Aria's Tea Traders HH Contest- (ARCHIVE)

[Aria Starstone]

The Tea Traders Founding Sisters Contest
Hello and Welcome! This contest is for three of the founding sisters of the Tea Traders Herd, a sister herd to the White Leaf.
These sisters come from the Soquili-universe's version of South America... Mainly Peru, as they have a slightly Incan influence.
I would request, though I wont go so far as to put it in rules, that if you have already received two or more pets out of Mind's bribes (whether through some one else's Herd Helper, or your own bribe) that you not enter. That said, if you have a REALLY inspired idea and really want to enter, feel free!

Dates:
NOW til 08/05/2015 at 6:00 PM PST, whether I'm on or not!

Rules:
1. No discouraging ANYONE from entering.
2. No gore/blood/guts in your RP entry. I have serious issues with that stuff.
3. PM me with any questions, don't post.
4. These girls are required to be part of the Tea Traders herd. That is why I got them, and if you get one, and remove her off to another herd, I'd be VERY unhappy.
5. RP will be wanted for these girls.
6. The info I am providing in the following posts WILL help you, so please read them.
7. You are, by entering, agreeing to keep me informed of all breedings/children these girls have. Not because I'm going to try to restrict your rights, but because they are ALL sisters. We need to track the bloodlines to prevent problems. <3
8. NO RESERVING POSTS.
9. Please remember that this entry is how I'm going to tell if your character would fit in with the sisters... If your entry idea is only for one of the sisters, and you plan a different idea for a different sister, keep each entry separate, but mark the preference list so I know which you want most.

 

[Aria Starstone]

The Sisters:
This is Ch'aska Qyullur. She is the Eldest of the sisters, and their leader. She acted as Head Trader, while she lead them up and out of the Southern Continent. It was her decision to bring them up here. She had done so for several reasons. First, their home herd, another Trader group, had gotten too large for itself, and sending members off to find new places to trade was the only way to balance this. Second, she was aware that there were no places unclaimed as Trade Routes by established Trader herds for the products the Sisters specialized in. Thirdly, she had a strong feeling that they would be able to find a place to set up a strong, profitable trade route with the goods they were bringing with them.

These goods include all the ingredients needs for Yerba Maté... Dried Yerba for brewing, gourds and Bombillas for drinking, and seeds for growing a sustainable supply of the plant. Her one concern was whether they'd be able, as their family back home had, to make an arrangement with a local herd to grow these. When the sisters arrived, the first herd they made contact with was the White Leaf, and shortly after, all these concerns were settled.

Chaska is owned/played by Lady Aria Starstone
































This is Killasisa. She is the second born of the sisters. Killasisa is patient, very patient. She has studied the lands around her for her entire life, learning about nature and how it can be used to its fullest. She followed her eldest sister without hesitation into this strange new land in hopes to not only help spread their culture and trade further inland, but to also learn new things, and perhaps teach old things, to help secure a place for their herd in this strange new world. She's taken things like tea leaves and random herbs and made special potions and small cures to sell and use along their journeys.

Killasisa is played/owned by Astro Zombies`









































This is Quri Pacha, the youngest of the sisters. She is an entertainer, specifically a singer and dancer. She is usually seen wearing flowers in her mane, because she has a secret... She's a bit jealous of the bright colors of her elder sisters. She was the most reluctant of the sisters to leave their home, because she is the baby of the family, even if the sisters are all fairly close in age.

And now for the Triplets. These are the Unclaimed Three. They are all born at the same time, so are the same age as one another.

 

[Aria Starstone]

The Tea Traders Herd:
Formed by Chromatos and Ch'aska, in a business/friendship based partnership, the Tea Traders herd are just that... A herd that travels around the Soquili Lands, trading with others. Their primary stock is always going to be teas, mostly ones grown by the White Leaf herd, with whom they have a Sibling Herd relationship. They bring back the goods they have traded for to the White Leaf, and exchange them for the current Trade Stock, and then go out, again, to trade. They don't have their own herd lands, due to the necessity of living a nomadic life for the purposes of trade.

Over time, they intend to establish a set trade route. They hope to set up locations they will use as regular stops for rest, as well as regular trading. Indeed, they have high hopes of setting up trade agreements with herds along their path, so as not to worry about angering or offending any other herds they encounter.

They are almost exclusively winged, as it's easier for the whole herd to travel together if they use the same mode of transportation. If some one wishes to join their herd who is not winged, they would need to be able to move quickly and well on the ground, so as not to hold up the whole herd on a regular basis. By this same token, any herd members with familiars are expected to have a familiar that either can fly with them, or they can carry without being overly weighed down. They have no views against non-flighted species, as a herd, they just have concerns about being separated if groundbound members are unable to keep up.

The Herd has been formed by these two with a herd structure that is based on a combination of both Ch'aska's family-herd that the sisters came from, and the original Tea Traders Herd that Chromatos and his siblings were born into. Chromatos was a young adult when his first herd fell apart, and when he met with Ch'aska, he found himself yearning to go back to the ways of his family. Ch'aska, having found a kindred spirit, one with whom she could be incredible friends, in Chromatos decided that he would be a good partner for the new herd she was hoping to form. When she saw he was experienced in leading, after his time as Jase's second in command of the White Leaf, they discussed together and agreed that he would be better as herd leader, for she had a much better grasp of certain bookkeeping skills that he was not so good at.

 

[Aria Starstone]

Herd Structure:
Head Trader: Chromatos
The Herdleader, the Head Trader is the one who decides which routes to take, where they camp as a group of a night, and who they will trade with. All large negotiations must be approved by the Head Trader, before they can be finalized. The Head Trader works hand in hand with the Bookkeeper to be sure that the herd's trading comes to a profit, and is of value to them.

"Bookkeeper": Ch'aska Quyllur
The Bookkeeper is equivalent to a human trading group's bookkeeper... She tracks in and out flow of the goods, and provides advice to all traders on value of items for trade, and what is acceptable to trade for. When the herd's Bookkeeper position is open, it is always filled by a trader who has proven to be both a keen and clever trader, and also to have a clear idea of values. The other requirement is an incredibly good memory, for unlike human bookkeepers, the Traders' bookkeeper must do it all in her head.

Lore Keeper: Unfilled
As with all things, lore and traditions spring up around various kinds of tea. The Lore Keeper has the duties of remembering these things, so that they can be told, or shown, to potential buyers who might be fascinated or tempted by this. Knowing the proper way to prepare a gourd of Yerba maté, and how to drink it from the bombilla, for instance, is the job of this Soquili. Showing others how to do so is also his or her job. So is using this information to tempt curious but undecided buyers into buying.

Healer: Unfilled
As a traveling herd, there are always risks of unfamiliar illnesses, and injuries. The Healer is, therefor, a soquili of importance, even if he or she has no skills whatsoever at trading. They are not expected to be a trader. If they have those skills as well, all the better, but their first and foremost job will always be healing, whether it is herb healing or magical. A Unicorn Mix is preferred for this post.

Herbalist: Killasisa
The Herbalist works hand in hand with the Healer. She specializes in herbal uses, whether this is through finding new herbs, and how to use them, or new applications of old herbs, or even just using the tried and true methods. The Herbalist is called on most heavily when there is no Healer in the herd.

Guard Leader: Unfilled
As with any trading group, this one needs those who can act as a guard. The Guard Leader is the head of those guards, and makes sure they stay organized within the group. They coordinates with the Head Trader to make sure that the Guards are ready for what may come in the lands ahead.

Shaman: -Reserved-
The sisters brought with them many traditions from their homelands, and Chroma brought them too. An odd synthesis occurred and the herd beliefs formed from this core synthesis. Rather then having priests, or priestesses, a shaman is what is wanted. The shaman will, when found, fulfill the rituals of belief for the herd.

Entertainers: Open
Ch'aska and Chroma are both very well aware that people are often attracted by entertainment. As such, they welcome entertainers into the herd. Musicians, dancers, magicians... They are fine with any of them, as long as they are not sharpsters.

Guards: Open
The Guards all answer to the Guard Leader, and do just what their title implies... They are the guards of the herd.

Traders: Open
All other nonranked Traders will generally fall in this category. They trade and talk, providing the core of the herd.

Bearers: Open
The last group in the herd, the Bearers are all strong Soquili who are able to carry the Trade goods, and still keep up with the rest of the herd. This position can be born by members who cover other positions too, and generally is.

 

[Aria Starstone]

Herd Beliefs:
The core Herd's Beliefs center around an Earth Mother and a Sky Father. It is very much an animistic belief set, coming from a synthesis of the beliefs Chroma had brought with him from home, and the Sisters' beliefs from theirs. The Mother is the primary Deity, for from her comes the Bounty of Tea, the herbs and the very food they live on. She provides the clays needed for the jars and pots, cups and plates, etc that the humans, and even Soquili, use. She is the Mother to all the Peoples.

Sky Father is her husband, her partner, and the giver of Rain and the Sun. The Stars and Moon are his gift at Night to help guide the Peoples home, or wherever they need to go.

There are several lesser deities, such as the River Maiden and the Tea Spirits that are important to the Herd. Other deities and spirits exist, but are not as important to the Traders.

Conversely, they do believe in demons... and consider the existence of Skinwalkers as the only proof needed. They consider Skinwalkers the bane of all existence. They do not hate Kalona, however, for they are aware that not all Kalona are truly evil. They do not encourage close interaction with pure/visually pure Kalona, however, to avoid risking harm to members of the herd.

 

[Aria Starstone]

So You Want A Sister?
You've read all the info, and now you're here... And you still want to enter? This is awesome. SO. How to enter? Fill out the form below, and pick one of the RP prompts to reply to. I suggest a full reply, well thought out. Please try to be careful with spelling and grammar... I sometimes have trouble reading posts full of errors.
Oh and please... Make sure your characters aren't God Mode.

Prompt 1:
Your eldest sister, Ch'aska, has informed you and your 4 other sisters what the herd is doing to relieve crowding, and more specifically, how it will affect all of you. Knowing her plan, how do you feel about it? Are you upset at the thought of leaving your home and family, scared of what might come, or are you excited and filled with a sense of adventure? How do you handle this? What do you pack with you, other then the trade goods?

Prompt 2:
Your small herd-group has been traveling for quite some time now, and there is no way to tell when all of you will find what you're looking for. You've seen all kinds of new things, and amazing places. Some even might have worked as the heart-point of a trade route, but for various reasons, they were not chosen, and so you continued on. How are you feeling now? Tired of travel, or still fascinated with what may come? Something you pass causes you to think about one of the places you've passed through that might have been chosen... What did you like and/or dislike about it? How do you feel about it not being chosen? Were the reasons good ones, in your opinion?

Prompt 3:
It's been found! A Heart-point has been found, and it's with a herd called the White Leaf. One of the founding members of that herd, and a leader, Chromatos, bonded very strongly with your sister, Ch'aska. It's not a mateship type bond, for all it seems to be a sort of Soulmate bond... But a Friendship sort of soulmate. Your herd group is being allowed to rest, and stay for a time in White Leaf's herd lands. As you're resting, you notice your sister and Chroma spending a lot of time, talking. After awhile, they approach all of you with a plan... to form a Tea Trader Herd that is officially a sister herd, with all that relationship might apply, with the White Leaf. Chromatos is clearly a kind, good guy... Gentle on the whole, strong as needed. Strangely, he almost looks like he could be related to some of your sisters... Especially when you meet his brother, Eventide. You know you're not, but it's an odd thing to see. How do you feel about this new plan, and your sister's incredibly strong new friendship? Do you object? How do you handle it?

Form:

[b]Username:[/b]
[b]Soquili Name:[/b] Please use an Incan or Quechua name.
[b]Preference List:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b] Give a decent description of what your girl is like.
[b]Job:[/b] What job does she fulfill? Is there one not on the list you think should exist that she could fulfill? If so, please give a description with the job title!
[b]Do you agree to keep this girl in the herd, and notify Aria of all descendents?[/b]
[b]Prompt Chosen:[/b] Just the number please
[b]Prompt Response:[/b]

 

[Aria Starstone]

Entries:

 

[Aria Starstone]

OPEN!  

[Regal Renegade]

Username: XBlind-DarknessX
Soquili Name: Suyana
Preference List: Earring Mare, Dark Mare, Eyelash Mare
Personality:
Suyana is decidedly stubborn, but unfailingly loyal to those she cares for, and she cares about her family above all else. Though she can be hard headed and rebellious she would never do anything to jeopardize either the health of her sisters, or the herd as a whole.

Like the vibrant colors that add an exotic air to her plumage, her soul is both exuberant and vivacious. She expresses her emotions freely and, whether it be through laughter or tears, is comfortable showing exactly who she is. It is because she wears her feelings for all to see that she makes for such a good trader, because she has nothing to hide she is trustworthy which helps to maintain long lasting business relationships.

She believes in allowing herself to make mistakes as she realizes it is a way to learn, but she is exceptionally hard on herself if she makes the same mistake twice. She refuses to be a disappointment to the herd and her sisters. She may not be as mature as many of her siblings, but she does not wish to remain a childish nuisance forever. With each passing day she grows and learns so that she may better fulfill her role, and become a productive member of the herd. She believes that everything she does has meaning, and as such makes the most of each task.

The life of the Tea Trader suits her perfectly as she loves seeing fresh faces and, most importantly, listening to the stories they have to tell. She loves nothing more than showcasing the newest product while learning about those who wish to trade for it. She believes that tea is not just a product, but also a way to bring soquili together which is why she invests so much time and effort into it.

Job:
Suyana is a trader, but because of her love for being in the public eye she is also an entertainer. She will occasionally dance with her sister Quri, but her true pleasure comes from acting as a Folk Singer. She often spends hours on end with the Lore Keeper in order to better familiarize herself with the folklore of her people so that she may craft it into songs and share the traditions and tales of her people. Her main focus is on the legends of the Tea Traders, but she will occasionally add in historical pieces if they seem like they will grab the attention of those who listen. In this way she is almost an assistant to the Lore Keeper, as she too shares in the wisdom he/she must shoulder.

Do you agree to keep this girl in the herd, and notify Aria of all descendents? Of course!
Prompt Chosen: #1
Prompt Response:
“That is where we currently stand.” Ch'aska concluded with a note of immovable finality.

Suyana allowed her azure eyes to slide from one familiar face to the next until she reached the last of her sisters, at which point she allowed her gaze to fixate on the gilded bands glistening on her eldest sister’s legs. Though she had been listening the entire time her sister had been speaking, the words seemed so distant, so unreal. They had to leave the only place they had ever called home because they had somehow outgrown it? Part of her knew this was something to be proud of, but she could not ignore the icy chill slithering up her spine at the prospect of leaving it all behind.

The small circle remained silent, and she noticed Ch'aska’s paw twitch somewhat with what she imagined to be slight discomfort over the entire ordeal. Each of them were still in shock over hearing the news, but as Suyana once more glanced at each of their faces she noticed some bearing the expression of quiet acceptance. She however could feel her brows knitting together, and soon found herself struggling to see through the tears clouding her vision.

“I can’t.” She finally managed to choke out. Her heart was beating rapidly and she could feel herself trembling with the weight of the crushing reality she had been presented with. “I can’t just accept that I have to leave my home because there isn’t any room for me anymore!” Her tone of voice became louder and more defiant with each word that she spoke, and she instantly regretted it upon seeing the pained look in Ch'aska’s eyes. She knew it was hard for each of them but, by the Creator, how could she simply be fine with this?

“Suyana.” The gentle voice of her infinitely patient sister Killasisa caressed her ears just as she felt the comforting nudge of a wingtip. “Everything will be al-“ She did not even allow Killasisa to finish before dancing away from her touch and shaking her head. “No. I will not be forced from my home! I will not allow it!” Before more could be said she pivoted on her paws and quickly fled to the one place she would feel comfort, the tree she and her sisters would typically lounge beneath after a successful day of play or business.

Everything seemed at peace as she rest at the base of its great trunk, years of being utilized by the sisters evident by the carvings decorating it. Some were of random patterns, while others told stories of the adventures had by the close knit group of mares. One that would cause her to giggle even on her darkest days told the tale of how she and her two twins had attempted to paint Quri’s feathers with mud and berries to make her as colorful as the flowers she wore. They were surprised she had allowed them to do it, but since she was the youngest they hadn’t given her much of a choice. Even so, she seemed to enjoy the experiment until she turned out looking like a berry bush gone horribly wrong. At the time they hadn’t realized that crushing the berries to extract their colors was much simpler, and better, than sticking them to the mud they had coated her in.

Even now, as her heart felt as though it would shatter, that story brought a small smile to her countenance. It only lasted a moment however, since she was soon racked with the memory that she would likely never see this tree again. All of those she had grown close to while growing up would fade into memory, and all of the places she held dear would be out of reach. Her chin lowered to the ground and a pathetic little sniffle eased out of her. She was stubborn and a free-spirit, and even though part of her was excited to see more of the world, she still mourned the loss of a home she would never again see. Even though she had traveled along the trade routes and left her home for many days at a time, she always took comfort in the fact that she had a home to return to. No more.

But in that moment of loneliness and sorrow, a thought that had been previously eluding her made its presence known. From beneath lashes heavy with unshed tears she gazed once more at the tree trunk covered in the stories of her past. Though it would bring her great pain to bid farewell to the familiarity she was forgetting one very important thing; the reason this tree and, ultimately, her home was so very special to her. It was not the carvings on the tree or the places she was fond of, but that she shared it with her sisters. Though she would have to say goodbye to the physical representations of her memories, she would never truly lose them as long as she remained by the sisters she treasured above all else.

Though her heart remained heavy she was more accepting of what was to come, and with that in mind she made her way back to her sisters. “I am very sorry for acting so inappropriately earlier, I hope all of you can forgive me.” At her words she was greeted with nods, sweet smiles, and eyes full of love. “It will be difficult to leave this place behind, but as long as I have all of you I know I will be fine.” She flashed her typical brilliant smile and continued. “I have hope for the future and for what we will find once we leave here. After all, my name does mean hope!” She giggled, and once more the circle was complete.

After all was said and done she turned her gaze skyward and said a hushed prayer. “Thank you Viracocha for reminding me of what is truly important, and for giving me the strength to accept change.”  

[Aria Starstone]

XBlind-DarknessX

Hey, I made a small edit to the form to include a preference list... You might want to add that! Sorry, I can be so forgetful!  

[Aria Starstone]

New rule added, please check it!  

[Kamiki]

Username: Kamiki
Soquili Name: see below (while I'm doing the same base personality for all of them, I do have different name/genders for the three different sisters)
Preference List: 3 (purple), 2 (light w/earring), 1 (dark)
Personality: ((I'm going to use Cavillaca in this and the prompt, but the base personality will be the same for all three. Only the names and gender will change)) Cavillaca is kind of a mix between a mad-scientist and snake-oil salesman, but with a good-hearted and optimistic twist. While she is well versed and very respectful for the traditional ways of preparing and drinking tea, her prime passion in life is trying new things. New tea mixes, new ways of brewing, new ways of imbibing - she experiments with it all. Her personal preference is experimenting with the medicinal qualities of fermented tea, similar to the Eastern art of Kombucha. She also dabbles with candies, oils, candles, and other ways tea can be infused and used in everyday life; from soap to dyes to incense.

She's also an established salesman. She's social, flirty, and has an infectious optimism that's hard to deny. She loves to talk about her experiments and her inventions; and can easily talk most people into buying the creations she makes. Her passion for what she does is naked - she isn't trying to scam anyone - she honestly loves all the new, fun, things she creates and wouldn't sell anything she didn't believe in.

Job: Trader would be a good catch-all, but she would also fancy herself as an inventor.
Do you agree to keep this girl in the herd, and notify Aria of all descendents? Of course!
Prompt Chosen: 1
Prompt Response: "So...we're just leaving?" Cavillaca blinked her wide eyes at Ch'aska, sounding stunned. The initial reaction was reluctance - everything was here! Her friends, her journals, her stuff. All her stuff - her molds, and bowls, and glass, and gems, and massive collections of dried herbs, teas, and berries. But she trusted her sister implicitly, and if that's what Ch'aska thought was best, Cavillaca would follow.

She avoided packing until nearly the last minute, having instead been spending as much time with the friends and family that were staying behind. But as she finally forced herself to start packing her treasures into the large back her sister had given her, Cavillaca felt her spirits lifting. Every precious trinket she packed she turned over and over in her paws, smiling as the flood of memories came back to her. It was an excuse to relive it all again, and soon she found herself getting excited by the idea of new things.

There would be new adventure! New chances to trade new trinkets. What kind of grasses, roots, and berries would she find on her travels?

Fitting everything she wanted to take with her was the biggest challenge by the end. She had to dump her pack and re-load it at least half a dozen times over to get everything to fit. Even through she would be traveling, Cavillaca had no intentions of forgoing her experiments.

By the time it was time to leave, and all the goodbye tears has been shed, Cavillaca felt absolutely empowered by the sense of hope, excitement, and optimism that bubbled through her veins. She was about to start the grandest adventure of her life, and she wouldn't waste such a precious gift being melancholy.

Sister #1 - dark w/rainbows

Name: Vicaquirao
Gender: Male (DFAB)
Sexuality: Pansexual, panromantic, polyfidelis

Sister #2 - light w/rainbows

Name: Ka-atakilla
Gender: Gender fluid (DFAB), prefers she/her pronouns
Sexuality: Pansexual, panromantic, polyfidelis

Sister #3 - purple w/rainbows

Name: Cavillaca
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Homosexual, homoromantic, polyamorous

 

[Cheyriddle4]

Username: Cheyriddle4
Soquili Name: Kusi Sisa "Cheerful Flower"
Preference List: Eyelash, Earring, Dark
Personality: Kusi is a very cheerful person with a friendly approachable attitude to set others at ease. Yet on the inside she can be a nervous wreck while giving a cheerful appearance. She strives to entertain and to sell in a more entertaining and relaxing atmosphere. Motivated to do her part she tries to bring fun into the work. Firmly believing that if the customer is relaxed and enjoying themselves than it is more than likely that they will purchase what she is trying to trade. Though if she comes across someone attractive than things start to go awry. She loses whatever filter she had and can tend to ramble. Giving compliments and in extreme cases stuttering from nerves. She finds great pleasure and fulfillment in entertaining others. Having a good voice and decent dance work. She aims to please. Though at times there are moments when she wants solitude to get a better understanding of herself and how she fits into the herd.

Job: Entertainer and trader. Taking pride in combining the two to create a more refreshing and entertaining transaction!
Do you agree to keep this girl in the herd, and notify Aria of all descendents? Yes I agree
Prompt Chosen: #1
Prompt Response: Kusi Sisa stands there shocked after her sister finished speaking of this plan which she pitched. Unable to speak from the whirlwind of thoughts inside her head. She watches her sister for a while trying to come to terms with the knowledge of what she just learned. "That's.. really big news..I think I will need a moment to take it all in."

After the shock starts to wear off a floodgate of emotions opens taking her through numerous emotions. Concern at the thought of where they will live comes to the forefront. Yet she is sure her sister considered this. Thoughts of leaving crosses her mind and she feels a deep sense off sadness. It will be hard to leave them behind. Would they feel sad that they are leaving too? She doesn't know. Yet she knows she would go with her sisters. It is her place. She loves her sisters dearly and couldn't see herself not living near them.Yet that isn't the only emotions that showed themselves. For there was a sense of mystery and curiosity about this. Going and finding a new place. Seeing the world more than from the routes that they have been on. It could be exciting too. It is after thinking this that she had come to a decision.

" I will go with you. I trust in you, though it would be a lie if I didn't say that I am not concerned. But from what I can tell. You will need help and some entertainment. The more the merrier right?!"

With the decision made she is now being faced with another decision. Eyes widening she gasps. " Oh! I need to pack! Gosh what will I bring?! To downsize too! I'll have to leave things for our loved ones. I must be off! " She spins around and runs to where she keeps her things.

"Oh what to pack! This is going to be so hard! I don't want to overpack after all!"

Sorting through her things she makes sure to put her tea stuff to one side to pack them on top. Would be better to have them on hand quick to make any sort of trade. Spotting her stash of scarves she sorts through them and picks out three in which she will use for dancing entertainment. Wrapping them up she puts these into her bags before sorting through some accessories such as earrings, necklaces, and bands. One will never know when they will come in handy. With the rest she separates them into different piles and puts notes over them to some of her loved ones. A living will on whom shall have what. Nodding with satisfaction with her decision she goes back to packing more basic things for the traveling. Food reserves, gourds, her kettle, her teas and the likes. Then last but not least she puts a small drum on top. Something her dear friend gave her.

"Soon I will leave, but I shall remember my time here. Merry meet, Merry Met and Merry Meet again dear ones."