W A S T E L A N D S

Life wasn't easy before it all happened, but life was good. Before the famines, the droughts, the disease, life for the cervidae had been good. They may have lived under constant threat of predators, but they still enjoyed life and all it had to offer. That all changed though when the drought set in, reducing the water within the lands to almost nonexistent. The famine followed after that, taking almost all edible flora away from the lands and those within it. This lack of clean water and nutritional food brought in the disease, turning predator and prey into their own unique dangers alike. They thought it would end there. It didn't.

With disease running rampant, reducing populations at a slow, and steady rate, cervidae everywhere thought it was the end. Mother Nature, though, had more in store for them. She unleashed fire upon them, wrecking the remaining lands, destroying anything they had to offer, and just when it seemed like the end was nye, she showered them in hope. False hope. Down pours followed soon after, drenching the rains and the lands. They thought this was a gift at first, but it was nothing more than farse, a wolf in sheep's clothing. The water may have ended the fires, but the heavy, nonstop rains turned their once plentiful lands into nothing more than an ashen wasteland. Water contaminated from the fires and disease, food sources completely burnt up and washed away, plagued animals mindlessly roaming the lands, it didn't take long for rumors to spread among the suspicious cervidae about this being the end times.

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. However, for some, all they know is that life the Ashen Wasteland will not continue. If they remain in their lands, like they always have, they will all certainly die. But if they venture out into the unknown, try to find a new place to carve a life out for themselves, perhaps there is a future for them yet.

Hope, though, seemingly comes on the horizon as a herd moves through the Wastelands, picking up and welcoming in the stragglers who hadn’t succumbed to the Waste. This herd is odd, but they seem harmless enough. Their spiritual and superstitious nature isn’t uncommon for deer, but as time passes and the curtains are pulled back, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems. Deer go missing, friends die, but no one seems to bat an eye as it happens. The newcomers will have to learn how to assimilate to survive, or figure out how to escape. That won’t be easy, though, as the reach of the Sovereign is far.

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My Co-Creators for this Rp are Polly and Tenebris Umbra. They hold the same power as I do over this rp. Please show them the same respect as you do me. If you do not, the result will be an immediate kick from this Rp.

The Roleplay Ranks

The Herd Ranks

Sovereign
The supreme leader. He is the overlord of the herd, and everything he says goes. He is to be respected and listened to at all times, and anyone who dares try to do otherwise will be met with a swift end. Still, though, the Sovereign portrays himself as a wise and noble leader, almost grandfatherly to those. He, with his followers, have brain washed many of the herd into following blindly and believing everything is okay. It is believed the Sovereign is the descendant of Herne, and is revered basically as a demi-god.

Doyen
The Second in Command. The Doyen has a special role. He is both the Second but also he is the one everyone is terrified of, because he is the one who presents himself as doing all the dirty work. He is is to be respected and listened to, and if he isn't he will likely violently remind you why that isn't a good idea. While the Sovereign is portrayed as a benevolent good guy, the Doyen does no such thing. He is believed to be the descendant of demons almost, maybe even the devil, because of his dark and violent nature. He is the executioner, the punsiher, etc.

Elder Council
The Deer Who Make up the Leading Council. Normally, they would be the previous leaders in the herd to help the Sovereign lead. They don't hold a lot of power, and certainly don't have more than the Sovereign and the Doyen, but they do help support him. They are loyal to the Sovereign, and they provide assistance of backing him when anyone tries to do anything, effectively shutting down any sort of rebellion. There are only three of them, and they are all elderly deer. When one falls, the other two and the leads decide if they will be replaced and by whom.

The Garrison
These are the four highest trained and most skilled guards. Always with the Soverign or the Doyen. They have been specially trained and chosen to be their ranks, as they is not a rank that can be challenged for or taken. Typically they are always with the two leads, with two always being on duty. If the Sovereign and Doyen are going to be separated, all four will be on duty with two being with each lead. They are COMPLETELY loyal to the leads, even above their own mates and offspring. If they were commanded to kill their own fawns, they would.

Overseer
The Shaman/High Priest if you Will. Has the Most connection with the Gods. The Overseer is the deer, typically of the elderly age, who has the most connection with the gods. He lets the leads know when a ritual needs to occur and what it needs to include. He performs them. He also has the occasional "vision" that he will relay to the leads. He, like most higher ranked deer, is completely loyal to the Sovereign, though less so than the above ranks. Even if he wanted to disobey him, his love and devotion to the gods likely wouldn't allow him. His loyalty lies with the gods and traditions.

The Dominie
The Priests of the Herd beneath the Overseer. They train below the Overseer, and assist with all things. They do not have visions like he does, that is only bestowed upon the Overseer. When it's time for the Overseer to pass on, the gods will tell him which of his Dominie to choose. To become a Dominie, one must also be chosen by the Overseer. They, like him, are loyal to the gods and traditions, but don't hold the same loyalty towards the leads as other deer, but they know better.

The Sentinels
The Outlooks of the Herd. They stand and keep watch at all times. These deer are the stags who look out for danger and threats, but also deer trying to escape. They report to the Garrison and the Leads when anything occurs. They are a separate entity from the Keepers, and neither can give orders to the other. The Outlooks tend to be on the older side, since it requires more patience to stand and patrol the borders and the herd. Many of them are loyal to the leads, and believe firmly in the gods and the traditions, but not all of them.

The Keepers
The Regular Guards. These are the stags that make up the Guard for the herd, and protect them from threats the Sentinels see. They also keep the herd in check, so if the Leads need someone bullied or beaten down, the Keepers are the ones sent in. Most of them are often very loyal to the Leads. Often times referred to as "peace keepers" too.

The Novitiate
The Young Deer Training to be Keepers. The Novitiate are the deer under three years old that are training to become Guards. Any young stag can choose to train, but only those that pass their training at the age of three are passed on to the Keepers. Those that fail (often due to loyalty or strength issues) join the ranks of the Proletarians.

The Proletarians
The rest of the Bucks in the Herd. They don't have any official role, and many of the ranked stags view them as lesser than, and many of the does do as well. They're still expected to protect fawns and does if there are threats, but they aren't bestowed any honor if they die for it. They also have a tendency to be weaker or smaller stags, and don't win a lot of approval from the does. They aren't very loyal to the leads, but like many they know better. They do believe in their gods and traditions though.

The Zenana
The Does of the Herd. These are all of the does in the herd, since does cannot take up any of the above ranks. Their role is to solely bare the fawns of their stags, and raise them. Does, or hinds, are treated with respect, though they really don't have any power within the herd. They are expected to be subservient to the stags in the herd, especially high ranked ones. They can choose their own mates, but with high risk of injury and even rejection if their choice offends the stag in question. All Does who are aged three and up because Zenana.

The Progeny
The Fawns of the Herd. Pretty self explanatory, these are all the fawns, including yearlings, who are under 3 years of age. Fawns can become Novitiate at the age of 6 months, but not before hand. It's also important to note that it is encouraged for fawns to spy on and report back to the high ranks about what they see, even about their own parents.

The Neophytes
These are the Survivors Brought Into the Herd after The Waste. Another some what self-explanatory rank. These are the deer who survived the waste who have been brought in by the herd. They do not know it yet, but either they assimilate to the herd's ways, or they will be sacrificed and killed as proof of the herd's loyalty to their gods.



Non-Herd Roles

The Survivors
These are the Survivors of the Waste the Herd Hasn’t Found. So the survivors who have managed to avoid being found by the herd. It's unlikely they'll remain this way, but at least for the start of the rp they are.

Wanderers
These are the Bucks or Stags that aren’t apart of a herd. Like any rogue animal, there are stags who aren't in a herd for whatever reason, and these are them. They have the option to join the herd, but they would suffer the same options as the Neophytes.



Secret and Other Roles

The Shadow
The Spy(s) for the Sovereign and the Doyen that report to them about the inner working of the Herd.There is typically one spy per lead. So a total of two. They can be stag or doe, but likely stag. They are completely loyal to the leads, and report back information to them about the herd or whatever they have them spying on. So, yes, these are spies within the herd.

The Inamorata
The Favored Doe of the Sovereign that is in his Harem. She doesn't hold any power really, but she is completely off limits to other stags. If a stag is found even looking at her really, he is at risk of being thrown off a cliff.

The High Mistresses
The Does in the Harem for the Sovereign. Same rules apply for them as the Inamorata, but they just aren't as special as her to him.

The Hetaera
The Favored Doe of the Doyen that is in his Harem. The Doyen's version of the Inamorata.

The Courtesans
The Does in the Harem of the Doyen. The Doyen's version of the High Mistresses.

The Gods
There are Multiple Gods of Which the Herd Worships. The Main one being Herne. It is Rumored the Sovereign is the Descendant of Herne, and therefore he is to be revered himself. Most of the other gods are smaller, lesser known gods.

Herne
God of the Hunt and the Rut. Base god Most Pray to and Worship in the Herd. Fawns born during “Herne’s Moon” are considered lucky and are foretold to have the most fortuitous lives. They pray to him for safety, strength, strong fawns, etc. He is like a protector god. Male Fawns blessed by Herne are told to grow up to be the strongest of the males. Rituals to Herne are performed at least once a month of Fullmoon.
Herne is Portrayed as a Massive Stag with a broad and reaching rack of antlers. He often appears as a figure of glowing light.

Peko
She is the Mother Goddess and the Goddess of Fertility. Does pray to her for healthy fawns, and for easy births. They also pray to her whenever a fawn is sick or born sick. To receive Peko’s blessing for a female fawn, means the fawn will later be highly sought after by bucks or stags because she will birth only healthy sons. Monthly rituals for Peko are performed once a month on a half moon.
Peko appears as a beautiful doe, followed by a trail of flowers. After haloed in pale light.

Beira
Beira is the Goddess of Winter. The Herd Prays to her for easy and survivable winters. They also pray to her when the temperatures are too warm in hopes she will make them cool. They perform rituals to her on the New Moon during the first week of winter.
Beira is known to portrayed by a all white wolf with overgrown fur and fangs. To look her in the eyes means a long and terrible winter.

Ver
He is the God of Spring, which means he is the god of rebirth too. The Herd prays to him for a bountiful spring and successful couplings/matings. Ver is also prayed to when a deer dies in hopes they will reborn into a healthy body. The preform rituals for him when the first flowers bloom for spring.
Ver is known to be portrayed as a red fox, with a long tail and bright coloration. To be attacked by a fox in the first week of spring is a bad omen.

Aestas
She is the Goddess of Summer and also Fire. The herd prays to her for summers that aren’t too hot. To anger Aestas means a terrible dry season, which often brings on drought and fires. They perform rituals for Aestas on the night of the longest day of summer (the priests and overseer always know).
Aestas presents herself as a grey hare, fast and nimble. Sacrificing a grey colored fawn always seems to appease the fiery goddess, but to stumble upon a deceased rabbit is a bad omen and a promise of a bad season.

Notos
He is the God of Autumn (Fall) and Monsoons or Rain. He is prayed to so that the lands will be quenched so the dry season doesn’t carry over to winter. He is a fickle god, appeasing him means enough rain to replenish the lands, but displeasing him means too much rain or none. Rituals are held for him when the first leaves turn red. If a ritual isn’t performed before the leaves turned gold, it means a very harsh monsoon season.
He is portrayed as a Stork, with long legs and beautiful white plumage. He is a fickle god and cares little for what sacrifices are made, so long as enough as made.


Terminology & Lore
Herne’s Moon – Similar to a Blood Moon. But Herne’s Moon is when the Moon takes on a red hue. Rituals and Sacrifices are always held during this time. Many does wish for their fawns to be born during this time too.

Peko’s Blessing – Peko’s blessing is an odd thing that is rarely seen, but it occurs when a doe fawn is born with a white mark on her forehead that resembles a water drop.

Herne’s Blessing – This is the blessing looked for in male fawns. It presents itself as on a fawn as a Y (or an antler as they call it) on it’s face. The prongs of the Y star at the base of the antlers, come down to the eyes, and connect at the start of the muzzle before connecting with the nose. It’s a unique marking only ever seen a handful of times.

Seasons
Haerfest – Autumn/Fall
Wintruz – Winter
Sumur – Summer
Springan – Spring

Time
Sunhigh = Morning
Middle Sun = Afternoon
Fading Sun = Evening
Sundown/Sunlow = Right before Nightfall
Half-Light = The Twilight Hours
Nightfall = Nighttime
Moonhigh = About Midnight
Lowlight = Early Morning
I was given permission per Spellbound to use these terms that she created for her Art of War Rp. Thank you spell!

Other Terms
Heorot or Hart – Deer
Hind or Doe – Female Deer
Stag or Buck – Male Deer
Tines - The points that branch off the main antler beam of a buck. The amount of tines per antler decide what type/size of rack that buck has.
Brow Tine - The first tine coming off the main antler beam.
Spike - A yearling fawn who's antlers have come through, they have one point for each antler, and therefore are a 2-pointer.
Forkhorn - A buck with 2 points on each antler, equating to a 4-pointer. Usually a yearling or a 2 year old.
Thin-Horn - An insult directed towards Bucks or Stags with smaller antlers, whether it be point wise, size wize, or just having thinner antlers. These are signs of a "weaker" stag. Albeit, sometimes it is a sign of youth too.
Heavy-Horned - Referring to Bucks who have thick and heavy antlers, and are often a sign of good directions. It's also a sign of a male in it's prime, and you'll never see a male below 4 Years with Heavy-Horned Antlers.
Bleat - A sound a Doe or Fawn make that is similar to the sound of a sheep. Often to alert to danger and to call in a stag.
Legacy – A deer chosen to be a sacrifice for one of the gods


Other Lore

The Stars – They are believed to be the souls of those passed that were righreous and believed in the gods. Basically if you served the gods well, you join them among the stars.

The Nameless – The deer who were banished or killed for breaking herd law or disrespected the gods. It’s highly recommended you are never heard talking of them.

The Rut – The Season in which males challenge each other for does. It’s a little brutal and old fashioned, but the male who wins the challenge for the doe, gets her. Does may choose their mate by walking up prior to the challenge and placing her nose on his forehead, but she risks getting gored in the process. Some males also might take it as insult. At the end of the Rut, the harems are complete and copulation begins. Does cannot be challenged for until the next rut, but a Stag does have to defend them until the end of the rut. It lasts a total of 1 Week.

The Waste – Referring to what has happened to the territory as a whole. The combination of drought, famine, fire, etc. The refer to the whole thing as the Waste. “The Waste has come to the valley in retaliation for offending the gods” is often herd.