Post by Coal on Jun 13, 2012 14:54:00 GMT -5
Lacuna Meadow… Ranks
- Herd Leader: Rabbit
- Heir:
- Wise-Mare:
- Lead Guard:
- Lead Scout:
- Healers:
- Guards:
- Scouts:
- Followers:
- Fillies:
- Colts:
Lacuna Meadow… Overview
The herd at Lacuna Meadow is a mare-only herd; there is no lead stallion, nor any stallions. In fact, the only males in the herd are colt foals not yet old enough to live without their mothers. The herd serves in some regards as a sort of refuge for mares that are tired of being controlled by overly domineering stallions. That having been said, an active hatred of males is generally discouraged on the principle that tarring an entire gender with the same brush is perhaps a little unfair. In fact, members are allowed and encouraged to leave the herd in small bands in search of mates, as this is the only way the herd can grow, though this is not a requirement by any means. Although of the Light Alliance, these mares are not particularly passionate about fighting against the Darks. Generally peaceful, they mind their own business unless deliberately threatened, in which case they defend themselves fiercely.
Lacuna Meadow… Politics and Rank
There are three general groups of members in the herd, guards, scouts and followers. Guards are responsible for the main defence of the herd, protecting it from danger whether it’s in the form of predators or intruding horses. They tend to be larger, heavier mares, more physically imposing, and there are generally between five and ten of them. To become a guard, the mare must talk with their representative of the council, and receive their permission. Scouts are responsible for seeking out resources such as food and water when these grow scarce and otherwise making sure the herd is well equipped, whilst having secondary roles as healers. They tend to be smaller, lighter mares and are usually in fewer numbers than the guards, there only being four or five at any one time. Those who wish to become scouts go about it in the same way as those wishing to become guards. Finally, mares who are neither scouts nor guards, nor are of a high rank, are called followers. There are normal herd members and have no particular duties beyond living by the rules.
Each of these three groups has a leader of its own, the lead guard, lead scout and the wise-mare, and collectively these three are known as the Council. They have a lot of influence over the overall head of the herd, the leader, although it is she who makes the final decisions. When the previous Council member retires, her successor is chosen by her and the leader, though the rest of the appropriate group is also consulted. Surprisingly, although the followers are generally considered the lowest hierarchical group, the wise-mare is actually the most influential of the Council. This is because the other two members are simply particularly skilled examples of their particular group, while the wise-mare is generally an older mare highly respected for her experience and kindness. The head of the herd, as mentioned before, is the leader. The next leader, the heir, is chosen by the leader fairly early on in her time at that position. This can be any filly the leader thinks holds promise and is not necessarily her daughter, though it often maybe. Finally, horses three years or younger are referred to as fillies or colts depending on gender. Colts are expected to leave sometime before their third birthday and will otherwise be chased out, while fillies generally stay with the herd for the rest of their lives, though may leave if they wish.
Lacuna Meadow… Rules
- Respect the leader and Council members
- No intra-herd fighting; disputes are to be brought to the Council
- Mares that wish to go on excursions in search of mates must do so in groups of no less than four, and one of those must be a guard
- Anyone catching sight or scent of an intruder must inform a Council member or guard immediately