Post by Calhoun Farstrider on Jan 4, 2013 22:32:00 GMT -6
When looking upon a map, there are cities, rivers, roads, bodies of water, forests, etc. There are also certain areas marked “Danger! Keep away” and what’s more, there are areas not marked at all. Blank edges of the maps, uncharted lands. This is the home of those that reside within the Ring of Wood. Men and women unafraid to brave the unknown, unafraid to pioneer voyages into these unmapped areas, and unafraid to face the horrors that lurk in the unknown shadows.
There isn’t much structure to the Ring of Wood. It’s members are scattered and as wild as the animals they walk with. The thing they share tough is their blood as brothers and sisters of the Ring, and their duties as children of the Ring. Just like an artist, a Keeper of Wood may dabble in all of the arts but there is the one art form that is their forte. Scouting, animal training, herbalism, hunting, and defending the Circle, these are all duties of a Keeper of Wood.
Striders are members of the Ring of Wood that spend the majority of their time walking the land. Striders explore and venture about, memorizing the land as if it were the back of their hands. The eyes and ears of the Circle, reporting any unusual activity to their Guardian. They are the scouts of the Ring and of the Circle. The ones who can get in and out of an area unnoticed but they may not always be traveling alone. Striders are also the primary escorts to those who do not know the way through the wilderness. Striders act as guides and help others into and through hot zones. (Addressed as “Strider”.)
Whisperers are a unique set of individuals. They consider themselves equal to animals not better or superior to them. They prefer to comfort and speak to animals rather than whipping them into shape or submission. Understanding the ways of nature is their way as well. They study animal and plant behavior and use that knowledge to coax hostile creatures out of the Circle’s territory rather than always resorting to killing the encroaching creature. They use their knowledge to train animals for other Keepers, no matter what Ring the other Keeper belongs to. Herbalism and plant lore are also talents that a Whisperer may possess. Whisperers typically have an animal companion they travel with. However, All of this does not mean that all Whisperers are pacifists. They are as dangerous as nature itself.(Addressed as “Whisperer”)
The Wolf Pack is the hunting force of the Ring of Wood. Predators by nature and master trackers, they hunt game to provide the Ring with food. But their skills are also called upon when a quarry arises. If anything needs to be tracked down and put down, whether it be a humanoid or a ferocious monster, nothing escapes the Wolves. Tales have been told, in hushed voices, about the Wolves and their howl of pursuit. Fleeing from the Pack is always a futile attempt. They practice the “Old Ways” by consuming the hearts of fallen quarries and therefore believing that they are consuming the creature’s essence. Most only consume the heart if they are deemed worthy enough of consumption but radical Wolves consume the heart of every kill. All Wolves wear a cloak made from the pelt of a Dire Wolf with the head of the wolf being the hood. (Addressed as “Brother” or “Sister” by Pack members and as “Wolf” by all others.)
Not all Keepers of Wood have to fall into one of the above “unofficial” categories.
There isn’t much structure to the Ring of Wood. It’s members are scattered and as wild as the animals they walk with. The thing they share tough is their blood as brothers and sisters of the Ring, and their duties as children of the Ring. Just like an artist, a Keeper of Wood may dabble in all of the arts but there is the one art form that is their forte. Scouting, animal training, herbalism, hunting, and defending the Circle, these are all duties of a Keeper of Wood.
Striders are members of the Ring of Wood that spend the majority of their time walking the land. Striders explore and venture about, memorizing the land as if it were the back of their hands. The eyes and ears of the Circle, reporting any unusual activity to their Guardian. They are the scouts of the Ring and of the Circle. The ones who can get in and out of an area unnoticed but they may not always be traveling alone. Striders are also the primary escorts to those who do not know the way through the wilderness. Striders act as guides and help others into and through hot zones. (Addressed as “Strider”.)
Whisperers are a unique set of individuals. They consider themselves equal to animals not better or superior to them. They prefer to comfort and speak to animals rather than whipping them into shape or submission. Understanding the ways of nature is their way as well. They study animal and plant behavior and use that knowledge to coax hostile creatures out of the Circle’s territory rather than always resorting to killing the encroaching creature. They use their knowledge to train animals for other Keepers, no matter what Ring the other Keeper belongs to. Herbalism and plant lore are also talents that a Whisperer may possess. Whisperers typically have an animal companion they travel with. However, All of this does not mean that all Whisperers are pacifists. They are as dangerous as nature itself.(Addressed as “Whisperer”)
The Wolf Pack is the hunting force of the Ring of Wood. Predators by nature and master trackers, they hunt game to provide the Ring with food. But their skills are also called upon when a quarry arises. If anything needs to be tracked down and put down, whether it be a humanoid or a ferocious monster, nothing escapes the Wolves. Tales have been told, in hushed voices, about the Wolves and their howl of pursuit. Fleeing from the Pack is always a futile attempt. They practice the “Old Ways” by consuming the hearts of fallen quarries and therefore believing that they are consuming the creature’s essence. Most only consume the heart if they are deemed worthy enough of consumption but radical Wolves consume the heart of every kill. All Wolves wear a cloak made from the pelt of a Dire Wolf with the head of the wolf being the hood. (Addressed as “Brother” or “Sister” by Pack members and as “Wolf” by all others.)
Not all Keepers of Wood have to fall into one of the above “unofficial” categories.
I may make some editing or tweaks here and there but it mostly stands the way I think it'll be for a long while. I too like the idea of this particular Ring being the "scattered" or "few and far between" type. With the exception of the Wolves lol 
