Plot

Deep in the heart of North America, in the plains of the unmarked territory of the Western United States, lies the Coyote Herd. They are hardy, resilient, and sure; they are known for their endurance and sure-footedness. Their hoofbeats are the thunder heard on the coasts.

A notorious bachelor stallion and his band have decided that they want this herd. They already have a few lone mares with them, but the entirety of the Coyote Herd? That's tantalizing.

The band is at the herd's doorstep. Weather has taken a turn towards violent rainstorms. Foaling season is at its climax. Nature is ready to test the Coyote Herd, and they need to be ready for it.

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Rules

1. Follow all of the WP rules. Keep it PG-13, and keep swearing to a minimum.

2. This RP will be semi-literate to literate, meaning 150+ words a response. Writer's block is an exception, but please try.

3. Keep horse heights, colors, and physical abilities realistic. Even the fastest thoroughbred can only run a mile in 1:31:23, and that's the world record. Basically, your mustang won't be crossing a five mile distance in five minutes.

6. All high ranks must supply RP samples showing their literacy. No samples shorter than 200 words will be accepted. These roles should also be taken by people who are active. It's kind of awkward when the lead horse never responds.

7. No OOC drama (keep drama between characters, not people). If you have an issue with how someone is acting, PM them privately or talk to me.

8. If you use images, make sure they are properly cited and able to be used. Don't hotlink and make sure it's stock. If you need help finding images, ask me. Images are not required.

9. Reservations last 48 hours. If you need more time, let me know.

10. Maximum 5 characters for now.

11. This isn't exactly historically accurate, but I do want to keep it pretty realistic.

12. No purebreds; they're all mustangs.

13. Have fun.

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Coyote Herd Rules

The lead mare is not to be disputed with unless she is very obviously making a bad decision. Likewise, the lead stallion should receive the same respect.

The words of the lead pair are law.

Outside relations with bachelors are prohibited. Family ties are more lenient. But no bebes with strangers.

Mares found with foal by an outside stallion will be punished unless they were previously granted permission to have said foal.

A direct order from a lead is to be followed immediately. The safety of the herd could be in jeopardy, and all herd members must listen.

Foals are not to wander off at all. Yearlings still need adult supervision.

Colts who do not wish to stay within the herd will be booted at 3 years of age.

Herd stallions may breed within the herd.

The role of lead stallion may be challenged for by a herd stallion or bachelor, but if they lose, the former are banished from the herd. Bachelors are already not accepted without invitations.

Lone horses, both mares and stallions, may join the herd. This must be agreed upon by both leads and their seconds.

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Band Rules

The lead stallion's word is law, but discussion is invited -- for now.

When taking over a herd, the lead stallion of the band becomes the lead stallion of that herd. The second oldest will usually become his second.

Pick up any lone mares you find.

In order for a stallion to be accepted into the band, he must first battle the second in command to prove his strength.

Play dirty. Spread genes.

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Lead Mare: She is in charge of moving the herd. Usually one of the older mares, she holds the most experience and power. She is at the top of the hierarchy.

Lead Stallion: Usually oldest or most experienced stallion, he is in charge of siring most of the foals in the herd as well as keeping the main body safe from predators, warning of incoming dangers, and upholding the law. This can be challenged for.

Deputy Mare: Usually the second most experienced mare, she is in charge specifically of the herd mares. She keeps them in line when the leads are busy and provides support to the lead mare however she needs.

Lieutenant Stallion: He is the most trusted herd stallion and one of the strongest. His job is to support the lead stallion in patrols, alerting the herd, and warding off predators. He governs the herd stallions.

Herd Mares: The main body of the herd, these mares are necessary for the herd's stability. They have an unspoken rank system within themselves. They take care of the foals and the yearlings.

Herd Stallions: These are the few stallions within the herd besides the dominant two. They are allowed to breed with mares within the herd, but they cannot breed a lone mare. If they do not assist in taking watch and keeping the herd safe, they are kicked out.

Yearlings: Yearlings are horses under three years of age, both colts and fillies.

Foals: Bebes.

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[[Main Band Ranks]]

Lead: He is the oldest, most experienced stallion in the band and usually also the strongest. He is only replaced if he leaves the band after conquering a herd.

Second: The second acts as both deputy and lieutenant. He becomes the next lead should the current one leave or die.

Stallions: These are the other bachelor stallions. They are younger and more inexperienced than the two higher-ups.

Mares: These are the formerly herdless mares that the stallions have welcomed into their group. They are the beginnings of what the band hopes will be the additions to the Coyote Herd.

Yearlings: Horses under the age of 3.

Foals: Bebes. They will all have been sired by a bachelor.

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[[Other Ranks]]

Bachelor: Either in a band or by himself, a bachelor stallion is one without a herd of mares of his own. If you want to add a band, PM me.

Lone Mares: They do not have a herd. They can travel in groups. Occasionally there will be a yearling or foal with them, but this is a more rare occurrance.

[[Coyote Herd Rank Sheet]]

Herd Mares:

Herd Stallions:

Yearlings:

Foals:

[[Non-Herd Rank Sheet]]

Lone Bachelors

Lone Mares and Foals

Rowan || 5 Years & 2 Months || Stallion || Second || M: Band

The sun was at its peak, supplying the earth and its inhabitants with life-giving warmth. Animals such as prairie dogs and snakes scurried through the tall grass in search of food. Bison graze off in the distance, far from most animals. Nearby, a group of horses grazed in the same field - a band of mostly stallions with one or two mares sprinkled into the mix.

Above the herd - perched on a hill that sloped into the prairie - stood a large sleek black stallion, his long black-rustic red faded mane swishing in the air as a small breeze flutters by. His nostrils flare as he takes in a breath, lifting his scar-laced snout slightly to get a better quantity of air. The impending smell of rain was laced into the spring breeze’s joyous arrival.

The stallion was observing the area, keeping an eye out for possible danger that may be lurking. The smell of rain did not alarm him - nor did the dark grey clouds that encroached on the grassland. Not even the ominous brown clouds that flooded the horizon caused him concern. Though, he did wonder what would happen with the river further into the prairie. Ah well, none o’ my cawncern.

A quiet roll of thunder catches his attention, as if wishing to answer his curiosity. Calmly, Rowan turns his head to the sound - the grey clouds. He studies the clouds for a few moments with his milky brown eyes before soon returning to his previous occupation as he waits for his leader’s next move.

As the warm grey washes of clouds bled across the Northwest sky that day things seemed to grow still in expectation. There was a certain waiting respect. A stillness that crawled eagerly through the wind and the plains like never before. The whole earth seemed to wait that day, as if it knew all that was to come.

Among the slowing rythm of the prairie grasses swayed with them the warm bodies of horses. Clustered and spread out amung the plains. Hairy footed, painted, few spotted, knotted, scarred... Among them laid about a long red two year old, stretched and sighing with the breath of the grasses. His knotted chestnut locks pressed into the ground, his mousy colored gaze only peaking through the flutter of his dark coltish eyelashes.

He was wiry, but nonetheless stout. Clumps of baby fur rolled away from his flank's white flecks to reveal new sheen and muscle that grew within him day by day. Small scars hugged his hocks and knees like small keepsakes from previous families. These scars were not gifts of violence, but mere spar and play. To Leon, they reminded him of a much simpler time. Not to say that his new group wasn't good to him, no, no! It was, nonetheless, different. He couldn't quite separate why, but it was naps like these lain on his side and smothered by the humid warmth of the earth that were times of peace for the young stallion in his ever more complicating world.

The thunder came on suddenly, bellowing through the soft ground and through the stallion's body. He quickly shuffled to his feet, though the grass was long enough this time of year to stand at one's knees. His eyes moved along the prairie, with a new wakeness. The young stallion's nostrils flared at the new scent of rain in the air.

Astra ll Lead Mare ll Coyote Herd ll 7 ll Currently in foal (To Maximus)

Astra examined the skies, her cream coloured mane ruffled slightly in the warm breeze. She watched the herd carefully from her position, at this time of the year the herd needed protection, the newly born foals and their dams especially.

The clouds worried her, they seemed to be closing in around the herd. They were on the edge of the expansive plains, the herd was ready to get away from the river at any signal given by her, but she was unsure.

She wandered further towards the mountains above the plains, stopping as she got to the almost overflowing river. She met a few of the herd horses there and said that she was making a decision about the herd’s movements before moving on. Up the river and turning away from it towards the mountains.

She skittered sideways as the river bank eroded beside her and picked up the pace, trotting up onto a small mound where she could see the entire herd before whinnying.

“Coyote Herd! We must move to a higher spot than the plains! Away from the river! A storm is coming and we must be prepared if we want to survive!”

With that she broke into a canter and then a full speed gallop down the hill, running around the outskirts of the herd to get them moving up the hill. Dust sprung up from her hooves and made large clouds behind her, her tail billowing in the wind. She encouraged some of the foals along the way and remembered her own foal, due soon. She slowed her pace slightly when she got to the front of the herd and led them upwards, away from the river.

Rowan || 5 Years & 2 Months || Stallion || Second || M: Cario

A downpour of rain followed the thunder’s roar, covering the mountains in a mist-like grey sheene. A gust of wind flowed from another direction - pulling the stallion’s mane along with it - towards brown clouds. Rowan remained unbothered by this change, however, the idea of the tornados combining with this change earned him some slight concern. In this current position, they were trapped - and their ability to spot any oncoming tornados, once the storms combined, would be hindered. Thus, proving this position to be fatal. A few hairs stand up along his back as he paws at the ground in anticipation.

A bellowing call soon catches his attention. Cairo, the band’s lead stallion, was ordering the herd on. His voice had been filled with authority. The painted stallion then canters up to the second, dust kicking up behind him at his movements. At his order, Rowan dips his head galloping up to the front of the herd - dirt and grass flinging up from his sudden movement.

“Keep da mares in da middle! We don’ need to get separated in this stohm!”

The black stallion then trots ahead, keeping the herd moving at a steady pace. He keeps an eye out for any paths or dangers that they need to avoid - calling out warnings when something is spotted, or just shifting the herd to the side. A roll of thunder sounds once more behind them - signaling the impending war between the reigning kingdoms of the sky. He only hoped that his “kingdom” would not fall with it.

Maximus ll Lead stallion ll Coyote Herd ll 7 years ll Everyone

Maximus lifted his head, stirring into action rounding the mares and foals forward toward Astra“hurry! It's rising fast.” he whined lifting a foal up a rock with his head before going to the back of the herd keeping a close eye on zeal and Astra as both were pregnant. The stallion was mostly worried about the chance of a tornado or flood due to how dark the clouds were, quickly galloping to the front to tell Astra his plan, his side heaved as he kept stride with Astra “we need to head toward some high hill’s! (mountains?)! Wait up there for the storm to pass!” he neighed over the wind to her before slowing down until he was at the back of the herd once again hoping the mare had heard him.
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Rain ll Filly (foal) ll Coyote Herd ll 7 weeks ll Everyone

The young filly was terrified as she fought against the wind trying to keep up with Shiloh and the rest of the herd she had never experienced a Rainstorm as bad as this nor a Flood or a Tornado even as scared as she was and how much she wanted to flee she stayed calm the only sign of her fear was her wide eyes as she glanced up at Shiloh visions flashed before her eyes her heart pounding. Trees falling around her and her mother as she looked up at her “mom why is that orangy red light eating the tree’s?” the younger her asked as she ran with her mom “Rain there is no time for such questions we need to run!” her mother replied fear laced in her words all of a sudden a tree began to snap from the ground falling toward little frightened rain as she froze in place only to be headbutted by her mom as the tree fell on her mom instead slightly dizzy rain lifted her head watching in horror as her mom screeched in pain from the fire burning her only to get gently lifted up by Shiloh “hurry rain! your mom will be ok follow me” Shiloh said in a soothing tone to the shaken filly blocking her view from her mom as she forced the filly to walk infront of her.