It never occurs to you where you find yourself.
The sun never warms our hides and the sky often weeps for our existence. You pad hurriedly down a stretch of abandoned rails; lichens and old pitch cling to the rough bleeding flesh of your paws. The early mist of arriving rain already clinging to your prickling pelt- hairs standing like quills in response to your fear. This is when you see a slick black form like floating tar coming in your direction, sprinting down the rail southbound, as you face the north. "Be quiet, my dear. We've been waiting a long time for you. Follow me and live in brotherhood and comfort. Fear yourself no more." She whispers, parted lips suddenly just inches from your own maw. You are lost, hungry and somehow deeply anticipated by the single most peculiar race in this region.
What's your response?
HierarchyAlphess(1/1)~ Arcanum
Alpha(0/1)~ Jacob
Mothers(Unlim.)~ Maylien
Fathers(Unlim.)~ Cecil
Thetess(0/1)~
Theta(1/1)~ Warden
Deltas(0/4)~
The Children(Unlim.)~
Thieves(Unlim.)~ Ko
Grimes(Unlim.)~
Explanations
Note: Though there is zero power struggle, females are put on a higher pedestal than males for they are believed to be the more complicated, therefore more valuable sex of the two, for mystery is cherished in the customs.
Alphess(1)~ The female leader of Obscura, oversees major actions. Her main role is to keep the electricity flowing and advertise fertility with celebrations in spring and joy with each birth.
Alpha(1)~ Being the strength of Obscura, it is the alpha's role to maintain a strong heart, representing control and ambition, along with providing and example of what both compassion and violence looks like. As any male, the alpha is also sworn to protect the alphess's heart and physical perfection, as she is untouched by any other...a virgin until her happy wed.
Mothers(Unlim.)~ Those who have reigned, or have bore more than six offspring (still or living). Generally, the mothers are older members who display proud feminism and they often are the main informers of Obscura, teaching all the younger members about . The mothers also are the females with the strongest maternal instincts, therefore whelps may also nurse from the mothers- nursing is a powerful ritual, being the source of nutrition and life.
Fathers(Unlim.)~ The fathers are also generally older members. They show how to nicely combine pride with modesty, strength with empathy, and how to love one's self as well as how to stay humble. Usually war heroes, fathers may also be ex alphas. Fathers are also the main story tellers, teaching of constellations.
Thetess(1)~ The thetess leads hunting parties, prayers for kills along with helping define battle strategies. The thetess plays the role as would our idea of Artemis, with the fathers' advisory.
Theta(1)~ Like Apollo, the theta leads all acts of violence with guidance from the fathers. Any battle, brawl, war, scrap or even an argument is managed and ultimately ruled by the theta.
Deltas(4)~ The deltas provide help and assistance to the thetas and alphas. They are the worker bees, though their main job is usually maintaining the health of the mothers and fathers, as both alphas and both thetas are generally younger than the mothers and fathers therefore more independent. They also may take on children as apprentices.
The Children(Unlim.)~ The children are the life blood of Obscura, being the most numerous members. They carry out daily tasks with little disturbance, displaying happiness, obedience and comfort.
Thieves(Unlim.)~ The thieves are still welcomed, believe it or not...but live under separate conditions on the territorial outskirts. Thieves though have a very important job, but are low ranking because they can be quickly replaced, and there is always a long line for the position, as rogues seek such a place. Many new members not of Obscura blood are placed here, but eventually move up if they prove their worth. Thieves are like guards, maintaining the territory and stealing from other territories, other creatures and humans. Thieves also help maintain the general habitat, weeding out foreign plants and spreading floral seeds. Thieves are generally the most artistic, yet the most unreliable and least sociable.
Grimes(Unlim.)~ Being the lowest ranking members, Grimes are frowned upon even by thieves. Grimes are of the shadiest and cruelest members- two qualities of which are not desirable oddities. Usually put to this rank as punishment, grimes can work their way up the ladder again over time...but are typically unwanted for their filthy, cruel and crass nature...however, they do serve a purpose. In turn for their services such as dung, scraps and pest management, grimes will always be guaranteed equal food and shelter.
Mandatory Rules and Regulations1.I own this thread, and I request that you all not argue with one-another or me. You'll receive one warning for this before you're kicked depending on the severity.
2. Enjoy yourself! True, I will not tolerate arguing, but I strongly encourage friendly collaboration and fun. We're all here to write, so be kind. If you're not enjoying yourself, you may politely PM me recommendations, questions, and problems. There isn't any reason for you to be here if it isn't fun.
3.I'll be able to tell if you don't read my rules...I'm no fool. If you have a question or cross a line that was fairly explained here, then I'll ask you to reference back here. These rules are mandatory.
4. Now, I have been encouraged to be a bit more lenient. I certainly will be since this is a democratic thread. Sure, I am the empress of the world but I'm fair :)
5. This is a mature, advanced, integrated, interesting and diverse thread. Anything goes. There is no content that is against my rules other than content that directly hurts, offends, or harasses another player or against the roleplaying rules of the forum. I will not tolerate bullying. I will always intervene. If I feel you are being out of line or obsessive, I'll make the decision to kick you from the thread. I am responsible for the occurrences here and the well being of my players since I own and run this thread. If you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask me for some changes through PM. Violent and explicit language and content is allowed here, but requires a warning so that players who are not interested in reading may skip over. Spoilers work well for this too. This thread is not intended for hateful or overtly sexual themes, and is not over-the-top in gore. I trust that if you write mature content, then you're mature enough to handle it. Though it may come up within reason, inappropriateness is not what this thread is for. There is a time and a place for everything. This is the most important rule and I'll refer to it often. Thank you.
6. Rule number six is a rule containing the usual no-nos; no two-person flooding, don't be inconsiderate of others who may or may not be on, no prejudice, and no surprise plots. All major plots are pre-discussed or in some way or another, brought up.
7.There is no specific number of days that you can/cannot be gone, because I know we all have real lives other than this pleasant world of the creative. However, if it is over 46 hours that you are not present, do not expect us to wait for your return. My one rule in this area is that you warn me/the other players if you are to be absent for any significant amount of time. This is to be courteous. If you want/have to permanently leave then we will just not give your character any mind anymore if you do not kill them off yourself.
8. Because this is an advanced thread, I welcome you ALL to share new "word-of-the-day" finds if you come across one, I encourage you all to correct spelling/grammar mistakes as soon as you notice them. I even invite you to (politely) correct me if the need/opportunity arises. I'm still human, I make mistakes too. However, do not rudely point out another person's mistake if it is just a little something like a spelling error.
9.Any species is welcome, but please keep in mind that animal's limitations. For instance, a shark may not be able to run fast, but it very well may be a remarkable swimmer.
10. Finally, a maximum of three characters is allowed per person. Just make sure you can give them all some love. :)
Other Guidelines
Mature THEMES are permitted, but not content. You may imply something but that doesn't mean writing it out, even if it's in a spoiler. This only pertains to extreme content, however violence and a few heated moments will only have to be put in spoilers.
Other ThreadsOOC Thread
http://www.thefurryforum.com/forums/index.php?topic=30198.0 (http://www.thefurryforum.com/forums/index.php?topic=30198.0) - New, interested Members go here!
{IMPORTANT: ALL FUTURE CHARACTER SUBMISSIONS MUST GO ONTO THE COMPANION THREAD. ANY FORM POSTED HERE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL IT IS MOVED TO THE APPROPRIATE THREAD.}