Lore
Deer of Adilsa
The deer of Adilsa are small, usually 1.7-2.8ft tall at the shoulder. They most resemble whitetails in build, with the large ears of a muledeer and the tusks of a tufted deer. They also have shorter legs with dense fur around their hooves like that of a draft horse, and small scruffs on their neck and shoulders that look like partial manes (think similar to a black wildebeest). Like most deer species, does have no antlers. Buck antlers most resemble these, but occasionally their largest stags will have antlers antlers like this. Deer of Adilsa come in many colors and have many markings. As long as your deer isn't bright neon I will probably accept it, but they should keep a semi-realistic colorscheme and have deer-like markings. I understand that deer are kind of lacking in the marking department though so feel free to give them mustang stripes or spots or whatever.
Adilsa deer can be monogomous, but usually are not. Mated pairs occur in higher ranks usually (but it is not unheard of for lower ranks to find love with each other). Mostly the deer of the herd will have fawns with outsiders every Spring to keep their population from becoming isolated.
However, (because i know WPers love romance), sometimes deer will have mates that they return to every summer/fall from other herds, sometimes deer will even convince their mate to leave their herd and join Adilsa officially, and still others will have secret rogue affairs. It depends on the individual.
Territory
Adilsa inhabits some of the highest altitudes mammals can withstand. They are an almost isolated population, newcomers only joining in late summer and fall when the herd briefly migrates to the valley to mingle with others. For the most part, they live in a small bowl-like formation in the mountains with a small misty meadow, roaring waterfall, and gentle stream. In the spring they have pleasant hills of wildflowers, and in winter they take shelter in the small spruce grove.
There are many rocky mountain passes in and around their territory, but being deer, they rarely venture into them to avoid injuring a limb. The unique geography offers them some good vantage points.
The main meeting place of the herd is at the pine grove. There is a rocky outcropping here, not too steep but still elevated ground, that the leader and their second in commands usually govern meetings from.
Beliefs
Adilsa is a spiritual herd, but not too organized in their beliefs. Mainly their 'religion' is just a collection of superstitions. Butterfly wings are good luck, and pregnant does usually have some dangling from the ears to herald a safe and healthy birth. Rainbows are an omen... good or bad, that depends on where the rainbow lands. More westward is bad, more eastward is good. The list goes on.
Overall, Adilsa deer lead their lives following a loose set of superstitions and spiritual beliefs. They do think there is an afterlife, but they do not claim to know it. The deer think that foggy nights are when the veil is thinnest, and if you see a shadow in the mists that does not respond to your friendly greeting, it may be someone coming back to this realm for a visit.
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Ranks + What They Do
Adilsa is not known for its complex social structure as they don't generally have a need for it. Below are the few distinct roles they have
[Sovereign]
The leader of Adilsa is called the Sovereign. They are in charge of guiding the herd, leading migrations and watching over them during the day and night. They make sure everyone is safe and direct their herd to only the best land, defend their herd, and keep everything organized to the best of their ability. Their word is not final, but should be treated with utmost respect and only disobeyed under extremely dire circumstances. They usually assume the rank by proving their worth in a series of tests. This rank is not inheritable, it is earned.
[Dukes/Duchesses]
They help the Sovereign lead the herd. They maintain order and usually flank the herd during migrations to make sure no one is left behind. They are also in charge of scouting ahead in certain situations, leading when the Sovereign is sick or absent, and overseeing herd functions of lesser importance. Rules are made by the Sovereign and their Dukes/Duchesses together to avoid any one deer becoming too powerful.
[Laech + 1-2 Laech Apprentices]
The laech are the healers of the herd, herbalists and a respected rank. They can have up to two apprentices at a time, though most of the herd is usually decently knowledgeable on their herbs. The laech only has a set healing place in the herd's usual mountain bowl - the small spruce woods, where shelter and warmth is easier to find. If the herd is migrating, usually 1-2 laech and their respective apprenctices will stay behind to tend to the ill. This is never an ideal situation... which is another reason why the herd is stuck wondering if they should leave or stay, because the laech have ill deer to tend to, but they themselves are perplexed by where the illness is even coming from.
[Buck]
The male deer of Adilsa. More mature bucks are called Harts (5-7 years of age). Bucks are usually expected to follow an unspoken code of courage, strength, and chivalry, though of course every deer in Adilsa is different.
[Does]
The female deer of Adilsa. More mature does are called Hinds. Like bucks, does have their own code, usually encouraging wisdom, courage and politeness.
Motherhood (and fatherhood for any bucks worried) are completely optional, but highly encouraged, as the herd's future depends on it.
i may flesh out these last two roles more I Zon't Know
[Fawns]
Self-explanatory. The fawns of Adilsa should be around 2-4 months old at this time. There are not many of them this year.
[Rogues]
Dispersal bucks, and sometimes even does, who are lingering around Adilsa territory. Usually frowned upon for the Sovereign as they intrude on the territory, grazing what is not theirs and risking running off with one of the Sovereign's deer.
more tba maybe
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