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Lileth Havok Rein Vice Captain
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 Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:25 pm
Society & Social Stuff
Society & Jobs
Garrion society is complex, but not as structured as Celph. The most complicated aspect would be gender assignment because what’s between ones legs does not necessarily mean what one is. It’s all about what’s in your stars and what the spirits say about you.
An example is good old Havok here. He’s a guy physically, but his ancestors and spirit guides declared that he would be considered genderless within his society. Thus meaning he would be destined to be one of several things with in society. He ended up being a Witch Doctor, but could have been a priest, diplomat, or concubine.
This will all be explained another time. But generally, it depends on an old man/women reading some bones in a fire place when you’re a few hours old as to what gender you’re assigned and therefore what you’re going to do in life.
Happy day.
NOTE: 'assigned gender' dictates dress, but a biological male that's been deemed female doesn't necessarily have to wear dresses all the time (as it is, female Garrion don't wear dresses all the time anyway). He/She would just have a female role in society (Marry a Male, do female jobs).
Also, the Garrion have the smallest numbers in comparison to the other races as they only inhabited a few islands in the centre of Kannavhamenn. They have all but been wiped out by the conquest of the Common.
Both genders can be warriors/soliders/fighters.
All races have priest ranks, just Garrion are the only ones that are really out there with what they do. Common are pretty much a modified Christianity, and Celph believe in...well it's a less complex version of Garrion beliefs I suppose.
It's usually Priests/Shamans and Warriors who own Concubines (but tribal leaders and/or officials tend to own a nice little harem as well).
Priests/Shamans/Witch Doctors tend to use their Concubine's as a method of 'communication' with Gods or as mediums between the other world and the real world (aka, get Concubine off his/her face and listen to what ever they ramble on about). Or pretty much whatever else they decide it's a good idea to use they're little 'helper for'.
Garrion are pretty much a mish mash of a bunch of traditions I've come across over years while doing ancient history, so if there's a particular practice/thing that a culture does that you've interested in, throw it at me. There's likely to be a way to twist it to fit Lore.
Also, since there really aren't many taboos in Garrion society, anything is possible. Remember they're a bunch of peeps who rely on a form of Cannibalism to survive. Annnnything is possible.
& Warriors would tend to just use their concubines as would be expected (for the lovin'), but also as portable temples - A concubine is expect to have at least some training in various religious ceremonies. It really depends on how abusive the owner is.
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:43 pm
Garrion Cities
Big Garrion cities, with large populations and a major temple, have tall buildings usually made out of stone (granite, marble and sandstone) and decorated with carvings on various religious things or battles and precious stones gold or silver inlay. The closer you get to the sea, the more elaborate things will probably be. The actual architectural style varies, but it’s usually quite elegant and, to an extent, organic in design. The tall-ness is something that is also quite consistent.
Actual homes would be made from wood, stone or brick depending on their social class. Almost all would be painted with designs and have charms made from bones, feathers and fabric hanging around them to bring luck or ward off evil spirits/bad luck. Garrion society is very communal, so homes would be large and clustered together, often with a central meeting place where families could gather and eat meals and celebrate. There would also be a lot of plant life in the city, with trees and food gardens around homes.
The citie’s streets and buildings would also be lit at night by small lamps that produced coloured light (the colour would depend on the city, but would usually be shades of blue, green or purple). The light comes from a magic the Garrion learnt from the Celph.
Also note that buildings are big, with tall doorways since Garrion = tall, with horns and wings. They are constantly challenged by Common buildings.
Small cities will still have the elaborate designs and decorations, but not quite as much stone. Probably more wood and brick, and only temples being made from stone and having as much wealth shown in them. Homes are still decorated with painted walls (inside and out) and charms around the outside. The smaller the city, the more their rely on Shamans and Witch doctors for spiritual help, so there would be a lot of little shrines and charms inside that they Witch Doctor/Shaman has given them to help appease the gods.
Note: Witch Doctors and Shamans would live a little out of the city or town, in a small house built of wood or rough stone and decorated with bones, animal skins and a myriad of other knick knacks. Inside is about the same - Think Tia Dalma from Pirates of the Caribbean’s home décor.
Smaller cities and villages would be anything form elaborate wooden homes to little animal skin tents. They all would still have decoration and pretties.
There are also nomadic Garrion groups who live in tents and caves.
A general note for the Garrion cities: they’re mostly black and shades of brown, with bright colours scattered thoughout.
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Lileth Havok Rein Vice Captain
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Lileth Havok Rein Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:44 pm
Garrion Jobs: Religious Roles
>>>>>>ALL ABOUT SHAMANS
Because there are so many little niche groups of Garrion, these are just vague out lines. You can set your own specifices.
What is the Shaman position?
The Garrion shaman is like a mix between their Witch Doctor (healer, adviser and all ‘round influential smart guy) and Priest (the link between the gods and the mortal world), but with more prophecy and coloured smoke. They are usually gifted with variety of abilities including: foresight, a link to the gods, healing, the ability to bring good fortune, minor elemental manipulation (some even with the ability to somewhat control the weather) or powers to induce death (stop the heart, cause lethal ‘accidents’, combustion – it would depend on the individual). Please note that under no circumstances would a shaman have all of these abilities. It would be more likely that they would have a minor and a major. For example minor healing abilities (can speed up healing process on smaller wounds and perhaps repair slight amounts of internal damage with magic) and major foresight (can more often than not accurately predict the future in both short and long time spans). It would be extremely rare to have two major abilities. Half blood Garrion shamans would probably only have two minor abilities, depending on the strength of their blood.
With these abilities and the knowledge of the natural and supernatural world that Shaman are expected to hold, they are expected to aid and guide those who seek help from them (usually for a price). Shamans are usually called on during times of war, hardship and general turmoil (but day-to-day matters are also something they can help with – helping to settle minor disputes, casting a spell of good luck over a child. That sort of thing).
In short: they can talk to spirits, do vague magic-y stuff and have to fix people’s problems. And know a a lot about natural stuff.
When it does Shaman training start?
It depends on what group the chid is living with, but generally a shaman’s training starts when they can walk, talk and grasp basic life concepts (so around the 4-5 years old). A this time some groups allow the child to stay with their parents until the age of 14, at which time they move out of normal socially to either travel and learn about the world and the spirits or go directly to begin the shaman of their village/ town.
If they do not stay with their parent/guardian, they are sent to live with the village/town’s shaman and lean directly from them. They don’t really see their family much if they do this, since the shaman them self doesn’t venture into normal society unless they’re called on.
What is Shaman training
If the child stays with their family during their childhood, they spend their days with the shaman and evenings with their family, much like any other training or education. Once every now and then they might spend a week or two without contact with their family to go on self discovery/commune with the spirits adventure, but other than that, they live with their family until the time they are expected to take on their full responsibilities.
During their education they are taught about the properties of plants, characteristics of animals and natural forces, the lore of the gods and spirits, as well as general ‘how to deal with annoying people wanting to know boring things’ etiquette. Their abilities are also determined and tested during this period, and their path in life laid down for them . Eventually they are determined to be ready to face the world as a Shaman and allowed to decided if they want to stay and or travel to learn more (it’s sort of expected that they’ll want to travel at least a little bit, or at least make a pilgrimage to the sea if they live in land).
If they are sent to live with the village’s shaman at an early age, they become an assistant/apprentice of sorts. They learn the same as those who live with their parents, but it is often a tougher and slightly crueller education (they don’t have to worry about what their parents will think if they get sent home with bruises and cuts and other such signs of abuse).
Other Things
> Just think of the cliché’ Shaman image from Disney and fantasy movies to get a shiny version of Garrrion shamans. Then add a bit more blood, human/Common sacrifice and drug induced trances.
> If the shaman lives in a coastal area or in a smaller island, they’d have a fair bit to do with the Celph. Not as much as a priest (who would have regular contact), but occasional conferences about spirits and tides would be common.
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>>>> ALL ABOUT CONCUBINES
» Garrion Concubines are not actually considered slaves, but the term probably fits. Children are often born or sold into the culture and are give little choice in what they grow up to be. They are usually trained in Houses dedicated to the education of young Concubines, but some are taught in temples by priests/priestesses. It is possible to leave and start a life as a lay person, but it would have to be with the permission of their Keeper (the person who owns them) or their teacher.
» Most aren't paid, but are catered for by the Temple/where ever they are living. Most live at a high level of comfort. Some...don't (see: being involved in any aspect of the Cult of Zazzar....)
» Meredy raised a point of the Garrion concubines being a little like those on Fire Fly. I've only seen a few episodes, but I tend to agree with her.
» Common who are forced into the role of the Concubine are essentially slaves and usually have little/no choice in what they do (there are exceptions to this, but it's rare).
» Some Concubines are chosen from the general population for particular features. Eg: Both priests and Concubines for Mah'Paralo are usually chosen for their sensory disabilities (blind, deaf, mute). Concubines for Mystic might have gender ambiguity. That sort of thing. Being attractive sometimes helps (but not necessarily).
» It's usually if you're really, really bad/unwilling or really, really good/close to your Keeper that you'll be 'let go'. If they do leave, they are sometimes given a sort of severance pay (sometimes land/a home/ continued financial support).
» Concubines have a mixed level of respect in Garrion Society. On one hand they are considered Holy, untouchable and (usually) Wise. On the other, they're objects to be used and, sometimes, abused.
» Beyond having a knowledge of al that is needed to 'take care of their keeper', Concubines are expected to be highly educated. If they can't read, write and do basics mathematics, you'd usually consider you self to have gotten a dud. They should also be able to do at least basic house keeping (cleaning, cooking, sewing, keeping stock of supplies), have some skills in entertainment (singing, dancing, playing an instrument, drawing, story telling) and preferably an in depth understanding of the God(s) the serve. A knowledge of medicine and a few other sciences is also valued. The more skills the merrier really. Concubines aren't just 'dumb sluts' in other words.
» Some concubines may have minor abilities such as foresight, slight elemental powers of healing ability. It is rare, but happens occasionally. (concubines are essentially rejected priests)
» They serve Priests/Priestesses, Witch Doctors and Shamans primarily. Warriors who have made a name for them selves or who are particularly important will often been awarded a concubine to live with them and travel with them. Depending on the village/cities laws, when the Warrior gets married they sometimes keep the concubine on as a second wife/house keeper/teacher for their kids.
» Priests/Priestesses, Witch Doctors, Shamans would use their concubines officially as mediums or catalysis to vistions, but they would also have 'personal' use. The actual acts preformed would depend on the God/Goddess that is being worshipped. A god like Shrow is perfectly happy with only having Concbines drug addled to be able to send messages through them. Zazzar and Mah'Paralo on the other hand like things to be a bit more body-to-body.
» Concubines living with Religious figures would also have roles in upkeep on the temple or house hold they live in. This might be something as simple as helping keep their Keeper's quarters in order, or running whole Temples. If there is more then one Concubine in a temple (which is common) there will often be a Senior who is in charge of the rest.
» Concubines serving Warriors would usually act as portable temples/priests. They would give blessings, lead the Warrior in prayer, take care of their 'needs' (all in a the name a god of course) and whatever else needed to be done. The Concubines knowledge of medicine would also be put to use often. THEY WOULD NOT BE SHARED.
» If (in any employment) a Concubine falls pregnant and the pregnancy is allowed to come to full term, the child would either be sent to be trained (usually when they're around 4/5) as a concubine or given to the temple as a servant. There is always the chance that they'll be market as something else (ie: bruise colour markings on back indicate a religion based future, certain markings on face/hands would be a warrior or tradesmen, ect).
» Those with enough wealth to afford to keep a concubine might also have one. These are usually village/city chiefs/mayors/whatever you want to call them or generally just people with money. These concubines are usually less religious based and more entertainers/house keepers with benefits. Some 'retired' temple concubines find employment this way.
» They normally aren't priests/priestesses. A few cults use trainee priests in the same role as a concubine, but most don't. Concubines do not have much public interaction, they do not lead prayer or give offerings other then themselves. They are simple a medium and entertainer (and sometimes caretaker).
» Some temples do have priests/preistesses that might be confused with concubines. Holo & Mah'Paralo priests/priestesses are known for frequently taking worshippers to bed.
» A concubine who 'free lances' (works for cash in hand payment and less than religious purposes) for a period, or has no owner/keeper would start to loose their status of holy figure and begin to move towards being considered a simple prositute. If they kept up this habit, they would most likely be rejected from temples or the homes of respectable indivuals and have to find employment on the street or in brothels. It would be possibly for them to earn their respect back, but it would require the favor of a temple or high ranking priest/social figure.
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