~NOTE: this herd thread was written many years ago and will need updating to eradicate the term "skinwalkers". Please bear with us as we work on updating things!
The Father:
Name: Viracocha
Role in Herd: The Second in Command - This is sort of a Protector-in-training position and is one more of learning than action. He sits in counsel with the Protector and Archangels as well as with the other side of the herd - the Alpha, Heiress, and Thrones - on a regular basis to learn the ins and outs of the herd and how it's run. This position is often held by a Son of the Alpha and Protector, or an adopted Son.
Personality: He is a leader, even if he doesn't really think of himself that way. In his mind he just sees what needs to be done and gets it done. He wants his brothers to be safe and happy and he would do anything to make that happen. In some way he feels he owes his life to them, as if in making sure they are safe and happy he somehow is atoning for the deaths of everyone else in the herd. Inside he carries a lot of guilt that so many died and he lived, so he is constantly trying to make it up to the world, to make his life worth the exchange that was made.
He doesn't place a lot of value on his own life and would sacrifice it in an instant to save another - even a stranger. Keeping his brothers together and safe is the only thing that holds him back even a little when it comes to danger. He has a lot of pain and anger built up from the loss of everything they knew, but he keeps it buried in order to lead the group. Every now and then he likes to sit in silence with Tahir and just let the emotions wash over him. Tahir was so affected by their traumatic past that it reminds Vira of the feelings he keeps suppressed, and so Tahir's company is soothing to him, a way to outlet his pain through another's.
Story: When the brothers found the remnants of the Old Herd Vira was able to take a step back with Abigail and Apocalypse in charge. For a while he tried to rest and heal, as Abigail suggested. But he couldn't stand being idle. He found a new role in leadership, helping to guide and protect the herd. He has dedicated himself wholly to the continuation and preservation of the herd and all those who seek its sanctuary. He was eager to increase their assets and with a fortuitous meeting of a strong mare he entered into an agreement for the betterment of both the Kateri and the herd from whence the mare had come. They had three children, two daughters who went with their mother and a son who stayed in the Kateri. While the alliance made was obtained as planned, the loss of his daughters took a toll on Vira. He and Tocapo could visit them during certain times of the year, but Vira always regretted not being able to know his daughters better.
There was a new loneliness inside him. In a swirl of uncertainty about his place in the world, in this herd, of what he wanted from life, he took to wandering to find answers. On one such adventure his life was forever changed when another mare came exploding into his life. He was struck by her immediately, drawn to the wildness of her spirit and the indomitable honesty of her soul. A rare jewel that brought him focus in his clouded mind. With her by his side he finally felt complete, whole. He realised what he was missing and knew that he could never be without her again.
And now she has given him the greatest gift he could ever receive - the chance to raise his own daughters.
The Mother:
Name: Leesa Meadows
Role in Herd: While it is not an official role, Leesa is a therapist of sorts, helping other members to accept change, face their fears and break out of their comfort zones.
Personality: Leesa is extremely out-going, wild, spirited and loves to spend time chatting and having fun with other soquili. It isn't unusual for her to make light of situations, never letting the tone become too serious. She doesn't tend to linger on the what if's knowing it does very little good to dwell on situations that could be considered regretful or diminishing in some way. She spent most of her life finding faults in her self after her former herd life and relationships turned sour and had to spend a momentous amount of time finding herself again and striving for change and personal betterment.
Story: Leesa fully expected Vira to vanish when she approached him having never seen such a beautiful creature in her lifetime. She blamed the vision of him on the adrenaline of just jumping off a cliff in to a body of water and almost drowning but the fantasy of him soon became a reality. Every day since then has never been dull and if there is even a hint of quiet Leesa finds something to help them loosen up and find fun to help distract from the responsibilities Vira bears for the herd and it's members; If it isn't Leesa making all the noise and entertainment then their kids certainly are!
The Only Brother:
Name: Tocapo
Role in Herd: Powers - Scouts are sent far and wide, bringing back information either themselves or via a swift or winged familiar that aids in the protection of the herd. They are the first line of defense for trouble, and are needed to be swift, silent, and able to think on their feet. They are solo workers and answer directly to the Day/Night Commanders in the chain of command. They are the reconnaissance, and are vitally important to the herd's secrecy and survival.
Personality: Toca is a stallion who is very talented as a scout and fighter, but less talented in social situations. He is dutiful to a fault and serves the herd and their beliefs with pride. Training, fighting, scouting, these are things that are second nature to him. He's stronger than his peers and with his claws and wings he has even more advantages that he can put to use for the herd. But the herd does not always see him as a member. Not really, not always. While the herd is making strides towards welcoming others - those who are not unicorn - too many of the members are still purists. While none would ever openly say or do anything against him for the sake of his father and for the alpha of the herd who had condoned the match between his parents, he still feels like an outcast. He feels bitterness towards his father for his own existence, for the deal Vira had made for something so impersonal as an alliance. He can't fathom any reason to give up a single child, let alone two. He mourns the loss of his sisters as if they were dead, since he is only allowed to see them once a year, if that. They are strangers to him when they should have been his first friends. For this reason Tocapo and his father do not quite get along, though they always treat each other with respect.
This emotional isolation took its toll on Toca in the form of him not knowing how to simply socialize with someone - a fact that became glaringly obvious when he met Lona. She was the first to look upon him not with fear or disgust or indifference, but as a stallion of worth. As a friend. And as so much more. The burden he had felt all of his life died away when he looked at her, but so too did his ability to form coherent sentences, or so it seemed. He realised how absolutely foreign simply conversing was and how he himself had never been complimented for anything other than doing a good job for the herd.
Slowly, he is learning what it is to truly belong, and to truly have a family.
Still, he's a quiet stallion and a bit awkward when it comes to being emotional.
Story:
One of the Sisters:
Name: Brigette Stone
Role in Herd: Principalities - Also called Princes and Princesses, these are the Warriors of the herd. They can be fearsome fighters, and can be difficult to control in a group environment. They tend to work alone and answer only to the Day/Night Commanders in the chain of command. They can sometimes be attached to Patrols as added muscle, or sent on specialized missions with Scouts when additional force is needed. In times of peace they tend to spend their time in training, honing their skills eternally. If and when jobs that require their strength or skill is needed they pitch in around the herdlands.
Personality: Brigette is strong in both body and mind and loves to hone her skills in her free time. She is extremely adept and talented but she is sometimes too careless. She's self-assured and confident, arrogant even. She clings to the invincibility of youth and believes herself peerless in her fighting abilities. She's sarcastic and sometimes caulous but never intentionally hurtful. She's brutally honest and can seem very hard on the outside, but she truly wants to protect the innocent at any cost. She keeps the horrible things a warrior must do hidden behind her mask of sarcastic wit.
Nothing phases her. Her bravery is legendary among the herd members even this early on into her life. She always leaps first without considering consequences. She seems to go looking for adventure at every turn, pushing the boundaries of her own physical limits constantly.
Story:
The Other Sister:
Name: Larissa Oceantide
Role in Herd: Dominion
Personality: Larissa is a lot like her mother in the sense she takes every opportunity to talk to her fellow herd members. Every time she spies someone in passing she will be the first to greet them and will make every effort to approach them and start off a conversation. Even if they try to edge away and escape, Larissa will find some reason to keep the conversation going until she is ready to let it go. She can be annoying in that sense but is a bug for gossip and has a need to know every little thing that's going on so she isn't left in the dark. While people know of her love to talk they can be sure that their secrets are safe with Larissa, she might know everyone's business but she isn't about to share and spread the important stuff when it isn't hers to tell.
Because of her sociability Larissa chose the role of dominion so that she could escape the watchful eyes of the ruling herd members. She may have a habit of causing scenes by being a little too playful and fun-loving and this tends to catch a lot of negative attention and reflects badly on her father so in order to respect his role, the leaders and other officiates, she now tries to act more restrained in these tendencies and waits until she is out of sight and out of the boundaries of the main herd grounds to be free of stigma.
Guaranteed she is the first to arrive at the edge of the herdlands and can be seen pacing back and forth restlessly for the others to arrive, eagerly awaiting the moment they depart to collect herbs and food for the herd. She often spends this time teasing and irritating the guards and more so when they set off as she sneaks out of sight to go explore on her own and will persuade others in the group to share in these deviations.
Story: Has yet to be written!
