Thread/Herd/OOC Rules 1. Follow Gaia ToS, and Soquili shop rules 2. If you are posting IC, please somehow indicate that you are doing so. 3. No spam 4. Please ask permission to custom into the herd prior to entering for customs. 5. Stuff. I dunno, I reserve the right to add more rules as the need arises or they occur to me.
Totem - Picture coming eventually - A fine sculpture carved out of wood, Vincent had it created by a wood-working human upon arriving in the Kawani lands. (Let's assume that he drew a picture of what he wanted and there was some awkward attempts at sign language before a bargain was struck) It looks like...to be determined.
Territory
Although there are members scattered throughout the mountain, the core of the Sinclair family herd lives in the ruins of an abandoned mountain city, nestled in a pocket carved into the upper third of their mountain. The ancient inhabitants lived in harmony with the nature around them, thus the city remains heavily forested and most of its buildings were simply carved into the mountains themselves. The mountain naturally forms a series of terraces leading to the top that are easily defendable as any would be invader would need to approach on an incline. Steep trails carved into the rock form a somewhat harrowing path from one terrace to another. Where the terraces butt up against the mountain, the rock is honeycombed with caves and tunnels, some natural, some that had been hollowed out by human hands at some point. The caverns provide shelter from the weather and the sunlight. Vincento and his immediate family live on the highest terrace. Directly under it is the upper part of the town, where extended family and other herd members make their homes. Oficial herd business is conducted in the higher levels, the council meets here, weapons training takes place in the practice arena, ceremonies are held, healers and tradesman may also set up shop in any of the smaller caverns it they wish. Some soq choose to live here as well. The lowest terrace is to house visitors, servants, and prisoners. The guardhouse is located here, there are large caves used as storage areas as well.
Fun fact: The Sinclair family live on the other side of the same mountain that shelters the Harvest herd's valley
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 11:46 am
History
The Sinclair bloodline began in a far away land, within an old range of mountains that have been known by many names. The Kalona herd that called those peaks home, called them simply, the Black mountains, because the soil is rich and bountiful, and because only the highest peaks are snow-capped in any season but winter.
Vincento Sinclair was the eldest son and heir of the herd's leader. And old and powerful Kalona elder who prized purity of blood and therefore, purity of magic above all else within his followers. Breedings that resulted in 'impure' and therefore 'weaker' bloodlines were forbidden upon penalty of death. Vincent was not swayed by his father's prejudices, he was a foreword thinker and didn't view crossbreeds as abominable. He approached his father with an example, whenever a member was seriously injured, a unicorn or kirin was captured and forced to perform the healing. Vincent explained that if they could breed healing magic into the herd, they would have a healer they could trust available at all times. The herd leader was horrified, to him, Kalona were the ultimate predator, and every other breed was there to serve them in one way or another, breeding with a unicorn was like mating with your dinner, unimaginable. Despite the main herd's beliefs, Vincento accumulated followers within the herd who agreed with what he had to say.
Eventually, Vincento's father arranged a suitable pairing for his son with the daughter of a neighboring herd. She was a petty, whiny, spoiled brat, but her bloodlines were pure. That was enough for his father, but Vincent was disgusted at the idea. Behind his father's back, he had been having an affair with a half Kalona by the name of Jacqueline (To be customed). Upon her he had already sired three healthy, strong children; Evangeline, Morphia, and Maeve (to be customed), and around the time that his political marriage was made public, she had become pregnant again with Jessamine and Giovanni. Jacqueline was no angel, she was manipulative, vindictive, and vicious. She loved Vincento, but she was also using him, as he was using her. They suited each other perfectly. Jacqueline was too proud to be reduced to Vincent's secret mistress, she demanded that he choose her or she would disappear with all of their foals.
Vincento has many negative characteristics, but he has always been loyal to his blood. It hurt him dearly to betray his father, but his own children held more of a hold on him than his parent. Vincent left the herd that very night along with those of the herd that agreed with him. Vincent and Jacqueline took these new soquili away into new territory and formed a new herd. For a while, they were quite happy.
Jacqueline and Vincent's youngest children, Jessamine and Giovanni, were spirited and adventurous. Tired of being cooped up on the same land, they snuck out to explore and ended up crossing paths with Vincent's father, who knew upon seeing them that his bloodline had been corrupted. He attacked what he saw as embarrassing abominations, and easily overpowered them, thinking them dead he disposed of the bodies. He followed their trail back to the caves where his son's herd had been living and then went back to his own followers to hatch a plan. Capturing a skinwalker took the strength and lives of many of his own, but they managed it and unleashed it in the same area that the foals had been discovered. The skinwalker easily followed the foal's trail back to Vincento's herd and attacked, slaughtering many and forcing the survivors to scatter in all directions, such was the violence of the attack that each group of survivors were sure that they were the only ones who had escaped. Vincent and Evangeline had been out searching for Jessamine and Giovanni when the rest of their herd had been attacked. They found evidence of Jess and Giovanni's blood and the skinwalker's presence and were forced to conclude that the foals had been killed. Vincent and Eva followed the walker in search of vengeance, and were horrified when they realized its' trail led back to their own home. When they reached the caves, they found them in ruins, blood and bodies were everywhere, and although they could find no sign of the rest of their family, they were sure they were now alone. Heartbroken, the two searched in vain for months but eventually gave up and migrated to Kawani to start over.
Jessamine and Giovanni survived but had been separated. Jessamine had no memory of anything before waking up after the attack, she also ended up in Kawani and grew up not knowing that she was part Kalona, because of the damage to her mind and her strange cravings she grew up a twisted and damaged shadow of her former self and remains so to this day. Giovanni still remains lost (Nyx is customing him)
Vincento and Eva survived on their own for a long time, but eventually, they began establishing a new herd. Early on, they were attacked by a rival herd that felt threatened by their growing power and then, when they were still recovering, they were attacked again by local soquili who were frightened of a Kalona herd gaining power in the area. The two were left alone again and left to find a new place to settle. To her astonishment, Eva found Jessamine on one of her scouting trips. She immediately recognized her younger sister and convinced her to accompany her back to Vincent. Through her stories, they realized that this land was not nearly as tolerant of the darker sides of the heart which had been cherished as much as the light in their old home. Slowly but surely, they have tracked down Jess's descendents and invited them into the herd to build their ranks. Vincent is viciously protective of his family now that he has found them again, and intends to become too powerful for anyone to risk harming any of them. Together, Vincento and his family are building a new mountain sanctuary to protect their own and teach those who had been damaged by a hard life of rejection that they were worthy and beautiful, to embrace their darkest urges and feel pride in their heritage.
Herd Structure
The Sinclair Herd is more of a small society than a structured hierarchy as Vincento requires no help to rule over his family. It was created to provide a protective sanctuary for those of the Sinclair family to come together to learn about and embrace their darker impulses, but as more soquili are born or inducted into the herd it is becoming more of a structured society. While most members make their home in the sanctuary and guard it from outsiders, including Vincento himself, some simply come and go as they please, or as necessary (Mostly mates, or family that was not born within the herd or left it later on)
Family members may be a part of this herd as well as others. Members are not expected to remain within the herd lands at all times. They are, however, expected to honor the family and not leak its' secrets in their travels upon penalty of death.
Although Vincent's original intent was simply to reunite his own blood descendents and provide them a safe sanctuary, he has begun adopting young soquili into the herd to swell their ranks as well as accepting adult soquili who have suffered as his family has and request sanctuary. All must have strengths and skills he wants brought or bred into the herd. All outsiders who wish to join must prove their loyalty beyond doubt as Vincent will not gamble with his family's safety.
Values and Traditions Under construction
Having come from a herd of blood-purist Kalona that tried to kill Vincento and his children, Vincento decided to make new herd policies. If you spill the blood of a family member (with malicious, premeditated intent), your life is forfeit whether you are family or not. If a member of the family is caught plotting against the family (this could range from selling family secrets to plotting to kill someone within the family), they are thrown out and declared a blood traitor, maimed, or even killed depending on the severity of the plot.
While the tenets of the herd are only one generation strong, all of the 1st generation of soq who abide by these rules will teach them as divine law to their descendents because of the crap they dealt with from blood purist family members. The things that were important to the old herd were more along the lines of blood purity and influence, with a dash of blood worship since it is their sustenance. From them Vincento has taken bloodletting ceremonies, baptisms for new members adapted to include some kind of blood play (ie; you have to bleed on their totem as a part of induction into the family), some kind of animal sacrifice during festivals, etc.
There festivals throughout the year. Herd members are required to attend at least one of these every year, to check in and renew their blood oaths. Herd allies are welcome to attend but are not required to participate. The festivals are basically big parties where the herd gets together to renew family bonds and have a good time. There is a ceremonial killing of the first food-animal, blood oaths are renewed in front of/on the totem, new members of the family are baptized by blood and depending on their age required to swear a blood oath, and Vincento usually makes some kind of speech. Otherwise there are games and activities and the family pretty much parties until the sun comes up. The family also has smaller, single day celebrations, no less meaningful, but quite a bit more exclusive. Outsiders may be invited to partake in the festivals, but only those part of the family by either blood or mating may participate in Samhain, Yule, or Beltane.
Patriarch: Vincento Sinclair is the patriarch of the Sinclair clan, he acts as Alpha and protector and has the final say in all herd decisions. He does take advice, but it is understood that his word is final.
Heir: Evangeline is Vincent's eldest child. She has been with him since the original attack on their family and helped form the herd. She is his acting second in command.
Advisor/s: There may be three, currently there is only one. Jezabelle acts as an advisor to Vincento and Evangeline. As the herd is composed mostly of her siblings and their descendents, she is helpful in helping her aunt and grandfather understand some of the quirks that have been passed down through Jessamine's bloodline. She found and brought in many of the herd members and thus carries a lot of influence with them.
Watch Commander: Coquette Sinclair is her grandfather's protege, thoroughly trained in combat, she has been entrusted with commanding the warriors and scouts that patrol the herdland. She also assists Evangeline and Vincent in the training of new warriors.
Guards/Scouts: These are soquili dedicated to the defense of the herd, they may leave the herd at times, but never while on duty. They are trained in combat and make their home with the herd, patrol its' lands, and protect it from outside dangers.
Healers/Shamans: These soquili treat injuries and sickness within the herd, they may have powers that aide them, or simply skill with herbs and other medical techniques. These soquili also make their home with the herd.
Caregivers: Watch over and protect young foals while their parents are busy. Must make their home with the herd.
Artisans/Entertainers/Craftsmen: Pretty self explanatory xD. They do not need to make their home with the herd at all times, although they usually do.
Members: Open to anyone. Members can be soquili that live in the herdlands but don't really desire to hold a particular position. They can also be mates or Sinclair descendents that do not live with the herd but are still a part of the family.
Note: Members of the Sinclair family can also be involved in other herds, but they cannot be more than just a member or some sort of craftsmen in the Sinclair herd. This is mostly intended to help out those who own soquili that are descended from Vincento and want to be affiliated but have families elsewhere, also mates or lovers who don't wish to live with the herd, and that sort of thing. Unrelated soquili wanting to join but not stay and contribute to the herd would likely not be trusted with membership.
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Please Note all of this information can be found in the Sinclair Family Herd Thread But since that subforum does not seem to get much traffic, we're moving some information over here for convenience's sake.
Faithofthefallen Crew
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Faithofthefallen Crew
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Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 11:58 am
-How to join/Custom in- We are open and accepting new members and custom applications
Custom Guidelines:
You would like to quest for a custom member of the Sinclair herd.
So basically, customed in members will be survivors of the skinwalker attack from Vicento's original herd and the descendents of those survivors. They are all related to Vincent and can be cousins, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, as close or distantly related as you'd like. They will be the family that left the original herd to follow his leadership. Anything but a parent or grandparent to Vincent is totally fine.
For Custom-Ins
[b][color=darkgoldenrod][size=14]I've found where I belong![/b][/color][/size] [b]Username:[/b] [b]Soquili Name:[/b] [b]Gender:[/b] [b]Relation within the family:[/b] (sibling of 'x', child of 'x', straggler cousin who followed from old home, etc.) [b]Position/Profession within the herd(if applicable):[/b] [b]Personality/Character description:[/b] [b]Custom form:[/b] [spoiler](Form here)[/spoiler]
Post this form in here to request permission to custom a family member in and we will give you permission to reference Vincent if you want it. As of right now, we are not allowing anyone to custom in a descendent of Vincent as Jacqueline does not exist within soquili yet. (Vincent and Jacqueline will both have flings as they think the other is dead for quite some time before they are ICly reunited)
- Most of the Sinclairs carry weapons of some kind for defense. - At least some Kalona traits; horns, fangs, red eyes, wings, are common in the bloodlines but it is up to you how pure or diluted their blood is and therefore how many physical Kalona traits they possess, you can have them be a regular with red eyes like Jessamine and just have them ICly be part Kalona if that is more affordable n_n. - Their clothing and hairstyles are very elegant, words we would use to describe their style are aristocratic/vampiric/gothic/lolita, think lace, bows, ruffles. - The hair bunches are also a common cultural characteristic of the herd. Its not a requirement or any sort of status symbol, its simply a style that many of the family members have adopted. - Think neutral cool dark tones, but you can be creative and have fun, its your custom! Pops of color are fine, and we're not going to turn someone down if they really want a Sinclair with pink or green hair but try to keep them recognizable as part of the family. White/Black/Silver hair are the most common mane and tail colors. White and black are the most common body colors, red is the most common eye color. (Zack and Ara's descendents are rainbowy from Ara's bloodline, not from Sinclair stock). If you want a colorful Sinclair, it will Icly be a result from mixing bloodlines. - Your custom does not have to have the last name Sinclair but it can if you want it to. - As of right now, all older children of Jacqueline and Vincent are being quested. Once we have Jacqueline in soquili, we will start allowing people to custom mockbreedings but that option is not available at this time.
For existing family members:
You own a descendent of Vincento and we have not already discussed that they are a member of the herd in pm's or plotting. Post this form to let me know you'd like your family member to be a recognized member of the herd.
[b][color=darkred][size=14]Blood is Thicker than Water[/b][/color][/size] [b]Username:[/b] [b]Soquili name:[/b] [b]Cert[/b] [b]Relation within the family:[/b] [b]Personality/description:[/b] [b]Desired position within the herd (if applicable):[/b]
Simply post this form in here. You don't have to rp or plot to have your soq be a herd member. ICly other members of the herd will 'know' your character even if you aren't interested in plotting with the herd. They don't have to always stay in the herd lands but it will be a home that they can return to whenever they wish. Direct descendents of Vincento will be automatically accepted and need only post in here to verify that you want your soquili to be involved with the herd as opposed to having somehow been lost to the family, anyone descended from Jessamine that is ICly older than Claudette and Saxon came into the herd as adults.
For existing non-family members:
You own a soquili that is not related in any way to the Sinclairs, but you would like your soquili to become a member anyways.
There are two canon ways for soquili to join the Sinclair herd that are not related to or descended from Vincento; Adoption, or initiation.
Adoption: BASKETS OR FOALS ONLY Vincento doesn't believe that other soquili breeds are inferior, he thinks they have strengths of their own to offer the herd so this soquili need not be full or part Kalona. Vincent will occasionally 'adopt' wards, he will find abandoned baskets to raise as part of the herd to serve his family and bring in new bloodlines. He may also steal a basket from another herd as essentially a hostage to ensure their cooperation and ensure they act in the best interests of the Sinclair herd. Soquili acquired for the herd this way are not treated as prisoners, they may not be aware that they have been forcibly adopted, but he will let the other herd know that the safety of this child depends on the other herd's good behavior.
Initiation: FOR ADULTS This is the second way for non blood related soquili to join the herd. This would be how mates of current members would ICly join as well. They would approach Vincent about joining. Vincent will ask for an offering of their blood to him to symbolize joining their spirits to the interest of the herd and will set them a task to accomplish as an initiation. (This does not have to actually be rp'd, this is just ICly how they would have become part of the herd. Please indicate whether you would like to rp this initiation with Vincent or if you would just like it to be OOCly understood that they were initiated in this manner and are now part of the herd n_n)
[b][size=14][color=indigo]Family in all but name[/color][/size][/b] [b]Username:[/b] [b]Soquili name:[/b] [b]Cert[/b] [b]Personality/description:[/b] [b]Reason for joining:[/b] [b]Desired position within the herd:[/b]
More details will be added as far as herd positions/roles and things
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 12:16 pm
Patriarch/Matriarch:
Weapons Mistress, Heir:
Adviser/s:
Watch Commander:
Ambassador:
Guards/Scouts:
Healers/Shamans:
Artisans/Entertainers/Craftsman:
Members:
Important!!! A lot of the images up here previously were broken by PB, please PM Faith or post to let me know if your images are now missing!
Faithofthefallen Crew
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Faithofthefallen Crew
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Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 1:02 pm
Quoting those with descendents or relatives of recognized members. I can't remember who all I've talked to. Can you please let me know if there is someone on the member list who should not be, or if there is someone who still needs to be added to the list n_n.
-[The Spoof]-
Kettyn
Nyx Queen of Darkness
dolphingurl
Insane Butterfly
Icly, Epsilon just found out about Sophia and it led him to find the herd, so he could potentially have told Genesis about it if you would link n_n
CitrusCupcake
-[Katch]-
Sesshiyasha
Rockerwolfie1616
Mahogany Sunset
Lunadriel
Uta
I know we'd discussed having Vidia and Terpsichore raised in the herd when we got them, I had Vidia brought in for sure, but I wanted to check and see if you wanted Terpsichore to have been adopted as well n_n
Tsunake
Do you want your boy to be part of the herd? Or Queen?
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 1:12 pm
Kyaishi
Ryuu and I had discussed that all male offspring of Coquette and Elijah would be left with Coquette and raised by the herd, but I wanted to check with you and make sure you didn't want something to have happened to Everette's basket or anything like that n_n
belloblossom
Were you still interested in Lockes joining the herd?
Faithofthefallen Crew
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Faithofthefallen Crew
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Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 7:47 pm
Cajmera
Miss Cherie
LydaLynn
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 3:49 pm
Faithofthefallen
Ryuu and I had discussed that all male offspring of Coquette and Elijah would be left with Coquette and raised by the herd, but I wanted to check with you and make sure you didn't want something to have happened to Everette's basket or anything like that n_n
So sorry for taking so long to get back to you x.x; Nooooooo, I'd love if Everett could stay with his mom and be raised by the Sinclairs <333 he'll be a family boy, for sure heart Though I think Ryuu and I discussed that mebbe he could still have a relationship with his dad if Elijah was around at all ^^ but I adore the fam and I don't think 'Rett would want to leave <3
Kyaishi Crew
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Faithofthefallen Crew
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Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:20 pm
Kyaishi
Faithofthefallen
Ryuu and I had discussed that all male offspring of Coquette and Elijah would be left with Coquette and raised by the herd, but I wanted to check with you and make sure you didn't want something to have happened to Everette's basket or anything like that n_n
So sorry for taking so long to get back to you x.x; Nooooooo, I'd love if Everett could stay with his mom and be raised by the Sinclairs <333 he'll be a family boy, for sure heart Though I think Ryuu and I discussed that mebbe he could still have a relationship with his dad if Elijah was around at all ^^ but I adore the fam and I don't think 'Rett would want to leave <3
Yay, thats awesome! He is more than welcome with the herd, I know it would be a relief to Vincento especially to have at least one of the baskets stay, he was very put out by Coquette's agreement to send her daughters to the Valkyries. And Coquette and Elijah are having unlimited flings! They're good friends as well as non monogamous lovers. He likes to come and spar with Coquette and Ryuu has said he would want to be involved in training 'Rett to defend himself (He's not obligated to become a warrior by any means if you don't want him too, but he'll get a lot of pressure from both parents in that direction). I know we've talked about what will be going on with those two pretty extensively so far, so Elijah will definitely be around, and the sisters will visit too! Vincent has allowed the Valkyrie's to bring young ones to the herd on field trips to learn about the outside world in order to have some contact with his granddaughters.
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:12 am
Faithofthefallen
I imagine Queen would like to wander through from time to time, but she wouldn't want to be a permanent member, I don't think. More inclined on trying to reclaim her throne!
My boyo would probably be something of the same, but would absolutely come visit all the time to see his father/the rest of his family!
Tsunake Crew
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Faithofthefallen Crew
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 3:06 pm
Tsunake
Faithofthefallen
I imagine Queen would like to wander through from time to time, but she wouldn't want to be a permanent member, I don't think. More inclined on trying to reclaim her throne!
My boyo would probably be something of the same, but would absolutely come visit all the time to see his father/the rest of his family!
Sounds great! Actually many don't live there full time or at all so thats not a problem. They're working towards having people live there all together but its first generation herd so a lot of the adults have family elsewhere, and Epsilon is actually a guard i another herd. But he's still family known to the herd so he's considered a 'member.' Up to you whether you'd like them included 'officially.' Either way, they are more than welcome to visit!
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:48 pm
I suppose you could count Hoseki in there Her father didn't find much use for her as a "fake" jewel so she goes about tempting others
[+Katch+]
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Faithofthefallen Crew
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Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 2:06 pm
[+Katch+]
I suppose you could count Hoseki in there Her father didn't find much use for her as a "fake" jewel so she goes about tempting others
Sounds great! Did you want her to have any particular position within the herd?
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2017 12:33 pm
Faithofthefallen
[+Katch+]
I suppose you could count Hoseki in there Her father didn't find much use for her as a "fake" jewel so she goes about tempting others
Sounds great! Did you want her to have any particular position within the herd?
Probably just general member, she's not a guardian or healer - she's not great at combat but she's excellent at stealth and subterfuge so - idk XD whatever works <3
![[+Katch+]'s avatar](https://a1cdn.gaiaonline.com/dress-up/avatar/ava/ed/68/59b1b405168ed_flip.png?t=1465766144_6.00_11)
