2015 Winter Elder Applications: Congratulations Winners!

[Uta]

Elders

Elders.

A foreign word, I know, as the term itself has long since been used in the appropriate manner. Elders are our elite Soquili, our leaders, the most mature and wisest of all the herds. They are not categorized by a particular species, for members from each group have the potential of achieving this honor, should they meet the criteria.

Below, you will find the definition of an Elder and the requirements of what it takes to have your Soquili become an Elder. If you feel your Soquili is qualified for Elderhood, you also have the opportunity at this time to enter an application.

If you have any questions, please read all of this thread to see if your question is answered here. If you still have a question after reading these posts, then feel free to shoot a PM to Uta.

[Credit to Skye/Caj for the original application process and Cuter for the second from whence the bulk of these posts are derived from. Credit also to Nisshou, whom helped to set up essentially what I'm copying-pasting after running these for so long.]

   

[Uta]

Part 1: What is an Elder?

If you’re reading this, you are either A) an involved person who believes in reading updates (in which case, good for you!) or B) owner of a potential elder. So I’m sure that you’d like to know what that potential is all about!

Basically, Elder is the highest stage a Soquili can attain. It’s purely optional, and only attainable through rp. Buying a life cycle Soq doesn’t mean you’ll get an elder if all you do is stick that pet in your sig, so don’t get bent out of shape that yours never makes it that far. Becoming an Elder is an RP PERK.

So, you have your pet and you rped it and now have all 100% stats. Why would you want to go elder? What are the benefits?

For starters, you get a new stage of your Soquili. A stage that only a few others have achieved so far. There is male and female elder art [see the Elders Information thread for images of other Elders], and elders will be upgraded to this beyond-adult stage that they might look as regal and dignified as they now are in their new in-character state.

Secondly, elders, being bigger and tougher than regular adults, are also capable of bearing more children! In any breeding where a parent (be it one or both) is an elder, that breeding will yield THREE baskets, guaranteed, plus have a chance at getting a whopping FOUR! (And for comparison, normal adult Soquili can have two baskets, three if they’re lucky, so this goes to show the breeding perk!)
------*However, owners are still only allowed to keep one basket each; this just means more to give away!
In addition to this elders now get 6 breeding slots!
------*These slots may be used with a lifemate or with flings and the stats of the partner don't effect the ability to use a breeding but remember no soquili can ever exceed 6 breedings.

Now, by this point, you’re probably thinking, “GREAT!” Who doesn’t love art and baskets? Why, I want EVERY SINGLE SOQ I OWN TO BE AN ELDER AS SOON AS THEY HIT 100%

Wrong answer. Sure, the perks are nice. But beyond the perks, there are a few basic elder truisms that need to be remembered.

Most importantly, the very name elder implies something about this stage. An Elder is often a leader; be it religious, or spiritual, political, or merely formal, Elder implies that the person (or in our case, Soquili) is an individual worthy and fit to have this role. Elders are leaders among the Soquili, individuals who can be looked up to by others and exhibit the necessary traits for the important role of elder. Just because they may be a kalona does not restrict them from becoming an Elder; if they fit the role within their breed, then they too are eligible. Roleplay development of these Soquili are key to a good Elder. And Elder cannot be customed or born at that rank, they achieve the status after hard work and development to obtain such a high standard of status.

Basically, elders are leaders/leadership material. Keeping this in mind, not all Soquilis are meant to be Elders. We hope that owners will be using their best judgment in putting Soquili candidates for elderfication forward, and to help you all decide whether or not to go elder, we’ve put together a basic list of what will be looked at when considering that Soquili for elderfication.

Remember:

Responsibility and leadership. Obviously the elders need to be able to handle themselves and situations that come up; they are the ones to which other Soquilis will look in times of trouble, so they need to be up to the challenge. The definition of responsibility and of a good leader varies from breed to breed, and this will essentially be looked at on a case by case basis. What makes a Kalona responsible might be different from a Regular, and so on and so forth.

RP development. Elders are supposed to have grown and matured to the elder stage through rp (see, it all links back to roleplay). Consequently, the roleplay of the Soquilis in question will be checked to determine whether or not the Soq in question has grown into a character worthy of being an elder. If all you have is mate-finding rp…chances are you won’t be elderfied.

All RPs should be started before the Elder Applications open in order to be counted for that seasons applications.
RPs started before the opening date may still be completed during the elder applications.

All RPs must have takes place within the Soquili shop boundaries (the IC RP section of the guild or in teepees) and not from other places on Gaia or on other sites. ((Logged IM or PM RPs are still fine so long as they are posted in the IC RP section of the guild or within a teepee.))

So, keeping that in mind…  

[Uta]

Part 2: Becoming an Elder

As mentioned in the introduction, becoming an elder is a multi-step process. So, in a new and streamlined list format…how to become an elder!

Step 1: Have all six stats at 100%
Step 2: Have trackable, readable rp (although this ought to already exist if your stats are at all 100s, it’s best to make sure)
Step 3: Post the elder application HERE in this thread. The elder application itself can be found in the post below.
Step 4: Wait for it! All applicants will be notified whether or not their Soqs have been approved for elder, so PLEASE BE PATIENT. Once approved for elder status the art will take time as well. Keep that in mind when applying!

*Approval of elders is done via group. Specifically, a panel of individuals will be considering each application and jointly deciding if your nomination is valid. As mentioned above, owners will be notified of the verdict regardless of whether it’s affirmative or not (aka, we'll make an announcement post once everything's decided, so keep checking THIS THREAD, and not PMs!)

***In addition, if your Soquili is rejected for elder once, you are welcome to try again later after working more on your Soquili’s character in rp. However, for reasons of scope a Soquili may only be submitted for Elder status three times before you are put on probation. So if you're rejected thrice, after the third time, you must wait a full physical year from that rejection before you will be permitted to enter for Elder application again. (This is an attempt to show you that this honor is a BIG DEAL, so merely throwing your horse up for the chance of NEW LINES and MOAR BABIES is simply a waste of your time and ours).

****The staff reserves the right to change details as circumstances merit. No changes will be retroactively applied, and all changes will be clearly indicated.

Application

[b]Name of Soquili and Link to Image:[/b]
[b]Link to Teepee:[/b]
[b]Do you remember when your Soquili first maxed out?[/b] [Month and year if you do.]
[b]Links to RP(s) that show how the Soquili has grown over time, proving his or her development into an Elder:[/b] (20 max)
[b]Why would your Soquili (IC) choose the Elder path?[/b]
[b]Why have you chosen the Elder path for your Soquili OOC?[/b]

Elder Application Status Is Currently: Open until January, 18 9am Pacific.
Applications will close at this time whether or not we are here to close it. Late applications will not be accepted.

 

[Uta]

Rules

• Read the above. If you don't, we won't read your entry.
• This is a free service, Elders cost nothing.
• There is no pre-determined amount of Elders we accept each time.
• Custom edits always appear on Elders. You can request Trading Post items to be re-added freely, to match the previous adult stage or altered.
• If your Soquili doesn't get picked, take it like an adult. We don't reject for petty reasons like "OMG THAT PERSON TOTALLY RIPPED ME OFF IN THE EXCHANGE" (though if you are that person, I will be dealing with you later), but we reject based on required criteria missing from your entry. If you would like to discuss what you can do to improve for next Elder opening, we would be happy to give pointers/advice if you PM this account.
• The colorists currently doing Elder upgrades *vary* - you do not get to choose who does your upgrade. When possible the original artist will have first choice of doing the Elder.
• You may only apply once per opening. That means one soquili per owner per opening.
• Keep your applications to 20 RPs MAX. Any applications with 21 or more RPs will be disregarded.

If you have any questions, please PM Uta.  

[Uta]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the judges?
A: Aside from me, the judges are secret and do not have to identify themselves in any way if they do not want to. This is to prevent people from pressuring them into decisions.

Q: Will you pleasepleaseplease accept my application? This is my Soq's third time applying!
A: Only if your Soquili fits the criteria. Remember, three rejections only means you have to wait a year before reapplying, not that your pet is down and out for the count.

 

[Uta]

Open! Good luck entrants!  

[Sabin Duvert]

Name of Soquili and Link to Image: Ethan

Link to Teepee: Here

Do you remember when your Soquili first maxed out? It has been years. Since before his first breeding with Hunter Brown I believe.
I'd guess some time between 2008 and 2010.


Preface: Ethan was customed as an adult, but I have plotted out what his foalhood was like:

Ethan's Profile - includes his backstory and his personality when he set out into the great big world.
In a nutshell, Ethan is the foal of a sweet-hearted regular mare who was taken advantage of by a Kalona. She raised Ethan in isolation, worried for him and what the big world would make of a soquili with obvious kalona blood. She loved him dearly, and knew the kind heart that he had, but didn't want him to have any expectation that he should be anything other than a perfectly normal soquili. She didn't tell him about Kalona, or lead him to believe that he was any different. Eventually, though, Ethan got restless. His mother realized she couldn't keep him by her side forever, and it hurt her heart when he continued to ask about his father - who he was, what he was like. Rosemary only ever gave him his name - Dyson Graves.
She was scared to disappoint him, but knew she had done the best she could in raising him to young adulthood, and, eventually, she let him go. Arming him against the dangers of the world with a necklace she had brought over to the Kawani lands with her from Ireland, and a blanket to keep him warm. And hoped, deeply in her heart, that he'd be Okay.

And so, Ethan set out on his quest - to find his father and discover his place in the world.

((Note: Ethan is an older soquili, from back before there were a lot of other Kalona in the shop - and even fewer "good" kalona. They were the demons, the things that went bump in the night.))


Links to RP(s) that show how the Soquili has grown over time, proving his or her development into an Elder:

NOTE: I have recently reformatted my teepee, and expanded the first page into ten to house my soquili profiles. So all the RPs links below that are housed in my teepee have been move to more recently reserved posts, have inaccurate dates.

NOTE 2: these are NOT all of Ethan's RPs. I have left a few off that were meets and greets with other soquili and didn't really advance his story much, and/or where my RP partner dropped off.



• Ignorance and Bliss
  Ethan sets out into the wide, wild world and encounters the first other soquili he's met aside from his mother, Cricket. He soon realizes that there's more to himself than he first assumed - and it's not good. He confronts the fact that he 'resembles' something called a Kalona, and the negative response from Tkoli. However, in the end, Ethan makes a friend and a traveling companion.
  
  
  
• Wild Blue Yonder
  Ethan and Cricket have set out on their adventure, and come across Maharet, a wind soquili who is deathly afraid of Kalona. Ethan has to slowly realize that there's something "wrong" with him, how his appearance makes other soquili feel. That soquili come in all shapes and sizes... but some of those shapes are worse than others. Ethan also comes to realize for the first time that the implications mean that his father might be a Kalona - the things that seems to scare other soquili. But... surely.... that can't REALLY be the case...
  
  
• Neath the Light of the Moon /
  I know this RP is unfinished, but it still represents, and the plot it initiated, a significant event in Ethan's life that would come to shape his future. Ethan meets and is overwhelmed by the beauty and daring of the mare, Hunter Brown. It leads to a brief night of passion, and unbeknownst to Ethan, foals. He repeats the same "sin" as his father - leaving behind fatherless children.
  
  
• RELATED RP: Dark Side of the Moon
  Is not MY RP, but a response RP of Cricket's to the incident between Hunter and Ethan, and fleshes out some of that side of the story, and the tensions beginning between Ethan and Cricket.
  
  
• At Dawn, Where the Dark Meets Light
  Ethan comes across Cricket the next morning in high spirits, and is confused at her behavior, not realizing how much he's hurt her inadvertently. He may not be completely Kalona, but Ethan is no saint. Away from home, exposed to the world, he's like a college kid on spring break- and not realizing the harm that his actions can lead to.
  
  
  
• Where the Underworld Breathes
  Ethan and Cricket traverse a dangerous landscape of barren lands and sulfurous geysers. The world can be a harsh place - not just rolling seas of grass and clover. They also realize that the way they are setting forward, there might not BE a way back, assuming they even make it out alive to begin with.
  
  
  
• RELATED RP: A New Journey Begins - This is the start of FIANNA'S Story - Ethan's daughter that he doesn't know he has, on a journey to find ETHAN. History repeats itself.
  I know it's not complete, as my RP partner dropped off, but it still establishes Fianna's mindset at the start of her quest to find Ethan.
  
  
  
• Shipwrecked
  Ethan explores the land on the other side of the dangerous pass one morning by himself and meets a soquili that arrived from another land all together - and remembers stories that his mother told him of her arrival in this 'new world' (That is the only home that Ethan knows), and feels a bit of homesickness for not having seen his mother in so long. Ethan is still determined to find his sire at this point, for the mere reason that he is his sire, and he SHOULD.
  
  
• RELATED RP: Hardly a Princess - this really delves into Fianna's motivation to find Ethan, and her own traveling companion.
  Again, this isn't with Ethan per se, but deals a lot with the affects Ethan's travels have had in Fianna's life, and her repeating history to find him.
  
  
• The OTHER Son
  VERY significant Rp and a turning point in Ethan's life/quest. Ethan has not found DYSON, but he found one of Dyson's other sons - a mean-tempered half-Kalona by the name of Diogenes. At first, Ethan is overjoyed - the first sign of getting close to his dad - and actual family. But this quickly turns sour as the larger half-kalona is not so happy to see Ethan. And confirms Ethan's deepest-rooted fears and suspicions: Dyson is a Kalona. A demon.
  Ethan comes face to face with what kalona blood really means, and surprises himself as he fights back - finding reserves of rage and brute force he never thought he had as he defends Cricket. He fights for a time, but it is obviously a losing battle. Ethan is smaller, and much less familiar with violence than his brother, and flees, injured, with Cricket.
  
  
• Aftermath
  Ethan is Battered more than just physically after his confrontation with his brother, Diogenes. He has seen a part of himself that he never wanted to admit was there. He's ashamed of himself, having a hard time facing Cricket.
  A passing unicorn, Ballestra, takes pity on Ethan and heals him.
  Ethan has to face the question again, of what his journey was worth. He has seen enough of a taste of what that side of his bloodline is like from his run-in with Diogenes. His whole journey has been a fool's quest. He endangered not only himself but Cricket as well. Ethan feels lost. He has to face what he's learned from his path on his quest rather than just the goal. He's grown, he's learned a lot, and he's met a lot of other soquili.
  
  
  
• Like Father, Like Son
  Another Significant marker in Ethan's maturation and coming to terms with himself. Fianna finds him, and Ethan realizes he's more like his father in another way than he ever thought. He produced children with Hunter, and he left her alone with them.
  He hears the same questions he has asked himself a thousand times before, wondered about his father parroted back at him. Who are you? What does that make me? Ethan comes to the realization, in the aftermath, that he no longer wants to meet his father. He had no great answers for Fianna. And his father wouldn't for him either. Ashamed and guilt-ridden, Ethan realizes he needs to put things right.
  
  
• Loose Ends
  Ethan and Cricket part ways. Ethan realizes his responsibility is back with Hunter and the daughters he created. It is a hard, painful parting with Cricket. She feels jealous, sadness, loss that Ethan had this connection with another mare. Ethan realizes it's the right thing to do to go to Hunter - that she deserves him to come home to her.
  
  
  
• Clover Fields and Finding Home
  Ethan takes the long journey back the way he came to find Hunter. He has to face what he has learned about himself - the good AND the bad.
  And he realizes what he needs to do. What he wants to do. What's right and what is most important: Family.
  
  
• From Son To Father
  Brief Reflective self-RP with Ethan. Ethan has returned to Hunter, sired new foals, and is settling into life in this herd that has become his own.
  
  
  
• Full Circle
  Ethan, after he's gotten his new foals established, goes off on one more quest... this time one that takes him back to the meadows of his foalhood... and to find his mother.
  
  
• Old Scars
  An important RP: Ethan's new foals are not foals any more! And Ethan has taken his role as Elder in the herd... Moreover, it is time to start passing on important traditions - ones that really helped shape Ethan's life and belief system. THe role of tradition and the Celtic beliefs are important - not just in giving a herd and a family an identity, but in bringing them closer, and helping others in need. Ethan hopes that he can also use those traditions to help reconnect with his distant daughter, Deirdre, who never forgave him for leaving his mother before her birth.
  
  Note: Parue (Hunter's owners and the owner of some of the other soquili in the herd) hasn't been available to RP. However, I have plotted with her regarding the status of the other soquili in the herd, the ones that had been splitting the role as active elder after Angel White left the herd, and discussed Ethan taking over the role. I took the notes and plotting that I did with her since Ethan's last elder application and worked it into some backdrop in this RP.
  
  
• UpdatedThat was Me, Once (In Progress)
  Ethan realizes that despite how hard it was for him as a young stallion to fit in in the world with his obvious kalona features, that his experiences have given him wisdom that can help other soquili, even those outside his family, who struggle with unusual or fearsome features.
  
  
• NewThings Lost and Things Found
  Ethan comes across a wounded wind-kalona, Branwen, near the edge of his territory. He sees a lot of himself in the kind-hearted mare, and offers her a place in his herd that will not hold her heritage against her. Ethan realizes that the herd he is building can be a sanctuary for other soquili like him that are pre-judged based on their heritage. He guides the injured Kalona mixed breed back to his herdground. Branwen is now officially a part of the Herd of the Bythol.
  
  
• NewAll in the Family
  Fianna returns home with her fiancee, Dae'Ruil and is reunited with her father, Ethan.
  
  
  
  IN THE FUTURE
  Ethan's story won't come to a close even if he becomes an elder. He is going to continue to work to reconnect with his distant daughter, Fianna and working on continuing to make it up to Deirdre.
  
  He will continue to act as a leader in this herd, emphasizing Celtic practices and traditions for the new generations and generations to come, as well as act as a voice of sympathy and experience to other soquili seeking safe harbor, who have been pre-judged based on their appearance of bloodlines.
  
  And after that... who knows smile Only time will tell.

Why would your Soquili (IC) choose the Elder path?
Ethan's life has been a journey - a quest. But Ethan has surprised himself in that what he thought he was seeking - a distant father and answers to the question of who he was - was answered not in that "Grail" at the end of the quest, but the journey itself.
He has learned who he is - had to come face to face with all aspects of his personality, seen his fears confirmed that there is kalona blood in his veins, and with it comes a fieriness, and a dangerous side... but it is only a part of him. That he has chosen his life, his mother, his friends, and his new family. THEY are what have defined him more than his father ever had or ever will. He has a family that he has returned to - daughters to mend fences with, and new life - children, that he can share his knowledge with: from his wide travels across the lands, to the stories his mother told him as he was a foal and their proud heritage. How to deal with soquili who judge you based on your appearances, and how those appearances don't define you. How even people with a darkness within them can use it to help others, and do the right thing when necessary. How you can make a mistake, and not have it be the end of the world.

Beyond that, in retrospect, Ethan realizes the importance of the tools that his mother gave him when he was just a foal - the folklore and traditions of her Celtic upbringing. These are traditions that he can share with his family, his herd, and even with strangers who need some guidance in their lives. The traditions are not only fun holidays to celebrate, but serve to bring family closer, to share with strangers in need, and the mythological figures can serve as role models - letting him and others understand that even for those with unusual features, there is a place for them.

Ethan has matured a great deal over his life, and is ready to face the future with family and other misfits seeking safe-harbor - and continue to share his knowledge with his herd.



Why have you chosen the Elder path for your Soquili OOC?
Ethan is one of the soquili nearest and dearest to my heart. He is based on one of my main original characters, Ethan Cuskley, but has taken on so much of a life and a story independent of that in soquili.
I've customed in soquili both his mother, Rosemary, and his father, Dyson Graves in the process of expanding on his story, his family, and his lineage in the shop. Both Rosemary and Dyson have fully fleshed stories in the shop as well.
Rosemary's story
Dyson's Profile.

And as mentioned, Ethan has grown so much since he came into the shop and set out on a naive quest to find his daddy and prove that he wasn't the offspring of something evil. He started out as barely more than a foal in attitude in a young stallion's body. I never expected, when he set out on that journey, that I'd ever take him down the path to elderhood, but Ethan's surprised me, matured a great deal, and come around to being a mature and responsible soquili, and I think a great candidate for elderhood. I would love to give him this "happy ending" to his story - showing how much he has matured. He's take a leadership role in his new herd, naming it the herd of the Bythol (Bythol Herd Thread Here), reuniting with his first mate who is now his life mate, and found his mother to show her the proud, independent, and confident stallion he has become, and brought her home to rejoin her family with his mate, Hunter Brown, and her children (and grandchildren!)

While Ethan has bee maxed out for a long time, Ethan's story has only recently come to a point, where he has returned to Hunter Brown and settled down, and taken a leadership role in the herd, where I think that it makes sense in his story to reach elderhood.

Note: I spoke with Uta before the elder opening regarding my trying with Ethan and Kamiki trying for Kumiho (who I have a co-ownership in). Uta said that since Kamiki is Kumiho's sole RPer, that that should not be a problem with us each trying with our soquili in the same elder opportunity. Thank you! <3  

[Kamiki]

((Just FYI - While Kumiho is co-owned between Sabin Duvert and myself, I am the sole RPer. I know Sabin is planning on entering with a Soquili of his own))

Name of Soquili and Link to Image: Kumiho

Link to Teepee: Kamiki's Teepee / Kumiho's dedicated post

Do you remember when your Soquili first maxed out? She maxed out January 2014. While this was very recently, I have been RPing Kumiho for years, I just didn't have stats for her (I got her before having stats in order to be added to your teepee was mandatory)

Links to RP(s) that show how the Soquili has grown over time, proving his or her development into an Elder:

• Alas, Poor Yorik - This isn't a formal RP, but a plotted background plot for Yorik. It tells the story of how Kumiho tricked a young lovesick Yorik into giving his lady a hairpin laced with corpse powder - turning her into a skinwalker.
  
  
• The Fox and the Hound - Kumiho meets Cerberus, a great beast who nothing but a freed slave that is lost with no master - a role she's happy to step and up fulfill. ((This RP actually happened many years ago, the date is just more recently because Sabin reformatted his teepee))
  
  
• A Coming Storm - Kumiho's first run-in with Stormwild, and the intertwining of their fates forever. Kumiho and her minion, Cerberus, attack Stormwild who has just given birth. Heavy with foals herself, Kumiho believes that by using baskets that already have "life" in them, it will make her own children stronger. While Cerberus holds off the weakened Elder Soquili, Kumiho steals three of the four baskets for her own foals, killing Stormwild's unborn children and using the bodies within as nourishment for her own foals.
  
  
• So alike, yet so different - Seasons later, Kumiho comes across her now grown daughter. Sarvara is not a skinwalker, but still has to bear the emotional and physical scars of being 'raised' by one. Kumiho reacts violently to the unfamiliar and twisted emotions her daughter invokes.
  
  
• Spring is Coming - Years after their first run-in, Kumiho keeps tabs on Stormwild and her herd, using her small and stealthy foxform to penetrate their protections. She learns that Stormwild is pregnant again and hatches a plan to get pregnant again herself - she will do exactly what she did the first time, and steal Stormwild's baskets for her own foals.
  
  
• Set Into Motion - Kumiho tells Cerberus of her plans to use him to attack Stormwild and steal her baskets again, even if it involves an attack on Thunderbird lands. Cerberus tries to warn her of the dangers, but her pride gets in the way of her reason.
  
  
• A Storm Breaks - Cerberus and Kumiho attack Stormwild and her herd after she gives birth; to devastating results. Balrog, the Thunderbird herd, and some visiting healers, are able to defeat the pregnant skinwalker and her minion; forcing them to retreat without getting what the came for.
  
  
• Bitter Reminders of Defeat - Humiliated and enraged by her failure to obtain baskets for her foals, she soon gives birth. Cerberus provided 'regular' baby baskets for the foals, but this isn't good enough for Kumiho. Bitter and angry, she sees these foals of a waste and failures and demands Cerberus kills them. Cerberus, unable to bring himself to kill his own children, finally steps up and breaks free of Kumiho's mental servitude. He fights her off, and disfigures on of her tails in the process.
  
  
• Whispers of War - Wounded and having to fend for herself for the first time in years, Kumiho stumbles across the Alicorn Firestorm, who she recognizes as Stormwild's estranged step-son. She plays the role of a poor injured helpful fox to gain his friendship, and plants the idea of a war against the Thunderbird in her head. She knows he has tried and failed to attack the herd before, but Kumiho knows of a dark, shadowy herd that may prove to be useful allies. ((This is the beginning of a long, overreaching plot that will involve Firestorm and Anju's Shadow herd going into full-fledged war with the Thunderbird Herd. Kumiho won't be directly involved, but will do her to puppet from behind, as she would love to see the Thunderbird herd fall)).
  
  
• Back to her Roots - This wasn't RP'd officially for various reasons, but just for timeline's sake, since she lost her last territory in her scuffle with Cerberus, she set off into the Kawani lands and came across Dormarth in her travels. She has no lasting connection with the massive wolfwalker, other than she finds him suitable for her purposes. She let the union happen, and though Dormarth is none the wiser, Kumiho delivered three new horrors into the world.
  
  
• Blinded by Beauty - Struggling to find herself in the world, Kumiho comes across a dumb and narcissistic stallion. She decides to spare his life, but takes his eyes instead.
  
  
• Lean Winter - Facing a harsh winter, with no minion to bring down large game, Kumiho resorts to scavenging. However, during this time she starts to come out of her 'failure depression' and rededicates herself to making her mark on the world. She has a self-realization; remembering back to her first great 'trick' in these lands with Yorik - and her time with Stormwild and Gaston - that the most damaging, long-reaching, and pain she could inflict didn't (directly) involve death anyway. She didn't need brute strength, or a minion. Her sole drive in life now is make others suffer. Slowly. Emotionally. Scars fester and last longer than a swift death, anyway.
  
  
  *** The following RPs are new or completed since the last Elder application ***
  
  
  
• An Insidious Seed - Kumiho encounters Firestorm again, and fuels his hatred for his family by planting the idea in his head that Firestorm could sacrifice someone to transform himself into a Kalona
  
  
• Of Deadly Desires (in progress) - Kumiho comes across an unstable stallion who desires to become a skinwalker. Though she has no intention of actually granting his wish, she decides to string him along; charging him with a fool's errand (to bring her the head of Balrog).
  
  
• A War of Thunder, Shadow, and Fire - Kumiho's plans fall into place; Firestorm and his allies in the Shadow herd stage a full-on attack on Thunderbird Mountain. Kumiho stays in the shadows mostly to observe her grand scheme come to fruition.
  
  
• The Sacrifice - Firestorm sacrifices Maelstrom; killing her and eating her heart thinking this will turn him into Kalona. Kumiho is happy to sit back and watch the murder happen, only to reveal herself later as the catalyst for the whole bloody charade.
  

Why would your Soquili (IC) choose the Elder path? Being a Purewalker, she wouldn't be actively pursuing to be a leader, at least consciously. But she would consider herself to be the ultimate Skinwalker. A perfect combination of cunning, patience, brutality, and beauty. She's an image of perfection that any skinwalker should strive (and will ultimatly fail) to achieve. She wants everyone to know her... to touch as many Soquili's lives as she can manage (just not in the good way). She's willing to lie, cheat, and manipulate if it will serve her - and she's good at it. She'll use her stunning good looks, or sharp wit, or fluffy "innocent" fox form to fool others into serving her own needs - which is essentially the closest to 'leadership' you'll get from her. Making others do her will, not by inspiring them, but by manipulating them.

She also feels like she has thoroughly earned some kind of a respect and recognition from her efforts. She was just an enterprising young trickster when she followed Ryujin to these lands so many years ago. She's matured and honed her skills. And indeed, learned some hard lessons. There's a very good reason skinwalkers cannot form bonds with others; and while her relationship with Cerberus was never one of affection, even her bonds to him eventually flayed. She's had to learn to live again not relying on anyone, not even minions.

Why have you chosen the Elder path for your Soquili OOC? Kumiho is precious to me. She's a delightful challenge; its not easy to play a skinwalker that's brutal and crazy (like all of their breed), but still has depth and development as a character. But I think that's why I love her so much. Even through she's deadly and insane, she is still complex and has the ability to grow as a character. She's gone from just a vain little trickster to learning that her pride can have devastating effects.

She's tasted victory and bitter defeat, and its driven her to be better (as a force of evil of course). She revels in the knowledge that she can profoundly change another's life. That every day, they will think of her and what she did to them. And this drives her forward.  

[Revolutionary Roniel]

Name of Soquili and Link to Image: Xelloss
Link to Teepee: Here!
Do you remember when your Soquili first maxed out? I expect it was sometime mid-2010, though I can't recall for certain.
Links to RP(s) that show how the Soquili has grown over time, proving his or her development into an Elder:

Leading the blind - Xelloss convinces Rezo to go along with the Mazoku's plans.

Hidden ambitions - In order to get back an old treasure of his, Xelloss manipulates a soquili to be his meat shield.

Not so timeless - Xelloss and Beastmaster have a chat, leading to some interesting revelations.

Smoke without fire - Xelloss decides it's time to get rid of two healers in the area, tricking them both in the process.

A damp proposal - Xelloss recruits Lavinia for some underwater work
Renewed pursuit - Wanting to find the mazoku lord Deep Sea Dolphin, Xelloss speaks to Barinthus and strikes up an alliance.

Oh look, a kalona! - Much to his frustration and dismay, Xelloss finds yet another soquili who doesn't realize that kalonas are dangerous. This time, he decides to dole out a little education on the subject.

Disaster and danger - Xelloss is sent on a fool's errand, but in failure hatches a plan.

The darkness falls - Xelloss carries out a plan to kidnap Lorenna's foals and make her suffer. However, not all goes according to plans.

Counterstrike - The trickster becomes the trick! Xelloss and his brood are lured into a trap set by Lorenna.

Even a worm will turn - Frustrated of being the servant to one he no longer respects, Xelloss takes matters into his own hands.

Kalona games - It is time to teach Xelloss' brood a lesson, and maybe teach Rezo one as well...

The blades are brought down - Xelloss revisits the humans who kidnapped his sons some time ago. Now, it's time for payback.

Why would your Soquili (IC) choose the Elder path?
For Xelloss, the path to elderdom has been a twisted one. At first, he was content to be a solo force of chaos. He spread misery where he was able to and hatched his own little schemes. Slowly, his world expanded. He had children to guide, but also had masters to follow. More and more, this lifestyle chafed at him. He grew resentful of his superiors and the haphazard way they toyed with his survival and those around him. He realized that he was content to be a follower no longer. It was his calling to be in a place of power where he could lead and scheme according to his own plans.

Xelloss has truly come into his own. He has taken ownership of his servants and his fate. He knows that it is through his blood and efforts that the mazoku clan has gained this rise in power, and he's determined to continue that rise. He has declared himself a lord among the mazoku clan, servant to no one. He has made it to the top in his own unique way, through trickery, blood, and his wiles.

Why have you chosen the Elder path for your Soquili OOC?
I find Xelloss to be a fascinating character. At first I loved his playful and fey nature, but then I realized he couldn't stay that way. The frustrations and limitations of the soquili world were too much for him to be happy playing the lone trickster forever. I love thinking of new schemes for him and pondering what else he might get up to. Xelloss' plots are always a delight for me, and big things are on the horizon now that the mazoku games plotline is complete. Xelloss is basically always up to something, and that makes him devilishly fun to play with. He's so clever and tricky that his plots take a lot of thought, but that makes them all the more rewarding!  

[Uta]

Thank you all for your patience! This wasn't an easy decision, and it took the Spirits some time to deliberate, discuss, and weigh in on the lives of these three Soquili. Thankfully, the process is now over, and lives shall be changed -- some for the better, and others still for the worse.

In this time, the spirits have found two souls worthy:

Ethan, who has gone on an incredible journey, might now stand proud even with Dyson's blood in his veins. Might he use his new found strength and wisdom to bring warmth to his family, his herd, and guide other souls whom may be searching for their place in the world, just as he once had been.

On the other side, Kumiho has proven herself to be an exemplary skinwalker. Evil triumphs with his mos clever trickster, and the Kawani must now be ever wary with a new Skinwalker Elder. The lands are less safe, so beware, traveler, on your journey yet to come.

While Xelloss may still have some journey to do, one should not take this kalona for granted. He is tricky and wily and there is greatness maturing within him. While he did not make it to Elderhood this time, the spirits suspect that he is close to achieving a greater victory than even he could imagine.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Congratulations, Sabin and Kamiki!

Please post here to let us know your colorist preferences. Colorists who are available are:

FitzRoyal (for color only-- he would have another colorist on this list help with edits)
Atheart
Zaikt
Mindsend

We can't guarantee first choice as it depends on their availability, but we'd like to know if you guys have a preferred colorist on this list, or if you'd rather us choose. Either way, we'll assign you with a colorist soon and they'll be in touch to begin designing your new Elder!  

[Sabin Duvert]

Oh my goodness!!!! crying heart heart heart

Thank you SO much to all of the judges - I am beyond excited to have Ethan entering into Elderhood - he has been so much fun to play, and I look forward to taking him further int he future as an elder and a herdleader <3

HUGE congrats also to Kamiki and Kumiho!

And Roniel - Xelloss is an awesome character and I wish you luck in the next attempt!

For colorists, pref order:
Zaikt (I really see your style working well with Ethan's look!)
Mind
Fitz collaborating with Mind or Atheart
Heart

I can't wait to hear from you and talk about design! biggrin  

[Kamiki]

oooommmmggggg heart heart heart heart

I'm SO honored and excited and eeee! Thanks to all the judges and congrats to Ethan, too, and Xellos is well on his way I bet!

As for colorists, my preferences would be:
Mindsend
Fitz with Mind edits
Zaikt
Heart

*flails*  

[Uta]

All right!

Sabin: Zaikt is going to take on Ethan!

Kamiki: Mindsend will be converting Kumiho.

Your respective colorists will PM you for additional details.

Please let them know if you wish for them to have a tattoo granted them by the Spirits, or not.

Also, please write up anything you might wish to see on the future Elder that might be lacking or changed on your current lines. This isn't a complete recustom or anything, but small stuff that might portray their journey to elderhood i.e. scars, longer (or shorter, depending) hair, grey in the hair, chipped horns, frayed wings, longer fetlocks, etc..