|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:51 pm
Introduction Which translates to "Anubis's Sacred." I was going to wait for the foals, but I feel too much inspiration to work on this and the lack of a place to record members/ideas/information is irritating me.
What is the herd? The opposite of A'D, basically. Where A'D praises males, Nefertari praises females. You can think of this like an Amazon tribe.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:54 pm
The History and Landscape History of the Herd
Explanation here.
Necropolis
This translates to "city of the dead" in Greek. When Nefertari got her empire back, she wasn't going to reuse the old ruin that her brother had touched. That also meant she needed a new burial ground. Like the old one, she choose a nearby valley of mountains and cliffs, digging the tombs of her deceased into the hard rock itself. She decided to name it Necropolis in memory of her past's beliefs, which still cling to her today.
It sits many miles away from the herd to protect it against grave robbers. A tomb is started from the moment a Star becomes an adolescent and is thus old enough to have a tomb all to themselves. They reside over the construction of their own final resting place, preparing its comforts to their own tastes.
The Male Settlement
Away from the female's domain lies a smaller herd that is made up mostly of stallions. This is still part of Heiratic. It is watched over by a few trusted females and is where the males are kept. It is done this way so they are kept away from Morrigan, the mate of the Pharaoh. Nefertari can tolerate males to a point. Morrigan is another matter. It is better for the safety of the stallions if they are kept apart from the females so they are not subject to her wraith.
This is not too bad a place to live. The males are allowed to form their own ranks among themselves and conduct business. They are taken care of by the females.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:55 pm
Rules: IC And OOC IC
Males must stay on their side.
There really is no exception to the rule. It is for their own safety.
OOC
All colors and land breeds accepted.
Be they Egyptian based or not. I'm only putting a few bodies of water with no underground river in the territory, so Nova would not survive here. Because Nefertari is so war bent and paranoid, I don't want to give her a reason or her enemies a way to spy on her without her knowledge. A Nova can hide too easily under the waters.
This isn't to say you can't attempt. I'm sure there are ways to spirit a Nova into the herd to live for a time in one of the pools to watch her. There's always a way for everything.
Please don't join just for the herd bonus in breedings.
That saddens me. I'm here for the stories. I have plans for this herd, which involves things like a war between the A'D and/or the Greeks(Kass and Cephei) and it would be nice to see others participating in it. I don't expect RPs constantly, I just don't want to feel used when I put lots of research and thought into this.
This is, yes, an evil herd.
Evidence can be seen with the treatment of stallions. Nefertari will not allow me to go any easier on them or it wouldn't be true to her character. All she wants them for are meat shields in her army, but having them and not using them for breeding seemed silly. They're there. May as well fully use them.
This isn't to say you must all have evil characters or submissive stallions. Feel not restricted to everything I have written. This is to stay canon. If you want to propose a male to do something more, there's a possibility he could. For example, my Mosenth will likely be someone important to Nefertari. Such as her personal messenger and spy. So he will be allowed to move about the herd though still with a mare escort.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:57 pm
Culture Religion
Hieratic is much like Egypt in this sense. The Gods they worship and which they do for what depends on which versions of them Hieratic wishes to recognize. Such as Horus, who took the job as God of the Dead from Anubis when he was murdered. Nefertari doesn't recognize anyone but Anubis as the true God of the Dead and so doesn't worship Horus as associated with the dead or underworld.
Important Gods are given their own temple, with their own staff of Priestesses to give them offerings and the proper respect. When something goes wrong, they are blamed and offerings are made to appease them. When something goes right, they are praised and offerings are made to thank them.
If a Star wishes a God to be recognized that currently isn't, they must request an audience with the Pharaoh to declare the advantages of said God. The Pharaoh will then decide whether they believe the God deserves recognition or not. It thus goes without saying that the Gods the herd worships as a whole can sometimes change when a new Pharaoh comes into power. Priestesses currently under the God they wish to sack are either told to pick another God or release their rank as one of the Divinity. If the Pharaoh says no to the proposed God, the Star is allowed to erect a small shrine to that God to worship over themselves. A large temple simply will not be made in their honor.
Worship is held at least once a day in each temple by the Priestesses in charge. A statue of the God is washed, clothed, and sprayed with perfume. Offerings of food and drink are left at its feet, which it takes spiritual nourishment from. Once finished, the leftovers are eaten by the people so nothing is wasted.
Difference in the Sexes
Since settling down in a herd, Nefertari has calmed down about her hatred on males. She can tolerate them around her, though they always get the least patience from her than a female would. To her, the mare is the stronger sex. The stallion is only filled with his lusts and desires which cloud his mind. She had thousands of years to mull over how stallions have always been the ones to ruin her lives. All except her father, which is why she now tolerates them and recognizes that some are good for something.
Mares are the dominate species of the herd. Mares are allowed to do whatever they want so long as it's not against the Pharaoh's personal rules. They have all the seats of power and not even a stallion is in charge of the mini-herd he and his other males live in. The only major job a male can ever hope of acquiring outside his mini-herd is a place in the army as a meat-shield, hidden within the title of "Scout."
Reproduction And Mating
Mating in Hieratic is mostly purely for the growing of the herd. Males are kept around as breeding stock only when they have shown themselves possessing strong genes to better strengthen the herd's generations. Nefertari is aware that there are mares out there with the same ideals as her, but with no interest in the same sex. She is also aware there are exceptions to the case in stallions. Some are worthy to help with her numbers. Though proving themselves of this isn't enough to gain them freedom within the herd. They are still kept in the same area as the other males who have either joined of free will or were captured.
It should go without saying that lifemating among opposite sexes is frowned upon by the Pharaoh, due to her and her mate's bitter feelings towards the other sex. If it happens that two fall for each other and wish to lifemate, Nefertari would ask them to leave the herd instead of creating the tension she knows will come of letting them stay. A male, however, can be picked by a single female to be her main consort, much like the Pharaoh does. (Which also allows people to lifemate if they so wish.) That male is her property and isn't allowed to be touched without her permission. He still lives in the male settlement near the herd.
Wolf Alcors, the Oracles of the Gods
Even the males are special and respected by Nefertari. She believes they are intune with Anubis because they are able to change their shape to that of a wolf, similar to a jackal. Like they had been blessed by the Gods with this ability. They have seats of power in the temple of Anubis where they are trained with the important task of delivering the messages of the Gods through Anubis to the mortal Stars of the herd.
As an Oracle with such an important job, it is assumed they will take their mating rituals seriously and not merge with someone who will be a bad fit to their almost Godlike statue.
Male werewolves are allowed to go where they please.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:58 pm
Festivals And Rituals Preparing the Dead
The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony
After the mummy was prepared, it would need to be re-animated, symbolically, by a priest. The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony was conducted by a priest who would utter a spell and touch the mummy or sarcophagus with a ceremonial adze – a copper or stone blade. This ceremony ensured that the mummy could breathe and speak in the afterlife. In a similar fashion, the priest could utter spells to reanimate the mummy's arms, legs, and other body parts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:59 pm
Herd Ranks The Royal Court
Pharaoh
The ruler of the herd. This is always a female position. If the Pharaoh only has sons, a female is choosen from a nearby relative to take the place after the Pharaoh's death.
Available: Only 1.
Heir
The one who will take the throne after the current Pharaoh's death. This position is always female.
Available: Only 1.
Prince/Princess
These are the other offspring of the Pharaoh. A Prince is the only male aside a wolf Alcor who is allowed to go where he pleases. It is assumed, since he was taught manners at a very young age, he will not get into trouble. A Prince or Princess may take another duty if they so wish from the other ranks.
Available: As many offspring as the Pharaoh has.
Royal Consort
The favorite of the Pharaoh for reproduction purposes. This position can be for either sexes. Often when it's a female, she has another duty that comes before this one and she isn't referred to as the Consort at all, even if she is still the only one allowed to breed with the current Pharaoh who choose her.
Available: Only 1.
Politics
Ambassador
A mare who speaks for the herd as a whole. They travel to other herds to make peace or transfer messages of importance. They are often used in meetings between leaders, 'specially when a leader or two can't attend themselves.
Available: Only 1.
Messengers
The passers of notes between herds or to those in the same herd. Only a Pharaoh or someone of high command may use a messenger.
Available: About 5, for now.
The Divinity
High Priestess
This is a broad term that refers to all Priestesses in charge of a temple dedicated to a single God. She is called a Prophet. So if she is a Priestess of Anubis, her title would be "Prophet of Anubis." She oversees all things that go on in her domain and is in charge of everyone else who works for her.
Available: Only 1 per God the herd wishes to worship. At the moment I only know of Anubis.
Priest
This is the term for those Stars who work in the temples. Unlike a High Priestess, they have no title that announces which God they serve under.
Priestesses of the Deities who represent various aspects of the Dead or Afterlife may be asked to oversee the mummification of the deceased. This duty doesn't always fall upon the High Priestess if she feels the job could be done by one of her lower ranks.
Available: Unlimited.
Mortuary Priest
"Servant of the ka." This was a Star assigned with the daily task of bringing offerings to the tombs.
Available: Unsure.
Oracle of Anubis
These are wolf Alcors the Pharaoh has managed to take into her herd to help her communicate with the God Anubis. They can be either sex and are treated with much respect as if they are Gods themselves. It is believed that when they take wolf form, they are able to speak directly to Anubis himself.
Available: Unlimited.
Funeral Attendants
Mourners
More a volunteer rank than a permanent one. These are Stars who walk alongside the body of the deceased and simply mourn their passing. These are asked in private mostly for those who die and were not loved enough to be mourned. Otherwise, this position is filled by those who loved the deceased.
Available: Unlimited and temp when needed.
The Military
Commander
Second only to the Pharaoh herself. The commander makes the orders and keeps it for the entire army.
Available: Only 1.
Officers
The army is then split into groups, which are lead by an Officer. The Officer has no control over the other groups of the army, only her own and only answers to the Commander and Pharaoh.
Available: At the moment, 2. This will grow as the army does.
Guards
Mares posted to protect the Officers and Commander. They are assigned a single one to protect and must never stray from their targets side. They are not there to win battles, only to ensure the safety of their Officer or Commander.
Available: 2-3 per Guard and 5 for the Commander.
Privates
These are the rest of the army. The soldiers.
Available: Unlimited
Scouts
Male only rank, Nefertari disguises their true rank. They are really more the meat shields to go into situations the rest of the army feels is too risky to go in themselves.
Available: Unlimited
The Trades
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:04 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:06 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:07 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:08 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:33 pm
Gods And Goddesses of Hieratic The God of Death, Anubis
It should be no surprise that Nefertari favors Anubis as her figure of worship. Even after Horus took his job as God of the Dead upon his murder, Anubis continued to be associated with the dead. He watches over the mummification process to ensure that all is done properly. He conducts the souls through the underworld, testing their knowledge of the gods and their faith. He places their heart on the Scales of Justice during the Judging of the Heart, and he feeds the souls of wicked people to Ammit. Being a dead figure herself, Nefertari feels a stronger connection with this God in her new life than any of the other Gods she had known in her lifetime. Though she does still continue to pay her respects to the many others.
Anubis is either depicted as a jackal or a man with a jackal's head. He sits in the tombs of the dead watching over their mummy. Wolf alcors are very sought after, as their canine similarities to jackals leads Nefertari to believe they are the closest beings to the God himself. If she were to acquire any to her herd, she would treat them, male or female, with the highest of respect and positions. In their wolf forms she believes they have the ability to draw the attention of Anubis and communicate directly with him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
