Eyes of the Beholding

[Aria Starstone]

And the Lands hide their beauty within, while the visible beauty without withers on the vine for lack of knowing what it holds.
A wandering tribe of Kimeti, these individuals have one thing in common.... They see beauty in the world. They search for the hidden beauty inside everyone, and see the beautiful things that others might miss. To see all that can be seen of the world's beauty... If they have a goal, that is what is at the heart of this tribe.

Look for the beauty in the world, before it is destroyed by what does not understand it.

 

[Aria Starstone]

Where Beauty Begins.
How did this come to be? A hard question, but in the end, it came from one buck's inability to deny all the beauty he saw around him. He looked at the mud, and saw the beautiful potential for life. He looked at the near monochrome of his friend, and occasional partner, Streams of Silver, and saw the beauty of how her colors were all shades of the same color, and they came together to such a wonderful combination. He saw himself in a reflection on a pond, and saw the beauty of his colors. Finally, he saw his daughter, their daughter; who tried to hide away because she felt surely her bright colors, when compared to her mother's quiet beauty and her father's brightness that was tempered by his blackness, were a sign of something wrong with her; and felt sorrow that she could not see the beauty he saw.

And so he set out to show her that beauty is more then one thing, and beauty can hide itself away if it is not cultivated, or loved. And as he went, he realized others might not see their own beauty... And felt this should be fixed.

To Walk the Path of Beauty...
The ways of this tribe come down to one thing... Looking for the beauty in all things. They do not denigrate the beauty of another if they do not yet see it... they search harder for it. All members are expected to pull their own weight, but in balance. If one member is weakened, say by illness, he or she is not abandoned. The tribe will work to help that one heal, so they can move on as a whole. They are a family, and will act as one. One does not abandon one's sister because she is ill.
Newborns into the tribe are expected to be raised to understand the ways of the tribe, but if they feel it is not for them, when they are ready to leave, the tribe will miss them... But not force them to stay. Members also may leave if they feel it is needed, but it is preferred that once a member joins, it be a long term commitment. That said, there is no rule about traveling off on one's own and returning, so long as the members stay within the tribe's way. Some members may choose to stay in one spot, long term... And the tribe sees them in its travels.
As for the travels, the tribe follows a yearly path. Spring in one place, then travel to the Summer home, then on to Fall, and winter... Each in its own time, but places they know and are safe. The idea behind this is that it makes it easier for members to have their children if they know there will be a time spent in a safe place, so that they may raise them enough to move on as time dictates.
Artists and artisans, actors and musicians are all welcome, for they create and appreciate beauty... But satirists are not, for they mock the perceptions of others, and can scar budding beauty, or even kill it. And Love is always welcome, because love is at the heart of beauty.

 

[Aria Starstone]

Those Who Behold.
The Founders:

Gentle Heart and Streams of Silver

The First Child:

Unexpected Shadows
The daughter who showed her father that others can't always see their inner beauty, she spends her days learning the beauty of the dark places she once hid within. Her goal is to show others that the shadows aren't to be feared but loved, for they have a hidden depth and beauty that few can see. For is it not in the depths of dark caves that one finds that sudden sparkling stone that is beautiful beyond all expectations?

 

[Aria Starstone]

Learning to Behold.
The joining is both difficult and easy all at once. To first get the chance, one must be sponsored into the tribe. The sponsor must do it of their own free will, and not feel pressured or coerced. Often, the sponsee is some one the sponsor knows well, and feels will fit, and benefit from being, in the tribe, and who will benefit the tribe as well. It is not expected that a newly joined member know how to see all the beauty in the world... or even an old member... It is expected that they be seeking to see the beauty, which is why a sponsorship is wanted. It is presumed the sponsor made sure the sponsee is open to trying, and learning new ways to see.

From there, the sponsee spends a period of time with the tribe, learning the ways of the family, and learning to fit in. As the period progresses, the members of the tribe are watching the new one, and seeing how they do. If they show signs of disrupting the beauty of the world... Wanton destruction, or mocking some one because their beauty is not up to this new one's standards, say, then they take note. If the new one is showing signs of opening up to the beauty of the world, noticing new things... They take note. At the end of the time of trial, those who were asked to watch specifically come together. There is always a trio, and they, with at least one of the leaders, make a final judgement as to whether the new member is one of the tribe... or is asked, kindly, to leave.

When the Vision is Disrupted.
Disputes, disagreements, and disgruntled feelings always happen when a group of intelligent individuals come together. It is impossible to avoid, and so rather then try to do the impossible, the Beholding instead try to mediate the issues. If 2 members are having an issue between them, and can not come to an amicable settling of the issue, it is expected that they ask for the help of a mediator. The mediator should always be neutral on the issue, never directly involved in the conflict, and no closer in emotion to either of the disputers involved. If, after working with the mediator, the issue is not resolved, it is then brought before Silver or Heart, or both, to be handled by them. If the issue is severe enough, or they refuse the final decision, it may lead to expulsion for the offender, or offenders. This is always the last resort for such situations, but it is there if it is needed.

 

[Aria Starstone]

Behold the First Eyes.
The hierarchy of the tribe is mostly informal. Here is the few formalized Kimeti that are important to know.
*Gentle Heart & Streams of Silver - These two of the leaders, first and foremost. They may not always act as if they consider themselves such, but when it comes time to make the important decisions, if the tribe can not decide as whole, they will do what must be done.
*Unexpected Shadows & - These two will step up, should Heart and Silver be unavailable, to act in their stead.
*Echo - When within her grounds, a place the tribe visits at least once a year for a period, she is considered generally equal with Shadows, and when it comes to the rules of the land itself, her word is above Heart and Silver's... After all, she permits the tribe to come to her grounds, they should respect her rules.

 

[Aria Starstone]

Come and See with us!
So you want to join our little tribe? Fill out this application, and we'll see to getting you some RP with one of our members, to go through the sponsor meeting. If your kimeti/acha/what have you knows one of the members already, note that in the form and we'll see if the owner of that individual will sponsor you. At least one RP is required prior to permanent membership, and it is preferred that you RP your kin a few times with members for the purposes of the 'sponsorship period'. This doesn't have to be 'months of RP', a few stand out selections should be fine! In the meantime, post the form below and either Gilded Dragon or Lady Aria Starstone will get back to you on sponsorship!
Keep in mind that we do want members who will RP with us. We don't have a huge plot, so far, but we're working on it... And discovery of new beauty in the swamp is always what they're looking for.

[b]Your username:[/b]
[b]Your Kin (please link name to cert):[/b]
[b]Why your Kin would fit:[/b]
[b]Why your Kin might have trouble:[/b]
[b]Please give use a brief RP that tells us how your Kin came to learn of the Eyes, and why he/she wants to join us.[/b]

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?

 

[Aria Starstone]

What Shall Be Beheld?