Post by Cait on Aug 27, 2012 19:22:17 GMT -8
This is a perpetual work in progress where I hope to post the details of the Caravan lifestyle as well as particulars about the various Clans and their primary sources of income, prominent figures, migratory routes as well as relations with holds, weyrs and other clans. Keep checking back because I'm sure it will grow daily. As of yet there is no organization process
Dragonridge Vrishna Clan Genealogy
the Oneri's are the horsebreeder/trainers for the caravan
Saddyris did a lot of the training with the canines so Mobrey probably helped out
Each clan has a specific colors and styles used to decorate their wagons though the shape and sizes of the wagons are often similar throughout the culture with some exceptions of course.
Adoption ceremonies involve a bonfire, drums, singing and dancing and alcohol (not wine) as well as a ceremonial wooden goblet used for similar familial ceremonies. The goblet is carved from a hard wood had the figures of dancing people around the area where the cup tapers into the stem. Around the top edge are a ring of caravan wagons pulled by horses. And at the base are sheep and a herd dog. (goblets vary with clans and each family often has their own familial goblet with signifying carvings; the Oneri family of the Vrishna clan has horses and canines as well as each of the family members carved onto it--it is remade when a new family member is born/adopted)
There is a summer festival near Melisong Hold called the Shearing Festival where the Vrishna Clan and others who trade in sheep and wool, gather and have a full sevenday of festivities during which sheep are sheared (often holding contests with speed and accuracy), wares are displayed and trading is prominent, both for supplies and new breeding stock. For the past hundred years it has been open to Holdfolk and is popular with the Weaver Hall as Vrishna Wool is of a higher quality than the sheep forced to graze amongst the rocks and crags of Dragonridge Mountains.
Stormy Plains Praetori Clan is known for their high quality runners; especially the draft variety. They are always known for the best trained runners in the region and will often put on horse shows at the Shearing Festival both to promote their livestock and to raise marks for supplies.
Well Oneri is a small branch of the Praetori clan I think that branched off into the Vrishna clan....many of the men in this particular generation chose to join the Vrishna clan when marrying because they were in need of men and because it's one of the most respected clans, aside from the Romanis, on the western side of the Southern Continent
Especially since the Vrishna clan has been intermarrying with the Romanis clan for over two hundred years
And the Praetori for very nearly as long
But yeah, the Vrishna is considered one of the more liberal clans because they interact quite readily with Holders and Weyrs when the more conservative and traditional clans prefer to keep to themselves aside from annual festivals, like the Shearing Festival in Melisong Hold (totally made it up XD) where they'll bring their livestock and wares to peddle before disappearing into the wilderness again until the mid-turn festival that is fairly strictly a Caravan festival that takes place in an undisclosed location midway through migration before the winter I believe still haven't ironed that out
The Stormy Plains Praetori Clan is on good terms with the Vrishna Clan, Lord Famoran of Stormy Plains Hold, the Weaver Hall and several crafters in Melisong Hold and Stormy Plains Hold.
Vrishna Clan is on good terms with Rainbow Mists Weyr, Cliffside Se Hold, Melisong Hold, Praetori Clan, Romanis Clan, various smaller clans such as the Oneri who have several offspring that intermarry into the larger clans, such as the Vrishna clan.
The Vrishna clan is something of an anomaly this generation as more men have chosen to join their woman's clan after marriage than is typically normal; even for a liberal clan. The reason behind this is the higher number of women in the clan than men; the Vrishna clan was in need of men and so bribes were made though in most cases they weren't necessary.
Twins are not common in the Vrishna clan though they are prevalent in the Praetori Clan.
It isn't common for a Clan to allow an outsider (especially a man) to marry into the clan and in the strictly traditional clans it is forbidden. It is more common for a young clan member to leave the caravan lifestyle to marry an outsider.
The leader of the Vrishna Clan has an outsider for a son-in-law and said outsider--a master weaver--joined the caravan after a vote was taken and passed. He was adopted into the clan via a special ceremony and now bears a modified version of the clan tattoo.
There are two tattoos that a caravanfolk can possess; the Caravan tattoo of the wagon wheel (often different colors for each clan) often on the inside of the right wrist. It is given to a Clanbrat when they come of age; 16. The color of this tattoo tends to vary between clans. Most lesser clans (the ones that are often made of perhaps two to three family units) use black ink for the tattoo. Greater clans, such as the Vrishna clan (consisting of five or more family units) will more often than not use a colored ink for the tattoo. The Vrishna Clan uses red for their tattoo. When marrying into a clan or being adopted into a clan (whatever the circumstances may be where you start in one clan and end in another) after a full turn in the new clan, a ceremony is performed at which the space between the spokes is filled with whichever color represents the new clan (if applicable; meaning only if the colors are not black and black). For example if a member of a Lesser Clan joined the Vrishna Clan...like Amaris Oneri did, his black wheel was filled in with red. Should another Clan switch take place, another tattoo is made on the left wrist. Theoretically, a change beyond that would require the spokes being filled in but it is rare that so many changes take place outside of instances of natural disaster or extreme tragedy.
The second one is an exile tattoo; gained when one is cast out of the caravan for various reasons though generally this is not something that is done lightly. This is a tattoo is a small black dagger (looks like a cross) on the forehead with the point of the blade just between the brows. It symbolizes the exile's fate should they be caught in or around a Caravan camp ever again.
The Vrishna Clan (and likely several others) utilize hard-cider in ceremonies and spiced cider (alcoholic and non) in their everyday lives as it's more readily available and can be made on the road. Klah and wine must be purchased and are usually only indulged in during the festivals that take place near Holds that sell or offer such products.
Music is a central point to Caravan life, from singing songs during the migration or around the fire during ceremonies or meals. Or just having general good time. Lively and fast paced music.
Many different clans often have colors that are--if not exclusive--often used not only for wagons but for festival and ceremonial clothing. The Vrishna clan's clothing for special occasions (as well as adornments such as scarves and sashes) predominantly sport red, yellow and black in vibrant and bold patterns.
While clan leaders are technically elected, it is oftentimes just ceremonial as the line of succession is commonly passed from father to son. It is not unheard of, however, for a son to be passed up if he is considered an unsuitable leader in favor of either a second son, a nephew or another related individual. The Vrishna Clan boasts one of the oldest, unbroken chains of father to son succession on the southern continent.