advisor.
Otter Clan
Otter clan members originally were set up by the large lake that the Wolfbane river empties into. However, since the Otters are a curious clan, many of their children would often get too close to the waters and end up drowning. So they moved east and traded spots with the Bear clan.
The Otter clan is known for their curiosity more than anything. They are investigators and seek the unknown. In return, many of them are killed for poking their noses into something too deep. Otters are also known for experimenting. They often think of new things and go through the trial and error process. Not all the things that succeed the trial and error are ever used, though. Most times they experiment just to do so - just to see what will happen.
Clan members stick to small families. Parents, and then one or two children. Never any more than that. Because of this the Otters are the smallest of the clans, but one of the most intelligent.
At Clan meetings the Otters are most usually quite quiet until a topic of interest comes about.
They aren't the best hunters - but they're great gatherers. Winter usually doesn't hit them very hard since they gather so many herbs, berries, roots, and various edible plants during time of prey. What they do hunt is often made into a jerky-like snack and stored.
Deer Clan
Deer clan members are timid. Often a bit paranoid. They are very aware of their surroundings. Deers are usually built slender and agile, able to run from danger more swiftly than any other clan. They are wise and often think of the "plan B" to hunting tatics. Like otters in meetings, they don't speak up much, but do moreso than the otters. Deer are best with cooking. Many times they are the ones called on in ceremonies to prepare the spices. They don't hunt very well, and winter hits them the hardest. During the winter, Deer Clan will join with Otter to survive. They keep their population low so it's easier to feed. So often only certain people are allowed to have children during certain years.
Bear Clan
The warriors of the clans. The Bears are fearless and strong. Even the women are large and have quite the attitude. Next to the Wolf clan, they're some of the best hunters. It is the Bear clan that will defend others against the Chicotah wolves, or other animals that cross their territory out for blood. Bears are outspoken and blunt. They aren't afraid to show who is in control. They are rational thinkers, sometimes acting before they actually think about what they're doing. At the clan meetings, Bear does most of the talking. Their familiest are large - three or four children to every other family. Bear clan members compete quite often in strength - men trying to prove they're stronger than the other. They spar the most and look for challenges.
Raven Clan
Witty. Smart, and highly alert. They are inventors and tool makers. Ravens have mroe tools than any other clan which makes work on them much easier. Because of this, Ravens have more time to relax and discover new things. One of the more happier clans, but very secluded. They like their privacy and don't much care to interact with the other clans. Ravens aren't the best hunters, but they do well enough to survive winter. They scavange off kills from other animals a lot, and collect a number of berries and seeds. Ravens are not afraid to show off their intelligance at meetings. They are the plot makers of every plan. They are the main help in resolving problems. Other clans usually ask the Ravens to be scouts since superb eyesight has been passed down in their blood. Ravens and Otters work together discovering and inventing things. It is their mixture that makes the many humans of modern times.
Sabre Clan
Positioned on the lower level of the mountains, though high enough to see for miles Sabres are the lookouts. They're much like the Bears, only with a lot more pride and sarcasm. They can be vicious, but brave. A Sabre will gladly step up to a challenge and stare it in the eyes. Their population is a medium size, and winter will hit them hard, but they bear through it.
Wolf Clan
Protectors and hunters. The loyal, nobel law of the lands. Wolves hold the clans together and make sure they don't fight amongst eachother. They provide wisdom and lead them in times of trouble. The Wolf clan population is the largest. Being great hunters - they never go hungry. Wolves have the highest number of elders in their clan and listen more often than talk during meetings held within their village. Once meetings are over, the Wolf leader adds his own input and ideas as well as councils with the others. Every clan depends on Wolf clan, without them, they would live in chaos. Wolf clan is happy. Couples are well chosen and rarely ever leave eachother. It is a rumor that sometimes members of hte Wolf Clan will take their day-old children into the woods and ask the wolves to look after them for a few days. After those days, they will go back and retrieve their child - healthy with bitch's milk, and with the knowledge of the wolf now imprinted in their developing minds.