Post by Admin Echo on Nov 15, 2011 22:24:04 GMT -5
Society Make-up:-
Wood’s society is a major-break from most of the rest, as it is becoming strongly matrilineal, following the guidelines set out by Draia. It is also very permissive, especially in gender-roles. Wood has a strong tendency to acclaim those of bi-sexual or trans-gender natures, holding that, as most plants hold both male and female within them, people who do the same are, therefore, closer to the plants.
It is held that the strongest, most talented Shamans are likely to be those with such leanings. A few full-males will even go to the extreme length of “pruning” – i.e., becoming a full-eunuch – to gain more power to intercede between the worlds. Gender-change can actually happen: even if you are from another nation, you can ask a talented Wood-Shaman for the service. Although even Wood-Healing and surgery are not, yet, able to change your body’s gender in the mundane world, a Spirit-Walk, and request to the Spirits, can get the change done: at a price. And, that price can be very steep and highly variable in nature – and is payable both by the Shaman and the recipient of the change. In other words, you can’t do it lightly.
There are two main Clans within Wood that encompass all villages: the Crafter-clan and the Ranger-clan. Crafters mean all those who make or mend things, and include the herbalists, healers and shamans in this, as well as the more physical crafts of the weavers, tanners, etc. The shamans within the Crafters protect the whole forest and the tribe spiritually, and both record and direct the life of their village or town.
The Rangers are those that protect the forest and the crafters in the physical world directly as well as hunt/ fish, track, guide and move between villages and nations on a regular basis as traders and diplomats. All Woods can be of only one clan at any time, but may switch between the two. You don’t have to be born within them, but it’s often assumed that if your mother is affiliated to one, you’re likely to be, too. And, these clans come with a set of relationship-terms: your “trunk-family” describes which clan you are affiliated to, and you will use the correct terms to others within it: trunk-siblings are people within the same clan and trunk-parents those who are teaching you, directly. Masters from the other clan can be referred to as a “tree-parent” or “wood-parent”, if in a one-to-one teaching arrangement.
The Wood-Chief will always be female, hermaphrodite, a full-eunuch (guaranteed asexuality is OK with a male-body, for some reason, best known to Draia) or a trans-gender female (i.e. in the head or body: body-change is acceptable, if from male-to-female… female-to-male body-changes negate the application to the role, however), although never a full-male or a body-changed trans-gender male (i.e., in the head, with a body-change, see earlier).
Other positions within the tribe may be held by men, women or those in-between, however. The Wood-Chief’s role is to provide direction for the Tribe, to interact with other Nations and the Spirit-World on behalf of the Tribe, make the final decisions on Tribal matters and to act as a bridge between the Clans.
Family-relationships and relationship terms within Wood can be very, very complex… however, all Woods can refer to other Woods as “tree-siblings” or “wood-siblings”, meaning that they share the same element, whatever other relationship they may share. “Aunt” and “uncle” are also terms that are used to describe family-relationships, but they can also be terms of endearment to older-friends of family or clan-members.
The Mother-Child relationship will always be the strongest with Woods, as they primarily take care of the children, for they may not know who the father actually was, especially in a multi-husband marriage. Fathers may be involved, or not, as the case may be: however, if married, it is expected that he will be.
Grandmothers, sisters, sister-wives and, to a lesser extent, female-friends will certainly stick their noses in, whatever the Mother-Father arrangement actually is. The only exception to this general way of things is if any children born take after the father’s element (if different), rather than the mother’s. Wood may be born to any element, and, for a while, it’s expected that it will give birth to others, occasionally, as well. In such cases, the child may be left with him or his people, rather than brought up by the Wood-mother and/or her Wood-partner/s.
She will, however, like to maintain contact, if not a full-say, in their welfare: you can’t fight maternal instinct, even if the separation is better for the elemental polarity of the child. Wood-children born of Wood-fathers to women of other nations may be adopted by him, and if not by him, any female relatives he may have will certainly step in, especially sisters or sister-wives. Any other Wood-child coming to a Wood-tribal village from another Nation will find themselves a bevy of “aunties” and “uncles” willing to take care of them, if not be adopted and again mother/s and/or father/s.
Marriage within Wood and is held to be sacred; but not, necessarily in the way it does in other elements. Women can marry other women, and ditto, men: and one person can marry more than once, as long as the other partner/s agree/s. Shared-wives and husbands are expected to adopt each other as “leaf-siblings”, at the very least, as well: a sister-wife shares a husband with her sister-wife, for example, and a brother-husband with his brother-husband. The partner they are actually married to is their “husband” or “wife”. Marriage is a celebration of a stable relationship, and the desire to work together for the good of all parties and that of the tribe, as well as to tie a Spiritual bond that may last beyond death. Divorce can happen, but, it’s a sad event, and an admission that the marriage-compact was flawed from the start.
A woman does not have to marry to have her children, however, or even to have a partner. But, if in a marriage-relationship, it is expected that her children come from her husband/s. In same-sex marriages/ relationships, it is up to the women if they take on a husband just to have children, or not. A Wood will always abide by the laws/ customs of their partner, if they marry outside their element and it maintains the peace. They don’t expect them to adopt Wood ideas of marriage, but, if their partner does, they will be more than pleased.
Siblings sharing the same mother are “root-siblings”, those sharing the same father/s, but not the same mother are “branch-siblings”, and people who adopt each other as more-than-friends are “leaf-siblings”. A leaf-sibling shares no sibling-relationship with the other’s branch- or root-siblings, yet is considered more than a friend of their brother/ sister by either kind. Leaf-siblings are likely to become part of a marriage-compact together sooner or later, even if they are not actually married to each other as partners. However, they also may not: they may just remain adopted siblings, closer-than-friends. Another national (say, a Water or Fire) that adopts the Wood-life can become a leaf-sibling. Root- and branch-siblings cannot become leaf-siblings to each other, or enter into a marriage. It’s taboo. Children of your root-mother’s sisters also cannot become leaf-siblings or partners, but branch-mother’s sister’s children may become leaf-siblings, if of the same gender and unable to have children together, should they become partners in marriage. All cousins are divided into root- and branch-cousin by their relative relationship. Root-mothers are what you’d expect them to be (who you were born to), and branch-mothers, the same (who is leaf-sibling to who you were born to). A leaf-son or daughter is one that is adopted by a family unit, and automatically becomes leaf-siblings with any other children, and may call all parents within the unit “leaf-parent”. A father doesn’t have to have a root- or branch-addition, even if there are more than 2 men in a marriage relationship, however, a man that adopts a child as his will be referred to as a “leaf-father”. It can also be a term of endearment used by any children he has within a marriage-unit.
Sister-relationships are important in Wood. Sister-to-Sister relations need not be cordial, but both may advise the other on just about anything, but, woe-betide the sister that actively interferes in the life of the other one without permission. Sisters will always try to interfere in a brother’s life, be they older or younger, but not the other way around: it’s almost a rule of Wood. However, the brother IS entitled to tell them to go blow in the wind when they tell him what to do, and to advise them on anything he wishes to. Sisters MUST defer to their brother’s female partner/s, however, be they married, or not. Siblings who are neither male nor female MAY NEVER BE INTERFERED WITH, as they are held to be sacred. They, however, can tell sisters, brothers and even cousins what to do and they have to swallow it. In short, a transgender individual need only listen to their mothers and grandmothers in family matters.
As I said, it’s complex. In short: “wood/ tree” = elemental/ tribal affiliation; “trunk” = clan-relationship; “root” = mother’s line; “branch” = sister-wife’s line; “leaf” = adopted line
Wood’s society is a major-break from most of the rest, as it is becoming strongly matrilineal, following the guidelines set out by Draia. It is also very permissive, especially in gender-roles. Wood has a strong tendency to acclaim those of bi-sexual or trans-gender natures, holding that, as most plants hold both male and female within them, people who do the same are, therefore, closer to the plants.
It is held that the strongest, most talented Shamans are likely to be those with such leanings. A few full-males will even go to the extreme length of “pruning” – i.e., becoming a full-eunuch – to gain more power to intercede between the worlds. Gender-change can actually happen: even if you are from another nation, you can ask a talented Wood-Shaman for the service. Although even Wood-Healing and surgery are not, yet, able to change your body’s gender in the mundane world, a Spirit-Walk, and request to the Spirits, can get the change done: at a price. And, that price can be very steep and highly variable in nature – and is payable both by the Shaman and the recipient of the change. In other words, you can’t do it lightly.
There are two main Clans within Wood that encompass all villages: the Crafter-clan and the Ranger-clan. Crafters mean all those who make or mend things, and include the herbalists, healers and shamans in this, as well as the more physical crafts of the weavers, tanners, etc. The shamans within the Crafters protect the whole forest and the tribe spiritually, and both record and direct the life of their village or town.
The Rangers are those that protect the forest and the crafters in the physical world directly as well as hunt/ fish, track, guide and move between villages and nations on a regular basis as traders and diplomats. All Woods can be of only one clan at any time, but may switch between the two. You don’t have to be born within them, but it’s often assumed that if your mother is affiliated to one, you’re likely to be, too. And, these clans come with a set of relationship-terms: your “trunk-family” describes which clan you are affiliated to, and you will use the correct terms to others within it: trunk-siblings are people within the same clan and trunk-parents those who are teaching you, directly. Masters from the other clan can be referred to as a “tree-parent” or “wood-parent”, if in a one-to-one teaching arrangement.
The Wood-Chief will always be female, hermaphrodite, a full-eunuch (guaranteed asexuality is OK with a male-body, for some reason, best known to Draia) or a trans-gender female (i.e. in the head or body: body-change is acceptable, if from male-to-female… female-to-male body-changes negate the application to the role, however), although never a full-male or a body-changed trans-gender male (i.e., in the head, with a body-change, see earlier).
Other positions within the tribe may be held by men, women or those in-between, however. The Wood-Chief’s role is to provide direction for the Tribe, to interact with other Nations and the Spirit-World on behalf of the Tribe, make the final decisions on Tribal matters and to act as a bridge between the Clans.
Family-relationships and relationship terms within Wood can be very, very complex… however, all Woods can refer to other Woods as “tree-siblings” or “wood-siblings”, meaning that they share the same element, whatever other relationship they may share. “Aunt” and “uncle” are also terms that are used to describe family-relationships, but they can also be terms of endearment to older-friends of family or clan-members.
The Mother-Child relationship will always be the strongest with Woods, as they primarily take care of the children, for they may not know who the father actually was, especially in a multi-husband marriage. Fathers may be involved, or not, as the case may be: however, if married, it is expected that he will be.
Grandmothers, sisters, sister-wives and, to a lesser extent, female-friends will certainly stick their noses in, whatever the Mother-Father arrangement actually is. The only exception to this general way of things is if any children born take after the father’s element (if different), rather than the mother’s. Wood may be born to any element, and, for a while, it’s expected that it will give birth to others, occasionally, as well. In such cases, the child may be left with him or his people, rather than brought up by the Wood-mother and/or her Wood-partner/s.
She will, however, like to maintain contact, if not a full-say, in their welfare: you can’t fight maternal instinct, even if the separation is better for the elemental polarity of the child. Wood-children born of Wood-fathers to women of other nations may be adopted by him, and if not by him, any female relatives he may have will certainly step in, especially sisters or sister-wives. Any other Wood-child coming to a Wood-tribal village from another Nation will find themselves a bevy of “aunties” and “uncles” willing to take care of them, if not be adopted and again mother/s and/or father/s.
Marriage within Wood and is held to be sacred; but not, necessarily in the way it does in other elements. Women can marry other women, and ditto, men: and one person can marry more than once, as long as the other partner/s agree/s. Shared-wives and husbands are expected to adopt each other as “leaf-siblings”, at the very least, as well: a sister-wife shares a husband with her sister-wife, for example, and a brother-husband with his brother-husband. The partner they are actually married to is their “husband” or “wife”. Marriage is a celebration of a stable relationship, and the desire to work together for the good of all parties and that of the tribe, as well as to tie a Spiritual bond that may last beyond death. Divorce can happen, but, it’s a sad event, and an admission that the marriage-compact was flawed from the start.
A woman does not have to marry to have her children, however, or even to have a partner. But, if in a marriage-relationship, it is expected that her children come from her husband/s. In same-sex marriages/ relationships, it is up to the women if they take on a husband just to have children, or not. A Wood will always abide by the laws/ customs of their partner, if they marry outside their element and it maintains the peace. They don’t expect them to adopt Wood ideas of marriage, but, if their partner does, they will be more than pleased.
Siblings sharing the same mother are “root-siblings”, those sharing the same father/s, but not the same mother are “branch-siblings”, and people who adopt each other as more-than-friends are “leaf-siblings”. A leaf-sibling shares no sibling-relationship with the other’s branch- or root-siblings, yet is considered more than a friend of their brother/ sister by either kind. Leaf-siblings are likely to become part of a marriage-compact together sooner or later, even if they are not actually married to each other as partners. However, they also may not: they may just remain adopted siblings, closer-than-friends. Another national (say, a Water or Fire) that adopts the Wood-life can become a leaf-sibling. Root- and branch-siblings cannot become leaf-siblings to each other, or enter into a marriage. It’s taboo. Children of your root-mother’s sisters also cannot become leaf-siblings or partners, but branch-mother’s sister’s children may become leaf-siblings, if of the same gender and unable to have children together, should they become partners in marriage. All cousins are divided into root- and branch-cousin by their relative relationship. Root-mothers are what you’d expect them to be (who you were born to), and branch-mothers, the same (who is leaf-sibling to who you were born to). A leaf-son or daughter is one that is adopted by a family unit, and automatically becomes leaf-siblings with any other children, and may call all parents within the unit “leaf-parent”. A father doesn’t have to have a root- or branch-addition, even if there are more than 2 men in a marriage relationship, however, a man that adopts a child as his will be referred to as a “leaf-father”. It can also be a term of endearment used by any children he has within a marriage-unit.
Sister-relationships are important in Wood. Sister-to-Sister relations need not be cordial, but both may advise the other on just about anything, but, woe-betide the sister that actively interferes in the life of the other one without permission. Sisters will always try to interfere in a brother’s life, be they older or younger, but not the other way around: it’s almost a rule of Wood. However, the brother IS entitled to tell them to go blow in the wind when they tell him what to do, and to advise them on anything he wishes to. Sisters MUST defer to their brother’s female partner/s, however, be they married, or not. Siblings who are neither male nor female MAY NEVER BE INTERFERED WITH, as they are held to be sacred. They, however, can tell sisters, brothers and even cousins what to do and they have to swallow it. In short, a transgender individual need only listen to their mothers and grandmothers in family matters.
As I said, it’s complex. In short: “wood/ tree” = elemental/ tribal affiliation; “trunk” = clan-relationship; “root” = mother’s line; “branch” = sister-wife’s line; “leaf” = adopted line