*** WILDFLOWER HIPPIES ***
Usernames: Kamileunaire, Melancholies, saedusk, Soldier of Song, thyPOPE
Mission Statement: Most kin would agree that flowers are serene, welcome, beautiful, even. They would also agree that they are all products of the MotherFather's creation – why, the swamp-blessed are proof enough of that! The Cultivators, naturally, are in agreement on those issues. But in their opinion, there is something of much higher import to consider: reincarnation. Specifically, they pursue (and help others pursue) reincarnation into the most perfect life form:
flowers. To this end, they've created a sprawling network of gardens, an efficient system of communication, and a very enthusiastic community that seeks out and provides support for the recently deceased and soon-to-be deceased.
Other Info:
The tribe believes that all kin should work toward becoming reincarnated as some sort of flowering plant, and returning one's physical body to nourish the earth. Activities that will help this along, of course, include respecting and caring for flowering plant life, and in fact all plant life, as well as helping and encouraging other kin to do the same. They also believe that being buried with flowers goes a long way toward this sort of reincarnation, and most Cultivators themselves perform funerary rites. It's customary to surround deceased bodies with seeds for flowers that represent their cause of death, as well as floral documentation of the deeds they accomplished. This choice for decoration and seed placement may vary, of course, based on the tribe member performing the rites.
The tribe as a body has extensive knowledge of the uses and detriments of plants, knowing what kills and what heals. However, they are on the whole discouraging of attempts to prolong life. After all, while not all kin are ready for reincarnation into the perfect life form, neither should kin actively avoid the event should it loom on the horizon. Their opposition to medical care can be daunting to a new comer to the tribe.
In general, the Cultivators tend to be extremely respectful to flowers, especially those found in members' private gardens. Those who do not respect plants as the Cultivators do are generally treated with hostility. The Cultivators, however, do on occasion consume plants, but never the flower parts, and
never do they consume the ones found in any of their gardens. Flowers tend to be used in burial rites and in rituals intended to maintain the health of flowers, and also in messages - the tribe has developed a complex floral language that is generally used to impart important information to various members of the tribe (this is accomplished by training familiars to carry messages).
Rituals often include the ritual sacrifice of non-kin for fertilizer and to give thanks for being permitted to use plants in their daily lives, as well as rain dances (these are extremely popular) and rites to ensure continued longevity for plants in their care. Some psychedelic plants (and fungi) are used to induce trances at other festivals and rituals, generally to seek guidance for plant care in the coming months.
Unlike many tribes, their main gathering site – the large Central Gardens – is not where a majority of the Cultivators dwell. They are not dedicated travelers, either; in fact, after maturation and official Dedication to the Cultivators' purpose, most kin settle down into a home they seek out themselves. The Central Gardens act as a large hub for sermons, celebrations, ritual, and the raising of the tribal young. They're divided into five sections, each representing one of the five main sects of the tribe. Each section is populated by vivid, well-cared-for flowers, and each of these flowers is nourished by the bodies of fallen, non-sentient animals. Strangely, these are actually permitted for use – the majority of them are actually planted by apprentices, after all. They're generally only used, though, for the relaying of messages and as a source of flowers for burial rites conducted by other kin.
See, while tribal family units are permitted to raise their own children, many of them are sent instead to the Central Gardens to become well-versed in the ways of the Cultivators. These children are considered sworn dedicates to the Cultivators, and will someday mature into priests of the tribal order. They generally wear carnations to signify their status as dedicates, and as they perform their duties of upkeep in the Central Gardens, taught by the tribe members that do linger in the gardens. Upon maturation, a sworn candidate is expected to seek out for themselves a body to bury and a preferred flower to “sign” the work they do for the tribe (new applicants and joiners of the tribe are expected to engage in a similar ritual, after a brief, intense introduction to tribal duties and the tribal ways). This first body generally becomes the seeding of a tribe member's personal garden – often in a place of the tribe member's choosing. These tribal gardens often serve to expand the tribe's territory, as well as provide a location for cemeteries. These flowers, naturally, are completely off-limits of resources, although each tribe member tends to keep their personal garden well-maintained – caring for flowers, after all, is certain to help them in their own personal quest for reincarnation! At this point, the tribe member will also select one of the five sects of the tribe to fully dedicate themself to.
These five sects are the main organizational units of the tribe. They're each headed by a Head Priest or Priestess, all of whom actually reside very near the Central Gardens. The sects are each represented by one of five common wildflowers, and each is responsible for taking care of kin with a certain cause of death, as well as certain other official duties.
Don't Know How is the name of the head priestess of the sect in charge of accidental deaths, which is represented by daisies. The division's duties include seeking out dead bodies and performing autopsies - either by examining the bodies of the kin or investigating kin nearby. Generally, once a cause of death is determined, the Daisy sect sends a missive by way of familiar detailing the body's location and the appropriate sect for handling each body. Most priests of the Daisy sect tend to patrol certain claimed territories near their personal gardens, and tend to keep an address book of sorts of nearby Cultivators from different sects.
The sect of willing deaths is represented by the dog rose, not a flower known for any potent effects, but head priestess
Could We Start Again is sure to grow more appropriate plants for their purpose. Foxglove, nightshade, hemlock, all meant to ease the suffering of those ready to move on and reincarnate. Priests of the Dog Rose sect visit ailing or resigned kin and, after consultation to make positive they are at peace and ready, help them pass onto their next life. As this sect is most concerned with helping kin transition, they are also in charge of public relations and recruitment, seeking out and winning over kin that may prove useful.
Cultivators who have dedicated themselves to natural death are lead by head priest
Everything's Alright, and are masters of the tribe's history and lore. Similar to a vast spread of the violets they are represented by, members of this sect can be found far and wide, as passing on tribal beliefs to all existing members is a widespread need. Their head, however, remains within the Central Gardens, alongside a number of 'nannies' of sort, in order to raise and educate both children and new dedicates alike. They keep meticulous records both mentally and verbally, as well as provide a spiritual remembrance for those who have passed naturally with their stories.
Try it and See, meanwhile, leads the sect that deals with the deaths that come with war. A very somber and proud sect, Cultivators here identify themselves with the cornflower, and are tasked with scoping out the aftermath of battles and taking care of those that died in the midst of it. Aside from this, members of this sect are also in charge of food, making sure the entire clan is well provided with provisions and the like.
Then We Are Decided is in charge of the sect of death by murder, and corresponds closely with the head priestess in the investigative portion of the work. Though he does not necessarily do all of the problem solving himself, a large part of this sect's job includes not only identifying the victim but seeking out the murderer, if possible. This sect is represented by lilies, namely arum lilies, and also has the dual purpose of raising and caring for the various animals that the tribe uses for both companionship and sacrifice.
The tribe is present at the flower festival to keep a close eye on the treatment of flowers therein.
