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Darkseeker
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D R O U G H T
Everyone is used to heat, it's not something that surprises them when it comes around every year, it's something that, as uncomfortable as it is, is familiar. The horses know what it means: water will be scarce, and food will diminish. But it was never a promise of death.
Til Now.
A heat wave has cloaked the valley, simmering along it's surface so that water vaporizes, and all edible plant life wilts to dust. At first, it seemed like any other dry season with hot temperatures, long days, and little sustenance. But then the water began to disappear, even water sources that had been reliable in the previous years. Food followed shortly after, even the hardiest of plants and trees would fall, taking with them the whisper of hope. Then the horses began to drop like flies as well, whether it was from hunger, disease, or heat, it seemed no one was safe from the wrath of the sun.
Instinct for the Valley horses was to take cover and try to wait it out, that things would eventually get better. But then, they had never been so bad before. The Lead Stallion of the Herd knew that there was little left for them in the Valley, but change is terrifying for anyone. The worst thing happened though, when the Lead Mare, ill from heat exhaustion, was lost, unable to keep fighting any longer.
With a void in the herd, the Lead Stallion lead what was left of his raggedy herd, and departed from the valley in hopes of finding some place new to call home. It's a long, dry road ahead of them, but the thrill of the unknown and the hope of something better lingers on the air. Unfortunately, this hope, this promise, of something new and better isn't without it's perils. Other stallions still desire herds of their own, and mares might be more keen to leave given the cirumstances, willing to try their odds with someone else. Starving predators lurk in every crevice, awaiting for anyone to slip up enough for them to capitalize.
Where will you stand?
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My Co-Leads are Tenebris Umbra and Polly if they wish it. Please show them respect just like you would me. Thank you!
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For my Activity, I work nights, so I'm not always on during the more active times. Which means I do depend upon those who join to help keep the Rp active. Do not join, especially for a high rank, just to never be active. |
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Darkseeker
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Roleplay Rules
Follow all WP and Eve's Rules.
1. Be Active. Seriously, do not join just to never be active. Also, do not claim a high rank if you aren't going to be active.
2. This is a Semi-Literate to Literate Rp, this needs to be shown in Rp forms And Posts.
3. Maxium Four Characters per Person. This will likely change with time.
4. Please keep genetics in mind when creating offspring. If you need a tool to help you, I can give you one.
5. Not all Horses (Stallions) can be gigantic. If I see too many being 17+ hh, I'll restrict it. There is nothing wrong with a short boi.
6. Orphaned foals ARE allowed in this Rp. HOWEVER, you must find someone to take care of your foal prior to being accepted.
8. Please Ask me before your mare has twin foals. Twins, especially healthy twins are rare, and likely someone isn't coming out unscathed, whether it be mare or foals.
9. If you've read everything so far, put the missing number in your form. Please hide it.
10. Mares can leave the herd, but they must do it without the Lead Stallion knowing. When you do this, you must give the LS a chance to interfere. Give him a chance to react/interact. If you don't I WILL call you out.
11. Stallions can also steal a mare from a herd. The mare ultimately can try to run away from him, and alert the LS if she wants, or she can go willingly.
12. That being said, for rule 10 & 11, please Pm Me FIRST. Just so there isn't 5 leaving all at once. If you've read this, put butterfly in your form.
13. Please have fun!
Valley Herd Rules
1. Mares & Foals are not to venture away from the herd without permission. Foals NEED supervision.
2. Any interaction with outside stallions is strictly prohibited. Familial relations will be on a case by case basis.
Ex: A son comes to visit his mother and/or father.
3. Herd Stallions are expected to be loyal to the Lead Stallion. If they aren't, they'll be removed from the herd.
4. Herd Stallions are also expected to protect the herd with their lives.
5. Herd Stallions Must obtain permission from the Lead Stallion to mate with a Herd Mare. They May Not, however, mate with the Lead Mare.
6. Colts/Young Stallions are to be kicked out from the herd at Year 3, unless they wish to join the ranks of Herd Stallion.
7. Lead Mare Can Not be Challenged for. It is appointed by the Lead Stallion, or by the herd (in the case the Lead Stallion chooses not to pick or is absent.)
Will Add More |
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Darkseeker
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The Available Roles
The Valley Herd
Lead Stallion
Atolos | 10 Yrs | Imperial Sands | Pg. 1
Lead Mare
Deceased; Will be Appointed
Lieutenant
Anil | 10 Yrs | Polly | Pg. 2
Deputy
Yvaine | 10 Yrs | Spellbound | Pg. 2
Herd Stallions
Caszius | 13 Yrs | Kampa | Pg. 2
Dez | 7 Yrs | Rising Shadows | Pg. 3
Herd Mares
Morena | 6 Yrs | Imperial Sands | Pg. 1
Neela | 7 Yrs | Imperial Sands | Pg. 2
Cadhla | 9 Yrs | Tenebris Umbra | Pg. 2
Nasima | 9 Yrs | Tenebris Umbra | Pg. 3
Adela | 12 Yrs | Polly | Pg. 3
Noche | 4 Yrs | Rising Shadows | Pg. 3
Bluelark | 8 Yrs | Rising Shadows | Pg. 3
Biscotti | 5 Yrs | Covidic Coffee | Pg. 3
Mystral | 6 Yrs | Glacialis | Pg. 3
Reserved for Amare
Osin | 3 Yrs 2 Mos | Covidic Coffee | Pg. 4
Morrigan | 4 Yrs | Spellbound | Pg. 5
Syren | 5 Yrs | Imperial Sands | Pg. 6
Yearlings
Lorcan | 1 Yr | Tenebris Umbra | Pg. 2
Reima | 1 Yr | Kampa | Pg. 5
Baldr | 1 Yr | Covidiv Coffee | Pg. 5
Macha | < 3 Yrs | Spellbound | Pg. 5
Foals
Non-Herd Roles
Bachelor Stallions
Atlas | 6 Yrs 3 Mos | Covidic Coffee | Pg. 3
Belial | 6 Yrs | Imperial Sands | Pg. 4
Emre | < 5 Yrs | Polly | Pg. 6
Arlo | 5 Yrs | Tenebris Umbra | Pg. 4
Lone Mares
Kage | 5 Yrs | Glacialis | Pg. 1
Helios | 19 Yrs | Kampa | Pg. 3
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Darkseeker
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Starting Posts Information
The Drought hit well over a month ago, so food resources have diminished to little to none within the immediate vacinity of the herd's territory, and water is basically nonexistent. Baby droughts had hit the valley before, but none like this, which is why they waited so long to leave in search of a new beginning. It's been about a week since Sunna, the Lead Mare, died, leaving her foal and yearling without a mother, and the herd without a Lead Mare. The Herd left a few days after her death, meaning they have been traveling for about a week, finding only small spots of water here and there, but nothing to keep them.
The herd has been following a dried riverbed, hoping it'll lead them to a new water source, or the remnants of one, and possible food as well. They're able to temporarily survive off the reserves they have, and the little whisps of food they can find here and there, but soon the herd will need food.
Unfortunately for them, the dangers don't end there. With drought and famine comes desperation. Carnivores have felt the drought as well, and have begun to starve as their usual prey have left or died out. This makes them more brazen, bold, and desperate to come up with a meal. Animals that ordinarily might not mess with the herd have thrown caution to the wind and will openly, and actively hunt them. Things like this include: coyotes, cougars, bears, wolves (though less so as they have a larger territory range), etc. Foals and weak or injured horses are the easiest targets, so everyone will have to be on a look out.
It's Mid Morning when the Rp begins.
The herd has had a sleepless night due to coyotes howling and bark all night. They successfully killed a straggling foal, and celebrated the entire night much to the herd's disgust. Tempers will flare as the sun grows in heat, and the herd will have to decide if they want to try and find shade to rest up, or keep moving down the river bed in hopes it brings them closer to a better source of water.
Please read everything. Once you have, you may post!~
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All posts will need some form of header.
An Example:
Name
Gender | Age | Rank | Mentions: |
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Lorcan Stallion || Yearling || Mentions: Open Indirectly Mentions: Sunna, Atolos The young stallion stood, his back pressed against a dead oak. He stood off to the side away from the others, far enough to be alone, but not far enough to need supervision. That was his new thing, ever since his mother died. He would stand alone, contemplating random things in life and complaining to himself how nothing was ever fair. Even now, he did nothing but stand, mainly listening to the creak of the tree's branches. It was an eerie sound, something mixed between a deep groan and low wailing. With his head lowered, Lorcan nibbled on the dead grass, the dry plant sticking to his throat and mouth. It was horrid at first, but after a while, he grew used to the chalk-like texture and lack of taste. So, gnawing on it, he stood, watching the herd and thinking back to times before the drought.. Back to when his mother was still alive. He missed her. How could he not? Lorcan stuck by her like a parasite, never more than a few meters away. He learned most of what he knew from her, so, when she fell victim to the drought, he found himself rather lost without her. He was but a yearling, hardly even remotely grown. He still wanted, no, needed his mother. What was he to do without her? Never in his short lifetime did he expect to see her fall. It was his mother. She was one of the strongest horses that he had ever known. If she fell, what did that mean for the herd? Sure, he still had his father, but Atolos wasn't one who Lorcan was close with. It was his mother that he chose as a young foal. It was her he ran up to when he first tested out his legs, not his father. Would it be wrong to say that he was intimidated by his father? He wasn't sure why, that was his father for goodness sake, but something about him made Lorcan wish to avoid him. Perhaps it was because he didn't truly bond with him yet, or maybe it was because he hadn't tried. A small chill ran up Lorcan's spine, despite there being no breeze in the moment. Raising his head, the young stallion gazed around before dropping his head once more. If it was out of heat, sadness, or exhaustion, Lorcan himself didn't know. All he knew was that he was thirsty, so thirsty. Grunting, he pawed the ground a singular time before glancing up at the sky. Hardly even mid morning and already he could feel the humidity rising. He dreaded what the temperature would be come afternoon. Shifting, he stepped back into what little shade the dead oak provided. |
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Darkseeker
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Atolos
Stallion | 10 Years | Lead Stallion | Mentions: Sunna, Open
A tall, proud stallion stood beneath a decaying tree, it's decrepid branches angling down to claw at him with talons that couldn't reach. The brittle bones of the tree did nothing to ease the frustration of the goliath, his ears half pushed back as irritation gently marred his features. He wasn't necessarily mad at any one horse, just a little angry at the world.
The week prior his mate, his lead mare, had passed away, the drought that had come over a month prior, and that had claimed so many victims, had claimed her as well. Despite being one of the strongest, fiercest mares he knew, his beloved Sunna had fallen, and it had left him feeling empty. Terribly empty, like the barren landscape they now traveled through.
It had been a hard decision to leave their territory, it had been flourishing just months ago, and had through all their years. However, it was harder to leave Sunna's body, tearing their offspring away from her side. He knew there was no hope, no future for them there once she had gone, and he wasn't going to linger around to make their foals watch her body decay and turn to dust. That would do no one any good.
Snorting, the stallion lowered his large head, brushing his nose against his foreleg, his tail flicking in agitation behind him. He had kept them alive, though, leading them through the barren wasteland, showing them how to survive off the barest minimum. They would struggle, but Atolos believed, fully believed, they would get through.. though he wasn't convinced everyone would.
At the thought, his head lifted and peered in the direction the coyotes had been singing from all night. One of their foals, a weak little thing, had been picked off through the night, feeding the ghosts that haunted them at every turn. It was a sad feeling, but Atolos was a little grateful the foal had provided the herd with temporary safe travels from the pack of coyotes that seemed to practically be following them. With full bellies they would leave them be for a day, maybe two or three, depending on the size of the pack.
Still, the calls of the carnivores had been haunting, and had kept him up all night, their yips of glee doing little to settle his nerves. As much as he preferred to travel at night, he elected not to for the time being. He knew it was easier for predators to hunt them at night, and it was better to be a closed off unit to disway anything from attacking them. Those who had been picked off so far had been away from the main group, likely partially already accepting their fate.
Shaking his head, the stallion turned to glare down the river bed, it's dry contents doing little to ease his agitation. Why couldn't there just be water? What had they done to deserve this? His head turned to look off into a different direction, sporadic trees swaying with the faint lie of shade. He seriously doubted there would be any ample trees left to provide the herd shade, but it was an option he would have to consider.
Snorting, the stallion shook out his greying coat, large hooves stomping the ground. But not even the flies were around to bite at his hide right now. |
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Anil Stallion | 10 Years | Lieutenant | Mentions: Atolos, Herd Horrible situations often broke even the most hardy of creatures. And the situation that the herd had been put in was truly horrible, destroying minds and bodies, threw them into a place where everything seemed hopeless, and like there was no use doing anything at all. They'd lost their Lead Mare, Sunna, only recently. The chestnut had been a creature that had seemed... immortal. Even if he knew better, he was far too logical to believe that she had truly been immortal, she had seemed it, and the loss of her death had hit the herd harshly. The loss of them all had hit the herd harshly. They'd lost so many of their members to the drought, to heat exhaustion or dehydration or starvation. He'd lost a mare that was a mother to one of his daughters, he'd lost children, they'd all lost so much. But regardless of what they'd lost, Anil was the Lieutenant, and he had duties to fulfill. He had been scouting ahead of the herd since just after sunrise, and was working his way back. There was no water to be seen. There was no point going in that direction anymore. The riverbed was completely dry, not a speck of water or fresher grass to be seen. The dust clung to his body with the sweat that came off of him, branches doing little to nothing to help cool him down. He was of a paler hue than some others, but the darkness of his mane, tail and legs was a curse. His giant stature, though, was a blessing. The stallion took fewer, although longer, steps to pass over the same amount of ground, and, with his fast pace, he quickly saw the mass of horses approaching. "Atolos," he called as a greeting, voice deeper than normal, if that was possible with his already baritone vocals. It had a hoarser note to it, as if it were strained or he were parched--both of which were true. The large stallion paused a small distance from the herd, keeping his gaze on the other goliath creature. It was clear to see, he was calling Atolos to him to discuss something important. The lack of water wasn't something he wished to discuss with listening ears or prying eyes. He just wished he'd had good news to share with the Lead Stallion. |
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Syren
Mare | 5 Years | Herd Mare | Mentions: Inessa, the Herd
A blue coated mare stood beside a much smaller equine, their coats painful reminders of the liquid they all had only had mere sips of over the past days. Syren wasn't fond of the situation she was in, or the way the dust clung to her coat like it was awaiting for her to fall and reunite them with their comrades on the ground.
A sour look had long befallen the mare's facial features, and her ears were practically sealed to her had at that point as she glared around. Her back leg was half propped, relaxed as she could get, though the tense way she held her shoulders showed it wasn't very much at all. The entire night she had been kept up by the haunting songs of the coyotes that were feasting on one of the fallen, their fallen. It had been a young weak foal, one that would, no doubt, not survive anyways, but it was still a sad thing to hear. Not to mention it made her anxious for her own small statured mother and that she might be a possible target for the bloodthirsty creatures. Over her dead body.
The ill tempered mare snorted and gently, almost instinctively, reached out and nudged her mother, like she was making sure she was still there and not a figment of her imagination. It was a comfort to have her mother there by her side, and Syren had strayed very little since the drought. She preferred to never let her mother leave her sight, insisting on being the one to protect the mare. She didn't believe the stallions could be relied on in the slightest.
The sound of approaching hooves in the vacinity drew her attention to the side, tensing immediately and straightening as she looked for the source. Upon spying Anil, their Lieutenant, returning to the group, one would think she'd relax some, but she continue to remain stiff. Glaring at him like he was no better than one of the beasts who had been snacking on the poor foal the night before. Her eyes slid over to Atolos, and then away from the duo, glaring out and away from the herd, keeping an eye out for threats. |
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Osin Mare | 3 Years 2 Months | Herd Mare | Mentions: Atolos (ind.) Herd (ind.) Anil (ind.) Mid-morning. The sky was dead as always, the sun was creeping along the horizon, it almost seemed excited to rain heat upon them, it was disgusting. The grass was dying, the water was gone... everything seemed hopeless. For sun's sake, they lost Sunna- oh Sunna.. Osin was never one to truly get to know someone, but she admired Sunna's strength and firm grip on things. Her death, her death put a large toll on the herd, even Osin, a simple herd mare could tell that. Whats worse, things weren't getting better. Its as if it was getting worse, and that life and mother nature herself was against them. Just last night- oh sun... the wails and howls of the coyotes sent shivers up Osin's spine. She wasn't afraid of them persay, she was, but what was the most horrific was why they were celebrating.. they had caught one of the foals, it had wondered to far in her eyes. The buckskin mare was lieing down, not too far from the herd, her head resting upon the decaying grass, her breathing slowed, her ears constantly flicking back and forth. No, it was too early to give up, they had gone through so much, she wouldn't give up. Not now, not yet. Snorting quietly, Osin lifted her head, pushing herself to stand, flicking up dead blades of grass and specks of dirt as her hooves moved across the surface, supporting her as she lifted her front end, then her rump, and now, she stood. Stretching her legs, leaning back and forth, Osin sighed, and began walking over towards the parched river bed. As she reached the empty split, the mare looked hopelessly into it, and began doubting herself if it was worth it. Slowly, she looked back to the herd, and to Atolos. He wouldn't want them to give up, not now. Sighing once more, Osin made her way into the silent bed, searching for the deepest spot possible. Quickly finding her designanted spot, the herd mare began to paw at the crusty surface, flakes of dirt and gravel were pushed underneath her as she pawed and pawed. It was beginning to seem useless to dig for something that wasn't even there, and eventually, she had stopped. Oh, what was she thinking. Lifting her head, she glanced left and right, staring down the empty dirt hall. Was there water at the end of this journey? Would she, no, would they even make it to the end? Actually.. Osin didn't want an answer to that, she was too afraid of what the answer may be. Gritting her teeth, hooves had changed direction, and the horse had walked up the bed, exiting the dead river to no avail. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Atolos once more, but with Anil at his side. She would die to know what they would be talking about, but knew it wasn't her right nor place to bug in and ask what would be going on. Instead, she turned her head the other way, looking around, scanning the herd for a quick moment. Staring off into the direction of the lost foal, Osin shook, her ears perked forward, listening for any signs of threats or danger. A small little sliver of hope inside of her hoped to hear the wails of a crying foal, rushing back to them. But, it was foolish to think of, no foal could survive a pack of bloodthirsty coyotes, none the less, a starving, bloodthirsty coyote pack. |
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Cadhla 9 Years || Herd Mare || Mentions: Nasima, Open Indirectly Mentions: Anil, Atolos, Sunna A frown twisted upon the mare's features, her eyes narrowing and hoof tapping against the ground. A tired look remained in her eyes from the sleepless slumber filled with the eerie laughs of coyotes. They had been up all night celebrating, for they had managed to steal the life of a foal. While horror was Cadhla's main reaction, she was also relieved.. Relieved that her children were old enough so that she didn't need to worry about such things happening to them. Well, not yet anyways. Cadhla was due soon, her stomach grown to its full capacity. It was only a matter of time until a new foal would enter the herd and her worries would increase. It wasn't as if Cadhla didn't worry. She worried plenty. She worried about the drought, about the lack of water and food, about predators. She worried for her children, Macha and Osin. She worried for her unborn foal and worried that others within the herd would fall, just like Sunna had. Cadhla always worried, simply didn't express it. It was something she kept to herself, not wishing to plague the others with her burdens and ill-ridden thoughts. Rather, she had begun keeping to herself, muttering complaints like a crazed fool. What if her children were the next to fall? What if it was her, or Anil? What if all of them fell victim to the drought? Even now, the mare stood, whispering to herself as if she had gone mad, that is, until she espied the figure of Anil approaching Atolos in the distance. She could tell based on his posture that he had no good news to share. Releasing a snort, Cadhla turned her back on the herd, focusing on an empty view instead before her view darkened. Exhaustion overcame her, causing her eyelids to flutter closed. Perhaps she could catch a few moments of peace and- "Cadhla," greeted a soft voice, causing the appaloosa to fling her eyes open, her head slowly turning to the voice with malice upon her face. "Nasima," she mumbled in response, fatigue plaguing her words and thoughts. A moment of silence passed before the friends before Cadhla spoke again. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" She added on in monotone, a blank expression gracing her features. If Nasima picked up on the attitude, she didn't show it. "I wondered how you were." -- "Ask me again when I lose the stomach," came Cadhla's reply, practically spitting out her words. A pause filled between them. Cadhla could see Nasima observing her for a moment before speaking again, motioning to Atolos and Anil in the distance. "What are we thinking?" She asked, knowing Cadhla would be able to tell Anil's thoughts. Releasing a sharp exhale, she turned to Nasima. "Whatever it is, it isn't good news, but what else is to be expected." Between hunger, thirst, and being heavily pregnant, Cadhla was in a bitter mood almost constantly. Everybody bothered her, whether it be by breathing too hard, or smacking their lips while chewing dry grass. It was a nonstop cycle of her complaining, thus, why she decided to distance herself. "If you hear anything, will you let me know?" Asked Nasima, who strived to help in any way she could. It was a good trait of hers, one that Cadhla often admired, but not now. Now, she wished to be alone and away from constant chattering. "Of course," came her dry response, before releasing yet another sigh, this time, her words softer. "You will be the first I go to, trust me that." It was her form of an apology, Nasima knew that. So, offering her friend a smile paired with a nod, she sauntered off. Cadhla watched the white mare trot off before her eyes snapped onto her daughter, Osin, in the distance. Her eyes followed her for a moment before her eyes fluttered closed once more, trying to get a few moments of sleep in. |
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Summer 
Day Weather: 
