The White Stag Tribe

The White Stag tribe is a tribe that consists almost purely out of wood elves. They are the descendants of important wood elf families of which some members miraculously survived the fall of the kingdom. They are the most sophisticated of tribes. As of now, they've reclaimed the ruins of Wealdstone and restored it, turning it into their own, small vilage. Their village is the last snippet of how Avalon used to look like. Beautiful, overgrown buildings and classic chapels built out of white stone. While coming across as peaceful, the White Stag tribe has some of the fiercest warriors, which have mastered the art of the bow and arrow and are not afraid to use it onto intruders. Killing is never their intent, but they won't hesitate if an opponent puts their life in danger.

When creating your character you do not need OOC permission to join the tribe, unless you want to play a priest or right hand. To have your name added within the list send a DM to Waz, preferably on discord.

Wealdstone used to be a peaceful Wood Elf village, but is now the self-proclaimed home of the White Stag Tribe. As the most domesticated of the tribes, they've tried to restore the overgrown houses make them their own. The houses are mostly made of stone and other materials found within the woods of Avalon. The White Stag Tribe lives within the village as a little community, accepting no help or visits from outsiders.

Buildings & Housing

Most of Wealdstones old buildings have been reused and renovated over the years, giving very single family within the tribe a house of their own. Families often live together until the children will get married and start a family of their own. Beside houses, there are a few other buildings like a shrine and a small temple for example.

Border

Surrounding the border of Wealdstone, a spell was casted upon the tribe's founding. Only those who carry the tribe's sigil are able to set foot across the border. Those without will be greeted with enourmous, thick vines wrapping itself around the intruder. The more you struggle, the tighter their grip will be. Only a wood elf will be able to free you from the vines using their magic. For (important) visitors that do not intend to stay in Wealdstone for a long time, the tribe can issue a sigil that isn't permanent and will disappear after a set few weeks. Outside of the barrier there is an area dedicated for travellers that only intend to stay for a few days. This is not protected by the wealdstone magic, but by guards of the village.

SIGIL

Each member of the tribe gains a sigil at the age of twelve years. Anyone under the age of twelve must cross the border with a guardian to be able to cross. Sigils are tattoo's and thus permanent. The sigil can be placed on a place of the member's choice, but must be hidden underneath clothing. The sigil represents the antlers of a stag.

Ranks

The tribe has a small ranking system. Instead of status, these are more of a way to appoint certain tasks to their members. Beside the Chief, right hand and the priest, all of the ranks share the same status. The tribe works with the following ranks:

CHIEF: The Chief leads the tribe and is the point of contact for each member seeking advice or instructions. Chiefdom within the tribe is not inheritable and does not run within a certain line of rulers. The rank of Chief is commonly inherited by the right hand. On rare occasions, a Chief can be challenged for their rank if their rule if unnapproved by most of the tribe's members.

RIGHT HAND: The right hand is the second in command. Whenever the Chief is absent or when they need a second opinion on an important decision, the right hand stands right by their side. This rank is almost certain to inherit the title of Chief when the current Chief passes away or becomes unable to rule.

PRIEST: Unlike the other kingdoms, Avalon does not have a High Priest anymore. The White Stag Priest is the rank to fulfill this role for the tribe only. They host weddings, rituals and sometimes claim to receive prophecies from Adelia.

MEMBERS: Each member within the tribe is appointed a special task. The hunters organise small hunting parties and take care of the meat supply. They are often specialised in how to prepapre the meat as well. The gatherers go out to find all kinds of (medical) herbs, berries and other edible fruits or plants. They also specialise in how to extract the seeds or roots to be planted within the gardens. Gatherers are also the ones to tend to both gardens and the wounded members. Beside their daily tasks, each member has to be able to train, fight and protect themselves and others in times of need.

Hunting, gathering & cultivation

The elves of The White Stag Tribe live from whatever nature has to offer them. Small hunting parties go out every morning to hunt for meat, while the appointed gatherers tend to the tribe's gardens and go out to fetch the herbs that do know grow within those yet. They also often bring back berries and other edible plants on their way back.

Marriage

Marriage within the tribe are taken very seriously. From trying to trace back everyone's bloodlines to make sure they aren't marrying distant family, to arranging marriages based on having the best chances to bear strong children. The White Stag tribe is keen on keeping both their kin and legacy alive, and value the birth of children more than anything. Arrangements are mostly made between wood elves only, but a relationship with another elf subspecies, while not preferred, is not as frowned upon as it would be with a human or other species. The White Stag Tribe does not allow same sex relationships, as the birthing of new blood is too important for the tribe.

ARRANGEMENT

Arrangements are often made by the Priest, sometimes asking help and opinions from trusted members close to them, or even given out of hand completely to a so called "matchmaker" within the tribe. Each full moon, the arranged marriages (If any were made) will be announced and celebrated. The couple's receive necklaces and crowns woven of flowers within matching colors, and a bonfire within the middle of Wealdstone is lit. Music will be played, and the night will be danced away. The arranged couples will get until the next full moon to get to know each other, before an actual day of the marriage will be planned.

CEREMONIES

Wedding ceremonies are held at sunhigh. Ceremonial clothing consists of white and green clothing, often paired with shining, bronze accessoiries. Both the man and woman's ceremonial clothes are decorated with colorful flowers. The ceremony is hosted by the tribe's priest. After the wedding vows, which are personal to every couple, have been said, the priest speaks out her blessing while sprinkling a circle of flower petals around the newlyweds while whispering her prayers for blessings to Adelia. These prayers include asking to bless the heart,the soul and the womb. After the ceremony, the tribe celebrates similar to when arrangements are announced. The couple has their first dance on a romantic, slow paced lyre song, before everyone else joins them. The celebration ends when the newlyweds announce their wish to leave.