Carousel of Night and Day Herd - OPANZ

[elfstar89]

Sooo. It's been suggested that I set this up on the off-chance anyone else is interested. I'm not really expecting anything, as I'm also trying to get the Kawani Village Herd off the ground (if you haven't seen that floating around and it sounds vaguely interesting, please look it up, too!). And I haven't gotten an offer since spring. oO

What is this, you ask?

This is what happens when you get an anthropologist who likes stories excited about something that was probably a throw-away set piece, anyway.

This is the Carousel of Night and Day, for those who wish to continue traveling as part of this caravan.

 

[elfstar89]

The Nature of the Beast

As described in the event thread, the Carousel of Night and Day is a fantastical contraption, the only like it known in the Soquili lands, with music and gears and a host of exquisitely carved wooden animals sparkling with gold and silver paint and glass gems.

Accompanying this amazing thing is an entire herd of Soquili, most of them garbed to match the animals on the carousel. It is a peacefully divided herd, as the name implies, into Night and Day. The size and composition of the herd is highly prone to change. Not all Soquili who are garbed like the Carousel were at any point in time affiliated with the Carousel, and not all Soquili affiliated with the Carousel are garbed to match.

The history of the Carousel is, at this juncture, unknown, as are the traditions, reasons for traveling with the Carousel, etc.

But that's half the fun of developing a herd: Worldbuilding.

Will you follow the music and ride the Carousel of Night and Day?  

[elfstar89]

Membership and Organization

I'm inclined to leave membership rules wide open, and organization a touch on the loose side.

Some actual carousels feature marine and aquatic life, so it's fair to leave membership open, especially as some of the event Soqs are, well, Mer and Seathi. If Mer and Seathi do join the herd, the herd will travel along waterways. If, at any point in time, Mer and Seathi are not part of the herd, the herd will travel at will, regardless of bodies of water.

I'm keeping the Night and Day elements, as they were pretty central. The Night will represent those of a more martial nature, who will defend the Carousel and the Day from predatory critters, like Skinwalkers. The Day will probably function as the rest of the Soquili, less defensive, more airy-fairy and sociable outside of the herd.

That said, let's move on to the more solid ideas about organization.

The Day

- The Sun (Alpha of the herd; leader of the Day, chooser of where to camp, etc)
- Performers (Song, dance, poetry, stories, street-theater, puppetry, etc)
- Gears (Those who maintain the physical Carousel, and do most of set-up)
- Traders/Gatherers (Those who gather and trade for supplies)

The Night

- The Moon (Protector of the herd; leader of the Night, and its commander)
- Protectors (Rank-and-file fighters)
- Nannies (Protect and guide the foals)

The Midnight Oil

- Scouts (Scout out areas at the request of Sun and Moon, may also function as heralds)

Yeah, things are still a touch floofy, but feel free to offer. But before you offer for the Sun, I'd rather we get along, and that the Sun get along with the Moon, Mizuki Selene. They don't have to be mates, and I'm putting her in charge kinda arbitrarily, but I get the impression Mizuki Selene wants to see the Carousel stay together, and is willing to step up to the task to see it get done. owo

- Mizuki Selene: The Moon  

[elfstar89]

Traditions

Largely open on this, but I'm thinking that this will take on a slightly celestial/seasonal theme, and a stronger carnival theme.

Solstices and Equinoxes

Summer/winter solstices, autumnal/vernal (fall/spring) equinoxes. Not sure how they should celebrate, since these traditions vary widely globally. Though I'd imagine lots of seasonal decorations and plant life, maybe some special music they only play at holidays, etc.

Further than what's listed above is wide open, and unplotted. Got an idea? Post it, and we'll talk!  

[elfstar89]

Totem Pole and Territory

Nomadic. Definitely nomadic. Listed on the event front page, and fits with the carnival theme. Range will be based on whether they need to accommodate for Mer and/or Seathi, or not. But I'm thinking primarily lowlands, as hauling that Carousel around has gotta be a pain in the arse without adding mountains to the equation. oO

As for the totem pole...it should primarily feature carousel animal faces, that twist away into the spiraling pole, surmounted by the emblem of a crescent moon tucked into a sun-in-glory.  

[elfstar89]

Errata

Allies - Open
Enemies - Open

Plots - Open

Stories and Beliefs - None yet

Games: - Open