FAWNLINGS
PLEASE NOTE THAT Fawnlings are a concept originally created by Ehetere and their breed information and characteristics can be found on the FAWNLINGS group. Before considering creating a fawnling OC in this world, please research the fawnlings group first. Some helpful links are pasted below for your use!
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Learn more about fawnling OC's in these Fawnling group journals:
[ OC Fawnlings ]
[ OC Fawnling Worlds ]
[ Creating an OC Fawnling ]
HISTORY
Legend says that Fawnlings are the original inhabitants of the realm now called Tann. Ever have they dwelt in the forests and plains of this land, and ever shall they continue. Myth says the first two fawnlings rose from the depths of the earth, their spirits seeking the comfort of a more permanent home. Rohir and Onwe were they, and Tann provided the peace they so longed for. The children of their union began building the ancient fawnling's civilization. For centuries their kingdom and knowledge grew as they expanded their territory. Upon ancient stones they carved their discoveries, inscribing such tomes to preserve what they could for future generations. It was ever their goal to live as one with the land and the tomes were a way to ensure the land would never fail.
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As time went on, their kingdom prospered, and never was a drop of blood spilled at their hooves.
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But it was not to last. Their peace was disturbed by the appearance of dragons, who came as vicious conquerors, hunting and killing without sense. To them, the fawnlings were simply food, and they found an abundance of it within Tann's borders. The fawnlings believed they had received punishment from the earth for neglecting to care enough, and they prayed for Rohir and Onwe to come and save them from this destruction.
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It would be years before their prayers were answered.
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After nearly half a century of slaughter and war, humans sailed over the seas, and began populating the coast line. At first, their appearance settled the conflict between dragons and fawnlings, as dragons took interest in the new source of food and treasure. The stalemate did not last long, however, and a few years later fawnlings faced war on two fronts. Humans sought to enslave them, to use them as pack animals and work horses, and the dragons sought ever after them for hunting.
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With their dwellings conquered and their numbers dwindling ever smaller, a ray of hope pierced the darkness in the form of a young doe named Utira. On the day of celebration for Rohir and Onwe's entrance into Tann at Stone Hollow - the believed site of their crossing -, she stepped forward, crossing between the ancient standing stones. She was descended of Onwe, a priestess of the land and her eyes were blind. She bore a simple message to her people: we must make peace or all that we are will be destroyed.
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Utira gathered behind her the strongest of her kind, and went to the humans, seeking to create a pact with them. The humans, too, had suffered at the hand of the dragons, and so listened to the pleas of the fawnlings. Utira proposed a union between them- a union built upon equal partnership and loyalty. They would help the humans in the war against the dragons, and the humans would provide for the needs of the fawnlings.
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United under one banner, the tides of war quickly turned against the dragons. Caught up in vengeance for their countless fallen brethren, the fawnlings assisted in killing dozens of dragons. They who had once been a pure race became tainted, and though they were able to stop the dragons, their world would never be the same.
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A treaty was signed with the dragons as fawnlings acted as mediators for the humans. The terms of the treaty were simple: each species would be given their own lands to live in and the killing was to cease immediately. It was a terse deal, and not all qualms were solved. Anguish ran deeply within each species, but they could survive so long as the fighting stopped.
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It is now 274 years after peace fell, and fawnlings have settled into living alongside humans. The companionship between the two is strong, and a deep, mutual respect now exists between the two societies. Fawnlings consent humans to ride them, and humans help the fawnlings in protecting their lands and young. In many ways they have returned to their peaceful roots, but most of what they were before has been destroyed.
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Evidence of their early civilizations still remains in the deepest depths of the forests, where historians keep jealous watch over sacred relics and untranslatable tablets. A great sadness seems to pervade each fawnlings' heart, and they each morn the loss of what once was.
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DETAILS
[ IMPORTANT LOCATIONS ]
Stone Hollow - the home of the Seer and the mythical place of Rohir and Onwe. Ancient, runed standing stones are arrayed about a mossy clearing in the Aryn Forest. Myth says that Rohir built them to win Onwe's affections, and it is their love for their people that has kept the stones standing after all these years. None but the Seer are permitted to pass between the standing stones, as it is said that the Seer is blessed with Sight from Onwe when standing at the center. This is the center of their society, and the basis of their earth-loving religion.
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[ CONCERNING HUMANS ]
Humans and fawnlings in the small towns of Tann have lived alongside and relied upon each other for nearly two centuries. The companionship between the two is so interwoven that their jobs and duties have become very much the same, and those humans and fawnlings that have similar passions often partner together, forming a sort of bonded companionship based on mutual trust. Such a partnership is special, and is treasured by both humans and fawnlings. These bonds are called Mind-Partnerships and "mind partner" is often used as an affectionate epitaph.
RANKS
All ranks can and will interact with humans, and may have a bonded human companion. Humans and fawnlings' civilizations are highly interwoven and rely heavily on each other. Ranks are open to both stags and does unless otherwise stated.
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SEER (closed) - the spiritual and earthly leader of the fawnlings. Usually given to a doe from within the priestess ranks, this fawnling is tasked with praying over their race and are expected to relay any messages they receive from Onwe, as Utira did. For an unknown reason, the doe chosen for this rank will always become blind.
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PRIEST or PRIESTESS (open) - those tasked with the direct care of the forests and the state of the fawnlings as a whole. They often act as emissaries between the Seer and the humans.
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HISTORIANS (open) - those tasked with the preservation and attempted translation of the fawnlings' ancient knowledge. They are given charge of ancient stones and are often more scholarly in nature.
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HERBALIST (open) - those talented in healing, medicines and poisons, though the last is far less common in modern practice. They travel between families and treat humans and fawnlings. They're most often companions of human herbalists, and enjoy working closely with them.
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FOREST GUARD (open) - those who feel dedicated to defending the forests, the humans and their own kind. These are warriors, trained by mentors from the age of five. Only those who are most dedicated are chosen to follow this path, as patrols are not easy and they may carry a human warrior with them for many miles a day.
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CIVILIAN (open) - the vast majority of young fawnlings, new mothers and elderly make up this rank. If a fawnling does not have any particular interest in any other job, they may also remain a herd member and serve alongside humans or their fellows as they wish.