CLAN STRUCTURE
MEMBER POSITIONSMANAGERS | oversee each major outpost, their primary responsibilities being bureaucratic. They coordinate runners, keeping track of who is where, who has taken leave, and how fast kin travel from post to post. They track the flow of packages and messages and help determine where further expansion of outposts or staff is required, and where less service needs to be provided. Occasionally they visit the outposts directly branching off their own, and often serve as Runners in the process. They are the only kin allowed to accept new kin into the clan, either as Runners or Trackers. New Managers are selected by popular vote of the Runners, but may be any species of kin.
RUNNERS | carry deliveries from outpost to outpost as fast as they can. Due to the necessity for speed, most Runners are Kiokote, though other exceptionally talented kin may also serve for less urgent deliveries. Most Runners stick to a particular assigned path between a few outposts, in fact a certain elite few are reserved for running solely between the major outpost. Only very rarely does a single Runner make a long distance journey, usually as a bribed favor for a content-sensitive message. Runners can double as Trackers if they are skilled enough.
TRACKERS | ensure that the recipient receives the delivery. As their title suggests, they track down the appropriate kin and deliver the message or package. They usually maintain extensive knowledge of the territory around the outpost they serve, including its landmarks and the kin that live there or are visiting. Trackers can be any species of kin.
PETS & FAMILIARS | All pets and familiars are accepted and sheltered at outposts, however they are not allowed to slow down the delivery of packages (i.e. if a Runner has a tortoise, they will be expected to leave it behind when making a Run). Favored familiars are cheetah and eaglehounds for their speed and tracking ability, respectively, though cranes and wasps are also common. Favored pets are mongeese and foxbuns, for their ability to pack objects for delivery, and songbirds, which fly between outposts to indicate when Runners have arrived or are needed.
______________________________________________________________________
OUTPOSTSScattered throughout the swamp, outposts are marked clan areas that have been made hospitable, usually with some form of shelter and food source. Here, Runners can rest, stay the night, or even pass their delivery onto a fresh Runner at the busiest of outposts. Kin can also send messages and drop off packages at these points. To qualify as an official outpost, at least one Tracker and bird pair must live in the near vicinity and be easily reachable, but the larger outposts are run by several Trackers and Runners and even Managers.
HEADQUARTERS | A clearing slightly north of the center of the swamp, a central location but close proximity to the most populated northern reaches. Most long distance deliveries pass through here, and there is shelter enough for several Runners and residents. Due to its proximity to Ghost Thistle's mound, it has also become a common meeting place for kin.
Managed by: SkyrenderNORTHERN |
SOUTHERN |
WESTERN |
EASTERN |
______________________________________________________________________
LIFESTYLEWORK ETHIC | Couriers take their job very seriously, and do not dilly-dawdle when charged with a delivery. Clan members take great pride in their work and the service they provide. They enjoy being part of something larger than themselves and do their jobs with enthusiasm and pride, not for personal profit. Of course, the perks of being a Courier are also very much appreciated and enjoyed.
PERKS | Couriers are usually treated with great respect in the Swamp. They generally can travel wherever they please unmolested (with a few exceptions) and find most all clans and kin very hospitable should they ever need aid. Of course, Couriers who abuse or disrespect these privileges are punished accordingly.
RESIDENCE | All active clan members are expected to live near an outpost and be on call should duty ever arise. Trackers and Managers are usually confined to specific outposts, with transfers being unusual and requiring organizational adjustments. Runners usually hang out at a few particular outposts along a certain route and can be reliably found there, but if they wish to change routes they need only arrange it with a Manager.
TAKING LEAVE | Leave may be granted for personal reasons such as childrearing, and short vacations to say explore a new area are also allowable, however kin are always expected to return to duty within an adequate timeframe. Before taking leave, a Courier must ensure that his or her deliveries are accounted for. Abuse of this privilege is highly frowned upon, and may even result in expulsion - laziness is not tolerated in the Couriers.
DISCHARGE & LEAVING | If a Courier repeatedly exhibits signs of carelessness or laziness or refuses to take their work seriously, they may be discharged from the clan. They are forbidden to take up deliveries or reap the benefits of being a Courier, though they may find shelter at an outpost if need be. They are
not excommunicated nor disrespected, since discharges most commonly happen with kin who realize they are not cut out for the job. Only Managers can discharge kin, usually at the recommendation of other members. In contrast, all kin are free to leave the clan should they decide to, though they must account for all their outstanding deliveries beforehand. The Couriers are not possessive, but usually a kin who leaves leaves for good.
AUTHORITY | Managers hold authority over all other members, settling disputes and assigning Runners and Trackers to routes and territories, however they are usually very accommodating to a Courier's preferences and most assignments are made based on where a Courier is most familiar. Amongst Managers, everyone is treated equally but obvious deference is given to the most experienced kin. For the largest decisions, or disputes where the first Manager's decision has been appealed, all Managers will convene as a council to make an official ruling.
Reply
