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 Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:03 pm
[ Insert fanceh banner here ]
Greetings and welcome to Lychnidos; the capital of the Light Tribe.
The massive tree stands vigil above the rest of the crystalized forest, its branches twining and interlocking to form a massive city among the treetops. One can see it from miles away, begging the question - how does one get lost in the Crystal Forest? Littered upon the ground beneath the crystal giant's trunk are the protected remains of the crystals come and gone. Those that have not been able to be repurposed for the Dark Tribe's needs have been retired to a life among the roots. To forever glisten their grace upon the city they once helped to birth.
Beyond the towering tops of the tree of Lychnidos, the Crystal Forest begins to wane in height, going from a couple of hundred feet high to a mere ten to twenty feet in most places. Near the edges of her eastern most borders, the Crystal Forest becomes the most barren. Leading to many miles of empty expanse, between the home of the Light and their sister tribe, the Dark. Their southernmost borders are quickly devoured by the trees as the Earth Tribe begins to claim their own territory.
Among the grand tree the two Light magi rule, Siraj and Usha'Sri. One serene and heartfelt, the other silent and stubborn, they operate as a pair, ensuring the safety and well-being of their kingdom.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:44 pm
[ Insert fanceh banner here ] ☼ ▬▬▬ Arch Magi ||◘ Pumbaa'Mlinzi || [ Depawsit ] | The Lord of Purity
Mlinzi is the magi with a heart of gold, never allowing the lower things in life to drag down his mood. He always holds to his upbeat lifestyle, his milky white eyes always shining with the innocence of a child, while his cheeky maw holds a wide toothy grin for anyone who cares to greet him. Mlinzi has a soft heart and it shows in his day-to-day interactions. He relies heavily on his mate and others to help lay on the hard, tougher side of things when it's time to get more intense and sincere. He's never really been the type to keep a straight face, or the type to have the heart to hurt another. Mlinzi has a soft spot for the cubs and the sickly, and can often times be found mentoring those who others would often steer clear of. He enjoys the mentality of "Laughter is the best medicine", despite his ironic living conditions for his eager and fantastic mood.◘ Usha'Sri || [ Lady Kitania ] | The Lady of the Light
Usha is one of the more calm magi around. Always with a gentle smile on her face, she loves her tribe and the B'alam she watches over. She treats everyone as an equal, even with the females being slightly more dominant in their society. Mlinzi means the world to her, and she gives praise to the Grand Weaver for his presence. Deeply, she cares for him and helps him to keep his head high and his heart pure. Usha also has a soft spot for 'shinies'. The many colored scales of her species are something of collectibles to her. Eagerly, she seeks out those who can craft her beloved collected scales into fashionable materials; both to be worn and to be put up for decoration. She has been known to take shed scales in placement of goods for trades.☼ ▬▬▬ Homeland ||The Light Tribe, very unlike their sister tribe - the Dark Tribe, are comfortable being out and about during the day within the boundaries of the forest. They feel naturally at home among the crystal bark and the shed scales of their brethren. The area as a whole is very soothing to their minds, helping them to feel serene, calm, and one with their part of the world. During the hours in which the sun shines through the crystal canopy, colorful glows emanate off the crystallized bark and fallen scales of the past, solidifying the idea of The Grand Weaver, peace, and purity within the forest.
The land of the Light Tribe is broken up into districts, each district with a specialization. These districts are as follows: Ruby, Amber, Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst, Onyx, and Opal. No district is better than another, each with it's own purpose to make the tribe whole. B'alam are placed within these districts following a number of criteria. Foremost, what a Light triber excels in. The tribe makes the most out of it's citizens by having them work where they would do best. For example, if a B'alam kills every plant it tries to grow, but has the paws for grounding scales, then it will be placed into Ruby. Second, family. With the tribe as a whole being very family oriented, skills tend to be passed from parent to cub. There is the rare case in which a cub will not have the same prowess as their parents, in which they would still be placed where they do their best in. Lastly, pelt and scale color. Every now and then, a Light B'alam will have excellent skills in more than one profession. While they can choose which path they'd like to follow if they so wish, the colors they sport could be a deciding factor as well. It is seen as the colors of a Light B'alam with prowess in multiple areas as being destined for the trade in which they sport. More often than not, this is a last sorting method. What a B'alam feels and shows they are best in is what are usually the deciding factors.
Common duties among the tribe are to collect the fallen crystals from the forest and the shed scales from their fellow B'alam. These two duties are essential to the Light Tribe as they are their main exports. The crystals collected from the ground work in a similar way to the orbs entwined within their horns. Instead of collecting the sunlight through the day for healing abilities, the crystals collect sunlight and radiate soft light during the night time. Because of this, the crystals provide a faint, but still precious light through the night. The Dark Tribe is quite fond of the potential of these fallen crystals. The crystals that are no longer able to absorb the sunlight are brought further into the forest and crushed into a fine gravel. This gravel is then scattered around the capital city where they forever light the city from below.☼ ▬▬▬ Culture ||One almighty being that exists in everything, who is credited with the creation of reality; this is the centered belief of the Light Tribe. The Grand Weaver is worshiped and praised here. He is the one almighty being, giving life to the world around them, His presence everywhere. To offer up praise is a daily ritual practiced among all Light B'alam, both young and old. Praises are referred to as Mantras. Most offerings simply occur in the home with the use of a shrine, typically before nightfall or when the sun is at it's highest peak in the sky. These shrines are usually found in a room of their own, albeit a small one. They are made up of fallen crystals from the forest and some scales of the individual or family for which the shrine has been purposed for, all set around and upon a created alter. Most alters are typically made out of gold, but can be handmade using crystallized bark if the family or individual so wishes. Traditionally, alters are kept within families, as many Light Tribers live together as opposed to alone. Family is a big part of unity which is a larger part of their belief of the cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution. With alters being passed down in generations, it preserves the family in spirit. For outsiders, temples for mantra within the Crystal Forest exist. These temples can be a place of worship for Light B'alam as well, but their offerings and praises are not considered as personal. Temples are generally lavished in crystals, gold, and imported cloth, offering up only the best to The Grand Weaver. The closer the temple is to the capital city, the larger in size it is, and typically the more luxurious as well.
The B'alam of the Light Tribe eat a vegetarian diet. These diets typically consist of flourishing plant life from the forest ground, such as fruits, veggies, and various type of stalks and leaves. While this may seem very odd compared to other tribes, the killing of another living creature for consumption or sport is considered to promote the principle of ignorance and disregard for The Grand Weaver's creations. Any type of byproduct from another living creature is also typically frowned upon. However, there is one exception; Alpacows. The milk they can provide can create cheese, which is commonly used as an 'exquisite' flavoring ingredient. These cheeses are seen as more of a rare commodity, and as such are mainly used in special dishes or for special events - i.e. birthdays, spirit-joinings, etc. Milk is commonly used for drinking due to it's ability (or perhaps myth!) to harden scales and make them appear with more vibrancy. Cubs especially are urged to drink milk on a daily basis with the promises of radiant scales when they get older.
The society as a whole lives for those around them. There are very few of the Light Tribe who will value their own lives over the lives of another. The feeling is that those you value the most will in turn value you the most. One can not put a price on the value of your own life. For the most part, all B'alam within the Light Tribe are looked upon as equals. The Arch Magi view themselves as equal to even the youngest of the B'alam within the tribe. Even though they make the decisions and rule over the Crystal Forest, they hold no personal sense of pride, nor should they expect another to do so to them. Likewise, they do not expect to be treated any differently than their kinsmen. These actions tie into the Light Tribe's belief of Bosnia, the energies of good and bad. If you are of good intentions and good will towards others, your spirit is therefore lightened. If you are of bad intentions and ill intent towards others, then your spirit is weighted down. The weight of one's spirit is intertwined with these energies and how the land reacts in return. Positive energies help the land to flourish and grow, nurturing the tribe and giving back to them. Negative energies will soil the land, tainting it and causing things to decay and turn. The Crystal Forest is sacred to the Light Tribe and their survival. Jealousy and greed have no place here. The very essence of light is all colors coming together as one single, pure ray. If the light becomes tainted though in even the smallest of ways, the light will flicker, dim, and become lost to the shadows. From the very moment cubs arrive, they are taught this belief, so as to preserve the sacred land.☼ ▬▬▬ Sister Tribe ||As a whole, the B'alam of the Light and Dark tribes look out for one another. They both collect the natural resources of their lands and trade them back and forth. A pact has been made between the neighboring tribes, in which they help each other out in exchange for their natural good. Because of this pact, they are formidable allies. The Light Tribe offers their fallen crystals and shed scales in return for potential protection from harm. While most are not necessarily warriors themselves, their Dark brethren are. While the Light B'alam sleep at night, Dark B'alam patrol through the tops of trees, keeping watch over the quiet glow of the sleeping forest.
Light and Dark members on both sides frequently visit one another. For the extremely dark caves to the west, the Light Tribe have their colored orbs entwined within their horn which can emit a gentle, colored light, so as to see where they're going. They have rather poor eyesight at night as a general rule, so they require a light to guide their way. Typically, those that travel through these caves have the company of another B'alam or a Jackalight. It is not advised for a Light B'alam to travel alone within the caves, as they have a general fear of the dark. Some can overcome this fear, but the damp and cramped style of the caverns can be too much for most without some source of light to help ease their troubled minds. It's the opposite of their general lifestyle, so it can be panic-inducing.
Socially, it is most acceptable for Light B'alam to acquire their spirit-bound that is either of Light or Dark. Other tribes are not shunned in any way, but seeing as the Dark and Light tribes have a connection with one another, they are often considered the most trusted among the rest. It is realized that spirit-bounds are not often chosen, but destined, as they are two halfs of one whole. Sometimes this is not the case, but is as general rule. Gabe, the Dark Arch Magus himself has a Light spirit-bound, further showing that both Dark and Light can be at peace with one another.☼ ▬▬▬ Societal Structure ||The Light Tribe societal structure is broken down mainly into districts that specialize in certain strengths for the tribe. These districts are as follows: Ruby, Amber, Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst, Onyx, and Opal (often referred to as Prism). Every B'alam is apart of a district, typically based on their personal strengths, but sometimes with pelt/scale color in mind as well if they excel in more than one area of trade.☼ ▬▬▬ The Districts ||xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Ruby - District of Strength ||xxxxxThe Ruby District is one that reflects strength and power. Tribe members that show physical strength and potential for prowess in combat are placed here alongside those who are gifted in the crafting of armor and weaponry.
xxxxxThe soldiers train in a military fashion to defend the tribe and its allies from outside threats. The blacksmiths will often forge armor and the powder made from breaking down the scales shed from their kinsmen.xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Amber - District of Creativity ||xxxxxThe Amber district shines with Light B'alam that have creative thinking and thought processes. Here, those who are exceptionally intelligent and show potential to build a brighter future are abound.
xxxxxThese B'alam are often in charge of planning events for both the tribe as a whole and individual tribers. They excel in designing on a whim and are often seen as being the 'fashionistas' of the kingdom.xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Citrine - District of Bosnia ||xxxxxThe Citrine district handles Bosnia, the Light Tribe's belief of good and bad energies affecting the land in which they live off of. Here there are temples for teaching cubs about the importance of these energies, especially
xxxxxwhen parents may be too busy to initiate proper teachings. Family guidelines and praises are still done within the home, but here cubs can get a general idea of what Bosnia is and how it will affect the land for years to come.xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Emerald - District of Farmlands ||xxxxxThe Emerald district is prominent with the foods that Light Tribers eat. Alpacows can even be found here, but they are typically much fewer in number than vegetation. Growing greens sustain the Light Tribe, as animal products
xxxxxand byproducts are not allowed. They are considered forbidden and to show ignorance for The Grand Weaver's creations to consume. However, milk and cheese are created here for cubs and events respectively.xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Sapphire - District of Loyalty ||xxxxxThe Sapphire district handles loyalty within the Crystal Forest. They are similar to guards, but are not of brute force. They instead report incidents and advise what they feel is the best option to take for these incidents.
xxxxxWhen there are B'alam of other tribes visiting, this is the district that takes care of them. They act as guides to the forest, so outsiders don't get lost or feel overwhelmed.xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Amethyst - District of Trading ||xxxxxThe Amethyst district deals directly with the trading from outside B'alam and tribes. Here, objects are examined to make sure they are of no harm to the Light Tribe, as well as sent off for supplies that the tribe may need.
xxxxxNeed to order a hardy Floofalo pelt that comes exclusively from the Ice Tribe? Perhaps a forged alter? This is the place that handles those trades.xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Onyx - District of The Night ||xxxxxThe Onyx district caters specifically to the Dark Tribe. It is set up to be like a home away from home for them. It even features a theater area, shows usually happening a couple nights a week.
xxxxxAmong the pleasures of this district for their Dark brethren, it is also a place of punishment for those that have deserved it. If Dark B'alam have broken any laws or are deserving of any kind of punishment, they are sent here.
xxxxxThey are secluded to areas in which they are purposely kept in eternal, bright light. This kind of punishment looks silly to the B'alam of the Light Tribe, but for the Dark Tribe, it can be agonizing.xxxxx☼ ▬▬▬ Opal/Prism - District of Purity ||xxxxxThe Opal district is the area in which the tribe's magi rule. Any B'alam is welcome here, but this is a place of the highest purity. Light B'alam who ascend into magus themselves are brought here for magic teachings, as healing is
xxxxxa very powerful magic and must be taught properly. Guards of the whitest pelts and purest energies stand watch here. Bosnia is also at it's greatest, the very tree in which the magi reside in being the largest and most flourishing
xxxxxwithin the tribe. This district is often also referred to as The Prism, as all the other districts seemingly flow out of it.☼ ▬▬▬ The Wanderers ||The Wanderers are those B'alam who seek adventure in their daily lives, or simply travel for their day to day business. They are the Light B'alam, that for whatever reason, refuse to stay put in one place. They will migrate from one place to the next, from time to time even leaving their homelands in order to seek trades or services offered in other areas that they can not readily find in their own lands.☼ ▬▬▬ The Vacationers ||The Vacationers are the Light and Dark B'alam who find themselves misplaced in their sister tribe. It can be due to punishment handed down from the Arch Magi, or a personal choice in which they are more comfortable with. These B'alam are not looked down upon, not even those who are there for punishment. The Light Tribe believes in redemption, and will give anyone the opportunity to claim their own before misjudging them.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:45 pm
☼ ▬▬▬ Climates ||[ Map to come soon! ] ◘◘◘ Safe Zone ◘◘◘Highlighted in green, the safe zone represents the areas and territories where Light Tribe members may travel in comfort. As long as they remain in the safe zone, they need not worry about becoming ill because the general weather suits their needs.◘◘◘ Discomfort Zone ◘◘◘Highlighted in blue, the discomfort zone represents the areas and territories where Light tribe members may travel, but doing so may bring about some forms of discomfort due to either warmer or cooler temperatures. Those who travel in these slightly discomforting zones may experience slight headaches, a rise in sweating, shivering, tense/sore joints, and mild anxiety.◘◘◘ Danger Zone ◘◘◘Highlighted in purple, the danger zone represents the areas and territories that Light Tribe members should stay away from. The temperatures in the danger zone are not safe for Light Tribe members to travel and extended stays in such areas can lead to death. Those who choose to travel the danger zone will experience more violent, uncontrollable shivering, headaches, joint fatigue, anxiety, excessive sweating, muscle weakness, nausea, fatigue, hallucinations, mild confusion, and possibly even death.◘◘◘ Death Zone ◘◘◘The Death Zones, highlighted in red, is as the name says, the death zones. Light Tribe members CANNOT survive in the death zone areas and territories under any circumstances. We repeat, THEY CANNOT SURVIVE IN THE DEATH ZONE. CANNOT.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:58 pm
☼ ▬▬▬ Light Season ||
During the early months of February and March, when the snow is still light upon the ground, the Light Tribe gather to celebrate Navīkaraṇa kā Utsava, or The Celebration of Renewal. The CoR is a time for all Light B'alam to collect within the capital and reflect upon the newly Awakened as well as the generations that have sprouted since the previous festival. The CoR is a festival with a focus on the freshly awakened B'alam of the Light Tribe as well as those born since the previous year's festival. The Light Tribe holds a high value in it's young, and holds them in high regard. The young are often brought before the Arch Magi of the tribe during the first nights of the festival, to be introduced and praised for the merits to the tribe. Often enough when one shows exemplary potential to the magi, they are given the title of Rohan for males and Rohana for females. Upon receiving this title, the other B'alam of the tribe will show the young one a lot more respect, and the young one can expect many tests from the different patrons to discover just where his or her mastery lies. Once it is discovered, they are given only the best training to help further their skill. Given the proper dedication and passion, a Rohan or Rohana can go quite far within the tribe's ranks.
▬▬▬ ☼ ▬▬▬
During this time, the Light Tribe will be featured as a majority in freebies, raffles, auctions, and events.
Customs geared towards the Light Tribe will take priority and the shop will host in-character roleplaying events that focus on the Light Tribe.
▬▬▬ ☼ ▬▬▬
Since the tribe is all gathered in one general location, this is generally assumed to be their chief mating season.
While breeding is of course possible throughout the year, the surplus of B'alam in one mass location leads to many happy couples and piles of totems.
As a result of this fact, colorists are more prone to pick Light Tribe breedings during these months.
▬▬▬ ☼ ▬▬▬
The CoR is more than a celebration of the newly awakened and born - it is also a time for Light Tribe Magus conversions to take precedence!
As a result, if you have collected the required RPs to have your B'alam re-awakened as a Magus, this is the time where the Light Tribe will take priority.
So be sure and get those counts up and prepared!
▬▬▬ ☼ ▬▬▬
Last but not least - the CoR is the prime opportunity for all Magus seeking to create their own colonies to call upon the Light's head Magi for their best wishes.
While Mlinzi & Usha welcome colony hearings at any time, they do more hearings during the Celebration than during any other time of year.
[Approvals can and will be granted throughout the year, but those requested near the start of the festival will likely be pulled into the celebration to comply with IC guidelines.]
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:00 pm
☼ ▬▬▬ Relations ||
☼ ▬▬▬ Within the Tribe ||
At current, the B'alam of the Light tribe all look at each other as one large family. They look to one another for the support they can not provide themselves. Presently, the only thing that sets the genders apart from one another is the female's ability to maintain rationality in tense situations. Outside of an immense respect for the self restraint, there is no gender that is over the other, nor will there likely be one in the future. The Light B'alam are a peaceful tribe, and it is rare to find one with malice in one's heart.
As of the present, there is not much the Light Tribe see as taboo, meaning there isn't much one would choose to look down on another for. As everyone is just awakening, and more seem to arrive by the day, it is only normal that this will inevitably change. New jobs will make their presence known, and darker personalities will eventually grow from the seeds of darkness planted in some. When the time comes, things will change as they are brought about. For now, the Light Tribe remains a place of purity, where one can escape judgement regardless of tribe or background.
Typical pelt and scale colors are among the brighter and more pastel colors - i.e. Whites, Yellows, Pinks, Greens, and Blues. Other colors are not uncommon by far, and are actually becoming more and more common due to families being started with other tribes. There is no hatred towards any pelt or scale colors and never will be. Every B'alam is considered beautiful and unique in their own way, their colors being part of a representation of this.
☼ ▬▬▬ Outside of the Tribe ||
The Light Tribe shares a very special alliance with the Dark tribe. The two balance one another out as well as share many special bonds. So many in fact that it can be easy to forget that a member of the Light Tribe is mated to the Arch Magus of the Dark Tribe. As such, the two tribes have formed an ever stronger bond to glue them together for an eternity.
The Light and Dark Tribe's alliance consists of many pacts. The most important of which is that any Light or Dark Tribe caught misbehaving or breaking key rules within their tribe, will be immediately sent to live among the opposite tribe's B'alam for a predetermined amount of time. In most cases this punishment leads to health issues, as well as a temporary or permanent loss in sanity.
The Light Tribe currently has no ill intent towards any tribes of the land. As the peaceful tribe that they are, it is difficult for them to obtain enemies. Even the visitors from the above Wind Tribe are welcome to their crops and streams. They view them as messengers from another land, and in exchange for news from the outside or a tale or two, one will gladly share their crops and trades with their winged brethren.
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2015 8:24 pm
☼ ▬▬▬ Beliefs & Traditions ||
☼ ▬▬▬ The Grand Weaver ||
The Grand Weaver is the be all, end all of the universe. To the Light Tribe there is nothing more sacred or more powerful than He. To so much as question The Grand Weaver in any way is considered treachery and is considered something He must place judgement upon for Himself. This almighty being gave the B'alam of the Light Tribe their lives, as well as life to the Crystal Forest in which they thrive and reside. It is believed that He takes care of His children, so long as they praise Him and do others and the land right.
☼ ▬▬▬ Life & Death ||
Life is a precious commodity to the B'alam of the Light Tribe. They look at everything that lives and breathes upon the planet as a tiny piece of a larger puzzle that is the world. They devote most of their life to ensuring that life will continue on for generations to come. From tiny healing salves, to more intricate solutions such as Magi spells, they hold the idea of life dear to their hearts and as a central to their way of living.
Death on the other hand, is a different story to the Light Tribe. To the Light Tribe, death is a nightmare of sorts. All of them fear the shadowy whispers of death, and even the very idea of it sends them running for the hills. They prefer to keep the word free from their vocabulary and only force themselves to think of it in the most dire and non-salvageable situations. Even then, the thoughts alone can send one into violent shivers. The idea of death is something the Light Tribe will always attempt to fight, even when it is unquestionable that the outcome will be grim. A Light B'alam or magus will work itself to the bone in hopes of saving something from the cold grip of death. As a tribe of healers, they feel it is only their duty to all that they can for those around them.
☼ ▬▬▬ Common Name Themes ||
While the Light Tribe by no means has a set in stone language or theme behind their naming process, there are some patterns that seem to be more predominant than others among the tribe. Hindu names for example are quite common among the citizens of the capital as well as names of the Sanskirt variation. Though, a name is but a tag to the Light B'alam. They do not hold any significant value over them and will not devalue another for their name not being of a particular variety.
☼ ▬▬▬ Gender Roles ||
It is clear among the Light Tribe that no one gender is equal to the other among them, but in the same breath, neither gender is unequal either. Genders hold certain qualities that the other can not, which makes them stronger than the other. When you place both lists of inequalities side by side, it becomes apparent that despite their difference, neither is more special than the other.
While females are capable of handling themselves well under pressure, males are exceptionally light and quiet on their feet. The two genders compliment one another weaknesses in strange ways. Where one does not excel, the other gender has the capabilities to fill that gap in some shape or form, regardless of whether they've discovered it yet or not. In every day society, there would be no dominant gender among the Light Tribe, meaning a gender that steps up and takes charge above the other. However, if tensions were to ever escalate, it's typically the females that react in a hostile manner. The males, on the other hand, tend to keep more of a calm mind concerning conflict. They are diplomats while the females tend to take a more combative role. Females typically are considered the protectors of the tribe. Fueled by their maternal instincts, they tend to think of the tribe as a massive family and devote themselves to the protection of it.
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