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The Itsula'ulasideni Herd

Welcome to the Itsula'ulasideni Herd. This is a Soquili Herd that has come together in recent years, particularly after the great Kalona Invasion. They are a relatively peaceful herd, but they are quite wary of outsiders--especially those who don't look like those of the Itsula.

This place is a sanctuary, primarily, for regulars to come together and find others of their own hooved-kind. While they have a few smaller sanctuaries designated for a few other common type of soquili breed, the herd is dominantly made up of regulars, and intends, very much so, to keep it as a regular dominated herd.

They are stationed within the plains of the Kawani, but their herd territory is large, and it also takes up parts of the forest, and some of the foothills of the mountains.

Think the Itsula'ulasideni might be right for your Soquili? Keep reading!

The Rule of Regulars

In the Itsula, regulars rein supreme. While this might be common in other herds, here, the dominant and reining breed will always be those with regular traits. The higher up the chain of command, the more pure the regular blood. There is a quiet fear among the Itsula that regulars are being bred out of existence. There has been a noticeable uptick of mixed breeds, mutants, and skinwalkers over the past decade, and where once the regular race had been the most common--times have changed.

Between the arrival of hyppo'gryphs and ulun'suti, purewalkers, mutants,Twisted Tunnels, the Kalona Invasion, changelings, and the recent explosion of harpies, those of the Itsula are taking a more traditional view. Change might be well and great for some, but these individuals prefer their culture, and breed, stay alive. While they don't look down upon those of other breeds, they are committed to keeping their herd as pure as they can keep it.

Ultimately, this is a larger herd which migrates with the seasons. There are a variety of smaller, family groups that inhabit preferred areas, but ultimately, any within the Itsula can roam freely among their lands. Once a year, the herd comes together to bond, share stories, celebrate and introduce new members and new life, honor those fallen, check ones fortune against the stars, and, most importantly, send in the matchmakers to case their spell.

Love is a serious business within the Itsula, and they hold a rather traditional view. Lifemates are taken seriously, and those that are blessed beneath the stars with their chosen match, by a chosen matchmaker, are expected to stick together through thick and thin. Flings are sometimes known to happen--and so long as the resulting offspring are of proper regular blood, the Herd might simply call them a gift of the spirits or of Spirited blood!

There are some who never lifemate--they are chosen by the Matchmakers and Star Signers--and who, theoretically, are promised to many. Their hearts are untamable, and it is their duty to assist in keeping the herd's numbers strong--so those who fear commitment might not fear being paired.

(OOCly, while lifemates are encouraged, monogomous flings are also acceptable. And obviously, flinging/crackships/etc. that result in non-regular offspring can live outside the herd, or happen in secret, etc.)

Detailed Information

Companion
For some Soquili, they are considered more a jack-of-all-trades, or have no clear path. If a Star Signer can't get a good reading on an individual, and/or doesn't seem to fit any particular path, they will be assigned as a Companion. These members will help as a general aide, and can be assigned to assist any group who might need a pair of extra hooves. Perhaps a Companion is tasked to help patrol the borders one day, or help the Matchmaker round up a few unsuspecting Soquili the next. They assist wherever there is greatest need, and on days they are not needed, can simply enjoy their lives.

This rank is not eligible for Star or Master roles. They can essentially be asked to help/assist by anyone in the herd.

OOCly, consider this for Soquili who might just be a general member of the herd and have no interest or inclination for a more specific role or title. They can live their lives as they see, and will likely be asked to help various groups at any given day. They help the herd by filling in when there is a need.


Matchmaker
Those who are matchmakers track the lineage of the Herd, but also follow the stars to see who might make a perfect match! They help meddle in the affairs of those in the Itsula, and help assist the Path Makers and Stars of the herd. They often try their hoof at making eligible matches, or at least setting up offers. If someone is going through trouble with their mate, a matchmaker can help smooth the discord. They are in the business of love... but can also help when there's trouble in paradise, or souls that haven't found their match.

OOCly, think of them as exactly what they are -- matchmakers.

Star Signer
Star Signer's do their best to learn the art of fortune telling. A superstitious herd, a star signer ensures that the spirits are happy and can help other herd members understand signs. While they tend to look to the stars for guidance, they are also good at reading other signs of nature. If a herdmate finds themselves unsure of their calling, the Star Signers of the herd can help set them straight, or at least send them to the right individuals within the herd. These individuals are looked to when foals grow and are given a path. It is often less that the herd member in question chose a skill path, and most often than the Star Signers foretold it. When the spirits are most upset, the Star Signers are the ones to listen to.

OOCly, these are akin to priests or priestesses. Very spiritual sorts.

Guard
Guards are individuals who are here to defend the Itsula. They are some of the strongest among the herd, and some of the most loyal. Where Warriors learn the art of offense, it is the Guards duty to learn the art of defense. They are usually stalwart protectors and are often called upon to guide herd members to and from more dangerous areas. They are always located along the herds borders, and don't often leave the lands. Drafts and larger-boned regulars are often preferred to be tapped as guards, but any Soquili with enough brawn, brains, and loyalty would be welcome.

OOCly, they're basically guardian, paladin types.

Warrior
Warriors share a kinship with the Guards, being some of the strongest within the territory; but where the Guards of the Itsula are known for defense, it is the Warriors that are masters of offense. They tend to come in more varied sizes than the Guards--where even the small and petite can be transformed into a fierce warrior with enough training. They are fiercely protective of the herd and its members, and are trained to protect against even the cruelest of kalona or walkers. Like the guards, they will give up their life for the herd.

OOCly, warriors are fighters and tanks.

Gatherer
These individuals are tasked with helping track down food for the herd. The territory is large, and not all families live in the same area. While the herd comes together once a year to celebrate, the individual family circles can roam where they choose. That said, Gatherer's will help keep tabs on the freshest greens, the best flowers, and where the fresh water runs clean. They help tend the earth so new growth can bloom for future generations, and often are looked to to ensure no area in the herd is being over-grazed.

OOCly, they're basically herbalists/botanists. Their knowledge of the earth and the land is second-to-none.

Hunter
Hunters are a mixed group, but are often trained with the warriors and guards. While there is often very little to hunt--for most within the Itsula are of regular blood, and often are vegetarian--there are some within who might need meat to survive. Instead of simply letting them chomp down on the first familiar they see, a Hunter will help provided meat when needed. They are also often a bit of a scout--and know the way of trails and the way of the land. When an enemy needs to be fished out, it is often the Hunters who take the lead and guide the warriors and guards to the location. They're great trackers, and can be formidable in their own right. Additionally, the hunter almost always has a familiar--and will work with them to keep tabs on the coming and going on of outsiders, visitors, and even herd members should the Alpha or Protector request it.

OOCly, Hunters are versatile and can either be actual hunters, scouts/trackers, or dabble in a bit of spywork as needed. They can hunt down information just as easily as they can hunt down a neighboring enemy.

Healer
Healers are exactly what they sound like. This is a rare role where unicorns and those with unicorn traits are encouraged to be! That said, there are plenty who have no unicorn blood in them at all who also learn how to heal! For those without unicorn blood, rest assured, there are plenty of healers who know how to treat various ailments without magic. Working in tandem with many Gatherers, they know which plants can help whatever might be wrong--from sour stomachs, cuts, bruises, and other maladies, the Healers help keep everyone in the herd safe. For those without the power of magic, they treat injuries and sickness with natural remedies; for those who were blessed with a unicorn horn, they can take on more complicated injuries and more severe illness.

OOCly, unicorns, alicorns, and regulars are all welcome into this role! You'll be the Cleric of the party, and of the herd. Come help keep the Itsula safe!

Storyweaver
Storyweaver's are basically storytellers. They tend to work in tandem with Songweavers, and help, not only entertain the herd, but educate as well! They pass on stories and legends to both honor the history of the Itsula (short though it might be) as well as to keep the herd from danger-- just because they might not have ever seen a purewalker doesn't mean there aren't stories to be wary around those who wear pelts! Storyweavers will also help craft new stories and celebrate accomplishments within the herd.

OOCly, these individuals help entertain. They create stories, legends, and myths within the Itsula, both for entertainment puposes but also to help educate. They might be called on to orate the history of a specific herd member, or craft up a new tale

Songweaver

Foalsitter

Crafter


Star Blessed
Some soquili, even within the Itsula, will find themselves Star Blessed. This is what the Itsula calls those who have clearly been meddled with by the spirits. (I.e. non-pure regulars that aren't Herd Sanctioned... Hyperhybrids, Surprise Throwbacks, Mutants, Twisted Tunnels, Wishing Stars, etc.)

No matter how careful the breeding might be, the it is known that the Kawani has many meddling spirits--and trickery can occur. Individuals who are born with traits that aren't sanctioned will be dubbed Star Blessed. Unless their mutations are very minimal, they will likely be raised with the understanding that their calling is most likely outside the herd.

They are raised with their families, raised with others within the herd, and aren't treated badly at all--but they will hear tales of the many Star Blessed that have come before them, and their great deeds.

In fact, there is a smaller area within the Itsula lands where Star Blessed are welcome. Those who do not wish to leave the herd entirely, or want to come and go as they choose, will always have a place to belong to visit. It's where mutants and hyper-hybrids that the herd find that might wish to live in peace can remain. Not exactly official members, and certainly not encouraged to fraternize with those within the Itsula itself--but a place where they aren't outright rejected.

The Itsula simply want to keep the regular breed alive... And the Kawani has proven already how quickly non-regular traits can outnumber regular traits.

Those who are Star Blessed and who wish to remain in the Herd upon adulthood are often given a specific role that's open only to them.

Shifters

Scouts

Adventurers

Entertainers

Whisperers

Familiars
Familiars are welcome, though they tend to prefer those that are more traditional, and likewise, tend to prefer to keep the blood pure when able. That said, a familiar is a familiar, and they are welcome in the herd. Those that are mutated or mutant are likely proof of how changed the world has become. While non-mutated familiars are preferred to be bonded with members of the herd, so long as mutations remain rare, the herd currently accepts them.

OOCly, should we have more mutant familiars than standard familiars, then the herd might need to take more drastic measures. But for now, they're allowed.

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