THE SHADOW VANGUARD
HERD INFORMATION
Gender Terms:
Males = Stallions
Females = Mares
Young = Foals
* Note! The Shadows do not discriminate and individuals are usually called by however they identify!
Typical Build:
Dependent upon the individual's bloodline
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Height Range:
Dependent upon the individual's bloodline
Preferred Coat Colors:
Anything goes within the Shadow Vanguard, although bonus points if your coat is dark and spooky in appearance! In addition, nearly all Shadows have multiple scars upon their body and a Shadow member is not considered truly vetted until they have a few scars to boast about!
MAGIC TYPES
Whereas the rest of Anomalous's herds are typically made up of purebreds of the same type, the Shadow Vanguard is made up of a mixture of individuals from all around the world! Therefore, magical talents vary in accordance with the individual's bloodline. Psychic strains are prized among the Shadow ranks, as are the more nefarious strains such as Poison, Devoro, and Desprit magic. However, any kind of magic is considered useful! It should be noted that, due to their acceptance of crossbreds, magical caps are common within the herd. Therefore, while magical prowess is seen as a boon for an individual, it is often physical/mental strength that is more highly prized within the Vanguard ranks!
HERD SPECS
Automatic Mutations:
Dependent upon the individual's bloodline.
Herd Mutations:
Dependent upon the individual's bloodline.
Diet:
Varies
Territories Held:
Penumbra Citadel
Skymarr Island
Introduction
The beginning of the Shadow Vanguard herd has its origins many, many centuries ago - back to when the Hellfire occurred.
After the Hellfire - a divine-like flame that wrecked its way through the northern reach of Anomalous - massacred the forests that are now known as Auster Wood. In this fire, the Goddess Vae'a perished but, in her wake, the goddess created Vitae'a, the first Queen of Auster, and a grand civil war broke out between those who remained after the Hellfire's flames had finally been quenched. On one side were those who turned to the gods to help them rebuild; on the other side were those who had lost their faith in the gods, disenchanted by the mass destruction and death the fires caused for, if there truly was a god or goddess that cared for them, why would the gods have unleashed such a devastating event upon their supposedly 'beloved' children? No, they did not need a god or goddess to rebuild. They would rely on themselves and their own strengths. These individuals were the first of a group that would become known as the Shadows by those still loyal to the gods, for they had fallen into the 'shadow' of doubt and lost their way from the light.
It was a vicious time full of bloodshed, with Vitae'a's army eventually gaining strength as she bestowed her divine gifts upon others and boosted the natural powers of those who backed her. Some battles were won by those dubbed Shadows but, as time went on and Vitae'a's power grew, it became evident who would come out on the other side as the victor. The Shadows were beaten time and time again and those captured who would not repent were executed.
While deaths occurred on both sides, the treatment of the dead varied. Those who had been loyal to Vitae'a were buried beneath grand and beautiful saplings in Auster in what would be the beginnings of the young Carlin Forest, so that their bodies would feed the earth of the land proudly. Those who had opposed Queen Vitae'a were given a less honorable burial, thrown into the swamps to feed the less elegant area's ecosystem. When Vitae'a's victory was complete, what remained of the Shadows were cursed and banished from the forest, never to return. Relegated to the swamps of the Yacare Mire and beyond, those left made themselves a home in the mire alongside the swamp's reptilian residents.
There, in the Mire, the vengeful spirits of Shadows both dead and living simmered. It would take years but, eventually, the thirst for revenge proved itself far too tempting. The Shadows - along with their reptilian brothers and sisters that had accepted their ways - pushed out those who opposed them, dispatching of the Scybilline demi-god, Acror, in the process. Those that remained after the conquering of the Yacare Mire vowed to protect the it and their own and to, one day, exact their revenge upon Vitae'a's descendants.
It is from this mixed crowd of exiles that the Mire herd is formed. At first, the Shadows often boosted their ranks by stealing foals and eggs or convincing young ones to follow them into the swamps which further added to the air of mystery and foreboding within the Mire. As time went on, they began to accept renegades and misfits from other herds, giving those without a place to finally call home. Somewhere along the line, a doe rose to power and named herself the Raven Queen, the Queen of the Shadow army. 'Death before disloyalty' became the Shadow's mantra, and those who did not live by it, died by it.
Such was the way of things for many, many years. It wouldn't be until the successful kidnapping of twin Austerian princesses that things truly took a turn. The twins were an unexpected prize of unimaginable worth - especially when it was discovered that the precious Esprit magic that long ago Queen Vitae'a had passed on to her followers could be corrupted. It was from one of these twins that a child was born, one who would change the course of Shadow history forever - a doe of Austerian blood but Shadow upbringing by the name of Enebris.
Enebris was an odd fawn from the start, inheriting the odd Desprit magic that the Shadows had inadvertently created. As she grew, though, those that beheld her soon came to fear her. It wouldn't be long until the doe had risen through the ranks and earned for herself the title of the Shadow's Raven Queen. It would be Enebris that finally led the Shadows in a successful takeover of Auster, slacking the long-awaited revenge of many. However, her thirst was not to be so easily quenched, for the Crown Princess Cadhara - the rightful heir to Auster - had escaped her grasp. No sooner was Auster was hers than the Raven Queen took her ambitions to even greater heights. The Raven Queen sent her army into overdrive, managing to ally the Shadows with the Saraphs - forming the Shadow Alliance - before sending her followers to wreck havoc across Anomalous.
Enebris's ambition, as it had been the Shadow's rise, would be the Shadow's downfall.
The Shadows suffered defeat at the hands of the united Nombeko clans but quickly set about to reclaim their victorious streak in battle. The Shadows laid siege to the Linx pack in the north, where it was revealed that the Crown Princess Cadhara had been in hiding. It was a long and arduous task but, eventually the Shadows rose to victory here as well, claiming the Crown Princess Cadhara as their hostage and returning to the forest where their queen waited eagerly. Before the Raven Queen could slay the Crown Princess and officially claim the ownership of Auster as her own, the rest of Anomalous came together in the face of a common enemy. A massive battle raged and, at the end of it, the Shadows were defeated when Queen Enebris was carried away by a mysterious, three-eyed raven...
Left broken and shattered after their defeat, the Shadow Alliance splintered. Some dropped their Shadow ways, preferring to reintegrate themselves into societies that would accept them. Others remained loyal to the Shadow oaths but, with nowhere to turn, went into hiding... It wouldn't be until the reincarnation of Dreadnought Noaxmi that the Shadows began to truly rebuild.
While, historically, the Shadows do not acknowledge or worship gods, Noaxmi's mission follows a deal struck with an ancestral and vengeful goddess, Astraek. The dragon-like deity has promised a new world if the Shadow forces are successful in completing the goddess's task, one within which the Shadows will finally have a home to call their own. Some Shadows have returned under Noaxmi's rule, vowing to continue what they started long ago. Others, disenchanted by the 'promises' of a questionable goddess, aren't so sure. Meanwhile, the rest of Anomalous has started to hear whispers that the Shadows are beginning to reform, although the where, when, and why are a mystery...
Only time will tell if the Shadow's mission will be successful and earn them power and infamy once more!
General Appearance
The ranks of the Shadow Vanguard are a motley crew made up of all kinds of kinds! From towering Austerians, to reptilian Scybillines, or 'grotesque' crossbreds, there are all sorts of faces and features to be found within the Shadow ranks. While Scybillines and Austerians are typically the most common, the Shadow Vanguard will not turn away anyone who proves themselves loyal and worthy.
In general, the Shadows keep themselves trim and fit, with little extra fat and loads of hard-earned muscle even upon the lightest frames. Scars are common and it is rare that Shadow won't have at least one to boast about. Cream-bearing Scybillines are treasured for their Psychic magic but, as far as coat color is concerned, there is no preference. Charms and trinkets are also commonly worn by Shadows, believed to help boost an individual's magical and physical prowess!
Diet & Habitat
Diet Type: Varies
Since there is such a wide mix of blood within the herd, the diets consumed by the Shadow Vanguard are equally diverse! Individuals are expected to fend for themselves when it comes to dinner, for the most part, so those with particular tastes must make sure they are satisfying their own dietary needs!
Historically, the Shadows occupied the area known as the Yacare Mire after pushing out the ancestral Scybillines that already lived there! However, after Raven Queen Enebris's disastrous defeat, the Shadows were largely left without a home. Those who are still loyal to the ancient Shadow oaths have begun to regroup within an area known as the Shadow Bastion - a series of unfinished tunnels in the Linx Foothills of Nombeko territory. While its exact location is known only to those who are loyal to the Shadows, those who leave the Bastion on a hunt or a mission are expected to use caution and common sense so that their secret location isn't discovered!
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After the Formaris Crisis – Astaek granted her followers a new home in the form of the Penumbra Citadel and Skymarr Island!
Trade Market Note!
Before they came out of hiding, Shadows often made a buck or got their hands on necessary items by doubling as renegade traders!
Shadow Deities
As aforementioned, the Shadows were founded upon the belief that the gods/goddesses of Anomalous - if they did exist - did not truly care about the mortal inhabitants of Anomalous. Instead, the Shadows opted to put their faith in a living, breathing being that their own eyes could see - one who could prove themselves worthy of the loyalty of Shadows in both mind and combat!
While here and there an individual Shadow might hold on to a belief of one particular god or goddess, it wouldn't be until Noaxmi's reincarnation and subsequent claim of the Dreadnought title that things shifted!
Following her reincarnation, Noaxmi announced her new vision for the Shadows. They were to help this dragon-like goddess in Astraek's divine mission so that, in exchange, when they were successful they would be rewarded with a land and power unlike that which they had ever known! While most of the Shadow do not hold any illusions that the vengeful actually cares for their welfare, the fact that they would benefit from helping the goddess in her mission - whether real or not - is enough for some to, at the very least, acknowledge her presence and usefulness. For some, this news alone was enough to help them drop the Shadow oath's altogether while others, intrigued by Noaxmi's message and the first real evidence of the existence of a god that actually desired to boost the Shadows, rejoined.
Astaek, Primary Deity... sort of
Feral Goddess of Magic
Shadow Leaders
For one reason or another, the Shadows have almost always - with very few exceptions - followed a female leader most often referred to as the 'queen' of the Shadows.
While each individual queen may have had their own nicknames and titles that they claimed for themselves, all proved themselves worthy of standing at the helm of the Shadow force with a mixture of physical and mental strength that allowed them to rise above their peers and maintain control over such a varied group. It is the ultimate responsibility of the Shadow's leader to look after the overall health and wellness of the Shadow force, as well as to furthering the Shadow cause - whatever that cause, at the time, may be! As the captain of a massive and secretive ship, a tactical and intellectual mind is an absolute must. The leader of the Shadows must settled disputes, assign duties to her admirals (who then divvy up the aforementioned duties as dictated), and, if necessary, deal out the ultimate punishment - death. Disloyalty is the highest sin a member of the Shadows can commit. A leader that cannot maintain control over the Shadows runs the risk of being challenged for the title of Shadow leader - a fight that is, oftentimes, to the death.
In current times, the title of 'queen' has been shifted to the title of 'Dreadnought' by Noaxmi who - although claiming leadership of the Shadows - declined to inherit a claim on any sort of royalty! Following Ifrit's rise to power, the bjorn has taken on the title of the Shadow's King!
Beneath the Shadow's leader are their most trusted followers - the Admirals. Admirals ensure the rules of their leader has orders are, in fact, enforced. The Grand Admiral is the Shadow leader's right-hand, in charge of organizing the rest of the admirals and ensuring they, in turn, are using their resources appropriately. Directly beneath the Grand Admiral are the High Admirals. While varying leaders in the past have chosen to promote only a single individual to this rank, it was not uncommon for there to be a second High Admiral, especially if the Shadow force was particularly large! Up until Summer 2003, High Admirals were in charge of executing commands from the Grand Admiral and organizing the Vice Admirals who, by extension, were assigned control of between two to three Commanders each and all the Shadows that fall beneath that.
However, as of Summer 2003, King Ifrit has dissolved the Vice Admiral rank, instead consolidating the chain of command into only two admiral-styled ranks instead of three, and sequentially opened the rank of High Admiral to more than just two individuals. The Grand Admiral's role remains the same, however High Admirals have seen a change in their role. They are still in charge of executing commands from the Grand Admiral, but now directly relay those orders and are assigned between anywhere from two to four Commanders, and by extension all the Shadows beneath them.
Additionally, in an attempt to further grow relations with the other world powers, King Ifrit established the rank of Ambassador. To ensure that Shadows - both on Skymarr Island and abroad - stay in line and on task, the Ambassador rank was created to represent the Shadows on a more political level. Ambassadors have the power to converse with herd and local leaders in their assigned area with a level of authority rivaling the Admirals, and act as representatives for King Ifrit when and where he cannot be. As a direct result, they are under intense scrutiny to ensure they do not damage the image of the Shadows or endanger their efforts. Lastly, Ambassadors are required to return to the Citadel at least once a year where they report their progress directly to King Ifrit.
Magic Types
As aforementioned, the Shadow Vanguard is made up of individuals from all over Anomalous! As such, magic types vary greatly within the Shadow ranks.
The Psychic magic strains, in general, are the most highly prized among the Shadow Vanguard, as are the more nefarious strains such as Poison, Devoro, and Desprit magic. However, mages of all kinds are seen as useful and are welcomed to join the Shadows, should they be able to prove their loyalty!
It should be noted that, due to the Vanguard's acceptance of crossbreds, magical caps are not uncommon within the herd. Therefore, while magical prowess is seen as a boon for an individual, it is often physical/mental strength that is more highly prized within the Vanguard ranks!
Mutations
Remember!
Automatic mutations that nearly every purebred character will have - in fact, it would be deemed extremely odd if they didn't have these mutations! Herd Mutationsare mutations that can only be found in a particular herd. Common Mutations are mutations that are commonly found across Anomalous. For more information on mutations, see the Mutations journal.
Mutations vary widely within the Shadow Vanguard, mostly because the bloodlines of each individual can vary widely!
While there are certainly plenty of purebreds from across the world that populate the Vanguard ranks, the Shadows - in general - are viewed by the rest of Anomalous as a rather grotesque group both for their massive amount of scarring and the heavy presence of crossbreeds.
Scarring, at least among the Shadows, is seen as a sign of strength. It is not uncommon for individuals - particularly those that have seen and survived multiple bouts of combat - to have deformations or old injuries that cause them grief. However, as with any Shadow member, those who cannot serve the Shadows due to drastic wounds and scarring are sometimes forcefully retired!
While others in Anomalous view crosses as grotesque and unfortunate, crossbreds - and their colorful array of mutations - are seen as highly useful to the Shadows! With access to multiple traits from different bloodlines, the fact that crossbred magic is often limited doesn't bother the Shadows. There are no particular crosses that the Shadows prefer, although - with the bulk of the ancestral Shadow herd being made of individuals from the Austerian and Scybilline bloodlines - Austerian x Scybilline crosses are typically the most common.
Herd Celebrations
Common Events
The Gauntlet
Occurs once per season.
To be a truly successful Shadow, one must constantly train to improve themselves in one skill or another that benefits the Shadow Vanguard as a whole! The Gauntlet is a seasonal event that allows the leaders of the Shadows to review the overall strength, health, and efficiency of their members. A series of spars and drills are held and performed, with various tests focusing on each skill an individual might possess. While there is no truly 'passing' grade (as every can always improve at something, in the eyes of the Shadows), it is very possible to fail the Gauntlet! Those who fail will be looked upon with extra scrutiny in the next season's Gauntlet and, while efforts will be made for repeat failures to be mentored by someone with more training, those who continually fall below expectation may find themselves before the Shadow Dreadnought and her admirals with some explaining to do!
Seasonal Events
Remembrance
Occurs every winter.
Remembrance is a fairly new ceremony/practice for the Shadows. After the disastrous defeat of the Shadow Alliance at the hands of a united Anoamlous, the once great and mighty Shadow Alliance was left broken and shattered. Although the members of the Shadows fought hard and took the lives of many enemies before their defeat, it was not without greater loss of blood on their side. To honor those that gave their lives during that fateful battle in the Winter of Year 1996, some Shadows choose to gather together and pay their respects. It is generally a somber and quick affair, with the current leader or other high ranking official saying a few words in memory of the fallen and vowing that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. Raven feathers gathered beforehand are then released to the wind, symbolizing the lost souls, and a moment of silence is recognized. After that, most Shadows go on with their daily business.
True Grit
Occurs every fall.
After spending years labeled as a youngling of the Shadow Crèche and training beneath various mentors, in the Autumn of a Shadow's fifth year they are put to the test! In the True Grit test, Shadow youths are pit against one another in test of mental, physical, and magical prowess. Those who perform well - even if they are bested - are officially welcomed into the ranks of the Shadow Vanguard and assigned a job that fits their strengths! Those that do not do so well in the eyes of the Shadow leadership, however, may run the risk of staying in the Crèche for another year (to a Shadow, remaining a Crèche member passed this point is truly embarrassing). If a Shadow youngling fails True Grit two years in a row, they are either assigned to take care of menial tasks for the Shadows or, worse, asked to leave the Shadow Vanguard entirely!
Herd Ranks (WIP)
The Shadow Vanguard operates like a beehive. They live to serve their leader - the Dreadnought - and promote the health of the hive! Everyone contributes to the Vanguard's ultimate goal of recovering the artifacts of Astraek and restoring the Dragon Goddess to life, so that she will create a new land for the Shadows to claim as their own. Shadows will be needed to puzzle out the goddess' riddle, infiltrate various herds unnoticed and explore potential locations! When someone has reached the end of their usefulness, they are dealt with accordingly.
Scholars
Requirements: 10+ Years Old
No longer do the Shadows need to decipher the mysteries of Astraek. Instead, Shadow Scholars spend their time researching the Shadows' past. Their victories, their failures, their fallen members, and more. So much of their lore had been lost on the road to Skymarr Island and King Ifrit aims to see that rectified. Some Scholars journey far, acting as field researchers, genealogists, and explorers and are often found in the company of Raiders and Witches, while others prefer the quiet solitude of the Citadel where they pour themselves over recovered works.
Raider
Requirements: At least two physical skills of Medium level.
If a Shadow needs to procure quick muscle, look no further than a Raider. Shadow Raiders strike hard and fast, far less stealthily than their comrades and often act the part of a distraction so other might conduct their business in relative peace. When there is no need for them arises, they act as bounty hunters and will be dispatched to silence any individual who would endanger the Shadow's safety.
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Requirements: At least one physical skill of Medium level or higher
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Emissary
Requirements: 2 Advanced Skills, 10+Years Old
Emissaries leave the safety of the Citadel and Skymarr Island to explore sanctioned territories of the mainland where they will—as directed—extend a hoof of good will. Their official mission is smooth over tensions in target areas, to attempt to repair the old wounds left behind by Queen Enebris’s reckless conquest and the Formaris event, and to change public opinion towards the Shadows as much as the locals are willing to accept. In addition, they are tasked to learn the local culture, laws, and locales so that they might better teach other Shadows who follow. They are not true ambassadors of the Shadows though, and do not represent the Shadow Vanguard in any official setting, but do represent their willingness to move forward.
Be warned, being an Emissary is a dangerous line of work as King Ifrit has ordered no one holding this rank hide their allegiance to the Shadows. If they are to move forward, they cannot hide their intentions, even if there are enemies everywhere.
Current Available Locations:
• Free-Roaming Territories
• Nombeko Plains
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Requirements: At least one physical skill of Medium level or higher
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Requirements: At least one physical skill of Medium level or higher
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Groundskeeper
Requirements: 5+ Years and Medium Herbs OR Medium Earth/Laurel/Water/Lumos/Telekinesis.
A more peaceful rank whose purpose is to give those in the Shadows without martial or magical prowess some sort of job within the Shadows. Groundskeepers of the Shadows ensure that the Penumbra Citadel's defenses are maintained, that no brick is loose, that the lanterns are lit, the floors swept, gardens cared for, and this is especially true within the Dragon Keep itself. They are no less important than other ranks and will often become a source of knowledge of all of the little secrets the Penumbra Citadel holds.
Shadows
Requirements: At least one physical skill of Medium level or higher
Shadows make up the main bulk of the army. Shadows often rely on their physical and tactical skills to best them in battle over magical or herbal skill. Shadows can be male or female of any lineage or descent. Most crossbred individuals are Shadows, since their magical talent is capped but their bite remains strong! Shadows train near constantly with each other to make sure that they are always in the best shape that they can be. Out of all the ranks, Shadows typically have the most/deepest scarring from the constant training!
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Requirements: At least one physical skill of Medium level or higher
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Spies
Requirements: 5+ Years Old
The Spies of the Shadows act as the eyes and ears of their King in territories that are less than friendly to the Shadows, melding so seamlessly into other herds so that they might pass on information that may prove valuable for the Shadows in this new era. They are sent to target herds and locales by the King to listen and look for signs of gathering danger, interesting events, and anything else they think might benefit the Shadows in this new age. The information that they gather is highly valuable, and must be communicated with the utmost secrecy.
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Requirements: At least one physical skill of Medium level or higher
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Requirements: At least one physical skill of Medium level or higher
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