Herd info
Mischief, Secrets, Chaos, Fierce independence - Traits of the Vulpine herd.
The Vulpine herd is an ancient one that has managed to elude discovery for many generations. They are recently coming to light within the Kawani lands, but not due to any carelessness by the herd. Rather Vixen, the Alpha, has decided to join the world – albeit only slightly.
The foxes are swift and clever and able to move undetected through the woods whenever they wish, thanks to their superior sense of hearing and camouflaging techniques. They are wary of others but also possessed of an insatiable curiosity that has lead them to reveal themselves now and again to the locals. This behavior was prohibited under the rule of the previous alpha, but with her peaceful passing a new era has dawned. It’s impossible for outsiders to know exactly how many members the herd has because the members can seemingly disappear and reappear at random with no more than one or two in view at a time. The herd members themselves are very social with each other and live very tight-knit lives in their community.
Despite how secretive the herd is many members have been seen and interacted with others outside of the herd. It was simply forbidden to allow others to find their homelands prior to Vixen taking control. She’s tentatively opened their borders and is interested in seeing what other cultures might be out there. The Vulpine herd has become extremely prosperous and has a lot of wares to share with the outside world and wishes to open trade. They also have a great deal of wisdom to impart to those who are patient enough to listen.
The herd is generally neutral in the politics of the world, only bothering with things that affect them directly. Most members are care-free and playful, treating the world as one big joke. Some play tricks on others that can range from harmless and entertaining to mean and unfortunate. They generally have a hard time focusing on one thing for too long, as they are constantly exploring and trying to learn new things.
What a fox of the Vulpine herd knows of the world dwarfs the average soquili. They have learned to live in perfect balance with nature and to thrive even in the bitter cold of the mountains. They have a straightforward, practical approach to most problems that arise. They are unfazed by issues and instead are quick to find a solution without missing a step. They have amazing abilities to assess situations, compile data, and create a course of action – all within moments. Their brains seem to work differently from others and can make leaps and mental connections so fast they almost seem random. Because of this they are often taken as fools and seen as less intelligent by some. They simply see the world differently and have active, curious minds.
Many of the Vulpine herd are very quiet, preferring to observe the world and ponder its mysteries. They can be very tight-lipped and coy, almost teasing about their thoughts when talking to another. It can be very difficult to know anything for certain about these types, but their eyes always say that they know more than they let on.
They choose their own leader and can decide to elect a new one whenever they choose, though it is rare that leadership is changed before the current Alpha had lived her full life. It's considered a great honor to serve the herd in this roll, and the alpha can choose to step down and pass the reigns to whomever they wish as well.
((If Fatal Irony becomes inactive this is full permission for others to step up and "elect" a new alpha to run the herd))
Their Beliefs
The Gods: Loki is an important god in their pantheon. Also worshipped: Anansi, Elegua, Eris, Kokopelli, Laverna, Lugh, Veles, Wisakedjak
The Spirits: These are the types of spirits that the herd acknowledges. They can be blamed for any occurrence good or bad.
The zenko (善狐, literally 'good foxes') are benevolent, celestial foxes associated with Inari; they are sometimes simply called Inari foxes in English.
The yako (野狐, literally 'field foxes', also called nogitsune) tend to be mischievous or even malicious.
Death: It is believed that after death the Vulpine members roam the world as spirits, either the Zenko or the Yako, and earn extra tails as their power grows. After reaching 1,000 years of age and gaining its ninth tail, a kitsune turns a white or golden color, becoming a
tenko (天狐, 'heavenly/celestial fox'), the most powerful form of the kitsune, and then ascends to the heavens. Those who are born with multiple tails already are said to be connected to the spirits and to be more advanced and spiritual due to their connectedness with the spirits. They do not need the full 1000 years to ascend.
Shifters: Shifters are seen as very connected to nature and the gods as well and are highly respected. Since this herd worships chaos and mischief it doesn't matter what the temperament of a shifter is, they still are highly respected.
Living Gods - There are two per year, one to represent the Kitsune Spirit and one to represent the Nogitsune Spirit. Both remain the Living Gods for the full year and participate in festivals and ceremonies as needed. During this year they wear ceremonial items and behave as the avatars of the Two Spirits. For that year they must stay within the herd lands and spend a lot of time in prayer or adoration, where herd members can come to worship them and give them offerings and prayers.
Festivals and Celebrations
Naming Ceremony - This is a one-night solemn ceremony where the next year's Living Gods are announced. The same two will be the Living Gods for the whole year, participating in both festivals and any other ceremonies for the year. At this point the previous years' Living Gods step down and pass the ceremonial reigns to the new years' pair. For a month the two new Living Gods go into isolation with the Mystic Leader to commune with the spirits and be taught how they must act and what is expected of them for the coming year.
Winter Solstice - Kicks off the Season of Kitsune.
VULPINE NEW YEAR - KITSUNE/NOGITSUNE FESTIVAL - Every year there is a festival where two herd members are selected to be "living gods", one representing the Zenko, called the Kitsune and the other representing the Yako, called the Nogitsune. The Nogitsune goes around pranking the herd members and sabotaging contests and causing mischief, all while trying not to be seen by anyone. If someone sees the Nogitsune they call out for the Kitsune who comes to frighten them away and fix whatever they did. The Kitsune also goes around trying to do good deeds and give blessings to herd members. This is a favorable time to get married. Herd members dress up and decorate according to which side they want to root for. There are contests and little skits throughout the week with mock battles between the Nogitsune and Kitsune and the herd members like to bet on which will win the festival overall.
If the Kitsune wins it means the following year will be bountiful, both with the harvest and with kits being born. The veil between worlds will be closed, meaning no malevolent spirits causing trouble but also a lessoned link to their deity.
If the Nogitsune wins it means the veil between the worlds will be thinner for the coming year, which means more spirits will be running around causing mischief. Kits born during a Nogitsune year tend to be better mystics due to their closeness with the spirit world however they also tend to be more unpredictable.
Summer Solstice - Kicks off the Season of Nogitsune -
CELEBRATION OF SPIRITS - There are altars all around the herd camp and during this time the herd members decorate these lavishly and give offerings to these spirits. For the bad spirits they pray that they will stay away, and for the good spirits they pray for their attentions.
Spring Equinox - Balance, games that tie -
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS - Celebration of all the crafts and things the herd members make. A celebration of creation. First festival open to the outside world. Lots of stalls set up, lots of food, music, and things to buy or barter for.
Autumn Equinox - Balance, games that tie -
KITSUNE/NOGITSUNE CELEBRATION - Two "Living Gods" are selected but they go around the herd camp to be idolized and worshipped. There are several "fights" between the two for control. It all seems real for the kids, but the end is harmony. game that ends in tie, though the adults pretend there are stakes. Very similar to the New Year celebration except it's rigged for a tie and the end celebration is a dance, signifying the importance of balance and necessity of both the Kitsune and Nogitsune. The adults play it up like the stakes are real high if one wins over the other, but it's always a tie. The kids believe the contests are real.
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