[Public]Wodes of the Swamp (Herd Remodeled)

[Wodes Witches]

Deep within the western lands, where forest and field give way to swamplands, lives a herd most unusual. Magic has soaked deep into these lands, magics of the earth and the mystics, the Wodes stand guardians of it all. Secluded and secretive, these guardians of magic do not shun outsiders who seek them out but woe to those who think to cause harm.

Rules
1. Be respectful. You do not have to get along with everyone, but don’t be rude about it.
2. All alignments from good to chaotic are welcomed though all actions have consequences. (No one truly evil would be accepted ICly outside of a potential plot. See Andranis or Keantha in that case.)
3. Don't antagonize the kelpies.
4. No really don't…
5. Unless it's a Herd Helper, not everybody is expected to stay forever. If the pony finds the swamp not so to their liking, they're free to go with no ill will from the leaders.
6. Obviously, follow Gaia’s ToS and the shop's rules.  

[Wodes Witches]

Joining
Want to join? Please just fill out the form below, making sure to request what position you would like for your character. New families can be created as requested though at this time the only two established are the leading clan of the Sinclairs and the clan Potter.

[align=center][b][color=#4d7369]Into the Swamps[/b][/color][/alignment]
[b]Username:[/b]
[b]Soq Name:[/b]
[b]Soq Image:[/b][img=500][/img] ([url=]Uncert[/url])
[b]Designed Clan:[/b] (Sinclair, Potter, unaffiliated, or start your own!)
[b]Designed Rank:[/b] (Leadership roles aren't available. While you can create a new family clan, they are all under the leadership of the herd's matriarch.)
[b]Short Personality blurb:[/b] (This doesn't have to be long. Just give us some idea of who your pony is and how they will fit in.)
[b]How did you (your Soq) find the herd in the swamp?:[/b] (Are they a new member or perhaps an old soul finally able to return?)
[quote="Keantha"][/quote]

 

[Wodes Witches]

Index
Intro, rules
Joining
Index, Maps,
History
Views, Holidays
Positions, Races
Members
Clans and the Allies
Extras in case I need to break stuff up more... Or overflow

Map of where the Wodes are
TBD

Map of the Lands
TBD  

[Wodes Witches]

History of the Wodes

Many more generations ago than anybody knows, the first Soquili to reach the swamplands where the Wodes herd live now found the area enchanting. In those days, they only bore horns, and cloven hooves, some had leonine tails - And some bore dual pairs of wings. All bore magic, referred to by long-gone herds they'd passed as witches. These early Wode dwellers took the name with pride, perfecting their crafts, and weaving their magic into the land around them.

They weren't alone, though. Eyes watched from the waters of the swamp, horse heads that bore fins, bodies that tapered, and others that had tails that were broad and ended in fins, all with mouths filled with sharp teeth perfect for rending flesh. But they were also filled with curiosity about these magic-bearing strangers.

As some might expect, the first contact between the witches and the water dwellers was violent, as there were those among the water dwellers who didn't like these intruders in the lands. The fighting went on for three seasons before a stallion of horn and wing had a mare of land and water pinned, poised to kill... And then he looked and realized she was, in the end, still a horse just the same, if a different kind. He'd only been a foal, when the herd had been moving across the lands to their new home, had heard the harsh words of those who didn't want to understand, and he now looked into the eyes of this mare and saw a scared foal, deep inside, who didn't understand these strangers in the land.

Several years later, when the great fires tore throughout all of the lands, the Wodes herd ended up scattered to the four winds. As the land has healed they have all felt the calling in their blood, a calling to return to their homeland. Along the way new friends and families were formed until at least they returned to their beloved swamp.  

[Wodes Witches]

Views of the Wodes

The Wodes are a matriarchal society with the strongest magical female being the Arch Druidess. After all, the purest nature magic, the magic of bringing life into the world, comes from mares. This is not to say males are any less valued, for they are the other side of the coin.

The herd views magic as a gift from nature thus meaning they should use that gift to protect and guard the wonders of nature herself.

Holidays of the Wodes

Yule (Winter Solstice)
While joyful, this is a somber celebration for the herd. Gathering together, they say goodbye to those they have lost in the previous year. The herd will stay up around a fire all night telling stories of friends and family that have gone from this world. When the dawn comes they will give thanks for the return of the sun while speaking of things they wish for in the year to come. They also consider this the start of their new year.

Ostara (Spring Equinox)
A celebration of spring and rebirth, this is a time when the herd celebrates the rebirth of the Earth from its long sleep. Foals born at Ostara (or are conceived) are considered incredibly blessed. The dealbhadair often create flower jewelry for the herd to adorn themselves in.

Litha (Summer Solstice)
In the heat of the summer, when the sun is the highest in the sky, it is the time of Litha. A celebration of strength and prowess, it is time for the tournament! The laochraidh gather to show off their skills during a series of games and mock battles. It is also the one time of year that the laochraidh may challenge the current laoch for their position.


Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
A time of harvest and preparation for the coming cold. The herd comes together to enjoy the last harvest of the season/hunts of the field. This is also the time that the herd gives thanks to their sealgair and cruinniche for all they do for the herd during the year.  

[Wodes Witches]

Positions within the Wodes

Arch Druidess (1/1) - The strongest female magic user in the herd, she is the undisputed leader of the Wodes herd. The families all look to her for guidance. It is not unusual for them all to call her mother as a sign of respect.
Làn-ghaisgeach (1/1) - Typically the strongest male of the herd physically. He is the Druidess's mate as well as her guardian.
Laoch (1/1) - The second strongest in the herd. They are the Champion’s right hand in all matters.
Ceann-taighe (2/?) - Heads of the different families that make up the herd
Draoidh (1/2) - These are the stronger magic users among the herd. They work directly with the Arch druidess.
Lighiche (1/4) - Be they healers by magic or herbs all healers are respected.
Laochraidh (4/?) - The guards and fighters of the clans
Sealgair (5/?) - The backbone of the herd as these are the ponies that keep them fed. Sealgair also doubles as spies when following strangers who come into their swampland.
Cruinniche (4/?) - These souls work closely with the healer herbalist to find the best plants for their medicines as well as food for those who do not eat meat.
Dealbhadair (3/?) - The thinkers and dreamers of the herd. These creative souls make the many pieces of art and clothing that are found within the herd.
Allies (unlimited) - Those that while not part of the clan itself shares space with the herd.
Caraidean (unlimited) - Familiars that call the clan home.

Races in the Wodes

The only answer is, that the Wodes allow for all races, be they horse-based or familiars, big or small. They are a clan and act as such in their swampy home. They recognize, too, that unions can come from anywhere, as the stars have clearly spoken before. Children are beloved by all, there is no such thing as an orphan amongst the clan.  

[Wodes Witches]

Herd Members

~*~Arch Druidess~*~

Saoirse 'Peach' Sinclair (Clan Sinclair)
Matriarch and mother of the Wodes clan. Peach as she is lovingly referred to is a sweet but shrewd mare. While she dotes upon her children, she takes care not to show favoritism towards them.

~*~Làn-ghaisgeach~*~

Peppermint (being customed atm) (Clan Sinclair)

~*~Laoch~*~

Kellan Sinclair (Clan Sinclair)
Eldest child of Peach and Peppermint. This massive warrior has never let the fact he was born blind hinder him. With the help of his kin Rebel as well as his mate Mickey, he gets around perfectly fine. As for battle, well few that cross him have lived to tell tales.

~*~Ceann-taighe~*~

Hari Potter (Clan Potter)

~*~Draoidh~*~

Winifred "Freddie" Sinclair (Clan Sinclair)
Daughter of Peach and Peppermint, mate to Uriel. A playful young mare, Fred loves to take care of those around her. She knows the weight of being her mother's heir and seeks to live up to Peach's belief in her. While also studying under her mother for her future role, she works to focus on the care of their people.

~*~Lighiche~*~

Rowan Potter (Clan Potter)

~*~Laochraidh~*~

Uriel (Clan Sinclair)
Mate to Freddie.


Brighid Potter (Clan Potter)
A daughter of the Wodes of the Swamp herd, Brighid has a lot of self-image issues. While she knows her parents love her unconditionally and has no doubts about that, there are times she worries that she might take after her blood father in more than just looks alone. (Which is patently untrue, but the niggling doubt still remains with her.) While she hasn't fully overcome these doubts, her mate Botan has helped her a great deal by acknowledging that she isn't her worst impulses, allowing her to blossom into her role as a protector of the herd.


Aodhfin Potter (Clan Potter)
Of the triplets, it was easy to say Aodhfin was born angry. He is insanely protective of his family, almost obsessively so (only the fact they won't let him be so keeps him from it.) Kel took him under his wing and helped turn that possessiveness into a drive to keep the whole herd safe, not just his mother and siblings.


Kaimana (Clanless)
Kaimana is a plagued pony who only seems to be calmed when hanging around his mate. Not to say he cant go off and do his duties but he looks less like he is fighting his demons whenever he spends a little bit of time around Imogen.

~*~Sealgair~*~

Mickey (Clan Sinclair)
Mate of Kellan, brother of Moina. Sharp and shrewd, the kitsune is a bit of a cunning trickster. He is viciously protective of what he considers his.


Vadin (Clan Potter)
Protective, confident, curious, and compassionate (usually). He can have a harsh tongue when someone is directly rude or cruel to others, although he tends to allow others to give him some sass before he snaps. He's a dedicated sort who thrives on having tasks to complete and will seek out work to occupy himself. He is utterly smitten by his mate Rowan and often can be found with him when he isn't working.


Imogen (Clanless)
Imogen tends to wander the swamps, using her lantern to guide those who find themselves lost in the murky lands. If it also allows her to keep an eye on the herd's lands, well that is just a benefit.


Aisling (Clanless)
Wickedly playful, Aisling loves nothing more than causing mischief among the herd. Thankfully her twin tends to temper her a bit. She doesn't mean to be cruel but she can be at times.


Knick (Clanless)

~*~Cruinniche~*~

Itzel (Clanless)
Most days, Itzel tends her gardens. Itzel is friendly to the herd, and even kind and protective. She's a pretty friendly Soq... TO HER HERD. To threats to her herd she turns from a quiet, friendly gardener-priestess sort into a bloody warrior. Itzel works hard to find a home and uses magic and prayers to her gods to benefit her herd mates, and she will not allow harm to come to her herd. Largely agreeable... Just mad-territorial.


Moina (Clan Potter)


Rosalva (Clanless)
Gentle by nature, Rosa is the herbalist of the Wode herd. From the swamps the herd calls home, she coaxes forth the many flowers, herbs, and plants that the Matriarch and her heiress need to keep the herd healthy.


Knack (Clanless)

~*~Dealbhadair~*~

Aoibhinn (Clanless)


Gavin (Clan Sinclair)
Adopted by Peach with his sister Melody as baskets, Gavin is a creator, a crafter, and a maker. He tends to enjoy socializing and giving herdmates decorations to wear. He's a friendly boy who travels with his pet mouse buddy. Gavin's style is eclectic but fun.


Melody (Clan Sinclair)
Gavin's sister, raised by Peach from baskethood. Melody is extremely anxious and prefers working in dried flowers or making tea. Melody has a masterful anxiety tea blend to keep her nerves, but generally, she's the shy, timid sibling.

~*~Allies~*~

Amorette (Siren)
Eldest of the Sirens, she is the leader of their family.


Keshira (Siren)
The middle sibling of the three, she tends to mother Aiden a good deal.


Aiden (Siren)
Beloved baby brother and youngest of the siren siblings. He has the most interactions with the clan.


Rex (Lurker)
She has no interest in this 'herd' bullshit, nor does she actually dislike them, not really. A charmed shifter, Rex is actually very protective of the Wodes swamp and the herd, so it's best to call her a giant tsundere alligator who won't admit she likes all these 'weirdos' in her swamp. Sometimes she even shadows the foals. Not to eat - but to protect.

~*~Caraidean~*~

Rebel (Bonded of Kellan)


Tiddles (Bonded of Uriel)


Maxine (Bonded of Freddie)


Tiddles (Bonded of Moina)


Sullivan (Bonded of Rowan)


Niamh (Bonded of Brighid)


Modraniht


Kalani (Bonded of Aodhfin)


Charmer


Sassy (Bonded of Knack)


Marigold (Bonded of Knick)

~*~ Rankless ~*~

Botan  

[Wodes Witches]

Clans of the Wodes

The Wodes herd is made up of multiple clans. Some are big, some are small, some are led by a mare with a rare few led by a stallion, and all have at least one member full of magic. From unicorns to Angeni, even charmed Walkers both Pure and Cursed.

Some of the clans might be more heavily influenced by one breed or another, such as more heavily unicorns, or more heavily Ulun-suti. Each clan also tends to specialize in certain roles, with some overlapping such as a family with both healers and gathers or hunters and artisans.

Current known Clans of the Wodes

Clan Sinclair - Headed by Saoirse "Peach" Sinclair
Clan Potter - Headed by Hari Potter

Outsiders and Clan Allies

There are those who live in the swamp, but don't wish to formally be members of the herd. While these outsiders will be watched for a time being, long as they offer no violence then alliances will be offered. If they make it clear that an alliance is unwanted, members of the herd are expected to leave individuals who wish to live alone to their own devices, so if there's a swamp hermit, foals are told to let the hermit be.

Known Allies

The Sirens - Part of a larger group of kelpie-suti mixes,
they're the most friendly with the Wodes herd so far of the greater
herd, but show no inclination to join the herd. They all have a
penchant for singing, hence Uriel's nickname for them

The Lurker - Out in the dark water of the swamp lives a gator
shifter known as Rex. Rather gruff and stand-offish, she is rather
protective of the youngest members of the herd, often shadowing
foals and yearlings anytime she sees them without a parent or
caretaker present for their safety.  

[Wodes Witches]